Charlotte Lovell

Broomfield's Church

Charlotte Lovell was born in Broomfield, Somerset, on December 17, 1820, to John Lovell, labourer (1792 - ) and Sarah. Charlotte Lovell's extended family, back to her great-grandfather Charles, is described at the FAMILY TREES tab, above. A descendant of the Lovells has also written an interesting family history, based on their research, here.

Charlotte had two siblings:

Harriott Lovell, born December 29, 1816.
Robert Lovell, born October 11, 1829.






She was married to James Rowsell 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. James's occupation is listed as "Stonemason". Charlotte's father, John Lovell, 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 Rowsell (born 1861, in Taunton) (dressmaker).
Elizabeth (Liz) Rowsell (born 1865, in Taunton).

52 Upper High Street, Taunton, today.

The 1881 Census captures Charlotte's household, at 52 Upper High Street, Taunton. James 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 as well. Also listed at that address is Mary Tempelman (64), a "domestic cook and server" staying on as a boarder.

A Taunton commercial directory of 1875 lists one Charlotte Rowsell as a dressmaker, operating out of 52 Upper High Street. One can easily imagine the family living above a store, with Charlotte, Tom and Maria fashioning dresses and keeping house, allowing James to take his leisure in retirement. Unfortunately, a new commercial building has since been put up on the site, pictured above, although the building to the right of #52 may be of the earlier period and suggests what their home and shop may have looked like in the late 1800s.

1891 Census, Taunton

By The time of the 1891 Census, Charlotte is visiting Tom (30) (who dropped the tailoring business to become an innkeeper) and Liz (26) at their shared home at 196 Market Street in Taunton.

The circumstances of Charlotte's eventual death and burial are not known at this time.