Wednesday 27 February 2013

Amos & Elizabeth’s family


I’m going to tell you about the children of the above, it might not be much but it’s all I have.

Mary was born in 1813 at Ashby St Ledgers, Northamptonshire, England; she was baptized on 4 July 1813 at Ashby St Ledgers.

John was born in 1816 at Ashby St Ledgers, Northamptonshire, England; he was baptized on 13 October 1816 at Ashby St Ledgers. In 1838 John married Sarah Harvey in Northamptonshire. On 7 June 1841, 7 April 1861, 2 April 1871 & 3 April 1881 John lived at Ashby St Ledgers. On 7 June 1841, 7 April 1861, 2 April 1871 & 3 April 1881 John’s occupation was Agricultural Labourer. John died in 1885, he was 69 years old.

Jane was born in 1821 at Ashby St Ledgers, Northamptonshire, England; she was baptized on 11 November 1821 at Ashby St Ledgers. On 7 April 1861 Jane was lived at Staverton, Northamptonshire; her occupation was Housekeeper. On 5 April 1891 Jane was living at Ashby St Ledgers. 

Joseph was born in 1823 at Ashby St Ledgers, Northamptonshire, England; he was baptized on 6 July 1823. On 7 June 1841, 30 March 1851 he lived in Ashby St Ledgers and his occupation was Agricultural Labourer. On 25 May 1851 Joseph married Hannah Montgomery at Ashby St Ledgers. On 7 April 1861, 2 April 1871, 3 April 1881 Joseph’s occupation was Agricultural Labourer. Joseph died in 1888, he was 65 years old.








All information was found on www.ancestry.co.uk & www.familysearch.org

Tuesday 19 February 2013

My 3rd Great Grandparent (my dads side)


Amos Hammonds
Elizabeth

Amos  was born in 1786 at Ashby St Ledgers, Northamptonshire, England. In 1808 Amos married Elizabeth at Ashby St Ledgers. On 7 June 1841 & 30 March 1851 Amos’ occupation was Agricultural Labourer. In 1859 Amos died at Ashby St Ledgers, he was buried on 28 June 1859. Amos was 73 years old.

Elizabeth was born in 1793 at Ashby St Ledgers, Northamptonshire, England. In 1808 Elizabeth married Amos Hammonds.  On 7 June 1841 & 30 March 1851 Elizabeth and Amos lived at Ashby St Ledgers.


Amos and Elizabeth had 5 children –
Mary                     born 1813 Ashby St Ledgers
John                      born 1816 Ashby St Ledgers                    died 1885 Northamptonshire
Jane                      born 1821 Ashby St Ledgers
Joseph                  born 1823 Ashby St Ledgers                    died 1888 Northamptonshire
William                 born 1830 Ashby St Ledgers









All information was found on www.ancestry.co.uk & National Burial Index for England & Wales (Third Edition) cd.

Friday 15 February 2013

Just for fun...


3rd Great Grandparents (my dad’s side)


Thomas Morris
Hannah (nee Jefcoatt)

Thomas was born in 1802 at Rusley, Warwickshire, England. On 22 February 1832 he married Hannah Jefcoatt at The Parish Church, Nuneaton, Warwickshire after banns were read on 22 & 29 January & 5 February. On 30 March 1851 & 7 April 1861 Thomas’ occupation was Ribbon Weaver. Thomas died in 1870; he was 66 years old.

Hannah was born in 1801 at Warwick, Warwickshire, England. On 22 February 1832 she married Thomas Morris. On 30 March 1851 they lived at Lockhurst Lane, Foleshill, Warwickshire; Hannah’s occupation was Ribbon Weaver. On 7 April 1861 they lived at Narrow Lane, Foleshill, Warwickshire; Hannah’s occupation was Ribbon Weaver.


Thomas & Hannah had the following child.
Harriett    born 1832 Nuneaton – 2nd Great Grandmother (my dads side)






All information was found on www.ancestry.co.uk

Monday 11 February 2013

Isaac & Jane’s family


I’m going to tell you about the children of the above, it might not be much but it’s all I have.

