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Summary:
Many members of the Woodham family (in earlier days they were known as Wodam, Wodham, Wodeham or even Odam) lived in Hungerford, Chilton Foliat, and Froxfield during the 17th century. There were also many Woodhams in Lambourn, Ramsbury, Marlborough and the surrounding area. This does make investigating the family history somewhat complicated!
The Hungerford branches came to be well-known in the 18th and 19th century as clock and watch-makers; one branch of the family became gunsmiths; another went to London and became a musical instrument maker - and his son a famous musician!
They were associated with 1, 3-4, 30 and 105 High Street. The last record of Woodhams in Hungerford appears to be 1916.
Please note: this is a very complicated family - and there may well be some errors amongst there records, and certainly some omissions!
The clock and watch makers in the family:
- Edward (1702-1777) [1 High Street], a blacksmith, but started looking after the town clock in 1742.
- Richard (1733-18??) [1 High Street], Edward's son. Active c.1750-1775.
- James I (1741-1809) [1 High Street], Edward's son. Apprenticed in London. Many longcase clocks and records. Active 1764-1809.
- James II (1788-1876) [1 High Street], James I's son. Listed in many trade directories. Active c.1803-c.1860.
- James Ambrose (1799-1863) [105 High Street], Edward's grandson. (He was often called Ambrose). Listed in many trade directories. Active c.1820-1863.
- Henry (1818-1892) [1 High Street], James II's son. Listed in many trade directories. Active c.1838-c.1891.
- James III (1824-1891) [1 High Street, 105 and later 30 High Street], James II's son. Listed in many trade directories. Active c.1845-c.1887.
- James (c.1833-18??). Described in his son's baptism certificate as "Hungerford watchmaker".
- Kate (1854-1898) [1 High Street], Henry's daughter. Listed in many trade directories.
The gunsmiths in the family:
- Benjamin (c174918??) [1 High Street], son of Edward.
- Edward (1786-1856) [3-4 High Street], son of Benjamin. 29th January 1857, will of Edward Woodham, Gunsmith of Hungerford, PROB 11/2245.
- Edward (1803-18??). Described in his son's baptism certificate as "High Street gunsmith".
Follow this for more on the Woodham gunsmiths.
Edward & Joan Woodham, 1 High Street:
Edward Woodham (1702-1777) was born in Chilton Foliat in 1702 (although I have been unable to trace this record), the fourth child (and eldest son) of Edward and Joan Woodham.
Nothing is known of his early life, but on 1 Feb 1726 (aged 24) he married Joan (als Joanna) Bacon at East Garston.
Edward and Joan continued to live in Chilton Foliat until 1737. During that time, they had six children:
• A daughter (not named) (bapt Jun 1727). She died there the same month.
• Edward (bapt Chilton Foliat 1 Apr 1729)
• William (bapt Chilton Foliat 1 Jun 1730). William married Mary Wren 9 Dec 1766. They had a daughter Martha, baptised 20 Sep 1767).
• Edward (bapt Chilton Foliat 8 Feb 1731)
• Richard (bapt Chilton Foliat 30 Jan 1733) and
• Joseph (bapt Chilton Foliat 9 Feb 1735).
In 1737 they moved to Hungerford and took up residence at what is now 1 High Street. This event, more than any other, marks the start of the Woodham dynasty in Hungerford.
From medieval times the Town and Manor of Hungerford had been administered by a manorial court known as the Hocktide Court. It was the custom of tradesmen coming to live in the town to practice their trade there to be charged a fee by this court, usually 2s 6d or 5s 0d, in their first year in the town. The smaller sum was paid by day-labourers; the larger by artificers. Edward Woodham was received into the court that year, 1737, an entry in the Constable’s Accounts recording “Recd of Edward Wodam for his incomb 0 05 00”.
Edward Woodham was a blacksmith, and later described as a whitesmith.
In 1737/78 “Edward Woodham blacksmith” took out a Sun Fire Insurance (vol 48 / 507, 1737/8) on his premises (now 1 High Street) — dwelling house, brewhouse, and woodhouse adjoining on west side of High Street. Stone, timber, slated, tiled, £150 dwelling house, £50 brewhouse: total £200.
In the following year, 1738/9 (Norman Hidden found) Edward Woodham’s name mentioned in a Foot of Fine (Trin. 11 & 12 Geo II, =1738/9). Edward Woodham the younger and John Ambrose gent & his wife Elizabeth deforciants re a house in Hungerford. The two messuages may have been in mortgage to Stephen Pearse of Standen gent (see Joan Wodham' s will 1779). There is a proviso in the will that James Wodham (executor and heir) should "suffer his brother Benjamin to enjoy the back shop now in my possession for one year without rent."
