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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Durham => Topic started by: 0191alex11 on Saturday 09 August 14 16:35 BST (UK)
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Hi!
Can anyone help with the following?
I have a John Bulmer born 1788/9 at Durham St Oswald. He was a Master Boot and Shoe maker. On the 1871 census his profession is listed as "Queen's Bedsman, Durham". Can anyone shed any light on this?!
Any help much appreciated! :D
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It is Bedesman.
Stan
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A Bedesman was someone who is paid or endowed to pray for others.
Stan
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Durham Cathedral's Bedesmen were originally eight elderly men from the 'parish' appointed by and paid for by the Crown. These days Durham Cathedral's Bedesmen may be men or women from all walks of life and their roll in the cathedral is one of assisting visitors and members of the congregation, they wear maroon gowns. See page 23 of this download http://www.rootschat.com/links/019bu/
Stan
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Thanks Stan! Wondered what a bedsman was?!! Will have a look at the link you gave and many thanks! :D
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My maternal grandmother was a BULMER from West Hartlepool - a fishing / boat-making family. From bedesman to fishing would be quite a jump, but in family history every avenue should be explored !
She was Elizabeth BULMER (1882 to 1971); father was Horsley BULMER (1844 to 1887); she married Robert LOWREY in W. Hartlepool and they lived in Newcastle upon Tyne. I knew her well when I was very young. She was widowed at an early age.
I have all the easy information from UK censuses, BDMs etc., but perhaps there is a relationship to the John BULMER of Durham, or possibly a Rootschat reader can tie in with the W. Hartlepool BULMER families ?
I have lived in Ottawa, Canada for many years and have often wondered if any of the BULMERs in Canada were originally from the W. Hartlepool group ?
Any comments or information would be much appreciated.
Thank you, Ian.
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Hello Ian, I've not looked on this site for ages, so sorry for the long time in replying. The Bulmer family are very old (Saxon) and appear all down the eastern edge of Northern England with particular emphasis on the areas between Newcastle and Hull, around York, and some areas in Essex. My mothers family are from Hartlepool, and, yes there were some relatives who moved to Canada (Calgary and Vancouver) in the early 20th Century. John Bulmer emigrated on 14.05.1911 on the Hisperian from Liverpool to Quebec with his sister, Margaret.
Horsley Bulmer and his brother Francis were drowned in the Tees estuary on the 9th August 1887. Their bodies were recovered and they were buried in Spion Kop cemetery, Hartlepool on the 25th and 30th August respectively. Horsley had five children and a fund was raised in Hartlepool for their benefit. There is a memorial in the cemetery to them both
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Hello from Canada, Horsley & Francis BULMER who drowned in the Tees estuary were in my family tree ! Horsley was my grandmother Elizabeth's father. I have a fair bit of info on the family, but did not know that John & Margaret had crossed the pond to Canada on 14.05.1911. That is a great lead which I will follow up. Many thanks. :) . Do you live anywhere near the Spion Kop Cemetery ? I would love to have a photo of the memorial to Horsley & Francis if you have one or can get one . Age and health prevent me from going to Hartlepool, and I have no relatives in the UK who could help. I very much appreciate your assistance. Cheers, Ian.
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Hello Ian,
It would appear that we are related as the John who emigrated to Canada was my mother's Uncle and the son of John Bulmer (1849-1928) and Mary Garbutt (1864-1893). Francis and Horsley were his (John the elder) brothers. I have a family tree which includes over 200 Bulmers going back to Mark Bulmer 1648-1731. I no longer live near Hartlepool, though my sisters live just outside Stockton, however, I was able to get an image of the headstone from the "billiongraves" website. Simply put in Francis Bulmer and then select the right date and the image will come up.
I am hoping to go to Hartlepool this summer and will try and find the memorial.
Glynn
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I am not related to this line but looked at a couple of Trees.
Trees either have His Wife as Ann Chisholm and/or Elizabeth.
