Evans in Herefordshire

While census records tend to be imprecise about John's year of birth, it's most likely that he was baptised 23 Sep 1827 in Bridstow, Herefordshire to John and Susan Evans. He lived his early life as an Agricultural Labourer, later becoming a Labourer in Ironworks after he married.

John married Eliza Smart in Ross-On-Wye, Herefordshire on 25 Dec 1864. Eliza was the daughter of John Smart (c1809) and Mary Pember (c1805), baptised in Ross-On-Wye on 03 Sep 1839.

John and Eliza lived in Ross-On-Wye throughout their married life together. They had seven known children, all born in Ross, one of whom died in infancy. At least three of their seven children are known to have emigrated to Australia at varying times and with various destinations in mind. My great-grandfather, Wallace, was one of these.

John Evans was buried in Ross-On-Wye on 27 July 1887, having died at the age of 59. His wife Eliza most likely died in early 1917 in Ross, aged 77 years.

Emily was baptised in Ross-On-Wye on 05 Nov 1865. She is the first known child to John and Eliza. In 1891 she is working as a Servant (Cook) for a Mrs Charlotte Jackson in Ross. Nothing more is known of Emily at this time.

William Henry Evans was baptised 10 Feb 1867 in Ross-On-Wye, Herefordshire. In 1881, at the age of 14, he was living at home and working as a Printer's Apprentice. In 1887, at the age of 20, he boarded the ship Lusitania bound for Geelong, Victoria Australia, where his maternal aunt Susan Smart (Chapman) had been living for some time. Sadly, William died in 1889 at the age of 22 from "morbus coxae / hectic fever", which may have been a bacterial infection of the bone (coxae meaning 'hip'). William was laid to rest alongside his infant cousin, Thomas Henry Chapman, in Geelong cemetery.

Joseph Evans was baptised in Ross-On-Wye to John and Eliza Evans on 24 Jan 1869. Sadly, Joseph was laid to rest at the age of 18 months in Ross-On-Wye, 12 Jul 1870.

Alfred Evans was baptised in Ross-On-Wye on 11 Sep 1870. He lived with his family until after the 1891 census and made his way as a Tailor. In 1895, Alfred joined the Herefordshire Volunteer Regiment (H.R.V.C.) and was temporarily attached to the KSLI (King's Shropshire Light Infantry) for active service in South Africa 1900-1901 (Boer War). In 1908 he became a member of the 1st Herefordshire Regiment (T.F. or Territorial Force).

The 1/1st Herefordshire saw service during World War 1 at Gallipoli, the Suez Canal, Gaza, Beersheba and the Western Front. Alfred was discharged in July 1917 after 21 years of service in the armed forces; his character was noted as "exemplary... thoroughly trustworthy". He received the South Africa Medal (with Johannesburg, Orange Free State and Cape Colony clasps), the Territorial Force Efficiency medal, the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Alfred married Elizabeth Rose Llewellyn (1872) in 1906 in Ross-On-Wye. They had two known daughters, Enid Mary and Vera Louise. More about Alfred and Rose can be found here.

Wallace Evans was baptised 26 May 1872 in Ross-On-Wye. He made his way through life as a Shoemaker / Bootmaker.

Wallace and his wife, Amy Lealer Stöcker (born Bertha Matilda Stöcker in Mackay, Queensland Australia) met in Wallace's home town of Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire. They were married in early 1899 in the city of Northampton, England and had four known children.

It's believed Wallace served as a driver for the British Army Service Corps during the Great War.

This family emigrated with their four children to Australia in 1922, aboard the "Orvieto" and the "Themistocles".

More information about Wallace and Amy's life and family can be found here.

left: Wallace Evans (1872) in uniform, 1917

Susan Evans was baptised 03 May 1874 in Ross-On-Wye, Herefordshire. She lived at home with her family until after the 1891 census and made her way as a Nursemaid.

In 1901, Susan was working in Putney, London as a Servant for the Hart family.

Susan married William Edward Dell in 1903 in Brentford District (London) and emigrated to Australia, possibly living at some time in the suburb of Darra, Brisbane Queensland.

It's believed Susan died in 1931 and is buried in Toowong Cemetery, Brisbane.

Clara Ellen Evans was baptised 19 Jul 1876 in Ross-On-Wye, Herefordshire. She remained at home with her mother until 1901, working as a Domestic Servant.

Clara married Edward Leonard Burton, a Platelayer from Brockenhurst, Hampshire, in Ross-On-Wye in 1901.

According to a family will dated 1917, Clara and Edward were living in Southampton at that time.