In April 1861, William Leeman was a railway packer, absent from home on the night of the census.

Birth

William was born at Cullompton in about 1820. His father, Henry, was a labourer.

Marriage

On 25 December 1855, William married Eliza Edney at Yeovil. William was about 35, and Eliza was twelve years younger. William signed the register, and Eliza put her mark.

Eliza was the daughter of Samuel and Jane Edney of Long Load. Eliza was a glover before she married. Her father, Samuel, was a farm labourer.

When he married, William was a labourer living in Vicarage Street. Eliza gave the same address.

Maiden Newton

Within a few years, William worked as a railway labourer at Maiden Newton, probably engaged in building the branch line to Bridport. His first child, James, was baptised there on 30 March 1857.

Hardington

By December 1857, William and his family had moved to Hardington. In that month, their son, James, died, aged ten months.

They were still there in April 1861, but William was away from home on census night, Sunday, 7 April.

Their second and third child was born at Hardington.

Childs Hill, London

In 1867, William and his family were at Childs Hill in London, where their fourth child was born.

Swansea

By April 1871, they were in South Wales, in the Swansea area. William and Eliza’s daughter, Emma, was born at Landore on 15 December 1870, and their son, Samuel John, was born at Llansamlet on 1 October 1873.

William’s career saw a significant shift after this date. He was a railway platelayer when his son, Samuel John, was baptised on 27 October 1873. However, eight years later, he had risen to the position of foreman in a copperworks

By April 1881, William, Eliza and their four youngest children lived at 6 Maesy Bar, Llansamlet. Their son, William James, lived at 17 Neath Road in the same town.

Death

William died at Llansamlet in February 1883, aged about 63.[1]

Eliza died in October 1890, aged about 58.[2]

Children

William and Eliza had four sons and two daughters. Their oldest son died in infancy.

References

[1] The Death Registration Index and Llansamlet Burial register records William’s age as 52.

[2] The Death Registration Index and Llansamlet Burial register records Eliza’s age as 56.