Marsh's Seminary

First off, I must say that Historic Coventry is a most amazing website. It took me quite a while to get to here because I was continually side-tracked by interesting tidbits of info. Oh my... I have a needlework tapestry that mentions "Marsh's Seminary, Coventry" from the year 1841. I have been searching for this particular 'school' for a very very long time now. From the US to Australia to the UK, I have found absolutely nothing. In today's Internet, I find that to be amazing. My search, or research, I did find a second tapestry that came from the same year and was auctioned off twice online in the past few years. So. My question. Does anyone know of a 'Marsh's Seminary' here in Coventry? The reason I ask, and the reason for my search, is that I would love to get this piece of history back to the family of the person who made it. And, by the way, I am also searching the WWW for the lady (Emma Hayward) who created this piece of history. I am attaching three images to this posting. The first is a photo I took of my possession. the second is of the item that was auctioned off online and the third is a shipping label I found in the back of the frame my item was in. I don't know if the last photo will help in any way, since my search of that thing has been just as fruitless. Thank you to any and all who may be able to assist me in my quest. This tapestry has been in my family for 80+ years. I would love to have it returned to its original family (and hope that they do not see it as a way to add a few pounds to their pocketbook!) Keep The Faith* Robb

Hello & welcome RobbS, & thank you so much for your lovely compliment to our forum. To return the compliment, it is yours & our forum as of now. Best wishes to you. PS I will mark your post as a question, as you are asking for specific info. Hope that is ok.

Hi RobbS, So far the only seminary I have come across is one labelled as 'Ladies Seminary' on the south west end of Little Park Street. It was demolished some time after 1888 to make way for a factory. That's almost all I know about it but that might give someone else something to go on.

Perhaps this is Emma Hayward. In 1851 she lived at Butts Lane and was described as a weaver. Edited by member, 28th Dec 2015 9:53 am

If the houses on the samplers are representative of the seminary buildings, it does suggest that it was further out than the inner city.

In 1851 a little further down the road in Butts Lane Union Buildings there is a Mary Marsh widow who is a school Mistress. She is still a school mistress in 1861 living in Sovereign Place, there is a Harriett Hayward living next door. There is also a Catherine Matthews of the correct age in 1841 living not far away in Thomas Street who in 1851 is a dressmaker. Edited by member, 28th Dec 2015 12:24 pm

I'm sure Butts Lane would be Summerland Butts rather than Butt Lane. Emma of 1829 married a William Wilson, son of a sugar planter in 1851 - St Thomas Marriages 1849-1869 After that I can't find them.

Is it Thomas BIRD, or Thomas BIRCH WILSON?, I can't decipher the original document script. It could help with tracing his death.

It looks like Thomas Bird Wilson to me. Compare the "d" of Summerland (in the previous box, as well as other instances) with the character in Bird and they are virtually identical.

I did find William Wilson in the 1851 census, just prior to his marriage, but unfortunately not with his family. After 1851 the couple seem to disappear.

I would like to thank all who provided such wonderful tidbits of information to my search. About 10 years ago, I was able to trace a 'William Hayward', son of 'William Hayward' who was listed as Emma's father in an 1841 census for Coventry. I got to 1921 before the line went cold. My intent was to find direct lineage, as opposed to several branches off. Thus, I ended that part of my quest. I actually came here after finding that other needlepoint on the Internet. To see "Marsh's Seminary" again reminded me of how frustrating it was to not find hide nor hair of such a place. And frustrating again to fail in digging up anything. ('Ladies Seminary' is an interesting track to pursue, Helen!) As such, my thanks once more! I was trying to build my own Family Tree before getting sidetracked in this other one. It was fun, but perhaps I shall drag my digging back to the original and "head off" to Scotland!! Good luck, all! (And I think I might do a bit more wandering around Historical Coventry. Fascinating place.)