George Morgan Gosling (1850~1900)
George Morgan Gosling, the son of Thomas Gosling Jnr and Hannah Tippett was born on the 2nd February 1850 in Wraxall, Somerset and was christened on the 18th March 1850 in Nailsea, Somerset.
In his earlier days he was a member of the Bristol Engineer Corps.
According to George's obituary in the Bristol Mercury & Daily Post (see below) he spent some portion of his life in South Africa and took an active part in the construction of the railway to Kimberley. When he went or exactly what 'took an active part' means we are still unsure, this is still an area for research. However we do know that the railways were started simultaneously from Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and East London towards Kimberley following the discovery of diamonds at Kimberley in 1870 and that the lines were completed around 1885.
He married Matilda Georgina Cowham, the daughter of Samuel Firth Cowham and Mary Ann Chidgey, on the 29th of August 1872 at the Parish Church, Clifton, Bristol and together they had the following children:
| Rosa Matilda Gosling | b1873 | ||
| Walter Cowham Gosling | b1876 | d1880 | |
| Willie George Gosling | b1880 | ||
| Harry Thomas Gosling | b1882 | Harry married Charlotte Harper. |
Matilda Georgina Gosling died in Bristol on the 13th May 1883 aged 32.
On the 12th June 1886 George Morgan Gosling married Clara Matilda Wilkins at the Parish Church in Bristol. The address of George Morgan Gosling at the time of his second marriage was 5 Pembroke Street, Bristol and the marriage certificate states that he was working as a joiner. Together they had the following children:
| Florence Gosling | b1888 | Florence married Herbert Verrier. They had two sons, Peter and Frank. Both sons worked on the Concord aeroplane project. | |
| Mabel Gosling | b1889 | d1989 | |
| William Arthur Gosling Sidney George Gosling |
b1891 | William Arthur and Sidney George were twins. | |
| Walter Morgan Gosling | b1893 | d1963 | |
| Elsie Gosling | b1897 | Elsie never married. |
Around 1890 George was living and working in Wells, possibly as a builders agent and was involved in the building of the school at Wookey Hole which still stands today. In 1890 there are numerous adverts in the 'Bristol Mercury & Daily Post' for Masons, Carpenters, Scaffolders, Joiners, Bricklayers, Plumbers, Painters, Zinc Workers, Glaziers and labourers giving contact details as 'Apply Mr. Gosling, St.Cuthbert's Paper Mills, Wookey, Wells, Somerset'.
By 1890 George Morgan Gosling & Richard Robert Wilkins were in business together trading as 'Wilkins & Gosling'. They had a contract to erect a new malting building for Bristol United Breweries in Gas Ferry road, schools at Totterdown for the Bristol School Board and the building of several houses in Olveston Road, Bristol.
George was a member of the Bristol Master Builders Association and on the 2nd of February at the annual meeting he was elected vice-president. There are numerous articles in the 'Bristol Mercury & Daily post regarding annual dinners and excursions.
George Morgan died on the 30th May 1900 at 143 Ashley Road, Bristol aged 50. His is buried at Greenbank Cemetery, Bristol.
Bristol Mercury June 1st 1900Death of Mr G. M. Gosling
The announcement of the death of Mr G. M. Gosling, a prominent member of the Master Builders Association, will be received with deep regret by very many friends. Mr Gosling was a member of the firm of Messrs Wilkins & Gosling of Ashley road, and at the last annual meeting of the Bristol Master Builders Association he was unanimously elected vice-president of that body. His affable manner gained for him a large number of friends, while his practical knowledge of this building trade and his wide experience in commercial matters had proved of real value in the discussion of many subjects brought under the notice of the Builders Association, and his opinion invariably carried weight with his fellow members. Mr Gosling spent some portion of his life in South Africa and took an active part in the construction of the Railway to Kimberley. Since his connection with Mr R. R. Wilkins, as building contractors, the firm have undertaken some important works, notably the large malting house for the Bristol United Breweries, and they are at present engaged in the erection of some schools at Totterdown for the Bristol School Board. Mr Gosling was in his earlier days a member of the Bristol Engineer Corps.One of his last acts in connection with the Master Builders Association was the signing of the diplomas issued to each member. A meeting of the committee of the Builders Association was held on Wednesday evening, when the President, Mr G. Humphreys, reported the serious illness of the vice-president, and, little thinking that his end was so near, a letter was directed to be forwarded conveying the sympathy of the members, but he expired at 11:30 the same evening, and before the letter could be sent. A circular letter has been addressed to each member of the association intimating that the funeral will be on Saturday next, at Greenbank cemetery, at two o'clock, when no doubt a large number of his fellow tradesmen and others interested in the building trade will attend as a mark of respect to one who was every ready to assist both financially and with words of valued advice any movement for the furtherance of Bristol's interest.
