The Bower & Collier Family History
Research by Colin Bower
The Big One!
Family History Research Report
Somes Family
Introduction - Bower/Collier Family Tree
This report has the following contents:
Ancestors
Mini Family Tree
Summary of Research To Date
Progress 2007-2012
Things we wish we knew
Research Undertaken
Summaries
- Where they were and what they did
- Family Tree Maker Sheets
- Names Index
Appendices
1. Search for Mary Somes
2. Census Entries Obtained
3. Entries in IGI Obtained
4. Parish Records Obtained
5. Misc Information Obtained
6. Somes Family - Timeline
Ancestors
When I set out to study the Bower/Collier Family Tree, my initial aim was to identify my 8 Great Grandparents (Bower) and my wife Chris’ 8 Great Grandparents (Collier).
Though I have tended to study the Family History of the 16 Great Grandparents, I have also sought to find out the additional 16 Great Great Grandparents’ family names, and any 3 x Great Grandparents along the way!
The names that I have identified to date are:
Bower/Brecht Family Tree
Great Grandparents
Bower
Jones
Hayes
Gardner
Brecht
Walland/Worland
Saunders
Seabourne(e)/Saban
2 x Great Grandparents
Pitts (Bower)
Counter (Jones)
Bradbrook (Hayes)
Tunstell/Tunstill (Gardner)
Somes/Piper (Brecht)
Hutley (Walland/Worland)
Neville (Saunders)
Holbrook (Seabourn(e)/Saban)
3 x Great Grandparents
Pinnion (Pitts)
Spence (Jones)
Mason (Hayes)
Robinson (Bradbrook)
Shocke (Brecht)
Reynolds (Walland/Worland)
Hunt (Piper)
Howard (Seabourn(e)/Saban)
4 x Great Grandparents
Bates (Pitts)
Smithers (Pinion)
March (Jones)
Venice (Robinson)
Juliane (Brecht)
Adamson (Neville)
Siggins (Walland/Worland)
5 x Great Grandparents
Cook/Cock (Jones)
Wyat (Robinson)
Jahns (Brecht)
Odell (Walland/Worland)
6 x Great Grandparents
Amears (Robinson)
7 x Great Grandparents
Amore/Mills (Robinson)
Collier/Hunt Family Tree
Great Grandparents
Collier
Gardiner
Peryer/Perrier
Smith
Hunt
Farrow/Pharoah
Marjoram
Ransome(e)
2 x Great Grandparents
Adams (Collier)
Goodchild (Gardiner)
Mitchell (Peryer/Perrier)
Nye (Smith)
Sheldrake (Hunt)
Smith (Farrow)
Rookyard (Marjoram)
Aldous or Alhous/Ollis (Ransome(e))
3 x Great Grandparents
Mason (Collier)
Ridett (Adams)
Sly (Nye)
Snelling (Peryer/Perrier)
Spall (Hunt)
Shepherd (Farrow)
Allen (Ransome(e))
More (Aldous/Aldis or Alhous/Ollis)
4 x Great Grandparents
Trigg (Peryer/Perrier)
My research has included a One-Name Study into the name Brecht, my mother’s maiden name.
Somes Family
Progress To Date
2 x Great Grandparent: Mary Somes
- Her Parents: (?) William Somes & Elizabeth Stanley
- Her Grandparents: (?) John Somes & (?) Mary Trimball
Mini Family Tree (Direct Ancestors)
The Somes Family Tree to date may be summarised:
(?) John Somes b c 1725
married 13.6.1748 (?)
Mary Trimball/Truimball b c 1725
?(?) William Somes b 1762 bp 9.1.1763
married 26.5.1782 (?)
Elizabeth Stanley b c 1762
Mary Somes (?) b 1783/4 (?) bp 4.8.1784 Buried 3.1.1819 (qge 35)
married 10.7.1808
Heinrich/Henry Frederick Ludewig Brecht b c 1783/4 d 28.5.1838 (age 54)
For years, we thought that Mary Somes was the mother of my Great Grandfather George Frederick Brecht. One day I stumbled across the burial of Mary Somes in 1819 proving that she could not be George’s mother.
It is still not clear that we have identified George’s mother but Harriet Piper (Henry's second wife) seems likely.;
The family tree continues after Henry Brecht:
George Frederick Brecht b c 1834/5
Married 12.12.1856
Mary Ann Walland b 17.11.1838
Arthur Brecht b 28.01.1877
Married 25.12.1899
Ellen Elizabeth Curran Saunders b 6.11.1877
Doris Ivy Brecht b 15.03.1912 d 29.6.2003
Married 11.07.1936
Frederick Bower b 12.09.1910 d 10.9.2006
Colin Malcolm Bower b 12.01.1944
Married 15.10.1966
Christine Elizabeth Collier b 26.03.1946
Summary of Research To Date
The more common name is the variant Soames and for the purpose of this exercise, I have collected some entries in the name of Soames as well as Somes.
