Person:Bessie Morris (1)

1871: Devon, Exeter, St Thomas (RG10/2054) [LDS Microfilm # 0831770] (Page 85)
#63 Red Hills
John Morris, Head, Marr, 42, Labourer, born Alphington
Thomazine Morris, Wife, Marr, 44, born Ashcombe
John Morris, Son, Unmarr, 14, born Exeter
Thomas Morris, Son, Unmarr, 11, Scholar, born Exeter
Bessie Annie Coleman, Dau, Unmarr, 4, born Exeter

April 1881 Census:
Dwelling:Red Hills Private
Census Place:Exeter St Thomas The Apostle, Devon, England
Source:FHL Film 1341517, PRO Ref RG11, Piece 2144, Folio 78, Page 16
John MORRIS, head, M, 52, M, Coal Merchants Labourer, born Exeter St Thomas, Devon, England
Thomasine MORRIS, wife, M, 55, F, born Ashcombe, Devon, England
Thomas MORRIS, Son, U, 21, M, Waggoner (Carman), born Exeter, Devon, England
Bessie MORRIS, Daur, U, 14, F, Living Home, born Exeter, Devon, England

December 1881: C. H. Western passed on a prayer book given to Bessie Morris when she was about 14 or 15 years old. On the inside cover it states "Bessie Morris from the Rev. J. L. Gibbs. Dec 5 1881 - The day of her Confirmation. ii Thess: 2.13".

1891: When Bessie Annie Coleman was married in February 1891 she listed her residence as Ilsham, Torquay and her father as John Coleman (farmer). Searches of the 1891 Census for Ilsham have not yet confirmed this information.

1901 Census:
This census finds Bessie living with her brother-in-law and his family. Her husband, William Davie Western had not yet returned from South Africa.
ST PAUL, Exeter, RG13/2044, Folio 80, Page 33
38 New Bridge St
Richard D. Western,Head, M, 27, Baker Confectioner, Employer, At Home, Devon St Thomas, ,
Emma F. Western,Wife, M, 28, , , , Devon St Thomas, ,
Richard J. Western, Son, S, 3, , , , Devon Exeter All Hallows, ,
William H. Western, Son, S, 2, , , , Devon Exeter All Hallows, , ... (boarders) ...
Bessie A. Western,Sister-in-law, M, 33, , , , Devon Exeter, ,
Beatrice M. Western, Niece, S, 6, , , , Kent Chatham, ,
Florence B. Western, Niece, S, 3, , , , Kent Chatham, ,
Hilda M. Western, Niece, S, 11m, , , , Gibraltar, ,

1906:
The birth certificate of Charles Henry Western in 1906 states that his mother is "Bessie Annie Western, formerly Coleman, otherwise Morris."

C.H. Western writes that "Bessie had a hard life after (and to some extent before) her husband's death, and she occasionally spent a well-earned holiday with Sarah Jane Western (Aunt Jinny) in Tunbridge Wells".

The family folklore is that a Mrs White of North London was visiting Devon one Christmas and was seduced by a farmer in Exwick named John Coleman. He was married and wanted nothing to do with Mrs White or her child, Bessie Annie. Bessie grew up in Exeter with the Morris family, who were possibly servants of the White family. At age 10, Bessie was given an opportunity to go to London and get a "better life and education", but she chose to stay in Exeter.

1938:
Her 16 July 1938, death certificate lists her as a 71 year old widow of William Davie Western "an Army Pensioner" residing at 114 Regents Street, Exeter. Her cause of death is 1a) Congestive cardiac failure 1b) Coronary atheromia?, 2) Cholesterosis of gall bladder. The Informant was her son C.H.Western of Strathview, Addiscombe Road, Margate.

1938: Summary of will in Somerset House:
Western, Bessie Annie of 114 Regent Street, St Thomas the Apostle, Exeter, Widow, died 16 July 1938 at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Exeter Administration, Exeter, 23 September to Charles Henry Western, Deaf and Dumb Instructor and Albert Edward Davie Western, Local government officer. Effects $47 3s 1d

1. ↑ Family bible.
2. ↑ Death Certificate: ONS Exeter 1938 Sep 5b 83.