In the 1739 Constable’s Accounts it is recorded that “Pd Woodam for mending the Engine as by Bill £02 01s 06d”. This would have been the town’s manual fire pump, that required much attention year on year. It is probably the one standing in the entrance to the Corn Exchange and Town Hall today.
He became progressively more involved in the town’s affairs. In the Constable’s Accounts of 1740 the Constable “Pd Edwd Woodham as by Bill £00 03s ?d”. There is no indication of what work he had carried out. There is a similar record later in the same 1740 Accounts: “Pd Mr Woodham as per Bill £1 7s 0d”.
However, in 1742, the Constable’s Accounts includes an entry dated 1st October "spent with Woodham when he undertook the clock - 1s 2d". John Tubb "the cutler" (of 131 High Street) had been looking after the Town Clock for many years, but Edward Woodham seems to have taken over maintaining the town clock from John Tubb, who died soon after in 1746.
There follow many further entries: In 1753 “Pd. Ed. Wodham by Orders of the Court £1 8s 10d.”. In 1764 he was “Pd. Ed. Woodham for winding up the Clock & keeping it in Repair £2 0s 0d.”. In 1771 there are two entries: “Mr. Woodham, for the Care of the Clock £2 0s 0d” and “Paid Mr. Woodham, as per Bill £2 13s 0d”, and again in 1772: “Paid Edward Wodam as per Bill £1 1s 0d” and “Paid Edward Wodam for Care of the Clock £2 0s 0d”.
By 1775 the entry stated “Paid Woodhams for the care of the Clock “2 0s 0d”, suggesting that Edward, who was by then aged 73 years, was being assisted by someone else, probably his son James who was welll established as a clockmaker.
Edward and Joan Woodham had three further children:
• James (bapt 11 Jan 1741 at Hungerford)
• Mary (bapt 7 Apr 1745 at Hungerford) and
• Benjamin (born c1749-50 though no baptism record has yet been found for him).
The Hungerford Rate Books (MF137), which only survive from 1763, include Edward Woodham paying rates of 3s 0d regularly Oct 1763-1769, then 3s 9d 1770Jun 1777. “Widow Woodham” paid them from Aug 1777 until Aug 1778, then James (presumably their son) until Dec 1783.
In the 1774-80 Quit Rent Edward’s name is deleted, replaced by James Woodham, who continued to live in the family home at 1 High Street (see James & Elizabeth below).
Edward Woodham died in July 1777 (buried 10 July). In his PCC will (see below) dated May 1777 (probate Dec 1777), he describes himself as a whitesmith. It is not very informative. He left all he possessed to his wife Joan.
His widow Joan Woodham died 12 Jul 1778. Her Dean of Sarum will is dated February 1778 (probate July 1799), and is more informative. She mentions property situated in Chilton Foliat and Hungerford. All her property was to be sold and the proceeds to be divided between equally between her children James, Richard, Joseph and Mary (then married to Samuel Skeate [or ?Keat], an officer of the Excise. Samuel's first marriage (in Ashton Keynes) had been to Sarah Nickols who lived in Bere Regis,Dorset. They moved to Hungerford where Sarah died and Samuel married Mary Woodham). Joan Woodham left to her son James (see James & Amey below) "all those 2 messuages in Hungerford now in my own possession and the possession of ..?.. Dismore my tenant". Joan appointed James as her executor, and passed all her "stock-in-trade goods" to him.
(Since Wodham was an ironsmith it is probable that his house, late Butler's, was that insured by Thomas Butler, ironmonger, in 1716 (vol 5 Sun) and by John Butler in 1719 (vol 10 Sun), also ironmonger.)
Edward’s sons Richard (born 1733) and James (born 1741) both became clock and watchmakers.
More on Mary and Robert Woodham: Bill Beck (from Blue Mountains, Australia) contacted the Virtual Museum (July 2019) saying: "My connection is through a Samuel Keat who married Mary Woodham (daughter of Edward & Joan). Mary's brother Richard married first Ann Allen and on her death he married Eliza Biss. They went to London had a son Joseph. Richard invented a spring box mechanism for brass instruments and his son was quite a famous musician. On Richard’s death Samuel took over the manufacture of the spring box. Samuel’s son married Joseph’s daughter." Follow the link to read Bill Beck's paper "The Music Business" including Woodham's Spring Mechanism".
Richard Woodham (1733-c.1797), 1 High Street:
Strangely, I have not yet found any record of a "Richard Woodham, clockmaker" in Hungerford in the 18th century although several longcase clocks made by "Richard Woodham, Hungerford" are known, dating from c.1750-1775. There is little doubt that he was Edward and Joan Woodhams 4th son, born 1733. It seems he had branched out from his father's blacksmith and whitesmith work to develop a clockmaking business.
