Ward Family Page
Mary WARD was born in 1821 in Swaffham. She was the daughter of William WARD and Elizabeth BENNETT. She married George BURTON in 1842 in Swaffham.
William was born at Saham Toney, Norfolk about 1790. On 7 February 1815 he married Elizabeth GODARD, widow in Swaffham. Elizabeth had been baptised on the 19 March in West Bradenham, Norfolk, the spurious child of Mary BENNETT. She had married John GODARD on 10 May 1813 in Swaffham but John had died less than a year later and was buried in Swaffham on 29 March 1814
In 1841 William is a farmer aged 50 living at Spinner’s Lane Swaffham with his wife Elizabeth, son Martin (Matthew) brewer’s servant, daughters Mary, Susan and Elizabeth plus a baby named John. This baby is probably John WARD BURTON, grandson – the child of their daughter Mary.
William is a proprietor of cottages in White Hart Lane (Spinner’s Lane) known as Ward’s Cottages. Living with him and Elizabeth is their grandson John BURTON aged 10. In 1861 William and Elizabeth are alone living in cottages between Lynn Road and Cley Road near to the cottages known as Ward’s Cottages. William is working as an agricultural labourer.
William died in 1863 and was buried at Swaffham on 1 September. Elizabeth continued to live there and in 1871 is with her daughter, Susan and her step family she is stated to be a retired farmer’s wife. Elizabeth died in 1872 and was buried at Swaffham on 7 March.
Children of William Ward and Elizabeth Bennet
James was born on 21 October and baptised at Swaffham on 8th November. No other records are found for James.
Isaac was born on the 29 December and baptised at Swaffham the same day. No other records are found for Isaac so it is likely that he died that day or soon after.
Matthew was born on 18 April and baptised at Swaffham on 26 April 1816. In 1841 he is recorded on the census living with his parents and working as a brewer’s labourer but his name is given as Martin. He married Martha WING at Swaffham on 7 September 1847. In 1851 he is a brewer’s man living in Spinner’s Lane. In 1861 he is still working as brewer’s labourer and living in cottages in Spinner’s Lane . In 1881 he is living in White Hart lane and working as an agricultural labourer. He and Martha have a grandson, Herbert living with them and was still with them 10 years later in White Hart Lane but the 1891 censes states that Matthew is a retired agricultural labourer. Matthew continued to live in White Hart Lane until his death. He was buried at Swaffham on 21 September 1893. Matthew and Martha had 7 children: Emily 1849, Sarah Ann 1851, Sophie 1854, Mary Ann 1856, Arthur 1859, George 1861 and Jane 1867.
Robert was born on 21 November 1819 and baptised at Swaffham on 27 November. He died soon after and was buried at Swaffham on 3 December 1819.
Mary was born in Swaffham on 5 February 1821 and baptised there 25 February that year. Mary worked as a servant before her marriage to George BURTON on 4 September 1842 at Swaffham. Mary and George had thirteen children: John, William, Elizabeth, Mary Ann, Eliza, Robert, James, George Henry, Ann, Annie, Henry, Arthur and Phebe. (See Burton Family History)
Susan was born on the 13 December 1822 and baptised at Swaffham on 20 January 1823. She died soon afterwards and was buried at Swaffham on 27 January 1823.
Susan was born on 22 July 1825 at Swaffham and baptised there on 5 August 1825. In 1867 she married Robert FRANCIS at Swaffham. Robert was a widower and had 5 children from his previous marriage. Susan and Robert had no children together. Susan was buried at Swaffham on 18 August 1899
George was born 17 February 1827 and baptised on 4 March at Swaffham. In 1841 George is living/lodging in Lynn Road Swaffham and working for Finch’s Chemist. It is possible that George married a girl called Ann and in 1851 is living at 2 St James Street Finsbury, no occupation given. George died in 1853 and was buried at Swaffham on 26th May 1853.
Elizabeth was born on 27 April and baptised at Swaffham the following month on 15 May 1829. In 1841 she is living with her parents at Spinner’s Lane, Swaffham. In 1854 Elizabeth gave birth to a girl named Harriet baptised at Swaffham on 17 November. In 1855 she married John WARD at Swaffham and in 1861 they are living in Watton Road and John is an agricultural labourer. They have moved to Back Lane in 1871 and then to Cley Road in 1881 and John’s occupation is now recorded as a farm bailiff. Harriet died in 1879 and John died in 1890 but I don’t know when Elizabeth died, it might have been in 1907 but there was another Elizabeth Ward of a similar age living in Swaffham at the same time.
