PART TWO: THE RIVETT FAMILY TREE

20.0 Ancestors of GGGM Lucy Rivett (1811-1846)

See 22.0 & 23.0 for Diagrams of the Rivett and Rodwell Family Trees 

The Rivetts joined the family tree when GGGM Lucy Rivett (1811-1846) married GGGF Thomas Boardman (1776-1843) as his second wife in 1834. (This is confirmed by Pallots Marriage Index). Very little is known about her early life, and very few records can be found relating to her birth and parents. It is believed she was born in 1811 in Wortham, Suffolk to parents GGGGP James or John Rivett (1778-?) and Lucy Rodwell (1772-1844). As the records relating to Lucy's father, John/James Rivett, are so confusing, it is not possible to explore his ancestors with any accuracy.

20.1 GGGGP John Rivett (c1772-1836) & Lucy Rodwell (1772-1844)  
According to the baptism records of three of GGGM Lucy Rivett's siblings, their parents were John Rivett and Lucy Rodwell Rivett, and the first five children were born in Wortham, Suffolk. Presumably their father was born in the Wortham area too, but no definitive baptism or marriage record has been found for GGGGF John Rivett.

It is believed that GGGGF John Rivett was born in the early 1770's in the Kenninghall area, which is seven miles from Wortham. Around the age of 30, GGGGF John Rivett married a woman called Lucy Rodwell b1772 on 23 Apr 1804; at Wortham. I have not found a marriage registration, but her children's baptism records show that her married name was Lucy Rodwell Rivett. (See ideas regarding her name below and 23.0 for her ancestral background).

Their first child was John Rivett, born at Palgrave (7 miles from Kenninghall) on 8 Jul 1804. He was baptised at Roydon and the birth was recorded in the 'Diss Baptist Union Tabernacle' records and was the only child born to the couple recorded there. There was also a Thomas Rivett born to a Thomas and Rhoda Rivett in 1821, who may be related. Palgrave was just one mile from Diss and three miles from Wortham.

There are no more records that seem to apply to John Rivett b1804, so he probably died as an infant, and the family moved a few miles to Wortham. Alternatively, baby John was baptised again in the established church at Wortham at the same time as sister Hannah in 1806. I have listed this child as a twin to Hannah, but that is only one of the possibilities.

Five more children were born in Wortham; Hannah Rivett b1806 (twin), John Rivett b1806 (twin), Mary Ann Rivett b1809, GGGM Lucy Rivett b1811 and James Rivett b1812. By 1814 the family must have moved 48 miles to Cambridge because their sixth child, Harriet Rivett, was born there in that year (according to later census documents). Other evidence of the move to Cambridge is the fact that most of the children lived and married their partners in Cambridge in the 1830’s.

NOTE: It seems that GGGGP John and Lucy Rivett had twins (Hannah and John b1806), and then their daughter Lucy Boardman nee Rivett gave birth to twins (Thomas and Mary) in 1839. According to genetic research, the chance of having fraternal twins (non identical) is approximately two times greater for women whose mother or sister had fraternal twins.

Baptisms St Andrew The Less 1833: Daughter Mary Ann Rivett had a baby named James Rivett

Daughter Mary Rivett b1809 gave birth to a baby boy in 1833, whilst the family was living in Sun St. Cambridge. She named her son James, after her brother. The letters 'bb' stand for "base born", which means 'out of wedlock'. Sadly the baby died six months later in that same year and the death registration listed the family address as Sun St.

Burials Cambridge CFHS: James Rivett 1836, Lucy Rivett 1834

John Rivett c1772 probably died in 1836 at the age of 66. CFHS lists a burial for James Rivett in 'St Andrew The Less' Parish, Cambridge in that year, but it seems they made an error with the Christian name (should read John). A Lucy Rivett died two years previously, but is unlikely to have been John's wife, because another record indicates his wife died in 1844 at the age of 71 (see below). Lucy who died in 1834 may have been James' three year old granddaughter (daughter of son John Rivett; see below)

Fortunately, John and Lucy Rivett nee Rodwell's offspring were adults by 1836 and had started to make their own way in life. Youngest daughter Harriet had married in 1833, Lucy married in 1834, James b1814 married in 1836 and Hannah married in 1838. Mary Ann Rivett single woman took the only other route to independence, which was to take up work as a servant. After her marriage to GGGF Henry Boardman, daughter Lucy Boardman nee Rivett continued to live in Sun St, possibly in the Rivett family home.

1841 Census Cambridge" Lucy Kinck b1775 was living with GGGGP Thomas & Lucy Boardman in Sun St.

Another record that provides information about John's wife, is the 1841 census, which lists Lucy Kinck 65 (c1775), living with GGGF Thomas Boardman and his wife GGGM Lucy Boardman nee Rivett in Sun St. Most researchers assume Lucy Kinck was Lucy Rivett's mother. However, if she was John Rivett’s widow, her surname should have been 'Rivett'.  (See possible explanation below).

Cambridge Burial Records 1844 (Camdex)

Lucy Rivett (nee Rodwell), widow, died in Cambridge in 1844 with a recorded age of 71, which aligns with Lucy Rodwell's birth year of 1772.

NOTE 1: There is some speculation that John Rivett was actually named James Rivett and had several wives (and families) during his lifetime. This idea possibly arose because there were several men named James Rivett living in Suffolk and nearby Norfolk at this time. However, this is unlikely, as the dates of these multiple marriages and the birth dates of children, contradict each other.

20.2 GGGGM Lucy Rodwell (1772-1844) & Lucy Kinck (c1772-?)

Lucy Rodwell was born in Wortham in 1772 to Daniel and Letitia Rodwell. She married GGGGF John Rivett when she was in her late 20's and had her last child at the age of 42 in 1814. There is a death record for Lucy Rivett 71, who died in Cambridge in 1844 (see burial record in 20.1 above).

However, there are three records that are puzzling and need further research.
A) Who was Lucy Rivett who died in 1834 and was buried at St Andrew The Less, Cambridge? See above. There is a possibility that this Lucy was the daughter of John Rivett  b1806 and Lucy Garnham, who were married in 1827 (see below). John and Lucy nee Garnham were living 45 miles from Cambridge at Wortham all through the 1830's. However, daughter Lucy may have died when mother and/or daughter were visiting grandparents GGGGP John and Lucy Rivett nee Rodwell, who lived in Cambridge.

B) Who was Lucy Kinck 65 who appeared on the 1841 census with Thomas and Lucy Boardman nee Rivett? As ages were rounded down at this census, she would have been born between 1771 and 1776. Many researchers suggest that Lucy Kinck was Lucy Boardman nee Rivett's mother, but she may not have not been related at all!

Another possibility was that Lucy Kinck was actually Lucy Rodwell, as they seem to have been born in the same year. If this is the case, Lucy Rivett nee Rodwell, would have remarried later in life (her first husband GGGGF James Rivett died c1836), and this second marriage may have given her the surname Kinck. However, this is at odds with the burial record for Lucy Rivett (not Kinck!) 71 at Cambridge in 1844.

C) Who was John Hicke (1832-?)?
The 1851 census listed the residents of 149 East Rd as James Rivett 39 and a servant named John Hicke/Hicks/Kink/Kirks (the name is hard to read) 19; (b1832 Cambridge). Often servants were actually relations connected to the family in some way, and John's surname resembles the surname of Lucy Kinck. In 1841 a 'John Hicks' 9 (b1832) was living in South St, Cambridge (near Broad St) with his widowed mother Charlotte Hicks 36 (b1805). This was about 400m from James Rivett's house. Perhaps he was a grandchild of Lucy Kinck/Hicks nee Rodwell! John's mother may have been Charlotte King who married Robert Hicks in 1831 at St Andrews, Cambridge. According to the 1841 census John Hicks had a sister named Catherine Hicks born in 1834.

Another complication to the Hicks/Kincke family connection is that in early 1863, Lucy Boardman nee Rivett's sister Mary Rivett 52 (b1809) married James Hicks at Cambridge (see 21.3a). Sadly Mary Hicks nee Rivett seems to have died later that same year, aged 55 (Camdex).

