Oxfordshire Wards Part II: James Ward of Aston and Cote

St. Mary the Virgin, Bampton, Oxfordshire, postcard by Fred C Palmer
St. Mary the Virgin, Bampton, Oxfordshire, postcard by Fred C Palmer, 19312

Thomas Ward (1813-1879), our third great-grandfather, was born in Oxfordshire near Witney around 1813. He was the son of James Ward, a labourer. I had previously researched Ward families in Oxfordshire to find his family of origin. For this research see: Oxfordshire Wards Part I: Thomas Ward, son of James. Which James?

Although I did not find Thomas Ward’s baptism record, I narrowed down the list to those families that could possibly be his. Of the several James Ward families living in Oxfordshire at this time, one has the most in common with the details provided in records for Thomas Ward. James Ward (1771-1840) a labourer living in Aston and Cote near Bampton is the most likely father of Thomas Ward. There also may have been another James Ward in Oxfordshire at the time who left no record. Here I will provide more detail about the family of James Ward of Aston and Cote.

Map of Aston and Cote, Oxfordshire, 1770
Map of Aston and Cote, Oxfordshire, 1770

James Ward (1771-1840) fathered at least 16 children between 1800-1838 with two wives: Maria Willoughby (1774-1817) and Teresa Howson (1797-1850). The marriage with his first wife Maria Willoughby has not been located. The children of James and Maria were baptized at Oxford St. Giles: Ann (1797) and St. Mary the Virgin in Bampton: Mary (1800), John (1802), Mary (1804), Maria (1806), James (1808), Jane (1810) and George (1814). Mary Ward (1800) and Jane (1810) both died in infancy and were buried in the Bampton churchyard. Maria Willoughby Ward died and was buried in Bampton on 25 Feb 1817, leaving James with several small children. An infant William Ward appears in the Bampton burial registers shortly after Maria’s death. There is no record of him in the baptismal registers but he could be the child of James and Maria.3

James Ward married his second wife Teresa Howson on 6 Dec 1819.3 Teresa was Roman Catholic, the daughter of William Howson and Catherine Abraham of Buckland, Berkshire. None of James and Teresa’s children appeared in the baptism registers for St. Mary the Virgin at Bampton. I contacted the Berkshire record office and asked for a search of the parish register transcripts of St. George’s Roman Catholic Chapel in Buckland, hoping to find our Thomas Ward’s baptism. Indeed the children of James and Teresa did appear there: Philip Joseph, Jane, Elizabeth, Job, Alfred, John, David and Jane.4 Sadly, there was no Thomas Ward in the register. Philip Joseph, Jane, and Elizabeth Ward all died within four months of one another in 1836.3 John Ward (1831) died of consumption on

24 August 1840, followed by his father James Ward on 17 December of that year.5

Descendants of James Ward

1. James Ward was born in 1771 at Aston, Oxfordshire, England, the son of James Ward and Jane Smallbones. He was baptized on 9 Mar 1771 at St. Mary the Virgin, Bampton, Oxfordshire, England. He died on 17 Dec 1840 at Cote, Oxfordshire, England, and was buried on 20 Dec 1840 at St. James Church, Aston, Oxfordshire, England.

Married: (1) Maria Willoughby (daughter of John Willoughby and Ann Harwoodb. 1774, Baptized 9 Oct 1774 in Kiddington, Oxfordshire, England. d. Feb 1817 at Cote, Oxfordshire, buried 25 Feb 1817 at St. Mary the Virgin, Bampton)

Children of James Ward1 and Maria Willoughby

1.1. Ann Ward, b. 1797, baptized 02 Jul 1797 at Saint Giles Church, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England.
1.2. Mary Ward, b. 1800 at Aston, Oxfordshire, England. Baptized 12 Apr 1800 at St. Mary the Virgin, Bampton. d. Oct 1801 at Aston, Oxfordshire, England. Buried 09 Oct 1801 at St. Mary the Virgin, Bampton.
1.3. John Ward, b.1802 at Aston, Oxfordshire, England. Baptized 24 Jan 1802 at St. Mary the Virgin, Bampton. d. before 1831 in England.
+1.4. Mary Ward, b. 1804 at Aston Oxfordshire, England. Baptized 18 Mar 1804 at St. Mary the Virgin, Bampton, Oxfordshire, England. d. 12 Sep 1888 at Belleville, Hastings, Ontario, Canada. Married: Philip Cox (son of Philip Cox and Ann Abraham) on 14 Feb 1822 at St. Mary the Virgin, Bampton. Had Issue.
1.5. Maria Ward, b. 1806 at Aston, Oxfordshire, England. Baptized 06 Apr 1806 at St. Mary the Virgin, Bampton.
+1.6. James Ward, b. 1808 at Aston, Oxfordshire, England. Baptized 17 Jul 1808 at St. Mary the Virgin, Bampton. Posted marriage banns with Elizabeth Sparrowhawk (daughter of Thomas Sparrowhawk and Sarah Sparrowhawk) on 3, 10 and 17 Apr 1830 at St. Mary the Virgin, Bampton, but did not marry. Had issue.
1.7. Jane Ward, b. 1810 at Aston, Oxfordshire, England. Baptized 09 Sep 1810 at St. Mary the Virgin, Bampton. d. Oct 1810 at Aston, Oxfordshire, England. Buried 22 Oct 1810 at St. Mary the Virgin, Bampton.
+1.8 George Ward, b. 14 Jun 1814 at Cote, Oxfordshire, England. Baptized 17 Jul 1814 at St. Mary the Virgin, Bampton. d. 7 May 1901 at Mundy, Genesee, Michigan, USA. MarriedMary Bridget McCann (daughter of John McCann) on 16 Sep 1839 in Mortlake, Surrey, England. Had Issue.

