Martha Williams (nee Webb) (THE INVENTOR'S WIFE) (9 September 1763 – 21 May 1849)
Martha Webb was born on 9 September 1763 and christened on 25 September 1763 at Christ Church, Southwark, Surrey, England to parents William and Ann Webb (nee Fielder).
Martha Webb’s great granddaughter Alice Marion Webb Williams (born 1868 in Nottingham, England) carried through her maiden name in the family line. Alice is the daughter of Frederick Smeeton Williams.
Martha celebrated her birthday on 11 September as evidenced in a notebook written by Abraham Hopkins Davis her son-in-law.
She had two older siblings, Mary born 17 February 1759 and William 20 May 1760, christened both at Christ Church, Southwark, Surrey, England
Martha Webb, at the age of 27, married Charles Williams on 15 November 1792 at Saint Mary, Lambeth, Surrey, England. Charles was 28.
Martha and Charles had 3 children that we know of.
1. Mary Davis (nee Williams). Born at Green Court (later became Green Walk around 1825) on 2 July 1793, christened 5 August 1793 at Christ Church, Southwark, Surrey, London, England. She died at Moore Farm, Reedbeds, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia on 3 April 1846.
2. Charles Williams. Christened 18 July 1796 at St Margaret's Church, Westminster, London, England. He died at Sibbertoft, England on 18 June 1866.
3. Harriot Williams. Born around 1801.
The 1798 Land Tax Redemption list has the Williams family at Green Court owning their house and paying 3 pounds a year in tax. There is an empty house on one side and ground on the other side owned by Mr Loaf.
Charles Williams, Martha's son is studying at "The Ciceronian Academy" under Dr. Duncan at Pimlico. It was an educational establishment for young gentlemen. Dr. Duncan lived in Palace Street, Pimlico and was the late minister of the Scots Church, Peter Street, Golden Square. Mr Duncan died around 1814.
Charles Williams, Martha’s husband (and presumably Mary and children), are residing at 3 Cane Place, Gravel Lane, Southwark, London, England (this was at the south end of Grave Lane and the east end of Bennett's Row off Blackfriars Road) on 5 January 1810 when he writes to the Society of Arts.
He was granted a patent by them on 2 August 1810 for a machine for grinding or cutting Malt, splitting Beans, and any other kind of grain, and various other articles. He is listed as a millwright. In 1813, no London millwright earned less than seven shillings a day - equivalent to 42 shillings for the normal six day week.
In 1811, still residing at Gravel Lane, Charles wins twenty guineas from the Royal Society of Arts for the invention of the method of boring the conical part of brass cocks.
In 1812, the Reverend Rowland Hill, whose large octagon chapel of Lady Huntingdon's Connexion used to be a well-known place in Christchurch parish, opened almshouses in Gravel Lane for 24 poor widows belonging to the congregation. Could this be why they moved?
In 1814 he receives a prize of twenty guineas and a silver medal from the Society of Arts for inventing a portable corn mill for family use. He was listed at that time as being located at Hatfield Street (runs parallel to Blackfriars Road), Southwark, London, England.
He was a foreman of a factory. He was also an engineer, of much inventiveness of genius, who devised several machines which were greatly valued in the mechanical work.
Charles died on 24 January 1817 in Surrey, England.
MARTHA IN ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA
At some point Martha came to Adelaide. We believe it might have been on the ship "Buckinghamshire" arriving March 22, 1839. On board was Mr and Mrs Hailes and their 3 children. Mr Hailes went on to write a book.
The first we hear of Martha in Adelaide is on Saturday 6 April 1839 in the local paper.
LEVEE AND DRAWING ROOM - The second levee and drawing room of the season was held at Government House on Wednesday, and was most numerously attended. His Excellence and Mrs Gawler received the company in the drawing room. Refreshments were abundantly provided in the ante rooms. The stranger were presented by the Hon. G. M Stephen, the Colonial Secretary, and by Mr Hall, the Private Secretary. Among the company present we observed:
His Honor Charles Cooper, Esq. Chief Judge
Hon G. M Stephen, Colonial Secretary
Hon. R. Bernard, Advocate-general
Hon. Captain Charles Sturt, Surveyor-General and Mrs Sturt
Mrs MacLeod
Mrs and Miss Williams
George Hall Esq
Rev C B Howard
Henry Watts JP
George Stevenson Esq JP
Mrs Gordon
Thomas Gilbert Esq JP
Osmond Gilles Esq
Miss Bluden
John Hallet Esq JP
Mrs Hallet
Charles Beck Esq
Messrs Ashton
etc etc.
Abraham Hopkins Davis didn't attend.
Saturday 13 July 1839 in the local paper.
In subscriptions towards the erection of a place of worship the following is listed:
Mr and Mrs Davis - 20 pounds
Miss and Mrs Williams - 6 pounds
Miss Davis - 1 pound, 1 shilling
Miss E Davis - 1 pound, 15 shillings
The family is listed in the newspaper on Saturday 30 May 1840 though this time Mary Davis and Martha Williams are absent. The event is for a celebration of the Queen's Birthday. Listed are:
A H Davis Esq. Secretary Chamber of Commerce
Miss Williams
Miss Davis
Miss E Davis
Martha is present in the newspaper on Saturday 24 October 1840 on a list of people present at the Opening of New Port. Listed are:
A H Davis
Mrs Davis
Misses Davis
Mrs Williams
Miss Williams
The Williams and Davis' are always listed together at these functions.
Martha Williams dies on 21 May 1849 at Moore Farm, Reedbeds, Adelaide, South Australia and is listed as mother of Mrs A H Davis (Harriet was married to Abraham at the time).
