Sowerby - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

William Sowerby, Distiller of 26 Aldersgate Street, London

ChrisWard2507 — 2012-02-20 12:25:23Z

Hi,

I'm researching William Sowerby born 1809, Kirkland in Cumberland. He was apprenticed to John Reid, a Distiller of Aldersgate Street, London in 1825. William took over running the distillery in 1836 when John Reid died. He was in partnership with two colleagues Thomas Gash and Joseph Todd under the company name William Sowerby and Co. They were rectifying distillers and also traders in foreign spirits. This partnership was dissolved in 1840 and the business was taken over by William on his separate account.

The Aldersgate property was sold in 1851/52 as a result of two High Court orders resulting from Wright vs. King and Wright vs. Sowerby. The sale seemed to mark a downward spiral of William's fortunes. I've not been able to ascertain the timing of William's death but it was sometime prior to the 1861 census.

William had 8 children by his wife Mary Ann. I've not been able to trace the marriage record but Mary Ann was born around 1812 in Elstree, Middlesex and died 1882 in Hackney.

Any further information about this family would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Chris

Re: emily sowerby - Canada & Barkwell family

dhodgkinson125 — 2011-02-08 23:23:34Z

I have researched Matthew J. Sowerby b. Michigan who appeared on the 1900 Census living with his half sister Alice Marsal. There is a death record in 1910 on familysearch.org (beta) which shows he was born in Canada. The informant was Charles Marsal, his brother in-law. His mother was Alice Connor/Connors b. Ireland 1835 who married Thomas Sowerby in 1862 in Toronto. Alice Connors Sowerby appears on Ancestry on the 1910 Census shown with her daughter Alice Marsal listed as mother-in law. She died in 1920 (see familysearch.org.)

You will find that Alice Marsal is listed as Alice Fuller on all of her childrens' marriages in Ohio on familysearch.org beta. That is because her father Thomas Sowerby died in Cuyahoga Co. in 1869 and her mother Alice Connors Sowerby married Edward N. Fuller 3 months later. (see familysearch beta) Alice's name later reverted back to Sowerby by 1888-90. She is listed in the same household as Matthew. There is also a Nellie Sowerby who think might be a sister of Matthew. (see ancestry.)

Matthew's father Thomas Sowerby was born in Toronto 1835-6 to Matthew Sowerby of England and Ann Horton. The marriage is listed as Water Sowerby on Ancestry in 1834. I've seen the record from the Archives and noted it because of the Sowerby name.

Ann Horton's husband Matthew was a partner in a Blacksmith Shop called Sowerby & Little on Lot St West (now Queen St. West ) in Toronto. He died in 1841 and there is an Estate file held at the Archives of Ontario on him. It is very limited.

I was researching this family because my ggg grandfather Joseph Sowerby brought his family to Whitby West Township (now Oshawa) approx. 1832. I found both Joseph and Matthew Sowerby listed on theshipslist.com on the same ship 3 ticket numbers from each other on June 11, 1830 on a steamer coming up the St. Lawrence from Quebec to Montreal. As they are the only two Sowerby's that I've ever found in Ontario at that time, I had to look at them as possibly related. So far, I have not found a connection.

The 1910 Census says that the mother Alice Connors Sowerby had 6 children but only 1 was surviving. This would be Alice Fuller Marsal, Matthew's half sister.

What do you know of the family? Would you know of any connection to Joseph Sowerby?

Deborah Hodgkinson
Victoria, BC

Re: SOWERBY

weaverj163 — 2011-01-22 08:44:58Z

I am also related to William Whiteley & Jane Sowerby at Flockton, where I now live any information you have would be gratefully recieved
janet weaver

Henry Sowerby

mapalmer142 — 2011-01-13 20:57:17Z

I would like to know if my family comes from Henry Sowerby. I have heard that it does but don't have confirmation on it. Other spellings are Sosbee, Sosebee. Sorby, Sobe, and many more. I have been told that my gggrandfather my have come through this line. His name is Lafayette Job Sosbee or Sosebee. Can anyone help. Shirley

Re: SOWERBY JOHN

nzmewhit — 2011-01-06 08:39:16Z

Hi Julia,

A tidy up of my hotmail emails has lead me to the reply you sent me on 16th November. It is interesting about an army connection? Was it India? Are we related?

