On November 22nd 1846, John James Readman, as on his certificate is born in Ousegate, Selby. This house is near to the river Ouse, as the name suggests. In the 1851 census, John is shown as living at 103, Ousegate, well in that census the houses weren't named, I was able to identify the house as one of those below.
John's mother was Elizabeth Dufton, a native of Selby. John was named after his paternal grandfather John Readman and his maternal grandfather James Dufton. John was christened at St. Mary's Church, Selby on 27 December 1846. This record was found on the International Genealogical Index (IGI), one of the occasions I did not actually find the fiche record myself.The birth record of John shows his surname to be "Redman" as opposed to "Readman", this has always been a problem with my family, how actually do we pronounce this name, let alone spell it. All I know is that my grandfather, George William Readman pronounced it "Redman" but spelt it "Readman", however he was of the era of literacy, I am sure that my great great grandfather Thomas did not know how to spell in 1846; so put the name the Redman on the form. Thomas Readman, his father was described by his grandson, Samuel Thomas Readman as a "pioneer engine driver". Samuel was himself a bit of a family historian. Samuel wrote about his Memoirs of Grimsby from 125, Heneage Road, Grimsby. These "memoirs" were found attached to a copy of "Ye Byrde of Gryme" and "Bates' ' A gossip about Old Grimsby", now held in Grimsby Central Library. Selby station shown above was right on the side of the River Ouse. A description of this station I found in a book written in 1842 by a Francis Wishaw entitled "Railways of Great Britain & Ireland", which I can quote because it is out of copyright.
At Selby, the station has the same fault exhibited in its
arrangement as that of Leeds, viz, want of platforms. It is otherwise a
spacious and well-proportioned building, divided down its length into three
spaces by two lines of cast-iron columns, which support the three spans of
roofing. There are altogether seven lines of running quite through this
building with as many carriage turntables, each placed half-way along the shed.
The middle space, which has a triple way, is about 35 feet wide; and the side
spaces, each having a double way, 24feet 6 inches each. The gates to the middle
space are made to slide; and those to each of the side spaces are hung folding.
As one line is calculated to hold fourteen carriages, there is altogether space
sufficient for ninety-eight carriages and wagons within this shed. There is an
engine turntable conveniently placed at the south entrance. The railway passes
through the shed and onto the steam-boat jetty projecting into the river Ouse.
The offices are placed on the left of the shed, and at the end next to the
river.
Not long after we moved from Cleethorpes where we had been living to Leeds, I carried out a study of the Leeds & Selby Railway, some of which I will describe in later blogs. I was hoping to find some reference to John's father Thomas whom I knew must have worked on this railway, but despite much searching both in Leeds Library at at the National Archives in Kew, London, I was unable to find any employment records for Thomas. I did find however a record of John's grandfather, John Readman, who worked as a joiner for the above railway, information which will come later. Getting back to John, I can't find anything about him from 1851 when he 5 years old with his family in Selby until he marries Sarah Mayor in Southwold, Suffolk. All I do know that in 1853 the family are living in New Holland, Lincolnshire where William, John's 2nd youngest brother was born, whilst Joseph, his first brother was born in 1850 in Selby. By the time of the 1861 Census, John would have been 14 years of age. The family are shown as living in 34, Railway Terrace, New Holland. John is not with them on census day, and I cant find him in the census nor any records about him.
On May 27, 1869, John marries a Sarah Mayor in the Parish Church at Southwold, Suffolk. Neither of the parents are witnesses at this marriage. Samuel Mayor, Sarah's father is dead. However this is where I think the below photograph was taken of the groom.
The certificate of the marriage is shown below:
The record states: No. 387: May 27th 1869, John James READMAN full age, Bachelor, Professor of Music,of Great Grimsby, son of Thomas READMAN, an engine driver marries:
Sarah MAYOR, full age, spinster, no occupation, of Southwold, daughter of Samuel MAYOR (deceased), a store keeper.John James Readman (his mark) & Sarah Mayor witnessed by Thomas Durrant & Elizabeth Mary Annie Girling.
Marriage Certificates are great sources of information, and this one is no exception. The certificate proves that John James Readman was the son of Thomas Readman an engine driver, & gives his occupation as Professor of Music (just like a man trying to impress his new girl), that annoying example of age, (of full age-not much use really). He was from Great Grimsby, that's not an adjective by the way, it's too differentiate it from Little Grimsby also in Lincolnshire. John still can't sign his name, but uses the surname Readman as opposed to Redman.
His bride, Sarah Mayor, also of full age, was living in Southwold, the daughter of Samuel Mayor, a store house keeper, but deceased. It puzzled me for long time how she became to be living in Southwold, when I know she was living in Grimsby, just like John. But looking at the witnesses to the marriage, Thomas Durrant & Elizabeth Girling, I now know what this certificate is saying. It's all to do with H. M. Customs. Sarah''s father, Samuel, worked for H. M. Customs until he did something dishonest and was dismissed to become a store house keeper.
The Morning Chronicle (London, England), Saturday, May 20, 1854; Issue 27271
The appointment of comptrollership of customs at Grimsby is vacant caused by the dismissal of Mr. S. Mayer. (Civil Service Gazette)
His wife was Mary Elizabeth Durrant, sister to Thomas Durrant. Thomas was also employed by H. M. Customs, as can be seen from a probate record & newspaper article about his death.
His bride, Sarah Mayor, also of full age, was living in Southwold, the daughter of Samuel Mayor, a store house keeper, but deceased. It puzzled me for long time how she became to be living in Southwold, when I know she was living in Grimsby, just like John. But looking at the witnesses to the marriage, Thomas Durrant & Elizabeth Girling, I now know what this certificate is saying. It's all to do with H. M. Customs. Sarah''s father, Samuel, worked for H. M. Customs until he did something dishonest and was dismissed to become a store house keeper.
The Morning Chronicle (London, England), Saturday, May 20, 1854; Issue 27271
The appointment of comptrollership of customs at Grimsby is vacant caused by the dismissal of Mr. S. Mayer. (Civil Service Gazette)
His wife was Mary Elizabeth Durrant, sister to Thomas Durrant. Thomas was also employed by H. M. Customs, as can be seen from a probate record & newspaper article about his death.
DURRANT Thomas, 9 September, The will of Thomas Durrant
formerly of Southwold in the County of Suffolk but late of Burnham in the
County of Essex, Principal Officer of Her Majesty’s Customs deceased who died
08 March 1870 at Burnham aforesaid was proved at the Principal Registry by the
oath of Mary Hannah Durrant, of Harwich in the County of Essex, aforesaid Widow
the Relict the sole Executrix.
Garibaldi
St.
Certified Copy of an entry of Marriage: Registration District of Louth: 1879 marriage solemnized at The Parish Church of Louth in the County of Lincoln by Heather Rodgers, Supt. Registrar, September 14th, 2001.
98, 23rd September 1879: John James Readman, full age, widower, Musician, of Great Grimsby, son of Thomas Readman, engine driver & Sarah Duckering, full age, spinster, of Louth, daughter of Joseph Duckering, butler were married in the Parish Church according to the rites & ceremonies of the established church after Banns by me Albert S. Wilde, Rector. John James Readman, Sarah Duckering (signatures), witnessed by George Forman & Susannah Duckering.
So Sarah was the daughter of Joseph DUCKERING, a butler, and Sarah Wildman DUCKERING nee Bucknall.
Notes for JOSEPH DUCKERING:
Joseph Duckering was born 1823, at Willoughton, Lincolnshire, the youngest child of Samuel Duckering & Sarah Pinnin. According to the 1841 census he is a manservant at Stone's Place, Skellingthorpe, just outside Lincoln.
1841 Census possible entry-
Skltp HO107/622/7/f4 DUCKERING Joseph [ ][ ][15] [M.S. Skellingthorpe, Lincoln
Between then and 1848 he meets a Jane Wildman Bucknall, who was born in North Somercoates,
Lincolnshire. They marry on 26 September, 1848,at Hull Holy Trinity, with Jane already 6 months pregnant with their first daughter Sarah, who is born at Louth, in Walkergate. Joseph is by now a gentleman's butler, but his place of work is yet unknown. Sarah is born on 14th December, 1848, see her birth certificate.
1849 Birth in the Sub-district of Louth, in the County of Lincoln:
No. 139: Fourteenth December 1848 at Walkergate, LOUTH, Sarah,, girl, daughter of Joseph DUCKERING & Jane Wildman DUCKERING, formerly, BUCKNALL. Joseph's occupation a butler, Informant J. W. DUCKERING, mother of Walkergate, Louth on 9 January 1849.
but by 1851, at the time of that census, the family have moved to Westgate, Louth. In the 1851 census HO107/2111/590 the address is Westgate, Louth Joseph is 27, a House servant born Willoughton, Jane 28 born Somercotes (?) Sarah 2, born G. Grimsby, Susanna, 11 months, born Louth. Throughout the census reports, Jane & Joseph say Sarah is born in Grimsby, but her Birth certificate above says Louth.
In 1861 census, the family now live at 7, Edward St, Louth, the house they live in for the next 30 years. Joseph is a Gentleman's butler, Jane a housewife, born North Somercoates is 38 years of age. They now have 4 children, Sarah, 12 years, a scholar, Sussana, 10 years, a scholar, Mary Ann, 8 years, a scholar and Charles aged 4, a scholar. They also have a lodger, Louisa Bunting, 23 years an infant schoolteacher, from Liverpool.
It was a shame that his father, Thomas did not live to see his son married-he had died 4th July 1879. No doubt, John carried on living in the home of his father, 44, Garibaldi Street, Grimsby-his mother was still alive, but after his marriage they moved.
In 2001, a remarkable piece of information came my way. It was a letter sent by a George William Readman to his father Samuel Thomas Readman in Grimsby in 1919, then serving as a young soldier in Germany. I managed to trace (more later about the letter etc), a living relative of Samuel Thomas Readman he had died in 1967, another John Readman who lived in Kent, England. We corresponded a number of times and he told me that his grandfather, Samuel Thomas Readman remembered walking with his father John James Readman from Grimsby to Waltham on a Sunday morning in the 1870's so that his father could play the organ with Samuel pumping it! After being entertained by the ladies of the church for lunch, Samuel and John would then walk back to Grimsby. So this must have been when Sam and John were living in Garibaldi St, after the death of Sarah Readman nee Mayor. John still had his music shop then, but also played the organ at Waltham, about 4 miles away, on a Sunday and gave piano lessons.
So I must now try to find out if there are any records of this.
A local newspaper article confirms this story that John James Readman is the organist & choirmaster of Waltham Parish Church.
