The Willows/Willas/Willars Family Link

 

James Willows was born about 1660 in Osgathorpe, Leicestershire. He Married Elizabeth ? who was also 
born about 1660 in Leicestershire. They had four children (see separate Rootsweb ‘Water/Willars Family tree’) one of whom was Thomas Willas.

Thomas Willas was born in Osgathorpe in 1689 and christened on the 29th July in the same year. On the 17th November 1725 he married Sarah Wood, she was born in about 1689 in Whitwick, Leicestershire. They had 
six children (see separate Rootsweb ‘Water/Willars Family tree’) one of whom was William Willars.
Thomas died 28th September 1755.

William Willars was born in Leicestershire 28th June 1741. On the 31st August 1774 he married Sarah Bilson, she was born in about 1741 in Markfield, Leicestershire. They had six children (see separate Rootsweb ‘Water/Willars Family tree’) one of whom was William Willars. William died in 1816.

William Willars was born in Leicestershire in 1778. He was married twice, his first wife was Sarah Bott, born 
in about 1798 in Leicestershire and his second wife was Ann Copeland born in about 1803 in Stanton, Leicestershire.

William married Sarah in the parish church of Markfield on the 15th September 1818; their abode at the time 
is down as Stanton under Bardon. He and Sarah, I believe went on to have six children. 

1.    Mary Anne, baptized at the parish church of Markfield on the 1st November 1818  

2.    William, baptized at the parish church of Markfield on the 11th February 1821

3.    James Willars. b1827,

4.    Joseph, baptized at the parish church of Thornton on the 23rd December 1831,

5.    Thomas b1830. He married Jane Hill in 1853.

6.    Sarah, baptized at the parish church of Thornton on the 10th January 1833. She married John 
Whatnell in 1854.

William’s wife Sarah, died in 1832 aged 34, she was buried at the parish church of Markfield on December 16th. (I am guessing that they may have been complications when giving birth to her daughter Sarah.)

William married Ann in the parish church of Thornton sometime in October 1835. They had two children,

1.    Eliza. baptized at the parish church of Thornton on the 4th January 1836

2.    Edward b 1839.

In the 1841 census William (60) and Ann (35) are living in Markfield, Leicestershire.
They have five children living with them, James (14), Joseph (10), Sarah (8), Eliza (5) and Edward (2) all the family are down as being born in Leicestershire.

William Willars died in 1847 aged 69, he was buried at the parish church of Markfield on May 31st.

In the 1851 census Ann (49) is a widow, her address is Field Head, Markfield, Leicestershire.
She has three children living with her, James (24), Eliza (15) and Edward (12), all so living with them is Isabella Hardy (10 months), not sure what her relationship is to the family if any. Ann’s occupation is 
Nurse, so she could have just been looking after Isabella?
James occupation is an Higgler* and Edward is an Agricultural Labourer
Ann is down as being born in Markfield, Leicestershire as is Edward. James and Eliza are down as being born in Stanton and Isabella is Leicester.  

* Taken from Rootsweb,
“In a book of old occupations that I have, a Higgler was a peddlar, usually with a horse & cart. The word Haggler also comes from Higgler i.e. someone who haggles or bargains.”

James Willars married Kezia Butler in the parish church in the parish of Markfield on 19th February 1856, 
both James and Kezia occupation’s are down as Servant’s and both are residing at the time of the marriage 
in Markfield.
James’s father William occupation had been Farmer and Kezia’s father William occupation had been Shepherd. One of the witnesses was Joseph Willars, James brother?

Children of James and Kezia

1.    George William Henry was born in ABT 1857

2.    Mary Ann was born in ABT 1859

I can’t find Ann in the 1861 census.

In the 1861 census James (32) is married to Kesiah (29) and they are living at Town Close Hill, Hugglescote, Leicestershire.
They have two children living with them, William (4) and Mary Ann (2), all so living with them are 2 lodgers, Alfred Tite (21) and Thomas Jarvis (21).
James occupation is Carter, as are both the lodgers.
James is down as being born in Bardon*, Leicestershire and Kesiah is down as being born in Beeston. Both 
the children William and Mary are down as being born in Markfield and both the lodgers are down as being 
born in Northampton, Alfred (Rushton) and Thomas (Desborough)

*Stanton Under Bardon.

Children

3.    Alfred was born and died in 1863 (Bardon, Leics)

4.    James was born in 1865

5.    Emily’s baptism solemnized in the parish of Ratby, hamlet of Groby on 9th January 1868, James occupation is down as Quarry man. 

