Robert Bowring 1791

[Laura-Jane]

I am looking for any information on my predecessor Robert Bowring b 1791 "not Shropshire", so Staffordshire?  He was a fishmonger and married Mary or Margaret (surname?).  They had 2 sons: 1. Thomas Bowring Snr who was also a fishmonger b 1821 Newport who married Mary Bentley in July/Aug/Sep 1841 Wellington, Shropshire.  2. The other son was John Bowring b 1836.  Any info on these family members would be appreciated.

[..claire..]

Hi Laura-Jane

Welcome to RootsChat

There is a baptism in Uttoxeter Staffordshire in 1789 on the 11 Nov 1789 ~ Robert son of John and Jane Bowring.

claire

[..claire..]

There is such a big age difference between children I wonder if he married twice as there is this marriage in Newport by Licence

Robert BOWRING of the parish of NANTWICH in the County of CHESTER and Margaret HOLLAND of this parish.

Married: 19 September 1834
Both signed register
Witnesses: William Jake, Jane Pooles and John ? ? ~ the writing is dreadful!

claire

[..claire..]

The only baptism I can see for Thomas is in HANLEY, Staffordshire 29 Aug 1821 son of Robert and Mary.

I'n not sure he knew where he was born ~ three different census's give different PoB ~ Nantwich Cheshire, Staffordshire and N(ot) K(nown) Shropshire.

claire

[..claire..]

A burial for Roberts first wife Mary

Mary BOWRING buried 14 Mar 1833 aged 46 years old in Nantwich Cheshire, husband of Robert Bowring.

So there was a first marriage, which could be this one, it's the only one I can see.

Uttoxeter, St Mary 2 Sep 1813, by Licence

Robert BOWRING married Mary KELSALL ~ both signed.
Witnesses: George and Mary Bowring

The marriage licence gives a few more details ~ he was a Farmer from Uttoxeter and she was from Alton in Staffordshire.

Have compared the signatures of Robert on both marriage entries and they do look pretty similar

claire

[Laura-Jane]

Wow thanks Claire - I wondered why there was such an age difference between children and a second marriage makes sense.  Now you have provided proof.  Thanks so much for your help!  It's like putting puzzle pieces together to make a full and completed picture.  An eye for detail helps, I guess.  Also ... I don't have photos or images of my ancestors - any idea as to where to look for this type of documentation?  Regards Laura

[..claire..]

Hi Laura,

I've just edited one of my posts with more info.

Not sure where you would find photos of your ancestors but maybe registering your surname on the 'surname interests' could help. Other researchers of the same family may see it and help'

I think FindMyPast is free this weekend have you been making use of the registers on there ~ the marriage Licence and marriage registers are on there ~ you could download them for you records.

claire

[..claire..]

Hi

I think possibly Robert may have been born earlier than you think, the GRO death index and burial register for Wellington Shropshire both give his age as 78, which puts his YoB c1782, and the 1841 census ages were often rounded down to the nearest multiple of 5. I can't see him in 1851 to clarify

Robert BOWRING buried 26th October 1860 Wellington, All Saints, of New Street aged 78 years.

Margaret BOWRING buried 8th July 1861 Wellington, All Saints, of New Street aged 59 years.

claire

[..claire..]

Now this is better: There is a baptism in Uttoxeter on 23 Sep 1787,

Robert son of GEORGE and MARY Bowring. Given there are witnesses to his first marriage with these names, this could possibly be the one you are looking for.

This couple had a lot of children in Uttoxeter including a George and Mary, possible witnesses to his marriage ?