Fairground Ancestors
The Williams Showmen
from Warrington
The first Williams showmen were the children of Nancy Marsh and wireworker Robert Williams. All of Nancy and Robert's children travelled at some time during their lives with some starting out as early as 1850. The following details about the family were taken from census records, birth and marriage certificates, and various publications.
Williams
1851:
Warrington: showman (census)
1871: Warrington: musician (census)
1881: Windle: shooting gallery proprietor (census)
1891: St Helens, Lancashire: traveller, age 75 (census)
1871: Warrington: musician (census)
1881: Windle: shooting gallery proprietor (census)
1891: St Helens, Lancashire: traveller, age 75 (census)
The 1851 census indicates that Robert was travelling with an elder Robert Williams (also a showman) who may have been his grandfather.
Robert Williams (1845-1902): son of Ellen and Robert. Married Elizabeth Cornwell, daughter of showman Humphrey Cornwell (also from Warrington). Their son Robert Humphrey Williams was born in 1869. Elizabeth died in 1882 and Robert married Harriet Cooper, the daughter of traveller James Cooper, in 1883.
1868:
Ashton under Lyne: photographer (marriage
of Robert and Elizabeth Cornwell)
1869: Radcliffe, Lancashire: photographist (birth of Robert Humphrey Williams)
1871: New Accrington, Lancashire: shooting saloon (census)
1881: Pomona Palace Ground (Manchester): travelling showman (census)
1882: Hyde, Stockport: showman (death certificate of Elizabeth Cornwell Williams)
1887: Show van, Fair Field, Newchurch Rawtenstall: travelling showman (birth of daughter Victoria)
1891: Great Yarmouth Fair, Norfolk: picture gallery owner (census)
1897: Halifax Annual Fair: Robert Williams Fine Art Gallery (Travelling Cinematograph Show)
1897: Birmingham Pleasure Fair: Robert Williams Fine Art Gallery (The Birmingham Onion Fair)
1898: Boston May Fair: Williams Art Exhibition (Boston Guardian & Lincolnshire Independent, 7 May 1898)
1899: Birmingham Pleasure Fair: Robert Williams Fine Art Gallery (The Birmingham Onion Fair)
1899: Nottingham Goose Fair: Williams Art Exhibition (The Great Nottingham Goose Fair)
1901: West Hartlepool: travelling showman (census)
1869: Radcliffe, Lancashire: photographist (birth of Robert Humphrey Williams)
1871: New Accrington, Lancashire: shooting saloon (census)
1881: Pomona Palace Ground (Manchester): travelling showman (census)
1882: Hyde, Stockport: showman (death certificate of Elizabeth Cornwell Williams)
1887: Show van, Fair Field, Newchurch Rawtenstall: travelling showman (birth of daughter Victoria)
1891: Great Yarmouth Fair, Norfolk: picture gallery owner (census)
1897: Halifax Annual Fair: Robert Williams Fine Art Gallery (Travelling Cinematograph Show)
1897: Birmingham Pleasure Fair: Robert Williams Fine Art Gallery (The Birmingham Onion Fair)
1898: Boston May Fair: Williams Art Exhibition (Boston Guardian & Lincolnshire Independent, 7 May 1898)
1899: Birmingham Pleasure Fair: Robert Williams Fine Art Gallery (The Birmingham Onion Fair)
1899: Nottingham Goose Fair: Williams Art Exhibition (The Great Nottingham Goose Fair)
1901: West Hartlepool: travelling showman (census)
Robert Humphrey Williams (1869-1938): son of Elizabeth Cornwell and Robert Williams. Married Elizabeth Jewell, daughter of showman James Jewell in 1894. Children: Freddy (1901-1919) and Mary (b 1909) who married Alexander Wallis, the grandson of showman Henry James Wallis (founder of Seaforth Fair). Robert died at Beast Market, Wrexham in 1938.
