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Information contained in these pages is intended for genealogical research only,
and I ask that you respect the privacy of those mentioned.
Please
acknowledge the source of any information used from these pages. John Clarke and Ann Gibbs © It is believed John Clarke was born in Bretforton, Worcestershire, in 1814. The son of Thomas and Hannah (nee Hartwell) he was baptized in St Leonards, the Bretforton Parish Church, on September 18th, 18141. The next record we have of John is when he marries Ann Gibbs, also in St Leonards, on the 28th November, 18392. John, of Full Age, states he is a Bachelor, and his occupation a Labourer. Ann also of Full Age, was a Spinster, no occupation was given. Both John and Ann gave their place of residence at the time of their marriage as Bretforton. They were married by Joseph Harling, Curate, according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Established Church after Banns. John made his mark and Ann signed her name. The witnesses were John Gibbs, possibly Ann's father, and Sarah Clark, possibly John's sister. John gives his father as Thomas Clarke, Labourer and Ann's father is listed as John Gibbs, Carpenter. Ann was baptised in St Leonard's Parish Church, Bretforton on 11th August, 1816, the daughter of John and Mary Gibbs of Bretforton1. Parish records indicate Ann's mother's maiden name was Goddard.
Bretforton
is a rural village in Worcestershire, 7.1km east of Evesham, in the Vale of
John, age
25, and Ann, age 20, appear on the 1841 Census4, living in New
Street, To date only one child for John & Ann has been found: Sally Ann 1842, she married William Smith 1864. According to the 1851 Census4 John, age 34, an Agricultural Labourer and Ann, age 32, a Glover, are living in Bretforton, although there is no address listed it is assumed they are still in the same house in New Street. Ann's mother Mary Gibbs, a Widow age 67, a Field Worker, is recorded as living with them at the time of the Census. John and Ann had a daughter Sally Ann in 1842, but at the time of the 1851 Census she is recorded as a Visitor, age 9, in the household of a nearby neighbour. On the 1861 Census4, John & Ann are still in Bretforton, but now the address is given as 'Village', John is recorded as a Labourer, age 46, there is no occupation listed for Ann, but her age is given as 49. Their daughter Sally Ann, age 18, is living with them, as is Ann's mother Mary Gibbs, a 77year old Widow. There are no occupations listed for Sally Ann or Mary Gibbs.
The 1871
Census4 show John and Ann were still living in the Village,
Bretforton, now Ann died of an ongoing Heart Condition on the 24th October, 1880, at Bretforton5, her daughter Sally Ann was the Informant and was present at her death. Ann's age was given as 64, the wife of John Clarke an Agricultural Labourer. The cause of death is recorded as Heart Disease, 3years, Jaundice, 2months, General Anasarca, 1month and was certified by H. E. Haynes M.R.C.S. General Anasarca refers to general swelling, or massive Oedema, and is often a common sign in people who are very sick. In Ann’s case as she was also Jaundice she may have been suffering from liver disease as well as having a heart condition6. Ann was buried in Bretforton on the 27th October, 18807. It is not known if she was buried in St Leonards Churchyard or in the local cemetery, or if there is a marker for her grave. Living at Howlet End, Bretforton, at the time of the 1881 Census4, this record gives John’s age as 66, a Widower, and his occupation is still recorded as Agricultural Labourer. Interestingly his place of birth on this record is recorded as Badsey, Worcestershire. John is recorded on the 1891 Census4 as living with his grandson Herbert David Clarke and family in Bridge Street, Bretforton. He is listed as a Widower, age 78, his occupation is given as Agricultural Labourer, and his birthplace is once again recorded as Bretforton. John died, at the age 86, in the Evesham Union Workhouse on the 18th July, 1900, his occupation is recorded as Formerly a Farm Labourer of Bretforton5. Cause of death is given as Senile Decay, certified by A. H. Markin M.R.C.S., the Informant was the Master of the Workhouse, William Girvin. John was laid to rest in Bretforton on the 19th July, 19007. As for Ann it is not known if this was in the Churchyard or the local cemetery, or if his grave has a marker or headstone.
References:
4. UK Censuses
via Ancestry.co.uk
https://www.ancestry.co.uk
Jim Clarke Bretforton Mike & Jenny James NZ
Oral & Written Family History |