The Pontings

George and Marianne and their children

George Ponting was baptised in Berkeley on 23 December 1812.  He was the son of George Ponting, a dairyman and his wife, Hester, who lived at Woodford. 

By 1841, George had become a bailiff and had left left to live in North Nibley.  He was living at Southend Farm with his sisters, Sarah and Emma.

In December quarter 1846, George married Marianne Harris in Thornbury. Marianne was born in Swanswick, Gloucestershire about 1826.

 By 1851 George had become a relieving officer, living in the High Street with Marianne and daughters, Elizabeth (aged 3) and Sophia (aged 2).    The 1856 Thornbury Trade Directory shows George was also an insurance agent for the Agriculturist Insurance Company.

The 1861 census shows that the family had moved to 5 St John Street.  George Ponting was the Clerk to the Board of Guardians and Relieving Officer.  Living with them were their children: Sophia aged 13, William Harris aged 9 born in Alveston, George Charles aged 3, and Edward John aged 2, both born in Thornbury.  A conveyance between John and George Hodges dated 1857 found in the deeds of 19 Pullins Green refers to the fact that George Ponting was a tenant of John Hodges at that time.

The 1871 census shows George had become a Water Bailiff and the family had moved yet again - this time they were in St Mary Street.  They had added 2 more children: Sydney James aged 8 and Annie Mary aged 3. Their older son, William Harris had become an attorney's clerk aged 19.

The 1881 census shows George and Marianne living in Castle Street.   George was working as a water bailiff and gardener.  Living with them were sons, Edward, a plumber aged 22 and Sydney a solicitor's clerk aged 18.

Marianne died on 22 December 1882 aged 57 years.  The 1891 census shows George was living alone in Cockmead on the Kington Road where he was living in one room.  He  was still working as a water bailiff at the age of 78.  George died on 30 December 1892 aged 80 years.     

Of George and Marianne's children:

Edward John Ponting - Edward was baptised on 21 April 1859.  He married Mary Meredith in the Chipping Sodbury area in June quarter 1888.  Mary was the daughter of Mark and Mary Ann Meredith of Latteridge.  In 1891 Edward and Mary were living in the High Street with their daughter, Beatrice Valentine Ponting baptised on 11 March 1889.  Edward was working as a plumber and gasfitter.

Edward's business hit hard times as in 1890 the Bristol Times and Mercury reported his bankruptcy.  The alleged cause of this was 'insufficient capital and heavy expense connected with county court proceedings'.  The Official Receiver reported that the business had been started 10 years previously with £30 capital and that Edward had borrowed a large amount of money, most of which he claimed to have spent on his house.

On 21 February 1896, Mary acquired two houses in St John Street (nos 7 & 9) when she bought them for £140  following the death of her parents.  She continued to let both properties. 

In 1899 Edward was appointed as one of the two ale-tasters for Thornbury at the annual Court Leet.

In 1901 Edward was listed as a plumber (shopkeeper) in the High Street.  He and Mary had three more daughters, Mabel aged 9, Hannah aged 7 and Sophia aged 3.  Edward was listed as a plumber in the High Street in various Thornbury Trade Directories up to 1923.  He died on 16th August 1926 aged 67 years.  Mary died on 3rd February 1927 aged 69 years.

Sophia Ponting - was born in Thornbury in March quarter 1849.  In 1871 she was a governess boarding on the farm of Ann Smith in Easton in Gordano.  In 1881 she is shown as a certified schoolmistress lodging in in Salter Villa, Berkeley.  In 1891 she is shown as a schoolmistress visiting a family in Berkley.  In 1901 she is living at Basset Court Farm, Nibley Green with her sister Elizabeth and her husband, William Frape.

Sophia never married.  She later returned to Thornbury to live at Elmhust, 62 Gloucester Road with her sister, Annie Mary, who had married Robert John Sully, the brother of William Harris's wife, Jemima Spiller Sully who both came from Stogumber in Somerset.  Sophia and Annie Mary are listed as living in Elmhust in the 1937 electoral register.  This house was previously owned by their brother, William Harris Ponting who died in 1936.    Sophia died on December 10 1952 aged 103 years.

William Harris  Ponting -  William was baptised on 5 October 1851.  He married Jemima Spiller Sully in the Williton area  in December quarter 1880.  Jemima came from Stogumber in Somerset.

We don't know where Robert John and Annie lived nor what happened to Robert John.  Annie returned to Thornbury, and in 1937 she is living with her sister, Sophia, in Elmhurst, the previous home of their brother who died in 1936.   Annie Mary died on September 30 1946.