Joseph Ward
Events
Date of Birth: 2 June 1770.
The birth date is given in the baptism record.
Date of Baptism: 9 June 1770.
Place of Baptism: Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, England (St John the Baptist).
The baptism is given in the parish register.
Date of Burial: 3 May 1822.
Place of Burial: Kidderminster, Worcestershire (St Mary’s).
The burial is recorded in the parish register.
Relationships
Father: William Ward (1743 - 1807).
Mother: Sarah.
These parents are given in Joseph’s baptism record. His father is described as a nailer.
Spouse: Susannah Harris (buried 15 May 1810 in Kidderminster). Married 22 January 1793 in Birmingham, Warwickshire (St Martin’s).
The marriage is given in the parish registers, and also in Thomas Penn’s family Bible (The Bible gives the date, but not the wife’s name.).
Spouse: Ann Brookes (buried 12 May 1854 in Kidderminster). Married 12 February 1811 in Kidderminster.
The marriage is recorded in the parish register.
Children (by Susannah Harris):
(Complete source citations for facts about the children on this page are currently outside of the scope of this project. All baptisms and burials were in Kidderminster.)
William Ward (born 10 January 1794 - buried 19 June 1794).
Joseph Ward (baptized 20 February 1795).
Mary Ward (baptized 10 June 1796 - buried 29 December 1796).
John Ward (baptized 17 January 1798 - buried 11 July 1846) married Sarah Ward 23 August 1824 in Bromsgrove.
Mary Ann Ward (baptized 27 November 1799) married James Haswell 25 December 1819 in Kidderminster.
Sarah Ward (born 6 July 1801).
(probably) James Ward (born in 1803 or 1804 - buried 26 October 1877) married Mary Ward 28 February 1831 in Bromsgrove.
Samuel Ward (born 18 October 1804 - buried 11 November 1804).
Eliza Ward (born about 1806 - died 1883).
Thomas Ward (baptized 8 November 1809 - buried 24 November 1838).
Evidence
Joseph Ward - Susannah Harris marriage (1793, Birmingham, St Martin’s, no. 1025)
Joseph Ward of this Parish Batchelor & Susanna Harris of this Parish Spinster were Married in the Church by Banns this Twentysecond Day of January in the Year One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety three By me Charles Priell Curate
This Marriage was solemnized between Us Joseph Ward Susanna Harris in the Presence of Richard James Agness Southwell
from the Register of Duties Paid for Apprentices’ Indentures (1795 - 1798)
Date: 17 Feby: 95
Master: Jos.h Ward
Place: Kiderminster, C of [Worcester]
Occupation: Currier
Apprentice: John Hughes
Date: 30 Aug.t 98
Master: Jos.h Ward
Place: [Parish of Kidderminster, C of Worcester]
Occupation: Currier
Apprentice: Jos.h Amphlett
Land tax redemption, 1798:
J. Ward is occupying land assessed at 6 shillings in Kidderminster
In the poll book for the 1806 election, Joseph Ward is listed as owning and occupying a freehold property in Kidderminster and voting for W.H.Lyttelton (a Whig).
Worcester Quarter Sessions, Midsummer 1810
Memorandum that Joseph Ward, currier, & Blankley P. Willis, glazier, Kidderminster, apprehended Edward Perks at 1 am with 2 picklock keys in his possession with intent, & he was sent to the House of Correction until next Sessions.
Joseph Ward - Ann Brookes marriage (St Mary, Kidderminster)
Joseph Ward of the Parish of Kidderminster a Widower & Anne Brookes of the same Parish Spinster were married in this Church by License this twelfth Day of Feby in the Year One thousand Eight hundred and Eleven
By me Rob.t Wylde Curate
This Marriage was solemnized between us Joseph Ward Ann Brooks
In the Presence of Thos Griffin Ann Richards
The Worcester Journal (8 October 1812, page 3) records Joseph’s election to the post of High Constable of Kidderminster for the ensuing year.
In the Worcester Journal (10 December 1812, page 2), “Mr. Joseph Ward, Currier” is listed as one of the executors of the late Mr. William Bucknall of Kidderminster. William Bucknall's PCC will, which names Joseph as an executor, was proved in February 1813. The other executors were William Bucknall's wife Elizabeth, and Winter Frost, a Kidderminster carpet manufacturer.
From the Worcester Journal (17 December 1812, page 2):
FREEHOLD Persons who stood indebted to JOSHUA GREEN, late of Kidderminster, in the county of Worcester, Printer, Dealer and Chapman, at the time of his Bankruptcy, are requested to pay the same immediately to the Assignees, Mr. Joseph Ward and Mr. Blankley Perrins Willis, of Kidderminster, otherwise proceedings will be immediately commenced to recover the same.
GEORGE HALLEN,
Solicitor to the Assignees.
Kidderminster, 12th Dec. 1812.
