This is the only photograph of Joan and her parents sitting I think in a beach hut on holiday at Skegness. Joan appears to be about 20 years of age, her parents, Florence & Wilfred both look very smart, him in a jacket & trousers & tie, and her in a smart dress and hat. The tea they are drinking is from a thermos, not a tea pot. Wilfred Ewart Selby was a Wesleyan Methodist Minister but in the above photograph he looks like he is unwell. I went to Buxton Library and recorded from the Buxton Advertiser this obituary which forms the basis of this research.
Buxton Advertiser
13th March, 1943
On March 6th, at Derby House Nursing Home, Rev. Wilfred E.
Selby, aged 59 years dearly beloved husband of Florence Selby,
"Norbry", Leek Road, Burbage.
REV.W.E. SELBY-Retired
Methodist Minister
The death last Saturday of the Rev. W.E. Selby at the Derby
House Nursing Home in Broad Walk, where he had been for the past four months
removes a much respected member of an old Buxton family. He was the younger son
of Mr. Samuel Selby, who had a business in the High Street and who died in
1919; his mother, died three or four years ago. His only and elder brother is
also a Methodist Minister being superintendent of the Smethwick Circuit in
Birmingham.
Mr. Selby was obliged to retire of ill-health in 1940, and
came to live in his native borough, latterly residing, until he went to the
nursing home, at "Norbury", Leek Road, Burbage. He leaves a widow-who
was a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Martin, of Fairfield and one
daughter. The latter is the wife of Lieut. G. Keith Williams-son of Councillor
G.A. Williams who is now serving with a light anti-aircraft unit. Mr. Selby was
59 years of age. Since his return to Buxton his name has figured on the
Methodist circuit plan among several other retired ministers, but he has not been
able to do any preaching.
Before entering the Ministry, Mr. Selby, who was an old boy of Buxton
College went to Hardwick Square School as a pupil teacher, and subsequently
taught in the Wesleyan Day Schools at Retford (Notts). At the former school the
headmaster was the late Mr. Edward Hall. Mr. Selby's daughter also commenced
her teaching experience at the same school.
Training at Didsbury College, Manchester, he began his
ministry at Newbury in what used to be called the Wesleyan Church before the
Union of the Methodists in 1932. Later he received appointments at Barnsley,
Nelson, Stockport, Birmingham, Grimsby and Lincoln. At the latter two places he
carried heavy responsibilities as the superintendent of large circuits, where
his organising powers and gift of leadership had full scope for their exercise.
Ten years were spent in these two circuits, during the latter part of which he
was chapel secretary for the Lincoln District, and shared in many negotiations
in regard circuit amalgamation.
Not being well, he moved to an easier sphere at Whitby in
1939, but was forced to give up altogether within twelve months, and as stated
retired to Buxton. He had been in the Ministry since 1905.
Mr. Selby was a fine type of all-round Methodist minister,
devoted himself with whole-hearted zeal to his work; and built up and enriched
every church which he served. There are many people of all ages in his old
circuits who remember him with gratitude.
The funeral on Tuesday at Wesley Chapel was conducted by the
Revs. L. Temple, Jarvis, who gave the address, T. Miller and G.R. Myers. The
Rev. E. Benson-Perkins (chairman of the district), who lives at Manchester, was
unable to be present owing to transport difficulties. Mr. H. Titman was at the
organ.
The mourners were: Mrs. W.E. Selby, widow; the Rev. E.T.
Selby, brother; Lieut. and Mrs. G.K. Williams; son-in-law and daughter; Mr. A.
Martin, Mr. E. Morten, Mr. and Mrs. F. Martin, Councillor G.A. Williams, Mrs.
H. Martin, Mrs. Jarman and Miss M. Jarman, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Morten, and
Mrs. Lockwood. Mr. H. Roberts, brother-in-law, was prevented attending through
indisposition. The hymns sung were "How Sweet the name of Jesus
sounds" and "O God of Bethel".
The remains were conveyed to Manchester Crematorium, where
the last rites were performed by the Rev. G. W. Allway, a former colleague of
Mr. Selby.
Messrs. Critchlows of West Road were the undertakers.
An earlier entry in the Lincolnshire Echo gave this story of the Reverend Selby as it was in 1935.
Lincolnshire Echo - Tuesday 02 April 1935
WESLEY SUPERINTENDENT
The Rev. W. E. Selby of Grimsby, who has been invited to
succeed to the Rev. E. C. Lansdown as superintendent minister of the Wesley Circuit
next September, was born in Derbyshire of Lincolnshire parents and was educated
at Buxton College. After a course of training at Didsbury College, Manchester,
he served the Wesleyan Ministry in 1905. He came to Grimsby after wide
experience as a minister in different parts of the country and has been there
for six years. Besides holding office in many branches of church organisation
including presidency of the Methodist Council of Grimsby & District he has
been a member of the Grimsby & District Hospital Management Committee and
the Committee Grimsby Branch of the League of Nations Union.
"So born in Derbyshire of Lincolnshire Parents" Well yes, he was born in Buxton, Derbyshire, on 30 August 1883, at 21, High Street, Buxton, where his father Samuel Selby had his boot and shoe business. His mother was Pauline Bertha Sims, sometimes spelt as Simms-I found that she was born in the Pontefract registration area, in Yorkshire, whereas Samuel was born in Gunby, Lincolnshire, so hardly born of Lincolnshire parents.Yes every census states that Wilfred's mother Pauline Bertha was born in Pontefract, Yorkshire. Samuel Selby married Pauline Bertha Sims at Belper, Derbyshire in the December quarter of 1880-so in the months of October, November and December, but why Belper, when he was from Gunby & she from Pontefract? So looking at Pauline Bertha, the 1861 Census entry has some information as to her parents.
So Pauline Simms father was called James, and her mother married her father, James Simms in the Bakewell area in the December quarter of 1853. Sure enough in the 1841 Census, John Sidsaph, aged 55 is a road surveyor with his wife Sarah, aged 50, with children Charles, Thomas & Jane. However, I have now found a baptism on Ancestry of Jane Sidsaph, at North Wheatley, on 4 November 1832, a daughter of John Sidsaph and his wife Mary, and as the census records show that Jane was born about 1832, that must be her baptism, but with a mother called Mary, means that her father John must have married a woman called Sarah between 1832 & 1841, and Mary Sidsaph died between those dates too, unless of course the transcription of the baptism is wrong. So I went searching for a John Sidsaph marrying a Mary between 1830 & 1832 because I found that Jane's brothers in the 1841 census, Charles & Thomas were baptised on the same day & year namely 2 May 1830 and both to a John & Sarah Sidsaph. I couldn't find one, so Sarah must also be Jane's mother too. I also found that a John Sidsaph married a Sarah Rook on 6 June 1809 at Walkeringham, Nottinghamshire. This was on Family Search:"England Marriages, 1538–1973 ," database, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NKMQ-G8S : accessed 30 July 2015), John Sidsaph and Sarah Rook, 06 Jun 1809; citing Walkeringham,Nottingham,England, reference ; FHL microfilm 0462987 EXTR., 504053, 504067, 504540.
So then I went searching for Jane's siblings and found that she had several, so then I went searching for a baptism of a Sarah Rook and found a Sarah Rook baptised in Walkeringham with parents Robert & Mary Rook on 8 February 1790, which would have made her 19 when she married John Sidsaph, but with a surname like that there can't be many marriages like that also. That's one of the problems of researching family history prior to 1837-it's a bit of guess work, but the family naming traditions work, naming children after family members was commonplace.
So James Simms marries Jane Sidsaph in the Bakewell registration area in the December quarter of 1853, and Pauline Bertha Simms was born in Pontefract-so now to test this out. In Ancestry & Family Search, a James Simms marries Jane Sidsaph at Matlock St Giles on 13 November 1853. Matlock is in the Bakewell registration area & November is in the December quarter of 1853. So then I went searching for James Simms in 1871 census, bearing mind he wasn't with the family in the 1861 census, and then I found Jane Sims(nee Sidsaph) in Belper, with a husband Samuel Sims, and also at the house, a Charles Sidsaph, shown as wife's brother and Sarah Sidsaph shown as wife's mother-must be Sarah Rook. No sign of James Simms or Sims. Then I found this marriage on Ancestry, 24 February 1870, Sarah Sims, born 1829, with a father of John Sidsaph, marrying Samuel Sims at Duffield, Derbyshire. Samuel Sims was a tailor, age 66 in 1870, so quite a bit older than Jane. So James Simms must have died because the record states that Jane was a widow when she married Samuel who with a surname of Sims must have been a relative of James.
So today I am going to carry out research into this Samuel Sims to see if there is any connection between him & James, and also to find out what happened to James and how Pauline Bertha came to be born in Pontefract.
First of all I found this article in the Derby Mercury relating to his death.
In the Census of 1861 as above, Pauline is at her grandmother's home in North Wheatley, Nottinghamshire. Her grandmother was Sarah Siddoph,aged 70, a road surveyor's wife born North Walkeringham, then comes Pauline's mother Jane Simms, aged 27, born North Wheatley, and daughter of Sarah Siddoph, so Jane's maiden name was Siddoph. Then comes Pauline Bertha, aged 6, born about 1855, a scholar, born Pontefract, grand daughter of Sarah Siddoph, and next comes another grand daughter of Sarah Siddoph called Jane Bristow, born Sheffield. Looking down the page I noticed a man called John Siddoph Lamb a tailor, born North Wheatley, and a Charles Siddoph aged 30, born North Wheatley, so probably Pauline's mother's brother-her uncle. Jane Simms is shown as being married, so her husband is elsewhere. However another look at the Census for 1851 & 1861, shows the name Siddoph to be Sidsaph. I did use free bmd to search for a marriage of a Jane Siddoph & a man called Simms with no result, but by changing the surname Siddoph to Sidsaph, I was more successful. This produced
| Marriages Dec 1853 (>99%) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  | ||||||
| Sidsaph | Jane | Bakewell | 7b | 1016 | | |
| Simms | James | Bakewell | 7b | 1016 | | |
So then I went searching for Jane's siblings and found that she had several, so then I went searching for a baptism of a Sarah Rook and found a Sarah Rook baptised in Walkeringham with parents Robert & Mary Rook on 8 February 1790, which would have made her 19 when she married John Sidsaph, but with a surname like that there can't be many marriages like that also. That's one of the problems of researching family history prior to 1837-it's a bit of guess work, but the family naming traditions work, naming children after family members was commonplace.
So James Simms marries Jane Sidsaph in the Bakewell registration area in the December quarter of 1853, and Pauline Bertha Simms was born in Pontefract-so now to test this out. In Ancestry & Family Search, a James Simms marries Jane Sidsaph at Matlock St Giles on 13 November 1853. Matlock is in the Bakewell registration area & November is in the December quarter of 1853. So then I went searching for James Simms in 1871 census, bearing mind he wasn't with the family in the 1861 census, and then I found Jane Sims(nee Sidsaph) in Belper, with a husband Samuel Sims, and also at the house, a Charles Sidsaph, shown as wife's brother and Sarah Sidsaph shown as wife's mother-must be Sarah Rook. No sign of James Simms or Sims. Then I found this marriage on Ancestry, 24 February 1870, Sarah Sims, born 1829, with a father of John Sidsaph, marrying Samuel Sims at Duffield, Derbyshire. Samuel Sims was a tailor, age 66 in 1870, so quite a bit older than Jane. So James Simms must have died because the record states that Jane was a widow when she married Samuel who with a surname of Sims must have been a relative of James.
So today I am going to carry out research into this Samuel Sims to see if there is any connection between him & James, and also to find out what happened to James and how Pauline Bertha came to be born in Pontefract.
First of all I found this article in the Derby Mercury relating to his death.
Derby Mercury -
Wednesday 03 April 1872
Samuel Sims (Deceased)
Notice is hereby given, that the creditors and all other
persons having any claim or demand upon or against the Estate of Samuel Sims,
late of Broadholm, in the township of Belper, in the County of Derby, Yeoman,
deceased (who died on 7 December 1871 and whose will was proved on 4 March 1872
in the Derby Court of Probate by Jane Sims and Herbert Sims, the Executors
named in the said will) are required on or before the 30th day of April next to
send to me the undersigned, the Solicitor of the said Executors the particulars
of the Claims upon or against the said Executors……..Jos. Bland Walker,
chapel-street, Belper, Solicitors to the said Executors.
