I have a distant indirect connection with a 'Phelps' in the Forest or nearby in the mid/late 1800s.

I have been sent, found in the personal papers of a deceased distant relative, a copy of an undated, unsourced newspaper clipping being the "Obituary of Mr Merrick Phelps" (82) of High Croft, Mitcheldean. "He was a retired inn keeper who kept the Greyhound at Mitcheldean for nearly 18 years before his retirement 12 years ago. Earlier he had been licensee of the Crown, Howle Hill, where he once had a bakery and grocery business."

There is mention of a "Brother Will", "Mr Leonard Phelps (cousin)", "Mrs E Cinderby (cousin)", "Cousin Beatrice" and, indistinctly, "Miss (or Mrs) J Smith (niece)". A similar cutting refers to the death of "Miss Ivy Phelps".

I suspect that my connection is to someone in Merrick Phelps' family tree. He does not appear to be recorded in the 1881 census, the only one to which I have access via the internet. Can someone (perhaps that gem 'slowhands' with his apparently inexhaustible fund of information) help in tracing Merrick Phelps' ancestry, and how the 'cousins' are actually related to him?

Thanks in advance.

I have a suspicion that Merrick Phelps is George Merrick Phelps....

1901 ne Bretheren Chapel Howle Hill
Merrick Phelps abt 1872 Ruardean, Gloucestershire, England Head Walford Herefordshire Grocer/Baker
Emily Phelps abt 1869 Redmarley, Gloucestershire, England Wife Walford Herefordshire
Eliza Smith abt 1833 Kings Caple, Herefordshire, England Visitor Walford Herefordshire

Year 1896
Month Feb
Day 23

Groom Surname PHELPS
Groom Forename(s) George Merrick
Groom Age at Marriage 23
Groom condition Bachelor
Groom Rank or Profession Collier
Groom Residence Ruardean
Groom Father's Surname Phelps
Groom Father's Forename(s) George
Groom Father's Rank or Profession Collier

Bride Surname EVANS
Bride Forename(s) Emily Jane
Bride Age at Marriage 28
Bride Condition Spinster
Bride Rank or Profession
Bride Residence Walford
Bride Father's Surname Evans
Bride Father's Forename(s) Peter
Bride Father's Rank or Profession [illegible]

Licence or Banns Banns
Date of banns
Signature or Mark Both sign
Witness 1 Allen Evans
Witness 2 Sarah Harding
Other witnesses
Officiating Minister Edward Parnell Rector
Event type Marriage
Memoranda
Transcriber's Notes The brides father is Deceased
Register Reference P275 IN 1/10
Page No 115
Parish_Chapel Ruardean

1891
Lodging in East Dean
George M Phelps abt 1872 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Boarder East Dean Gloucestershire
There is a James Phelps nearby

1881 Moorwood
George Phelps abt 1845 Goodrich, Hereford, England Head Ruardean, Gloucestershire, England
Mary Phelps abt 1847 Welsh Bicknor, Hereford, England Wife Ruardean, Gloucestershire, England
George M. Phelps abt 1870 Ruardean, Gloucestershire, England Son Ruardean, Gloucestershire, England
John Phelps abt 1803 Whitchurch, Hereford, England Father Ruardean, Gloucestershire, England

Year 1871
Month Aug
Day 30
Parents Surname PHELPS
Child Forename(s) George Meric
Father's Forename(s) George
Mother's Forename(s) Caroline
Mother's Surname
Place of Residence Vention
Occupation Collier
Officiating Minister W[illia]m Morgan
Event type Baptism
Memoranda Paid
Notes
Register Reference D2598 3/4
Page No 0
Parish_Chapel East Dean Methodist Circuit

Thank you very much, slowhands, for your very prompt reply. I think that your suspicion might very well prove to be correct. Assuming that it is, I note from the 1881 census that Merrick's father would be George Phelps b abt 1845, and in the household was his father John Phelps, b abt 1803. Could I prevail on your time and generosity to plumb the depths of your records and fill in the 1841 - 1871 census records of this family? And does Will(iam) and/or Ivy and/or Leonard Phelps appear in the 1891 or 1901 census?

