Hi there

I wonder if anyone could shed any light on Morses Buildings in Ruspidge?, my Great Great Grandmother Martha Lewis (nee MORSE) is listed as living there on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission entry for her son James Lewis, I am guessing that she was there after 1921 when her husband James Lewis died. I just wandered if the name was a coincidence or if there was some family connection.

I am up in Yorkshire tracing my family tree down there in Gloucestershire and have connections with Lewis, Hart and Morse from the Newent, Cinderford, Ruspidge and Chetenham area's. I am finding your site wonderfully useful and am passing on lot's of information to my 82 year old grandma, who is the daughter of Martha and James' son George Charles and his wife Rosa (nee Hart).

Many Thanks

Mel

There is a previous thread re: Richard MORSE of Ruspidge

'The Great War Scrapbook of Laura MORSE (Ruspidge)

http://www.forum.forest-of-dean.net/index.php?id=11195

(which may be of use)

The Forest of Dean Local History Society appear to sell a CD - of this Scrapbook (under Publications)

http://79.170.40.163/forestofdeanhistory.org.uk/LHSlinks.htm

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FOD records, marriage at Newent - 12 September 1885

James LEWIS, Bachelor, labourer, residence Newent - father; George LEWIS - labourer
married
Martha MORSE, Spinster, age 20 - residence Newent - father Charles MORSE - Miner

witnesses: Henry & Elizabeth LEWIS

---

1891 Census, Ruspidge

LEWIS

James - 30 - Coalminer, born Newent
Martha - 25 - born Blakeney
Ernest - 2 - born Newent

----

1901 East Dean
Ruspidge

LEWIS

James - 40 - Coal Miner Hewer Below Ground, born Glos Newent
Martha - 35 - born Blakeney Hill
Ernest W or M - 12 - born Newent
George C - 9 Ruspidge
Susan J - 7 - Newent
James - 4 - Newent
Ruth - 2 - Newent

1911 Census - The Coombs, Coleford, Glos (15 rooms)

Helen Aitken LEWIS - Head - 41 - Widow, Private means, born Brechin, Scotland (5 children born, 5 children alive) ***
Helen GUTHRIE, Mother - Widow, (two children born alive, one dead) - born Brechin, Scotland
Janie LEWIS, daughter, 15 single, at School, born Hackney, London
Cyril LEWIS - son - 7 - born Cinderford, Glos
Mary WEBB - sick nurse, 29 single, Nurse, born Leominster
Emily BULLOCK, Servant, 21, Single, Domestic Servant, born Huntley Glos
James FULLBROOK, Gardener, 72 - Widower, Gardener, born Hackney, London
Susan LEWIS, Servant, 17 - single, Domestic Servant, born Newent Glos
Martha LEWIS, Visitor, 45, married 25 years, (7 children born, 7 children living) - born Blakeney Glos
Ruth LEWIS, visitor, 13 - born Newent Glos
Harry LEWIS, visitor, 2 - born Cinderford

and husband James is in Ruspidge (no name such as Morses Buildings, listed on Census Summary in Ruspidge - there is a MORSE family a few doors away)

1911 Glos. East Dean, District 13 - No. 53 (3 rooms)

LEWIS

James - 50 - married, Collier, above ground, born Glos. Newent
James - 14 - Belt boy, above ground, born Glos. Newent
Mary LEWIS - 9 - born Glos. Ruspidge

***

On the 1901 Census for Hackney, London, Helen Aitken LEWIS' husband Evan LEWIS age 41, born Cardigan, was a Clergyman for the Church of England.

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FOD records - burial at Cinderford St John

Evan LEWIS, The Vicarage, Cinderford age 48 (2 June 1908)

---

London Gazette - pdf file - last item, bottom right.

http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/issues/28131/pages/3077/page.pdf

Crown Office - April 22 1908

Rev.Frederick William BALDWIN, to the Vicarage of St John, Cinderford, following the death of Rev. Evan Lewis

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FOD Records, Burial at Cinderford St John - 16 March 1921

James LEWIS, Ruspidge
Officiating Minster: F W BALDWIN (Vicar)

1871 Census, East Dean, Blakeney Hill

MORSE

Charles (Snr) - 58 - Coal Miner born East Dean
Jane - 50 - West Dean
Mary Ann - 18 - Servant out of employ - born East Dean
Sam - 15 - Coalminer
Ruth - 12
Dan - 10
Martha - 5
William Charles MORSE, grandson, age 1
Charles MORSE (Jnr) 27
Mary MORSE - 22

1861 Census, West Dean, Moseley Green

MORSE
Charles - 49 - Collier, born East Dean
Jane - 40
Charles 17, John 15, Elizabeth 13, James 10, Mary Ann 8, San 5 and Dan 7 months