So soon after their marriage, Samuel dies on 7 December 1871 aged 67 according to
FreeBMD Deaths: December 1871: Sims, Samuel
67, Belper 7b, 335 (the numbers after Belper refer to the register details should I want to send for a certificate. In the National Probate Calendar, this is the entry for Samuel: PROBATE: SIMS Samuel Effects under £450: 4 March, 1872.
The will of Samuel
Sims of Broadholme in the township of Belper in the County of Derby Yeoman who
died 7 December 1871 was proved at Derby by Jane Sims of Broadholme widow of
the relict and Herbert Sims warehouse-man the son, the Executors.
I have searched for baptisms in Pontefract for Pauline Bertha Sims without success so will have to get a birth record of Pauline Bertha to find exactly where and when she was born and who her father was because I can't find him at all after the 1861 census-he's not on it as far as I can see.
Yesterday, after a long walk, I did some more research, trying to find James Simms, father of Pauline Bertha Simms. Going on the assumption that James was at least 21 when he married Jane Sidsaph in 1853 in Matlock, I searched for a James Simms, born 1832, in Derbyshire, and found one in the 1851 census in Broadholm, Belper, son of Samuel Simms, a iron roller. Yes the same Samuel Simms who married Jane Sims, formerly Sidsaph! Did she really marry the son first then the father? Anyway this James Simms in the family of Samuel Simms was born 1829, son of Samuel mother of Eliza Ann. In the 1861 Census he wasn't with his wife and young daughter, so searching for a James Simms born 1829 in Belper in the 1861 Census I found him in Manchester as an iron planer, living in "digs". Now to find his death, because when Jane, his wife married Samuel she was a widow. Looking on Free BMD I found a death for a James Simms in the Manchester Registration District March 1862,
, but this is the wrong James, here he is very young,as pointed out by someone else interested in the same name.
Hot off the press....
JAMES SIMMS occ Tailor, father=James also a Tailor
married JANE SIDSAPH father=John (deceased) Surveyor on 24 Nov 1853 at the Parish Church of Matlock.
Witnesses: George Stevenson & ? (name illegible but the surname looks like Staniforth).
According to my research, this James Sims/Simms is possibly the brother of Samuel Sims to whom Jane married in 1870.
James Sims senior died in May 1866 aged 85 and was buried in St Giles, Matlock.
Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald - Saturday 02 June 1866
DEATHS: SIMS May 16, at Starkholmes, near Matlock, James Sims, late of Belper, aged 85 years.
The above marriage is recorded on the LDS website, familysearch.org along with access to the actual parish register courtesy of Derbyshire Record Office.
Bertha Simms. as she seems to have been called, attended a Ladies Seminary in Lincoln. This small school was run by a Miss Annie Sharman, who had in 1871 when Bertha was at the school in Bailgate, Lincoln, been running schools for quite some time. Having found Bertha in the census of 1871 at this school aged 16, and finding that an Annie Sharman was running the school, I searched for Annie Sharman in the 1861 census and found her at "Hope House" in Caistor, Lincolnshire, that's about 15 miles from Lincoln. Searching the same newspaper archive for "Hope House" in Lincolnshire, I soon found that this advertisement kept appearing.
Lincolnshire Chronicle - Friday 30 July 1858
The school then moved to Lincoln and this advertisement kept appearing
Yesterday, after a long walk, I did some more research, trying to find James Simms, father of Pauline Bertha Simms. Going on the assumption that James was at least 21 when he married Jane Sidsaph in 1853 in Matlock, I searched for a James Simms, born 1832, in Derbyshire, and found one in the 1851 census in Broadholm, Belper, son of Samuel Simms, a iron roller. Yes the same Samuel Simms who married Jane Sims, formerly Sidsaph! Did she really marry the son first then the father? Anyway this James Simms in the family of Samuel Simms was born 1829, son of Samuel mother of Eliza Ann. In the 1861 Census he wasn't with his wife and young daughter, so searching for a James Simms born 1829 in Belper in the 1861 Census I found him in Manchester as an iron planer, living in "digs". Now to find his death, because when Jane, his wife married Samuel she was a widow. Looking on Free BMD I found a death for a James Simms in the Manchester Registration District March 1862,
, but this is the wrong James, here he is very young,as pointed out by someone else interested in the same name.
Hot off the press....
JAMES SIMMS occ Tailor, father=James also a Tailor
married JANE SIDSAPH father=John (deceased) Surveyor on 24 Nov 1853 at the Parish Church of Matlock.
Witnesses: George Stevenson & ? (name illegible but the surname looks like Staniforth).
According to my research, this James Sims/Simms is possibly the brother of Samuel Sims to whom Jane married in 1870.
James Sims senior died in May 1866 aged 85 and was buried in St Giles, Matlock.
Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald - Saturday 02 June 1866
DEATHS: SIMS May 16, at Starkholmes, near Matlock, James Sims, late of Belper, aged 85 years.
Bertha Simms. as she seems to have been called, attended a Ladies Seminary in Lincoln. This small school was run by a Miss Annie Sharman, who had in 1871 when Bertha was at the school in Bailgate, Lincoln, been running schools for quite some time. Having found Bertha in the census of 1871 at this school aged 16, and finding that an Annie Sharman was running the school, I searched for Annie Sharman in the 1861 census and found her at "Hope House" in Caistor, Lincolnshire, that's about 15 miles from Lincoln. Searching the same newspaper archive for "Hope House" in Lincolnshire, I soon found that this advertisement kept appearing.
Lincolnshire Chronicle - Friday 30 July 1858
Ladies Seminary-Hope House, Caistor
The school then moved to Lincoln and this advertisement kept appearing
Lincolnshire Chronicle - Friday 01 August 1862
Ladies Seminary 34, Bail-gate, Lincoln
Miss Sharman begs to announce that her school will be RE-OPENED
on Friday August 1st-a governess pupil wanted Lincoln. July 28 1862.
Belper to Lincoln now is 53 miles by road, the journey in 1871 could have been done by train., so Bertha would have had to board at the school, coming home in holidays. Bertha in later life was quite deaf. Frances refers to Bertha as "Great Grandma Sims with a big ear trumpet". That's because many years ago Grandma Selby, (Florence Martin), showed her an ear trumpet used by Bertha to aid her hearing. Haven't we moved on since then. The older generation do lose their hearing as we all know, so not surprising that Bertha need an hearing aid.
Belper to Lincoln now is 53 miles by road, the journey in 1871 could have been done by train., so Bertha would have had to board at the school, coming home in holidays. Bertha in later life was quite deaf. Frances refers to Bertha as "Great Grandma Sims with a big ear trumpet". That's because many years ago Grandma Selby, (Florence Martin), showed her an ear trumpet used by Bertha to aid her hearing. Haven't we moved on since then. The older generation do lose their hearing as we all know, so not surprising that Bertha need an hearing aid.
By 1874, the school had moved to 185, High Street, Lincoln opposite St Mary le Wigford Church-there was small fire at the school as reported in the Lincolnshire Chronicle on Friday 27 February 1874, but by that time I am sure Bertha would have left the school. However a description of the school is in this article.
I am sure that Bertha's fees would have been paid for by Samuel Simms, her stepfather, maybe a decision why Jane her mother decided to marry him. After his death in December 1871, Jane I am sure would have received some money from his estate. The next recorded event in Bertha's life is her marriage to a Samuel Selby which took place in Belper in the December quarter of 1880-how they came to meet I have no idea, but at least I know now how at least one of them was in Belper. Maybe a marriage record will help record where they were living at the marriage and confirm their respective fathers. I know that soon after her marriage to Samuel Selby, she and him are living in Buxton, Derbyshire, where he has a cobblers business at 21, High Street, Buxton-so they are probably living over the shop. Not far away from them is a Wesleyan Methodist Church in the Market Place in Buxton. So I wonder if Bertha worked in Buxton prior to her marriage-as an educated young lady she may have been employed as a governess in anyone of the big houses in Buxton. Anyway once married, she was then too busy looking after the needs of her two boys, Edgar Thomas & Wilfred Ewart Selby.Edgar Thomas was their first born son born in 21 High Street, in the July quarter of 1881, so in the months of May June or July.
Samuel Selby according to the census was born in Gunby, Lincolnshire, the son of a farmer called Thomas Selby & his wife Mary. Samuel was born in the April quarter of 1853, that's the nearest I can find without finding his baptism/birth record. Some time ago I did some research into the origins of the Selby family in Lincolnshire seeking the help of another Selby researcher. The Selby family spent several generations working on farms in Gunby. Using baptisms, marriage & burial records from a variety sources, but mainly Gunby parish records, it's possible to trace them back to the early half of the 17th century. So where is Gunby and just how big is it? I have an old Ordnance Survey map at home dated 1980, well not so old is it?
Gunby is a hamlet just off the A1, that's the road marked on the map as a thick red line, known as Ermine Street on the line of the old Roman Road. You can see the village of North Witham which is to the west of the River Witham marked as a thin blue line. Then going west from there, that's to the left, is Gunby. Just north of Gunby is another hamlet called Stainby and towards the top of the map is Stoke Rochford. Not far away are the villages of Buckminster & Sewstern. Colsterworth was the birthplace of Isaac Newton; there is museum there in his old farmhouse owned by the National Trust-a good place to visit. Quite a few of these place-names come into the story of both Thomas Selby and his ancestors.
Okay, lets get back to the Selby Ancestry-I can trace them back to a Thomas Selby born sometime around 1693 in Somerby. Some researchers say it was Great Gonerby, but if born there why be baptised in Somerby on 7 March 1693, as son of Thomas & Rebec Selby. Certainly there isn't a Thomas Selby baptised in Great Gonerby in 1693-I have seen the original records in Lincstothepast and there is nobody by that name baptised there in that year-check it out for yourself.
http://www.lincstothepast.com/Records/RecordDisplayTranscript.aspx?oid=711935&iid=344173
The baptism of Thomas born to Thomas & Rebec at Somerby is to be found here.
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NYGS-59Y
The Lincolnshire place name is Somerby by Grantham, as opposed to Somerby by Brigg.
This is a map showing Somerby, or on this map as Old Somerby. The thick red line is the A1, the orange coloured line running through the village of Old Somerby is marked as the B1176, which crosses the B6403 & A52-Ermine Street again. Also on the map is the town of Grantham, and Great & Little Ponton, which will also come into our story.The village church is marked with black square and a cross on top of it indicating that the parish church has a tower, not a spire, which would be a symbol as a black circle and a cross. Great Gonerby is the other side of Grantham.
Looking at Family Search website for Thomas's siblings, I have compiled this list.
So you can see Thomas & Rebecca, (her maiden name I don't know as yet), had between them 7 children, of which 5 survived infancy. There seems to be a big gap between 1686 when Elizabeth was born & 1693 when Thomas was born.
Anyway the next big episode in Thomas's life was his marriage. This took place at Gunby, in the parish church called St Nicholas. I have used two records to find this marriage, neither of them show the occupation of Thomas at the time or where he & his bride were living, except that it does say they were both of the same parish.
I am sure that Bertha's fees would have been paid for by Samuel Simms, her stepfather, maybe a decision why Jane her mother decided to marry him. After his death in December 1871, Jane I am sure would have received some money from his estate. The next recorded event in Bertha's life is her marriage to a Samuel Selby which took place in Belper in the December quarter of 1880-how they came to meet I have no idea, but at least I know now how at least one of them was in Belper. Maybe a marriage record will help record where they were living at the marriage and confirm their respective fathers. I know that soon after her marriage to Samuel Selby, she and him are living in Buxton, Derbyshire, where he has a cobblers business at 21, High Street, Buxton-so they are probably living over the shop. Not far away from them is a Wesleyan Methodist Church in the Market Place in Buxton. So I wonder if Bertha worked in Buxton prior to her marriage-as an educated young lady she may have been employed as a governess in anyone of the big houses in Buxton. Anyway once married, she was then too busy looking after the needs of her two boys, Edgar Thomas & Wilfred Ewart Selby.Edgar Thomas was their first born son born in 21 High Street, in the July quarter of 1881, so in the months of May June or July.