Eliza was born in 1825 at Foleshill, Warwickshire, England; she was baptized on 15 February 1825. On 7 April 1841 she lived at Warwick Street, Leamington Priors, Warwickshire; her occupation was an Apprentice. Eliza married Henry Gazey at the Parish Church, Foleshill, Warwickshire; on her marriage certificate her occupation is Weaver, she lived at Causeway Lane, Foleshill. On 7 April 1861 they lived at Cromwell Street, Coventry; her occupation was Silk Weaver. On 2 April 1871 she lived at 2 Prestlys Houses, Holy Trinity, Warwickshire; her occupation was Silk Weaver. On 3 April 1881 she lived at 15 Cobden Street, St John, Coventry St Michael, Warwickshire; her occupation was Silk Weaver. On 5 April 1891 she lived at Foleshill Road, Foleshill; her occupation was Silk Weaver. On 31 March 1901 she lived at 244 Foleshill Road, Holy Trinity, Coventry; her occupation was General Shopkeeper (own account at home). Eliza died in 1906 at Coventry, Warwickshire; she was 81 years old.

Mary Ann was born in 1826 at Foleshill, Warwickshire, England; she was baptized on 2 April 1826. On 15 April 1826 she lived at Causeway Lane, Foleshill, Warwickshire; she died before her 1st year, Mary Ann was buried on 16 April 1826 at Foleshill, Warwickshire.

Mary Sophia – see 2nd Great Grandparent blogged on 20 January 2013

Sarah Jane was born on 3 March 1836 at Foleshill, Warwickshire, England; she was baptized on 11 May 1836 at Warwick Lane Wesleyan, Coventry. On 30 March 1851 she lived at Red House Road, Foleshill, Warwickshire; her occupation was Hand Loom Weaver.

Ann was born in 1839 at Foleshill, Warwickshire, England. On 30 March 1851 she lived at Red House Road, Foleshill, Warwickshire; her occupation was Silk – dealer. On 7 April 1861 & 2 April 1871 she lived at Stoney Stanton road, Foleshill, Warwickshire; her occupation was Silk Weaver Ribbons. Ann died in 1906; she was 67 years old.

Jesse was born in 1841 at Foleshill, Warwickshire, England. On 30 March 1851 he lived at Red House Road, Foleshill, Warwickshire; his occupation was Scholar. On 7 April 1861 he lived at Stoney Stanton Road, Foleshill, Warwickshire; his occupation was Ribbon Warehouseman.

Isaac was born in 1841 at Foleshill, Warwickshire, England. On 30 March 1851 he lived at Red House Road, Foleshill, Warwickshire; his occupation was Scholar. On 11 February 1866 Isaac married Hannah Hartopp at Coventry, Warwickshire. On 2 April 1871 they lived at Stoney Stanton Road, St Michael, Coventry; his occupation was Ribbon Warehouseman. Isaac died in 1872 at Warwickshire, England; he was 31 years old, Isaac was buried on 15 April 1872 at Foleshill, Warwickshire.








All information was found on www.ancestry.co.uk, www.familysearch.org & National Burial Index for England & Wales (Third Edition) cd.

Wednesday 6 February 2013

My 3rd Great Grandparents (my dad’s side)


Isaac Cowley
Jane (nee Enzer)

Isaac was born in 1803 at Foleshill, Warwickshire, England; he was baptized on 24 April 1803. Isaac married Jane Enzer on 21 November 1824 after banns were read on 31 October, 7 & 14 November at The Parish Church, Foleshill, Warwickshire. On 13 February 1825 & 2 April 1826 Isaac’s occupation was Tailor. On 30 March 1851 Isaac’s occupation was Hand Loom Weaver. On 7 April 1861 Isaac’s occupation was Silk Weaver Ribbons. In 1869 Isaac’s occupation was Tailor. Isaac died on 4 October 1869; he was buried on 8 October 1869. He left in his will to Mary Sophia Lowe (wife of John Lowe, Baker) effects under £50. Isaac was 66 years old.

Jane was born in 1801 at Warwickshire, England. Jane married Isaac Cowley on 21 November 1824. On 13 February 1825 they lived at Causeway Lane, Foleshill, Warwickshire. On 30 March 1851 they lived at Red House Road, Foleshill, Warwickshire; her occupation was Hand Loom Weaver. On April 1861 they lived at Stoney Stanton Road, Foleshill, Warwickshire; her occupation was Silk Weaver Ribbons. On 2 April 1871 she lived at Stoney Stanton Road, Foleshill, Warwickshire; her occupation was Ribbon Weaver. Jane died in December 1873 at Foleshill, Warwickshire; she was buried on 31 December 1873. Jane was 72 years old.

