Biography:
James Norwood
d. 10/12/1920
James Norwood
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James was born in 1863 in Gossom’s End, the son of Thomas Norwood (a labourer) and Mary (née Mills). He was baptised on 11th October that year at St Mary’s, Northchurch.
Eight children had been born to Mary and James by the time of James’s birth, although how many were still alive is uncertain. By the 1871 census, when the family lived in Gossom’s End, only fourteen year old Caroline, James (aged seven) and one year old Thomas were a home.
By 1881 the family were living at Red Lion Yard in Berkhamsted, a very poor and crowded location. Thomas was employed as a drayman and James, aged nineteen, was a labourer.
James married Annie Louisa Wells in April 1885 in the Berkhamsted registration district.
In 1891 James was working as a general labourer and living in the High Street with his wife and children William (b. 1886), Ada (b. 1888), Arthur (b. 1889) and Walter (b. 1880).
Walter, Rhoda Louise (b. 1891), Louisa (b. 1893) and Frank (b. 1894) are mentioned in the record books of the Berkhamsted and Northchurch National School. Aug 30-3 Sep 1897 “Walter, Rhoda, Louisa and Frank Norwood have returned. The parents removed to Bridge Street but there was not enough room for their children in Chapel Street Infants School.”
The family were still at 27, Bridge Street in 1901 when the census lists eleven children with the addition of Mabel (b.1896), Tommy (Thomas) (b 1897), Dora (b.1899), and Harry (b. 1901). Things must have been very crowded in the little cottage. James gave his occupation as “Job master” – that is, someone who runs a livery stable and hires out horses and carriages. The record has had “Groom” added in pencil, so presumably he was employed, rather than owning a stables.
In 1904 the family suffered a double tragedy with the loss in April of both Dora (aged 4) and little Herbert Edward, aged eighteen months. At the time the family were living at 25, Ellesmere Road.
By the 1911 census James and Annie had moved to Cowley Cottages, George Street and his occupation is given as “Coachman” with “Job master” added in a different hand. Eight children are living at home – Arthur, Walter, Frank, Mable, Thomas, Harry and new arrivals Annie Elizabeth (b.1905) and Ethel Dorothy (b.1907).
The census asks for numbers of children born alive and the number which have since died and the return shows 14 born and 2 died.
The return has been completed by Rhoda Norwood, although she is not given as living at that address and was a servant employed by William Morris, a jeweller and watchmaker in the High Street.
James died in December 1920 aged 57.
Additional note provided by Melanie Hilton
View this burial in the cemetery
Annie and James Norwood were my husband’s great grandparents.
Annie Wells was born in 1865 in Berkhamsted (Gossoms End), James was born in 1863.
She married James Norwood. They lived at 159 High Street.
In 1901 they had 14 children but I can only find records on 13 . The children I know about are,William James 1887, Ada 1888, Arthur 1889, Walter (also known as Whip) 1890, Rhoda 1891, Louise 1892, Frank 1894, Mabel 1896, Thomas 1897, Dora 1898 died 1904, Harry 1900 (my husband’s grandad), Annie 1905 and Ethel 1907.
So I guess some of the Norwood children’s graves may have been their children.
Information provided by Brenda Rance.
**
James was born in 1863 in Gossom’s End, the son of Thomas Norwood (a labourer) and Mary (née Mills). He was baptised on 11th October that year at St Mary’s, Northchurch.
Eight children had been born to Mary and James by the time of James’s birth, although how many were still alive is uncertain. By the 1871 census, when the family lived in Gossom’s End, only fourteen year old Caroline, James (aged seven) and one year old Thomas were a home.
By 1881 the family were living at Red Lion Yard in Berkhamsted, a very poor and crowded location. Thomas was employed as a drayman and James, aged nineteen, was a labourer.
James married Annie Louisa Wells in April 1885 in the Berkhamsted registration district.
In 1891 James was working as a general labourer and living in the High Street with his wife and children William (b. 1886), Ada (b. 1888), Arthur (b. 1889) and Walter (b. 1880).
Walter, Rhoda Louise (b. 1891), Louisa (b. 1893) and Frank (b. 1894) are mentioned in the record books of the Berkhamsted and Northchurch National School. Aug 30-3 Sep 1897 “Walter, Rhoda, Louisa and Frank Norwood have returned. The parents removed to Bridge Street but there was not enough room for their children in Chapel Street Infants School.”
The family were still at 27, Bridge Street in 1901 when the census lists eleven children with the addition of Mabel (b.1896), Tommy (Thomas) (b 1897), Dora (b.1899), and Harry (b. 1901). Things must have been very crowded in the little cottage. James gave his occupation as “Job master” – that is, someone who runs a livery stable and hires out horses and carriages. The record has had “Groom” added in pencil, so presumably he was employed, rather than owning a stables.
In 1904 the family suffered a double tragedy with the loss in April of both Dora (aged 4) and little Herbert Edward, aged eighteen months. At the time the family were living at 25, Ellesmere Road.
By the 1911 census James and Annie had moved to Cowley Cottages, George Street and his occupation is given as “Coachman” with “Job master” added in a different hand. Eight children are living at home – Arthur, Walter, Frank, Mable, Thomas, Harry and new arrivals Annie Elizabeth (b.1905) and Ethel Dorothy (b.1907).
The census asks for numbers of children born alive and the number which have since died and the return shows 14 born and 2 died.
The return has been completed by Rhoda Norwood, although she is not given as living at that address and was a servant employed by William Morris, a jeweller and watchmaker in the High Street.
James died in December 1920 aged 57.
Additional note provided by Melanie Hilton
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