c1865 –05/10/1933
Born in Gossoms End; mother of large family
Relatives
Research:
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.
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Annie Louisa Wells was born in about 1865 in Gossom’s End, according to some of her census returns. However no records can be traced of either baptisms or civil registration, nor on census returns prior to her marriage, and it may be that she was brought up there from a small child but born elsewhere.
In April 1885 she married James Norwood in the Berkhamsted registration district. James was a general labourer.
In 1891 James and Annie were living in the High Street with their 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 Annie and James had moved to Cowley Cottages, George Street and his occupation is given as “Coachman”. Eight children are living at home – Arthur, Walter, Frank, Mabel, 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 1911 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.
In June 1921 Annie, aged 56, was living at 21, Station Road, Berkhamsted with four of her unmarried children and her grandson Herbert George Norwood born 9 October 1915 to one of her daughters. Walter, aged 31 was working as a “printer/compositor” for R. Cooper & Nephews in Raven’s Lane. Frank (26) was a “grocer’s shop assistant” at Cheelds Stores in the High Street. Harry (20) was a garden labourer, but out of work and Ethel (15) was in part-time general service in the High Street.
Annie died 5th October 1933 aged 68.
Additional research by Melanie Hilton
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