9 Pullins Green

Francis James Williams -the Sanitary Inspector

We spent a lot of time trying to unravel the confusion caused by the fact that there were two Francis James Williams living in Thornbury in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, both born around the same time.  One of these was a sanitary inspector and surveyor, the other a seedsman and assistant overseer.  To make matters worse, one of them was a registrar of marriages and the other the deputy registrar of marriages! 

Francis was born in the St Paul's area of Bristol in December quarter 1844, the son of William Williams, a mason and his wife, Ann.  Ann was working as a grocer in 1851 when the family lived at Spring Street, Bedminster in Bristol.  By 1861 the family had moved to a 'yard with no name' in Ship Lane, St Mary Redcliffe in Bristol.  Francis now aged 16 was working as a mason in his father's employ.

Francis married Elizabeth Willey in Bedminster in 1867.  Before they came to Thornbury the 1871 census shows that they lived at 5 Francis Place, Bedminster.  He was working as a mason and they had Laura aged 2, and an unnamed baby (who we assume was later christened Robert) aged 1 month.

We believe that Francis J Williams appears in the 1877 trade directory with the address of John Street, which includes Pullins Green at that time.  The family were certainly living in number 9 Pullins Green at the time of the 1881 census.  This shows Francis was aged 36, a surveyor and inspector born in Bristol.  His wife Elizabeth aged 35 was also born in Bristol.  They had six children; Laura aged 12, Robert J aged 10, Frederick William aged 7, all born in Bristol, and Clement aged 5, Phillip aged 3 and Frances E aged 1, all born in Thornbury.  Little Frederick was noted as being 'dumb but not deaf' and being an 'imbecile'.  The words 'Deformed spine' are noted underneath, possibly applying to Frederick but possibly applying to Clement. 

They didn't stay in Pullins Green long.  The Thornbury Trade Directory 1889 shows Francis as a sanitary inspector and registrar of marriages and in the 1891 census shows the family living on the High Street, the third house down from Rosemount.  Francis was  shown as a surveyor and sanitary inspector aged 46, with Elizabeth, Frederick W aged 17 classified as 'dumb', Clement aged 15, and Philip aged 13, and Frances E aged 11.  Sadly young Frederick William died  that year aged 18.

In an 1895 Trade Directory, Francis has taken on another role as Secretary of the Independent Order of Oddfellows. The Oddfellows is one of the largest and oldest friendly societies in the country. It evolved from the medieval Trade Guilds and established groups all over the country, meeting in pubs and church halls. It is a social and care organisation which raises money for charities but also arranges social events to provide opportunities for making friends.

In 1901 Francis and his family had moved to Chapel Street.  He was a 56 year old surveyor and sanitary inspector - with Elizabeth, Clement now 25 a coal and builders merchant and daughter Frances E aged 21.

The United Reformed Church records show that Francis James Williams died in January 1925 aged 80.  His address at that time was Chapel Street.

 This page was last updated: 23/06/2008