21.0 Six Children of GGGGP John Rivett (c1772-1836) & Lucy Rodwell (1772-1844)
There are no records that confirm that all six children below were siblings and born to the same parents. However the circumstantial evidence is as follows:-
•Hannah, Mary and Harriet Rivett looked after sister Lucy Boardman nee Rivett’s orphaned children when she died.
•Hannah’s son Robert Smith and Lucy Boardman nee Rivett’s youngest boy, GGGF Henry Boardman, both became “chinamen” like their uncle James Rivett who had been in the trade for some time.
•They lived in close proximity (sometimes next door) to each other in Cambridge.
•Their birth dates are in a reasonably consecutive order. Commonly children were born one after the other, soon after marriage, with occasional gaps where a child died in infancy. The first five were also all born in the same location; Wortham, Suffolk and the three children with known baptism registrations were listed with the same parents.

There may have been a seventh child (first born) named John Rivett b1804 who died as an infant. I have not included him in this section.

21.1 Hannah Rivett (1806-1880)

Hannah was born in Wortham around 1806. A baptism record listed Hannah Rivett as baptised on 23 Feb 1806 by parents John and Lucy Rodwell Rivett on this date. She appears to have been a twin with brother John Rivett who was baptised on the same date (see 21.2). A birth year of 1806 also roughly ties in with ages later given by Hannah in various censuses, and the fact that her listed age at her death in 1880 was 75. Hannah's family moved to Cambridge in the early 1800’s and that is where she met her first husband.

Marriages St Andrew The Less 1834

On 12 Jan 1834, Hannah Rivett 28 married John Joseph Doe, widower, at St Andrew The Less.

 

Hannah's husband died four years later in Apr 1838.

 

In 1840 Hannah Doe nee Rivett 34 married Robert Smith at St Andrew the Less, Cambridge. Robert Smith was a milkman born in 1793 at Horningsea, Cambridge. The fact that Hannah was in her mid thirties when she married for the second time explains why she only had only one known child; son Robert born in 1844, born when she was 38.

 

1841 census Cambridge: Robert & Hannah Smith nee Rivett were living at 56 Gas Lane.

The Cambridge Poll Book listed Robert Smith milkman as living at 'Gravel Pits' in Jun 1841, but this must have been an old listing, because other records at the time, name their address as 'Gas Lane'. The 1841 census listed Robert 40 (really 47), milkman and Hannah Smith 30 (really 34, ages rounded down) living at 56 Gas Lane, St Andrew The Less.

Cambridge Poll Book 1845

The 1845 Cambridge Voter's Roll and Poll Book confirmed the family were living in Gas lane.

1851 census Cambridge: Robert & Hannah Smith nee Rivett were still living at in Gas Lane

By 1851 they were still in Gas Lane and the household consisted of Robert Smith 58 milkman, Hannah Smith nee Rivett 48 (44), their son Robert Smith 7 and orphaned nephew, Thomas Boardman 12 servant (see 10.3).

 

1861 census Cambridge: Robert & Hannah Smith nee Rivett were still living at in Gas Lane at no. 37

They were still living in Gas Lane in 1861 and at this time the residents were Robert Smith 67 milkman, Hannah Smith 52 (real age 54) and their son Robert Smith 17, who was now an assistant milkman.

Hannah’s husband died in 1868 with his age listed as 81. By 1871 Hannah Smith nee Rivett 64, was a widow living with her son at 167 East Rd Cambridge. Her son Robert Smith 27 was now a china dealer and married to Sarah Smith 25. Robert Smith 27 (jnr) and his family were living next to Hannah’s brother James Rivett b1812 (who had been a china dealer since at least 1850), his wife Elizabeth Rivett and their children. It is quite likely that Robert Smith (jnr) learnt the ‘china’ trade from, and worked for his uncle, as was probably case with his cousin GGF Henry Boardman (see 11.0). Brother James had no sons of his own to help with and eventually take over the business.

Cambridge Deaths 1880 

Hannah Smith nee Rivett died in 1880 Cambridge aged 75. (Camdex)

21.1a Robert Smith (1844-1921) Hannah Smith nee Rivett’s son

Robert was born in Cambridge in 1844. In 1851 at the age of 7 he was living at 37 Gas Lane with his family and orphaned cousin Thomas Boardman 12, who was described as a servant in the census (see 10.3). They were still living in Gas Lane in 1861 and at this time the residents were Robert Smith 67 milkman, Hannah Smith 52 (real age 56) and their son Robert Smith 17 who was now an assistant milkman.

Cambridge Marriages (Camdex)

Robert married Sarah Symonds in 1866. Prior to the marriage, she was living and working nearby in Regent St, St Andrew the Great, Cambridge as a servant for her aunt; Mary Clements nee Symonds (b1809 Kirtling). 

1871 Census Cambridge: Robert Smith b1844, His wife Sarah and widowed mother Hannah Smith nee Rivett

 

Robert's father died in 1868 at the age of 81. By 1871 Robert Smith 27 had made a dramatic change in occupation. He had become a 'china dealer' living at 167 East Rd Cambridge with wife Sarah Smith 25 and his widowed mother Hannah Smith nee Rivett 64. Living close by at no 165, was Robert's uncle (Hannah’s brother) James Rivett b1812 retired china dealer, his wife Elizabeth Rivett and their grand-daughter. It is quite likely that Robert Smith learnt the ‘china’ trade from his uncle as an apprentice (along with his cousin GGF Henry Boardman; see 11.0) and later took over his uncle's business. (James Rivett retired in the late 1860's. See 21.5). Robert’s business did so well in the next ten years, that he was retired himself by the age of 47. He was well off in retirement and able to leave a considerable sum to his wife when he died.

 

1881 Census Cambridge: Robert Smith 37 and wife Sarah Smith nee Symonds

In 1881 Robert Smith 37 was a china dealer living at 167 East Rd. with his wife Sarah Smith 35 and his business had grown to such an extent that he could employ William Fordham 19, assistant china dealer. He was still living next door to his now widowed aunt, Elizabeth Rivett nee Gibbs, who was 70 and in the census was described as a retired china dealer. 

1881 Census Cambridge: Robert Smith 47 and wife Sarah Smith nee Symond

 

By 1891 Robert Smith b1844 was described as a retired china dealer living at Hanley House, 179 Sturton St. Cambridge with his wife Sarah Smith 45 (b1846, Kirtling) and his widowed mother-in-law Elizabeth Symonds 77 (b1814 Withersfield, Cambridge). (Strangely his mother-in-law was listed as a 'Smith', and not 'Symonds'), but this was probably an error on the part of the enumerator. In 1901 Robert Smith 57, retired china dealer and wife Sarah Smith 55 were living at the same address, but Sarah died soon after, in 1903.

Cambridge Marriages 1905: Robert Smith married Phoebe Symonds

Two years later in early 1905, Robert 61, married his first wife's niece, 35 year old Phoebe Symonds at Cambridge. Phoebe aged 21, had been working less than one mile away, as a servant at the 'Horse Shoes Inn' in 1891. The extra name on the marriage registration above may have been a witness and may have been related to Robert's aunt Elizabeth Rivett nee Gibbs.

 

1911 Census Cambridge Robert Smith 67 & his second wife Phoebe 41 & their two children.

Over the next few years Robert had two children by his second wife, and in 1911 the family was at the same address and was made up of Robert Smith 67 retired china dealer, Phoebe Smith 41, Robert Henry Smith 5 and Miriam Hannah Smith 3.

On 21 Dec 1921 Robert Smith retired china dealer, died at Hanley House Sturton St. Cambridge. In his will he left the very large amount of £5086 to his 'wife' Phoebe Symonds, 'spinster'. It is interesting that he used his wife’s maiden name in his will and described her as a spinster, which implied the will was made out prior to their marriage in 1905.

NOTE: Robert's two wives were Sarah Symonds b1846 (parents John and Elizabeth Symonds) and Phoebe Symonds b1870. Both women were born in Kirtling, Cambridgeshire. Sarah's brother Thomas Symonds married Caroline Sharpe and their daughter was Phoebe Symonds, making Phoebe, Sarah's niece.