Samuel Selby according to the census was born in Gunby, Lincolnshire, the son of a farmer called Thomas Selby & his wife Mary. Samuel was born in the April quarter of 1853, that's the nearest I can find without finding his baptism/birth record. Some time ago I did some research into the origins of the Selby family in Lincolnshire seeking the help of another Selby researcher. The Selby family spent several generations working on farms in Gunby. Using baptisms, marriage & burial records from a variety sources, but mainly Gunby parish records, it's possible to trace them back to the early half of the 17th century. So where is Gunby and just how big is it? I have an old Ordnance Survey map at home dated 1980, well not so old is it?
Gunby is a hamlet just off the A1, that's the road marked on the map as a thick red line, known as Ermine Street on the line of the old Roman Road. You can see the village of North Witham which is to the west of the River Witham marked as a thin blue line. Then going west from there, that's to the left, is Gunby. Just north of Gunby is another hamlet called Stainby and towards the top of the map is Stoke Rochford. Not far away are the villages of Buckminster & Sewstern. Colsterworth was the birthplace of Isaac Newton; there is museum there in his old farmhouse owned by the National Trust-a good place to visit. Quite a few of these place-names come into the story of both Thomas Selby and his ancestors.Okay, lets get back to the Selby Ancestry-I can trace them back to a Thomas Selby born sometime around 1693 in Somerby. Some researchers say it was Great Gonerby, but if born there why be baptised in Somerby on 7 March 1693, as son of Thomas & Rebec Selby. Certainly there isn't a Thomas Selby baptised in Great Gonerby in 1693-I have seen the original records in Lincstothepast and there is nobody by that name baptised there in that year-check it out for yourself.
http://www.lincstothepast.com/Records/RecordDisplayTranscript.aspx?oid=711935&iid=344173
The baptism of Thomas born to Thomas & Rebec at Somerby is to be found here.
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NYGS-59Y
The Lincolnshire place name is Somerby by Grantham, as opposed to Somerby by Brigg.
This is a map showing Somerby, or on this map as Old Somerby. The thick red line is the A1, the orange coloured line running through the village of Old Somerby is marked as the B1176, which crosses the B6403 & A52-Ermine Street again. Also on the map is the town of Grantham, and Great & Little Ponton, which will also come into our story.The village church is marked with black square and a cross on top of it indicating that the parish church has a tower, not a spire, which would be a symbol as a black circle and a cross. Great Gonerby is the other side of Grantham.
Children born to Thomas & Rebecca Selby at SOMERBY BY
GRANTHAM, LINCOLN, ENGLAND
Source: England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975
Indexing Project (Batch) Number C03082-2
System Origin England-ODM,
GS Film number 504759
1. Robert Selby baptism 6 March 1682
2. John Selby, baptism 20 January 1683, burial 23 January
1683
3. Thomas Selby, born 1684: Baptism 3 February, burial 9
February
4. Elizabeth Selby, baptism, 1 March 1686
5. Thomas Selby,
baptism 7 March 1693
6. Matthew Selby,
baptism 25 February 1696
7. Joseph Selby,
Baptism, 7 February 1698
The record in Lincstothepast-which is the website of the Lincolnshire Archives states the following:-
1716 Thomas Selby and Emma Sutton were married November 20th. I have changed the Emme Suttton to Emma Sutton-it's just a transcription of Emma after all.
Detail
Gunby St Nicholas Parish Records - Baptisms, Burials & Marriages (1715-1718)
Web Address http://www.lincstothepast.com/Records/RecordDisplayTranscrip
t.aspx?oid=723763&iid=353630
Ancestry uses the record on Family Search
Thomas Selby, Male, Marriage Date 20 November 1716
Marriage Place Gunby-St. Nicholas, Lincoln, England
FHL Film Number 1450483, Thomas Selby & Emme Sutton
So you can see now that between his birth in 1693 & his marriage in 1716, Thomas has moved from Old Somerby to Gunby.
Thomas & his wife Emme/Emma have a number of children between them, so if we can find the baptism of the these children, the record include the occupation & abode of Thomas at that time.
The Lincstothepast website is the best site for looking up these baptisms, as Family Search/Ancestry doesn't include that information which I think is vital.
Using this website, I have found these records:
1. Matthew Selby
Baptisms 1718 Mathew Son of Thomas Selby Baptised November 6th.
http://www.lincstothepast.com/Records/RecordDisplayTranscript.aspx?oid=723763&iid=353630
2. Thomas Selby
Baptisms Anno Domini 1720
Thomas Selby Baptized March. 5, this means 1721 in our calendar.
http://www.lincstothepast.com/Records/RecordDisplayTranscrip
t.aspx?oid=723763&iid=353632
3. Anne Selby
Baptisms Anno Domini 1722 Anne the Daughter of Thomas Selby was Bapt. Dec. 16
http://www.lincstothepast.com/Records/RecordDisplayTranscrip
t.aspx?oid=723763&iid=353632
4. Jane Selby
Baptisms Anno Domini 1724
Jane the Daughter of Thomas Selby was Bapt. Jan. 21
http://www.lincstothepast.com/Records/RecordDisplayTranscrip
t.aspx?oid=723763&iid=353637
This means that Jane was baptised January 21 1725 in our calendar.
4. Amy Selby
Baptisms Anno Domini 1726
Amy the Daughter of Thomas Selby was Bapt: Feb. 19.
This means that Amy was baptised February 19, 1727 in our calendar.
http://www.lincstothepast.com/Records/RecordDisplayTranscrip
t.aspx?oid=723763&iid=353637
As you can see the records don't mention the occupation of Thomas Selby neither do they mention the name of his wife either.
This website has no baptism records after 1727 until 1737, so although this family must have had more children the records must be elsewhere. I can't find any further records on family search or on Free Reg, so maybe the only other source have to be the Archives in Lincoln.
So until I know further, lets look at Matthew Selby born 1718 in Gunby. He married at Little Ponton Parish Church-you can see that on the map above, just north of Great Ponton and just south of Grantham. The record at Lincstothepast states: Marriages 1745/1746 Matthew Selby and Ursula Brothel of Stainby were married at Little Ponton January 5th
http://www.lincstothepast.com/Little-Ponton-Parish-Records---Marriages--Baptisms---Burials--1745-/570305.record?ImageID=355248&pt=T
On the first map above, Little Stainby is a hamlet just north of Gunby-this is the parish of Matthew's bride, so you would think that they would marry there, not Little Ponton. This a photograph of the church of St Guthlac.
So Ursula Brothel was of the parish of Stainby. She was baptised in Great Gonerby Parish Church on 27 November, 1720, daughter of John Brothwell & Mary Wing.
Lincstothepast has this baptism;
Christenings in the year of our Lord 1720 With Brown Clarke Ursula ye Daughter of John Brothwell & Mary his wife Crist Nov. 27
Reverend Edgar Thomas SELBY
I have been looking at life of Edgar Thomas Selby or Uncle Eddie as my wife would say. Occasionally Eddie visited Buxton to see Frances and his chats about Ceylon, elephants fired my wife's imagination. Uncle Eddie was a missionary for the Wesleyan Missionary Society church in North Ceylon. I asked Peter Nockles at John Ryland's college in Manchester where all the Methodist Archives are stored and can be accessed if he could provide Edgar Selby's career in the Methodist Church. I also sought his career in local newspapers and found a very good article about Wesleyan Deaconesses in North Ceylon where I found some information about his wife, whom Frances remembered was called Faith.
Peter Nockles reply was thus: Edgar Thomas Selby was a Wesleyan Methodist minister who was stationed as follows:
1903 Portland; 1904 Didsbury; 1907 North Ceylon District; 1933 Clevedon; 1940 Birmingham, Smethwick; 1945 Supernumerary.
I also sought his career in local newspapers and found a very good article about Wesleyan Deaconesses in North Ceylon where I found some information about his wife, whom Frances remembered was called Faith.
Edgar Thomas SELBY was born in the July quarter of 1881 in Buxton, the son of Samuel SELBY & his wife Pauline Bertha SELBY nee Simms or Sims most likely at 21, High Street, Buxton where his father had a boot & shoe shop. The census of that year, on 5 April, 1881, records his parents living at 21, High Street, Buxton, with his father born in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, his mother born in Pontefract & his grandmother Jane Simms, nee Sidsaph born in Wheatley, Nottinghamshire. Samuel Selby was born in Gunby, not Grimsby, Lincolnshire. During the next 20 years, young Eddie Selby, seemed to have remained at home in Buxton-without any further information about him I am reliant on the census returns-so in 1891 he is with his parents at 21, High Street, Buxton. That census reads thus:-
21, High Street, Buxton:
Samuel SELBY, head, Married, age 37, Boot & Shoe Shop, Sub-postmaster, born Gunby, Lincolnshire.
Pauline B. SELBY, wife, Married, age 36, born Pontefract, Yorkshire.
Edgar T. SELBY, Son, age 9, Scholar, born Buxton, Derbyshire
Wilfred E. SELBY, Son, age 7, Scholar, born Buxton, Derbyshire.
Jane SIMMS, Mother-in-Law, Wid., age 58, Living on own means, born Wheatley, Nottinghamshire.
Edith DANE, Servant, single, age 28, General Servant, born Manchester, Lancashire
Arthur T. Cappitt, Lodger, Single, age 28, Railway Goods Clerk, born Thurlby, Lincolnshire.
There seems to have been quite a connection between the Selby family in Buxton and the village of Thurlby, in Lincolnshire. Samuel, Edgar’s father, lived there at one time, and many of his siblings & his parents did also.
In the 1901 Census this was the entry for that date:-
21, High Street, BUXTON:
Samuel SELBY, Head, Married, age 47, Boot & Shoe Dealer & sub-postmaster, Employer, at home, Born Gunby, Lincolnshire
Pauline B. SELBY, Wife, Married, Age 46, born Pontefract, Yorkshire.
1716 Thomas Selby and Emma Sutton were married November 20th. I have changed the Emme Suttton to Emma Sutton-it's just a transcription of Emma after all.
Detail
Gunby St Nicholas Parish Records - Baptisms, Burials & Marriages (1715-1718)
Web Address http://www.lincstothepast.com/Records/RecordDisplayTranscrip
t.aspx?oid=723763&iid=353630
Ancestry uses the record on Family Search
Thomas Selby, Male, Marriage Date 20 November 1716
Marriage Place Gunby-St. Nicholas, Lincoln, England
FHL Film Number 1450483, Thomas Selby & Emme Sutton
So you can see now that between his birth in 1693 & his marriage in 1716, Thomas has moved from Old Somerby to Gunby.
Thomas & his wife Emme/Emma have a number of children between them, so if we can find the baptism of the these children, the record include the occupation & abode of Thomas at that time.
The Lincstothepast website is the best site for looking up these baptisms, as Family Search/Ancestry doesn't include that information which I think is vital.
Using this website, I have found these records:
1. Matthew Selby
Baptisms 1718 Mathew Son of Thomas Selby Baptised November 6th.
http://www.lincstothepast.com/Records/RecordDisplayTranscript.aspx?oid=723763&iid=353630
2. Thomas Selby
Baptisms Anno Domini 1720
Thomas Selby Baptized March. 5, this means 1721 in our calendar.
http://www.lincstothepast.com/Records/RecordDisplayTranscrip
t.aspx?oid=723763&iid=353632
3. Anne Selby
Baptisms Anno Domini 1722 Anne the Daughter of Thomas Selby was Bapt. Dec. 16
http://www.lincstothepast.com/Records/RecordDisplayTranscrip
t.aspx?oid=723763&iid=353632
4. Jane Selby
Baptisms Anno Domini 1724
Jane the Daughter of Thomas Selby was Bapt. Jan. 21
http://www.lincstothepast.com/Records/RecordDisplayTranscrip
t.aspx?oid=723763&iid=353637
This means that Jane was baptised January 21 1725 in our calendar.
4. Amy Selby
Baptisms Anno Domini 1726
Amy the Daughter of Thomas Selby was Bapt: Feb. 19.
