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Notes

William Childs

Possible family:
1881 Census: Funtly Lane, Fareham, Hampshire

Name Relation Marital Status Gender Age Birthplace Occupation Disability
William CHILDS Head M Male 43 Fareham, Hampshire, England Bricky Aro Lab
Harriet CHILDS Wife M Female 41 Fareham, Hampshire, England
Agnes CHILDS Daur U Female 14 Fareham, Hampshire, England Scholar
Emma J. CHILDS Daur Female 10 Fareham, Hampshire, England Scholar
Rosamond CHILDS Daur Female 8 Fareham, Hampshire, England Scholar
Robert H. CHILDS Son Male 4 Fareham, Hampshire, England Scholar
William (Twin) CHILDS Son Male 1 Fareham, Hampshire, England
Walter (Twin) CHILDS Son Male 1 Fareham, Hampshire, England

Robert Henry Childs

Living with William in 1901

William Childs

Twin of Walter.
William was living with Robert in 1901

Walter Childs

Twin of William

Francis (Frank) Duncan Colwell

Emigrated to New Zealand in 1924 (Bea)

William Sheers

1841 Census: Hamlet of Potwell, Widley, Hampshire
William Shears, 55, Agricultural Labourer, b. Hampshire
Charlotte Shears, 35, b. Hampshire
William Shears, 12, b. Hampshire
George Shears, 10, b. Hampshire
Ann Shears, 8, b. Hampshire
Stephen Shears, 7, b. Hampshire
Caroline Shears, 5, b. Hampshire
Louisa Shears, 2, b. Hampshire

Charlotte Colwell

NOTE:
According to censuses, Charlotte was born 1802-1804 at Hambledon, Hampshire. It is not known who her parents were but one possibility is that she was an illegitimate daughter of John Colwell, born 1777 Hambledon, who married Elizabeth Cross at Southwick in 1808 and raised the first Colwell family in that village.

Charlotte could have been raised by John's parents, who married at Meonstoke, and then moved to Southwick, after they died, to be supported by her father John?

It seems more likely that Colwell was her mother's surname, and the mother was one of John's unmarried first cousins. She may have moved away from the area for the birth.

It is known that she had an illegitimate son named John Colwell, born 1821, whose father was John Hoar, a bailiff from Furzeley Corner, nr Denmead. This could be the John living with Margaret in Anmore, less than a mile from Furzeley Corner, on the 1851 census. However the John and Margaret living in Anmore 1851 could be John Colwell and Margaret Pratt, who married at St. Faith's, Havant, 25 Oct 1848. This John's age was given as Full, he could not sign his name and occupation was labourer. His father was Francis Colwell, also a labourer.

Charlotte had a second illegitimate son, Henry, who was baptised at Southwick 13 Feb 1824. He was born at East Meon or Soberton (from Censuses). Henry's father is named as John (Deceased) on his marriage certificate in 1852. This could be John Hoar although no evidence has been found to prove this fact.

It is interesting to note that, in 1851, Charlotte was living 2 buildings away from Francis Colwell (c.1809, Catherington) and his wife, Harriett Eames. Could she be an illegitimate sister of his? His parents were Francis Colwell & Elizabeth Pratt.

Death: Jun 1891 - Shears Charlotte, aged 96 Droxford 2c 91
Details: (Courtesy of Charles Wrench)
Charlotte died at Mead End, Denmead, Hambledon on 18th June 1891 aged 96. The person reporting death was her grand-daughter, described as L. Gilham. (Probably Elizabeth)
NOTE: This puts her date of birth back to about 1795. She must have lied to William about her age. The 1891 census shows her living in Mead End with her daughter Caroline and Caroline's family, including Elizabeth. Charlotte's birthplace is given as Lambeth, Middlesex. Is this where she was really born? Perhaps her mother had gone there to escape the gossip of her illegitimate pregnancy.

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1841 Census: Hamlet of Potwell, Widley, Hampshire
William Shears, 55, Agricultural Labourer, b. Hampshire
Charlotte Shears, 35, b. Hampshire
William Shears, 12, b. Hampshire
George Shears, 10, b. Hampshire
Ann Shears, 8, b. Hampshire
Stephen Shears, 7, b. Hampshire
Caroline Shears, 5, b. Hampshire
Louisa Shears, 2, b. Hampshire

1851 Census: Widley, Hampshire - 2 entries after Broomfield House & 3 entries before George Colwell, son of Francis & Elizabeth, who are another 3 entries away.
Charlotte Shears, Head, Wid, 47, Charwoman, b. Hambledon, Hants.
William Shears, Son, Un, 22, Ag. Labourer, b. Southwick, Hants.
George Shears, Son, Un, 20, Waggoner, b. Southwick, Hants.
Stephen Shears, Son, Un, 16, Under Waggoner, b. Southwick, Hants.
Caroline Shears, Daur, Un, 14, b. Southwick, Hants.
Louisa Shears, Daur, Un, 10, Scholar, b. Southwick, Hants.
Jane Shears, Daur, Un, 8, Scholar, b. Southwick, Hants.
James Shears, Son, Un, 6, b. Southwick, Hants.