Some members of the Soames family adopted the middle name Aldwin. As yet I have not found a link to this family, where searches are a little easier when Aldwin is used.
There was a group of people named Somes who were Thames Waterman and Victuallers with St George in the East as their family church. However there were also Somes living in Islington and Mary Somes and her sister or cousin Elizabeth married at St Mary’s, Islington.
Because of this I have not been able to establish the names of the parents and grandparents of Mary Somes who married Heinrich Brecht, my direct ancestor. Real progress was made in 2011/2.
Progress 2007
Visit to London
I visited the Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives in Bancroft Road, near Stepney Green underground station. At the Archives I found out the following: Maria Catharine & Charlotte Brecht (Mary’s children)
I had traced Maria’s burial at Christ Church, Spitalfields in the IGI and wanted to look at the Parish Records. To my surprise I found another burial for a Charlotte Brecht, also of Fashion Street, who died in 1819 age 9. Neither Charlotte's baptism nor her burial had previously come to light.
Progress 2008 - 2010
-
Progress 2011
Death of Mary Somes, Wife of Heinrich/Henry Brecht
Browsing the internet for other names, I chanced upon a fascinating entry for Christ Church, Spitalfields:
The burial of Mary (Somes) Brecht (age 35) 3.1.1819 - per the New Family Search web-site.
This partially solved a mystery that we had been trying to solve for 20-25 years!
There must have been appalling and desperate conditions at Fashion Street, Spitalfields where Henry had a colour maker's facility. He lost his wife and 3 young children perhaps to toxic fumes or infection which may have been rife in this crowded area of London:
- Maria Brecht buried 16.11.1814 (age 2)
- Charlotte Brecht buried 15.1.1819 (age 9)
- Elisabeth Catharine Brecht buried 17.6.1821 (age 5)
Even after Mary's death, Henry lost another daughter at a young age:
- Eleanor Brecht buried 24.10.1824 (age 17 months)
Progress 2012
Tombstone from St George in the East
My cousin sent me a photograph of a tombstone from St George in the East which has 9 memorials including some Thames Waterman. As yet no link has been made to this family. (See Appendix 6)
I made a start on typing up my records on the Somes Family under the Big One! project. Whilst typing up these records, I went into Ancestry to check some of the London Parish Records and found an isolated entry:.
Christ Church, Spitalfields
John Somes bp 5.10.1783 (21 days old)
(parents John Somes, Victualler of Fashion St & Elizabeth)
Unfortunately as yet I have not been able to trace John & Elizabeth’s marriage and whether they had any further children.
This entry may well explain why after Heinrich Brecht married Mary Somes (born 1783/4) they moved to Fashion St.
For the moment, it has been assumed that Marty's parents were William & Elizabeth Somes (sss Appendix 5.)
Progress 2012-2022
-
Progress 2023
I decided to do some more reserach into the Somes/Soames Family.
The Story So Far
In 1808 Mary Somes married Heinrich Brecht at St Mary, Islington (and it appears that her sister Elizabeth Stanley Somes married there in 1809).
The couple ran a colour making business whilst living at Fashion Street, Spitalfields.
There had been a christening in another Somes family living in Fashion Street:
Christ Church, Spitalfields
John Somes bp 5.10.1783 (21 days old)
(Parents John Somes Victualler of Fashion Street and Elizabeth).
I have assumed that Mary's parents were William & Elizabeth Somes. William was a Waterman of Lime Yard, Virginia Street, Shadwell approx. 1783-1792.
St George, Hanover Square
William Somes
married 26.5.1782
Elizabeth Stanley
I recently stumbled across another potential piece of evidence:
St George Hanover Square
John Somes
married 5.7.1779
Elizabeth Reynolds
Witnesses: Ann Baker and Mary Reynolds.
This appears to strengthen my previous assumptions that William & Elizabeth were Mary's parents:
Previous Search for Mary Somes
It is possible that Mary's grandparents were John & Mary Somes. Also it appears that John was part of a dynasty of Thames Watermen named Somes:
I completed 2 further pieces of research:
Search for John Somes, Thames Waterman
Analysis of the Tombstone above including Watermen named Somes
I also summarised the Somes files to date in an Index:
Things we wish we knew
Confirmation of Mary's parents and grandparents.