James Ward Married: (2) Teresa Howson on 06 Dec 1819 (daughter of William Howson and Catherine Abrahamb.1797 in Buckland, Berkshire, England. d. bef 20 Jun 1850 in Witney, Oxfordshire, England)

Children of James Ward1 and Teresa Howson

1.9. Philip Joseph Ward, b. 1820 at Cote, Oxfordshire, England. Baptized 17 Sep 1820 at St. George’s Roman Catholic Chapel, Buckland, Berkshire, England. d. Jul 1836 at Cote, Oxfordshire, England. Buried 30 Jul 1836 at St. Mary the Virgin, Bampton, Oxfordshire, England.
1.10. Jane Wardb. 1822 at Cote, Oxfordshire, England. Baptized 4 Aug 1822 at St. George’s Roman Catholic Chapel, Buckland, Berkshire, England. d. Apr 1836 at Cote, Oxfordshire, England. Buried 27 Apr 1836 at St. Mary the Virgin, Bampton, Oxfordshire, England.
1.11. Elizabeth Ward, b. 1824 at Cote, Oxfordshire, England. Baptized 24 Oct 1824 at St. George’s Roman Catholic Chapel, Buckland, Berkshire, England. d. Mar 1836 at Cote, Oxfordshire, England. Buried 23 Mar 1836 at St. Mary the Virgin, Bampton, Oxfordshire, England.
1.12. Job Ward, b. 1827 at Cote, Oxfordshire, England. Baptized 28 Apr 1827 at St. George’s Roman Catholic Chapel, Buckland, Berkshire, England. d. unknown.
+1.13. Alfred Ward, b. 17 Jan 1829 at Cote, Oxfordshire, England. Baptized 3 May 1829 at St. George’s Roman Catholic Chapel, Buckland, Berkshire, England. d. unknown. Had issue with Hannah Wadhams Mee, daughter of William Wadhams and legal but separated wife of Thomas William Mee.
1.14. John Ward, b. 1831 at Cote, Oxfordshire, England. Baptized 06 Jan 1832 at St. George’s Roman Catholic Chapel, Buckland, Berkshire, England. d. 23 Aug 1840 at Cote, Oxfordshire, England. Buried 25 Aug 1840 at St. James’ Church, Aston, Oxfordshire, England.
+1.15. David Ward, b. 20 Mar 1835 at Cote, Oxfordshire, England. Baptized 26 Apr 1835 at St. George’s Roman Catholic Chapel, Buckland, Berkshire, England. d. Jul 1884 at Witney, Oxfordshire, England. Buried 12 Jul 1884 at St. Mary’s Church, Witney, Oxfordshire, England. MarriedLouisa Clements on 02 Mar 1875 at the Register Office in Witney, Oxfordshire, England. Had issue.
1.16. Jane Ward, b. 11 Nov 1838 at Cote, Oxfordshire, England. Baptized 17 Jan 1839 at St. George’s Roman Catholic Chapel, Buckland, Berkshire, England. d. unknown.

John Ward (James1) (1802-bef 1831)

John Ward (1802-?) appears briefly in records of the Oxfordshire Lent Assizes of 1820 where he was charged with stealing a black gelding from William Townsend of Aston.6 After being committed to the County Gaol,7 he was released. His case was dismissed by proclamation.8 John does not appear in any records after this point.  James Ward (1771-1841) had another son named John with his second wife Teresa in 1831, so it is reasonable to assume the first John Ward (1802) died between 1820 and 1830.

John Ward committed to Gaol for stealing gelding from William Townsend at Aston Oxford Journal 12 Feb 1820 p3 c2
Jackson’s Oxford Journal, 12 Feb 1820, https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/

On Monday last John Ward was committed to our county gaol, charged with feloniously stealing a black gelding, the property of William Townsend, of Aston.

