Sophia Tredwell (born 1814) was my Gt.Gt.Grandmother. Her second husband was Francis Pigg and they had 3 children, one of whom was Eliza who married Frederic Bradley (my Gt.Grandparents). The Tredwells have proved to be a really interesting line of research. The start of my enquiries stemmed from an old album from a Cousin Eliza Bradley (with no names or dates on any bar 2 photos!) in which there is one photo of a military gentleman that had a pencil marking on the back. The writing looked like 'Sargent'. In my ignorance I presumed this was his rank, but on further investigation and with the help of various military bodies it was decided this was not the case judging by his medals and other items of uniform that suggested otherwise. Apparently he was a Brevet Major. This, along with the medals, made him easier to identify and it was only when a gentleman who knows about these things found a list of Brevet Majors with one who was named John Neptune Sargent, that the penny dropped - his name was Sargent!

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Now, I thought it would be easy to find out what his connection was with the family. Obviously I thought he had married a Bradley somewhere along the line. On obtaining his military records it was discovered he had two sons. This fact helped me to determine his wife`s name and maiden name - surname Champion! No luck there. At this stage I was thinking perhaps he was just a distinguished person of the time - a bit of a hero - and they had his photo. Some time later I came across his name where it was stated he was mentioned in the 'Dictionary of National Biography'. This was a bumper find as right at the end it stated that he had been married twice - first to R S Champion and secondly to Alice M, second daughter of Thomas Tredwell!! Bingo! I had always found the name of Neptune intriguing - apparently he was born at sea on the East India Ship 'Atlas' which ran to New South Wales and China. He served with the 95th Regiment of Foot in the Eastern campaign of 1854-55 including the battles of Alma and Inkerman, and siege and fall of Sebastapol. He served in the campaign of 1860 in North of China. (Medals and clasps, Brevet of Major, Knight of the Legion of Honor, 5th class of the Medjidie and Turkish Medal and CB). So that was that mystery solved in that he was Sophia Tredwell`s nephew by marriage.  The interesting paths this family history research can take you down, never cease to amaze.

William Tredwell (married to Elizabeth (?)) was a canal digger according to the baptism entry for son Thomas in Burbage (1807), and then a wharfinger on later entries. Unfortunately I have been unable to find any marriage details relating to William and Elizabeth and apart from the baptism entries for the children, the earliest knowledge we have of him is from a Court record for Worcestershire dated 30th April 1810.  William, of the parish of Tardebigg in the County of Warwick Labourer, and a police constable Norris Walker of the parish of Bromsgrove in the County of Worcester appear before a Justice of the Peace to give account of the theft of a measuring tape belonging to William while working from the Wharf of the Birmingham and Worcester Canal on the 21 day of April. The tape was later found in the lodgings of a man called Johnson, in Bromsgrove. Mapping the baptism places for William`s children leads me to believe that the family moved around the country while William was working on the canals.

The Tredwell family appear to have done well for themselves. A local (Gloucester) canal historian Hugh Conway-Jones has furnished me with the following information. He had come across the name William Tredwell of Hadzor coal merchant, as one of the contractors who was involved in building part of the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal 1819-20. William was in partnership with Charles Pearce of Frampton-On-Severn, Glos, canal contractor.

Hugh has proved very helpful through his extensive researches into the canal and railway systems of that time, particularly in Gloucester   - please see Hugh`s website Gloucester Docks & the Sharpness Canal.  Hugh also gave me information contained in Alan White`s book 'The Worcester and Birmingham Canal - Chronicles of the Cut' which states that in 1812 William took over Messrs Heminsley`s contract to cut two miles of the canal at the Hanbury end of the Five Mile Pound, and then in 1813 he was awarded the contract for cutting the canal from Blockhouse Fields to the Severn and in September had another contract for cutting a length further up the canal. After the canal was opened in 1815 William set up as a coal merchant at Hanbury Wharf, Hadzor and in March 1816 was permitted to build a house on the wharf, which later became a public house known as the Wharf House. In April 1821 William was instructed to complete the excavation and puddling of side ponds for the barge locks at Diglis. In 1824 William was also involved in extending the south end of Worcester Wharf and then in the period 1825-29 he carried out maintenance work on the Coombe Hill Canal which had been leased by the Worcester and Birmingham. Finally in 1831 he was awarded a contract for work on the Dunhampstead Tunnel and building a railway about four miles long to serve a limestone quarry in the parish of Himbleton.  Hugh has also been so helpful in furnishing me with further information regarding the work of William`s sons who became involved and expanded their father`s interests.

