William Harper (1831 - 1895)
Events
Date of Birth: 15 July 1831.
Place of Birth: Fenton, Staffordshire, England.
The date is recorded in the baptism record. When William was baptized a second time, in St Peter ad Vincula in Stoke upon Trent, 26 May 1839, his date of birth was given as 3 July 1831.
Date of Baptism: 17 July 1831.
Place of Baptism: Fenton, Staffordshire (Methodist New Connexion, Longton Circuit).
The baptism is recorded in the register.
Date of Death: 1895.
The GRO index gives the date (presuming the age given at death, 72, is inaccurate.)
Relationships
Father: William Harper (about 1803 - 1878).
William’s father’s name is given in his baptism record and the 1841 census.
Mother: Sarah Bradshaw (1801 - 1838).
William’s mother’s name is given in his baptism record.
Spouse: Rose Ann Harris (died 1853). Married 22 December 1851 in Kidderminster, Worcestershire.
The marriage is recorded in the parish register.
Spouse: Jane Guest (1837 - 1875). Married 6 August 1856 in Old Swinford, Worcestershire.
The date and place are given on the marriage certificate. William is recorded as a widower, and signed with an “X”.
Children (by Jane Guest):
(Complete source citations for facts about the children on this page are currently outside of the scope of this project.)
William Henry Harper (baptized 22 March 1857 in Old Swinford) married Maria Sophia Millard 20 December 1874 in Kidderminster.
Charles Harper (baptized 16 February 1860 in Old Swinford - buried 22 March 1860).
Ann Harper (baptized 2 June 1861 in Old Swinford - buried 16 February 1862).
Sarah Harper (baptized 17 May 1863 in Old Swinford - died 2 January 1933) married Charles John Thomas Ward 7 April 1885 in Kidderminster.
Emma Harper (baptized 22 August 1869 in Old Swinford) married Thomas Barnett in 1888.
John Harper (baptized 19 March 1871 in Old Swinford).
Thomas Harper (baptized 15 August 1873 in Kidderminster).
Samuel Harper (baptized 16 April 1875 in Kidderminster).
Evidence
William Harper baptism (Methodist New Connexion Chapel in Longton and Lane End)
Child’s Name: William Harper
When Born: 1831 July 15
When Baptized: 1831 July 17
No. of Children: 2nd Child
Parents’ Names: of William Harper of Penkhull in the Parish of Stoke upon Trent Labourer by Sarah Daughter of James and Ann Bradshaw of Forsbrook in the County Stafford
By whom Baptized: Geo Salt
1841 census of England (Fenton Vivian, Staffordshire)
Pear Trees
William Harper, 35, Labourer, Yes [“Yes” indicates born in Staffordshire]
Eleanor [Harper], 25, Yes
Anne [Harper], 11, Yes
William [Harper], 9, Yes
Chales [Harper], 6, Yes
1851 census of England (Kidderminster, Worcestershire)
Worcester Street
Joseph Hempbury, Head, Mar, 65, Dealer in Earthenware, [born] Stafford Lane End
Charlotte [Hempbury], Wife, 63, [born Stafford Lane End]
Leah [Hempbury], Daugh, u, 17, [born] Wor Kidder:
Thomas [Hempbury], Grandson, u, 6 months, [born Wor Kidder:]
William Sharman, Son in Law, Mar, 32, Dealer in Hardware, [born] Leicester Whiston
Maria [Sharman], Daugh, 32, [Dealer in Hardware], [born] Stafford Lane End
John Keblethwaite, serv, u, 17, Tanker, [born] Wor Kidd’r
William Harper, [serv], u, 20, Hawker, [born] Stafford Fenton
Martha Evans, [serv], u, 14, House Servant, [born] Wor Rock
Marriage (Kidderminster)
1851. Marriage solemnized at the Parish Church in the Parish of Kidderminster in the County of Worcester
No. 376
When Married: December 22 1851
Name and Surname: William Harper Rose Ann Harris
Age: full age both
Condition: Bachelor Spinster
Rank or Profession: Labourer ---
Residence at the Time of Marriage: South Street South Street
Father’s Name and Surname: William Harper Charles Harris
Rank or Profession of Father: Labourer Labourer
Married in the Parish Church according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Established Church by [blank] or after Banns by me, Arthur G Douglas
This Marriage was solemnized between us, + William Harper his mark + RoseAnn Harris her mark
in the Presence of us, x Ann Weston her mark x Charles Harris his mark
Marriage (certified copy of entry of marriage, General Register Office, 1856, Stourbridge)
