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Some Special Interests => Travelling People => Topic started by: Trillian on Tuesday 19 August 14 00:45 BST (UK)
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Whilst hunting for my Hudsons, I found them in what appears to be a traveller community in both the 1841 census and the 1851 census. I've noted down some of the surnames of possible travellers which may be of help to anyone searching for their ancestors in this area.
Smithy Lane, Uttoxeter:
RILEY, BLOOR, ROBINSON, NOLAN, HODGKINSON, FIELDSTAFF, BENTLY, BOOKER, MITCHELL, NEALD, HARRIS, COPE, MARTIN, HILL, EDWARDS, HUDSON, MOORE, BOND, TAYLOR, DALE
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Hi trillian. My family are the mitchells. Traced back to 1600s Burslem staffordshire. still travelling with the romany community. And olso related to the dales.know some of the names you mentioned. But don't recognise all of the names. Rob. G.
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Hi Rob. I'm still at the fairly early stages of my research but so far have Hudson, Johnson, Lewis and possibly Hodgkinson in my family. They seem to mostly be around the Cheadle/Uttoxeter/Ashbourne area. Coincidentally I also have Mitchells in my tree but they're on the other (non-traveller) side so probably not related.
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Hi there :)
In the industrial areas like the Midlands and North of England I think it is harder to identify the Romany families, as "country" people settled into housing earlier in the industrial areas compared to the southern rural areas , where I think the Romany would have been more likely to stay on the road . Though many did settle in London's east end
This is a rootschat topic from a while ago - Impact of the Industrial Revolution
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=499128.0
Birmingham was known for its metal working , a Romany trade, so maybe many settled there (Black Patch area for example had a Romany camp right in an industrial area).
The Lye Waste nail making district is interesting
From link
http://www.blackcountrybugle.co.uk/Small-Vulcans-sweating-anvil-child-nailmakers-Lye-Waste/story-20146396-detail/story.html
'....Life was notoriously hard in the 19th century Black Country. The combination of poverty, hard labour and the insanitary conditions of homes that were little more than hovels took their toll and few lived to a great age. Perhaps typical of the ‘bad old’ Black Country was the settlement at Lye Waste.
According to local historian Pat Dunn this area developed in the late 17th century, “when [Romany] gypsies descended on the Waste, the uncultivated land beyond Lye proper which was centred around the Cross. Attracted by the area’s prosperity and its raw materials, namely coal and fireclay, the newcomers built themselves crude mud houses, 103 being recorded on Waste Bank in 1699..'
1699 is quite an early date when you think about it
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my 3xgreatgrandad was William Hodgkinson on the 1851 census in Smithy lane ,his daughter Ellen also on the census age 18 was my 2xgreat grannie,married to my 2xgreatgrandad Darius Deadman.
Their daughter AnnJane Deadman married John Smith and are my greatgrandparents ..
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my 3xgreatgrandad was William Hodgkinson on the 1851 census in Smithy lane ,his daughter Ellen also on the census age 18 was my 2xgreat grannie,married to my 2xgreatgrandad Darius Deadman.
Their daughter AnnJane Deadman married John Smith and are my greatgrandparents ..
Do you have an Ann Hodgkinson? I have her as one of the witnesses for the marriage of my 3x great-grandparents William Johnson and Rachel Hudson in Yoxall, Staffordshire in 1872. Rachel was in Smithy Lane for the 1851 census with her parents Nathanial and Elizabeth.
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I have Ann sister to my Ellen ,I have her born born around 1828 baptised AnnJane Hodgkinson ,my Ellen named her daughter AnnJane my great grannie .Still a family name ...my family are all Romany still ...
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I've looked into a family tree for a gypsy man in Uttoxeter whose surname is Bloor. He still lives in the town.
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Do you have an Ann Hodgkinson? I have her as one of the witnesses for the marriage of my 3x great-grandparents William Johnson and Rachel Hudson in Yoxall, Staffordshire in 1872. Rachel was in Smithy Lane for the 1851 census with her parents Nathanial and Elizabeth.
Hello Trillian
Apologies for resurrecting this topic, but I've just been working on my Hodgkins/on family and noted the names you mentioned.
Your William Johnson who married Rachel Hudson was my 4xg-uncle. I am currently trying to work out if William's mother, Jane Hodgkinson, was the sister of Rachel's mother, Elizabeth Hodgkinson.
Elizabeth Hodgkins/on is also my 4xg-aunt, as her parents - James and Constance are my 4xg-grandparents.
I think Constance's parents were Robert Hodgkins and Elizabeth Hollins.
My gg-grandfather William Hodgkins (1852-1910) married my gg-grandmother Charlotte Sherriff in 1885. William's father was James Hodgkins (1815-1864), another son - I'm sure - to James and Constance. Charlotte Sherriff's mother was Eliza Johnson (1824-1903) - sister to your William.
So, although I'm not a direct ancestor, I am also related to both of your ggg-grandparents, William and Rachel :-)
Best wishes -
Garen
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Hi Garen
Great to hear form someone else who's also trying to figure out this bunch! Looks like you're a lot further ahead than I am.
I clicked through to your website and realised that I have looked at it before but it was before I'd gotten very far so while I thought there might be some connection going some of the surnames on there, I hadn't yet made the links. Now there's some jumping out at me!
I haven't looked at this part of my tree in a while so I'm going to dig out my notes and go through it again. If I come across anything that I think may be of use to you, I'll let you know.
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Thanks for your reply :-)
If you looked at my webpage a while ago then it may not have chimed too many bells - it's only relatively recently that I finally discovered the Johnson surname of my ggg-grandmother (it was Hodgkinson on so many records), and for a long time I strongly suspected that my gg-grandfather, William Hodgkins, had been born William Nield. You know from your own family line how confusing it can be when these Gypsy families used different surnames so often!
I'm happy to share anything I can with you, so don't hesitate to contact me directly (http://www.garenewing.co.uk/contact.html) if you wish.
One thing I'd really like to find out if is Jane Johnson (nee Hodgkins/on, William's mother) and Elizabeth Hodgkins/on (Rachel's mother) are sisters. I think it quite likely.
Jane Johnson/Hodgkins/on is recorded on the census returns (51, 61, 71) consistently as being born in Tutbury abt. 1801. My search for Jane Hodgkins born about then has revealed:
Jane bapt. Tipton 1798 to William Hodgkins and Phoebe Whitehouse
Jane bapt. Lichfield 1805 to Rowland Hodgkins and Charlotte
Jane Taylor bapt. Tipton 1806 to Samuel Hodgkins and Sarah
Jane Maria bapt. Tutbury 1806 to James Hoskins and Constance Hoskins
Jane bapt. Uttoxeter 1806 to Thomas Hopkinson and Mary (prob. Mary Grinder)
Jane bapt. Shenstone 1807 to Joseph Hodgkins and Mary Newbold
Tipton is about 33 miles from Tutbury, Shenstone 18, Lichfield 16, and Uttoxeter 10 miles. Jane Maria 'Hoskins' looks the most appealing candidate, despite the distance in time between supposed birth and baptism. But with so many people in this family marrying cousins various times removed, I'm very tempted to think Jane and Elizabeth are indeed sisters, with James and Constance as parents.
An extra piece if evidence would be nice though!
Best wishes - Garen
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I just found out about my Romany roots from taking a DNA test, and matching 2 people with strong Romany heritage. The first match, related to the Stanley family in America, told me I must be gypsy, thru one of my ancestors named Cooper, Smith, or Riley, but I didn't see the connection because I am also East European, and thought my small amount of "South Indian" DNA came from there. But my next match was on my X chromosome to a gypsy lady in England, so that's when it fit perfectly to Riley, my grandmother's grandmother.
So, my 3g grandparents were William Riley and Elizabeth (Meriden?), WIlliam was an "iron pedlar". Their kids were Henry Riley b. 1816 Alrewas, and Caroline Riley b.1820 Alrewas (my 2g grandmother). Caroline married Samuel Roberts (don't think he was Romany, but?), and their daughter Elizabeth Roberts, my great-grandmother, immigrated to Canada.
Henry Riley continued to live the traveller life, he was also a pedlar, he married Charlotte Meacham and they had the following children: another Caroline Riley, then William Henry Riley, Samuel Riley, and Clara Jane Riley. Caroline married Joseph Holyman and had 9 kids. One of her daughters, Harriet, married Samuel Egerton. Clara Jane Riley married Enoch Watson.
So, my Romany names are: RILEY, MERIDEN, maybe ROBERTS, MEACHAM, HOLYMAN, EGERTON, WATSON, so far.
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How interesting, janicejo! I want to do a DNA test at some point.
I only have one of your surnames on my tree, and only making a single appearance, though it is within the Romani branches:
Mary Riley married a distant cousin of mine, Jeremiah Boswell (b. 1835, Wellington, Shropshire). This branch of the Boswells (the children of Tom and Ambretty) ended up in Wales, and Mary was born in Glamorganishire about 1852, so I guess they married there. Her father was William, described on the 1871 census as a 'gipsey tinker' and born in Dorset c.1784.
Best - Garen
Edit: from my previous post - strike out Jane bapt. Tipton 1798 to William Hodgkins and Phoebe Whitehouse - the IGI says Jane but I've now seen the original baptism record and it's James!
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Thanks for the info Garen! My Caroline's father was also named William Riley, he was born around 1778, don't know where. William's occupation in the 1841 census was Ag. Lab., where he was living (Mill end), he had neighbors who were basket makers. Don't know much about him before that.
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Interestingly, William Riley (b. Dorset) also had a daughter Caroline, though b. about 1840 - she was born in Gloucestershire and married a Lee (surname).
Best - G
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More Romany names in my family! My 2g grandmother's niece, Caroline Riley b. 1844 Wolverhampton, Staff.), married Joseph Holyman. His parents were Thomas Holyman and Esther Ball. One of their daughter, Esther Holyman b.1872, married William Henry Bladon. They had several children; one of their daughter Harriet Bladon b. 1896 married Harold Ball, b. 1900. Another one of their daughter Caroline Bladon, b. 1909, married John Samuel Price, b. 1903! I have asked my Roberts cousin, and he is pretty sure that my Roberts were not Romany. So, my Romany names are:
RILEY, MERIDEN, MEACHAM, EGERTON, HOLYMAN, BLADON, BALL, PRICE.
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Found out something really interesting about my 3g grandmother Elizabeth "Meriden". It turns out that her baptismal records is on "Find my past", and it lists her as being born to John Swagg of Meriden. The "of" is a little small, I think the transcriber may have missed it.
If you look up people named "Swagg" in the English records, you will find that there are hardly any, that they pop up all over, and that they are impossible to trace as they don't seem to get recorded with any consistency. Also I found out that in Australia, "Swagman" or "Swaggie" is an old term for someone who moves about and lives on the edges of society.
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I'm currently doing some research on the Boswell's family in relation to the Burslem Witch Molly Leigh, does anyone have any relationship on these two families and their connection to one another?
http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Gipsy-clan-heart-community/story-12490129-detail/story.html
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The 1861 Census for Wednesfield lists the following families Boswell, Lovell, Cashmore. living in tents in BUGGINS Lane Wednesfield. Occupations Travelling Braziers 9 menders of pots and pans) and a Clothes peg Dealer.
Does any one know the location of Buggins lane?
Thanks,
Phil
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I'm lead to believe that "Buggins Lane" became "Deans Road" and that it was next to an open heath area (possibly the one that still exists north of Deans Road) or part of what is now "Heath Town". I've been looking into this myself, due to the following burial record in the same location 10 years previous, and it specifically mentions "Buggins Lane Heath";
County Staffordshire
Place Wednesfield
Church name St Thomas
Register type Unspecified
Register entry number 21553
Burial date 11 Mar 1851
Person age 7
Burial person forename Hannah
Burial person surname LOVELL
Burial person abode Buggins Lane Heath
Hope this is of some help to you!
Gary
The 1861 Census for Wednesfield lists the following families Boswell, Lovell, Cashmore. living in tents in BUGGINS Lane Wednesfield. Occupations Travelling Braziers 9 menders of pots and pans) and a Clothes peg Dealer.
Does any one know the location of Buggins lane?
Thanks,
Phil
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Thank you for that information. It will help. I am lookoing at the mines in the Heath area.
Thank again.
Phil
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Does anyone know of any Romany gypsy settlement or camp in Penkridge, Staffordshire? I'm trying to find out more about my 3g grandfather william Riley, b. around 1775 in Staffordshire, according to the 1841 census, There is a William born to a Jane Riley in Penkridge in 1771. I got a DNA match to someone with an ancestor born in Brewood, Staffordshire in 1802. This ancestor's father was not named. But the amount of DNA suggests a 3g grandparent would be the link, and this match has about the same amount of Romany "South Asia" as my brother does. Brewood and Penkridge appear to be around 5 miles (8 km) apart.
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i have a few of those names, here is my dna list
Smith (39)
Brown (28)
Johnson (17)
Williams (17)
Jones (16)
Taylor (15)
Lewis (13)
Martin (13)
Wilson (13)
Clark (12)
Davis (12)
Green (12)
Anderson (11)
Carter (10)
Evans (10)
Scott (10)
Wright (10)
King (9)
Miller (9)
Price (9)
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Whilst hunting for my Hudsons, I found them in what appears to be a traveller community in both the 1841 census and the 1851 census. I've noted down some of the surnames of possible travellers which may be of help to anyone searching for their ancestors in this area.
Smithy Lane, Uttoxeter:
RILEY, BLOOR, ROBINSON, NOLAN, HODGKINSON, FIELDSTAFF, BENTLY, BOOKER, MITCHELL, NEALD, HARRIS, COPE, MARTIN, HILL, EDWARDS, HUDSON, MOORE, BOND, TAYLOR, DALE
Hi . I am descendened from the Neilds and Hodgkinsons of smithy lane in Uttoxeter. I strongly suspect gypsy / romani roots for these people but am unable to 100% confirm anything
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Hi . I am descendened from the Neilds and Hodgkinsons of smithy lane in Uttoxeter. I strongly suspect gypsy / romani roots for these people but am unable to 100% confirm anything
I am also related to the Smithy Lane Hodgkins and Nield families. Definitely Gypsy connections, if not necessarily full Romani. The Hodgkins/ons clan are to be found all over - Uttoxeter, Rugely, Tutbury, Penkridge, Wolverhampton - often when travelling they are described as 'of Cheslyn Hay' (or sometimes Wyrley Bank), and many of them have earlier branches there.
Some of my research: https://www.garenewing.co.uk/family/hodgkins.html
Best - Garen.
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I have Riley's from Staffordshire, starting in Wednesbury and Alrewas, and ending up in the coal mines of Staffordshire. It's been difficult to trace, as I think they settled in the 1700s or earlier. I know I have 2.6% South Asian DNA on Gedmatch, and I know my great grandmother and her kids were speaking Romany. But the Romany purists have decided im Irish, so we're not talking right now.
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Hi . I am descendened from the Neilds and Hodgkinsons of smithy lane in Uttoxeter. I strongly suspect gypsy / romani roots for these people but am unable to 100% confirm anything
I am also related to the Smithy Lane Hodgkins and Nield families. Definitely Gypsy connections, if not necessarily full Romani. The Hodgkins/ons clan are to be found all over - Uttoxeter, Rugely, Tutbury, Penkridge, Wolverhampton - often when travelling they are described as 'of Cheslyn Hay' (or sometimes Wyrley Bank), and many of them have earlier branches there.
Some of my research: https://www.garenewing.co.uk/family/hodgkins.html
Best - Garen.
Great stuff . It seems as though my ancestors lived in houses on Smithy Lane and rarely travelled. There is nothing on the census which says they lived in a tent , caravan and nothing that states "Romany/Gipsy/Traveller/Tinker" or such like . Was it normal for gypsy folk to be settled in the 1800's?
Smithy Lane , although a street with houses does appear to be some sort of gypsy settlement . The surnames present such as Cooper, Bond, Bloor etc as well as occupations like Besom maker, Umbrella maker , and Hawker are extremely common. My Neilds and Hodgkins(ons) appeared in the local papers frequently for poaching and drunken assaults . John Neild was involved in a fist fight with a man called Grundy in which Grundy unfortunately died as a result . Im assuming this might of been a gypsy type bare knuckle bout gone wrong.
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Great stuff . It seems as though my ancestors lived in houses on Smithy Lane and rarely travelled. There is nothing on the census which says they lived in a tent , caravan and nothing that states "Romany/Gipsy/Traveller/Tinker" or such like . Was it normal for gypsy folk to be settled in the 1800's?