This means that Amy was baptised February 19, 1727 in our calendar.
http://www.lincstothepast.com/Records/RecordDisplayTranscrip
t.aspx?oid=723763&iid=353637
As you can see the records don't mention the occupation of Thomas Selby neither do they mention the name of his wife either.
This website has no baptism records after 1727 until 1737, so although this family must have had more children the records must be elsewhere. I can't find any further records on family search or on Free Reg, so maybe the only other source have to be the Archives in Lincoln.
So until I know further, lets look at Matthew Selby born 1718 in Gunby. He married at Little Ponton Parish Church-you can see that on the map above, just north of Great Ponton and just south of Grantham. The record at Lincstothepast states: Marriages 1745/1746 Matthew Selby and Ursula Brothel of Stainby were married at Little Ponton January 5th
http://www.lincstothepast.com/Little-Ponton-Parish-Records---Marriages--Baptisms---Burials--1745-/570305.record?ImageID=355248&pt=T
On the first map above, Little Stainby is a hamlet just north of Gunby-this is the parish of Matthew's bride, so you would think that they would marry there, not Little Ponton. This a photograph of the church of St Guthlac.
So Ursula Brothel was of the parish of Stainby. She was baptised in Great Gonerby Parish Church on 27 November, 1720, daughter of John Brothwell & Mary Wing.
Lincstothepast has this baptism;
Christenings in the year of our Lord 1720 With Brown Clarke Ursula ye Daughter of John Brothwell & Mary his wife Crist Nov. 27
Reverend Edgar Thomas SELBY
I have been looking at life of Edgar Thomas Selby or Uncle Eddie as my wife would say. Occasionally Eddie visited Buxton to see Frances and his chats about Ceylon, elephants fired my wife's imagination. Uncle Eddie was a missionary for the Wesleyan Missionary Society church in North Ceylon. I asked Peter Nockles at John Ryland's college in Manchester where all the Methodist Archives are stored and can be accessed if he could provide Edgar Selby's career in the Methodist Church. I also sought his career in local newspapers and found a very good article about Wesleyan Deaconesses in North Ceylon where I found some information about his wife, whom Frances remembered was called Faith.
Peter Nockles reply was thus: Edgar Thomas Selby was a Wesleyan Methodist minister who was stationed as follows:
1903 Portland; 1904 Didsbury; 1907 North Ceylon District; 1933 Clevedon; 1940 Birmingham, Smethwick; 1945 Supernumerary.
I also sought his career in local newspapers and found a very good article about Wesleyan Deaconesses in North Ceylon where I found some information about his wife, whom Frances remembered was called Faith.
Edgar Thomas SELBY was born in the July quarter of 1881 in Buxton, the son of Samuel SELBY & his wife Pauline Bertha SELBY nee Simms or Sims most likely at 21, High Street, Buxton where his father had a boot & shoe shop. The census of that year, on 5 April, 1881, records his parents living at 21, High Street, Buxton, with his father born in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, his mother born in Pontefract & his grandmother Jane Simms, nee Sidsaph born in Wheatley, Nottinghamshire. Samuel Selby was born in Gunby, not Grimsby, Lincolnshire. During the next 20 years, young Eddie Selby, seemed to have remained at home in Buxton-without any further information about him I am reliant on the census returns-so in 1891 he is with his parents at 21, High Street, Buxton. That census reads thus:-
21, High Street, Buxton:
Samuel SELBY, head, Married, age 37, Boot & Shoe Shop, Sub-postmaster, born Gunby, Lincolnshire.
Pauline B. SELBY, wife, Married, age 36, born Pontefract, Yorkshire.
Edgar T. SELBY, Son, age 9, Scholar, born Buxton, Derbyshire
Wilfred E. SELBY, Son, age 7, Scholar, born Buxton, Derbyshire.
Jane SIMMS, Mother-in-Law, Wid., age 58, Living on own means, born Wheatley, Nottinghamshire.
Edith DANE, Servant, single, age 28, General Servant, born Manchester, Lancashire
Arthur T. Cappitt, Lodger, Single, age 28, Railway Goods Clerk, born Thurlby, Lincolnshire.
There seems to have been quite a connection between the Selby family in Buxton and the village of Thurlby, in Lincolnshire. Samuel, Edgar’s father, lived there at one time, and many of his siblings & his parents did also.
In the 1901 Census this was the entry for that date:-
21, High Street, BUXTON:
Samuel SELBY, Head, Married, age 47, Boot & Shoe Dealer & sub-postmaster, Employer, at home, Born Gunby, Lincolnshire
Pauline B. SELBY, Wife, Married, Age 46, born Pontefract, Yorkshire.
Edgar T. SELBY, Son, Single, Sorting Clerk & Telegraphs, Worker, Born Buxton, Derbyshire
Wilfred E. SELBY, Son, Age 17, Board School Teacher, Worker, Born Buxton, Derbyshire
Jane SIMMS, mother-in-law, Widow, age 68, born Wheatley, Nottinghamshire
Mary Jane WILLIAMS, Servant, Single, Age 20, General Servant, domestic, Born Warslow, Derbyshire.
I just wonder if this is in fact the daughter of David Williams of Harpur Hill, Buxton, who also had a son called George Arthur Williams.
Samuel Selby, by 1901, was a Wesleyan Methodist local preacher-on 6 September 1888 he had erected a stone monument which is currently in the wall of Harpur Hill Methodist Church for all the local preachers in the Buxton area.
The same plaque names E. T. SELBY & W.E. SELBY as local preachers too, each have their own stone too.
After their marriage, the next information I have for them is that they both travel back to Britain again by sea "On 5 April, 1915, Rev. E. T. Selby & Mrs Selby arrive in Tilbury, London from Colombo. They were going to stay in England for a year on what was called "Furlough", basically a break away from their missionary work abroad. During that time, they might stay in Methodist homes and preach locally. This article in a local newspaper describes what role Edgar T was performing then: "Reverend J. Garforth took over as minister in charge Batticaloa district whilst Reverend E. T Selby and wife went on 1 year Furlough in England"
.
Anyway in 1916, they both return to Ceylon, where "Eddie" becomes the acting principal of Jaffna Central College, one of Sri Lanka's oldest schools.
They both come back to England in 1922 again and went to live in Selly Oak this entry on the ship's manifest "Oxfordshire" owned by the Bibby Line, from Ancestry shows this:
Rev. E T Selby & Mrs Selby arrive at Tilbury, London from Colombo, on 3 April, 1922, en route to Kingsmead Close, Selly Oak, Birmingham, Warwickshire. This I think was a Methodist Manse for missionaries spending time in England on furlough.
This article in the Tamworth Herald illustrates the sort of things the Rev Selby would have done whilst he was on furlough.
Tamworth Herald - Saturday 04 November 1922
WESLEYAN FOREIGN MISSIONS
The annual meeting for the Wesleyan foreign missions was held in the Wesleyan Church, Tamworth, on Thursday last week, Mr. F. G. Allton presided. The Rev. E. T. SELBY, of the North Ceylon district was the conference deputation and gave an instructive account of the development of the Ceylonese mission into a self-supporting and self-propagating church. Mr. Selby also addressed a small gathering of Sunday School scholars on the likenesses and differences between children in England and children in Ceylon, and by means of photographs and various articles of home and personal use entertained his hearers as well as instructed them.
They were both back again in North Ceylon in 1932 because the Reverend E T Selby & his wife were presented with a work box.
The first official record for Samuel LOCKER apart from his record of baptism which I can't find at present and his marriage to Hannah is the 1841 Census.
You will notice that Florence isn't with the family on Census day-this is because she was working as a domestic servant at a house further up Fairfield Road, as the census shows.
I have been trying to find out when these plaques were placed into the wall of the church at Harpur Hill-it must have been after 1888, because Edgar T Selby & Wilfred Ewart SELBY weren’t born until 1881 & 1883 respectively, so must have been after 1901.
The foundation stones of this building were laid on Thursday 6 September 1888 as this article in the Buxton Advertiser found at Buxton Library illustrates.
New Wesleyan Chapel
for Harpur Hill
(Buxton Advertiser Saturday September
8th 1888)
On Thursday (6 September 1888), the ceremony of laying the
memorial stones of the new building about to be erected for the Wesleyan
Society at Harpur Hill was performed in the presence of a goodly number of
friends. The building will be plain Gothic in style, built of limestone, with
gritstone corners, sills &c, on a piece of land 50 feet by 80 feet,
purchased at a reduction in price from the Duke of Devonshire, and situate on
the road leading to Haslin Houses. There will be a small vestry on the north
side, and the new building will, when completed, accommodate 150 persons. The
architect is Mr. Bryden of Buxton; builders, Messrs Bennett and Gregory of Tideswell;
and the joinering work will be undertaken by Mr. Dalton, of Buxton. The cost
will be £300. The internal fittings are to be of red deal, stained and
varnished. A rostrum will be provided and windows with leaded lights.
The proceedings
opened with the singing of “All people that on earth do dwell”, after which the
new superintendent minister, Rev. T. H. HORRELL, proceeded to direct the order
of the service. Among those present; were-Mr. H. A. Hubbersty, J. P., Rev. J.
H. Ireland, M.A., curate in charge of Harpur Hill; Rev. S. B. Beattie, Rev. J.
C. Nattrass, Rev. R. Raw, Messrs. Wardle, Salt, Pilkington, Selby, Potter and
other friends. Prayer was offered by the Rev. J. C. Nattrass and Mr. Beattie
then read the 84th Psalm. The Rev. J. H. HORRELL was very glad to
know there was on the platform a representative of the Church of England. As
good Methodists, they would never forget that they had their cradle in the
Church of England. (Hear Hear). Nor could they forget how much they had been
indebted to that Church, and still were indebted. He was glad to stand on the
same platform with the Congregational Minister, feeling that as Methodists they
could extend the right hand of fellowship to the one as to the other, and to
all evangelical churches.
The building was opened on 30 January 1889 as this article in the Buxton Advertiser explains:
Opening of Wesleyan
Chapel at Harpur Hill
(Buxton Advertiser
Saturday 2 February 1889)
On Wednesday (30 January, 1889), this newly-erected place of
worship was opened, a sermon being preached by the Rev. J. Wilson of
Macclesfield. It will be remembered that the building was commenced in
September. The architect was Mr. Dalton of Buxton., the masonry work was done
by Mr. Gregory, of Tideswell, and Mr. J. Salt, of Buxton superintended the
works. The chapel will accommodate 130 persons and the cost has been £314. In
the afternoon a tea meeting attended by about 100 persons, was held by kind
permission in the Church schoolroom. A further meeting was held in the evening
in the new chapel, which was filled. The chair was taken by Mr. J. W. Potter of
Buxton, and he was supported by the Rev. T. H. Horrell (superintendent
minister), Rev. S. B. Beattie, Rev. J. Wilson, and other friends.
The Chairman, in opening the meeting, said that (it) was the
Harpur Hill’s friends’ day, and they had come from Buxton to rejoice with them,
to show them sympathy, and to help them. He was glad the chapel building scheme
had been brought to completion. The chapel far surpassed his expectations for
he did not expect to have seen anything so complete, and it was practically
opened without debt. They should not ignore comforts and conveniences in the
House of God. He did not consider elaborate decoration or fine architecture was
necessary, but the surroundings had something to do with the spirit that
pervaded their minds, and he was sure they would lose nothing there in that
way. There was, however a possibility, when a society was transferred from one place to
a new and better place, that they might concentrate their thoughts too much on
the building. If they had been reliant on the Divine strength there would be
need for more of it. If in the past the members had been lowly and humble in
mind, they would need to be so still. Each member should estimate the other
better than himself-that was the way in which they would find success. (Applause)
Mr. SELBY was very delighted to see such a good gathering.
