Best regards to every one
Happy family tree
Kevin G Gibson

This month we will take a look at one of the Brangwin women: Mary daughter of Edmund Brangwin and Mary Deane. She was born in Hambleden in 1786 the first of Edmund and Mary’s ten children. She was baptised in the parish church at Hambleden on November 12, 1786.

The next time we see mention of Mary is in 1809 when she married George Barnett. George was the fourth child and second son of Thomas Barnett and Sarah Williams of Remenham, Berks, just across the River Thames from Hambleden. He was born in Remenham, in 1786 and was baptised there on April 30, 1786.

A copy of the marriage licence can be seen below. The licence was issued to George Barnett and Edmund Brangwin, Mary’s father. George’s place of abode was given as Remenham, Berks, while Edmund was of Hambleden, Bucks. The licence was issued on July twelfth in the forty ninth year of the reign of George the third, in other words 1809. Both George and Mary were adults as both are ‘aged twenty one years and upwards’.

The signatures of George and Edmund appear at the bottom of the document.

Mary and George were married on July 13, 1809 in St Mary the Virgin, Hambleden.

Details from the marriage register:

Mary and George had eleven children.

Unfortunately, George died on February 18, 1831 leaving Mary with ten children ranging in age from 21 to 2. George had made a Will which was signed on February 14 just days before his death. This is our feature Will this month.

What happened to Mary is unclear however it would appear that the family remained at Upper House Farm, Harpsden. After all, Henry, James and possibly Daniel would have been assisting George and working the farm and they are likely to have carried on farming after the death of their father. Mary had a brother at nearby Rotherfield Grey’s and, as he was one of the Executors appointed by George, would have been available to provide support for Mary and the boys.

1833 saw two events that would have caused Mary both joy and sorrow. Firstly, the oldest of her living daughters, Mary, married Joseph Hobbs on January 23 at St Margaret’s, Harpsden. They married by licence with consent of her mother as Mary was still a minor. Then came the death of 9 year old Francis in June. He was buried in Vault No. 7 at the Rotherfield Grey’s Independent Chapel where his father had been buried. His death must have effected the family as Francis, although a name carried by the Brangwin’s, too, appears in a number of the families of his siblings.

For the next couple of years nothing was heard of the family. Then came the death of Henry, the oldest of the Barnett children. He died, aged 26, in June 1836, and was buried with his father and younger brother Francis on June 11. The Oxfordshire Archives do not hold a Will for Henry so it is possible that he did not leave one. Given the terms of his father's Will, it is possible that he had little to dispose of at the time of his death anyway.

In 1836 James, the oldest of the remaining sons, went to America and began farming in Ohio. The timing of this move may have had something to do with the death of his brother or it may have been coincidence. We may never know what triggered his move to Ohio.

At the time of the 1841 census Mary was living in Hart Street, Henley-on-Thames with her son Daniel and youngest daughter Eliza. Her occupation was given as butcher. The family had left Upper House Farm at Harpsden. The loss of Henry and the departure of James would have made it very difficult to continue managing the farm. Perhaps James left because Mary had decided to give up the farm.

It is unclear what happened to Mary next. We do know that she died around the end of 1860 or early 1861. This information is contained in a letter written by her daughter Mary to her brother James in Ohio [see the April Newsletter for the text of this letter]

So, what of the many children of Mary? Some have already been mentioned, but the rest will be covered below.

1. Henry Barnett, born November 28, 1809, died 1836
2. Martha Barnett, born September 13, 1811, died 1811
3. Mary Barnett, born August 25, 1812, died August 26, 1880
4. James Barnett, born July 24, 1814, died August 28, 1888
5. Daniel Barnett, born July 22, 1816, died April 22, 1895
6. Julia Barnett, born May 21, 1818, died April 7, 1903
7. William Barnett, born May 4, 1820, died January 5, 1893
8. Letitia Barnett, born March 12, 1822, died about 1852
9. Francis Barnett, born February 1, 1824, died 1833
10. George Barnett, born July 24, 1826, died May 18, 1902
11. Eliza Barnett, born May 17, 1828, died August 19, 1902

Henry Barnett, first child of George Barnett and Mary Brangwin, was born at Hambleden, Bucks on November 28, 1809. He was baptised in the parish church on December 24, 1809.

Henry was named an executor of his father’s will in 1831. Unfortunately he died shortly after and was buried in the same vault as his father, No 7, at the Rotherfield Grey’s Independent Chapel on June 11, 1836. His age at the time of his death was 26.

