Page updated 5th March 2009 by Sue Froud

THE CHAMPION FAMILY TREE

WILLIAM CHAMPION 1680 -

William Champion was born about 1680. He married Susanna ? and they had 7 children, Ann born in 1708 but sadly died and was buried 24th May 1708, William born 1709, John born 1711, Ann baptised 25th August 1714, Susanna born 1716, Walter born 1719, Abraham born 1722, but died 22nd April 1722, Abraham baptised 14th January 1723. 

ABRAHAM CHAMPION 1723 - 1797

Abraham was baptised 14th January 1723 , son of William & Susanna Champion. He was a Mason and Glazier and lived at Curry Rivel. He married Jane Gaite on the 15th November 1763 at Stoke St Gregory. They had a son William baptised 17th January 1764. Jane died and was buried at Stoke St Gregory 19th March 1769.

Abraham then married Unity Winslade at Stoke St Gregory on 1st October 1770. They had 3 children listed below. Mary baptised 14th July 1771 at Stoke St Gregory. She married Levi Chedzoy on 15th September 1789 at Stoke St Gregory. Mary was buried 2nd July 1842. Elizabeth baptised 7th August 1774 at Stoke St Gregory. She married Henry Parsons on 9th August 1796 at Stoke St Gregory church. Abraham baptised 24th April 1782.

 Abraham was buried at Stoke St Gregory on 16th July 1797, he left a Will.

ABRAHAM CHAMPION 1782 - 1861

Abraham was the 3rd child of Abraham Champion and Unity Winslade, he was baptised at Stoke St Gregory on 24th April 1782.  He married Joan Hembrow on 13th April 1811 at Stoke St Gregory. They had 4 children.  Alfred baptised 24th January 1813, Sarah baptised 1st May 1814, Joan baptised 31st December 1815 and Elizabeth baptised 3rd May 1818. Abraham was also a Mason. He must had hit hard times at the end of his life as he was living with his son Alfred in 1851 as a pauper and he died at Taunton Union Workhouse and was brought back to Stoke St Gregory to be buried, he died 10th July 1861.

Abraham Champion is mentioned in the Stoke St Gregory Parish Record book, for doing work on the Church in partnership with Levi Chedzoy whom Mary Champion married. I am not sure if it was father or son or both who did this work.

ALFRED CHAMPION 1813 -

Alfred was the first child of Abraham Champion and Joan Hembrow, he was baptised at Stoke St Gregory on 24th January 1813. Alfred married Charlotte Dare on 28th February 1837. Alfred followed in his father's and grandfather's footsteps by becoming a Mason. Their first child Ann Cheriah was baptised 10th December 1837, followed by William baptised 23rd June 1839 and then James born in 1841.

The 1841 census, shows the family living at Curload and fairly prosperous. Alfred Champion aged 25, Mason. Charlotte aged 25. Ann aged 3. William aged 2. James aged 1 month. Ann Winslade aged 15, female servant.

Their next child Jane was baptised on 25th May 1848. 2 years later Alfred & Charlotte baptised 4 children on the same day, 29th December 1850, Mary, Henry, James and George.  

Looking at the 1851 census, it would seem that the family's fortunes had changed, as the children are classed as paupers, also their two eldest children were deaf.  To add to their burden Alfred's father Abraham was also living with them.

The 1851 census shows Alfred and his family living at Stoke St Gregory. Alfred Champion, head, aged 38, Mason. Charlotte Champion, wife, aged 37. Ann Champion, daughter, aged 13, pauper, deaf & dumb. William Champion, son, aged 11, pauper, dumb. James Champion, son, aged 10, pauper. Henry Champion, son, aged 7, pauper. George Champion, son, aged 4, pauper. Jane Champion, daughter, aged 3. Mary Champion, daughter, aged 4 months. Abraham Champion, Lodger, widower, aged 70, pauper.

4 years later another child Abraham is baptised on 5th May 1855.

JAMES CHAMPION 

James was the third child of Alfred Champion and Charlotte Dare, he was baptised on 29th December 1850 along with 3 of his siblings at Stoke St Gregory church. James married Elizabeth Tanner daughter of James Tanner on 11th April 1867. Both signed with their mark, witnessed by Eliza Keirle and George Champion. Their first child Clara was baptised 18th December 1870, followed by Walter baptised 28th April 1872, Eli was baptised 6th July 1873, George was baptised 7th November 1874, Robert was baptised 1st November 1875, James was baptised 4th February 1877, Ann Sophia was baptised 25th October 1879, George baptised 26th June 1881, Kate baptised 27th May 1883.

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