Genealogy Chat

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My Gt Gt Grandmother Ann(e) Webster was baptised in 1830 at Highgate chapel, parish of Hornsey county of Middlesex (I have a copy of the certificate taken in 1859) in April 1830. In 1832 the family - Father William, Mother Elizabeth (who seems to have been known as Ann) were living in Highgate and working as (I think live in) servants (he was a coachman) for a Mrs Langford of Highgate, who also had a house in Regency Square Brighton. (I have a letter from Mrs Langford to Ann Webster (The Mother) telling her William is ill and she should come to him from Highgate to Brighton dated 1832).the letter also mentions 'all your children', so Ann was not their only child. William Webster (c1794/96) originated from Froyle in Hampshire. I can't find a marriage for him to either an Elizabeth or an Ann. In the 1851 census Ann Webster a drep maker aged 21 is living with her Aunt and Uncle Harriet (nee Webster) and William Trodd in Botley Hampshire. By the 1861 she is married to William Duffin. I have searched the 1841 and cannot find her anywhere. There are loads of Ann Websters and I have looked at all those in the possible areas. I have a suspicion that William died before 1841, he may even have died in 1832. However, Sarah on here searched the NBI for William Webster's burial in Brighton Sussex and Middlesex and drew a blank and I have searched the Hampshire burial register also with no success. Gwyn (Kent) has searched the PRs for me and found William Webster aged 82 buried in 1856 (I think that is my William's Father) so, where is Ann in 1841? and, if it comes to that where was her mother Elizabeth (or Ann) Webster. And when did William die and where was he buried. And who did he marry and where. I have been working on this branch for many years now and always come up against a full stop. Gwynne has helped a lot and given me food for thought but I still can't solve the above. has anyone any bright ideas as to my way forward. Ann Glos

If anyone asks a question and I don't answer, i will be back on here after 8.30pm. Ann Glos

Very small point - what you read as drepmaker is in fact dressmaker. OC

Hi - I am trying to explore a few avenues for you. Am still looking but I found this website you might want to look at: http://www.froyle.com/1841.htm There are Websters there. I'll keep looking for you.

Sorry - when I add a message with a website link it seems to do silly things - hope you can follow the link. I'll give it again: http://www.froyle.com/1841.htm

Aaggh - it still hasn't given it in full - it is: http://www.froyle.com/1841.htm http://www.froyle.com/1841.htm

I'll try again www.froyle.com/1841.htm

Elizabeth, try putting brackets round any dots, for example genesreunited(.)co(.)uk hope that helps, Selena

http://www(.)froyle(.)com/1841(.)htm Hoping this works

thank you or your suggestions. OC sorry it is Dup maker not drep, my fault. Elizabeth, thank you for that site, I have looked and other websters are there, including William's (Ann's Father's) parents, but no sign of Elizabeth, William or Anne. Ann Glos

gill, I will look at Family History online tomorrow, I need to put more money on as mine has now run out. Thanks for that. ann glos

Have you looked for Mrs Langford on the 1841? You didn't give her christian name, so I couldn't look for you. Could she still have been working for her, or at least living nearby? Just a thought.........!

Hi Her name was Elizabeth Langford. I couldn't find her. One address was 'at Mrs Langfords, Highgate, the other 32 Regency Square I assume Brighton as the letter talked about Ann going down to Brighton to see 'Webster'. Ann Glos

you might be interested in the content of the letter. Transcribed Letter to Mrs Webster At Mrs Langfords Highgate Middlesex Postmarked MR 15 1832 32 Regency Square (Brighton my guess) Wednesday Ann When I wrote to you on Monday Webster was then very ill but I would not tell you of it as I had every reason to hope with the great care he had, and the good advice, that he would by this time have been better that I did not like to make you unhappy at such a distance, as of course you could not leave your children and come to him, or indeed do more for him than is now doing – but if you think it is your duty to come to him and cannot be easy without it, and can leave your children, I shall be quite satisfied with my house being left under the care of Buchers?? And his wife – at all events I will write to you again tomorrow night – and you had better prepare yourself as this attack is very severe on Webster’s chest with a violent bilious attack – I must in justice both to Simmons? And Henry? Say they have paid him as much attention as their nearest relation, more cannot probably be done for Webster than is doing. We must hope for the best. – Webster wishes very much for you to come if you can leave your children with safety. Simmons? Has just asked him the question and Webster said that there are coaches that leave London at 3 o’clock, that you can be down at Brighton tomorrow evening at 9 o’clock. Perhaps if Mrs Bucher? Cannot take care of your children Mrs Greening? Perhaps would for a short time. In case you should not be able to come away tomorrow, I will at all events write to you tomorrow night Your Friend Elizabeth Langford We will pay for your journey here you had better come inside the coach you may catch cold on the outside and be laid up when you get to Brighton. Words in italics are ones that are difficult to transcribe and/or missing Ann glos

Ann There is a will on documentsonline for an Elizabeth Langford, widow, of Highgate, dated 1839. Might be worth you downloading it, or I could get it for you at Kew tomorrow - let me know fairly quickly, though. Perhaps her servants might get a mention!

Hi Ann, any idea of the cost if you got it at Kew for me? Thanks for the offer. Ann Glos

Just seen the letter -how lovely, and how lucky you are to have it!

Ann Just photocopying costs - say 50p-£1!!!!!!! Cheaper than downloading, anyway!

ann, if it would not be too much trouble I would love you to get a copy of it for me. Many many thanks, Mrs Langford is a sort of mystery woman to me. I love the letter, it is very yellow and creased but still very clear and beautifully written. It was passed down o me via my Grandmother and my Father. Ann Glos