1856. Marriage solemnized in the Parish Church in the Parish of Old Swinford in the County of Worcester.
When married: Aug 26th 1856
Name and Surname: William Harper
Age: 23
Condition: Widower
Rank or Profession: China-dealer
Residence at the time of Marriage: Stourbridge
Father's Name and Surname: William Harper
Rank or Profession of Father: Labourer
Name and Surname: Jane Guest
Age: 18
Condition: Spinster
Rank or Profession: [blank]
Residence at the time of Marriage: Stourbridge
Father's Name and Surname: John Guest
Rank or Profession of Father: Labourer
Married in the Parish Church according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Established Church, by Banns, by me, J. Johnstone.
This Marriage was solemnized between us William Harper x his mark; Jane Guest x her mark; in the Presence of us, Joseph Guest x his mark; Elizabeth Stringer x her mark.
Baptisms of children (Old Swinford parish register):
When Baptized: 1857 March 22nd
Child’s Christian Name: William Henry Son of
Parents Name: William and Jane Harper
Abode: Stourbridge
Quality, Trade, or Profession: Glass Dealer
By whom the Ceremony was performed: C. H. Crawford Rector
When Baptized: 1861 June 2nd
Child’s Christian Name: Ann Daugr of
Parents Name: William and Jane Harper
Abode: Stourbridge
Quality, Trade, or Profession: Dealer in China
By whom the Ceremony was performed: C. H. Crawford Rector
When Baptized: [1863] May 17th
Child’s Christian Name: Sarah Daugr of
Parents’ Name:
Christian: William and Jane
Surname: Harper
Abode: Stourbridge
Quality, Trade, or Profession: Dealer in Earthenware
By whom the Ceremony was performed: C H Crawford Rector
When Baptized: 1869 Augt 22nd
Child’s Christian Name: Emma Daugr of
Parents Name: William and Jane Harper
Abode: Stourbridge
Quality, Trade, or Profession: Earthenware Dealer
By whom the Ceremony was performed: Geo. F. Adley Curate
When Baptized: 1871 March 19th
Child’s Christian Name: John Son of
Parents Name: William and Jane Harper
Abode: Stourbridge
Quality, Trade, or Profession: Earthenware Dealer
By whom the Ceremony was performed: Geo. F. Adley Curate
Baptisms of children (Kidderminster St George parish register):
When Baptized: [1873] Aug 15
Child’s Christian Name: Thomas
Parents Names: William & Jane Harper
Abode: Caldwell Row
Quality, Trade, or Profession: Earthenware Dealer
By whom the Ceremony was performed: T R Evans
When Baptized: 1875 April 16thh
Child’s Christian Name: Sam
Parents Names: William & Jane Harper
Abode: Market St
Quality, Trade, or Profession: Earthenware Dealer
By whom the Ceremony was performed: G. C. Vecqueray
Burials of children (Old Swinford parish register):
Name: Charles Harper
Abode: Stourbridge
When Buried: March 22nd [1860]
Age: Infant
By whom the Ceremony was performed: C. H. Crawford Rector
Name: Ann Harper
Abode: Stourbridge
When Buried: Feby 16th [1862]
Age: Infant
By whom the Ceremony was performed: C. H. Crawford Rector
1861 census of England (Stourbridge, Worcestershire)
33 Birmingham Street
William Harper, Head, Mar, 26, Ware Hawker, [born] Stafford Potteries
Jane [Harper], Wife, 25, [Ware Hawker], [born] Worcester Stourport
William [Harper], Son, 4, Scholar, [born Worcester] Stourbridge
1871 census of England (Stourbridge, Worcestershire)
2 Timm St Yard
William Harper, Head, mar, 38, earthenware Dealer, [born] Staffordshire Potteries
Jane Harper, Wife, Mar, 33, earthenware Dealer's wife, [born] Worcestershire Stourport
William Harper, son, unm, 14, Labourer, [born Worcestershire] Stourbridge
Sarah Harper, Daughr, un, 8, Scholar, [born Worcestershire Stourbridge]
Emma Harper, Daughr, Un, 1, [born Worcestershire Stourbridge]
John Harper, son, 1 mo, [born Worcestershire Stourbridge]
1881 census of England (Kidderminster, Worcestershire)
Court 4 Worcester St
Henry Watkins, head, Mar, 27, Blacksmith, [born] Hereford Lions hall
Emily [Watkins], Wife, Mar, 23, [born] Stafford Great Bridge
Edw’d Hy [Watkins], Son, 1, [born] Worcester Kidderminster
William Harper, boarder, Widr, 50, General laborer, [born] Stafford Potteries
Emma [Harper], boarder, 18, General serv, [born] Worcester Stourbridge
Thomas [Harper], [boarder], 8, scholar, [born Worcester Stourbridge]
Samuel [Harper], boarder, 5, [scholar], [born Worcester Stourbridge]
1891 census of England (Kidderminster, Worcestershire)
Mill Street Court 8 no 8
Thomas Barnett, Head, M, 22, Labourer, [born Worcestershire Kidderminster]
Emma [Barnett], wife, M, 21, [born Worcestershire Kidderminster]
William Harper, Lodger, widower, 64, [born] Stoke on Trent
Commentary
Identifying William’s parents involves sorting out a few Harper families in Stoke upon Trent, which is relatively straightforward given census information, and records of baptisms and marriages.