Isaac and Jane had 7 children –
Eliza                   born 1825 Warwickshire
Mary Ann           born 1826 Warwickshire                       died April 1826 Foleshill
Mary Sophia       born 1829 Foleshill                               died 1890 Coventry
Sarah Jane          born 1836 Foleshill
Ann                    born 1839 Foleshill                               died 1906 Warwickshire
Jesse                   born 1841 Foleshill
Isaac                   born 1841 Foleshill                               died 1872 Warwickshire








All information was found on www.ancestry.co.uk & www.familysearch.org

Tuesday 5 February 2013

More about the Way of living in Sileby, Leicestershire, England.



Visitors
Few working class families ever had visitors who came to stay except when there was a wedding or a funeral. When they did arrive they were given the better bedroom, and were expected to wash themselves in the bedroom, using a wash-basin and jug. In some houses these utensils stood on a marble-topped wash-stand, known locally as a “wash-hand-stand.” Poorer families borrowed a jug and basin from a neighbour. In a soap-dish was a piece an inch thick, cut with a knife from a 3d bar of “best soap.” A boy was once sent to a grocer’s shop in the village, and said to the shopkeeper, “mi Mam sez, con shay ev the money back on this bar o’ soap, cuz er viziters dint cum?”
A male visitor would be provided with a shaving mug filled with hot water, and a small piece of the same “best-soap,” in the receptacle at the top of the mug. He would also be lent a strop to sharpen his hollow-ground razor, known as a “cut-throat.”

The Front Room
This part of the dwelling was used only occasionally. Villagers always liked to have something in reserve, and distinguished between “working things,” and “best things.” This applied to “working clothes,” and “best clothes;” “working boots,” and “best boots;” “ordinary pots,” and “the best pots;” “the house,” and “the front room.”
The room was set aside for festive occasions, especially Christmas, Easter, the Wakes, weddings and baptisms. Relatives gathered sorrowfully round the coffin in the room when there was a death in the family. When visitors came, they were entertained in the front room. The only exception to this rule was on a wet washday, when the “house” was festooned with damp clothing, and the family had to take refuge in the better room.
A typical front room had a small black iron fireplace, with a cupboard on one side, and a shelf on the other. In the middle of the room was a deal table covered with a table-cloth, and the best oil-lamp standing on it. One lady, describing the home of her childhood, said, “mi Dad’s grandfather clock and best woodin cheer wor in theer, which ‘im an’ Uncle Sam carried from Segruf or sumweer. As this got to Sileby, somebody shouted out, ‘ay, eent yo gorra watch?”
The room might contain an old couch donated by some other villager, “yo con ev it fer nowt, ef yer’ll cum an gerrit.” Poorer people were proud to possess a couch covered with woven black horse-hair, even if the stuffing was bursting out in places. A well worn couch could be uncomfortable, because the stiff projecting horse-hairs pricked the skin through thin clothing.
The bare floor-boards were covered here and there with home-made pegged rugs.
  
The Living-Room
The back room of a “two up and two down” cottage was the living-room, but was always called “the house.” Here the family lived, cooked, ate their meals and washed themselves. There was no unnecessary furniture in the room, because a large family occupied much of the space. For example: “In the centre was a scrubbed-top table, which on special occasions was covered with a green cloth. There were seeral wooden chairs; father had one with a high back, and curved arms, and mother’s chair had the legs out short to assist her when nursing the babies, and was called ;the low chair.’ Also a small side-table.”  This seems to have been a typical living-room, as “theer wornt room fer owt else when way wor all in it.” On one was a frame with a verse printed in silver letters on black paper:
“A Sabbath well spent, brings a week of content
And peace with the gains of the morrow.
But a Sabbath profaned, what else may be gained,
Is a certain forerunner of sorrow.”