1898:
Gorton Wakes Fair: Steam Swings (all reference
are from Merry
Go Round unless otherwise indicated)
1900: Gorton Wakes: Steam Swings
1905: Bolton New Year: Bicycles (built 1905)
1905: Stalybridge Wakes: Bicycle roundabout
1907: Kirkstall, Leeds: Tunnel Railway (built in 1907)
1907: Queen's Road, Albert Memorial: Tunnel Railway
1907: Manchester: Tunnel Railway
1908: Wigan Fair: R. H. Williams Razzle Dazzle (History of the Scenics)
1908: Holbeck: Tunnel Railway
1908. Wakefield: R. H. Williams, Tunnel Railway
1909: York Martinmass: Bicycle Roundabout
1910: Norwich: Williams' Bicycle Roundabout
1912: Wigan: Razzle Dazzle
1913: Bolton New Year Fair: Razzle Dazzle
1914: Newcastle Town Moor: Razzle Dazzle
1914: Manchester Easter Fairs: Razzle Dazzle
1916: Ashton Wakes: Razzle Dazzle with Foster 13239 " Aquatania"
1916: Oldham Wakes: Razzle Dazzle
1919: Stalybridge Wakes: Razzle Dazzle
1925: Wigan: Chair-O-Planes
1926: Preston: R H Williams Haunted Castle
1900: Gorton Wakes: Steam Swings
1905: Bolton New Year: Bicycles (built 1905)
1905: Stalybridge Wakes: Bicycle roundabout
1907: Kirkstall, Leeds: Tunnel Railway (built in 1907)
1907: Queen's Road, Albert Memorial: Tunnel Railway
1907: Manchester: Tunnel Railway
1908: Wigan Fair: R. H. Williams Razzle Dazzle (History of the Scenics)
1908: Holbeck: Tunnel Railway
1908. Wakefield: R. H. Williams, Tunnel Railway
1909: York Martinmass: Bicycle Roundabout
1910: Norwich: Williams' Bicycle Roundabout
1912: Wigan: Razzle Dazzle
1913: Bolton New Year Fair: Razzle Dazzle
1914: Newcastle Town Moor: Razzle Dazzle
1914: Manchester Easter Fairs: Razzle Dazzle
1916: Ashton Wakes: Razzle Dazzle with Foster 13239 " Aquatania"
1916: Oldham Wakes: Razzle Dazzle
1919: Stalybridge Wakes: Razzle Dazzle
1925: Wigan: Chair-O-Planes
1926: Preston: R H Williams Haunted Castle
Equipment owned by Robert Humphrey
Williamst:
Brown and May: Showman’s Engine “Rambler”
Foden Steam Wagon #9994:“Little Billy”
Foster (7hp) #13239: 1914: "Aquitania"
Tunnel Railway: 1907
Razzle Dazzle (with Foster No. 13239)
Brown and May: Showman’s Engine “Rambler”
Foden Steam Wagon #9994:“Little Billy”
Foster (7hp) #13239: 1914: "Aquitania"
Tunnel Railway: 1907
Razzle Dazzle (with Foster No. 13239)
"The Razzle
formerly owned
by Relph and Pedley, now appeared under the ownership of R H Williams.
It had a Gavioli barrel organ of rather sweet tone. The ride was known
throughout Lancashire as R. H. Williams's " Whirly the Whirl" and was
accompanied from 1914 onwards by the Foster 13239 "Aquatania" (Merry Go Round)
Young Travellers Death:
The
Late Freddie Williams: News of the death of
Freddie Williams, only son of Mr. And Mrs. Robert Williams has been
received with feelings of regret by a large circle of friends in
Showland. (Worlds Fair,
October 1919)
 |
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| These photos of the beautiful caravan built for Robert H. Williams were sent to my cousin Dick Monte by the owner Anna Cullen of Drom Village, Templemore, Co. Tipperary Ireland |
Joseph Williams (1848-1882): son of Betsey and John. Married Louisa Williams, daughter of Sarah and Thomas Williams. Children: Andrew (1873-1906), Randall (b 1875) and Elizabeth (b 1879).