From the Worcester Journal (19 August 1813, page 2), in an article entitled “The State of the General Infirmary at Worcester”, giving the accounts of the hospital receipts:
Of W. Boycot, Esq. High Bailiff of Kidderminster, being a Fine paid by a Person into his Hands for Assaulting Mr. Joseph Ward, High Constable of Kidderminster, in the Execution of his Office --[5 pounds]
We learn from the Worcester Journal of 7 October 1813 (page 3) that Joseph was elected Low Bailiff of Kidderminster for the ensuing year.
From the Worcester Journal (12 September 1816, page 3), under “Commitments of Worcester County Gaol”:
Richard Boulton, for defrauding Joseph Ward of Kidderminster of a calf skin and some hemp.
Pigots and Co. (Kidderminster, 1818)
Curriers.
Ward Joseph, Coventry-street
In the Worcester Journal of 30 July and of 6 August 1818, page 2, Joseph Ward is listed as a member of the “Kidderminster Association for the Prosecution of Felons”, a group formed to offer rewards for information leading to the conviction of thieves.
In the Worcester Journal of 23 December 1819 (page 1), and in other issues from the same period, Mr. Joseph Ward is listed as an agent for Kidderminster of the Royal Exchange Assurance Office.
Joseph's burial (Kidderminster St Mary's, May 1822)
Name: Joseph Ward
Abode: Coventry St.
When buried: 3
Age: 51
By whom the Ceremony was performed: T. Cook
In the Worcester Journal of 16 May 1822 (page 3)
[DIED.]
A few days ago, in his 52d year, Mr. Ward, currier, Kidderminster; he was an excellent husband and father, a good Christian, a loyal subject, and a truly honest man; his family, which is numerous, and the poor near whom he lived, will long deplore his loss.
A transcription of the will of Joseph Ward.
This is the last Will and Testament of me Joseph Ward of Kidderminster in the County of Worcester Currier made this fifth Day of June one thousand eight hundred and twenty one I give devise and bequeath unto my Wife my Son John and my Brother William All my freehold Copyhold and Leasehold Messuages Tenements Lands and Hereditaments together with all my Household Goods Stock in Trade ready Money Debts owing to me at my Decease and all other my real and personal Estate whatsoever and wheresoever and of what Nature or Kind soever except as after mentioned. To hold unto my said Wife Son and Brother and their Heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns to for and upon the several Uses Trusts Interests and Purposes following that is to say Upon Trust to sell and dispose of the same as and when they my said Trustees their Heirs Executors Administrators or Assigns shall think proper either together or in ____ and by public auction or auctions private sale or sales and they shall see Occasion and out of the Money to arise in such Sale or Sales and from the Rents and Profits thereof until such Sale or Sales are had pay unto my said Wife and I do hereby empower her to retain the same for and during the term of her natural life the yearly Sum of sixty Pounds by two equal half yearly Payments on the twenty fourth Day of June and the twenty fifth Day of December the first Payment to be made on such of the said Days as shall first happen after my Decease And in case my Son Thomas shall not have attained the Age of sixteen years at my Decease then to pay and expend the Sum of one hundred Pounds in and about the Maintenance Support and putting out apprentice my said Son Thomas And from and after such Sale or Sales shall be had I do hereby direct and desire that the Produce arising therefrom subject as aforesaid shall be paid applied and disposed of to for and upon the Uses Trusts Interests and Purposes following that is to say Upon Trust therewith to pay all my just Debts funeral Charges and the Expence of proving this my Will and the Expences of Sale and of making out and completing the Title to any Purchaser or Purchasers and in carrying into Effect the Trusts of this my Will and from and after Payment thereof then if my said Wife shall be then living to retain and put out upon good and sufficient freehold or Government Security or Securities and from Time to Time to call in and again place out the same as Occasion shall require a sufficient Sum to secure to my said Wife the said yearly Sum of sixty Pounds for the Term of her natural life and to retain such Part of the said Sum of one hundred Pounds as had not been applied as aforesaid for the Benefits of my said Son Thomas and to apply the same for his Benefit as aforesaid and from and after Payment thereof then to pay and divide what shall remain together with what shall have been put out at Interest to secure my said Wifes Annuity if any had been so put out after my said Wifes Decease unto and equally among my said Son John and all other my Children as shall be living at the Time of my Decease or born in due course afterwards or the issue of any Child who shall be then dead leaving lawful Issue such Issue to be entitled to the Share or Shares of the Parent or Parents if living who shall attain the Age of twenty one Years at their respective Ages of twenty one Years but in Case any or either of my said Children shall die before arriving at the Age of twenty one Years without leaving lawful Issue then living that then and in such Case the Share or Shares of him her or them so dying shall go to and be equally divided between the Survivors and if there shall be but on Survivor the whole to such Survivor his or her Executors Administrators or Assigns and in Case of the decease of any Child or Children before arriving at the Age of twenty one Years leaving lawful Issue then living the Issue of such deceased Child or Children to be entitled to his or her or their respective Parent or Parents Share if living And I do hereby direct