Martha Barnett was the second child of George Barnett and Mary Brangwin. She was born on September 13, 1811. The entry for her baptism in the Parish Register for the Pheasant’s Hill Independent Chapel, Hambleden, Bucks, reads:

2. Martha Barnett, daughter of George and Mary Barnett born Septr 13 and baptised Septr 30 1811 at Mr Brangwin's by me, James Churchill

The unusual circumstances of her baptism are explained by her death shortly afterwards. Martha was buried at Hambleden on October 3, 1811.

Mary Barnett was the third child of George Barnett and Mary Brangwin. She was born at Hambleden, Bucks, on August 25, 1812 and baptised on September 19, 1812, at Pheasant's Hill Independent Chapel, Hambleden, Bucks.

Mary married Joseph Hobbs by licence on January 23, 1833 at St Margaret’s, Harpsden, Oxon with the consent of her mother, Mary. Joseph was given as a bachelor of Cookham, Berks, Mary as a spinster of the parish. Witnesses were Emma Hobbs and Henry Barnett.

The marriage licence was issued on January 17, 1833 (Oxford Diocesan Marriage Bonds). The abode for Joseph was given as Cookham, Berks, age 21 and upwards while Mary was a minor of Harpsden marrying with the consent of her mother, Mary Barnett.

Address given as Langton Farm in the Cookham Parish Register against the baptism entry for son Henry in 1834.

[The garden of Moor Hall, Cookham, as it is today]

According to the 1851 census, Mary and Joseph were living at Moor Hall, Cookham, Berks. Joseph’s age was given as 42, he was a farmer of 400 acres employing 43 labourers and his place of birth was Medmenham, Bucks.

Joseph is listed in the 1852-53 Slater's Directory for Berkshire under Maidenhead in the Miscellaneous section as a cattle dealer of Cookham.

Mary died on August 26, 1880 at the age of 68.

The church at Cookham. Photo by Lorraine Wuth. September 1998

Joseph's Will, dated September 14, 1859 and proved at Oxford on November 15, 1859, was a very long document, extending to 6 sheets with a codicil. It set up a trust for his children, making provision for them to receive benefits. The full extent of the trust came to them (subject to age restrictions) on the death or remarriage of Joseph's widow, Mary. The trustee arrangements originally set up Joseph's wife, Mary, and son Henry as trustees. Provisions within the will allowed for the replacement, retirement, removal and addition of trustees.

Properties mentioned in the will included Abney House and the adjoining brewery.

At the time of probate, the value of the effect did not exceed £8,000* which was quite an amount at that time. Both Mary and Henry are listed as being of Abney House.

[£1 in 1859 is equal to £42.22 today, so Joseph left the equivalent of £337,760]

Children of Mary Barnett and Joseph Hobbs:

1. Henry Hobbs, born 1834 [and I have managed to lose Henry]
2. Joseph Overton Hobbs, born July 18, 1841, died October 28, 1924. Joseph went to New Zealand and then on to the US. He finally settled in Utah. Married Catherine Malone Devlin and had five children. [Andy and Melba Hobbs are grandchildren of Joseph.]
3. Walter Hobbs, born October 12, 1843 [also unfortunately lost]
4. Mary “Polly” Hobbs, born December 4, 1846, died December 12, 1916 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Married Stephen Smith and had eleven children. [Irene Cambridge who was profiled in the June Newsletter is a great granddaughter of Polly]
5. Emily Hobbs, born June 30, 1849, died September 1881. Married John Edward Vevers and had four children.
6. Agnes Hobbs, born July 11, 1852 died Spetember 13, 1922 - she did not marry.

James Barnett was the fourth child and second son of George Barnett and Mary Brangwin. He was born on July 24, 1814 at Hambleden, Bucks. He was baptised at the Pheasant's Hill Independent Chapel, Hambleden, on October 23, 1814.

James emigrated to America in 1836 when he was in his early twenties. His older brother, Henry, died in June 1836 and this event may have been the catalyst for his departure from England.

James settled in Hinkley Township, Medina County, Ohio, not far from Cleveland. In 1840 he bought 36 acres of land, known as Lot 99, from a Harry and Sarah Perkins for $351.00. He probably rented the land prior to purchasing it. He cleared and cultivated the farm for six years before returning to England in 1842. Why he returned to England is unknown. He remained there for ten years, working in a brewery in Shropshire. At the time of the 1851 census he was living in Friday St, Rotherfield Greys, Oxon. He was unmarried, aged 36 and his occupation was listed as Brewers Clerk.

