The Family of James Belsham

Family Chart

James was baptised 18 October 1807 at Chigwell, a son of William Belsham and Frances formerly Smith.

James married Sophia Brewitt at Theydon Mount after banns, on 18 December 1826. They were bachelor and spinster of the parish. The witnesses were John Groves and Caroline Dolley.

In the 1841 census of Tawney Common, James was aged 30, an agricultural labourer and Sophia was aged 30. With them were Sarah aged 12, Emma aged 10, Jane aged 7, James aged 4 and Sophia aged 1. All were born in Essex.

In the 1851 census of Church House, Stapleford Tawney, James was aged 44, a gardener, born at Chigwell, Essex and his wife, Sophia was aged 46 and born at Theydon Garnon, Essex. Their children were James, aged 13, Frances aged 3 and Elizabeth aged 2, all born at Stapleford Tawney.

Sophia Belsham of Stapleford Tawney was buried at Theydon Mount 31 October 1852 aged 47.

James married secondly Lydia West (X), formerly Welsby, after banns in the Parish Church of Theydon Garnon, on 6 May 1855. James was aged 47 and Lydia was aged 37. They were widower and widow, of Theydon Garnon. James was a son of William Belsham, a gardener, and Lydia was a daughter of Jonathan Welsby, a labourer. The witnesses were Eliza West and Charles Smith (X).

In the census of 1861, at High Street, Leyton, Essex, James was aged 53, a gardener, born at Chigwell. His wife was Lydia aged 41, born at North Weald, Essex, and their children were Alice M aged 2 and Martha aged 1, both born in Leyton. With them was William West, a son in law, aged 10 and born at Stanford Rivers, Essex.

A possible death entry for James Belsham could be in the March quarter 1866 in the district of Hackney. Leyton is close to Hackney. However, the age in the actual GRO index was 69, rather than 59.

In the census of 1881, at 2 Rose Cottage, High Street, Leyton, Lydia was head of the household (living on her own) and married, aged 59, a charwoman, born at North Weald, Essex.

The children of James Belsham and Sophia formerly Brewitt were:

  1. Lucy Eliza, born 6 July 1827 and baptised 29 July 1827 at Theydon Mount, of Theydon Mount (James was a gardener).
  2. Sarah Ann, baptised 14 June 1829 at Theydon Mount, of Theydon Mount (labourer). She was buried at Stapleford Tawney on 24 May 1846, aged 17 and was living at Howfield, Stapleford Tawney.
  3. Emma, born about 1830/31.
  4. Jane, baptised 6 July 1834 at Theydon Mount, of Stapleford Tawney, (James Belcher, labourer). In the 1851 census of Sutton's House, Stapleford Tawney, Jane was single and aged 16, a kitchen maid, born at Stapleford Tawney.
  5. James, baptised 19 February 1837 at Theydon Mount, of Stapleford Tawney, (labourer).
  6. Sophy Maria, born 7 December 1839 and baptised 8 March 1840 at Theydon Mount, of Tawney Common, (gardener).
  7. Frances Elizabeth, born 4 December 1845 and baptised 15 March 1846 of Howfield Stapleford Tawney, (gardener).
  8. Elizabeth, born 26 November 1848 at Stapleford Tawney, Essex . James was a labourer and registered the birth.

The children of James Belsham and Lydia late West formerly Welsby:

  1. Alice Mary, born about 1858 at Leyton.
  2. Martha, born about 1859 at Leyton.

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Posted January 2008