I would be interested in your story of John.

My email address is nzmewhit@hotmail.com

Margaret Whitmore

Nicholas Sowerby

spitzie1968 — 2010-11-20 22:33:16Z

Hi,
I am looking for infromation about a Nicholas Sowerby born about 1843 in Manchester, UK or Carlisle (it depend on which Census you use).
What I do know is that he married Mary Jane Jackson on 8th June 1866 and had 6 children Isabella, Mary, Richard, Leonard, Nicholas & Robert.
Any information would be helpful as I can't research any further without a place of birth.
Thanks

Re: SOWERBY JOHN

GloriaDaveSharp — 2010-11-18 00:34:53Z

Thanks so much, our email is g-dsharp@xtra.co.nz. Hope to hear.
Kind Regards
Dave Sharp

Re: SOWERBY JOHN

jimaur — 2010-11-16 20:01:12Z

Hi , My John Sowerby was born Selah, Cumberland, England. 1829 he married Ann Walker.
I have now found quite a lot out about this family.
John's father was Anthony Sowerby.
Cheer's jimaur.

Re: SOWERBY JOHN

JuliaSowerby — 2010-11-16 08:48:55Z

please send yr email address as I have some info and pics.He actually deserted his wife and family and the writeups in the paper way back then were not so good in regards to that!
Cheers.
Julia
I have a pic of his wife and children..one of whom was in the army.

Re: SOWERBY JOHN

jimaur — 2010-11-15 14:15:45Z

Yes this is my John Sowerby , thank you for you reply.

Re: SOWERBY JOHN

jimaur — 2010-11-15 14:13:56Z

My John Sowerby was born Selah, Cumberland,England. 1829 he married May Walker. I have now found quite a lot out about this family. John's father was Anthony Sowerby.

Re: SOWERBY JOHN

GloriaDaveSharp — 2010-11-15 03:15:55Z

Julia, I see you live in Tauranga. We live at Bowentown. I wonder if you are related. We will wait to hear from you.
Cheers
Dave Sharp

Re: SOWERBY JOHN

GloriaDaveSharp — 2010-11-14 02:41:14Z

Hi, this John Sowerby is my great grandfather. One of his sons - Seymour Wetherall Sowerby, also came to NZ (unsure when or how) then he vanished around 1911 - we don't know where he went. Any info you might have would be very welcome.
REgards
David

Re: SOWERBY JOHN

GloriaDaveSharp — 2010-11-14 02:37:11Z

Hello Julia, we would be most grateful for all you have on Seymour Wetherall Sowerby etc.
David

Re: SOWERBY JOHN

JuliaSowerby — 2010-11-13 03:17:14Z

I have some info on Seymour Wetherall Sowerby somewhere. He came to New zealand. Most sowerbys in new zealand are related but I could not connect with his branch. if interested let me know and I will find it..in fact there was a photo of his family. Julia sowerby

Frederick E. Sowerby in Amarillo TX 1943

drbrownlee — 2010-07-27 04:24:10Z

Frederick is pictured in the yearbook of the 422nd Technical School Squadron at Amarillo Army Air Field in Amarillo, Texas. The 422nd produced mechanics and technicians to maintain the Flying Fortresses. I'm not kin but thought this might help someone researching this family.

Re: Sowerby

GloriaDaveSharp — 2010-04-16 23:38:26Z

Hello there Annie, attaching a pdf file with another Sowerby details we obtained during out search. Also our Sowerby Line. If you can make a link or offer us any info would be much appreciated. Not sure if you are going to get the pdf files. Let me know.
Kind Regards
Gloria and Dave

Re: Sowerby

victoria7534 — 2010-04-15 13:53:21Z

I am looking for FLORNCE M SOWERBY birth 1922 Kendal Westmorland her father was Joseph Sowerby born in Appleby. Could this be the family that you are searching for?

