The Ford Family

Born	April 18, 1823 Sussex, England
Died	July 6, 1908 Hereford, England
Father	James Ford
Mother	Clara Ford
Siblings	James Ford George Ford Louisa Wray Mary Edwards Eliza Ford Jane Ford

Spouse	Anne Ford
Married	May 12, 1849 Fownhope
Children	Mary Ann Ford Sarah Ford James Ford William Ford Ellen Elizabeth Longworth Thomas Albert Ford

Bio
William Ford was born in southern England in Sussex County, yet spent most his life in Herefordshire England. (You have to wonder if our name came from the 'ford' in Herefordshire.) Herefordshire is a historic county in the west midlands region of England. "Shire" actually means "county" so perhaps the translation into modern English is "Here is the county of the Fords."

This William Ford married Anne Williams and had six children -- Mary Ann, Sarah Ann, James, William, Ellen Elizabeth (Nellie), and the youngest is our immigrant ancestor Thomas Albert. To keep his clan of Fords in Herefordshire fed, William worked as a carpenter and started his own business. By the time Nellie is born he is employing 5 men and some others. He is also letting some of his workers live with him. Oh, and he is also providing a home to his wife's sister, Bridget. His wife Ann was the oldest of 9 children and Bridget is only one year younger. They must have been very close. Ann would be happy when Bridget finds a husband in 1852. (this husband appears first as a visitor in the home of William Ford on census records!) Alas, poor Bridget's hubby dies and her big sister welcomes her into her crazy household of children and laborers and apprentices. Bridget lives with Ann and William and the children for the remainder of her days.

William teaches his sons his trade. The oldest, James, is a Joiner and eventually a builder himself. The carpentry skills he teaches his youngest son will later make him successful in America. The final home for William is a place called "Woodview" which in the 1980's was placed on a protected list of buildings in England for its historical value. We don't know for certain, but it is very likely that William built this home for his family. He retires at 67 and is "living by own means" -- I guess that means he did well and has enough money to live on.

Sadly, his wife Anne dies in 1896. Sarah Ann moves back home and of course good old Bridget is still there to help out! William lives to be 84 years old and dies in July of 1908.