Bedrooms
The upper rooms were even more sparsely furnished, containing a bed and a chest of drawers.
The bedstead, painted yellow; with a wood-grain, and “a knob on each corner,” was bought from a second-hand shop, or inherited from some poor deceased relative. Many people slept on straw palliasse, “as hard as a board,” and often the residing place of troublesome parasites which had prodigious leaping powers. “When thi burnt thi owd straw bed, yo ed to stand clear, or ywd bi covered wi flays.” “way uster tek ar dug ter bed wi us ter kep us warm. Ay wor full o’ flays, but as way ed as many as ay ed, it dint marra.”
There was a wardrobe. Clothes hung from nails at the back of the door. Best hats were kept in a tin box under the bed.
One family, “weer the gels wor wukin” and a little money was available, tried to persuade their father to have some “lino” on his bedroom floor, but he preferred the bare boards, stating that “lino” was “cowd t’the fate.”
  
The Fireplace
   Victorian home life seemed to be centred on the black iron fireplace, in which a fire burned summer and winter. It warmed “the house,” cooked the food, heated water and aired the clothes.
  When cooking, saucepans were placed on the grate  and tins or earthenware utensils in the oven . Food was placed on the hob ƒ to keep warm. When cooking in the oven, the poker was used to move the coals to the left side, so that maximum heat might be obtained. This was effective for stewing and roasting, but as there was not an even distribution of heat, it was difficult to cook pastries in quantity. In Sileby they used to say that mince pies which were furthest away from the fire came out of the oven “white-faced.” Rice puddings would boil over, and salt was then sprinkled on the bottom of the oven to clean it.
On the right side of the fire was the boiler , which was filled with water from a bucket, or a large jug, after raising the lid. The hot water was drawn off by a polished brass tap. Few houses used the boiler for this purpose, because the interior became rusty, and red-brown water which came out of the tap was not fit for household use. The boiler was generally used for drying sticks to light the fire, but when the fire was burning well, the boiler became so hot, the sticks began to smoulder, and filled the house with smoke and fumes.  Under both the oven and the boiler were spaces for hot ashes to increase the heat, and when the fireplace was being cleaned, the cold ashes were raked out by removing the two plates . To control the smoke, there was a metal dust-preventer between the grate and the chimney, which could be adjusted backwards and forwards.

Black-lead
  The ironwork of the fireplace was polished with pumbago, a form of graphite, commonly known as black-lead. A knob of black-lead could be bought for ½d from a grocer or ironmonger. It was crushed, then mixed with water or some other fluid, until a thin black paste was obtained. This was then applied to the fireplace with a brush. It dried almost immediately, leaving the surface dull, but when polished vigorously with a special curved brush, the ironwork shone like a black mirrow. Friday was “black-leadin’ day.” Many houses had a steel fender, which was rubbed regularly every week with emery-paper to give it a gleaming finish.
  
Pitch
  The bricks at the back of the fireplace were painted with pitch obtained from the Sileby Gas House. Most people gave the bricks a polished appearance by the use of black-lead.

Red Roddle
  The bricks of the hearth ˆ were scrubbed, then painted with red roddle. The idea probably originated at the brickyard, as this substance was used there for staining bricks during their manufacture. It was also employed for marking sheep. Roddle could be purchased from an ironmonger by the place, and looked like a lump of rough red chalk. After crushing, it was mixed in a bucket by hand, until, up to the elbow, “yo wor all uver roddle.” The hearth was painted with the red fluid, which dried giving a clean but dull powdery surface to the bricks. Red roddle was used also to paint doorsteps and windowsills.
  
Lighting
Before 1900, most of the smaller houses in the village were not supplied with gas. The “house” was illuminated at night by a candle, or an oil lamp. Although candles were cheap at 3d per dozen, some of the poor villagers made their own from string and mutton fat. “Muttin canduls” were not very satisfactory, as they spluttered, and burnt quickly and unevenly. Many houses had two lamps. The best one had a polished reflector. In Sileby, it was the practice to drop a moth ball into the oil to make the lamp burn brighter.
  
Furniture Prices

  New bedroom furniture in 1890, as illustrated here, cost £6.5.0. Beds were sold separately. A full sized bedstead cost 10s 6d, and a wool bed to fit, was also 10s 6d. A new straw palliasse was priced at 9s 6d in Leicester. A kitchen table cost 7s 6d, cane chairs 2s 6d each, and Windsor chairs, 2s 9d. When these prices are compared with a weekly wage of 15s, it is seen that furniture was dear from the view of the labouring man, and he had to put his home together the best way he could. Some people never had a piece of new furniture as long as they lived.







(the writing in italics is the way Sileby people talk)
All information came from the magazine 'Bygone Sileby'.