Mary Ward (James1) (1804-1888)

Mary Ward (1804-1888) the oldest daughter of James Ward and Maria Willoughby, married Philip Cox, son of Philip Cox and Ann Abraham, on 14 Feb 1822. Philip Cox was in prison for bastardy after the birth of their first child in January of that year. Interestingly, Philip Cox was also Roman Catholic and the first cousin of Teresa Howson (Catherine Abraham and Ann Abraham were sisters). Mary Ward and Philip Cox had five more children, all baptized at St. George’s Catholic Chapel in Buckland. The family immigrated to Belleville, Ontario, Canada around 1838, reportedly due to religious persecution. They had six more children in Canada and have many living descendants today.4

Children of Mary Ward (James1) and Philip Cox

1.4.1 Ann Cox, b. before 28 Jan 1822 in Cote, Oxfordshire, England. d. 20 Mar 1848 at Belleville, Hastings, Ontario, Canada. Married: Archibald Newlands Menzies on 12 Feb 1839 at Hastings, Ontario, Canada.
+1.4.2 Philip Cox, b. 14 Feb 1824 at Buckland, Berkshire, England. d. 18 Oct 1907 at Belleville, Hastings, Ontario, Canada. Married: Emelia A. Lawrence on 07 Jan 1850 at Belleville, Hastings, Ontario, Canada. Had issue.

1.4.2.1 Roxie Ann Cox (1850-1936)
1.4.2.2 Mary Cox (1852-1925)
1.4.2.3 George Philip Cox (1855-)
1.4.2.4 Sarah Emeline Cox (1856-1898)
1.4.2.5 Charles Edwin Cox (1858-1934)
1.4.2.6 Norman Cox (1863-1922)
1.4.2.7 William Byron Cox (1867-1938)

1.4.3 William Cox, b. 1826 at Buckland, Berkshire, England. Baptized 19 Mar 1826 at St. George’s Roman Catholic Chapel, Buckland. d. 1830, buried 15 May 1830 at Buckland, Berkshire, England.
+1.4.4 John Cox, b. 6 Jun 1828 at Buckland, Berkshire, England. d. 01 Dec 1897 at Gaylord, Otsego, Michigan, USA. MarriedEllen Duffy on 18 Jul 1854 at Belleville, Hastings, Ontario, Canada. Had issue.

1.4.4.1 George William Cox (1855-1855)
1.4.4.2 William James Cox (1857-1935)
1.4.4.3 John Cox (1859-1948)
1.4.4.4 James D Cox (1860-1923)
1.4.4.5 Lewis Cox (1863-1888)
1.4.4.6 Barney Cox (1866-1949)
1.4.4.7 Hattie M Cox (1874-1898)
1.4.4.8 Sidney Francis Cox (1876-1950)

1.4.5 Francesca Constable Cox, b. 28 Dec 1830 at Buckland, Berkshire, England. d. 1831, buried 05 Apr 1831 at Buckland, Berkshire, England.
1.4.6 Emma Cox, b. 2 Jan 1832 at Buckland, Berkshire, England.
+1.4.7 Emily Rose Cox, b. 1835, baptized 25 Jan 1835 at St. Michael the Archangel in Belleville, Hastings, Ontario, Canada. d. 29 Jan 1915 at Hastings, Ontario, Canada. Married: James Cummins about 1857 in Hastings, Ontario, Canada. Had issue.

1.4.7.1 Mary Ann Cummins (1858-1935)
1.4.7.2 Alice Cummins (1860-1886)
1.4.7.3 Emma Rose Cummins (1863-1945)
1.4.7.4 James Cummins (1869-1934)
1.4.7.5 Maria Cummins (1873-1936)
1.4.7.6 Michael Cummins (1874-1925)
1.4.7.7 John Cummins (1877-1918)

+1.4.8 James Cox, b. 1837, baptized 17 Mar 1837 at St. Michael the Archangel in Belleville, Hastings, Ontario, Canada. d. 20 Dec 1911 at White Salmon, Klickitat, Washington, USA. Married: Eliza Lennon on 28 Apr 1858 at St. Michael the Archangel in Belleville, Hastings, Ontario, Canada. Had issue.

1.4.8.1 Charles Henry Cox (1859-1926)
1.4.8.2 Hamilton Lennon Cox (1861-1926)
1.4.8.3 James F Cox (1864-1941)
1.4.8.4 Robert Francis Cox (1867-1923)
1.4.8.5 Thomas Cox (1869-)
1.4.8.6 Blanche Mary Cox (1871-1956)
1.4.8.7 Joseph Cox (1874-1952)
1.4.8.8 Infant Cox (1875-)
1.4.8.9 John Bernard Cox (1877-1952)
1.4.8.10 William Charles Cox (1878-1879)
1.4.8.11 Emma Rose Cox (1880-1948)
1.4.8.12 Arthur Francis Cox (1882-1960)
1.4.8.13 David Cox (1884-)

+1.4.9 Thomas Cox, b. 1839, baptized 28 Mar 1839 at St. Michael the Archangel in Belleville, Hastings, Ontario, Canada. d. 29 Jul 1916 at Wentworth, Ontario, Canada. Married: (1) Mary Elizabeth Ryan on 19 Jan 1863 at St. Michael the Archangel in Belleville, Hastings, Ontario, Canada.

1.4.9.1 William Henry Cox (1864-1934)
1.4.9.2 Thomas Cox (1865-1888)
1.4.9.3 George Cox (1866-)
1.4.9.4 James Patrick Cox (1867-)
1.4.9.5 Mary Ann Cox (1872-1941)
1.4.9.6 Walter John Cox (1876-1936)

Married: (2) Bridget Hendrickson on 21 Jul 1878 at St. Michael the Archangel in Belleville, Hastings, Ontario, Canada.

