The Lewis Family - A Son's Wedding & A Father's Death

This post continues with the history of the family of Josiah and Ellen Norah Lewis at 1 The Crescent in Taunton, going forward from the 1911 Census. 

The next big family event to occur was the marriage of Josiah and Ellen Norah's only surviving son, Harold Martin, to Gladys Mary Mead on 20 June 1912. The following article was featured in the Western Times on 21 June 1912.

Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

According the the Kelly's Directory of Somerset 1914, Josiah continues to be a Tailor employer with a store still trading at 11 North Street, Taunton [2]  as well as being a Justice of the Peace [3]. 

Sadly, on Saturday 15 May 1915, Josiah died at home, at 1 The Crescent, Taunton. A long article concerning his passing was featured in the Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser on 19 May 1915 [4]. 

Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

It is interesting to note from this article that Josiah is 'of Welsh extraction'. He also developed his tailoring skills in London before establishing his business in Taunton. 

Josiah's Memorial Service was held at the Silver Street Baptist Church on Thursday 20 May 1915 at 3pm. According to an Order of Service, the hymns sung were 'Still, still with thee' &  'Our God, our help in ages past' [5]. His body was interred at St Mary's Cemetery, although I have not yet located a headstone in his memory. 

Two further articles were featured in the Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser on Wednesday 26 May 1915, an 'In Memoriam' by the pastor of Silver Street Baptist, Rev Davies, [6]  and an article concerning the Funeral and Memorial Service which were held for Josiah [7].  

Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

A notice appears in the Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser on 25 August 1915 [8] regarding Josiah's Will, with his business being left to his son, Harold Martin, and the residue of his property being left in trust to his wife of 45 years, Ellen Norah, with provisions made for his Daughter's and Son-in-Law's.  

Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Josiah Lewis ~ 18 October 1845 - 15 May 1915

Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. [9] 

The next update will look at what happens to the Lewis family following Josiah's passing. 

[1] Britishnewspaperarchvie.co.uk, Western Times, Friday 21 June 1915 - Image (c) The British Library Board - All Rights Reserved. 
[2] http://specialcollections.le.ac.uk, Kelly's Directory of Somerset 1914, page 458 - Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 UK: England & Wales License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/uk/
[3] http://specialcollections.le.ac.uk, Kelly's Directory of Somerset 1914, page 445 - Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 UK: England & Wales License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/uk/
[4] Britishnewspaperarchvie.co.uk, Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, Wednesday 19 May 1915 - Image (c) The British Library Board - All Rights Reserved. 
[5] South West Heritage Trust, Somerset Archives and Local Studies, Taunton, Somerset, England, Reference Number A\DSG, Scrapbook of Josiah Lewis - Mayor of Taunton, Order of Service for Memorial
[6] Britishnewspaperarchvie.co.uk, Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, Wednesday 26 May 1915 - Image (c) The British Library Board - All Rights Reserved.

[7] Britishnewspaperarchvie.co.uk, Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, Wednesday 26 May 1915 - Image (c) The British Library Board - All Rights Reserved.

[8] Britishnewspaperarchvie.co.uk, Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, Wednesday 25 August 1915 - Image (c) The British Library Board - All Rights Reserved.
[9] Britishnewspaperarchvie.co.uk, Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, Wednesday 19 May 1915 - Image (c) The British Library Board - All Rights Reserved.