Welch, Ann

Singer

Collection date: Dec 1904

Area: Somerset - Hambridge surrounds

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Mrs Ann Welch of Shepton Beauchamp (1836-1916): age 68, 1 song 'Dabbling in the Dew' (FT460): Ann England was born 1836, baptised (aged 3) on 16/6/1839 at Shepton Beauchamp church, daughter of John England* (labourer) & his wife Mary. She bore an illegitimate child Richard (bp 28/2/1866) when she was 30. She was a glover in 5 censuses (1861-1901 inclusive).

On 14/4/1885 aged 48 ‘spinster’ she married Thomas Welch, widower and labourer at Shepton Beauchamp church. She could not sign her name. She inherited his 3 children Annie, Emily & John (shown in 1891 census as 19, 17 and 12). The two step-daughters were both glovers and the Welch family lived next door to singer Joseph Cornelius. In 1901 Thomas & Ann Welch were on their own in East St, Shepton Beauchamp (ref RG13/2290 f100 p8). Ann probably died June qr 1916.

*NOT the 'Seeds of Love' John England