Lincolnshire Chronicle - Friday 23 January 1874
Waltham.—A concert was given on the evening of the 8th inst., in the National School-room, by the members of the parish church choir, kindly assisted by several amateurs, in aid of the fund for building anew organ in the parish church. The various pieces were performed to the entire satisfaction of a numerous audience, who evinced the pleasure they received encoring several of their favourite singers—Mr. J. Ful ford in—"Let me like a soldier fall," Miss Shepherd in "He thinks I do not love him,"Mr. F. Suddaby, whose voice has vastly improved, in—" I'm lonely since mymother died," and others. The cultivated voices and finished style of Mrs. Overton, of Thorganby Hall, and Miss Gedge, of Ludborough, the former of whom sang Pinsuti's—"l love my love and the latter " Sing me English song," by Wrighton, afforded especial pleasure to all lovers of music who had the good fortune to be present. Mrs. Slingsby, as heretofore, most kindly played the accompaniments with great taste and feeling, Mr. Readman, organist of the parish church, under whose management the concert was got up, commenced each part with pianoforte solo. The net proceeds of the concert amounted to the sum of £7. The following was the entire programme:—Pianoforte solo—Wedding March, Mendelssohn—Mr. J. J. Readman. Chorus- Silver moonlight, Christy's—Choir. Song- Life is river, Nelson—Mr. E. Stamp. Solo and chorus—Dear mother I've come home. H. Tucker—Miss Shepherd and choir. Duet- Sisterly love, C. Blamphin—Miss Coverdale and Miss E. Coverdale. Song—When night is darkest, E. Land —Mr. Jennings. Violin solo—March, Rossini- Mr. C. E. Borman. Duet—O Lady Moon, V. Wallace—Mrs. Overton and Mr. Pacey. Song—He thinks I do not love him, Mad. S. Dolby—Miss Shepherd. Song—Let me like a soldier fall, V. Wallace—Mr. John Fulford. Solo and chorus—Leaf by leaf, Christy's—Miss Coverdale and choir. Solo pianoforte—March—Mr. J. J. Readman. Chorus —Softly falls the moonlight, Christy's—Choir. Song—l love my love, Ciro Pinsuti —Mrs. Overton. Solo and chorus—Mother I've heard, Christy's—Mr. John Fulford and choir. Song—Sing, sweet bird, Wilhelm Ganz—Miss E. Coverdale. Duet Army and navy, T. Cooke—Mr. Jennings and Mr. E. Stamp. Song—Sing me an English song, Wrighton— Miss Gedge. Duet—Row us afar, Manzocchi—Miss Coverdale and Miss E. Coverdale. Solo and chorus— I'm lonely, Christy's—Mr. F. Suddaby and choir. Song—Children's voices, Clanbel —Miss Gedge. Fiuale —God save the Queen.
According to the 1881 Census, John and his family move to a private house in Kirkgate, Waltham. John is the organist at Waltham Parish Church, and lives nearby. He probably had a small stipend from this post. In this house on 5th May 1881, Alice Readman is born. This was too late for the 1881 Census. In August, on the 14th, Samuel was Christened at All Saints Waltham. His step-sister Alice was christened at the same time.
So while Sarah & John are living in Waltham, Sarah's mother & father, Joseph & Jane DUCKERING are living at 2 different addresses.
1881 England Census for Joseph Duckering
Lincolnshire Great Grimsby District 5
4, Holme Street, Grimsby.
Ellen WRIGHT, Head, Widow, 59, Boarding House Keeper, born County Clare, Ireland.
Laurence Derani, Son, Unmarried, 18, Sawyer, Born Gainsbro, Lincolnshire,
Fanny Tuplin, Servant, 13, Servant, born Laceby, Lincolnshire
Then follows 5 people all whom are lodgers including Joseph DUCKERING, Boarder, Married, 57, Gentleman’s Servant, born, Blyton, Lincolnshire.
Then on 17 September, 1881, Joseph DUCKERING, Sarah's father died. A newspaper article in the Lincolnshire Chronicle describes his death.
Lincolnshire Chronicle - Friday 23 September 1881
Found Dead in Bed.—An inquest was held on Monday, at the Duke of Wellington public-house, Pasture-street, before 0. B. Moody, Esq., district coroner, on the body of Joseph Duckering, 57 years of age, a lodger with Mrs. Wright, 4, Holme-street, who was found dead in bed on Saturday afternoon. Dr. J. E. Smith said he had made a post-mortem examination of the body of deceased that day, the result being that he found the brain comparatively healthy. The lungs were gorged with blood. The heart was fairly healthy. The stomach was completely devoid of food but full of gas. The bowels also contained nothing but wind, except that for about three inches the rectum there was deposit of cancerous matter. The lungs were so much gorged with blood that it almost, in his opinion, amounted to pulmonary apoplexy, which he considered was the cause of death.—The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony.
By 24th May 1883, the family are back in Grimsby, at 159, Willingham Street, as May Readman is born there. John is still the organist at Waltham Parish Church, with Samuel still pumping it.The 1891 Census has John and his family at 135 Hainton Street, later renamed Hainton Avenue. John is still a piano teacher. Samuel Thomas is now a labourer for the railway company whilst Annie and May are both at school.The census of 1901 finds the family still at 135, Hainton Avenue, where John is a piano tuner. It's possible by now that John was going blind hence the change in occupation. This photograph of him appears to show a man of poor sight. It would be good to find some advertisements in a local newspaper for John Readman, piano tuner to confirm this or not. His two children Alice & May, 19 & 17, are at home with his wife Sarah.
10 years, and a lot can happen in that time, but I have little knowledge of that time, John & Sarah are in the home of May Brown, nee Readman, and their young daughter. May and Herbert Brown, a bank clerk live in Harrow, Middlesex. Sarah Readman, nee Duckering died on 25th March 1925, in Grimsby. John James died on 3rd October 1930, at the home of his daughter Alice now married to Arthur Ernest Bradley at 29, Beard Road, Gorton, Manchester. He was buried in Gorton Cemetery, later so were Alice and her husband. So still a lot to discover, but John is the most photographed of all my early relations-no doubt others were but the photographs have not survived. John is not a close relation, because I am descended from his younger brother Arthur.
Just recently I have found some more information about May BROWN nee Readman. I have found her grand daughter, so that has sent me back to research more about May & her family.
May was born on the 24 May 1883 at 159 Willingham Street, Grimsby. This is her record of birth.
His death was reported in a newspaper, which I have found in my account with British Newspaper Archive.
Effects under £200.
A newspaper article in the "The
Essex Standard, and General Advertiser for the Eastern Counties (Colchester,
England), Friday, March 11, 1870; Issue 2047.from 19th Century British Newspapers states:
Deaths: DURRANT:- March 8th, at Burnham, Mr.
Thomas Durrant, tide surveyor, Burnham, aged 49 years.
By the way I didn't start using newspapers for research until 2006-I was doing this course on the City of Leeds run by the Civic Society-a family historian there told me about online resource at my local library available with my library ticket. I have been hooked ever since! I now also use Trove, for Australian Newspapers, Papers Past for New Zealand, and several in USA, mostly free sites.
So it might be an idea now to add some background information about Sarah Mayor & her parents.
Sarah first appears in the census in the 1841 Census.
1841 England Census for Samuel Mayor
Northumberland Horton District 5
Waterloo Place: Samuel MAYOR: 30, H. M. Customs: Not born in Northumberland
Mary MAYOR, 25, Not born in Northumberland
James MAYOR, 4 years, Not Born in Northumberland
Elizabeth MAYOR, 2years, not born in Northumberland
Sarah MAYOR, 4 months, Born in Northumberland
Waterloo Place is just below the letter "H" in BLYTH on the left hand side of the map with the Custom House on the right hand side.
So by 1869, Sarah's parents were dead, so was her brother James Samuel & sisters Eliza & Elizabeth, so she had been living with her uncle in Southwold, who no doubt gave her away in place of her father. Elizabeth Girling was the daughter of a harbour pilot. Southwold in 1869 had a harbour & a customs house, but no railway, that did not arrive until 1879, but shut in 1929.
I know that Thomas Readman, John's father went to the wedding; he had his photograph taken there before it.
By the way I didn't start using newspapers for research until 2006-I was doing this course on the City of Leeds run by the Civic Society-a family historian there told me about online resource at my local library available with my library ticket. I have been hooked ever since! I now also use Trove, for Australian Newspapers, Papers Past for New Zealand, and several in USA, mostly free sites.
So it might be an idea now to add some background information about Sarah Mayor & her parents.
Sarah first appears in the census in the 1841 Census.
1841 England Census for Samuel Mayor
Northumberland Horton District 5
Waterloo Place: Samuel MAYOR: 30, H. M. Customs: Not born in Northumberland
Mary MAYOR, 25, Not born in Northumberland
James MAYOR, 4 years, Not Born in Northumberland
Elizabeth MAYOR, 2years, not born in Northumberland
Sarah MAYOR, 4 months, Born in Northumberland
Looking at the census entry, there is another family in the area living at Cowpen Lodge.
I found this map of the area which has Cowpen Lodge on it & also the Custom House where presumably Samuel Mayor, Sarah's father worked.
Waterloo Place is just below the letter "H" in BLYTH on the left hand side of the map with the Custom House on the right hand side.
So in the Census of 1841, Sarah is shown to be only 4 months old and born in Blyth, whilst the rest of the family were from Essex, her sister Elizabeth from Mistley & brother James Samuel from Harwich, Essex. Information about Waterloo Place I found here, known later as Waterloo Road:http://northumberlandpast.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/waterloo-road-blyth.html
The Mayor family were all originally from Sheffield in Yorkshire, a Joseph Mayor born 1723 in Sheffield and died there in 1798. Then a Samuel Mayor born 17 March 1767 in Sheffield, Yorkshire and died 30 December 1844 in Colchester Essex. He moved to Sussex where he became a Master Mariner marrying a Frances Woodland in Birdham, Sussex on 13 September 1791_13 September 1791 • Birdham, Sussex, England
13 September 1791: Samuel Mayor mariner, bachelor & Frances Woodland,spinster, both of the parish of Birdham are married by banns in the presence of William Cox & John Clayton
Frances Woodland (1766–1837). In 1805, Samuel & Frances are in Essex, when their daughter Frances is born 25 March 1805 in Harwich & christened at Dovercourt on 22 December 1805.
Then on 19 March 1808, his son Samuel MAYOR was born in Harwich, Essex.
Baptism: 28 December 1808 • Harwich St Nicholas, Essex, England
Samuel, son of Samuel & Frances Mayor, was born March 19 1808, was christened December 28 1808 by William Whinfield, curate.
I think by now Samuel Mayor was no longer a mariner but a member of "Trinity House", the organisation responsible for lighthouses & H. M. Customs. Certainly by 1837 a newspaper article supported this idea:
Died, lately Mrs Mayor, wife of Mr. Samuel Mayor, agent to Trinity Board at Harwich (Source: The Ipswich Journal (Ipswich, England), ; Issue 5158) A Burial record for her confirms that Samuel was an agent for the Trinity Board in January 1837: This is that record
Burial: 17 January 1837 • Harwich St Nicholas, Essex, England
Number 58: Frances Mayor, of Harwich, buried 17 January 1837, aged 71 years, by William Bull, curate. (Source-Essex Archives-Parish Registers-SEAX as it is known-I took out a subscription for a couple of days and got some info that way)
Burial: 17 January 1837 • Harwich St Nicholas, Essex, England
Number 58: Frances Mayor, of Harwich, buried 17 January 1837, aged 71 years, by William Bull, curate. (Source-Essex Archives-Parish Registers-SEAX as it is known-I took out a subscription for a couple of days and got some info that way)
Then this article confirms it as well: Marriage
18 October 1844 • Ipswich, Suffolk, England
On the 18th inst. At Ipswich, Captain Samuel Mayor, agent for the Honourable Corporation of the Trinity House for the port of Harwich, was married to Mrs. Till, widow of the late Mr. John Till, shipwright. The gallant captain is in his 78th year. (The Essex Standard, and General Advertiser for the Eastern Counties) Samuel died 30 December 1844 after he had been married for just 6 weeks.