21.2 John Rivett (1806-1844)

John's baptism record lists his baptism date as 23 Feb 1806, which was the same date as sister Hannah was baptised, so it appears that the two children may have been twins. John was named after his father. The parents were listed as John and Lucy Rodwell Rivett.

Around the age of seven, John moved to Cambridge with his family (1813), but at some stage returned 45 miles to Wortham, where he started a relationship with a woman named Lucy Garnham. As she was born in Wortham, he probably knew her from childhood.

John Rivett and Lucy Garnham (Garnum) were married in Wortham on 9 Nov 1827.

The first child born to John Rivett b1806 and Lucy Garnham, must have died as an infant. John and Lucy went on to have six known children baptised in Wortham; Mary Ann Rivett 1831, James Rivett 1833, Hannah Rivett 1837, John Rivett 1838, Jane Rivett 1840 and Sarah Rivett 1842. Birth years were taken from the passenger list below. There is also a possibility that a seventh child (who was the first born child), named Lucy Rivett, was born c1829 but died in Cambridge in 1834.

Wortham Census 1841: John Rivet with wife Lucy & five children

At the time of the 1841 census John and his family were living in Wortham near the Rectory. The family consisted of John Rivett 35 gardener and wife Lucy Rivett 30, and children Mary Ann Rivett 11, James Rivett 7, Hannah Rivett 5, John Rivett 2 and Jane Rivett 1.

John Rivett and his wife decided to take up the offer of a free passage to Australia being offered by the Colony of NSW, who were trying to encourage families to migrate. In 1844 they set sail on the ship 'William Metcalfe'. Sadly both John and youngest child Jane died on the voyage and never made it to the colony. The ship's log listed John as a 'gardener', but no other details were recorded. Wife Lucy Rivett was listed as a 32 year old house servant, who could read and write and was of the Episcopal faith. Her parents Thomas and Mary Garnham were both deceased. Their six children were also listed with their dates of birth.

Carell Knight originally shared this on Ancestry.com

NSW BD& Marriages: Lucy Rivett died 1853

Lucy Rivett nee Garnham (b1810) died at the age of 43 in NSW in March, 1853. At that time, her surviving children were aged as follows; Mary Ann Rivett 22, James Rivett 20, Hannah Rivett 16, John Rivett 15 and Sarah Rivett 11. The older children probably cared for the younger ones and most remained in NSW. However, eldest son James moved to Victoria soon after his mother's death. This move may have been related to Victoria's gold rush, which was in full swing in the 1850's.

21.2a Children of John Rivett and Lucy Garnham in Australia
Five of their six children survived the trip to Australia.

i) Mary Ann Rivett (1831-1858)
Mary Ann Rivett came to Australia with her family in 1844. At the age of 18 Mary Ann married Alfred O Knight in NSW in 1848. Mary Ann had two children over the next few years. Tragically, when her mother (Lucy Rivett nee Garnham) died in March,1853, Mary Ann became so grief stricken she became unable to cope.

Empire; 2 Jan 1854

Mary Ann was placed in care in 1854, and as she died four years later, probably never recovered from her period of extreme grief.

SMH 29 Oct 1858

Mary Ann Knight nee Rivett died in Redfern in Oct 1858 at the age of 27. The death registration confirmed her parents were John and Lucy Rivett. Husband Alfred remarried the following year, but sadly his second wife, Catherine Byrnes, died in 1872.

ii) James Rivett (1833-1902)
James Rivett came to Australia with his family in 1844 and married Margaret Mowatt at Williamstown, Vic in 1854. They had eight children; Mary Anne Rivett 1856-1923, Jane Rivett 1858-1910, Hannah Rivett 1862-1887, Charles Rivett 1864-1867, John Rivett 1866-1941, Barbara Lucy Garnham Rivett 1871-1889, Isabella Rivett 1875–1895 and Catherine Mowat Rivett 1878–1948. The birth registration of their sixth child confirms that this James is the right one, and it also confirms the spelling of James' wife's surname and provides an alternative spelling for James' mother's surname. Of their eight children, four died before they reached the age of 25.

Vic B,D & M

James Rivett died in 1902 at Dandenong. The death registration confirmed his parents as John Rivett and Lucy Garnham.

The Age 13 Oct 1915

 James' widow, Margaret Rivett nee Mowatt, died on 13 Oct 1815 in Port Melbourne at the age of 77.

Children of James and Margaret Rivett nee Mowatt m.1854. All children born in Victoria

• Mary Anne Rivett 1856-1923. At the age of 21, Mary Ann Rivett married John McGregor in 1876 in Victoria. Mary Ann McGregor nee Rivett died at the age of 67 in 1923 at Williamstown. The death certificate confirms her parents were James and Margaret Rivett.
• Jane Rivett 1858-1908. Jane Rivett married William Henry Bolton in Victoria in 1884. Jane Bolton nee Rivett died at the age of 50 in Albury on 19 Dec 1908. The death was registered in NSW.
•  James John Rivett 1861-1883. James John Rivett is listed in birth registrations as being born in 1861 at Cape Schanck. John died in Victoria with his death registration confirming his age of 22 and that his parents were James and Margaret Rivett nee Mowatt. James was buried at Williamstown.
  
• Hannah Rivett 1862-1887. Hannah married William Denny in 1885. Sadly Hannah Denny nee Rivett died at Queenscliff at the age of 25 in 1887. There were no known children.
• Charles Rivett 1864-1867. Died as a child.
• John Rivett 1866-1941. John's birth record lists his parents. In 1890 John married Ann Elizabeth Schroder. John of Port Melbourne was listed in his mother's death notice in 1915. John died at Williamstown in 1941 aged 74. 
• Barbara Lucy Garnham Rivett 1871-1889. Died at age 18
• Isabella Rivett 1875-1895. Died at age 20.
• Catherine Mowat Rivett 1878-1948. Catherine married James Symonds Cairns in 1906. She died in 1948 at Williamstown aged 69.

iii) Hannah Rivett (1837-?)

Hannah Rivett came to Australia with her family in 1844. No more is known about Hannah.

iv) John Rivett (1838-?)
John Rivett came to Australia with his family in 1844. The ship's log confirms he arrived in NSW on 13 Mar 1844 as a five year old.

v) Jane Rivett (1840-1843)
Jane was born in Wortham like her older siblings, but died at the age of three on the journey out to Australia.

vi) Sarah Rivett (1842-1919)
Sarah Rivett came to Australia with her family in 1844.

NSW B,D& M 1868

 At the age of 24 Sarah married Samuel Edwards at Bathurst.

NSW B,D & M 1919

Sarah died in Sydney in 1919 and her death registration confirmed her parents were John and Lucy Rivett.

21.3 Mary (Ann) Rivett (1809-1863)

Mary Ann was born around 1809 in Wortham to GGGGP James Rivett (1778-?) and Lucy Rivett nee Rodwell (1776-1844). No baptism record has been found, so year and place of birth have been taken from the 1851 census. She moved to Barnwell, Cambridge with her family around 1813 and the family were living at Sun St until the death of her parents in the 1840's. 

 

Cambridge Deaths 1833: James Rivett died at the age of 6 months in St Andrew The Less, Cambridge.

In 1833, whilst her family was living in Sun St, Mary Rivett 24 had a child out of wedlock, whom she named James Rivett after her father and brother. The birth record names the mother as Mary Rivett. Sadly baby James died at the age of 6 months in that same year, and was buried in the Parish of St Andrew The Less, Cambridge.

1841 census Cambridge: Jeremiah Thring 45 ironmonger, Richard Williamson 30, Mary Rivett 30 & Sarah Wilson

In the 1841 census Mary was listed as a female servant to Jeremiah Thring, ironmonger (presumably widowed) and lived in his house at Sidney St, Cambridge. However we do not know how long she had been working and living there.

