William Beard Newman

Wiltshire-born surgeon, trustee of George Powell for Fairfield estate in Jamaica, son-in-law of Richard Newman (q.v.).

1. A William Beard Newman was son of Elver Newman, and was baptised at Castle Combe 16/01/1791, and married Ann Deborah Newman at Castle Combe on 04/07/1816.

2. William Beard Newman, presumably the same man, was a surgeon, apothecary and 'manmidwife' with his partner Thomas Washbourne in Corsham, Wilts., until 1829 when the partnership was dissolved.

3. Ann Deborah Newman was reportedly the daughter of Richard Newman of Jamaica (q.v.), who owned Melksham, Corsham and Chippenham estates.

4. William Beard Newman and his wife Ann had at least 6 children baptised in Corsham, Wiltshire: Charles John (1820), William Elver (1821), Ann Maria (1824), James George (1828), Thomas Edward (1831) and Mary Rebekah Elizabeth (1833). They then had at least 1 more child baptised at Manchester, Jamaica: Forbes Crawford (1838).

5. A note from W.B. Newman, "surgeon and medical man to the family", dated 09/12/1835 in Jamaica, is attached to St Elizabeth claim no. 84: "Hereby certify that "Dorothy Witter" is an aged person and has been blind for the last forty-five years - as near as can be stated - that she is sister to W.S. Witter - and that the said W.S. Witter transacts all accounts and business for her."

6. "Jan. 4 [1839] [Death] At Jamaica, W.B. Newman, esq surgeon late of Corsham. He leaves a widow and a large family."

T71/870 St Elizabeth claim no. 83 (Fairfield).

1. Ancestry.com, England and Wales Christening Records, 1530-1906 [database online]; Ancestry.com, England and Wales, Marriages and Banns, 1538-1940 [database online].

2. London Gazette, Issue 18560, 20/03/1829, p. 536.

3. Dina Broughton, The Newman and Fox Family History http://www.dina8.f2s.com/index.htm [accessed 07/02/2011].

4. www.familysearch.org batch nos. I03620-0 and I03874-1.

5. T71/1001 St Elizabeth claim no. 84.

6. Gentleman's Magazine Vol. 165 p. 446.