James married Eliza Collins. When is unknown but they sailed for America on June 28, 1852 as husband and wife. They settled on the Hinkley Township farm. Besides working the farm, James also worked a sawmill on Rocky River where he accidentally lost a finger. This, plus his age, incapacitated him for service in the Civil War.

James and Eliza Barnett. Photo courtesy of Harley Barnette

James kept a diary from 1860 to 1873 which provides a chronicle of his times and gives insight into Northern Ohio rural life during and after the Civil War.

After thirteen years and five children James and Eliza sold their Hinkley Township farm and moved. With all the family possessions piled on a wagon and their livestock, James and the boys walked the 100 miles west to Lucas County in the north west of the state of Ohio. Eliza and the girls followed by train accompanied by a tame chicken.

Meriam White, a distant cousin of James, was also in Lucas County when the family arrived. It is understood that she did not approve of the marriage of James to Eliza as “after all, she was just a working girl”.

Upon arrival in Lucas County, James began to look for land upon which to settle. He purchased 160 acres at Providence township from William C. Culver situated on Box Road. The family moved into a log house situated across Box Road located directly across Bailey Road from the farm of John Pollock. This was the beginning of an association between the Barnett and Pollock families.

In the early 1870s the family moved into a better house on the opposite side of the road to the log house. This was a wood sided structure situated on the South side of Box Road.

In 1872 James joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. Eliza had been a member for some time. Both were apparently quite religious and believed in strictly keeping the sabbath.

James died on August 22, 1888 in Providence Township, Lucas County, Ohio, USA. He was 74 years old. He was buried in the Mt Pleasant Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Lucas County, Ohio.

Eliza Collins was born in England on August 16, 1822 the daughter of William Collins and Elizabeth Smith. She was supposedly a lady in waiting for Queen Victoria. Little is known of her family except for a nephew, Jerry Collins and Jesse Collins who was either a brother or another nephew. It is believed her parents lived in London.

Eliza died on December 1, 1875 in Providence Township, Lucas County, Ohio, aged 53, and is buried in the Mt Pleasant Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Lucas County, Ohio.

Children of James Barnett and Eliza Collins:

1. Mary Barnett, born April 12, 1853, died August 1, 1921. Married James "Jim" Pollock and had nine children.
2. Francis "Frank" Barnett, born April 12, 1853, died May 27, 1927. Married Lucinda Hartman and had two children.
3. Henry Barnett, born July 18, 1854, died February 11, 1940. Married Agnes Heller and had five children.
4. Arthur Barnett, born August 15, 1856, died January 24, 1930. Married Ermina "Minnie" Berridge and had five children.
5. Emily "Emma" Barnett, born June 24, 1858, died June 3, 1928. Married Thomas Andrew Pollock, brother of Jim. They had seven children.

[Harley Barnette, Mary Williams and Robert Barnett are all descendents of James]

Daniel Barnett was born at Hambleden, Bucks, on July 22, 1816, the third son and fifth child of George Barnett and Mary Brangwin. He was baptised on January 12, 1817, Pheasant's Hill Independent Chapel, Hambleden, Bucks. [Daniel was my great, great grandfather]

[Photo of Daniel courtesy of Barbara Lorains]

In 1839, Daniel’s occupation was given as butcher of Henley-upon-Thames when he swore for the Admon of the estate of his grandmother Mary Brangwin.

In 1841, according to the census, Daniel was living with his mother, Mary, and youngest sister, Eliza, at Hart St, Henley.

Daniel married Elizabeth Dreweatt on April 19, 1849, at Reading St Mary's, Berks, by licence. The marriage was witnessed by Joseph Bruce, A. S. Dreweatt, Eliza Barnett [probably Daniel’s youngest sister] and Sarah Ann Dreweatt [sister of Elizabeth - The signature was not that of her mother].

According to the licence application, Daniel was of the Parish of Shiplake, Oxon, a bachelor of 21 years and upwards. Elizabeth was of the Parish of St Mary’s Reading, Berks, a spinster and also of 21 years and upwards.

The following was supplied by a family source:

Daniel died on April 22, 1895 at his residence in Wickham Road, South Brighton. He was buried in the Old Cheltenham Cemetery on April 23, 1895.

