Josiah William Dornford GUMBLETON

Josiah became a cordwainer and merchant, first in London and, later, in Trinidad. He was married twice and had 10 children by his first wife. He died on 7 Aug 1870, in Trinidad.

Early working life

On 31 Aug 1831, Josiah Gumbleton of 20 Cleveland Street, Fitzroy Square, boot and shoe maker took out a policy with the Sun Fire Office. Another case of a theft of shoes from Josiah at this address took place in December 1833.

Marriage

In 1839, he was a cordwainer, living at Staverton Row, Walworth, as recorded at the baptism of his daughter, Mary Ann.

In the 1841 census he is to be found in East Lane, Walworth, with his wife and four of his children: Lydia, Richard, John and Mary Anne.

In 1846, he was a shoemaker at 24, St. Martins Court, Long Acre, London.

In 1847, he had a shoe shop in Grosvenor Row, Pimlico, in which there was a fire that destroyed all his stock. A newspaper account mentions that he was insured.

Five years later, in the 1851 census, the family (now with six children) are at 4, Tiverton Street, Newington. By 1861 they had moved to High Street, Farnham, Surrey.

Lydia, his wife, died of acute bronchitis on 1 Jan 1863, at which time they were living at 1, Alma Cottages South, Roseberry Place, Dalston, Middlesex. She was buried in Abney Park Cemetery. In February that year, Josiah was a witness at his daughter Mary Anne's marriage to Samuel MECHAM in Camberwell.

Children

• Josiah William GUMBLETON, born ca. 1833
• Lydia GUMBLETON, born 1835
• Richard GUMBLETON, born1837
• John Thomas GUMBLETON, born 1838
• Mary Anne GUMBLETON, born 1839
• Henry GUMBLETON, born 7 Mar 1842
• George GUMBLET)N born 1844
• Elizabeth GUMBLETON, born 1846
• Robert GUMBLETON, born 1849
• Harriet GUMBLETON, born 21 Feb 1851

Second marriage and later years

According to the wedding announcements in The Times, and Morning Post, Lydia was of Trinidad, and it is believed that she owned a haberdashers and milliners business there, and that Josiah and his new wife travelled to Port of Spain, Trinidad to run that business. In 1869, Josiah was declared bankrupt and the notice in the London Gazette describes his business as a 'Milliner and Haberdasher, and Dealing in the purchase and sale of Dry Goods generally, under the name, firm or style of Gumbleton late Steele, from before the 1st day of October, 1867, up to the 15th day of January, 1869'.

His son, Josiah and daughters Harriet and Elizabeth were married in Port of Spain between 1867 and 1872. Josiah himself died there on 7 Aug 1870: his death was announced in the Cambridge Independent Press in September 1870.