George Tonks Parsons

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: George Tonks
• Residence at marriage: Atherstone, Warwickshire, England
• Age at Marriage: 21 (Bachelor)
• Baptism: 5 Dec 1864, Saint Botolph's, Sibson, Leicestershire, England
• Occupation: 1881; Farm Servant The Mythe (see Notes)
• Residence: 1886, Coleshill Street, Atherstone, Warwickshire, England
• Occupation: 1886; Gardener
• Residence: 1891, Long Street, Atherstone, Warwickshire, England; No 95
• Residence: 1892, Long Street, Atherstone, Warwickshire, England
• Occupation: 1892; Shopkeeper
• Residence: Between 1901 and 1921, 42, Victoria Street, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England
• Occupation: Between 1901 and 1921, 42, Victoria Street, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England; Manufacturing Confectioner
• Occupation: Between 1901 and 1921; Wholesale and Retail Confectioner
• Residence: Between 1939 and 1945, Trysull Road, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England; No 160
• Probate: 26 Jul 1945, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England

Notes:

Birth Certificate and Marriage Certificate Omits Father's Name
Second Name of Tonks almost certainly is his father's Surname as his sisters birth certificates named George Tonks as their father (i.e. Clara and Alice Tonks who died in Ratcliffe Culey in the 1950's). Also his mother Jane Parsons married George Tonks 4 years after he was born.

In 1881 census age 16 he was listed as George Tonks, an indoor farm servant to John Henry Farmer of the Mythe.

When George James Parsons was born he was living at Coleshill Street Atherstone.

In the 1891 Census he was living at 92 Long Street Atherstone, Next to Swan and Two Necks Yard and Pub. This premise was listed as a shop in the 1851 Census Ann Payne viz 49 U Grocer and Confectioner born Atherstone.
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1891 Census Long Street Atherstone RG12 - 2443 Folio 41
George Tonks Parsons Head 26 Gardener b. Upton LEI
Mary Parsons Wife 27 b. Ratcliffe Culey
George J Parsons 4 b. Atherstone
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Although his confectionery business was advertised as established in 1886 he was listed as a Gardener in the 1891 census at Atherstone.

George Tonks Parsons was listed as Shopkeeper of Long Street Atherstone in Kelly's 1892 Warwickshire Directory.

The first mention of him in Wolverhampton; STS is in Kelly's 1896 Directory
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1901 Census 42 Victoria Street Wolverhampton
RG13 - 2673 page 30
George Tonks Parsons Head 36 Manufacturing Confectioner (own Account) b. Leicester Upton
Mary Parsons Wife 37 Confectioner's Assistant (worker) b. Leicester Ratcliffe Culey
George J Parsons Son 14 b. Warwick Atherstone
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1911 Census 42 Victoria Street Wolverhampton (4 Rooms )
Married 26 years 1 Child none dead
George Tonks Parsons Head 47 Manufacturing Confectioner (Sugar Boiler) b. Upton Leicestershire
Mary Parsons Wife 48 Assisting in Business b. Ratcliffe Culey Leicestershire
George James Parsons Son 25 Manufacturing Confectioner (Sugar Boiler) b. Atherstone
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1921 Census 42 Victoria Street.3 Rooms
George Tonks Parsons Head 57 b. Upton Leic Wholesaleand Retail Confectioner
Mary Parsons 58 b. Ratcliffe Culey
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Kelly's 1896 and 1904 Directories :-
George Parsons Confectioner 42 Victoria Street Wolverhampton; STS and Market Hall

Kelly's 1908 and 1912 Directories :-
George Parsons Confectioner 42 Victoria Street and Market Hall
George James Parsons Confectioner 29 Stafford Street

Kelly's 1916 Directory
GH Parsons Confectioners 41 Princess Street
George James Parsons Manufacturing Confectioner 29 Stafford Street
George Parsons Confectioner 42 Victoria Street
George James Parsons Manufacturing Confectioner 62 Worcester Street

Kelly's 1924 Directory
GH Parsons Confectioners 41 Princess Street
George Parsons Confectioner 42 Victoria Street
George James Parsons Manufacturing Confectioner 62 Worcester Street

By 1930 the family also had a manufacturing outlet in Piper's Row

In 1937 George Harold Parsons had a Confectioners Shop in High Street Dudley; WOR

