William MORRIS Shoemaker Ellesmere

[LancsLass]

I am being driven to distraction trying to piece together the family of William MORRIS my 3 x Gt Grandfather born 1801 ish Shrewsbury son of Robert a farmer who was still alive in 1852 and literate. William married his second wife Elizabeth Marratt in 1852 the marriage cert confirms the 61 & 71 census returns which put him in Cross (or Croft) St, Ellesmere Master Shoemaker employing 3 men.
I just cannot find William in the 1851 census (using Ancestry's transcription) but may have found some of his family in Cross St although the dates are very off and the relationships are messy
In 1841 the only William Morris Shoe/bootmaker I can find is in Church Pulverbatch, seems a long way to move to Ellesmere.
It may just need fresh eyes or new ideas but I am stuck. Help please. Thanks

[s.g.d.]

hello,

Bagshaw's directory of 1851 lists William Morris as a shoemaker in Cross Street.

Cassey's directory of 1871 lists the same.

hope this is of some use,

s.g.d.

[MJHulme]

Hello

If you check the 1851 census for Wales on Ancestry you will find a William MORRIS Visitor at a house in Wrexham. He is a Boot & Shoe maker born Shawbury. See HO.107/2503 fol.508 pg.12. He is shown as Unmarried and I presume your man should be a widower so there is still some doubt.

Mike

[giveover]

Hi,

On the 1841 census HO107 piece 916 Book 6 Folio Page 1

There is a William Morris, shoemaker, with wife Amelia and Rueben 6 and Jane 3.
William was born in Whittington, Shropshire


On 1851 Wales census HO107 Piece 2503 Folio 840 page 15

There is a William Morris, 50, Widower, Annuitant

also Rueben Morris, 16 visitor, Annuitant

Both born in Whittington, Shropshire.

looks like William may have married 3 times as on 1881 he is with wife Anne, if Cross Street address is correct.

The William you found on 1841 is dead by the time of the 1851.
Wife Anna on 1841 is listed as Hannah, widow on 1851.

Best wishes
Anne

[LancsLass]

Hi

THANKS for the help - I had a feeling something was going to crop up in Wales! I will check out the references and hope to make more sense of it all. My research does point to William having 3 wives but thanks for ruling out one of the possibles (Anna) in the 41 Census. I am sure that the Cross St entries up to 81 are correct I am just determined to piece together the various wives/families.

thanks again
Sarah