1870:
Dewsbury: travelling showman (marriage of
Joseph and Louisa Williams)
1875: Fleetwood, Lancashire: travelling showman residing Preston Street (birth of son Randall)
1873: Sandyhilloch Showground, Coatbridge, Scotland: travelling showman (birth of son Andrew)
1881: Grantham, Lincoln: showman with a mechanical exhibition (census)
Note: 'Williams Mechanical Exhibition' attended the 'World's Fair' during the years 1874, 1879 and 1881.
1875: Fleetwood, Lancashire: travelling showman residing Preston Street (birth of son Randall)
1873: Sandyhilloch Showground, Coatbridge, Scotland: travelling showman (birth of son Andrew)
1881: Grantham, Lincoln: showman with a mechanical exhibition (census)
Note: 'Williams Mechanical Exhibition' attended the 'World's Fair' during the years 1874, 1879 and 1881.
Andrew Williams (1873-1906): son of Louisa and Joseph: Married Rebecca Hummerston, daughter of showman John Hummerston. Andrew died at age 33 after having turned to acting with Paisley Rep (Scotland) . Rebecca married Scottish showman William Codona ten years later (Glasgow, 1916).
1896:
County of Newcastle: traveller in show
(marriage certificate)
1901: Glasgow: showman, travelling with the Cordonas (census)
1902: Cumbusland, Scotland: travelling show (birth of son Andrew)
1901: Glasgow: showman, travelling with the Cordonas (census)
1902: Cumbusland, Scotland: travelling show (birth of son Andrew)
Randall Williams (b 1875): son of Louisa and Joseph. Married Annie King, daughter of Bridget (Cavanagh) and George King (ghost show proprietor), 1895 at Sheffield.
1895:
Sheffield: traveller (marriage certificate)
1901: Elland, Yorkshire: Ghost Show (census)
1905: Holbeck: traction engine driver (birth of son Thomas Randall)
1901: Elland, Yorkshire: Ghost Show (census)
1905: Holbeck: traction engine driver (birth of son Thomas Randall)
1846:
Liverpool: hawker (birth of son
Randall)
1861: St. Helens, Lancashire: traveller with show (census)
1862: Runcorn: photographic artist (birth of daughter Annie)
1868: Manchester: showman "residing at Gorton" (marriage of Thomas Williams and Mary Ann Barker)
1870: Dewsbury: travelling showman (marriage of Joseph and Louisa Williams)
1870: Bradford, Yorkshire: traveller (marriage of Randall Williams and Mary Ann Hough)
1881: Spittlegate, Lincoln: Mary Ann Williams (Barker) was travelling a Mechanical Exhibition (census)
1861: St. Helens, Lancashire: traveller with show (census)
1862: Runcorn: photographic artist (birth of daughter Annie)
1868: Manchester: showman "residing at Gorton" (marriage of Thomas Williams and Mary Ann Barker)
1870: Dewsbury: travelling showman (marriage of Joseph and Louisa Williams)
1870: Bradford, Yorkshire: traveller (marriage of Randall Williams and Mary Ann Hough)
1881: Spittlegate, Lincoln: Mary Ann Williams (Barker) was travelling a Mechanical Exhibition (census)
Randall Williams (1846-1898): son of Sarah and Thomas. Married Mary Ann Hough (Polly) daughter of Caroline and Henry Hough [Henry started travelling a swing boat during the years 1851-1861]. Children: Annetta (1874-1876), Sarah (1876-1881), Alice (1878-1879), Annie (1879-1960) and Caroline (1880-1937). Polly died in 1884 and Randall started a second family with Annie Radford, the daughter of George Radford. Children: Randall (1890-1892), Randall (b 1892, (Thomas (b 1893), Albert Edward (b 1895), and George (b 1896).
