James Urch of Somerset

[KeithU]

Question for The Forum

James URCH

James was born in Somerset (circa 1776 - 1781) and is reportedly married to Ann: their family comprises of 5 children.

James was a carpenter and bedstead maker by profession.

James and family were intent on travelling to America from Liverpool in the early 1830s following the death of his first wife Prescilla in Somerset in August 1832.

It appears from the reports in the Liverpool Mercury (20th November 1835), the Preston Chronicle (21st November 1835) and articles in the Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser of 30th March 1836 and 16th April 1836, that he was attacked by a James McGinnis in Toxteth and the trial was reported 30th March 1836, taking place at the Liverpool Assizes.

James McGinnis was subsequently found guilty and sentenced to death, later commuted on appeal to Transportation for Life.

While recordings of trials tend to focus on the "guilty or accused party", little appears to be available on James other than his age being nearly 60 yrs old, he was married to Ann and had 5 children.

As an aside, with the aid of another URCH family member we have been collating information as part of a One Name Study for in excess of 30 years - this particular James has us totally foxed given that it would appear that there are 3 James, born around this time (circa 1776 - 1781) all within a 5 mile radius of eachother in Somerset and believe it or not, all married an Ann.

We would therefore be grateful to receive any further information on James URCH other than that discovered in newspaper reports.

Many thanks in anticipation of your valued support and solving this riddle.

Keith

[lynne99]

I 've had a look but there is no way of telling one James from others. Have found this

Name:
James Urch
Poll Year:
1832
Hundred:Winterstoke
Parish or Rectory:Banwell
County:Somerset
but he was still there in 1846, so perhaps we can exclude him.
Again in 1832 there is a James as below

Name:James Urch
Poll Year:1832
Hundred:Wells Forum
Parish or Rectory:Westbury
County:Somerset He had a free hold house and garden. He was still there in 1846.

Name:James Urch
Poll Year:1846
District:Wells
Parish or Rectory:Westbury
County:Somerset

The third James is as below.

Name:James Urch
Poll Year:1832
Hundred: Kilmersdon
Parish or Rectory: Ashwick
County:Somerset He had free hold houses at Nettlewick.

Hope this helps. Lynne