1.4.9.7 Alice Teresa Cox (1880-)
1.4.9.8 Mary Cox (1887-)
1.4.9.9 John Cox (1875-)

Married: (3) Elizabeth Moore on 20 Oct 1890 at St. Michael the Archangel in Belleville, Hastings, Hastings, Ontario, Canada.

1.4.9.10 Thomas Cox (1891-)
1.4.9.12 Adolph Cox (1892-1957)
1.4.9.13 Raymond Daniel Cox (1904-)

+1.4.10 David Cox, b. 11 Jan 1841 baptized 14 Feb 1841 at St. Michael the Archangel in Belleville, Hastings, Ontario, Canada. d. 27 Feb 1916 at East Bay, Grand Traverse, Michigan, USA. Married: Eliza Jane McSherry about 1866 in Michigan. Had issue.

1.4.10.1 Emily Cox (1866-1934)
1.4.10.2 Charles Edward Cox (1873-1941)
1.4.10.3 Ellen F Cox (1876-1949)
1.4.10.4 Peter Stanley Cox (1878-1902)
1.4.10.5 Thomas Bernard Cox (1880-1954)
1.4.10.6 David Albert Cox (1886-1936)
1.4.10.7 Joseph Herbert Cox (1887-1945)

+1.4.11 Maria Cox, b. Feb 1848, baptized 26 Apr 1848 at St. Michael the Archangel in Belleville, Hastings, Ontario, Canada. d. Aug 1874 at Belleville, Hastings, Ontario, Canada. Married: William Wilkinson on 09 Jul 1871 at St. Michael the Archangel in Belleville, Hastings, Ontario, Canada. Had issue.

1.4.11.1 Maria Anna Wilkinson (1873-)

+1.4.12 Daniel Joseph Cox, b. 14 May 1852, baptized 27 Jun 1852 at St. Michael the Archangel in Belleville, Hastings, Ontario, Canada. d27 Mar 1923 at Saginaw, Saginaw, Michigan, USA. MarriedMary Emma Leduc on 07 Jan 1875 at St. Michael the Archangel in Belleville, Hastings, Ontario, Canada. Had issue.

1.4.12.1 Philip Ward Cox (1875-1935)
1.4.12.2 Mary E Cox (1878-1902)
1.4.12.3 Daniel Franklin Cox (1880-1951)
1.4.12.4 Ethel F Cox (1883-1941)
1.4.12.5 Grover John Cox (1885-1963)
1.4.12.6 Eugene S Cox (1890-1955)
1.4.12.7 Clyde Matthew Cox (1893-1956)
1.4.12.8 Lillian A E Cox (1898-1958)

James Ward (James1) (1808-unknown)

James Ward (1808) first made his appearance in Oxfordshire newspapers and the Oxfordshire Quarter Sessions records in 18279 for stealing books from Caleb Townsend of Aston,10 for which he served three months in prison.11 In 1829, the treatment was more lenient when he stole tithe wheat from Rev. Thomas Burrow, the Vicar of Bampton.12 This time he only spent one month in prison.13

James Ward and Elizabeth Sparrowhawk of Aston posted thrice their Marriage Banns at St. Mary the Virgin in Bampton on April 3rd, 10th, and 17th of 1830. However, they never married.

James Ward and Elizabeth Sparrowhawk, Marriage Banns, April 1830 Bampton, Oxfordshire
James Ward and Elizabeth Sparrowhawk, Marriage Banns, April 1830 Bampton, Oxfordshire

James went on to father at least two children by Elizabeth Sparrowhawk: Mary Ward Sparrowhawk (1830) who died in childhood, and Harriet Ward Sparrowhawk (1831).

In 1831, the Justice of the Peace threw James Ward a baby shower at the Witney Petty Sessions.14 Gifts included one bastardy conviction and three months of hard labour in the House of Correction.15 Elizabeth Sparrowhawk gave birth to three more children in Aston: Jacob, Sarah, and Mary Ann, but for these she listed no father in the baptismal register. I could find no record of James Ward (1808) after his imprisonment for bastardy in 1831. He may have been the father of Elizabeth Sparrowhawk’s remaining children, and changes in the Bastardy Law in the 1830s could be why he is not listed as their father.

Children of James Ward (James1) and Elizabeth Sparrowhawk

1.6.1 Mary Ward Sparrowhawk, b. before 1831 at Aston, Oxfordshire, England. Baptized 29 May 1831 at St. Mary the Virgin, Bampton. d. 11 Dec 1832 in Aston, Oxfordshire, England.
1.6.2 Harriet Ward Sparrowhawk, b. before Dec 1832 in Aston, Oxfordshire, England. d. 21 Aug 1891 in Cote, Oxfordshire, England. Married: Alfred Townsend on 01 Aug 1853 in Shifford, Oxfordshire, England. Had issue.