Re: Sowerby

GloriaDaveSharp — 2010-04-12 06:05:26Z

Sorry, not on our family tree. Our 'Sowerby' comes from John Sowerby of Durham and his wife Marianne Wetherell who had 7 children and it was the following Thomas who came to NZ:-
"Thomas Sowerby left Withcall in 1887. He left London on the ship RMS "RIMUTAKA" 4,473 Tons Reg, London on 31 May, and from Plymouth 2 June 1888. We have a copy of the ship's passengers for the Saloon which shows Mr & Mrs Sowerby, and Miss K and Miss E & Miss M & Miss L Sowerby. No males. However could be in another part. Not in Third Cabin as have a copy of that also. It is thought that after loosing about 7 children (whether due to poor conditions or a plague?) he was enticed to go NZ (first stopping in Australia and then on to NZ)by his son Seymore Wetherell Sowerby. It is believed also that Seymore was sent out to NZ as a Remittance Officer as he may have discredited the Sowerby family. We have worked out that Seymore would have been between the age of 16 or 18 when this happened as he appears on the 1871 census as aged 2 years.
We are uncertain who in Thomas's family remained in Australia and who all came to NZ. We know he died on 22/03/1909 aged 72 and is buried in the Hawera Cemetery, Taranaki, NZ."
We would love to track down Seymour Wetherall Sowerby, my grandfather, he vanished around 1911.
Sorry couldn't help. If you find anything of ours would be grateful so much to hear.
Regards Dave Sharp & Gloria

Re: Sowerby

victoria7534 — 2010-04-09 13:51:31Z

I am looking fo Florence Sowerby born 1922 in Kendal her father was Joseph Sowerby they lived in Appleby please can you help?

Re: Sowerby Family in Westmorland

victoria7534 — 2010-04-09 13:49:21Z

I am looking for Florence M Sowerby born 1922 in Kendal her father was Joseph Sowerby THEY LIVEDIN APPLEBY.
Please can you help.

Re: Sowerby

victoria7534 — 2010-04-09 13:41:53Z

Iam looking for Florence Mary Sowerby she was born 1922 Kendal Westmorland her Father was Joseph Sowerby. Please can you help?

Re: Sowerby

paulacarterdavis — 2010-01-08 06:53:55Z

My Matthew Battle & Francis Sowerby are together on 166 Surry Co VA record. Matthew's son John BATTLE B.c 1660 Surry Co, VA married Margaret Sowerby/Sowersby/Soursby. Is Margaret related to Francis? I saw his will abstract, so I know she may be dau of one of Francis' brothers (James or Thomas)??

Re: Francis Sowerby - Mathew Batle/Battle

paulacarterdavis — 2010-01-08 06:51:45Z

That Matthew in this record is my direct ancestor. His son John B. c1660 Surry Co, VA m. c 1684 Margaret Sowerby/Soursby/Sowersby. I could not help thinking she must be related to this Francis Sowerby. Do you have any knowledge of this family connection?

Re: Sowerby Surry Co, VA

paulacarterdavis — 2010-01-08 06:48:27Z

Am looking for info on Margaret Sowerby/Soursby/Sowersby. She married c 1684 John Battle. John Battle born c 1660 Surry Co VA. She has to be one of the daughters of the 3 brothers. I have seen will info on Francis,. so I know she cannot be his daughter. John & Margaret stayed in Surry Co, VA. John's father Matthew Battle was in land record selling to Francis Sowerby Surry Co VA. John & Margaret are my direct line back, so I'm just starting to check on Sowerby/Sowersby info.

