Forest of Dean FHT Forum

Back to the forum index

Linear

I noticed the last posting mentions someone with Milson as a forename/first name. I have noticed that several people have Milson as a first name within the families I have researched for my own family history, not always found to be related to me, I might add. This is a name I have never come across before and wonder why so many Forest of Dean people seem to have it. I know it is a surname too but it's very uncommon.E.g. was there some influential person in the community called Milson who they were named after? None seem to have a direct link with the Milson surname as far as I can see.
Can anyone explain why people have this name in this area?
Thanks.

5190 views

I have no experience of this name, never heard of it before, however the following may be of interest as gleaned from t'internet:
1. It appears far more as a surname than first name. It's a very old (pre Domesday)Anglo Saxon name meaning "beloved" or "merciful", so a rather nice choice of firstname too ?
http://www.surnamedb.com/Surname/milson

2. There's a small rural village east of Ludlow called Milson.

3. Perhaps the most wellknown Milson was the Reverend Parkinson Milson, a "prominent" Primitive Methodist Minister active from 1843-1893. His life was published in a 400+ page book, so I presume he was a significant member of that religious movement. He was from & spent his Ministerial life throughout the Yorks/Lincs areas.
http://www.amazon.com/Life-Rev-Parkinson-Milson-Primitive/dp/1606020544/ref=sr_1_6?s=bo...

4. Perhaps because of this "famous" man, or perhaps just logically, statistically as a surname Milson was most prolific in 1881 in Yorks/Lincs and still is. However Bristol & Glamorgan (hence FoD?) are the next most common regions alongside Wilts & Cambs, clearly all agricultural areas, but were they Primitive Methodist areas ?. http://gbnames.publicprofiler.org/default.aspx

5. Statistically Milson is not a common name at all within the Census', with only 48 being recorded nationally in 1841 peaking at 1304 in 1891(compared to 11,000 and 32,000 of us rather common Jones' for example).
http://www.your-family-history.com/m/milson-family-history.php

Hope this helps you ?.
Were your ancestors Primitive Methodists, or Yorkshire immigrants ?
Probably neither...

5243 views

Coincidentally I see one of the most recent threads (Vaughan, William) has Milson's in the line, so clearly not the rarest of FoD names. I must confess as much as I'm proud of my Jones' family background, with many William Jones in the line including my son, I can't help thinking being named Milson would make life a lot easier for research purposes !! That said I've learnt that surnames are often regional things; I have an Uncle surnamed Hulin, never heard of the name before or since until I recently learnt its very common in Cardiff where he was from.

5080 views

You are right that the name Milson can be very helpful in family research. The name confirmed for me I was on the right track, with Slowhands' help of course!

I believe the use of the name pre-dates Rev Parkinson Milson, however. The name was in use in my family before he would have been well-known although interestingly enough the family were primitive Methodists at the time.

I have an uncle who carries the name. I had never heard it elsewhere until I started my research. As a child he called himself "Mick" although in old age he has became "Mike".

Carole Lewis

5022 views

I will check but I think the Milsoms I have found in my research are likely to be from Methodist branches of my family.

5059 views

I have a Milson Hussey (Huzzey) in my family tree (whose birth incidentally is recorded as Neilson in the parish records) and he and his siblings were christened in English Bicknor church. Some of the family went on to become Methodists but in 1846 they were definately C of E. Milson himself went on to eventually become a publican in Cinderford. I have tried to pin down where the name came from as it has no antecedents in the family. One possible link is there was a member of the Chartists called Milson,who might have been locally famous, also I seem to remember seeing gravestones to a Milson family in St. Briavels churchyard some years ago one of which I think mentioned a Naval Officer. Sadly I did not apparently make a note of it and I cannot find him in any naval records I have searched, so he may also be a local hero. Perhaps someone with local knowledge may know the headstone as he is not obviously in the burial records-I think he may have been buried at sea but my memory is a bit hazy on this.
I don't know if this adds anything to the discussion!

