John William (1) Woodhurst


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Brief biography

John William (1) Woodhurst was born at Ore around 1836 to parents Edmund (2) Woodhurst and his wife Elizabeth Wimble. He was christened at Hastings St. Clements on September 30th 1836 [Parish Register].

The 1841 Census finds him aged "4" living with his parents in Guestling Road, Ore.

The 1851 Census finds him aged "13" living with his parents at Ore Down and occupied as a carrier's labourer.

In 1858 he married Agnes Elizabeth Richardson [Marriage Index: Hastings 2b 37, 1858 (March)]. Her origins have not yet been determined, but census records indicate that she was born in Hastings around 1839. She has not been found in the 1841 or 1851 Censuses.

The 1861 Census finds him with his wife and first child living in Hastings where he was occupied as a carman.

He was recorded as working as a beer retailer in Kelly's Post Office Directory of Essex, Herts, Middlesex, Kent, Surrey and Sussex for 1867.

The 1871 Census finds him living with his wife and three children in Middle Road, Ore - the same road in which his father was then living. He was working as a retail beerseller.

The 1881 Census finds them living at the Beer Shop in Middle Road with his occupation given as beer retailer. Their third child Harry (3) was also there and working a carpenter's apprentice.

John William (1) died aged 54 in 1891 [Death Index: Hastings 2b 7, 1891 (June)].

The 1891 Census finds his widow Agnes Elizabeth living at the Old King John Inn in Ore occupied as a beer retailer. Also there, in a separate household, was the family of her son Harry (3).

The 1901 Census finds Agnes Elizabeth living at 2, Castle Down, St. Mary-in-the-Castle in Hastings, the home of her married daughter.

She died aged 73 in 1912 [Death Index: Hastings 2b 32, 1912 (Sept)].

His children by Agnes Elizabeth Richardson

  1. Agnes Elizabeth Woodhurst
  2. John Charles Woodhurst
  3. Harry (3) Woodhurst
  4. and possibly others ...