William died in 1840 and was buried at St James Hadzor. According to the burial details he was 63 years old.

The children of William and Elizabeth:

Francis (1801-1847) -  (Contractor for Public Works) married Esther Piercy at St Peter`s Worcester 23 June 1822. It would seem he was in business partnership with his younger brothers Thomas, William and Solomon. Judging by the birthplaces for the children this family too moved around quite a bit - more than likely because of Francis' work in connection with the railways. There were ten children, Elizabeth (bapt. 1822 Stoke Prior) married John Harding, railroad contractor. Descendants possibly  lived in Br. Guyana. Mary (bapt. 1824 Stoke Prior) who married William Copple in 1839 at St Giles, Cripplegate, London - no children. William (b. Birmingham 1826), married Mary - 3 children (have had contact with descendants). Ann (b. 1828) married Richard Maxted Stroud in Cheriton, Nr Folkestone 1845 (1 daughter). Emma who married John Bourne (widowed very early - never re-married). Sophia (b.1831 Chorley) married Thomas William Goddard, a farmer from Hampshire, in February 1854 in Droitwich - children. Francis (bapt.1833 Bromsgrove) - nothing known. Eliza (bapt. Hadzor 1834) married a Joseph Wheeler, a Droitwich farmer - numerous offspring. John (b. 1837 Winchfield, Hants) married Anne Lane 1959 Claines, Worcs. - no known children. Solomon (b. 1843 Folkestone, Kent) married Jane Barrett - numerous offspring.

Frances and Esther are first found in 1841 living in Folkestone with children William, Ann, Emma, Sophia, Eliza and John. Francis is a railroad contractor. Their oldest daughter Elizabeth is already married to John Harding (then a plate layer) and living also in Folkestone with their 11 month old son John, born in Kent. Mary was living with husband William Copple (loco engine driver) in Southampton.

Francis (snr) died 1847 leaving a sizeable inheritance. (Will held). In his Will (dated 11th August 1845 and written in Folkestone) he mentions his brothers John of Aston and Thomas of Burbridge. Also his wife Esther. He leaves £3,000 to each of his children except Mary who receives £2,000 and Ann £500 - what did she do? Francis is buried in Hartlebury, Worcester, so it appears the family returned to this area sometime between 1845 and 1847.

Charles was born 1802 in Devizes, Wilts and died 1816 at Hadzor, Worcs.

John was born in Devizes in 1805. In 1841 John is with his brother Thomas and his wife Ann and their 3 year old daughter Eliza in Reigate, Surrey. Also with them is Sophia Bourne (later Piggott), their sister, married to Thomas Bourne. John married Elizabeth Skilliter in 1824 in Langford, Beds.  Elizabeth died in 1869 while living at Leigham Court, Streatham Hill, Surrey. He then married Maria Coxe from Chalford, Glos. in March 1870. Maria was living with the family as a companion according to the 1851 census at Leigham House. He appears with her on the 1871 census still at Leigham Court, along with his niece Eliza Skilliter, a George Temple as visitor and about 10 servants. The following information has very kindly been provided by a member of the Streatham Local History Society (copyright JOHN W BROWN/LOCAL HISTORY PUBLICATIONS/THE STREATHAM SOCIETY) giving me an insight into John`s life in Leigham during this time. 