In the 1871 census James (44) and Kezia (38) are living at Grenate Yard, Ratby Leicestershire.
They have four children living with them, George W* (14), Mary Ann (12), James (6) and Emily (3).
James and Emily are both down as being born in Leicestershire.

*I think George W is the William in the 1851 census.

Children

6.    Herbert Butler was born in 1872

In the 1871 census Ann (68) is living with her son Edward (32). They live on Ashby Road, Ratby, Leicestershire.

Under burials in the parish of Ratby, hamlet of Groby I come across James Willars who was buried on 9th September 1877, aged 50.

In the 1881 census Kezia (48) is living on Ratby Road, Ratby, Leicestershire.
She has three children living with her, George (24), James (16) and Herbert (7).
Kezia occupation is Housekeeper No Employment, George is a Wheelwright and James is a Framesmith (S P M).
Kezia is down as being born in Blaiston, Leicestershire (Beeston in 1861 census). James is down as being 
born in Bardon on Hill, Leicestershire and Herbert is Groby Ratby, Leicestershire.

In the 1881 census Emily (14) is working as a Servant at 2 Ash Street, Leicester St Margaret.
The head of the family is John Harrison (36) whose occupation is Seedsman and Nurseryman.
John is married to Sarah (36) and they have 5 children living with them, William A (8), Elizabeth S (7), Thomas Percy (5), John (2) and Hubert Arthur (0).
Also working as a servant at the house is Mary Ann Lyshall (17).

In the 1881 census Ann (77) is bordering with her daughter Eliza (Adcock) (47) on Main Street, Markfield, Leicestershire. (I came across an Eliza Willars who married a James Adcock in Jun 1863 in Market Bosworth. (7a 122).
Eliza is down as head of the family so I believe James is visiting or working away.
Living with her are five children Margaret (13), James (10), Caroline (6), Sarah (4) and Richard W (0).
Eliza’s occupation is Wash Women.
Margaret, James and Caroline are down as being born in Groby, Leicestershire with Sarah and Richard 
being born in Markfield.

Ann Willars died in 1887 aged 84, she was buried at the parish church of Markfield on February 4th.

In the 1891 census Kezia (57) is living with her son James (26), they address is 9(b) Ratby Road, Ratby, Leicestershire.
It looks like they share a house with a family called Robotham (9a).
James occupation is Shinter.
Kezia is down as being born in Bleston, Leicestershire (Beeston in 1861 census and Blaiston in 1871 census).

In the 1891 census Emily (23) is still working as a Servant, but with a different family.
Their address is 15 Upper Tichborne Street, Leicester.
The head of the family is George Henry Ellis (43) whose occupation is Leather Representative.
George is married to Betsy (44) and they have 5 children living with them, Wesley C (18), Ethel M (16), Blanche E (14), Claude A (12) and Winifred M (4).
Also working as a servant at the house is Annie Antliffe (26).

What Happened to the children of James and Kezia?

1.    George W H.................. m Elizabeth Cooke in 1887 in the district of Barrow upon Soar (7a 312a).

In the 1901 census Kezia (67) is living with George W (44), they address is Ratby Road, Ratby, 
Leicestershire.
George is married to Elizabeth (32) and they have three children living with them, Walter J (13), John W (8) and Arthur W (1). Also living with them as borders is Harry Cherry (23) and Ceceil Barret (22).
George’s occupation is Granit Quarryman, as are the two borders Harry and Ceceil.
Kezia is down as being born in Blaston, Leicestershire (Beeston in 1861 census, Blaiston in 1871 census and Bleston in 1891). Elizabeth is down as Cropstone, Walter and Arthur (Groby) and John (Glenfield) Both the borders are registered as being born in Northamptonshire, Harry Gratworth and Ceceil Westhorpe.

George W H died in 1922

2.    Mary A............... m Tim Newman in 1879 in the district of Mt. Bosworth (7a 165)

In the 1891 census Tim (32) and Mary A (32) are living on Ratby Road, Ratby Leicestershire.
They have six children living with them, James (10), Willie M (8), Sarah J (7), Catherine (4), Lucy (2) and Netta K (1). Also lodging with them is George Bragg (24)*
Tim’s occupation is Quarryman, George Bragg is a Farm Labourer
Tim is registered as being born in Stuchbury, Northampton, all the children are registered as being born in Groby, Leicestershire and George Bragg, as Shepshed, Leicestershire.

*Not sure why George is lodging with Tim and Mary but although he is down as a Farm Labourer, he could have at this time been working at the quarry with Tim. In the 1881 census George’s occupation is down as 
a quarryman as was his father Mark, both working at the quarry in Shepshed? where they lived at that time. 
It is pretty certain that while lodging with Tim, George met Emily Willars, Mary’s sister.

