In 1825, my 4 x great grandmother Ann Lowcock travelled from the West Country to London to seek Poor Relief for herself and three young children – Thomas, Sarah and James – because her husband, James Richard Brereton, was ill. James Richard Brereton was a skilled metalworker, and London was his parental home – hence the journey.
Thankfully, James Richard Brereton recovered and his family returned to the West Country. There, he resumed his trade working as a goldbeater and a travelling tinker. James also fathered three more children: Elizabeth, Maria and Francis. Sadly, Maria and her elder brother James died in infancy.
When, in 1834, James Richard Brereton fell ill again, his wife Ann Lowcock and her surviving children Thomas, Sarah, Elizabeth and Francis travelled to Portsmouth, where the family had lived, in the hope of obtaining Poor Relief. However, they were then sent to London. The Breretons were travelling around in circles, both figuratively and literally, trying desperately to keep the family together.
Eventually, Ann Lowcock returned to Somerset where, on 3 April 1833, she baptised my 3 x great grandmother Fanny Brereton. Tragically, James Richard Brereton died the same year. The date of his death has not survived in the records, but it’s possible that he did not live to see the birth of Fanny.
Now a widow with five children in tow, Ann went on her travels again. Her comfortable upbringing no more than a distant memory, she had to find a way to survive.
For Authors
#1 for value with 565,000 readers, The Fussy Librarian has helped my books to reach #1 on 36 occasions.
A special offer from my publisher and the Fussy Librarian. https://authors.thefussylibrarian.com/?ref=goylake
Don’t forget to use the code goylake20 to claim your discount 🙂
Hannah Howe 
One reply on “Lowcock Branch #4”
A widow, with 5 children in those times would have to be incredibly resourceful just to feed her family. I await, with interest, to find out how she managed.
LikeLiked by 1 person