The Children of James Wombwell and Sarah Rogers

The human resource operation involved in running the menagerie was – to put it very mildly – not inconsiderable, and George, whether recklessly, charitably, or just on a purely practical basis was perfectly prepared to involve his extended family, all of whom he must have reasoned could bring their experience of looking after animals in the Clavering area to benefit his operation. Before proceeding with the outcomes of this approach, a glance at his tree is in order.

The children of James Wombwell (born 1739) and Sarah Rogers (born 1737), all born in or around the Clavering area were:

i. Samuel Wombwell (1760-1841)
ii. Sarah Wombwell (1762-????)
iii. William Wombwell (1764-????)
iv. Josiah Wombwell (1771-????)
v. Elizabeth Wombwell (1773-????)
vi. John Wombwell (1774-1845)
vii. Ann Wombwell (1777-1855)
viii. George Wombwell (1777-1850)
ix. Zacharias Wombwell (1780-1833)

Again, a word of warning: The lines that both precede and follow are complex, and reliant on previous researchers’ suppositions. If more or less correct however, all these children are first cousins x4 removed of Hetty Jane Owen. George, the menagerie founder, was apparently the eighth child. The ninth, Zacharias was the father of George junior whose story was told earlier.

Wendon Lofts marked in outline. Duddenhoe End is just to the south.

Various places are named as the birthplace of George senior, including Beckwith Green, Wendon Lofts, Duddenhoe End, Cressing, Elmdon and Braintree, Shaun Everett opting for the former, and quoting reports that the family moved from Beckwith Green after their cottage burned down in around 1772.