1.6.2.1 Mary Sparrowhawk Townsend Carter (1852-1902)
1.6.2.2 Joseph Townsend (1854-1925)
1.6.2.3 Reuben Townsend (1855-1913)
1.6.2.4 Clara Townsend (1857-)
1.6.2.5 William Townsend (1859-1910)
1.6.2.6 Edwin Townsend  (1862-1910)
1.6.2.7 Sarah Elizabeth Townsend (1866-)

George Ward (James1) (1814-1901)

George Ward (1814-1901) also had a slight case of sticky fingers in 1832 when he stole fish from Thomas Rose of Shifford.16 His punishment was a whipping and 7 days in prison. The next year he was charged with stealing two half sovereigns and three half crowns17 from James Bedwell at Aston,18 but was acquitted.19 George was convicted of poaching by Rev Hyde at Aston in 1837. After spending two months in prison,20 he left Oxfordshire. The next place George Ward appears is his marriage to Mary Bridget McCann on 16 Sep 1839 at St. Mary the Virgin in Mortlake, Surrey.21 Mortlake is where my ancestor Thomas Ward (1813-1879) lived at the time. Thomas married his wife Mary Ann Maria Walters the year before in the same church.22 See a more detailed post about George Ward here: George Ward of Aston and Cote, brother of Thomas?

Children of George Ward (James1) and Mary Bridget McCann

1.8.1 Mary Ann Ward, b. Sep 1840 at Mortlake, Surrey, England. d. 18 Jul 1841 in Mortlake, Surrey, England. Buried 25 Jul 1841 at St. Mary the Virgin, Mortlake, Surrey, England.
+1.8.2 Maria Ward, b. 10 Jul 1842 at New Richmond, Surrey, England. d. 27 Feb 1887 at Hudson, Charlevoix, Michigan, USA. Married: (1) Jeremiah Kirby, son of Jeremiah Kirby, on 17 Jun 1860 at St Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, Woolwich, Kent, England. Married: (2) William A Guerin on 04 Jun 1871 at Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, USA. Had issue with (1).

1.8.2.1 Agnes Maria Kirby Barr (09 Feb 1861-19 Mar 1924, m. Emory Barr)

1.8.3 Margaret Ward, b. 16 Jun 1844 at Rope Yard Rails, Woolwich, Kent, England. d. 1845 at Great Spring Street, Shadwell, Middlesex, England. Buried 19 Aug 1845 at St. Paul’s Church, Shadwell, Middlesex, England.
1.8.4 James Ward, b. Nov 1846 at Great Spring Street, Shadwell, Middlesex, England. d. Jan 1848 at Great Spring Street, Shadwell, Middlesex, England. Buried 25 Jan 1848 at St. Paul’s Church, Shadwell, Middlesex, England.
1.8.5 Edward Ward, b. 19 Jan 1849 at Shadwell, Middlesex, England. d. 15 Aug 1920 at Merrill, Saginaw, Michigan, USA. Married: (1) Julia Gray on 02 Aug 1872 at Linden, Genesee, Michigan, USA. Married: (2) Eliza Ann Wood Gilson on 11 Oct 1882 at Saginaw City, Saginaw, Michigan, USA. Married: (3) Helen A Washburn on 11 Oct 1906 at Gratiot, Michigan, USA.
+1.8.6 Agnes Ward, b. 05 Mar 1851 at Shadwell, Middlesex, England. d. 06 Jan 1915 at Linden, Genesee, Michigan, USA. Married: George W Brewer, son of William Ransom Brewer and Sarah J Stern, about 1870 in Michigan, USA. Had issue.

1.8.6.1 George Brewer (1874-1896)
1.8.6.2 Emily Brewer Eaton (1876-1947)
1.8.6.3 Alfred Brewer (1880-25 Sep 1881)
1.8.6.4 Edward Brewer (1884-07 Aug1952)
1.8.6.5 Sarah Blanche Brewer Benedict  (1888-1978)
1.8.6.6 Emery Ward Brewer (1893-1956)

After James Ward’s death, Teresa Ward appears in the 1841 England Census with four of her surviving children in the village of Cote. She earned a living working as an agricultural labourer.23

1841 Census, Teresa Ward, Cote, Oxfordshire
1841 Census, Teresa, Job, Alfred, David, and Jane Ward, Cote, Oxfordshire

Teresa Howson Ward remarried on 16 Aug 1845 in Buckland, Berkshire to Henry Townsend.24 The Ward/Townsend family left Bampton and took up residence in the workhouse at Witney, where Teresa died in 1850.25

David Ward (James1) (1835-1885)

David Ward (1835-1884) and Teresa’s widower Henry Townsend lived in the Witney workhouse as recorded in the 1851 Census. David appears as a workhouse resident in both the 1861 and 1871 Census returns as well. In 1871, there is a notation by his name that says: “Imbecile, 10 years.” David married Louisa Clements on 2 March 1876 at the age of 40. The 1881 Census shows him no longer a resident of the Workhouse. David and Louisa had six children, whom he supported by working as a licensed hawker.