Richard's first marriage was to Ann (maiden name unknown); he was described as "whitesmith". Richard and Ann had just one child:
• Joseph, (bapt 1 Oct 1765, buried 13 Oct 1765)
Sadly, both baby Joseph and Ann, Richard’s wife, died after the birth. Ann was buried at Hungerford 17 Oct 1765.
Richard married again on 8 July 1767, this time to Eliza Biss (Bisse, Bliss) at Hungerford. Richard and Eliza Woodham had at least two children:
• Joseph (bapt Hungerford 1 Jan 1768)
• Edward (bapt Hungerford 8 Apr 1770, but buried at Hungerford 18 Sep 1773).
It seems that Richard moved away from Hungerford, perhaps around the time of his parents' deaths (1777 and 1778), leaving his skilled younger brother James to run the clockmaking business.
Bill Beck (from Blue Mountains, Australia) contacted the Virtual Museum (July 2019) sending a paper entitled "The Music Business" which includes much about Richard Woodham's life in London, and his invention of Woodham's Spring Mechanism". "Richard and Eliza went to London, [and it seems he was working with, and living near Samuel Keat in Pimlico, then Drury Lane]. With the literature suggesting Richard died in 1797, Samuel was setting up to continue the brass instrument business, as Joseph Woodham, Richard's son, appears to be more of the musician rather than an instrument maker.
"[In the late 17th and early 18th century] some trumpet makers and musicians were experimenting and developing devices to achieve [variations of notes and subtleties of pitch]. A number have been credited with or have made claim to achieving this. These include Joseph Rieding with the rotary valve in 1832, Henry Stolzel with the Stolzel valve in 1814 (Wikipedia) are just some.
John Hyde, who was an English trumpeter, was the first person to use a slide trumpet and was generally credited with an invention for changing the pitch in 1804. This claim by Hyde as to its invention was disproven with the discovery of a Rodenbostel Trumpet where Richard Woodham is credited that at some time before 1797 of the fitting of a clock spring mechanism on a natural trumpet made by G H Rodenbostel (George Henry) around 1760. The cover is inscribed as being Woodham, Invented Exeter Court, Strand, London. This proves that Woodham invented this spring mechanism somewhere between 1760 and 1797. The general consensus is that Woodham modified the trumpet for Hyde but Hyde claimed the credit or was credited with its invention. The Harvard Dictionary of Music (p.875) has it around 1810.
Woodham Spring Mechanism Trumpet Valve c1760-1797
Richard Woodham appears in Exeter Ct, London from 1769 to 1802. Only one of the Westminster Rate Books gives his occupation as a Music Ruler Maker. Various books and journals refer to him as a:
- watch maker (The Last Trumpet: New Light on the Early History of the Keyed Bugle).
- Instrument maker (The Regent's Bugle 1956 Slide Trumpet by Rodenbostel and Woodham.
- Watchmaker who became a brass instrument maker in 1780. (The Last Trumpet: A History of the English Slide Trumpet)
- "The Last Trumpet" states (p.50) Woodham opened a workshop for making brass and copper instruments in 1780.
The Historic Brass Society Journal (p.66) lists Richard Woodham as marrying Eliza(abeth) Biss in Hungerford Berkshire on 8 July 1767 and having a son, Joseph (1768). (FamilySearch Marriage). Joseph is mentioned in the John Marsh journal (p.697) where he writes in a reference “Woodham is probably the younger (1767-1841), a member of the band at Saddlers Wells who played the violin, viola, double base, horn and trumpet. The Last Trumpet also notes that Joseph Woodham, double base and trumpeter is related to Richard Woodham. The Trombone (p.155) has Joseph as being admitted to the Royal Society of Music at the age of 26 and states he was born in Hungerford. All references located about Joseph states he was a very accomplished musician.
It would appear that Richard Woodham used his clockmaking skills to modify Hyde’s trumpet and led to him making brass instruments.
On Richard’s death Samuel Keat took over the manufacture of the spring box. Samuel’s son married Joseph’s daughter."
A lot of the literature has Richard Woodham dying around 1797. The Westminster rate notices for Woodham cease in 1802. There is a recorded death of Elizabeth Woodham, Christ Church, Spitalfields, Middlesex, England in 1799. This may have been Richard Woodhams wife?
James I (1741-1809) & Amey Woodham, 1 High Street:
At least three James Woodhams became clock and watchmakers in Hungerford! I am calling them James I, II and III.
James I (1741-1809) became very well known as a clock maker; the quality of his work was very high, and he appears on many national registers of clockmakers.