-----

1851 Census, Blakeney Hill

MORSE

Charles - 40
Jane - 30
Isaac 10, Charles 7, John 5, Elizabeth 3 & James 7 months

---

1841 Census, Viney Hill

MORSE

Charles - 25
Jane - 20
Unknown male - 16 weeks

--

FOD records :

Marriage at Lydney - 13 April 1840

Charles MORSE of full age, Bachelor, residence Oldcroft, father: George MORSE, Cattle Farmer
married
Jane KEAR - Spinster, labouring woman - residence Oldcroft
father: Richard KEAR, Collier

mark of Richard & Mary KEAR

---

Gloucestershire BDM - MORSE, mother's maiden name KEAR

Ann - 1853, Forest of Dean, Chepstow, Lydney
Charles - 1843 - Forest of Dean, Westbury on Severn, Newnham
Elizabeth - 1848, ditto
Isaac - 1841 - ditto
James - 1850 - ditto
John - 1845 - ditto

This is also my Morse family.

I am descended via George Morse & Ann Clark
Charles Morse & Jane Kear
James Morse & Eliza Smith
James W Morse & Caroline Wright
Eric T Morse & Jacqueline (Pat) Lewis

My tree is on Gene's Reunited.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them

Rank:Private
Service No:24457
Date of Death:14/06/1918
Age:22
Regiment/Service:Gloucestershire
Regiment 8th Bn.
Panel Reference MemorialSOISSONS MEMORIAL
Additional Information:

Son of Martha Lewis, of Morses Buildings, Ruspidge, Cinderford, Glos., and the late James Lewis.

In July 1918 The Dean Forest Mercury published an obituary for Lance Corporal James Lewis as follows:- "The name of Lance-Corpl. James Lewis, third son of Mr. and Mrs. James Lewis, Morse's Buildings, Ruspidge, has to be added to the list of those who have gallantly laid down their lives in their country's great cause. He was 22 years old in April last. Enlisting in August 1915, he had seen active service in machine-gun work with the Gloucestershire Regiment. About Christmas last he had the ill-fortune to be gassed, and was in hospital for three months, getting a leave home in March last. Now comes the official intimation that on the 14th of last month his bright young life was sacrificed in the great conflict. His brother George, his parents' second son, who resides in Yorkshire, and has a wife and three children, was wounded at Christmas time, and his arm was so badly injured that he has been discharged. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis and other friends, therefore are surely shared in the great sorrow that has been continually falling on the homes of the people of our dear old land...."

Thank you so much for the replies I have recieved so far! The obituary in particular was wonderful and was very emotional for my Gran to see, especially the part that mentions her Dad, obviously she knew he was involved in the war but it was never talked about, she wasn't even sure that Uncle Jim had been killed, she just assumed from overheard conversations, that he had.

I think the Lewis family in London are unconnected to mine, and as for the Kear connection, this is the first time this name has come up so this is something to look into further!

Once again, thank you so much to all who have taken the time to look and reply, and please if you can continue to help allm information will be gratefully recieved!

Mel

Just came across this correspondence.

Helen Aitken Guthrie, wife of the Rev Evan Lewis, was a distant relative of mine. I would be interested in any more information about this family.

Just came across this correspondence.

Helen Aitken Guthrie, wife of the Rev Evan Lewis, was a distant relative of mine. I would be interested in any more information about this family.

1871 Gowan Ave Falkirk Burgh ??
David Guthrie 28
Helen Guthrie 28
Helen Guthrie 4
John Guthrie 5 Mo
Agnes Anderson 18

1881 16 Clerk Street Brechin
Jane Aitken 60
Betsy Aitken 58
Helen Guthrie 38
Helen A Guthrie 12

1901
Evan Lewis abt 1860 Llanbadarn, Cardiganshire, Wales Head Hackney, London
Helen A Lewis abt 1869 Irefesluys, Scotland Wife Hackney, London
Jane E A Lewis abt 1896 Hackney, London, England Daughter Hackney, London
John E L Lewis abt 1898 Hackney, London, England Son Hackney, London
Kenneth S T Lewis abt 1900 Hackney, London, England Son Hackney, London
Maria J Gross abt 1880 Bermondsey, London, England Servant Hackney, London

1911 Coombs Coleford
Helen Aitken Lewis 41 Brechin
Helen Guthrie 72 Brechin
Jawe Lewis 15 Hackney
Cyril Lewis 7 Hackney
Nellie Lewis 3 Cinderford

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Ἀριστοτέλης A Gloster Boy in the Forest of Dean ><((((*>

Thank you! That was quick.

I have the 1881 and 1901 census, though I have been having some trouble deciphering Evan Lewis' birthplace. What I read as Trefegluys, or Irefegluys, is on a separate line, below Evan's line and above Helen's, so I thought it might be part of his birthplace.

Evan Lewis and Helen Aitken Guthrie were married in Brechin on 2 November 1893. I have reams of information about Helen's family but nothing much on her descendants.