Sidney St, Cambridge, 1922

Interestingly, in 1830 a female baby named Mary Ann Thring was born to a ‘M. A. Thring’ at Horningsea, Cambridge (3 miles from Mary Ann Rivett's home) and no father was listed. It is quite possible that the mother was Mary Ann Rivett aged 21 bearing the child of Jeremiah Thring out of wedlock. Jeremiah’s wife Ann Thring nee Augur had probably died by this date (There is no record of her death available. She was alive for her son's wedding in 1826, but was not listed in the 1841 census). There is also no record of what happened to the baby named Mary Ann Thring (also not listed in 1841), so quite possibly she died as an infant or was adopted out. One family tree of the Boardman family lists Mary Ann Rivett as being ‘married to Mr Thring’, which suggests there was more to the relationship than the official records reveal.

 

Sidney St Cambridge in the mid 1900's

 Throughout the 1830’s and the 1840’s Jeremiah Thring advertised his ironmongery business in Sydney St in many Directories and was also listed in the poll books of the time.

In 1836, ‘The Huntingdon, Bedford & Peterborough Gazette’ had an article about a customer who had a bad fall in his shop. In 1842 Mary Ann Rivett and niece Mary Boardman were living in Jeremiah Thring’s house in Green St Cambridge, but around 1845 they all moved to 20 Hills Rd.

In 1846 Mary Ann’s sister, Lucy Boardman nee Rivett died, leaving her children as orphans. Mary Ann looked after the youngest daughter Mary Boardman, who was 7 when her mother died. Mary and her niece lived in Jeremiah's house, so he must have had compassion for Mary Ann and her niece.

1851 Census Cambridge: Jeremiah Thring, Mary Ann Rivett & Mary Ann Boardman lining at 20 Hills Rd.

In 1851 the people listed at 20 Hills Rd, Cambridge were Jeremiah Thring 59 (now described as a gentleman), Mary Ann Rivett 41 servant and Mary Boardman 12, orphaned niece and visitor. Sadly niece Mary Boardman died the following year at the age of 13.

1861 Census Cambridge: (Mary) Ann Rivett, head of household, unmarried,52 lodging housekeeper born in Wortham

 

In early 1861 Jeremiah Thring 69 died at Cambridge (Camdex), and when the census was carried out in April, Mary Ann Rivett had moved a few doors to 23 Hills Rd, St Andrew the Less, Barnswell. Ann (she had dropped Mary as a name) Rivett 52, unmarried, was a lodgings housekeeper. Also living there was GGF Henry Boardman 19, nephew (brother of Mary Boardman b1839 see above) china dealer’s clerk, Jane Planflim 14 servant and two elderly boarders Elizabeth E Stevenson 83 and Sarah M Turner 69.

Marriages Cambridge 1863

Deaths Cambridge 1863

Mary Rivett 54 (b1809) married widower James Hicks 62 at Cambridge in early 1863. Mary and James were living less than a mile apart in 1861. Sadly Mary Hicks nee Rivett seems to have died later that same year, aged 55 (Camdex).

21.3a Hicks Family Connection
James Hicks, 70 year old builder (b1801) of Cambridge died 4 Nov 1871. His deceased wife's name was Susan/Susannah Royston (1792-1862) born in Landbeach,Cambridge. According to the memorial on her son's grave, Susan died 26 Jun 1862 aged 65 (b1797). Probate for the will of James was granted to sons Elijah and James (1836-1892) builders.

James Hicks had a brother named Robert Hicks b1809 who married Charlotte King in 1831 and they had a son named John Hicks b1832. The 1851 census listed the residents of 149 East Rd as James Rivett 39 and a servant named John Hicke/Hicks/Kink/Kirks (the name is hard to read) 19 (b1832 Cambridge). Often servants were actually relations connected to the family in some way. In 1841 John Hicks 9 (b1832) was living in South St, Cambridge (near Broad St) with his widowed mother Charlotte Hicks nee King 38 (b1803) and sister Catherine Hicks born in 1834. This was about 500m from James Rivett's house. Charlotte King had married Robert Hicks in 1831 at St Andrews, Cambridge. According to CAMDEX John's father Robert Hicks died in 1840 aged 31, his sister Catherine died in 1841 aged 8 and his mother Charlotte died in 1845 aged 40 (b1805). In 1851 John Hicks b1832 was in the employ of James Rivett and was the nephew of James Hicks who married James Rivett's sister Mary Rivett in 1863. As builders and carpenters the Hicks family would have known Thomas Boardman also a joiner and carpenter and husband of Lucy Rivett. James Hicks and Thomas Boardman's homes were just a few hundred metres apart.
NOTE: See https://millroadcemetery.org.uk/hicks-arthur-searle/ for more informatuion about the Hicks family.

21.3b Jeremiah Thring (c1784-1861)

Jeremiah is not in our family tree, but is included here because he employed, housed and possibly had a relationship with Mary Ann Rivett (see above). For a time Mary Ann Rivett's niece Mary Boardman b1839 and nephew GGF Henry Boardman b1841 lived in Jeremiah’s house.

According to the 1851 census record Jeremiah was born in 1792 at All Saints Parish, Cambridge. A birth year of 1792 fits in with his given age of 69 at the time he died in 1861. However, other Cambridge records indicate his birth year was more likely c1784, making him about the same age as his wife. For an unknown reason, Jeremiah seems to have understated his age in later life.

Jeremiah Thring met Ann Augur who had been born in Cambridge on 2 Apr 1780 at St Andrews, Cambridge. There are several records of their marriage, but strangely they list different dates and places.

The earlier marriage occurred on 24 Dec 1804. The record lists a marriage between Jeremiah Thring and Ann Augur at St Andrews, Cambridge. The problem with this date, is that according to the ages he put on various censuses, Jeremiah would only be 12 years old and his wife 24! A birth date of 1784 would make him a more realistic 21 years old (age of consent).

The second group of marriage documents record the date as 2 Jun 1819 between Ann Augur spinster, and Jeremiah Thing (sic) bachelor, at Tower Hamlets, St Marys, Whitechapel, London. The problem with these documents is the location, which is 60 miles from Cambridge, the date is well after the birth of their son and the Banns notice lists both parties as "of this parish". I am inclined to think that  Jeremiah's first wife died and he then married a cousin who had the same name. A Jeremiah Thring aged 56 was admitted to the workhouse at Tower Hamlets in 1842, when many records indicate our Jeremiah was living in Cambridge. He died there at the age 67 in 1853. Also there were several Ann Agars born in Essex in the 1790's, one of whom may have been his wife.

If we accept the validity of the first record above, Jeremiah must have been born in the early 1780's and this fits in with the birth of a son in 1807.

On 26 Jul 1807, a son, Jeremiah George Thring, was born to Jeremiah Thring and Ann Augur, and was baptised at St. Andrew the Great, Cambridge. On 27 Mar 1826 son Jeremiah George Thring 19 married Sophia Thring at St George in London. Witnesses were parents Jeremiah and Ann Thring.

Jeremiah’s (b1792) wife, Ann Augur, probably died in the late 1820’s. On 18 Apr 1830 a single woman named M.A. Thring gave birth to a daughter named Mary A Thring at Horningsea, Cambridge. Could M.A. Thring actually have been Mary Ann Rivett (using Jeremiah's surname) aged 21, who started working for Jeremiah at about this time?

1833 "A History of Perse School"

In the 1830’s there were many references to Jeremiah Thring who was living in Sidney St. Cambridge. In 1831 he was mentioned in an inquiry re running of Cambridge College (p.258) and in 1833 in another inquiry into the running of Perse School. In the former document his address is given as Sidney St.

Cambridge Voter's List Dec 1832 (From Google Books)

Poll Book 1841

In 1832, 1835, 1837, 1840 and 1841 Jeremiah was listed as an ironmonger in the Poll Book with his business in Sidney St. (Also listed was a  possible brother or son; Joseph Thring, victualler/publican in St Andrews St). On 25 Jun 1836 a man fell in Jeremiah’s shop in Sidney St. according to an article in the ‘Huntingdon, Bedford & Peterborough Gazette’ and was badly injured.

