Jemima Anne Torbel (one of my 2nd great grandmothers) was born 23rd June 1838 in the village of Wortham, Suffolk. She was baptised there on 2nd September 1838, the daughter of William Torbold (the surname Torbel is spelt in many different ways!) and Anna Mullinger, she was one of their 8 children all born in Wortham in Suffolk. She was probably named Jemima in honour of her mother’s late sister, Jemima Nunn nee Mullinger who died in childbirth aged just 23 years in 1829.
Growing up in rural Suffolk during the “Hungry Forties,” Jemima’s early years were likely defined by the hard work of country life, her father was an agricultural labourer. By the age of 13, Jemima had already left home to work, a common reality for young girls of her era. In 1851, she was living at The Fox Inn in Bury St Edmunds, serving as a “nurse girl”. In 1861, at age 22, she was working as a servant for an elderly widow in private house in Bury St Edmunds.
On 7th June 1864, Jemima married Samuel Punchard, a coachman, at Holy Trinity Church in Haverstock Hill. The wedding was a family affair; her sister Charlotte and brother-in-law John Fritsch served as witnesses. Jemima had been a witness at Charlotte and John’s wedding 3 years previous. They were living with the Fritsch family in 1871 at living at 11 Bassett Street, St Pancras, London (area now described as Chalk Farm).
Jemima and Samuel then spent several decades in Islington, specifically living at 168 Barnsbury Road for over twenty years (from the 1881 census till 1901 census), Did they live above the shop and did Jemima also work in the grocers, probably in between having their children as this was a busy period for Jemima as she raised a large family. Between 1864 and 1881, she gave birth to at least seven children:
- Mary Anne Punchard (1864–1923): Born the same year her parents married.
- George Punchard (1866–1945): Born shortly after the family settled into London life.
- Annie Ellen Punchard (1869–1871): Sadly passed away at just two years old of Whooping cough (pertussis).
- Fanny Elizabeth Louise Punchard (1871–1963): Lived to be 92 years old, witnessing the turn of the century and both World Wars.
- William James Punchard (1875–1909): Passed away at age 34, just a few years before his mother.
- Robert John Punchard (1876–1959): Born during the family’s long residency in Islington [my Great grandfather].
- Frederick Samuel Punchard (1881–1941): The youngest child, born when Jemima was approximately 43 years old.
By 1911, Jemima was 72 years old, she and Samuel had moved to Stoke Newington to live with their daughter Fanny and her young family.
Her long life came to an end on 2nd September 1912, in Ramsden Bell House an area of Billericay, Essex. At age 74, she died from a heart attack following a struggle with stomach cancer. Though she died in Essex, she was brought back to London for her final rest. She was buried on 26th September 1912, at the Islington cemetery on High Road, East Finchley.
not just any family 