I found an entry in the death register of 1932, of a Mary A Newman who died aged 73 in the district of Mt. Bosworth (7a 107).

3.    Alfred............... died August 10th 1863

4.    James............... never married and died in 1893 aged 28.

6.    Herbert B...............died in 1882 aged 9.

Emily Willars (23) married George Bragg (24) in the Chapel of Ease, Groby in the parish of Ratby on 9th June 1891, George’s occupation is down as Farm Labourer and both are residing at the time of the marriage in Groby.
Emily’s father James occupation had been Quarry man and George’s father Mark occupation had been Labourer. One of the witnesses was James Willars, Emily’s brother?

Children of George and Emily

1.    Kezia frances was born in 1892

2.    James Alfred was born in 1894

3.    Nellie Elizabeth was born in 1895

4.    Gertrude Alice was born in 1897

5.    Annie Maria was born in 1898

6.    George Frederick was born in 1900

In the 1901 census Emily (33) and George (34) are living at Sewerage Farm Cottage, Beaumont Leys, Leicestershire.
They have six children living with them, Kezia Frances (8), James Alfred (6), Nellie Elizabeth (5),
Gertrude Alice (4), Annie Maria (2) and Frederick George (1).
George’s occupation is Stockman on Farm.
George is registered as being born in Shepshed, Leicestershire, Emily is Groby, Kezia, James and Nellie are 
down for Leicester and Gertrude, Annie and Frederick, Beaumont Leys, Leicestershire.

Children

7.    Herbert William was born in 1901

8.    Daisy Mary was born in 1903

9.    Hilda Gladys E was born in 1905

Under burials in the parish of Ratby, hamlet of Groby I come across Kezia Willars who was buried on 29th February 1908 aged 74.

Emily died on February 12th 1911 aged 43, she had been expecting twins and there were complications. The babies were lost as well. (Details taken from “Our Family Tree” part 2 by Linda Anne Roberts)

Below is a memorial card for Emily

              

                        

The verse reads: 

My husband dear, my life is past,
My love for you through life did last
Weep not for me, nor sorrow make,
But love my children for my sake.

A bitter grief, a shock severe,
To part with one we loved so dear,
Though great our loss, we'll not complain,
But hope in heaven to meet again

In the 1911 census George (44) is living at Beaumont Leys, Leicestershire.
He has seven children living with them, Kezia (18), James (16), Nellie (15), Gerty (14), Annie (12), Freddy (11) and Daisy (7).
George’s occupation is Farm labourer as is his son James. Nellie and Gerty are both down as Warehouse Assistant’s
Daisy is down as being born in Beaumont Leys, Leicestershire.

What Happened to the children of George and Emily?

1.    Kezia Frances..................never married, after her mother died she help bring up her brothers and sisters until they were grown up. She later moved with her father to a house in Anstey. The house 
was left to her after her father’s death in 1945 and she continued to live they with her younger sister
Annie until her own death in 1962.

2.   James Alfred..................married Edith Knight in Wigston, Leicestershire in 1916. They went on 
to have two children Emily (Nora) 1918 and Dorrell R 1924. James died in 1943.

3.    Nellie Elizabeth..................died in 1917 aged 21, it is believed she did from Tuberculosis 
contracted from her boyfriend.

4.   Gertrude Alice..................married William Matthews in 1922 in the district of Leicester 
(7a 581). They had two children Jean b. 1926 and William (Bill) b.1927.

5.    Annie Maria..................lived with her father and sister Kezia in Anstey, she did have a boyfriend 
but decided against marrying him, but stayed living with her sister after they father’s death. 
When Kezia (Kizzie) died in 1962, Annie then married her long term boyfriend Wilfred Poole.
Annie died a short time after her husband in 1984.

6.    George Frederick..................married Maud Lillian Draper at the parish church in the parish of All Saint’s, Leicester on the 22nd December 1923. They had two children Joyce b 1928 and Kenneth b. 1931.

7.    Herbert William..................died in January 1903 aged 1.

8.    Daisy Mary.................. married Frank Burrell on January 8th 1927 at Leicester Registry Office, 
they had five children, Barbara (Seymour) 1927, Gordon 1928, Margaret 1931, Rosemary 
1939 and?

9.    Hilda Gladys E..................married Bertie E Middleton in 1929 in the district of Barrow S 
(7a 532) they had two children Maurice b. 1932 and Beryl b. 1938.