4942 views

B35. Near this stone lies the remains of
Ann w/o Richard MILSON, 1 May 1823, 81
William MILSON, s, age 29
He was a Lieutenant in H.M.S. Minotaur
which was lost off the Texel 22 Dec 1810
with the Captain, 5 Lieutenants and upwards
500 of the crew (The ship was classed as a British Frigate)
Richard MILSON 22 April 1809, 70
Elizabeth, Hannah & Richard, children of Richard
And Ann MILSON died in their infancy

4797 views

Thanks Sue for posting the details of the stone. I know now that I wasn't imagining it. I don't know if it solves the reason for Milson becoming a Christian name in lots of families as some seem to predate him, but in my family it suddenly appears with no apparent connection.

4790 views

The 1st Milson surname i've got connections with is late 1500's, and some of my line then used it for the 1st name, so perhaps there is a family connection somewhere.

4797 views

Looking at baptisms only, there were 176 children given the forename Milson in the transcribed FOD parish records between 1723 and 1853.

4896 views

I have a Milson Charles Wyatt born to Charles Wyatt and Alice White Harris Wyatt. He was born 11 Nov 1870 in Coleford. I was also wondering where the Milson name came from.

4902 views

previous thread

http://www.forum.forest-of-dean.net/index.php?mode=thread&id=7533#p7534

FOD records - Marriage at Newland - 14 May 1870

Charles WYATT, age 19 - Bachelor, Tradesman - residence, Coleford
father: Thomas WYATT, Shopkeeper

married

Alice HARRIS, age 18, Spinster, - residence: Coleford
father: Millson HARRIS, butcher
by licence

witnesses: William HARRIS and Susanna WYATT

---

1861 Census, Coleford
Bounce Hill, Bu Bush Road ?

Milson HARRIS - age 58, late Butcher and Innkeeper, born Coleford
Elizth Ellen Howard HARRIS - retired age 48, born Portwood Hall, Cheshire *****
William HARRIS - apprentice to Tailor, age 16 - ALL born Coleford
Maria HARRIS - Age 14
Alice HARRIS - age 9 -
G F H BALLER - Stepson - age 9 - George Francis Hutton BALLER - christened 21 April 1853 - Coleford

other childrens' baptisms and burials on FOD records - of Elizabeth & Robert James BALLER

---

1871 Census, Cirencester

George F H BALLER - age 20 - born Coleford - and a student at the R.A. College, Cirencester

Freebdm- Marriage O/N/D qtr 1873 - Honiton (Devon)

George Francis H BALLER and Florence COMYNS

-------

FreeBDM: Marriage A/M/J Qtr 1857

Milson HARRIS/Elizabeth Ellen Howard BALLER

---------

1851 Census, Coleford
Market Street

Milson HARRIS - Innkeeper & Butcher - age 48 - all born Coleford
Elizabeth - 41
George - 21 - Butcher
Annie - 18
Mary E - 13
MILSON - (transcribed as NEILSON) - 9
Elizabeth SEMEL (could be SMITH - 18 - Servant
William HINCH - 20 -Servant

1841 Census, Coleford

Milton (Milson) HARRIS - 38 c1803) - Butcher - all born in County
Elizabeth - 30
George - 11
Ann - 8
Mary - 6
Harriet - 4
Emily - 1

FOD records

Marriage at Newland - 27 August 1828

Milson HARRIS, Bachelor - residence : Newland

married

Elizabeth NASH, Spinster - residence: Newland

by Licence

Witnesses: George NASH and Ann HARRIS

(with consent of parents)

? FOD records, baptism at Coleford Baptist
6 October 1802

Milson HARRIS - parents William & Jane

Memoranda: The Minister (Baptists Protestant dissenting) signs after a sentence in which he declares he was present at the birth on the date given. This is a record of Birth not Baptism

siblings - birth at Coleford Baptist

William - 28 May 1797
Mary - 6 April 1799
George - 11 November 1800
John - 11 October 1802
Elizabeth - 21 April 1804

Marriage FOD records at Newland 7 June 1796

William HARRIS - residence, Newland.

