Sarah Bishop (1837-1901)

In 1841, Sarah was living in the Howley area of the parish with her parents, John and Hannah (nee Owen). John was a labourer. Fifteen years previously, in March 1825, John, Hannah and three children, William, Mary Ann and John, aged respectively 5,4, and 1, had been removed to Malmesbury as they were seen as a drain on the parish without having any rights to live there. However, by a year later they seem to have returned, as Elizabeth was christened in Nibley in 1826, followed by Moses, Ann and Sarah. Five children were living at home on the date of the census. All were christened at St Martins, North Nibley.

The cottage that they occupied, long since disappeared, is located in the area circled in blue.

Reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland

In 1851, John, Hannah, Sarah and her elder sister, Ann, were at Daisy Green, Nibley. John, aged 61, was classified as a pauper, born in Malmesbury (hence the Removal Order referred to above). Sarah was a quill minder, and Ann as power loom weaver.

in 1857, Sarah married Alfred Stephens, a labourer. In 1861, the couple were living in Bradley Street, Wotton under Edge, with their two daughters. Sarah was still working in the woollen industry, as a woollen cloth weaver. They continued living in Wotton, and had eight children.

In 1901, Sarah died, aged 63, and Alfred died the same year.