Nicholas John Uglow (abt. 1836 - 1899)

Born about 11 Sep 1836 in Devonport, Devon, England

Ancestors

Husband of Matilda Sarah (Hooke) Uglow — married 18 Aug 1864 in St Pancras, Middlesex, England

Husband of Betsey Matthews (Sellek) Uglow — married 9 May 1869 in Colaton Raleigh, Devon, England

Descendants

Died 9 Aug 1899 at about age 62 in Sidmouth, Devon, England

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Andrew Sansum [send private message]

Biography

Nicholas John Uglow was born in Devonport, Devon, England.

Nicholas John Uglow was born about 1836 (see research notes). and baptised on the 11th September 1836 in the Parish of Stoke-Damerel in Devon, England. His parents were John Uglow (a servant) and his wife Elizabeth, they were living in Devonport^[1].

By the census of 1841, Nicholas age 4 (known as John by the family), his father (working as a coachman) and the family were living with Nicholas’s maternal grandparents Nicholas and Elizabeth Hicks who were farming at Carnworthy in the Parish of Warbstow in Cornwall ^[2].

The family moved soon after as by the 1851 census Nicholas age 14 (still known as John), his parents and three siblings (all, other than Nicholas born in Launceston ) were living at West Gate, Launceston where his father was a coach proprietor^[3].

On the 7th April 1861 on Census night Nicholas was working as a watch finisher but still living with his family at East Troswell in the Parish of North Petherwin, Launceston, Cornwall, by now his father was a farmer of 23 acres. ^[4]. Nicholas’s uncle Abel Uglow was a watchmaker and perhaps Nicholas learned his craft from him.

First Marriage

Soon after, Nicholas moved to Sidmouth (his future wife’s place of birth and family home up until at least 1861) Nicholas married Matilda Sarah Hooke on 18 August 1864 in the Parish Church of St Pancras, Middlesex, England. Nicholas gave his abode as Sidmouth and his profession was Jeweler. Matilda was living at St Pancras at that time. The marriage was witnessed by Matilda’s brother George William Hooke (who lived in nearby Southwark) and Mary Jane Hooke^{[5] [6]}Matilda died soon after the birth of their only child Fred Hooke Uglow and was buried on the 4th January 1866 in Sidmouth.

Second Marriage

Nicholas’s second marriage was to Betsey Matthews Sellek. The marriage was by license which was issued on 28 April 1869^[7] . The marriage ceremony took place at the parish church of Colaton Raleigh, Devon, England on the 9th May 1869. ^{[8] [9]}

Nicholes and Betsey’s first child Percy was born about May 1870, and at the time of the 1871 census Nicholas (a jeweler), Betsy, Fred ( Nicholas’s son from his first marriage), now aged three and Percy (aged ten months) were living at Fore Street in Sidmouth. ^[10]. The couple had a further five children: Blanche, Lena, Alan Nicholas, May Uglow and finally in 1880 a child who died in 1880 still unnamed soon after birth. At the time of the 1881 census, Nicholas, Betsey and their five surviving children were still living in Fore Street Nicholas was described as a watchmaker and jeweler ^{[11] [12]}.

The Shop at Fore-street Sidmouth

In 1861 or 1862, Nicholas moved to Sidmouth in Devon we know this as an advertisement placed 9 years later (in 1870) in Lathaby’s Sidmouth Journal and Directory he thanked the inhabitants of Sidmouth for their support for the last nine years''^[13]

The earliest mention of the shop in Fore Street appears as an advertisement in the Sidmouth Journal and Directory for 1st October 1864 (soon after his marriage to Matilda) listing as a Jeweler, watch and clockmaker and advertising: a stock of jewelry including: Sidmouth pebbles, malachites and other brooches, gold a silver guards and alberts, electroplated goods, opera glasses, telescopes, barometers, musical boxes, concertinas etc. Also carried out repairs on the premises and bought gold and silver. ^[14]

Nicholas also acted as the Sidmouth agent for for the Provident Life Insurance Company. He was for example, listed as an agent for the company in an advertisement in the Western Times on the 22 March 1867 ^[15]

The shop in Fore Street continued to be run by the Uglow family after Nicholas’s death. In the 1901 census Betsey is listed as a Jeweler and watchmaker working with their son Alan listed as a journeyman watchmaker. By the 1911 census Alan was running the shop.