By this time, his son Samuel, who was Sarah's father was married to Mary Elizabeth DURRANT-this is the record of that marriage(I don't have the original so it doesn't show his employment at the the time)
22 November 1835 • Harwich St Nicholas, Essex, England
Number 265: Samuel Mayor, Bachelor, & Mary Elizabeth Durrant, both of this parish, were married by licence on 22nd November 1835 by William Smith Curate. Witnesses: Sarah Durrant, Eliza Durrant, James Durrant, M C Waidy
However I have just found the baptism record of their first child James Samuel MAYOR.
8th April 1837, James Samuel MAYOR, born 5 September 1836 in St Nicholas Parish, Harwich, son of Samuel MAYOR & Mary Elizabeth MAYOR formerly DURRANT, at Harwich, Samuel of the Customs.
So we also know, that Samuel & Mary Elizabeth had a daughter Elizabeth who was born in Mistley, not far from Harwich, still on a river estuary, so Samuel must have been a Customs officer there, before he was moved to Blyth, Northumberland, where sometime either in late December or early March 1840/1841 their daughter Sarah was born.
The next event in Sarah's life was the death of her brother James Samuel MAYOR who died in either January or late December 1843 at their home in Blyth, Northumberland. Without either of the certificates of Sarah's birth & James's death I am unable to exactly when these events occurred. Then her sister Eliza was born in either late December or January 1843/1844 for it was recorded in March quarter of 1844. Eliza was given the second forename Durrant after her mother's maiden name.
Anyway sometime after Eliza's birth, Samuel is moved to Grimsby where he appears in the 1851 census:
1851 England Census for Samuel Mayor
Lincolnshire Great Grimsby 4g
Newmarket Place: Samuel MAYOR, Head, Married, 43, Comptroller of H. M. Customs, born Harwich, Essex
Mary L MAYOR, Wife, Married, 39, Comptroller’s Wife, born Harwich, Essex.
Elizabeth Mayor, Daughter, Unmarried, 12 years, Scholar, born Mistley, Essex.
Sarah MAYOR, Daughter, Unmarried, 10 years, born Blyth, Northumberland
Eliza MAYOR, daughter, Unmarried, 7, Scholar, Born, Blyth, Northumberland.
I think the move must have happened when the new dock in Grimsby was constructed. The new dock was started to be constructed in March 1846, and on 18th April, 1849, Prince Albert laid the foundation stone of the new dock. He stayed overnight at Brocklesby Hall, home of the Earl of Yarborough, who was chairman of the Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire line the company responsible for building the new dock.
There is a statue of Prince Albert commemorating this opening of the new dock. The new dock was finally completed and opened on 27 May 1852. Even whilst the new dock was being constructed trade was still going on as the new railway was opened from New Holland on March 1 1848 from New Holland Pier to Grimsby & Louth, and later on November 1 1848 the line to Sheffield & Manchester was opened from Grimsby, so trade between Grimsby & the continent increased.
In fact in October 1854, Queen Victoria visited the new dock which was then afterwards called the Royal Docks. In the same year Samuel Mayor lost his job as Comptroller of Customs, and became a shipping clerk instead.
Occupation
20/05/1854 • Grimsby, Lincolnshire, England
"The appointment of controllership of Customs at Grimsby is vacant caused by the dismissal of Mr. S. Mayer. Research at Kew reveals he did not receive a pension.(Civil Service Gazette).
1861 England Census for Samuel Mayor
Lincolnshire Great Grimsby District 03
Entry 96: 17 Worsley Street:
Samuel MAYOR, Head, Married, 53, Shipping Clerk, born Harwich, Essex.
Mary Elizabeth MAYOR, Wife, Married, 49, Born Harwich, Essex.
Elizabeth MAYOR, Daughter, Unmarried, 22, Governess, Born Mistley, Essex.
Sarah MAYOR, Daughter, Unmarried, 20, born Blyth, Northumberland.
Eliza MAYOR, Daughter, Unmarried, 17, Born Blyth, Northumberland.
Worsley Street is no longer a street in Grimsby. It was lost in the 1970's when the predecessor to Freshney Place, Grimsby shopping centre was built. It connected Sanctuary lane with Victoria Street and got its name from Lord Worsley, the title given to the Earl of Yarborough's eldest son. It was one of Grimsby's oldest streets and in 1852 had 18 households.It was in the old town of Grimsby, as opposed to New Market place which was in the new town of Grimsby.
Then came another sad event for young Sarah, the death of her elder sister Elizabeth.
Louth and North Lincolnshire Advertiser - Saturday 29 June 1861
DEATHS
At Grimsby, on the 26th instant, aged 22 years, Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Mr. Samuel Mayor, 17,
Worsley-street. Elizabeth was buried in Doughty Road Cemetery, Grimsby.
I have recently received some records of Doughty Road Cemetery Burials from a contact in Grimsby. These records have quite a lot of information on them for every person buried in this cemetery which was put in place in the 1850's as the population of Grimsby started to increase thanks to the improvements to the docks & railways and the local parish church graveyard was getting filled up. The Parish Church of St James's graveyard closed in 1854, much to the dismay of the vicar. Unfortunately the site chosen for this graveyard had a very high water table, so many of the graves were often full of water. So much so that at first a wind pump was erected to drain a tank holding excess water, which was soon replaced with a steam pump capable of pumping 300 gallons of water a minute out of a tank holding 4,000 gallons of drainage water. This cemetery became known as Doughty Road Cemetery as it sited at the junction of Doughty Road with Ainslie Street. Mind you Doughty Road didn't get its name until 23rd November 1895, when it was named after Alderman DOUGHTY. The Hull Daily Mail in that year carried this report:
Hull Daily Mail - Wednesday 04 December 1895
GRIMSBY "MAIL" MEMS. by OUR OWN REPORTER. When the question of naming the road to the new subway came up for discussion at the Highways Committee on Monday night it produced some fun. It was claimed that Alderman Doughty had taken the initial part formulating the work, and that the road should be named after him. * » The committee began to get mixed over three aspirants for the honour of creating the improvement, but the Mayor solved the difficulty. He pointed out that the schemes propounded by Mr Wright and Mr Popple did not include the position of the present subway. * * * The rest consequently became easy, and as the borough member was entitled to the honour, the road will be named "Doughty-road." * * He will perform the opening ceremony on the 23rd inst., thus bestowing upon the town a much-needed Christmas box.
As for the Cemetery, eventually it was closed down & a new cemetery opened on land given to the Grimsby Corporation by the Earl of Yarborough off Scartho Road, Grimsby. This was in September 1888 with George DOUGHTY, chairman of the Cemetery Committe laying one of the Foundation Stones of a Non-Conformist chapel at the Cemetery. This is a copy of that stone.
This is a newspaper article about this event.
Stamford Mercury - Friday 09 November 1888
On Monday morning last the foundation-stones of the chapel of the new cemetery were laid by the Mayor of Grimsby (Aid. Veal) and the chairman oi the Cemetery Committee (Councillor Doughty). The members of the Corporation met at the Town-hall at 11-30, where carriages were waiting to convey them to the site. On arrival. Aid. Jackson presented the Mayor with a silver trowel bearing an appropriate inscription. The Mayor then laid the stone of the chapel on the side to be consecrated, saying, "I lay this stone in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost," expressing a wish that the place would always be held sacred. The Rev. Canon Young, Vicar, offered a dedication prayer, and the Rev. J. Spawforth pronounced the benediction. Mr. Doughty then laid the stone of the chapel on the Nonconformist side, where the Mayor presented Councillor Doughty with a silver trowel. The first stone bears the following inscription:— This stone was laid by Aid. H. J. Veal, J.P., Mayor Grimsby, on the 5th day of November, 1888.— E. W. Farebrother, F.R.I. B. A., architect. The inscription on the other stone was This stone was laid by Councillor George Doughty, chairman of the Cemetery Committee, on the 5th day Nov., 1888.
The records for Elizabeth Mayor's burial are thus:
Mayor Elizabeth, Worsley Street. d.o.d: 26 Jun 1861 d.o.b: 28 Jun 1861 age:22 plot no : 42/127 religion: Baptist Spinster Ref: 1104
So these records tell us that Elizabeth MAYOR died on 26 June 1861, at Worsley Street, aged 22. She was buried in plot number 42/127. She was a member of the local Baptist Church and buried on 28 June 1861-Reference No. 1104.
The next event in Sarah's life was the death of her brother James Samuel MAYOR who died in either January or late December 1843 at their home in Blyth, Northumberland. Without either of the certificates of Sarah's birth & James's death I am unable to exactly when these events occurred. Then her sister Eliza was born in either late December or January 1843/1844 for it was recorded in March quarter of 1844. Eliza was given the second forename Durrant after her mother's maiden name.
Anyway sometime after Eliza's birth, Samuel is moved to Grimsby where he appears in the 1851 census:
1851 England Census for Samuel Mayor
Lincolnshire Great Grimsby 4g
Newmarket Place: Samuel MAYOR, Head, Married, 43, Comptroller of H. M. Customs, born Harwich, Essex
Mary L MAYOR, Wife, Married, 39, Comptroller’s Wife, born Harwich, Essex.
Elizabeth Mayor, Daughter, Unmarried, 12 years, Scholar, born Mistley, Essex.
Sarah MAYOR, Daughter, Unmarried, 10 years, born Blyth, Northumberland
Eliza MAYOR, daughter, Unmarried, 7, Scholar, Born, Blyth, Northumberland.
I think the move must have happened when the new dock in Grimsby was constructed. The new dock was started to be constructed in March 1846, and on 18th April, 1849, Prince Albert laid the foundation stone of the new dock. He stayed overnight at Brocklesby Hall, home of the Earl of Yarborough, who was chairman of the Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire line the company responsible for building the new dock.
So the Grimsby of 1831 was soon to change with a railway line by 1848 and a new dock to be built by 1852.