In 1837 Jeremiah Thring was one of the contractors selected to supply materials for the building of Cambridge Workhouse

In 1837, Lord Langdale made a decree on information provided by 'Mr Wm R Jeremiah Thring', Sidney St and Mr William Metcalfe, printer of Green St against the Master and Fellows of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. Perhaps Jeremiah was not his only Christian name?

Pigot's Directory 1832

Perhaps the most significant records are those in Pigot’s Directories. The 1832 entry lists Maria Thring and Son, Ironmongers of Sidney St. This may be referring to Jeremiah and his mother! The 1839 record in Pigot's lists Jeremiah Thring Ironmonger, and also ‘Mary Thring & Son, Ironmongers’ Sidney St. Cambridge. Could this be a reference to Jeremiah Thring and Mary Rivett (using Jeremiah’s surname) helping out in his ironmongery business?

Cambridge Census 1841

The 1841 census recorded Jeremiah Thring Ironmonger 45 (probably at least 57), Mary (Ann) Rivett servant 30, Richard Williamson assistant 30 and Sarah Wilson servant 16 living in Sidney St. However, the Poll Book of 1842 indicates that they were living in Green St in that year. It listed Jeremiah Thring of Green St, Cambridge and also Joseph Thring, close by in St Andrews St., Cambridge. Joseph may be the son mentioned in the 1839 Pigot’s Directory. 

 

On the 6 Nov 1843 Jeremiah's exact address was mentioned in bankruptcy court proceedings in a report in the London Gazette. The transcript reads; "Miss Elizabeth Ann Beletti ....late of no 1 Green St, assistant ironmonger in lodgings with Mr Jeremiah Thring.... ironmonger". This also suggests that Miss Beletti worked for Jeremiah and that he carried on a 'lodgings' business in Greens St, as well as the ironmongery. After Jeremiah's death, Mary Ann Rivett gave her occupation as Lodgings Housekeeper, which suggests she was either keeping that side of the business going, or that she worked as a housekeeper at a lodging house.

Hills Rd today. No 20 appears to be the narrow orange brick building.

By 1845 Jeremiah Thring had moved to Hills Rd and was mentioned in an article regarding tolls in the Cambridge Independent Press. 

Cambridge Juror Book 1847

Various directories in the 1850’s confirm his address as Hills Rd. The 1851 census was more specific and listed his address as 20 Hills Rd, Cambridge. Jeremiah Thring was 59 and described as ‘gentleman’, Mary Ann Rivett was 41 working as a servant, and at this time Mary Ann Rivett’s orphaned niece Mary Ann Boardman 12 was described as a visitor.

Deaths Cambridge 1861

The Poll Books of the 1850’s continued to list Jeremiah as a ‘gentleman’ living in Hills Rd, Cambridge up until his death aged 69 in early 1861 (Camdex).

NOTE: Son Jeremiah George Thring b1807 married Sophie Thring (sic) spinster, at Tower Hamlets in 1826. According to the birth of their children they lived their married lives in Middlesex. In 1827 Jeremiah and Sophie had a son, whom they named George William Augur Thring (named after Jeremiah's mother Ann Augur), and Jeremiah junior's occupation was listed as printer. In 1838 they had a daughter named Elizabeth Shaw Thring and Jeremiah was listed as a compositor. After Jeremiah died in 1851, Sophie moved to Canada to live with daughter Elizabeth, and eventually died in Massachusetts, USA in 1879.

21.4 GGGM Lucy Rivett (1811-1846)
Lucy was born in 1811 at Wortham, Suffolk to GGGGP James Rivett and Lucy Rodwell ( from 1841 census). On 22 Dec 1834 at St Andrews, Barnwell, Cambridge, GGGM Lucy Rivett married Thomas Boardman (1776-1843). Thomas was a widower with two known children, who was getting on in age at 56, and Lucy was less than half his age at 23 years old. For information about GGGM Lucy’s married life with GGGF Thomas Boardman (1776-1843) see 7.0

21.5 James Rivett (1812-1879)

James was born in 1812 at Wortham. There is a baptism record for 22 Nov 1812 at Wortham with the parents listed as John and Lucy Rodwell Rivett. 

 

Marriages St Andrew The Less 1836: James Rivett married Elizabeth Gibbs on 25 Sep 1836

The family moved to Barnwell, Cambridge around 1813 and on 25 Sep 1836 James 24 married Elizabeth Gibbs 29 (b1807 Kings Ripton) at Barnwell St Andrews, Cambridge.

 

1841 Census Cambridge: James (John) & Elizabeth Rivett

In the 1841 census, living at 16 South St (no longer exists), St Andrew the Less, were ‘John’ Rivett 30 warehouse man and Elizabeth Rivett 30 (really 33). Although the wrong name had been recorded, it is highly likely that this is our James, because other information matches i.e. both were born outside of Cambridgeshire (James in Suffolk & Elizabeth in Huntingdonshire), both are around the right age and they have no children at this time, which was correct. They were also living in the same area, where they spent the rest of their lives (St Andrew the Less). Their first daughter, Elizabeth Mary Rivett, was born three months after the census in July 1841. James' occupation was listed as a warehouseman. It is possible the warehouse handled chinaware and James may have picked up skills in repairing products that were broken or damaged whilst working there.

 

In the 1840's James and his family moved around the corner into premises in East Rd where James established his chinaware business.

In 1850, 'Slater’s Directory' listed James Rivett "China, Glass etc Dealer", living in East Rd, Barnwell, Cambridge. James was the earliest known 'chinaman' in our family tree, and was probably responsible for others such as GGF Henry Boardman getting into the trade. East Rd was less than half a mile from GGF Henry Boardman's residence in Sun St.

 

1851 Census Cambridge confirms James Rivett was born in 1812 at Wortham Suffolk

The 1851 census listed the family living at 151 East Rd, St Andrews the Less, Cambridge, as James Rivett 39 'chinaman', Elizabeth Rivett 40, Elizabeth Mary Rivett 9, Harriet A Rivett 5 and John Hicke/Hicks/Kinks/Kirks (the name is hard to read) 19 (b1832 Cambridge) servant. The fact that they had a servant implied that the china business was doing well. (See 20.2 for some other ideas about who John Hicke may be.) 

 

Corpus Christi College 1854

James Rivett and his family were not listed in the 1861 census, but poll books at the time confirmed they still lived in East Rd. There is also a document that details a lease contract (but not the actual address) with “James Rivett, china dealer, of premises ... for 40 years from 24 June 1867 at an annual rent of £5. Creator: Master and Fellows of CCCC (Corpus Christ College Cambridge) Cambridge.” (St Sepulchre's parish deeds).

In 1866, daughter Harriet Ann Rivett 21 married Thomas Birks (aka Berks/Burks) b1846 china manufacturer of Longton, Staffordshire, with the marriage registered at Hanover Square, London. Thomas Birks' father was Thomas Birks b1819, a china and earthernware manufacturer in Staffordshire (See below).  Harriett and Thomas had grown up over one hundred miles apart. Their meeting was most likely a result of the business relationship between their fathers who were both in the chinaware trade.

Youngest daughter Elizabeth Mary Rivett 18 married Henry Walton in 1859 at Hanover Square in London. Sadly Henry must have died in the 1860's but no record has been found. Elizabeth Mary Walton nee Rivett aged 28 and a widow, married for the second time on 14 Mar 1870 at Trinity Church, Westminster. Her second husband was widower George Adams Wallis b1834 Cambridge, (butcher from St Andrews St, Cambridge). Her father (James Rivett) was listed as a 'china dealer'. Witnesses were James Rivett [father] and Fanny Birks b1846 Longton [sister-in-law]. 

P.O. Directory 1869

It seems that James expanded his business interests into hardware, because in 1869 the P.O. Directory listed him in that business in addition to the China business in the shops at 165 and 167 East Rd, adjacent to where he was living. Another possibility is that J. Rivett was a relative. The 1871 census listed James' nephew, Robert Smith as living at 167 East Rd.

