For general information see
Introduction to Census Returns

The Exploring Family History Tutorial

Session 2

What happened to Francis Lewin and his family?

Francis Lewin's Children

The previous investigation failed to retrieve anything new about Francis & Sarah's daughters.

Task: Try and locate any potential children from their birthplaces in the 1851 census.

Census Search on Ancestry

Search for Lewin born at Honingham, Norfolk within 10 years of 1825

Census Name Born Birthplace Residence Occupation & notes
1851 Charles A Lewin 1818 Harmington, Norfolk Foxley, Norfolk Farmer of 240 acres employing 8 men
1861 Charles Abbotts Lewin 1817 Honingham, Norfolk Heckingham, Norfolk Farmer of 261 acres employing 6 men 3 boys and a woman
1871 Charles Abbot Lewin 1817 Newingham, Norfolk Heckingham, Norfolk Farmer of 303 acres employing 7 Labs 3 Boy
1881 Charles A Lewin 1817 Honingham, Norfolk Heckingham, Norfolk Farmer of 319 Acres employing 9 Men 1 Woman & 1 Boy
1891 Charles Abbas Lewin 1817 Honingham, Norfolk Heckingham, Norfolk Farmer
1851 Mary Lewen 1823 Hornington, Norfolk Hilborough, Norfolk Millers daughter  - Hard to find - see An Assessment of Ancestry for Census Searching for examples of difficulties in finding mis-spelt surnames, etc.
1861 Mary Lewin 1823 Honingham, Norfolk Hilborough, Norfolk Railway Share holder 
1871 Mary Lewin 1824 Hardingham, Norfolk Stanford, Norfolk (Boarder) Farmers Daughter (Imbecile)
1881 Mary Lewin 1823 Honingham, Suffolk Heigham, Norfolk (Head) House Mortgage and Railway Dividend
1891 Mary Lewin 1823 Honingham, Norfolk Heigham, Norfolk (Head) Living on her own means

1851 census, Park Farm, Beetnum Heath, Foxley, Norfolk

Charles A Lewin Head 33 Farmer of 240 acres employing 8 men Horningham, Norfolk
Lucy Lewin Wife 31 Farmers wife Runhall, Norfolk
Harriet M Sutton Unmarried Sister-in-law 16 Farmers Daughter ??, Norfolk
Charles S Lewin Son 9 Scholar Matteshall, Norfolk

Other census returns suggest that the couple's only son was Charles Sutton Lewin. The unmarried sister-in-law suggests that the wife was born Lucy Sutton.

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1891 census, 87, Belvoir Street, Heigham, Norfolk

Mary Lewin Head, single 68 Living on her own means Honingham, Norfolk
Alice Lewin Daughter, Single 31 Living on her own means Hilborough, Norfolk

Other census returns suggest that Mary never married, but had financial means, and Alice was her illegitimate daughter. The imbecile entry in 1871 is interesting as it was the only census when she was not living with at least one other adult relative. 

Note the variations in the recording of the places name Honingham - which should remind everyone that a name in an index is not always correct. See  My Ancestors in the 1901 Census for some further examples of the errors in census transcripts.

Result of Investigation

This has turned up a possible brother, Charles Abbot? Lewin, and also reminds us of the fallibility of indexes. 

We have already established that Sarah was married to Edward Leeds. Charles was a significant farmer (by the standards of the time) and Mary had investment income this branch of the family seem to be reasonably well off.

It is clear that that none of the known children had any connection with Hertfordshire.

 

Exploring Family History Tutorial

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