Member of the Sidmouth Community

Nicholas was active within his local Church of England church, in in for example in the section “Parochial Directory” of the 1st October 1868 edition of Lethaby’s Sidmouth Journal and Directory, Nicholas is listed as holding the role of overseer^[16]

Nicholas was a supporter of various causes that he presumably felt strongly about. For example in February 1863 a person by the name Uglow (presumably Nicholas) was listed as an attendee at a meeting to discuss anonymous slanders published on posters distributed around Sidmouth ^[17]. This is probably the first mention of Nicholas’s involvement in the local Sidmouth Community. The first definite evidence (giving the name Nicholas John Uglow) which relates to the above incident appears in the Tiverton Gazette and East Devon Herald on August 29th 1865. One of many signing a Address for the Reverend F. L. Moysey, vicar of Sidmouth who announced his retirement following anonymous attacks on his character. ^[18].

Nicholas was not only involved in local church matters. On the 25th March 1879, he attended a Board of Trade Enquiry into a time extension (for a further 10 years) for work on the Pier and Harbour Scheme. ^[19].

Later Life, Death, Burial and Probate

In 1891, Nicholas, Betsey, Blanch, Alan and May were still living in Fore Street, Nicholas still a watchmaker and Jeweler, with no employees. ^[20]

Nicholas’s eldest son Fred (from his first marriage), left England for Natal, Africa on the 18 November 1890 on the ship Grantully Castle. Just over a year later on the 10th February 1892 he had died, working as a farmer in the Griqualand East Cape colony in Africa. Nicholas was named as one of the executors on his son’s will, whose estate amounted to £672 6s 8d.

Nicholas was still living at Fore-Street when he died at the age of 63 on the 9th of August 1899 and was buried on the 12th August 1899 in Sidmouth in Devon. ^{[21] [22]} ,Nicholas’s funeral was described in an obituary on 15 August 1899 in Exeter, Devon, England^[23]

On Saturday the funeral of Mr N. J. Uglow took place in Sidmouth Parish Churchyard. A large number of the trader people attended. The distance from deceased’s residence to the graveyard being very short carriages were dispensed with. The chief mourners were Mrs Uglow, Mr Percy Uglow and Mr Allen Uglow (sons), Miss Blanch Uglow, Miss Lena Uglow and Miss May Uglow (daughters) . The inscription on the coffin was “Nicholas John Uglow, died August 9th 1899, aged 63 years.” Mr T Saunders Old Fore-Street, carried out the arrangements.^[24]

Probate was granted at Exeter on the 12th October 1899 his executor was his widow Betsy Matthews Uglow and his estate was valued at £2440 19s. 11d. ^{[25] [26]}

Research Notes

Date and Place of Birth

Nicholas’s baptism constrains his birth to be no later than 11 September 1836. Nicholas’s age is consistently reported in all the census’s from 1851-1891. These lead to an estimated birth date of late March 1836 to early April 1837. At the 1841 census Nicholas is reported to be 4 years old, which if true would further constrain his earliest birth date to be early June 1836. Nicholas’s death age 63 on the 9 August 1899 further constrains his birth to be no later than early August 1836. Nicholas's place of birth was consistently reported in all censuses as Devonport, Devon, England. Given the nearly unique name and the consistent birth year, If reported accurately throughout, the information is completely consistent with Nicholas being born between June and early August 1836 in Devonport, to John and Elizabeth Uglow and being baptised on the 11 September 1836 in Stoke Damerel, Devon.

The London Marriage to Matilda

Several of Matilda’s siblings were living in London in 1861 and presumably Matilda joined them and was probably living with her brother James Hooke and sister Mary Ann Searle sometime before the wedding in 1864. See the research note in Matilda Sarah Hooke

Artefacts

There are copies of images available that show what appears to be a shop sign with the words “Uglow Silversmith” and a second photo of a clock, but with no identifiable markings. These can be seen for example at http://www.uglow.co.uk/sidmouth.htm

It would be interesting to locate the owner of these images and understand their provenance.

Monument Inscription

There is apparently a monument inscription to Nicholas in the parish church at Sidmouth. See

http://www.uglow.co.uk/sidmouth.htm

No record of this having been indexed on FINDAGRAVE.

