Do you have any knowledge of Bagshot families?

This is one several pages provided as a vehicle for posting questions related to Bagshot people and families that other readers might be able to answer. The index to these is here. Please scroll down to the message pad to ask a question or provide an answer.

If you are seeking genealogical information about your ancestors then look at the page entitled "Tracing Your Family Tree" where I tell you where the old church records are archived, and offer some further suggestions and information sources to help your search. I am not able to provide any information from such old records or to conduct research on your behalf.

I have another page for general questions about Bagshot.

Major John Thomson Mckellar Anderson, VC DSO

Philippa Brett writes : I believe there is a memorial to a relative of mine at St Anne's, and I wonder if you could assist in helping me to find out about it. His name was Major John Thomson Mckellar Anderson, VC DSO and he was my Grandmother's cousin. Major Anderson (Jack) was sadly killed 6 months after winning his VC, leaving his wife and baby daughter who were living in Bagshot at the time. 8064.808
Major Anderson is commemmorated on Bagshot's War Memorial and on the Roll of Honour hung in the Parish Church of St Anne. This enquiry is now closed. ii9

Batchelour

Ann Sargeant (nee Batchelour) would like to hear from anyone with Batchelour connections or information. 688.1106

Please reply using the message pad at the foot of the page.

Bennett

Marie writes that in the 1970's her parents sold their house in the west country to 'Bun' Bennett, a gardener who was retiring from Bagshot. Marie thinks that Bun's son may have remained in the Bagshot area and would like to contact any members of, or anyone who remembers, Mr Bennett's family. refs592, r540, 609

A regular visitor to the Bagsot website was able to identify a close relative of the Bennetts. This enquiry is now closed.

Benwell

Gale writes: I am trying to trace information about the Benwell family. I have details of my Gt Gt Grandfather, William, born in Bagshot c1832. He is listed in the 1881 census as conducting the business of a baker. There also seems a connection with hairdressing for the previous generation also William listed in various trade directories in Alton. So it is possible the family moved to Alton around mid 1800s. Any help would be appreciated. ref521.0305 r605.1204

Two family members contacted Gale through this web site, one adding: The William Benwell born in 1832 and a baker was also my great great Grandfather. He married Martha Spier. His son Frederick was my great grandfather, and his son Percival Harold my grandfather. ref 651.0306

Please use the message pad at the foot of the page with any further information.

Best & Baigent

Jax writes I am trying to locate the grave of my great great grandmother. Her name was Bessie Best (nee Baigent). She was born in 1887 in Windlesham and married Harry Ernest Best in 1912. I have not been able locate when her and her husband died so I am hoping the grave might give me more details if I can find it. Jun10

Phil writes "My great grandfather George Baigent / Beagent was born in Bagshot in c1815 and lived in Bidford on Avon until 1874. He married Elizabeth Tandy born 1836. I would be grateful for any info. He is not one of the "Windlesham Baigents". [Sep 11]

Rose Hannah Brown, James Brown and Elizabeth

Pauline writes I am looking for any information about the Brown family. 509.105.507

My gt, gt, grandma Rose Hannah Brown was born in Bagshot in about 1842. her parents were James Brown and Elizabeth (could be Barnes). She married my gt, gt, grandpa William Miller in Bagshot in around 1860-65.

They had 2/3 children born in Bagshot...Thomas, Caroline & maybe Louisa. They then moved to Cambridge town, Camberley where they had 5 more children...William, Henry..(my gt, grandpa), Charles, George & Rose. Finally, they moved to Sandhurst & had Elizabeth, Amelia, Alice & Fred.

Rose Hannah Miller (nee.Brown) died 1888 aged 45 in Sandhurst.

Please reply using the message pad at the foot of the page.

Peter Burrows

Dave Brightman has written me a very nice letter reminiscing abut his time in the area. He asks if anyone remembers Peter Burrows who was a milkman in the area in the late 1950's. Peter had a small farm (Heatherside Farm along the Maultway) and a refrigerated lock-up behind the old Lupin Cafe on the outskirts of Bagshot. Dave would like to contact Peter, or his bother David or sister Mary.

Nick saw this and wrote: "I was most interested to read of Peter Burrows and the fact that he had a farm along the Maultway - Heatherside Farm. I am currently compiling a history of Heatherside and whilst I am aware of the Stokes family and their involvement with the farm Peter Burrows is an entirely new name. I was wondering if any more information regarding Mr Burrows has come to light?"

Lionel Parr recalls Peter Burrows being in his class at Bagshot [elementary] School, hence he was almost certainly born between September 1923 and August 1924. It was Peter Burrows's father who had the farm, certainly from the late 1920s. Lionel adds that there were three unrelated Burrows families in Bagshot.