James I was baptised 11 Jan 1741 in Hungerford. He was Edward and Joan Woodham's sixth son and a younger brother to Richard (above). The family lived at 1 High Street.
It seems that he decided at a young age to follow a career in clock making. He is recorded ("Clockmakers’ Company Masters and their Apprentices. Transcribed from Atkins’ list of 1931" and "Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World") as being apprenticed to William Bird in London on 19 May 1761 at the age of 20 years.
When his father Edward died in July 1777 and his mother Joan died in 1778, James (aged 36 years) was running his clock-making business at 1 High Street, probably working with his elder brother Richard (although we have no confirmation of this). The Hungerford rate books record him paying rates from September 1778.
Through 1779-1789 the Constable’s Accounts continue to record annual payments of £2 0s 0d to “Woodham” for “for ye Care of the Clock”.
Around the time of his father’s death in 1777, James Woodham married Amey (also recorded as Amelia). It seems the marriage was outside Hungerford (their marriage is not in the Hungerford Parish Records).
James continues to be at 1 High Street in the 1781 and 1782 Commoners Lists.
James was Tithing (Tutti) man in 1781, along with John Burgess (who went on to be Constable in 1784 and 1785).
James and Amey/Amelia had several children, including:
• Mary Ann (bap 9 Mar 1781)
• Elizabeth (bapt (17 Aug 1783)
• Amey (bapt 10 Mar 1786)
• James (bapt 16 May 1788) and
• Ann (bapt 10 Sep 1790).
His work spread from clockmaking into watchmaking; the Parish Record entry for young James’s baptism in 1788 records his father as “watchmaker, of 1 High Street”. He is advertised in the 1790 and 1792 Universal British Directories as watchmaker.
In the 1793 Schedule of Properties liable to be affected by the Kennet & Avon Canal project, a property of James Woodham, occupied by him and Mary Coxhead as 2 tenements, garden and orchard, is listed.
It is recorded in "Clockmakers’ Company Masters and their Apprentices. Transcribed from Atkins’ list of 1931" that James Woodham in Hungerford had an apprentice called James Keat apprenticed 27 Feb 1794. "Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World" includes James as a clock maker in Hungerford in 1795.
The 1805 Quit Rent includes James Woodham for his house “late Butler” 6d, and the Commoners’ List of 1807 has James Woodham at 1 High Street.
This is the James Woodham who made our James Woodham longcase clock c1800. He was aged 59 years in 1800, and probably continued working in the workshop until his death in 1809, when he was aged 68 years.
James I was buried at St Lawrence’s on 6 Mar 1809. A monumental inscription records: "174 STTMO/JAMES WOODHAM who departed this life March 1st 1809 aged 68. Also AMEY wife of the above April 1st 1824. Also SARAH HARRIS March 1809 aged 19."
James Woodham’s Last Will and testament [PROB11/1506(856) PCC 1809]: Watchmaker. To wife: £10 and annuity of £12 and tenement, garden and premises now occupied by me, for her natural life, provided she allow my son to occupy the shop and other parts, necessary to enable him to carry on his business and that she will make the same home for my daughter so long as she lives and they remain unmarried hoping that the same harmony with which they have lived together will continue.
To provide the annuity, I hereby give all those my two tenements and gardens situate at Hungerford in the occupation of Benjamin Woodham and Daniel Walters, and also the sum of £100 which now stands invested in a mortgage of a tenement in Church Lane, unto my said son and daughter, using the rent for my wife’s annuity, and after her death all freehold estate is to go to my son and his heirs. And from this £200 to be paid within 6 months, with all stock and household goods, to my said son and daughter Elizabeth. (Mentions two other daughters).
Executors: son James and daughter Elizabeth
Dated: 22nd January 1809
Witnesses: George Riley, Samuel Westall, George Clements.
Proved: 7 November 1809 by James and Elizabeth Woodham.
See also: James' Woodham's Will and Probate, 7th November 1809.
James II (1788-1876) & Eliza Woodham, 1 High Street:
James II Woodham (1788-1876) was the eldest son (but fourth child) of James I and Amey Woodham. They lived in the family home at 1 High Street.
At the time his father was making our long-case clock c1800, it may well have been that James, at the age of 12 years was helping him in the workshop.
James married (at the age of 27 years, in St Lawrence’s Church, on 12 Oct 1815) Eliza Mary Salt. They continued the watch and clock-making business and lived at 1 High Street through their lives. The 1818 (and 1832) Quit Rent have James Woodham at property “late Butler's q.r. 6d.”.