The headstone of the grave shared by Daniel and his wife Elizabeth and Elizabeth's sister Sarah. Old Cheltenham Cemtery, VIC. Photo; Lorraine Wuth

On his death certificate, Daniel was listed as a Gardener. Cause of death was given as senile decay. His father was listed as George Barnett, Farmer; mother unknown. The informant was his son Edwin.

The Age, Melbourne, carried a death notice on Tuesday April 23, 1895:

On the 22nd April, at Wickham-road, South Brighton, Daniel Barnett, aged 79 years

Daniel’s will was very simple. It bequeathed “unto my deceased son Francis children that portion of land consisting of twenty four acres situated at the corner of Spring and Wickham roads of South Brighton Moorabbin in the County of Bourke when the youngest becomes of age and that Mrs Francis Barnett is to have the use of the land after my wifes death for the bringing up of the children”.

Children of Daniel Barnett and Elizabeth Dreweatt:

1. Elizabeth Ellen Barnett, born May 14, 1850, died June 16, 1856
2. Mary Anne Barnett, born June 14, 1852, died March 14, 1854
3. Francis Barnett, born March 3, 1854, died February 24, 1884. Married Miriam Blencowe and had five children. [Kevin Gibson is a descendant of Frank]
4. Emily Barnett, born December 21, 1855, died June 30, 1861
5. Edwin James Barnett, born September 1857, died March 14, 1925. Married Jane Potter Scott and had six children. Married Jane's sister Lucy following the death of Jane. [Edwin is my great grandfather]
6. William Henry "Harry" Barnett, born September 28, 1859, died June 4, 1919. A sad case. Married Margaret Ellen Hayes and had one child who died aged 7 months. Margaret died and he then married her sister Alice Emma. One child was born but also died aged 6 months and then Alice died. Harry got shipped off to England, married Edith Annie Edmonds and they had six children.
7. George Barnett, born July 4, 1861, died February 2, 1902. Married Louisa Organ and had five children. After the death of Louisa, married her niece Emily Alice Richards and they had one child.
8. Mary Jane Barnett, born December 15, 1863, died February 1864

Juliana Barnett was also known as Julia. She was born on May 21, 1818 after her parents, George Barnett and Mary Brangwin, had moved to Harpsden, Oxon, a short distance, a mile or so, out of Henley-on-Thames. She was baptised at the Rotherfield Grey’s Independent Chapel, where the parish register records:

#500
Baptised Nov 10 1818
Name Juliana
Parent’s George and Mary Barnet (Harpsden)

Her name appears in the parish register as Juliana although elsewhere she is mostly referred to as Julia.

At the time of the 1851 census, Julia was visiting her sister Mary and brother-in-law Joseph Hobbs. No occupation was given.

The 1881 census records Julia as a domestic companion to Emma Peto of Cannons Farm, Cookham, Berks. Her age is given as 61. She was unmarried and her birth place was given as Harpsden, Oxon.

There are frequent references to Julia in the letters written to Joseph Hobbs. She is described as a wonderful old lady. In her later years she joined her widowed younger sister, Eliza, who provided her with a home whilst she was able.

Julia died on April 7, 1903, aged 85, at Ellesmere, Weighton Road, Longe.

From the Wills Index we learn:

Barnett Juliana of "Ellesmere" Weighton-road, Anerley, Surrey, spinster died 7 April 1903. Administration London 1 September [1903] to Agnes Hobbs, spinster. Effects: £56/19/2

Julia was the last surviving one of the eleven children of George Barnett and Mary Brangwin.

William Barnett was born at Harpsden, Oxon, on May 4, 1820, the seventh child and fourth son of George Barnett and Mary Brangwin. He was baptised on October 29, 1820, at the Rotherfield Grey’s Independent Chapel, Oxon.

William married twice:

1. Louisa Tyler in 1845 in Brislington, England
2. Ann Reeves, niece of his first wife, on November 4, 1854 in Sandhurst, Victoria

According to the 1851 England and Wales Census, William was living at Binfield Heath in the Parish of Shiplake, Oxon. He was married, 30 years old and a carpenter employing 12 men. Also in this household were his wife Louisa who was 44 years old and his 2 year old daughter, Maria Louisa.

William, Louisa and Maria arrived in Victoria on the Jeannette on January 16, 1854.

William died on January 5, 1893 at Carpenter St, Brighton, Victoria, aged 72.

