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Ellen Harriet Cox

SHIRLEY THOMAS nee WYATT

THE WOMEN WHO MADE ME, - MY PATERNAL GREAT GRANDMOTHER

Ellen Harriet Cox b 1859 Radstock Somerset.

Ellen was the daughter of George Cox and Louisa Latcham.

They were married on the 4th Dec 1856 in the parish church Radstock.

There were three children from this marriage.

James Cox b 1857 Radstock.

Ellen Harriet Cox b 1859 Radstock.

William Cox b 1862 Paulton.

The 1861 census shows the family living in Paulton Somerset.

On 11th April 1863 tragedy struck the family.

George was a coal miner at Old Mills coal mine, Paulton, Somerset.

He was accidently killed age 28. There was an inquest 15th April 1863 led by the coroner Mr Burgess-Fry.

Ellen was only four years old.

Louisa married again to William Coles.

The 1861 census shows William living with his first wife Mary Ann and their children.

Five sons and one daughter.

So between Louisa and William they had nine children to support.

The 1871 census shows the family living on Chamborough Hill,Charlton Hamlet,Somerset.

William Coles occupation coal miner.

Louisa Coles

Williams four sons

James

Charles

John

William

Louisas children James,Ellen and William

Emily Coles age 1 the daughter of William and Louisa

Between the age of 12 in 1871 and her marriage in 1879 age 21 Ellen may have worked, possibly in Shepton Mallet where she married.

Ellen Harriet Cox married Robert George Pickford (George) on the 17th August 1879, The Wesleyan Chapel, Shepton Mallet, Somerset.  Ellen age 21 gave her name as Ellen Louisa Cox. George age 22 occupation labourer, both living at Quarr?, Shepton Mallet. Witness to the

marriage George Manship and Eliza Budge.

The 1881 census shows that Ellen and George are living with her parents.

At Charlton St, Kilmersdon.

They have their first child Alice age 1

William and Louisa have along with Emily age 12, five more children.

Tom age 9

Mary age 7

Frances age 5

Ruth age 3

Fred age 4 months

Ellen's mother Louisa is now age 45. They both have babies.

So Ellen had two brothers,  five step brothers and one stepsister. Then through the marriage of her mother Louisa to William Coles, had two half brothers and four half sisters.

A total of fourteen siblings.

Ellen's mother had a total of nine children from the two marriages.

What happened to all these children?

First Ellen's step brothers and sister.

Frederick Coles born 1849 Kilmersdon.

The 1871 census shows that Frederick is living with grandparents James and Frances Coles.

James is a Farmer of 2 acres, employ 1 labourer, in Charlton village.

Frederick is age 22 and is a farm servant.

He died age 23, jan-feb-mar quarter 1872.

James b 1851 married Mary and had two children.

The 1881 census shows them living at 35 Phipps St, Bedminster, occupation coal miner.

1891 they are living in Wales.

1911 James is age 60, the census shows one child living one died.

John born 1853 married Elizabeth Matilda Hobbs, they had four children.

1881 all living at Charlton St, occ coal haulier.

1891 living next door to his father William Coles in Charlton.

John died June 1941 age 88.

Eliza born 1856. The 1871 census shows that Eliza  age 15 and is a general servant, living at 1 New King St, Bath.

Age 19 she married Jabez Bunting Witcombe, 24 Dec 1874, Bristol.

1881 she has four children.

1891 living in Durley Worcester.

1901 living in  Sedgley Staffordshire.

1911 census shows there were nine children, four living, five died. They are living at 2 Highland Road, Dudley. Jabez occupation, engine fitter at the iron foundry.

Jabez died 7 sept 1927, leaving £536 in his will, address 2 Highland Road, Sedgley, Staffordshire.

Charles born 1859. The 1891 census shows his wife Martha and three children. They are living at 24 Alma St, Abertillery, Wales, occupation coal miner hewer.

1901 there are three more children.

1911 the census shows they had 8 children, 5 living and 3 died.

William born 1861 married Alice.

1891 they have 3 children

1901 they have one more child.

1911 shows all children living.

William is a coal miner hewer and they are living at Richmond Cottages, Cwmtillery Road, Monmouth.

So a total of 9 children died, it must have been devastating for the families.

Also Frederick died young age only 23.

Only John and his family remained in Somerset.

Ellen's two brothers.

James Cox born 1857 Radstock.

1881 he is married to Eliza and they have 2 children, his occupation coal miner.

1891 they have 3 more children.

1901 they are living at 29 Frome Rd, Radstock, occupation coal miner carter above ground.