David Ward Jane Clements marriage 2 Mar 1875 Witney Oxfordshire thumbnail
David Ward and Louisa Clements marriage, 2 Mar 1876, Witney, Oxfordshire
Children of David Ward (James1) and Louisa Clements

1.15.1 David Alexander Ward, b. before 1831 at Aston, Oxfordshire, England. Baptized 27 Feb 1876 at St. Mary’s Church, Witney, Oxfordshire, England. d. 05 Nov 1834 at Witney, Oxfordshire, England.
+1.15.2 Walter William Ward, b. 1878 at Witney, Oxfordshire, England. Baptized 27 Jan 1878 at St. Mary’s Church, Witney, Oxfordshire, England. d. 13 Jan 1941 at Witney, Oxfordshire, England. Married: Esther Tovey on 05 Aug 1899 at Cogges, Oxfordshire, England. Had issue.

1.6.2.1 Esther Louisa Ward (1900-)
1.15.2.2 Walter William Ward (1901-)
1.15.2.3 David John Ward (1906-)
1.15.2.4 Norman Percival Ward (1907-)
1.15.2.5 Irene Dulcie Ward (1909-)

1.15.3 Albert James Ward, b. 1879, baptized 25 May 1879 at St. Mary’s Church, Witney, Oxfordshire, England. d. Aug 1879, buried 14 Aug 1879 at St. Mary’s Church, Witney, Oxfordshire, England.
1.15.4 Emily Eliza Jane Ward, b. 1880, baptized 29 Aug 1880 at St. Mary’s Church, Witney, Oxfordshire, England. d. unknown.
1.15.5 Male Infant Ward, b. 1881 at Witney, Oxfordshire, England. d. 1881 at Witney, Oxfordshire, England.
1.15.6 Annie Rebecca Ward, b. 1883, baptized 05 Feb 1883 at St. Mary’s Church, Witney, Oxfordshire, England. d. unknown.
1.15.6 Florence Elizabeth Ward, b. 1885, baptized 07 Apr 1885 at St. Mary’s Church, Witney, Oxfordshire, England. d. unknown.

Alfred Ward (James1) (1829-unknown)

Alfred Ward (1829-?) moved to Surrey after his mother’s death and found work as a Navvy. He lived in Woolwich working at the London Docks in the 1860’s where his older brother George Ward (1814-1901) had a greengrocer’s business and George’s wife Bridget ran an illegal pawnshop. Alfred had five children with a woman named Hannah Wadhams but they never married. Hannah was still legally married to her first husband Thomas Mee, whom she had left. Upon Hannah’s death, Alfred abandoned his children to the workhouse. The youngest four reverted to using the surname of their mother’s legal husband, Mee.

Children of Alfred Ward (James1) and Hannah Wadhams

+1.13.1 Edward Alfred Ward, b. 1865 at Christchurch, Southwark, London, England. Baptized 20 Jun 1873 at Christchurch, Southwark, London, England. d. 11 Mar 1945 at Epsom, Surrey, England. Married: Elizabeth Jessie Burton (daughter of Charles Burton) on 16 Jul 1893 at St John the Evangelist, Newington Walworth, London, England. Had issue.

1.13.1.1 Helen Gertrude Ward Keefe (1894-)
1.13.1.2 Edward Alfred Ward (1897-)
1.13.1.3 Edith Beatrice Ward (1899-)

1.13.2 Robert Ward, b. 1867 at Lambeth, Surrey, England. d. 1868 at Lambeth, Surrey, England.
1.13.3 Frederick Ward, b. 1870 at Lambeth, Surrey, England. d. 1869 at Lambeth, Surrey, England.
+1.13.4 Alexander Ward [Mee], b. 18 Jun 1870 at Lambeth, Surrey, England. Baptized 20 Jun 1873 at Christchurch, Southwark, London, England. d. 10 May 1923 at Plumstead, Surrey, England. Married: (1) Elizabeth Ann Davis in 1894 at Gravesend, Kent England. Had issue.

1.13.4.1 Gertrude Ethel Mee Griffith (1895-1986)
1.13.4.2 Ernest Alexander Mee (1901-1966)
1.13.4.3 Philip Reginald Mee (1904-1977)

Married: (2) Hilda Gertrude Heymar in 1917 at Dewsbury, West Riding, Yorkshire, England. Had issue.

1.13.4.4 Reginald Cuthbert (1918-2009)
1.13.4.5 Phyllis Frances Mary Mee Turbayne (1921-1990)
1.13.4.6 Margaret Hilda Mee Bussey (1922-1999)

+1.13.5 Herbert Frederick Ward [Mee], b. 13 Jun 1872 at 3 Boddy’s Bridge, Christchurch Southwark, London, England. Baptized 20 Jun 1873 at Christchurch, Southwark, London, England. d. 1942 at Bermondsey, London, England. Married: Maud Tufnell (daughter of John Tufnell) on 31 Mar 1901 at St Mary Magdalene, Southwark, London, England. Had issue.

1.13.5.1 Alice Maud Mee (1902-1980)
1.13.5.2 Herbert John Mee (1904-1989)

+1.13.6 Oliver Ward [Mee], b. 31 Jan 1874 at 74 Broadwell St, Lambeth, Surrey, England. baptized 05 Feb 1883 at St. Mary’s Church, Witney, Oxfordshire, England. d. 13 Nov 1953 at Bournemouth, Hampshire, England. Married: Sarah Jane Barker (daughter of Joshua Barker) on 03 Oct 1896 at St. Mary’s Church, Lambeth, London, England. Had issue.

