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Brentford Families - Kennerson

Gillian Shaw wrote in February 2012 about Henry Kennerson, born about 1849. Subsequently Deborah Patterson wrote in October 2012 with notes about William Kennerson, thought to be an elder brother to Henry.

Henry Kennerson

Henry Kennerson was the son of William and Sarah Kennerson and was born in Brentford in about 1849. His mother was widowed by the time he was two and she appears in the 1851 census as Kennison with her seven children. In 1861 he is a 12 year old agricultural labourer but ten years later (as Kenerson) he was a gardener (all the censuses find them in Old Brentford St George).

He married a lady called Harriett LESTER in 1873 (indexed as KEMINSON on free BMD). Harriet Lester was the cousin of my great grandmother Rosina COWNDEN (see note three paragraphs on). Henry and Harriett had four children; Henry William (b 1873), Frederick Robert (b 22 March 1876, bap 16 April 1876), Harriett Jane (b 20 April 1878, bap 26 May 1878) and Albert Edward (b 25 November 1879, bap 4 Jan 1880). All the children except Henry were baptised at St George, Old Brentford, with Henry's occupation given as gardener.

The addresses given were 'Chiswick', 'Turnham Green' and 'Style Hall, Chiswick', and in the 1881 census the family were at Garden Lodge, Stile Hall, Brentford Road, Chiswick where Henry worked as the head gardener.

Harriett Kennerson died on the 24 May 1881 and on the 15th June 'Administration of the personal estate of Harriett Kennerson (wife of Henry Kennerson) late of Gardener's House, Style Hall, Turnham Green in the county of Middlesex who died 24 May 1881 at the Gardener's House was granted at the Principal Registry to the said Henry Kennerson of the Gardener's House, gardener. Personal Estate £34.

In 1883 Henry Kennerson married 34 year old Ann TINSON who was born in Snitterfield near Stratford on Avon in Warwickshire and had been a cook in Beckenham, Kent. They could have met through Ann's friend Rosina COWNDEN whose brother William Cownden was living in Brentford in 1882 and 1883.

According to the Electoral Registers Henry Kennerson was living at 408 High Street, Brentford between 1892 and 1900 but he was also there in 1890 according to Kelly's Directory and in the 1891 census (transcribed as Kennman). In the census he is described as a gardener (employer) and 'married' whilst his two eldest sons were greengrocers (employees) and his youngest son an 'imbecile'. In 1891 Ann was working as a cook in Dulwich for the HENDERSON family of shipowners. She must have left Brentford quite soon after her marriage.

In 1901 Henry Kennerson was living at 11 Clarence Road, Chiswick with his unmarried daughter Harriett and 'imbecile' son Albert. He was working as a market gardener and recorded as a widower. I have been unable to find Ann Kennerson in either 1891 or 1901 but in 1911 she was working as a domestic cook in Penge, Kent and also calling herself a widow.

Henry Kennerson died in Brentford in 1916 whilst Ann Kennerson died in Penge in 1931. 'Ann Kennerson of 21 Palace Road, Penge, Kent widow died 20 April 1931 administration (with will) London 16 July to Dorothy May Tinson spinster. Effects £294 19s 11d.'

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William Kennerson

Deborah Patterson added the following in 2012:

William Kennerson was born in Brentford in 1831, son of William Kennerson and Sarah nee Harris, and migrated to Australia in 1857. I believe William was the older brother of Henry. To my knowledge all of William's siblings remained in England, mostly in or near Brentford.

Sarah Kennerson (widowed mother) and 2 sons Edward and Henry were living in High Street Brentford in 1861, next door to the eldest son John with his first wife Mary nee GREGORY and their children.

I have also had contact with a Canadian descendant of George Kennerson (1833-1900), who married Joanna SHEEHAN. Another sibling, Catherine (Kitty) Kennerson, married James DELL.

Notes added by webmaster in 2022

Sarah Kennerson was the tenant of a house and garden owned by George Robinson at the time of the tithe in 1840. Her home was on the eastern side of The Hollows, the third house down in a terrace of three from the High Street.

Page published April 2012; last updated January 2022