Biographical notes

The first record of this family is that of the marriage certificate of George Bull and Esther Cornes in the Parish Church of Edgbaston (about 5 miles SSW of Dudley), in Worcestershire, on the 22 October 1837. George's profession is that of saddler, living in Birmingham, and his father, Charles Bull, was a butcher. Esther was resident in Dudley, but there is no information relating to her father.

In the 1841 Census, they are listed as George Bull (25), Saddler, and Esther Bull (30), living in Kings Street, Dudley with their three children, Charles (3), Joseph (1) and Hannah (2 months). All have a birthplace of Worcestershire.

In the 1851 Census, the family are listed under the surname Ball and have moved from Dudley to Perry Street, St Pancras, Middlesex, London. George Bull (36), Harness Maker, is given an erroneous birthplace of Herefordshire, Esther (40), Laundress, Charles (13) is a Saddlers Apprentice, Joseph (11), is a Scholar and Hannah (10), also a Scholar. A new child George (6) was born at Drury Lane, London so the family must have moved from Dudley sometime between 1841 and 1845 when George was born. Their last child Emma (3) was born in Lisson Grove, London.

In the 1861 Census the family are living at 15 Great Paris Street in Lambeth St Mary, Surrey. George Bull (50), has a birthplace transcribed as Birchmorton, Worcestershire. This is better known as Birtsmorton, Worcestershire which is a few miles east of the Malvern Hills and close to the county boundary with Herefordshire. His given occupation is Harness Maker (which agrees with the profession given on his daughter Hannah's marriage certificate in 1862). Esther Bull (50), born in Dudley, Joseph Bull (21), born in Dudley, occupation Harness Maker, and George Bull (16), occupation Harness Maker, with an erroneous birthplace of Dudley. The other children appear to have left home.

1871 is the last Census in which George and Esther appear, and they are living at 115 Clonderley Road, Islington in London. George Bull (56),Harness Maker, has a birthplace again transcribed as Birchmorton, Worcestershire. Esther Bull (60), Domestic Servant, has a birthplace transcribed as Dudley, Worcestershire. No children are recorded.

Neither Esther or George have been traced in the 1881 Census.

Another reference to the family is on the marriage certificate of their daughter Hannah Bull, who was married at Bristol on 1 July, 1862. George Bull has the occupation of Harness and Saddle maker.