Henry Spurr, where did you go?

[OttawaJohn]

I have a great, great grandfather Henry Spurr (born December 1827), son of a builder Richard Spurr (1806 – 1873) and his wife Elizabeth (nee White 1806 – 1877).

Henry is married to Margaret Mary Rowe (the daughter of John and Thomasine Rowe) in St Mary's Parish Church on 16 Jan 1849. Somehow this marriage looks a bit wobbly and Margaret Mary is 3 years older than Henry.

Henry and Margaret Mary are together in the 1851 census living on Clarence Gate. When there only daughter (that I can find) was born 16 January 1853, they are living on Clarence Street.

Margaret Mary and Jane are together in the 1861 census, living as lodgers on West Street. Margaret Mary claims to be married, but Henry is missing. Margaret Mary Spurr is dead in 1869. Jane turns up in the 1871 census in an Anglican reformatory for repentant women in Lincoln and is later married and widowed in Leicester twice between 1874 and 1886.

My big question, brick wall if you like, is Henry. Between 1853 and 1861 he seems to have disappeared off of the face of the earth. No death record, no census entry in 1861 or beyond. Anyone know where he went?

The Spurrs, in the form of Richard and his other sons look affluent as do the Rowes. Was Margaret Mary and Jane abandoned or cast off for issues unknown?

Anybody have any clues or knowledge would be welcome.

[sunflower]

There is also this baptism

Eliza Mary Spurr 15.5. 1851 to Henry & Margaret Mary Spurr, builder, Clarence St  at St Marys

Carol

[hanes teulu]

Nottinghamshire Guardian, Thu 2 Apr 1857
DEATHS
On the 3rd ultimo, age 15, Eliza Mary, eldest daughter of Mr Richard Spurr, builder, Broad Street, Nottingham

"Henry Spurr, builder, Clarence street" is listed amongst the burgesses, freeholders of Nottingham in the Nottingham Review and General Advertiser, 16 July 1852.

On the '51 Census his occupation is "bricklayer" and the Nottinghamshire Guardian, 5 Aug 1858 mentions "Mr Spurr, bricklayer" being paid £7 6s 6d by the Corporation - but no guarantee it's "your" Henry.

[chempat]

Does Jane claim her father as alive or dead on her marriage certificates - I know that it does not prove anything, but just in case something important is revealed.

Added:
Should that death notice not give Eliza's age as 5 not 15?  And daughter of Henry not Richard?

Added:
There is a birth for Eliza Mary in 1842 and in 1851 Mary Eliza as daughter of a Richard (builder), so Richard is not Henry.

[keyboard86]

Hi not really helping with search for Henry, but in 1861 census is an Eliza SPOORS 10 b Nottinghamshire shown as Grandaughter to a Richard 55 occ Builder etc and Eliza Residing at 26, Broad Street,  Nottinghamshire
Census ref RG09/2461/4/2
Keyboard86

[mirl]

I see Henry had four younger siblings in 1841, have you traced these to see if is he with any of them in later years?

[hanes teulu]

Added:
Should that death notice not give Eliza's age as 5 not 15?  And daughter of Henry not Richard?

Added:
There is a birth for Eliza Mary in 1842 and in 1851 Mary Eliza as daughter of a Richard (builder), so Richard is not Henry.

Newspaper article exactly as posted - 15yrs of age - which fits the '42 birth, registered Nottingham, March Qtr.

[keyboard86]

Hi not really helping with search for Henry, but in 1861 census is an Eliza SPOORS 10 b Nottinghamshire shown as Grandaughter to a Richard 55 occ Builder etc and Eliza Residing at 26, Broad Street,  Nottinghamshire
Census ref RG09/2461/4/2
Keyboard86

Something must have occured for Henry to be missing, the Grandaughter above is shown as Eliza M aged 20 with Richard 65 occ Master Builder etc Eliza 65 Frances (Son) 34 Maria 25 and a William 6 Grandson
Residing at Cumberland Place, Nottinghamshire
Census Ref RG10/3531/52/16
Keyboard86

[hanes teulu]

In the '51 Census, Richard's daughter is recorded as Mary Eliza, age 9.