There is little in the historical records regarding my great great grandfather John Williams. The 1861 census reveals that he was born in Mullinahone, County Tipperary circa 1805 and that he was a General Dealer (i.e. he sold a variety of items).
Unfortunately parish records in Mullinahone don’t begin until 1809 for baptisms and February 1810 for marriages. A Mary Williams married James Byrne in Mullinahone in February 1811 proving Williams’ were living in the area at that time.
In 1861 John was living with his wife Eliza (c1807 – after 1876) and their young son John at 10 Cornwall Road, Lambeth. John and Eliza were older parents and John the only child living with them suggesting that they married later in life. Eliza was born in the Mendip Hills but nothing more is known about her. Unfortunately no registration has been found for the birth of her son which would have provided her maiden name. While there are many records of a John Williams marrying a woman called Eliza none of them match the known facts.
It is quite unusual to find an actual place of birth specified for individuals born in Ireland suggesting that John was more used to dealing with officialdom and forms than the majority of his compatriots. While John may have come to England during the Great Hunger I think it more probable that he had served in the army or navy and stayed in England after his discharge.
We know from his son’s marriage certificate that John Williams had been a comb maker and that he had died before 22 November 1874.
John Williams is a very, VERY common name but the following advertisement which appeared in the Marylebone Mercury in February 1860 could be him. The name, date, place and occupation are correct. As well as making combs this John Williams is also making brushes and his son had two brother-in-laws who were hawkers of brushes.