The Illustrated London News Saturday 27 March 1852
GREAT GRIMSBY DOCKS. Six years have now elapsed since a far-seeing mercantile company fastened npon the spot which the sagacity of the old roving sea-kings chose to give them the command of the Humber; and there they commenced planting, In defiance of all natural obstacles, a new commercial city, to become the great entrepot of the trade between western and northern and eastern Europe. The Initial works are now approaching completion. The company have pushed out into the domain of the rolling waters, and amid the treacherous mud they have raised massive superstructures, and thus added nearly 140 acres of solid land to the occupation of man ; and there, by the happy union of science, capital, and labour, has been founded the finest harbour on the eastern coast of England. The new Docks, when completed, will present a striking example of the advantage to be derived from a union of railways, docks, and warehouses, executed under one complete plan, and worked under one management. Grimsby, at the mouth of the Humber, five miles from its confluence with the sea, has in front a deep roadstead with excellent anchorage in blue clay, protected from the ocean by the promontory of Spurn Point. Great Grimsby Roads afford the only refuge between the Thames and the Firth of Forth.The Old Dock was purchased by the Manchester and Sheffield and Lincolnshire Company, when they decided on their Water Terminus.” It has an entrance-lock of 150 feet in length and 37 feet In width, with 18 feet on its sill at high tide. In 1845 they obtained an act for the new dock ; the first stone was laid by Prince Albert on 18th April, 1849; and the very interesting celebration of this event was represented In the Illustrated London News, No. 3G7. The entrance tidal basin has an area of 15 acres: its depth at low spring tides is 9 feet; low neaps, 12½; high springs, 27⅜high neaps, 24¼ at landing slip within the tidal basin the largest steamers can lie-to safely at any time of tide. The Dock is entered from its tidal basin by two locks of massive masonry, with double gates for ebb and flood tides. The larger lock, constructed (by arrangement with Government) to admit the largest war-steamers, Is in length between gates 200 feet; breadth from wall to wall, 70; depth on sill at low spring, 7 feet; neaps, 10½; high springs, 25½ high neaps, 22¼ at half-tide the average depth on sill, 16 to 17 feet; at three-quarters tide, 20 to 22 feet. The small or second lock is for general purposes, and is in length between gates 300 feet, breadth from wall to wall 45, and its sill being 9 inches below the large lock, it will have at half-tide a depth of water of 17 to 18 feet, and at three-quarter tide from 21 to 22 feet. The Dock has a water area of upwards of 25 acres, including a timber pond at the upper end, and it will never contain a less depth of pure fresh water than 25 feet at its entrance, shoaling gradually to 20 feet at the timber pond the general depth will be two feet more. In constructing these works, 135 acres have been reclaimed; wharves or quays extend 3600 feet in length, quays to be traversed by railways from the main lines and Into sheds and warehouses. Sheds are close to the quays 760 feet in length, and 50 feet in breadth, affording a covered area of 4000 feet, and a vaulted warehouse 150 feet for free and bonded goods. All the machinery and the accessories are on the newest and most perfect principles, and the arrangements for passenger traffic and light perishable merchandise are on equally complete scale; the railway extending to the edge of a low water landing stage in the outer tidal-basin, where a station is built provided with accommodation for passengers, who, without leaving the cover of the station, may be carried by trains in attendance, goods also may, to any part of England or Scotland. The extent of the work is best seen from a brick tower, now in course of erection, 300 feet in height. A communication is open to London, through Louth, Bosten, and Peterborough, through Market Rasen to Lincoln, and, by the Midland Railway, with Nottingham and Derby, and the Great Northern Railway to Boston, through Gainsborough to Retford, where it communicates through the Great Northern with Doncaster and York, from Retford to Worksop, into Sheffield, where the Midland and Lancashire and Yorkshire Railways afford communication with Leeds, and all the Yorkshire clothing districts. The parent line completes a communication between Sheffield. Manchester, Liverpool, and all the hardware, iron, pottery, and cotton districts. The works have been carried out from the beginning byMr. Rendel, engineer-in-chief; Mr. Adam Smith, the resident engineer; and, for the last three years, Messrs. Hutchings, Brown, and Wright, the contractors. The works are brought so nearly to a state of completion, that the piles of the cofferdam, which interpose between the lock-gates and the sea, only require to be removed to give accessto the Dock. To celebrate this important epoch in the history of theundertaking, the spirited contractors, Messrs. Hutchings, Brown, and Wright, gave on Thursday week, the I8th, amagnificent banquet, for the second and last time on which the lock-pit can be so occupied. The works and the shipping in the Old Dock were decked in their gayest colours. In the lock-pit a large marquee was erected, for the dining of more than 300 persons, for whom sumptuous entertainment was provided by Mr. Longhurst, of the Yarborough Arms. Special trains were arranged leave London and Manchester at 8 a.m , and to return in the evening, at the cost of the hospitable entertainers. The whole place was on the qui vive on the occasion. The London train reached Grimsby about half-past twelve, and the Manchester a little before one.
Occupation
20/05/1854 • Grimsby, Lincolnshire, England
"The appointment of controllership of Customs at Grimsby is vacant caused by the dismissal of Mr. S. Mayer. Research at Kew reveals he did not receive a pension.(Civil Service Gazette).
1861 England Census for Samuel Mayor
Lincolnshire Great Grimsby District 03
Entry 96: 17 Worsley Street:
Samuel MAYOR, Head, Married, 53, Shipping Clerk, born Harwich, Essex.
Mary Elizabeth MAYOR, Wife, Married, 49, Born Harwich, Essex.
Elizabeth MAYOR, Daughter, Unmarried, 22, Governess, Born Mistley, Essex.
Sarah MAYOR, Daughter, Unmarried, 20, born Blyth, Northumberland.
Eliza MAYOR, Daughter, Unmarried, 17, Born Blyth, Northumberland.
Worsley Street is no longer a street in Grimsby. It was lost in the 1970's when the predecessor to Freshney Place, Grimsby shopping centre was built. It connected Sanctuary lane with Victoria Street and got its name from Lord Worsley, the title given to the Earl of Yarborough's eldest son. It was one of Grimsby's oldest streets and in 1852 had 18 households.It was in the old town of Grimsby, as opposed to New Market place which was in the new town of Grimsby.
Then came another sad event for young Sarah, the death of her elder sister Elizabeth.
Louth and North Lincolnshire Advertiser - Saturday 29 June 1861
DEATHS
At Grimsby, on the 26th instant, aged 22 years, Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Mr. Samuel Mayor, 17,
Worsley-street. Elizabeth was buried in Doughty Road Cemetery, Grimsby.
I have recently received some records of Doughty Road Cemetery Burials from a contact in Grimsby. These records have quite a lot of information on them for every person buried in this cemetery which was put in place in the 1850's as the population of Grimsby started to increase thanks to the improvements to the docks & railways and the local parish church graveyard was getting filled up. The Parish Church of St James's graveyard closed in 1854, much to the dismay of the vicar. Unfortunately the site chosen for this graveyard had a very high water table, so many of the graves were often full of water. So much so that at first a wind pump was erected to drain a tank holding excess water, which was soon replaced with a steam pump capable of pumping 300 gallons of water a minute out of a tank holding 4,000 gallons of drainage water. This cemetery became known as Doughty Road Cemetery as it sited at the junction of Doughty Road with Ainslie Street. Mind you Doughty Road didn't get its name until 23rd November 1895, when it was named after Alderman DOUGHTY. The Hull Daily Mail in that year carried this report:
Hull Daily Mail - Wednesday 04 December 1895
GRIMSBY "MAIL" MEMS. by OUR OWN REPORTER. When the question of naming the road to the new subway came up for discussion at the Highways Committee on Monday night it produced some fun. It was claimed that Alderman Doughty had taken the initial part formulating the work, and that the road should be named after him. * » The committee began to get mixed over three aspirants for the honour of creating the improvement, but the Mayor solved the difficulty. He pointed out that the schemes propounded by Mr Wright and Mr Popple did not include the position of the present subway. * * * The rest consequently became easy, and as the borough member was entitled to the honour, the road will be named "Doughty-road." * * He will perform the opening ceremony on the 23rd inst., thus bestowing upon the town a much-needed Christmas box.
Stamford Mercury - Friday 09 November 1888
On Monday morning last the foundation-stones of the chapel of the new cemetery were laid by the Mayor of Grimsby (Aid. Veal) and the chairman oi the Cemetery Committee (Councillor Doughty). The members of the Corporation met at the Town-hall at 11-30, where carriages were waiting to convey them to the site. On arrival. Aid. Jackson presented the Mayor with a silver trowel bearing an appropriate inscription. The Mayor then laid the stone of the chapel on the side to be consecrated, saying, "I lay this stone in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost," expressing a wish that the place would always be held sacred. The Rev. Canon Young, Vicar, offered a dedication prayer, and the Rev. J. Spawforth pronounced the benediction. Mr. Doughty then laid the stone of the chapel on the Nonconformist side, where the Mayor presented Councillor Doughty with a silver trowel. The first stone bears the following inscription:— This stone was laid by Aid. H. J. Veal, J.P., Mayor Grimsby, on the 5th day of November, 1888.— E. W. Farebrother, F.R.I. B. A., architect. The inscription on the other stone was This stone was laid by Councillor George Doughty, chairman of the Cemetery Committee, on the 5th day Nov., 1888.
The records for Elizabeth Mayor's burial are thus:
Mayor Elizabeth, Worsley Street. d.o.d: 26 Jun 1861 d.o.b: 28 Jun 1861 age:22 plot no : 42/127 religion: Baptist Spinster Ref: 1104
So these records tell us that Elizabeth MAYOR died on 26 June 1861, at Worsley Street, aged 22. She was buried in plot number 42/127. She was a member of the local Baptist Church and buried on 28 June 1861-Reference No. 1104.
I found this reference to Samuel MAYOR on Ancestry lists of Railway Employment records.
Residence: 1 Jul 1865 • Grimsby, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom
Employed as a store keeper, by the Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire railway in the Steam ship department on a wage of £14 a week(£62.80d) a year. Recorded as deceased June 18 1868.
Then on 22 February 1867, their mother died Mary Elizabeth MAYOR nee DURRANT. She too was buried at Doughty Road, Cemetery.
The records at the cemetery record this event:
, Ref:2615d: Mary Elizabeth Mayor of Worsley Street. died : 17 Feb 1867 & buried on 22 Feb 1867 aged 55 plot no: 42/119 , religion:Baptist, wife of Samuel Mayor, a storekeeper with the Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway Company, steam shipping dept.
The records at the cemetery record this event:
, Ref:2615d: Mary Elizabeth Mayor of Worsley Street. died : 17 Feb 1867 & buried on 22 Feb 1867 aged 55 plot no: 42/119 , religion:Baptist, wife of Samuel Mayor, a storekeeper with the Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway Company, steam shipping dept.
Then later the same year her younger sister Eliza Durrant MAYOR died
Stamford Mercury - Friday 12 April 1867
Died At Great Grimsby on the 5th inst, Miss Eliza Durrant Mayor, aged 23. She too was buried in the same grave as her mother & siblings.
Ref: 2649d: Eliza Durrant MAYOR, of Worsley Street. died 5 Apr 1867 & buried on 10 Apr 1867 aged 23 plot no: 42/118, religion: Baptist, daughter of Samuel Mayor, store keeper to the steam shipping dept in MSL com.
Ref: 2649d: Eliza Durrant MAYOR, of Worsley Street. died 5 Apr 1867 & buried on 10 Apr 1867 aged 23 plot no: 42/118, religion: Baptist, daughter of Samuel Mayor, store keeper to the steam shipping dept in MSL com.
I know that Thomas Readman, John's father went to the wedding; he had his photograph taken there before it.
John & Sarah go back to Grimsby, most likely to 39, Freeman Street, where John has his music shop. On the 27th May, 1870, their son Samuel Thomas Readman is born, the birth record states at Freeman St, Grimsby, son of John Readman a teacher of music and Sarah Readman, formerly Mayor.
The Whites Directory of 1872 shows John Readman living at 39, Freeman, Street and listed as a teacher of music. I came by the above photos after contact was made with a Readman relation in Pittsburg, Pennsylvannia, USA.
