The Gosnell Family

Many of the early ancestors in this branch of the Gosnell family lived in the village of Newport, in Shropshire, England. The first reference in Newport is to a Margery Gosnell, who died at Lilleshall in 1634, although a link between Margery and these later Gosnells living in Newport and Lilleshall is yet to be proven.

A History of Newport has been written by Rob Prentice.

Agnes Mary Gosnell

Birth: 7 June 1855, at 5 minutes past midnight, in Newport, Shropshire, England

Baptism: at home by the Rev. William Berkeley Leach, Independent Minister

Father: Thomas Gosnell

Mother: Mary (Andean) Gosnell

Occupation: Shop Assistant

Death: 18 October 1877, at Girton College, Cambridge, England

Buried: 20 October 1877, in Girton Churchyard. She was "followed to the grave by the whole of the Students"

Census:
1861: High Street, Newport, Shropshire
1871: High Street, Newport, Shropshire

Sources:

Alan Geoffrey Gosnell

Alan Geoffrey Gosnell
Alan Geoffrey Gosnell
(click for full photo)
photo from Jerry Gosnell
Birth: 16 September 1896, at St Peters, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Father: Arthur William Gosnell

Mother: Annie Ethelreda (Plumbe) Gosnell

Married: Margaret Lucy Daniell on 2 January 1922, in Atworth, Wiltshire, England. Margaret was born on 8 November 1896 in Atworth, Wiltshire, the daughter of Charles Anstey Daniell and Mary Ellen Hart. She died on 24 February 1974, in Melksham, and is buried in St Michaels Church in Melksham.

Occupation: Clerk to the Wessex Electricity Company (1943)

Death: 17 August 1970, in Melksham, Wiltshire, England, in a traffic accident

Buried: St Michaels Church, Melksham, Wiltshire, England

Census & Addresses:
1901: Avondale House, Melksham, Wiltshire
1943: 40 Scotland Road, Melksham, Wiltshire (will of father, Arthur W. Gosnell)

Sources:

Alfred Edward Gosnell

Birth: 7 February 1854, at 9 am, in Reading, Berkshire, England. Alfred was born prematurely.

Father: Thomas Gosnell

Mother: Mary (Andean) Gosnell

Death: 13 February 1854

Buried: Interred at Reading Cemetery. Minister Rev. S. Curwen

Sources:

Ann (Gosnell) Bryant

Baptised: 11 January 1792 in Newport, Shropshire, England

Father: Thomas Gosnell

Mother: Jane (_____) Gosnell

Married: James Bryant on 30 March 1812 in Newport, Shropshire, England

Sources:

Arthur William Gosnell

Arthur William Gosnell
Arthur William Gosnell
(click for full photo)
photo from Jerry Gosnell
Birth: 14 June 1861, at 4:02 am, in Newport, Shropshire, England

Birth notice in the Newport Advertiser and North Shropshire Herald on 15 June 1861:
On the 14th inst., at Newport, the wife of Mr. T. Gosnell, china and glass dealer, of a son.

Baptism: 21 July 1861, at the Independent Chapel in Newport, Shropshire, by the Rev. William Paton

Father: Thomas Gosnell

Mother: Mary (Andean) Gosnell

Married: Annie Ethelreda Plumbe on 21 February 1889 in the Church of Holy Trinity, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. The engagement began in December 1886.
The Mercury (Hobart, Tasmania), 2 March 1889
MARRIAGES.
GOSNELL-PLUMBE.-On February 21, at Holy Trinity Church, Hobart, by the Rev. G. W. Shoobridge, assisted by the Rev. G. A. Brequet, Arthur William Gosnell Esq., M.A., Head Mathematical Master of Christ's College, Hobart, only son of Thomas Gosnell, Esq., of Bideford, Devon, England, to Annie Ethelreda, third daughter of the late Samuel Alderson Plumbe, Esq., M.D., of Maidenhead, Berks, England.

Children: Occupation: Schoolmaster

Notes:
In 1877, Arthur was the Goldsmith's Scholar for Latin and won the Skeats prize for English Language. Arthur went to Cavendish College, Cambridge when he was 17 (1878), and too young to take exams. (Cavendish College was formerly County College. It closed for lack of funds in 1892 and the premises were occupied by Homerton College in 1894.) When he turned 18, Arthur took the scholarship exam at Christ's College, Cambridge, and passed. After three years at Cambridge, he got Maths Tripos. After this he "stayed in" and did Science, Chemistry, Biology and Divinity. He had "rooms out", but dined in the college.

In 1886, the following recommendation was written by the headmaster of the The King's College, Taunton, Somerset, where Arthur had taught for three years.
"THE KING'S COLLEGE
TAUNTON
Nov. 5th 1886

Mr. A. W. Gosnell, B.A., Christ's, Cambridge, is now spending his third year as a Master in this School. In all that time I have never found him otherwise than thoroughly conscientious, loyal & painstaking. He has taken the highest Mathematical Form, & one of his pupils was 26th for Woolwich. He has also taken general work & Science. The School is young & has not yet read high in this subject; but several boys have evinced an interest in the subject which I consider largely due to the oral teaching & experiments with which Mr. Gosnell has supplemented an easy text-book.

