Robert Rowsell 1851 - 1900

Record of Birth

Robert Rowsell was born on February 8, 1851 on the High Street, Taunton, Somerset, England.

He was the son of James Rowsell, stone mason, and Charlotte Lovell.







Robert had 8 siblings:

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

Record of Marriage

Robert was married to Martha Bartholomew on August 5, 1872 in Fulham, Middlesex, England. At the time of his marriage, Robert's occupation is listed as "Stonemason". Martha was listed in the marriage certificate as being 18 yrs. old, meaning that she was probably born in 1853. (The 1881 Census has her birth in 1856, however, so it is possible she may have been 16 or 17 at the time of the marriage.) They were both listed as living on Dawson Street in Fulham at the time. Martha's father, William Bartholomew, bricklayer, is named in the marriage certificate. The marriage was witnessed by his brother, Albert Rowsell, and Albert's wife, Caroline.



Robert and Martha had 9 children:

Edith Rowsell (born: 1873 in Holloway, England).
Evelina M. Rowsell (born: 1875 in Holloway, England).
Elizabeth Rowsell (born: 1877 in Enfield, England).
James J. Rowsell (born: 1879 in Hoddeston, Hertford, England).
Albert Tom Rowsell (born: 1881)
Rose Rowsell (born: 1883)
Lily Rowsell (born: 1887)
Ernest Rowsell (born: 1889)
Maude Rowsell (born: 1892)

1881 Census, Chelsea

Robert is still listed as a "stone mason" at the time of Albert Tom's birth in 1881, at which time they were living at 107 Flood Street, South Chelsea, Middlesex, England. The 1881 Census captures Robert's household with Martha (25), Edith (8), Evelina M. (6), Elizabeth (4) and James J. (2). Interestingly, Edith and Evelina were born in Holloway; Elizabeth in Enfield, and James in Hoddeston, Hertford. So, it appears the family may have moved around in the 1870s, perhaps to follow Robert's occupation as a stonemason on various jobsites.  We don't really know why they moved to London.




1891 Census, Enfield

 The 1891 Census finds Robert (40) mason and Martha (37) living at 212 Fern(?) Villa in Enfield, Middlesex, with children Edith (18), Evelina (16) domestic general servant, Ada (14), James (12), Albert (9), Rose (7), Lily (5), Ernest (2) and an unnamed daughter (Maud) just 1 day old! As Maud was probably born at home, we can just imagine how grateful Martha would have been to greet a census-taker at the door -- or perhaps grown-up Edith handled the task, with nosy Ernest at her feet, while Martha rested upstairs.

1901 Census, Enfield

The 1901 Census captures Robert (49) stonemason and Martha (46) living at 138 Acacia Rd. in Enfield, Middlesex. They have their children Edith (28), Rose (18), Lily (14), Ernest (12) and Maud (9).

1911 Census, Enfield

By the time of the 1911 Census, the family has been reduced to Robert (60), Martha (56) and granddaughter Winifred Rerns(?) (18) of Enfield. They were living in a 6 room house at 66 Morley Hill in Enfield.







The circumstances of Robert's death are not known at this time.