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« on: Saturday 09 February 13 14:01 GMT (UK) »
Hello Pels,
interesting!!! Yes I have come across the name Hodskinson throughout many of my family records.
Tell me what you think of these records in regard to your Elizabeth Beesley and Leonard...
From: Return of Papists...1767 living in Woodplumpton
William Beesley age 70 a tailor
Ann Beesley age 50 tailors wife
Henry Beesley 35 Shoe maker
Ellen , his wife 39
Henry and Ellens children
William 8
Robert 8 (This Robert is believed to be the Robert who married Margaret Heaton in 1784)
Leonard 7
Elizabeth 5
John 3
Seeing that these Papist records came from 1767, and your Elizabeth married in 1785... it would make Elizabeth a good age to have married!! ie : born 1762... approx 23 yrs of age at marraige!!!
And they have a brother called Leonard!!!! Bingo!!!!!
Now, regards to Thomas Hardiker and Jane... This had always been my assumption also,,, that he was not Catholic (actually I am fairly certain he was not Catholic), as the Beesley family definatley were very staunch. I can quite easily see that they would not have been allowed to marry unless one or the other converted to the others religion.
I would love to find more information on his trial in 1841 as it may uncover some of the family prejudices and rivalries. According to both Jane and Thomas's death certificates... she died a spinster and he died a batchelor... but, sadly, Thomas Hardiker did not recognize any of his children in his will.
It tells me that there must have been irreconcilable rifts that occured (he did go to prison on their behalf... sort of, after all!!!). Funnily enough, when their son 'Robert Beesley" married for the second time (after mother Jane Beesley passed away) his fathers name of "Thomas Hardicker" was acknowledged on his wedding certificate which was not proclaimed on his first wedding certificate while his mother was still alive!!!
Anyhow, I would be interested to see what you think about the above, early Beesley records.
Our family have the verbal stories that our Beesleys link back to the martyr, Blessed George Beesley of "The Hill" at Goosnargh. This my goal,,, to find the connection,
sincerely
Kazzan