I should have no hesitation in entrusting him with more advanced classes, such as his Cambridge recommendations would entitle him to undertake.

Under our system, the charge of the the School at Preparation has rested with him as his "week" comes round; & he is now successfully taking a Dormitory, for which a vacancy ocurred only this Term.

I should add that Mr. Gosnell is a high minded & consistent Churchman, of moderate views, a general favourite with both Masters & boys, & possesses a patient temper which never fails.

G.O.L. Thomson, M.A.
Head Master of the King's College, Taunton
Nov. th 1886

Christ's College, Hobart, 1890
Christ's College in Hobart, Tasmania (1890). The building is now known as Domain House.
photo held at the State Library of Tasmania
The headmaster at King's College when Arthur worked there was George Thomson, the husband of Louisa Plumbe. Louisa was the sister of Annie Plumbe to whom Arthur became engaged in in 1886. The family story is that before Arthur sailed for Tasmania he went to Cookham and asked for one of the daughters hand in marriage - but no one knew which one he wanted to get engaged to! Turned out to be Annie. Arthur then left for Tasmania and a couple of years later Annie joined him in Hobart, where they married in 1889. Arthur had a job teaching at Christ's College, at that time a high school that tried to provide an education reminicent of the English public schools for the boys of Hobart. At his marriage in 1889, Athur is describe as the Head Mathematical Master at Christ's College. The school closed in the early 1890's (it was eventually resurrected as a college of the University of Tasmania), probably the impetus for Arthur to move to Adelaide. Arthus was a master at St. Peter's College in Adelaide from 1892 to 1893, and then principal at Clifton House School on Trinty Street in College Town, Adelaide from 1893 to 1899. The family (then with five children!) returned to England, leaving Adelaide on 5 August 1899. Arthur's father had died the year previously, and perhaps he was obligated to care for his mother and sisters. Back in England, Arthur was appointed headmaster of Melksham High School, in Melksham, Wiltsham.

During World War II, Arthur, then in his eighties, was evacuated to Bridgwater in Somerset, to live with his daughter Joan.

Death: 21 April 1944, in Bridgwater, Somersetshire, England

Will:
I ARTHUR WILLIAM GOSNELL formerly of "Ranamere" Knebworth Road Bexhill in the County of Sussex but now residing at "Rishworth" Bouverie Road Bridgwater in the County of Somerset Retired Schoolmaster HEREBY REVOKE all former Wills and Codicils made by me AND DECLARE this to be my last Will.

1. I APPOINT my daughter PHYLLIS CONSTANCE GOSNELL of "Ranamere" Knebworth Road Bexhill aforesaid Spinster and my son ALAN GEOFFREY GOSNELL of 40 Scotland Road Melksham in the County of Wilts Clerk to Wessex Electricity Company (hereinafter called "my Trustees") to be the Executors and Trustees of this my Will.

2. I GIVE to the said Phyllis Constance Gosnell or in case she shall die before me then to my daughter Joan Winifrid Griffin of "Rishworth" Bouverie Road Bridgwater aforesaid and in either case free of legacy duty all my "Personal Chattels" as defined by Section 55 (i) (x) of the Administration of Estates Act One thousand nine hundred and twenty-five with the request that she will dispose of the same in accordance with any existing or future memorandum written or signed by me and deposited with this my Will or left among my papers at my death but I DECLARE that the foregoing expression of my wishes as to the disposal of the said articles shall not create any trust or legal obligation even if the same shall be communicated to either of them the said Phyllis Constance Gosnell or Joan Winifrid Griffin in my lifetime.

3. I GIVE to my Trustees free from all duties such sum as may be necessary to defray the contributions due or to become due by my daughter Enid Mary Gosnell in respect of the Pension Scheme under the Widows' Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act One thousand nine hundred and thirty-six UPON TRUST to pay thereout the said contributions as and when they fall due until my said daughter shall become eligible to receive a pension under the said Act.

4. I DEVISE the following free of all duties:-
(a). To the said Phyllis Constance Gosnell my freehold house known as "Ranamere" Knebworth Road Bexhill aforesaid and my freehold plot of land adjoining thereto on the South side thereof.
(b). To my Trustees my four freehold cottages known as Nos. 1 to 4 Park View Harefield in the County of Middlesex UPON TRUST to sell the same with power to postpone such sale for such period as they shall in their absolute discretion think fit and to hold the proceeds of such sale and the net income until sale for my son Wilfrid Bertram Gosnell of Ellangowan R.R. No. 1 Enderby British Columbia Canada absolutely PROVIDED ALWAYS that out of the proceeds of the said sale my Trustees shall deduct the sum of Three hundred and thirty pounds (being the amount paid by me in respect of a mortgage and other debts in connection with the said property) and the said sum of Three hundred and thirty pounds shall fall into and form part of my residuary estate and be divided accordingly.

