RootsChat.Com

My great grandmother was Martha Hallam (nee Smith) born 1872 died 1946
Family history passed down suggest she was descended from the Smith's who lived on the Black Patch.
Her father was John Smith (b:1833, d:1896) . Married to Martha Mason.
Her grandfather was Sidney Smith, and grandmother was Hannah Smith (nee Key or Keye)
After that the records dry up.
Family stories link them to King Ezra and Queen Henty of the Black Patch.
Can anyone fill in the gaps please.

Thanks aa1webb for your useful info.

I think the 2xE.Smiths you mention would have described themselves as grandson and granddaughter-in-law of Esau.

Working backward down my tree, my g-grandmother was Martha Smith whose father is shown as John Smith (coal miner) on her wedding cert in 1889.  You told me that Esau and Henty had another son called John.  Do you know if this John married and had children?  If he did he may be our link back to Esau.

Will look up the book you mention, I am still waiting for a copy of Rudge's Brumroamin to come through but I can identify photos from him of Black Patch with photos we have in the family.

There is a suggestion that our family of Gypsys' Smith worked the canals.  There was (or is) a canal passing near to Black Patch and there are stories that my g-g-grandfather had a site near the canal outside Bulwell (Notts) and the canals outside Luton (Beds) are mentioned; however, I am not an expert on the Gypsey way of life.  Can anyone else help?

Jay Cee

Thanks Amanda,

My email system has been "down" for the last 3 or 4 days so I am now playing catch-up too.  Are you related to Esau and Henty by any chance because, according to my family history as passed down, I am, albeit distantly.  The family story is that Esau was given the deeds to Black Patch but after he died they were burnt along with his caravan in the traditional way of the Romanies.  The land then passed on to the "Crown". 

Regards Jay Cee

Thank you both for your help.  Is it possible to find out if Henty SMITH had children, if so, when.  My Greatgrandmother, Martha SMITH, born about 1872 and may have been one of her children.  Any clues?  Jay Cee