Fourth protagonist - Thomas Williams

Ten years previously Thomas and family were also at Pant Farm. The 2 boys working for him and living there were Matthew Morgan (1852 Abergavenny) and Joseph Thomas (1855 Frwthog Hereford). Thomas according to this census was born in 1827 though still at Talgarth.

Ten years back again in 1861 Thomas was down as being born about 1822 though again still at Talgarth. Checking the 1881 census again, although both ancestry and findmypast have transcribed Thomas's age as 48 and so born about 1833, looking closely at the return, it looks like Thomas's age has been overwritten with 60 making him born about 1821. That ties in with the 1861 census age of 39. In 1861 they were at Pwllywhied? Llantilio Pertholey Ultra, a farm of 100 acres. Employed as a house servant was Mary James (1842 Llanbeder) and as a farm servant James Evans (1844 Llanbeder). Son Thomas J was Thomas James Williams.

Now comes the awkward bit - finding Thomas Williams in 1851 with no wife or children to verify its the right Thomas Williams. Thomas Williams, farmer's son at Tre...? Llanwenarth Ultra Monmouthshire looks likely. He was born in Talgarth about 1823, the son of Howell (1784 Llanvigan Breconshire) and Mary (1781 Lanvillo, Breconshire). His brother William Williams was also born at Talgarth 1818. Assuming that Thomas and Elizabeth married sometime between 1851 (when Elizabeth would be about 18) and 1854 when daughter Mary was born, there are 9 possible marriages, 6 of them in the Abergavenny district (the registration district for Llantilio Pertholey where all the children were born.) Of course with both Thomas and Elizabeth being born in Breconshire, they may have married there as well.

Checking for the children's birth registrations, David H could well be David Howell Williams registered in the Abergavenny district June qtr 1865. Thomas James Williams was registered March qtr 1857 but identifying Mary's registration is thwarted by no middle name and a great many Mary Williams. Familysearch doesn't have any baptisms to help.

The first possible marriage for Thomas Williams in Abergavenny was 1852 to possibly a Elizabeth James. Checking for a Elizabeth James in 1851 finds a distinct possibility: Elizabeth James born 1833 in Lambedr (likely misspelling of Llanbeder) living in Llantilio Pertholey with her widowed father Thomas James born about 1774 in Talgarth, a weaver and farmer of 4 acres. 

Fourth protagonist - Thomas Williams

Fourth protagonist - and the road map opened in Wales. Thomas Williams born about 1833 in Talgarth Breconshire living at Pant Farm Llanvetherine Monmouthshire with wife Elizabeth (1833 Llanbeder Breconshire), daughter Mary (1854 Llantillio Pertholey Monmouthshire), son Thomas J (1855 Llantillio Pertholey), son David H (1865 Llantillio Pertholey), visitor Annie E Powell (1870 Llantillio Pertholey) and 3 servants: Mary A Humphries ( 1865 Grosmont Monmouthshire) general servant; Henry Prouse ( 1852 Bridgewater Somerset) farm servant indoor; and James Whitney (1865 Penrose Monmouthshire) farm servant indoor. Thomas was a farmer of 102 acres employing 2 boys.

Third protagonist - John Waters

John Waters will have to remain a mystery prior to 1877 until some descendant researches the full story and acquires the marriage certificate and birth certificate. Even looking for any John born about 1856 in Claines brings up nothing obvious or even suspicious in the 1861 and 1871 censuses, even when cross referencing against married surnames of Waters ladies marrying after 1856. John's marriage to Sarah Jane Tolley would give his father's name and occupation  which may help track him down and of course the birth certificate would confirm that information and give his mother's name.

4th protagonist to follow:

Third protagonist - John Waters

Sarah's youngest John Tolley in 1901 was still with Sarah and John Waters and working as a bricklayers labourer. By 1911 he had married Agnes Anne Hodges (1903 Droitwich district) and had 2 children: Cyril J H 1904 and Frederick W 1908. Agnes's mother was living with them in Church Lane, Martin Hussingtree despite them having only 2 rooms other than the kitchen. John was still working as a bricklayer's labourer. According to the census record household schedule number John was next door to John Waters his step-father (and presumedly his mother Sarah when she wasn't visiting his brothers.) 
Searching the birth registers post 1912 for Tolley with Agnes's maiden name Hodges, it looks like there were an additional 2 children: Edgar C 1914 and Douglas G 1921, both registered in the Droitwich district.

Sarah's children from her marriage to Henry Tolley traced and the only surviving child from her marriage to John Waters traced; Sarah herself traced to 1851 and through to her death June qtr 1922 Droitwich district; but our protagonist John Waters still remains a mystery prior to 1877.

