William Horton [h.1.7.2]

William Horton was the second child of Richard Horton & Mary Phipps born 1849 at West Bromwich. Intriguingly there is a christening record for a Richard Horton, son of Richard (an engineman) & Mary Horton of West Bromwich on June 17th, 1849 at St Martin’s, Tipton. We believe this to be the christening record for William as there is a BMD record of a birth in April-June 1849 for William Horton (no BMD record for Richard Horton found at this time).

In 1851 William was with his parents & older sister Sarah at Grant Village, West Bromwich.

In 1861 William was still at home with his parents & younger brother Richard & sister Mary at Groat St, West Bromwich.

On February 21st, 1871 William married Elizabeth Gamble at the Parish Church of Easington, Yorks after the reading of banns. Elizabeth was born c1846 at Kaleshill, Worcs, the daughter of Maria & George Gamble, a brass burnisher. At the time of the marriage William was living at Easington, where he was a school master, & Elizabeth was living at Clent, Worcs. She was a dress maker. Witnesses at the wedding were John & Lydia Staples.

At the time of the 1871 census William & Elizabeth were living at Dimblington Rd, Easington, Yorks & William was described as a national school master.

In 1881 William & Elizabeth were living at 240 St Pauls Rd, West Smethwick, Harborne, Staffs & William was a board school teacher. They had 3 children by this time – Harry (9), Emelia B (3) & Mary (1). Sarah A Wilkes was their domestic servant.

In 1884 William was the informant of the death of his father who died December 6th.

By 1891 the family had moved to 38 Hope St, West Bromwich & William was described as an elementary school master. Son Harry was a draughtsman’s clerk & other children at home were Emelia, Mary & 9 year old Oswald.

They were still living at Hope St in 1901 & William had become the head master of the elementary school. Mary & Oswald were both pupil teachers at the elementary school.

At the time of the 1911 census William & Elizabeth were visiting Alfred & Flora Boon & family at 1 Buckland Terrace, Torquay, Devon. William's occupation was given as principal of an elementary school, & head of the household Alfred was a boot makers manager. It was noted on the census that William & Elizabeth had had 5 children & only 4 were living.

William retired from the headmastership of Guns Village School, West Bromwich in June 1914. William noted at his retirement presentation that during his 37 years of service, in the region of 6,000 boys had passed through his hands.

Sadly William did not live long enough to enjoy his retirement as he died on December 8th, 1914 at 9 Oxford Rd, West Bromwich. (William’s brother Richard & wife Eliza were living nearby at 15 Oxford Rd.) Administration of his will was granted on January 18th, 1915 to his widow Elizabeth. His effects amounted to £449.11s.2d.

There is a death for Elizabeth Horton, aged 75, in Jan-March 1921 in West Bromwich.

The known children of William Horton & Elizabeth Gamble were:

h.1.7.2.1 Harry Horton born January 14th, 1872 at Easington, Yorks & christened September 8th, 1872 at West Bromwich, Staffs; died June 17th, 1944 at 59 Scott Park Rd, Burnley, Lancs

h.1.7.2.2 Albert William Horton christened August 2nd, 1875 at All Saints, Bloxwich, Staffs; died at High St, West Bromwich & buried January 2nd, 1879 at St Peter’s, West Bromwich
h.1.7.2.3 Emilia Bessie Horton born November 4th, 1877 at West Bromwich, Staffs; died July-September 1956 at Ludlow, Shropshire
h.1.7.2.4 Mary Horton born December 23rd, 1879 at West Bromwich, Staffs; died January 20th, 1981 at Fern Lodge, 36 South Rd, Smethwick, Warley
h.1.7.2.5 Oswald Horton born January 27th, 1882 at Smethwick, Staffs & christened June 24th, 1882 at West Bromwich; died December 23rd, 1952 at West Bromwich, Staffs