Following George's death in 1900, Clara moved into 2 Olveston Road while a number of the remaining properties were rented out in order to provide an income for her and the family.
Clara Matilda Gosling died on the 6th March 1924 in Bristol aged 65. She is buried at Greenbank Cemetery, Bristol.
Source Information - Census Records
1851 Census Record for Wraxall, Somerset
| Name | Relationship to Head | Marital Status | Age | Birthplace | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Gosling | Head | Married | 29 | Kenn, Somerset | Sawyer circular |
| Hannah Gosling | Wife | Married | 25 | Portbury, Somerset | |
| Emily Gosling | Daughter | 3 | Wraxall, Somerset | ||
| George Gosling | Son | 1 | Wraxall, Somerset |
The 1851 Census was taken on the 30th March.
1861 Census Record for Wraxall, Somerset
| Name | Relationship to Head | Marital Status | Age | Birthplace | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Goslin | Head | Married | 40 | Wraxall, Somerset | Mill Sawyer |
| Hannah Goslin | Wife | Married | 35 | Portbury, somerset | |
| Emily T Goslin | Daughter | 13 | Wraxall, Somerset | Scholar | |
| George M Goslin | Son | 11 | Wraxall, Somerset | Scholar | |
| William Goslin | Son | 8 | Wraxall, Somerset | Scholar |
1861 Census Record for Rownham Place, Clifton, Bristol
| Name | Relationship to Head | Marital Status | Age | Birthplace | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mary A Cowham | Head | Married | 34 | Bristol | Beer House Keeper |
| Matilda Cowham | Daughter | 10 | Bristol | Scholar | |
| Samuel Cowham | Son | 8 | Gloucestershire | Scholar | |
| George ??? | Brother | 28 | Bristol | Carpenter | |
| Emma ???? | Servant | 16 | Bedminster, Somerset | Servant | |
| Patrick Flannery | Lodger | Married | 26 | Ireland | Private Soldier 60 Regt |
| James Lakhaney | Lodger | Married | 24 | Ireland | Private Soldier 80 Regt |
| John McCarthy | Lodger | Unmarried | 20 | Ireland | Private Soldier 87 Regt |
1861 Census Record for 25 Wilson Steet, Bristol
| Name | Relationship to Head | Marital Status | Age | Birthplace | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Wilkins | Head | Married | 26 | Bristol | Mason Journeyman |
| Selina Wilkins | Wife | Married | 23 | Bristol | |
| Clara M Wilkins | Daughter | 2 | Lydney, Gloustershire | ||
| Albert J Wilkins | Son | 2 months | Bristol |
The 1861 Census was taken on the 7th April.
1871 Census Record for Wraxall, Somerset
| Name | Relationship to Head | Marital Status | Age | Birthplace | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Gosling | Head | Married | 50 | Kenn, Somerset | Sawyer |
| Hannah Gosling | Wife | Married | 45 | Portbury, Somerset | |
| George Gosling | Son | 21 | Wraxall, Somerset | Wheelwright |
1871 Census Record for Rownham Place, London Tavern, Clifton, Bristol
| Name | Relationship to Head | Marital Status | Age | Birthplace | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mary A Cowham | Head | Widow | 44 | Clifton, Bristol | Beer House Keeper |
| Matilda Cowham | Daughter | 20 | Clifton, Bristol | Dress Maker |
1871 Census Record for Ashley Vale, St James & St Paul, Bristol
| Name | Relationship to Head | Marital Status | Age | Birthplace | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Wilkins | Head | Married | 36 | Bristol | Builder |
| Selina A Wilkins | Wife | Married | 33 | Bristol | |
| Clara [G] Wilkins | Daughter | 12 | Bristol | ||
| Albert J Wilkins | Son | 10 | Bristol | ||
| Georgina Wilkins | Daughter | 8 | Bristol | ||
| Kate A Wilkins | Daughter | 6 | Bristol | ||
| Emily J Wilkins | Daughter | 5 | Bristol | ||
| Walter Charles Wilkins | Son | 4 | Bristol | ||
| Richard Robert Wilkins | Son | 1 | Bristol | ||
| Priscilla Jones | Servant | 13 | Newport |
The 1871 Census was taken on the 2nd April.