Paula in MS

Re: Sowerby - Joseph - born 1874 -North Riding

Tykess — 2009-06-09 14:08:04Z

Could this ne your Family?
From the FreeBMD:-

Marriages Sep 1896 (>99%)
Hardy William Teesdale 10a 382
Lowes Margaret Ann Teesdale 10a 382
Shield Elizabeth Sarah Teesdale 10a 382
Sowerby Joseph Teesdale 10a 382

Births Dec 1902 (>99%)
SOWERBY Mildred
Teesdale 10a 297

Births Mar 1921 (>99%)
Sowerby Fred A Mother's Maiden Name = Sowerby
Teesdale 10a 614

Sowerby - Joseph - born 1874 -North Riding

hpkath — 2009-06-07 21:03:04Z

Hi - I am seeking information on Joseph sowerby - born around 1874 - married to elizabeth ? - had a daughter mildred. Joseph and Elizabeth raised Mildred's son Fred.

Thanks!

Katharine

Re: Adelaide Sowerby in North Lincolnshire

maxinefell — 2009-04-28 20:11:54Z

Hi Andy,

Adalaide Sowerby's mother was Mary Ann Sowerby. Father unknown. The Joe you asked about is my Gt Grandfather. They were half brother and sister. There was also another boy William who took the Bowers name,but wasn't George Bowers son. He died when he was 18 of typhoid fever.

Have a look at my tree on ancestry

Maxine

Re: Tracing lost family

jtoggy — 2009-04-06 18:03:22Z

ok thanks only one name matched but this is not the right branch of sowerbys but thanks anyway good luck in your search .

Re: Tracing lost family

ladyrivers — 2009-04-05 18:52:29Z

The Evelyn Sowerby was my dad's sister. Other siblings were Sydney, Mary, Daniel (my Dad), Albert, Alan, Edna 3 sets of twins (deceased). Evelyn's Mum Mary married a Daniel Sowerby and they lived in Carlisle, then she moved with some of the siblings to Colne.
Evelyn never married and had a son Colin

Re: Tracing lost family

jtoggy — 2009-04-05 14:06:54Z

i have an evelyn sowerby in my grandads side of family she was his sister also a fred, charles,mary parents were thomas sowerby wife was mary sanford cotton weavers and coal miners maybe connected i am struggling to find census details with those names with children maybe the same

Re: SOWERBY JOHN

jimaur — 2009-03-19 15:02:47Z

Hi, Since posting this in 2005 I have found most of the Sowerby family,I thank you for your reply and if I can be of help to you, please dont hesitate to contact me ,
and yes that seems to be the family I was looking for ,once again thank you for your message.
Maureen White.

Re: SOWERBY JOHN

Waucanza14 — 2009-03-19 14:45:50Z

In my research files on the Sowerby family I have an Alfred Sowerby b about 1872 at Darlington, Durham. His parents were John Sowerby b at Carlisle,Cumberland, abt 1830 and died abt 1895 at Darlington and Ann Walker born abt 1834 in Newburn, Durham, England. Alfred md a Mary Ann ?? b abt 1874
France House, Durham. Could this be your John and Alfred?

Adelaide Sowerby in North Lincolnshire

andy16466 — 2009-03-02 17:03:46Z

Trying to trace the parents of Adelaide Sowerby who was born c.1874, unsure of birthplace but probably in Lincolnshire. She married my Great-Grandfather, Thomas Barker, and they were living in Grimsby in 1901. I believe also that Adelaide had a brother called Joseph or Joe, who was a similar age to Adelaide. Does anyone have connections with any of these people?

Re: Sowerby Family San Joaquin Co. CA.

dhodgkinson125 — 2009-01-12 23:48:47Z

Hi Ronald,
I too am researching this family. I am related to Clifton Sowerby through his father Rev. Joseph Henry Sowerby, born Ashburn, Ontario, Canada 1860, died Iola, Allen Co. Kansas 1941. Joseph was my gg uncle. Clifton was an embalmer in San Francisco early in the 1900's according to his 1917 draft card. He died 19 Jan. 1947 and is buried in the Golden Gate National Cemetery, Section H, Site 1764 as he was a veteran of WWI (Private U.S. Army)

I found his second marriage to Violet Fitzgibbons Wyttyk 14 June, 1933 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. Clifton was born Apr. 11, 1887 in Chatham, Ontario I think.

