Barthwell Smith, baptised 21 June 1795 Cold Higham near Grimscote, Northamptonshire.
The Parish Register clearly states 21 June Barthwell Smith Daught of Thos & Nancy Smith
The Parish Register also shows a sister Brownetta Smith baptized 9 Feb 1794 Cold Higham near Grimscote, Northamptonshire
The family trees shown below for Thomas Smith and Ann/Nancy is taken from “The Smith Gipsy Genealogies and Related Gipsy Families” written by Terrance Lee March 1995. I found this copy on the “FamilySearch” website (https://familysearch.org/) This work clearly shows trees for Brownetta and Plato Smith but does not mention Barthwell at all and as yet it is still unclear as to why. Also no further mention is made of Thomas or Nancy.
Plato/Playto Baptized 23 Nov 1806 Rothwell, Northamptonshire “my” conclusions on Plato can be seen on the following page Plato Smith and clearly (at least to me) show Plato is NOT related to Barthwell Smith.
First Marriage:
Matthew Smith married Eleanor Smith 5 February 1816 at Loughborough, Leicestershire, register also states “These were Gypsies”
Children of Bethuel/Barthwell/Bathwell/Berthuel and Eleanor/Ellen/Harriet
(1) Agatha daughter of Bethuel and Eleanor Smith, abode: Travelling, occupation Pauper
Baptism Date: 25th Dec 1816 Baptism Place: Medbourne Cum Holt, Leicester
See separate page for details of Agatha Smith
(2) Elizabeth daughter of Barthwell and Ellen Smith, abode Thornton, occupation Sweep
Baptism Date: 13th Jan 1820 Baptism Place: Thornton, Leicester, England
(3) Mary Anne daughter of Bathwell and Eleanor Smith Gipsies.
Born 21st Nov 1821, Baptism Date: 25 Nov 1821 Baptism Place: Cottingham, Northampton, England
(4) Deliah daughter of Berthuel & Harriet Smith abode Leighfield Forest, Belton, Rutland, occupation Vagrant Gypsies
Baptism date 17th July 1825 Baptism Place: Belton, Rutland.
Died 1830. Buried Great Wigston, Leicestershire 1st November 1830 age 5
Need to confirm what happened to Elizabeth & Mary Ann.
Eleanor Smith died in 1830 and was buried at Great Wigston, Leicestershire on the 1st November 1830 aged 31
Eleanor and Deliah were buried on the same day at Great Wigston, Leicestershire confirming that Eleanor was using the name Harriet at the baptism of Deliah
Need to confirm what happened to Elizabeth & Mary Ann.
Barthwell AKA Matthew Smith married Charlotte Elliott (born circa 1805/6 Weedon Barracks, Northants.) 12 September 1831 at Loughborough Leicestershire. Register clearly states both were “Widower & Widow”
Children of Barthwell/Matthew and Charlotte:
Charlotte baptized 1 Jul 1832 Bicker, Lincolnshire
For baptism of Charlotte he uses name Matthew Smith but is clearly from Grimscote, Northamptonshire And is a Chair Bottomer, this baptism can be considered tangible proof that Barthwell Smith and Matthew Smith are indeed one and the same person. Charlotte Smiths marriage to Woodfine Smith states her father is Bathwell Smith, and witnesses are Christopher Smith and Harriet Smith, her brother and sister
Christopher baptized 23 February1834 Brothertoft, Lincolnshire
Baptism of Christopher straight forward as he uses name Bathwell Smith a tinker from Kirton Drove. For more information on Christopher Smith
Constance baptized 20 March 1836 Caythorpe, Lincolnshire
Again in this baptism he uses name Matthew Smith a Gipsy from Pottergate Lane, Caythorpe cum Frieston, Lincolnshire
5th Sept 1836 – Rauceby, Lincolnshire at the wedding of Christopher GRAY to Maria SMITH witnesses were Matthew and Charlotte Smith both made their mark. It would follow that Christopher Gray of Thurlby by Bourne is the brother of Charlotte, Matthew/Barthwells wife.
Harriette Smith baptized 13 May 1838 Quarrington (present at Charlotte’s death in Nth Kyme)
Again Matthew Smith this time though from Unknown location and Unknown trade
Henry b1842 Eagle, Lincolnshire d. 30 Jun 1882 North Kyme.
Jan 10 1842 at Wellingore the marriage of William Gray (father Charles Gray) to Mary Smith (father William Smith) the witnesses are shown as BATHUEL SMITH and CHARLOTTE SMITH both made their mark (of Note this wedding is also witnessed by Frances Everthorp, some researchers have deduced that the Frances is part of Charlottes name but this clearly is NOT the case, both Bathuel and Charlotte made their marks but Frances is signed, see Charlotte Gray’s page for more detailed description.
Sarah bp 28/5/1843 Scredington, Lincolnshire (present at his death in Navenby)
Back to using Barthwell Smith from Scredington Lane a Chair Mender
Albert bap 11 Jan 1846 Welby, Lincolnshire, d. 1933 “Bourne”
Parents Bathwell & Charlotte Smith, from Grimscote Northamptonshire. Occupation Basket Maker
Albert’s marriage certificates shows father as Barthold & Bathwell Smith
Mary Ann born between 1844 & 1850
Possible baptism; Mary Ann Smith; date 15 Apr 1849, place Wickenby, Lincoln; Mother Charlotte Smith no father listed!
Mary Ann Smith married John Coy 9 Apr 1867 (Vol 7a Page 819) and father shown as Barkwell Smith (deceased) Basket Maker
1871 Census shows Mary Ann Coy from Braceby living with her mother Charlotte Smith and daughter Betsey Coy.
Thomas Carter (23 Jan 1872), Mary Ann Coy (Widow) from North Kyme, father Barkwell Smith, horse dealer.
The 1861 Census – dated Sunday 7th April 1861 for Bartholomew Smith:
Deaths Dec 1861 Name: Smith, Barthwell District: Lincoln, Vol: 7a, Page: 257
Death Certificate: 21 November 1861 Navenby, daughter Sarah present.
Burial at Navenby 25 November 1861 – No Headstone at church.
Death Certificate for Charlotte widow of Barthwell Smith Horse Dealer present Harriet Gray daughter.
Based on the evidence currently known names used include:
Barthwell; Matthew; Bethuel; Barthuel; Bathwell; Barthywell; Barkwell; Bothwell; Barker; Barthold; Bartholomew, others as yet unknown may also have been used, as Barthwell could neither read or write it’s fair to assume he would never have known of so many variations to the spelling of his name.
Occupations include: Chair Mender; Chair Bottomer; Basket Maker; Horse Dealer; Labourer; Sweep; Tinker; Pauper; Gypsy.
Barthwell Smith 1795 – 1861
Wayne and Sandra's Family History 