Which John Somes died 1797 (age 78) born c 1719
Further details of the Apprenticeships of Thames Watermen, such as is held by the London Metropolitan Archives and London's Guidhall.
Also see Summary of Records Held (Completed & To Do) – attached.
Research Undertaken
Birth Marriage & Death Certificates Held - none
Census Records Obtained – see Appendix 2
Other Research Undertaken
- IGI - see Appendix 3
- Parish Records – see Appendix 4
- Wills -
- Businesses – Heinrich/Henry Brecht Colour Maker (Appendix 5)
- Correspondence inc Genes Reunited –
- Visits – Spitalfields and Islington
- Photographs - Fashion Street & Christ Church, Spitalfields
- Misc Info/Documents – Tombstone from St George In the East (Appendix 5)
Summaries
Where they were & what they did
The attached summary (Appendix 6) gives a Timeline for the Somes family:
Where they were & what they did - to come
Family Tree Maker Sheets
The family details of Mary Somes’ father have been summarized in the attached Family Tree Maker sheet which I may enter into the relationship database Family Tree Maker in the future.
Family Tree Maker Sheet - Mary Somes - to come
Names Index
The following surnames appear in this Report in addition to the names in Page 1:
Aldwin,
Eley,
Ellis,
Hart,
Hiron/Iron,
Hunt,
Meade,
Richardson,
Stanley,
Trimball and
Wade
12 October 2023
Appendices
Appendix 1 - Search for Mary Somes
Heinrich/Henry Brecht married Mary Somes at St Mary’s Church, Islington in 1808. Tragically Mary died young in 1819 (age 35).
One way that I hoped to find out more information about Heinrich/Henry Brecht was to trace from where Mary Somes originated.
1. Other Entries in records of St Mary's, Islington
I found other entries for St Mary's Islington in the IGI and Parish Records:
Parish Records - St Mary's Islingon
In addition to the marriage of Heinrich Brecht and Mary Somes, I traced 3 other marriages in the Parish Records of St Mary's Islington which may be relevant:
Potential Marriages at St Mary's, Islington
Henry Aldwin Soames (of Parish of Stoke Newington) married Ann Eley 25.4.1809
Elizabeth Soames married Joseph Richardson 4.7.1809
Frances Aidwin Soames 22.5.1811
Heinrich Brecht was a witness at Elizabeth's marriage and I have taken it that Mary & Elizabeth must be sisters or cousins despite the name variance!
Potential Baptisms in IGI - St Mary's Islington
There are 2 baptisms of interest in the IGI:
Parents Henry & Elizabeth Soames
Harriot Soames bp 27.3.1797
Charles Soames bp 24.10.1793
Potential Family of Henry & Elizabeth Soames
It is possible that the parents of Harriot & Charles married at St Mary's, Harrow:
Potential Marriage at St Mary's, Harrow
Henry Soames (of Parish of St Olave, Old Jewry)
married
Elizabeth Aldwin 18.6.1782
and there may be additional children:
Potential Baptism at London Wall, Scotch Church
Henry Aldwin Soames bp 7.2.1786
Potential Baptisms at St Olave Old Jewry London
Sarah Soames bp 13.11.1787
Mary Ann Soames bp 20.11.1788
3. Family of Nathaniel & Sarah (Aldwin) Soames
There is another Soames/Aldwin marriage and subsequent baptisms:
St Olave Old Jewry London
Nathaniel Soames
married
Sarah Aldwin 12.2.1784
St Martin Ludgate London
Nathaniel Soames bp 8.9.1791
William Aldwin Soames bp 16.5.1804
4. Problem in Solving the Question
The problem is that as yet I have not traced an Elizabeth Soames in Henry & Elizabeth's family.
