This is another on my many brick walls. Robert WILLIAMSON TEMPLETON says that he was born in 1801 Manchester. His wife, Jane [nee France] says that she was born 1804 Manchester. Robert's occupation was Comedian, Jane's occupation was actress/tragedian. Some of their children has been baptized under the name TEMPLETON but others have be baptized under the name WILLIAMSON. They must have been married some time before 1826 because that is the first record that I could find for one of their children - Emma WILLIAMSON born 3 Feb 1826 baptized 20 Aug 1826 St. Mary's Lancaster, Father Robert WILLIAMSON Mother Jane [source: familysearch]. Emma is recorded in the 1841 Census as Emma TEMPLETON age 15. At the time they were living at Pan Street, Prescot, Lancashire. Their other Children, Robert born 1831 Prescot Lancashire [record of birth/baptism not found but marriage record has been found Robert WILLIAMSON occupation comedian age 21 Wits: Robert WILLIAMSON TEMPLETON and JANE WILLIAMSON TEMPLETON], John WILLIAMSON baptised 20 Feb 1828 St Mary Lancashire abode Hardshaw Father Robert WILLIAMSON comedian Mother Jane, James [record of birth/baptism not found. I did find a marriage for James WILLIAMSON occupation musician to Elizabeth Atkinson 23 November 1861 but I don't think that this is the correct James], Samuel [birth/baptism not found]. He is recorded in the 1841 Census as age 5 born Pately Bridge. In the 1861 Census he is recorded as age 21 occupation comedian. William [A.K.A. Willie TEMPLETON [no birth or baptism found]. He was a clown working at Henglers Cirque, not much else is know about him. I have copies of his obits etc but if he is recorded on the Census he must have also been a magician because he got younger and younger for each census. Elizabeth/Clara Elizabeth WILLIAMSON baptised 3 March 1844, Father Robert, Mother Jane. She Married John Francis Scott 7 October 1861. She is recorded as being present with her father at the time of his death and also mentioned in obits. Edwin TEMPLETON born 25 May 1846 Father Robert WILLIAMSON TEMPLETON, occupation comedian Mother Jane [nee France] address Wool Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire.
I have lots of newspaper articles about this family, applications to erect a tent, application to put on performances, court records, applications to open and operate theatres both in Lancashire and Yorkshire, Obituaries etc. Also lots of Census records. I just cannot find the original Robert WILLIAMSON TEMPLETON and Jane France. It is possible that TEMPLETON was a stage name and that WILLIAMSON was their original name, but I still cannot find them.