1861 Census: Potwell, Wymering, Hampshire
Charlotte Shears, Head, Wid, 58, Laundress, b. Hambledon, Hants
William Shears, Son, Un, 30, Ag Lab, b. Southwick, Hampshire
Louisa Shears, Daur, Un, 22, Laundress, b. Wymering, Hampshire
James Shears, Son, Un, 15, Ag Lab, b. Wymering, Hants

1871 Census: Potwell, Wymering, Hampshire
Charlotte Shears, Head, Wid, 69, Ag Lab, b. Hambledon, Hants
James Shears, Son, Un, 22, Ag Lab, b. Potwell, Hants

1881 census: Potwell Road, Widley, Hampshire
Charlotte SHEARS, Head, W, 81, Hambledon, Hampshire Labourer Retired
William REYNOLDS, Grd Son, U, 18, Widley, Hampshire, Farm Laborer
Alfred REYNOLDS, Grd Son, U, 15, Wymering, Hampshire, Farm Laborer
Walter REYNOLDS, Grd Son, 10, Wymering, Hampshire, Scholar
Herbert REYNOLDS, Grd Son, 3, Wymering, Hampshire

1891 Census: Mead End, Denmead, Hambledon, Hampshire
William Gilham, Head, Mar, 57, Farmer, b. Kent
Caroline Gilham, Wife, Mar, 54, b. Southwick, Kent
Thomas Gilham, Son, Un, 22, Postman, b. Denmead, Hampshire
Elizabeth Gilham, Daur, Un, 16, b. Denmead, Hampshire
Charlotte Steers, Mother-in-law, Wid, 96, b. Lambeth, Middlesex

William Shears (Shiers)

1841 Census: Hamlet of Potwell, Widley, Hampshire
William Shears, 55, Agricultural Labourer, b. Hampshire
Charlotte Shears, 35, b. Hampshire
William Shears, 12, b. Hampshire
George Shears, 10, b. Hampshire
Ann Shears, 8, b. Hampshire
Stephen Shears, 7, b. Hampshire
Caroline Shears, 5, b. Hampshire
Louisa Shears, 2, b. Hampshire

1851 Census: Widley, Hampshire - 2 entries after Broomfield House & 3 entries before George Colwell, son of Francis & Elizabeth, who are another 3 entries away.
Charlotte Shears, Head, Wid, 47, Charwoman, b. Hambledon, Hants.
William Shears, Son, Un, 22, Ag. Labourer, b. Southwick, Hants.
George Shears, Son, Un, 20, Waggoner, b. Southwick, Hants.
Stephen Shears, Son, Un, 16, Under Waggoner, b. Southwick, Hants.
Caroline Shears, Daur, Un, 14, b. Southwick, Hants.
Louisa Shears, Daur, Un, 10, Scholar, b. Southwick, Hants.
Jane Shears, Daur, Un, 8, Scholar, b. Southwick, Hants.
James Shears, Son, Un, 6, b. Southwick, Hants.

1861 Census: Potwell, Wymering, Hampshire
Charlotte Shears, Head, Wid, 58, Laundress, b. Hambledon, Hants
William Shears, Son, Un, 30, Ag Lab, b. Southwick, Hampshire
Louisa Shears, Daur, Un, 22, Laundress, b. Wymering, Hampshire
James Shears, Son, Un, 15, Ag Lab, b. Wymering, Hants

George Shears (Shiers)

1841 Census: Hamlet of Potwell, Widley, Hampshire
William Shears, 55, Agricultural Labourer, b. Hampshire
Charlotte Shears, 35, b. Hampshire
William Shears, 12, b. Hampshire
George Shears, 10, b. Hampshire
Ann Shears, 8, b. Hampshire
Stephen Shears, 7, b. Hampshire
Caroline Shears, 5, b. Hampshire
Louisa Shears, 2, b. Hampshire

1851 Census: Widley, Hampshire - 2 entries after Broomfield House & 3 entries before George Colwell, son of Francis & Elizabeth, who are another 3 entries away.
Charlotte Shears, Head, Wid, 47, Charwoman, b. Hambledon, Hants.
William Shears, Son, Un, 22, Ag. Labourer, b. Southwick, Hants.
George Shears, Son, Un, 20, Waggoner, b. Southwick, Hants.
Stephen Shears, Son, Un, 16, Under Waggoner, b. Southwick, Hants.
Caroline Shears, Daur, Un, 14, b. Southwick, Hants.
Louisa Shears, Daur, Un, 10, Scholar, b. Southwick, Hants.
Jane Shears, Daur, Un, 8, Scholar, b. Southwick, Hants.
James Shears, Son, Un, 6, b. Southwick, Hants.

