FAMILY HISTORY
In the next few weeks we will be creating links and giving information about how to search for your family history.
Anne Morris from Sidney Australia sent me the following in July 2008 it contains facinating history relating to both The Swan and The Mill.
I've just come across your fascinating website whilst doing a bit of family history research. I see you are interested in past publicans at the Swan Inn. I couldn't see my great-great-grand-uncle's name on the list of previous licensees. Edmund Tomkins Morris managed both the Swan Inn and the Mill in the 1860s-1870s. I am not sure of the exact dates but on the 1861 census of Upton Warren he is listed as "Miller". In the 1871 census he is shown living with his family at the Swan Inn, his occupation given as "Miller and Publican". (By 1881 they had moved to Rock Hill.)
In about 1863 or 1864 Edmund's bother, John, my great-great-grandfather joined Edmund in Upton Warren and remained in the village for about five years. Edmund and John married two local sisters, Ellen and Ann Cook, the daughters of carpenter/shopkeeper Richard Cook and his wife Sarah. Ann had previously been married to John Holt and emigrated to Australia. They had three children there but, tragically, both her husband and one of her babies died whilst in the colony. Ann decided to return to her birthplace with her two remaining sons, whom she had christened at St Michaels in August 1863.
In 1865 Ann married my great-great-grandfather, John Tomkins Morris, in the village. They had two children, including my great-grandfather Walter, there, before moving to Redditch to run Ipsley Mill in 1868, where they had eight more children.
I have lived in both England and Australia. I live in Sydney now. I am coming to England again to visit my family in September and, as I do not know the area, am hoping to visit Upton Warren during my trip. Your website has given me some interesting background about the village, so thank you. I am very much looking forward to my visit.
If you know of anyone who is connected to the Morris and Cook families I
would love to get in touch. (The two Morris brothers were born in Haselor
near Alcester, the sons of Daniel Tomkins Morris, the miller at Hoo Mill.)
Andy and Kate Turner are looking for information about Andy's great (x5) grandfather Francis Band who was the miller at Upton Warren around 1800 - 1820. If anyone has information or early photo's of the mill please contact Annie by email (ann@haywood7478.freeserve.co.uk)
We have an on going project, Val Evans contacted this site in late February 2008
"With reference to your item on James Willis he married Eliza Willis (not sure if they are related some where down the line) on 14 Dec 1872. James Willis was brother to my Gt Gt grandmother; I have info on the Willis family that I could pass on to Lawri Willis"
Lawrie - please contact Annie who will pass on the email details
James Willis born 1847
Lawri Willis who lives in Cheshire asked for information about his great grandfather James Willis born in Upton Warren. A search of the 1861 Census records shows that James, a house servant (aged 13) was the son of Henry Willis (aged 64) an agricultural labourer born in Tibberton Worcestershire and his wife Elizabeth (aged 59) also an agricultural labourer born in Upton Warren. There was another son, Thomas, unmarried aged 20 an agricultural labourer and a daughter, Sarah aged 11, a scholar.
James married sometime between July - September 1872, Lawrie tells us at St Michael's Upton Warren so if anyone fancies a quiet hour looking through the church register they can let us know the precise date and the name of the lucky lady.
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