William was born in Hadzor in 1819. Contractor for Public Works. He married Martha Greatorex of Handsworth in 1844. Brothers John and Solomon were witnesses, along with Joseph Bourne and Catharine Greatorex. William died 1871 Handsworth Staffs., leaving about £200,000. (Will held) Nephew by marriage Henry Worton Elliott and son William Francis were executors.and they had seven children. In 1851 they are living in Lady Pool Lane, King`s Norton, with five children, William, Solomon, Kate, Thomas and David. In 1861 William and Martha and Kate are in Handsworth and in 1871 just William and Martha now at the Oaklands, Handsworth. William died a few months later and Martha in 1880.
William Francis (b. 1844 Guildford) – 1861 unknown, 1871 he is with his brother Charles in Hednesford, Cannock. In 1881 he is in Hill House, Lichfield, Stafford and the same in 1891. He is unmarried and died in 1895 as the result of a hunting accident in the field. He was a prominent member of the South Staffs. Hunt.
Solomon (b.1846 Barrow in Furness, Lancs. married to Elizabeth Gittins of Bristol in 1876). According to his father`s Will, Solomon was in Antrim, Ireland in 1871 (with his cousin also Solomon, son of Francis and Esther). In 1881 Solomon and Elizabeth are at 10 Belgrave Terrace, Tormoham, Devon. Their residence though appears to have been Upland House, Bathwick Hill, Bath from 1877 until his death in 1888. It appears Solomon was a keen horticulturist. At the end of this year 1881, on the 30th December Solomon made his Will and makes provision for his wife Elizabeth ‘In Trust to pay out of the income thereof to my wife Elziabeth Tredwell for her life the sum of two hundred pounds per annum (free of income tax by four equal quarterly payments in accordance with and satisfaction of my covenant contained in the deed of separation between her and myself). He then goes on to make very substantial provision for his ‘late servant Jane Lawrence and her daughter Lottie May’. Lottie May was born on the 10th October 1881 at no. 9 Bedford Street, Gloucester and Solomon declared that she should be well cared for ‘clothed, educated and brought up’. On Lottie May`s birth certificate her father is stated as Solomon Lawrence. Solomon died 1888 in Bath. By 1891 Jane Lawrence has married James Hunt, a mariner, and they are living in Easton-in-Gordano, North Somerset. There are 2 further children, Ella 6, and Leslie 1. In 1901 the family are living in Slade Road, Portishead with additional children Phyllis 9, Vivien 7, Clifford 5, Doris 2 and Victoria 1. Also with them is Jane`s widowed mother, Jane Lawrence. Lottie is described as a student at boarding school. Lottie married Henry James Atwell in 1903. In 1911 Lottie is living at Bel Air, Slade Road, Portishead, Somerset, together with Kenneth 6 and Eric 5. In 1939 Henry and Lottie are living at 58 Kennington Avenue, Bristol.
Kate (b. 1847 Droitwich) married 1866 William Henry Dawes, Iron Trader. They live at the Red House, School Lane, King`s Norton. 4 children :
William Henry (b. 1868 King`s Norton) – 1881 a boarder at Greenhill School, School Road, King`s Norton. 1891 he is a boarder in Workington, Cumberland and is an Iron Merchant, Shipbroker.
Herbert Wentworth (b. 1869 King`s Norton) – 1881 a boarder at Greenhill School, School Road, King`s Norton. Married 1904 to Frances Maud England of Bingley.
Edith Beatrice (b. 1872 King`s Norton) – at home with parents up until 1901.
Charles Reginald (b.1880 King`s Norton), at home with parents in 1901.
Thomas (b.1848 Droitwich ) 1851 at home in King`s Norton, 1861 at school Bewdley Rd, Day School, Kidderminster.
John (b. 1849)
David (b. 1850 Droitwich d. 1852 Stourbridge).
Charles Alexander ( b.1852 Stourbridge – marriage 1874 Marylebone to Martha Ann Cross (minor)died 11 July 1910). I think she was 20 because I believe she was the daughter of Catherine and Alexander Cross and Catherine was the sister of Martha, (Greatorex) so aunt to Charles, making Charles and Martha first cousins. 1861 Charles is at school in Kidderminster. 1871 with older brother William Francis in Hednesford, Cannock. 1891 census he is indexed as Trapnell, living at 3 Norfolk Square, Brighton as a boarder, married aged 39. In 1901 he is at 9 Highcroft Villas, Dyke Road, Brighton aged 49 and married – living with him is the housekeeper Elizabeth Trapnell (also with him on the 1891 census). His death occurs at this address 11th July 1910. In his Will he leaves his diamond ring and silver candelabras to his wife Martha as a ‘mark of my respect for her’. He also left £25 to his cook Emily Bish and the residue to his old and valued servant Elizabeth Trapnell. Martha died 1927 at Bolingbroke Hospital, Wandsworth. I can find no trace of Martha between her marriage in 1874 until her death in 1927. Martha left £3388. Perhaps a point of real interest and is it a coincidence or not, Martha died the day before Mercedes Tredwell, wife of the infamous Mark John Tredwell, son of Solomon.
William was the contractor for Fort Nelson, Portsdown, Fareham, Hants March 1861, completed 1870 Brunels Swivel Bridge, Cumberland Basin 1864. William was the successful tenderer for a series of measures designed by Thomas Howard, the Docks Engineer, including replacements for the North and Junction locks. However due to financial constraints the start was delayed on the New North lock until 1868.