7 St John Street

Frank and Elizabeth Driscoll

In 1901 the house (7 St John Street) was occupied by Elizabeth Driscoll, a married charwoman aged 61 from Tedbury.  Living with her was her son from her first marriage, James Harris, who in previous censuses had been referred to by his first name 'Alfred'.  He was a widower aged 30 working as a general labourer.  Also living with Elizabeth were her son from her second marriage, Frank Driscoll, another general labourer aged 17, and Dorothy Harris aged 6.  Dorothy was described as a 'niece' but we believe she was Elizabeth's grand-daughter and the daughter of James Harris (whose full name was Alfred James).  James's wife, Julia (nee Vizard) had died in 10 June 1898 aged 26 years.

Elizabeth was born about 1839 in Tedbury, Gloucestershire, the daughter of William Rose.  In 1857, she married Jonah Harris and in 1861 they were living in Avening where Jonah was working as a coachman.  By 1871 they had moved to one of the two cottages on Gillingstool Hill which were later demolished to make way for the extension of the Council School.  Jonah was working as an ostler.  By this time they had George born about 1859, Ann born about 1862,  John Edward born in 1866, Martha Jane born in 1868, Alfred born in 1871.  Jonah died in 1874 aged 42 years.

The 1881 census shows Elizabeth as a widow, working as a charwoman living in 8 Horseshoe Lane with George, Annie, Martha, Alfred and two new children, Rose Elizabeth in 1873, and May born about 1878.  On 27th May 1882 Elizabeth married Francis George Driscoll at St Mary's Church.  Francis was from Kilrush, County Clare in Ireland and he had moved to Thornbury after being a Private in the 5th Fusiliers.  His first wife was Jane with whom he was living in Castle Street in 1871 when Francis was described as a pensioner aged 43 years.  Jane died in 1881 aged 62 years.

In 1882 on June 30th Francis Driscoll signed a tenancy agreement with Humphrey Thomas Martin Crowther Gwynn, the then mayor of the town to a house in Back Street (now St Mary Street) for £6 a year. At that time Francis was described as a labourer.

In 1891 Francis and Elizabeth were living in a small 3 roomed cottage in Mutton Lane.  This describes Francis as a coachman, his birthplace is given curiously as Hammersmith, London.

In 1901 Francis and Elizabeth were living apart - Francis was boarding with Frederick Underhill at the Porters Stores (the Barrel) in Silver Street.  He was described as a married gardener aged 74 born in Ireland.  (Note - Frank wasn't very good at remembering his age - in 1871 he was 43, in 1881 he was 49, in 1891 he was 66, in 1901 he was 74 and when he died in 1909 his age was given as 84).

The 1905 Rate Book shows Elizabeth Driscoll was the tenant of 7 St John Street.

In 1910 when the house was valued for assessment of the rates, it was occupied by Elizabeth.  We think Elizabeth may have lived until 1926 when there is a record of a Elizabeth Driscoll being buried. 

We think Elizabeth shared the house with her son, also Francis George Driscoll who was born in 1883 and baptised on 3 April 1887.  Frank married on 18th November 1907 at which point his occupation was given as a groom.  His wife was May Sophia Dyer then aged 21 and the daughter of John Dyer, a labourer.  Frank and May are shown in the photo on the right with their 3 children in 1915.  Frank was serving with 8th Battalion Gloucester Regiment.  Tragically he was killed on 18 November 1916 in France and his name appears on the Thiepval Memorial. 

We only know the names of two of their children: Violet May born on 5 April 1910 and Francis George born on 3 June 1912.  The children went to school at St Mary's in Thornbury and were enrolled in 1922.  Their address at that time was St John Street and their parent or guardian was given as Fred Driscoll in one instance and Fred Vizzard in the other. Fred Driscoll may have been an error as his name was actually Fred Vizard.

This is because their mother, May Sophia Driscoll (nee Dyer) married Frederick Ernest Vizard, a labourer, in December 1919. Frederick was the son of Charles and Ellen (nee Grayden) and was born 14th August 1900.

May Sophia carried on living at 7 St John Street with Fred Vizard until about 1927 when they moved to Crossways.  They had at least four children of their own - Gwendoline was born on 25 September 1922, Gerald Frederick born 14 September 1926, Desmond Leslie born on 24 February 1930 and Sylvia Mary born on 27 August 1933.  The family had moved to 18 Market Site by 1938 when Sylvia started at the Council School.  Frederick died in 1974

It is interesting to note that Francis (known locally as 'Frank') Driscoll, the son of May and her first husband, was the third generation to be given the name of Francis George Driscoll. His name appears in the Electoral roll of 1958 living on Market Site. This Frank died in 1993 aged 81 years.

This page was last updated: 02/11/2008