Martha (Grant) Harris (bef. 1829 - bef. 1915)

Born before 1829 in West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom

Wife of Joseph Harris — married about 1868 in West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom [uncertain]

Died before 10 Nov 1915 at about age 86 in West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom

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Biography

As will be referenced later Martha, (second) wife to Joseph Harris and mother of Frances Annie Harris was most likely born 11 September 1829 and baptised Martha Grant ^[1] on 29 December1829 at the then newly opened Christ Church West Bromwich, mother Hannah Grant father Gideon Grant. The 1841 census ^[2] shows Hannah and Martha living at Duke Street West Bromwich, there is no reference to Gideon Grant. In 1850 Martha, then age 20 marries, ^[3] Joseph Keay (20), a labourer, at All Saints West Bromwich. The 1851 census ^[4] shows the couple living in Duke Street. There is no sign of Hannah or Gideon Grant, the census does however show a Richard and Anna leech living ^[5] at Mares Green, West Bromwich ^[6]. Records suggest that husband Joseph passed away two years later aged 24. ^[7]

The census 7 April 1861 ^[8] details a Martha 'Heaf' +, widow, residing with her parents, Hannah and Richard Leach a.ka. Leech at Lamberts End, West Bromwich. Around the same time Joseph Harris, a widower, is living within a ten minute walk in Lombard Street ^[9]. It is 'convenient' to assume that this proximity offers evidence to link Martha with Joseph Harris whom she was destined to marry. Research has failed to provide definitive evidence to show that the Martha living at Lambert End is the same person, the same widow, that marries Joseph Harris and gives birth to his daughter, however on balance it is highly likely.

Baptism records for Frances Annie dated 22 December 1867 ^{[10] [11]} imply her parents (Martha and Joseph) were married but no formal record has been found to confirm that fact. Furthermore the 1871 census ^[12] shows Martha Rea (widow) ++, occupation Housekeeper living with Joseph Harris and daughter Frances Annie. Progressing ten years to the 1881 census ^[13] shows the three still living together but this time Joseph and Martha are recorded as man and wife; research fails to confirm this status.

Burial records dated 01 March 1888 show a Hannah Leech, Martha's mother, resident Harwood Street, was buried at All Saints ^[14]

Daughter Frances Annie passed away just before her twenty second birthday in 1889 ^[15] , she was buried 9 November the service was held at All Saints West Bromwich. ^[16]

Two years later, at the time of the 1891 census, ^[17] Joseph now aged seventy, and Martha, aged sixty, live alone in Baker Street. Joseph passed way in 1899 and his funeral was held 31 August at All Saints Church West Bromwich.

Martha appears on the 1901 ^[18] census living 21 Guns Lane West Bromwich, her occupation is shown as a retired grocer, apparently she is living alone although the record shows two lodgers (of no known relationship) staying with her.

No record of Martha has been located on the 1911 census although it is believed she passed away late in the year of 1915 ^[19] , aged 85 and was buried, at All Saints on the 10 November 1915 ^[20] .

Notes

+ Strong possibility of a transcription error and that 'Heaf' should read 'Keay'. To determine Marth's surname at birth quite clearly requires delving into her history before she was widowed and that is most problematic. No sensible development can be found tracing the name 'Heaf' which, by it's very structure, looks incorrect.

++ The name 'Rea' could also be a poorly transcribed 'Keay'.

