Wheeley Archives - Geneageek

Who Was Mary Wilcox?

I first came across Mary Wilcox quite a few years ago. She was recorded on the 1881 census, in the home of Thomas Henry Wheeley, as his cousin. At 53, Mary was considerably older than 30-year-old Thomas, but since the term ‘cousin’ could be used rather loosely, this did not necessarily mean they were first cousins. The exact relationship between them was unclear.

1881 census – 36 Garden St, Walsall: Mary as cousin

As I worked backwards through the censuses, Mary kept cropping up. In 1851, 1861, and 1871, she was recorded with Thomas Henry’s parents, Thomas and Hannah Wheeley. In 1851, she was recorded as a 22-year-old japanner and servant to Thomas Wheeley (as was a 17-year-old Harriet Wilcox).

part of 1851 census record — 1851 Census – Garden Walk, Walsall: Mary Wilcox as servant

However, in 1861 and 1871, her relationship was recorded as ‘niece’.

family entry on 1861 census — 1861 census – Garden Street, Walsall: Mary Wilcox as niece

In my experience, relationships to the head of the family, can refer to either the head or his wife, so this Mary Wilcox was the niece of either Thomas Wheeley or his wife, Hannah Craddock – great, good to know – and basically she was put in the ‘for another day’ pile.

Well, that day has arrived!

While extending the Wheeley branches, Mary Wilcox popped up AGAIN in an unexpected place.

Hannah’s brother, Samuel Craddock, married Lydia Thomason (nee Walton) in 1853. Lydia was the widow of Charles Thomason. In the 1841 census Charles and Lydia Thomason were living with their two young children at Potters Lodge (near Full Brook), Walsall. Also there, was 20-year-old japanner Sarah Pearson and 12-year-old servant, MARY WILCOX.

part of 1841 census image — 1841 census – Potters Lodge, Walsall: Mary Wilcox in home of Charles and Lydia Thomason

Does this mean Mary was actually related to Lydia? Or had Lydia met her next husband Samuel via Mary’s relationship to him? Or was this a completely different Mary Wilcox altogether?

Who was Mary Wilcox?

Next post: Mary Wilcox – A Minor Mystery Solved

Wheeley Interesting

Researching the children of Thomas Henry WHEELEY led me to a few interesting discoveries this morning – particularly to do with his eldest daughters.

His first born daughter, Gertrude Annie Wheeley married a Thomas Fox in 1900 at St Andrews Church, Walsall. His second born daughter, Blanche Emma Wheeley was there and signed as a witness to the marriage along with possibly their younger brother, Thomas (presuming that the father would have signed his name as Thomas Henry as recorded above).

Marriage entry of Gertrude Annie Wheeley & Thomas Fox

The next year, Blanche Emma married a man called William Henry Marston. William was Roman Catholic and I was surprised to see the marriage entry recorded in latin (this is the first instance of Catholic records in my research).

Marriage entry of Blanche Emma Wheeley & William Henry Marston

Checking the census, I was pleased to find the sisters together – Blanche was visiting Gertrude at their Inn in Darlaston – the Britannia. Blanche had also brought along their 5 year old sister, Hilda.

1901 census showing Wheeley siblings staying with Gertrude Annie and her husband Thomas

I always love finding entries like these as it shows how the families were still in touch throughout the years but it turns out this was not such a happy story. Blanche was in fact staying with her sister after an altercation with her new husband and his mother.

In an article headed, ‘SOON TIRED OF MATRIMONIAL LIFE’, it outlined how the relationship soured after only 5 weeks (!) of marriage:

The parties were only married in January this year, and went to live defendant’s mother in Lumley Road, Walsall. Unpleasantness seemed to have arisen through the defendant’s mother, and the defendant always appeared to side with his mother. Five weeks after the marriage the defendant ordered his wife to leave the house on two occasions. On March 26th a dispute arose between the complainant and the defendant’s mother, and the defendant then practically turned his wife out of the house. The following day complainant went with her own mother to defendant to see what he was going to do. Defendant declined to have her back again and told her that if she wanted anything from him for her maintenance she would have to go to law to get it.

Sounds like William tried to make out it was because she was running him into debt but it seems like this was untrue as their was only a small amount owing for groceries. William was ordered to pay Blanche 12s 6d a week (approximately £48 in today’s money – worth about a day’s wages at the time).

The address given by Blanche was her sister’s residence – the Brittania Inn. Another interesting point was that this incident happened only 5 days before the census evening (31 March 1901).

Hopefully, Blanche had a happy ending…

UPDATE: This story continues in the post, Wheeley Interesting Sequel

R.I.P. Rose

On Thursday night at 9pm, my husband’s grandmother Rose died.

I only knew her for a few years but would have liked to have known her more. She had a great sense of humour and many stories to tell.

Although she was 83 and having some health problems lately, it came as a surprise to us. Mainly because she never really complained about how she was. My husband joked that they probably asked her how she was at 5 to 9 and she would have replied, ‘I’m fine’.

Goodbye Rose – you’ll be missed.

Rest In Peace

26 Mar 1926 – 6 Aug 2009