Mary Ann Brew, 1817-?

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Mary Ann's Birth Entry in the Parish Register, Chepstow, Wales

26 October 1817, Mary Ann, daughter of Thomas & Honor Brew, Abode: High Street, Trade: Ropemaker, Mr. Morgan, Vicar.

The 1841 Census for Monmouthshire shows Mary Ann, 20, "F.S." (female servant), resident at High Street, Chepstow.

In 1840 and again in 1842, Mary Ann gave birth to illegitimate children, Thomas and Emily. No father is named on their birth certificates. Thomas died 4 months after his birth and Emily almost 6 weeks after hers. On their death certificates, there also appears no father's name. Mary Ann spent a lot of time in the Chepstow Workhouse, and the existing ledgers still mention her admission or discharge, and even fees paid to her to allow her to bury her children. Following are the details from each of the birth and death certificates. 

Thomas Brew

1840 Birth in the Registration District of Chepstow in the Counties of Monmouth and Gloucester.

No. 13; When and where born: 2 February 1840, Chepstow; Name: Thomas; Sex. Boy; Name of father: [blank]; Name of mother: Mary Ann Brew; Occupation of father: [blank]; Signature, name, and description of informant: Joseph Lewis, Master of the Workhouse, Chepstow; When registered: 13 February 1840; Signature of registrar: B. M. Bradford.

1840 Death in the Registration District of Chepstow in the Counties of Monmouth and Gloucester.

No. 421; When and where died: 8 May 1840, Chepstow; Name: Thomas Brew; Sex: Male; Age: 4 months; Occupation: Daughter [sic] of Mary Ann Brew; Cause of death: Smallpox; Signature, description, and residence of informant: Joseph Lewis, Master of the Workhouse, Chepstow; When registered: 12 May 1840; Signature of registrar: B. M. Bradford.

Note at the side of the death certificate: "In No. 421 Column No. 5 for daughter substitute son, Corrected on 29th day of March 1841 B. M. Bradford Registrar. In the presence of Winifred Lewis Joseph Lewis".

Emily Brew

1842 Birth in the Registration District of Chepstow in the Counties of Monmouth and Gloucester.

No. 108; When and where born: 23 October 1842, Chepstow; Name: Emily; Sex: Girl; Name of father: [blank]; Name of mother: Mary Ann Brew; Occupation of father: [blank]; Signature, description, and residence of informant: Joseph Lewis, Master of the Workhouse, Chepstow; When registered: 4 November 1842; Signature of registrar: B. M. Bradford.

1842 Death in the Registration District of Chepstow in the Counties of Monmouth and Gloucester.

No. 304; When and where died: 2 December 1842, Chepstow; Name : Emily Brew; Sex: Female; Age: 1 Month and Week and two days; Occupation: Daughter of Mary Ann Brew; Cause of death: Convulsions; Signature, description, and residence of informant: Joseph Lewis, Master of the Workhouse, Chepstow; When registered: 5 December 1842; Signature of registrar: B. M. Bradford.

1847 Marriage in the Parish Church in Temple Parish, in the Registration District of Bristol.

18 January 1847, Marriage between William Niblett, of full age, bachelor, Whitesmith, Temple Street, father: John Niblett, Mason, and Mary Ann Brew, of full age, spinster, of Temple Street, father: Thomas Brew, Ropemaker. Married by Banns, signatures of the couple, witnesses: Edward E. Fisher [signature] and Jane Tanner ["X"] her mark, by Curate [name illegible].

The couple had at least one daughter, Emma, who was born in 1848, and married George Evans, ca. 1877.

The 1881 Census shows Mary Ann, now a widow, living with her daughter and son-in-law, and their children:

Dwelling: Swinmore Villa
Census Place: Madley, Hereford, England
Source: FHL Film 1341625 PRO Ref RG11 Piece 2596 Folio 46 Page 8
George Evans, married, 28, male, born Bretten, Cheshire, England, Relationship: Head, Occupation: Farmer 58 Acres
Emma Evans, married, 33, female, born Newport, Monmouth, Wales, Relationship: Wife
Julia R. E. Evans, 4, female, born Newport, Monmouth, Wales, Relationship: Daughter
Florence E. Evans, 3, female, born Newport, Monmouth, Wales, Relationship: Daughter
George S. Evans, 1, male, born Madley, Hereford, England, Relationship: Son
Mary A. Niblett, widow, 62, female, born Chepstow, Monmouth, Wales, Relationship: Mother-in-law
William Randle, single, 18, male, born Eaton Bishop, Hereford, England, Relationship: Servant, Occ: Farm Servant (Indoor)

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