1881 Census Record for 24 Martin St Private, Bristol, Gloucestershire
| Name | Relationship to Head | Marital Status | Age | Birthplace | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George M Gosling | Head | Married | 31 | Wraxall, Somerset | Joiner |
| Matilda G Gosling | Wife | Married | 30 | Bristol, Gloucestershire | |
| Rosa M Gosling | Daughter | 7 | Bristol, Gloucestershire | Scholar | |
| Willie G Gosling | Son | 1 | Bristol, Gloucestershire | ||
| William Thomas | Boarder | 16 | Shirehampton, Gloucestershire | Joiner (Apprentice) | |
| Herbert V Thomas | Boarder | 14 | Shirehampton, Gloucestershire | Scholar | |
| James Parsons | Lodger, Head | Married | 49 | St Giles, Middlesex | Boot Maker |
| Jane Parsons | Lodger, Wife | Married | 44 | Buralston, Devon |
1881 Census Record for Surrey Street, Bristol, Gloucestershire
| Name | Relationship to Head | Marital Status | Age | Birthplace | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Wilkin | Head | Married | 46 | Bristol, Gloustershire | Builder, Employing 50 Men |
| Selina A Wilkin | Wife | Married | 43 | Bristol, Gloucestershire | |
| Clara M Wilkin | Daughter | 22 | Lydney, Gloucester | ||
| Albert J Wilkin | Son | 20 | Bristol, Gloucestershire | Mason | |
| Georgina Wilkin | Daughter | 16 | Bristol, Gloucestershire | ||
| Emily Wilkin | Daughter | 14 | Bristol, Gloucestershire | Scholar | |
| Richard Wilkin | Son | 10 | Bristol, Gloustershire | Scholar | |
| Henry G Wilkin | Son | 5 | Bristol, Gloustershire | Scholar | |
| Edith Wilkin | Daughter | 3 | Winterbournel, Gloustershire | Scholar | |
| Pistine Pike | Nurse | Widow | 59 | Bruton, Somerset | Nurse |
The 1881 Census was taken on the 3rd April.
1891 Census Record for Gorringe Road, Bemerton, Wiltshire
| Name | Relationship to Head | Marital Status | Age | Birthplace | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George M Gosling | Head | Married | 40 | Wraxall, Somerset | Builder's Agent |
| Clara M Gosling | Wife | Married | 31 | Lydney, Gloucestershire | |
| Harry T Gosling | Son | 9 | Bristol, Gloucestershire | Scholar | |
| Florence C Gosling | Daughter | 3 | Bristol, Gloucester | Scholar | |
| Mabel Gosling | Daughter | 2 | Bristol, Gloucestershire | ||
| William A Gosling | Son | 0 | Wookey Hole, Somerset | ||
| Sidney Gosling | Son | 0 | Wookey Hole, Somerset | ||
| Emily J Wilkins | Visitor | Single | 25 | Bristol, Gloucestershire |
The 1891 Census was taken on the 5th April.
1901 Census Record for 143 Ashley Road, Bristol
| Name | Relationship to Head | Marital Status | Age | Birthplace | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clara Gosling | Head | Widow | 42 | Lydney, Gloustershire | Living On Own Means |
| Florence Gosling | Daughter | Single | 13 | Bristol | |
| Mabel Gosling | Daughter | Single | 12 | Bristol | |
| William Gosling | Son | Single | 10 | Bristol | |
| Sidney Gosling | Son | Single | 10 | Bristol | |
| Walter Gosling | Son | Single | 7 | Bristol | |
| Elsie Gosling | Daughter | Single | 4 | Bristol | |
| Emily Wilkins | Visitor | Single | 34 | Bristol | Living On Own Means |
| Richard Wilkins | Boarder | Single | 31 | Bristol | Builder (Employer) |
The 1901 Census was taken on the 31st March.
