Friday 29 April 2011

John Pugh 1807-1884 and Charlotte Harrison 1804-1864

John Pugh was born around 1807, probably at Bradeleys, Staffordshire, England. On 21 October 1828 he married 23 year old Charlotte Harrison at St Philips Church, Birmingham, Warwickshire. The couple set up home together in Birmingham.

They lived initially at Gosta Green, in the Aston area of Birmingham. Their first child, Charlotte Elizabeth, was born there on 25 August 1829. At this time, John was working as a "gilt toy stamper" ("toy" in this context means any little thing made of metal, such as a belt or shoe buckle, rather than a child's plaything).

Further children followed, and the family moved to Hospital Street, where they lived in one of Birmingham's infamous "courts". By 1841 there were five children living with the couple at Hospital Street, and John was working as a toolmaker. Ten years on, at the next census, they were still at Hospital Street, with two more children. The older children were all working, including 11 year old Emma who was listed as a day servant.

The children were:

Charlotte Elizabeth 1829-1882
John 1833-1910
Rosabella 1834-1907
Mary Ann 1836-1883
Emma 1839-1909
Christopher Thomas 1842-1914
Edward 1845-1888

By 1861 the family were living at New John St West, Birmingham, in a building called "Woodman Inn", though nobody in the family was listed as working in the inn. (There were two adult daughters living at home with no jobs listed though - maybe they were working in the inn?)

Over the next decade a lot changed. The family moved to London - at least John and Charlotte did, and some of their children also spent time in London. Charlotte died at 23 Walpole St, Deptford, London on 14 July 1864. Her death certificate states her husband was working as a general dealer. Daughter Mary Ann was the informant on the certificate and gave the Walpole Street address.

John remained in London, and by 1871 he was living with his daughter Charlotte and her husband Edward Haywood. Edward was a beer seller, and they lived in a pub called the Queen's Head in Deptford. Following Edward's death in 1874, the family seems to have drifted back to Birmingham. John was there in 1881, close to his old addresses at Pritchett St, Aston. He was listed as a brass founder / tool maker.

John died on 12 June 1884 at the Workhouse, Western Road, Birmingham.

Further research: I still haven't found any sign of a birth/baptism record for John Pugh. I have a possible birth record for Charlotte Harrison, but with her birthplace listed only as "London" I'm not sure I've got the right one.

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