From the death certificate it was stated that William had lived in New South Wales for 36 years and Victoria for 4 years. The marriage information and subsequent birth of children indicate that he was living in Victoria in 1854 (when he married Anne Reeves) until some time before 23 February 1863 (at which time he was in Tasmania - birth of John Charles. At least Anne was in Tasmania for the birth of her fourth child). By 1865, when George Alfred was born, the family was living in New South Wales. They appear to have returned to Victoria in the latter part of the 1880s, residing in Brighton at the time of William's death.

Cause of death was general paralysis.

During his time in Australia, William had worked as a wheelwright.

William’s second marriage provided some clues to his forebearers. While some of the information was erroneous, such as his age being 24 when he was actually 34, it gave details of his parents, George Barnett (a farmer) and Mary Brangwin. It also gave his place of birth as Harpsden, Oxon.

William’s occupation is given as builder in 1854.

Both parties could write and were residents of Sandhurst, now known as Ballarat, at the time of their marriage.

Marriage register entry for William and Anne

Louisa Tyler, the first wife of William Barnett, was born at Shiplake, Oxon about 1807, the daughter of John Tyler and Fanny Harris. She died on February 13, 1854 at Ashby, near Geelong, Victoria, a mere two weeks after her arrival in the colony. Age at death was 47.

According to Louisa's death certificate:

Cause of death: dysentery
Informant was William Barnett, her husband
Place of death: W... Place, Ashby (somewhere in the Geelong area)
Her father, John Tyler, was stated to be from Oxfordshire
Buried in the Scotch Cemetery at Geelong
Place of birth: Oxfordshire
Only 2 weeks in Victoria
Married at Brislington near Bristol, at about 38 years to William Barnett, builder
Children: Maria Louisa aged 5

Ann Reeves, the second wife of William Barnett, was the daughter of Charles Reeves and Hannah Tyler, the older sister of William’s first wife, Louisa Tyler. Ann was born in 1833 in Shiplake, Oxon, a parish that lies adjacent to Harpsden.

In 1851 Ann was 17 and working as a servant to Mary and Sarah Barnett of Aston Lane, Remenham, Berks, aunts of William Barnett whom she married in 1854.

Anne died in the Prince Alfred Hospital, Prahran, Victoria, on September 30, 1896, aged 64.

Her grave is adjacent to that of her daughter Isabella Barnett in the Old Cheltenham Cemetery.

Her name appears as both Ann and Anne, however she signed the marriage register as Ann.

Children of William Barnett and Louisa Tyler:

1. Maria Louisa, born about 1849, died 1861

Children of William Barnett and Ann Reeves:

1. William Henry Barnett, born 1857, died September 18, 1924. Married Elizabeth E Biddle and had one child. Later married Sarah Edith Abbott.
2. Alice Barnett, born 1859, died 1861
3. Emma Ann Barnett, born 1861 [I don't know what happened to her]
4. John Charles Barnett, born February 23, 1863, died August 27, 1940. Married Ellen Cotton and had one child who died very young. Ellen died. He married Mary McKie. They had four children and adopted two others. Following the death of Mary, he married Eliza Jane Doherty.
5. George Alfred Barnett, born 1865, died 1866
6. Daniel James Barnett, born 1866, died September 1, 1940. Did not marry.
7. Isabella Mary Barnett, born 1869, died February 1898. Appears to have had a child who died aged 5 months.

Letitia Barnett was born at Harpsden, Oxon, on March 12, 1822, the eighth child of George Barnett and Mary Brangwin.

Letitia was baptised on April 4, 1822, at the Pheasant's Hill Independent Chapel, Hambleden, Bucks. Her mother’s half brother, Noah Brangwin, was also baptised on that day and probably explains the use of Pheasant’s Hill rather than Rotherfield Grey’s for Letitia’s baptism.

Letitia married Henry Hewett on July 22, 1848 in Old Church, St Pancras, Middlesex, by licence. Both were full age. Henry was a widower, with three children, and farmer of the parish of Pangbourne, Berks. His father, John Hewett, was dead. Letitia was a spinster. Her father, George Barnett, was also listed as dead. Witnesses were James Barnett and Eliza Barnett.

Marriage entry for Letitia and Henry

Letitia and Henry and their six children migrated to Australia. They sailed from London on the Persia which arrived in September, 1852. There is no record of whether Letitia arrived in Australia on the Persia. It is known that she had died before January 19, 1854 as Henry married again, as a widower, on that date. No death or burial records have been found for Letitia. [Is she the woman who died beside a wagon in childbirth that Kevin was told about by his father?]