 'Leigham Court House was one of a number of fine mansion properties built in Streatham in the 19th century.  These large houses normally stood in extensive grounds of landscaped gardens and park land.  Some of the properties were virtually self-sufficient entities, their kitchen gardens, dairies and brew houses providing ample provisions for the household.  Numerous servants would be employed to cater to the needs of their masters and to keep the house and surrounding land in good order. Leigham Court House was one of the largest and grandest of these mansions, surrounded by large formal gardens, woodland walks and open parkland. The grounds in which the house stood now form the Leigham Court Estate encompassing Amesbury, Barcombe, Cricklade and Downton Avenues, Emsworth Street, Faygate Road and part of Hillside Road.  The house was built in the 1820s by John George Fuller.  In 1831 Fuller described himself as a wine merchant of St James`s Street and was an owner of Boodles Club.  The original house cost £6,500 and was extended by the addition of a wing designed by John Papworth.  It is said that the house was originally intended to be used as a country gaming club associated with Boodles but it appears to have spent most of its life as a palatial private residence.

Following Fuller`s death in 1849, the property was purchased by John Tredwell, a railway contractor.  Local legend tells how he started life as a "humble navvy" and rose to a man of great wealth through his contracting work.  As a reminder of his humble origins he is said to have kept his pick and shovel in the hallway at Leigham Court to serve as a constant reminder to him of his unostentatious early life!  Herbert Baldwin, the author of "Streatham Old and New", came from a distinguished publishing family.  His father, Edward Baldwin moved to the area in 1859, where he resided in a large house at the top of Mitcham Lane, opposite Streatham Green.  Edward was a noted newspaper proprietor, at one time being the owner of "The Daily Herald" and part proprietor of "The Standard".  Herbert remembered visiting Leigham Court on one occasion and mentions how he was standing admiring a "very fine painting of a man in ordinary working clothes" when John Tredwell approached him "and with natural pride explained that it was no effect of the painter`s imagination, but a portrait of himself."

Behind the house was a large formal garden with a central fountain with orchards beyond.  The grounds contained a large lake, euphemistically called the Fish Pond, complete with a boat house and a small island for rowers to head for, which was a popular spot for summer picnics.

At the south eastern extremity of the estate John Tredwell built a tall tower as an observation platform, which was known locally as "Tredwell`s Folly".  From the top of the tower panoramic views of the surrounding countryside were obtained. Tall trees and shrubs screened the grounds from public view and a pair of large entrance gates stood on Streatham Hill behind which was a small lodge where the gatekeeper lived.  A long carriage drive led from Streatham Hill to the house and neighbouring stables.

The railway tunnel which passes under the grounds of Leigham court was constructed in the mid 1850s by Tredwell so that his estate would not be scarred with a large railway cutting passing through it.  Streatham Hill Station which was located near the Streatham Hill entrance to his property, was the first railway station to be built in Streatham.  It was opened by the London Brighton and South Coast Railway (LBSCR) on 1st December 1856 as Streatham Station but changed its name to Streatham and Brixton Hill Station in 1868,  becoming Streatham Hill Station the following year.  The building remains much as it was when first erected and is one of the last stations of its type to survive in London.`  

John died in December 1875 leaving about £200,000. No children from either marriage. In his Will (held) John leaves bequests to numerous Skilliters, members of his first wife`s family and also to his plentiful nieces and nephews. He is buried West Norwood Cemetery 'Sacred to the Memory of John Tredwell of Leigham, Streatham Hill who died 13 December 1875 in the 71st year of his age'.  Also ' Elizabeth wife of John Tredwell died May 22 1869 aged 65. Return unto thy rest of my soul for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee - Psalm 116 v7'. 'The family vault of John Tredwell Leigham Court, Streatham.' John appointed his wife Maria, nephew by marriage Henry Worton Elliott and George Wythes of Reigate as executors.  All residue left to Maria 'as long as she remain my widow'!  It appears Maria remarried in 1890 to Joseph Flitcroft Fletcher.  I cannot find what happened to either of them after that date.