1911 they are living at 26 Hayden Cottages, Radstock. All children living.

William Cox born 1862, Paulton.

1891 he is living in Wales and is married to Isabella. They have 3 children.

1901 there are 4 more children.

1911 they are living at 14 Evlyn St, Abertillery, occupation coal miner. 14 children, 11 living, 3 died.

William died age 60, 13 Jan 1923. He left £119 in his will.

 Again the loss of three children.

James and his family stayed in Somerset.

William joined his step brothers to work in Wales.

Ellen's half brothers and sisters.

Emily Coles born 1870, married 1889 to William Matthews b 1867.

1891 they are living at Charlton Rd, Charlton and have 2 children. Williams occupation coal miner hewer.

1901 they are living in Abertillery Wales and there are 3 more children.

1911 they are living at 49 Newall St, Abertillery, all 7 children living. Williams occupation Colliery Examiner below ground.

Tom Coles born 1872, unknown.

Mary Coles born 1875.

1891 she is a servant at a lodging house in Bath. People who lodged there were actors and a professor. It must have been an interesting place to work.

1901 she is married to Edward Furnell, and has one child.

They are living with her parents in Charlton.

1911 living at Charlton, Kilmersdon, still only one child.

Frances Coles born abt 1877, she was baptised 13th Mar 1877 at Holcombe.(near Kilmersdon)

1891 age 16 she is a domestic servant. Working for Joe Fry who is the Postmaster and Blacksmith. The Post Office, Park View, Stratton On The Fosse, Somerset.

Ruth Coles born 1879. Married 1899 to John Bath a coal miner. They had 2 children.

1911 they are living at 21 Gelli Crag, Abertillery. 2 children living. Also Ruth's mother Louisa Coles age 72.

William died age 80 Jun 1904, all Louisa could do was to live with one of her children. So went to live with her youngest daughter

She would have had to move from Somerset to Wales.

Fred Coles born 1881,( named after the Frederick Coles b 1849 who died age 23.)

1901 living with his sister Ruth, Abertillery.

He married Alice in 1910.

1911 census, Fred age 30, occupation coal miner, his wife Alice age 34, her daughter Olive Little age 9.

It could have been that Tom and Frances died when they were young.

Emily moved to Wales

Mary was at Charlton, Somerset.

Ruth moved to Wales.

Fred moved to Wales.

Ellen's mother Louisa went to live in Wales when she became a widow.

There were not many family left for Ellen to visit. Many had moved to Wales to find work as coal miners. All that remained in Somerset were-

John and Elizabeth Coles lived in Charlton. (step brother)

James and Eliza Cox lived in Radstock. (brother)

Mary and Edward Furnell lived in Charlton. (half sister)

Ellen's life was now with her husband Robert George Pickford ( George) and her children.

Ellen and George had 12 children after they were married in 1879.

Alice 1880-1959

Emily 1882-1904

Mildred Elizabeth 1883-1921

Jasper William 1885

Hannah 1887-1967

Mary 1889

Ada 1890-1969

George 1891-1916

Frances Ann 1893-1895

Samuel 1895-1898

Grace 1898-1922

Frances Ann 1899-1979

 Frances b 1893 and Samuel b 1895 died very young.

It must have been so hard for Ellen to look after all those children and to loose two so young.

The life of a coal miner was hard. Ellen would worry so much about George as she had lost her father in the coal mines.

The 1891 census shows the family are now living at The Garden Cottages, Camerton. George occupation is a sinker. ( Someone who excavates or drills the shafts for coal mining). They have 7 children.

The 1901 census shows they are living at Bengrove, Camerton. George occupation

coal miner hewer. There are 3 more children. Total of 6 children living at home. William the eldest age 15 is a coal miner's carting boy. The youngest Frances is age only 1 years old.

Robert died about three months later 22nd July 1901. Cause of death, phthisis, tuberculosis of the lungs for 5 months (TB).

Ellen was now age 42 and a widow with so many children to support. The cottage would have belonged to the owners of the colliery. Williams wages would not be enough to keep the family.

On the 20th June 1903 Ellen age 44 married John Emery age 34. They married at The Registry Office, Bath.

John's occupation coal miner, living at Dunkerton. Ellen Louisa Pickford, widow, living at 4 Oakfields Road Park, Bath.

There only daughter Louisa Emery was born 1902 Apr-May- Jun quarter, Clutton District.

John's family had lived in Camerton for many years, so Ellen would have known him quite well. His father Richard Emery, was a colliery under manager, at New Pit, Camerton.

