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William Robins and Hannah Knight © William, the son of James Robins and Elizabeth (nee Perkes), was baptized in St Leonards, Parish Church in Bretforton, Worcestershire, on the 1st May, 1814. This record tells us his father was a Labourer and they were from the Parish of Bretforton1. A rural village in the Vale of Evesham, Bretforton is said to be the largest farming village in the area. Records show William married Hannah Knight on the 29th May, 18392. They married in St James Parish Church, Badsey, after Banns, and by the Rites and Ceremonies of the Established Church. The ceremony was conducted by Robert Harmens (Curate). The marriage certificate tells us that William was a Bachelor of Full Age, his occupation was a Labourer, his residence Badsey, and his father was James Robins, also a Labourer. Hannah was a Spinster, age 19, also of Badsey, no occupation is recorded and her father is given as Charles Knight, a Labourer. Both William and Hannah made their Mark, as did the witnesses Sarah Robins and Joseph Knight. It is thought Sarah may be William's mother and Joseph probably Hannah's older brother. Baptised in St James Parish Church, Badsey, on the 18th February, 18211 Hannah was the daughter of Charles Knight and Sarah nee Morris. Badsey, a village and a parish in Evesham district, Worcestershire, the parish also includes the hamlet of Aldington. For most of its history agriculture has been the main occupation of the villagers, and as the agricultural systems changed many moved into Market Gardening. This trend led to the building of ‘hovels’ as a place for the villagers to store their tools etc. Today only few of these remain, but there are still several substantial old stone houses, with gables and mullioned windows in and around the village. The church, dedicated to St. James, was, in the past, served by one of the monks of Evesham Abbey and, it is said, was an infirmary for the retirement of sick monks - a class of men always judicious in their selection of locality. If the mediaeval masons who carved the gargoyles on the church tower had in view at the time the portraits of these sick monks they could not have succeeded better, the heads being represented as in that state usually experienced by persons when they first go to sea. William, age 25, a Labourer and wife Hannah, age 20, appear on the 1841 Census Badsey3. The census records indicate both William and Hannah were born in Worcestershire. It would also appear that they stayed in close proximity to family members as a Joseph Knight and family and a William Knight and family are recorded as living only a few doors away. In 18513 they are still in Badsey, at Badsey Leys, however they are now recorded as Robbins. William a Farm Labourer age 36, wife Hannah age 30 and daughters Eliza age 9, Charlotte age 7, both Scholars, and Sarah Ann age 2, Sarah married George Sollis 1864. William's place of birth is given as Bretforton, Worcestershire, Hannah's as Adlington, Worcestershire, and the girls as all born in Badsey, Worcestershire. Adlington is 2km north-north-west of Badsey. The 1861 Census3 shows the family is still living in Badsey, William is now 47, his occupation Agricultural Labourer, his wife Hannah is 40. With them: are: Charlotte 17, occupation Gloveress; Sarah Ann 12; William 9; Elizabeth 7; Mary 6; and Emma 4, all recorded as Scholars; also Ellen 2; and George 1month. William and Hannah are recorded as in the Village, Badsey on the 18713 Census. William is now age 56, gives his place of birth as Bretforton and occupation as Agricultural Labourer. Hannah is age 50 and her occupation is given as Gloveress, her birthplace given as Badsey. With them are William age 19, a Sailor also recorded as an Imbecile, Elizabeth age 18, Mary age 16 and Emma age 14, all having the occupation as Gloveresses and George age 10, an Agricultural Labourer. Living at Green in Badsey, the 18813 Census has William age 66, his occupation recorded as 'Formerly an Agricultural Labourer', and Hannah age 60, 'Formerly a Gloveress'. Son William is now age 29, no occupation and still recorded as an Imbecile, and son George, a 20 year old Market Gardener. William died, age 67, in Badsey on the 26th September, 18814. His cause of death is given as Melanosis, 18 months, his occupation Agricultural Labourer, the informant was his daughter E. Hardiman, believed to be daughter Elizabeth, who was present at his death. Melanosis refers to an excessive production of Melin in body tissue, especially in the skin and effects can range for an excess of freckles to deadly melanoma. Other types of Melanosis are Ocular Melanosis, which can lead to Glaucoma and is also generally fatal; Smokers Melanosis which can disappear when smoking stops; and Melanosis Coli attributed to diet and again it can disappear if diet is changed. As William had suffered with this disease for 18months, and he was an outdoor labourer, it is highly likely he either had a Melanoma or Ocular Melanosis. William was buried in the St James Churchyard, Badsey on the 31st September 18815. It is not known if there is a marker on his grave. Less than two years later, Hannah died, also in Badsey, on the 10th May, 18834. She was 62years old, cause of death was given as Pneumonia for 7days, the Informant was her daughter E. Hardiman and, like for her father, she was present at her mother's death. Hannah was buried on the 18th May, 1883, also in the St James Churchyard in Badsey5. It is not known if she was buried with her husband, or if there is a marker on her final resting place.
References: 1. Parish Baptism Record via Worcestershire Record Office 2. Marriage Certificate 3. UK Census via Ancestry.co.uk https://www.ancestry.co.uk 4. Death Certificate 5. Parish Burial Record via Worcestershire Record Office
Other Sources: Badsey, Worcestershire http://badsey.net/index.htm
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