Research Forum

Can you give a few more details with first names and dates for your family ?

Although this isn’t about the CUFF family from Banwell perhaps someone might know more about Betsy and Charlotte CUFF who at the ages of 10 and 9 were residents in Axbridge Workhouse at the time the 1841 census was taken.  Unfortunately the admission and discharge books for that period have not survived. 

However, on the 1851 census, a Charlotte CUFF, born in Cross in about 1832 is lodging in Weston-super-Mare and Betsy CUFF, also born in Cross in 1831 is a servant in Burnham on Sea.  I have found the christening of a Charlotte and a Betsy CUFF at Weare on the 2nd Feb 1833 and their parents were John & Betsy CUFF née HAM who had been married at Chapel Allerton in 1822.  

So, why were the girls in the workhouse?  Is this their parents? On the 1841 census a John CUFF aged 60, Betsy CUFF, aged 48 with what appears to be sons, John, aged 20 and William aged 13 are living in Weare. There is an 83 year old Richard HAM at the same address.  Perhaps the girls were ill and being treated in the Workhouse Infirmary?

Their parents - Betsy CUFF, aged 49 was buried at Weare 19^th Aug 1843, and John CUFF, aged 66 was buried at Weare 14th Aug 1846.