5. I GIVE DEVISE AND BEQUEATH all the remainder of my estate whatsoever and wheresoever both real and personal not hereby or by any Codicil hereto otherwise disposed of unto my Trustees UPON TRUST to sell call in and convert the same into money with power in their discretion to postpone the sale calling in and conversion thereof and after payment thereout of my funeral and testamentary expenses and debts and the legacies bequeathed by this my Will or any Codicil hereto and the duties on any such legacies bequeathed free of duty to hold the same UPON TRUST for my children the said Enid Mary Gosnell Kenneth Arthur Gosnell the said Alan Geoffrey Gosnell and the said Joan Winifrid Griffin in equal shares absolutely PROVIDED ALWAYS that if any of the said Enid Mary Gosnell Kenneth Arthur Gosnell Alan Geoffrey Gosnell or Joan Winifrid Griffin shall die in my lifetime leaving issue living at the time of my death who being male attain the age of twenty-one years or being female attain that age or previously marry such issue shall stand in the place of such deceased child and take per stirpes and equally between them if more than one the share of my estate which such deceased child would have taken if he or she had survived me.

IN WITNESS whereof I have hereunto set my hand this Seventh day of September One thousand nine hundred and forty-three.
A. W. Gosnell
Heb Turner7th September 1943.
Ethel A. Turner.
7th Sept 1943

SIGNED by the said Arthur William Gosnell as and for his last Will in the presence of us both being present at the same time who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses:-
A. W. Gosnell

Hubert Clement Turner.
Heb Turner
36 Quantock Road
Bridgwater Somt.
Accountant

Ethel. A. Turner
36 Quantock Rd.
Bridgwater.
Married.

Probate:
From Probate records in Somerset House, London 1945:
GOSNELL Arthur William of Rishworth Bouverie-road Bridgwater Somersetshire died 21 April 1944 Probate Llandudno 2 January to Phyllis Constance Goswell spinster and Alan Geoffrey Gosnell clerk. Effects £4396 18s 2d.

Census and addresses:
1871: High Street, Newport, Shropshire
1881: High Street, Newport, Shropshire
1888: Christ's College, Hobart, Tasmania (letters written to Annie Plumbe)
1890: "Monkendons", Shoobridge Street, Glebe, Hobart, Tasmania (birth notice of daughter Enid)
1893: Trinity Street, College Town, Adelaide, South Australia (birth certificate of son Kenneth)
1901: Avondale House, Melksham, Wiltshire
1937: "Ranamere", Knebworth Road, Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex (from wedding announcement of daughter Joan)
1943: "Ranamere", Knebworth Road, Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex (from will)
1944: "Rishworth", Bouverie Road, Bridgwater, Somerset (at time of death)

Sources:

Charles Edward Gosnell

Birth: 22 January 1857, at 4:15 am in Newport, Shropshire, England

Baptism: 2 January 1858, at home by the Rev. William Paton, Independent Minister

Father:Thomas Gosnell

Mother:Mary (Andean) Gosnell

Death: 3 January 1858, at 2:30 am

Buried: Wellington Road Cemetery - Minister Rev. W. Paton

Sources:

Eleanor Alexandra (Gosnell) Pennefather

Birth: 22 February 1863, at 6:15 pm,  in Newport, Shropshire, England

Baptism: April 1863, at the Independent Chapel in Newport, Shropshire, by the Rev. William Paton

Father: Thomas Gosnell

Mother: Mary (Andean) Gosnell

Married: Robert Forbes Pennefather in 1886 in the Presidency of Bengal, India

Children: Death: 3 June 1923, in St. Pancras district, London, England, aged 60

Notes: The family bible has her name as Alexandra Eleanor, but official documents (birth certificate, marriage index, census) have her as Eleanor Alexandra.

Census:
1871: High Street, Newport, Shropshire
1881: Grafton House, London, Middlesex
1891: Golden Hill Fort, Freshwater, Isle of Wight

Sources:

Enid Mary Gosnell

Enid Mary Gosnell
Enid Mary Gosnell
(click for full photo)
photo from Jerry Gosnell
Birth: 31 March 1890, at Monkendons, Shoobridge Street, Glebe, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
The Mercury (Hobart, Tasmania), 2 April 1890
Births.
GOSNELL - On March 31, at Monkendons, Shoobridge-street, Glebe, the wife of Arthur W. Gosnell: a daughter.

Father: Arthur William Gosnell

Mother: Annie Ethelreda (Plumbe) Gosnell

Notes: Enid emigrated to Canada, arriving in the port of Quebec aboard the Aurania of the Cunard line on 5 May 1935.

Death: 24 September 1975, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, aged 85

Buried: Mountain View cemetery, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (Plot: JONES/*/26/*/0318)

Sources:

Fanny Gosnell

Birth: 1814/15, in Long Upon Tern, Shropshire, England

Married: Henry George Gosnell

Census:
1881: 39 Morton Road, Islington, London

Sources:

George Gosnell

Born: 1828/9

Baptised: 4 January 1829 in Newport, Shropshire, England

Father: John Gosnell

Mother: Elizabeth (Vigers) Gosnell

Children: Census:
1841: Water Lane, Newport, Shropshire

Sources:

George Gosnell

Birth: 1853, in Birmingham, Warwickshire

Father: George Gosnell

Married: Maria Harvey

Occupation: Warehouse Clerk

Census:
1881: 112 Ryland St N, Birmingham, Warwickshire
1891: 87a Mansfield Rd, Back Of, Aston, Warwickshire

Sources:

Henry George Gosnell

Birth: 1821, in Newport, Shropshire, England

Baptised: 24 April 1821 in Newport, Shropshire, England

Father: William Gosnell

Mother: Maria (Marsh) Gosnell

Married: Fanny

Children:
Henry and Fanny certainly had children. The 1881 census is confusing on the topic - it list a son, William, aged 35 born in London, and a daughter Mary, also aged 35, born in Newport, as well as Gosnell grandchildren. The most reasonable explanation seems to be that William is the son, Mary the daughter in law, but it does seem oddly coincidental that William, born in London, marries a girl from Newport. More research required obviously!!

