Joseph Medworth a son of Simon Medworth, a ropemaker and Anna Lampson was born in Wisbech in 1752. Most of his siblings died in childhood. Sarah, Simon, Joseph, Ann, Simon, Thomas, Mary and Mary. Joseph's father died before he reached his teens. He was educated at the Wisbech Charity School. He was apprenticed as a bricklayer and went to work in London. He married Sarah Fisher in 1775 at Wisbech St.Peter church. They moved to Bermondsey, London where their children were born and he became a developer and returned to Wisbech in 1793, although his wife remained in London until her death. In 1793 an act of parliament was passed enabling the church to sell the former bishop's palace known as 'The Castle' or Wisbech Castle. He developed 'The Castle' site having bought Thurloe's mansion and estate from the See of Ely. In 1807 he was advertising to let a property in the High Street adjoining the Rose & Crown. In 1809 he was elected Town Bailiff after having served several years as a burgess. The Georgian Crescent, Union Place and Ely Place forming the Circus he built often feature in costume dramas. Later he demolished the mansion and replaced it with a Regency villa in 1816. He bought property to enable the circus to be connected with the marketplace by Market Street. On his death on 17 October 1827 he left children by Mary Rowell, Sarah Gibson aka Sarah Miller and Sarah Medworth. The death of Mrs Medworth last week at Bermondsey, where she resided, was reported in the Stamford Mercury of 22 June 1838 In 1860 Mr Robert Baxter the surviving executor gave notice to the Town Council to quit the premises serving as an engine house, at the Lady Day next. The purpose is thought to be to prevent the materials from the Butter market framework and materials being moved there. In accordance with the terms of his will, The Castle was to be let until all the members of his family were dead except two then the castle premises were to be sold, this occurred when Sarah Miller died on 17 January 1862. By order of The High Court of Chancery the Castle Estate, with other properties, was put up for sale by auction on 17 March 1864 at the 'Rose & Crown' Inn in Wisbech. The property was bought for William Peckover by his agent and part of the estate was sold. In 1957 The castle site was bought by Mrs F.C.D. Fendick. On the death of her husband Mr Tee Gordon Fendick MA, LL.B in March 1969 the property was given to the Isle of Ely county council. The villa is now leased by Wisbech Town Council from the owners Cambridgeshire County Council. The castle is located in the electoral ward of Medworth.
Ancestors
His parents were:- SIMON MEDWORTH born 1723 in Wisbech, England, and died 1761 in Wisbech, England and ANNA LAMPSON April 02, 1741 in Wisbech, England. His grandparents were :- MICHAEL MEDWORTH died 1736 and SARAH HUDSON November 08, 1713. She died 1744. A greatgrandfather was EDWARD MEDWORTH.
Descendants
He married Sarah Fisher on 3 July, 1775 in Wisbech, Isle of Ely. They moved to Bermondsey. Sarah Medworth, Joseph Medworth, Thomas Medworth, Rebecca Medworth and Mary Medworth. His children by housekeeper Mary Rowell*:- i. Joseph Medworth Rowell ii. Edward Medworth Rowell. His children by his housekeeper Sarah Gibson *:- iii. Sarah Medworth Gibson b.23 March, 1814 iv. James Medworth Gibson, b. 26 June, 1815 v. John Medworth Gibson b. 24 January, 1816 m. Letitia Winter 5 Feb 1839. d.17 Dec 1886 bur 18 Dec 1886. vi. Mary Medworth Gibson, b. 2 October, 1818 - 1860 vii. Josiah Medworth Gibson b. 17 March, 1820 viii. Henry Medworth Gibson , b. 15 April, 1824 ix. Edward Medworth Gibson, bapt. 5 October, 1827. *names as listed in Will for those born by that date. One son was born after the will was written but before the testator's death. In the Leicester Chronicle January 1837 ‘On Tuesday, at St.Margaret’s, Mr. James Medworth, son of the late Joseph Medworth, gent. of the Castle, Wisbech, to Miss Hipwell, of Waterloo-Street, in this town’. Reported in the Lincolnshire Chronicle of 11 May, 1838 - Mr.Thomas Newson Lawrence, of Wisbech married Miss Mary Medworth Gibson on 8th May 1838. "MARRIED. On Tuesday, the 8th inst., at Newark, Mr. Thomas Lawrence, jun. of Wisbech, to Mary, youngest daughter of the late. Mr. Joseph Medworth, of the latter place." John Medworth married Letitia second daughter of the late Mr. Winter, merchant of this city, at the Independent Chapel, Lincoln on Tuesday, 5 February 1839. On 18 August, 1846 the Grocers partnership in Wisbech, between Joseph Louth and Henry Medworth was dissolved. Henry Medworth was declared bankrupt and the contingent share and a life assurance policy for £500 auctioned on 6 June 1851 at the White Lion. He is recorded as living in the High St with his wife, son Harry, his mother, James and Sarah Miller, and two servants. 'Robert Medworth, veteran of the Crimean War, son of Joseph Medworth of London shot himself at the Ship Inn on 31 December 1857'.
