Mary Ann (Rook) Harman (abt. 1821 - 1891)

Born about 1821 in Combe Martin, Devon, England, United Kingdom

Wife of Charles Harman — married 4 Mar 1849 in Clifton, Bristol, England, United Kingdom

Descendants

Died 1891 at about age 70 in King's Stanley, Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom

Biography

Mary Ann Rook was baptised on 24 February 1822 at Trentishoe, Devonshire, the daughter of George and Susanna Rook of Kneals Down. George was a husbandman. ^[1]

In the 1871 and 1881 censuses Mary gave her place of birth as Combe Martin, Devonshire, near to the parish of Trentishoe.

Mary has not been positively identified in the 1841 census but her parents George and Susan [sic] Rook were living at Woolsmerland, Combe Martin, Devonshire, with sons Richard, aged 10, and William, aged 7. ^[2]

Mary Ann Rock [sic] married Charles Harman on 4 March 1849 at the parish church of Clifton, Bristol. Their marriage certificate recorded Charles was a widower of full age and a millwright. His father was named as William Harman, an accountant[?]. Mary Ann was a spinster of full age. Her father was named as George Rock, a labourer. Both gave their residence at the time of their marriage as Clifton. Their witnesses were John Garmston and Catharine Harman, Charles’ daughter and her future husband. Mary signed with her mark. ^[3]

In the 1851 census the family was living at Front St, Weston Zoyland, Somersetshire. Charles, aged 43, was still a millwright. Mary was aged 31. Catharine, aged 19, was a shoe maker, Sabina, aged 18, a milliner and dressmaker and Worthy, aged 17, an engineer. ^[4]

In a letter dated 3 May 1854 written by William Harman, Charles' father, to his eldest son William, there is the following mention of Charles and Worthy - Dear son your brother Charles left Bristol som time in March working xxx for the same Master his son Worthy his married and live in the same house that his father left and doing well. ^[5]

Charles and Mary then had a daughter of their own named Ruth Harman, born 1855 at Clifton, Bristol.

Charles' mother Jane Harman, a widow, died on 17 September 1860 at The Field, Stroud, Gloucestershire. The informant was Mary Ann Harman of The Field, Stroud, who was present at the death. Mary Ann signed with her mark. The Field Cottages were situated in Bowbridge Lane. ^[6]

In the 1861 census the family was living at Bowbridge Lane, Stroud. Charles Horman [sic], aged 54, was an engineer. Mary was aged 39 and daughter Ruth was aged 6. ^[7]

Daughter Mary Ann Harman was born on 2 February 1862 at Woodside, King's Stanley, Gloucestershire. Charles was recorded as a mill wright. ^[8]

Daughter Mary Ann Harman died that same year [1862] in infancy. ^[9]
Mary Anne Harman, as her name was recorded, was buried on 26 April 1862 at St George's Churchyard, Kings Stanley. The burial register further recorded she died aged 11 weeks. ^[10]

Charles' married daughter Sabina Morris died on 2 January 1863 at Woodside, King's Stanley, Gloucestershire. The informant of her death was Mary Ann Harman, of the same address, who signed with her mark. ^[11]

In 1871 the family was living at 4 Woodside, King Stanley, Gloucestershire. Charles, aged 58 [sic], was then a millwright and engineer. Mary was aged 50 and Ruth was aged 16. Ruth was working as a domestic servant. Also living with them were two boarders, Henry Harris, aged 22, a farm labourerer and Catherine Gallop, aged 18, a domestic servant. Henry later married Ruth Harman. ^[12]

In 1881 this couple were still at the same address. Charles, aged 70, was a small farmer. Mary was aged 60. ^[13]

Mary Ann Harman died in 1891 aged 70 years. ^[14]

In 1891 the address of their home was given simply as Woodside, King Stanley. Charles, aged 84, was a retired millwright. Henry and Ruth Harris and their children Worthy, aged 7, and Sarah, aged 3, were living with him. Henry, aged 43, was still a farm labourer. Ruth, aged 35, was working as a charwomwan. ^[15]

Charles Harman died in 1895 aged 87 years. ^[16]

Sources

1. ↑ Find My Past - Devon Baptisms
   FamilySearch - "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JWN4-ZRM : 11 February 2018, Mary Ann Rook, 24 Feb 1822)
2. ↑ 1841 census HO107/204/1 8 Pg 10
   "England and Wales Census, 1841," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MQTX-SS4 : 22 May 2019)
3. ↑ Ancestry.com. Bristol, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1935 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2019.
   Original data: Bristol Church of England Parish Registers and Bishop Transcripts, Bristol Record Office, Bristol, England.
4. ↑ 1851 census HO107/1924 483 Pg 3
5. ↑ Letter in family hands
6. ↑ Death certificate of Jane Harman
7. ↑ 1861 census RG9/1774 83 Pg 21
8. ↑ Digital Image of birth certificate for Mary Ann Harman
9. ↑ https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/indexes_search.asp
   GRO Death Index
   HARMAN, MARY ANN Age at death 0
   GRO Reference: 1862 J Quarter in STROUD Volume 06A Page 173
10. ↑ Burial of daughter Mary Ann - Burial Register can be viewed at Ancestry.com. Gloucestershire, England, Church of England Burials, 1813-1988 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.
    Original data: Gloucestershire Archives, Gloucester, Gloucestershire; Gloucestershire Church of England Parish Registers; Reference Number: P190 in 1/18
11. ↑ Death certificate of Sebina [sic] Morris
12. ↑ 1871 census RG10/2636 83 Pg 34
13. ↑ 1881 census RG11/2547 81 Pg 35
14. ↑ https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/indexes_search.asp
    GRO Death Index
    HARMAN, MARY ANN Age at death 70
    GRO Reference: 1891 M Quarter in STROUD Volume 06A Page 273
15. ↑ 1891 census RG12/2026 32 Pg 1
16. ↑ https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/indexes_search.asp
    GRO Death Index
    HARMAN, CHARLES Age at death 87
    GRO Reference: 1895 M Quarter in STROUD Volume 06A Page 291

Biography added by Helen Gadd