by nugentsmith » Wed Aug 18, 2021 8:48 pm
Having been away from GenForum for a while, I returned to an old Brick Wall! However, my new information does not help to confirm the status of Emma SMITH but suggests a new partner for George JEPTHA.
This thread began with William SMITH (b.1830) and I now have William’s death certificate:
SMITH, WILLIAM 59
GRO Reference: 1889 J Quarter in DUDLEY Volume 06C Page 9
D/1889/Dudley/Rowley Regis/No 216 - reg 7th June 1889
William Smith, Chain Maker, died on 6 June 1889 at 61 Spinners End, Rowley Regis, age 59, Chain Maker. Cause of death: Chronic Bronchitis. Informant was Joseph Nock of 14 Plant Street, Rowley Regis, Nephew, in attendance.
If the description of Joseph NOCK as William’s Nephew is correct the inference is that one of William’s parents must be one of Joseph’s grand-parents.
Joseph appears on the 1881 Census living at 14 Plant Street with his parents Josiah NOCK (b.1844) and Phoebe (HOMER) (b.1846) (see BCC). Following these two families on BCC, Joseph Nock’s grand parents are: Eli Nock and Mary Ann Priest; Thomas Homer and Phoebe Smith.
Thus, a tentative conclusion is that William’s mother is Phoebe SMITH (b.1809).
Thomas and Phoebe were married on 19 March 1833, but William was born in 1830 - 1832, so presumably he was Phoebe’s illegitimate child. However, it seems reasonable that Phoebe’s son appears on the 1841 Census as William Homer:
HO107/1196/17/55/20 - Mushroom Green
Thomas Homer 30 Nail m
Phebe do. 30
William do. 9
Joseph do. 5
John do. 3
Ann do. 1
All born in county
A further point is that there does not appear to be a reference to William SMITH on the 1841 Census, and no references to William HOMER after 1841.
There are other connections in Mushroom. Phoebe SMITH subsequently (1855) married John ROUND, whose daughter Myra (or Maria) had been a witness at the marriage of William SMITH in 1850.
Should William HOMER (b.1832) become William SMITH, with George JEPTHA as William’s father?