There had been a determined effort to set the little place up. It had met with
general approval, and everybody had seemed somewhat surprised. People were half
inclined to think it was a barn or stable, but when they looked in were
agreeably surprised to find such a comfortable chapel. Their aim was had been
to keep down expense. He had had an objection to an ornamental chapel and what
was known as a “monkey” outside. (Laughter). In 1885 an attempt was first mad,
after the friends felt they would desire a better place to worship in, to
procure a plot of ground. A plot was offered them just above the old preaching
room. Arrangements were made for the use of the ground to build upon, when it
was discovered there were restrictions in the deed which were not acceptable to
the trustees and the scheme fell through. At that time there was collected £13
16s 6d. After the scheme was abandoned the expenses amounted to five guineas
which left the balance in hand of £8 11s 6d. In January, 1888, the attempt to
secure land and build again was made. After looking round, the site upon which
that building was erected was thought suitable. The site was purchased, and
money was collected for the building. The total collections at the stone laying
amounted to £53 5s 10d., the Duke of Devonshire gave £10, Colonel Sidebottom,
M.P., £10, and other subscriptions made a total of £111 (Applause) They had in
addition to that a noble sum promised by the Buxton Lime Company, viz.
£100.(Reserved applause). The Connextional Aid Society gave them £30 on
condition that they did not exceed the amount first, and did not have a larger
debt on the chapel than £50. That brought them £241 raised. Then there was an
estimate of £10 worth of work done by friends. Mr. Mantal, Of Buxton, promised
to do £5 worth of joiners’ work free, and there were others who had helped
including some of Mr. Salt’s workmen. Mr. Salt had purchased the old seats at
the Wesleyan Chapel at Fairfield, the carting had been done, and the total
amount given or promised, with work done, reached the sum of £265 5s. The site
cost £27, masons’ work £46, joiners’ £152 15s, (extra for porch of £7), and
other items of expense, including legal charges, made a sum total of £314 10s
6d., and the balance yet required was £51 5s 2d. They had been careful in
estimating everything. The building was to cost £310; now it came to £314, so
they were not far wrong. He read a list of names of persons who had done work,
and also those who had carted free of charge. At the time the Harpur Hill
Society was started up in 1868, there were only three members on trial, and two
received from other circuits; and so they went on, at times having more
members, and at other periods less, until in December 1886, Mark Gould was the
leader and continued to be to the present time. From December, 1886, to March
1887, the members rose from 11 to 20, and now they numbered 24. He appealed to
them to hold together for as long as they fitted together as the new building
did in its various parts in harmony, neither the powers of earth or hell could
separate them (Applause).
The choir sang “It is I, be not afraid,” after which the
Rev. T. H. HORRELL, gave an address, and was followed by other friends. The
evening was pleasantly and profitably spent, and general satisfaction expressed
with the arrangements of the new place of worship which in future will be the
home of Methodism at Harpur Hill. A collection was made in aid of the debt; it
amounted to £12 10s. Miss Watts of Buxton, presided at the harmonium.
According to Peter NOCKLES, librarian at John Rylands College Manchester, home of the Methodist Archives, Edgar T Selby was a Wesleyan Minister at Portland, Dorset in 1903. He would have been 22 years of age then. In 1904, he went to the Wesleyan Training College at Didsbury in Lancashire, not far from Manchester. Certainly in October 1905, he was still at that college because on Wednesday 11th October 1905 he attended a wedding at Thurlby, Lincolnshire. John Elwes Noble, his uncle, must have invited him to assist at the wedding of his daughter Emma to Charles R. Horn, the second son of Mr. D. R. Horn of Manthorpe, Lincolnshire. The details of this wedding are below taken from the Grantham Journal, published Saturday 14 October 1905. John Elwes NOBLE was the husband of Mary Jane SELBY, the youngest sister of Samuel SELBY, Edgar’s father.
Grantham Journal - Saturday 14 October 1905
A very pretty wedding took place in the Wesleyan Chapel, Thurlby, on Wednesday the 11th last, when Miss Emma Noble, eldest daughter of Mr. J. E. Noble was married to Mr. Charles R. Horn, second son of Mr. D. R. Horn of Manthorpe. Both residents of the parish they are well-known and respected. Many friends and well-wishers of the contrasting parties assembled to witness the interesting ceremony which took place at 11. A.m. The Rev. R H A Morton, of Bourne, assisted by Rev. E. T. Selby, of Didsbury were the officiating ministers. Mr. J. B. Noble, jun., presided at the organ. The bride was given away by her father, Mr. J. E. Noble, and Mr. W. Horn of Oakham, acted as best man. Two bridesmaids were in attendance-Miss Ellen Horn and Miss Annie Hayes, each wearing a gold brooch, the gift of the bridegroom. After the ceremony, Mr. and Mrs. Noble entertained a number of friends and relatives, and health, happiness and prosperity to the newly-married couple was drunk with much cordiality. Many costly and useful presents were received. At 1pm the happy couple left for Southsea, where the honeymoon is being spent. On Thursday evening, the workman of the firm were entertained to a supper after which music, singing &c were indulged in, the company breaking up at 10pm, having spent a very pleasant and happy evening.
Mr. Nockles then told me that according to the records he Joined the Wesleyan Ministry in 1906, and then in 1907 he was a missionary in North Ceylon-Sri Lanka.
According to the Ceylon Observer December 28 1910,
Batticaloa
The Central School-was closed for Christmas vacation on the 22nd inst., and will re-open on the 16th January. It is with sincere regret that we have to report the early departure of the Rev. E. T. Selby from Batticaloa. For nearly four years Mr. Selby has been Principal of the Central School and has done some excellent work, and has won the affection of teachers and scholars alike. A memorial of Mr. Selby’s connection with the school will be the “Selby Prize”, which will be awarded to the 8th standard boy who shows the best all-round results in the test examination immediately preceding the annual Government Examination.
Rev E T Selby has sent in his resignation from his Honorary Secretary of the Batticaloa Library.
This suggests that he went to Batticaloa to take up the post as Principal of the Central School in early 1907. The Methodist Central College had several prominent Principals who enhanced its status in the arenas of education and sports. In this context it is worth mentioning a few names: Rev. Dr J Kilner (1852-1855), Rev. E Rigg (1865-1870), Rev. J D Rhodes (1871-1872), Rev. E Martin (1873-1877), Rev. G J Trimmer (1877-1879), Rev. E M Weaver (1890-1891), Rev. W M P Wilkes (1901-1903), Rev. E T Selby (1907-1910)
So Eddie gave in his notice to leave the school in late 1910-well I think one of the reasons was because he was going to get married soon. His fiance was a Wesleyan Deaconess called Sister Faith HUNTER.
Brief History of Sister Faith HUNTER
Plans were finalised in February 1898, and so, with the help from the Missionary Society towards the cost of travelling and uniform, Sister Faith HUNTER was on her way to join Sister Gertrude Nettleship in October. She left Liverpool on board the “Shropshire” where she is listed as a passenger on route to Colombo. (Sister Gertrude arrived at Colombo on 21 August 1897 & en route to Jaffna she started learning Tamil. She was a trained nurse & midwife.(FL-Flying Leaves Jan 1903). She wrote home often and longed for a second sister to join her.
By June 1899, both deaconesses were living in a bungalow at Puttur where they had a bedroom, bathroom and tiny study each, with a fair sized sitting room and dining room in common, which was set in a compound of trees where they hoped to make a garden.
Puttur was chosen as a suitable centre for such work because there was already a house there built for a Tamil minister which was adapted for a Deaconess Home. The village was the head of a circuit where there were 4 schools with about 1000 children learning in them and a population of 10,000 within easy reach of the home. The deaconess had a good working knowledge of Tamil as few local people could speak English, and they travelled around their area on bicycle, bullock cart and a bandy. The deaconesses visited Tamil women in their homes, 1., taking meetings & services for them, 2.,using their medical & nursing skills & their 3.,educational roles.
Convocation comprised of domestic business meetings, lectures, devotional sessions with the consecration service at the end of the week. Sisters Gertrude & Faith (Hunter), “planned a vigorous raid upon the women of as many of our villages as we could, taking a village each day, and having a magic lantern meeting in the evening, where we had been working during the day” (HH “Highways & Hedges", October 1899 pp 237-8)
A Magic Lantern service worked like this: A sheet, well damped was slung between two Palmyra trees, the picture clearly visible on both sides of the sheet. One of the sisters worked the lantern on one side of the sheet, the other with a baby organ and some of the workers is on the other side. In the comparative shadow the village women creep quietly up and are able to enjoy the pictures, the singing & the preaching, as well as the men who gather on the other side of the sheet.
The Medical skills of the Deaconesses was in great demand-soon after her arrival Sister Faith Hunter wrote of “Looking at tongues, feeling pulses, enquiring into symptoms, advising, prescribing, ordering with a weight of authority and an air of wisdom no fully fledged MD could surpass all the while making my very scanty stock of tonic go as far as it possibly could, to the great delight of the people” (HH-May 1898 P114-118)
There was still need for another Deaconess mainly to cover for furloughs-those periods when missionaries returned to Britain for a year or so for a break.
Education: (HH Feb 1900) In September 1899, Sister Faith HUNTER was asked to go to the Girls English High School in Jaffna when Miss Ireson, the Principal had to leave to nurse her brother. Although she did some teaching much of her work there was administrative. Back in Puttur in autumn 1900, Faith started a little school in one of the houses in the village of Eevenay, hoping that if it was successful she would be able to build a proper school. She described the first sewing lessons”
“It was such fun; their grimy little paws, their bewilderment over the right end of a needle to hold, and their delight with the thimbles, which they thought were jewels or playthings, and could hardly be made to see that they were of any possible use. Some of them were very bright and quick, and will soon learn.”
WESLEYAN: Rev. and Mrs. Leese of Kalmunai, who have been away upcountry for a change returned yesterday along with Sister Faith HUNTER of Jaffna.
Ceylon Observer (Weekly Edition) May 6th 1901 633
In her letter of August 1903 Sister Faith (FL December 1903 pp 182-4), not only shows the variety & extant of her work, but also her concern that native “Bible women” were not being properly trained and that the old idea that “anyone can do Mission-work” was becoming dominant. She wanted a home or college set up where educated young native women could receive a good & careful training in systematic Bible-study, in practical application of it and in nursing sufficient to make them at least not a hindrance in time of need.
Ceylon Observer (Weekly Edition) October 26 1905)
“Sister Faith HUNTER, of the Wesleyan Mission Puttur, Jaffna, returned from home by the “Golconda” today.
On board with her was Lady Hartopp who is to be married in Colombo to Earl Cowley arrived this morning from Egypt accompanied by Lady Marjory Wilson & Major Wilson who are staying at the Galle Face Hotel. She had been divorced, but then married Earl Cowley by Special licence in December 1905 in Colombo. (Chelmsford Chronicle 15 December 1905)
Earl Cowley was Henry Arthur Mornington Wellesley and Lady Hartopp was the former wife of Sir Charles Edward Cradock Hartopp who had married Miss Millicent Forence Eleanor WILSON, daughter of Mr. C H WILSON M.P. of Warter Priory and Grosvenor Square in 1895 and lived together until 1900. The Cornish Telegraph - Thursday 04 May 1899
Now bearing in mind, that the Reverend Edgar T Selby had been appointed head of the Methodist Central College in 1907, Sister Faith Hunter must have been appointed to Batticoloa about the same time as this entry states.
Ceylon Observer August 5th 1908:
Batticaloa: Personal: The Rev. E T SELBY, Miss Duckering, Sister Faith HUNTER, Miss Clegg and Miss Chadwick have left on a holiday tour to Trincomalie, Jaffna, Anuradhapura and Upcountry.
Hunter "Ceylon Observer September 25 1909:
"The engagement of the Rev. E. T. SELBY, Principal of the Wesleyan Central Institution, Batticaloa to Sister Faith HUNTER of Batticaloa has been announced"
In the same newspaper 2 years later on June 19, 1911, this article" We (Ceylon Methodist Recorder) desire to offer our best wishes to the Rev. E. T. & Mrs Selby, whose marriage took place in Colombo on the 3rd Inst.-so 3 June, 1911.
This article also shows that Sister Faith Hunter & the Rev. E T. Selby married:
In 1903 Sister Annie CAPPER was appointed and in 1908, Sister Elizabeth SPENCE was appointed who went to cover Annie Capper’s furlough. When Sister Gertrude Nettleship had to go to hospital in December 1908, with enteric fever, Sister SPENCE was able to cover her. Gertrude returned to Puttur in May 1910 after her convalescence furlough, and Sister Elizabeth SPENCE had a brief holiday before going to Batticaloa in July to replace Sister Faith who was leaving the order to marry the Rev. Edgar Thomas SELBY, a missionary in North Ceylon District (1907-1933). In FL January 1911 Elizabeth SPENCE’s first letter from Batticaloa on 30 October 1910 showed she was happily settled in her new job & surroundings.
