hello Helen - I have just discvered this chat site.
I too have John Walbridge and Elizabeth (nee Elliott) in my tree. I can tell you a bit about them, and take you back a few steps as well.
Here goes:-
John, my great great grandad, was baptised in Powerstock, Dorset, 0n the 29th of July 1800.
He was the son of James Walbridge and Mary, (nee Hawkins). A yeoman farmer, he married Elizabeth Elliott on April 13th 1830, at St George's church, Fordington, West Dorset. Their witnesses were Ann Elliott and James Walbridge.
They set up home at Shatcombe farm, Wynford Eagle, and at the time of the 1851 census he decribed himself as"Farmer of 120 acres, employing five labourers".
By the 1861 census he had become "farmer of 200 acres" in Powerstock.
John and Elizabeth had several children, six of whom were named on the 1851 census:
Ann Elliott b 3 may 1832 at West Compton
Elizabeth Elliott b 25dec 1833 at " " "
Emma Elliott b 25 oct 1835 at Wynford Eagle
James William Elliott b 9july 1837 at West Com.
Mary Hawkins b 29 may 1840
Lotitia b 22 may 1842 (died aged 2)
John Thomas Elliott b 8th Sept 1844 at West Co.
John died on Feb 2nd 1879 and was buried in the little churchyard of St Michael's, West Compton Abbas, on the 8th Feb.
Elizabeth survived him. At the 1881 census she was included in the household of her daughter Mary who had married Dan Wrixon (my great grandad).
Ten years later, in 1891, she was living at the home in Wynford Eagle of her farmer grandchild Tom Mellish. She was listed as "Grandmother - widow - 82 - living own means"
Elizabeth died on the 8th March 1900, aged 91, and was buried in the same grave as john.
I have a photo of John with his prize-winning bull, and one of Elizabeth sitting in a rocking chair. I have her death certificate, and photos I have taken at the grave. I have no idea how I could send you copies of these!
Are you up for more? (A London expression!)
Here goes:
John's father James was born c1766 (from his gravestone).
He was the son of William Walbridge and Lydia (nee Rigler).
On the 19th February 1793, he married Mary Hawkins in Powerstock.
They had at least 4 children:
Henry b 30 june 1794
Ann b 9th Oct 1795
James b 24th feb 1799
John b 29 july 1800
They lived at West Compton Abbas (the "west" is used to distinguish it from the other better-known Compton Abbas)
Mary died in 1836 , and James died on 24th DEcember 1839 of the "rupture of a vessel of the brain brought on by exertion made in carring a sack of oats" (sic). I have his death certificate.
The last thing I'll leave you with today is the inscription on their headstone, which suggest a deep religious conviction and quite a lot of wealth. This is no simple headstone!
In memory of Mary, wife of James walbridge, who departed this life December 1st 1836, aged 77 years
"Affliction sore longtime I bore
physicians were in vain
till God did please to call for me
and ease me of my pain"
Also of the above James Walbridge
who departed this life December 24th 1839
aged 73 years
"A sudden change, he unexpectedly fell
had scarcely time to bid his friends farewell.
Think nothing strange, death awaits us all
his lot today - tomorrow mine may fall"
Wow!
I shall stop now - but let me know if this is useful to you. I can tell you about James's parents, and those of Mary too.
Bye for now, and happy hunting!
Vic