Henry Hewett was the son of John Hewett and Jane, his wife. He was born around 1810 and died on June 17, 1887 at 32 Victoria Street, Prahran, Victoria, aged 77. In all, he married three times and fathered twelve children.

His death certificate stated that he was a mangler.

Henry was buried at the St Kilda Cemetery.

Children of Letitia Barnett and Henry Hewett:

1. Mary Jane Hewett, born 1848, died September 26, 1923. Did not marry
2. Julia Hewett, born about 1850, died March 29, 1933. Married Richard Abraham Gibson and had four children. [Kevin Gibson is also descended from this couple]
3. Letitia Hewett, born 1851, died October 16, 1938. Married Frederick Smith but had no children.

Francis Barnett, the ninth child of George Barnett and Mary Brangwin, was born on February 1, 1824 at Harpsden, Oxon. He was baptised on January 16, 1825, at the Rotherfield Grey’s Independent Chapel, Oxon with his cousin, Jane Dreweatt Brangwin, daughter of his mother’s brother Abraham Brangwin and his wife, Jane Dreweatt.

Francis died at the age of 9 and was buried on June 4, 1833 at Rotherfield Grey’s Independent Chapel, Oxon, in Vault No 7, as were his father George and brother Henry.

George Barnett was born at Harpsden, Oxon, on July 24, 1826, the tenth child of George Barnett and Mary Brangwin, youngest of their six sons. He was baptised on September 10, 1826, at the Rotherfield Grey’s Independent Chapel, Oxon.

In the 1841 Census George is listed with Francis Brangwin, his uncle, and an Ann Swallow.

In the 1851 census there is an entry for a George Barnet, lodger, unmarried, 23, policemen born in Harpsden, Oxon. Census place was Appleford, Berks. This would appear to be this George.

In 1881, at the time of the census, George was coal miner colliery labourer. He was lodging with Evan and Gwenllian Watkins at Dola, Llanharan, Glamorgan, Wales. His age was given as 53 and he was a widower.

It is understood that George had a child who died and the child was buried with its mother. No details of the child or wife have yet been found.

Some time after the 1881 census, George emigrated and joined his brother James in Ohio. He remained with the family and lived with his nephew Henry and his family in the Barnett house in his later years.

Sometime around 1901 George developed cancer of the lip. The family doctor, Dr. McOscar, operated on him in the house using the kitchen table as an operating table. George died on May 18, 1902 and is buried beside his brother and sister-in-law in Mt Pleasant Cemetery near Grand Rapids, Ohio.

Eliza Barnett was the eleventh and final child of George Barnett and Mary Brangwin and their fifth daughter. She was born on May 17, 1828, at Harpsden, Oxon and baptised on September 14, 1828, at the Rotherfield Greys Independent Chapel.

The 1841 census has her living with her mother and brother Daniel in Hart Street, Henley.

The 1851 England and Wales Census found Eliza and her sister Julia visiting their older sister Mary and her husband, Joseph Hobbs. She was 22 years old, unmarried and no occupation was given.

Eliza married Trew Jegon in 1851 at Cookham, Berks.

The 1881 census has Eliza living at Chalvey Park, Upton upon Chalvey, Bucks with her husband Trew Jegon, a slate quarry proprietor. Her niece Agnes Hobbs was also recorded at this address.

From the letters written by various family members to Joseph Hobbs in Utah, we learn much of Eliza’s later years.

From a letter written by Agnes Hobbs on September 12, 1884 we learn of the death of Eliza’s husband, Trew: “Poor uncle Trew died on the 11th of August. He had been ailing more or less for the past two years but at one time he seemed to get so very much better that we quite hoped all would be well; however last winter he fell back again and the last few months he had been quite laid up, and couldn’t get down the stairs and only entirely kept his bed the last fortnight. He suffered awful pain at times. It was quite hard to see him. The attacks came on very suddenly and lasted a short time then eased off again. Everything that anyone could suggest was tried to relieve him and he saw no end of doctors, Sir Andrew Clark among others, but not one could do him any good. He had a complication of diseases, but he died of aneurism, which took the form of a large swelling on the collar bone and when that burst it caused his death. But strange to say it was not the aneurism that caused the severe pain. He suffered comparatively little from that. Altogether it was a most extraordinary illness and for a long time quite baffled the doctors.