The census of 1871, taken on 2nd April, shows John Readman, age 24, teacher of music, born in Selby, Yorkshire, Sarah Readman, age 30, born Blyth, Northumberland & Samuel T Readman, 10 months, born Grimsby, Lincolnshire. They live at 39, Freeman Street, Grimsby.
This fact was borne out by Samuel Thomas Readman in his memoirs mentioned above:
I was born at Freeman
St. on May 27th, 1870 in a music shop established by
my father. I think that it was the first of its kind at that time and was later
taken over by Mr. Hopkins and his son carries it on in a shop 2 doors away to
this day.After leaving we went to live in a house in Bunkers
Alley on G.N. Wharf Pasture St.
Below are John James Readman & his wife Sarah Readman nee Mayor plus Sam Readman
Below are John James Readman & his wife Sarah Readman nee Mayor plus Sam Readman
The Whites Directory of 1872 shows John Readman living at 39, Freeman, Street and listed as a teacher of music. I came by the above photos after contact was made with a Readman relation in Pittsburg, Pennsylvannia, USA.
Back in 1995, when I first started this quest, wrestling with a microfilm reader in Grimsby Central Library, looking at the census reels, I was puzzled again (I often am by Family History), because Sarah, John's wife, kept on changing her age and birthplace, so it wasn't until, I found that at this most excellent library they had a very good Family History Section, with a directory of Grimsby names. Amongst them was these memoirs by a Samuel Readman, whom I knew from the census, was the John's son. Samuel was named after his grandfathers too, Samuel his maternal grandfather & Thomas his paternal grandfather.
Reading these memoirs, this was the next paragraph: When my mother died when I was five, and she was ill for a very long while before she died. (It's clear doing this blog, that for many years after 1995, I didn't do much with my family history at all, probably because I was working then and had enough to cope with)
This was another clue, so Sarah Readman nee Mayor had died in 1875, then came another clue, something that clinched how John James Readman came to witness the death of his father, Thomas, the engine driver.
After the death of my mother, I and father went
to live with Grandfather in Reading these memoirs, this was the next paragraph: When my mother died when I was five, and she was ill for a very long while before she died. (It's clear doing this blog, that for many years after 1995, I didn't do much with my family history at all, probably because I was working then and had enough to cope with)
This was another clue, so Sarah Readman nee Mayor had died in 1875, then came another clue, something that clinched how John James Readman came to witness the death of his father, Thomas, the engine driver.
98, 23rd September 1879: John James Readman, full age, widower, Musician, of Great Grimsby, son of Thomas Readman, engine driver & Sarah Duckering, full age, spinster, of Louth, daughter of Joseph Duckering, butler were married in the Parish Church according to the rites & ceremonies of the established church after Banns by me Albert S. Wilde, Rector. John James Readman, Sarah Duckering (signatures), witnessed by George Forman & Susannah Duckering.
So Sarah was the daughter of Joseph DUCKERING, a butler, and Sarah Wildman DUCKERING nee Bucknall.
Notes for JOSEPH DUCKERING:
Joseph Duckering was born 1823, at Willoughton, Lincolnshire, the youngest child of Samuel Duckering & Sarah Pinnin. According to the 1841 census he is a manservant at Stone's Place, Skellingthorpe, just outside Lincoln.
1841 Census possible entry-
Skltp HO107/622/7/f4 DUCKERING Joseph [ ][ ][15] [M.S. Skellingthorpe, Lincoln
Between then and 1848 he meets a Jane Wildman Bucknall, who was born in North Somercoates,
Lincolnshire. They marry on 26 September, 1848,at Hull Holy Trinity, with Jane already 6 months pregnant with their first daughter Sarah, who is born at Louth, in Walkergate. Joseph is by now a gentleman's butler, but his place of work is yet unknown. Sarah is born on 14th December, 1848, see her birth certificate.
No. 139: Fourteenth December 1848 at Walkergate, LOUTH, Sarah,, girl, daughter of Joseph DUCKERING & Jane Wildman DUCKERING, formerly, BUCKNALL. Joseph's occupation a butler, Informant J. W. DUCKERING, mother of Walkergate, Louth on 9 January 1849.
but by 1851, at the time of that census, the family have moved to Westgate, Louth. In the 1851 census HO107/2111/590 the address is Westgate, Louth Joseph is 27, a House servant born Willoughton, Jane 28 born Somercotes (?) Sarah 2, born G. Grimsby, Susanna, 11 months, born Louth. Throughout the census reports, Jane & Joseph say Sarah is born in Grimsby, but her Birth certificate above says Louth.
In 1861 census, the family now live at 7, Edward St, Louth, the house they live in for the next 30 years. Joseph is a Gentleman's butler, Jane a housewife, born North Somercoates is 38 years of age. They now have 4 children, Sarah, 12 years, a scholar, Sussana, 10 years, a scholar, Mary Ann, 8 years, a scholar and Charles aged 4, a scholar. They also have a lodger, Louisa Bunting, 23 years an infant schoolteacher, from Liverpool.
It was a shame that his father, Thomas did not live to see his son married-he had died 4th July 1879. No doubt, John carried on living in the home of his father, 44, Garibaldi Street, Grimsby-his mother was still alive, but after his marriage they moved.
In 2001, a remarkable piece of information came my way. It was a letter sent by a George William Readman to his father Samuel Thomas Readman in Grimsby in 1919, then serving as a young soldier in Germany. I managed to trace (more later about the letter etc), a living relative of Samuel Thomas Readman he had died in 1967, another John Readman who lived in Kent, England. We corresponded a number of times and he told me that his grandfather, Samuel Thomas Readman remembered walking with his father John James Readman from Grimsby to Waltham on a Sunday morning in the 1870's so that his father could play the organ with Samuel pumping it! After being entertained by the ladies of the church for lunch, Samuel and John would then walk back to Grimsby. So this must have been when Sam and John were living in Garibaldi St, after the death of Sarah Readman nee Mayor. John still had his music shop then, but also played the organ at Waltham, about 4 miles away, on a Sunday and gave piano lessons.
So I must now try to find out if there are any records of this.
A local newspaper article confirms this story that John James Readman is the organist & choirmaster of Waltham Parish Church.
Lincolnshire Chronicle - Friday 23 January 1874
Waltham.—A concert was given on the evening of the 8th inst., in the National School-room, by the members of the parish church choir, kindly assisted by several amateurs, in aid of the fund for building anew organ in the parish church. The various pieces were performed to the entire satisfaction of a numerous audience, who evinced the pleasure they received encoring several of their favourite singers—Mr. J. Ful ford in—"Let me like a soldier fall," Miss Shepherd in "He thinks I do not love him,"Mr. F. Suddaby, whose voice has vastly improved, in—" I'm lonely since mymother died," and others. The cultivated voices and finished style of Mrs. Overton, of Thorganby Hall, and Miss Gedge, of Ludborough, the former of whom sang Pinsuti's—"l love my love and the latter " Sing me English song," by Wrighton, afforded especial pleasure to all lovers of music who had the good fortune to be present. Mrs. Slingsby, as heretofore, most kindly played the accompaniments with great taste and feeling, Mr. Readman, organist of the parish church, under whose management the concert was got up, commenced each part with pianoforte solo. The net proceeds of the concert amounted to the sum of £7. The following was the entire programme:—Pianoforte solo—Wedding March, Mendelssohn—Mr. J. J. Readman. Chorus- Silver moonlight, Christy's—Choir. Song- Life is river, Nelson—Mr. E. Stamp. Solo and chorus—Dear mother I've come home. H. Tucker—Miss Shepherd and choir. Duet- Sisterly love, C. Blamphin—Miss Coverdale and Miss E. Coverdale. Song—When night is darkest, E. Land —Mr. Jennings. Violin solo—March, Rossini- Mr. C. E. Borman. Duet—O Lady Moon, V. Wallace—Mrs. Overton and Mr. Pacey. Song—He thinks I do not love him, Mad. S. Dolby—Miss Shepherd. Song—Let me like a soldier fall, V. Wallace—Mr. John Fulford. Solo and chorus—Leaf by leaf, Christy's—Miss Coverdale and choir. Solo pianoforte—March—Mr. J. J. Readman. Chorus —Softly falls the moonlight, Christy's—Choir. Song—l love my love, Ciro Pinsuti —Mrs. Overton. Solo and chorus—Mother I've heard, Christy's—Mr. John Fulford and choir. Song—Sing, sweet bird, Wilhelm Ganz—Miss E. Coverdale. Duet Army and navy, T. Cooke—Mr. Jennings and Mr. E. Stamp. Song—Sing me an English song, Wrighton— Miss Gedge. Duet—Row us afar, Manzocchi—Miss Coverdale and Miss E. Coverdale. Solo and chorus— I'm lonely, Christy's—Mr. F. Suddaby and choir. Song—Children's voices, Clanbel —Miss Gedge. Fiuale —God save the Queen.
According to the 1881 Census, John and his family move to a private house in Kirkgate, Waltham. John is the organist at Waltham Parish Church, and lives nearby. He probably had a small stipend from this post. In this house on 5th May 1881, Alice Readman is born. This was too late for the 1881 Census. In August, on the 14th, Samuel was Christened at All Saints Waltham. His step-sister Alice was christened at the same time.
So while Sarah & John are living in Waltham, Sarah's mother & father, Joseph & Jane DUCKERING are living at 2 different addresses.
1881 England Census for Joseph Duckering
Lincolnshire Great Grimsby District 5
4, Holme Street, Grimsby.
Ellen WRIGHT, Head, Widow, 59, Boarding House Keeper, born County Clare, Ireland.
Laurence Derani, Son, Unmarried, 18, Sawyer, Born Gainsbro, Lincolnshire,
Fanny Tuplin, Servant, 13, Servant, born Laceby, Lincolnshire
Then follows 5 people all whom are lodgers including Joseph DUCKERING, Boarder, Married, 57, Gentleman’s Servant, born, Blyton, Lincolnshire.
1881 England Census for Jane W. Duckering
Lincolnshire Louth District 17
Entry 131: 7, Edward Street, LOUTH:
Jane W. DUCKERING, Head, Married, 50, Lets Furnished Apartments, born N. Somercotes, Lincolnshire.
Mary A. DUCKERING, daughter, Unmarried, 26, Dressmaker, born Louth, Lincolnshire.
Lincolnshire Chronicle - Friday 23 September 1881
Found Dead in Bed.—An inquest was held on Monday, at the Duke of Wellington public-house, Pasture-street, before 0. B. Moody, Esq., district coroner, on the body of Joseph Duckering, 57 years of age, a lodger with Mrs. Wright, 4, Holme-street, who was found dead in bed on Saturday afternoon. Dr. J. E. Smith said he had made a post-mortem examination of the body of deceased that day, the result being that he found the brain comparatively healthy. The lungs were gorged with blood. The heart was fairly healthy. The stomach was completely devoid of food but full of gas. The bowels also contained nothing but wind, except that for about three inches the rectum there was deposit of cancerous matter. The lungs were so much gorged with blood that it almost, in his opinion, amounted to pulmonary apoplexy, which he considered was the cause of death.—The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony.
