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 ![](emilycover.jpg) 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.
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