Looking for Mary Ann Brown.

Probably little hope of finding her, but here goes.

Mary Ann Brown was born in Knighton, Radnorshire in 1865, she was the daughter of John and Mary Brown. Her mother's maiden name was Lewis.

Mary Ann was baptised in Knighton on 11 Mar 1866.

By the census 1871 Mary Brown, Mary Ann's mother had absconded to America. Mary Lewis had been forced into the marriage with John Brown in 1863 so that her father could get out of a contract on the farm at Lanshay, Knighton. Mary was only 16 whereas her husband was 39.

1871 England, Wales & Scotland Census Lanshay Farm, Knighton Farrington, Knighton, Radnorshire, Wales
RG10, Piece: 5596, Folio: 57, Page: 11

John Brown, Head, Married, 47, Farmer, Clun, Shropshire
Mary Ann Owens, Sister, Widow, 55, Clun, Shropshire
Mary Ann Brown, Daughter, 6, Lanshay, Knighton, Radnorshire
Francis Brown, Son, 4, Lanshay, Knighton, Radnorshire
Thomas R Brown, Son, 3, Lanshay, Knighton, Radnorshire
Richard J Brown, Son, 1, Lanshay, Knighton, Radnorshire
+ several servants.

Besides owning the farm at Lanshay John Brown owned several other farms, cottages and field for miles around.

By 1881 Mary Ann had been sent to a boarding school in Gloucestershire

Ladies School, 11, Cambray, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England
RG11, Piece number: 2576, Folio: 97, Page: 6

Mary Ann Brown, Boarder, Single, 16, 1865, Scholar, born: Knighton, Radnorshire, Wales

John Brown made a will on 23rd April 1880 and leaves money and land to all his children including Mary Ann (he specifies that the money is hers only, even if she should marry)


John died on 10th July 1886.

I can find nothing on Mary Ann Brown after the 1881 census.

 

Is this her Chimpy?

1896 Jan quarter 11b , 154 Radnorshire marrying either William Bufton or James Whittal.

 

I have no idea, there is also another marriage in 1899

MARY ANN
Last name BROWN
Marriage quarter 3
Marriage year 1899

MARY ANN BROWN married one of these people

John Lloyd, John Davies

This has been a bugbear for quite some time. Besides buying all the corresponding marriage certs I'm not sure what else to do.

I haven't seen any records for the school. I have just found a link to the Archivist at the school who will do a search. If they find nothing it costs nothing. If they have info it costs £10. Not sure they keep a record of what became of the girls in their charge after they finished their schooling though.

 

just trying to keep you all on your toes

 

There's no mention of her being with her mother. Her mother ran off with a chap from a family also living in Knighton at the time. A lady left £1,000 in a will for the interloper. He was on his way back to England to claim his inheritance when he died. The family no nothing of what became of Mary Ann.

I have been in contact with Mary's great granddaughter in America for quite some time. She even came over a couple of years ago and I was able to show her family graves. We even went for a lovely meal in the Pub that John Brown also owned.

 

The trouble is that there was a Mary Ann Brown born in Presteigne in 1865.

Births Jun 1865

Brown Mary Ann Presteigne 11b 182
Brown Mary Ann Knighton 11b 186 (this is the one I'm after)

So looks like we can count the 1896 marriage out.

 

This is all that is said about Mary Ann in the will. She wasn't married at the time the will was written in 1880.

 

oooh I see what you are getting at now. I'll see if I can find when her brothers died.

 

Francis took over Bowdler farm, one of those mentioned in John's will.

 

I have ordered Francis's administration papers. Sadly they are due to be delivered 2 days after I go away on a fortnights holiday.

 

The only information I can find on Thomas and Richard, Mary Ann's other 2 brothers is.

1881 England, Wales & Scotland Census
Broad Street, Presteigne, Knighton, Radnorshire, Wales

Boarding School

Richard Brown, Boarder, Single, 8, Scholar, Lanshay, Knighton, Radnorshire
(actual name Richard Jones Brown)

and

1891 England, Wales & Scotland Census
Bridge Street, Knighton, Radnorshire, Wales

In the household of Charles Knill
Thomas R Brown, Visitor, Single, 23, Bankers Clerk, Knighton, Radnorshire
(actual name Thomas Richard Brown)

1911 Census For England & Wales
1 Powell's Lane, Clun, Shropshire, England
Thomas Richard Brown, Head, Single, 47, No Occupation, Knighton, Radnorshire
Sarah Catherine Robertham, Housekeeper, Single, 56, Housekeeper, Lichfield, Staffordshire

On this census it says he has no occupation, but the enumerator has put the code 492 next to his profession. 492 equates to Brokers, Agents, Factors