A tale of two tailors - Thomas Bowyer

[ggrocott]

How often was tailor cited as an occupation in the 1841 and 1851 census and what is the plural of census?

I am looking for my ancestor Thomas Bowyer but am at a loss!  This is what I 'know'

1.  A Thomas Bowyer was baptised on 27 February 1785 at Frimley, Surrey.  He was the son of William and Rebecca and had siblings William, Hannah, Susannah, Charlotte and John baptised between 1769 and 1782.

2.  Another Thomas Bowyer was baptised on 20 April 1793 at Easthampstead, Berkshire son of William Bowyer and Rachel Giles.  Siblings William, Hannah, John, George and Mary baptised between 1791 and 1806.

3.  A Thomas Bowyer married Sarah Skilling at Clewer, Berkshire on 12 July 1819.

i)  A Sarah Skilling was baptised in 1785 in Bagshot, Surrey.
ii) A Sarah Skilling was the mother of Betsy Skilling bp 15 June 1809, Bagshot, Surrey
iii) Betsy Skilling was the mother of Henry Moss Skilling bp 1832 Bagshot, Surrey.

4.  1841 'My' Thomas Bowyer is shown in the Windlesham/Batshot Census age 40, profession tailor, born out of county.  At the same address are Sarah, born in county age 50, Mary age 20 born in county, Thomas age 15 born in county and Henry Skilling age 10 born in county.

5. 1851 Sarah Bowyer born Bagshot age 77 is with daughter Mary, age 32 born Bagshot, now married to William Tagg in White Waltham, Berkshire.  Sarah is married but her husband in not with her. 
The only Thomas Bowyer at Bagshot/Windlesham is aged 25 with wife Sarah and nephew Henry Skilling age 18, born Frimley. 
There is no Thomas Bowyer in Frimley, Chertsey or Guildford - I have the rest of Surrey still to check!
There is a Thomas Bowyer in Easthampstead, age 58, born Easthampstead who is a tailor.  He is married but his wife is not with him.

6. 1859 Thomas Bowyer age 72, profession tailor, dies in the Chertsey workhouse and is buried at St.  Anne's Bagshot.

7.  Sarah Bowyer is still in White Waltham with her daughter, she is now a widow aged 80!

I have not so far been able to check the 1861 census for Easthampstead but haven't managed to find a suitable Thomas Bowyer in Surrey.

Comments and any help welcomed!

[alcrighton]

Hi,

1861 Census, Easthampstead, Berkshire

Ref: RG9/755 Folio 20 Page 11

Address: Sandpit Road, Easthampstead

William Bowyer, Head, Mar, 26, Ag Lab, b. Berks, Sunninghill
Ann Boyer, Wife, Mar, 22, b. Berks, Warfierld
Alice Bowyer, Dau, 1, b. Easthampstead
William Bowyer, Lodger, Wr, 66, b. Berks, Warfield

This looks like a possible for Thomas Bowyer no. 2.  What do you think?

Al

[ggrocott]

Thanks for that Al - it does look like a possible although neither the age or the place of birth quite fit - it kind of swings the pendulum back in favour of the Frimley one being mine - just wish I could find him in 1851!

I suspect they are all related as Frimley, Bagshot and Easthampstead are not exactly miles apart despite the fact that Frimley and Bagshot are in Surrey and Easthampstead is in Berks.  Must now check out where Warfield is and see if you have actually uncovered Thomas Bowyer number three!

PS

Warfield is not far away but there was another Thomas Bowyer baptised there in 1798 who could be the one at Sandpit Road, Easthampstead in 1861 age 66 so now I have two tailors and a lodger - the plot thickens!

Gill

[alcrighton]

Sorry Gill,  The lodger aged 66 was Thomas Bowyer not William and his profession was Ag Lab!  You must think I'm cracking up!  I've had a look at a map and Easthampstead and Warfield are about 3 miles appart.

Regards,

Allan