Rowney Family Tree

John was born around 1795 in the hamlet of Cotton End, located midway between the villages of Cardington and Wilshamstead, in Bedfordshire, England. The fates of his parents have not yet been determined, so little is known of his early life.

In 1818, John married Sarah COLES in Cardington. He would have been around 24 years old at that time. Sarah's origins have not been determined at this time.

After their marriage, John and Sarah appear to have settled and raised their own family in the village of Stevington, located just a short distance northwest of Bedford, in Bedfordshire.

Their first known child, Lucy, was born in Stevington around 1820. She was followed by Susanna around 1823, James around 1827, and Thomas around 1829. There may also have been other children who have not yet been identified. There was a George ROWNEY who later lived in Sharnbrook, who might be a good candidate. A number of John and Sarah's children are known to have themselves later settled in Stevington.

Sarah died sometime before 1851, but her exact death details have not yet been specifically identified.

In the 1861 census, John (aged 67) was widowed and living on Silver Street, in Stevington. He was employed as a farm labourer. His daughter, Susanna (aged 39) was living with him and was working as a washerwoman. Her two daughters, Eliza (aged 17) and Sarah (aged 6) were also present and were both employed as lace makers.

In the 1871 census, John (aged 76) was still living as a widower in Stevington. His daughter, Susan (aged 48) was living with him. Susan's daughter, Elizabeth (aged 26) and her husband, Robert TYSOE (aged 28), were also present, as were their two children, Sarah (aged 3) and William (aged 1). John's daughter-in-law, Maria ROWNEY (aged 45), the widow of his recently deceased son Thomas, was also living next door with her large young family.

John died in 1875 in the Bedford registration district, which included Stevington. He was 80 years old when he died.