By 24th May 1883, the family are back in Grimsby, at 159, Willingham Street, as May Readman is born there. John is still the organist at Waltham Parish Church, with Samuel still pumping it.The 1891 Census has John and his family at 135 Hainton Street, later renamed Hainton Avenue. John is still a piano teacher. Samuel Thomas is now a labourer for the railway company whilst Annie and May are both at school.The census of 1901 finds the family still at 135, Hainton Avenue, where John is a piano tuner. It's possible by now that John was going blind hence the change in occupation. This photograph of him appears to show a man of poor sight. It would be good to find some advertisements in a local newspaper for John Readman, piano tuner to confirm this or not. His two children Alice & May, 19 & 17, are at home with his wife Sarah.
Just recently I have found some more information about May BROWN nee Readman. I have found her grand daughter, so that has sent me back to research more about May & her family.
May was born on the 24 May 1883 at 159 Willingham Street, Grimsby. This is her record of birth.
Certified Copy of an Entry of Birth: Registration District Caistor: 1883, Birth in the sub-district of Great Grimsby in the County of Lincoln, by B. Hutson, Superintendant Registrar, 6th September 2001.
470: 24th May 1883 at 159, Willingham Street, Grimsby: May: Daughter of John James Readman & Sarah Readman nee Duckering, Father’s occupation, musician. Informant, father, J J Readman on 25th June 1883, HM Leppington, Registrar.
She was called May, daughter of John James Readman a musician & Sarah Readman nee Duckering. Her father informed the registrar of the birth of his second daughter, the first being Alice.on 5 May 1881 in Waltham. The census shows that May moved with her family and was eventually married from 135, Hainton Avenue on 27 March 1910 to Herbert BROWN who lived in Kensington, London.
I have a CD of Grimsby Marriages who can be obtained from Denise Light from Grimsby for £10-about 40,000 marriages in the Grimsby area.
The record states that at All Saints Church, Heneage Road, Grimsby on 27/03/1910 BROWN HERBERT, aged 26, occupation, clerk of 79 Sterndale Rd, Kensington son of MATTHEW BROWN a deceased master mariner & READMAN MAY aged 26 of 135 Hainton Ave , Grimsby, daughter of JOHN JAMES READMAN a pianoforte tuner were married in the presence of KATE NUTCHEY & FRED A. TRIGG.
That's a lot of information there, so off I went searching now for Matthew BROWN's family and found a lot about him. First of all I was guided by the fact that Herbert BROWN's father, Matthew BROWN a Master Mariner, was dead in March 1910. Soon I discovered that in the early 1900's there were a lot of Master Mariner's called Matthew BROWN. A Master Mariner is a man qualified to be in charge of a merchant vessel.
I now have a photograph of Herbert Brown's father called Matthew BROWN-it came from a new friend of mine who is researching the Laverick Family.
Matthew Brown as seen above died on 2nd February, 1900, and was buried in the Cottingham Cemetery on 5th February, 1900, because as you can see below, he died at his residence in Cottingham on February, 2nd, 1900.
His death was reported in a newspaper, which I have found in my account with British Newspaper Archive.
Whitby Gazette - Friday 16 February 1900
DEATHS. February 2nd, at his residence. Finkle Street, Cottingham, aged 43 years, Matthew Brown, master mariner, and dearly beloved son of Matthew Brown, master mariner, of Wilberforce Street, Hull, late of Staithes. Deeply regretted by all who knew him.
So lets start with Herbert BROWN in the census and see what that brings.He was 26 at the time of his marriage so born about 1884-the 1891 Census states:
Census Entries for Herbert BROWN born 1884.
1. 1891: aged about 7. Remember that each person below the first shows their relationship to them.
39, Queen Street, (2 Beaconsfield Terrace), Withernsea, East Yorkshire.
Elizabeth GRAY, Head, Married, 53 years, Lodging House Keeper, Born Barton, Lincolnshire.
Sarah Ann BROWN, Daughter, Married, 34 years, Living on own Means, Born Ticton, Yorkshire.
Herbert BROWN, Grandson, Single, 7 years, Scholar, Born Cottingham, Yorkshire.
Kate NUTCHEY, Grand daughter, Single, 6 years, Scholar, Born Cottingham, Yorkshire
Ernest NUTCHEY, Grandson, Single, 4 years, Scholar, born Cottingham, Yorkshire.
Hannah SMITH, Servant, Single, 17 years, Servant Domestic, born Dunswell, Yorkshire
Harold NUTCHEY, Grandson, Single, 2 years, Born Dunswell, Yorkshire.
39, Queen Street, Withernsea is currently a terraced house, close by Hubert Road.
So Sarah Ann GRAY is the mother of Herbert BROWN, born in Ticton, Yorkshire-her mother, Elizabeth GRAY, was born in Barton, Lincolnshire. Elizabeth GRAY has 3 grandchildren at her house called NUTCHEY, all born in Cottingham excepting Harold NUTCHEY, who was born in Dunswell, Yorkshire, as was the servant girl Hannah SMITH. Herbert BROWN, aged 7, was born in Cottingham, about 1884.
2. 1901: aged about 17:
FINKLE STREET, 6 doors from Elm Tree House, Cottingham, Yorkshire.
Sarah A. BROWN, Head, Widow, 44 years, Living on own means, Born Ticton, Yorkshire
Herbert BROWN, Son, Single, 17 years, Bank Clerk, born Cottingham, Yorkshire.
Minnie HARRISON, Servant, Single, 22, Housemaid Domestic, Born Cottingham, Yorkshire.
So in the 10 years since the last census, Herbert's mother is now widowed, because her husband, Matthew BROWN, died on 2nd February, 1900 at their home in Finkle Street, as that newspaper article states above. But she has an income of her own as she did in the last census. Herbert is single, and works as a bank clerk, they can afford to employ a local woman as a servant.
3. 1911: aged 27:
“Northcote”, 30, Woodlands Avenue, Harrow-on-the Hill.
Herbert BROWN, Head, 27, Married, Clerk, working in the meat trade, a worker, born Cottingham, Yorkshire.
May BROWN, Wife, 27, Married, been married for 1 year, has 1 child living, none whom have died, born Grimsby, Lincolnshire.
Joan BROWN, Daughter, Under 1 month, single, Born Wealdstone, Middlesex.
John James READMAN, Father-in-law, 64, married, Piano Tuner, Pianist, Own accord, born Selby, Yorkshire.
Sarah READMAN, Mother-in-law, 61, married, 31 years married with 2 children both living, born Grimsby, Lincolnshire.
10 years later Herbert is married to May, who we know was the daughter of John James & Sarah Readman who are visiting their daughter & her husband at their home in Harrow on Census Day.
Herbert BROWN on his wedding day was 26 years old so born about 1884, so looking in the newspapers I found this article.
Hull Packet - Friday 28 March 1884
BIRTHS: BROWN:- March 24th, at Cottingham, the wife of Matthew BROWN, jun., master mariner, of a son.
So this baby Brown is the son of another Matthew BROWN, both are Master Mariners. Sure enough searching in the birth records there is a Herbert BROWN registered in the April, May & June quarter of 1884 in registration district of Sculcoates, which includes Cottingham.
In Yorkshire BMD there is only one record in 1884:-
BROWN Herbert Cottingham Hull COT/12/275, so without going to obtain a birth record, I think that Herbert was born on March 24th in Cottingham, near Hull to the wife of Matthew BROWN and her husband Matthew BROWN, a master mariner. Looking in 1939 England & Wales Register, in which Herbert is mentioned-it states this:
Name, Herbert Brown, Gender, Male, Marital Status, Married, Birth Date 24 Jan 1884, Residence Year 1939 Address 26 Residence Place Brentford and Chiswick, Middlesex, England Occupation Company Accountant Line Number37 Schedule Number36 Sub Schedule Number1 Enumeration District BBCX Borough Brentford and Chiswick Registration district128.6 Inferred Spouse May Brown Inferred Children Joan Brown Household Members
Name May Brown Age 56 Name Herbert Brown Age 55 Name Joan Brown Age 28
So Herbert was born 24 January 1884.
So then I went for a search of a marriage of a Matthew Brown before 1884, but failed to find one in Free BMD which covers marriages in England & Wales. However then a stroke of luck:
Whitby Gazette - Saturday 16 June 1883
June 12th, at Christ Church, Cork, Ireland, by the Rev. Canon HARLEY, Mr. Matthew BROWN, master mariner, HULL, to Sarah Ann GRAY, Cottingham.
So Sarah Ann GRAY travelled to Cork, Ireland just to get married to her master Mariner boyfriend Matthew BROWN. Maybe she travelled with him on his ship to Ireland.
So far no baptism records either for Herbert BROWN. So I did wonder who put the advertisement in that newspaper-was it Matthew the father of Matthew the grandfather.
Still sticking with newspaper entries I searched for a death of Matthew BROWN before the census day of 1901 and found this entry.
Whitby Gazette - Friday 16 February 1900
DEATHS: February 2nd, at his residence, Finkle Street, Cottiingham, aged 43 years, Matthew BROWN, master mariner, and dearly beloved son of Matthew BROWN, master mariner of Wilberforce Street, Hull, late of Staithes. Deeply regretted by all who knew him.”
So there's a potted history of Herbert's Father, & grandfather-we now know that his father died on 2 February 1900 at Finkle Street, Cottingham, Yorkshire, and he was the son of Matthew BROWN, a master mariner of Wilberforce Street, Hull, formerly of Staithes. So son died before his father, such a sad loss.
Herbert's father, Matthew was buried in Cottingham Cemetery as this newspaper article states:
Hull Daily Mail - Monday 05 February 1900
Matthew Brown who died February 2nd, master mariner, Interred Cottingham Cemetery
I found this photograph of the gravestone in the cemetery:
Gravestone Details above
Matthew BROWN Master Mariner, Who died February 2nd 1900, aged 43 years.
Also of Jonathan GRAY, who died March 3rd 1898 aged 68 years
Also of Elizabeth GRAY his beloved wife who died October 26th 1900 Aged 66 years.
The gravestone inscription doesn't give the relationship between the persons named on the stone. The first person in the grave was a Jonathan GRAY-he must have purchased the plot. He died in 1898, followed by Matthew BROWN in February 1900, then Jonathan's wife in October 1900. However from the information given above we know that Jonathan GRAY was Matthew BROWN's father-in-law. Jonathan's daughter Sarah Ann, was Matthew BROWN's wife. Using Ancestry & newspaper reports I found that she died in 1908 & was buried in the Western Cemetery, Kingston-upon-Hull.
Hull Daily Mail - Thursday 23 January 1908
DEATHS:
January 22nd, at 95, Newland Avenue, Sarah Ann BROWN, late of Cottingham, widow of the late Captain Matthew BROWN, in her 52nd year. Cortege will leave the residence at 1-30p.m. on Saturday for interment at the Western cemetery, Spring-Bank, at 2-10p.m.
So then I started to look at this BROWN family to see what I could dig up about them & the Gray family seeing as they were both connected. That newspaper article about the death of Matthew Brown, Herbert's father states he was 43 at the time of his death, so born about 1856-1857 to Matthew Brown & his wife in Staithes, Yorkshire.
Looking on Family Search website I found this entry:
Matthew Brown
Male, baptism/christening date: 24 Aug 1856 at HINDERWELL,YORKSHIRE,ENGLAND
Son of Matthew BROWN & Jane.
"England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NGBZ-M13 : 30 December 2014), Matthew Brown, 24 Aug 1856; citing HINDERWELL,YORK,ENGLAND, reference ; FHL microfilm 550,531.