Third protagonist - John Waters

Sarah's oldest William H Tolley born 1870 we haven't seen since the 1881 census when he was with Sarah and John Waters.

In 1911 it looks as if he was a colliery banksman above ground living at 29, The Ferns, Merry Hill, Quarry Bank, Staffordshire with wife Emma and 5 children: Lily May born about 1894 working as a pupil teacher in elementary school; Benjamin Henry born about 1896 working as a colliery horse keeper underground; Sarah Hannah born about 1900; William James Thomas born about 1905 and Kathleen Emma born about 1910. Apart from Lily who had been born at Small Heath Birmingham, all the children had been born at Quarry Bank. William and Emma had been married 18 years  and had not lost any children. Checking for a marriage: William Henry Tolley married Emma Bridge Dec qtr 1892 Stourbridge district. (Quarry Bank is in the Stourbridge district.)

It looks like William had left Martin Hussingtree sometime before 1891 to find work in the industrial south Staffordshire. In 1891 he was lodging with the Hingley family on High Street Quarry Bank working as a carter. Frank Hindley, head of the house was an Ironworks labourer. William could have easily been employed in the ironworks or at the coalmine. By 1901 he was a banksman at the coal pit and the family were living at 178 High Street Quarry Bank. (Transcribed as Falley on ancestry.)

Third protagonist - John Waters

John is proving to be a real puzzle prior to 1877. So meantime to finish finding the children's stories:

James Tolley (Sarah's middle son from her first marriage) did quite well for himself by 1911 when he was a farm bailiff. 10 Years previously he, wife Polly (Mary Ann?) and daughter Violet were living at Withymore, Amblecote, Staffordshire where James was a carter on a farm. Violet was just 1 year old but had been born in Worcestershire (Violet Jane June qtr 1900 in Droitwich district). They couldn't have stayed long in Amblecote as daughter Dora (Dorothy May)was born Sept qtr 1901 in Stourbridge Worcestershire. By 1904 they had moved to Warwick where Rose Elizabeth was born and then by the second half of 1906 had returned to Hindlip for Lilian Annie's birth. James Henry was born in Hindlip 1908 and then Jack (John) was born in Bromsgrove 1910.  It's more than likely the moves were different farm jobs as James moved up to become farm bailiff. The 1911 census indicated that James and Mary (Polly) had been married for 11 years and there is a marriage for James Tolley registered in Dec qtr 1899 in Droitwich district to Polly Roberts. Checking the birth register post 1912 with Polly's maiden name for any more Tolley children, it looks like Benjamin 1912 and Elsie M 1914 were both born in the Kings Norton district (the same district as the 1911 address). Just as a point of interest after the First World War Northfield, where Shendley Field Farm was situated, was incorporated into Birmingham.

Back in 1891 James was staying with Edward and Caroline Cotterell at the Gloster Arms in Copenhagen Street Worcester. Edward was the publican and James was described as a nephew working as an errand boy. Both Edward and Caroline were aged 40 in 1891 and had 2 daughters living with them aged 13 and 9. Checking for their marriage between 1868 and 1881 turns up the marriage for Edward Cotterell to Caroline Barton 1877 Droitwich district. Caroline was Sarah's sister, confirmed when we look back to Sarah in the 1851 census.

Third protagonist - John Waters

Remembering that John was on his own in the 1911 census though not a widower, where was Sarah?

There's no Sarah Waters born about 1849 in Martin Hussingtree in the 1911 census indexes. There is however a Sarah of about the right age (1851) but born in Hindlip. She was described as married not widowed and was staying with her son James Tolley age 36 and so about the right age for the son James with John and Sarah in 1881. James also was recorded as being born in Hindlip rather than Martin Hussingtree.  He was married to Mary and had been for 11 years with 6 children all alive: Violet (1900), Dora (1901), Rosa (1904), Lilly (1907), Jim (1909) , Jack (1910) . James was working as a farm baliff and they were living at Upper Shendley Field Farm, Northfield, Worcestershire (quite a grand farmhouse with 9 rooms). Sarah is described as having been married for 28 years and having had 3 children 2 of whom have died and 1 still alive. That doesn't match up with our Sarah: she married John in 1880, 31 years ago, and there were 3 Tolley sons and 2 Water sons. Except of course, the 1911 census return asks for children born alive to present marriage: there must have been a 3rd Waters child who was born and died inbetween the censuses.

In the Cottage at Upper Shendley Field Farm, Northfield, Worcestershire and working as a waggoner on the farm in 1911 was George Waters age 28 (the right age for John and Sarah's son George) but again born in Hindlip. He had been married to Elizabeth for 3 years and had 3 children: Winifred (1908), John (1909) and George (1911). Surely this is the right James and George and Sarah?