Thomas born 1807 in Burbage, Wilts. He married Anne Payne on 13 June 1837 at All Souls, Marylebone. They had six daughters, Eliza (b. 1838 Surrey) Louisa (b.1842 Redhill, Surrey (married Thomas Jackson))  Alice Mary (b.1843 Stroud, Glos (married John Neptune Sargent)  Clara (b.1845 Woodchester, Stroud - d. 1846 Reading,  Berks), Helen Ruth (b.1847 Reading (married Frederick Little)) and Emily (b.1852 Surrey (married Henry Mathews 1877)). In 1861 (census) Thomas was a Railway Contractor and lived at St John`s Lodge, Knights Hill, Norwood, Surrey with his wife Anne and daughter Emily plus a couple of visitors and a number of servants. He died 10 December 1861 in St. Leonards-On-Sea, Sussex leaving effects 'under £250,000', and showing consideration to his own family and also that of his wife. Brother William and George Wythes of Reigate were executors.  Thomas is also buried at West Norwood Cemetery.

David b. 1812 and died 1844 Hadzor, Worcs.

Sophia born in 1814 first married Thomas Bourne in 1833 in Hadzor and had 3 children. Elizabeth in 1851  is a visitor aged 17 with her cousin Helen Ruth Tredwell aged 3 at Knights Hill, Surrey. She married Henry Worton Elliott a metal manufacturer and had 4 children, Elizabeth Helen (m. Percy John Beauchamp Payne), Henry John (m. Annette Elizabeth Mary Barnett), Alice Maud (m. Francis McLure Payne) and Margaret Isabel (m. Charles Walters).   Henry acted as executor to the Wills of Elizabeth`s uncles John and Thomas. Joseph (civil engineer) married (1) Henrietta Newman and had 5 children - the eldest son Francis John married his cousin Kate Bourne), Edith, Eunice, Henrietta and Joseph Guy and (2) Mary - one child William and lived for many years on the Isle of Wight.   Sarah died an infant. Sophia then married Francis Piggott and had 3 more children, Eliza, Mary Sophia and John.

Mary born in Hadzor in 1817 married Joseph Bourne (manufacturer). They had 7 children and as can be seen from places of birth this family too moved around the country before settling in Brindle, Lancs.  In the 1841 census Mary is in Woodland Place, Handsworth, Staffs with children Sarah and William and father Joseph is in Dodderhill, Droitwich with eldest son John. They are with Joseph`s brothers George, Thomas (Sophia`s first husband) etc. Their children John (b. 1837 Odiham, Hants) Cottonspinner, Sarah (b.1839 Littleborough, Lancs) William (b.1840 Adlington, Lancs) married Catherine Wood 1864 St Lukes, Cannock (William`s abode was Brindle, Lancs.), Thomas (b.1843 Handsworth), Solomon (b. 1844 Oundle, Northants) , Elizabeth (b.1847 St. Nicholas, Droitwich) married William Butterworth, Alfred (b. 1849 Boseley, Cheshire), Mary Sophia (b.1850 Macclesfield), Annie (b. 1853 Brindle) and Kate Josephine (b. 1858 Brindle). Mary Bourne died in Brindle in 1859 age 42. In 1881 Joseph is living in Crabtree House, Brindle and his occupation is retired master cotton spinner, son John age 44 is a cotton spinning master employing 320 people, also son Solomon age 37 and daughters Annie and Katie J. aged 28 and 23.  Mary gives us the only clue as to her father William`s origins in that on the family gravestone it reads  'fell asleep' on 27.4.1892 aged 78 (Joseph); also 'Beneath this tomb are deposited the remains of Mary Tredwell d. 17.10.1859 aged 42, the beloved wife of Joseph Bourne and second daughter of the late William Tredwell of Hanbury Worcs. Also their children ..... John d. 23.11.1886 aged 52; Francis John d. 10.7.1940 + Kate Josephine beloved wife of the above (Francis J) d. 9.2.1957 aged 99; Mary Sophia Bourne d. 20.7.1873 aged 23; Annie d. 8.8.1893 and Solomon Tredwell Bourne d. 16.11.1902.
Lovingly remembered Ethel Madeline Emery 23.4.1942 'At Rest'. (Ethel was a long serving and devoted servant to the Bourne family at Town House, Brindle.)' Copy of Funeral Sermon held. This family grave is in Brindle parish church of St James.

