Eliza Clark was born at Puncknowle, Dorset, England in 1838, the eldest daughter of carpenter Richard Clark from Stoke Abbot, Dorset andhis wife Ann Northover from the nearby village of Swyre. Eliza grew up in Puncknowle and by the age of thirteen was engaged in the local trade of net making.
For reason unknown, Eliza found herself at Axminster, Devon at the end of 1859 where she married George Board Fowler a groom from Uplyme. Their first child, also George Board Fowler was born early in 1860 but only survived a few month. Job Clark Fowler was born in March 1861 and the family were living in Millbrook, Axminster at the time of the Census.
A third son, Henry Charles Fowler was born about 1863 in Axminster. Although we don’t know what was wrong with him, the 1901 census return notes that he had been a invalid since childhood. Husband,George died in 1864 leaving Eliza with two infant children.
Eliza returned to Dorset where in 1866 she married Nicholas William Thorner Tompkins the illegitimate son of Elias Thorner and Sarah Tompkins of Puncknowle. A son Elias Thorner Tompkins was born at Bothenhampton, Dorset on September 13, 1866, followed by Charles Richard Tompkins in 1868.
In 1861 the couple are living at Bothenhampton where Nicholas is an Agricultural Labourer. With then is son Charles and Eliza’s son Henry. Elias is with his paternal grandparents, the Fowlers and Job with his maternal grandparents, the Clarks. Two more children, Julia Amelia Tompkins (1871) and Arthur Nicholas Tompkins (1876) are born at Bothenhampton before the family move to Southampton.
In the Southampton suburb of Shirley, Nicholas found work as a labourer in the Brewery and Eliza worked as a laundress.
Eliza Clark died in 1903
Patricia Fowler Hayn said,
July 16, 2008 at 5:01 pm
I also am searching for Fowler relatives from Uplyme-Dorset-Devonshire-Lyme-Regis area.First one I can find in England is George Hatcher Fowler born 1857 married Augusta Margeurite Rendell 1881.She was born 1862 in Geurnsey England.Children Willaim C. Simeon H. Ernest H. Cuthbert RC.-Percy E. Ivon E. Louis, married second time Mary Maria Neale 1878.If anyone has any information I would greatly appreciate it.
Colin Smith said,
August 7, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Dear Patricia,
I dont know if I can help at all, but I am related to the Fowlers of Dorset.
I am back to me GGGG Grandfather William Fowler = Mary Symes. They married 1770 and had five children; Elizabeth, George, Daniel, Richard and John.
My GGG Grandfather, Richard married Susannah Case in 1877 at Lyme Regis, Dorset and had at least one child, George.
My GG Grandfather George Fowler b.1814 at Lyme Regism Dorset. He married Jane Hatcher about 18 38 and had seven children, George, Susannah, Edward, Amelia, Harry, Julia and Isaac between the dates; 1838-1849.
I can follow on down to myself from here. If this is the line you are after, please drop me a line as I would be glad to hear from you.
Regards
Colin Smith
Western Australia
Sue Fowler said,
April 3, 2010 at 11:16 am
Hi Colin, just found your link. My husband is desc.from same branch as you. Charles Case Fowler b.1817 was his brother. He was married to Fanny Scriven and had 6 children. He was a Custom and Excise man in London. I would think the families kept in touch as George was also in London and Susannah lived with George till she died. I am going to Lyme Regis in May to have a look round. Best wishes Sue Fowler