Memories of Crews Hole
from Jessie
The Summers Family
I have been researching my family tree. My paternal (Summers) ancestors came from Bristol and lived in the Crews Hole/Conham St George/Two Mile Hill area. This is what I have deduced mainly from online documents and certificates available.
My grandfather William Summers (1898-1962) ran away from home aged 16 to join the army during WWI. In 1911 the family was renting 6 Lyndale Road opposite St George’s Park. This house was later occupied by my great uncle Fred and his family until he left it to spend his last few years in sheltered accommodation.
Great grandfather George Summers (1867-1936) gives his occupation as a Coal Hewer. He was at 6 Lyndale Rd in 1911, 6 Hudds Hill in 1901, 53 Dundridge Rd in 1891. In 1881 and 1871, before he married, the family address on the census is merely “Conham” 98 and 102 respectively. I guess the number is the 98th or 102nd household from which details were recorded.
George’s father was John Summers (1835-1922).
He is recorded as Steam Tug Boat Captain Tar
Distillery Naval Pensioner on his death certificate
living in “Cottage Behind Lamb Inn”. In 1911 and
1901 the address is Crews Hole. In 1891 the address
is 9 Crews Hole and at no 8 there are other
Summers. Earlier censuses state just Conham.
John was married to Mary Ann nee Headington
(my 2x great grandmother). She was a bit of girl!
She was originally married to Samuel Summers,
John’s brother. He died aged 33 in 1865 of paralysis
and epilepsy. His occupation on the death certificate
is “Chemical Work Labourer”. The 1861 census lists
him as a Coal Hewer, his marriage certificate of
1854 as a Coke Burner, the 1851 census as a
Quarryman, aged only 16.
Samuel and Mary Ann
had 3 children together. Mary Ann had William in
1866 after his death and George in 1867 before her
marriage to John in 1870.
At that time it was illegal to marry your brother-in-law but they married at Holy Trinity
Church. I assume the church thought it was better for them to be married than to carry on
living in sin! They went on to have another 5 children, the youngest born when she was 43.