After their marriage, the next information I have for them is that they both travel back to Britain again by sea "On 5 April, 1915, Rev. E. T. Selby & Mrs Selby arrive in Tilbury, London from Colombo. They were going to stay in England for a year on what was called "Furlough", basically a break away from their missionary work abroad. During that time, they might stay in Methodist homes and preach locally. This article in a local newspaper describes what role Edgar T was performing then: "Reverend J. Garforth took over as minister in charge Batticaloa district whilst Reverend E. T Selby and wife went on 1 year Furlough in England"
.
Anyway in 1916, they both return to Ceylon, where "Eddie" becomes the acting principal of Jaffna Central College, one of Sri Lanka's oldest schools.
They both come back to England in 1922 again and went to live in Selly Oak this entry on the ship's manifest "Oxfordshire" owned by the Bibby Line, from Ancestry shows this:
Rev. E T Selby & Mrs Selby arrive at Tilbury, London from Colombo, on 3 April, 1922, en route to Kingsmead Close, Selly Oak, Birmingham, Warwickshire. This I think was a Methodist Manse for missionaries spending time in England on furlough.
This article in the Tamworth Herald illustrates the sort of things the Rev Selby would have done whilst he was on furlough.
Tamworth Herald - Saturday 04 November 1922
WESLEYAN FOREIGN MISSIONS
The annual meeting for the Wesleyan foreign missions was held in the Wesleyan Church, Tamworth, on Thursday last week, Mr. F. G. Allton presided. The Rev. E. T. SELBY, of the North Ceylon district was the conference deputation and gave an instructive account of the development of the Ceylonese mission into a self-supporting and self-propagating church. Mr. Selby also addressed a small gathering of Sunday School scholars on the likenesses and differences between children in England and children in Ceylon, and by means of photographs and various articles of home and personal use entertained his hearers as well as instructed them.
They were back in England again in 1928 as this article in the Grantham Journal shows.
Grantham Journal 23 June 1928: Funeral of John Elwes Noble, (b. 1854) uncle of Rev. Edgar Thomas SELBY.
The death of Mr. John Elwes Noble took place on Saturday night. Deceased, who was 74 years of age, had been failing in health for some time, and his end was not altogether unexpected. For many years he had carried on business as a carpenter and builder, and some thirty years ago he made his name as an artesian well borer. In this capacity he had sunk a large number of bores, both in the Bourne district and in the surrounding counties. There are something like one hundred artesian bores within the Bourne urban district, the majority which were sunk by the deceased who for several years past was in partnership with his son. When the sugar beet factory was proposed to be erected in Bourne parish, Mr. Noble was engaged to sink a bore on the then proposed site at Dyke. For upwards of twenty years he was assistant overseer of Thurlby. It was early in his term of office that “passive resistance” was adopted and on several occasions, the overseers through Mr. Noble distrained on a donkey which was several times sold by public auction in the Market-place, Bourne. Deceased was connected with the Wesleyan cause at Thurlby and for many years was organist, a position he resigned soon after a new organ was installed. Deceased leaves a widow, three daughters, and the son with whom he had been in partnership and who has practically managed the business for the past few years.
The funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon, the former part of the service conducted by the Rev. H. G. Lester, Wesleyan Circuit Minister and the Rev. Edgar T. Selby, of Ceylon, a nephew of the deceased. Note Rev. E T Selby is still working in Ceylon in June 1928 but was back in England on this date on what is known as furlough.
The family mourners were Mrs. Noble (widow), Mr. J. E. Noble, (son), Mrs. C R Horn (daughter), and Mr. Horn, Mrs. W. S. Sharpe, daughter and Mr. Sharpe, Miss K. Noble, (daughter), Mr. C. R. Horn, jun., (grandson), Mr. J. E. Noble (daughter-in-law), Mr. Selby (Melton Mowbray), Mr. J S Sharpe (Swayfield), and Mr. Sharpe, jun. Amongst others present were Mr. & Mrs. H. A. Sneath, Mr. & Mrs. H G Sneath, Mrs. G Hind, Mr. H. Hind (Manthorpe),
They were both back again in North Ceylon in 1932 because the Reverend E T Selby & his wife were presented with a work box.
Presented to Rev. E. T. SELBY by the members of the Puliyantivu Methodist Church as a small token of appreciation his devoted services 4 3 1932 Batticaloa.
Rev Edgar T SELBY after Ceylon
After the 4th March 1932, Eddie & his wife Faith returned to England and was posted by Conference to Trewellard Wesleyan Church, near St Just, Cornwall. From evidence in local newspapers I have discovered that Eddie’s poor health may well have been a contributing factor for his return to England. This article in the Cornishman published on Thursday June 22, 1933.
St Just Methodists Quarterly Meeting: The quarterly meeting of the St Just Chapel-street Methodist Circuit was held in the vestry at St. Just on Tuesday. The Rev. A T Cape presided supported by the Rev E T Selby. Special references was made to the excellent services of the Rev. E. T. Selby in the circuit. The meeting regretted very much his leaving at the forthcoming Conference. Mr. Selby thanked the meeting for the kind remarks made respecting himself. He was delighted to say that he felt much better in health than when he came into the circuit about two years ago.
Certainly by late July, 1932, Eddie & Faith were in Cornwall, with Eddie based at the Wesleyan Chapel in Trewellard and preaching in the local churches in the area. This article shows this as well:
Cornishman - Thursday 28 July 1932: St. JUST: The preachers at Trewellard on Sunday were morning, Rev. E. T. SELBY and evening Rev. A T Cape. The preachers at the Wesleyan Chapel were the Rev. R. F. Haslock and the Rev. E. T. SELBY, returned missionary from Ceylon, at the evening service.
This chapel is situated at 14, Levant Road, Trewellard, and is now a listed building
Fairly large nonconformist (Wesleyan) chapel. 1833 date stone, refitted late C19. Granite ashlar front, otherwise granite rubble with granite dressings; concrete tile roof with coped ends, the front end as a triangular pediment. Rectangular aisle-less plan with gallery on 4 sides. 2-storey side elevations; symmetrical 2-window front with round-arched openings. Late C19 horned sashes with spoked fanlight heads (also to 1st-floor of side elevations). Wide central doorway with good spoked fanlight and pair of single-panel doors.
INTERIOR retains original panelled and moulded gallery front to 3 sides with canted corners and carried on slender Tuscan columns, also there is a very fine moulded and carved plaster ceiling rose. The late C19 gallery at the ritual east end has turned balusters and panelled piers. The rostrum is of a similar date with lectern broken forward from a turned balustrade and standing on a pair of Tuscan end columns with a round blind arch between. The pitch-pine pews are also late C19 as is the organ and a glazed chancel screen with Gothic detail. The attached vestry and other rooms retain some original features including a moulded chimneypiece with corner blocks and roundels. This is a good example of a galleried chapel within a mining village.
Eddie was going to be allowed to stay at Trewellard at least until the end of March 1933, the quarterly meeting at Chapel-street church in December 1832 confirmed this. His next station was going to be Clevedon in Somerset, as this article in the Western Press & Bristol Mirror of Monday 28 August 1933 refers:
Methodist Changes at Clevedon: Missionary from Ceylon appointed: The Rev. Vallance Cook for medical reasons has tendered his resignation as minister of Clevedon Methodist Church, and superintendent of the Clevedon circuit which includes Portishead, Redcliffe, Bay, Porthbury, Yatton & Clevedon. His successor is the Rev. Edgar Thomas Selby, late chairman of the North Ceylon district, where he has been a brilliant missionary. He has been in charge of all the large stations in North Ceylon at various times. The Rev. and Mrs. Selby will take up residence at the Manse in Clevedon, next Thursday.
So Eddie & Faith commence their farewell services, The Cornishman in its 31st August publication stated thus:
The Rev. E T Selby occupied the pulpit of Trewellard Methodist Church, Chapel-terrace, in the morning and Mr. J C Remphey in the evening. At the Chapel-street Methodist Church on Sunday, the preachers were: Morning: Rev. A T CAPE, M.C.; evening Rev. E. T. Selby who has been stationed there for the past year, preached his farewell sermon, prior to leaving for Clevedon. The speaker at the St Just Methodist Bible Class on Sunday afternoon was the Rev. Edgar T. Selby, of Pendeen, who paid a farewell visit, and addressed the class on the subject, “Magic and Religion”. The speaker brought before the class many illustrations of magic arts and superstitions, as practised by many tribes in India and Africa and spoke also of this art and its relation to religion. The Rev. Selby leaves during the coming week to take up the superintendency of the Clevedon ex-Wesleyan circuit of the Bristol Circuit.
Certainly before he left, the congregation at Trewellard gave him & Faith a gift of some fruit spoons and a beautiful clock, as this article in the Cornishman published on 14th September 1933 stated:
TREWELLARD: During the time of his ministry at Trewellard, the Rev. E. T. Selby with Mrs. Selby, have won for themselves many sincere friends. At the recent farewell meeting held at Trewellard Methodist Church they were presented with a beautiful clock and case of fruit spoons.
So Faith & Eddie commenced their life in Clevedon from Thursday 31st August, 1933, about 17 months after they left Ceylon.
So Faith & Eddie commenced their life in Clevedon from Thursday 31st August, 1933, about 17 months after they left Ceylon.
He and Faith were at Clevedon until 1940, as these articles illustrate:
Western Daily Press - Monday 28 August 1939
The Reverend E. T. Selby, superintendent minister at Clevedon since 1933 has been granted permission to remain a further year, and thus complete seven years ministry in the town. He has accepted an invitation to the Smethwick circuit, Birmingham and will leave Clevedon in August of next year. From 1907 until 1931 Mr Selby was engaged in missionary work in Ceylon. He entered the ministry from Didsbury College, Manchester, and whilst there one of his professors was the Rev. Dr. Frederick Platt, who is at present residing in Clevedon. Mr. Selby is one of the managers of the Clevedon senior school, is a valued supporter of the Y.M.C.A., and takes a keen interest in the work of the British and Foreign Bible Society. The successor to Mr Selby at Clevedon next year will be the Rev. Donald Streat.
Western Daily Press - Wednesday 21 August 1940: The Rev. E T Selby’s part in Town’s Activities
After seven years as superintendent Methodist Minister at Clevedon, the Rev. Edgar T. SELBY has left to take over the Smethwick Circuit in Birmingham. For 25 years the Rev. E. T. Selby was a missionary in Ceylon. As district superintendent at Clevedon he was responsible for Clevedon, Portishead, Portbury, Redclifee Bay, Yatton and Claverham.
Apart from Methodist activities, Mr. Selby took a full share in interests of the town. He was manager of the Senior County School, chairman of the Free Church Council and an active leader of the Vigilance Committee. Mrs. Selby did much good work in connection with the Women’s Bright Hour and the Women’s department of the Methodist Overseas Mission work.
Mr. Selby’s successor, the Rev. Donald Streat, who commences his duties on the first Sunday in September, is not unknown in the Clevedon district, having been stationed at Churchill and Bristol. He is at present at Bude, Cornwall.
Just found this information today from the current manager of the The New Room/John Wesley’s Chapel, 36 The Horsefair, Bristol, BS1 3JE
According to a pamphlet written by Rev’d Wilfred J. Little (himself a former Warden of the New Room) entitled A Short History of the Period 1929–80, Rev’d Edgar T. Selby was Warden of the New Room from February 1945 to February 1954.
Certainly the various newspaper articles I have found published between 1945 & 1951, Edgar & Faith were in Bristol from at least November 1945.
Western Daily Press - Saturday 17 November 1945
Old King St Methodist Church Tomorrow Sunday November 18: 6-30pm Rev. E T Selby.
Western Daily Press - Saturday 12 January 1946
Funeral of Dr. Harrison-who died in Peterborough-a service was held in John Wesley’s New Room in the Horsefair, Bristol, while his funeral service was being held at Castle Donnington, Leicestershire.
A sincere and and revealing address was given by the Rev. E. T. Selby, warden of the New Room, who was a fellow student and friend of the late president in their Didsbury College days. He also expressed sympathy with Mrs Harrison who spent much of her childhood in Bristol.
Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Saturday 04 May 1946
Bath Church Services: Claremont Methodist Church: Sunday morning: at 11 Mr. A. E. Wood, Evening: Rev. E. T. Selby, (Wesley’s New Room, Bristol)
Western Daily Press - Saturday 03 May 1947
Sunday Services: Cotham Methodist Church, Redland Road, Church anniversary: Tuesday May 6 Rev. E. T. Selby Subject: The Wesley’s in Bristol.
Western Daily Press - Thursday 03 July 1947
Annual service held at John Wesley’s Chapel, Broadmead, Bristol –the Bishop was welcomed by
Rev E T Selby was in demand to speak about missions from his experience in Ceylon. By late 1947, India had been made independent so maybe Ceylon was asking for the same.
Western Daily Press - Thursday 22 May 1947
LATE Mr. E. A. West of Portishead: The funeral service for Mr. Ernest A West of Portishead was conducted by the Rev. E. T. Selby at the Methodist Church yesterday.
Western Daily Press - Thursday 12 February 1948
He was still warden of the New room in February 1948
Western Daily Press - Wednesday 08 June 1949
At the Golden jubilee celebrations of the Portbury Methodist Church was the Rev. E. T. Selby (former superintendent Minister, now warden of Wesley’s New Room, Bristol.
Western Daily Press - Saturday 04 November 1950
Services: City Road Baptist Church, Bristol, Wednesday Nov 8, Rev E T Selby
Florence Selby, nee Martin, was born 27 March 1884, in Buxton, Derbyshire. Her parents were James William MARTIN and Ada MARTIN nee LOCKER. In the Census of 1891, the first census in which information about Florence occurs, this is that record.:
15 Victoria Terrace, Fairfield, Buxton, Derbyshire
James W. MARTIN, Head, Married, 37, Railway Guard, Born Coalville, Leicestershire
Ada MARTIN, Married, 36, Born Griffydam, Leicestershire
Alfred MARTIN, Son, 13, Shemaker’s Assistant, Born Buxton, Derbyshire
Margaret MARTIN, daughter, 12, Scholar, Born Buxton, Derbyshire
Bertha MARTIN, daughter, 9, born Buxton, Derbyshire
Florence MARTIN, daughter, 7, born Buxton, Derbyshire.
Frank MARTIN, Son, 4, born Buxton, Derbyshire
Edith MARTIN, daughter, 2, Born Buxton, Derbyshire
Harry MARTIN, Son, 1month, Born Buxton, Derbyshire.
James William Martin and Ada Locker must have known each other since they were children. During my search for these two people, in the usual way, looking at census & birth records, I found that in the 1861 census, the family's lived next door to each other in Whitwick, Leicestershire.
Here is that entry:
1861 Census:
Whitwick Parish:
Entry No. 149:
John MARTIN, Head,
Married, 33, Pointsman (Railway), born Kilburn, Derbyshire
Hannah MARTIN, wife,
married, 31, Born Kilburn, Derbyshire
Eliza MARTIN,
daughter, 10, Scholar, born Kilburn, Derbyshire
James W. MARTIN, Son,
7, Scholar, born, Whitwick, Leicestershire
George MARTIN, Son,
3, Scholar, born Coalville, Leicestershire
Rebecca MARTIN,
Daughter, 5 months, born Coalville, Leicestershire
Parish of Whitwick, in district of Coalville, Leicestershire.
Samuel LOCKER, head, married, 50, Carpenter, born Nottingham,
Harriet LOCKER, wife, married, 44, Born Blackfordby, Leicestershire
Elizabeth LOCKER, daughter, single, 17, Dressmaker, Born Breedon, Leicestershire
Mary Anne LOCKER, daughter, single, 15, Dressmaker, Born Thringstone, Leicestershire
Harriet LOCKER, daughter, single, 13, Scholar, Born Thringstone, Leicestershire
Samuel LOCKER, son, 11, scholar, born Thringstone, Leicestershire
Joseph LOCKER, son, 9, scholar, born Thringstone, Leicestershire
Alfred LOCKER, son, 4, Born Thringstone, Leicestershire.
So where is Ada on that day in April 1861, well she is staying with her sister, Sarah Ann who four years earlier married Thomas Orme. In that census of 1861, Ada is recorded as being at their house aged 6, born in Collerton.
Ada LOCKER:
1861 Census: Blackfordby, Ashby & Burton Road, Leicestershire
Entry 109: Cottage:
Thomas ORME, Head, Married, 28, Carpenter, Born Blackfordby,
Leicestershire
Sarah Ann ORME, Wife, Married,21, Carpenter’s wife, born, Breedon,
Leicestershire
Bertha Ann ORME, daughter, Married, 1, born Blackfordby B Road,
Leicestershire
Adah LOCKER, Sister-in-law, 6, born Collerton, Leicestershire.
Ada came from a large family, her parents, Samuel LOCKER & Harriet ORME who married in 1834, had between them at least 10 children that lived beyond infancy.
Samuel was born in 1809 in Nottingham, and christened in the St Mary's Parish Church in that year.
This that record: 18 January 1809, Samuel, son of John & Ann LOCKER nee Bevan, of Nottingham at Nottingham, St Mary's Church.So this christening record gives the clue to Ann LOCKER's maiden name. So this is their marriage:
Marriage at Nottingham St Mary, John LOCKER & Ann Bevan on 15 September 1806.
To find these records I asked for help from Rootschat on this thread : http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=764091.0
Marriage at Nottingham St Mary - 15 Sept 1806
John LOCKER & Ann BEVAN
Baptism at Nottingham St Mary - Parents = John & Ann LOCKER
21 Nov 1806 - Elizabeth
18 Jan 1809 - Saml
12 May 1811 - Joseph
18 Aug 1818 - John - abode Workhouse
6 Oct 1819 - Mary - abode Workhouse
So you can see that in his early life, Samuel spent in in the workhouse in Nottingham St Mary's Parish. Life in this workhouse is described here: http://www.workhouses.org.uk/Nottingham/
Certainly Samuel's childhood was such that he probably worked in cotton factories in Nottingham from a young age, but didn't seem to know where exactly he was born, because in the census of 1851 when they did record birthplaces, he told the enumerator "place not known" (PNK), in in 1861 Nottinghamshire but never where.
These are christenings I have found:
Samuel was born in 1809 in Nottingham, and christened in the St Mary's Parish Church in that year.
This that record: 18 January 1809, Samuel, son of John & Ann LOCKER nee Bevan, of Nottingham at Nottingham, St Mary's Church.So this christening record gives the clue to Ann LOCKER's maiden name. So this is their marriage:
Marriage at Nottingham St Mary, John LOCKER & Ann Bevan on 15 September 1806.
To find these records I asked for help from Rootschat on this thread : http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=764091.0
Marriage at Nottingham St Mary - 15 Sept 1806
John LOCKER & Ann BEVAN
Baptism at Nottingham St Mary - Parents = John & Ann LOCKER
21 Nov 1806 - Elizabeth
18 Jan 1809 - Saml
12 May 1811 - Joseph
18 Aug 1818 - John - abode Workhouse
6 Oct 1819 - Mary - abode Workhouse
So you can see that in his early life, Samuel spent in in the workhouse in Nottingham St Mary's Parish. Life in this workhouse is described here: http://www.workhouses.org.uk/Nottingham/
Certainly Samuel's childhood was such that he probably worked in cotton factories in Nottingham from a young age, but didn't seem to know where exactly he was born, because in the census of 1851 when they did record birthplaces, he told the enumerator "place not known" (PNK), in in 1861 Nottinghamshire but never where.
These are christenings I have found:
1. Thomas Bevan
LOCKER: born at Blackfordby, son of Samuel & Harriet LOCKER, christened
on 26 April, 1835. (so Samuel's mother's maiden name was added to their first child's forenames-this was typical naming patterns of that time, still going on in 1918, when my Dad's second forename was his mother's maiden name!)
2. Samuel Orme Locker,
son of Samuel & Harriet LOCKER, born at Whitwick, Leicestershire,
christening 08 September 1850 at St. George's, Whitwick, Leicestershire,
England (Orme being Harriet's maiden name)
3. Marianne LOCKER : Christening
on 08 September 1850, at St George's, Whitwick, Leicestershire, England daughter
of Samuel Locker & Harriet
4. Ann Locker, christened on 03 December
1843 at Breedon on the Hill, Leicestershire ,England daughter of Samuel &
Harriet LOCKER, Death Date 16 August 1844 (Ann was Samuel's mother's forename)
5. Harriott Locker,
christened on 02 July 1848 at Worthington, Leicester, England daughter of
Samuel & Harriet LOCKER.
The first official record for Samuel LOCKER apart from his record of baptism which I can't find at present and his marriage to Hannah is the 1841 Census.
1841: Census taken on 6th June 1841
Cross Street, Breedon on the Hill, Leicestershire.
Samuel LOCKER, 28, Wheelwright, not born in Leicestershire.
Harriot LOCKER, 24, not born in Leicestershire
Thomas LOCKER, 5, born in Leicestershire
George LOCKER, 3, born in Leicestershire
Sarah LOCKER, 1, born, Leicestershire
1851 census: Peggs Green, Leicestershire:
102: Peggs GREEN, Samuel LOCKER, Head, Married, 41, Carpenter,
born PNK (place not known) Nottinghamshire
Harriet LOCKER, married, 37, Born Blackfordby, Leicestershire
Thomas LOCKER, son, single, 16, Coal Miner, born Blackfordby,
Leicestershire
George LOCKER, son, single, 14, Coal Miner, born Breedon,
Leicestershire
Sarah LOCKER, daughter, single, 12, scholar, born Breedon,
Leiscestershire
Elizabeth LOCKER, daughter, 11, scholar, born Breedon,
Leicestershire
Mary LOCKER, daughter, daughter, 6, born Thringstone,
Leicestershire
Harriet LOCKER, daughter, 3, born Thringstone, Leicestershire.
Samuel LOCKER, son, 7 months, born Thringstone, Leicestershire.
However in 1861, the census for this family reads:
Parish of Whitwick, in
district of Coalville, Leicestershire.
Samuel LOCKER, head, married, 50, Carpenter, born Nottingham,
Harriet LOCKER, wife, married, 44, Born Blackfordby,
Leicestershire
Elizabeth LOCKER, daughter, single, 17, Dressmaker, Born Breedon,
Leicestershire
Mary Anne LOCKER, daughter, single, 15, Dressmaker, Born
Thringstone, Leicestershire
Harriet LOCKER, daughter, single, 13, Scholar, Born Thringstone,
Leicestershire
Samuel LOCKER, son, 11, scholar, born Thringstone, Leicestershire
Joseph LOCKER, son, 9, scholar, born Thringstone, Leicestershire
Alfred LOCKER, son, 4, Born Thringstone,
Leicestershire
So, Samuel & Harriet had the following children:
1. Thomas Bevan LOCKER, born before 26 April, 1835, at Blackfordby, Leicestershire, & christened there on that date.
2. George LOCKER, born 1836, Breedon-on-the Hill.
3. Sarah LOCKER, born about 1840, at Breedon-on-the Hill
4. Ann LOCKER born before 3 December 1843 at Breedon-on-the Hill, Leicestershire but died on 16 August 1844 at the same place.
5. Elizabeth LOCKER, born about 1844, Breedon-on-the Hill.
6. Mary Anne LOCKER-also known as Marianne LOCKER, born before 8 September 1850 at Thringstone, Leicestershire
7. Harriet LOCKER, born before 2 July, 1848 at Worthington, Leicestershire, on census as born Thringstone, Leicestershire, christened at Worthington on 2nd July, 1848.
8. Samuel Orme LOCKER, born before 8 September 1850 at Thringstone,
9. Joseph LOCKER, born at Peggs Green about 1852
10. Ada LOCKER born at Peggs Green about 1855
11. Alfred LOCKER born at Peggs Green about 1857.
The Locker Family were quite musical as this newspaper article illustrates, and they also indicate that Samuel LOCKER senior died before 1878.
Leicester Chronicle - Saturday 19 October 1878
LOCKER: On the 12th inst., at Coalville, Samuel,
second son of the late Mr Samuel LOCKER, aged 28.
