Ada (Watkins) Butt (1878 - 1972)

Born 19 Apr 1878 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Wife of Joseph Butt — married 1909 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England

Descendants

Died 1972 at about age 93 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England, United Kingdom

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Biography

Ada was born in 1878 at Birmingham, Warwickshire, the daughter of William Vinct Watkins and Phoebe Watkins formerly Ralph. ^[1]

In the 1881 census Ada was living with her family at 5 House 1 Court Gosta Green, Aston, Warwickshire. She was aged 2 years. ^[2]

In 1891 the family was living at 2 Ct 1 Woodcock St, Aston. Ada, aged 12 [? - age heavily overscored], was attending school. ^[3]

In 1901 Ada was boarding with Elizabeth Egginton at 5 Lorne Terrace, Back Park Rd, Aston. Aged 22, she was employed as a burnisher for the military. ^[4]

Ada Watkins married Joseph Butt in 1909 at Birmingham. ^[5]

This couple had one son named John Edward Butt, known to family as Jack. His birthday was recorded as 14 December 1910 in his maternal aunt Emma’s birthday book.

In the 1911 census Joseph and Ada were living at 13 Shefford Rd, Birmingham. Joseph, aged 38 [sic], was a labourer for the railway. Ada was aged 33 and John was aged 3 months. Also living with them were Ada's maternal aunt Emma Perry, a widow aged 76, and niece Nellie Watkins, aged 12. Nellie was the daughter of Ada's brother Joseph. She was attending school. ^[6] Of interest Joseph was born in 1860 and was in fact aged 50.

When Emma Perry died the following year on 13 February 1912 Ada was the sole beneficiary of her estate. The will read in part "I give and bequeath unto Ada Butt of 13 Shefford Rd Birmingham my household furniture and all the money I am possessed of at my death". Her estate was valued at £127 10s. ^[7]

In the 1912 Kelly's Directory listed under Commercial is the entry - Butt Joseph, shopkeeper, 11 Shefford road. ^[8]

In the 1921 census the family was living at 45 Miller St, Aston. Joseph, aged 53 [sic], was out of work. He had last been employed at Vinegar Brewery in Ashted Row. Ada was aged 43. Son John Edward was aged 10. Niece Nellie Watkins, aged 22, was a warehouse girl at a pen factory owned by D. Leonard & Co, Charlotte St, Birmingham. ^[9]

The Birmingham electoral rolls from 1920 to 1935 recorded Joseph and Ada were living at 45 Miller St. ^[10]

Joseph Butt died on 22 March 1939 at 1a Raddlebarn Rd, Selly Oak [the address of Selly Oak House] aged 77 years of cardiac failure, pulmonary oedema and arterio sclerosis. His death certificate further recorded Joseph's usual address as 45 Miller St, Aston and that he was a retired gear filer. The informant of his death was his widow A. Butt, of the same address. ^[11]

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 Ada was living alone at 45 Miller St, Birmingham. Born 19 April 1879 [year should read 1878], she was aged 61 and working as a cook. ^[12]

In the 1945 electoral roll Ada was living with Harry and Minnie Reynolds and Lily Cooper at 31 Ludlow Rd. Minnie Reynolds was Ada's sister and Lily one of her children.
In the 1950 to 1965 rolls Ada was living back at 45 Miller St. Also living there with her was Leslie and Gladys Wilcox. Gladys was Ada's niece, the daughter of sister Amelia. ^[13]

Ada Butt died in 1972 aged 93 years. Her date of birth was recorded as 19 April 1878. ^[14]

Sources

1. ↑ https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/indexes_search.asp
   GRO Birth Index
   WATKINS, ADA Mother's maiden name RALPH
   GRO Reference: 1878 J Quarter in BIRMINGHAM Volume 06D Page 143
2. ↑ 1881 census RG11/3029 13 Pg 20
3. ↑ 1891 census RG12/2418 103 Pg 1
4. ↑ 1901 census RG13/2857 44 Pg 34
5. ↑ GRO Marriage Index - Dec Qtr 1909/Birmingham 6d 302
6. ↑ 1911 census RG14PN18248 RG78PN1101 RD385 SD3 ED18 SN357
7. ↑ Will of Emma Perry
8. ↑ Directory can be viewed at Ancestry - UK, Midlands and Various UK Trade Directories, 1770-1941 [database on-line].
9. ↑ 1921 census Registration District 384 [Birmingham], Sub District 3 [St Mary], Enumeration District 41, Schedule No. 142
10. ↑ Electoral rolls can be viewed at Ancestry.com. Midlands, England, Electoral Registers, 1832-1965 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.
11. ↑ Death certificate
    https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/indexes_search.asp
    GRO Death Index
    BUTT, JOSEPH Age at death 77
    GRO Reference: 1939 M Quarter in BIRMINGHAM Volume 06D Page 668
12. ↑ 1939 Register RG101/5502J/014/24 Letter Code: QAJS
13. ↑ Electoral rolls can be viewed at Ancestry.com. Midlands, England, Electoral Registers, 1832-1965 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.
14. ↑ GRO Death Index - Ada - Mar 1972/Birmingham 9c 68 – DOB 19 Apr 1878