Peasants to Puddles
My Family History - By Nicky Rowberry

The Corbetts

Page 1

Harriet Corbett was one of my great grandmothers. She was born in 1872 at Veldoe, Withington in Herefordshire, the second daughter of James Corbett and Fanny Green. James and Fanny had married on 9th November 1869 at Westhide. James Corbett was a Blacksmith, living in Wales at the time of the marriage and presumably for a while after, as their first daughter Elizabeth was born in Tredegar. By 1871 the family had moved back to Westhide and were living with Fanny's father Thomas Green. They seemed to have moved about a bit, from Westhide to Withington, to Marden in 1881, before settling finally in Withington again. James Corbett was recorded as a Blacksmith in all the censuses, so maybe they moved where the work took him.

In 1891 Harriet Corbett was still living at home in Withington with her parents, and working as a dressmaker. At that point the family were living in Croft Cottage, Withington, which on the census returns at least, was recorded as being next to Stallenge which was later to become the family home. For a map of Withington, click here. The table below gives a transcription of the 1891 census entry for the family (RG12/2059 folio 140 page 9 schedule 52).

By 1901 the family were living in an area Stallenge (or Stalling) in Withington, although by now Harriet was married and living away. James & Fanny Corbett were still living at Stallenge when their son William was killed in the First World War in 1918. In fact they remained at the cottage until their deaths in 1924. The cottage they lived in still exists in Withington. The photo below shows the cottage at Stallenge with a group of people in front. Since they are standing in front of this Withington cottage, I presume they are the Corbetts, but I cannot yet be sure.

The table below gives a transcription of the 1901 census entry for the family (RG13/2478 folio 105 page 28 schedule 156).

It was presumably in Withington that Harriet Corbett met her future husband James Brookes, who was working there as a gardener. Harriet had a long and interesting life, with many children and grandchildren. She ran the White Lion Hotel in Maylord Street, Hereford for 30 years after the death of James Brookes. She died in 1951 in Hereford, aged 79. For more information on the Brookes family, please click :

Harriet's brother William George Corbett was born in 1889 in Withington. He enlisted in Hereford and fought in the First World War for the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He was killed in action in France on Friday 15th March 1918 and is buried in Erquinghem-Lys Cemetery. His name is still listed on Withington War Memorial. For further information on those lost in either the First or Second World Wars, try the following link to the Commonwealth War Grave Commission :

The only known photograph I have of William Corbett, is the one below with him in fancy dress, with his sister Harriet Brookes (Corbett) and niece Lil Brookes. I think it must have been taken sometime before World War 1.

Harriet's brother Joseph Corbett married Alice Elizabeth Moule in 1909. Joseph & Alice had 2 children, Lilian Alice Corbett and Stanley Corbett. Sadly Stanley died as a child, having suffered complications following a broken limb. Lilian Corbett married Frank Robert Jennings and together they had 2 children. The photo below shows Lilian Alice Corbett and her brother Stanley.

Harriet Corbett's father James was born in Westhide, Herefordshire in 1846. He was the second son of Joseph Corbett and Emma Birt. For more information on the earlier generations of the Corbett family, please click on the following link:

As far as I can tell, James spent all his early years in Westhide, he was certainly recorded there in the 1851, 1861 and 1871 censuses. James's wife to be, Fanny Green, was also born and raised in Westhide, so they probably grew up together. By 1861, James was already working as a blacksmith, assisting his father Joseph. By 1871, Joseph was dead and James was probably the main village blacksmith. James & Fanny had 7 known children together, all but one of whom survived to adulthood.

The family tree below summarises what I know about the above generations of the Corbett family. It is hopefully reasonably accurate, but if you spot any errors, or any relatives, please feel free to E-mail me

Please click on one of the red links on the tree to move to a different page.

If any of the above is of further interest, please feel free to contact me at: n.rowberry@btinternet.com

Peasants to Puddles - My Family History. By Nicky Rowberry