married

Jane WHITE - residence, Newland

witnesses: George HARRIS and Thos. BOND, other witnesses: Alice WHITE

4973 views

http://www.forum.forest-of-dean.net/index.php?id=6865

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

4902 views

Marriage FOD records

Newland - 21 May 1857

Milson HARRIS - Butcher, Age 54 - residence: Coleford

father: William HARRIS, Feltmonger

married

Elizabeth Ellen Howard BALLER, age 44, Widow
father: James Hulton WHITAKER - Gentleman

married by Licence:

witnesses: William HARRIS and Jane PORTER
other witnesses: Elizabeth Jane HOUGH; Milson illegible

on census returns: Elizabeth BALLER, nee WHITAKER, born Portwood Hall, Cheshire 1813

---

UK Extracted Probate Records

Text: WHITAKER, James Hulton, Hulme, gent. Jan 1831

Book: Marriage Licences Granted within the Diocese of Chester

Collection: Cheshire & Lancashire - Wills and Adminstration 1831-1833

---

FOD records

Marriage - Newland - 2 May 1843

Robert James BALLER,
grooms Age: Minor, Bachelor, Land Agent, Coleford

father: Robert BALLER, School Master

married

Eliza Ellen HOWARD - of full age, Spinster, of Coleford

father: James Hulton WHITAKER, Esquire

by Licence

witnesses: Robert BALLER, and Elizabeth RICHARDS

---

Burial at Coleford, 10 May 1856

Robert James BALLER, age 33 c 1823 - approx age at marriage 20 years

1851 Census, Newland Market Street

Mary HARRIS, 51 - Tea Dealer, born Coleford
Ada BLANCH, Visitor, unmarried age 16 - born Coleford
Robert BALLER, 28 - Clerk to Land Agent, born Somersetshire, Newitry?
Eliza E H BALLER, 28 - born Stockport, Cheshire

1841 Census, Newland, Coleford

Robert BALLER - age 18 - Clerk, Not born in County

--

Church of Latter Day Saints

Christening: at Cathedral, Manchester, Lancashire - 3 December 1812

Elizabeth Ellen Howard WHITTAKER

FATHER: James Hulton Whittaker and Ann

and

Marriage at Cathedral, Manchester - 4 September 1811

James Hutton WHITAKER and Anna HOWARD

also : Event: Intended Marriage - 3 September 1811

James Hulton WHITAKER, residence: Machester, Lancaster, Chester, Male age 21, Batchelor

and

Anne HOWARD, residence, Stockport, Chester, age 21, Spinster

....

Christening at Cathedral, Machester, Lancashire, England, 21 December 1780

James Hullton WHITAKER

parents: James WHITAKER and Elizabeth

--

OnLine Parish Clerks for the County of Lancashire -

has births/marriage/etc at Lancashire Cathedral

http://www.lan-opc.org.uk/index.html

4946 views

The Milson family are my direct ancestors, Sarah Milson married John Mudway on 13 Jan 1810 at St Briavels they are my 3x gt-grandparents.I have traced the family back further with the help of the records on this site.
Sue

4878 views

My great grandfather Milson Roberts was born in 1878 in Upper Bilson, East Dean to Samuel Roberts and Martha Workman. Samuel's brother was also called Milson born in 1851 to James Roberts and Martha Webb.

Pam

4886 views

In my research for my MALSON ancestry I have come across various spellings including Milson. The Malsons were from the Abenhall (Abinghall) area.

4753 views

Maybe in this long thread Iv'e missed him; but there was a well known man called Milson(m?) Dovey - of Redbrook - who worked for the Tin Plate Co, was landlord of the Bush Inn for a while before moving up to Clearwell to keep the Butchers Arms until the Brewery sold it in Circa late 1980's - early 90's - he and his wife Ivy were close friends of my in-laws and since this thread has become a virtual but deserved roll of honor to all Forest Milsons (which ever way spelt or positioned) I have taken the liberty of including this wonderful man now sadly departed.

Cheers

Vurrister

4630 views

RSS Feed of thread

powered by my little forum