Hindlip is next to Martin Hussingtree, indeed now the parishes are combined into one so it's not impossible that the birthplaces are the same bar the name used. Unable to find John and Sarah's first son  Henry Waters in 1901 or 1911, there was a death registered for a Henry Waters of the right age in 1900 in Birmingham. That would account for one of the 3 children having died. There were a number of children born and died between 1881 and 1891 in Worcestershire but none in the Droitwich registration district. Between 1891 and 1901 there was Susannah Lilly born and died 1892 in the Droitwich district - could she be the third child? George living next door in the cottage would be the surviving child of the present marriage.

Still need to find what happened to Sarah's oldest William Henry Tolley and the youngest Tolley boy, John. Where John Waters was prior to 1877 when he began working for GWR is also still a puzzle.

Third protagonist - John Waters

John married Sarah Jane Tolley in the Droitwich registration district (which includes Martin Hussingtree) Sept qtr 1880. 

In 1871 Sarah was living on Strand Lane, Martin Hussingtree with husband Henry born about 1840 in Salwarpe Worcestershire, a bricklayer and son William H age 1. (Ancestry had them transcribed as Solley). There was a marriage registered in Sept qtr 1869 in the Droitwich district between Henry Tolley and Sarah Barton (no Jane though). Checking for a birth for Sarah Jane Barton brings up a birth registration in the Droitwich district June qtr 1847 which would match Sarah's age. There is a death registered for Henry Tolley of the right age in Droitwich district Sept qtr 1879.

10 years previously in 1861 Sarah Jane had been a house servant for Romney family at Middleton Cottage, Salwarpe. The head of the family was the curate at St Martin Hussingtree. (Salwarpe is just across the fields fropm Martin Hussingtree.) In 1851 Sarah was with her family on Martin Green, Martin Hussingtree: father - James Barton born about 1819 Hindley, Worcestershire, a labourer; mother- Jane born about 1820 Wichbold Worcestershire; sisters - Isabella 1846, Caroline 1849 and Mary 1851; brother (described as son-in-law to James so perhaps a stepson) - Thomas Hardman 1843 Oddingley Worcestershire; and her grandmother Mary Barton born about 1791 place of birth unknown.

Third protagonist - John Waters

Third protagonist - John Waters born about 1856 in Claines Worcestershire. In 1881 he was a railway labourer living in Church Lane, Martin Hussingtree, Worcestershire (just loved the name). His wife Sarah J was born about 1849 in Martin Hussingtree and seems to have been previously married as with them are three children described as step-sons with the surname Tolley: William H born about 1870, James born about 1876 and John born about 1878. A fourth son Henry just 3 months old has the Waters surname. All four children were born in Martin Hussingtree.

Martin Hussingtree is about halfway between Worcester and Droitwich and according to The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868) on Genuki is "1 mile from the Fearnall Heath station, on the Oxford, Worcester and Wolverhampton railway."  John would have been working for the Great Western Railway company. Claines is not that far away, being just north of Worcester.

Ten years on in 1891 John and family are still living in Church Lane and John still works on the railway. The two oldest boys, William H and James are no longer at home; John is listed as John Tolley Waters and is working as a farm labourer; and a fifth son, George was born about 1883.

A further ten years and the family have moved to Pershore Lane, still in Martin Hussingtree. John was  described as a platelayer on the line. Stepson John was working as a bricklayers labourer and George as a carter on farm. Son Henry was no longer at home.

By 1911 John seems to be living on his own though he is described as married rather than a widower. He was still a platelayer and the census return specifies GWR (Great Western Railway). His address was Church Lane Martin Hussingtree and just 2 rooms (in addition to any kitchen, scullery or very unlikely bathroom). 

John's railway employment record is on ancestry. Born on 12 April 1856, he worked for 46 years for GWR at the grade of sub-ganger based at Fernhill Heath Station. He received a weekly pension from GWR of 11 shillings and 6 pence from 3 Sept 1923, though that was reduced to 6 shillings and 2 pence from 12 April 1926 when John attained State Pension Age. John died 5 Jan 1841 at a grand age of 85. Starting work for GWR at age 21 in 1877, John must have worked elsewhere beforehand.

Second protagonist - James Harman (Futter)

But what of the older children: Henry born about 1843, James born about 1844, Elizabeth born about 1847 and Thomas born about 1850?

Neither James nor Thomas were with their parents in 1861 but there doesn't seem to be a death registration for either of them whether Futter or Harman before 1861. There was a James Futter of the right age in 1861 apprenticed to Joseph Ware miller, but there was another James Futter in 1851 born in Martham, son of Stephen and Mary. Admittedly this James seems to have been born in 1841 according to the census which would make him a bit too old but mistakes with ages are common in census returns.

