Mary Jane Wells (abt. 1849 - 1909)

Born about 24 Aug 1849 in Wallingford, Berkshire, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Wife of Alfred Dodd Wells — married 4 May 1875 in St Stephens, S Kensington

Descendants

Died 28 Apr 1909 at about age 59 in Wallingford, Berkshire, England, United Kingdom [uncertain]

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Biography

Mary was born in Wallingford, Berkshire, in 1849. She was the fourth child and fourth daughter of Edward Wells and Isabella Watkins who married in 1842. Her birth was registered in the fourth quarter of the year at Wallingford registration district. Rudkin records her full date of birth as 24 August 1849^[1]. The same source records that she was baptised at St Mary's church, Wallingford, on 2 November 1849.

She came to be addressed by the nickname Pollie ^[2].

In the 1851 census she was shown as aged one and living with her family in High St, Wallingford, Berkshire. Her father was recorded as the Mayor of Wallingford. Full details - father Edward Wells (30, Mayor of Wallingford, born Wallingford, Berkshire), mother Isabella Wells (33, gentlewoman, born Ireland), sister Catherine E Wells (7, born Wallingford), sister Henrietta Wells (6, born Wallingford), sister Isabella C Wells (4, born Wallingford) and Mary J Wells (1, born Wallingford). Also recorded, as visitors, were Jane and Emily Marshal (unmarried sisters aged 21 and 19, and also born in Wallingford) and five resident servants.

In the 1861 census Mary was shown as at home with her family still in High St, Wallingford, Berkshire. Details listed - father Edward Wells (40, magistrate, brewer and employer of 28 men and 2 boys), mother Isabella Wells (43), sister Catherine E Wells (17), sister Henrietta Wells (16), sister Isabella C Wells (14), Mary Jane Wells (11, scholar, born Wallingford), brother Edward Wells (7, born Wallingford), brother Henry W Wells (5, born Wallingford) and brother Alfred C Wells (3, born Wallingford). Her aunt, Henrietta Watkins, (40, born Ireland) was present, as was a teacher, born in Ireland and recorded as a boarder, and presumably present for the seven children in the family. There were seven resident servants - ladys maid, nurse, under nurse, home maid, cook, butler and kitchen maid.

The 1871 Census showed the family home was still in High Street, Wallingford. Only Mary's mother and Mary were at home on the census date. Details - mother Isabella Wells (53, banker's wife, born Dublin, Ireland) and Mary J Wells (21, banker's daughter, born Wallingford). Eight servants were recorded - 2 x ladys maids, cook, 2 x house maids, kitchen maid, butler and page boy. During this census Mary's father was recorded as a visitor at Woodham Walter, Essex.

On 4th May, aged 25, 1875 Mary Jane Wells , married Alfred Dodd Wells - her second cousin once removed. They married in St Stephen's church, Kensington, Middlesex. Mary's address at the time showing on the marriage certificate was 20 Cornwall Gardens, Kensington [1]. Her father, Edward Wells, was at that point the MP for Wallingford. Her husband's rank/profession was recorded as "gentleman" as was that of his father, another Edward Wells.

Daughter Isabella Watkins Wells was born in 1878.

Twins Alfred Watkins Wells and Reginald Watkins Wells were born in 1879. Sadly Alfred did not survive beyond the day of their birth.

At the 1881 census Mary and her new family were living at Sotwell Hill, (Brightwell cum) Sotwell. Details - husband Alfred Dodd Wells (33, farmer of 680 acres employing 29 men, 7 boys and 4 women. born Brightwell, Berkshire), Mary Jane Wells (31, born Wallingford), daughter Isabella Watkins Wells (3, born Sotwell, Berkshire) and son Reginald W Wells (1, born Sotwell, Berkshire). Four servants were also resident - headnurse, housemaid, cook and under nurse.

In 1881 son Edward Wells was born.

In 1883 son Cecil Francis Wells was born.

At the 1891 census the family remained at Sotwell Hill, Sotwell, Brightwell, Berkshire. Details - husband Alfred Dodd Wells (43, farmer), Mary J Wells (41, born Wallingford), daughter Isabella W Wells (13), son Edward Wells (9, born Sotwell), and son Cecil F Wells (7, born Sotwell). Three resident servants were listed - cook, housemaid and lady's maid. The eldest son, Reginald (11), was absent, away at boarding school at Thornton, Lancashire.

Around this time the family moved into the substantial home "Sinodun", built for them, on Sotwell Hill.

In 1901 the census confirmed Mary's husband was farming at "Sinodun", Sotwell, near Wallingford, Berkshire. Details - husband Alfred Dodd Wells (53, farmer, employer), Mary Jane Wells (51, born Wallingford, Berkshire), daughter Isabella W Wells (23), son Reginald W Wells (21, farmer's son) and son Cecil F Wells (17, student). Mary's second son, Edward Wells (19), was away at Pembroke College, Cambridge. Three resident servants were recorded - parlour maid, house maid and kitchen maid. Mary's husband's 15 year old neice, Margaret E Merry (Margaret Euphemia (Merry) Earl (1885-1973)) was also present.

Mary Jane Wells of Sinodun, Wallingford, Berkshire (wife of Alfred Dodd Wells) died 28 April 1909. Administration ...... to the said Alfred Dodd Wells esquire. (National Probate Calendar - 1909) Her death was registered at Wallingford registration district in the second quarter of 1909, aged 59. She pre-deceased her husband.

Mary was buried at St Agatha New Churchyard, Brightwell cum Sotwell,^[3] where there is a memorial stone.

Sources

• England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 for Mary Jane Wells, 1849, Q4-Oct-Nov-Dec

• 1851 England Census for Mary J Wells, Berkshire, Wallingford St Mary the More, 5

• 1861 England Census for Mary Jane Wells, Berkshire, Wallingford St Mary the More, District 2

• 1871 England Census for Mary J Wells, Berkshire, St Mary The More, 2

• London, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1932

• 1881 England Census for Mary Jane Wells, Berkshire, Sotwell, District 10

• 1891 England Census for Mary J Wells, Berkshire, Brightwell, District 9

• 1901 England Census for Mary Jane Wells, Berkshire, Sotwell, District 8

• England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1837-1915 for Mary Jane Wells, 1909, Q2-Apr-May-Jun

• England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995 for Mary Jane Wells, 1909

• Pedigree of Wells of Wallingford, Major H. R. E. Rudkin, January 1933

Footnotes

1. ↑ Pedigree of Wells of Wallingford, Major H. R. E. Rudkin, January 1933
2. ↑ letter from father to her on 23 August 1876
3. ↑ Find A Grave - https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/121419600/mary-jane-wells

Acknowledgments

Thank you to Gilly Wood for creating Wells-5532 on 26 Sep 13. Click the Changes tab for the details on contributions by Gilly and others.