Alan recalls that in the late 1950's he used to help Peter deliver the milk, and remembers going to Heatherside with him. The round extended as far as Deepcut Camp. 260.404

Another reader writes Peter Burrows delivered our milk during the 1950's. My earliest memories are of him having a cart drawn by a brown and white piebald horse. Autumn 2005

Ron Frost writes : I think the farm referred to was at the top of the Folly (as we knew it) and also had the Lightwater laundry in it. It was farmed by a Miss Pascoe during the war. She delived milk that was rich in cream door to door in a purpose made can filled manually from a churn carried in a pony and trap. Housewives would take a jug to their door and the milk was ladled from a measure. ref 612.0106

Please reply using the message pad at the foot of the page.

James Baines (1821-1867)

Diane visited the Bagshot web site because she wanted information about where her great grandfather lived. She writes:

My great grandfather (James Baines b 1821) lived in Bagshot, in a house overlooking the cemetery where he is now buried. Family history has it that he started Waterers Nursery and was cheated out of it as he couldn't read. Probably not true but an interesting story, and I wanted to know whether Waterers Nursery still exists and when it was started.
Also if there are any other descendants of his 7 daughters out there I would LOVE to hear from them.

More on this story. Enquiries about James Baines are now concluded.

Hannah Allen, b.1861 d.1917

From Canada:

I am searching for the resting place of my great-great-grandmother. I have heard that it was at St Anne's Churchyard. I don't know where this is or if it is where you are. Any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Her name was Hannah Allen, b.1861 d.1917.

St Anne's Church, Bagshot, does not have a graveyard associated with the church. However there is a burial ground elsewhere in the village (Chapel Lane). If Mrs Allen was buried in Bagshot then it would have been there. There is a chapel in the graveyard, and prior to the building in the 1880's of the present church, a chapel on the site of the one in the graveyard was known as St Anne's and served as the village's church.

Many of the headstones have suffered the ravages of time and are barely discernible. I think that I have seen in the village library a book giving details of the inscriptions on the headstones. I do not have a copy or any more details.

The graveyard is now maintained by Windlesham Parish Council (no connection with the church, Parish Council is the historic name for the smallest level of local government).

A Bagshot resident adds:

I can almost certainly confirm that Hannah Allen does not rest in the graveyard that lies between School Lane and Chapel Lane in Bagshot. I have read all of the Memorials that are readable, have seen both of the only existing burial and account registers, these fortunatly do cover the year mentioned 1917. There are other Allens but no Hannah.

We have to conclude that Hannah was buried at another St Anne's and close this enquiry with thanks to those who have contributed. Advert is here

Henry and Mary Ann Bowers, nee Parker

David wrote asking is anyone has any knowledge of his Grandparents (above) who would have lived in Bagshot about 1900. David has now passed away, but his relative Eddie Kidby remains interested in contacting family members. xii8

Neil wrote: My name is Parker and I believe there may be a connection here, I think my grandmother or grandfather, Daisy and Frederick Parker who started the Parkers of Bagshot Garden Centre in Guildford Rd may have been related to the Bowers in some way, I have a very old photo of a "Uncle" Walter Bowers, we are currently researching our family tree but have come up against a brick wall prior our grandparents, any info would be much appreciated. ii9
And later provided this update: We now know that Mary Ann Bowers was the sister of my grandfather (Frederick Parker), we have traced the line back to our great great grandparents. iii9

In connection with Neil's comments, Ernest Potter wote: There is a direct link (I believe) via the wife of Henry Parker who was a daughter of Walker (called Walter in one census) and his wife Maria. I think Henry married Violetta Bowers. One of her brothers was John (b1850) who was my great grandfather. John's widow, Rhoda (nee Williams, died 1928), settled in Queens Road, Mitcham. The Bowers were travellers, transient agricultural workers, basket makers, horse dealers. Children were born in various villages in Surrey. A number settled in Mitcham. My maternal grandmother was Maria (or Ann) Bowers, daughter of John and Rhoda. Maria married Ernest Hutton, had eleven children and moved to Harefield, Mddx in 1916. I have contacted descendants of several children of Walker (born c.1820) and Maria Bowers. At one time the Bowers and the Potters were neighbours. Oct 09

The Bowers family are also mentioned in the page about Half Moon Street.

From Ian Roberts {Aug10}

I also have Bowers from Bagshot in my family tree....My 4th great-grandmother was Sarah "Sally" Bowers b. abt. 1776 in Bagshot ...Sarah married William Collins on September 5, 1802 at Windelsham (possibly christened December 10, 1780 at Egham, son of Richard Collins and Penelope unknown)
Sarah Bowers and William Collins had my 3rd great-grandmother Sarah "Sally" Collins, born 1804 at Bagshot, who married William Hyatt b. 1802 Old Windsor, Berkshire (son of William Hyatt and Elizabeth Conas)...Sarah Collins and William Hyatt had my 2nd great-grandmother Jane Hyatt b. 1847 Egham, who married Joshua Hatton b. 1847 Preston, Lancashire (son of John Hatton and Isabella Atkinson) and Joshua Hatton and Jane Hyatt had my great-grandmother Eveline "Minnie" Hatton b. 1888 Surrey, who married my great-grandfather James Joseph Fields Virgin b. 1891 Boston, Lincolnshire in 1911 in Wandsworth...