I found two Social Security Death Index listings: l. Theodore J. Sowerby 546-22-3850 Ione, Amador, Californ Born 25 Aug. 1914 died 5 Feb. 2002 and 2. Theo J. Sowerby 548-09-3683, Santa Barbara, California born 24 Jan 1917 died 23 Dec. 2003

I thought there was another child from a first wife but could not find either. Craig Sowerby would make sense as Clifton's middle name was Craig.

I found a Michael J. Sowerby on the California Birth Index born 10 June 1962 in Los Angeles, mother's maiden name Dodds but I do not know if he is descended from this family.

What is your connection to the Sowerbys?

Deborah Hodgkinson
Victoria, British Columbia

Re: Ralph Sowerby & Family

DianaMacdonald99 — 2008-11-30 18:10:08Z

I came across the name Sowerby Benson in a transcript of a letter written by my ancestor Charles Mildred (1816-1881).

He stayed at the Sun Inn, kept by Sowerby Benson, stayed for a few days at Darlington and was well looked after.

Charles Mildred was a "foundling" who was stored at the Cotherstone Town Academy and was on his way to visit his "benefactors" Mr. Joseph Pease and Mr. John Pease.

By guessing dates in accordance to Charles' age this would be about 1826/1827 (give or take a few years).

Not much help I think in finding your relatives, but a good mention in a private note in any account. I'm trying to find more out about the above listed Charles Mildred.

Diana Macdonald

Re: Kansas Sowerbys

haircut4u — 2008-10-11 08:14:29Z

Robert A Sowerby, who married Bonnie J., is my 5th cousin and therefore we are related. I am descended from Philip Sowerby(Robert A.'s grandfather).

Where are you living in the U.S.? If you would like to contact me further please do so at gazza@woosh.co.nz

Re: Kansas Sowerbys

mfftaz — 2008-10-11 07:42:35Z

Garry, I am not sure who you are looking for but my Dads Family came from Emporia, KS. My Dad's Name was Robert "Butch" Sowerby, his Brother is Ronald "Skip" Sowerby and their Dad was Robert A. Sowerby, his dad was Arthur Sowerby. Long ago in Emporia they ran a large dairy farm and delivered milk.

Re: SOWERBY JOHN

GloriaDaveSharp — 2008-09-08 01:27:20Z

Hello there, The same John Sowerby is my great-great grandfather. I am specifically looking for an information on the family, especially what might have happened to Seymour Wetherall Sowerby and his brother Leslie George Sowerby.
Hope to hear back
Dave

Re: My Sowerby Past

GloriaDaveSharp — 2008-09-08 01:22:56Z

I have had my email to you returned. Please advise if you are still there.
Hello to you Maggie,
I wonder if this will still get to you as it was some years ago you posted this message on the ancestry site:-

"I have recently discovered the Sowerby branch of my family tree, the one thing I am stuck with now is Mary Ann? Who married my Gr Grandfather John Sowerby, she was form York according to the 1881 Census but the family all eight of them were living in Ferryhill, Co.Durham. One of the daughters Matilda born in 1879 apparently grew up to be a miliner at Consett Co.Durham. If anyone has any info I would be grateful
Maggie"

My great-great grandfather was a John Sowerby, married to a Marianne (Mary Anne) Wetherell. He was born in 1795, Durham, Darlington, England and died 1885. I am also searching for info. (John and Marey Anne had Thomas who married Helen Boughton ( then they had a Seymour Wetherall Sowerby (my grandfather) (they came out to NZ in 1887) who married an Annie Smith who had my mother Lola Sowerby.
It sounds very likely this is the same. Look forward to hearing back from you.
Kind Regards
Gloria

Re: My Sowerby Past

GloriaDaveSharp — 2008-09-08 01:21:26Z

Can you reply to this and I will then know you are there.
Gloria

John Sowerby and Ann Walker

Waucanza14 — 2008-07-19 21:05:08Z

John Sowerby (1830) md 3 Apr 1853 to Ann Walker at Newcastle. In following this couple through the censuses, it became apparent that John may have been previously md. 1861 Census list two children, William (1849) born at Byker, Northumberland and Elizabeth Mary b (1852) b. at Walker, Northumberland. These are not Ann's children, Does anyone know who John's first wife was and what happen to William and Elzabeth Mary?