Smithy Lane , although a street with houses does appear to be some sort of gypsy settlement . The surnames present such as Cooper, Bond, Bloor etc as well as occupations like Besom maker, Umbrella maker , and Hawker are extremely common. My Neilds and Hodgkins(ons) appeared in the local papers frequently for poaching and drunken assaults . John Neild was involved in a fist fight with a man called Grundy in which Grundy unfortunately died as a result . Im assuming this might of been a gypsy type bare knuckle bout gone wrong.
Yes indeed - that fight was on the day of John Grundy's marriage to Maria Hodgkins - afterwards (well, 4 years later) Maria married John Nield's bother, Thomas Nield, and they had a number of children together until Maria died of a breast abscess nursing her newest baby - William Nield, who was later adopted by Josiah Hodgkins (my 4xg-uncle). So many connections!
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Hi Garen
I have been collecting all sorts of information these last few years, i have lots on the Sherriffs and Hollands plus all the ways the Hodgkiss name may be wrote, i know you are a high class researcher but i like to share things i find, i try and look for answers contained within what i find like the name of a pub or street then i just use that name alone and research it, i will put up here a few things i found about the Hodgkins/ons, that Smithy Lane is interesting to, in the papers they say about how it was a Cherry Orchard hundreds of yeares ago, that's if i found the right place?
Happy New Year to you...michael
PS...i will put a few more things on that you may not of seen before but if you have no worry
Saturday 29 July 1848 Staffordshire Advertiser
extract
STAFFORDSHIRE SUMMER ASSIZES.
CROWN COURT. THURSDAY.
The court opened nine o'clock, and the first case tried was one of a Criminal Assault on a Child at Westbromwich.
JOHN LEICESTER, a young man, described in the calendar as 20 years of age, was charged with an assault with Intent, &c., on Sarah Hoskins, at Westbromwich. the prisoner had been committed for the capital offence, but the the Grand Jury having ignored the bill, he was put upon his trial for the misdemeanor. A strong sympathetic feeling was apparent in court at the procedure's, a child about nine years of age of diminutive stature, and very meanly clad, was lifted on the barristers' table to give her testimony. The girl belonged to a gipsy encampment which, in the month of June last, was pitched in a lane near the old church, at Westbromwich. Having wandered from the tent for the purpose of picking sticks, she saw the prisoner sitting on a stile. He asked the girl to come to him, and her refusing he carried her over the stile, and proceeded to use considerable violence towards her, and afterwards ran away. Information of the outrage having been conveyed to the police, Jesse Bailer, one of the officers, went in pursuit of the offender, and in the course of the same day met with him in the neighbourhood of Westbromwich. The prisoner being told the nature of the charge of which was suspected, put on a bold front, and at once consented to go to the gipsy camp, and confront the child. On the way, however, came to stand, and said to the officer, “ I am d--d if i will go any further with you,” and “suiting the action to the word," ran away. Baiter gave chase, and for twenty minutes followed him over hedge and ditch, until ultimately with the assistance of two men who were fishing, the prisoner was captured. being taken to the station, was identified by the girl…………………………….
Saturday 15 December 1855 Staffordshire Advertiser
extract
Child Burnt.—A serious accident happened on Thursday to a little girl, whose stepfather, named Hodgkin's, lives in Pumpstreet, Bigherland, Newcastle. He is a besom-maker, and, with his wife, had gone to the wood to get some stuff for besoms, leaving the little girl alone in the house. About noon the neighbours were alarmed by the shrieks of the child, who ran into the street with her clothes in a blaze……………………..
Saturday 31 March 1888 Worcestershire Chronicle
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DEATH from EXPOSURE near EVESHAM. Mr. F. Moore (deputy coroner), held an inquest on Thursday afternoon, at Rous Leach, touching the death of Maria Boswell, tramp, aged 75, whose body was found on Monday morning in a field called Yeld Hill. Police-constable Mayo stated that the body was scantily clothed ; but deceased had a package of bread and meat lying close to her, and on her fingers were seven rings, two of which appeared to be gold ; while in her pockets was 7'd. money, some tobacco, and clay pipe. Clara Hodgkin's, travelling hawker, stated that deceased, who came from Warwick, was her mother. She last saw her eight days previously, when they were camping near Abbots Morton, and deceased strayed away during her absence…………………………...
Staffordshire Advertiser - Saturday 27 February 1808
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To be sold by action, undermentioned desirable Freehold Estates, LOT I. All that desirable Freehold Close, Piece or Parcel of excellent meadow pasture Land, situate, lying & being near to,or adjoining a certain Lane in Uttoxeter aforesaid, called Smithy Lane, known by the name of Smithy Lane Croft, now in the occupation of John Smith
Saturday 11 December 1819 Staffordshire Advertiser
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To be sold by auction.
LOT 5. The upper or western part of a close piece of Land, called the Cherry Orchard or Smithy Lane Croft, (as now marked staked out) N. B. Among the many opportunities which have lately presented themselves in the Town of Uttoxeter, for investment of money in real property, few have occurred equal to the present. Lots 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, are all well stocked with a choice assortment of valuable fruit trees in full bearing. The whole of the premises are in the occupation of Mr. John Smith, Gardener…………
Staffordshire Advertiser - Saturday 27 January 1838
extract
FREEHOLD HOUSES AND LANDS, SITUATE At and NEAR UTTOXETER, IN THE COUNTY STAFFORD. TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION,
Occupier-James Hodgkins, House in Smithy Lane, chief rent on this lot 1s. 8d.........
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Hi MeirSoul
I do hope you are well, i recieved your message. A few posts back you wrote this below
"Great stuff . It seems as though my ancestors lived in houses on Smithy Lane and rarely travelled. There is nothing on the census which says they lived in a tent , caravan and nothing that states "Romany/Gipsy/Traveller/Tinker" or such like . Was it normal for gypsy folk to be settled in the 1800's? Smithy Lane , although a street with houses does appear to be some sort of gypsy settlement . The surnames present such as Cooper, Bond, Bloor etc as well as occupations like Besom maker, Umbrella maker , and Hawker are extremely common. My Neilds and Hodgkins(ons) appeared in the local papers frequently for poaching and drunken assaults" .
so i looked for you and foud this story from 1897
Uttoxeter Advertiser and Ashbourne Times Wednesday 11 August 1897
extract
UTTOXETER PETTY SESSIONS. WEDNESDAY. Before J. F. CAMPBELL Esq. (in the chair). S. BLOUNT, S. B. BAMFORD, and A. C. BUNTING,Esqs. ENCAMPMENT.—Jno. and Ann Neild, of Uttoxeter, was summoned for encamping on the highway at Abbots Bromley, on the 8th July.—Police.constable Austin saw the female defendant scatter the remains of a fire which had been lit by them on the highway, and then move off on his approach.—The case against Mrs. Neild was dismissed, but her husband was fined 10s. and 8s. costs............
so you see they were not all year round living in houses, it was the summer month of July so maybe they would camp out in the warmer days and winter up as the nights drew in, plus the way they tried to hide the fire sujests they were not new to camping out for offten the police would charge people for making a fire within so many feet of the highway, you can spell their name several ways i will see if i can find anything else that may be of interst to you i put this one on below to show you about the times of the past how they connect to the times of these days we live in, it as nothing todo with the people you look for but i thought you may find such things interesting as i do when i trawl through the old records.
Staffordshire Advertiser - Saturday 13 November 1802
extract
POSTSCRIPT. London, Thursday Evening.
Yesterday Nield, the maniac, was removed from Tothill-fields Bridewell to Bethlem.
It is with no desire of needlesily alarming the fears of the inhabitants of this town, but with a real and anxious wish that they should adopt the most eligible means that safety are desired to state, that nearly 15000 persons have in this town and its immediate vicinity caught within the last 3 months the present contagious fever........... i just put this on to talk of how there is nothing new under the sun....i just came across the name Neild and it lead onto the story of the contagious fever.
MeirSoul, i put this one on below to show you what the times were like, you mentioned how you old relatives would offten be in trouble with the law, the times of the past up and down these lands were hard times for people who were just living their life's, i will put a few more story's on for you if i come across anything of interest, good luck for the New Year......michael
Staffordshire Sentinel and Commercial & General Advertiser - Saturday 20 February 1869
extract
UTTOXETER. WILFUL Damage.— The plate-glass window of Messrs. Cartledge, hatters, High-street, was deliberately smashed on Monday morning by two young men on tramp. They had spent the previous night in the workhouse. To effect their purpose they took a run from the opposite side of the street with their elbows directed against the glass, and broke it. They alleged being driven to the act of despair, and awaited apprehension from the police, stating that if sent to prison they would be sure of shelter and something to eat. They were miserable looking objects and almost in state of nudity...............
PS. i wander if Smithy Lane changed to Smithy Road, you will find many records with the people you write of associated to this place.
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Sounds good . I'll look forward to your posting more info :)
Regards
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MeirSoul, i have been researching your relatives and all the peoples they connect to, respect to them all and you to
https://archive.org/details/historyantiquiti00redf
HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES of the TOWN AND NEIGHBOURHOOD of UTTOXETER, WITH NOTICES OF ADJOINING PLACES, FRANCIS REDFERN. SECOND EDITION . 1886
Page 144
It should not be passed over, that in 1647. 46 Egyptians doubtless gypsies with a pass from parliament to travel for a space of six successive months for relief, arrived at Uttoxeter, and were given the sum of 4s. Their number and appearance must of exited considerable interest. Grants to Egyptians, or gypsies, for permission to travel and receive relief are mentioned in one of the volumes of the public record office for either 1858 or 1859,. The Constables account for Checkly for the year 1666 mentions a disbursement to a great company of gypsies.
https://cdn.staffordshire.gov.uk/pasttrack/files/55/56/869.pdf
Everything in these posts now and to come are ony small extracts, research the fuller articles in the places that i give for a far more wider in depth truer picture.
FOREWORD
One Summer's evening in 1995 I was visiting the late Colin Deaville at his home in Uttoxeter to put the finishing touches to his story for my book The Road To Chartley. While I was there Colin’s wife, Mary, introduced me to, Gwyneth Mellor, a friend who happened to be visiting. When I explained to her that I was collecting people's memories Gwyneth told me that her father Ernest Mellor, a wellknown chemist in Uttoxeter from 1910 to the 1960s, had written down his memories of Uttoxeter from the late 1800s into the 1900s. He had entrusted his notebook to a friend and colleague Arthur Finníkin for safekeeping but Miss Mellor told me she had her own copy which she said I could borrow. A few days later a photocopy of Ernest Mellor’s memories of Uttoxeter was waiting for me. When I read the memories I was amazed to find a fascinating account of life in Uttoxeter about ninety years ago. It must have been fate that brought me to visit Colin and Mary Deaville on the same night as Miss Mellor. Her father's memories might so easily have been lost. Ernest Mellor’s memories were written in the late 1950s and in them he takes us back to his schooldays in Uttoxeter in the 1880s………………. Jim Foley Summer 2002
page 12
At our school we had not got a yard or playground and we had to play where we could, utilizing the narrow footway that passed the school to the hall for marbles and rougher games. We had to make our own fun and we got plenty of that. For one thing the roads were not so busy. We used regularly to play 'Ringy' - marbles - in the street opposite the Wesleyan Chapel. We had to keep our eyes open - not for the Police, but for the 'Smugglers', generally two or three hefty Smithy Lads from the nearby Smithy Lane. They had their code of conduct. They never burst in without first crying "Smuggles" - then we each tried to grab what marbles we could. If we were lucky we might get more than two (our "dubs") and these would go to our less fortunate companions……………
Page 17
The Horse and Foal Fairs held in Balance were a real bit of Old England. Balance Street on fair days might have been a scene out of it Lavengro. It would take the pen of a George Borrow to do justice to it. There were the horses, with sellers and buyers crying the merits or demerits of the animals - then a groom or stable boy or just a hanger-on would take the halter and rush down the street to show off the paces, the action and the fire of the animal, which often pranced and kicked under the stimulus of stick or whip. Flying hooves and noise marked the day. There were always a few gypsies with their worn-out old crocks doctored to look to the unwary as quite serviceable animals. Those gypsíes were by no means lacking in vocal powers. They could almost persuade you that black was white. The mares and foals were always a delight, particularly the foals and colts………………….
Page 18
Black Bess was noted simply for herself. She was a perfect type of the old Gypsy clan - a strong old lined face that must have had an extraordinary wild beauty in her younger year's.
Hull Daily Mail - 27 July 1907
"BLACK BESS" OF UTTOXETER DEAD.
CENTENARIAN GIPSY QUEEN. There has just died in Smithfield-road, an old lady, who for many years past has been a female with striking - features of that town, and for miles round. Her name was Elizabeth Lowell, but she was better known by the name of " Black Bess" and " Granny Blore." Her age is given at 100 years, but it is stated those by those who had intimate acquaintance with her, that she passed- the century three years since at least. She came to Uttoxeter 80 years ago, when she was a remarkably fine specimen of the gipsy tribe, to which she claimed to belong, and was regarded as the queen in the little Romany community with whom she lived, and among whom she exercised undoubted sway. She was then tall and muscular looking, with jet black hair and flashing eyes of the same colour, and a deep brown or bronzed complexion. Latterly she traded as a vendor of brooms, oilcloth, and such-like articles, which were carried in a waggon, behind which she would' walk for several miles. She was the oldest of a family of 16.
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Uttoxeter Advertiser and Ashbourne Times - 24 July 1907
A sad tragedy was enacted in Smithfield road, Uttoxeter, on Friday night, when a man named George Follows cut his throat with a razor, and died on the following afternoon. On Sunday morning the man's mother-in-law, well-known locally by the sobriquet" Black Bess," attributed to her in consequence of her gipsy-like appearance, was dead in bed. Her death was due to senile decay. Much speculation has been rife as to the old woman's age, she generally having been regarded for a number of years as a centenarian. What her age was it is impossible to state, but she was old it was apparent from her wrinkled features and her worn physical bearing. She was the eldest of a family of sixteen, the youngest but one of whom is still hale and hearty, although he has just turned seventy years of age. Black Bess" used to pride herself on her gipsy antecedents. She was the mother of sixteen children. Her funeral will take place to-morrow afternoon.
Burton Chronicle - 18 February 1892
A CHILD BURNED TO DEATH.—Particulars have been reported to the police of the death from burns,. on Tuesday afternoon, of Sarah Neild, aged two years; the child of parents residing in Chapel Gardens. It appears' that the mother went out on an errand and left the deceased in the care of Elizabeth Bloor, a relative, who lives in the Smithfield Road. The child managed to get near the fire unobserved, and its clothing becoming Ignited, it was severely burned about various parts of the body. Mr. Summers assistand to Dr, Bamford, was called in, but the infant expired at mid-day on Wednesday. An inquest will be held by Mr. Coroner Flint today.
Burton Chronicle - 25 February 1892
uttoxeter
Monday Mr. Croner Flint held a inquest in his office on the body of Sarah Neald, aged two who met her death by burns, On the date stated the child was left in the home of its grandmother, Mrs. Bloor, who lives in the Smithfield Road. Mrs. Bloor had to go on some erand in Balance Street, and accordingly left the child in the charge of her daughter, Elizabeth Bloor, aged fourteen. Elizabeth seems to have gone in her mother's absence to fetch a bucket of water from the street pump, and there stayed with some girles sliding. on returning to home she was terrified to find the child whereby its clothes had been ignited. The Dr. attended to the little one's injuries. It, however, died in few hours later… A verdict to that effect was returned.
On this web site below it tells of Smithfield road once being Smithfield Lane
https://thepoorlaw.org/author/alannah-tomkins/page/2/
now look at this article i came across.
Staffordshire Advertiser - 22 December 1866
Drunk and Riotous. Three dwellers in Smithy-lane or Smithfield-road, named John Hodgkinson, James Blore, sen., and James Blore, jun., were each fined, and each with the alternative of seven days’ imprisonment, for drunkenness and riotous conduct on the night of the 12th inst..........;
so you see through this article above the names of Smithfield Lane and Smithfield Road were colliding in at least 1866, the family's like the Neilds Hodgkins/ons and Bloors are all related down through the years i would say from what i have been reading, also theres more names to come, who are they, well they are a fine peoples in a fine market town, no doubt the black blood runs through them all to some degree, to what amount well who am i to talk of such things, and what is the history of these times i do not know, but i suppose this is the story of the Gipsy's of England and the English peoples of this land and how the times of today came to be.