In the 1871 census there is a James Harman born about 1845 in Martham, married to Rebecca with 2 children: Elizabeth (1869/70) and James (1870/71). They are living in North Walsham with James an innkeeper and carrier. Rebecca was born about 1844 in Hemsby. In the marriage registers there isn't a marriage listed for James Harman to Rebecca but there is a marriage for James Futter to Rebecca Woolstone in 1863 in Flegg (the registration district for Martham and Hemsby).  Checking for Rebecca Woolstone in 1861 finds her in Martham, a house servant for the Cooper family, born about 1843 in Hemsby. Familysearch has a baptism for Frederick James Fatter or Harman 19 August 1874 with parents James Fatter or Harman and Rebecca. Fatter must be a mis-transcription of Futter and seems to support the story of this James being James and Elizabeth's son. 
Finding the family beyond 1871 proves difficult with no sign of James and Rebecca whether as Futter or Harman. Looking for Frederick James however brings up in 1911 Frederick James Harman Futter born about 1871 in North Walsham, a cartage contractor living in Great Yarmouth, married with 5 children, 4 of whom have Harman as a middle name. All the children were born in Great Yarmouth which means he must be there at least in the previous census as the oldest was 15. In 1901 he is indeed in Great Yarmouth listed as Frederick J H Futter with wife and the 2 oldest children. 10 years previously in 1891 Frederick was boarding with the Green family in Great Yarmouth and working as a miller's labourer.
Following Frederick back through the censuses proves fruitful as in 1881 he's living in Ames Buildings, Great Yarmouth with his mother Rebecca and sister Elizabeth. Rebecca is a widow and working as a charwoman. Checking with the death registers shows a James Futter's death in 1879 age 35 in Yarmouth.

Henry born about 1843 seems to have his story on ancestry and followed his father James into the coal merchant business.

Looking for Elizabeth in 1871 by searching for Elizabeth with any surname born 1847 (+ or - 1 year) in Martham brought up Elizabeth Tranfield/Frenfield wife of William living in Damgate next door to James and Elizabeth. William was a millwright born about 1844 in Lewisham Kent. They had 1 son: James just 1 month old. Checking for a marriage in the registers found nothing whether searching for Elizabeth or for William. However searching for James's birth found James Harman Trenfield born 1871 and registered in Flegg. In 1881 William, Elizabeth and James were living in Great Yarmouth with William now a millwrights engineer. It looks like William died in Great Yarmouth 1887 with the registration showing his age as 43 with Elizabeth dying earlier in 1882 age 35.
Interestingly Elizabeth's son James Trenfield is with his Aunt in 1891, Rebecca Harman, widow, born about 1827 in Rollesby, a needlewoman living in Great Yarmouth.


Following Rebecca back through the censuses, she seems to have been a widow since at least 1871 when she was in Shoreditch, London. In 1851 she is with her husband Henry Harman in Islington. Henry was born about 1821 in Martham and was a police constable. Returning to the beginning of this story, James's parents Henry Harman and Susanna Futter had a son Henry born about 1821 listed with them in the 1841 census. Rebecca therefore was Elizabeth Trenfield (nee Futter)'s Aunt, James Trenfield's great Aunt.

Second protagonist - James Harman (Futter)

So what of James and Elizabeth's children whether as Harman, Futter or both?

Paul, the youngest, born about 1858 was with his parents in 1861/71 and 1881. His story is partially on ancestry though with no record for him in the 1861, 71, 81 and 1891 censuses. In 1871 and 81 he was listed as Harman along with his parents and the 1861 has been mis-transcribed. In  1891 he is listed as Paul Futter in Great Yarmouth, a coal merchant with wife Maryann and 4 children, one of which, Paul, is named in his father, Paul's, probate record.

