Keen John William 1855-1831

[Solihull Chic]

Can anyone please help me with this brick wall I can,t get through in doing my family research on my Great Grandfather John William Keen, b approx 1855 in Gloucester Gloucestershire! (According to the 1891, 1901, 1911 census,s ) his occupation Marble polisher (stone mason) according to my mother he made grave stones! he seems to have moved around a lot! And he lost a leg supposedly in Boar war & had a wooden peg leg!I cannot find a birth record for him or records for 1861, 1871 or 1881.......
Information I do have of him! His fathers name was Thomas Keen ( deceased on Johns wedding certificate of 1900 were he married Emma Jeynes, whom he had been living with since approx 1883-4.marriage was in Birmingham ) Emma Jeynes was born in 1860 in Worcester she had two children Lilian & Jane out of wedlock! Around 1879-1882.... In Worcester,
First child Frederick John Keen born 1885 Birmingham
William John Keen 1888
Lucy Emily Keen 1889 Bedminster Bristol
Florence Mabel Keen Bedminster Bristol
Gilbert John Keen Bedminster Bristol
Sydney John Keen

1891 census has John Living with Emma Jeynes & children at 3 Commercial road Weston in Gordonia Bristol.
1901 Census has John Living with children at 85 Cheapside Street Birmingham. Emma who he is married to John now is staying at her mother Matilda Jeynes in Worcester. According to 1901 census.
1911 Census has John & Emma now living in 151 Alcester street Birmingham with Gilbert Sidney & William.

there is another John Keen b 1855 of Bedminster who,s parents were a William & Hannah Keen & he marries an Emma, but this is not my John William Keen!

I,ve looked at possible census records in the Gloucestershire but further research has ruled them out! Possible one in *East Dean Gloucestershire, were there is a John Keen father Thomas keen the 1871 census shows both father & son were crippled for 3 years! The 1881 census record shows John married but cannot find later census records for him! Or wife & family!*

I wondered as John lived with Emma some 17 yrs before marrying her if he had been married previously? ..
also if the Boar war story was correct, were he lost his leg! It would have had to be the earlier Boar war! & have tried to find records on this & been unsuccessful? I would appreciate any help or leads on this! Thanks.

update 8-3-2014
On further research into this *East Dean KEEN family of Gloucestershire*

Thomas William Keen & Frances nee Long/Keen had 3 sons Thomas William Keen b 1852 John Keen 1856 James Keen 1860 & 1 daughter Frances Keen b..... Interestingly James b1860 was born in Clifton Bristol! His timeline shows he went to Yorkshire after his fathers Death! And worked as a Tailor! Marrying & settling up there! Thomas William Keen b 1852 stayed in East Dean & worked as a coal miner!
On Ancestry their are a few public trees that connect into this Keen family for Thomas the older son & James the younger son! But Other than the 1861 & 1871 & 1881 census for John nothing! So I,ve written & inquired if they have any knowledge of John & his father to see if there are any records of Thomas senior & John,s accident approx in 1868 I thought maybe it would have been reported in the newspaper or something! Of the type if injuries they sustained!

Thankyou & with appreciation to Janice & MWS for continuing to help with this research!

9--3-2014
just done some interesting research on Cinderfords East Deans Gloucester mines & accidents, to children in the 1800's one of the most occurring accidents were feet being burned & amputation! Makes me wonder then this John & his father Thomas if this is what happened to them!? John would have been around 11-12 yrs of age! So if this proves to be the case this could very well be my John! ? ?

 

[pjmburns]

The older census records are less accurate and it may be that, as he moved around, he "got missed off". I too have lost relatives on earlier censuses - it is very frustrating. Church records may reveal more.

Janice

 

[pjmburns]

You might have seen this but there is a John and Emma Keen living in Bedminster on 1881 census. The children are different but all older - is this a first wife??

Seems a coincidence with the other children born in Bedminster as well.

Janice

 

[Solihull Chic]

You might have seen this but there is a John and Emma Keen living in Bedminster on 1881 census. The children are different but all older - is this a first wife??

Seems a coincidence with the other children born in Bedminster as well.

Janice

Hi Janice ..... Thanks for looking at this,
this John & Emma Keen are a completely different couple! He was born in Bedminster & died in 1888 approx & this Emma went on to remarry & moved to Whales! ...

My Emma Jeynes is living in Worcester with her first born baby Lily & her mother Matilda Jeynes! & I cannot find an 1881 census for My John William Keen! .? Thanks Solihull Chic

 

[pjmburns]

Still looking for you. There is a Thomas on the 1861, 1871 census who is a mason and has a son called John also a mason. John's birth year is given as 1850. In 1881 Thomas is a widower and in the workhouse so John is no longer with him. This Thomas dies in 1882 at Stow.
This does not get any closer to John but may be a vague link.
Janice

 

[MWS]

I think you can rule out the John Keen born about 1850 in Stow on the Wold, living with parents Thomas and Mary Ann in 1871. He seems to be living in Hastings in 1881 (age is wrong) with wife Susannah listed as a mason and bricklayer. Brother Alfred is also appears to be living in Hastings in 1881. In later censuses John's age is nearer the mark and, he and his wife, are living in Ilfracombe.