Stephen Shears

1841 Census: Hamlet of Potwell, Widley, Hampshire
William Shears, 55, Agricultural Labourer, b. Hampshire
Charlotte Shears, 35, b. Hampshire
William Shears, 12, b. Hampshire
George Shears, 10, b. Hampshire
Ann Shears, 8, b. Hampshire
Stephen Shears, 7, b. Hampshire
Caroline Shears, 5, b. Hampshire
Louisa Shears, 2, b. Hampshire

1851 Census: Widley, Hampshire - 2 entries after Broomfield House & 3 entries before George Colwell, son of Francis & Elizabeth, who are another 3 entries away.
Charlotte Shears, Head, Wid, 47, Charwoman, b. Hambledon, Hants.
William Shears, Son, Un, 22, Ag. Labourer, b. Southwick, Hants.
George Shears, Son, Un, 20, Waggoner, b. Southwick, Hants.
Stephen Shears, Son, Un, 16, Under Waggoner, b. Southwick, Hants.
Caroline Shears, Daur, Un, 14, b. Southwick, Hants.
Louisa Shears, Daur, Un, 10, Scholar, b. Southwick, Hants.
Jane Shears, Daur, Un, 8, Scholar, b. Southwick, Hants.
James Shears, Son, Un, 6, b. Southwick, Hants.

Jane Shears

1851 Census: Widley, Hampshire - 2 entries after Broomfield House & 3 entries before George Colwell, son of Francis & Elizabeth, who are another 3 entries away.
Charlotte Shears, Head, Wid, 47, Charwoman, b. Hambledon, Hants.
William Shears, Son, Un, 22, Ag. Labourer, b. Southwick, Hants.
George Shears, Son, Un, 20, Waggoner, b. Southwick, Hants.
Stephen Shears, Son, Un, 16, Under Waggoner, b. Southwick, Hants.
Caroline Shears, Daur, Un, 14, b. Southwick, Hants.
Louisa Shears, Daur, Un, 10, Scholar, b. Southwick, Hants.
Jane Shears, Daur, Un, 8, Scholar, b. Southwick, Hants.
James Shears, Son, Un, 6, b. Southwick, Hants.

James Shears

1851 Census: Widley, Hampshire - 2 entries after Broomfield House & 3 entries before George Colwell, son of Francis & Elizabeth, who are another 3 entries away.
Charlotte Shears, Head, Wid, 47, Charwoman, b. Hambledon, Hants.
William Shears, Son, Un, 22, Ag. Labourer, b. Southwick, Hants.
George Shears, Son, Un, 20, Waggoner, b. Southwick, Hants.
Stephen Shears, Son, Un, 16, Under Waggoner, b. Southwick, Hants.
Caroline Shears, Daur, Un, 14, b. Southwick, Hants.
Louisa Shears, Daur, Un, 10, Scholar, b. Southwick, Hants.
Jane Shears, Daur, Un, 8, Scholar, b. Southwick, Hants.
James Shears, Son, Un, 6, b. Southwick, Hants.

1861 Census: Potwell, Wymering, Hampshire
Charlotte Shears, Head, Wid, 58, Laundress, b. Hambledon, Hants
William Shears, Son, Un, 30, Ag Lab, b. Southwick, Hampshire
Louisa Shears, Daur, Un, 22, Laundress, b. Wymering, Hampshire
James Shears, Son, Un, 15, Ag Lab, b. Wymering, Hants

1871 Census: Potwell, Wymering, Hampshire
Charlotte Shears, Head, Wid, 69, Ag Lab, b. Hambledon, Hants
James Shears, Son, Un, 22, Ag Lab, b. Potwell, Hants

John Colwell

May have died 1878 Havant district

Margaret Pratt

Possible christening:
MARGARET PRATT
Christening: 10 OCT 1819 Fareham, Hampshire, England
Father: GEORGE PRATT
Mother: HARRIOTT

Francis Colwell

Could be Francis that married Elizabeth Pratt

George Pratt

Possible marriage:
GEORGE PRATT
Spouse: HARRIOTT PINK
Marriage: 15 JUL 1819 Fareham, Hampshire, England

Possible children:
19. GEORGE PRATT - International Genealogical Index
Gender: Male Christening: 23 DEC 1827 Fareham, Hampshire, England

20. GEORGE PRATT - International Genealogical Index
Gender: Male Christening: 19 SEP 1831 Fareham, Hampshire, England

21. HENRY PRATT - International Genealogical Index
Gender: Male Christening: 26 APR 1822 Fareham, Hampshire, England

22. ELIZABETH PRATT - International Genealogical Index
Gender: Female Christening: 19 JUL 1835 Fareham, Hampshire, England

23. JOHN PRATT - International Genealogical Index
Gender: Male Christening: 17 APR 1847 Fareham, Hampshire, England

24. MARGARET PRATT - International Genealogical Index
Gender: Female Christening: 10 OCT 1819 Fareham, Hampshire, England

25. THOMAS PRATT - International Genealogical Index
Gender: Male Christening: 28 DEC 1840 Fareham, Hampshire, England

26. JAMES PRATT - International Genealogical Index
Gender: Male Christening: 13 JAN 1838 Fareham, Hampshire, England

27. ESTHER PRATT - International Genealogical Index
Gender: Female Christening: 02 AUG 1829 Fareham, Hampshire, England

28. CAROLINE PRATT - International Genealogical Index
Gender: Female Christening: 18 FEB 1821 Fareham, Hampshire, England

29. JANE PRATT - International Genealogical Index
Gender: Female Christening: 22 OCT 1832 Fareham, Hampshire, England