5. Family of William & Elizabeth Somes
My cousin traced a potential family of a Thames Waterman William Soames who lived in Shadwell:
Baptisms at St George in the East (one of the local churches serving Shadwell)
Potential Family of William Somes, Waterman & Elizabeth Somes (nee Stanley) of Lime Yard, Virginia Street, Shadwell
John Stanley Somes b 1783 bp 16.2.1783 (33 days old)
Mary Somes b 1784 bp 4.8.1784 (21 days old)
William Somes b 1786 bp 23.6.1786 (19 days old)
Elizabeth Stanley Somes b 1791 bp 24.6.1792 (6 months 2 days old)
Joseph Somes b 31.1.1794 bp 3.8.1794
Sarah Somes b 29.12.1796 bp 12.2.1797
Rebecca Somes b 1.1.1799 bp 27.3.1799
If this is the right family, my cousin went on to trace the potential marriage and baptism of William:
Potential Marriage at St George, Hanover Square
William Somes married Elizabeth Stanley 26.5.1782
Potential Baptism St George in the East
William Somes b 1762 bp 9.1.1763 (28 days old)
(Parents John Somes, Waterman and Mary of Virginia Street, Shadwell)
As luck would have it, there was a second baptism of a William Somes in 1763 and his father William Somes was also a Waterman of Virginia Street who later became a Victualler:
Baptisms at St George in the East
Potential Family of William Somes, Waterman & Isabella of Virginia Street, Shadwell
William Somes b 1763 bp 13.3.1763 (18 days old)
Elizabeth Somes bp 24.7.1768 (15 days old) – William now a Victualler of Virginia St
Potential Marriage at St George in the East
William Somes married Sibella Hunt 18.5.1757
It does seem that John & Mary are the more likely parents as their first born were named John and Mary. There is a possible marriage:
Potential Marriage at St Luke’s, Old Street, Finsbury
John Somes married Mary Trimball 13.6.1748
6. Conclusions
In the search for Mary Somes, there are 2 potential baptisms:
St George in the East
Mary Somes bp 4.8.1784
(Parents William & Elizabeth Somes - see family in 5. above.)
St Olave Old Jewry London
Mary Ann Soames bp 20.11.1788
(Parents Henry & Elizabeth Soames - see family in 2. above)
I am taking Somes/Soames as the same.
Potential Family Tree
A. If William Somes & Elizabeth Stanley are the parents of Mary Somes, it seems reasonable to amend the family tree as follows:
?John Somes born circa 1725
Married 13.6.1748
?Mary Trimball born circa 1725
?William Somes b 1762 bp 9.1.1763
Married 26.5.1782
?Elizabeth Stanley b circa 1762
Mary Somes born 1783/4 bp 4.8.1784 buried 3.1.1819 (age 35)
Married 10.7.1808
Heinrich Brecht b 1783/4
There is a possible fly in the ointment:
Potential Baptism at St George in the East
There was another baptism at St George in the East of William Somes on 2.4.1758 (Parents John and Mary Somes). This earlier William may have died young
Shadwell
Court cases have been heard at the Old Bailey about the importation of colours/dyes into the Shadwell area involving Thames Watermen. This may be how Mary Somes met Heinrich/Henry Brecht a colour maker from nearby Spitalfields.
B. If Henry & Elizabeth are Mary Somes parents
If Henry Soames & Elizabeth Aldwin are Mary Somes' parents, the family tree would be as follows:
(?) Henry Soames born circa 1760
Married (?) 18.6.1782
(?) Elizabeth Aldwin born circa 1760
Mary Somes born 1783/4 bp 20.11.1788 buried 3.1.1819 (age 35)
Married 10.7.1808
Heinrich Brecht b 1783/4
but it seems less likely.
Islington (per 1. above)
This may be the right family as there was a German community in Islington and there were residents of Islington named Somes.
Appendix 2. Census Entries Obtained
1851
White Hall, White Hart Lane, Tottenham
Charles Soames, Widower (Age 57) Magistrate for Herts, Born Islington, Middx,
Janet Soames (9) born Stoke Newington
Stephen Soames (24) B.A. Trinity College, Oxford born Stoke Newington
Frederick Soames (23) B.A. born Stoke Newington
Augusta Soames (20) Cambridge College born Tottenham
Appendix 3. Entries in IGI
Christ Church, Spitalfields
Maria Catran Brecht born 16.6.1812 christened 12.07.1812 died 16.11.1814
(Parents: Heinrich & Mary Brecht)
Layston, Hertford
Eley Soames bp 7.2.1821
(parents Henry Aldwin Soames & Ann)
Old Church, St Pancras
Louisa Soames b 11.3.1816 bp 10.4.1816
(parents William Aldwin Soames & Elizabeth)
Scotch Church, London Wall
Henry Aldwin Soames b 16.1.1786 bp 7.2.1786
(parents Henry & Elizabeth Soames)
St Andrew, Holborn
Henry Soames bp 24.8.1760
(parents Henry & Frances Soames)
John Alfred Soames b 11.6.1833 bp 28.7.1833
(parents Nathaniel & Sarah Soames)
St Martin, Ludgate
William Aldwin Soames b 15.4.1804 bp 16.5.1804
(parents Nathaniel & Sarah Soames)
St Mary’s, Islington
Charles Soames b 24.10.1793 & Harriot Soames b 27.3.1797
(parents Henry & Elizabeth Soames)
St Olave, Old Jewry
Nathaniel Soames
married 12.2.1784
Sarah Aldwin
Sarah Soames b 13.11.1787
(parents Henry Soames & Elizabeth)
William Aldwin Soames b 21.3.1792
(parents Henry & Elizabeth Soames)
Appendix 4 Parish Records Obtained
My main area of interest is Mary Somes who married Heinrich/Henry Brecht but she is not a direct ancestor.