Occupation: Clerk

Census:
1881: 39 Morton Road, Islington, London

Sources:

Jane Gosnell

Married: Thomas Gosnell

Children:

Jane Gosnell

Baptised: 29 October 1814 in Newport, Shropshire, England

Father: John Gosnell

Mother: Elizabeth (Vigers) Gosnell

Occupation: Housekeeper

Notes:
Emily De Bunsen, the daughter of Jane's employer was born in Lilleshall, Shropshire in 1848/49. If Jane was working for the rector at this time, it might explain why her brother Thomas chose to get married in Lilleshall in 1853 instead of in his home town (Newport, Shropshire) or that of his wife (Truro, Cornwall).

Census:
1881: Rectory, Donington, Shropshire
1891: 7 South View Terrace, Bideford, Devon

Sources:

Jane Gosnell

Birth: 1858/9, in Gnosall, Staffordshire, England

Father: William Gosnell

Occupation: Housekeeper

Census:
1881: 28 Gaolgate Street, Stafford, Staffordshire

Sources:

Janet Elizabeth Gosnell

Birth: 11 June 1858, at 1:15 pm, in Newport, Shropshire, England

Baptism: 13 March 1859, in the Independent Chapel, Newport, by the Rev. William Paton

Father: Thomas Gosnell

Mother: Mary (Andean) Gosnell

Occupation: School Head Mistress

Death: 23 October 1949

Notes:
Janet took her matriculation while studying in Newport. She went first to Oxford High School as a Maths teacher but later returned to Newport where she taught for a period (and where we find her in the 1881 census). In 1884, she went to Clifton, Gloucestershire, living at 32 Upper Belgrave. Janet taught philosophy in Jersey for a period and was the (unpaid) headmistress of High School, Cheltenham for 12 months. She took Intermediate in Bristol and took a B.A. in 1887. In 1888 she lived at Bideford, Devon and then again in Clifton, this time at 7 Royal York Crescent. In 1889 Janet joined the staff of Girls Grammar School, Hitchin where she remained as Headmistress until 1919. The 1891 census finds Janet visiting the Plumbes in Berkshire (Janet's brother, Arthur, was engaged to Annie Plumbe at the time.)

Will:
   This is the last Will and Testament
                                     of  me
   Janet Elizabeth Gosnell of 49
    Queens Road Tunbridge Wells in the County
    of Kent   Spinster.
  1.  I revoke all former Wills and other
    Testamentary dispositions at any time heretofore
    made by me.
  2.  I appoint Eric Arthur Forbes
   Pennefather of 22 Ember Farm Way East
    Molesey in the County of Surrey  Railway Clerk
    to be the Executor of this my Will.
  3.     I give devise and bequeath all my
    real and personal estate whatsoever and
    wheresoever unto my two nieces Gladys
    Eleanor Forbes Pennefather and Bessie Theodora
    Forbes Pennefather both of 49 Queens Road
    Tunbridge Wells aforesaid in equal shares or
    to the survivor of them living at the date
    of my death.

     In Witness whereof I have hereunto
    set my hand this eighth day of June One
    thousand nine hundred and forty #.
Signed by the above named Janet
Elizabeth Gosnell as and for her
last Will and testament in the                    Janet E. Gosnell
presence of us both being present at
the same time who at her request
in her presence and in the rpesence
of each other have hereunto subscribed
our names as witnesses

      G. Eldridge.
           33 Vernon Rd.
           Tunbridge Wells Kent
               Married

                  Mary Louisa Gosnell
                     49 Queens Road
                         Tunbridge Wells
                                   Spinster

Census:
1861: High Street, Newport, Shropshire
1871: High Street, Newport, Shropshire
1881: High Street, Newport, Shropshire
1891: 86-90 High Street, Cookham, Berkshire
1911: Hitchin Girls' School, Hitchin, Hertforshire: headmistress

Sources: 

Joan Winifred (Gosnell) Griffin

Joan Winifred Gosnell
Joan Winifred Gosnell
(click for full photo)
photo from Jerry Gosnell
Birth: 30 January 1901, in Melksham, Wiltshire, England

Father: Arthur William Gosnell

Mother: Annie Ethelreda (Plumbe) Gosnell

Married: Harold William Scalding Griffin on 25 January 1937, at St Stephens, Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex, England. Harold was born on 29 September 1900, in Langton Budville, Somerset, the son of W.H. Griffin, and died on 17 January 1967, in Bridgwater, Somerset.
Wiltshire Times (1937)
GRIFFIN - GOSNELL
    Jan 25th at St Stephens, Bexhill-on-Sea Harold eldest son of Mr & Mrs W H GRIFFIN of WELLINGTON, Somerset to JOAN youngest daughter of Mr & Mrs A W GOSNELL of Ranamere, Knebworth Road, Bexhill-on-Sea, late of the High School, Melksham.

