Joseph Wilcox and Alfred Brain

Joseph Wilcox (1836-1923)

Alfred Brain (1838-1900)

In the 1841 Census, the 5-year-old Joseph was living at Pitcourt with his father, John Wilcox. a labourer. His mother was, at the time of the Census, living in Hawkesbury, with her 4 month old daughter, Sarah, as a wet nurse. Also in the household were Phoebe Terrett, aged 55, John’s mother-in-law, and Phebe’s illegitimate son, Peter Terrett, aged 20. Alfred Brain, aged 3, completed the household. Alfred Brain was the grandchild of Phoebe, but there is no record of baptism, though, in his will, he states that Joseph is his half-brother. In his wedding record, far from Nibley, and when he was 57, Alfred stated that his father was Thomas Brain, a mason, but I can’t locate him, so this might be a fabrication on Alfred’s part.

In 1851, John, Frances, Joseph and Sarah Ann, along with Phoebe, were living at Pound House, at the centre of the village, circled in the map below. Another daughter, Mary, had been born in 1843, but died a year later.

From the Tithe Apportionment map of 1846, reproduced with the permission of Geoff Gwatkin

Joseph had married Hester Isaacs at the beginning of 1861 and, in the census of that year, was living in Dursley, and recorded as a farmer of 30 acres. His sister Sarah was living in the household.

In 1871, the family, now with five children and a servant, were living in Hermitage House in Cheltenham. Joseph was now – well – something I can’t make out. It’s shown below. Perhaps someone can advise me?

However, in 1881, Joseph was now a farmer again, farming 170 acres and living on the Wickwar road in Kingswood with Hester, their children (and a servant).

In 1891, Joseph was visiting Eliza Wiltshire, in Calne. As well as a farmer, he has now become a Baptist minister. Hester and the children were back at the farm – now identified as Neathwood Farm. In ’01, he has dropped farming and is living in Trowbridge, with Hester and two of his children. One of them, Alfred, aged 35, is mysteriously living on his own means.

In 1911, Joseph is a ‘Strict Baptist Minister’, living with Hester at 36 Lansdowne Road, Birmingham. With them is their daughter Emily Frances. We can now see, thanks to the census’ recording progressively more and more children, that the couple had six children, all of whom were still alive.

Joseph died in 1923, leaving £2050.

In 1851 Alfred was a servant at Starfall Farm, in the western area of the parish. In ’61 Alfred (now Brayne) was a groom and general servant at Newark Park, in Ozleworth. By 1871, he was a butler, at Pembridge Villa in Croydon, working for Jane Dyer. Jane Dyer was a member of the Wotton family that had grown prosperous on the woollen industry. Another servant in the household was Fanny Ashman, who also came from Gloucestershire.In ’81, they were both still living with, and working for Jane Dyer, who was living on ‘land and dividends’.

In December 1890, Alfred and Fanny married. Jane had died 3 months previously. In 1891, Alfred, still a butler, recorded as married, was living on Colman (?) street in Croydon. In the same was house was Catherine Morse, a 25-year-old housemaid. Unfortunately I can find no other trace of her, other than this census. Fanny, describing herself as a widow, is ‘living on her own means’ in Tetbury, with her niece.

Alfred died in 1900. He was living at Bramah Road, Brixton, and left £1094 to his cousin Joseph, and Joseph’s son. A summary of the will follows

I appoint my half brother Joseph Wilcox..and his youngest son Arthur my trustees and executors…I give my wearing apparel to the said Joseph Wilcox and I give my silver chain to the said Arthur Wilcox I give and bequeath my tool chest and all my Carpenter tools to my nephew Herbert Wilcox and also my diamond pin I give and bequeath my gold chain to my nephew John Wilcox I give and bequeath my gold pins studs silver studs and silver pencil case to my nephew Alfred Wilcox [the income from investing the remainder] to my wife for her sole use and benefit…for the term of her natural life [various financial arrangements] so that my wife shall have at least eight shillings per week I also give to my wife Frances Brain the whole of the household furniture (it being as much hers as mine)

In 1911, Fanny is living alone on Bristol Road, Nailsworth, Gloucestershire. She died in 1924, leaving £324.