Jane Rowsell (1824 - )

St. George's Church, Wilton, Somerset

Jane Rowsell was baptized in the Church of St. George in Wilton, Somerset on October 24, 1824. She was the fifth child and fourth daughter of John Rowsell (1792 - 1854) and Maria (nee Moor).

Jane Anne had 5 siblings:

Isabella Rowsell (1816 - 1829)
Elizabeth Rowsell (1818 - 1820)
Mary Anne Rowsell (1820 - )
James Rowsell (1822 - 1900)
Elizabeth Rowsell (1827 - )





Jane subsequently married Charles Reed, carpenter, at St. George's church on March 16, 1841. His father is listed as James Parsons. (The IGI lists this event as occurring at Wincanton, Somerset.)

Jane and Charles subsequently also baptized a son, Henry James Reed, at St. George's on August 29, 1841. Given the timing of this baptism, we can probably assume that Jane was at least in the early stages of pregnancy during their wedding(!) Charles Reed is recorded as the father of several more children baptized in the Wilton area in subsequent years, including Frank Reed (baptized in Wilton on June 6, 1858).

1851 Census, Taunton

The 1851 Census shows Charles (33) journeyman carpenter and Jane (33) living at 110 South Street in Taunton with their children Henry (10), Sarah Jane (6), Isabella (3), and Frederick Charles (1). As with the 1861 Census, there is no mention of Thomas, who appears (at age 24) in the 1881 Census, and would have been 6 years old by this time.

1861 Census, Taunton

The 1861 Census records Charles Reed (42) Carpenter and Jane (42) living at 27 Turkey Court - Joy Cottage, Taunton, with their children Henry James (19) carpenter, Sarah (16) tailoress, Frederick Reed (11), Arthur (8) and Frank (6). (Isabella is not mentioned in this Census, but as she does show up in 1881 we can assume that she was just staying elsewhere at the time, perhaps with family.)






The 1881Census also records Charles Reed with children Isabella Salome Reed (27) and Thomas Gabriel Reed (24). However, as Jane seems to have disappeared from these entries, it is not clear that these are all the same family. Alternatively, Jane may have died and Charles may have subsequently remarried. This story requires further research.

No local record of Jane's burial has yet been located.