Alice Williams (b 1850): daughter of Thomas and Sarah. Married Joseph Williams, the son of Charlotte and Henry.
Louisa Williams (b 1853): daughter of Sarah and Thomas. Married Joseph, the son of Betsy and John Williams. Joseph died in 1882 and Louisa married James Webb, an Irish-born showman (son of traveller Annie Allen).
Annie Williams: born 1863, Runcorn: daughter of Sarah and Thomas. Married George Proctor in 1880. George was the son of circus proprietors Maria Codman and Robert Proctor. George and Annie were travelling their own circus by 1898. Children: John (Jacko the Clown) who married Theresa Scarfe, granddaughter of William Sedgwick, Mary Ann (bare back rider), Ada (high wire artist), Albert (equestrian clown "Doleful Albert") who married Lizzie Paulo, Maria Proctor who married John Fossett (Fossett circus family), Harriet who married Frederick Charlton (Teddy Lorenzo), and Ada who married Willie Marshall. George Proctor's sister Louisa married William Taylor who travelled one of the first bioscope shows as early as 1897 and his sister Maria married showman Arthur Twigdon of the Twigdon and Bishop travelling families.
Annie Williams (1879-1960): daughter of Polly and Randall Williams. Married Reuben Williams, son of Alice and Joseph Williams.
Caroline Williams (1880-1873): daughter of Polly and Randall Williams. Married Richard Monte
Moses Williams (b 1850): son of Charlotte and Moses. Married Eliza Taylor Cunningham.
1884: Settle,
Yorkshire: shooting gallery proprietor (marriage
of son James Williams)
Joseph Williams (b 1855): son of Charlotte and Moses. Married Sarah Ann Humes.
1889: Caravan,
Market Street, Carnforth, Lancashire: travelling
toy dealer (birth of son Henry)
1891: Bishop Auckland: nut stall proprietor
1901: Manchester: traveller with Wakes
1891: Bishop Auckland: nut stall proprietor
1901: Manchester: traveller with Wakes
James Williams (b 1863): son of Charlotte and Moses. Married Rachel Weston. James and Rachel's son William married Sarah Massey whose sister Alicia was married to showman James Whiting. Show-woman Elizabeth Holden (born Warrington) was also related.
1884: Settle:
shooting gallery proprietor (marriage
certificate)
1891: Bishop Auckland: shooting gallery (census)
1901: Radcliffe, Lancashire: shooting gallery (census)
1916: stall holder at fairs (marriage certificate of son James)
1891: Bishop Auckland: shooting gallery (census)
1901: Radcliffe, Lancashire: shooting gallery (census)
1916: stall holder at fairs (marriage certificate of son James)
 |
Photo of
Moses Williams, born 1850,
shooting gallery
proprietor, with son James. Photo kindly provided by Anita Layland (great grand-daughter of Moses). Anita's parents are Annietta Williams (grand-daughter of Rachel and James Williams) and Ted Silcock, the son of showman Herbert Silcock. The Silcock showmen were also from Warrington, and Edward Silcock, the father of Edward, Lawrence, Arthur and Herbert was also a wire worker who started out with a coconut shy at the Warrington Walking Day fairs. Anita's husband John Layland is the son Annie Raynor and Reuben Layland (another fairground family). |
1851: Show
at Beast Market, Wrexham Regis, Denbighshire: proprietor of mechanical
exhibition (census)
Joseph Williams (1846-1913): son of Martha and Henry: Married Alice Williams, daughter of Sarah and Thomas in 1879. Children: Alice, Reuben (b 1873), Victoria (b 1874), Ada (b 1877) and Rufus (b 1879). Joseph and Alice travelled various shows and the Reverend Thomas Horne is said to have worked as a doorman for "Mrs. Williams Waxworks".