John, born about 1854, was with his parents in 1861 and 71. By 1881 he was married to Ann (named on probate record), a boatman and coal merchant, living in Upton with Fishley (south west of Martham and quite close) with 3 children: Gertrude (1876), Elizabeth (1878) and John H just 4 months old. By 1891 they had another 4 children: Harry H (1884), Harriet G (1886), Oliver H (1888) and Marion (1890) though Gertrude and John from in 1881 census weren't listed. 1901 lists John as a coal dealer still in Upton with Fishley, with son Henry H (named on John's probate record) helping in the business as coal carter, and with abn additional daughter Bessie (1896).  1911 has 3 children still living at home: Henry, a general smith; Oliver, a fisherman; and Bessy, helping in the house. John and Ann had been married 36 years and tragically 6 of their 12 children have died. Only 7 children were named on the various censuses so the other 5 must have died very young. 
Familysearch had baptisms for some of John and Ann's children:
John Futter - 2 April 1879
Julia Futter - 2 April 1879
James Harman Futter - 3 Jan 1882
Paul Harman Futter - 28 Feb 1883
Oliver Harman Futter - 8 Jan 1889
Marion Jerusha Futter - 21 Jan 1890
Edith Bessie Futter - 24 Sept 1895
Checking the death registrations for Futter deaths between 1876 (Gertrude's birth) and 1911 for people born between 1876 and 1896 and in the registration district of Blofield (given on census returns for Upton with Fishley) finds 10 possible deaths:
Rebecca Harman Futter died Sept qtr 1877 age 1
John and Julia Futter died Dec qtr 1879 age 0 - matches with baptism record to give 2 of John and Ann's children
James Harman Futter died March qtr 1882 age 0 - another match with the baptism record
Paul Harman Futter died Dec qtr 1884 age 1 - the fourth child of John and Ann's to die
Harriet Gertrude Futter died March qtr 1885 age 9 - matches with Gertrude listed in 1881 census
John Harman Futter died June qtr 1887 age 6 - matches with John listed in 1881
3 others plus the Rebecca who died 1877 must belong to other families, though with Rebecca's middle name she must be connected somehow. It's hard to imagine the hearbreak of losing 6 children in 8 years.

Benjamin, born about 1852 and with his parents in 1861 and 71, by 1881 had married Hannah, was a coal carter living in Great Yarmouth with 2 children: Benjamin H (1878) and Harriet H (1881). By 1891 he was listed as a coal merchant , still in Great Yarmouth and with 3 more children: Arthur H (1884), Happy H (1886) and Benjamin H (1888). It looks like the first Benjamin must have died. In 1901 Arthur is working as a carpenter's apprentice, Happy as a milliner's apprentice and there was an additional daughter Hannah (1892). The 1911 census details that Benjamin and Hannah had been married 39 years and had had 6 children in total, 1 of whom had died (the first Benjamin).

James and Elizabeth's 3 youngest boys all carried on with the Futter surname though retaining Harman as a middle name for themselves and their children. All 3 continued with the coal business like their father, and indeed there is still a couple of Futter coal merchants in Great Yarmouth: FW Futter & Sons and PH Futter & Sons.

Second protagonist - James Harman (Futter)

It looks like James altered between Harman and Futter with Elizabeth then using both names after he died.
Did the children use Harman or Futter once they left home?
According to the censuses there were:
James born about 1840 in 1841 census
Henry born about 1843 in 1851 and 61 censuses
James born about 1844 in 1851 census
Elizabeth born about 1847 in 1851 and 61 censuses
Thomas born about 1850 in 1851 census
Benjamin born about 1852 in 1861 and 71 censuses
John born about 1854 in 1861 and 71 censuses
Paul born about 1858 in 1861, 71 and 81 censuses.

Futter children registered in Flegg are:

• James 1841  - one of the James born 1841 was son of Stephen and Mary Futter living in Martham 1851
• James  1841  - one of them has a baptism on familysearch in Martham with parents James Futter and Elizabeth Dowe
• Elizabeth  1842 - daughter of John and Mary Futter living at Somerton 1851 and 1861
• Henry 1842 
• James 1844 - apprentice to Joseph Ware, miller, in Martham 1861
• Rebecca 1844 -  daughter of John and Mary Futter living at Somerton 1851 and 1861 
• Anne Elizabeth 1845 - granddaughter of Willliam and Maryann Futter living in Martham 1851 and 1861
• William 1845 -  son of Stephen and Mary Futter living in Martham 1851 
• Henry 1846 -  grandson of Stephen and Mary Futter living in Martham 1851 
• Susanna 1848 -  daughter of John and Mary Futter living at Somerton 1851 and 1861 
• Harriet Harmen 1849 -  baptism on familysearch at Yarmouth with parents James and Elizabeth  Futter   
• Jane 1849 
• Benjamin Harman 1851 -  baptism on familysearch at Yarmouth with parents James and Elizabeth  Futter  
• John Harmen 1853  -  baptism on familysearch at Yarmouth with parents James and Elizabeth  Futter   
• William  1853 
• John 1855
• Paul 1856 
• Rebecca Elizabeth 1858

Underlined are the possible children from the censuses but we're still missing Elizabeth and Thomas and there's no Harriet in the censuses. Obviously birth certificates would confirm the possibilities and explain some of the quandaries but that source is out of the scope for this puzzle.

Searching for possible deaths for these children on ancestry, interesting entries in the probate index turned up:

Henry Harman Futter of Upton Norfolk died 25 October 1912, Administration 5 March to John Harman Futter retired coal merchant. (Henry was born about 1884 so maybe a son of John?)