On the same website was another baptism of Matthew BROWN, born to the same couple in 1854 but he died in 1856, whilst his mother was pregnant with her next child, so they named Matthew after his deceased brother.
Matthew Brown, Male, born 27 August 1854, baptism/christening date 03 September, 1854 at HNDERWELL,YORKSHIRE,ENGLAND, but died on 03 February 1856 son of Matthew & Jane BROWN.
"England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NGBZ-M1M : 30 December 2014), Matthew Brown, 03 Sep 1854; citing , reference ; FHL microfilm 550,531.
Research then shows that Matthew BROWN married Jane Rodham.
Matthew Brown, bachelor, son of Joseph Brown, & Jane Rodham, spinster, daughter of Thomas Rodham, were married at St. Thomas’s Church, Stockton-on Tees, County Durham, on 23rd September 1847.
Source: Marriage to Jane RODHAM in Family Search
"England, Marriages, 1538–1973 (M00835-5-source film number: 1894163.
The Rodham family were boat-builders in Staithes-according to a trades directory for Staithes. So Matthew Brown senior's father was Joseph BROWN & Jane RODHAM's father was Thomas RODHAM. From that information it's possible to trace the birth of both persons birth & baptism dates and where etc.
Children of Matthew BROWN & Jane BROWN nee RODHAM
1. Hannah Elizabeth Brown
Baptism/christening date: 16 August 1848 at Hinderwell, Yorkshire, England
Daughter of Matthew & Jane BROWN
Source: (batch) number: C04048-1, England-ODM, film number: 550531
2. Jane Rodham Brown
Birth date: 27 August 1854 at Staithes, Yorkshire, England
Baptism date: 03 September 1854 at Hinderwell, Yorkshire, England
Daughter of Matthew & Jane Brown
Source: (batch) number: C04048-1, England-ODM, film number: 550531
3. Matthew Brown
Born: 27 August 1854, Baptism/christening date, 03 September 1854 at Hinderwell, Yorkshire, England. Son of Matthew & Jane BROWN
Death date: 03 Feb 1856
Source: "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NGBZ-M1M: 30 December 2014), Matthew Brown, 03 Sep 1854; citing, reference ; FHL microfilm 550,531.
4. Matthew Brown
Baptism/christening date: 24 August 1856 at Hinderwell, Yorkshire, England
Son of Matthew & Jane Brown
Source: "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NGBZ-M13:30 December 2014), Matthew Brown, 24 Aug 1856; citing HINDERWELL,YORK,ENGLAND, reference ; FHL microfilm 550,531.
5. Sarah Brown
Born: 03 February 1858 at Staithes, Yorkshire, England, baptism/christening date: 05 March 1858 at Hinderwell, Yorkshire, England
Daughter of Matthew & Jane Brown
Source: (batch) number: C04048-1, England-ODM, film number: 550531
6. Joseph Thomas Brown
Born: 13 April 1862 at Staithes, Yorkshire, England, Baptism/Christening 04 May 1862 at Hinderwell, Yorkshire, England, son of Matthew & Jane BROWN.
Source :( batch) number: C04048-1, England-ODM, film number: 550531
7. John William Brown
Born: 04 December 1866, at Staithes, Yorkshire, Baptism/christening date, 06 January 1867 at Hinderwell, Yorkshire, England, son of Matthew & Jane BROWN. Source: Batch number, C04048-1, England-ODM, film number: 550531
Children of Matthew BROWN & Jane BROWN nee RODHAM
1. Hannah Elizabeth Brown
Baptism/christening date: 16 August 1848 at Hinderwell, Yorkshire, England
Daughter of Matthew & Jane BROWN
Source: (batch) number: C04048-1, England-ODM, film number: 550531
2. Jane Rodham Brown
Birth date: 27 August 1854 at Staithes, Yorkshire, England
Baptism date: 03 September 1854 at Hinderwell, Yorkshire, England
Daughter of Matthew & Jane Brown
Source: (batch) number: C04048-1, England-ODM, film number: 550531
3. Matthew Brown
Born: 27 August 1854, Baptism/christening date, 03 September 1854 at Hinderwell, Yorkshire, England. Son of Matthew & Jane BROWN
Death date: 03 Feb 1856
Source: "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NGBZ-M1M: 30 December 2014), Matthew Brown, 03 Sep 1854; citing, reference ; FHL microfilm 550,531.
4. Matthew Brown
Baptism/christening date: 24 August 1856 at Hinderwell, Yorkshire, England
Son of Matthew & Jane Brown
Source: "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NGBZ-M13:30 December 2014), Matthew Brown, 24 Aug 1856; citing HINDERWELL,YORK,ENGLAND, reference ; FHL microfilm 550,531.
5. Sarah Brown
Born: 03 February 1858 at Staithes, Yorkshire, England, baptism/christening date: 05 March 1858 at Hinderwell, Yorkshire, England
Daughter of Matthew & Jane Brown
Source: (batch) number: C04048-1, England-ODM, film number: 550531
6. Joseph Thomas Brown
Born: 13 April 1862 at Staithes, Yorkshire, England, Baptism/Christening 04 May 1862 at Hinderwell, Yorkshire, England, son of Matthew & Jane BROWN.
Source :( batch) number: C04048-1, England-ODM, film number: 550531
7. John William Brown
Born: 04 December 1866, at Staithes, Yorkshire, Baptism/christening date, 06 January 1867 at Hinderwell, Yorkshire, England, son of Matthew & Jane BROWN. Source: Batch number, C04048-1, England-ODM, film number: 550531
Jane RODHAM, was the daughter of Thomas RODHAM & Hannah TRATTLES, she was born in 1824, in Staithes,
North Yorkshire, and christened on 7 May 1824 at Hinderwell Church near Staithes. Her father Thomas RODHAM
married her mother Hannah RODHAM nee TRATTLES on 30th May, 1811, at Hinderwell Parish Church.
Marriage
30 May 1811 • Hinderwell, Yorkshire, England
30 May 1811: Thomas Rodham, carpenter,bachelor, & Hannah Trattles, spinster, both of this parish were
married by banns on 30 May 1811 in the Parish Church of St Hilda’s, Hinderwell, Yorkshire, England.
Thomas RODHAM was the son of Michael RODHAM and Adilinah RODHAM nee ADAMSON.
He was born on 21st December, 1787, at Staithes, and christened around the same time at St. Hilda's
Parish Church at Hinderwell. Michael RODHAM, his father, was born about 1752 in Stokesley, North Yorkshire,
and then on 4th November, 1775, he married a person called Mary COOPER in Stokesley Church, and between
them they had 3 children, namely Katherine in 1776, then Mary in the same year, then John in 1778, but in
that same year, Mary RODHAM, nee COOPER died, so Michael RODHAM, then married a Sebrina
Andrew as this marriage record states:
Marriage
31 August 1784 • Hinderwell, Yorkshire, England
Number 304: Michael Rodham of this Parish, Hinderwell, widower and Sabrina Andrew, of the parish of Hinderwell, spinster, were married in this church by licence on 31 August, 1784 by Thos. Porter, officiating minister
They had a son between them called Robert RODHAM on 23rd January, 1785, but then Sebrina died on February 5th 1785, so that's why, Michael Rodham married for a third time to Adilinah ADAMSON in
They had a son between them called Robert RODHAM on 23rd January, 1785, but then Sebrina died on February 5th 1785, so that's why, Michael Rodham married for a third time to Adilinah ADAMSON in
1786, as this record states: Marriage
16 September 1786 • Hinderwell, Yorkshire, England
Parish Church of St Hilda, Hinderwell, 16 September 1786, Michael RODHAM, widower, Cabinet Maker, & Adilinah Adamson, spinster, both of this parish were married at this church.
So between these two people, Michael RODHAM & Adilinah RODHAM, nee ADAMSON, were three children, Thomas RODHAM, 21st December, 1787, then William RODHAM, born 4th January, 1790 and christened on 5th January, 1790-as this record states: Baptism
05 January 1790 • Hinderwell, Yorkshire, England
2. William RODHAM, born 4 January 1790, christened at Hinderwell, Yorkshire, England on 5 January 1790, son of Michael & Adalinah RODHAM.
Their third child was Susannah RODHAM, born before October, 1831, and christened at Great AYTON,
Yorkshire on 9 October, 1831.
So Jane RODHAM, daughter of Thomas RODHAM & Hannah TRATTLES, married Matthew BROWN, son of Joseph BROWN & Elizabeth BROWN nee TRATTLES, as this record states:
Marriage
23 September 1847 • St. Thomas' Church, Stockton-On-Tees, Durham, England
Matthew Brown, bachelor, son of Joseph Brown, & Jane Rodham, spinster, daughter of Thomas Rodham, were married at St. Thomas’s Church, Stockton-on Tees, County Durham, on 23rd September 1847.
Jane died on 22nd December, 1896 at Kingston-upon-Hull, as these newspaper entries state:
York Herald - Wednesday 23 December 1896: BROWN.-On the 20th inst.. at Hull, Jane, the dearly beloved wife of Matthew Brown, master mariner, in her 73rd year.
Whitby Gazette - Thursday 31 December 1896:
DEATHS. December 20th, at 31, Wilberforce Street, Hull, aged 72 years, Jane, wife of Mr. Matthew Brown, master mariner, late of Staithes.
Matthew BROWN, Jane RODHAM's husband, died on 1st August, 1903 at 31, Wilberforce Street, Kingston-upon-Hull, as these newspapers state.
Whitby Gazette - Friday 07 August 1903
DEATH OF CAPT. MATTHEW BROWN. Captain Matthew Brown, native of Staithes, but for many years, resident in Hull, died at Hornsea on Saturday morning at a patriarchal age. He had been in failing health for some time, but his death was unexpected, and came as a shock to his numerous friends. As one of Messrs. Bailey and Leetham's old captains, he was well known in Hull, and more particularly in connection with the Sailors' Orphan Homes, in which he took deep and unaffected interest; especially after he retired from active service some years ago. The last vessel that he commanded was the s.s. "Durham.” Tall in stature, well-built, and of manly and refined countenance, his appearance excited interest, and made a favourable impression upon all with whom he came in contact. It was an interesting experience to engage with him in a quiet half-hour's chat over varied adventures of his sailing ship days. He loved to dwell upon the old, forceful lives and customs of the Staithes fishermen of fifty or sixty years ago; but he especially retained in his memory his strange experiences in Japan in the summer of 1859, when he commanded the barque, "Countess of Seafield.” Japan had long isolated herself from commercial relations with the world, and the resumption of business intercourse was exceedingly interesting to both the Japanese and Europeans. On June 14th, he chartered the barque for any port in Japan or on the coast of China, and on the 24th received orders to proceed to Kanagowa, near Yeddo, which he reached on July 5th—" a very fine bay, with apparently good holding-ground." Here he was visited by the Japanese authorities, but as the British Consul having gone to Yeddo, he had no interpreter, and written orders had been left that no British subject was to land. On July 9th, Captain Brown landed at Yokohama for a walk. "No sooner landed than we were surrounded by the inhabitants, who, having never seen any Europeans before, thought us as strange beings, and followed us by hundreds all around the town. The men were quite naked, and the women partly naked. They viewed as very much, and felt our clothes and whiskers. Apparently, they are a very harmless race of people, low. stiff-made, and without whiskers." For some days all went well; then a large party of Russians came from Yeddo in man-of war’s boat, and the Japs found them less to their taste than our frank British tars; there was a skirmish, two Russians had to be buried, and a number had to be passed over to the surgeons. So, the good time passed, to be succeeded by greater care on the part of the sailors, and drawing back on the part of the Japs, so that it was, perhaps, with some sense of relief that Capt. Brown weighed anchor on September 17th, firing salute of two guns as he took his departure. Captain Brown’s experiences at Yokohama were varied and interesting, including some provoking cases of insubordination on the part of his crew, but, the details necessarily occupy too much space to be more particularly dealt with here. Captain Brown always regarded his opening the trade with Yokohama as being one of the most interesting experiences of a long and active life, and one full of incident.
