Change of fortune?

[MJP]

Hi,

I have been tracing my Dunnington ancestors and I've found some puzzling census entries.  Well, they seem odd to me, but perhaps it is not so unusual.  I'm hoping someone will be able to offer some persepctive...

It starts with James Dunnington, b. <1826> in the village of Tollerton, Parish of Alne, North Riding.  There is an IGI entry for a James Dunnington c. 1825 s/o John and Ann, but I don't know his parents names, so can't confirm. 

He is working as a servant in the 1851 census, in Tollerton in the Fawcitt household.  William Fawcitt is a freeholder farmer of 118 acres. 

By 1861 James has married an Elizabeth, also born in Tollerton (likely Elizabeth Pollard, married 4 Dec 1856, Alne - IGI).  They are living at Lords Moor Farm in Strensall and James is listed as a farmer of 229 acres employing 1 man and 2 boys.  They have children Edward (1857), John (1858), Annie (1859), and Martha (1860), all born in Strensall, all coinciding with entries on IGI.  On the same page is the vicarage, the station house, and the railway gatehouse - not too shaby neighbours!

By 1871 they are living in Burneston.  James is now an agricultural labourer.  In addition to Edward, John, Annie, and Martha they also have James (1862 Strensall - on IGI), Elizabeth (1864) and Catherine (1866).  Elizabeth and Catherine are both down as being born in Helenthorpe, Yorkshire, but I cannot find any such place on GENUKI.  At least it tells me that the family was somewhere else between Strensall and Burneston.  But did they lose their farm?  How could a former servant acquire such property and then how would he come to lose it?  Are the records that would tell me this?

In 1881, the family is living in Tollerton.  James is an Ag Lab Heind(?).  With them are Edward, James, John and Catherine.  The children's birthplaces have all been recorded as Tollerton.  I am particularly interested in their daughter Martha, as she is my direct ancestor.  I have lost her on this census.

Martha marries in 1887 to William Eagle, also of Tollerton.  On her marriage certificate it says she is a servant in Huntington.  The marriage takes place in Huntington.

By 1891, James has died.  The widowed Elizabeth is living in Tollerton with her unmarried daughter Elizabeth and grand-daughter Beatrice.  Elizabeth junior's birthplace is given as Bowbridge, which I also can't find on GENUKI.  It says Elizabeth senior is "living on her own means".  How can that be if her husband was previously an itinerant ag lab?  Her daughter Martha, now Martha Eagle, also lives in Tollerton - her husband William is a farmer of 12 acres.

So... I guess my question is about the family's changing fortunes and how this might have come about.  Maybe my impression of the poor financial position of an Ag Lab is not quite right.  Any thoughts most welcome....  Sorry for the long-windedness!

Thanks,

Martha

[oly]

Hello Martha

The easy bit first, your Bowbridge is Borobridge, have another look.
I think Helenthorpe is Helperthorpe, near Weaverthorpe, North yorks.
Most farmers were tennant farmers, a few bad harvests when starting out
with little back up and they were finished. It happened to many farmers in
the 1790's something I found out while researching my family.
Men acquired farms when they were recognized as hard responsible workers,
and willing to take the risk, much like anyone gets on.
'Living on own means' as opposed to being classed a pauper usually meant
being supported by ones family, the reason most mothers hoped for sons
and had large families. This prevailed in the working classes pre 1939 in my
experience.
Elizabeth would also be helped by her daughters income and she also would
be looking after her granddaughter to enable her daughter to work,
( that has not changed )
Our ancestors worked usually until they died. My great grandfather was killed
in an accident while working aged 74.
When I started work in the Steelworks it was not unusual to see men of 70
working.
Things have improved over the years, a legacy from our ancestors. 
Family History Societies have some good lectures on past happenings.

Not sure that this should be discussed on this board, sorry to have rambled on
its a sign of old age.
 
Regards oly

[oly]

Hello again Martha

1841 Census Tollerton 1239/5

John Dunnington 50 farmer
Ann   40
George  20
Mary 15
Jonathan 10
Catherine 9
Joseph 6
Henry 3
Thomas 2
All Dunnington and born in County

Next page
James Dunnington 15 ag lab, living in the Farmhouse of George Lowther 60
and family.
Born in County

No other Dunnington's in Tollerton, so looks like Farming is in the family.
Send for James and Elizabeth's marriage certificate for proof of fathers.

1841 Census Tollerton
John Pollard 35 Carpenter
Ann 35, Mary 16, Elizabeth 11, John 7, Thomas 4.
All Pollard and born in County

Remember, 1841 census, all ages 15 and over were rounded down to 0 or 5

Regards Oly

[MJP]

Thanks so much for your help oly!  I really appreciate the look-ups. 

I guess I can believe that James got a hold of that farm, but couldn't quite make it work.  229 acres just seemed a bit large to me. 

I can see what you said about the elderly Elizabeth being supported but also providing support through child care.  Good thought.

And I'll look in to Borobridge and Helenthorpe.  I had thought of those, but I thought the writing on the census was so clear.  Perhaps it was a case of mis-hearing rather than mis-spelling. 

Thanks again,

Martha