Albert Tom outside his bakers shop at
the turn of the century (61K) The Bowering family seem to have originated in central Somerset, although I have not specifically tried to trace their origins. The earliest record I have of them from the Mormon IGI in the Bridgwater area is Benjamin Bowering (christened 10 December 1781) son of Thomas and Mary Bowering. As far back as 1560 there was a Thomas Bowring in Goathurst (within 3 miles of Bridgwater) and records of Bowringe in Wiveliscombe, Bowring in Taunton as well as Bowering’s in Chard and Wellington at other times.
The last time I researched the Bowering's was around 1984.
For additional pictures click here
William Bowering married Juliana (born c.1781) on the 11 September 1808 in the village of Enmore, just outside Bridgwater. He was a baker. They lived on Pig Cross on the West side of the town and by the 1841 census William must have died (or left home?) as there is no record of him. However, they had five children, William (baptised 27 Sept 1809), Thomas (baptised 18 Sept 1811), Edward (baptised 15 May 1815), Aldred Daw Collard (baptised 18 June 1813) and Jane (baptised 5 Feb 1817)
It appears that Juliana continued to run the bakery with her eldest son William after her husband had died.
Thomas, the second son, married Elizabeth (daughter of William and Maria, born c. 1814). Thomas continued in the family tradition of being a baker.
They had three children, James (born c.1838), William (born c.1840) and Mary Ann (born c. 1843)
James must have moved to Wales as before c.1867 he married Rachel (born c.1838 from Merthyr Tydfil).
They were back in Bridgwater by 1871 as they are recorded as living in Fryern Street. James occupation was given as baker and grocer in the census of that year..
They had five children, Albert Thomas (born c.1864) Blanche (born c.1867), William (born c.1870) ,Edward (born c.1875) and James (born c.1877).
Albert, the eldest followed the tradition of the times and inherited the baking business from his father
He married Anna Maria Nicholls (daughter of William and Maria Trevelyan of Bridgwater, born c.1866). They had a huge family of fourteen children.
The children were (not necessarily in chronological order):
May (born 26 May 1888), Gertrude, Aldred Leonard, Ernest Albert (born c. 1893), Constance (Dolly), Beatrice, Graham, Hubert, Gladys, Olive (born 5 Oct 1903), Doris (the youngest), William Archibald (born 21 Feb 1898) and Edward Cecil (born c.1901).
Albert Tom outside his bakers shop at
the turn of the century (61K)
Albert Tom died 26 Dec 1930 aged 66 and Anna Maria died on 2 October 1945, aged 79.
In the 1960's, Olive Bowering wrote a short story (40K) based on her earlier life in her parent’s household. Although the text is pretty simplistic it makes for interesting reading.
On the Boxing day 1928, William married Mildred Amy Rood (born 1 October 1900, Bridgwater) in Wandsworth In London. William, like his forefathers, continued in the family business (in 1928 he is recorded as a corn merchant) and later became a baker on the same premises as his father. Between Sept 1926 and May 1927 he was recorded as an assistant baker on the RMS Olympic (131346) sailing between Southampton and New York.
William Archibald (51K)
Mildred Amy Rood (80K) c.
1920
They had two children, Marcia Sally (born 9 September 1934) and Elisabeth Mary (born 13 January 1936).
Well not really an epilogue, but more a request for more information
on the Bowering's of Bridgwater. Mail me at the address at the bottom if you have any more
information. I have not included more detail on the other families of each generation but
if you need to know more then again, let me know. Sorry but I don't have any information
on Bowering's beyond Bridgwater.
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Jon Bigwood, July 1996.
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