Francom Family Forum

Anybody know what became of Elizabeth, William's mother? In his diary, Samuel says, "I also had my Father's family, his brothers and sisters sealed to their parents, as none of my brothers had done anything in that line and, as most of-them had passed away, it fell to my lot to carry on." Who were William's siblings? Did his mother remarry?

Somebody has submitted the sealing of Elisabeth Francom (b. 16 Oct 1795, Keynsham, Somerset) to Richard Pike. The following is the best I can figure it out. Remember, my theory has not been proven yet.

In 1841, William Francom and Amy Harding lived at #13(?) Up Garden Street in District 19, St. John the Evangelist, Middlesex, England. In the 1840s, Richard and Elizabeth Francom Pike moved from District 18, St. Philip and St. Jacob, Gloucestershire, England to #21 Up Garden Street, District 19, St. John the Evangelist, Middlesex, England, presumably to be close to William’s family. (The 1841 census doesn’t give the house number. I’m guessing it’s #13 from the 1851 census.)

William had a half-sister Mary Ann who probably met Thomas Doggett when she was living on Up Garden Street, and they were married on 25 Dec 1850 in Westminster, London, England. The William Francom family would not have been at the wedding; they had already left for South Africa in 1849.

In the 1850s, Richard (George?) and Elizabeth left Up Garden Street for #2 Portland Road, District 12, Kensington, Middlesex, England. (Thomas and Mary Ann Doggett were living at 22 Portabella Lane, District 28, Kensington, Middlesex, England.) Around 1866, William and George returned to England, and George was married in Feb 1867 in Kensington, London, Middlesex, England.

Sarah Ann Gunner married Joseph Butler on 22 Mar 1860, St. John the Baptist, Shoreditch, London. Their three children were all born in London, Middlesex, England: Harriet (Shoreditch, 1861), George (Chelsea, 1863), Ada (?, 1865). William Francom met Sarah in March 1867 and Jane was born 25 Dec 1867 in Reading, Berkshire, England. I can’t find Joseph and Sarah Butler in the 1861 census, but I just received their marriage certificate and subsequently found her mom with her new husband.

In 1871 and 1881 George and Ann were living at #64 Whitechapel Road, St. Mary Whitechapel, London, England. Perhaps William was in Kensington when Sarah Ann Gunner got pregnant. He went to Utah, but returned early in 1870. In 1871, he was a boarder at #86 Portland Road, District 26, Kensington, St. John, London, England. His mother had been living at was living at #2 Portland Road, but in 1871 she and Richard were living at #69 Prince Road, District 28b, Kensington, London, England. In Aug 1878, he married Martha Moore in Kensington, London, England. In 1881 they were living at #77 Prince Road, Kensington. I thought our Elizabeth died Aug 1871 in Kensington, London, England until I just received the death certificate. It could still be her, except that she’s married to William Pike?

Notice all the similar street names. Is this coincidence, or not?