I found this;
ANN Bulmer Buried 17 July 1826, St Oswald, Durham, Durham
Daug of JOHN/ELIZABETH, age 11mths
Fathers Occp Shoemaker
Abode Hallgarth St
(FreeREG)
Trees seem a little confused to me.
John BULMER Married Ann CHISMAN, 06 Dec 1816 Durham
(F/S.Org)
Children appear to be Christened, St Cuthberts, Darlington, Durham;
RALPH, 4 Feb 1815
SARAH, 12 Oct 1817
MARY ANN, 22 June 1819
JANE, 24 July 1821
JOHN CHISMAN, 3 July 1824
SARAH, 3 June 1827
MARTHA, 4 May 1831
(may be others I just looked quickly)
(F/S.Org)
1861 John C Bulmer is born c 1826 Darlington, Mar, living in Northamptonshire, Occp Currier
1851 John Bulmer, Occp Currier, born c 1826 Darlington, is in Staffordshire. Down as Married.
1841 Census
Darlington, Durham
HO107/Darlington
Ann CHISHOLM, 70, Ind, not born in County
Ann BULMAN, 45, Ind
Mary, 20, Dressmaker
Jane, 15, Straw Hat maker
JOHN, 15, Curriers Apprentice****
Sarah, 10
George, 10
Martha, 5
1851 we have;
Ann Harding, 57, Head, Mar. Farmer Wife, born Darlington, Durham
Mary Ann Balmer, 29, Daug, Unm, born Darlington
Martha Balmer, 19, Daug, Unm, born Darlington
Ann Chisman, 81, Mother, Widow, Formerly Innkeeper, born Smeaton, Yorkshire
So people who have attributed John Chisman/Chisholm Bulmer as the Son of JOHN, Occp Shoemaker, have it very mixed up. No one I would say has brought his 1859 M/C!
Trish :)
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Sorry if all of you have this but it may help someone else in the future;
BAPTISMS;
St Oswald, Durham, Durham
WILLIAM, 18 Jan 1824 (birth 22 Dec 1823), abode New Elvet
ANN, 22 Aug 1825****
JOHN, 8 Jan 1827
Parents JOHN/ELIZABETH Bulmer
Fathers Occp Shoemaker
Abode Hallgarth Street**
So fits with Burial of Ann I found who died age 11mths.
St Giles, Durham, Durham
ANNA, 11 May 1828 (birth 18 Feb)
JANE, 11 Oct 1829 (birth 14 Sept), Buried 14 April 1830 age 7mths
JANE, 9 Sept 1832
THOMAS, 1 June 1834
Parents JOHN/ELIZABETH Bulmer, Fathers Occp Cordwainer or Shoemaker
I personally think it is possible Elizabeth is nee HENDERSON, Married to John BULMER, 12 Aug 1823, St Oswald
A FRANCIS Bulmer was a Witness.
They would both be in their 30's though.
A JOHN Bulmer was a Witness to the Marriage of FRANCIS Bulmer to Ann MOWBRAY, 24 Jan 1814 same Church.
FRANCIS Was Baptised 13 Oct 1791, St Oswald, Father JOHN, Occp Joiner
I can find only 1 Sibling ANN, 1 March 1795
Interestingly Ann seems to be Buried 28 Feb 1796, Infant, Father JOHN, a Militia Man.
All above on FreeREG
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My maternal grandmother was also from West Hartlepool and moved to Saskatchewan, Canada when she was very young (early 1900s). Her maiden name was Ethyl Bulmer. Perhaps Ian from Canada and I are related?
Micheal LeFeuvre
michealplf@yahoo.com
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Hello Micheal,
Unfortunately I don't have an Ethyl in my tree. The Bulmer family name appears all the way down the east coast of the UK from Northumberland to the Wash, with a further branch in the Essex area. My own (maternal) line were all from "Old" Hartlepool rather than West Hartlepool, though several did emigrate to Canada.
regards,
Glynn