Person:Betty Meekins (1)

Elizabeth Meakins was born on 1st December 1769 and baptised later that month at Woburn in Bedfordshire. She was the daughter of Ann Meakins, formerly Wilson, and her husband John Meakins.

Elizabeth’s mother died in June 1793, when Elizabeth was 23 years old.

On 14th January 1794, aged 24, Elizabeth married Samuel Jeffs (or Juffs) at Woburn. They went on to have a son called William in 1795 and a daughter called Ann in 1796, both baptised at Woburn. In 1798 they had a son called James buried at Woburn. No baptism has been found for him, suggesting that he died as an infant before he had been baptised. A daughter called Hannah followed in 1801, but she died early in 1802 when only three months old.

Sometime between 1802 and 1804, Elizabeth, Samuel and their two surviving children left Woburn and moved to the London area, settling in Southwark in the southern suburbs. They had a daughter called Elizabeth baptised in 1804 at St Saviour’s church in Southwark, followed by a daughter called Sarah baptised at the same church in 1806. Both Elizabeth’s and Sarah’s baptisms describe Samuel as being a cowkeeper.

Back in Woburn, Elizabeth’s father died in July 1818.

The 1841 census finds Elizabeth and Samuel living at 3 Rodney Street in Southwark. Samuel was described as a labourer. Elizabeth’s brother John and his family had also moved from Woburn to Southwark, and they lived at King Street, about 200 yards away from Rodney Street.

Elizabeth died in 1842 in Southwark, aged 72. Samuel survived her by nearly five years.

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Bedfordshire Family History Society. Woburn Parish Register Transcript. (Bedford).

   Baptisms / 24 Dec 1769: Bett d Jn & Ann Mekins, born 1 Dec 1769

2. ↑ England. 1841 Census Schedules for England and Wales, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. (
   Kew, Richmond, Greater London TW9 4DU, United Kingdom:
   The National Archives (abbreviated TNA), formerly the UK General Register Office.)
   Class HO107, Piece 1084; Book 7; Folio 26; Page 45, 6 Jun 1841.

   Address: 3 Rodney Street, St George the Martyr, Southwark, Surrey
   Samuel Jeffs, male, 70 [1766-71], Labourer, not born in county
   Elizabeth Jeffs, female, 70 [1766-71], not born in county

   Rodney Street was a turning off Toulmin Street in the vicinity of the modern street called Pickwick Street.

3. ↑ Deaths index, in General Register Office. England and Wales Civil Registration. (London: General Register Office).

   d. Elizabeth JEFFS, September Quarter 1842, St George the Martyr Southwark Registration District, Volume 4, page 265, aged 74 [1767/8]