The five children seem to be Jane Elizabeth A; John Evan L; Kenneth Singer G; Cyril Herbert S; and Helen Evangeline M.
No idea what became of them all.

If you have it tio hand, can you confirm that the 1911 shows Cyril as born in Hackney and Nellie in Cinderford? The previous posting of this family on this thread seems to omit Nellie but shows Cyril as born in Cinderford.

Also, I see that the Rev Evan's death was registered in the March quarter, but the FOD burial date quoted in this thread says 2 June 1908. This seems rather late, especially given that Evan's successor was presented in April. Is this perhaps an American transcription of 6/2/1908, i.e. 6 February?

I very much appreciate your lightning reply.

Name: Jane Elizabeth A Lewis
Date of registration: Jan-Feb-Mar 1896
Registration district: Hackney
Inferred County: Greater London, London, Middlesex
Volume: 1b
Page: 587

Name: John Evan L Lewis
Date of registration: Apr-May-Jun 1897
Registration district: Hackney
Inferred County: Greater London, London, Middlesex
Volume: 1b
Page: 576

Name: Kenneth Singer G Lewis
Date of registration: Jul-Aug-Sep 1900
Registration district: Hackney
Inferred County: Greater London, London, Middlesex
Volume: 1b
Page: 584

Name: Cyril Herbert S Lewis
Date of registration: Apr-May-Jun 1904
Registration district: Hackney
Inferred County: Greater London, London, Middlesex
Volume: 1b
Page: 568

Name: Helen Evangeline M Lewis
Date of registration: Apr-May-Jun 1908
Registration district: Westbury on Severn
Inferred County: Gloucestershire
Volume: 6a
Page: 294

1931 1 Meynell Rd Hackney
Cook Jane Elizabeth
Lewis Cyril Herbert Stanley
Lewis Helen Aitken
Lewis Helen Evangeline May

1933 1 Meynell Rd Hackney
Cook Jane Elizabeth
Lewis Cyril Herbert Stanley
Lewis Helen Aitken
Lewis Helen Evangeline May

worth checking this death

Name: Helen A Lewis
Birth Date: abt 1869
Date of registration: Jul-Aug-Sep 1953
Age at Death: 84
Registration district: Surrey North Western
Inferred County: Surrey
Volume: 5g
Page: 479

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Ἀριστοτέλης A Gloster Boy in the Forest of Dean ><((((*>

Also, I see that the Rev Evan's death was registered in the March quarter, but the FOD burial date quoted in this thread says 2 June 1908. This seems rather late, especially given that Evan's successor was presented in April. Is this perhaps an American transcription of 6/2/1908, i.e. 6 February?

Year: 1908
Month: Feb
Day: 5
Surname: LEWIS
Forenames: Evan
Residence: The Vicarage Cinderford
Age_at_death: 48
Officiating_Minister: F. W. Cresswell Curate
Event: Burial
Cause_of_death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register_Reference: P85/1 IN 1/14
Page_No: 151
Parish_Chapel: Cinderford St John

--
Ἀριστοτέλης A Gloster Boy in the Forest of Dean ><((((*>

Sorry, slowhands, I seem not to have caught up with your last two messages, for which many thanks.

I have a possible death for Helen Aitken Guthrie or Lewis, in Warminster in 1940-Q4-5a-341, so that makes two possibles.

I've also noted the burial details of Rev Evan Lewis, thank you, and the 1933/34 listings.

Dear Chris,

Have recently joined this group and noticed your posts on the Morse family.

I wonder if you know the birth & death date of Ann(e) Morse nee Clark(e)?

And did George Morse Have a Christian Name or middle name of William?

Hope you don't mind me contacting you?

Thanks, James Newton.

Ps, My mother was a Morse.

Hi James

All I know about Ann is from this site so you probably already have the same!

Baptism but not the date of birth.

Record_ID: 174853
Entry Number:
Year: 1783
Month: Feb
Day: 16
Parents Surname: CLARK
Child Forenames: Ann
Father's Forenames: William
Mother's Forenames: Mary
Mother's Surname:
Place of Residence:
Occupation:
Officiating Minister: Charles Sandiford Assistant Minister
Event type: Baptism
Memoranda: D[aughter] of
Notes: Blakeney Chapel
Register Reference: P30 1 IN 1 Part 2
Page No: 452
Parish_Chapel: Awre
Soundex: C462

Burial date but not death date.

Record_ID: 26118
Entry_Number: 306
Year: 1862
Month: Mar
Day: 23
Surname: MORSE
Forenames: Ann
Residence: Oldcroft
Age_at_death: years 79
Officiating_Minister: B.Philpot Vicar
Event: Burial
Cause_of_death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register_Reference: P209 IN 1/12
Page_No: 39
Parish_Chapel: Lydney
Soundex: M620

I have never come across a middle name for George but it doesn't mean he didn't have one.
Have you found a definite baptism for George please?

Always nice to hear from a relly!

Regards

Chris