1911 Census Record for 2 Olveston Road, Bristol
| Name | Relationship to Head | Marital Status | Age | Birthplace | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clara Gosling | Head | Widow | 52 | Lydney, Gloustershire | |
| Florence Gosling | Daughter | Single | 23 | ||
| Mabel Gosling | Daughter | Single | 22 | Southville, Bristol | Clerk, Typist, Wholesale Grocers |
| William Gosling | Son | Single | 20 | Wookey Hole, Somerset | |
| Sidney Gosling | Son | Single | 20 | Wookey Hole, Somerset | Gold Blocker, Student |
| Walter Gosling | Son | Single | 17 | Horfield, Bristol | Plumber's Apprentice |
| Elsie Gosling | Daughter | Single | 14 | Bristol | School |
The 1911 Census was taken on the 2nd April.
Source Information - Certificates
Birth Certificate for George Morgan Gosling
| When & Where Born | Name | Father | Mother | Fathers Occupation | Informant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd February 1850, Wraxall | George Morgan | Thomas Gosling | Hannah Gosling, formerly Tippet | Sawyer | Hannah Gosling, Mother, Wraxall |
Marriage Certificate for George Morgan Gosling & Matilda Georgina Cowham
| Date | Place | Name | Age | Condition | Profession | Residence | Fathers Name | Fathers Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29th August 1872 | The Parish Church, Clifton, Bristol | George Morgan Gosling | full | Bachelor | Wheelwright | Crosby Row | Thomas Gosling | Sawyer |
| Matilda Georgina Cowham | Full | Spinster | Hatwell Road | Samuel Firth Cowham | Engineer |
Marriage Certificate for George Morgan Gosling & Clara Matilda Wilkins
| Date | Place | Name | Age | Condition | Profession | Residence | Fathers Name | Fathers Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12th June 1886 | The Parish Church, Bristol | George Morgan Gosling | 35 | Widower | Joiner | 5 Pembroke Street | Thomas Gosling | Builders Foreman |
| Clara Matilda Wilkins | 27 | Spinster | 135 Ashley Road | James Wilkins | Builder |
Death Certificate for Matilda Georgina Gosling, Registration District: St. Paul, Bristol
| Date | Where Died | Name | Age | Occupation | Cause of Death | Informant | Registered |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19th May 1883 | 24 Martin Street, Bristol | Matilda Georgina Gosling | 32 | Wife of George Morgan Gosling (Joiner) | Exhaustion, Three consecutive Abortions and Haemorrhage. | G. M. Gosling, Widower of Deceased, Present at Death, 24 Martin Street, Bristol | 31st May 1883 |
Death Certificate for George Morgan Gosling, Registration District: Ashley, Bristol
| Date | Where Died | Name | Age | Occupation | Cause of Death | Informant | Registered |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30th May 1900 | 143 Ashley Road, Bristol | George Morgan Gosling | 50 | Builder | Glycosuria, Albuminuria, Anthrax | R. Wilkins, Brother in Law, Present at Death, 143 Ashley Road, Bristol. | 5th June 1900 |
Death Certificate for Clara Matilda Gosling, Registration District: Ashley, Bristol
| Date | Where Died | Name | Age | Occupation | Cause of Death | Informant | Registered |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6th March 1924 | 2 Olveston Road, Bristol | Clara Matilda Gosling | 65 | Widow of George Morgan Gosling (Builder) | (1) Atrophic Cirrhosis of the Liver. (2) Post-pneumonia debility No P.M. |
S. G. Gosling, Son, 47 Pargeter Street, Walsall | 7th March 1924 |
Source Information - Miscellaneous
Cemetery Record for George Morgan & Clara Matilda Gosling
| Cemetery | Names | Inscription (See Note Below) |
|---|---|---|
| Greenbank Cemetery, Bristol |
George Morgan Gosling 30th May 1900 |
In affectionate remembrance of George M Gosling |
| Clara Matilda Gosling 6th March 1924 |
NOTE: The grave was in an area of Greenbank Cemetery (Section P) that had fallen into a poor condition and, some time ago, it had been cleared and many monuments were removed and disposed of. The inscription was obtained from Bristol City Council Cemeteries Department who recorded it from a set of white marble kerbstones removed during the clearance. There is no record of a headstone being removed.