Shortly after the outbreak of war in 1939 sugar was rationed for commercial use and all the shops closed.
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George married Mary Bolstridge on 30 Jun 1885 in Independent Chapel, North Street, Atherstone, Warwickshire, England. Mary (daughter of James Bolstridge and Elizabeth Tredwell) was born on 13 Jan 1863 in Ratcliffe Culey, Leicestershire, England; died on 9 Mar 1960 in Windmill Lane, Castlecroft, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England; was buried on 16 Mar 1960 in Saint Philip's Churchyard, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. George James Parsons was born on 12 May 1886 in Coleshill Street, Atherstone, Warwickshire, England; died on 26 Jun 1956 in Windmill Lane, Castlecroft, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England; was buried in Jun 1956 in Saint Philip's Churchyard, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence at marriage: Atherstone, Warwickshire, England
• Age at Marriage: 30 (bachelor)
• Occupation: 1858; Plough Boy age 13
• Occupation: Abt 1868; Labourer
• Occupation: Between 1885 and 1895; Parish Constable Ratcliffe Culey
• Residence: 1891, Next to School Cottage, Ratcliffe Culey, Leicestershire, England
• Residence: 1901, To the Right of Red House Farm, Ratcliffe Culey, Leicestershire, England
• Last Will and Testemant: 28 May 1914; Letters of Administration Granted

Notes:

Where was George Tonks in the 4 years before the birth of his son and his marriage. It has been suggested he may have been in India as when his daughters died in the house at Ratcliffe, Jasmin Cottage, there were found coins and stamps from India dated the 1860's.

He was the parish constable in 1885 - 1895 at Ratcliffe and his account book has been deposited at the Leicester Records office.
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1871 Census Ratcliffe Culey RG10 - 3166 Folio 22
George Tonks Head 33 Ag Lab b. Ratcliffe Culey
Jane Tonks Wife 29 b. Upton
George Tonks Son 6 b. Upton
Clara Tonks dau 2 b. Ratcliffe Culey
Alice Tonks Dau 5 months b. Ratcliffe Culey
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1881 Census
George TONKS M 41 M Ratcliffe Culey, Leicester, England
Rel: Head
Occ: Agrl Lab
Jane TONKS M 38 F Upton, Leicester, England
Rel: Wife
Occ: Dress Maker
Clara TONKS 12 F Ratcliffe Culey, Leicester, England
Rel: Daur
Occ: Scholar
Alice E. TONKS 10 F Ratcliffe Culey, Leicester, England
Rel: Daur
Occ: Scholar
Lucy J. TONKS 3 F Ratcliffe Culey, Leicester, England
Rel: Daur
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1891 Census Ratcliffe Culey next door to School Cottage
3 roomed cottage
George Tonks Head 54 General Labourer b. Ratcliffe
Jane Tonks Wife 51 Dress Maker b. Upton
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1901 Census to the right of Red House Farm
George Tonks 64 Farm Labourer b. Ratcliffe
Jane " 61 Dress Maker b. Upton
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1911 Census
Ratcliffe Culey Village
George Tonks Head 73 Widower 3 Children Living 2 dead Retired Labourer "b. Market Bosworth Leic" ??
Clara Tonks 40 single dau "b. Market Bosworth Leic" ??
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George married Jane Parsons on 10 Mar 1868 in Saint Mary's, Atherstone, Warwickshire, England. Jane (daughter of Joseph Parsons and Mary Barfield) was born on 12 Aug 1842 in Upton, Leicestershire, England; died on 29 Dec 1903 in Ratcliffe Culey, Leicestershire, England; was buried on 2 Jan 1904 in All Saints Churchyard, Ratcliffe Culey, Leicestershire, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence at marriage: Atherstone, Warwickshire, England
• Age at Marriage: 26 spinster
• Baptism: 26 Aug 1842, Saint Botolph's, Sibson, Leicestershire, England
• Occupation: 1868; Servant
• Occupation: 1881; Dress Maker

Notes:

Her younger brother was Joseph Parsons the Father of Margaret Parsons who married George James Parsons Jane Parsons' Grandson
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in The 1861 census Jane age 19 was a house servant to John Robertsons a malster and Brick Manufacture at Bye Corner Nuneaton.
RG9/ 2194 Folio 78
Jane Parsons 19 House Servant b. Upton LEI
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Notes:

NB Jane Parsons had a son George Tonks Parsons by George Tonks 4 years before they were married.
It is suspected that George Tonks had been in India during that period 1864 - 1868

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Joseph Tunks
• Occupation: Abt 1837; Agricultural Labourer

Notes:

See Notes of John Hough (1750 - 1830) - Ann Tonks
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1841 Census Ratcliffe Culey Folio 5