and desire that the Share or Shares of such of my said Children or their Issue who shall not have attained their respective Ages of twenty one Years at my Decease shall be by my said Trustees their Executors Administrators or Assigns put and placed out at Interest until the Person or Persons entitled thereto shall have attained their respective Ages of twenty one Years and to apply the Interest thereof in the mean Time for their respective Benefits And I do hereby direct and desire that the Receipt or Receipts of my said Trustees or the Survivors or Survivor of them or the Heirs Executors Administrators or Assigns of such Survivor shall be a sufficient Discharge or Discharges to the Purchaser or Purchasers of all or any Part of my said real or personal Estate without such Purchaser or Purchaser being obliged to see to the Application or being answerable for the Nonapplication or Misapplication therof or of any Part thereof And that my said Trustees their Heirs Executors Administrators or Assigns shall not be answerable or accountable for any loss(?) that may happen to the Trust Estates Monies or Effects or any Part thereof unless willfully committed nor the one for the Acts Deeds Receipts or Defaults of the others or other of them but each for his or her own Acts Deeds Receipts and Defaults only And in Case my said Wife shall be desirous of having the Use of any Part of my Household Goods Plate or Linen I direct and desire she may have the Use thereof for her natural Life of until she marries again which shall first happen an Inventory being first made thereof and she entering into a Bond to my other two Trustees in a proper Penalty that the same shall be returned to such two Trustees or the Survivor his Executors Administrators or Assigns on her Decease or Marriage which should first happen And in Case my said Son John shall be desirous of purchasing any Part of my real or personal Estate I do hereby authorize and empower him so to do and to take a Conveyance or Assignment thereof from my said other Trustees or the Survivor notwithstanding his being a Trustee under this my Will either by public Auction or private Sale at a fair and reasonable Price with the Approbation and Consent of the Survivors or Survivor of my said other Trustees and of such of my other Children as shall then have arrive at the Age of twenty one Years such Approbation and Consent to be signified by Writing under their respective Hands And I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my said Wife Son John and Brother Executrix and Executors of this my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I have to this my last Will and Testament set my Hand to the three first Sheets and my Hand and Seal to the last Sheet thereof being in all four Sheets the Day and Year first hereinbefore written
Joseph Ward @
Signed sealed published and declared by the said Testator Joseph Ward as and for his last Will and Testament in the Presence of us who in his Presence at his Request and in the Presence of each other have subscribed our Names as Witnesses thereto
Hy ? Clerk to Messrs Hallen ? Solicitors Kiddermintr
Thos Hallen
? Hallen
10th August 1822
The Executors in this Will named appeared and were sworn in common form of law
And that the Personal Estate of the Deceased Does not amount in value to Three thousand pounds
Before me
Thomas Clarke
1841 Census (Kidderminster, Coventry Street):
Ann Ward, 65, Landlady[?], [born in Worcestershire]
Eliza Brooks, 15, [born in Worcestershire]
1851 Census (Kidderminster, Proud Cross):
Ann Ward, Head, Wid., 79, Annuitant [born in Worcestershire, Kidderminster]
Henry Hume, Nephew, Mar., 28 Printer & Bookbinder [born in Stourport]
Eliza [Hume], Niece, Mar., 28, [born in Kidderminster]
Margaret, Niece, 3 months, [born in Kiddermisnter]
Commentary
Eliza Ward's baptism has not been found, but in censuses her birthplace is given as Kidderminster, and in the 1881 census she is living with two children of Joseph's brother James Ward, who are described as her cousins. Joseph was the only sibling who moved to Kidderminster. This points to Eliza as being Joseph's daughter.
The evidence suggesting that James Ward (born about 1803) was Joseph's son is not quite as strong. James was born in Kidderminster and was a currier, as was Joseph. He married the daughter of Joseph's brother William Ward. This marriage might seem to be evidence against James's being Joseph's son, as then his wife would be his first cousin. However, another of Joseph's sons, John, definitely married another of William Ward's daughters. James is not mentioned in Joseph's will, but then neither is Eliza. Joseph's will refers to unnamed children and his newspaper obituary describes his family as "numerous". It seems very likely, although unproven, that James was Joseph's son.
References
Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, St John the Baptist parish registers, FHL film 321124, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Birmingham, Warwickshire, St Martin’s parish registers, FHL film 919779, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Board of Stamps: Apprenticeship Books, Series IR 1; The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey, England; digital image Ancestry.com (accessed 13 April 2014).
Worcester Quarter Sessions, 1810. Worcester Record Office reference 1/1/600/40
Pigot and Co.’s National Commercial Directory, (London, 1818). Page 183.
The National Burial Index for England & Wales.
UK, Land Tax Redemption, 1798. Digital images on Ancestry.com, accessed 5 January 2018.
UK, Poll Books and Electoral Registers, 1538-1893. Digital images on Ancestry.com, accessed 7 January 2018.
Kidderminster St Mary parish register. Digital images on FamilySearch, accessed 16 January 2016.