Fanny (Harman) Fowler (1856 - 1925)

Born 1856 in Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England

Ancestors

Wife of Thomas Fowler — married 25 Mar 1883 in Heath Town, Staffordshire, England

Descendants

Died 1925 at about age 69 in Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England

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Biography

Fanny was born in 1856 at Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, the daughter of William Henry Harman and Caroline Bloxwich.

In the 1861 census Fanny was living with her parents and siblings at Heath St, Wednesfield, Staffordshire. Aged 6 [sic] she was attending school.

In 1871 Fanny was living in the home of Thomas Proud and family at 7 Unett St, Birmingham. Aged 14, Fanny was working as a domestic servant. [RG10/3120 27 Pg 2]

In 1881 Fanny was back living with her parents at Prestwood Rd, Wednesfield. She was aged 24 years. [RG11/2812 112 Pg 41]

Fanny Harman married Thomas Fowler on 25 March 1883 at the Holy Trinity Church, Heath Town. Their marriage certificate recorded Thomas was a bachelor aged 24 and an iron polisher. His father was named as Thomas Fowler, an iron polisher. Fanny was a spinster aged 26. Her father was named as Henry Harman, an engineer. Both stated their residence at the time of marriage as Prestwood Road. Witnesses were Henry Harman, who signed with his mark, and Henrietta Fowler.

This couple had three children named Ethel May Fowler [14 May 1884], Albert Henry Fowler [1886] and Hartley Harman Fowler [20 June 1888], all born at Heath Town.

All three children were baptised at the Holy Trinity Church, Heath Town. Ethel May, daughter of Thomas Fowler, a hinge filer, and Fanny Fowler of Prestwood Rd was baptised on 8 June 1884. Albert Henry, son of Thomas Fowler, a moulder, and Fanny Fowler of Prestwood Rd was baptised on 8 August 1886. Hartley Harman, son of Thomas Fowler, a polisher, and Fanny Fowler of Prestwood Rd was baptised on 12 August 1888.

Son Albert Henry Fowler died aged 1 year [Death Sep Qtr 1887/Wolverhampton 6b 324]. He was buried on 22 September at Heath Town. The burial register recorded his address as Prestwood Rd and his age as 15 months.

In the 1891 census this family was living at Prestwood Rd, Heath Town, next door to John and Phoebe Harman, Fanny's brother and sister in law. Thomas, aged 32, was still working as an iron polisher. Fanny was aged 34. Ethel was aged 6 and attending school and Hartley was aged 2. [RG12/2240 23 Pg 1]

In 1901 the family was living at 20 Brevitt Rd, Wolverhampton. Thomas, ten years older, was still an iron polisher. Fanny, aged 44, was self employed, working as a grocer from home. Ethel was aged 16 and Hartley was aged 12. [RG13/2673 34 Pg 21]

Fanny's father died in 1904 and in his will he specified that after the death of his wife she was to inherit one feather bed and one of four shares in The Wolverhampton and District Money Society Ltd.

Then her mother died in 1910 and her estate was to be divided equally between her seven children.

In 1911 Thomas and Fanny were living at 41 Hawthorne Rd, Wolverhampton. Thomas, aged 52, was then a foreman iron polisher. Fanny, aged 54, was again working from home as a grocer. Ethel was aged 26.

Fanny Fowler died aged 69 years [Death Sep Qtr 1925/Wolverhampton 6b 472].

The 1939 Register, taken on 29 September 1939, has been described as a snapshot of the civilian population of England and Wales just after the outbreak of the Second World War. The Register recorded each person's address, date of birth and occupation.

At that time Thomas was living with his daughter Ethel and her husband Arthur Buck at 73 Saint Philips Avenue, Wolverhampton. Aged 80 years, he was then retired.

Thomas Fowler died aged 83 years [Death Mar Qtr 1942/Wolverhampton 6b 986].

From 1942 Index of Wills and Administrations – FOWLER Thomas of Kia Ora Saint Philips-avenue Penn Fields Wolverhampton died 7 January 1942 at 376 Wolverhampton-road Heath Town Wolverhampton Probate Birmingham 30 March to Hartley Harman Fowler building surveyor and Ethel May Buck (wife of Arthur Howard Buck). Effects £933 7s. 6d.

Of interest Kia Ora is a Maori greeting and was probably chosen by the family as two of Fanny's brothers had emigrated to New Zealand.