Death: 3 October 1983, in Pueblo, Pueblo county, Colorado, United States

Census & Addresses:
1911: Hitchin Girls' School, Hitchin, Hertforshire, aged 10, born Melksham, Wiltshire
1943: "Rishworth", Bouverie Road, Bridgwater, Somerset (will of father, Arthur W. Gosnell)

Sources:

John Gosnell

Birth: 1787/8 or 1793/4

Baptised: 28 September 1794 in Newport, Shropshire, England

Father: Thomas Gosnell

Mother: Jane (_____) Gosnell

Married: Elizabeth Vigers on 4 July 1814, in Edgton, Shropshire, England

Occupation: Butcher

1928: Gosnell & Plant, butchers in Water Lane

Pigot's Directory of Shropshire (1842) lists under Butchers:
Goslell John, Water Lane, Newport

by 1850, John had moved from Water Lane onto the High St. and we find in Slater's Directory of Shropshire (1850) under butchers
Gosnell John, High St., Newport

Children: Death: 5/6 August 1867, in Newport, Shropshire, England.

The death notice for John in the Newport Advertiser and Market Drayton Chronicle on Saturday 17 August 1867 reads:
"On the 5th inst., at Newport, Mr. John Gosnell, in the 73rd year of his age." The Death Index records his age as 79.

Will:
This is the last Will and Testament of me John Gosnell of Newport in the County of Salop Butcher made this first day of February one thousand eight hundred and sixty five I devise and bequeath all the real and personal estate and effects I shall die entitled to unto Benjamin Rees of Newport aforesaid Relieving Officer his heirs executors administrators and assigns Upon trust thereout to pay my debts funeral and testamentary expences and to permit my Wife to have the use and enjoyment of my household goods and effects and to receive the income of my real and personal estate during her life she thereout keeping my real estate in repair and paying the interest on the Mortgage secured thereon And on her decease (or in her lifetime with her consent in writing to make sale of the said real and personal Estate either by Public sale or Private contract under such conditions of sale he or they may see fit with liberty to buy in the same and to resell again without incurring any resposibility for loss occasioned thereby and to do and execute all such assignments and assurances to vest the same in the purchaser or purchasers thereof And I hereby declare that the receipt of the said Benjamin Rees his executors administrators or assigns shall be an effectual discharge to any purchaser or purchasers or other person paying money under this my Will or the trusts thereof And I hereby declare that he or they shall stand possessed of the proceeds of the sale of my real and personal estate after defraying the expences attendent thereupon Upon trust to pay to my Granddaughter Mary Jane the daughter of my deceased son John a Legacy of ten pounds (a note in the margin at this point reads "8 fifths mentioned. Original so.) And as to two fifth parts of the residue thereof Upon trust to pay the same to my son William his executors administrators and assigns And as to two other fifth parts thereof Upon trust to pay the same to my daughter Jane her executors administrators and assigns And as to two other fifth parts thereof Upon trust to pay the same to my son Thomas his executors administrators and assigns And as to the remaining two fifths parts thereof Upon trust to divide the same equally between my daughter Mary Ann and son George their respective executors administrators and assigns I devise all Mortgage and trusts estates vested in me unto the said Benjamin Rees his heirs executors administrators and assigns subject to the trusts and equities affecting the same And I hereby expressly declare that the said Benjamin Rees his heirs executors adminstrators or assigns shall not incur any responsibility by reason of my Wife having the use of my Goods and Effects or the income of my real and personal estate for life or for any depreciation or diminuition in the value or quantity thereof And that he or they shall be chargeable only to the extent of his or their actual receipts and be exempt from responsibility for involuntary losses And that he and they shall retain all costs and expences incurred in the execution of the trusts of this my Will or in relation thereto And I appoint the said Benjamin Rees sole Executor of this my Will hereby revoking all former Wills I declare this only my last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I have to the foot or end of this my Will set my name the day and year first above written ______ J. Gosnell ____
Signed by the said Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us both present at the same time who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses ____Jno. Sarjeant ____ Robert Jones } Clerks to Mess. Hearne & Son Solicitors Newport Salop _________

Proved at Shrewsbury the twenty third day of May 1870 by the Oath of Benjamin Rees the sole Executor to whom administration was granted

The Testator John Gosnell was late of Newport in the County of Salop Butcher and died on the 6th day of August 1867 at Newport aforesaid.
Under £100.

R.N. Hearne
Solicitor, Newport, Salop

Census:
1841: Water Lane, Newport, Shropshire
1851: Lower Bar, Newport, Shropshire

Sources:

John Gosnell

Baptised: 25 December 1825 in Newport, Shropshire, England

Father: John Gosnell

Mother: Elizabeth (Vigers) Gosnell

Children: Death: before 1 February 1865

Sources:

Kenneth Arthur Gosnell

Kenneth Arthur Gosnell
Kenneth Arthur Gosnell c.1942
photo from Jerry Gosnell
Title: Colonel Kenneth Arthur Gosnell, O.B.E.