The 1911 census shows John age 42, occupation miner hewer. Living at Tunley, Nr Bath, born in Camerton ( not Canada).

Ellen is now age 52.

Mary and Tom Wilcox ( Ellen's daughter and son-in-law ).

George Pickford, age 19,occupation miner carter.

Grace Pickford age 13.

Frances Pickford age 10.

Louisa Emery age 8.

So what happened to all of Ellen's children?

Alice Louisa Pickford, b oct-nov-dec 1879, Shepton Mallet.

Married Charles Parfitt, occupation coal miner hewer, oct-nov-dec 1900, Clutton District.

When first married lived in Tunley, Camerton.

The 1911 census shows them living at 51 Hillside View, Peasedown St John, Bath.

Charles occupation coal miner hewer.

They have 4 children living, 1 died. William George b 1903 d 1904.

Frederick age 9.b 1901

George age 5. b 1906

Mercy Ellen age 2. b 1908

Henry age 8 months. B 1911

After the 1911 census Alice had more children.

John born 1912.

Herbert born 1915

Alice born 1920

Frederick born 1923

Thomas born 1925

Alice Louisa Parfitt died age 77, Dec 1955.

The year of 1911 Ellen had an 8 year old daughter and a 9 year old grandson.

Almost the same as Ellen and her mother Louisa. In 1881 they both had babies.

There was also the sad loss of her daughter's baby son William.

Ellen had lost nieces and nephews when they were young,now also Ellen had lost children and her own daughter.It was very hard for women.

Emily Jane Pickford born 19 Nov 1881, Charlton Somerset.

The 1891 census she is living with her parents The Garden Cottage, Camerton.

1901 Emily age 19 is a general domestic servant. The Golden Lion Pub, Southgate St, Bath.

On the 5 June 1901 age 22?, she marries Edward Albert Biggins age 27, occupation miner.

He is living at Charlton Radstock and Emily's address 5 Gay St, Bath. They are married at Bath registry office.

Her father dies on the 27 July 1901. Emily was present at the death and registered the death in her maiden name Emily Jane Pickford on the 29 July 1901.

On the 28 Dec 1903 gives birth to a son William Biggins. It is a premature birth and he only lives 6 hours.

Tragically Emily dies age 22 from TB, the same as her father. She dies on the 2 Feb 1904 at North Hill Cottages, Dunkerton. The death was witnessed and registered by her step father John Emery.

The cause TB, 12 months.

Ellen must have been devastated, she had lost her first husband George to TB and now her daughter. Also Ellen had  a young baby at home and her second husband was a witness to her daughter Emily's death. There must have been a constant worry regarding TB.

Mildred Elizabeth Pickford born 19 Oct 1883, Radstock. Occupation of her father George, Labourer at Gas Works.

1891 she is living with the family at The Garden Cottage, Camerton.

1901 age 18 she is a servant at New School, Bath College, Bathwick. (Boys School)

1901 and 1904 the death of her father George and her sister Emily from TB.

By 1905 she has left Somerset for Durham to join her sister's widower Edward Albert Biggins.

They have 3 children before they marry.

Hilda Biggin Pickford b 1905-1965.

Edward (Ted) Biggin b 1906-1926.

Bessie Biggin b 1909, d 14 July 1911 age 2. Measles and pneumonia.

Mildred Elizabeth Pickford and Edward Albert Biggins marry on 3 June 1911. Living at 6 Third Cross Row, Chilton Lane, Ferryhill, Durham.

Mildred was pregnant with her fourth child.

Emma Emily Biggin born 31 August 1911-1984.

John George Biggin b 1915-1980.

Albert Biggin b 1918-1978.

Mildred Biggin b 1920-2009.

So in 1911, Mildred and Edward married in June, lost a 2 year old daughter in July. Then Mildred gave birth to another daughter in August.

On the 13 August 1921 Mildred Elizabeth died age 37 from suppurative parotitis complicated by sepsis (toxaemia).

Her children's ages were from sixteen to only one year.

Ellen was again devastated by the loss of another daughter. Within the next couple of years her granddaughter Hilda emigrated to Canada. Grandson Ted age 19 died from a terrible accident in the mines.

Jasper William Pickford b 1885, Radstock.

The 1891 census he is age 5 , living with his family at Camerton.

He has three older sisters and three younger sisters.

 1901 Jasper William now known as William age 15. He is a coal mine carting boy.

Living with his family at Bengrove, Camerton.

There are 4 younger sisters and 1 brother.

William marries Lena Hawe oct-nov-dec 1905, Bath, Somerset.