1868:
Liverpool: commercial traveller (marriage certificate)
1873: Colne, Lancashire: travelling show residing Snowden's Yard (birth of son Reuben)
1891: St. Helens, Lancashire: waxwork’s exhibition (census)
1899: Mechanical exhibition (marriage of Reuben and Annie Williams)
1901: Wakefield, Yorkshire: travelling showman (census)
1901: Wakefield: travelling show proprietor (marriage of Victoria Williams and Ralph Layland).
1906: Bramley, Leeds: caravan at roundabout on fairground (death of Alice Williams)
1913: Hunslet: death of Joseph Williams, 65, travelling showman
1873: Colne, Lancashire: travelling show residing Snowden's Yard (birth of son Reuben)
1891: St. Helens, Lancashire: waxwork’s exhibition (census)
1899: Mechanical exhibition (marriage of Reuben and Annie Williams)
1901: Wakefield, Yorkshire: travelling showman (census)
1901: Wakefield: travelling show proprietor (marriage of Victoria Williams and Ralph Layland).
1906: Bramley, Leeds: caravan at roundabout on fairground (death of Alice Williams)
1913: Hunslet: death of Joseph Williams, 65, travelling showman
Victoria Williams born 1874: daughter Alice and Joseph. Married Ralph Layland, son of showman Ralph Layland in 1901 at Wakefield, Yorkshire. Travelled Laylands Electric Bioscope.
Ada Williams (1877-1937): daughter of Alice and Joseph. Married showman Thomas Turner whose father Thomas travelled a skating rink. Ada and Thomas travelled a photographic booth.
Rufus Williams married Fanny Towers, daughter of traveller Samuel Towers.
1921:
Fairground, Doncaster: travelling show
(birth of son James Towers Williams)
Reuben Williams (1873-1945): son of Alice and Joseph. Married Annie Williams (daughter of Polly and Randall). Reuben travelled a bioscope show for a number of years before turning to a marionette show. He also ran a cinema in Wigan for a short while (Ninety Years of Cinema in Wigan by Brian Hornsey). The couple eventually settled in Hunslett, Yorkshire.
1899:
Oldham, Lancashire: cinematograph proprietor (marriage
certificate)
1901: Bruntcliffe, West Riding Yorks: cinematograph proprietor (census)
1901: Sowerby Bridge Rush Bearing Festival (Movie Makers and Picture Palaces).
1903: Normanton Feast Ground: travelling showman (birth of son Reuben)
1901: Bruntcliffe, West Riding Yorks: cinematograph proprietor (census)
1901: Sowerby Bridge Rush Bearing Festival (Movie Makers and Picture Palaces).
1903: Normanton Feast Ground: travelling showman (birth of son Reuben)
“Reuben was the
operator of the
'Electro-Scope' projector, both at Islington and on the fairgrounds.
Randall's other daughter Carrie married a Londoner named Richard Monte.
After grandfather's death in 1898, Reuben carried on the fairground
cinema show under the name 'Randall Williams', while Richard Monte
acquired another one, which he toured as 'Williams' Bioscope Show’.. .
Reuben's show [made] its last appearance at Hunslet Feast, where father
acquired a Punch and Judy show.”(notes of Paul Williams interview with
Geoff
Mellors in 1984)
"This show was travelled by Reuben Williams in Yorkshire. Reuben was married to his cousin, Annie Williams, eldest daughter of Randall Williams, and they inherited his No. 2 Show when he died in 1898. This travelled as their “American Marionette Show and Cinematograph Exhibition” for a few years around the turn of the century, being reported open at the Rush Bearing at Sowerby Bridge. Later they settled at Hunslet, although they still attended local feasts with a Punch and Judy show, using puppets made by Testos. The Punch & Judy Show was sold to Professor Codman, a bioscope operator and proprietor of the “New Empire American pictures” in Llandudno. The show still exists in Llandudno". (Scrivens & Smith, The Travelling Cinematograph Show)
"My father showed the pictures in the Hall in London [ie the Royal Agricultural Hall, Islington] with my grandfather, but what I have been told they had to be wound on a spool after they left the projector. . . ” (Letter from Paul Williams: in The Beginning of Cinema in England: Vol. 2: pp 241-242).