James II and Eliza had several children:
• Edward, bapt c1816 (but he died in infancy, and was buried 21 Feb 1816)
• Edward (bapt 28 May 1817 at Hungerford)
• Henry (bapt 29 Nov 1818 - died 26 Jan 1892 aged 73yrs)
• Elizabeth (bapt 24 May 1820)
• William (bapt 5 Dec 1821 )
• James (bapt 6 Jan 1824)
• Amey (bapt 3 Jun 1825)
• Edward (bapt 3 Oct 1827 – buried 27 Jun 1851 aged 23 yrs at Hungerford)
• Joseph (bapt 12 Oct 1829 – buried 6 Nov 1829)
• Anne (bapt 12 Oct 1829 – died 19 Apr 1834 aged 4 yrs)
• John (bapt ??1830) and
• Eliza (bapt 6 Jan 1832 – buried at St Lawrence on 20 Jun 1833).
James advertised in the 1823 Berkshire Diretcory as watchmaker, and the 1830 Pigot Directory as "watchmaker, High Street".
James paid rates in 1830, 1832 and 1833 (Rate Books) for his house, garden and common rights.
A large burglary took place at the shop in 1831. Read all about here:1831 - Burglary at James Woodham's clock and watchmaker's shop.
He was still living at 1 High Street in 1836 (Quit Rent), 1841 census (clock-maker), 1847 (Commoners List), 1851 census (watch and clockmaker).
He was listed in the following trade directories:
- 1847 Post Office directory: "watchmaker, High Street" (as was James Ambrose Woodham),
- 1852 Slater directory: "Watch & Clock maker and engraver",
- 1854 Post Office directory for Berkshire, Northants and Oxfordshire: "Watch & clock maker",
By the time of the 1861 census he had retired (described as “retired watchmaker”) and 1862, when he is described as "retired watchmaker".
In the 1881 census, at "The Bridge" were Henry Woodham, watchmaker, and in the yard behind 1 High Street (now Canal Side) then known as "Woodham's Yard" was William Woodham, a carpenter – perhaps Henry and Eliza’s third son (bapt 5 Dec 1821).
He died aged 86 years, being buried at St Lawrence on 10 May 1876.
Henry (1818-1892) & Emily Woodham, 1 High Street:
Henry Woodham (1818-1892) was the second son of James Woodham the middle (1788-1876) and Eliza. Henry was baptised 29 November 1818.
He took over the watch and clock-making business and, it seems, also lived in the family home at 1 High Street. He was therefore the fourth generation to join the family business at 1 High Street.
He married (Emily or) Sarah (outside Hungerford), and they had two children:
• Thomas James (baptised 28 Apr 1848). On Thomas’s baptism certificate, Henry is recorded as “watchmaker of Hungerford”.
• Kate (baptised Lambourn 18 Dec 1854).
In the 1863 Dutton, Allen & Co directory Henry Woodham was listed as "Watchmaker, High Street" (along with James Ambrose Woodham). In the 1869 Kelly's directory H Woodham (and J Woodham) was listed as "Watch & Clock maker, High Street". In the 1876 Harrod & Co directory for Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshires, Hampshire, Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire Henry (and James) Woodham was listed as "watch & clock maker, High Street". He is also listed in the 1887 Kelly's directory and the 1891 Kelly's Directory as "watch and clockmaker, silversmith, High Street".
In the 1891 census, Henry and his daughter Kate are at 1 High Street; Henry is “watchmaker finisher”, but he died the following year 1892 and was buried at Hungerford 26 Jan 1892 (aged 73 years).
The yard behind 1 High Street (now Canal Side) was known as "Woodham's Yard", one of the properties being occupied by William Woodham, a carpenter.
James III (1824-c.1891) & Harriet Woodham, 105 High Street and 30 High Street:
James III Woodham (1824-c.1891) was often referred to in contemporary records as “James Woodham the younger”. He was baptised 6 Jan 1824, and was another son of James II and Eliza Woodham, of 1 High Street.
He was therefore also part of the fourth generation of clockmakers in Hungerford.
James married (?where, when?) Harriet. In the 1871 census they were aged 46 and 41yrs respectively.
Their family home was at 105 High Street between 1847 and 1861.
He was described in 1851 as clockmaker and is in Billings Directory as “watch and clockmaker, High Street”, and in the 1871 census as “James Woodham junior”, watchmaker at 105 High Street. In the 1869 Kelly's directory J Woodham (and H Woodham) was listed as "Watch & Clock maker, High Street". Also 1887 Kelly directory.
In 1873, 105 High Street was sold, and James bought (see deeds of 30 HS) 30 High Street, on the other side of the High Street.