Paul Harman Futter of 12 Churchill Road Great Yarmouth died 9 October 1915, Administration 10 Nov to Paul Harman Futter merchant's clerk. (Death registration gives birth about 1857)

John Harman Futter of Upton Norfolk died 2 Sept 1916 Probate 25 Sept to Ann Futter widow (Birth about 1854)

Benjamin Harman Futter of 180 Palgrave Road Great Yarmouth died 16 Dec 1930 Probate 26 Feb to Benjamin Harman Futter garage proprietor. (Birth about 1851)

Further investigation tomorrow.....

Second protagonist - James Harman (Futter)

Unfortunately it seems that James and Elizabeth must have married prior to 1839 and registration as there's no marriage registered for a James Harman with possible bride named Elizabeth in Norfolk. There is one registrered in Uckfield Sussex, but there were a number of James Harmans in Sussex in 1851 who that could be. With both James and Elizabeth being born around Martham according to the censuses it seems more than likely that their marriage would be there as well.

Martham, Somerton and Rollesby are in the Flegg registration district but there are no birth registrations for any of James and Elizabeth's children under the surname Harman (or variants) in Flegg nor in the neighbouring district of Tunstead. Searching on FreeBMD for a Benjamin registered in Flegg 1851 - 1852 finds Benjamin Harman Futter September qtr 1851. Was the surname given in 1861 not Latter or Satter but Futter? Checking birth registrations for Futter children in Flegg brings up possibilities for all of James and Elizabeth's children including two with Harman as a middle name: John Harman Futter Dec. qtr 1853 and Harriet Harman Futter June qtr 1849, though Harriet isn't listed with the family in any census. Intriguing ...

Familysearch has Henry Harman born 1799 marrying Susanna Futter 26 July 1820 in Martham. The 1841 census had their first child Henry born about 1821; could there have maybe been an earlier child born prior to the marriage, James in 1819/20 who took the name Harman but was a Futter? Benjamin living next door in 1841 would have therefore been grandfather?

A James Futter born 1818 died in Flegg Sept. qtr 1891. There is a probate listed for him: The will of James Futter late of Martham in the County of Norfolk who died 7 August 1891 at Martham was proved at Norwich by Elizabeth Futter of Ame's Buildings St Nicholas Road, Great Yarmouth widow the relict the sole Executrix. Personal estate £25.

In 1901 Elizabeth Harman Futter, widow, born about 1819 in Rollesby is living on her own means at the address given in the probate.

Second protagonist - James Harman (Futter)

1841 has James married with Elizabeth and a son James aged 3 months living in Damgate. James was described as a waterman. Next door was Benjamin Harman born about 1776, a farmer, his wife Mary born about 1786 and Harriet Harman born about 1831. James and Elizabeth's son Benjamin could well be named after James's father.

familysearch has a baptism for a James Harman around the right time but with parents James and Mary and in Holkham, quite a way from Martham. This James anyway was married to a Maria and living at St Michael at Thorn Norfolk in the censuses.

Unfortunately there's no sign of baptisms for James and Elizabeth's children on familysearch, whether searching with each child's name or with any Harman with James and Elizabeth as parents. Searching for any children of Benjamin and Mary Harman, familysearch  has just one: Josiah baptised 25 Dec 1800 at West Somerton (just next to Damgate and Martham) and died 14 June 1801. It would make Mary a young bride and mother at just 14/15? (quite possible as the lower age limit for marriage was only raised to 16 in 1929).

There is a marriage on familysearch  at South Ruston Norfolk which is quite feasibly that of Benjamin and Mary:
Benjamin Harman of this parish single man and Mary Freman of this parish single woman were married in this church by banns 26th August 1799 by me Henry Crowe. Both Benjamin and Mary signed by making their mark as did one of the witnesses Susannah Rackham. the other witness Sarah Ratfield signed her name.

South Ruston was close to Tunstead virtually due west from Martham but not that far. Swafield where Mary indicates she was born in the 1851 census is just a little further north.

I suspect that the Harriet with Benjamin and Mary in 1841 was a daughter of Henry and Susanna Harman. She appears with them on the 1851 census in Rollesby just close to Martham. Henry, born about 1799 in Somerton (next to Martham) and where our protagonist James stated he was born in the 1881 census, was a farmer of 60 acres employing one labourer. His wife Susanna was born about 1799 in Martham and with them in 1851 as well as Harriet were two sons: John born about 1834 in Martham and Benjamin born about 1838 in Rollesby. All three children were working on the farm.  In the 1841 census Harriet wasn't with her parents; there were though five other children in addition to John and Benjamin: Henry born about 1821, Marian 1826, Elizabeth 1829, Rebecca 1831 and Susan 1836.