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Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal - 21 April 1871
Thos. Neild, alias Bloore, was summoned for drunken and riotous conduct. —It was stated that defendant was very drunk, and used very bad language, at Uttoxeter, on the 15th April at 11 p.m. Fined. this was his first offence.
Burton Chronicle - 27 July 1893
Game trespass. George Massey, John Udall and John Bloor summoned for trespass in search of rabbits, police constable Steele saw the men with three greyhounds crossing and beating the land, fined….Mushroom gatherers in trouble—Margret Udale, Elizabeth Bloor, Mary Bloor, Hannah Hodgkinson, Sarah Ann Hague, and Thom. Smith, all of Uttoxeter, were summoned for taking mushrooms, of land in the occupation of Mr. E Brandrick, at Heasley, Abbots Bromley, on the 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19:h inst. John Neild of Uttoxeter was also charged with a simular offence, fines were imposed.
Staffordshire Advertiser - 19 March 1836
SATURDAY. (Before Mr. Baron Alderson.) Fighting at Uttoxeter. John Neal was charged with the manslaughter of John Grundy at Uttoxeter on the 17th of August last. tThe prosecution called Mary Grundy, wife of Clement Grundy, of Uttoxeter, and mother-in-law of the man whose death the prisoner was charged with having caused death by certain blows. She stated that her son-inlaw was married on the 17th of August, and the wedding was kept up at the " Feathers" public house. About half-past five o'clock, the prisoner was fighting in Mr. Wood's field with Jos. Taylor, when John Grundy, the deceased came running up, and backed Taylor; upon which Neal, the prisoner, hit Grundy a blow upon the head, and he fell. Grundy immediately got up again, and began to fight with the prisoner. Many blows were struck, and they both fell several times. At length, Neal, (the prisoner) hit Grundy a blow on the side of the ear; from the effects of which he staggered several yards, fell; and was unable to rise again. He was then carried home. He never spoke afterwards, and died in the course of the night. On her cross-examination by Mr. Greaves (counsel for the prisoner) the witness stated that she had known the prisoner between 16 and 17 years: they were on friendly terms with each other, and she never knew them to have a quarrel. On the occasion in question, all the parties were drunk ; there had been a deal drinking. The prisoner was very much distressed after the occurrence. , . . , Mr. Richard Lassetter, surgeon, attended the deceased about half-past ten o'clock on night ofthe 17th of August. He was in a state of insensibility. Witness remained with him until he died, at about half-past two o'clock in the morning. Witness opened the body afterwards ; and examined the head more particularly. There was a considerable quantity extravasated blood on the right side of the head ; and discoloration all round, which attributed partly to the effects of the injuries received and partly to the struggles. He died from ruptured blood vessel. Witness believed the rupture of the vessel was caused by blows or falls coming upon an intoxicated brain. Intoxication alone would not have produced that effect. Cross-examined by Mr. Greaves.—The exertion of fighting might produce apoplexy, in a person in drunken state. There were no external marks to account for the ruptured blood vessel. Death might have occasioned by concussions from falls. Mr. Baron Alderson.—Gentlemen of the Jury, you must acquit the prisoner. Verdict, not guilty. His Lordship then admonished the prisoner, and said he had seen what were the effects of drunkenness. He advised him to take care in the future, least a worse thing should happen to him.
Lichfield Mercury - 15 February 1935
RUGELEY PETTY SESSIONS.
NO NAME. Alfred Thomas Neald, dealer, of Stafford Road, Stafford, was ordered to pay 4s. costs for permitting his pony and trap to be used for trade purposes without having his name and address on the vehicle. P.s. Lawrence said an employee of defendant's was driving the cart into the Rugeley Smithfield. When charged defendant said he thought there was no necessity for his name to upon it, as it was to be sold at the sale.
Wolverhampton Chronicle and Staffordshire Advertiser - 26 August 1835
Fatal Fight.—On the 19th instant, an inquest was held at Uttoxeter, on John Grundy, whose death was attended with very lamentable circumstances. Monday morning he was married, and the wedding, with another which took place at the same time, was kept during the day at different public houses. In the evening several battles were fought in Smithy Lane and in a field near, and amongst others Grundy and a man named John Neald fought a considerable time, both being intoxicated; Grundy was carried off the ground insensible, and died in the course of the night. The Jury returned a verdict of manslaughter against John Neald, who was committed for trial at the next assizes.
I put the story on about Alfred Neald from the 1930s to highlite the timescale, going into the 1900s it may be that certain people with the same name do not connect, i find as much as i can and then read through the story's, by doing this you may cross reference the content, sometimes then the story's link up not through two story's but several that each on their own are singular in content and could be overlooked, when several story's are combined a bigger picture starts to emerge.
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Uttoxeter Advertiser and Ashbourne Times - 24 July 1907
A sad tragedy was enacted in Smithfieldroad, Uttoxeter, on Friday night, when a man named George Follows cut his throat with a razor, and died on the following afternoon. On Sunday morning the man's mother-in-law, well-known locally by the sobriquet" Black Bess," attributed to her in consequence of her gipsy-like appearance, was dead in bed. Her death was due to senile decay. Much speculation has been rife as to the old woman's age, she generally having been regarded for a number of years as a centenarian. What her age was it is impossible to state, but thet she was old was apparent from her wrinkled features and her worn physical bearing. She was the eldest of a family of sixteen, the youngest but one of whom is still hale and hearty, although he has just turned seventy years of age. Black Bess" used to pride herself on her gipsy antecedents. She was the mother of sixteen children. Her funeral will take place to-morrow afternoon.
Burton Chronicle - Thursday 18 February 1892
extract
A CHILD BURNED TO DEATH.—Particulars have been reported to the police of the death from burns,. on Tuesday efternoon, of Sarah Neild, aged two years; the child of parents residing in Chapel Gardens. It appear' that the mother went out on an errand and left the deceased in the care of Elizabeth Bloor, a relative, who lives in the Smithfield Road. The child managed to get near the fire unobserved, and its clothing becoming Ignited, it was severely burned about various parts of the body. Mr. Summers assistand to Dr, Bamford, was called in, but the infant expired at mid-day on Wednesday. An inquest will be held by Mr. Coroner Flint today (Thoredity).
Burton Chronicle - Thursday 25 February 1892
uttoxeter
Monday Mr. Croner Flint held a inquest in his office on the body of Sarah Neald, aged two who met her death by burns, On the date stated the child was left in the home of its grandmother, Mrs. Bloor, who lives in the Smithfield Road. Mrs. Bloor had to go on some erand in Balance Street, and accordingly left the child in the charge of her daughter, Elizabeth Bloor, aged fourteen. Elizabeth seems to have gone in her mother's absence to fetch a bucket of water from the street pump, and there stayed with some girles sliding. on returning to home she was terrified to find the child whereby its clothes had been ignited…. The Dr. attended to the little one's injuries. It, however, died in few hours later… A verdict to that effect was returned.
On this web site below it tells of Smithfield road once being Smithfield Lane
https://thepoorlaw.org/author/alannah-tomkins/page/2/
now look at this article i came across.
Staffordshire Advertiser - Saturday 22 December 1866
Drunk and Riotous. Three dwellers in Smithy-lane or Smithfield-road, named John Hodgkinson, James Blore, sen., and James Blore, jun., were each fined, each and with the alternative of seven days’ imprisonment, for drunkenness and riotous conduct on the night of the 12th inst..........;
so you see through this article above the names of Smithfield Lane and Smithfield Road were coliding in at least 1866, the familys like the Neilds Hodgkins/ons and Bloors are all related down through the years, theres more names to come soon to, who are they, well they are a fine peoples in a fine market town being wrote about in this day by people who respect them, no doubt the black blood runs through them all, to what amount well who am i to talk of such things, and what is the history of these times i do not know, but i suppose this is the story of the Gipsies of England and the English peoples of this land we call our home, so now long may their story be told by people who try to tell the true story, Elik told of the one drop, He said one drop is anough, respect to Elik . r.i.p and respect to all the peoples i write of. There is much more to come ......
Thanks for the info . I love reading these kinds of things and find them absolutely fascinating. Am I right in assuming Elizabeth Blore as mentioned above was "Black Bess" , the grand mother of the child Sarah Neild ?
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i think you have to work through what you have got, to be truthfull on most records there will be a good load of lies but the thing with the police, well they are trained diggers, they get better as their yeares go on and train their knowledge to their own, the census people and church record people just shrug their shoulders and write a name down as in their own way of spelling, i was talking to a priest once from Ireland and he was telling me why that down through several generations of a family the way a name can be spelt changed, he told of the old priests from those times and how each one of them may have been educated in spelling slightly different from each other, plus the person telling you a name may say it in a way that effects the written translation, there are several reasons, the police court people got to know family's through generations and could tell other police station from York to London things of interest, you will find far more truth in the courts than the other records, you may find a Neild in Uttoxeter in the 1900s that may not link up to Nields from the 1800s, this could be true, yet i have come to understand that it only takes a generation or so for family truths to be forgotten, family's may sometimes drift apart, in the times that follow connections are lost and members of distant relatives then just become someone with a name like the ones you are looking for, plus other names join for whatever reason, combine this with the false information that maybe contained for what ever reason in other records and a perfect storm is high on the horizon, so in answer to your question about whether Elizabeth is the Grandmother to Sarah, well i do not know, i just collect as much as i can and cross-refferance such information, real researcher then go on to combine census reports and parish records, these are the real deal historians of facts, i am just me enjoying the moment, sometimes i stumble on to things and people write to me and say thankyou, but to be truthfull offten the story's just find me, i don't evan know what I'm doing, the education of this learning as helped me understand the bigger picture of life and how life is so short in one lifetime is only a lifetime, the moment should be cherished the past should be respected and learned from, the future, well what of the future we all have that in our own hands, some let it go some are very unlucky, some have the greatest of luck to, best not to think to much just Cherish the moment for the story's i have come to read and learn from show me that no matter how sad or great a persons life is well its all over in a flicker as generations just come and go and overlap each other, its best to be happy i would say and try hard not to judge people to much, to make allowance's for yourself and others is a ritch trait that when found leads you on a newborn road of self discovery, i will put more on soon to try and help anyone who reads these writings, its up to them then to go through the process then of the cross-refferance times, i just like to know of everything thoe, Uttoxeter the Market Town and all the peoples are in the links i put up, read them and find new links, then you mind will have a far scope in knowledge, its enjoyable to, you do not have to be right as a researcher, for evan when facts are not joined they will still be facts you can never be wrong or bad by trying, a good strong high class researcher would understand this, i will put some more story's up soon, remember just log on to the Newspaper Archives, there are people on that web site who will answer any questions and help you in a nice friendly way, you can find photos and they will help you get a clean copy for your own collection, it only costs a few pound to join and if you are a person trying to get on the ladder of researching well the first stop should be the Newspaper Archives, then with the knowedge of story's join then Ancestry and find the records they possess, i found a new photo of one of the Hollands or Sherriffs or Hodkin-sons, i forgot which one now but when i go back through my finding i will put it up, i found lots of photos of Gipsy's down the yeares i have put lots on on here, i must keep doing this for everyone loves a photo.
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MeirSoul, i found these to show you how the name of Smithfield Lane can be known by several names, you can also see how the Neilds, Bloors, Hodginksons, Udals and more familys all link up.
Uttoxeter Advertiser and Ashbourne Times - 16 September 1914
UTTOXETER PETTY SESSIONS. Wedricsday.—Before Captain Dawson (in the chair), Colonel B. C. P. Heywood, Mr. J. Spencer, and Mr. W. S. Bagshaw. Celebrating His Sons' Enlistment. Henry Bloor, dealer, Uttoxeter, charged with being drunk and disorderly conduct at Uttoxeter on August 31. He pleaded guilty.—P.S. Sault deposed to seeing defendant in Smithfield,road at 1.10 p.m. He was very troublesome and causing a crowd of people to assemble, and witness took the man home.—Supt. Hodkinson said defendant had sent five of his sons to the front on this date, and perhaps there was some excuse for his behaviour.—He was fined. including costs Thomas Bloor, labourer, Uttoxeter, pleaded guilty to a similar offence on September 3.—P.S. Sault stated the facts, and defendant was fined.
Uttoxeter Advertiser and Ashbourne Times - 04 January 1911
THE VIOLENT UTTOXETER MAN. TORE A POLICEMAN'S TUNIC. Arthur Nield, labourer, Uttoxeter, was charged at Uttoxeter 'Police Court on Wednesday with being drunk and disorderly at Uttoxeter the previous evening. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. P.C. Meredith stated that at 11.30 he was on duty at the bottom of Smithfieldroad, when he had occasion to speak to Nield about his disorderly behaviour. The officer asked him to go home, and he refused. Efforts were made to get him home, but he used very bad language to the policeman, threatening to "do him in." Witness said he would lock him up if he did not go home ' and prisoner turned and spat in his face. Witness then arrested him, and during the struggle he ripped the officers' tunic. He was so violent that witness had to obtain assistantce before he could get him to the police-station. Prisoner was locked up with much difficulty, and he continued his violent behaviour until he was put in the cell. There was no doubt that prisoner was "mad drunk," and his language was of a moat filthy description. P.C. Foster said he was present when the prisoner was brought to the station. He was very violent., and used bad language. P.S. Smedley also spoke to seeing P.C. Meredith's tunic damaged. Witness saw prisoner in the cell, and there was no doubt as to his condition. Prisoner, sworn, alleged that he was struck by the constable at the policestation. He denied being drunk or using bad language. Ernest Statham gave evidence on behalf of Nield. Prissoner was sentenced to 14 days' hard labour without the option of a fine.
Uttoxeter Advertiser and Ashbourne Times - 26 January 1910
DEATHS. HODGKINSON.—January 21, at Smithfield-road, Uttoxeter, John Hodgkinson, aged 68.
Staffordshire Sentinel - Saturday 28 November 1908
WOMAN'S LEAP INTO THE RIVER DOVE. On Monday afternon a woman, named Mary Nield, wife of Alfred Nield, a labourer, residing at Smithfleld-road, Uttozeter. is alleged to have jumped off the parapet of Dove Bridge, Uttoxeter. The occurrence, it is stated, was witnessed by three men named John Tidal., Henry Bond, and John Crutchley. The three men were going towards the bridge from the Derbyshire side, when they saw Mrs. Nield coming towards the bridge from the direction of Uttoxeter. When she got to the bridge, it is stated. she mounted the parapet and jumped into the water. The men ran to the spot and saw the unfortunate woman sinking. As the river was in flood, and the current very strong, and as none of them were able to swim. they were unable to render any assistance to the woman, who was carried down stream.
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Uttoxeter Advertiser and Ashbourne Times - 03 June 1908
Game Trespass. Thomas Hodgkinson and George Weaver, both of Uttoxeter, were summoned for trespassing in search of game at Bromley Park on May 17. Mr. S. Watson. Stafford, defended.—Defendants pleaded not guilty. Sampson Walkerdine said that on the day in question he was assisting the gamekeeper on Mr. Clement Cotterill's land at Marlpit-lane, Abbots Bromley. He saw a greyhound dog in a field, so he watched. Presently, he saw the two come up the lane. They were beating the hedge. Witness saw the dog put a pheasant and start off several rabbits. Witness went to the defendant., and when be spoke to Hodgkinson the latter said the dog was only in the field for a drink of water……. the magistrates thought they ought to convict, and defendants were each fined 5s. and costs. The Alleged Highway Robbery: Four Months' Imprisonment, James Bloor and Arthur Hodgkinson, labourers, of Smithfield-lane, Uttoxeter, were again brought up on remand charged with highway robbery with violence at Uttoxeter on May16, and taking from John Charles Swain one cap, one felt hat, two pairs of socks, and one pair of braces, value Is. 6d.; and from Charles Knight half-a-sovereign and 2oz. of tobacco. Accused were defended by Mr. S. Watson, of Stafford, and pleaded not guilty…….. John Charles Swain, a Somersal labourer, was then called. He said he was with the last witness at the time of the alleged assault. He was "knocked on the head" and his parcel, containing wearing apparel, was taken from him. He did not know who took the parcel from him. On the following day he picked up a piece of string near the spot where he was attacked and handed it over to the police. By Mr. Watson: He did not look on his visit to Uttoxeter as a kind of outing; he went to do shopping. He called at seven public-houses. (Laughter.) ………… Witness, under severe cross-examination, first said it was dark, then he said it was " middlin' light," then it was moonlight (although he saw no moon), and after it wasn t dark." ………………Hodgkinson then said he wanted to tell him about the third man. Defendant said it was Horatio Bond, and he was lying drunk on the side of the road when the chaps came along. Mr. Watson asked the magistrates whether he was to defend the charge of highway robbery with violence, or whether they would reduce it to one of common assault. The magistrates retired to consider the case. On returning, the Chairman announced that the charges would he reduced to two cases of common assault, to which defendants pleaded not guilty. Defendant Hodgkinson went into the box. He said he was at his father's 'house in the Smithfield-road at ten o'clock on the night in question, and he met Bloor in Smithfield-road when he left. Bloor was going towards his home.. .…………. The Bench decided to convict, and sentenced prisoners to two months' hard labour in each case, the sentences to run consecutively. They will therefore each be imprisoned for four months, with hard labour.