James is listed in the 1876 Harrod & Co directory for Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshires, Hampshire, Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire: "watch & clock maker, High Street" (as was Henry Woodham).
He remained at 30 High Street in the 1881 census, but by 1891 his business had been taken over by William Mapson, watchmaker.
James Ambrose (1799-1863) & Mary Woodham. 105 High Street:
James Ambrose Woodham (1799-1863) was baptised 31 Mar 1799, “son of Mary Woodham”. (Had his father Benjamin (probably the Benjamin born 1749, the son of Edward and Joan Woodham of 1 High Street) died by then? I can’t find his burial date). If so, James Ambrose was grandson of Edward and Joan, and part of the third generation of Woodham clock and watch makers in Hungerford.
He married Ann (nee Gray) on 24 Dec 1832. (or is it – he was aged 42 yrs?)
James Ambrose Woodham was often called Ambrose.
The family home was at 105 High Street between 1847 and 1861.
He is listed in the following trade directories:
- 1844 Pigot directory: "watch & clock maker, High Street",
- 1847 Post Office directory: "watch maker, High Street"
- 1852 Slater directory: "Watch & clockmaker, High Street".
In the 1851 census, Ambrose Woodham (42), a clockmaker is at 105 High Street (as well as William Moody (65), a boot and shoe maker).
In the 1861 Commoners' List, William Moody is said to be the owner, and himself and Ambrose Woodham occupants.
In the 1863 Dutton, Allen & Co directory James Ambrose Woodham was listed as "Watchmaker, High Street" (along with Henry Woodham).
James Ambrose Woodham died in 1863, presumably in suspicious circumstances, as the Coroner was involved. He was buried at St Lawrence’s 14 April 1863, aged 66 years.
Miss Kate Woodham (1854- 1898), 1 High Street:
Kate was daughter of Henry Woodham, of 1 High Street. She remained a spinster, and in the 1891 census they are recorded as living together at 1 High Street.
Kate Woodham is described in the 1895 Kelly's directory as "watch and clock-maker, silversmith, High Street".
Kate Woodham, still living in the High Street, died aged 44 years on 24 Nov 1898.
James & Leah Woodham (c1833-??):
James Woodham (c1833-???) married Leah (nee ??) when?
James and Leah Woodham had a son:
• Edward (baptised 7 Feb 1863). James was described as “Hungerford watchmaker”.
The Woodham Gunsmiths in Hungerford:
Although very large numbers of the Woodham family were involved in the clock and watchmaking business, one branch of the family struck out and became gunsmiths.
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A blunderbuss by Woodham gunsmiths sold by auction for £300 in July 2019.
A blunderbuss by Woodham gunsmiths.
A blunderbuss by Woodham gunsmiths.
A blunderbuss by Woodham gunsmiths.
- A blunderbuss by Woodham gunsmiths sold by auction for £300 in July 2019.
Benjamin Woodham (c1749- ):
Benjamin Woodham (c1749-????) was probably the youngest son of Edward and Joan Woodham of 1 High Street. I have not found record of his baptism.
He married Mary Batt at Hungerford 20 November 1770, and Benjamin and Mary Woodham had several children:
• Mary (bapt 9 Jul 1771)
• Sarah (bapt 17 Oct 1773)
• Joseph (bapt 9 Jul 1779, buried 1779)
However, in 1779 Mary died after the childbirth, and was buried at Hungerford.
Benjamin Woodham went on to marry again – another Mary – Mary Inge on 28 September 1780. Benjamin and Mary (nee Inge) had several further children:
• James (bapt 30 Mar 1781, ?died 1783)
• Benjamin (bapt 31 Aug 1783, Hungerford)
• Edward (bapt 5 Feb 1786, buried 22 May 1856, Hungerford. Later “the gunsmith”)
• Elizabeth (bapt 17 Aug 1788)
• Harriet (bapt 1792)
• James Ambrose (bapt 31 Mar 1799, s/o Mary Woodham) Some doubt if this was Ben & Mary?
Edward (1786-1856) & Ann Woodham, 3-4 High Street:
Edward Woodham (1786-1856) was baptised 5 Feb 1786, the son of Benjamin & Mary Woodham.
Edward Woodham occupied 3-4 High Street in 1818. (Quit Rent for 3-4 High Street has George Pettit deleted, replaced by Edward Woodham for property “late Forty's 6d.”).
On 15 August 1825 he married Ann (nee Forfeit/Forfitt) when he was recorded as High St, Gunsmith.
In the 1830 Pigot directory, Edward Woodham is listed as "shopkeeper and gunsmith, High Street".
The 1832 Quit Rent has Edward Woodham at property “late Forty's 6d”.
