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| Census Returns for Broadway House | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Historical background of the CensusCensuses have been taken every ten years since 1801, with the exception of 1941 due to the Second World War, and were originally introduced to provide statistics on Britain’s expanding population and plan for public services. From 1841 the remit of the enumerator was dramatically expanded and information on every person living within each house or institution was required. The modern census was born. The census returns therefore tell you not only about personal relationships within a household, but also shed light on the work people undertook and the society in which they lived.In the 1841 census the returns collected by the enumerators list the name of each person living within a house on the night of the census. Ages were also taken down, but for adults over the age of 15 this was rounded down to the nearest five years. Basic information on occupation was noted, along with an indication (yes or no) whether the person was born in the county they were living in. From 1851 onwards the enumerators were asked to record the name of each person living in the household, but in addition, notes were also taken of the relationship of each householder to the head of the household, thus providing family links, their marital status, exact age, occupation and precise place of birth. In later returns, the employment status of the individual was recorded – worker or employer – as well as any physical or mental deficiencies.
What do the Census Returns tell us about Broadway House?At the time of the first detailed census in 1841 Broadway House was occupied by John Owen, a 50 year old man of independent means, along with an agricultural labourer and his dependents. There is no mention of any domestic staff living at the house, although at that time the gentrification of the house had already occurred.By the time of the 1851 census the situation at Broadway House had changed dramatically with John Owen now 60 and married to a younger wife, Isabella Ann Owen, aged 33 years, but also now describing himself as a Land Proprietor and Magistrate. The improvement in the fortunes of John Owen is illustrated by the fact that he now has a substantial number of domestic servants, including 3 house servants, a groom and a footman. The status of Broadway House appears to have been maintained until the 1861 census, with a similar number of domestic servants retained. The most notable feature of this census however is the differing ages of John and Isabella Owen. Whilst John Owen's age has increased by 16 years to 76, Isabella Owen's age has increased by only 7 years to 40, the age difference therefore increasing from 27 to 36 years. By 1871 we see a change in circumstances with Isabella now becoming the head of the household following the death of her husband. She retains 2 house servants, a footman and a coachman. Also for the first time we see Broadway Lodge identified separately on the census, being let to a Thomas Bevan, agricultural labourer, and his wife. In 1881 we find that Isabella has retired from farming now owning only 20 acres. Presumably the land previously owned by John Owen had been disposed of on his death. Isabella appears to have her niece residing with her and a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the army visiting on the night of the census. Isabella, however, is maintaining her lifestyle with 4 house servants as well as a footman and coachman. The Lodge is still occupied by the Bevan's who have now taken in 2 lodgers. By 1891 Isabella, at the age of 71 is suffering from deteriorating health with a nurse living with her. She still has 3 house servants, along with a footman all residing in the house. Her coachman is living in the Lodge with his wife and 2 children. In 1901 there has been a significant change with the head of the house now being a Reverend John M D Owen. After the death of Isabella the house has passed to an elderly relative of John Owen's. He resides there with his wife and 6 domestic servants in the house. They also have a visitor on the night of the census. The Lodge is let to a widow and her daughters by the name of Thomas, one of the daughters being a dressmaker.
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Broadway, Churchstoke, Powys SY15 6DU Tel. 01588 620770 / 07725 043774• Fax 01743 761899 • E-mail |