sowerby

rtarabs — 2008-05-20 21:10:52Z

does anyone have any information on a edith helena sowerby born in june 1905 in freebridge norfolk married a george leonard souster in 1925 in macclesfield

Re: SOWERBY JOHN

Tykess — 2008-04-08 21:40:24Z

Mine were born in Cumbria
Sorry

Re: SOWERBY JOHN

nzmewhit — 2008-04-08 21:31:50Z

I have a John SOWERBY b abt 1795, Durham married Marianne Weatherall? whose son Thomas b abt 1835 came to NZ in 1888 and died 22 March 1909. I am not sure if this is any relation to your John.

Re: SOWERBY JOHN

Tykess — 2008-04-07 15:22:05Z

I have a John Sowerby :-
. JOHN SOWERBY, b. 1849, Stainton, Dacre

My part of the Family(His Sister)moved to Wigan
I don't know if this is any relation to your John Sowerby?

Re: SOWERBY JOHN

screamqueen80 — 2008-04-07 14:48:26Z

My father and his were called john sowerby of Blackburn but no alfred to my record.
i cant seem to trace our ancestry

Re: William Sowerby born Long Marton, Westmorland

scottandpip15 — 2007-02-21 12:48:30Z

Well Josie I gues that makes us 3rd cousins, once removed!
Thank you so much for the info you provided - I had seen a couple of those names on the IGI records but couldn't connect them. Living in Australia, I too have relied almost entirely on internet resources for my "research" efforts. And so whilst I try to cross reference as much as I can before adding anything to my family tree, most of my info isn't formally verified.
You no doubt "lost" John George after 1891 because in 1892 he immigrated to Australia aboard the Ormuz with three of his four surviving children, Eliza, Jane and John. His eldest child Elizabeth had already married Elisha Lumb and stayed in England.
Sadly that's where that branch of the "Sowerby" name ends in Australia (his son John "Jack" never married, died youngish), but I can provide details of most of John George's descendants - essentially just Eliza's (my G Grandmother) descendants in Australia. (My tree is on Family Tree Maker but I can send the relevant info via a GEDCOM file - once I work out how to do so!)
Please e-mail me on scottandpip15@primusonline.com.au
Kind regards,
Scott Jones-Christ

Re: William Sowerby born Long Marton, Westmorland

jross2005 — 2007-02-19 22:11:26Z

Hi Scott,
William is my gg grandfather - William, William,Isaac, Joseph, Josephine (Me).
Info received in 2006 advised (1)William was son of(2)William Sowerby born 1769 (Kirkland?)married Sarah Wilkinson. His father was Isaac m 5/6/1768 Mary(May?) Teasdale b.1741.
William(1)siblings -Mary b.1799/Isaac b.1800 d.1864 Canada.
John March b.1802 d.1809.
Sarah died 1807, William (2)then married Nancy Cail, had 5 children.
Am very interested in any info you have. Limited at moment by doing research on net. Will have to visit records office to search back further and verify paper trail. Only recently tracing John George, up to 1891 then lost him.
I have tree on Genes Reunited if interested

Regards, Josie

Re: William Sowerby born Long Marton, Westmorland

scottandpip15 — 2007-02-17 07:34:53Z

William is my GGG Grandfather. (My connection to him is as follows:- William, John George, Eliza, Harry, Gwenda, Scott). Sadly I am stuck in exactly the same place with this line as you are although I can provide quite a bit of family ancestry information for William's wife Alice Alderson which goes back to the early 1600's. (I would stress I sourced this information from an IGI Ancestral file on the internet so I cannot personally vouch for it's accuracy or otherwise.)
If you are interested I would also be happy to share information regarding William's descendants (my line at least).
Regards,
Scott
Qld, Australia