Birth: 17 March 1893, at Trinity Street, College Town, Norwood, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Father: Arthur William Gosnell

Mother: Annie Ethelreda (Plumbe) Gosnell

Married: Annie Kathleen Maxwell Kilroy on 31 October 1922, in St. Paul's Church, Nasirabad, Rajputana, India

Occupation: Army Officer. Ken served with the Indian Army, in Mesopotamia and India in 13th Rajputs (The Shekhawati Regiment) which became the 10th (Training) Battalion of the 6th Rajputana Rifles in the 1922 army reforms. On 16 March 1917, Temporary 2nd-Lt. Gosnell relinquished the acting rank of Lieutenant on ceasing to hold an appointment on the permanent establishment in the Training Reserve, and was transferred to the General List (London Gazette 17 April 1917 p3608). On 6 May 1917 2nd-Lt. Gosnell of the the 11th Battalion, The Devonshire Regiment, was attached to the 13th Rajputs, with rank from 24 March 1917 (London Gazette 8 March 1918 p3005). From 22 July 1917 until 19 December 1917, and from 8 January 1918, Lieutenant Gosnell became acting Captain while commanding a company in the 13th Rajputs (London Gazette 7 February 1919 p1965). He was promoted to Captain on 19 March 1920 (London Gazette 7 March 1924 p2028). On 28 March 1931, Ken was appointed as Staff Captain in the 2/6th Rajputana Rifles (London Gazette 12 June 1931 p3843), and on 4 July 1931, he was appointed as Brigade-Major (the brigade's chief of staff), vacating his previous appointment (London Gazette 9 October 1931 p6467). He was promoted to Brevet Major on 1 July 1932 (London Gazette 8 July 1932 p4470) and to Major on 9 March 1934 (London Gazette 27 April 1934 p2709). Ken vacated his appointment as Brigade-Major on 25 March 1935 (London Gazette 10 May 1935 p3052). He was promoted to Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel on 1 July 1935 (London Gazette 2 July 1935 p4260) and on 15 December 1936, he was appointed as General Staff Officer (2nd Class) (London Gazette 5 March 1937 p1498). On 3 March 1940, Major and Brevet Lt-Col Gosnell was promoted to Colonel, with seniority from 1 July 1938 (London Gazette 17 September 1940 p5565). Ken was awarded an O.B.E. on 1 January 1946 (London Gazette 28 December 1945 p20).

Death: 9 February 1981, in White River, Transvaal, South Africa

Buried: 12 February 1981, in the Garden of Remembrance, White River, Transvaal, South Africa

Census:
1901: Avondale House, Melksham, Wiltshire

Photographs:

Kenneth Arthur Gosnell  Ken Gosnell & Kay Kilroy wedding   Ken Gosnell Karwar  Ken Gosnell Bexhill 1935   Kilroys fishing Lough Sheelin   Ireland 1935   Yatung, Tibet 1941   India 1945   Father of the Groom 1957  White River 1978

Ken as a young man c.1911
photo from Jerry Gosnell

Wedding
(1922, Nasirabad)
photo from Jerry Gosnell

Beach vacation
(1933, Karwar, India)
photo from Jerry Gosnell

At Bexhill-on-Sea
(March 1935)
photo from Jerry Gosnell

Fishing with Kay (Kilroy) Gosnell and Tony Kilroy
(Lough Sheelin, May 1935)
photo from Jerry Gosnell

On the West Coast of Ireland
(August 1935)
photo from Jerry Gosnell

At Yatung, Tibet with Major Gloyne
(Aug 1941)
photo from Jerry Gosnell

In India
(1945)
photo from Jerry Gosnell

Father of the Groom
(1957)
photo from Jerry Gosnell

with Kay (Kilroy) Gosnell
(White River, 1978)
photo from Jerry Gosnell
Left Arrrow scroll with your mouse to see more pictures; click on an image for enlargement Right Arrrow
Sources:

Mary Ann (Gosnell) Harker

Born: 1816-19

Baptised: 18 January 1819 in Newport, Shropshire, England

Father: John Gosnell

Mother: Elizabeth (Vigers) Gosnell

Married: on 8 January 1850 to Francis Harker in Newport, Shropshire, England

Occupation: Dressmaker

Slater's Directory of Shropshire (1850) lists under Shopkeepers & Dealers in Groceries & Sundries
Gosnell Mary Ann, High St., Newport

Census:
1841: Water Lane, Newport, Shropshire

Sources:

Mary Jane Gosnell

Father: John Gosnell

Mary Louisa Gosnell

Birth: 10 December 1859, at 3:45 pm,  in Newport, Shropshire, England

Baptism: 10 March 1860, in the Independent Chapel, Newport, by the Rev. John Maysey, of Wellington, Shropshire

Father: Thomas Gosnell

Mother: Mary (Andean) Gosnell

Death: 7 June 1955, in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England

