Palmer Family - Lower Chapman Street, Stepney

[geoffza]

My brickwall is trying to find the birth details of my 4 x Gt Grandfather, James Palmer - c1786 to 30/07/1840.
James died a few months before the 1841 census. His wife was Elizabeth Clinch [of Bredgar, Kent] 1794 - 1853. James and his family were non-conformists, members of the Wycliffe Congregational Chapel, Philpott Street, Stepney.
He married Elizabeth April 1813 at St George in the East, Stepney. Witnesses were William and Elizabeth Palmer [the only one on the marriage entry who could not sign]. Children were:
WILLIAM - 1816 MARTHA 1820 THOMAS 1824 ELIEZER JAMES 1828 JOHN DANIEL 1830 & CHARLES FREDERICK 1836.
All were baptised at the Wycliffe Chapel, various witnesses but Elizabeth Palmer [x] is shown as grandmother on one entry, William Palmer [does not state relationship] on another. All entries state that James was a schoolmaster [was there a school attached to the Chapel ?], plus his death certificate states schoolmaster. Lived at Lower Chapman Street, Bedford Sq, Stepney. James' will states at the time of his death he was a grocer of Cannon Street Rd, Stepney. All children apart from Eliezer are mentioned, and further names mentioned on the will are brother in law James Lamport [also a school teacher] and James Eusebius Coles [wife is named on baptismal entries as midwife].
Have been to the Tower Hamlets Library @ Bancroft Rd, but it was in a mess and not really helpful. Appreciate any help/pointers/guidance as to where to look next. Would Stepney have had it's own newspaper? if so, would he have had an obituary listed? Been trying to break this wall for about 4 years..

[Waitabit]

Pilot search shows the bapt. of a James Palmer at St.Leonards, Shoreditch 30 April 1786 Parents William & Elisabeth.
batch no. C04080-1

[Kerrywood]

My brickwall is trying to find the birth details of my 4 x Gt Grandfather, James Palmer - c1786 to 30/07/1840.
James died a few months before the 1841 census. His wife was Elizabeth Clinch [of Bredgar, Kent] 1794 - 1853. James and his family were non-conformists, members of the Wycliffe Congregational Chapel, Philpott Street, Stepney.
Presumably you have noted his burial at the Wycliffe Chapel, from Bedford Street, aged 54, on 6 Aug 1840 (from Ancestry's database of nonconformist registers).


He married Elizabeth April 1813 at St George in the East, Stepney. Witnesses were William and Elizabeth Palmer
1814, I think? Did you also see that banns were called for them in 1812 at St Dunstan Stepney? It seems to have taken a while for their plans to settle.


All were baptised at the Wycliffe Chapel, various witnesses but Elizabeth Palmer [x] is shown as grandmother on one entry, William Palmer [does not state relationship] on another.
That certainly makes Waitabit's suggestion look encouraging (above). The Shoreditch baptism register gives the address in 1786 as Hoxton.


All entries state that James was a schoolmaster [was there a school attached to the Chapel ?], plus his death certificate states schoolmaster. Lived at Lower Chapman Street, Bedford Sq, Stepney. James' will states at the time of his death he was a grocer of Cannon Street Rd, Stepney.
It's possible that he taught at a Sunday School attached to the chapel. There was one at a later period, but I don't know when it started. If you want to pursue this, the administrative records for the chapel are held at LMA. To see what they have ...

Go to the LMA online catalogue (http://search.lma.gov.uk/scripts/mwimain.dll?patronlogin&application=LMA_ANONYM&language=144&file=LMA_anonym.htm)
Log on as Guest
In the Reference Code box, enter N/C/40 and Search.
Click the item title to see the holdings.

While much of it is too late for you, there are rolls of church members from 1827, which might possibly throw something up. To see the actual documents you would have to visit in person, or use their research service.

You could also try searching A2A (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/advanced-search.aspx?tab=1). Use Advanced Search and limit the region to London. There are some references to properties and people perhaps associated with your James PALMER.


further names mentioned on the will are brother in law James Lamport [also a school teacher] and James Eusebius Coles [wife is named on baptismal entries as midwife].
You might also try entering these names into A2A, and perhaps the witnesses from the baptism records?

Have you looked for any marriages for these people, to see if/how they connect with the PALMER family?


Would Stepney have had it's own newspaper? if so, would he have had an obituary listed?
Unlikely at this date, I think. Most truly "local" newspapers only began in London after the abolition of stamp duty in the mid 1850s. Tower Hamlets archives might be the best place to look for any cuttings -- after they've finished the refurbishment. :wink5:

[geoffza]

thanks vm - had seen that one but have been reluctant to 'attach' this event to james without conclusive proof. am hoping that somewhere is an obituary or more detailed records for wycliffe congregational chapel that will either allow me to confirm that st leonard's entry or send me off in the right track
geoff

[Kerrywood]

was there a school attached to the Chapel ?
The chapel apparently had a schoolroom from 1785 and a Sunday School from 1790.

stgite.org.uk/media/dissenters2.html (put www. in front)

The above site describes the chapel and has other useful information on the parish of St George in the East.