Sources

1. ↑ Baptism: "England, Devon, Parish Registers, 1538-1912"
   FamilySearch Record: KC99-19S (accessed 21 July 2022)
   FamilySearch Image: 939N-Q794-LJ Image number 00137
   Nicholas John Uglow baptism in 1836 in Devon, England, United Kingdom.
2. ↑ 1841 Census "General Register Office: 1841 Census Returns database, FreeCEN (https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/5902913be9379091b1789a0a : viewed 21 Jul 2022), Nicholas UGLOW in household of Nicholas HICKS, Carnworthy, Cornwall, England; from 1841 "England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images; citing The National Archives HO 107/140, Folio 9, Page 11, Schedule , The National Archives, Kew, Surrey
3. ↑ 1851 Census "General Register Office: 1851 Census Returns database, FreeCEN (https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/5a142f9ef4040b9d6e1bca0c : viewed 23 Jul 2022), John UGLOW in household of John UGLOW, West Gate, Cornwall, England; from 1851 "England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images; citing The National Archives /1899, Folio 340, Page 26, Schedule 83, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
4. ↑ 1861 Census "General Register Office: 1861 Census Returns database, FreeCEN (https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/59029c0ce9379091b1a2dc54 : viewed 23 Jul 2022), Nicholas J UGLOW in household of John UGLOW, East Troswell, Cornwall, England; from 1861 "England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images; citing The National Archives RG 9/1518, Folio 25, Page 10, Schedule 41, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
5. ↑ Marriage: "England, Middlesex Parish Registers, 1539-1988"
   FamilySearch Record: 6ZB1-KMGP (accessed 23 July 2022)
   FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-CSFH-QM Image number 00127
   Nicholas John Uglow marriage to Matilda Sarah Hooke on 18 Aug 1864 in Middlesex, England, United Kingdom.
6. ↑ Marriage Registration: "England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005"
   citing 1864, quarter 3, vol. 1B, p. 169, Pancras, London, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.
   FamilySearch Record: 2D77-MX5 (accessed 23 July 2022)
   Nicholas John Uglow marriage registered Jul-Aug-Sep 1864 in Pancras.
7. ↑ Marriage License: "England, Devon and Cornwall Marriages, 1660-1912"
   citing Colaton Raleigh, Devon, England, United Kingdom, The Devon Record Office, Exeter.
   FamilySearch Record: QLQN-7MWM (accessed 23 July 2022)
   FamilySearch Image: 3QSQ-G94R-DCF6 Image number 00069
   Nicholas John Uglow marriage to Betsy Matthews Sellek on 28 Apr 1869 in Colaton Raleigh, Devon, England, United Kingdom.
8. ↑ Marriage Registration: "England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005"
   citing 1869, quarter 2, vol. 5B, p. 80A, St. Thomas, Devon, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.
   FamilySearch Record: 2D2Q-VCY (accessed 23 July 2022)
   Nicholas John Uglow marriage registered Apr-May-Jun 1869 in St. Thomas.
9. ↑ Marriage: "Devon Marriages And Banns"
   FindMyPast Image - FindMyPast Transcription (accessed 23 July 2022)
   Nicholas John Uglow (Full) marriage to undefined on 9 May 1869 in Colaton Raleigh, Devon, England.
10. ↑ 1871 Census "General Register Office: 1871 Census Returns database, FreeCEN (https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/617fd246f493fd7ec102e075 : viewed 26 Jul 2022), Nicholas J UGLOW, Fore Street, Devon, England; from 1871 "England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images; citing The National Archives RG 10/2045, Folio 4, Page 1, Schedule 5, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
11. ↑ 1881 Census: "England and Wales Census, 1881"
    citing p. 1, Piece/Folio 2136/24, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey; FHL microfilm 101,774,762.
    FamilySearch Record: Q276-G89F (accessed 26 July 2022)
    FindMyPast Image
    Nicholas J Uglow (44), married head of household in Sidmouth in Honiton registration district in Devon, England. Born in Devonport Stoke, Devon, England.
12. ↑ 1881 Census: "1881 England Census"
    Class: RG11; Piece: 2136; Folio: 24; Page: 1; GSU roll: 1341515; ED, institution, or vessel: 20
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 7572 #3032987 (accessed 26 July 2022)