Tonks Joseph 30 Y
Tonks Elizabeth 30 N
Tonks George 3 Y
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1851 Census, Ratcliffe Culey Atherstone; HO/107/2064Folio:203
Joseph TONKS Head 46 M Ag Lab Ratcliffe Culey-LEC
Elizabeth TONKS Wife 45 F--- Atherstone-WAR
George TONKS SON 13 M Plough Boy Ratcliffe Culey-LEC
Joseph TONKS SON 9 M Scholar Ratcliffe Culey-LEC
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1861 Census Ratcliffe Culey RG9/2192 Folio 67
Joseph Tonks head 54 Labourer b. Ratcliffe
Elizabeth " Wife 55 b. Bentley; WAR
George " Son 23 b. Ratcliffe
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Joseph married Elizabeth Taylor on 2 Nov 1835 in Saint Peter's, Mancetter, Warwickshire, England. Elizabeth was born in 1806 in Bentley, Warwickshire, England; died in 1889 in Atherstone, : Registration District, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Birth: 1806, Atherstone, Warwickshire, England
• Residence: 1871, Long Street, Atherstone, Warwickshire, England; No 88
• Occupation: 1871; Mangle Woman
• Residence: 1881, Long Street, Atherstone, Warwickshire, England; Pearmans Yard
• GRO Death Index: Sep 1889; Atherstone 6d - 217 Age 82

Notes:

1871 Census Long Street Atherston Folio
Between Ram and Bear Yards
Elizabeth Tonks Head Wid 64 Mangle Woman b. Bentley
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1881 Census Pearmans Yard Atherstone, Warwick, England
RG11 Piece 3058 Folio 13 Page 19
Elizabeth TONKS W 76 F Bentley, Warwick, England
Rel:Head
Occ:Laundress
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Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence at marriage: Hamlet of Upton, Leicestershire, England
• Age at Marriage: minor (Bachelor)
• Baptism: 2 May 1819, Saint Botolph's, Sibson, Leicestershire, England
• Occupation: 1841; Agricultural Labourer

Notes:

1851 Census Upton
Mary PARSONS Wife 36 b.Sibson
Joseph PARSONS Head 33 b.UptonAg Lab
Mary Anne PARSONS Dau 10 b.Upton
Jane PARSONS Dau 8 b.Upton
Hannah PARSONS " 5 b.Upton
Eliza PARSONS " 3 b.Upton
George PARSONS Son 1 b.Upton
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1861 Census Upton
PARSONS Joseph 42 Ag Lab Upton
PARSONS Mary 45 Upton
PARSONS Eliza 13 Upton
PARSONS George 10 Upton
PARSONS Joseph 8 Upton
PARSONS Emma 6 Upton
PARSONS John 3 Upton
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In the 1871 Census Joseph and His wife Mary were at seperate addresses on Census night

In what appears to be the same location as other census entries.
Joseph Parsons Head 53 Mar Ag Lab b. Upton
And at the Adjacent farm of Michael Taverner
Mary Parsons 56 mar Charwoman b. Upton
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In 1876 Richard Hemming Chapman presented a copy of Bunyan's Pilgrims Progress to a Joseph Parsons
The Flyleaf is inscribed :-
" Joseph Parsons
From
R H Chapman
Xmas 1876
In remembrance of
the days that are past "
The book bears the library stamp of G T Parsons. Was the book passed to George Tonks Parsons by his Grandfather (this Joseph) or by his Uncle Joseph?
Richard Hemming Chapman was born at Upton in 1815 the son of Samuel Chapman and Sarah Hemming so he would be a contemporary of Joseph Snr.In the 1871 Census he was listed as a farmer at Upton but In 1881 he was the House Steward of Sir J Crew at Ticknall DBY.
Samuel Chapman, his father was a tenant Farmer in Upton in 1848 at the time of the Tithe Apportionment. The Barfields occupied Cottages adjacent to the land he farmed and according to the 1851 census Joseph Parsons Snr was a neighbour.
Richard Hemming was married to Julia Buckley Chamberlaine b. Desford in 1834 to Henry and Mary Chamberlaine
It is interesting to note that when Joseph's wife's Parents John Barfield and Mary Chamberlain were married at Packington in 1808 Chase Chapman was a Witness.
Further connections to the Chamberlaines is John Tonks, the Great Grandfather of George Tonks Parsons married Frances Chamberlaine at Peckleton in 1801
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1881 Census Upton
Joseph PARSONS M 62 M Upton, Leicester, England
Rel:Head
Occ:Ag Lab
Mary PARSONS M 65 F Sibson, Leicester, England
Rel:Wife
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1891 Census Upton RG12 - 2506 Page 2
Still in the same location
Joseph Parsons Head Wid 70 Ag Lab b. Upton
Emma Pasons Dau Single 35 Keeping House b. Upton
Annie Tweed Serv 15 b. Polesworth
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Joseph married Mary Barfield on 11 Oct 1838 in Saint Botolph's, Sibson, Leicestershire, England. Mary (daughter of John Barfield and Mary Chamberline) was born in Oct 1815 in Upton, Leicestershire, England; died in Oct 1888 in Upton, Leicestershire, England; was buried on 8 Oct 1888 in Saint Botolph's Churchyard, Sibson, Leicestershire, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence at marriage: Hamlet of Upton, Leicestershire, England
• Age at Marriage: Full age (Spinster)
• Baptism: 17 Oct 1815, Saint Botolph's, Sibson, Leicestershire, England
• Occupation: Abt 1838; Servant

