RootsChat.Com
England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Derbyshire => Topic started by: Aks on Sunday 11 August 24 16:45 BST (UK)
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I would like to find any information about the parents or siblings of Martin Farnell, the adoptive father of one of my ancestors, who I believe was born in Coton-in-the-Elms in about 1748. He married Frances Mathews in Melbourne or Lullington, Derbyshire, on 17 Mar 1805. Frances, born in Edingale in about 1771, was the mother of Phoebe Mathews, her illegitimate daughter and my ancestor. On 29 April 1789, Martin Farnell became the high sheriff of Derbyshire until 29 January 1790, which seems slightly unusual because in most cases they were appointed from January or February for about a year.
I have not so far been able to identify Martin's parents or siblings. It's been a few years since I really searched for this, and I was wondering if any useful online records, e.g. parish records, might be available now, which might have this information? I'm assuming he was born in Coton-in-the-Elms, but he might have been born in another nearby locality. I seem to remember seeing the Farnell's mentioned in places like Ashby-de-la-Zouch, possibly as bankers. Martin later declared bankruptcy. I also have his will, which indicates that he had adopted Phoebe.
Thanks,
Alan
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Two snippets, one which mentions other Farnell men.
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Thank you very much, Ashtone.
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I see the 1805 marriage license image. If he was born c1748 (as you say) did he wait until he was middle-aged to marry? Or was there an earlier marriage for him?
What year did he die?
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There's a Martin Farnell on FreeReg born in 1792 in Ashby-de-la-Zouch : St Helen : Parish Register .
Parents Joseph and Mary.I'm not sure if he's one of yours?
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A death on FreeReg has a Martin Farnell burial 1809 in Ashby-de-la-Zouch : St Helen : Parish Register ...?
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Thank you Ashtone and Hepburn. He died on 16 Dec 1815. I have not found any other marriages for him and in his will he only mentions Frances his wife and his adopted daughter Phoebe. He refers to her as "my adopted Daughter Phoebe Farnell or usually so called (a child of my said Wife before my intermarriage with her)": not sure what is meant by intermarriage as opposed to just marriage. Phoebe's baptism record states: "9 May 1796 - bapt. Phoebe spurious of Frances Mathews".
What I can't find is any record of Martin's birth or baptism, but there are some indications that he originally hailed from Ashby-de-la-Zouch: should I have posted in the Leicestershire group? Which records office would deal with Ashby-de-la-Zouch? I notice that Ashby-de-la-Zouch is listed here for both Leicestershire and Derbyshire.
Hmm, I just found a record for a Martin Farnill born in Appleby Magna, Leicestershire, baptised on 25 September 1747, parents Jos and Susanna. I wonder if this could be him. This seems to be about 6 or 7 miles from Ashby-de-la-Zouch. This is apparently in the Leicestershire Parish Registers, 1533-1991. If anyone has access to this record, I would be interested in seeing it.
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Martin has a Brother THOMAS Farnell bapt Baptism 24 January 1749 Appleby Magna
+ JOSEPH Farnill bapt same day as Martin same Parents.
+ WILLIAM Farnel 10 June 1756
+ THOMAS WAGSTAFF Farnill 15 January 1752
(1st Thomas may have died)
May be others just looked quickly on F/S.Org
Trish :)
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Thank you Trish. Would the actual parish records provide more details?
It seems like Martin had a twin brother, Joseph, and several other brothers: Thomas (1749) who may have died as an infant as you suggest, Thomas Wagstaff (1752), Henry (1754) and William (1756). It seems like his parents were Joseph Farnell and Susannah Newby.
I noted in passing that Church Flatts Farm, which is less than a mile south-east of Coton-in-the-Elms, is the farthest point from the sea in Great Britain! :) Also, there are so many interesting place names in this area, such as Botany Bay, Melbourne, Appleby Magna and even Ashby-de-la-Zouch seems quite quaint to me! I wonder where they all come from.
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Yes place names are interesting.
I am in Australia and we have Botany Bay;
The great quantity of plants Mr. Banks and Dr. Solander found in this place occasioned my giving it the name of Botanist Botany Bay". Captain Cooks journal
Melbourne
It was incorporated as a Crown settlement in 1837, and named after William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, who was then Prime Minister of the United Kingdom**. In 1851, four years after Queen Victoria declared it a city, Melbourne became the capital of the new colony of Victoria.
To answer your question not sure if original records would show any more info, likely not.
Also just because children were bapt same day it does not mean they are twins unless the record states so.
I have a Newby in my Tree but from Northumberland.
Trish :)
EDIt you made me interested and just looked up origin of Ashby-de-la-Zouch and Appleby Magna place names!
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Would the actual parish records provide more details?
Not really. They actual baptism images are on FindMyPast. They just have parents and child names.
As per Reply #1 (news snippets) there are several Apprentices records on FindMyPast for Joseph, the grocer. No images, though. Dates are 1775-1781. JF was the Master in these records.
FindMyPast have his 1803 Will.
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There's also a 1757 Will for a Joseph Farnell of Appleby. It was proved in 1758.
Burial date Nov 1757 in Appleby Magna.
The Will is also on FindMyPast.
It mentions his oldest son named John. Also "probate be made to Susannah Farnell".
There's mention of an "estate at Donisthorpe". And "my estate at Whitacre, Warwicks".
Looks like wife Susannah had a daughter (also named Susannah) bap May 1758. No father's name listed on the baptism record, but it must be Joseph's child.
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Thank you Trish and Ashtone, including for your advice about the parish records. Sorry, I only just saw your replies.
Thank you especially Trish for the remark about them not necessarily being twins. I didn't realise that. I just assumed that Martin and Joseph (son) must be twins. Also, for the interesting information about the place names. :)
Thank you especially Ashtone for the information about the oldest son named John. Also "probate be made to Susannah Farnell". I could not find a baptism for John. However, Joseph and Susannah were married in 1742 and Martin and Joseph (son) were baptised in 1747, so he could have been born between these years.