In the course of researching the Somes family, I have picked out a few entries from numerous entries in Parish Records including some in the name Soames. Also see Conclusions.
1. Entries for the Brecht/Somes Family living in Fashion Street.
Christ Church Spitalfields
John Somes bp 5.10.1783 (21 days old)
(parents John Somes, Victualler of Fashion St & Elizabeth)
Henry & Mary (Somes) Brecht
Mary Brecht of Fashion Street buried 3.1.1819 (age 35)
per Find My Past
Henry & Mary (Somes) Brecht’s children
Maria Catran Brecht b 16.6.1812 bp 12.7.1812
(Parents Heinrich Brecht Colour Maker of Fashion St & Mary )
Maria Catharine Brecht buried 16.11.1814 (Age 2)
Charlotte Brecht of Fashion St buried 15.1.1819 (age 9 years 7 months)
- died the same month as mother
Elisabeth Catharine Brecht of Fashion St buried 17.6.1821 (Age 5 Years 9 months)
Henry Brecht’s Other Children
Eleanor Brecht of Fashion St buried 24.10.1824 (age 17 months)
2. Other Entries
Islington, London
John Somes buried 17.12.1780
Christ Church, Spitalfields
Anne Somes
married 7.1.1732
Valentine Hewett
Old Church, St Pancras
Louisa Soames bp 23.4.1713
(parents William & Elizabeth Soames)
Louisa Soames 6.11.1816 bp 10.4.1816
(Parents William Aldwin Soames & Elizabeth)
St Andrew, Holborn
John Soames of Red Lyon Street buried 19.12.1728
Henry Soames bp 24.8.1760
(parents Henry & Frances Soames of Holborn Hill)
John Soames of Grays Inn Lane buried 7.12.1768
John Soames of Grays Inn Workhouse buried 16.4.1770
Nathaniel John Soames b 19.9.1825 bp 25.5.1828
(parents Nathaniel Soames, Coal Porter of New (?) Church Court, Strand & Ann Page)
St Benet, Pauls Wharf, City of London
John Somes b 25.3.1774 bp 17.4.1774
(Parents William & Mary Somes)
John Somes b 17.11.1777 bp 30.11.1777
(Patents William & Mary Somes)
St Botolph, Aldersgate
John Soames buried 12.9.1727
(son of Samuel Soames)
John Samuel Soms (son of Samuel Soms) buried 7.12.1736
John Somes bp 12.3.1737
(Parents Samuel & Catherine Somes)
John Soams buried 11.9.1744
St Botolph, Aldgate
Susanna Somes of Somerset Street buried 3.5.1780
(Daughter of John)
Mary Somes of Somerset Street buried 21.5.1780
(Daughter of John)
John Stanley Soames
married 3.5.1822
Elizabeth Downing Shrubsall
St Botolph, Bishopsgate
John Somes bp 12.11.1734
(Parents Francis & Elizabeth Somes)
St Dunstan's & All Saints, Stepney
Samuel Somes, Waterman of Wap. Water
married 2.12.1717
Ann Ellis, Widow
John Somes of Mile End Old Town
buried 19.3.1814 (Age 74)
St George, Hanover Square
John Soame (Married) buried 9.3.1764
John Somes
married 5.7.1779
Elizabeth Reynolds
Witnesses Ann Baker & Mary Reynolds
William Somes
married 26.5.1782
Elizabeth Stanley
John Somes bp 4.10.1719
(Parents Samuel & Anne Somes)
St George in the East
John Somes bp 18.11.1750 (14 days old)
(parents John Somes, Waterman of Virg, St & Mary)
William Somes
married 18.5.1757
Sibella Hunt
William Somes bp 2.4.1758
(parents John & Mary Somes)
Samuel Somes bp 15.8./1758 (12 days old)
(parents William Somes, Victualler of Vir. & Isabella)
William Somes b 1762 bp 9.1.1763 (28 days old)
(parents John Somes, Waterman of Virginia Street, Shadwell & Mary)
William Somes b 1763 bp 13.3.1763 (18 days old)
(parents William Somes, Waterman of Virginia Street, Shadwell & Isabella)