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: John Tonks
• Residence at marriage: Orton on the Hill, Leicestershire, England
• Occupation: Labourer

Notes:

1841 Census Ratcliffe Culey

Tunks John 60 Y
Tunks An n60 Y
Tunks Elizabeth 50 Y

John married Frances Chamberlain on 8 Oct 1801 in Saint Mary Magdalane, Peckleton, Leicestershire, England. Frances was born in 1772; died in Jan 1847 in Ratcliffe Culey, Leicestershire, England; was buried on 17 Jan 1847 in All Saints Churchyard, Ratcliffe Culey, Leicestershire, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Fanny Tunks
• Residence at marriage: Peckleton, Leicestershire, England

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Labourer
• Baptism: 29 Mar 1795, Saint Botolph's, Sibson, Leicestershire, England

Notes:

1851 Census Upton
Mary PARSONS Wf 36 b. Sibson
Joseph PARSONS Head 33 b. Upton Ag Lab
Mary Anne PARSONS Dau 10 b. Upton
Jane PARSONS Dau 8 b.Upton
Hannah PARSONS Dau 5 b.Upton
Eliza PARSONS Son 3 b.Upton
George PARSONS Son 1 b,Upton
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Joseph married Hannah Salt on 6 Nov 1815 in Saint Mary the Virgin, Congerstone, Leicestershire, England. Hannah (daughter of John Salt and Ann Knight) was born in Dec 1786 in Congerstone, Leicestershire, England; died in Oct 1857 in Upton, Leicestershire, England; was buried on 22 Oct 1857 in Saint Botolph's Churchyard, Sibson, Leicestershire, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: of Independent Means (1841)
• Baptism: 29 Dec 1786, Saint Mary the Virgin, Congerstone, Leicestershire, England

Notes:

1841 Census Upton Leicestershire
Hannah Parsons 66 Ind (pentant Means) Y
Hannah Parsons 20 Y
William Parsons 13 Y
George Parsons 12 Y
John Parsons 1 Y
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Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Abt 1838; Labourer

Notes:

John appears to have married very young although this is a possibility it questions the relationship!
Unfortunately the baptism of John has not been found as yet.
The evidence for placing John as the son of George and Sarah is non the less convincing.
Sarah was born at Newton Regis and married George there.
She can be identified in the 1851 census as living with her Grandson John Barfield son of this John.
These families can be found in both the 1841 and 1851 censuses at upton in virtually the same houses.
The 1836 tithe apportionment schedules list them also in the same area along with Richard Barfield
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1841 Census Upton
John Barfield 45 NO
Mary Barfield 45 yes
Sarah Barfield 25 yes
Mary Barfield 1 yes
Sarah Barfield 70 No
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1851 Census Upton
Mary Barfield Hd wid 65 b. Peckleton Pauper
Elizabeth Barfield UnM 25 b. Upton
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John married Mary Chamberline on 10 Oct 1808 in Holy Rood Church, Packington, Leicestershire, England. Mary (daughter of John Chamberlaine and Ann UNKNOWN) was born in May 1785 in Packington, Leicestershire, England; died on 30 May 1861 in Upton, Leicestershire, England; was buried on 29 Jul 1861 in Saint Botolph's Churchyard, Sibson, Leicestershire, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Mary Chamberlaine
• Baptism: 17 May 1785, Holy Rood Church, Packington, Leicestershire, England

Notes:

1851 Census Upton (By Ivy House next door to John and Catherine Parsons)
Mary Barfield head Widow 65 paper born Packington
Elizabeth Barfield U 25 dau - born Upton
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1861 Census Upton RG9 - 2263
Appears to be the same cottage
Mary Barfield Head Wid 76 Gardener's Widow b. Packington
Elizabeth Barfield Dau Single 32 Dressmaker b. Upton
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Notes:

Chase Chapman (Witness)
A Chase Chapman was married at NetherSeal DBY to Mary Stanley on July 7 1771 botp

In 1881 Chase Chapman jnr was a Miner at Church Greasley DBY
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Witness:
At Packington Churchyard there is the following gravestone, (Laid flat in front of the bench overlooking the Church). :-
"Chase Chapman who died on 22nd Nov 1832 age 91 Also his wife Mary who died Feb 10th 1823 Age 75"