Williams of Probus
Fast forward ten years and the 1891 census records just three members of the Williams family all living at number 3, St Austell Road, Probus in what was by then also called The Wine Store.
In the October edition of this magazine we featured a photo of a stoneware bottle marked Williams Wine and Spirit Merchants of Probus. This bottle is dated circa 1870 and we asked if anyone knew where in Probus this merchant was located.
Head of household was Elizabeth Williams aged 58, a widow, Spirit Merchant. Ada Williams, daughter, aged 23, spinster, barmaid. Alfred Williams aged 18, bachelor, Spirit Merchant. Mary Williams aged 23, servant.
Pam Dodd found the Williams family listed in the 1881 census. For anyone interested in similar research, this is available online via the Cornwall Online Census Project.
So we can tell that between 1881 and 1891, Thomas Williams died and Elizabeth and Alfred continued the family business. It’s unclear if Ada was working in the family business too or elsewhere. It's also interesting to note that Ada and Mary are the same age and have the same last name, but only Ada is listed as a daughter.
The 1881 census detailed the following residents of an unnumbered property on St Austell Road.
Pictured below is another beer bottle, dated circa 1900, with Alfred Williams, Wine Merchant from Probus stamped on it. So by then Alfred had clearly taken over the family business.
Thomas Williams, Head of Household aged 49, Wine and Spirit Merchant from St Columb, Cornwall. Elizabeth Williams, Wife, aged 47 from St Columb, Cornwall. Ada E. Williams, Daughter, aged 12, Scholar, from St Eval, Cornwall. Alfred W.D. Williams, Son, aged 8, Scholar, from Probus, Cornwall. Mary Jane May, a Servant, Spinster, aged 22, General Servant, from St Columb Cornwall. Maria Darke, a visitor, Spinster, aged 57, formerly Matron, from St Columb, Cornwall.
If any of our readers have further information about the Williams family of Probus, or early photos of the houses in St Austell Road, please contact the Editor.
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