    Nicholas J Uglow (44), married, Watch Maker Jeweler, head of household on Fore Street, Sidmouth in Honiton registration district in Devon, England. Born in Devonport Stoke, Devon, England.
13. ↑ Advert Lethaby’s Sidmouth Journal and Directory, 1870, page 5, column 1, image held by the British Newspaper Archive accessed 28 July 2022. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001434/18700901/032/0005
14. ↑ Advert The Sidmouth Journal and Directory, #107 1st October 1864, page 1, column 2, image held by the British Newspaper Archive accessed 29 July 2022. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001434/18641001/009/0001
15. ↑ Advert The Western Time, 22 March 1867 , page 1, column 6, image held by the British Newspaper Archive accessed 31 July 2022. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000265/18670322/060/0001
16. ↑ Newspaper Lethaby’s Sidmouth Journal and Directory, 1st October 1868, page 6, column 3, image held by the British Newspaper Archive accessed 31 July 2022. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001434/18681001/021/0004
17. ↑ Newspaper Lethaby’s Sidmouth Journal and Directory, February 1863, page 6, column 3, image held by the British Newspaper Archive accessed 31 July 2022. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001434/18630201/041/0006
18. ↑ Newspaper Report Tiverton Gazette and East Devon Herald , 29 August 1865 , image held by the British Newspaper Archive accessed 31 July 2022. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001120/18650829/023/0003
19. ↑ Newspaper Report Devon Evening Express , Exeter, Thursday 27 March 1879, page 1 column 2, image held by the British Newspaper Archive accessed 31 July 2022. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000935/18790327/001/0001
20. ↑ 1891 Census: "General Register Office: 1891 Census Returns database, FreeCEN (https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/5902daeee9379091b1a15b80 : viewed 26 Jul 2022), Nicholas John UGLOW, Fore Street, Devon, England; from 1891 "England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images; citing The National Archives RG 12/1673, Folio 76, Page 2, Schedule 5, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
21. ↑ Death Registration: "England & Wales General Register Office"
    GRO Online Indexes - Death (accessed 22 July 2022)
    Uglow, Nicholas John (Age at death: 63).
    GRO Reference: 1899 Jul-Aug-Sep in Honiton Volume 05B Page 15.
22. ↑ Burial: "Devon Burials"
    Archive: South West Heritage Trust
    FindMyPast Image - FindMyPast Transcription (accessed 23 July 2022)
    Nicholas John Uglow burial (died in 1899 at age 63) on 12 Aug 1899 in Sidmouth, Devon, England.
23. ↑ Obituary: "British Newspaper Archive, Family Notices"
    citing Exeter, Devon, England, United Kingdom, 15 Aug 1899, The British Newspaper Archive, Ireland; FHL microfilm .
    FamilySearch Record: QPZQ-767X (accessed 22 July 2022)
    FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-CSW5-WH5Q-L Image number 00500
    Death Date: 9 Aug 1899; Obituary Date: 15 Aug 1899; Obituary Place: Exeter, Devon, England, United Kingdom; Source Newspaper: Western Times; Source Pub Date: 15 Aug 1899; Birth Date: 1836; Name: Nicholas John U'glow; Age: 63.
24. ↑ Obituary Transcript by Sansum-45 from an image held by the British Newspaper Archive from the Newspaper: Western Times Published: Monday 15 August 1899, accessed 22 July 1922. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000265/18990814/003/0002
25. ↑ Probate: "England and Wales, National Index of Wills and Administrations, 1858-1957"
    citing Probate, Devon, England, United Kingdom, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, Great Britain.; FHL microfilm 251,377.
    FamilySearch Record: QPL7-WBVM (accessed 22 July 2022)
    Nicholas John Uglow probate on 12 Oct 1899 in Devon, England, United Kingdom. Died 9 Aug 1899.
26. ↑ Probate: "England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995"
    Principal Probate Registry. Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries of the High Court of Justice in England
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry uk Record 1904 #15618573 (accessed 28 July 2022)
    Nicholas John Uglow probate on 12 Oct 1899 in Exeter. Died 9 Aug 1899 in Devonshire, England.

Acknowledgments

“This profile has been improved by a member of the England Project's Orphan Trail.”