From Leo : My mother, Marion Farrow, lived in Bagshot from 1940-1946 and she remembers a Peter Bowers who was a friend of her cousin the late Graham Cox of Waverley Road. She thinks Peter Bowers lived in Guildford Road near the viaduct. This photo from my mother's collection was probably taken around late 1940's early 50's and shows her, Graham, and Peter (on the right). Graham had brought Peter up to visit my mothers family who then lived in Gomm Road, Bermondsey and the photo was taken in their garden. {May 11}

Tagg, Bowyer and Skilling

Another reader writes: 573

I am looking for any information about the Tagg, Bowyer and Skilling families who lived in Bagshot around 1750 - 1850. I am descended from Mary Bowyer, daughter of Thomas Bowyer and Sarah Skilling and William Tagg son of Thomas Tagg and Rebekah Hill.

Bowyer & Draper

Sam writes: 7075.1007

I have recently started my family research and have been led to Bagshot via my paternal great grandmother Nellie (Ellen) Draper who was born in Ash. All but one of her siblings were born in Bagshot as were her parents Charles Draper and Sarah Bowyer. I can trace via census records both the Drapers and the Bowyers and Sarah's grandmothers Mary Ann Thomas and Sarah Champion back to 1851 - all from Bagshot. I have no info except from the census and I am interested in getting in contact with anyone from those families.

Andy was able to add 8003.108

Charles Draper and Sarah Bowyer were my great-grandfather and great-grandmother. My grandfather was Fred Draper, brother of Nellie. The parents of Charles and Sarah were (apparently) Onesiphorus Draper and Mary Anne Thomas, date of marriage 19/8/1846.

From Lee 552.308

I also have a Charles Draper as a great great grandfather through his daughter Laura Jessie (which was fun to track down on the census) Without my notes to hand I'm not sure if we are talking of the same man in the same generation but I think you will find that the Drapers of Bagshot trace back to Windlesham and were a dynasty of Broom Makers. It is possible that they trace further back to a blacksmith in Windlesham but I haven't verified this yet. Hope this helps.

From Lionel Parr xi08

There were at least four Bagshot families named Draper in the 1930s. One of the village's three bakeries was run by a Mr Draper. Another Draper kept poulty in a house named Lyncroft, behind the church. There was a family named Draper at the top of Jenkins Hill, and another on Guildford Road.

From Bill Draper iix09

My GGG Grandparents were Onesiphorus & Mary Draper, through Frederick & Louisa then Arthur & Louisa then Albert & Alice then Robert & Edith. It is rumoured that Frederick had an an accident in his saw mill and died. His widow Louisa remarried a George Cobb and moved to Banstead. All contact was lost with Bagshot. Does anyone have information about Fredrick or Onesiphorus and the Bagshot relatives

To which Mary Stokes replied Dec09

My GGGGrandparents were Henry 1812 and Eliza 1822 (Russell) Draper. Henry was brother to Onesiphorus Draper. Other members of the family were Mary 1810, James 1814, George 1817, Caroline 1821, Onesiphorus 1823, Rhoda 1825, Isaac 1828, Rhoda 1829, Rosanna 1830, Fanny 1833

From Beth Somers Nov09

I am interested in the Draper family who lived at 2 Laurel Cottage from about 1908, their names were Herbert and Alice Draper (nee Aldington). They had three sons. Before they moved to Laurel Cottage they lived at College Ride, can anybody enlighten me on this family.

From Meredith [Jan 12]

My great great grandfather was Fred Draper and he was born in Bagshot. He emigrated to Australia in 1857 where he married a girl called Maria MacDougall and proceeded to work for the mounted police rounding up bushrangers and later becoming a publican. His father was James Draper and I was wondering if anybody knows about James Draper.

There are further references to Draper and Bowers families in Half Moon Street and Ray asks about the Draper family who lived in, and perhaps build houses in, Vicarage Road

To contact any of these people, please use the message pad below.

Robert Allen

Robert writes #604

I was born in the Nursing Home on 25 May 1948 and left Bagshot in 1970 to move to Canada. I do miss my home town and would like to hear from any old friends who remember me - I use to live next door to the Three Mariners pub. My uncle operated Bagshot Radiator Service on Jenkins Hill and I still have some family in the village. I have a picture on my wall of The Square which was drawn by a police officer. I will always have pleasant memories of Bagshot.

Robert has also contributed to the 'memories' page
Alan Edwards has written to say that he remembers Robert well, also his sister and her family. I have been able to put them in contact. 7019.307

If you can add anything to the above please write to me using the message pad below.

This page is part of the Bagshot village web site.

Data provided only for personal background information. While every effort has been made to provide correct information no assurance as to its accuracy is given or implied. Check any facts you wish to rely upon.