Staffordshire Sentinel - 02 August 1913
UTTOXETER CYCLISTS FATAL Injuries, caused by a bicycle accident, near Uttoxeter, on Sunday, resulted in the death on Friday at the Derbyshire Infirmary of Percy John Nield, aged 36, son of Charles Thomas Nield, 125, Smithfield-road, Uttoxeter. The deceased, it appears, left home to ride to Ashbourne. Later. he was found badly injured four miles from Uttoxeter. At the inquest, ooened and adjourned until Thursday, at Derby, this (Saturday) morning, it was stated two men witnessed the accident, and the Coroner would like to hear from them.
26 September 1906
BAD LANGUAGE. Maria Lee, Smithfield-road, was summoned for using obscene language in the Smithfield-road on the 9th inst.— The facts were stated by William Henry Burton, a railway guard. Fined 10s., with 11s. 6d. oosts. Arthur Nield, of Uttoxeter, was fined 5s., with 8s. 6d. costs, for a like offence committed on the 9th inst.—P.C. Griggs proved the case. _ _ . Henry Blood, labourer, Uttoxeter, was mulcted in a like penalty for similar misconduct on the 8th September.—The facts were stated by P.C. Amsbury......
Burton Chronicle - 12 July 1906
—Jobs Blore, a boy of 12 years of age. living with his parents in the Smith field Road, Uttoveter. was charged with stealing a purce….. defendant bound over under the First Offender.' Acts in the sum of £lO to be of good behavior for twelve moons', and ordered to pay the coats amounting to £1.
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THE UTTOXETER ADVERTISER AND ASHBOURNE TIMES, MAY 29, 1901.
UTTOXETER PETTY SESSIONS. (Wednesday). Before Captain Dawson (Chairman) and C. W. Lyon, Esc's. OBSCENE LANGUAGE. Alfred Nield, High Street. was summoned for making use of obscene language outside his own premises on the 15th. Police-constable Crawshaw stated the facts, and defendant, who admitted the offence was let off on payment of costs. Jas and Mary Bloor, husband and wife, of the Smithfield Road, were summoned for using bad language in that thoroughfare on the 16th inst.—The cases being proved defendants were each fined. DRUNK IN CHARGE. Abraham Sherriff, a travelling gipsy.was summoned for being drunk whilst in charge of a brown mare attached to a van at Rocester on the 11th inst.--- defendant who did not appear, was fined… John Harrison, a farmer summoned for similar offence committed in the town on the 10th inst.. was. on the evidence of Police-constable Crawshaw. fined 5s., with 14s. 6d. costs. TRESPASSING AFTER RABBITS. Thos. Hodgkinson and Thos. smith, brickyard labourers, Uttoxeter. were charged with trespassing on land in the occupation of Win. Heath. at Loxlev, in search of rabbits on the 11th May. Hewlett, underkeeper to deposed to seeing the defendants, accompanied by two dogs, rabbiting on land near Loxley Green.--Defendants admitted being there, and were each fined 10s. with 6s. 9d. costs. .
Uttoxeter Advertiser and Ashbourne Times - 09 August 1899
UTTOXETER PETTY SESSIONS. WEDNESDAY. DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. Henry Bloor of Smithfield Road, was, on the facts being stated by P.C. Steele, fined for being drunk and disorderly in the town on the 26th ult.—Mary Bloor, Smithfield Road, who did not appear, was summoned by P.C. Crawshaw for being drunk and making use of of bad language in the Smithfield Road on the 26th ult., and was fined 10s. with 6s. 6d. costs--Summoned on a like charge Thomas Bloor, of the Smithfield Road, was fined —P.C. Wormsley proved the case. —Annie Follows, single woman, Smithfield Road, was summoned and fined………..
Uttoxeter Advertiser and Ashbourne Times - 08 March 1899
UTTOXETER PETTY SESSIONS. WEDNESDAY. DRUNK AND DISORDERLIES. —A similar charge against Jno. Udall, of the Smithfield Road, was dismissed ; whilst Stephen Udall, Jas. Blore, jun., and Hy. Blore, were fined 5s. with 6s. 6d. costs each for similar misconduct in the Smithfield Road, on the 18th ult.—Horatio Bond, labourer, was dealt with in a like manner for being drunk and disorderly on the 19th ult. Policc-constables Fisher and Kettle proved the cases.
Uttoxeter Advertiser and Ashbourne Times - 18 October 1899
UTTOXETER PETTY BESEIONS. WEDNESDAY. ADJOURNED. Elizabeth Thorley was summoned for using abusive language towards Stephen Udall, on the Smithfield Road, on the 27th September.— Complainant said defendant shouted to him about being a ticket-of leave man. - The case was adjourned for a month.
Uttoxeter Advertiser and Ashbourne Times - 29 November 1899
UTTOXETER PETTY SESSIONS. —Eliza Blore, Smithfield Road, was summoned for using obscene language in the thoroughfare where she lives on the 7th inst.—P.C. Fisher proved the case, and defendant was fined
Uttoxeter Advertiser and Ashbourne Times - 21 September 1898
UTTOXETER PETTY SESSIONS. WEDNESDAY. RIVAL BLACKBERRY GATHERERS. Margaret Udale, of the Smithfield Road, was summoned by Hannah Hodgkinson, of Pinfold Street, on the 5th inst., and in connection with the same case Hannah Hodgkinson was summoned for assaulting Sarah Ann Weaver, married daughter of the first-named defendant. The facts revealed that parties from the Smithfield Road and Pinfold Street had been blackberrying and met beyond Bramshall. On returning home, and when at Bramshall Bank, Hodgkinson alleged that a daughter of Mrs. Udale, said "Come on black Nan, I can do for you," and straightway set on to her. Mrs. Udale tried to separate them and struck complainant two or three times with a pewter measure—ln the case of Weaver against Hodgkinson, the latter admitted fighting but said Weaver struck her first, knocking her into the ditch.—The Bench bound both defendants over to keep the peace, and ordered each to pay Its. costs. DRUNK.—Charged with being drunk and disorderly in the town on the 7th inst., Thos. Blore, of Smithfield Road, was fined 9. with 5s. costs. BURGLARY IN PINYOLD STREET.—Arthur Salmon, a chimney sweep, of no fixed abode, was charged on remand with burglariously entering the dwelling house of John Hodgkinson, of Pinfold Street, on the 3rd instant, and stealing therefrom a pair of boots and a coat valued at 10s.—A daughter of the prosecuter deposed that the house door was left unlocked when she retired to rest. The boots were in front of the fire and the coat on the sofa.—Thos. Hodgkinson said he was passing his father's house about one o'clock the same night when he noticed a light, and saw a man in the house. The man, whom he did not recognise as the prisoner, said he wanted a bottle of herb beer. Witness ordered him out, and the man went down the street and jumped over the brook bridge.—Police-constable Crawshaw proved arresting the prisoner at Derby, where he was in custody on another charge. He had the stolen articles in his possession. Prisoner now admitted the theft, but denied that he was the man whom the witness saw in the house. The Bench committed him for trial at the sessions.
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Uttoxeter Advertiser and Ashbourne Times - 25 January 1899
UTTOXETER PETTY SESSIONS. WEDNESDAY. BAD LANGUAGE.—James Blore, of Smithfield Road, was charged by Police-constable Crawshaw with using bad language in the Smithfield Road on 7th inst. The defendant was fined… IN SEARCH OF RABBITS.—Thomas Smith, Richard Hodgkinson, and John Deakin, labourers, of Uttoxeter, were charged by William White, farmer, of Marchington, with trespassing in search of rabbits on January 1st.…….
Uttoxeter Advertiser and Ashbourne Times - 15 June 1898
UTTOXETER PETTY SESSIONS. WEDNESDAY. A DANGEROUS Dog.—Geo. Weaver, of the Smithfield Road, was summoned by the police for keeping a dangerous dog.—Geo. Wilne, son of the proprietor of the Smithfield Nurseries, said he was passing along the Smithfield Road on the 25th May, when Weaver's dog sprang at him. He was very nervous at dogs and always felt afraid when passing defendant's house. A few weeks previous the same dog flew at him.—Chas. Stones corroborated as to the 25th ult.—The Bench ordered defendant to keep the dog under proper control. The costs were remitted. ALLEGED THEFT OF A COAT AND VEST.—Henry Blore, labourer, Smithfield Road, was charged on remand with stealing a coat and waistcoat, value £1, the property of John Whitehurst, farmer, of Dilhorne, on the 29th May. Prosecutor said he called at the Union Inn about two o'clock, having with him a parcel containing a coat and waistcoat. Defendant was there and they had a drink together. After staying half-an-hour, they both left together, prosecutor taking with him half-a-pint of whisky and the parcel. They walked for about half- a-mile along the New Road, when they turned into a field, and both fell asleep. Upon waking up prosecutor saw defendant going off with his parcel. He shouted to him but he took no heed. After half 'an. hour he left his resting place and went in the direction of Beamhurst, where he accosted defendant with the parcel.—The case was dismissed.
Uttoxeter Advertiser and Ashbourne Times - 16 November 1898
UTTOXETER PETTY SESSIONS. WEDNESDAY. BREAKING HIS REGOGNIZANCE.—Hy. Blore, of the Smithfield Road, was charged with having broken his recognizance entered into on the 27th April this year —Mr. Sampson. assistant magistrates' clerk, proved that on the date named Blore was bound over to keep the peace, and that on the 28th September he was convicted for an assault on the police and sent to prison for a month.—The Bench reduced the bond to £1. and allowed defendant time in which to pay the amount and the costs.
Uttoxeter Advertiser and Ashbourne Times - 19 October 1898
UTTOXETER PETTY SESSIONS. WEDNESDAY.
ASSAULTING A POLICSI/AN.—Mary Blore, of the Smithfield Road, was charged with assaulting Police.coastable Steele whilst in the execution of his duty on the 26th ult.—The officer stated that whilst arresting defendant's Son, he was much resisted by the whole family, and Mrs. Blore struck him in the face and tried to liberate her son.— Defendant also scratched and dug her finger nails in his hands.—The Chairman pointed out there were 28 previous convictions against defendant and imposed a fine DRUNKINNESS.—Hy. Blore, Smithfield Road, was charged with being drunk in the refreshment tent at the sports, on the 26th ult.—Police-constable Steele proved the case, and defendant was fined….
Uttoxeter Advertiser and Ashbourne Times - 07 April 1897
UTTOXETER PETTY SESSIONS. WEDNESDAY. REFUSING TO QUIT. —George Bloor, labourer, Abbots Bromley, was summoned for refusing to quit the licensed premises of the Ash Tree Inn when requested to do so on the 17th March—He pleaded guilty and fined—He was further charged with having used obscene language outside Bromley post office on the same date. Mr. L Myatt proved this offence, and defendant was mulcted in a fine of 5s. and 12d. Thos. Blore, of the Smithfield Road, Uttoxeter, was charged with furiously driving a horse and cart on the Bramshall Road On the 5th March.—On the evidence of Police-constable Kettle, defendant was fined 24. 6d. and 6d.
Uttoxeter Advertiser and Ashbourne Times - 13 January 1897
UTTOXETER . _ PETTY . SESSIONS, WISDNIISDAY. BREAKING DOWN FENCERS.—Ernest Udale, a lad, of the Smithfield Road, was summoned by George Pattinson, of the Wellington Inn for breaking down fences and doing damage to the exstent of 5s., on the Ist inst., upon land occupied by complainant near the town.—Defendant was fined and ordered to pay the amount for the damage.
Uttoxeter Advertiser and Ashbourne Times - Wednesday 17 June 1896
SPECIAL POLICE COURT. (MONDAY). Before S. B. BANFORD. Esq. John Nield, of Smithfield Road, Uttoxeter, was charged by the police with being drunk and disordedy on Saturday. P.c. W. E. Smith said that about 10-30 p.m on Saturday evening, the prisoner who was drunk, was making use of very bad language, and threatening to fight a number of people who had collected round. When he took him into custody the prisoner became very violent, and bit his, the (policeman's) hand. A fine of 15s. with 4s. costs Were imposed.
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Uttoxeter Advertiser and Ashbourne Times - 09 September 1896
UTTOXETER PETTY SESSIONS. WEDNESDAY. AN ASSAULT WITH STONES—Chas.Hy. Plant, of the Smithfield Road, was summoned for assaulting Wm. Harvey. of Stramshall, on the 12th ultimo ; and was further charged with throwing stones. Complainant said, Plant, on the Stramshall Road, had got hold of a horse's head in the charge of a Mrs. Manifold, and he (complainant) toId him to leave the horse alone. At this defendant became excited, and picking up a stone threw it with some force at complainant, striking him on the chest. A witness named Clement Wood corroborated. — Chas. Manifold said, Plant, at the same time threw stones at him without any provocation whatever.— Defendant was fined 10s. in respect to each case and 22s. coststs. STEALING MUSHROOMS. —The same defendant along with Hy. Bloor, Jno. Nield, and Jas. Bloor, was charged with stealing mushrooms from land in the occupation of Hy. Winnington, on the afternoon of the 19th ult.—Hy. Bloor proved he had an alibi, and was discharged.—Plant and James Bloor were each fined l0s. 6d. and 6s. costs, and Neild who did not appear, was fined £1. and costs.—The case against :Stephen Udall, sen., who was similarly summoned, was dismissed.
Uttoxeter Advertiser and Ashbourne Times - 21 October 1896
OBSCENE LANGUAGE. -- Jas Bloor, junr, , and Mary Bloor, of Uttoxeter, were summoned for useing obscene language — Police.constable Westwood proved the cases, and a fine was inflicted. —Elizabeth Bloor, of the Smithfield Road, was summoned by Margaret Udall for breaking two panes of glass and doing damage to the extent of 2s. on the 30th Sept.— The case being proved, defendant was tined 2s. 6d. and 6s. costs and ordered to pay the damage.
Rhyl Record and Advertiser - 15 June 1895
CHARGE OF MANSLAUGHTER. An inquest was held at the Town Hall, Uttoxeter, before Mr. J. B. Cull (deputy coroner)—on the body of Josiah Brassington (30), Bradley Street, Uttoxeter, whose death is alleged to have been caused by a man named Stephen Udale, jun., who is in custody. The evidence was to the effect that on the 29th ult. Brassington was going down Smithfield Road, where - Udale resides, and he called at Udale's house and asked for a match. Thereupon, it is alleged, Udale, who was the worse for drink, ran out and deliberately kicked Brassington at the bottom of the stomach, to which injuries the later succumbed. It was stated that there was no quarrel between the parties. Mr. T. S. Wilkins appeared for Udale, who had denied having kicked Brassington. He said he merely gave him a push ' and told him to '' hook it.' Dr. Wood stated that death was the result of a blow or kick ; and Dr. T. Bomford, who had made a post-mortem examination, showed that death resulted from injuries received from a blow or kick at the bottom of the stomach. The jury, after hearing the evidence, returned a verdict of manslaughter against Stephen Udale, Jun.
Burton Chronicle - 26 February 1891
UTTOXETER. A WARNING TO HEATH CUTTERS— Stephen Udall, sen., Smithfield Road, Uttexter, was charged with stealing shrubs, value ls., growing on Mr.Marlow's land, near Rugeley, on January 30th. Frederick Revere, gamekeeper to Mr.J.P.Gardner, saw the defendant cutting the heath on Mr. Marlow's land, carrying it on to the road, and there making it into bessoms he was fined 1s. and costs.