Sources

1. ↑ 1829 December 27, baptism Martha Grant, Christ Church West Bromwich.
   • West Bromwich: Christ Church: "Parish Register" database, FreeREG (https://www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5daa4b46f493fd1bcd8987d9 : viewed 11 Oct 2020) baptism Martha Grant 27 Dec 1829
2. ↑ 1841 Census, Martha Grant living with mother Hannah Grant, Duke Street West Bromwich
   • "England and Wales Census, 1841," database with imag-es, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MQT9-VLG : 23 May 2019), Martha Grant in household of Hannah Grant, West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom; from "1841 England, Scot-land and Wales census," database and imag-es, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
3. ↑ 1850 October 02, marriage Joseph Keay (20), labourer and Martha Grant (20), witnesses William and Martha Keay, All Saints West Bromwich.
   • West Bromwich : All Saints : : "Parish Register" database, FreeREG (https://www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/581875ace93790eb7fdc08ed : viewed 11 Oct 2020) marriage Joseph Keay to Martha Grant 02 Sep 1850
4. ↑ 1851 census, Martha and Joseph Keay living Duke Street West Bromwich.
   • "England and Wales Census, 1851," database with imag-es, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SG1X-DHW : 9 November 2019), Martha Keay in household of Joseph Keay, West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England; citing West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England, p. 24, from "1851 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.
5. ↑ 1851 census, Richard Leach living with (future) wife Anna, Mares Green West Bromwich Staffordshire.
   • "England and Wales Census, 1851," database with imag-es, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SGG8-BRR : 9 November 2019), Richard Leach, West Bromwich, Staffordshire, Eng-land; citing West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England, p. 2, from "1851 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and imag-es, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.
6. ↑ Birmingham History Forum, Mares Green Independent Chapel, https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/index.php?threads/mares-green-independent-chapel-west-bromwich.44717/, last viewed 30 October 2020.
7. ↑ 1853 April 22 burial Joseph Keay aged 24, St Bartholomew Wednesbury.
   • Wednesbury : St Bartholomew : : "Parish Register" database, FreeREG (https://www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5c4eb6ddf493fd98b966d5ef : viewed 11 Oct 2020) burial Joseph Keay 22 Apr 1853
8. ↑ 1861 April 7, census, widow Martha 'Heaf' aged 30, living with her parents Lamberts End West Bromwich.
   • "England and Wales Census, 1861," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M785-BT5 : 12 December 2017), Martha Heaf in household of Richard Leech, West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England; from "1861 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 9, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
9. ↑ 1861April 7 Census, widower Joseph Harris aged 41, living alone in Lombard Street West Bromwich
   • "England and Wales Census, 1861," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M7D9-3YD : 12 December 2017), Joseph Harriss, West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England; from "1861 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 9, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
10. ↑ 1867 Last quarter, birth of daughter Frances Annie, West Bromwich.
    • West Bromwich : Christ Church : : "Parish Register" database, FreeREG (https://www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5daac292f493fd65608be705 : viewed 6 Oct 2020) baptism Frances Annie Harris 22 Dec 1867
11. ↑ 1867 December 22, baptism daughter Frances Annie, Christ Church, West Bromwich.
    • West Bromwich : Christ Church : : "Parish Register" database, FreeREG (https://www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5daac292f493fd65608be705 : viewed 4 Oct 2020) baptism Frances Annie Harris 22 Dec 1867
12. ↑ 1871 April 2, census, Martha 'Rea' (widow) occupation House Keeper living with Joseph Harris and daughter Frances Annie, 144 Harwood Street, West Bromwich.
    • "England and Wales Census, 1871", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KDDJ-KC3 : 11 December 2017), Martha Rea in entry for Joseph Harris, 1871.
    • "England and Wales Census, 1871", database with imag-es, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KDDJ-KCQ : 26 April 2019), Francis Anne Harris, 1871.
13. ↑ 1881 April 3, census, Martha living with husband Joseph and daughter, Frances Annie, Harwood Street Street, West Bromwich.
    • "England and Wales Census, 1881," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q27F-Z27V : 13 December 2017), Martha Harris in household of Joseph Harris, West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England; from "1881 England, Scotland and Wales Census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing p. 21, Piece/Folio 2846/43, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey; FHL microfilm 101,774,812.
14. ↑ 1888 March 01 burial Hannah Leach, All Saints West Brmwich
    • West Bromwich : All Saints : Register of unspecified type : "Parish Register" da-tabase, FreeREG (https://www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5a34a7b1f493fd6f7f18c05f : viewed 14 Oct 2020) burial Hannah Leech 01 Mar 1888
15. ↑ 1889 Last quarter, death of daughter Frances Annie, West Bromwich
    • Free UK Genealogy, “FreeReg”, https://www.freereg.org.uk/ , citing Deaths Frances Harris 1889 Staffordshire vol.6b p.471, last viewed 1 November 2018.
16. ↑ 1889 November 9, burial of daughter Frances Annie, All Saints, West Bromwich.
    • Free UK Genealogy, “FreeReg”, https://www.freereg.org.uk/ , citing burial Frances Harris 1889 Staffordshire, West Bromwich, last viewed 1 November 2018
17. ↑ 1891 April 5, census, Martha living with husband Joseph an Engine fitter, 17 Baker Street, West Bromwich.
    • "England and Wales Census, 1891," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:W75B-VN2 : 11 December 2017), Martha Harris in household of Joseph Harris, West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England; from "1891 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 12, Staffordshire county, subdistrict, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.
18. ↑ 1901 March 31, census , Martha living alone 21 Guns Lane West Bromwich.
    • "England and Wales Census, 1901," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XSQB-PMS : 8 April 2016), Martha Harris, West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England; from "1901 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing West Bromwich South-West subdistrict, PRO RG 13, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
19. ↑ 1915 last quarter, death registration Martha Harris, West Bromwich.
    • "England and Wales Death Registration Index 1837-2007," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2JWF-332 : 31 December 2014), Martha Harris, 1915; from "England & Wales Deaths, 1837-2006," database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Death, West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.
    Original certificate has not been viewed.
20. ↑ 1915 November 10, burial Martha, All Saints Church West Bronwich.
    • West Bromwich : All Saints : : "Parish Register" database, FreeREG (https://www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5a34aecef493fd6f7f190a0e : viewed 4 Nov 2020) burial Martha Harris 10 Nov 1915