1.13.6.1 Annie Mee (1897-1897)
1.13.6.2 Sarah Mee (1898-1898)
1.13.6.3 Eleanor Sarah Mee Robertson (1899-1980)
1.13.6.4 Annie Rose Mee (1901-1989)
1.13.6.5 Florence Edith Mee Cramp (1903-1990)
1.13.6.6 Oliver Stephen Mee (1905-1908)
1.13.6.7 Elsie June Mee Huggins (1907-1988)
1.13.6.8 Alice Margaret Mee (1909-)
1.13.6.9 Lillian Jessie Mee (1911-)
1.13.6.10 Frederick Albert Mee (1914-1990)

1.13.7 William Henry Ward, b. 1876 in Lambeth, Surrey, England. d. 1877 in Lambeth, Surrey, England.
+1.13.8 Rebecca Eliza Louisa Ward [Mee], b. 15 Jul 1878 at Lambeth, Surrey, England. baptized 07 Apr 1885 at St. Mary’s Church, Witney, Oxfordshire, England. d. 16 Jun 1955 at East Ernald, Hampshire, England. Married: Frederick Price (son of John Price) on 25 May 1896 at All Saint’s Church, Walworth, Surrey, England. Had issue.

1.13.8.1 Louisa Frances Price Webb (1897-1954)
1.13.8.2 Frances Price Soden (1898-1987)
1.13.8.3 Jane Price (1901-1902)
1.13.8.4 Elizabeth Price Grimes (1902-1985)
1.13.8.5 Frederick Price (1904-1964)
1.13.8.6 John Price (1906-abt 1907)
1.13.8.7 Henry Price (1908-1909)
1.13.8.8 William Alexander Price (1909-1979)
1.13.8.9 Mary Lilian Price Brown (1914-1998)
1.13.8.10 Robert Price (1916-1986)

