Hello Mary Ellen There was a David Townsend baptised 7.6.1818 at Oldland, Bitton the son of Samuel and Sarah Townsend. You have not stated the year of birth of your ancestor or how old he was in 1861 in Bristol but I hope he is yours. Portland Terrace may well have been near Portland Square, Bristol which is still there along with St Paul's Church. There was Perry & Co's carriage and coach works at nearby Stokes Croft, Bristol and the firm was there from the early 1800s and in 1862 moved higher up Stokes Croft to a new building in the Byzantine style designed by E W Godwin. This building is still standing although now empty but you can still see the large archways where the assembled carriages were eventually rolled out into Stokes Croft ready to be hitched up to the horses. I used to work in this building in the 1960s when it was used for different purposes. You can see photos on _www.Bristolinformation.co.uk/streets/stokescroft-05.asp_ (http://www.Bristolinformation.co.uk/streets/stokescroft-05.asp) I believe there was also a carriage works in Wilder Street which is very close to Portland Square. David Townsend may have served an apprenticeship in Bristol or even in Bitton. Bristol Record Office or The National Archives may be able to help you with apprenticeships. David may have been 28 before he was allowed to marry and I notice there was a David Townsend marrying in Bristol Registration District in 1851 who could be yours. Hope this helps. Bernice in Bristol

Bernice~       I really appreciate all the information you and others have sent me re: my ancestors and Bristol.  Although I know Irish and American history re: various cities and towns, England's cities are a mystery to us.  I had hoped that people who live in the area could help us get a picture of that part of our g grandfather's family and life.  English history in relationship to the monarch's, wars,politics, etc. we learn in school but not that of a city as Bristol is.         I cannot link up the Welsh part as yet but it was a map being flashed on a screen as we flew into Heathrow a few years back which showed the close proximity of Bristol to Wales  which started me again seeking data on my paternal g grandfather's family.  I have cousins who live in London, Heathrow and Cornwall but our meetings are usually at the family homeplace in Mayo for weddings, funerals, etc.  Hope to take a good long visit to the UK and get a handle on this family.        Thank you so much. Mary Ellen Chambers Lakewood, OH ----- Original Message ---- From: "[email protected]" <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Thu, January 20, 2011 3:53:03 PM Subject: Re: [B&D] 1861 Bristol area & Trade Guild Hello Mary Ellen There was a David Townsend baptised 7.6.1818 at Oldland, Bitton the son of  Samuel and Sarah Townsend. You have not stated the year of birth of your  ancestor or how old he was in 1861 in Bristol but I hope he is yours. Portland Terrace may well have been near Portland Square,  Bristol which is still there along with St Paul's Church. There was Perry & Co's carriage and coach works at  nearby Stokes Croft, Bristol and the firm was there from the early 1800s and in  1862 moved higher up Stokes Croft to a new building in the Byzantine style  designed by E W Godwin. This building is still standing although now empty but  you can still see the large archways where the assembled carriages were  eventually rolled out into Stokes Croft ready to be hitched up to the horses. I  used to work in this building in the 1960s when it was used for different  purposes. You can see photos on _www.Bristolinformation.co.uk/streets/stokescroft-05.asp_ (http://www.Bristolinformation.co.uk/streets/stokescroft-05.asp) I believe there was also a carriage works in Wilder Street which is very  close to Portland Square. David Townsend may have served an apprenticeship in Bristol or even in  Bitton. Bristol Record Office or The National Archives may be able to help you  with apprenticeships. David may have been 28 before he was allowed to marry and  I notice there was a David Townsend marrying in Bristol Registration District in  1851 who could be yours. Hope this helps. Bernice in Bristol ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message