References
Register of Births and Baptisms at the Methodist New Connexion Chapel in Longton and Lane End, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire from 1811 to 1835. National Archives Reference RG4, piece 2722; digital image on Findmypast.co.uk (accessed 12 April 2014).
"England Marriages, 1538–1973 ," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/NKSZ-64G : accessed 12 Apr 2014), William Harper and Rose Ann Harris, 22 Dec 1851; citing Kidderminster,Worcester,England, reference ; FHL microfilm 0435261-263, 0435264-266, 0435267-270, 0435272-274, 435275.
Marriage Certificate of William Harper and Jane Guest (official copy). General Register Office. England and Wales. Civil Registration Certificates. (London, United Kingdom: General Register Office).
William Harper household, 1841 census of England. Staffordshire, Stoke upon Trent, Fenton, Stoke upon Trent; HO107, piece 990, book 6, folio 11, page 15, in Census Returns of England and Wales, 1841. Kew, Surrey, England: The National Archives of the UK (TNA): Public Record Office (PRO), 1841; digital image Ancestry.com (accessed 12 April 2014).
Joseph Hembury household, 1851 census of England. Worcestershire, Kidderminster, Kidderminster, ED 1q, piece 2038, folio 405, page 4, in Census Returns of England and Wales, 1851. Kew, Surrey, England: The National Archives of the UK (TNA): Public Record Office (PRO), 1851; digital image Ancestry.com (accessed 12 April 2014).
William Harper household, 1861 census of England. Worcestershire, Stourbridge, Stourbridge, ED 3, piece 2065, folio 46, page 10, in Census Returns of England and Wales, 1861. Kew, Surrey, England: The National Archives of the UK (TNA): Public Record Office (PRO), 1861; digital image Ancestry.com (accessed 12 April 2014).
William Harper household, 1871 census of England. Worcestershire, Stourbridge, Stourbridge, ED 2, piece 3021, folio 108, page 33, in Census Returns of England and Wales, 1871. Kew, Surrey, England: The National Archives of the UK (TNA): Public Record Office (PRO), 1871; digital image Ancestry.com (accessed 11 April 2014).
Henry Watkins household, 1881 census of England. Worcestershire, Kidderminster, Kidderminster, ED 11, piece 2901, folio 95, page 41, in Census Returns of England and Wales, 1881. Kew, Surrey, England: The National Archives of the UK (TNA): Public Record Office (PRO), 1881; digital image Ancestry.com (accessed 12 April 2014).
Thomas Barnett household, 1891 census of England.Worcestershire, Kidderminster, Kidderminster, ED 17, piece 2316, folio 5, page 3, in Census Returns of England and Wales, 1891. Kew, Surrey, England: The National Archives of the UK (TNA): Public Record Office (PRO), 1891; digital image Ancestry.com (accessed 12 April 2014).
GRO index, Deaths Jun 1895, Kidderminster, Volume 6c, page 127. General Register Office. England and Wales. Civil Registration Certificates. (London, United Kingdom: General Register Office).
Parish registers, Stoke upon Trent, St Peter ad Vincula. [Digital image on Findmypast.co.uk, accessed 7 November 2015]
Parish registers, Old Swinford. Digital images on FamilySearch accessed 17 February 2018.
Parish registers, Kidderminster. Digital images on FamilySearch accessed 17 February 2018.