Domestic Coachman

[Benody1921]

I'm looking for information on my great great grandfather, John Henry Dunn. He was born in 1863 in Banbury, Oxfordshire. He does not appear in the 1871 or 1881 census. I have found his marriage in the marriage index in 1885 in Banbury, Oxfordshire. In the 1891, 1901 and 1911 census he is a domestic groom and then a domestic coachman. My great grandfather, Harry George Edwin Dunn, is listed as a gardener in the 1911 census. The census says they live at Houndshill Cottage, Stratford on Avon. Does anyone happen to know if there was an estate of some sort where they may have worked? I don't think the Cottage is where there employers lived. I think that may have been a cottage for the servants but I'm not entirely sure. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[Kay99]

Hello and Welcome to RootsChat

Houndshill, Alderminster, Stratford on Avon is shown in this map in the north east corner on the Banbury Road - on the edge of Eatington.  It appears to be a house with an estate although it is now run as an inn

http://maps.nls.uk/view/101452617

John Henry appears to be working for a clergyman and his wife - Henry Francis Knightley  b 1854 (on the previous page of the 1901 census at the same address)- who looks like he was the 6th Baronet of this family http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knightley_baronets

Kay

Edit - In 1891 John Henry Dunn was also living next door to Henry F Knightly at Wasperton when Henry F  was the Vicar of Wasperton

[Benody1921]

Hi!

Thanks for replying so quickly. I do remember the 1891 census showing a bit of a different job than the 1901 and 1911 census. Another question is do you have any idea why he doesn't appear in the 1871 and 1881 census? Could he and his parents (if he had any,  I've hit a brick wall with this man) have lived in another country at these times?

Thanks again!

[MaureeninNY]

I wonder if he was born just before his parents were married?
Marriages Mar 1863 
COLES    John    Banbury 3a 787    
DUNN    Sarah   

In 1871 on A*try there's a John H CORES (someone has submitted a change to COLES) born 1863 with parents John and Sarah.

Don't see him in 1881 as yet.

Maureen

[Benody1921]

Hi Maureen,

I never thought of that. Thanks so much. That's a great tip.

Melody

[LizzieL]

The John Henry Coles in 1871 was born in Great Bourton, Oxon (same as mother's pob). In 1881 it looks like he is a servant  of Thomas Reading (farmer) in Shotteswell. Place of birth given as Shutford (the place where he is living in 1871 and where his younger siblings or possibly half siblings were born)

[LizzieL]

FreeBMD has birth reg of John Henry Dunn Q1 1863 Banbury district. 3a 660. No John Henry Coles in right year or place, so it does look like he was born and registered just before Sarah Dunn married.

[Benody1921]

Thanks so much LizzieL! Finally getting somewhere now. I really appreciate all the help. I'm so glad I decided to try out this site.

[MaureeninNY]

Hi Melody,

Forgot to wish you a warm welcome to RootsChat.

Even though it looks like we're on the right track, it would be best to purchase John Henry's birth cert just to be sure.

Maureen