It’s been a while since I’ve wrote about this line of my paternal tree. This side always fascinates me as I have made so many new family connections. Throughout these connections I have made some wonderful friends, one in particular, I’m extremely grateful for the friendship that has formed. It’s uncanny how alike we are, how our views and passions are so similar and how we have fought the same demons throughout our lives. I hope Val and I will uncover more similarities as our friendship grows and I thank her for not only being a huge part of our growing family but for her kind heart and friendship.
This branch of my tree also connects with my husbands, which even though it’s distance it still makes us giggle and freak out a little.

So this week, I’m taking a trip back to 1840, when my paternal 4th Great-Grandmother was born.
Her name was Mary Ann Pointer. Her story began in Sherfield English, Hampshire, England, in the January to March quarter 1840, in the Romsey District.

Mary Ann, was the first daughter of, Thomas Pointer and Harriet Pointer Nee Brown.
I have ordered her birth certificate, unfortunately it hasn’t arrived in time, but I promise to update you with the new information as soon as I receive it.

Mary Ann Pointer, was christened at St Leonard’s, Sherfield English, Hampshire, England, on March the 1st 1840.

On the 6th June 1841, the census was taken, which shows Mary Ann and her parents Thomas and Harriet residing at Fielders, West Wellow, Hampshire.
Her father Thomas was working as a Brick Layer.

Name Age Thomas Pointer 20 Harriet Pointer 25 Mary Ann Pointer 1 6 Mo

Mary Ann’s Brother John Pointer, was born between the months of October and December 1842, in the Romsey District, from the later census, he was born atWest Wellow, Hampshire.

John, was christened at, St. Margret’s, East Wellow, Hampshire, on the 30th October 1842.

Between the months of April and June 1845, Thomas and Harriet gave, Mary Ann and John a sister. They called her Charlotte Pointer.
She was born in the, Romsey and Michelmersh District.
I have ordered her birth certificate, which hasn’t arrived yet.

Charlotte was Christened at East Wellow, St. Margaret’s, Hampshire, on the 4th May 1845.

Tragedy struck shortly afterwards. Charlotte died between the months of May and June, in the Romsey and Michelmersh district.
I have ordered her death certificate and will update you with details as soon as I have them. (Sorry about that)

A short year later between the months of, April and June 1846, Mary Ann’s Mother, Harriet gave birth to Elizabeth Pointer, a Sister for Mary Ann and John.
She was born in the Romsey and Michelmersh district.

She was Christened at Plaitford, I assume at, St. Peter’s, Melchet Park and Plaitford, Church Lane, Plaitford, on the 5th June 1846

A few years later, Mary Ann, John and Elizabeth, welcomed another new baby Sister into the family, when their parents, Thomas and Harriet gave life to Selina Pointer, in the January to March quarter of 1849, in the Romsey and Michelmersh district.

She was christened at Plaitford, I assume at St. Peter’s, Melchet Park and Plaitford, Church Lane, Plaitford, on the 18th February 1849.

The 1851 census was taken on the 30th March which shows, Mary Ann and her family residence as Bridgefoot Road, Plaitford, Hampshire, England.
Her father Thomas was working as a Bricklayer, her Moth Harriet as a Charwomean.

Name Age Thomas Pointer 33 Harriett Pointer 30 Mary Ann Pointer 11 John Pointer 8 Elizabeth Pointer 4 Selina Pointer 2

In the July, September quarter of 1851, Mary Ann’s family welcomed another new member.
Harriet Pointer was born, in the Romsey District.

Harriet, was christened at Plaitford, once again I assume at, St. Peter’s, Melchet Park and Plaitford, Church Lane, Plaitford, on the 12th October 1851.

A good few years past, the family grew older, Mary Ann’s Mum, Harriet, finds herself in the family way again, and between the months of July and September 1857, Tom Pointer was born, in the Romsey District.

Baby Tom was Christened on the 8th November 1857, in ……., Romsey Hampshire.

Once again tragedy struck the family, when Baby Tom, died between the months of January and March 1858 in the Romsey district.

More details will follow when I receive his birth and death certificates.

Tom was buried in Romsey Cemetery, Botley Hill, Romsey, Hampshire, on the 11th March 1858.
His age is given as 1 year, 9 months.
He was buried in grave, A239.

Happiness followed when, Mary Ann Pointer, married William Pearce, son of James Pearce and Sarah Scarrott on the 25th June 1860, at The Parish Church of Wellow, Wellow, Hampshire, England. (St. Margret’s)
William Pearce was working as a Shoemaker, his Father James was a Carpenter.
Thomas Pointer was still humbly working as a Bricklayer.