The censuses suggest a story of Benjamin and Mary Harman and their two sons Henry and James, the older one, a farmer following on from his father and the other a boatman.

Second protagonist - James Harman (Futter)

New protagonist and hopefully a story a little easier to find ...... (Though it took 9 attempts from 2 pages of census returns to find someone without a story on ancestry!)

James Harman, born about 1819, a coal merchant, married to Elizabeth born about 1820; both born in Martham Norfolk and living at Damgate Road Martham in 1881. White's History, Gazetteer and Directory from 1883 (ancestry.co.uk) has James listed under Coal Dealers living in Martham.

In 1881 James and Elizabeth had one son still living with them: Paul born about 1858 and a fisherman.

Martham is a village 9 miles north of Great Yarmouth and 3 miles from the coast. According to John Marius Wilson's Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales (www.visionofbritain.org.uk) the village stood on rising land above the marshes which is likely the origin of Damgate Road's name. Son Paul would have fished in the reed beds and marshes around the village as well as in the river Thurne.

In 1871 Damgate was a separate hamlet to Martham. James and Elizabeth were at 1 Damgate Corner with three sons: Benjamin born about 1852, John born about 1854 and Paul who was still at home in 1881. Although all three sons are down as being born in Martham, James and Elizabeth have given different birthplaces than those in 1881 - James was born in Somerton and Elizabeth in Rollesby. Somerton is between Martham and the coast and Rollesby just a bit further inland than Martham, so both close enough.

James, Benjamin and Paul are all described on Wherrymen with John being a fisherman. Wherrymen operated wherries: shallow boats that were used for transport on the waterways throughout Norfolk. It would be quite plausible for James to then concentrate on transporting and supplying coal by 1881.

In 1861 there's no sign of James Harman and family in the census. A search for the family without the surname, i.e. James born in 1819 + or - 2 years with wife Elizabeth and children Benjamin, John and Paul, brings up James Latter and family according to ancestry.co.uk transcription and James Satter and family according to findmypast transcription. A close look at the census suggests it could be either: the initial letter looks similar to the S on Scholar and Sarah, the L on Littleboy, or even the F on Formerly. None of which of course tie in with Harman. Everything else though ties in: James, Elizabeth and the three boys' birth years and birthplaces are all the same as 1871. The address is the same: Damgate Corner and James was a boatman. There are two extra children in 1861: Henry born about 1843 and Elizabeth born about 1847 both in Martham. Henry was also a boatman and Elizabeth, a teacher at Sunday School. Boarding with the family was Sarah Green born about 1784 in Ormesby Norfolk and formerly a housekeeper.

In 1851 James and Elizabeth (Eliz on the census) are down as Harman, James a boatman and living on Damgate Road with four children: Henry born about 1843, Js (James?) born about 1844, Eliz born about 1847 and Thomas born about 1850. The 1861 census entry must be a mis-transcription by the enumerator. Interestingly living next door in 1851 is Mary Harman, a widow, born about 1785 in Swafield Norfolk and described as a Market Woman. James's mother maybe?

First protagonist - Alexander Cowan

Seriously drawing a blank with this story. Either Ann Goy doesn't seem to be anyway after 1881. There's no second marriage for the mother nor any death. Maybe they emigrated - leaving son George William? He was 13 in 1881 and already boarding with another family. By 18 in 1886 he could have well been independent. His story has unfolded on ancestry but interestingly like his mother and sister, hasn't been found in 1891. After then he's stayed in Rotherham, marrying Lily Riley there in 1893. 
I might have to accept defeat with this (for now).

Second protagonist to be chosen......

First protagonist - Alexander Cowan

With Rotherham so close to Sheffield and Sheffield being a hive of industry in the 1800s with the steel works and silver making, it is likely that the likelihood of work there drew many young men like Alexander. Indeed there are a number of Cowan's born in Scotland in Sheffield in 1881 but no one with an obvious link to Alexander. John Cowan born 1850 and living at 90 & 88 Queen Street Sheffield along with four other young men from Scotland would be a useful link for a publican as he was, as were the other four, a wine merchant's assistants.

The others living with Alexander at the King's Arms in 1881 were Niel Campbell born 1861 also from Scotland and waiting in the pub; Ann Goy born 1849 in Grimsby Lincolnshire, a widow with her daughter Ann born 1877 in Sheffield and employed as housekeeper; and Ada Littlewood aged 18, a servant. As already mentioned there are many possible marriages for Ada. Niel or Neil Campbell isn't obviously found in 1891 and neither are Ann Goy and her daughter.