William was born in Hadzor in 1819. Contractor for Public Works. He married Martha Greatorex of Handsworth in 1844 and they had five children, William Francis (b. 1844 Guildford - unmarried 1881 census), Solomon (b.1846 Barrow in Furness, Lancs. married to Elizabeth Gittins of Bristol), Kate (b. 1847 Droitwich married 1866 William Henry Dawes, Iron Trader  - 2 children Edith and Charles), Thomas (b.1848 Droitwich ) John (b. 1849) and Charles Alexander ( b.1852 Stourbridge - marriage 1874 Marylebone). William (senior) died 1871 Handsworth Staffs., leaving about £200,000. (Will held) Nephew by marriage Henry Worton Elliott and son William Francis were executors.

William was the contractor for Fort Nelson, Portsdown, Fareham, Hants March 1861, completed 1870.

Brunels Swivel Bridge, Cumberland Basin
1864. William was the successful tenderer for a series of measures designed by Thomas Howard, the Docks Engineer, including replacements for the North and Junction locks. However due to financial constraints the start was delayed on the New North lock until 1868.

Solomon born 1821 Hadzor - married Alice Pickering 1846 in York. They had one daughter and a son. Daughter Alice Martha Elizabeth (b. 1849) married John Wilson Gray a barrister 1865. They had a daughter Alice Anna and son Solomon John Tredwell. Gray died in 1872 and Alice remarried in 1873 to George Boydell Houghton also a barrister, and they produced 2 further children Alice and Elizabeth.  Solomon John Tredwell Gray (later Houghton Gray) attended Charterhouse and Trinity Cambridge and became a barrister He served in the S.African war with Nesbitt`s Horse 1900-02.  He married Maude Liefeldt in 1908. Son Mark John (b.1857) (see MARK JOHN TREDWELL)

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Solomon was also a Contractor for Public Works and spent time abroad. He was born in Hadzor, Worcs and on the 1841 census is to be found living in Reigate along with many other railway workers. He lived in Leek, Staffs. (1851 census). He worked with Isambard Kingdom Brunel on the Great Eastern in 1857/8. See picture link to the National Portrait Gallery - Solomon is the one on the right of the picture next to Brunel. Solomon then travelled to India to work on the Bhore Ghat, taking over from William Frederick Faviell. The sheer logistics of travel from Bombay to Poona over the Syhadree Range were daunting and earlier attempts at the construction of a road had been abandoned. The Bhore Ghat was chosen as the only possible route for a railway by J J Berkley, Chief engineer to the Great Indian Peninsular Railway. Even then a few years were lost due to opposition to the plan but Faviell was chosen to commence the task in 1856. When he gave up in 1859 Solomon travelled out to take over but died in Khandalla, Bombay in 1859, 15 days after his arrival. His wife Alice took over the contract and as neither children can be found on the UK 1861 census it is presumed Alice had the children with her. Alice kept the two joint managers George Clowser and Swanston Adamson plus the workforce of 25,000 which after 2 seasons rose to 42,000 in 1861.  25 tunnels had to be built and 8 viaducts.  This work took just over seven years to complete. Full details of the project can be found with the Institute of Mechanical Engineers in London. Alice returned to live at the Elms, Hendon and died in Ryde, in the Isle of Wight not long after in 1867.  She is buried at Edgbaston Old Church, Birmingham.

Photo of Alice Tredwell  and information above from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers

This photo has come to me from the descendant of John Tredwell and Maria Pittaway.

On the reverse of the photo are the words: 'This model 2-2-2 passenger loco was built by Clarke`s Strand, London about 1840.  It resembles the 'Worth Star' built for the Great Western Ry by Stephensons in 1837 and is approximately a 1/5 scale model of this engine.  It was acquired by Victor Emmanuel II King of Sardinia (afterward Victor Emmanuel I King of United Italy) on one of his visits to London and was later given by him to Mr S Tredwell about 1858 on the completion of a railway contract in Italy.  In 1920 this engine was given to the Science Museum by Miss Boydell Houghton granddaughter of Solomon Tredwell.'