Thanks in advance

1851
John Phelps abt 1806 Goodrich, Herefordshire, England Head Goodrich Herefordshire
Ann Phelps abt 1806 Bicknor, Monmouthshire, Wales Wife Goodrich Herefordshire
Catharine Phelps abt 1835 Bicknor, Monmouthshire, Wales Daughter Goodrich Herefordshire
George Phelps abt 1844 Goodrich, Monmouthshire, Wales Son Goodrich Herefordshire
James Phelps abt 1847 Goodrich, Monmouthshire, Wales Son Goodrich Herefordshire
Joseph Phelps abt 1837 Bicknor, Monmouthshire, Wales Son Goodrich Herefordshire
William Phelps abt 1839 Bicknor, Monmouthshire, Wales Son Goodrich Herefordshire
Thomas Greenaway abt 1844 Goodrich, Monmouthshire, Wales Nephew Goodrich Herefordshire

1861 Lydbrook Hill
John Phelps abt 1805 Newcourt, Herefordshire, England Head East Dean Gloucestershire
Ann Phelps abt 1805 West Bockan, Gloucestershire, England Wife East Dean Gloucestershire
William Phelps abt 1840 West Bockan, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean Gloucestershire
George Phelps abt 1845 West Bockan, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean Gloucestershire
James Phelps abt 1847 West Bockan, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean Gloucestershire
Joseph Phelps abt 1838 West Bockan, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean Gloucestershire
Mary Phelps abt 1849 West Bockan, Gloucestershire, England Granddaughter East Dean Gloucestershire
Thommos Phelps abt 1843 West Bockan, Gloucestershire, England Grandson East Dean Gloucestershire
Edwin Phelps abt 1859 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Grandson East Dean Gloucestershire

1871 Vention
George Phelps abt 1846 Herefordshire, England Head Ruardean Herefordshire
Caroline Phelps abt 1847 Herefordshire, England Wife Ruardean Herefordshire

Name: Phelps, George Merrick
Record Type: Births
Quarter: September
Year: 1871
District: Ross
County: Gloucestershire Herefordshire Hereford and Worcester
Volume: 6a
Page: 454

1901 Forge Hill Lydbrook

Herbert Phelps abt 1870 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Head East Dean Gloucestershire
Emma Phelps abt 1874 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Wife East Dean Gloucestershire
Ivy Phelps abt 1900 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean Gloucestershire
Leonard Phelps abt 1897 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean Gloucestershire
Willie Phelps abt 1895 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean Gloucestershire

1891 Lower Lydbrook
Joseph Philps abt 1837 Goodrich, Herefordshire, England Head Ruardean Gloucestershire
Elizabeth Philps abt 1845 Lydbrook, Gloucestershire, England Wife Ruardean Gloucestershire
Agusta Philps abt 1873 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Ruardean Gloucestershire
Arthur Philps abt 1882 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son Ruardean Gloucestershire
Beatrice Philps abt 1880 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Ruardean Gloucestershire
Eliza Philps abt 1876 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Ruardean Gloucestershire
Herbert Philps abt 1870 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son Ruardean Gloucestershire

1881 Lydbrook Coppice, Westbury On Severn - East Dean, Gloucestershire, England
Joseph Phelps abt 1837 Welsh Bicknor, Hereford, England Head
Elizabeth Phelps abt 1843 Eng Bicknor, Gloucestershire, England Wife
Agusta Phelps abt 1874 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter
Eliza Ann Phelps abt 1876 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter
Emily Beatrice Phelps abt 1880 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter
Herbert Phelps abt 1870 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son
William Phelps abt 1871 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son

Where is Howle Hill ?

Nr Walford, Ross on Wye

http://www.old-maps.co.uk/

co-ords 360210,220730

Thank you again, slowhands, for your very prompt reply. It seems that you have sorted it out for me. There did appear to be a little glitch when I noticed that George Phelps' wife in the 1871 census was 'Caroline' and in the 1881 census 'Mary'. I have just checked on Free BMD site and found the death of Caroline Phelps (32) Dec Qr 1879 Ross 6a 314 which matches her birth in about 1847, so that seems to resolve the problem.