Will:
I Mary Louisa Gosnell of Benslow Nursing Home, Hitchin
in the County of Hertford Spinster hereby revoke all testamentary
impositions heretofore made by me and declare this to be my
last will which I make this 29th day of June 1953.
I appoint Francis Goerge Shilliton of Hitchin, Herts Solicitor
to be Executor and Trustee of this my will.
After payment of my of my just debts and funeral and
testamentary expenses I give devise and bequeath all
honest residue and remainder of my estate of what nature
or kind soever unto and equally between my nieces
Phyllis Gosnell of Ranamere, Bexhill on Sea, Mrs B.
Griffin of Rushworth, Bouverie Rd, Bridgwater, Somerset
and Enid Gosnell.
In witness whereof I have heretofore set my hand this day
and year first above written.
                                 M L Gosnell

Signed by the above named Mary Louisa Gosnell as her last
will in the presence of us both present at the same time who in
the presence of each other have hereto set our names as
witnesses
     Constance P Davre       Violet K Mc Dowall
                                                                Benslow Nursing Home
                                                                           Hitchin
                                                                                   Nurse.

Census & Addresses:
1861: High Street, Newport, Shropshire
1871: High Street, Newport, Shropshire
1881: High Street, Newport, Shropshire
1891: 7 South View Terrace, Bideford, Devon
1901: Clifton, Bristol, Gloucestershire
1940: 49 Queens Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent (will of Janet Elizabeth Gosnell)

Sources:

Phyllis Constance (Gosnell) Toy

Phyllis Constance Gosnell
Phyllis Constance Gosnell
(click for full photo)
photo from Jerry Gosnell
Phyllis Constance Gosnell
Phyllis Constance Gosnell (1935)
photo from Jerry Gosnell
Birth: 3 December 1898, in College Town, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Father: Arthur William Gosnell

Mother: Annie Ethelreda (Plumbe) Gosnell

Married: Leslie Toy on 25 September 1954, in Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex, England. Leslie was born in 1888, in Exeter, Devon and died on 17 August 1981, in Bexhill-on-Sea.

Death: 14 December 1980, in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, England

Census & Addresses:
1901: Avondale House, Melksham, Wiltshire
1911: Hitchin Girls' School, Hitchin, Hertforshire, aged 12, born South Australia
1943: "Ranamere", Knebworth Road, Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex (will of father, Arthur W. Gosnell)

Sources:

Thomas Gosnell

Married: Jane

Children: Notes: In the 1841 census, there is a Thomas Gosnell living two doors down from the John Gosnell in this family, on Water Lane. In the 1851 census, they appear living close by again, now on the Lower Bar. This Thomas is recorded as aged 62 in the 1851 census which makes this Thomas, a maltman, born in 1788 or 1789. Almost certainly he is the Thomas Gosnel recorded in the IGI as baptised in Newport on 7 December 1788, the son of Thomas Gosnel and Ann. This Thomas married Margaret Breeze on 31 March 1834, in Newport. It is possible that the father is the same Thomas, with Ann as the first wife and Jane as a second wife. The fact that Thomas and John lived so close together gives some support to this theory, as does the fact that neither of Thomas and Jane's two sons were given the name Thomas, but we certainly have no direct evidence of it yet.

In 1791, a Thomas Gosnell is recorded as a victualler at the Swan in Newport. This must have been one or other of Thomas (m. Ann) or Thomas (m. Jane), or himself if he married both! There exists today a Swan on Lower Bar in Newport,. but I don't know if this is the same one. One further note is that in 1828, the Swan was being run by a William Plant. The curiousity is that at the same time, John Gosnell (Thomas's son) was running a butchery on Water Lane with a Plant (Gosnell & Plant Butchery) - clearly there are at least business links between the Gosnell and Plant families.

Thomas Gosnell

Baptised: 29 September 1822 in Newport, Shropshire, England

Father: John Gosnell

Mother: Elizabeth (Vigers) Gosnell

Death: 3 December 1828

Sources:

Thomas Gosnell

Thomas Gosnell
Thomas Gosnell
Birth: 16 January 1831, at 10 minutes past 10pm, in Newport, Shropshire, England

Baptised: 23 January 1831 in Newport, Shropshire, England

Father: John Gosnell

Mother: Elizabeth (Vigers) Gosnell

Married: Mary Andean on 16 June 1853, at Lilleshall Church, Lilleshall, Shropshire, England, by the Rev. Henry George Bunsen, vicar.

Children: Occupation: Printer, Glass Merchant

Death: 13 October 1898 in Bideford, Devon, England

Notes:
At the birth of his youngest son, Arthur, in June 1861, Thomas was resident on the High Street in Newport. In the 1881 census, they are still listed as living on the High Street though since numbers are unrecorded in either instance, it is unknown whether this was in the same house. We do know that in 1861, Thomas is listed as a printer (journeyman) but by 1868, as shown in the advertisement below, he had set up shop selling china and glass.

In 1868, Slater's Directory of Shropshire has listed under China, Glass &c Dealers
Cartrwright William, High St. Newport
Gosnell Thomas, High St. Newport
Griffiths John, High St. Newport
which tells us of Thomas's competition at this point. Thomas is still listed as a china dealer on High St. in Owen's Directory of Shropshire (1879) and in Edward Casey and Co's History, Gazeteer and Directory of Shropshire in 1871.