Solomon left about £70,000 in 1859. A memorial service was held for him in Bosley Church near his home Highfield, Leek on 15 January 1860 and a funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. William Sutcliffe M.D. incumbent of Bosley, Cheshire. Rev. Sutcliffe states in his sermon that Solomon had been a candidate of his at Gainsworth Church for the rite of confirmation in the year 1856. He had however been baptised in infancy but had omitted, at the usual age - the promises and vows - of confirmation. Solomon was confirmed at the age of 34. The news of Solomon`s death had caused a general feeling of regret throughout the town as he had taken up residence at Highfield since the construction of the Churnet Valley Railway and was held in very high esteem by all classes. A version of his character was given by the Staffordshire Advertiser, January 7th 1860 "He was a generous supporter of the institutions and charities of the town, liberal and unostentatious in his relief of the poor ... being the architect of his own fortune and an example of what may be won by energy and self reliance". Copy of Funeral Sermon held. Solomon`s Will was made a few days before his departure for India. He provides for his 2 children (unnamed!).

Alice`s Will, made 15th April 1867 while living at the Elms, Hendon (she died 14th June 1867) made provision for her mother, children and various household servants. It appears from this Will that there was some problem with the Gray family (her son-in-law - maybe something to do with a marriage settlement) and concerned land. Legal action was being taken in the suit of Tredwell v. Gray. Alice appointed her brother Joseph to care for son Mark John if anything happened to the Rev. Perkins. William Tredwell was an executor. Alice`s effects were under £7,000 in 1867.

The Tredwell family came from humble origins and developed to become important ironmasters and eventually railway contractors, particularly in the Black Country. At this time the expansion of the railway systems in England was at a high rate and easy fortunes were to be made by those who possessed the energy and the know how. The young brothers had those characteristics at a time when labour was cheap and the poverty was driving the workers to find work and wages anywhere.

The various Tredwell Wills mentioned have proved very informative as to offspring and relationships.

Hugh Conway-Jones furnished me with the following resume of Tredwell involvement in various projects.

'F & T Tredwell worked on Lancs & Yorks Railway (1840)

Francis & Thos Tredwell worked on Chelt & GW Union Railway (1845)

W & S Tredwell worked on North Staffs Railway (1849)

Messrs Tredwell of Droitwich had the contract for woodwork for Over railway bridge 1849

Tredwell & Co rented yard by G&S canal 1851

Thomas & William Tredwell leased yard by G&S Canal from Lysons Trustees 1854

Thos Tredwell partnered Thomas Brassey on GWR line to Brentford 1852

Tredwells worked on Frome to Yeovil Railway (WSW-GWR) 1856

Tredwell involved with launching Great Eastern 1860

Launching the Great Eastern. The Great Eastern will be launched down two inclined planes, each about 250 ft long by 80 ft wide and nearly 140 ft apart, falling at an inclination of 1in 14. The contractor Messrs Tredwell of London and Gloucester have undertaken the excavation, piling and other works necessary for the foundations of the launching ways. Eassie of Gloucester has a very clever and ingenious patent pile driver, capable of driving 20 piles a day, which is in use preparing for the launch. c1857

Sale of equipment of Tredwell’s Railway Works following deaths of two of the partners 12 July 1862

Tredwell’s Premises to Let. To Railway Contractors, Timber Merchants, Engineers and Others. To be let the whole of the premises and machinery, now in the occupation of Tredwell & Co, occupying about seven acres between the canal and the Bristol Road, on which are erected saw mills, timber preserving tanks, workshops and machinery adapted for any kind of mechanical engineering. Apply to Mr David Hicks who resides on the premises or to Mr L Godsell, Winstone Farm, near Cirencester 15 Aug 1863 5 Dec 1863 '