Ann in 1871 had been with her husband William in Nettleham, Lincoln. He was a farmer of 44 acres with a servant girl, Betsy Hird age 13, in the house and three young men employed on the farm: Charles Knott 20, William Gibson 17 and William Lygit 15. They had a son William G age 3 born in Nettleham. 

Annie, the daughter had been born the December quarter 1876 in Sheffield and it looks like the father William died in Sheffield December quarter 1880 aged 34. William the son, or George William, was boarding with a family in Sheffield in 1881 whilst his mother worked at the King's Arms. George William's story beyond 1881 and his mother's story up 1871 have already been unfolded and told on ancestry... but what of Ann and Annie beyond 1881?

There's no obvious death between 1881 and 1891 for an Ann (Annie) Goy of either age. An Annie Goy married Joseph Downing in 1888 in Derbyshire, but there's no Ann(ie) Downing born in Grimsby or even Lincolnshire in 1891. A search for any Ann(ie) born 1848-1850 in Grimsby anywhere in 1891 has nothing obvious.

First protagonist - Alexander Cowan

In 1871 according to White's 1871 Directory of Sheffield and District the King's Arms in Rotherham was run by John Athey and was at 33 College Street or Doncaster Gate. No sign of John in the 1871 census no of the King's Arms at 33 College Street or on Doncaster Gate! However a search of College Street finds the King's Arms at number 43. John has obviously died as his widow Sophia aged 46 born in Swinton is the innkeeper; her son Mark aged 30 born in Maltby is with her, a railway carriage builder; and her father William Grindle aged 79 born in Swinton, a retired ag. lab. is also there. Two servants must help with the inn: Lucy Roebuck aged 18 born in Rawmarsh and Sarah Russell aged 18 born in Stainby Lincolnshire.

Sophia died in  the September quarter 1875 in Rotherham.  The National Probate calendar has her death as 15 August 1875 with administration being granted to Mark Athey, Yeoman on 10 September. Maybe that's when Alexander Cowan arrived and took over the pub. It's hard to imagine though that Alexander, who was only 26 in 1881, arrived fresh from Scotland seeking his fortune in Rotherham. 

First protagonist - Alexander Cowan

There were only 2 Alex* Cowan (including variants) marriages in England between 1881 and 1891: one West Derby, Liverpool and one in Tynemouth. The Liverpool one 1889 looks as it was to Amelia Boulton as in 1901 Alexander and Amelia Cowan  are in Liverpool - Alexander though was born 1867 in Liverpool. The Tynemouth one married Ann Dick 1884 (eliminated the other possible spouses by finding them married to each other in a later census), however I can't find Alexander and Ann in 1891.

Unable to find Alexander beyond the 1881, apart from his possible death in 1890 in Rotherham, can I find the story that brought him from Scotland to managing a pub in Rotherham?

Unfortunately no sign of him England in 1871 - great! Plenty of Alexander Cowan's in Scotland though! First protagonist, and I'm failing miserably to find his story. Not even searching for clues by finding the other occupants of the King's Arms in 1881 is helping - I can't find them either apart from plenty of possible marriages for Ada Littlewood a servant who was visiting them.

First protagonist - Alexander Cowan

The Nottinghamshire Alexander Cowan dismissed as he married in 1877 according to an ancestry tree,

With no obvious sign in 1891 of Alexander both on ancestry and on findmypast using both a wild card* after Alex and no surname in case of misspellings, I've checked the death registers and the parish burial records for West Yorkshire. There was an Alexander Cowan buried in Moorgate Cemetery in Rotherham 17 April 1890 aged 37 (possible birth year 1853) - has my first protaginist died already?

Tried to find the Kings Arms Doncaster Gate in 1891 using search by address - only pub apparently on Doncaster Gate was the Wheat Sheaf ( no sign of him there). The Wheat Sheaf was also there in 1881,a couple of pages further on in the census, however even going back a number of pages Doncaster Gate in 1891 seems to start at no. 7.

Checked the new Discovery search on National Archives to no avail.
Checked Access to Archives for the King's Arms Rotherham, Cowan Rotherham and Alexander Cowan to no avail.

First protagonist - Alexander Cowan

OK ... so no obvious Alexander(ria) Cowan in the 1871 or 1891 census on ancestry from Scotland living anyway near Rotherham. There was one who married in Nottinghamshire and is living there in 1891 but he's a farm labourer in 1891 - surely a come down from managing a pub. Time to puzzle - excellent!

First protagonist - Alexander Cowan

So first protaginist chosen ......
Alexandria Cowan born 1855 in Scotland. In 1881 the manager of the Liquor Vaults (possibly the King's Arms), Doncaster Gate, Rotterham, Yorkshire, unmarried. No obvious family tree on Ancestry at the moment though quite a few Alexander Cowans of the same age and birthplace.