Thanks also for the post-1881 information and how the other 'Phelps' fit into the tree. And for Howle Hill. You've certainly found a huge number of members of Merrick's family tree for me to try and sort out.

Just digressing - the answer might appear on another thread - but where did the name 'slowhands' originate?

Robert (Bob) Williams

Name: PHELPS, George
Record Type: Marriages
Quarter: September
Year: 1866
District: Monmouth (1837-1939)
County: Gloucestershire Herefordshire Monmouthshire
Volume: 11a
Page: 80

Name: Trigg, Caroline
Record Type: Marriages
Quarter: September
Year: 1866
District: Monmouth (1837-1939)
County: Gloucestershire Herefordshire Monmouthshire
Volume: 11a
Page: 80

as transcribed

1861
Robert Trigg abt 1798 Ross, Herefordshire, England Head Ruardean Gloucestershire
Elizabeth Trigg abt 1808 Ross, Herefordshire, England Wife Ruardean Gloucestershire
Mark Trigg abt 1841 Ruardean, Gloucestershire, England Son Ruardean Gloucestershire
Caroline Trigg abt 1846 Peterstone, Herefordshire, England Daughter Ruardean Gloucestershire

1851 Moorwood farm
Robert Trigg abt 1799 Ross, Herefordshire, England Head Ruardean Gloucestershire Ag Lab
Elizabeth Trigg abt 1807 Ross, Herefordshire, England Wife Ruardean Gloucestershire
Mark Trigg abt 1842 Ruardean, Gloucestershire, England Son Ruardean Gloucestershire
Maryann Trigg abt 1837 Bridstow, Herefordshire, England Daughter Ruardean Gloucestershire
Catherine Trigg abt 1846 Peterstone, Herefordshire, England Daughter Ruardean Gloucestershire

1891 Holy Jesus Lydbrook
George Phelps abt 1845 Lydbrook, Gloucestershire, England Head East Dean Gloucestershire
Mary Phelps abt 1842 Welsh Bicknor, Monmouthshire, Wales Wife East Dean Gloucestershire
William J Phelps abt 1890 Lydbrook, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean Gloucestershire
Lucy M Phelps abt 1882 Lydbrook, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean Gloucestershire

1901 Barnwood Asylum
Mary Phelps abt 1845 Welsh Bicknor, Monmouthshire, Wales Patient Barnwood Gloucestershire

1901 Well Tump Lydbrook
George Phelps abt 1842 Goodrich, Herefordshire, England Head East Dean Gloucestershire
William Phelps abt 1889 Ross, Herefordshire, England Son East Dean Gloucestershire

Name: PHELPS, George
Record Type: Marriages
Quarter: March
Year: 1881
District: Monmouth (1837-1939)
County: Gloucestershire Herefordshire Monmouthshire
Volume: 11a
Page: 53

Name: Morgan, Mary
Record Type: Marriages
Quarter: March
Year: 1881
District: Monmouth (1837-1939)
County: Gloucestershire Herefordshire Monmouthshire
Volume: 11a
Page: 53

1851
William Morgan abt 1813 Goodrich, Herefordshire, England Head Welsh Bicknor Herefordshire
Mary Morgan abt 1811 Langarren, Herefordshire, England Wife Welsh Bicknor Herefordshire
Mary Morgan abt 1847 Welsh Bicknor, Herefordshire, England Daughter Welsh Bicknor Herefordshire
William Morgan abt 1807 Welsh Bicknor, Herefordshire, England Son Welsh Bicknor Herefordshire
Jane Morgan abt 1843 Welsh Bicknor, Herefordshire, England Daughter Welsh Bicknor Herefordshire
John Phelphs abt 1783 Welsh Bicknor, Herefordshire, England Lodger Welsh Bicknor Herefordshire

