James Rowsell 1822 - 1900

Taunton, St. Mary Magdalene

James Rowsell was born on July 28, 1822 in Taunton, Somerset, England.

He was the son of John Rowsell, stone mason, and Maria Moor.

He had 5 siblings:

Isabella Rowsell (1816-1829).
Elizabeth Rowsell (1818-1820).
Mary Ann Rowsell (baptised September 17, 1820)
Jane Rowsell (baptised October 24, 1824)
Elizabeth Rowsell (baptised December 25, 1827)

He was married to Charlotte Lovell on May 10, 1843 in Bishop's Hull, Somerset, England. They are both listed as being "of age" and living in Bishop's Hull at the time. Charlotte's father, John Lovell, labourer, is named in the marriage certificate, as is James' father, John Rowsell, stonemason. The marriage was witnessed by James' father and Mary Ann, his sister.





James and Charlotte had 8 children:

Emily Rowsell (born: 1846, in Taunton).
Albert Rowsell (born: March 19, 1849 in Taunton) (publican)
Robert Rowsell (born: 1851, in Taunton) (stonemason).
John Rowsell (born: 1853, in Taunton)
Walter Rowsell (born: 1854, in Taunton)
Tom Rowsell (born: 1859, in Taunton) (tailor).
Maria J. Rowsell (born 1861, in Taunton) (dressmaker).
Elizabeth (Liz) Rowsell (born in 1865, in Taunton)



At the time of his marriage, James's occupation is listed as "Stonemason".

Entry of Birth

He is still listed as a "stone mason" at the time of Robert's birth in 1851, at which time they were living at 24 High Street, Taunton, England. The 1851 Census shows James (29), Stone Mason and Charlotte (30), Dressmaker, with Emily (5), Albert (2), Robert (1 mo) and John Hurley (24), a visiting tailor.







1861 Census, Taunton



The 1861 Census shows James (36) Stonemason and Charlotte (39) dressmaker, now living at 174 High Street in Taunton, with Emily (16), Albert (13), Robert (10) and (on the next page) John (8), Walter (7), and Tom (2). Maria has presumably not made her expected appearance by this point. Perhaps Charlotte's dressmaking business was doing well, and they needed a larger location. Or perhaps it was just the demands of their ever-growing family! They have also taken on two boarders: John Jenkins (56), Cordwassier(?) and his wife Charlotte (44).



1861 Census, Taunton

 

 

1871 Census, Taunton

By 1871, the family grouping is starting to get smaller. Now at 52 Upper High Street we see James (49) Stone Mason and Charlotte (49) Dress Maker with sons John (18) tailor's apprentice, Walter (16) tailor's apprentice, and Tom (12) scholar, as well as Maria (9).  James may have subsequently decided to enter the family business: the 1874-5 Butcher & Cole Commercial Directory tells us that "Jas Rowsell, haberdasher" was operating out of 52 Upper High Street.

1881 Census, Taunton

The 1881 Census captures James' still-shrinking household, at 52 Upper High Street, Taunton. He is listed as a "retired builder", at age 58. Charlotte (59) is a "dressmaker". Tom (22) is a "foreman tailor". Maria (20) is a dressmaker. Also listed at that address is Mary Tempelman (64), a "domestic cook and server" staying on as a boarder.








By The time of the 1891 Census, Charlotte is visiting Tom (30) inkeeper and Liz (26) at their home at 196 Market Street in Taunton. James is believed to have been buried in Wilton, 1900.