Cambridge Jury Roll 1870

1871 Census Cambridge: Also confirms James Rivett was born in 1812 at Wortham

In 1871 James Rivett 58 retired china dealer, was living at 165 East Rd, St Andrews the Less, Cambridge along with his wife Elizabeth Rivett nee Gibbs 61, Elizabeth Fanny Birks 4 granddaughter  (daughter of  Harriet Ann Birks nee Rivett). Living close by at no 167 was James’ sister Harriet Smith nee Rivett and her son Robert Smith 25, who was also a 'chinaman' and probably learnt the trade from his uncle James Rivett (b1812). Robert appears to have taken over James' business after James retired. Their dwelling at no. 167 was the same address as James Rivett's hardware store listed in the P.O. Directory above.

 

James Rivett's shop was not far from these shops at 81 East Rd, Cambridge. He died at Cambridge on 27 Jul 1879 aged 66 at Cambridge.

Probate Record for James Rivett 1879

Probate was granted in 1879 and the wording confirms the names of his wife Elizabeth (Rivett nee Gibbs) and daughters Elizabeth Mary Wallis (nee Rivett) and Harriett Ann Birks (nee Rivett) and their husbands and the addresses of all three. The value of his estate was given as £800.

In 1881 James’ widowed wife Elizabeth Rivett nee Gibbs retired china dealer was still residing at 165 East Rd and living with her grand-daughter Elizabeth Fanny Birks 14. In 1888 grand-daughter Elizabeth F. Birks 21 married William Polled, coach builder in Cambridge. From 1888-1892 Elizabeth Rivett was listed as a resident at 165 East Rd in 'Kelly’s Cambridge Directory', where she remained until her death on 25 June 1892. Probate was granted to her daughter Elizabeth Mary Wallis nee Rivett and granddaughter Elizabeth Fanny Polled nee Rivett with effects valued at £1000.

21.5a James Rivett's Daughters
i) Elizabeth Mary Rivett (1841-1904)
Elizabeth (b1841, Cambridge) was the first baby born to James and Elizabeth Rivett. In 1859 at the age of 18, she married Henry Walton at Hanover Square in London. Sadly Henry must have died in the 1860's, but no record has been found to confirm this. Elizabeth Mary Walton nee Rivett aged 28 and a widow, married for the second time on 14 Mar 1870 at Trinity Church, Westminster.

Her second husband was widower George Adams Wallis b1834 Cambridge, (butcher from St Andrews St, Cambridge). Elizabeth's father was listed as a 'china dealer'. Witnesses to the wedding were James Rivett [father] and Fanny Birks b1846 Longton [sister of Thomas Birks; see below].

In 1871 George Wallis 37 butcher and Elizabeth Wallis 29 were living at 36 St Andrews St, Cambridge with Fanny Elizabeth Wallis 5 (daughter from George's first marriage). George 57 had been a very successful butcher and was retired by 1891. The family at that time were living at 17 Warkworth St and employed a servant. George died in 1901 and probate was granted to William Reeve Wallis, gentleman (brother) and Fanny Elizabeth Palmer (daughter and wife of George Owen Palmer) with effects valued at £16,374.

Elizabeth Mary Wallis nee Rivett 63 died three years later on 15 Feb 1904. George and Elizabeth Wallis nee Walton nee Rivett were buried together at Mill Rd Cemetery, Cambridge.

 

From https://millroadcemetery.org.uk/wallis-elizabeth-mary/
Elizabeth Mary Wallis [nee Rivett] (6 August 1843 – 15 February 1904)
Elizabeth was George Wallis’ second wife, and he her second husband. She was born in Cambridge and was the daughter of James and Elizabeth Rivett. She grew up at 151 East Road, and her father was a china dealer. She married Henry Walton in 1859 at St George, Hanover Square, London. She was a widow when she married for a second time in 1870. She lived with George at 36 St Andrew Street [1871/1881] and then 17 Walkworth Street [1891]. She continued to live at Walkworth Street, after she was widowed. She was living there alone with one servant in 1901. She died aged 60 years old at Walkworth Street. She left an estate valued at £4,648 14s and 7s.

ii) Harriet Ann Rivett (1846-1903)

Cambridge Independent Press 31 Mar 1866

On 29 Mar 1866, James and Elizabeth Rivett's second daughter Harriet Ann Rivett 21 married Thomas Birks (b1846 Longton), china and earthenware manufacturer with the marriage registered at Hanover Square, London. It is highly likely that Harriett met her husband through her father's work in the chinaware business.

 

1871 Census Stoke Upon Trent

By 1871 Harriet and Thomas had moved to in Stoke-on-Trent, where Thomas was a barhouse keeper (of the Bull House Inn, 60 High St, Longton). They had three children; Elizabeth Fanny Birks b1867, Thomas Rivett Birks b1869 and Alice M Birks b1870.

By 1881 the family had moved to Leicestershire and Thomas 35 was listed as a 'hawker', Harriet was 35 and their listed children were James Birks 12 and Florence Birks 4 (b21 Nov 1875 at Dresden, Staffordshire). Eldest daughter Elizabeth was staying with her grandparents; James and Elizabeth Rivett (see above).

1891 Census All Saints Leicestershire

In 1891 Harriet A Birks (Burks) 45 was living at 43 Burgess St, Leicester with two of her children; Alice M Birks 20, ladies companion, and Arthur R Birks 9 scholar. At this time she was listed as 'head' of the family and still married. As Thomas 46, builders labourer, was living about one mile away in a lodging house, it appears that Harriet had separated from her husband. By 1901 Harriet 55 had moved to 14 Woodbine Ave and was 'living by her own means'. She was still listed as married and not a widow and was living with youngest son Arthur Birks 19 tailor. Harriet died two years later in 1903 aged 57.

NOTE: Thomas Birks' (b1846) father was Thomas Birks b1819, a china and earthenware manufacturer in Staffordshire. Thomas' (b1819), brother Samuel Birks b1812, and his family were also china manufacturers and potters. Both families lived in Stone Rd, Blurton, Staffordshire in 1861. 

21.5b The Birks Family: 'China and Earthenware Manufacturers: Thomas Birks (1819-1891)

In 1866 Harriet Ann Rivett 21 married Thomas Birks (aka Berks) b1846, Longton, Staffordshire,

Thomas Birks' parents were Thomas Birks b1819, a china and earthernware manufacturer in Staffordshire and Sarah Smith. They were married in Stoke-on-Trent in 1834 and had seven children. 

In 1841 Thomas Birks (b1819) 20 potter and his family were living with his grandmother Fanny Birks 60 of independent means in Stone Rd, Trentham. Thomas' family consisted of Sarah Birks 20, Mary Birks 2 and James Birks 1. However, Thomas Birks b1819 moved out of the 'china' trade for a short time in the 1850's. In 1851 he was living in Stone Rd with his family and at that time was a grocer!

 

1861 Blurton Census. Thomas Birks b1819 & family including Thomas Birks b1846

By 1861 Thomas 42 b1819 had returned to his original trade. He was listed as a china and earthenware manufacturer living with his wife Sarah Birks 42, children Maryann Hallam 22, Sarah Birks 17, Thomas Birks 15 (b1846), Fanny Birks 14, Edith Birks 10, grand-daughter Sarah Ann Hallam 3 months and servant Sarah Baker 20 were living in Stone Rd, Blurton. Thomas b1819 and his family were living next to brother Samuel Birks b1812 and his family who were also china manufacturers and potters (see below). The 1868 Potteries Directory listed "Birks, Thomas, High Street, Longton—China, Earthenware, Gold and Silver Lustre."

In 1871 living in Stone Rd, Trentham were Thomas Birks 52 china manufacturer and dealer, Sarah Birks 52, Fanny Birks 24, John Birks 10 and two servants. By 1881 the family was living in Anchor Rd, Longton and Thomas Birks 62 was a retired china manufacturer. Living with him were wife Sarah Birks 62, daughter Fanny Sheridan 33 widow of china manufacturer, grand-daughter Theodosia A. Sheridan 5 and Lucy D. Povey 23 servant. Ten years later in 1891 the household was much the same; Thomas Birks 72 living by his own means, Sarah Birks 72, Fanny Birks 43, Theodosia A Sheridian 15 and Ann J Wilshaw 22 servant. It appears that Thomas died later that year in 1891.

