Forest of Dean FHT Forum - William Smith Champion

William Smith Champion (reply)

Jefff — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 19:29:20 +0000

Hi MPG,
I know you have lots of reference resources but do your Census cd's really show him to be a "General Swindler" ?
Or is this one of those old job titles that have changed meaning over the years ?
From "intrigued", also in "well-dodgy" Middlesex !

UPDATE: I have now seen the evidence, thanks M, good to see he had a champion sense of humour, he wouldn't be wise saying that these days for fear of visits from the various local government officials and even the police.
Perhaps he thought the not-so-noble profession of vinegar selling needed spicing up...
Or maybe he knew the Trotters across the River in Peckham ?

William Smith Champion - Dursley connections (reply)

m p griffiths — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 18:40:57 +0000

FOD do have 'some' DURSLEY's records - but it's the other side of the River Severn - not Forest of Dean

Looking at the London baptism....

William SMITH CHAMPION and wife Marion's son William Henry - was christened 25 May 1859 at Paddington, - they were living at Park Place, and William was a Commission Agent.

William Smith CHAMPION is on the 1851 census, in London with parents Henry and Elizabeth CHAMPION - + other family members.

Looking at the 1861 Census - Henry CHAMPION is from Dursley, Gloucestershire

CHAMPION

Henry - 49 - Sadler and Harness maker (master employing 17 men) born Glos. Dursley
Elizabeth - 50 - born Glos. Marshfield
Elizabeth - 24 - born Middlsex Marlebone
Mary - 22 - ditto
Fanny - 10 - born Paddington
+ lots of visitors and servants

William Smith CHAMPION marriage in 1856 (reply)

slowhands — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 17:37:21 +0000

Yes that is the family, but I was hoping that someone had details of their marriage in Wotton under Edge

CHAMPION William S
WHITE Marion
Stroud Wotton-under-Edge
St Mary the Virgin 1856 C50/1 400

William Smith Champion (reply)

unknown — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 17:29:52 +0000

Yes that is the family, but I was hoping that someone had details of their marriage in Wotton under Edge

William Smith Champion (reply)

m p griffiths — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 17:19:46 +0000

Contacted off-line - as this is outside the FOD area and have Gloucestershire CD's for that area - looking at the 1861 census - where this couple are living in Midddlex, Paddington - William being a Vinegar Traveller and General Swindler!

William Smith Champion (reply)

unknown — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 16:50:33 +0000

i belive that the Champion's came from Wotton.

William Smith Champion (reply)

slowhands — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 16:25:24 +0000

William Smith Champion Married Marion White in the Dec Qtr of 1856 in Wotton under Edge I think. If anyone is able to confirm this and give me some details I would be very greatful.

Davidg Texas USA

Are there any known Forest of Dean connections ?

William Smith Champion

unknown — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 16:17:54 +0000

William Smith Champion Married Marion White in the Dec Qtr of 1856 in Wotton under Edge I think. If anyone is able to confirm this and give me some details I would be very greatful.

Davidg Texas USA