"Auntie is quite well considering the sad circumstances. Of course poor Uncle’s death was a fearful blow to her, though we were in a great measure prepared for it. Still when the end comes that does not make it any the less sad to part with those we love. It does seem so strange without him for during his long illness Auntie and I had been in such constant attendance on him, that it seems now as if we had nothing to do and our mission in life ended at least for the time being. Uncle was buried at Stoke by his own request. I am thankful to say Aunty is left very comfortably off, and I suppose some day (if I live long enough) I shall also do very well, and Polly likewise.”

Alas, Eliza was not left as well off as she should have been as most of the money was tied up in businesses, as Eliza explained to Joe in a letter of November 11, 1889: “I have a great deal of executoria business to see to which causes me a great deal of writing and sometimes a great deal of anxiety, one colliery we cannot let and the other is not paying as it did. Every thing in the way of business is declining except the butchers and they have made fortunes.”

In this same letter Eliza says of her older sister Julia: “I could not see her [Julia] at work while I had a home to give her - She seems to enjoy an easy life and is a wonder in health seldom ailing anything. Very fat but toddles about and gardens a good deal.”

On December 13, 1889 Eliza wrote: “I have let my house for 12 months and come to a little cottage as my income of late has much decreased. I am hoping it may come back again when Sir H. Vivian’s engineer has sunk down to a fresh vein, or seam of coal. But all things underground are so uncertain. The coal when reached may not be as good as those that have been worked, and since they have been sinking they have cut through such a strong spring it has drowned them for a time and so my income has decreased also, which makes it most inconvenient and causes me much anxiety as to how I shall keep my family.”

On April 14, 1895, Eliza wrote: “I am now a houseless, homeless wanderer. My Co-trustees Jennings and Castle have behaved badly. So far they will not sign a cheque for me to live on. It is such a long, painful story I cannot write it but it has ended by my selling my house and furniture. This was done on the 25th of March, and I am staying at Mrs. Slekirs close by to settle my affairs and after that I do not know what will become of us, for I have poor old Auntie B. as she is called now, entirely dependent on me. … So this week I am off to try [to find lodgings] as I do feel it so awfully having no place where I can put my head into. Auntie B. is staying with Polly till I can arrange a home for her. My lawyer says it is time my Co-trustees were made to sign a cheque for me so I think now it will be taken into court as he thinks no judge would think it right to starve the man’s widow to hasten up the Estate for people that my Husband never knew. It begins and ends by his having a bad, wicked lawyer to make his will and Jennings, the boy you used to know is as wicked as he. But I try to bear my trouble and not worry more than I can help but when there’s still good income coming in yearly it is very hard to get nothing. I think if I live the difficulty may be surmounted but I am getting old and my days of health are being blighted by want of means to live on.”

When Eliza died on August 19, 1902 her address was 2 Portland Street, Leamington Spa. She was listed as a widow. Probate was granted to Agnes Hobbs [daughter of her sister Mary], spinster, Edward Gwynne Vevers [a grandson of her sister Mary], esquire, and Richard Stephen Taylor, solicitor. Effects were £2,330/17/4 which was later revised to be £3,425/19/1.

Eliza and Trew had no children.

Mary's family scattered around the world with children and grandchildren eventually ending up in Canada, US, Australia and South Africa.

I'm sure that you also noticed the names Dreweatt and Hobbs coming up again. They just keep on appearing in the family.

W, 103 47; 229/1/18 [Oxford Records Office]

