Elizabeth Rowsell (1827 - 1901)

St. George's Church, Wilton, Somerset

 Elizabeth Rowsell was baptized in the Church of St. George in Wilton, Somerset on December 25, 1827. She was the sixth and last child of John Rowsell (1792 - 1854) and Maria (nee Moor).

Elizabeth had 5 siblings:

Isabella Rowsell (1816 - 1829)
Elizabeth Rowsell (1818 - 1820)
Mary Anne Rowsell (1820 - )
James Rowsell (1822 - 1900)
Jane Rowsell (1824 - )

Elizabeth subsequently married Francis Forward, carpenter, at St. George's church on January 17, 1844. His father is listed as Thomas Forward. (The IGI lists this event as occurring at Wincanton, Somerset.)



The IGI records a Francis Forward, son of Francis Forward, being born in Somerset in 1856. This may have been a son of Francis and Elizabeth. The 1881 Census records Francis Forward (25) as head of a household in Willow Bed Farm, Cucklington, Somerset, with his wife Caroline (38), and children Austin (4) and Sidney (6 months).  Francis is listed as a "farm carter".

 Interestingly, the 1881 Census records three other families of Forwards in Willow Bed, Cucklington, Somerset:

Elizabeth Forward (widow) (52), born in Kingston Magna, Dorset; Washerwoman and head of the house.
Thomas Forward (son) (22), born in Hersington, Somerset. Farm labourer.
John Forward (son) (17), born in Broomfield, Somerset. Farm carter.
Edwin Forward (son) (15), born in North Petherton, Somerset. Farm labourer.
William Forward (son) (12), born in Cucklington, Somerset. Farm labourer. (!)
Walter Forward (son) (10), born in Cucklington, Somerset. Farm scholar.

Henry Forward (widower) (56), born in Cucklington, Somerset. Gameskeeper, and head of the house.
Sophia Nickolls (daughter) (40), born in Mere, Wiltshire. Butler's wife.
Charles Nickolls (grandson) (3), born in North Kensington, Middlesex.
Jane Nickolls (granddaughter) (2), born in Alton, Hampshire.

James Forward (71)(?), born in Cucklington, Somerset. Farm labourer and head of the house.
Sarah Forward (wife) (49), born in Modbury, Devon.
William Forward (son) (12), born in Cucklington, Somerset. Farm labourer.
Henry Forward (son) (10), born in Cucklington, Somerset. Scholar.



Farm in Cucklington (undated photo)


It is tempting to believe that these Forward families had lived and worked at this farm for several generations, and that Francis took his bride Elizabeth back to that farm after their marriage, to live with his family. The 1841 and 1851 Censuses show several Forward families at Willow Bed farm, and elsewhere in Cucklington, throughout this period. However, there are some discrepancies on ages and birthplaces, so these families may ultimately prove to be unrelated.