Martha Webb’s great granddaughter Alice Marion Webb Williams (born 1868 in Nottingham, England) carried through her maiden name in the family line. Alice is the daughter of Frederick Smeeton Williams.
 |
| Martha Webb Christening |
Martha celebrated her birthday on 11 September as evidenced in a notebook written by Abraham Hopkins Davis her son-in-law.
She had two older siblings, Mary born 17 February 1759 and William 20 May 1760, christened both at Christ Church, Southwark, Surrey, England
Martha Webb, at the age of 27, married Charles Williams on 15 November 1792 at Saint Mary, Lambeth, Surrey, England. Charles was 28.
 |
| Charles Williams and Martha Webb Marriage |
1. Mary Davis (nee Williams). Born at Green Court (later became Green Walk around 1825) on 2 July 1793, christened 5 August 1793 at Christ Church, Southwark, Surrey, London, England. She died at Moore Farm, Reedbeds, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia on 3 April 1846.
 |
| Mary Williams christening |
2. Charles Williams. Christened 18 July 1796 at St Margaret's Church, Westminster, London, England. He died at Sibbertoft, England on 18 June 1866.
3. Harriot Williams. Born around 1801.
The 1798 Land Tax Redemption list has the Williams family at Green Court owning their house and paying 3 pounds a year in tax. There is an empty house on one side and ground on the other side owned by Mr Loaf.
Charles Williams, Martha's son is studying at "The Ciceronian Academy" under Dr. Duncan at Pimlico. It was an educational establishment for young gentlemen. Dr. Duncan lived in Palace Street, Pimlico and was the late minister of the Scots Church, Peter Street, Golden Square. Mr Duncan died around 1814.
Charles Williams, Martha’s husband (and presumably Mary and children), are residing at 3 Cane Place, Gravel Lane, Southwark, London, England (this was at the south end of Grave Lane and the east end of Bennett's Row off Blackfriars Road) on 5 January 1810 when he writes to the Society of Arts.
 |
| Old map showing Cane Place |
He was granted a patent by them on 2 August 1810 for a machine for grinding or cutting Malt, splitting Beans, and any other kind of grain, and various other articles. He is listed as a millwright. In 1813, no London millwright earned less than seven shillings a day - equivalent to 42 shillings for the normal six day week.
In 1811, still residing at Gravel Lane, Charles wins twenty guineas from the Royal Society of Arts for the invention of the method of boring the conical part of brass cocks.
In 1812, the Reverend Rowland Hill, whose large octagon chapel of Lady Huntingdon's Connexion used to be a well-known place in Christchurch parish, opened almshouses in Gravel Lane for 24 poor widows belonging to the congregation. Could this be why they moved?
In 1814 he receives a prize of twenty guineas and a silver medal from the Society of Arts for inventing a portable corn mill for family use. He was listed at that time as being located at Hatfield Street (runs parallel to Blackfriars Road), Southwark, London, England.
He was a foreman of a factory. He was also an engineer, of much inventiveness of genius, who devised several machines which were greatly valued in the mechanical work.
Charles died on 24 January 1817 in Surrey, England.
MARTHA IN ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA
At some point Martha came to Adelaide. We believe it might have been on the ship "Buckinghamshire" arriving March 22, 1839. On board was Mr and Mrs Hailes and their 3 children. Mr Hailes went on to write a book.
The first we hear of Martha in Adelaide is on Saturday 6 April 1839 in the local paper.
LEVEE AND DRAWING ROOM - The second levee and drawing room of the season was held at Government House on Wednesday, and was most numerously attended. His Excellence and Mrs Gawler received the company in the drawing room. Refreshments were abundantly provided in the ante rooms. The stranger were presented by the Hon. G. M Stephen, the Colonial Secretary, and by Mr Hall, the Private Secretary. Among the company present we observed:
His Honor Charles Cooper, Esq. Chief Judge
Hon G. M Stephen, Colonial Secretary
Hon. R. Bernard, Advocate-general
Hon. Captain Charles Sturt, Surveyor-General and Mrs Sturt
Mrs MacLeod
Mrs and Miss Williams
George Hall Esq
Rev C B Howard
Henry Watts JP
George Stevenson Esq JP
Mrs Gordon
Thomas Gilbert Esq JP
Osmond Gilles Esq
Miss Bluden
John Hallet Esq JP
Mrs Hallet
Charles Beck Esq
Messrs Ashton
etc etc.
Abraham Hopkins Davis didn't attend.
Saturday 13 July 1839 in the local paper.
In subscriptions towards the erection of a place of worship the following is listed:
Mr and Mrs Davis - 20 pounds
Miss and Mrs Williams - 6 pounds
Miss Davis - 1 pound, 1 shilling
Miss E Davis - 1 pound, 15 shillings
The family is listed in the newspaper on Saturday 30 May 1840 though this time Mary Davis and Martha Williams are absent. The event is for a celebration of the Queen's Birthday. Listed are:
A H Davis Esq. Secretary Chamber of Commerce
Miss Williams
Miss Davis
Miss E Davis
Martha is present in the newspaper on Saturday 24 October 1840 on a list of people present at the Opening of New Port. Listed are:
A H Davis
Mrs Davis
Misses Davis
Mrs Williams
Miss Williams
The Williams and Davis' are always listed together at these functions.
Martha Williams dies on 21 May 1849 at Moore Farm, Reedbeds, Adelaide, South Australia and is listed as mother of Mrs A H Davis (Harriet was married to Abraham at the time).
Comments
Post a Comment