21.5c Samuel Birks (1812-1872)
Samuel Birks was an uncle of Thomas Birks b1846. According to the probate record he was a 'potseller' and died in 1872 with probate granted to his eldest son Jonathon Birks, coal dealer. Samuel's second son, Joseph Birks, kept up the family tradition and was listed as a potter at the 1871 census. By 1881 three of Joseph's children were also working in the trade; Emily Birks 17 potters wheel turner, William H. Birks 15 figurine maker and Florence Birks 13 pottery painter. In 1991 two of Joseph's other children were helping out; Adelaide Birks 21 potter's gilder and Minnie Birks 18 potter's warehouse woman. In 1901 three children were again working with Joseph; Arthur Birks 21 copper plate engraver, Lizzie Birks 18 potters gilder and Matilda Birks 16 gilder. By 1911 the following members of the family were still working in the family business; Joseph Birks 65, Arthur Birks 31, Emily Birks 47 and Sarah Eliza Birks 28. Arthur must have taken over management because he was listed as employer. Joseph died later that year.

The website http://www.thepotteries.org/works/cobridge/globe_pottery.htm has the following information about the Birks brothers Pottery business and their descendants.

"From 1877 to 1888 the Birks brothers joined as partners with Joshua Seddon at The Globe Pottery, Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent and they continued the manufacture of white and also decorated graniteware for the American market. The Vine Pottery was founded by Lawrence Arthur Birks and Charles Frederick Goodfellow in Stoke-upon-Trent in 1894. In 1907 Birks, Rawlins & Co. were listed as "China and Savoy Heraldic China Manufacturers". Attempts were made to improve the fortunes of Birks, Rawlins & Co - a new mark 'The Original Birks China' was introduced in 1928 along with a new formulation together with the 'Carlton' trade name. The attempts to revive the business was unsucessful and it was soon merged with Wiltshaw & Robinson at the Carlton Works, and the Vine Pottery closed in 1933".

21.6 Harriet Rivett (1814-1906)
Harriet was born in 1814 according to the ages in various census documents. Unlike her siblings, Harriett seems to have been born in Cambridge, after her family moved there around 1813. No baptism registration has been found. As with many members of the Rivett family, the existing records can be confusing and so it is with Harriet's marriages.

Harriet seems to have married someone with the Grist surname around 1837, but no marriage registration has been found. Her husband was probably William Grist, baptised on 5 Jan 1819 (born 1818) at Barnwell, Cambridge to William and Sarah Grist (or one of his older siblings). Sadly Harriet's first husband died not long after the marriage.

The evidence of a marriage or relationship between Harriet Rivett and William Grist is as follows:
a) Harriet Grist's life details seem to match Harriet Rivett's history
b) In 1861 Sarah Grist 66 was listed as a mother-in-law to Harriet's husband William Ingle
c) Harriet Ingle nee Grist nee Rivett took in the daughter of her sister Lucy Rivett when Lucy died.
d) William Ingle was an ironmonger in 1851, as was Mary Ann Rivett's employer Jeremiah Thring

TOP: Marriage registration for William Ingle & Harriet Grist. BELOW: Newspaper announcement

On 6 Dec 1838 Harriet Grist nee Rivett married widower William Ingle 38 at Eden Chapel, Barnwell, Cambridge (See Mast-Ingle Family Tree on Ancestry). An announcement of the wedding was published in the newspaper. This creates a puzzle because it lists Harriet as a "Miss".  This may be an error made by the newspaper or possibly as a result of Harriet living in her previous relationship, taking on her partner's name, but not actually getting married.

With the marriage came William Ingle's son from his first marriage; William George Ingle b1833. In 1840 Harriet gave birth to a daughter named Isabella Ingle.

1841 Census Cambridge: Ingle Family

In 1841 William Ingle 30, white smith (tinsmith) and Harriet Ingle nee Grist nee Rivett 25 (age rounded down) were living at Mt Pleasant, Cambridge with their children William George Ingle 8 and Isabella Ingle 8mths. The poll book of June 1841 confirms this.

1851 Census Cambridge William & Harriett Ingle & 9 children & Harriet's mother-in-law & nephew

By 1851 they had moved to Magdalene St. Cambridge. William Ingle 41 was now an iron monger, Harriet Ingle nee Rivett was 38, son William George Ingle 17 was an assistant iron monger and their other children were Isabella Ingle 10, James Ingle 9, John Ingle 8, Henry Ingle 6, Fanny Ingle 5, Joseph Ingle 3, Frederick Ingle 18mths and Mary Ann Ingle 1mth. To help with the large family they employed Sarah Grist 66 (see note below) as servant and nurse, and living with them as another servant, was Lucy Elizabeth Boardman 14. Lucy was Harriet’s niece and sister GGGM Lucy Boardman nee Rivett’s (1811-1846) orphaned child. Lucy Elizabeth Boardman left the Ingle household in 1853 to sail to Australia as a 16 year old single woman. As this was such a huge step for a young person, it suggests she was not happy living with her aunt. (see 10.2)

NOTE: Sarah Grist nee Cracknell aged 66 (b1785) employed as a servant in 1851 was Harriet's mother–in-law from her first marriage. Sarah had married William Grist at St Benedicts on 27 Jul 1813 and they had several children baptised in the Wesleyan Chapel at Barnwell. One of the Grist sons (probably William b1818) was Harriet's first husband. Sarah Grist died at the age of 73 in 1856.

1861 Census: William & Harriet Ingle nee Rivett & ten children

By 1861 the Ingles had moved to 1 Cross Keys Yard, St Peter, Cambridge. Living in the crowded house were William Ingle 51 white smith, Harriet Ingle 47, Isabella Ingle 20 milliner, James Ingle 19 white smith, John Ingle 17 grocers assistant, Henry Ingle 16 apprentice tailor, Fanny Ingle 15, Frederick Ingle 10, Mary Ann Ingle 9, Susannah Ingle 6, Kezia Ingle 5 and Harriet Ingle 3.

 

1871 Census Cambridge: William & Harriet Ingle nee Rivett &3 children

Another move was made to 21 Sussex St. Cambridge by 1871 and the household consisted of William Ingle 61 white smith, Harriet Ingle 57, Fanny Ingle 25 dress maker, Susanna Ingle 16 pupil teacher, Kezia Ingle 12 and Henry Woodman 27 lodger. The family were still living at 21 Sussex St, Cambridge in 1881 and had taken on more lodgers. There were William Ingle 71 white smith, Harriett Ingle 67, Fanny Ingle 35 bonnet maker, Selina Livett 15 servant (not Rivett) and lodgers William H. Bennett 25, Stanley P. Smith 20 and Nisbet C. Marris 22.

By 1891 William had retired and they had moved to 64 St Andrew St, St Andrew the Great. Living in the house were William Ingle 81 retired white smith, Harriet Ingle 77, Mary Ann Ingle 38 milliner, Susannah Ingle 36 English teacher, Thersa (Teresa) Ingle 52 milliner and Caroline Thorogood 14 servant.

Probate Records 1898

William Ingle died in 1898 aged 89. Probate was granted on 25 Jan 1899 to Susannah Ingle spinster (unmarried daughter) and Joseph Royston, brewer’s manager (husband of daughter Isabella). The notice included the following details; William Ingle of 23 St Andrews St., Cambridge, retired whitesmith was buried on 17 Nov 1898 leaving £105 in his will.

1901 census Cambridge

The 1901 census included the Ingle family, but seems to have made errors with Christian names; even though the ages match and the address is still 23 St Andrews Rd. Harriet (listed as Marion) Ingle 87 (b1814) widow, was head of the family, living with two unmarried daughters Mary Ann Ingle, 47 year old milliner and Kezia Ingle 43.

Harriet Ingle nee Rivett probably died in the first half of 1906 aged 92 at Cambridge.