1911 William age 25, occupation coal miner hewer.

He is living with his wife Lena at Tunley Hill, Tunley, Nr Bath.

There are 2 children living, 2 died.

Williams wife Lena dies age 33, jul-aug-sep 1914. The children are age only 5 and 6.

William (Bill) did not remarry.

Ellen must have been so sorry for her son and worried about her young grandchildren.

Hannah Pickford b1887 Radstock.

The 1891 census shows Hannah age 3 living with her parents. The Garden Cottage, Camerton.

1901 she is a domestic servant for a Mrs Emily Watts in Weston-Super-Mare.

 Hannah marries Albert Tom Taylor Oct-Nov-Dec 1907.

1911 They are living at 2 Odd Down Terrace, Odd Down, Nr Bath.

Albert's occupation labourer.

They did not have children.

Hannah's death is Dec 1967 she is age 80.

Mary Pickford b 1889 Radstock.

1891 census she is age 2 and living with her parents at The Garden Cottage, Camerton.

1901 census age 12 living with her family at Bengrove, Camerton.

July 1909 Mary marries Tom Wilcox at Bath, Somerset. Their full names are Mary Ellen Pickford and Jasper Thomas Wilcox.

The 1911 census shows that Mary and Tom Wilcox are visiting her mother and step-father at Tunley.

They did not have children.

Tom dies Mar 1942 Pontypridd Wales age 57.

Ada Pickford b 1890 Camerton.

1891 Ada is six months old and living with her parents The Garden Cottages, Camerton.

1901 age 10 Ada is living with her family at Bengrove, Camerton.

Age 22 Ada married Walter George Cane age 26,occupation Saddler. They marry on the 30th October 1922 at St Michaels and St Andrews, Minehead.

They had one son named George.( His wife lent Betty Wyatt nee Guy her wedding dress in 1947).

Walter died 24 March 1963,address 11 Woodcombe,Minehead. He leaves Ada £1532 in his

will. Ada died March 1969.

George Pickford b 1891 Camerton.

1901 George is age 9 and living with his family at Bengrove, Camerton.

1911 he is age 19, living with his mother and step-father at Tunley Hill, Tunley, Nr Bath.

Occupation Miner Carter.

Enlisted on the 23 April 1912 as a private in the Royal Marine Light Infantry,Portsmouth.

He is killed in action on the 31 May 1916 on The HMS Queen Mary during The Battle of Jutland. Next of kin Ellen Emery, mother, Tunley Hill,  Nr Bath.

Frances Ann Pickford b 1893-95

Samuel Pickford b 1895-98

Grace Pickford b1898 Camerton.

1901 Grace is age 3 living with her family at Bengrove,Camerton.

1911 she is age 13 living with her mother and step-father at Tunley Hill, Tunley.

1921 Grace marries Henry Arnold.

 Grace dies June 1922  after giving birth to a daughter named Grace Arnold b June 1922 d June 1922.

Henry William Arnold d Mar 1978 Bath.

Frances Ann Pickford born 15th December 1899,Camerton.

1901 she is living with her family at Bengrove,Camerton.

1911 Frances is age 10 and living with her mother and stepfather at Tunley Hill,Tunley.

The 1914-1918 war Frances is employed as a cook at Gournay Court, West-Harptree.

It was taken over as a convalescent hospital for the wounded soldiers.

Frances married Samuel Wyatt on the 2nd April 1924. St Mary's Church, West-Harptree.

They have two sons Samuel Thomas b 1924 and William James b 1928.

Frances died 30th April 1979 age 79.

Louisa Emery b 1902 Camerton.

1911 Louisa (Louie) is living with her parents at Tunley Hill, Tunley, Nr Bath.

She married Sydney Lasbury 1922 Bath.

They had 3 sons Jack,Joe and Wilf and one daughter Violet.

Living at Mendip Bungalow, The Wrangle, Compton Martin.

So Ellen had a total of 13 children. Twelve from her first marriage and one from the second marriage. She had a hard life and much sadness with loss of loved ones.

Six of the children from the first marriage died young.  Two as small children. One serving in the 1914-18 war. Two as young women during childbirth and one in her thirties. Also a daughter in law during childbirth.

Ellen's first grandchild was born 1901 and the last possibly 1928. There were at least 25 grandchildren.

Ellen died 20th July 1933,Dunkerton, Bathavon, Somerset. She died of carcinoma of the stomach age 74.

John Emery went to live with his daughter Louie Lasbury at The Wrangle, Compton Martin. He died in 1952. Age 83.

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