Nottingham Evening Post - Monday 05 November 1888
FATAL QUARREL AT UTTOXETER. Last Saturday evening a man named Thomas Hudson, bricklayer's labourer, received such injuries in a fight as caused his death a few hours afterwards. The deceased had been drinking at the Albion Inn, in company with Stephen Udale, jun., a son of the people with whom deceased lodged, and on going home after closing time a quarrel arose between them, when some blows were exchanged. The quarrel appears to have been renewed in Udale's house, and 11.30 the police were sent for to turn Udale out, he having been abusive to his parents, but the officers did not see Hudson, as he had been put to bed. His condition, however, grew alarming soon afterwards, Dr. C. Bamford was sent for, and it was found that he had received a severe fracture of the ribs, with injuries to the lungs and diaphragm. The deceased swelled very much all over his body, and died soon after four o'clock Sunday morning. Udale was arrested at the honse of his aunt in Pinfold-street, and acknowledged having struck Hudson as they were going home, and also when in the house, but said that it was not he who commenced the quarrel.
ps…..John Hodgkinson was a half brother to Thomas Hudson
Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal - 12 September 1884
UTTOXETER. POLICE COURT, Wednesday, Sept. 3. T. Assaulting a Woman,— Job Nield, Uttoxeter, hawker, was charged with having assaulted Elizabeth Blore, of the same place on the 29th ult , by striking her —lt seems the parties are neighbours, and live on Smithfield-road, and on the day in question a quarrel arose between them, and blows were struck on both sides.—Defendant said he should not have hit complainant had she not struck him on the nose with a poker. -Nield was bound over to keep the peace for six months, in the sum of £10
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Burton Chronicle - 24 February 1881
UTTOXETER. PETTY SESSIONS A BATCH of DRUNKARDS. Job. Nield, of Uttoxeter. was charged by Sergt. White with being drunk and riotous on the Smithfield Road, on the 10th inst., and was fined 10s. and costs……………...
Derby Mercury - 26 May 1880
UTTOXETER PETTY SLESS10NS, Wednesday. DRUNK AND RIOTOUS.-Job Nield of Uttoxeter, hawker, was charged by Police-constable Tack with having been drunk and riotous in Smithfield-road, Uttoxeter on 1st of May, and was fined 10s. and 11s. 6d. costs.
Burton Chronicle - 22 August 1878
UTTOXETER. CHURCH OF ENGLAND TEMPERANCE SOCIETY.— On Thursday the members of the Uttoxeter branch of the above society celebrated their anniversary by a tea meeting in the Town Hall, at which a large number of members and friends were present. Subsequently the party adjourned to the Smithfield and engaged in various games, dancing being indulged in to the strains of a quadrille band. At half past eight the annual public meeting was held in the hall, presided over by the Reg. H. Abud. Mr. J. Wood announced that the Uttoxeter branch was now in a most prosperous condition. Addresses were afterwards given by Miss Wood, of Atheretone, and Mr. Jonathan Smith, of the British Temperance League.
Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal - 15 September 1871
Thomas Neild, labourer, Uttoxeter, was summoned by police-constable Morson, for being drunk and riotous in Smithfield-road, on the 4th inst.—Defendant was fined 10s. and costs
Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal - 13 October 1871
Thomas Neald and Elizabeth Bloor, of Smithfield-road, Uttoxeter, were summoned for being drunk and riotous, at Uttoxeter, on September 23rd.—Neald was sent to gaol for seven days without the option of a fine ; Bloor was fined 5s. and costs
Derby Mercury - 07 July 1869
UTTOXETERPETTY SESSIONS, Wednesday. Eli Mitchell and Thomas Nield, residents of Smithy-lane, Uttoxeter, were bound over in their own recognizances for
Burton Chronicle - 07 March 1867
PETTY SESSIONS, Wed. Feb. 27th. Job Nield and John Brough. of Uttoxeter, fruit dealers, were charged with riotous and disorderly conduct on the Smithfield road, Utoxeter on the 22nd ultimo. The case was adjourned for a week.
Staffordshire Advertiser - 11 May 1867
BURTON. — (Before C. W. Lyon. W. Worthington, and R. S. Tomlinson, Esqrs.) Important Cattle Plague Case. William Bassett and Frederick Blewitt, two youths, were summoned to answer a charge of having offended against the Cattle Plague Orders by driving cattle along the highway between sunset and sunrise. UTTOXETER —Wednesday. Job Nield was fined for being drunk and riotous February last, since which he had absconded; and John Goldstraw, for a similar offence, was fined 5s. and costs.
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Staffordshire Advertiser - 04 August 1866
SMITHFIELD, UTTOXETER. MR. ALLIN’S next SALE of SHEEP, PIGS, HORSES, will take place on Wednesday, August 8th, 1866. In the above SMITHFIELD. All stock to be in the Smithfield not later than nine o’clock. Sale to commence at ten o’clock.
Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal - 25 August 1865
UTTOXETER. The Cattle Plague.— The apprehensions concerning the cattle plague, although, happily, no case is reported anywhere in this neighbourhood, occasioned public a meeting at the Town Hall on Wednesday. The principle object of the meeting was to ascertain whether there was any disposition amongst the landowners tenant farmmrs to form themselves into an association for their mutual insurrance against the plague…it was acknowledged that no case of the cattle plague was known in the neighbourhood, though it was thought by some in the meeting that if a cow happened to get bad people would be sure to call it the plague, and create a false alarm….. Petty Sessions. Emma Neild for an assault on Ann Neild, was fined Is. and 10s. 6d. costs. —The Bench was occupied a long time in hearing this case, which it appears occurred in a row of houses on Smithfield road...
Burton Chronicle - 13 1873
Uttoxeter
PETTY SESSIONS, Wednesday, Feb. 5. Thomas Nield, hawker, Smithfield Road, Uttoxeter, was fined 5s. and costs for allowing his horse and cart to be on the highway a longer time than was necessary.
i put this one on below so people can see how some of the houses were built
Staffordshire Advertiser - 29 September 1855
Uttoxeter. On Wednesday last fire broke out in the roof of small house in Smithy-lane, which ultimately reached several adjoining houses, and destroyed the thatch and timbers of three of them. The fire engine of the parish checked the flames in short time; and, fortunately, the poor inmates were enabled to get away their furniture, &c., with very little injury.
Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal - 01 August 1856
UTTOXETER Thunder Storm. —On Thursday afternoon A very Violent thunderstorm passed over this neighbourhood, and the west side of the town, the electric fluid shot down with a fearful crash, striking those with alarm who beheld it, but no damage was done. A much more violent storm passed over the Potteries on the same day, attended with large hailstones, and which caused much injury to glass windows. Petty Sessions, Sarah Nield was fined 5s. and costs for being drunk and disorderly, at Uttoxcter, on the 17th inst Emma Nield was ordered to pay costs for fighting with Sarah Nield, her motherin-law, at Smith field-lane, on tho 17 th inst.... .
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Burton Chronicle - 20 September 1866
Uttoxeter.Petty Sessions.
Mary Hodgkins was charged with assaulting Rachael Nield, in Smithfield Road, Uttoxeter, on the 13th inst., and was fined 3s., and costs; in default, fourteen days imprisonment. Job Nield, Uttoxeter, fruiterer, was fined 10s., and costs 9s. 6d., for drunk and riotous conduct in Smithfield Road, Uttoxeter, on the 12th instant.
Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal - 27 July 1860
UTTOXETER. During the prevalence of a very severe thunder storm on Thursday night. considerable damage was done both the electric fluid and hail. At Blythefleld, a cow belonging to Lord Blagot was killed, and one also belonging Mr. Smith, of Admanston. The vineries of B. Horsfall, Esq., M.P., Bellamour Hall, were likewise much injured. Petty Sessions, Drunkiness. —John Hewson, of the Smithyfield Inn, was charged by Inspector Crisp with allowing a number of Irishmen to become drunk in his house on the night of Sunday, the 15th inst.—lt appeared from the evidence of the Police that the defendant supplied a number of the above class with ale libitum until the party became drunk, and, a natural consequence—characteristic, of this class of customers—quite ungovernable, ending in a violent affray with the police, which several them were injured—fined 20s. and 10s. 6d. costs.... Fanny Bond charged Arthur Neild with indecent assault. Uttoxoter Heath— The case to say the least, was one of a disgraceful nature, and was fully proved—A fine of 10s. and 12s. 6d. costs inflicted.
Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal - 06 January 1860
UTTOXETER. Assault.—Two married women, named Lacy Hill and Emma Neild. were summoned for assault upon Ann Nied, also a married woman. The trio reside in Smithylane, or Smithfield-road, Uttoxeter. The evidence of the complainant was corroborated by several witnesses. It appeared that the offence was committed in one of the rows to which the neighbourhood wherein the parties live has from time immemorial been subject. The bench inflicted a fine of 2s. 6d. each, and 9s. 3d. expenses, to be paid in a week, or in default fourteen days’ imprisonment, and recommended the whole of the “happy family” to endeavour to live more peacably with each other. - the hint appeared to be thrown away, however, for the defendants went so far as to say that they would prefer the incarceration to paying within the week.
Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal - 08 October 1858
UTTOXETER PETTY SESSIONS, Oct. 6. John Hallam, grinder, of Sheffield, was committed to prison for four months, for stabbing his wife, in Smillifield-road.
Staffordshire Advertiser - 09 September 1848
Thomas and William Neild, two lads from Smithy-lane, Uttoxeter, were charged by Lord Bagots keeper with using a dog for killing game, and not having a certificate for such. The Magistrates dismissed the case considering the evidence not sufficient to convict upon.
Staffordshire Advertiser - 16 October 1847
UTTOXETER PETTY SESSIONS. Wednesday, Oct. 6. Before J. Bott and U. Clay, Esqrs. Thomas Neald, Joseph Bloor, and William Wardle, all of Smithy Lane, Uttoxeter, besom makers, were charged by Charles Apted, landlord of the White Lion public house, with an assault, by striking him with a poker, and otherwise ill-treating him. Defendants pleaded drunkenness as an excuse, and said they did not know what they did. Fined 5s. each, which, together with the costs, was paid. Thomas Neald was again charged with assaulting Mr. James Walters, at the races, and tearing his coat. This case was compromised by consent of the bench. Thomas Neald was then brought up under a peace warrant, but owing to the large amount of business to be disposed of, entered into a recognizance of £1O to appear next Wednesday.
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now re-read these two posts that i have already put on, see how they are known in the first post as.... "Come on black Nan, I can do for you," and in the other post.... well-known locally by the sobriquet" Black Bess," there ia always guiding clues in most of the storys
Uttoxeter Advertiser and Ashbourne Times - 21 September 1898
UTTOXETER PETTY SESSIONS. WEDNESDAY. RIVAL BLACKBERRY GATHERERS. Margaret Udale, of the Smithfield Road, was summoned by Hannah Hodgkinson, of Pinfold Street, on the 5th inst., and in connection with the same case Hannah Hodgkinson was summoned for assaulting Sarah Ann Weaver, married daughter of the first-named defendant. The facts revealed that parties from the Smithfield Road and Pinfold Street had been blackberrying and met beyond Bramshall. On returning home, and when at Bramshall Bank, Hodgkinson alleged that a daughter of Mrs. Udale, said "Come on black Nan, I can do for you," and straightway set on to her. Mrs. Udale tried to separate them and struck complainant two or three times with a pewter measure—ln the case of Weaver against Hodgkinson, the latter admitted fighting but said Weaver struck her first, knocking her into the ditch.—The Bench bound both defendants over to keep the peace, and ordered each to pay Its. costs. DRUNK.—Charged with being drunk and disorderly in the town on the 7th inst., Thos. Blore, of Smithfield Road, was fined 9. with 5s. costs. BURGLARY IN PINYOLD STREET.—Arthur Salmon, a chimney sweep, of no fixed abode, was charged on remand with burglariously entering the dwelling house of John Hodgkinson, of Pinfold Street, on the 3rd instant, and stealing therefrom a pair of boots and a coat valued at 10s.—A daughter of the prosecuter deposed that the house door was left unlocked when she retired to rest. The boots were in front of the fire and the coat on the sofa.—Thos. Hodgkinson said he was passing his father's house about one o'clock the same night when he noticed a light, and saw a man in the house. The man, whom he did not recognise as the prisoner, said he wanted a bottle of herb beer. Witness ordered him out, and the man went down the street and jumped over the brook bridge.—Police-constable Crawshaw proved arresting the prisoner at Derby, where he was in custody on another charge. He had the stolen articles in his possession. Prisoner now admitted the theft, but denied that he was the man whom the witness saw in the house. The Bench committed him for trial at the sessions.
Uttoxeter Advertiser and Ashbourne Times - 24 July 1907
A sad tragedy was enacted in Smithfield road, Uttoxeter, on Friday night, when a man named George Follows cut his throat with a razor, and died on the following afternoon. On Sunday morning the man's mother-in-law, well-known locally by the sobriquet" Black Bess," attributed to her in consequence of her gipsy-like appearance, was dead in bed. Her death was due to senile decay. Much speculation has been rife as to the old woman's age, she generally having been regarded for a number of years as a centenarian. What her age was it is impossible to state, but she was old it was apparent from her wrinkled features and her worn physical bearing. She was the eldest of a family of sixteen, the youngest but one of whom is still hale and hearty, although he has just turned seventy years of age. Black Bess" used to pride herself on her gipsy antecedents. She was the mother of sixteen children. Her funeral will take place to-morrow afternoon.
i have found more interesting clues i will put them on another day
re-read this post below to understand more of the name of Smithfield and the goings on
Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal - 06 January 1860
UTTOXETER. Assault.—Two married women, named Lacy Hill and Emma Neild. were summoned for assault upon Ann Nied, also a married woman. The trio reside in Smithylane, or Smithfield-road, Uttoxeter. The evidence of the complainant was corroborated by several witnesses. It appeared that the offence was committed in one of the rows to which the neighbourhood wherein the parties live has from time immemorial been subject. The bench inflicted a fine of 2s. 6d. each, and 9s. 3d. expenses, to be paid in a week, or in default fourteen days’ imprisonment, and recommended the whole of the “happy family” to endeavour to live more peacably with each other. - the hint appeared to be thrown away, however, for the defendants went so far as to say that they would prefer the incarceration to paying within the week.
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Wow - what a lot of terrific work, panished - wonderful. I spend a lot of time searching the newspapers for these stories too, it adds so much life to our lost relatives ... You could say a bad thing about having Gypsy ancestors is that they appeared in the papers a lot. But you can also say a good thing about having Gypsy ancestors is that they appeared in the papers a lot!
Black Bess (aka Brown Bess) is, I think, Elizabeth Hodgkins, daughter of Richard Hodgkins and Kezia Lovell. She was baptised in 1819 as Elizabeth Lovatt and married James Bloor in Rugeley in 1849. Her son, James Bloor (1844), was the father of Ann Bloor (aka Flattely?, 1868) who married John Nield (son of Job) in 1886, and they were the parents of Sarah Nield, d.1892. Some of this needs a bit more confirming, but that's where I was with it a year or so ago the last time I looked :-)
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Thank you Garen, what you talk of brings all the story's together, there must be several links, thank you very much for telling of what you know, if you know anything else would you put it on, i have found lots more to, i like to make things interesting for people who look for these things, i like to learn of everything and think that others would find the way my mind works interesting to, i will put more story's on soon.
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I'm fascinated by the family of Richard Hodgkins and Kezia Lovell - but sometimes the connections get so overwhelming I have to leave them and come back later - and then get lost in the tangles again!
Kezia was the daughter of Henry Lovell and Margaret, Henry probably a relative of Major and Daniel Lovell, gyspsies of Oxfordshire, Lincolnshire and Rutland. She married Richard Hodgkins in Wolverhampton in 1824 (though there is also a Cannock Banns in 1817). Her sister, Kerrenhappuch Lovell married James Hodgkiss in Brewood in 1819, and a couple of their children married the children of William & Mary Hodgkinson of Cheslyn Hay, and the connections go on further from there.
Back to Kezia ... their first (known) daughter, Elizabeth (later Blore), I think was 'Brown Bess' (d. 1907). Next came Sarah Lovett who married Thomas Hodgkiss in 1840 - he the son of Edward Hodgkiss and Sarah Bradley of Wolverhampton (a lot of further interesting connections there too).
The next child, Richard Hodgkiss, lodged with his sister Elizabeth (Bess) later in life and died at Short Street, Uttoxeter in 1906. He was for some time married to Jane Smith/Hodgkiss and you'll find him, I think, encamped in a caravan at Penkridge in 1871, with his brother Thomas (who also lived with and later married a (different) Jane Smith).