This is the last Will and testament of me George Barnett of Upper House Farm in the Parish of Harpsden in the County of Oxford Farmer. First I order all my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses to be paid and satisfied. Then I give devise and bequeath unto my dear Wife Mary and my eldest Son Henry and my friends Abraham Brangwin of Harpsden aforesaid Farmer and Francis Brangwin of Ufton in the County of Berks Farmer all my real and personal Estate and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever of which I shall be possessed or entitled to at the time of my decease or over which I have a disposing power whether the same consists of Money or Securities for Money or wholly or in part of Estates of freehold copyhold or for Year Book or other debts farming Hook or whatever other sort or kind the same or any other part thereof unto my said wife and my said Son Henry Barnett and the said Abraham Brangwin and Francis Brangwin their heirs executors and administrators according to nature and quality of the same respectively Unpon trust to carry on my Business for the benefit of my said Wife and for the maintenance education and advancement in life of all my said children at the discretion of my said Trustees for and during the natural life of my said Wife And from and after her decease I order and direct All my real and personal Estate and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever to be sold and converted into Money and the Money arising from the Sale thereof Together with all other monies I give and bequeath the same and every part thereof unto all my children equally to be divided between them share and share alike as they shall severely and respectively attain the Age of twenty one years Provided always that in the case any or either of my said children shall depart this life under the Age of twenty one years Then I give and bequeath the share or shares of him or her or them so dying as aforesaid unto the survivors or survivor of them equally to be divided between them at the Age the aforesaid Share and Share Provided always nevertheless that all and every Sum or Sums of Money that shall stand in the name or names of (and be received by) any of my said Children in the Henley or any other Savings Bank at the time of my decease shall be considered and taken as part of their share or shares under this my Will And I do hereby declare that the person or persons who shall become the purchaser or purchasers of all or any part of my Real Estate shall not be obligued to see to the Application of the Money to be advanced and paid him her or them respectively or to be answerable or accountable for the Misapplication or Nonapplication of the said purchase Money or any part thereof after the same shall have been paid to my said Trustees or the survivors or survivor of them and the heirs of such survivor And that all and every receipt which shall be given by him or them for such purchase money or any part thereof shall be a good and valid and sufficient acquittance and discharge for the same which therein or thereby respectively shall be acknowledged or expressed to be or to have been received And I do order my said Trustees to reimburse themselves from time to time out of the said Estate and Promises as they or any or either of them shall sustain expend or being put unto by acting in the trusts of this my Will or the execution thereof And that neither of them shall be answerable for any loss therefrom unless such loss happen through their her or his wilful neglect or default Nor one of them for the other or others of them And lastly I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint the said Trustees Mary Barnett Henry Barnett Abraham Brangwin and Francis Brangwin joint Executrix and Executors of this my Will and hereby revoking all former Wills by me at any time heretofore made In witness hereof I the said George Barnett the Testator have to this my last Will and testament contained in these two sheets of paper set my hand and seal the fourteenth day of February in the Year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty one

George Barnett

1997 Charlotte Shopping Guide obituaries, Eaton County, Michigan

Wendell B. Brangwyn

Wendell B. Brangwyn, 59, of Charlotte, formerly of Olivet, died Oct. 19, 1997, as the result of a motorcycle accident.

Mr. Brangwyn was born in Olivet, the son of James G. and Doris (Schriber) Brangwyn. He was a lifelong Charlotte/Olivet area resident. He was a graduate of Olivet High School and has served in the U.S. Army. Mr. Brangwyn was currently employed by General Motors, Lansing, where he worked for 17 years. Previously, he had been employed at Davis Pontiac and Tom Rutherford Ford in Charlotte.

He is survived by his two sons, Steven Brangwyn of Lansing and Mark Brangwyn of Potterville; 3 grandchildren; his mother, Doris Brangwyn of Olivet; and brother, Jim Brangwyn of Olivet.

He was preceded in death by his father, James Brangwyn; and sisters, Lois Bosher and Carol Brangwyn.

Services were Oct. 23 at the Burkhead-Green Funeral Chapel, Charlotte, with the Chaplain Art Foster officiating. Interment was in Oakridge Cemetery, Marshall.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

We are still trying to place this family within our larger family tree

What's in a name?

From Margaret Brangwyn: Over the years I have kept a record of what people have made of our name. It amazes me that if such variation can occur nowadays when most people can read that it has changed so little over the centuries. Here are some examples of what people have made of "Brangwyn."

Brasgwyn
Bangwyn
Brownwell
Branguin
Branwin
Brangnyn
Bryangwell
Brownwin
Branywyn
Brancwyn
Branwynne
Branwyn
Branguyw
Braynays
Bramgwyn
Brankwym
Brabgwin
Braqin
Branwyn
Brangwing
Browngreen
Brown
Penguin

This explains why it is sometimes difficult to find them!

I hope you have found this edition of the Brangwin Family Newsletter of interest. I will continue to seek out bits and pieces to illustrate things of interest to the family.

I would also like to thank Kevin for his profile. It was great to catch up with my Aussie cousin. Also, thank you Margaret for yet another enlightening contribution.

That's it for this month. Next month we will look at another part of the family. There will be another family member in the spotlight. And who knows what else will be featured!

If you have anything you would like to contribute I would like to hear from you.

Until then next month

Lorraine