The Ford Family

Born	March 9, 1832 Michaelchurch, Herefordshire, England
Father	John Williams
Mother	Rachael Williams
Siblings	Anne Ford Bridget Williams John Williams James Williams Edwin Williams Sarah Williams Elizabeth Williams

Bio
Margaret was the third of 6 girls born to John and Rachel Williams. Her oldest sister Anne will marry William Ford. Next in line, and close to Anne, is Bridget who will spend most of her life living with Anne. Margaret was 5 years younger than Bridget and also 5 years older than the next sister, Mary Ann. She had brothers born on "either side of her" so I believe she felt very much a middle child and possibly a little alone in a pack of eventually 9 children.

We know from Census and church records that Margaret was born on March 9, 1828 in the Michaelchurch Parish of Herefordshire, England. She was soon baptized at St. Margaret's church on March 23rd. Her last sibling, Elizabeth, is born in 1840 and soon Margaret must leave the family home. We find her living with another family in 1841 employed as a servant. This is not uncommon for country families in the 19th century, but employment as a serving girl does not help you meet a husband. In 1851 Margaret is 23 now working as a servant for a "Landed Proprietor" named Edwin Wright. She continues in servitude until her marriage in 1861, two months shy of her 33rd birthday.

Perhaps she was embarrassed by being a spinster and that is why her January 24th, 1861 marriage record lists her as 29. (The old "29 and holding" phrase had to originate somewhere.) Margaret marries Richard Drewson who is employed as a Gamekeeper somewhere nearby.

The young couple moves to Wales which is not that far at all from Herefordshire. Within ten years of marriage they have two boys and two girls and are able to keep a servant of their own. Richard retires and in 1911 their oldest daughter Sarah moves back in with them.

Richard dies first in 1912 at the age of 82. Margaret lives to be 90 years of and finally passes in March of 1918.