Daughter Kerrenhappuch died an infant, and Caroline and Mary Ann I don't know much about. Priscilla Hodgkiss (1833) had several children, possibly with a Joseph Collins (and/or others) - but maybe not ... She died in Wolverhampton in 1905.
Diana (1837) married John Hall in 1892 (after having children from 1855 on), and he was the son of John Hall and Diana Hodgkiss - this Diana being another child to Edward and Sarah of Wolverhampton.
Then we have John Hodgkinson (who I think was aka 'Jack Grapes') who married Mary Udale - and she was the sister of Stephen Udale who married Margaret Hodgkins, the last child of Richard and Kezia. Stephen and Margaret had a son, also Stephen, who killed Thomas Hudson in a drunken fight in 1888. This Thomas Hudson (aka 'Booker') was the son of Selina Hudson, who would later marry John Hodgkinson (son of Edward Hodgkinson and Sarah Mayer ... I won't get started on the Mayers here ...).
Richard Hodgkins (possibly son of Isaac, tbc) died in Uttoxeter in 1863, and his wife Kezia died there in 1871.
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I'm fascinated by the family of Richard Hodgkins and Kezia Lovell - but sometimes the connections get so overwhelming I have to leave them and come back later - and then get lost in the tangles again!
Kezia was the daughter of Henry Lovell and Margaret, Henry probably a relative of Major and Daniel Lovell, gyspsies of Oxfordshire, Lincolnshire and Rutland. She married Richard Hodgkins in Wolverhampton in 1824 (though there is also a Cannock Banns in 1817). Her sister, Kerrenhappuch Lovell married James Hodgkiss in Brewood in 1819, and a couple of their children married the children of William & Mary Hodgkinson of Cheslyn Hay, and the connections go on further from there.
Back to Kezia ... their first (known) daughter, Elizabeth (later Blore), I think was 'Brown Bess' (d. 1907). Next came Sarah Lovett who married Thomas Hodgkiss in 1840 - he the son of Edward Hodgkiss and Sarah Bradley of Wolverhampton (a lot of further interesting connections there too).
The next child, Richard Hodgkiss, lodged with his sister Elizabeth (Bess) later in life and died at Short Street, Uttoxeter in 1906. He was for some time married to Jane Smith/Hodgkiss and you'll find him, I think, encamped in a caravan at Penkridge in 1871, with his brother Thomas (who also lived with and later married a (different) Jane Smith).
Daughter Kerrenhappuch died an infant, and Caroline and Mary Ann I don't know much about. Priscilla Hodgkiss (1833) had several children, possibly with a Joseph Collins (and/or others) - but maybe not ... She died in Wolverhampton in 1905.
Diana (1837) married John Hall in 1892 (after having children from 1855 on), and he was the son of John Hall and Diana Hodgkiss - this Diana being another child to Edward and Sarah of Wolverhampton.
Then we have John Hodgkinson (who I think was aka 'Jack Grapes') who married Mary Udale - and she was the sister of Stephen Udale who married Margaret Hodgkins, the last child of Richard and Kezia. Stephen and Margaret had a son, also Stephen, who killed Thomas Hudson in a drunken fight in 1888. This Thomas Hudson (aka 'Booker') was the son of Selina Hudson, who would later marry John Hodgkinson (son of Edward Hodgkinson and Sarah Mayer ... I won't get started on the Mayers here ...).
Richard Hodgkins (possibly son of Isaac, tbc) died in Uttoxeter in 1863, and his wife Kezia died there in 1871.
Surely these Hodgkins/ Hodgkinson/ Hodgkiss families must be one and the same . The names repeatedly appear in the local area marrying into the same families over and over again . The Hodgkinsons and Neilds seem to of intermarried on more than one occasion. John Neild and Sarah Hodgkinson and Marie Hodgkins (grundy) (who I think was Sarah's sister) also married a Neild.
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now i got to say wow... Garen, that's great information, all the story's of the Udale's Hodgkinsons Bloors Neilds and many more names that link up through generations in those story's telling of their life's shows that they are very closely connected, then the post that you just wrote tells how they are all related officially, its a great read, the whole story of these Uttoxeter family's is a great story, like MeirSouls as just said i bet to there are far more connection's, no wonder it could blow your mind, it looks like Richard Hodgkin's and Kezia Lovell started quite a colony over in Uttoxeter, they were quite an extended family unit, there are more names to on the periphery, the Bloods are from long ago in some story's i thought they may by Bloors, then you have that poaching gang from way back known as the "robins" i think their leader was a Robin by name, i will have to make a list of all the names i have found to leave it on here for people of the future who may look for their relatives, that's why i try and put everything together so their relatives may have everything to hand to cross reference the names in the story's, the fact's of these peoples life should be known, facts like census reports and marridges should all be known along side all this information, the story's that i have put up here are only in extract form, there is far more great information contained in the articles, its up to people to singe up to the newspaper archives and use the information that is put on here like the said dates and which newspaper to look for, then they will have a great chance to read the full articles, i like to learn all about which pubs they liked to drink in, who were there pals, where did they go poaching, what were their trades through life, i evan notice how the courts would open on certain days and how certain constables were offten themselves in the story's, i like to learn about who had dogs, one of the best things i have found is when they are talking, when their actual words are quoted, then there are the sad times like funerals, the sadess thoe is when children are ill, altogether researching the past life's of family's and sharing the information you find is a good thing, i am going to put on next about "Billy Button" i bet no one knows what i am going to say, and i found the articles about " Brown Bess" i will put them on, one of the most important things for every one to remember is, and this is number one, always when you find a article story in the newspaper well don't just think great look at all the evidence i have found, it is good evidence, you must thoe research other articles in different papers evan from different county's or evan countries, you would think that if a person came from Uttoxeter and say died there, well you would think all the things you would want to know would be in the write up from a paper located in Uttoxeter, well it does not always work like that, search out and read newspapers from other county's and you will see how you may find great aspects of a person life that you did not find when you first thought that you had found a great find, i will show you this in the different articles concerning the sad death of the noted Black Bess (aka Brown Bess) Granny Bloor, Elizabeth Hodgkin's, there are several articles and each one you read what seems a good read containing sound information, then if you go of and search another newspaer, which is sometimes not easy, well you may find articles from newspapers miles away that tell you things that are of great help and interest.
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Surely these Hodgkins/ Hodgkinson/ Hodgkiss families must be one and the same . The names repeatedly appear in the local area marrying into the same families over and over again . The Hodgkinsons and Neilds seem to of intermarried on more than one occasion. John Neild and Sarah Hodgkinson and Marie Hodgkins (grundy) (who I think was Sarah's sister) also married a Neild.
I hurt my brain attempting to actually connect up these families - it may not be possible to find exactly how they are all connected - and, as I'm sure you know, it's dangerous to make assumptions. Sometimes an 'Eliza Hodgkins' may seem to be attached to one family, and then some obscure source will reveal she's actually connected to another - and often there is no source to help us find our way, so we just have to leave a question-mark for now.
The 'origin', or connecting person, will certainly never be found, but any Hodgkins/Hodgkinson/Hodgkiss/etc 'of Cheslyn Hay' or 'of Wyrley Bank' seems to be one of the main identifiers - some dating back into the 1730s and 40s described as travellers. One early family is Arthur Hodgkins and Sarah ('travelling people', 'vagrants'), but there are others who could be siblings or cousins, so there are further generations in the fog, with records sparse or non-existant.
I agree that Sarah Hodgkinson who married John Nield and Maria Hodgkinson who married Thomas Nield - John's brother - are sisters. I believe their parents are William Hodgkinson and Elizabeth Mear. William and Elizabeth were married in Lichfield and probably had two children there, in Greenhill, before moving to Uttoxeter. John Nield later married Sarah Hust, which can confuse his two Sarahs for some.
John and Sarah Nield had a son William who died in 1854. The informant on his death is Sarah Mitchell, née Sarah Grundy, next-door neighbour to William & Elizabeth Hodgkinson and older sister of the John Grundy who married Maria Hodgkins, and she then Thomas Nield.
I think there's enough circumstantial evidence to say that William Hodgkinson was the son of William Hodgkinson and Eleanor Young (m.1785). While William married Elizabeth Mear, another son, Edward, married Sarah Mayer - I think a sister of Elizabeth, and daughters of Obadiah Mayer and Sarah Blewer.
Obadiah had children who married into the Gypsy Florence family, the Bloods, and probably the Nields too. A grandson, Thomas Mayer, married Rhoda Johnson, daughter of Thomas Johnson and Jane Hodgkinson - and this Hodgkinson line leads us back to Thomas and Joan, parents of a number of travelling Hodgkins who married Sherriffs, Claytons and Hollands, and whose probable sibling, Edward, takes us to the Warwickshire Hodgkins families (Tracey Emin a famous descendant). DNA links confirm the connection.
A daughter of Edward Hodgkinson and Sarah Mayer, Eleanor, married another Johnson sibling, Joseph, and one of their children married into the Hollands. I also think Edward and Sarah Hodgkinson are the Edward and Sarah who are the witnesses of the marriage of William Sherriff and Tresi Boswell, daughter of Anselo, in 1832 in Rugeley, the same year Eleanor was born in the that town.
So much of the enjoyment of researching these families is the thousands of connections that keep coming up, but it's like an endless piece of string full of knots - sometimes you manage to undo them and find you've suddently two or three pieces instead of one!
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Well can anyone answer me this, who's "billy button" William Nield would of been named as such for a reason, does anyone have a clue to the origin of "billy button", these posts below and to come are but extracts search out the compleat articles for a far more in depth report.
Pearson's Weekly - 27 July 1911
POOR BILLY BUTTON "Come here, Button," thundered the headmaster. " Here's a letter from Mr. Jones saying you hit his son yesterday, and hurt him so that he cannot attend school to-day. Is that so ? " sir," stammered Billy Button, I never laid a finger on him." " This letter says you did, Button. Hold out yoar hand " Swish Swish Swish When Jones returned to school the'next day the headmaster called him to his study. " Did you tell your father that Button thrashed you ? " he demanded. No, sir," said Jones. " I never " But this letter says you did." " I know, sir, but it were the French boy, Billy Bermetieux, what did it, sir. You see, father couldn't spell Bermetieux, so he wrote Button "
Leeds Times - 14 March 1896
At the leeds city police courts on Monday.T.Agnew, alias Billy Button, of Newcastle was sent to gaol for three months for attempting to pick pockets. Prisoner was seen on Saturday night two detectives near the 'buses and was observed putting his hand into ladies' pockets.
Staffordshire Sentinel -08 October 1880
A Mania for Buttons.—At the East Riding Petty Sessions at Hull, a man, who presented a comical appearance, and whose name is George Scott, alias Billy Button, was brought before the magistrates on a charge of vagrancy. The peculiarity of his appearance was caused by the manner in which he had adorned his coat with buttons, that garment being studded with them from top to bottom. They were of various sizes, and of all descriptions. Though they had the look of having been sewn on indiscriminately, there appears to have been method in the way in which they have been attached. Long rows extended from the breast the skirt, the whole numbering 365—the number the days of the year. On his collar were about a dozen or more Large white ones, which indicated the number of times their wearer had been put in gaol for vagrancy, and on another part of the garment were a quantity which indicated how old he was. But this was not all. The man had with him a bag, in which were at least four hundred more buttons, which he stated he had picked up on his travels, and with which he replaces those which may come off his coat, or add to those already on, the exigencies of the circumstances may demand. Not with standing the variety of the buttons this singular character has with and on him, there is not one which has belonged to a police uniform, and, on being asked the reason for that exception, he said he should be murdered his companions if he were to obtain a policeman's button. Scott is a native of the North of England. He was apprehended at Newington on Tuesday for begging. He appealed to the Bench to be allowed to go this time, and he was let off on promising to leave the town.
Bristol Times and Mirror - 21 July 1874
BILLY BUTTON. Gentlemen,--Can you, or any of your readers inform me of the fate of a man well known in Bristol some 35 or 40 years ago, as " Billy Button !" he wore a coat or mantle entirely covered with brass buttons (like a coat of mail), danced with considerable agility and not ungracefully, and was never known to beg. His features were hansomse, and it was said at the time he was a women in disguise. I have an impression that he was murdered. I had long since forgotten him, but an excellent likeness in the window of a carver and gilder, in Maudlin street, brought him to my recollection. W.T.
Bristol Times and Mirror - 23 July 1874
BILLY BUTTON. —ln answer to your correspondent's query about "Billy Button," I have what is simulated a very good likeness of him, and from a pamphlet pubshed in Birmingham in 1838 (a reprint from the Birmingham May 5), I glean the following he belonged to a respectable family. When young man he went to sea........During a short stay he became attached to....... —. His last voyage..... but when he landed he found the young lady had been........ the Grief unhinged his mind, and be commenced a wanders life, vowing never to marry and never to wear shoes, he did not beg....... He died at the age et 60....... He had wandered over the country for about 15 years. Many of his buttons were very valuable...... Bristol Times and Mirror - 22 July 1874 page 4......Another larger story about billy button is to be found here.....a good informative read, like several of the articles i transcribe in short..........
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North Londoner - 07 November 1874
Poetry.
THE BALDERDASH RHYMES.
No. 3.—THE PROBLEM. BILLY BUTTON bought a buttered biscuit. DID Billy Button buy a buttered biscuit ? IF Billy Button bought a buttered biscuit, WHERE'S THE BUTTERED BISCUIT Billy Button bought ? A simple question this appears, And yet the story's said; 'Tis very true—that little boy A buttered biscuit had ; But when he popped it………………..
Sheffield Independent - 15 September 1862
SHEFFIELD. SATURDAY.- Before Wm. Smith, and S. Roberts Esq's. ' The New Scrap Shop Act.— A complicated case came up under this act, in which the parties concerned were Thomas Slater, Bailey lane, scrap dealer : George Brown, Trafalgar street, cutler ; and William' Thomas, alias Billy Button, Cemetery road, carter……
Illustrated London News - 04 August 1860
MASSACRE OF MISSIONARY PARTY IN TIERRA DEL FUEGO. We have received from Mr. Thomas Havers, of Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, minutely-detailed narrative of the circumstances attendant on the massacre of a mission party, on board the Alan Gardiner, by the natives of Tierra del Fuego; and we extract from it a few passages for the better understanding of the accompanying Engraving of the massacre, for the Sketch of which we are also indebted to Mr. Havers: Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, Tuesday, March 27, 1860. In the third week of October, 1859, the schooner Alan Gardiner, belonging to the Patagonian Missionary Society, left the port of Stanley (a diminutive British settlement on East Falkland Island), bound to the Beagle Channel, in Tierra del Fuego. The European party on board of her consisted of Captain Fell, the master, his brother, Mr. Fell, the mate, Johnston, carpenter, Alfred Coles, cook, Hugh M‘Dowell (known as Hewey,” an old man-of-war’s-man), three Swedish sailors, named Jahnsen, Braun, and Petersen, and Mr. Garland Phillips, missionary catechist—making in all nine individuals. She also carried a party of native Fuegians, and the object of her voyage was to return these people to their native country and bring back further supply to be Christianised at the station upon Keppel Island (West Falkland), under the superintendence of the Rev. George P. Despaired, resident missionary there. The native party consisted of Mucklerwenchey, alias Billy Button (a brother of the notorious Jemmy Button mentioned in Captain Fitzroy’s Voyages of the Adventure of Beagle ”),……………
Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal - 02 March 1860
Sale of horses. Cathlean also a cream-coloured mare fetched 52 guineas; and Selims, a very handsome dun-coloured horse, used for entree and double-horse sets, fetched 60 guineas ; Amakosa, a white horse sold for 40 guineas, and Tempest, another white gelding, which was described as a Billy Button horse, fetched 41 guineas; Beauty, a splendid cream-coloured gelding, 14 hands high, and stated a clever stage horse, brought 80 guineas.
Cambridge Independent Press - 13 October 1860
Sessions. Prisoner for trial at Ely on Wednesday next. William Smith alias Billy Button, charged with stealing at Wisbech St. Mary's, money, the property Joseph Smith.