The People - Sunday 16 August 1903
Capt. Matthew Brown, who was the first European to open up trade with Yokohama, in July, 1859, when he was master of the barque Countess of Seafield, has died at Hornsea, aged 82.
So I wonder how a man from Kensington, London could meet & marry a woman from Grimsby. Well I think the clue may lie in the bride's witness, no doubt her chief bridesmaid, Kate NUTCHEY. Kate, who is in the 1891 census above at her grandmother's house in Withernsea, was the daughter of Henry NUTCHEY & his wife Ann Eliza GRAY, who was Sarah Ann GRAY's sister-both were daughters of Elizabeth GRAY nee Jenney & Jonathan GRAY of Beverley. Henry NUTCHEY, Kate's father was living in Hainton Street, Grimsby, at least by 1896-there is a newspaper entry describing him as a director of a Grimsby company then and living in Hainton Street, Grimsby.
Hull Daily Mail - Wednesday 12 August 1896
Dalton Barclay & Company Ltd Directors:
Henry NUTCHEY, esq., Hainton-street, Grimsby.
Henry NUTCHEY in the census of 1891 was a provision merchant on Market Green, Cottingham. In 1888, his father David NUTCHEY, a land surveyor & auctioneer died in Beverley. Clearly Henry's business had gone well for him to become a director of this provision merchants.
This record in 1897 shows him with a shop in Hainton Street, Grimsby
Stamford Mercury - Friday 07 May 1897
TO BE LET, as a going concern, GROCERY AND PROVISION BUSINESS in a large market-town in North Lincolnshire. Double-fronted Shop and best position in town. –Full particulars from Henry NUTCHEY, 106, Hainton Street, Grimsby.
Another record, in 1900, states that in 1900, Henry & family were living at 106, Hainton Street, Grimsby-later to become Hainton Avenue. This is that record: Beverley Echo - Wednesday 12 December 1900
DEATHS: NUTCHEY: December 4, at 106 Hainton-street, Grimsby, Annie, wife of Henry NUTCHEY, late of Cottingham, and daughter-in-law to Mrs Nutchey, of this town.
Hull Daily Mail - Wednesday 05 December 1900
DEATHS: NUTCHEY, December 4th at Hainton-Street, Grimsby, Annie, wife of Henry NUTCHEY. Interment at Cottingham cemetery, 3p.m. Friday 7th Instant.
That Annie, is Ann Eliza GRAY, as above, the youngest daughter of Jonathan & Elizabeth Gray nee Jenney.
John James Readman & his family of May & Alice Readman was living at 135, Hainton Street at the same time, so no doubt the girls knew the Nutchey family as well. So I think it's quite likely that Herbert BROWN, who would have been a cousin of Kate NUTCHEY would have visited Grimsby sometime between 1896 & 1910, so would have met May Readman there. Maybe they had a piano that John taught them to play or at least tuned it!
I can't find this NUTCHEY family in the 1901 Census, but in the 1911 Census they are all living at 45, Tasberg Street, which is off Hainton Avenue, Grimsby.
Okay lets go back to consider this person called Herbert BROWN who in the 1911 census was living at "Northcote", 30, Woodlands Avenue, Harrow-on-Hill.
Okay lets go back to consider this person called Herbert BROWN who in the 1911 census was living at "Northcote", 30, Woodlands Avenue, Harrow-on-Hill.
Herbert was born in the early period of 1884. A newspaper entry, the Hull Packet Newspaper states this:
Hull Packet - Friday 28 March 1884
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS BIRTHS. BROWN.-March 24th, at Cottingham, the wife of Matthew Brown, jun., master mariner, of a son.
Then looking much later on at the 1939 Register, I found this entry:
Name, Herbert Brown, Gender, Male, Marital Status, Married, Birth Date 24 Jan 1884, Residence Year 1939 Address 26 Residence Place Brentford and Chiswick, Middlesex, England Occupation Company Accountant Line Number37 Schedule Number36 Sub Schedule Number1 Enumeration District BBCX Borough Brentford and Chiswick Registration district128.6 Inferred Spouse May Brown Inferred Children Joan Brown Household Members
Name May Brown Age 56 Name Herbert Brown Age 55 Name Joan Brown Age 28
So Herbert was born on the 24th January, 1884, as the son of Matthew Brown & his wife Sarah Ann Gray.
Then in 1911, according to the Census, Herbert, May and their daughter Joan, and his father-in-law called John James Readman and his wife Sarah Readman nee Duckering are living in Harrow-on-the Hill, in the house called "Northcote", which is 30, Woodlands Avenue.
1911 England Census for May Brown
Middlesex, Wealdstone.
“Northcote”, 30, Woodlands Avenue, Harrow-on-the Hill.
Herbert BROWN, Head, 27, Married, Clerk, working in the meat trade, a worker, born Cottingham, Yorkshire.
May BROWN, Wife, 27, Married, been married for 1 year, has 1 child living, none whom have died, born Grimsby, Lincolnshire.
Joan BROWN, Daughter, Under 1 month, single, Born Wealdstone, Middlesex.
John James READMAN, Father-in-law, 64, married, Piano Tuner, Pianist, Own accord, born Selby, Yorkshire.
Sarah READMAN, Mother-in-law, 61, married, 31 years married with 2 children both living, born Grimsby, Lincolnshire.
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995 for John James Readman
READMAN John James, of 29, Beard-road, Gorton, Manchester, died 3 October, 1930, Probate, Manchester, 25 October, to Alice Bradley, (wife of Ernest Bradley). Effects £219 18s. 8d.
There is a burial record for him at Manchester
Burial
08 October 1930 • Gorton, Manchester
Gorton Cemetery BB Conscecrated 83
Alice Bradley, was the wife of Arthur Ernest Castell BRADLEY, who was living in Manchester, which was probaly why it was that her father died in Manchester too, because maybe he was living with his daughter Alice & her husband, Arthur Ernest prior to his death in 1930.
So May Brown nee Readman, and her husband Herbert BROWN, son of Matthew BROWN, marry on 27 March, 1910 at All Saints Church, Heneage Road, Grimsby. The congregation was founded in 1891. The church building closed in 1993 and was demolished in 1997.
All Saints Heneage Road 27/03/1910 BROWN HERBERT 26 clerk 79 Sterndale Rd, Kensington son of MATTHEW BROWN a deceased master mariner married READMAN MAY, aged 26 of 135 Hainton Ave, Grimsby daughter of JOHN JAMES READMAN, a pianoforte tuner witnessed by KATE NUTCHEY & FRED A. TRIGG.
Herbert & May between them had 3 children, first was Joan BROWN, born 12th March, 1911, at 30, Woodland Road, Wealdstone, Middlesex, London. She remained a spinster all her life and died in 2003, aged 92.
The Brown family are in the 1939 England & Wales Register, which gives persons on it their dates of birth. So looking at this register this is the result:
1939 England and Wales Register for Joan Brown
Middlesex, Brentford and Chiswick MB: BBCX
So at the time of the 1939 England & Wales Register which was on 29th September, 1939,
Joan BROWN and some of her family members are living at Brentford & Chiswick, Registration sub-district 128-6 in a road called Gainsbrough Road.
26 Ditto, 36, 1, BROWN, Herbert-Male, born 24 Mar 1884, Married, Company Accountant
26 Ditto, 36, 2, BROWN, May, -, Female, born 24 May 1883, Married, Unpaid Domestic Duties
26 Ditto, 36, 3, BROWN, Joan, -, Female, born 12th March, 1911, Single, Unpaid Domestic Duties.
So, their daughter Joan, is living with them in 1939, and the record says she is single, so a spinster. Herbert her father is a Company Accountant, and his wife and Joan's mother May, nee Readman, is working as a housewife, with Unpaid Domestic Duties!
So in September 1939, Herbert Brown was 55 years of age, his wife May was 56 years of age, and Joan their daughter was 28 years of age, and Harry, their son would have been 27 years of age, but probably not living at home, as he had joined the Royal Navy at the start of World War 2.
Harry BROWN married Moreen Freda Garnett on 29th August, 1942 in Key West Florida, USA. I found a record of their marriage on Family Search.
The record states Marriage License, State of Florida, Monroe County,
Harry BROWN and Moreen GARNETT, and that you make a return of the same, duly certified under your hand, to the County Judge aforesaid, Witness, my name as County Judge, and the seal of the said Court, at theCourthouse in Key West, Fla. this 29 day of August, AD 1942.
Certificate of Marriage:
I certify, that the within named Harry BROWN and Moreen GARNETT done this 29th day of August, AD 1942 at Key West, Florida.
A year later, his father Herbert BROWN died on the 25th October, 1943, at 30 Twickenham Road, Isleworth, Middlesex, England. Then on 20th February, 1952, his mother May BROWN, nee READMAN died.
So now on my Ancestry tree record, my relationship with George Delaval LAVERICK, has been connected right through to me John Readman, whose great great uncle was John James Readman, who is the person mostly described on this blog.
George Deleval Laverick 1779-1852
father-in-law of granduncle of husband of 1st cousin 2x removed, had a daughter called
Eleanor Laverick 1816-1847
Daughter of George Deleval Laverick, who married
Thomas Rodham 1815-1895 on 1st December, 1836 at St Hilda's Church, Hinderwell.
Husband of Eleanor Laverick. Thomas, the husband of Eleanor Laverick, had a father called
Thomas Rodham 1787-1866 who had married Hannah Trattles.
Father of Thomas Rodham
Jane Rodham 1824-1896 who was Thomas Rodham's sister, married Matthew BROWN, born 1820-died 1893
Daughter of Thomas Rodham
Matthew Brown 1856-1900 was the son of Matthew BROWN born 1820 and died 1893, and Jane Rodham, and he married Sarah Ann Gray, asnd they had a son called Herbert BROWN,
Son of Jane Rodham
Herbert Brown 1884-1943
Son of Matthew Brown married
May Readman 1883-1952
Wife of Herbert Brown and daughter of
John James Readman 1846-1930
Father of May Readman had a father called
Thomas Tatterson Readman 1818-1879 and a brother called Arthur Readman
Father of John James Readman
Arthur Readman 1861-1921
Son of Thomas Tatterson Readman
George William Readman 1886-1965 was the son of Arthur Readman, and his son was William Sneath Readman.
Son of Arthur Readman
William Sneath Readman 1918-2002
Son of George William Readman
John Readman was the son of William Sneath Readman.
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