Elizabeth Somes bp 24.7.1768 (15 days old)
(Parents William Somes, Victualler of Virginia St & Isabella)
William Littybee Somes bp 26.11.1780 (24 days old)
(parents Samuel Somes, Lighterman of Virginia Street & Sarah)
John Stanley Somes Bp16/02/1783 (33 days old)
(Parents William Somes, Waterman of Virginia Street & Elizabeth)
Ann Somes bp 18.6.1784 (22 days old)
(Parents Samuel Somes, Waterman of Virginia Street & Sarah)
Mary Somes Bp 4/08/1784 (21 days old)
(Parents William Somes, Waterman of Lime Yard & Elizabeth )
William Somes bp 23/06/1786 (19 days old)
(Parents William Somes Waterman of Virginia Street & Elizabeth)
Richard Somes bp 27.3.1791 (28 days old)
(parents Samuel Somes, Waterman of Virginia Street & Sarah)
Elizabeth Stanley Somes Bp: 24/06/1792 (6 mos 2 days old)
(Parents William Somes, Waterman of Lime Yard, Virginia Street & Elizabeth)
Joseph Somes Born 31/1/1794 Bp 3/08/1794
(Parents William Somes, Waterman of Lime Yard & Elizabeth)
Sarah Somes Born: 29/12/1796 Bp 12/02/1797
(Parents William Somes, Waterman of Lime Yard & Elizabeth)
John Somes of Pennington St buried 16.4.1797 (age 78)
Rebecca Somes Born: 01/01/1799 Bp 27/03/1799
(parents William Somes, Waterman of Virginia Street & Elizabeth)
Francis Somes
married 25.11.1799
Mary Hunt
Francis Somes b 27.10.1800 bp 23.11.1800
(Parents Francis Somes Victualler of Whitehorse Lane & Mary)
Edwin Somes b 26.1.1807 bp 20.8.1807
Sibella Somes b 23.10.1809 bp 19.11.1809
(Parents Francis Soames Waterman of New Road & Mary)
St George, The Martyr, Southwark
John Soames
married 11.11.1758
Hannagh Hoare
(Witnesses John Peters, Elizabeth Hoare (mother of Hannah Hoare) and
Hannah Nelson)
St Giles, Camberwell
Francis Somes
married 17.11.1825
Hannah Hiron (see entry under St Leonards, Shoreditch below)
St Giles, Cripplegate
John Thomas Soames b 10.10.1749 bp 29.10.1749
(Son of Edward Soames, Chairmaker & Elizabeth)
St Gregory by St Paul, City of London
Frances Aldwin Soames b 21.8.1786 bp 14.9.1786
(parents Nathaniel Soames & Sarah)
Henry Soames b 15.1.1785 bp 16.2.1785
(parents Nathaniel Soames & Sarah)
St John, Horselydown, Southwark
John Somes
married 15.11.1802
Sarah Lovett
St Leonards, Shoreditch
John Soams from Crown Alley buried 9.7.1745 (age 7 months)
Original Entries (see Note below)
Frances Iron b 25 or 28.12.1790 bp 27.3.1796
(Parents George & Mary Iron of New Inn Yard)
Robert Iron b 20.1.1793 bp 27.3.1796
(Parents George & Mary Iron of New Inn Yard)
Susanna Iron bp 27.3.1796
(Parents George & Mary Iron of New Inn Yard)
Note
Throughout this entry in the register the name Iron had been amended to Hiron and Sussanna to Hannah. Filed with the Register was a sworn deposition by George Hiron:
"Middlesex To Wit
George Hiron of Nichol Street in the Parish of St Matthew, Bethnal Green in the County of Middlesex and late of Shoreditch in the same County maketh oath and saith that he was present at the Baptism of his Daughter Hannah Hiron who was baptised in 1796 at the Parish Church of St Leonard, Shoreditch and this Deponent saith that his Daughter is by mistake registered as Susanna Iron whereby her true Christian name is Hannah and surname Hiron which name she has always borne.