Derbyshire Courier - 15 September 1860
RENDERING GOOD FOR EVIL. A Manchester warehouseman published an exceedingly scurrilous pamphlet against the firm of Grant Brothers, holding up the elder partner to ridicule as Billy Button.” William was informed by some of the nature of the pamphlet, and his observation was that the man would live to repent it. !” said the libeller, when informed of the remark, thinks that some time or other I shall be in his debt; but i will take good care of that.” happens, however, that men in business do not always foresee who shall be their creditor; and so it turned out , that the Grant’s libeller became bankrupt, and could not obtain his certificate and begin business again without obtaining their signature. It seemed to him a hopeless case to call that firm for any favour, but the pressing claims of his family forced him to make the application. He appeared before the man he had ridiculed as Billy Button”.
Leamington Spa Courier - 06 August 1831
James Green, alias Billy Button,' was acquitted upon an indictment charging him with stealing from a person at Nuneaton. 4s. in silver, a halfpence, a tobacco box, and other articles, of his property.
The Scotsman - 06 October 1824
Circuit intelligence.....William o,Boyling alias billy button, accused of mobbing and rioting at the tole cross……….
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so now we come to Uttoxeter and find William Nield.. alias "Billy Button"
Burton Chronicle - 21 August 1884
AN OLD OFFENDER. William Nield, alias Billy button, an old offender, was charged with being drunk and riotous, at Bromehall, on the 3rd inst. Defendant, who denied the charge...
Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal - 11 April 1884
—William Nield, alias Billy Button. was charged with using profane language at the Temperance Hall, Uttoxeter, a place of worship by the Salvation army, on the Ist ult.—lt seems defendant, who did not appear, was the ringleader of a band of roughs who attend the Salvation meetings for the purpose of annoying them; and on the evening in question defendant went into the hall and commenced using very bad language, and created some disturbance in that the meeting had to be closed before time.....
Burton Chronicle - 17 May 1883
ASSULTING THE Police. William Neild, alias "Billy Button." labourer, of Uttoxeter, was charged with being drunk and with 'assaulting Mrs. Wigley and constable Campbell, at the police station. Defendant went into the Albion inn………..
Burton Chronicle - 29 June 1882
Refusing To Quit. William Nield, of Uttoxeter, alias "Billy Button," was charged with refusing to quit the licensed premises of the Wellington Inn, Uttoxeter……..
Staffordshire Sentinel - 09 September 1881
Uttoxeter. A Violent Character—William Neild, alias Button, Uttoxeter, was summoned by Michael Eagan, an Irish labourer, for assaulting him on the 28th ult. Complainant said that he and another Irishman (both old men) were walking along the road when they met defendant and some of his companions, Neild asked for some tobacco, but he said he had none. Neild then struck him and knocked him down, and abused him in a shameful manner. His friend then came to his assistance, but Neild served him the same, and worse; kicking them and brutally and ill-treating them. Defendant did not appear, but as there was a long list of convictions against him, he was committed to three months hard labour —The same defendant was also summoned by William Rudd for assaulting him in the Smithfield on the 31st ult complainant said he had bought some sheep, and was removing them into another pen, when Neild came up and used very bad language, and said he must not move the sheep. Complainant told him he had bought them and paid for them, and he shoud put them where he liked, but Neild knocked him down and otherwise abused him…………….
Staffordshire Sentinel and Commercial & General Advertiser - 19 June 1880
UTTOXETER. Wednesday. (Before Captain Dawson, C. W. Lyon, and C. T. Cavandish, Esqrs.) Assault Case. William Nield, alias Billy Button, was charged on remand with assaulting James Ward, at Abbots Bromley, on the 17th May. It was shown that on the day named the annual Oddfellow's fete and gala was held in a field at Dunstall, and that defendant was one of a band of men who had gone there with the intention of doing as much mischief as they could, and by whom many of the people present were much abused and beaten with stick's.
Derby Mercury - 23 June 1880
PETTY SESSIONS, Wednesday.
THE RIOTING AT BROMLEY FETE.-.Williams Nield, hawker,' alias Billy Button, of Uttoxeter, hawker, was brought up on a warrant charged with having been concerned With a number of other roughs in creating a disgraceful row at the Bromley Odd Fellows' fete on the 17th of May, and with assaulting James Ward at the same times and place. It appeared that defendant took hold of ward by the collor and he had to be forsably pulled away by two men., the Magistrates said it was a disgraceful affair, and the defendant would be committed to prison for two months' hard labour without the option of a fine. REFUSING TO QUIT.-Thomas Blore, of Uttoxteter, labourer, was charged at the instance of Thomas Brown, with having refused to quit a tent on the fete ground at Abbot's Bromley when requested to do so by himself and the Landlord, Mr. Tomlinson......
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Staffordshire Sentinel and Commercial & General Advertiser - 03 May 1879
—W. Nield, alias Billy Button, a notorious character, was charged by Herbert Preston, landlord the White Lion Inn, Uttoxeter, with refusing quit……………….
Derby Mercury - 08 May 1878
STEAING A BUN.-William Nield, alias Billy Button, was charged with stealing a bun from the shop of a confectioner, at Uttoxeter. It appeared from the evidence that complainant, on hearing someone in the shop, found the defendant, who is a notorious character, putting a bun in his pocket. she made him replace the bun, and he then abused her in a shameful manner, and her son had to fight the defendant before he would go away……………….
Staffordshire Sentinel and Commercial & General Advertiser - 22 April 1876
UTTOXETER. A Warning to Street Brawlers William Nield, alias Billy Button, was charged by Inspector Fetiner with having been drunk and disorderly at Uttoxeter, On the first occasion he was drunk, and fighting with a man in the Market-place, and when C. Berber attempted to arrest him, be attacked him furiously, and tore his beard. He was so violent that he had to be carried to the station. On the second occasion, he was drunk and disorderly in the High street, and was arrested by P.C. Winn ……………..
so you can see there are lots of "billy buttons" down through the years, including the famous William Nield, but i wonder what is the origin of the fictional billy button.
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posted by MeirSoul
"Surely these Hodgkin's/ Hodgkinson/ Hodgkin's families must be one and the same . The names repeatedly appear in the local area marrying into the same families over and over again . The Hodgkinsons and Neilds seem to of intermarried on more than one occasion. John Neild and Sarah Hodgkinson and Marie Hodgkin's (grundy) (who I think was Sarah's sister) also married a Neild".
posted by Garen
"I hurt my brain attempting to actually connect up these families - it may not be possible to find exactly how they are all connected - and, as I'm sure you know, it's dangerous to make assumptions. Sometimes an 'Eliza Hodgkin's' may seem to be attached to one family, and then some obscure source will reveal she's actually connected to another - and often there is no source to help us find our way, so we just have to leave a question-mark for now.
The 'origin', or connecting person, will certainly never be found, but any Hodgkin's/Hodgkinson/Hodgkin's/etc 'of Cheslyn Hay' or 'of Wyrley Bank' seems to be one of the main identifiers - some dating back into the 1730s and 40s described as travellers. One early family is Arthur Hodgkin's and Sarah ('travelling people', 'vagrants'), but there are others who could be siblings or cousins, so there are further generations in the fog, with records sparse or nonexistent.
I agree that Sarah Hodgkinson who married John Nield and Maria Hodgkinson who married Thomas Nield - John's brother - are sisters. I believe their parents are William Hodgkinson and Elizabeth Mear. William and Elizabeth were married in Lichfield and probably had two children there, in Greenhill, before moving to Uttoxeter. John Nield later married Sarah Hust, which can confuse his two Sarah's for some.
John and Sarah Nield had a son William who died in 1854. The informant on his death is Sarah Mitchell, née Sarah Grundy, next-door neighbour to William & Elizabeth Hodgkinson and older sister of the John Grundy who married Maria Hodgkin's, and she then Thomas Nield.
I think there's enough circumstantial evidence to say that William Hodgkinson was the son of William Hodgkinson and Eleanor Young (m.1785). While William married Elizabeth Mear, another son, Edward, married Sarah Mayer - I think a sister of Elizabeth, and daughters of Obadiah Mayer and Sarah Blewer.
Obadiah had children who married into the Gypsy Florence family, the Bloods, and probably the Nields too. A grandson, Thomas Mayer, married Rhoda Johnson, daughter of Thomas Johnson and Jane Hodgkinson - and this Hodgkinson line leads us back to Thomas and Joan, parents of a number of travelling Hodgkin's who married Sherriffs, Claytons and Hollands, and whose probable sibling, Edward, takes us to the Warwickshire Hodgkin's families (Tracey Emin a famous descendant). DNA links confirm the connection.
A daughter of Edward Hodgkinson and Sarah Mayer, Eleanor, married another Johnson sibling, Joseph, and one of their children married into the Hollands. I also think Edward and Sarah Hodgkinson are the Edward and Sarah who are the witnesses of the marriage of William Sherriff and Tresi Boswell, daughter of Anselo, in 1832 in Rugeley, the same year Eleanor was born in the that town.
So much of the enjoyment of researching these families is the thousands of connections that keep coming up, but it's like an endless piece of string full of knots - sometimes you manage to undo them and find you've suddenly two or three pieces instead of one!"
Garen, thank you for taking the time to write up and explain the information that you have researched, it clears clouds from the sky, you must of spent many years researching, all your relatives of the future years will expand on your research and know that they stand on the shoulder of giants like yourself and the good people who have helped you along the way .. well done Garen.
I found these two articles below, contained in them are the life and times of these peoples, maybe its one of the reasons researchers find that "endless piece of string full of knots - sometimes you manage to undo them and find you've suddenly two or three pieces instead of one".
If you read into these two articles you will see how they do not follow the norm, as in what would be easy to find through records as in if they did follow the norm.
Uttoxeter Advertiser and Ashbourne Times - 23 August 1911
Affiliation.
Harriet Brassington of Smithfield road Uttoxeter, applied for an affiliation order against James Bloor (18), Smithfield-road, Uttoxeter, in respect of her illegitimate child, born on February 29 last.
Defendant admitted responsibility, and an order of 2s. a week was made………….
Wellington Journal - 16 July 1898
TENBURY. A Serious Charge.—At the Police Court Monday, Richard Hodgkin's, aged 51. a tramping scissors grinder, was charged with unlawfully and maliciously wounding Sarah Hudson, a woman with whom he cohabits. with, it appeared from the evidence of witnesses that the two were proceeding from the Old Wood Saturday afternoon, when, in course of an altercation. prisoner struck the woman at the back of the head with a frying pan. causing a severe wound, from which she bled a great deal When charged by the police, prisoner said he was in a temper when he did it. The woman was removed to the Workhouse Infirmary, and Dr. Boss stated that she was very weak from the loss of blood…………………..
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Staffordshire Sentinel and Commercial & General Advertiser - 03 May 1879
—W. Nield, alias Billy Button, a notorious character, was charged by Herbert Preston, landlord the White Lion Inn, Uttoxeter, with refusing quit……………….
Derby Mercury - 08 May 1878
STEAING A BUN.-William Nield, alias Billy Button, was charged with stealing a bun from the shop of a confectioner, at Uttoxeter. It appeared from the evidence that complainant, on hearing someone in the shop, found the defendant, who is a notorious character, putting a bun in his pocket. she made him replace the bun, and he then abused her in a shameful manner, and her son had to fight the defendant before he would go away……………….
Staffordshire Sentinel and Commercial & General Advertiser - 22 April 1876
UTTOXETER. A Warning to Street Brawlers William Nield, alias Billy Button, was charged by Inspector Fetiner with having been drunk and disorderly at Uttoxeter, On the first occasion he was drunk, and fighting with a man in the Market-place, and when C. Berber attempted to arrest him, be attacked him furiously, and tore his beard. He was so violent that he had to be carried to the station. On the second occasion, he was drunk and disorderly in the High street, and was arrested by P.C. Winn ……………..
so you can see there are lots of "billy buttons" down through the years, including the famous William Nield, but i wonder what is the origin of the fictional billy button.
Id heard of William Neild as Billy Button but not all the others. I wonder what it means
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Surely these Hodgkins/ Hodgkinson/ Hodgkiss families must be one and the same . The names repeatedly appear in the local area marrying into the same families over and over again . The Hodgkinsons and Neilds seem to of intermarried on more than one occasion. John Neild and Sarah Hodgkinson and Marie Hodgkins (grundy) (who I think was Sarah's sister) also married a Neild.
I hurt my brain attempting to actually connect up these families - it may not be possible to find exactly how they are all connected - and, as I'm sure you know, it's dangerous to make assumptions. Sometimes an 'Eliza Hodgkins' may seem to be attached to one family, and then some obscure source will reveal she's actually connected to another - and often there is no source to help us find our way, so we just have to leave a question-mark for now.
The 'origin', or connecting person, will certainly never be found, but any Hodgkins/Hodgkinson/Hodgkiss/etc 'of Cheslyn Hay' or 'of Wyrley Bank' seems to be one of the main identifiers - some dating back into the 1730s and 40s described as travellers. One early family is Arthur Hodgkins and Sarah ('travelling people', 'vagrants'), but there are others who could be siblings or cousins, so there are further generations in the fog, with records sparse or non-existant.
I agree that Sarah Hodgkinson who married John Nield and Maria Hodgkinson who married Thomas Nield - John's brother - are sisters. I believe their parents are William Hodgkinson and Elizabeth Mear. William and Elizabeth were married in Lichfield and probably had two children there, in Greenhill, before moving to Uttoxeter. John Nield later married Sarah Hust, which can confuse his two Sarahs for some.
John and Sarah Nield had a son William who died in 1854. The informant on his death is Sarah Mitchell, née Sarah Grundy, next-door neighbour to William & Elizabeth Hodgkinson and older sister of the John Grundy who married Maria Hodgkins, and she then Thomas Nield.
I think there's enough circumstantial evidence to say that William Hodgkinson was the son of William Hodgkinson and Eleanor Young (m.1785). While William married Elizabeth Mear, another son, Edward, married Sarah Mayer - I think a sister of Elizabeth, and daughters of Obadiah Mayer and Sarah Blewer.
Obadiah had children who married into the Gypsy Florence family, the Bloods, and probably the Nields too. A grandson, Thomas Mayer, married Rhoda Johnson, daughter of Thomas Johnson and Jane Hodgkinson - and this Hodgkinson line leads us back to Thomas and Joan, parents of a number of travelling Hodgkins who married Sherriffs, Claytons and Hollands, and whose probable sibling, Edward, takes us to the Warwickshire Hodgkins families (Tracey Emin a famous descendant). DNA links confirm the connection.
A daughter of Edward Hodgkinson and Sarah Mayer, Eleanor, married another Johnson sibling, Joseph, and one of their children married into the Hollands. I also think Edward and Sarah Hodgkinson are the Edward and Sarah who are the witnesses of the marriage of William Sherriff and Tresi Boswell, daughter of Anselo, in 1832 in Rugeley, the same year Eleanor was born in the that town.
So much of the enjoyment of researching these families is the thousands of connections that keep coming up, but it's like an endless piece of string full of knots - sometimes you manage to undo them and find you've suddently two or three pieces instead of one!
Obadiah. What an usual name . It sounds very Romany / Gypsy. I see a few Obadiah Mayers were present in the stoke on trent area round the same time period
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I knew William Nield was Billy Button, but had no idea how common the nickname was - fascinating stuff - thank you.
I guess the only question now is - which William Nield was Billy Button? Was it Clement William Nield (b. Uttoxeter 1853), or was it William Clement Nield (b. Uttoxeter 1854)?! These two, who both went by the name William and only sometimes using the name Clement, have been easily mixed up by researchers (including myself, leading to me going down the wrong road a fair bit early on).
Clement William (1853) was the son of Charles Nield and Mary Ann Grundy, and Mary, in turn, was the daughter of Clement Grundy and his second wife, Mary Fenton. Clement's first wife was Ann Smith, and she was the mother of John Grundy - married to Maria Hodgkins for less than a day.
Maria Hodgkins remarried to Thomas Nield and was the mother of William Clement Nield (1854), later adopted by Josiah Hodgkins and Ann Smallwood. Why he should use the name Clement I'm not sure. It is this second William I believe to be Billy Button, as he was said to be 26 years old in 1881. He married Rosanna Wright in 1885.
Clement William married Hannah Mitchell in 1880, so probably wasn't in a gang of lads attacking Irish men for tobacco in 1881 (not impossible, of course, it's just a gang is more the environment for a bachelor ...)
A point of interest - when Charles Nield married Mary Ann Grundy in Uttoxeter in 1845, one of the witnesses was Obadiah Mayer, the grandson of the elder Obadiah, and the son of William Mayer and Ann Johnson. I believe William Mayer may have remarried to an Ann Nield.