22.0 Possible Ancestry of GGGGP Lucy Rodwell & John Rivett

Diagram Showing Possible Ancestral background of GGGGP John Rivett and Lucy Rodwell

22.1 Daniel Rodwell (1731-1799) & Letitia Nicholson (c1736-1782)

Lucy Rodwell was baptised in Wortham by parents Daniel Rodwell and Letitia Nicholson on 28 Jun 1772.

GGGGGF Daniel Rodwell was born in 1731 according to his death registration, but no more is known about his ancestry. GGGGGM Letitia Nicholson was born in the mid 1730's. This has been determined by her age at the time of marriage (usually around 21, her age when she had her last child (usually around 40) and the fact that she was probably younger than her husband. Her place of birth was probably Mendlesham, which was about 10 miles south of Wortham.

At the age of 26, Daniel Rodwell married Letitia Nicholson on 27 Mar 1757 in her home town of Mendlesham

Original documents relating to Letitia are not available, and there are spelling inconsistencies in the transcribed records that are available (as is often the case). Letitia's surname in various documents is spelled Nichols and even Echerson (Nicholson?).

Daniel and Letitia had ten known children; Mary Rodwell 1759-1785, Daniel Rodwell 1760-?, James Rodwell 1762-1826, Jonathan Rodwell 1764-1781, Samuel Rodwell 1766-?, Elizabeth Rodwell 1768-?, Anne Rodwell 1770-?, GGGGM Lucy Rodwell 1772-1844, Catherine Rodwell 1775-? and Hannah Rodwell 1778 (father incorrectly named as David). Apart from Harriet b1814, all of GGGGM Lucy Rivett nee Rodwell's children seem to be named after her siblings, her husband and herself.

Letitia Rodwell nee Unknown died on 21 Jan 1782. The death registration listed her as the wife of Daniel Rodwell. Her exact place of death is not specifed, but was probably Wortham or Mendlesham, Suffolk.

Daniel Rodwell died at the age of 68 and was buried in Wortham in 1799. The record lists him as a married man, but does not list his spouse who was deceased.

22.2 Selected Children of Daniel Rodwell & Letitia Nicholson
Details are known about the lives of some of the children of Daniel and Letitia. The other childen probably died in childhood.

a) Daniel Rodwell (1760-1799)
Daniel Rodwell was probably baptised in Wortham in 1760 and being the first born male was named after his father.
NOTE: There is a death record for a Daniel Rodwell in Wortham dated 1782.  This record must list Daniel's name in error, because it is supposed to be for a female. Also many records refer to Daniel as a family man in the following years. My guess is that the record was supposed to be for one of Daniel's sisters.

At the age of 24 Daniel Rodwell married Elizabeth Rivett 19 at Wortham on 20 Sep 1784. They had one known child named Elizabeth Rodwell 1787-1813. Twenty years later, Daniel's younger sister GGGGM Lucy Rodwell married Daniel's wife's brother, John Rivett. It was not uncommon for siblings to marry siblings.

It seems that Elizabeth Rivett died after the birth of her first child, and Daniel married Elizabeth Coppin. No records of these events have been found, but the second marriage nust have occured in 1788 prior to the birth of Daniel's next child. There were five children baptised to Daniel Rodwell and Elizabeth Coppin Rodwell. They were Mary Rodwell 1789-?, Ann Rodwell 1791-1796, John Rodwell 1793-? (b.Sudbury), Daniel Rodwell 1795-? and Ann Rodwell 1798-? All were baptised at Wortham.

Daniel Rodwell's date of death is listed as 1799 at Suffolk aged 48 (Geneanet). Elizabeth Rodwell nee Coppin died in 1830 at the age of 66, and was buried at Wortham on 13 Sep 1830.

b) James Rodwell (1762-1826)
James Rodwell was baptised in Wortham in 1762

At the age of 24 James married Elizabeth Coppin on 29 Jan 1786 at Wortham. As James' wife had the same name as brother Daniel's wife, the two women may have been cousins.

Elizabeth Rodwell nee Coppin died in 1793 at the age of 26 and was buried in Wortham on 17 Nov 1793.

James Rodwell married his second wife, Elizabeth Leader,  on 31 Mar 1794 at Wortham

James Rodwell died at the age of 63 and was buried at Wortham on 16 Jul 1826. His listed age at death, confirms a birth year of 1862. Elizabeth Rodwell nee Leader died in 1832 aged 73 and was buried at Wortham on 10 Aug 1832.

NOTE: Both James Rodwell and brother Daniel appear to have married women named Elizabeth Coppin. This could be so, as there were several women with that name and of the right age living in the area. Some of the surnames vary in spelling including Copping and Coppen.

c) Jonathan Rodwell 1764-1781
Jonathon was baptised in Wortham on 18 May 1766.

Not much else is known about him apart from the fact that he died at the age of 17 and was buried on 27 Oct 1781.

d) Elizabeth Rodwell (1768-?)

Elizabeth Rodwell was baptised in Wortham on 4 Sep 1768.

Elizabeth may have married William Leader in 1805. William was born 13 miles from Wortham in Elmswell in 1769. Elizabeth's brother James, married Elizabeth Leader in 1794 and perhaps William and Elizabeth Leader were related. No more is known about Elizabeth.

e) GGGM Lucy Rodwell (1772-1844)
Lucy was baptised at Wortham on 28 Jun 1772. (see 20.2 above).  Her brother Daniel married Elizabeth Rivett in 1784 when Lucy was 12. Twenty years later Lucy married the brother of her sister-in-law. Lucy Rivett nee Rodwell and John Rivett had at least six children; the last when she was 42 in 1814.  Lucy Rivett nee Rodwell 71, died in Cambridge in 1844 (see burial record in 20.1 above).

22.3 GGGGGM Letitia Nicholson (c1736-1782)

As explained above, Letitia was probably born around 1736 to James and Mary Nicholson at Mendlesham. The only baptism registration that has been found is one for Letitia Nicholson born to James and Mary Nicholson in 1725. This is unlikely to be our Letitia because that would have made her 53 when she had her last child. A more likely scenario, is that this was her sister, who died young. When Letitia was born in the mid 1730's she was named after her deceased sister. However, no baptism registration has been found to support this contention.

Children born to James and Mary Nicholson were; Letitia Nicholson 1725-c1735, Susan Nicholson 1729-1730, Ann Nicholson 1729-1729, GGGGGM Letitia Nicholson c1736 and John Nicholson 1737-? Letitia's mother Mary Nicholson nee Unknown would have been close to forty when she had her last child in 1737.

22.4 GGGGGP John Rivett (c1735-?) & Jane Rivett (1735-1791)

Baptisms Kenninghall 1773

John Rivett may have been baptised at Kenninghall (8 miles from Wortham) by parents John and Jane Rivett on 25 Dec 1773. His father was probably born around 1735 in the Kenninghall area and his mother (according to her death registration) was born in 1735.

Marriages Kenninghall 1763

GGGGGP John Rivett and Jane Rivett, single persons, were married in Kenninghall on 28 Jan 1763. John and Jane had four known children, all baptised in Kenninghall.

Baptisms Kenninghall 1763

Their first child, named after his father was John Rivett born about nine months later and baptised at Kenninghall on 27 Dec 1763. Baby John died the following month and was buried on 16 Jan 1764.

Baptisms Kenninghall 1765

Their second child was Elizabeth Rivett and she was baptised at Kenninghall on 1 Sep 1765. Elizabeth married James Rodwell in 1784 seven miles from her birth place in Wortham. She had five known children and died in Wortham in 1830 (See above).

Baptisms Kenninghall 1772

Their third child was Francis Rivett baptised on 2 Feb 1772 (may have married Jane Alderton in 1795) and their final child was GGGGF John Rivett baptised in Dec of 1773 (see baptism registration above). John's mother Jane was 38 when she had her last child.

Burials Kenninghall 1791

 GGGGGM Jane Rivett nee Unknown died at the age of 56 in Kenninghall. She was buried 30 Oct 1791. The date of death of GGGGGF John Rivett is unknown.

23.0 Rivett & Boardman Family Tree

Diagram showing how the Rivett Branch fits into the Boardman Tree

24.0 Reserved for Future Use