In the 1881 census Thomas is still listed as a glass merchant. At this time, it is likely that they lived above the store in which Thomas worked. On one side of Thomas's shop was a milliner and dressmaker's shop, and next door but one on the other side was an Inn.

Thomas advertised his glass shop in the Newport Advertiser. This is an example from August 22 1868.
CHINA, GLASS, AND EARTHENWARE
ESTABLISHMENT
------
T. GOSNELL
Most respectfully draws attention to his well-selected stock of
CUT GLASS, CHINA, AND EARTHENWARE
which he feels confident will give perfect satisfaction.
The Show Room contains a large variety of English and
Foriegn ORNAMENTS of various kinds from which no
difficulty can be experienced in a good selection.
All kinds of Brown and other ware kept in Stock.

Will:
This is the last and only Will and Testament of me Thomas Gosnell of Newport in the County of Salop Printer made this twelfth day of October One thousand eight hundred and sixty four. I direct payment of my debts funeral and testamentary expenses immediately after my decease. I devise and bequeath all the real and personal Estate I shall be entitled to at my decease whether in possession reversion remainder or expentancy with the appurtenances Unto and to the use of my dear Wife Mary her heirs executors administrators and assigns absolutely. And I appoint my said Wife Mary sole Executrix of this my Will. In witness whereof I have to the foot or end of this my Will set my name the day and year first above written. ___________Thomas Gosnell.____________
Signed by the said Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us present at the same time who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subsribed our names as witnesses.
_______Jno. Sarjeant____________Jno. Slaney.___________Clerks to Hearne & Son Solts. Newport. Salop.____

On the thirtieth day of November 1898 Probate of this Will was granted at Exeter to Mary Gosnell Widow the Relict the sole Executrix.

Probate:
From Probate records in Somerset House, London 1898:
GOSNELL, Thomas of 7 North Down-road Bideford Devonshire gentleman died 13 October 1898 Probate Exeter 30 November to Mary Gosnell widow Effects £3699 12s 1d.

Census:
1841: Water Lane, Newport, Shropshire
1851: Lower Bar, Newport, Shropshire
1861: High Street, Newport, Shropshire
1871: High Street, Newport, Shropshire
1881: High Street, Newport, Shropshire
1891: 7 South View Terrace, Bideford, Devon
1893: South View Terrace, North Down Lane, Bideford, Devon (Kelly's Directory 1893, Private Residents)

Sources:

Wilfred Bertram Gosnell

Wilfred Bertram Gosnell
Wilfred Bertram Gosnell
(click for full photo)
photo from Jerry Gosnell
Wilfred Bertram Gosnell signature
Wilfred's signature (1916)
WWI Attestation Papers
Birth: 2 October 1894, in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Father: Arthur William Gosnell

Mother: Annie Ethelreda (Plumbe) Gosnell

Married: Sybil Mary Salt on 12 October 1915, in Enderby, British Columbia, Canada. Sybil was born on 18 May 1893, in Astley Lodge, Astley, Shropshire, the daughter of Gerald Cholmondeley Salt and Agnes Montgomerie (Sillar) Salt. She died on 28 June 1983 in New Westminster, British Columbia, and was buried on 12 July 1983, in Mountain View cemetery, Vancouver, British Columbia.

Occupation: Farmer

Notes: Wilfred's attestation papers in 1916 describe him as 5ft 10½ inches, of fair complexion with blue eyes and light brown hair. His religion is noted as Church of England.

Death: 19 February 1959, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, aged 64

Buried: Mountain View cemetery, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (Plot: HORNE1/5/01/001R/0010 (948))

Census & Addresses:
1901: Avondale House, Melksham, Wiltshire
1916: 1736 Hampshire Road, Victoria, British Columbia (attestation papers)
1943: Ellangowan R.R. No. 1 Enderby, British Columbia (will of father, Arthur W. Gosnell)

Sources:

William Gosnell

Baptised: 6 October 1793 in Newport, Shropshire, England

Father: Thomas Gosnell

Mother: Jane (_____) Gosnell

Married: to Maria Marsh on 6 April 1820 in Newport, Shropshire, England

Children: Death: 9 January 1825

Sources:

William Gosnell

Born: 1826/7 in Newport, Shropshire, England

Baptised: 4 January 1829 in Newport, Shropshire, England

Father: John Gosnell

Mother: Elizabeth (Vigers) Gosnell

Children: Occupation: Butcher

Census:
1841: Water Lane, Newport, Shropshire
1881: 28 Gaolgate Street, Stafford, Staffordshire

Notes:
The IGI records the baptism of a John Gosnell in Newport on 17 December 1848, whose parents were William and Elizabeth Gosnell. It seems likely that this was this William as there were not many Gosnells in Newport, but this remains unproven. This is also probably the William Gosnell who died in Newport in 2Q1897, aged 70. (England Death Index 2Q1897 vol 6a p 473)

Sources:
Return to Chris Gosnell's Home Page
Return to Chris Gosnell's Genealogy Page
Return to Gosnells Index

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