In the 1841 census (aged 50) he is described as gunsmith, and by 1851 as gunsmith and pattern-maker. He is in the 1847 Commoners’ List at 3-4 High Street. In 1861, the property is owned by his son Charles Woodham.
Edward and Ann Woodham had at least two children:
• Robert (bapt 9 Dec 1827, s/o Edward & Ann, High St, gunsmith
• Charles Thomas (bapt 28 Feb 1830). See more below.
• George (bapt 28 Jun 1833).
Ann Woodham died in 1870, and Edward Woodham the gunsmith was buried at Hungerford 22 May 1856, aged 70 years.
A monumental inscription in St Lawrence's churchyard recvords: "IMO Ann Woodham who died Jan 8th 1870 aged 55 years. Also of Edward Woodham who died May 18th 1856 aged 70 years".
3-4 High Street was then owned by his son Charles.
Edward (c1803-18??) & Jane Woodham:
Edward Woodham (c1803-????) married Jane. Edward and Jane Woodham had at least one child:
• 28 Jun 1833 George (father “High St gunsmith”)
Charles Thomas Woodham (1830-1916):
Charles Thomas Woodham (bapt 28 Feb 1830) was the second son of Edward & Anne Woodham of 3-4 High Street. (Edward was a gunsmith). After his father's death in 1856, Charles was owner of 3-4 High Street.
In the 1895 Kelly's directory he is described as holding the office of "Relieving and vaccination officer for Hungerford district and attendance and inquiry officer, Park Street".
He died in 1916 at the age of 86 years (when he was living in Fairview Road), and was buried at St Lawrence 16 Nov 1916.
Other records of the Woodhams in Hungerford:
John and Elizabeth Wodam (sic!):
• Ann (bapt 6 Mar 1652/3)
• Ellen (bapt 3 Apr 1656)
William & Elizabeth Woodham:
William Woodham and Elizabeth Pinnock (both of Hungerford) married in Hungerford 16 Aug 1697. They had seven children:
• William (29 Jan 1699)
• Jane (bapt 21 Jun 1702)
• Thomas (bapt 15 Nov 1705)
• Thomas (bapt 4 Sep 1707)
• John (bapt 3 Mar 1712)
• Elizabeth (bapt 30 Sep 1716)
• Joseph (bapt 1 Dec 1717)
The Constable's Accounts (1744-1748) includes several references to William Woodham (Wodham, Odam), including:
- 1744 Rd. of Mr Woodam for his Incomb 0 2 6
- 1744 Pd William Wodham by Bill 0 6 7
- 1746 Paid Wm Odam as per Bill 0 6 3
- 1748 Pd William Odam as per Bill 0 12 6
- For work by bill from William Odam(?) 0 5 6
At present we have no indication of William Woodham's trade.
Some further records:
David and Elizabeth Wodam
• Ann (bapt 8 Nov 1711)
* * * * * * * * * *
John and ..?.. Wodam
• Martha (bapt 16 Oct 1737
* * * * * * * * * *
William and Sarah Woodham
• Mary (bapt 5 Apr 1743)
• Elizabeth (bapt 26 Jun 1745)
* * * * * * * * * *
William and Hetty/Hester (nee Ferris) Woodham (married 18 Oct 1770)
• Ann (bapt 4 Oct 1771)
• John (bapt 28 Jan 1780)
• Thomas (bapt 20 Feb 1784)
* * * * * * * * * *
George and Elizabeth Woodham
• 28 Sep 1828 William (father “Cow Lane, Blacksmith”)
• * * * * * * * * * *
James and Sarah (nee Lawrence) Woodham (married Hungerford, 13 Nov 1836)
• 7 Feb 1863 Edward James bapt at Hungerford
* * * * * * * * * *
Edward and Elizabeth Woodham
• 28 Jun 1833 George Woodham, s/o Edward & Jane, High St
* * * * * * * * * *
John and Mary Woodham, (Labourer)
• 23 Apr 1848 William Woodham, s/o John & Mary, labourer
* * * * * * * * * *
===============================
Baptisms:
22 Dec 1774 Charlotte d/o Elizabeth Wodham (sic!) “Amore nata”
31 Mar 1799 James Ambrose, s/o Mary Woodham (no father mentioned)
Burials
