Henry Purslow
Written by Nikki-ann on Saturday, 19 January , 2008 at 7:32 pm
Henry Purslow is my Great Great Great Grandfather. I don’t know much about Henry (and even less about his wife, my Great Great Great Grandmother), but below is what I do know.
Henry was born circa 1801 in Shropshire, England (most likely in the town of Shrewsbury).
The earliest record I have of Henry is in the Shropshire County Quarter Sessions. On 13th day of August 1835 Henry appeared before the Justices of the Peace for the county and gave a statement. One Timothy Jones and another youth had stolen a quantity of iron and tried to sell it to Gittins & Cartwright Foundry (Henry’s place of work). As well as a copy of the statement, I have a copy of a document which states that Henry must appear at the next sessions in the county to give evidence against Timothy Jones, if he doesn’t he will owe £30 (a great deal of money in those days!). The evidence resulted in Timothy Jones being sentenced to 12 months imprisonment and hard labour for his crime. (Thanks to Shropshire Archives for the copies of those documents).
Ten months later, on 20th June 1836 Henry married Jane Younger (or “Young”) at St. Julian’s in Shrewsbury. Their daughter Sarah (my Great Great Grandmother) was born on 21st April 1837 and baptised at Saint Alkmund, Shrewsbury on 14th May of that year.
We next see Henry and his family in the 1841 England Census living in Castle Foregate, Shrewsbury. He was working as a moulder.
I have been unable to find Henry and the family in either the 1851 England census or the Wales census, but they may have moved to Montgomeryshire, Wales (which borders with Shropshire, England) by then. Later that year, a son is born to Henry & Jane in Puzzle Square, Welshpool and is named after his father.
Henry Purslow died on 20th March 1857 at Puzzle Square, Welshpool aged 56 years of asthma (not certified). He was an ironmoulder (journeyman) at the time.
Henry’s daughter Sarah married Thomas Williams in May 1861 and died in December 1871.
His wife Jane and son Henry can be found in the 1881 Wales census living together in Welshpool. Henry (junior) is listed as working as a nailor. I believe Jane died in 1885, but I’m awaiting the death certificate.
My research into this part of the family has brought up some questions…There is quite an age gap between the children, with Sarah being born in 1836 and Henry (junior) in 1851. Had there been any other children? It seems odd for there to be only 2 children and such an age gap, unless Henry & Jane had only planned on having 1 child and Henry (junior) came as a surprise. I don’t know.Where is Henry and the family for the 1851 census and why can’t I find them? Finding them on this census could answer if there were any other children.
Ah well… A family historian’s work is never done!
Category: Family History, Purslow
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Comment by Bob-kat
Made Saturday, 19 of January , 2008 at 8:34 pm
Your investigations seem to be turning up all kinds of interesting info these days! It is intriguing about the children’s age gap. I have another possibility to explain it for you. Sometimes, if an unmarried girl became pregnant, she would be shipped off to relatives for her confinement. Once the child was born sometimes it would be raised by her parents (i.e. the grandparents) as a younger brother. My ex-husbands great uncle was such a child so it did happen.
Michele sent me by this time but I love visiting anyway 
Comment by Felicity
Made Sunday, 20 of January , 2008 at 12:02 am
Did you know that a Thomas Purslow died in the
Snailbeach Mine accident in 1895 aged 52? I wonder if he was one of your predecessors?
Comment by Apple
Made Sunday, 20 of January , 2008 at 12:26 am
The missing census may hold clues. Based on his occupation you may think of some other places to look. Two possible explainations for the gap in the children’s birth years: 1. Jane was delicate and had a series of miscarriages or simply could not conceive easily. 2. Henry had two wives, both named Jane. Unlikely, but possible.
Comment by Pat
Made Sunday, 20 of January , 2008 at 1:39 pm
How I wish I had your patience to go back that far. I have only gone back to my grand-parents who I remember. It does require a skill which I don’t seem to have. Good on you! Michele sends her best
Comment by OldOldLady Of The Hills
Made Sunday, 20 of January , 2008 at 4:32 pm
I so admire your search Nikki-Ann…You remind me of my sister, (I think I said this to you before), as she is relentless in her search of family history….It is most exciting, my dear…! I must say that 15 year gap makes one wonder, doesn’t it? I have no suggestions whatsoever…I wish I did. I just encourahe you to keep on…And I know you will with or without my encouragement!
Comment by omykiss
Made Tuesday, 22 of January , 2008 at 3:40 am
I’ve been trying to trace back to my roots which I believe start somewhere near Birmingham! Facinating stuff Nikki-Ann. Thanks for visitng earlier via Michele.
Comment by Wendy Purslow
Made Saturday, 23 of February , 2008 at 9:41 pm
Hello Nikki-ann,
We have been researching PURSLOW for many years - nice to find you and have a large data base of all known Purslows. We cannot locate Henry in 1851 either but his son (Henry junior) born ca March 1852, Welshpool GRO11b 218 can be found 1861 Welshpool,1871 at Welshpool, 1891 Welshpool (as Harry Purslow) and 1901 at Ynyseynhaiarn. Would like to hear of your connection.
Wendy
