According to my great-grandma's writings, her father William "was only 13 years old when his mother died -- and he used to work in the factory as a weaver until he went to sea as a cabin boy and followed the sea until his family came to America -- and while they were all working in the factories of Hebronville, for one place, and Central Falls and Pawtucket, I think it was while my aunts -- my father's sisters -- were there, he would go into the mill to see them and my mother was working there also and it was there he met her first."
William probably came to America with his father and sister Mary c1847 (see notes for John Andrews).
In the 1860 Federal Census, William & Eliza J. Andrews, ages 27 & 23, are living at North Providence, RI. He is a weaver. They have two children: William H., 3, and Carrie J., 1 month. In 1870 the family is still at North Providence, Centredale Post Office District.
The family was listed in the 1880 census for Providence / Graniteville; also known as District 1 Johnston:
William Andrews 47 born England
Eliza J Andrews 42 born England
Clara J. 20
James E. 15
Joseph C. 11
Mary E. 8
John F. 6
Estella M. 4
William H. 22
According to Mary's letter, her father William was in the Civil War, and also became an overseer at a mill in Centredale. She said his trade was "boss weaver" -- did she mean a manager of weavers?
His death record at Bristol, RI, identifies him as s/o John & Catherine. According to the record, he died at age 66.
1833 - 1900 (67 years)
