SMITH family of Coach Trimmers - Lambeth/Southwark early 1800s

[jonwicken]

According to the census, my ancestor Charles Smith was born in Lambeth in c1821-1823.

His father is named on his 1846 marriage as William Smith, a coach trimmer, and his mother Jane's death certificate from 1854 confirms the name and occupation of her husband.

I am however struggling to work out any more about William Smith and would really appreciate some help.

I have found Charles Smith on the 1841 as an apprentice Coach Trimmer aged 15 (as ages then were rounded down) with a John Smith aged 20 (so actually up to 24) who was a coach trimmer, Jane Smith aged 55 (presumably his mother) and a 3 year old John Smith. They were at 19 Great Union Street, St George the Martyr Southwark.

Can anyone else please help me crack these Smiths? They have been a mystery for some years and I would like to resolve them, even though the common Smith name makes things difficult!   

Thank you,
Jon

[PaulineJ]

You might have to splash out on a death cert or two.
You can use the GRO indexes to find deaths for William smith in the right area 1837 to 1841. Ages are included, so i reckon youre down to 3 or four candidates

[Milliepede]

and a 3 year old John Smith.

Do you know who this 3 year old belonged to?

[jonwicken]

No I have no idea who John's parents were. There is a September 1837 birth for John Smith in St George Southwark with a mother's maiden name of Stiles but can't track the parents' marriage!

There are several William Smiths who died between 1837 and 1841 in the registration districts of Lambeth, St George Southwark and St Saviours of the right age and as he could have died before 1837 it would be an expensive process to this unfortunately.

[Milliepede]

What about the other John Smith age 20 - can you trace him forward with a possible marriage with the same father?  Might not help but would add a bit more info to the pile.

[jonwicken]

Yes I tried than too and I can't see anything

I feel 3 year old John could be the key but haven't cracked it so far.

[PaulineJ]

Then I would suggest buying the 3-y-olds birth certificate. @£7

[Annette7]

I noted that John Smith was still with mother Jane on 1851 census - now shown bc.1815 St. George's, Surrey (Southwark).

Looked for his baptism and found that he and a brother were both baptised 30/6/1816 St. George the Martyr, Southwark - William then shown as Coach Maker:

John Walker born 27/9/1814
Thomas Samuel born 20/11/1815

Charles Smith was not baptised until 1/11/1837 Christchurch, Southwark - shown as born 19/9/1822 - William a Coach Trimmer and family then living at Webber Street.

Annette

[jonwicken]

Then I would suggest buying the 3-y-olds birth certificate. @£7

Yes this looks like a good plan!