To stir further - when Obadiah married Catherine Fennity in 1852, one of the witnesses was 'Caroline Blewer', and this is very likely to be Caroline Hodgkinson, daughter of William Hodgkinson and Elizabeth Mear (read Mayer), and who married a John Bloor (read Blewer) in 1850.
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I knew William Nield was Billy Button, but had no idea how common the nickname was - fascinating stuff - thank you.
I guess the only question now is - which William Nield was Billy Button? Was it Clement William Nield (b. Uttoxeter 1853), or was it William Clement Nield (b. Uttoxeter 1854)?! These two, who both went by the name William and only sometimes using the name Clement, have been easily mixed up by researchers (including myself, leading to me going down the wrong road a fair bit early on).
Clement William (1853) was the son of Charles Nield and Mary Ann Grundy, and Mary, in turn, was the daughter of Clement Grundy and his second wife, Mary Fenton. Clement's first wife was Ann Smith, and she was the mother of John Grundy - married to Maria Hodgkins for less than a day.
Maria Hodgkins remarried to Thomas Nield and was the mother of William Clement Nield (1854), later adopted by Josiah Hodgkins and Ann Smallwood. Why he should use the name Clement I'm not sure. It is this second William I believe to be Billy Button, as he was said to be 26 years old in 1881. He married Rosanna Wright in 1885.
Clement William married Hannah Mitchell in 1880, so probably wasn't in a gang of lads attacking Irish men for tobacco in 1881 (not impossible, of course, it's just a gang is more the environment for a bachelor ...)
A point of interest - when Charles Nield married Mary Ann Grundy in Uttoxeter in 1845, one of the witnesses was Obadiah Mayer, the grandson of the elder Obadiah, and the son of William Mayer and Ann Johnson. I believe William Mayer may have remarried to an Ann Nield.
To stir further - when Obadiah married Catherine Fennity in 1852, one of the witnesses was 'Caroline Blewer', and this is very likely to be Caroline Hodgkinson, daughter of William Hodgkinson and Elizabeth Mear (read Mayer), and who married a John Bloor (read Blewer) in 1850.
Are we saying obodiah Mayer is the father of Elizabeth Mear ? Wife of William Hodgkinson. Im struggling to find a father for Elizabeth but on Ancestry I've seen a father for Elizabeth by the name of Thomas but I never fully trust other trees until I see it it for myself
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Harriet Brassington of Smithfield road Uttoxeter, applied for an affiliation order against James Bloor (18), Smithfield-road, Uttoxeter, in respect of her illegitimate child, born on February 29 last.
Defendant admitted responsibility, and an order of 2s. a week was made………….
Brassington is another name that crops up often. My great x2 grandmother was Clara Neild , daughter of Job Neild and Emma Brassington . Clara went on to marry Stephen Leese in Longton and became known as the grand old lady of longton. By the time she died she had over 100 living direct descendants in the Longton and Meir area of Stoke on Trent . I actually remember my own grandparents talking about Clara . Apparently she was a fish Hawker at one time
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Are we saying obodiah Mayer is the father of Elizabeth Mear ? Wife of William Hodgkinson. Im struggling to find a father for Elizabeth but on Ancestry I've seen a father for Elizabeth by the name of Thomas but I never fully trust other trees until I see it it for myself
I have not put Elizaeth Mear down as Obadiah's daughter on my tree - but she's lightly pencilled as 'possible', and I'm leaning towards 'likely' but would definitely like more evidence.
Obadiah married Sarah Blewer in Whitmore in 1793. The children I've found include: Sarah (1797), Obadiah (1798), William (1800), John (1802), Jane (1804), Joseph (1805), Hugh (1806), and Josiah (1810).
Sarah (daughter) was baptised in Trentham in January 1797 and my suspicion is that she is the same Sarah Mayer who married Edward Hodgkinson in Castle Church in 1816. Sarah's burial record in 1837 gives her age as 35, but it's very possible (as sometimes shown with other young-mother deaths) this was a rounded-down age - and would mean an unusually young marriage otherwise (though perfectly possible).
Edward Hodgkinson was very likely the brother of William who married Elizabeth Mear. Elizabeth is recorded in the census returns as born about 1796 in Blurton, Staffs (though, again, I wonder if she was a little older given her marriage date) - Blurton is just 3 miles from Trentham where Obidiah and Sarah baptised many of their children (Trentham and Longton).
With the other evident peripheral connections (census community, marriage witnesses, newspaper connections), and such double-sibling marriages being common (or common enough) with Gypsy families, I think it's all weighted towards 'likely'. This is generally how Gypsy-related research has to be in the absence of records - but I remain cautious and it might be worth checking out Elizabeths with father Thomas, even if just to positively reject them.
Of the other Mayer children, I have Obadiah (1798-1866) marrying Jane Blood in Uttoxeter, 1821; William Mayer (1800) marrying Ann Johnson in Uttoxeter 1819 (and maybe Ann Nield as a second wife) - his son, Obadiah (1820) had Caroline Hodgkisnon (Blewer) as a witness on his marriage - if Elizabeth Mear was his aunt then Caroline would be his cousin); and John Mayer marrying Maria Jane Florence in Uttoxeter in 1823.
Best - Garen
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Are we saying obodiah Mayer is the father of Elizabeth Mear ? Wife of William Hodgkinson. Im struggling to find a father for Elizabeth but on Ancestry I've seen a father for Elizabeth by the name of Thomas but I never fully trust other trees until I see it it for myself
I have not put Elizaeth Mear down as Obadiah's daughter on my tree - but she's lightly pencilled as 'possible', and I'm leaning towards 'likely' but would definitely like more evidence.
Obadiah married Sarah Blewer in Whitmore in 1793. The children I've found include: Sarah (1797), Obadiah (1798), William (1800), John (1802), Jane (1804), Joseph (1805), Hugh (1806), and Josiah (1810).
Sarah (daughter) was baptised in Trentham in January 1797 and my suspicion is that she is the same Sarah Mayer who married Edward Hodgkinson in Castle Church in 1816. Sarah's burial record in 1837 gives her age as 35, but it's very possible (as sometimes shown with other young-mother deaths) this was a rounded-down age - and would mean an unusually young marriage otherwise (though perfectly possible).
Edward Hodgkinson was very likely the brother of William who married Elizabeth Mear. Elizabeth is recorded in the census returns as born about 1796 in Blurton, Staffs (though, again, I wonder if she was a little older given her marriage date) - Blurton is just 3 miles from Trentham where Obidiah and Sarah baptised many of their children (Trentham and Longton).
With the other evident peripheral connections (census community, marriage witnesses, newspaper connections), and such double-sibling marriages being common (or common enough) with Gypsy families, I think it's all weighted towards 'likely'. This is generally how Gypsy-related research has to be in the absence of records - but I remain cautious and it might be worth checking out Elizabeths with father Thomas, even if just to positively reject them.
Of the other Mayer children, I have Obadiah (1798-1866) marrying Jane Blood in Uttoxeter, 1821; William Mayer (1800) marrying Ann Johnson in Uttoxeter 1819 (and maybe Ann Nield as a second wife) - his son, Obadiah (1820) had Caroline Hodgkisnon (Blewer) as a witness on his marriage - if Elizabeth Mear was his aunt then Caroline would be his cousin); and John Mayer marrying Maria Jane Florence in Uttoxeter in 1823.
Best - Garen
I come from longton myself originally and moved to Trentham for a few years . Ill have a good look at Obadiah , Edward and Elizabeth and see what I can find. So far I have found a Thomas Obidiah Mayer who was a horse dealer and an Obidiah Mayer who was a cattle dealer in Yoxall
Many thanks
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Obidiah Mayer Uttoxeter
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Brassington is another name that crops up often. My great x2 grandmother was Clara Neild , daughter of Job Neild and Emma Brassington . Clara went on to marry Stephen Leese in Longton and became known as the grand old lady of longton. By the time she died she had over 100 living direct descendants in the Longton and Meir area of Stoke on Trent . I actually remember my own grandparents talking about Clara . Apparently she was a fish Hawker at one time
Just to throw in another link - Obadiah Mayer (the Yoxall horse dealer, b. 1837, son of John & Maria) married Rachel Brassington in 1857. Emma's parents were Joseph and Ellen of Uttoxeter, while Rachel's were John and Elizabeth from Derbyshire, so not sure if a connection?
Love that title - 'The Grand Old Lady of Longton'! :-)
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https://audioboom.com/posts/1668289-clara-leese-lady-of-longton
Im not sure if it will work but a bit of audio for anyone that might be interested regarding Clara Neild
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A late reply, but thank you for sahring that audio on Clara Nield, MeirSoul - really fascinating and helps bring her story to life!
Best - Garen.
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I knew William Nield was Billy Button, but had no idea how common the nickname was - fascinating stuff - thank you.
I guess the only question now is - which William Nield was Billy Button? Was it Clement William Nield (b. Uttoxeter 1853), or was it William Clement Nield (b. Uttoxeter 1854)?! These two, who both went by the name William and only sometimes using the name Clement, have been easily mixed up by researchers (including myself, leading to me going down the wrong road a fair bit early on).
Clement William (1853) was the son of Charles Nield and Mary Ann Grundy, and Mary, in turn, was the daughter of Clement Grundy and his second wife, Mary Fenton. Clement's first wife was Ann Smith, and she was the mother of John Grundy - married to Maria Hodgkins for less than a day.
Maria Hodgkins remarried to Thomas Nield and was the mother of William Clement Nield (1854), later adopted by Josiah Hodgkins and Ann Smallwood. Why he should use the name Clement I'm not sure. It is this second William I believe to be Billy Button, as he was said to be 26 years old in 1881. He married Rosanna Wright in 1885.
Clement William married Hannah Mitchell in 1880, so probably wasn't in a gang of lads attacking Irish men for tobacco in 1881 (not impossible, of course, it's just a gang is more the environment for a bachelor ...)
A point of interest - when Charles Nield married Mary Ann Grundy in Uttoxeter in 1845, one of the witnesses was Obadiah Mayer, the grandson of the elder Obadiah, and the son of William Mayer and Ann Johnson. I believe William Mayer may have remarried to an Ann Nield.
To stir further - when Obadiah married Catherine Fennity in 1852, one of the witnesses was 'Caroline Blewer', and this is very likely to be Caroline Hodgkinson, daughter of William Hodgkinson and Elizabeth Mear (read Mayer), and who married a John Bloor (read Blewer) in 1850.
There is a another Clement who is stated as being related, he is one of the Crutchleys who are themselves interwoven with all names that are linked within all the stories told down through the years and the lifes of these peoples from in and around Uttoxeter, the name Clement could be a clue that links several families.
Derby Daily Telegraph - 03 December 1891
Petty Sessions, Wednesday.—Before Captain Dawson. Charge of Cutting and Wounding.—Clement Crutchley, labourer, of Uttoxeter. Appeared in custody charged with having caused bodily injury to his brother-in law, John Neild, Saturday evening last. —The police stated that on hearing of a disturbance at Crutchley's house, they went and found Neild lying in a semi- conscious state, covered with blood, and with cuts upon his face which had been stitched by a doctor. Upon the floor there were broken crockery and an open pocket-knife.—John Nield himself said he went into his sister's house and saw her husband (Crutchley) fighting. He took her part, and struck prisoner, but was himself knocked down, and, falling upon the sharp corner of a sofa, he cut his face and caused the injury.—Mr. Wilkins. appeared for Crutchley, and submitted that there was really no case for him answer.-—The police, however, said they had expected two witnesses who saw the affair, but they had not appeared.—The case was adjourned until next Court day for the witnesses to attend.
Burton Chronicle - 17 December 1891
The charge against Clement Crutchley for the alleged wounding of his brother-in-law, was withdrawn…………
Thank you MeirSoul for finding and putting on here the story of Clara Neild, a great story of a great Lady
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I just wanted to say thanks for all the valuable information that has been presented on this thread.
I was pretty thrown when my DNA profile came back as 1/8th Eastern European as I was only aware of having English ancestry. All the other branches of my family tree were complete and definitely from the Staffs and Leeds areas, but I'd had difficulty going up my paternal grandmother's branch.
Part of the issue was that my GM's mother's surname was marked as 'neald' on her birth certificate, which I initially thought was a mistake, but upon further research discovered was a spelling variation of Neild.
From this I traced my tree through to my GGM Maria Neild (1875), daughter of Thomas Neild (1845) whose parents were Thomas Neild (1817) and Maria Hodgkins (1818).
Through this thread and Garen's site I managed to get enough pointers to untangle the mystery and also learn a lot about the way of life and 'adventures' of the travelling people back then. :)
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I just wanted to say thanks for all the valuable information that has been presented on this thread.
I was pretty thrown when my DNA profile came back as 1/8th Eastern European as I was only aware of having English ancestry. All the other branches of my family tree were complete and definitely from the Staffs and Leeds areas, but I'd had difficulty going up my paternal grandmother's branch.
Part of the issue was that my GM's mother's surname was marked as 'neald' on her birth certificate, which I initially thought was a mistake, but upon further research discovered was a spelling variation of Neild.
From this I traced my tree through to my GGM Maria Neild (1875), daughter of Thomas Neild (1845) whose parents were Thomas Neild (1817) and Maria Hodgkins (1818).
Through this thread and Garen's site I managed to get enough pointers to untangle the mystery and also learn a lot about the way of life and 'adventures' of the travelling people back then. :)
Do you think the 1/8th Eastern European part of your DNA comes from the Neild/Hodkins side ?
Your GG grandfather Thomas and my GG grandfather John were brothers. John also married an Hodgkins who happened to be Marias sister
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Oops, didn't get a notification :-\
I believe so as this line of the tree is the only one that I have little information about. I've managed to follow the rest back for a few hundred years and found nothing indicating European origins.
The ~12% Eastern European (Hungary, Romania, Poland, Ukraine) indicates that a great-grandparent was full blood European. Of course, it may be a complete red herring, as the estimates are not always accurate, but it makes me wonder still nonetheless.
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I know this is an old thread but some of the surnames listed here have me wondering about one of my ancestors. My 3 x great grandfather was Samuel Blore, sometimes spelt Bloore or Blower. He was born around 1828 in Trentham, Staffordshire. He was married twice, his first wife having died young. The confusing thing though is on his marriage record to his first wife his father is listed as Thomas Johnson but 4 years later, when he remarried, his father is listed as Thomas Bloore. Samuel was listed as Bloore on both documents. I could never figure out why his father would go by two different surnames. After reading this thread (which was very interesting btw!) I'm wondering if maybe his father was part of the Traveller community? My DNA ethnicity estimate came back 11% Eastern European which always confused me too. The only thing that gives me pause is Thomas is recorded as being a Joiner on Samuel's first marriage record and then a Waterman on the second record, neither of which are traditionally associated with the traveller community as far as I know?
What do you guys think?
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I know this is an old thread but some of the surnames listed here have me wondering about one of my ancestors. My 3 x great grandfather was Samuel Blore, sometimes spelt Bloore or Blower. He was born around 1828 in Trentham, Staffordshire. He was married twice, his first wife having died young. The confusing thing though is on his marriage record to his first wife his father is listed as Thomas Johnson but 4 years later, when he remarried, his father is listed as Thomas Bloore. Samuel was listed as Bloore on both documents. I could never figure out why his father would go by two different surnames. After reading this thread (which was very interesting btw!) I'm wondering if maybe his father was part of the Traveller community? My DNA ethnicity estimate came back 11% Eastern European which always confused me too. The only thing that gives me pause is Thomas is recorded as being a Joiner on Samuel's first marriage record and then a Waterman on the second record, neither of which are traditionally associated with the traveller community as far as I know?
What do you guys think?
Blore/Bloor is a name found amongst travellers so quite possibly
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My wife is a hudson im a johnson, both in uttoxeter area of staffordshire, shes not started looking into her (hudson) family tree yet , ive looked a bit into the johnsons and mostly from tean, cheadle area, we are both from very big families, both sides fathers being one of 11 or 12 siblings so it can get confusing very quickly
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Watermen where workers on the boats on the bigger rivers ie thames watermen or bargemen worked the docks loading & unloading from the smaller boats such as working canal boats on some of the canal system it was wide enough ie from Brentford to Birmingham to take the wider boats called barges these where ofter crewed by watermen . also some churches ofter listed the working canal boat men as watermen just to confuse matters i have several of my canal boatmen that where listed as watermen