Leicester Chronicle - Saturday 19 October 1878
Coalville
FUNERAL OF MR SAMUEL LOCKER: A funeral, of an unusual character took place here on Wednesday afternoon. It was that of Samuel LOCKER, a member of one of the oldest resident families, and a young man highly respected by his employers the Messrs Jones Brothers, of Leicester, in whose webbing factory-the first factory of the kind that has been started in this place-he worked from its commencement until his death. He was a member of the Snibstone Brass Band,-a band which his father organised and lead for years. The Lockers are born musicians, and the deceased and his brothers have ably maintained the character of the band. It accordingly accompanied his body to the cemetery playing “dead March in Saul”. The numerous mourners who followed and attended the funeral, spoke forcibly of the respect friends and neighbours had for the deceased. He leaves a widow and child.
It would appear that Samuel Locker senior has died before 1875, as these articles show:
Coalville
FUNERAL OF MR SAMUEL LOCKER: A funeral, of an unusual character took place here on Wednesday afternoon. It was that of Samuel LOCKER, a member of one of the oldest resident families, and a young man highly respected by his employers the Messrs Jones Brothers, of Leicester, in whose webbing factory-the first factory of the kind that has been started in this place-he worked from its commencement until his death. He was a member of the Snibstone Brass Band,-a band which his father organised and lead for years. The Lockers are born musicians, and the deceased and his brothers have ably maintained the character of the band. It accordingly accompanied his body to the cemetery playing “dead March in Saul”. The numerous mourners who followed and attended the funeral, spoke forcibly of the respect friends and neighbours had for the deceased. He leaves a widow and child.
It would appear that Samuel Locker senior has died before 1875, as these articles show:
Leicester Journal - Friday 29 January 1875
“Snibstone Colliery Brass Band”
On Tuesday 26 January 1875, The “Snibstone Colliery Brass
Band” under the leadership of George LOCKER, in the colliery’s bandroom, gave a
concert.
Leicester Chronicle - Saturday 11 August 1877
The “Snibstone Colliery Brass Band” under the leadership of
George LOCKER, gave a performance at Oddfellows Annual meeting during Wake
week.
Leicester Chronicle - Saturday 22 May 1880
COLEORTON: On Monday the members of the Loyal Worswick
Oddfellows Lodge assembled at their club house, Mr. Cox’s, the “New Inn” and
proceeded thence to St. George’s Church headed by the beautiful silk banner of
the district order. The fine local band of the Snibstone Colliery, under the
leadership of Mr. George LOCKER, was in attendance, and played to the church in
a style that was highly gratifying to the lovers of good music.
Mr. George LOCKER and his band deserve a meed of
commendation for their performances throughout the day.
Leicester Chronicle - Saturday 24 November 1900
MUSICIAN’S SPLENDID RECORD: The “British Bandsman”, of this month, which gives a portrait sketch of Mr. John LOCKER, of Coalville, recently appointed bandmaster of Denton Original Prize Band says “Mr. John LOCKER, who is famous throughout the brass band world as a solo trombone player, was born April 5, 1876, at Coalville in Leicestershire, so now he is in his 25th year. His father, Mr. Geo LOCKER, was at that time a guiding star of that neighbourhood, and was for 19 years bandmaster of the Snibstone Colliery Band. Young Jack soon came to the front. His first study in music was on the cornet at the early age of eight years, and at eleven years of age he began to study the violin, and was placed under the tuition of Mr. J. Buckley, of Swadlincote, one of the finest teachers in the district and under whom he became an excellent performer.
Mr Locker’s father worked for over 50 years at the Snibstone Colliery, and for nearly 20 years was bandmaster of the colliery now Coalville Brass Band.
In the 1871 Census, whilst her parents are Packington, near Coalville, Ada is working as a general domestic servant at the home of a schoolmaster called Burtenshaw in Hugglescote, Leicestershire.
James MARTIN is living & working in Leicester.
1871 Census: 6, Conduit Field Cottages, Leicester, St Margaret:
James W. MARTIN, Lodger, unmarried, 19, Railway Porter, born Coalville, Leicestershire, lodging with a family called Goddard, who is also a Railway Porter. A Joseph Porter is there too, another Railway Porter.
Meanwhile his family,
John MARTIN & co were living on Mantle Street, Coalville:
John MARTIN, head,
married, 43, Pointsman on Railway, born Kilburn, Derbyshire
Hannah MARTIN, wife,
married, 41, Born Kilburn, Derbyshire
George MARTIN, son,
single, 13, Labourer at Colliery, born Coalville, Leicestershire
Rebecca MARTIN,
daughter, 10, scholar, born Coalville, Leicestershire
Mary Ann MARTIN,
daughter, 7, scholar, born Coalville, Leicestershire
John MARTIN, son, 4,
born Coalville, Leicestershire
Samuel YEOMANS
MARTIN, brother, Colliery Labourer, born Kilburn, Derbyshire
Robert Brown,
Boarder, 40, Colliery Labourer born Mkt Overton, Rutland.
On 15 December 1874, according to the Midland Railway Company Records, John William is working at Leicester as a passenger guard.
So James Martin & Ada LOCKER married in 1875, and in July 1876, they move to Buxton, where James is employed by the Midland Railway Company as a passenger guard, at a rate of 25/- a week.
He and his wife must have been very upset at the sad news from Coalville in February 1877, as this article shows.
Leicester Journal - Friday 02 February 1877
FATAL ACCIDENT AT COALVILLE:
A shocking occurrence took place on the Midland Railway near Coalville, on Tuesday, a pointsman, named John MARTIN, being run over and killed. It appears that about noon, MARTIN was engaged about his duties when a train was in the act of shunting, but owing, it is supposed, to the storm which prevailed, he did not hear the train approach, and he was knocked down and fearfully crushed. He was removed as soon as practicable to his home at Hugglescote, where he was at once attended to by Drs. Hatchett and Johnson, but notwithstanding all their exertions he expired at four o’clock in the afternoon. Deceased had been a pointsman for 25 years, and leaves a widow and four children. An inquest was held on the deceased on Wednesday, and a verdict of “Accidental Death” returned.
Leicester Chronicle - Saturday 10 February 1877
The Late Accident: The funeral of John MARTIN, took place on Sunday last, when upwards of 150 followed his remains to the grave. The pointsman, signalmen, guards, drivers &c., attended as a mark of respect; Martin having been 25 years signalman the day previous to his accident, and having won respect of all classes.
The map above shows Hugglescote, which is part of Coalville, Snibston with its mine, Coleorton, Thringstone & Peggs Green & Griffydam.
So by 1877, the fathers of both James William & his wife were dead.
So in the 1881 census, this is James Martin and Ada his wife in the census of that year:
1881 Census:
3, Midland Terrace, Fairfield, Buxton, Derbyshire
James Wm. MARTIN, Head, Married, 27, Railway Guard, born Coalville, Leicestershire.
Ada MARTIN, Wife, Married, 26, Born Griffydam, Leicestershire.
Alfred MARTIN, Son, 3, Scholar, born Buxton, Derbyshire.
Margaret MARTIN, Daughter, 2, Born Buxton, Derbyshire.
Ada SHELDON, niece, 8, scholar, born Church Gresley, Derbyshire
George MARTIN, brother, Unmarried, 23, Railway Guard, born Coalville, Leicestershire.
Ten years later, and the family have grown
1891 Census:
15 Victoria Terrace, Fairfield, Buxton, Derbyshire
James W. MARTIN, Head, Married, 37, Railway Guard, born Coalville, Leicestershire
Ada MARTIN, Wife, Married, 36 years, born Griffydam, Leicestershire
Alfred MARTIN, son, 13, Shoemaker’s Assistant, born Buxton, Derbyshire
Margaret MARTIN, Daughter, 12, Scholar, born Buxton, Derbyshire
Bertha MARTIN, daughter, 9, Scholar, born Buxton, Derbyshire
Florence MARTIN, daughter, 7, Scholar, born Buxton, Derbyshire
Frank MARTIN, son, 4, Scholar, born Buxton, Derbyshire
Edith MARTIN, daughter, 2, Born Buxton, Derbyshire
Harry MARTIN, son, 1 month, Born Buxton, Derbyshire
In another Ten Years, they have moved house again, to Fairfield Road, Buxton.
1901 Census
Enfield House, Fairfield,
James W. MARTIN, Head, Married, 41, Railway Guard,
born Coalville, Leicestershire
Ada MARTIN, Wife, Married, 45, Born Griffydam,
Leicestershire.
Alfred MARTIN, son, 23, Railway Engine Stoker, born
Buxton, Derbyshire
Margaret MARTIN, daughter, 21, Stationer's Assistant,
Born Buxton, Derbyshire
Bertha MARTIN, daughter, 19, Born, Buxton, Derbyshire
Frank MARTIN, son, 14, Post Office Messenger, Born
Buxton, Derbyshire
Edith MARTIN, daughter, 11, Born Buxton, Derbyshire
Harry MARTIN, 10, born Buxton, Derbyshire
You will notice that Florence isn't with the family on Census day-this is because she was working as a domestic servant at a house further up Fairfield Road, as the census shows.
1901 Census: "The Villa", Fairfield St Peter's Parish, close to Hawthorn Farm:
Florence MARTIN, servant, 17, General Domestic, born Buxton, Derbyshire at the home of
Joshua SLATER, Head, 68, Retire Miller, born Fairfield, Derbyshire
Elizabeth SLATER, wife, 70, Born Heatley, Cheshire
Hannah Wright Daughter, Married, 40, Born Fairfield, Derbyshire
Francis Wright, Son-in-law of Joshua Slater
Mary Wright, daughter of Hannah, aged 3, born Fairfield, Derbyshire.
10 years later some of the children are married and living with their partners:
1911 Census:
Enfield House, 8, Fairfield Road, Buxton, Derbyshire.
James William MARTIN, head, 57, Married, 36 years, 8 children, of whom 7 are living and 1 has died, employed as a Railway Passenger Guard, on the Midland Railway, a worker, born Coalville, Leicestershire
Ada MARTIN, wife, 56, Married for 36 years, 8 children of which 7 are living and one has died, born Peggs Green, Leicestershire.
Florence MARTIN, daughter, 27, Single, Assistant Housework, a worker, born Buxton, Derbyshire
Frank MARTIN, Son, 24, single, Railway Engine Stoker, for Midland Railway, a worker, born Buxton, Derbyshire
Edith MARTIN, daughter, 21, single, Stationer’s Assistant, at a Stationers Book Shop, a worker, born Buxton, Derbyshire.
Harry MARTIN, son, 20, Single, Accountants Clerk, Lime Trades, worker, born Buxton, Derbyshire.
1911 Census: Alfred MARTIN
34 West Street, Buxton, Derbyshire
Alfred MARTIN, Head, 34, Married, Masseur, for Urban District Council, a worker, born Fairfield, Derbyshire.
Mary Ellen MARTIN, wife, 36, 4 years, no children, Born Buxton, Derbyshire.
Albert OLDFIELD, Brother-in-law, 28, Single, Builder plus Contractor for Homes, Employer, born Buxton, Derbyshire
Mary FLETCHER, Boarder, 21, Single, Elementary School Teacher for County Council, a worker, born Tissington, Derbyshire.
1911 census for Margaret MARTIN
19 Victoria Park Fairfield, BUXTON
Edward MORTEN, Head, 33, Married, Dentist’s Mechanic, Worker, born Fairfield, Derbyshire
Margaret MORTEN, wife, 32, Married, for 8 years with 2 children that are living, none that have died, born Fairfield, Derbyshire
Edward Raymond MORTEN, Son, 6, Born Fairfield, Derbyshire
Frank Neville MORTEN, Son, 1, born Fairfield, Derbyshire
1911 Census Bertha MARTIN
3, Lea Bank, Fairfield, Buxton, Derbyshire
Alfred Kenny ROBERTS, Head, 30, Married, Grocer’s Assistant, a worker, born Uppingham, Rutland
Bertha ROBERTS, Wife, 29, Married, for 4 years, with 1 child living, none who have died,
Kenneth Martin ROBERTS, Son, 3, Born Buxton, Derbyshire.