Public Office, Worship Street
Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex
this 28th day of October 1825
Signed Wm Bennett"
Conclusions
After the change to the Parish Record at St Leonards, Shoreditch, Hannah Hiron married next month on 17.11.1825 (see entry under St Giles, Camberwell)
St Luke Chelsea
Major Somes b 9.9.1804 bp 7.10.1784
(Parents Francis Somes, Victualler of Pennington St & Mary)
St Luke, Old Street, Finsbury
John Somes
Married 13.6.1748
Mary Trimball (Transcription only - see Note)
Note
There is another reference:
London & Surrey Bonds & Allegations 1597-1921
John Somes (age 26)
to marry
Mary Trumball (age 24)
both of St George Parish
at the Parish Church of St Lukes
alleged and sworn by John Somes 9.6.1748
St Martin, Ludgate
Nathaniel Soames bp 8.9.1791
(Parents Nathaniel Soames & Sarah)
St Mary at Lambeth
Sarah Somes bp 21.10.1781
(parents John Somes & Elizabeth)
St Mary, Harrow
Henry Soames (of Parish of St Olave, Old Jewry)
married 18.6.1782
Elizabeth Aldwin
St Mary, Islington
Charles Soames bp 24.10.1793
Harriot Soames bp 27.3.1797
(Parents Henry & Elizabeth Soames)
Elizabeth Soames b 16.6.1797 bp 20.7.1797
(parents Nathaniel & Sarah Soames)
Mary Somes
married 10.7.1808
Heinrich Brecht
Witnesses Jos Richardson & Elizabetrh Soames
Henry Aldwin Soames (of Parish of Stoke Newington)
married 25.4.1809
Ann Eley
Elizabeth Soames
married 4.7.1809
Joseph Richardson
(Witnesses: Heinrich Brecht & Jane Richardson)
Frances Aldwin Soames
married 22.5.1811
Rev. Richard Meade (Clerk, Rector of Horsenden, Bucks)
of Prices Risborough, Bucks
(Witness: Sarah Soames)
St Mary, Rotherhithe
Elizabeth Soames bp 24.4.1748
(Parents John & Elisabeth Soames)
St Mary, Whitechapel
John Somes bp 18.1.1718 in Drum Yard
(parents Christopher & Mary Somes)
John Somes (25)
married 3.5.1776
Jane Wooillhoid/Wooilehoid (25)
Sarah Somes bp 24.5.1778
(parents Jno Geo & Elizabeth Somes of Petticoat Lane)
St Matthew, Bethnal Green
Hannah Somes b 30.5.1828 bp 29.6.1828
(parents Francis Somes, Pawn Broker of Green St & Hannah)
Francis Somes b 6.5.1831 bp 1.6.1831
(parents Francis Somes, Pawn Broker of Green St & Hannah)
St Olave, Old Jewry, London
Nathaniel Soames
married 12.2.1784
Sarah Aldwin
Henry Aldwin Soames bp 16.1.1786
(parents Henry & Elizabeth Soames)
Mary Ann Soames bp 20.11.1788
(Parents Henry & Elizabeth Soames)
St Paul, Shadwell
William Somes bp 11.2.1728 (11 days old)
(parents Samuel Somes, Waterman of Wap. Walk & Ann)
John Soms of Foxes Lane (father John Soms) buried 24.4.1744
Richard Somes bp 15.8.1750 (25 days old)
(parents John Somes, Blacksmith of Love Lane & Elizabeth)
St Saviour, Southwark
John Somes (son of John Somes, Bricklayer) buried 26.9.1753
St Sepulchre, Holborn
John ?Oin Somes of Charterhouse Lane buried 7.6.1731 in (?) Chick
St Sepulchre, London
John Soames bp 29.9.1724
(Parents Samuel & Sarah Somes)
3. Conclusions
The Parish Records provide various options for the parents of Mary & Elizabeth Somes, who both married in St Mary's Islington in 1808 and 1809 respectively.
It is intriguing that one Somes family (John & Elizabeth Somes & Family) lived in Fashion Street, Spitalfields in 1783, a road in which Henry & Mary (Somes) Brecht lived after they got married in 1808 (though Henry lived there before that).
I spent some time trying to link the various entries in the name of Somes and Soames together including Watermen by the name of Somes:
5. Misc Information Obtained
Entries in the Universal British Directory 1791
London
Nobility, gentry
Somes Esq 11 Conduit-street
Trades
Soames, Henry Senior Tallow-merchant Holborn-bridge
Soames, Henry Junior Tallow-merchant 21 Cateaton-street
Soames, Henry Tallow-chandler 71 Coleman-street
Soames Shoemaker 19 Ludgate-hill
Islington
Somes Gent
Trade Directories
12.7.1812 Heinrich Brecht (Colour Maker of Fashion St – per Parish Records)Thames Watermen & Lightermen
Apprentices 1692-1949
Master John Somes – Apprentice John Somes free date 19.12.1776
Master John Somes – Apprentice William Somes free date 22.1.1784
Master John Somes – Apprentice John Somes free date 29.9.1791
Master John Somes – Apprentice Francis Somes free date 27.5.1824
Tombstone at St George in the East
Memorial to nine members of the Somes family:
1. Sacred to the Memory of Mr Francis Somes of this Parish, who departed this life, The 8th DecR 1827, in his 64 years.
- in attached Timeline as Generation 3 b 1762/3
2. Also MastR Francis Somes, Grandson of the above, who departed this life, The 20th NovR 1840, Aged 9 years & 6 months.
- in attached Timeline as Generation 5 b 1830/1
3. Also Mrs Mary Somes, wife of the above, who departed this life, the 18th March 1843 Aged 66 years.
- in attached Timeline as Generation 3 born 1776/7
4. Also William Somes, Second son of the above, who departed this life, The 5th NovR 1853 in his 52nd year.
- in attached Timeline as Generation 4 born 1797/8
5. Also Mrs Hannah Somes, The beloved wife of Francis Somes and step-daughter of the above, (?Francis Somes) who departed the life, The 18th May 1854 aged 60 years.
- in attached Timeline as Generation 4 born 1793/4
6. Also Mrs Sibella Somes, formerly Hunt, and mother of the first mentioned Francis Somes, who died March 20th 1781, Aged 48 years.
- in attached Timeline as Generation 2 b 1782/3
7. Also Mrs Elizabeth Wade, Daughter of the above (Francis Somes), who died January 9th 1805, Aged 36 years.
- in attached Timeline as Generation 4 b 1768/9
8. Also Mr William Somes, Husband of the above (Sibella Somes), Born February 1 1728, Died August 5th 1809.
- in Timeline as Generation 2 Age 81
9. Also Mr Francis Somes, Brother of the above (William Somes), who died February 1 1814, Aged 84 years.
- in attached Timeline as Generation 2 b 1729/30
6. Somes Family - Timeline
The following information has been collated from entries on a Tombstone and in Parish Records. The names with an asterisk appear on the tombstone:
1 = St George in the East
2 = St Giles, Camberwell
3 = St Leonards, Shoreditch
4 = St Matthews, Bethnal Green
5 = St Dunstan & All Saints, Stepney
6 = St Paul, Shadwell
Generation 1
Samuel Somes Waterman of Wap. Water
married 2.12.1717 (5)
Ann Ellis, Widow
Generation 2
*William Somes b 1.2.1728 bp 11.2.1728 (11 days old) (6) d 5.8.1809 (age 81)married 18.5.1757 (1)
*Sibella Hunt b 1702/3 d 20.3.1781 (age 48)
*Francis Somes b 1729/30 d 1.2.1814 (age 84)
- brother of William Somes
Generation 3
Children of William & Sibella Somes
Samuel Somes bp 15.8.1758 (12 days old ) (1)
(Parents William Somes, Victualler of Vir. & Sibella)
William Somes bp 13.3.1763 (18 days old) (1)
(Parents William Somes, Waterman of Vir. St & Isabella)
*Francis Somes b 1762/3 d 18.2.1827 (age 64)
married 25.11.1799 (1)
*Mary Hart b 1776/7 d 18.3.1843 (age 66)
*Elizabeth (Somes) Wade bp 24.7.1768 (15 days old) (1) d 9.1.1805 (age 36)
(Parents William Somes Victualler of Virg. & Isabella)
Generation 4
Children of Francis & Mary Somes
Francis Somes b 27.10.1800 bp 23.11.1800 (1)
(Parents Francis Somes, Victualler of Virginia & Mary)
married 17.11.1825 (2)
*Hannah Hiron b 25 or 28.1.1794 bp 27.3.1796 (3) d 18.5.1854 (age 60)
*William Somes (second son) bp 11.4.1802 (24 days old) (1) d 5.11.1853 (age 52)
(parents Francis Somes, Victualler Whitehorse Lane & -see Note below)
Edwin Somes b 26.1.1807 bp 20.8.1807 (1)
(Parents Francis Somes, Victualler of Walburgh St & Mary)
Sibella Somes b 23.10.1809 bp 19.11.1809 (1)
(Parents Francis Somes, Waterman of New Road & Mary)
Generation 5
Children of Francis & Hannah Somes
Hannah Somes b 30.5.1828 bp 29.6.1828 (4)
*Francis Somes b 6.5.1831 bp 1.6.1831 (4) d 20.11.1840 (age 9)
(Parents in both cases Francis Somes, Pawn Broker of Green Street & Hannah)
Note
The registration of the bp originally had the father as William but was amended to Francis with a note that is unfortunately illegible.