1861
William Morgan abt 1813 Goodrich, Herefordshire, England Head Welsh Bicknor Herefordshire
Mary Morgan abt 1811 Langaren, Herefordshire, England Wife Welsh Bicknor Herefordshire
Mary Morgan abt 1847 Welsh Bicknor, Herefordshire, England Daughter Welsh Bicknor Herefordshire
William Morgan abt 1851 Welsh Bicknor, Herefordshire, England Son Welsh Bicknor Herefordshire
George Morgan abt 1854 Welsh Bicknor, Herefordshire, England Son Welsh Bicknor Herefordshire

1871
William Morgan abt 1813 Goodrich, Herefordshire, England Head Welsh Bicknor Herefordshire
Mary Morgan abt 1811 Llanganer, Herefordshire, England Wife Welsh Bicknor Herefordshire
Mary Morgan abt 1847 Welsh Bicknor, Herefordshire, England Daughter Welsh Bicknor Herefordshire
George Morgan abt 1854 Welsh Bicknor, Herefordshire, England Son Welsh Bicknor Herefordshire
William Morgan abt 1851 Welsh Bicknor, Herefordshire, England Son Welsh Bicknor

Name: Phelps, George Merrick
Record Type: Marriages
Quarter: March
Year: 1896
District: Ross
County: Gloucestershire Herefordshire Hereford and Worcester
Volume: 6a
Page: 653

Name: Evans, Emily Jane
Record Type: Marriages
Quarter: March
Year: 1896
District: Ross
County: Gloucestershire Herefordshire Hereford and Worcester
Volume: 6a
Page: 653

1891
Emily J Evans abt 1868 Redmarby, Worcestershire, England Servant Charlton Kings Gloucestershire

1881
Peter Evans abt 1842 Redmarley, Worcestershire, England Head Golden Valley, Newent, Gloucestershire, England
Ellen Evans abt 1844 Redmarley, Worcestershire, England Wife Golden Valley, Newent, Gloucestershire, England
Alice Evans abt 1870 Redmarley, Worcestershire, England Daughter Golden Valley, Newent, Gloucestershire, England
Allen Evans abt 1872 Redmarley, Worcestershire, England Son Golden Valley, Newent, Gloucestershire, England
Arthur Evans abt 1875 Staunton, Worcestershire, England Son Golden Valley, Newent, Gloucestershire, England
Emily Evans abt 1868 Redmarley, Worcestershire, England Daughter Golden Valley, Newent, Gloucestershire, England

1871
Peter Evans abt 1843 Yatton, Herefordshire, England Head Redmarley Worcestershire
Harriett Evans abt 1844 Eldonsfield, Worcestershire, England Wife Redmarley Worcestershire
Alice Evans abt 1870 Redmarley, Worcestershire, England Daughter Redmarley Worcestershire
Emily Evans abt 1868 Redmarley, Worcestershire, England Daughter Redmarley Worcestershire

1861 ?

1851
Thomas Evans abt 1803 Yatton, Herefordshire, England Head Yatton Herefordshire
Jane Evans abt 1805 M Marcle, Herefordshire, England Wife Yatton Herefordshire
Ann Evans abt 1847 Yatton, Herefordshire, England Daughter Yatton Herefordshire
Charlotte Evans abt 1837 Yatton, Herefordshire, England Daughter Yatton Herefordshire
Edith Evans abt 1849 Yatton, Herefordshire, England Daughter Yatton Herefordshire
Eliza Evans abt 1845 Yatton, Herefordshire, England Daughter Yatton Herefordshire
Peter Evans abt 1839 Yatton, Herefordshire, England Son Yatton Herefordshire
Richard Evans abt 1831 Yatton, Herefordshire, England Son Yatton Herefordshire
Thomas Evans abt 1835 Yatton, Herefordshire, England Son Yatton Herefordshire

Thank you yet again for your very prompt responses. I'm beginning to wonder whether you ever sleep, as even the most casual visitor to this message board could not help but notice how promptly you respond, and the depth of detail you supply, to just about every family name that users raise, and from sources that users like me simply cannot reasonably access. You have given me a wealth of detail to try to piece together. I owe you one.
Admin raised the question "How many ancestors do you have?" Its just as well that he did not pose the question "How many relatives?"