Possible breakthrough in Burton upon Trent!

[Shona]

From Pigot's directory, 1828-1829.

http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=h...dshire&f=false

NATIONAL SCHOOL, Frog Lane
William Allen, master (& special
bail commissioner for Staffordshire
and the adjoining counties).

SAVINGS BANK, Frog Lane
Wm Allen, actuary

CORN MILLERS
Union Mill Company, Frog Lane
William Allen, clerk

But...

CONFECTIONERS
Wm Allen, Bird Street

GROCERS AND TEA DEALERS
Wm Allen, Bird Street

[Merry]

Thanks Shona.

I hope it does turn out to be this William, schoolmaster who is my relative as he sounds quite interesting! I suppose initially everything hangs on the occupation given (if there is one) for William on the 1808 baptism in Burton.

I also need to investigate getting a copy of my William's marriage for the witness names.

[Merry]

Leamington Spa Courier 25 February 1843

On Tuesday se'night, Mr. William Allen, of the city of Lichfield, aged 56 years. He was the first master for the National School in that city, and was one of the earliest teachers of Dr. Bell's system.

[Shona]

For ref, this is from the White's directory of 1834.

COMMSSR FOR TAKING SPECIAL BAIL
Allen, William, Frog Street

BANKS
Savings' Bank, Frog Lane (open
Fridays from 12 till 2), Wm Allen,
Secretary

ATTORNEYS
Edwin Allen, Boar Street

SCHOOLS
National School, William Allen, Frog Lane

CONFECTIONERS
Allen, Thomas, Gresley Row

GROCERS AND TEA DEALERS
William Allen, Bird Street

GARDENERS
James Allen, Green Hill

[Shona]

Originally Posted by Merry

Leamington Spa Courier 25 February 1843

On Tuesday se'night, Mr. William Allen, of the city of Lichfield, aged 56 years. He was the first master for the National School in that city, and was one of the earliest teachers of Dr. Bell's system.

That ties in with one of the public trees on Ancestry which states he died at Butchers' Row, Lichfield, in February 1843.

[Shona]

From FMP:

Sarah Allen, buried 26 March 1831, St Michael's, Lichfield. She was 42. Emma, the youngest child of William and Sarah, was baptised at St Mary's on 22 March 1831. Emma died aged 3 and was buried at St Michael's on 3 January 1835.

[Merry]

I've tried the Staffs Look-up Exchange for further info on my William's marriage to Hannah Lakin in Alrewas.

[Shona]

From the Staffordshire Advertiser, 2 April 1831

On 22 ult. Sarah, the wife of William Allen, Master of the National School, Lichfield, aged 42; leaving thirteen surviving children to lament their loss.

There were 13 children on that list of baptisms.

[Merry]

Originally Posted by Shona

From FMP:

Sarah Allen, buried 26 March 1831, St Michael's, Lichfield. She was 42. Emma, the youngest child of William and Sarah, was baptised at St Mary's on 22 March 1831. Emma died aged 3 and was buried at St Michael's on 3 January 1835.

Thanks, Shona.

[Merry]

Originally Posted by Shona

From the Staffordshire Advertiser, 2 April 1831

On 22 ult. Sarah, the wife of William Allen, Master of the National School, Lichfield, aged 42; leaving thirteen surviving children to lament their loss.
There were 13 children on that list of baptisms.

That's really useful info Shona, thanks! Just checking again.........

I've got this lot (EDIT I can make it fit now!) :

1) William 1808
2) Edwin 1810
3) Thomas 1811
4) Harriet 1813 possibly buried 1814 (see note below though)
5) John 1815
6) Mary 1817
7) Arthur 1818
Sarah Rebecca 1820 (she was missed from one of our lists) bur 1820
8) Frederick 1821
9) George 1823 (missing from prev list)
10) Sarah 1825
11) Louisa 1826
12) Richard 1828 (we had him as 1820 in error on a prev list) Bur 28th Sept 1831, so after mother
13) Emma 1831

So, 13 children if Harriet wasn't dec'd! It's very possible that burial I saw is for another Harriet (though can't see another baptism) - Wm and Sarah's dau was baptised 15th Sept 1813 and the burial was 26th Nov 1814 but the burial entry says aged 0 (if transcribed correctly)

EDIT: later posts suggest Harriet bur 1814 is Wm and Sarah's daughter, so we are short by one child!