Rowney Family Tree

William is believed to have died in the March quarter of 1857 in the Malmesbury registration district. He would have been only around 34 years of age when he died. This death has not been confirmed but it is the only plausible death in the Malmesbury district in the FreeBMD database. It is not certain that he did in fact die in his home district, so the information should be regarded as speculative, but we know his wife Mary Ann was a widow in 1861.

In the 1861 census, Mary Ann (aged 41) was widowed and living with her Uncle Robert POOLE (aged 70) and Aunt Eleanor (aged 69) in Crudwell Street, in Crudwell. Robert POOLE was a baker. Mary Ann's three children were also present; Elizabeth (aged 11), Mary Ann (aged 10), and William (aged 8). The record states that Mary Ann POULTON and her children were all born in Corston in Wiltshire. The children were described in the census as Robert POOLE's grandchildren, but this seems to be an error. William POULTON's cousin Abraham POULTON (aged 28) was also staying with the POOLE family. He was employed as a baker in their bake house.

In the 1871 census, Mary Ann (aged 51) was still living with her now widowed Aunt Eleanor POOLE in her bakehouse in Crudwell. Mary Ann's widowed mother Rebecca SEALY (aged 77), who was Eleanor's sister, was also living with them at this time, as were a couple of Eleanor's nieces; Elizabeth Rebecca HAYES (aged 21), Elizabeth Rebecca HAYES (aged 2), and Clara Mary HAYES (aged 8 months). Abraham POULTON was also present and still working for Eleanor in her bake house.

In the 1881 census, Mary Ann (aged 61) was still living with her elderly Aunt Eleanor POOLE (aged 89) at her bakehouse in Crudwell. Mary Ann was working as a housekeeper. Mary Ann's mother Rebecca SEALY (aged 87) was also still living there, as was Abraham POULTON (aged 48), who was still working in the bake house.