 

Mary Ann and William, welcomed their first child, a boy, in the July/August quarter of 1860, in the Romsey district. Census’s give his birth location as West Wellow.
They named him Walter Pearce.
Mary Ann, would have been heavily pregnant at the time of her marriage to William.

Walter was Christened at East Wellow, Hampshire, on the 19th August 1860.

The 1861 census was taken on the 7th April 1861.
Mary Ann, William and Walter, were residing at Lower Green, West Wellow, Hampshire.
William was working as a Shoemaker.

Name Age William Pearce 24 Mary A Pearce 21 Walter Pearce 8/12

Mary Ann, gave birth to a baby girl, whom they called Esther Pearce, in the October/December quarter of 1862 in the Romsey district.

Mary’s and William, worst nightmare came true, when their first born, Walter died when he was 6 years old.
He died in the April/June quarter, of 1866, in the Romsey District.

I hate finding all these infant death, it’s heartbreaking.
Hopefully Mary and Williams found a little peace when my Great, Great-Grandmother, Fanny Pearce, was born on the 8th August 1867 at West Wellow.
William was working as a, Shoemaker Journeyman. He registered her birth on the 14th September 1867.

Fanny was Christened on the 29th September 1867 at St. Margaret’s, East Wellow, Hampshire, England.

You can read all about Fanny’s life here.

Mary Ann and the family welcomed a new addition, between the months of, January and March 1870, when Mary Ann gives birth to John Thomas Pearce, in West Wellow, Hampshire.

He was christened on the 20th March 1870, at East Wellow, Hampshire.

Between January and March 1871, Mary Ann’s, Mother Harriet Pointer Nee Brown died, in the Romsey district.

On the 2nd April 1871, the census is taken, which finds the Pearce family living at, Lower Green, West Wellow, Hampshire.
William was still working as a Shoe Maker.

Name Age William Pearce 34 Mary Ann Pearce 30 Hester Pearce 8 Fanny Pearce 4 John Thomas Pearce 1

On the 15th of May 1874, Mary Ann gave birth to, Harry Pearce, at West Wellow, Hampshire/Wiltshire.
William was still working as a Shoe Marker.
Mary Ann registered Harry’s Birth on the 12th June 1874, She signed with an X.

You can read more about Harry’s sad but heroic life here.

Mary Ann, then gave birth to, William Pearce, between the months of July and September 1877, in the Romsey district.

He was christened on the 29th July 1877, at East Wellow, Hampshire.

On the 3rd April 1881, the England and Wales census was taken, which finds Mary Ann residing at West Wellow, Hampshire, with her Husband, William and three of their children, Harry, John and William Pearce.
They have two visitors staying with them at the time, James and John Everett.
The census doesn’t give an address as such, it just listed the properties in the sub district.

Name Age William Pearce 43 Mary Ann Pearce 41 John Pearce 11 Harry Pearce 6 William Pearce 3

On the 5th October 1882, the Pearce’s, welcomed another new addition to the family. Mary Ann gave birth to, Ernest William Pearce, in the Romsey district. The census’ give his birth location as West Wellow.

The next census, which was taken on the 5th April 1891, shows Mary Ann, William, Harry, William and Ernest, living in the village of West Wellow, Romsey Road, Lower Green.
William was still working as a shoe maker, Harry was working as an Agricultural Farm Servant and young William was a Shepherds Boy.

Name Age William Pearce 53 Mary Ann Pearce 51 Harry Pearce 16 William Pearce 13 Ernest Pearce 8

The next census, which was taken on the 31st March 1901, shows Mary Ann, William and their son Ernest, still residing at Lower Green, West Wellow, Hampshire.
William was now working as a Road Labourer, as was Ernest.

Name Age William Pearce 64 Mary Ann Pearce 61 Ernest Pearce 18

Mary Ann’s, life comes to an end, a few years later, on the 28th Match 1907, at West Wellow.
She died from, Influenza, Bronchitis, Gastritis.
Sarah E Russell, registered her death on the 13th March 1907.

I’m assume Mary Ann, was laid to rest at St Margaret’s, Wellow. I keep meaning to find time to go grave hunting, hopefully soon.

Although all death, is heart wrenching, I’m silently grad that Mary Ann wasn’t alive to watch the horror unfold of two of her bairns, Harry and Fanny Pearce. No parents should have to watch their own children in pain or watch them head off to war.
I’m glad she was speared and that she is hopefully reunited with her lost loved ones.
May she rest in peace.

Mary Ann Pearce Nee Pointer
1840 – 1907

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