"This show was travelled by Reuben Williams in Yorkshire. Reuben was married to his cousin, Annie Williams, eldest daughter of Randall Williams, and they inherited his No. 2 Show when he died in 1898. This travelled as their “American Marionette Show and Cinematograph Exhibition” for a few years around the turn of the century, being reported open at the Rush Bearing at Sowerby Bridge. Later they settled at Hunslet, although they still attended local feasts with a Punch and Judy show, using puppets made by Testos. The Punch & Judy Show was sold to Professor Codman, a bioscope operator and proprietor of the “New Empire American pictures” in Llandudno. The show still exists in Llandudno". (Scrivens & Smith, The Travelling Cinematograph Show)
"My father showed the pictures in the Hall in London [ie the Royal Agricultural Hall, Islington] with my grandfather, but what I have been told they had to be wound on a spool after they left the projector. . . ” (Letter from Paul Williams: in The Beginning of Cinema in England: Vol. 2: pp 241-242).
1861:
St Helens Lancashire:
James Lewis: showman (census) (travelling with Thomas and Sarah
Williams)
1871: Bradford, Lancashire: James Lewis: showman (census)
1876: James Lewis: Traveller (showman) (marriage of Eliza Broom and George Lewis)
1876: George Lewis, manager Mechanical Exhibition, Halton Street, Lower Broughton, Manchester.
1880: Great Bolton: George Lewis showman (birth of James Lewis)
1881: Farnworth, Lancashire: show caravans (census)
1891: Liverpool: James Lewis: showman (census)
1901: Hindley, Lancashire: Martha Lewis: show-woman (census)
1871: Bradford, Lancashire: James Lewis: showman (census)
1876: James Lewis: Traveller (showman) (marriage of Eliza Broom and George Lewis)
1876: George Lewis, manager Mechanical Exhibition, Halton Street, Lower Broughton, Manchester.
1880: Great Bolton: George Lewis showman (birth of James Lewis)
1881: Farnworth, Lancashire: show caravans (census)
1891: Liverpool: James Lewis: showman (census)
1901: Hindley, Lancashire: Martha Lewis: show-woman (census)
Wilkes, P. (1989) The Great Nottingham Goose Fair: Trent Valley Publications.
Williams, Ned (2001) The Birmingham Onion Fair: Uralia Press, Wolverhampton
I
am extremely grateful to the following people who have contributed to
the information on these pages:
Dick Monte:
My cousin Dick who spent countless hours digging through the records
and piecing
together the Monte and Williams family history. Sadly, Dick is no
longer with us - but these
pages wouldn't exist if it hadn't been for him and I am so grateful to
him for
all of his
research and for keeping me at it.
Randall
Williams
- my mom's cousin and the third member of the Monte Williams research
team (my 'best find'). Thank you for all of your help
and for all of the details regarding your wonderful
grandmother
"Red Annie".
Anita
Leyland: -
the daughter of Annietta Williams and Ted Silcock - who provided the
photos of the Williams family and other valuable information.
Helen Walmsley:
Helen is the great, great grand-daughter of showman Humphrey Cornwell
and her contributions to the family saga knocked down many of our brick
walls.
Helen found
the graves of Polly Williams and her daughters at Bury
Cemetery as well as the Williams burials at Warrington Cemetery.
Margaret
Gooda: the
grand-daughter of Ada Williams and Thomas Turner - for providing
information regarding the Turner family
Margaret
McKay: the
grand-daughter of Andrew Williams and Rebecca Hummerston -
for providing the details about her own family.
And thank you to Jimmy Higgins of Boston Spa for all of the wonderful photos and information about the travelling showmen.
Randall
Williams
The
Monte Williams Showmen
British Fairground Ancestors Index