Summary postcards of Thomas and Harriet Wells

1. Thomas Wells – Umbrella Frame Maker
Born 23 July 1841 at 7 John Street St Paul’s in the Parish of St George London,
married Ellen Shepherd who was born 1851 and died age 36 on 3 July 1885 in
Birmingham of Pelvic Cellulitis and Broncho Pneumonia. They had four
children:
• Lydia Wells (born 23 May 1872 in London)
• Elizabeth Wells (born 18 May 1874 in Birmingham)
• Thomas William Wells (born 19 May 1877 in Birmingham)
• William Wells (born 8 April 1879 in Birmingham)
5 ½ years after his wife’s death Thomas Wells aged 49 marries Harriet
Wagstaff on 21 December 1890 in St Asaph’s Church in Birmingham.
Thomas and Harriet Wells adopt (my grandfather) Frederick William Upton
at his birth on 5 November 1894. My grandfather was baptised a year later on
2 December 1895: Frederick William Henry Upton Wells.
Thomas Wells died of Chronic Bronchitis and Cardiac Failure on 23 December
1901 at 40 Blythe Street Birmingham.

2. Harriet Shepherd (wife of Thomas Wells)
Born 1845 in Handsworth, Staffordshire and married William Wagstaff (a cab
driver) on 5 June 1871 in Edgbaston. They had five children:
• Amy Jane Wagstaff
• Aline Elizabeth Wagstaff (13 January 1872)
• Lilly Louise Wagstaff (1874)
• William Edgar Wagstaff (born 1877)
• Harry Bernard Wagstaff (27 November 1878 – 9 October 1942)
On 12 August 1883 Harriet’s husband aged 44 years committed suicide (“whilst
temporarily insane by taking Nitic Acid”). Harriet was 38 years old. 7 ½ years
after her husband’s death Harriet aged 45 marries Thomas Wells on 21
December 1890 in St Asaph’s Church in Birmingham.
Thomas and Harriet Wells adopt (my grandfather) Frederick William Upton at
his birth on 5 November 1894. My grandfather was baptised a year later on 2
December 1895: Frederick William Henry Upton Wells.
Harriet Wells died aged 67 years of Chronic Bronchitis, Emphysema, Cardiac
Dilation and Cardiac Failure 13 November 1911 55 Marroway Street Ladywood.