c1699 Sarah Woodham ? 21 Feb 1759 Wife of Edward
c1710 Edward Woodham ? 22 Aug 1759 “Junior”
c1710 Anne Woodham ? 9 Jun 1778 Spinster
c1719 Joseph Woodham ? 24 Jul 1779 Son of Benjamin
c1720 Edward Woodham ? 18 Sep 1773 son of Richard
c1723 James Woodham ? 8 Jul 1783
c1725 William Woodham ? 16 Jan 1785
c1726 Joan Woodham ? 12 Jul 1778 widow
c1727 Mary Anne Woodham ? 24 Apr 1787 Daughter of James
c1727 Penelope Woodham ? 10 Mar 1787 Widow
c1729 Mary Woodham ? 21 Aug 1779 Wife of Benjamin
c1730 Elizabeth Woodham ? 26 Jan 1780 Daughter of James
c1741 James Woodham 68 6 Mar 1809
c1742 Benjamin Woodham 74 22 Feb 1816 High St
5 Apr 1743 Mary s/o William
c1747 Esther Woodam (sic!) 88 11 Jan 1835
c1750 Amy Woodham 73 15 Apr 1823 High St
c1755 Mary Woodham 72 21 Sep 1827 Church Lane
c1785 Elizabeth Woodham 54 28 May 1839 High St
c1787 James Woodham 86 10 Oct 1873 Hungerford
c1794 Harriet Woodham 37 4 Mar 1831 Kintbury
c1794 Sarah Woodham 66 30 May 1860 Hungerford
c1795 Ann Woodham 55 12 Jan 1850 Hungerford
31 Mar 1799 James (base born by Mary)
c1814 Ann Woodham 48 23 Nov 1862 Hungerford
c1822 Sarah Woodham 41 13 Jan 1863 Hungerford
c1822 Sarah Woodham 51 22 Oct 1873 Hungerford
6 Jan 1824 Elizabeth d/o Reeks & ??
c1829 Esther Woodham 72 6 Jul 1901 Hungerford
c1831 Eliza Woodham 29 3 May 1860 Hungerford
c1848 Thomas James Woodham 39 14 May 1887 High St
c1856 Eliza Woodham 5 9 Apr 1861 Hungerford
Jan 1863 James Edward Woodham 1m 12 Feb 1863 Hungerford
c1865 Esther Ann Woodham 50 16 Sep 1915 Fairview Rd
Marriages (to be confirmed):
13 Jan 1712 Sarah Wodam (sic! Of Chilton) m William Adams of Kintbury
19 Mar 1717 Johanna Wodam (sic! Of Chilton) m Robert Hill of Chilton
15 Oct 1726 Jane Wodam (sic! M William Blisset (both of H.)
4 Nov 1756 Jane Woodham m Thomas White
7 Jun 1765 Sarah Wodham (sic! Of Froxfield m Thomas Dunsdon
11 Aug 1765 Mary Woodham m Samuel Keat
24 Oct 1768 Mary Woodham m Thomas Fletcher
7 Mar 1779 Mary Woodham m Charles Ambrose
28 Sep 1780 Benjamin Woodham m Mary Inge
17 Feb 1787 Martha Woodham m Adam Strotten
27 Apr 1816 Anne Woodham m William Barnes
23 Aug 1818 Amy Woodham m George Hidden
Other records:
1778 Anne Woodham, spinster, buried.
1780 Elizabeth, d/o James Woodham, buried.
1783 James Woodham buried 8 July.
1841 (CS) Ambrose Woodham (35) clockmaker, east side High Street
* * * * * * * * * *
Benjamin & Mary Woodham:
1. 9 Jul 1771: Mary
Also: Harriet (bapt 28 Dec 1792)
Mary Woodham:
1. 31 Mar 1799: James (Base born)
Reeks & ??? Woodham:
1. 6 Jan 1824: Elizabeth
John & Mary Woodham, Labourer:
1. 23 Apr 1848: William
John Woodham married Elizabeth Hobbs in Ramsbury, 18 Nov 1826
Richard Woodham married Ann Thomas in Berkshire, 3 Mar 1831
Richard Woodham married Martha Eldridge in Lambourne, 28 Oct 1786
Richard Woodham married Rachael Barrett in Lambourn 6 Nov 1824.
Richard Woodham buried in Wiltshire 24 Jan 1820
Richard Woodham buried 3 Jan 1766 in Berkshire
Stephen, s/o Richard & Rachael Woodham, Lambourn, 16 Aug 1829
Martha, d/o Richard & Rachael Woodham, Lambourn, 7 Jun 1835
Richard, s/o Richard & Rachael Woodham, Lambourn18 Oct 1831
John, s/o Richard & Rachael Woodham, Lambourn, 7 Jun 1835
William, s/o Richard & Rachael Woodham, Lambourn, 28 Aug 1825
Richard, s/o Richard & Rachael Woodham, Lambourn, 18 Oct 1831
Richard, s/o ?? Woodham and Ann Allen, Hungerford, 5 Aug 1757
1759 Sarah, wife of Edward Woodham, buried
The Canal Wharf, 2011