Shep's Place Family Tree

In 1851 Robert aged 46 and Frances 39 were living at 132 Spring Place in Luton, where Robert was a journeyman carpenter. Frances had five children at home: Ephraim 15, carpenter's apprentice; Richard ten, scholar; Jane eight, scholar; Henry six and John nine months.

Frances and all of the children were born in Luton. Besides managing the household and five children Frances was a bonnet sewer. Luton was a center for the manufacturing of straw hats, and many women and girls sewed hats.

The Taylors lived next to Henry, a journeyman tailor, and wife Elizabeth Gardner.

The Taylors had moved to 23 New Street by the 1861 census. There Robert aged 54 was a carpenter and Frances a "Bonnet Manufacturer." It sounds as if she had a bonnet factory, but it may have been strictly a home business. Her daughter Jane was a bonnet sewer as were two boarders Emily J. Smith 15 and Jane Thompson 16 years.

The Taylors lived between a bonnet presser, David Hine and a stone mason, William Wright.