Reference Notes


  1. The British Library, Public Domain Photos, “Bampton Church,” Identifier: 001422416, digital image, (https://www.flickr.com/photos/britishlibrary/), citing: J A Giles,”History of the parish and town of Bampton, with the district and hamlets belonging to it. (Appendix of original documents, etc.),” p. 37, J H Parker: Oxford.
  2. “Postcard Photo of Bampton, Oxfordshire England,” Fred C Palmer, 1931, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10028502 : accessed 19 Jul 2016.
  3. A P Baggs, Eleanor Chance, Christina Colvin, C J Day, Nesta Selwyn and S C Townley. “Aston and Cote: Introduction,” in A History of the County of Oxford: Volume 13, Bampton Hundred (Part One), ed. Alan Crossley and C R J Currie (London: Victoria County History, 1996), 62-66. British History Online, accessed July 15, 2016, http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/oxon/vol13/pp62-66.
  4. Oxfordshire Family History Society, Oxfordshire Parish Register Transcripts, Witney Registration District, 3rd Edition, Vol. 4, CD (Cowley, Oxford, 2013), Bampton, St. Mary the Virgin, parish register transcripts.
  5. “Buckland, Catholic Church, Baptisms, 1755-1998”, Berkshire Record Office, Record Searching Service, entries for surname WARD, accessed: 23 Jan 2015.
  6. Oxfordshire Family History Society, Oxfordshire Parish Register Transcripts, Witney Registration District, 4th Edition, Vol. 2, CD (Cowley, Oxford, 2013), Aston, St. James, parish register transcripts.
  7. “Oxford,” Jackson’s Oxford Journal, 12 Feb 1820, p. 3, col. 2; online archives, British Newspaper Archive, https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ : 2016. “On Monday last John Ward was committed to our county gaol, charged with feloniously stealing a black gelding, the property of William Townsend, of Aston.”
  8. “England & Wales, Criminal Registers, 1791-1892,”John Ward, Oxfordshire, 1820 Lent Assizes, crime: horse stealing, No Bill, Class: HO 27; Piece: 20; Page: 76; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com/sharing/9557063?h=dda829 : accessed 19 Jul 2016); citing: Series HO 26 and HO 27, Home Office: Criminal Registers, Middlesex and Home Office: Criminal Registers, England and Wales, The National Archives of the UK (TNA), Kew, Surrey, England.
  9. “Oxford Assizes,” The Oxford University City Herald, 11 Mar 1820, p2 c4; online archives, British Newspaper Archive, https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ : 2016. “John Ward, charged with stealing a black gelding, the property of William Townsend, of Aston. Discharged by proclamation.”
  10. Oxfordshire Family History Society, Oxfordshire Quarter Sessions Records 1687-1830, Vol. II Informations, Examinations, Recognisances & Indictments, Easter 1783-Michaelmas 1830, DVD (Cowley, Oxford, 2008), 1827 Epiphany, Schedule of Prisoners, 2 Dec, James Ward (18), larceny.
  11. “Commitments to our County Gaol,” Jackson’s Oxford Journal, 21 Apr 1827, p. 3, col. 2; online archives, British Newspaper Archive, https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ : 2016. “James Ward, for stealing various articles, the property of Caleb Townsend, at Aston.”
  12. “City and County Intelligence,” Jackson’s Oxford Journal, 28 Apr 1827, p. 3, col. 2; online archives, British Newspaper Archive, https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ : 2016.”James Ward, for stealing books, the property of Caleb Townsend, at Aston, and sentenced to three months’ imprisonment in the House of Correction.
  13. “Commitments to our County Gaol,” The Reading Mercury and Oxford Gazette, 5 Oct 1829, p. 3, col. 1; online archives, British Newspaper Archive, https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ : 2016. “Solomon Townsend, James Ward, Philip Bace [Ball], and John Fisher, charged with stealing a quantity of wheat, the property of the Rev. T. Burrows, of Aston and Coate.”
  14. “County and City Sessions,” The Oxford University and City Herald, 24 Oct 1829, p. 3, col. 2; online archives, British Newspaper Archive, https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ : 2016. “Solomon Townsend, James Ward, Philip Ball, and John Fisher, for stealing a quantity of wheat, the property of the Rev. T. Burrow, of Aston and Coate.–Solomon Townsend acquitted; J. Ward, P. Ball, and J. Fisher, one month’s imprisonment.”
  15. Oxfordshire Family History Society, Oxfordshire Quarter Sessions Records 1687-1830, Vol. II Informations, Examinations, Recognisances & Indictments, Easter 1783-Michaelmas 1830, DVD (Cowley, Oxford, 2008), 1829 Michaelmans, 26 Sep, Solomon Townsend, James Ward, Philip Ball and John Fisher, all of Bampton, labourers, charge: larceny for stealing tithe wheat, Townsend not guilty, others House of Correction 1 month.
  16. “Witney, Oct 14…At our Petty Sessions,” The Oxford University and City Herald, 15 Oct 1831, p. 3, col. 4; online archives, British Newspaper Archive, https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ : 2016. “James Ward, at Aston, for Bastardy 3 months’ hard labour.”
  17. “County Sessions,” The Berkshire Chronicle and Windsor Herald, 7 Jul 1832, p. 3, col. 3; online archives, British Newspaper Archive, https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ : 2016. “James Slater and George Ward, for stealing fish, the property of Thomas Rose and another, of Shifford; Slater six weeks imprisonment, Ward seven days–each to be whipped.”
  18. “Commitments to the county Gaol,” The Oxford University and City Herald, 31 Aug 1833, p. 3, col. 4; online archives, British Newspaper Archive, https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ : 2016. “George Ward, charged with feloniously breaking open the dwelling-house of James Bedwell, of Aston, and stealing two half-sovereigns and three half-crowns, his property.”
  19. Reading Mercury Oxford Gazette 2 Sep 1833, p. 3, col. 1; online archives, British Newspaper Archive, https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ : 2016. “George Ward, charged with breaking open the dwelling house of James Bedwell at Aston, and stealing therefrom a quantity of money, his property.”
  20. Jackson’s Oxford Journal, 8 Mar 1834, p. 3, col. 3; online archives, British Newspaper Archive, https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ : 2016. “George Ward, charged with having broken open the dwelling house of James Bedwell, in the day time, and stolen therefrom two half sovereigns and three half crowns, the property of the said James Bedwell, was acquitted.”
  21. “Commitments to the County Gaol,” Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette, 11 Mar 1837, p. 3, col. 1; online archives, British Newspaper Archive, https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ : 2016.”George Ward, Aston, by the Revd. John Hyde charged with poaching; 2 months.”
  22. St. Mary the Virgin, Mortlake, Surrey, Register of Marriages, George Ward & Bridget McCann, married 16 Sep 1839, p. 18, no. 25, reference no. 2397/1/18; digital images, “Surrey, England, Church of England Baptisms 1813-1912,” Ancestry.com (http://interactive.ancestry.com/4779/40761_312059-00187/557146 : accessed 19 Jul 2016, citing: original Church of England parish registers deposited at the Surrey History Centre, Woking.
  23. England, marriage certificate for Thomas Ward and Mary Ann Maria Waters, married 5 Aug 1838, registered Jul-Sep 1838, Richmond, vol. 4, p. 411, no. 14, Mortlake, Surrey; General Register Office, Southport.
  24. “1841 England Census,” Teresa Ward family, Coate, Bampton Hundred, Registration District: Witney, County of Oxfordshire, Class: HO107; Piece: 872; Folio: 7; Page: 23; GSU roll: 474571; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com/sharing/9531449?h=e53910 : accessed 19 Jul 2016); citing: Census Returns of England and Wales, 1841 held atThe National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey, England.
  25. Oxfordshire Family History Society, Oxfordshire Parish Register Transcripts, Faringdon Registration District, 3rd Edition, Vol. 3, CD (Cowley, Oxford, 2011), Buckland, Berkshire, St. Mary the Virgin, parish register transcripts.
  26. Oxfordshire Family History Society, Oxfordshire Parish Register Transcripts, Witney Registration District, 3rd Edition, Vol. 1, CD (Cowley, Oxford, 2013), Witney, St. Mary, parish register transcripts.

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