Where to go?

[Aks]

I have an ancestor (well almost, I'm descended from his adopted daughter) called Martin Farnell, who at one point in his life was the High Sheriff of Derbyshire. I believe he lived in Coton-in-the-Elms in Derbyshire, but I think he was born in Appleby Magna, Leicestershire, in 1747. According to the documents I have found, he was married in Melbourne, Derbyshire, in 1805, and died in Clifton Campville, Staffordshire, in 1815. However, his will says "I Martin Farnell of Four Oaks in the parish of Sutton Coldfield in the County of Warwick"! I also think he was involved in the running of a bank in Ashby-de-la-Zouch in Leicestershire. So many counties! (At least, these seem to be the current counties: whether they were then, I don't know.)

It's been difficult finding documents about him, especially as I live in Luxembourg, however I expect to be in the Leicester area next summer. I was wondering if anyone could advise me as to which records office (or other facility) I might expect to find more information about him if I were to visit there in person. I have not been able to find any documents linking him to this bank and I'm also not entirely sure for his birth, so presumably the best place to go would be the Leicestershire records office?

Many thanks,

Alan

[Andy J2022]

From a very quick search for him, there appear to be three people named Martin Farnell associated with Ashby de la Zouch. The first died in January 1809 and was buried in Ashby de la Zouch. The second was the man you mention who died and was buried at St Andrew's church Clifton Campville, although the burial register notes his address was Four Oaks near Sutton Colefield, but formerly of Coton in the Elms, Derbyshire. All the London Gazette and press announcements for him being appointed one of the three Sherriffs for Derbyshire in 1787, 1788 and 1789 report his address as Coton in the Elms. The third Martin Farnell was baptised at Ashby de la Zouch in July 1792.
Martin Farnell formerly of Ashby de la Zouch but then living at Coton on the Elms, banker, was declared bankrupt in 1805. See image below from the London Gazette of 30 March 1805
 

[LizzieL]

That notice of bankruptcy was issued a few says after he got married. I wonder if there was any significance in that? He was in his fifties when he married and  his wife was in her late thirties. Quite old if it was first marriage.

[LizzieL]

There's a later report stating the date of bankruptcy was 9th March 1805. He married on 17 March 1805 but marriage licence was dated 4 Feb 1805. Unusually large gap.
He is described as a bachelor, farmer and of the parish of Lullington, Derbyshire. Both he and Frances Matthew are described as 21 years and upwards! Very much "upwards" if ages on burial records are correct or even close.

[spendlove]

Hi,
There are a number of documents held by Derbyshire Record Office, which name Martin Farnell.

He purchased the Lordship of the Manor of Cotton in the Elms in 1795, this is the connection
https://calmview.derbyshire.gov.uk/calmview/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Persons&id=DS%2fUK%2fM%2f3705&pos=1

This is connection to other documents in which he is named

https://calmview.derbyshire.gov.uk/calmview/Overview.aspx

[LizzieL]

Searching on Farnell in the Derbyshire, comes up with a few other Farnells in association with Martin - Joseph Farnell, John Farnell and James Farnell jnr - brothers? cousins?

Also some Curzons (a Joseph Curzon was bondsman on his marriage licence)

Marriage ca 1775 between Nathaniel Curzon and Ann Farnell
John Curzon "Mortgage: Martin Farnell to Daniel Parker Coke: a messuage and lands in Coton in the Elms. W: Jno. Curzon" 

[LizzieL]

Found licence for marriage  between Nathaniel Curzon and Ann Farnell on FindMyPast. He was 30, attorney at law, bachelor, of the parish of Breedon on the Hill, Leics, Ann was 21, spinster, of Overseal in the parish of Netherseal. Date of licence: 12 June 1775. Overseal quite close to Coton in the Elms and Lullington. Ann would be born about 1754.

[Annie65115]

I have an ancestral line in this geographical area, where several counties meet, and yes, it can be vaguely frustrating to have to search in several places at once!

Melbourne and Ashby de la Zouch are only a few miles apart, but Ashby will be covered by the Leic records office (on the outskirts of Leicester) and Melbourne is covered by the Derbyshire office (at Matlock). 

Looking at Martin's baptism I suspect the family roots were in Derbyshire/Warwickshire. The only baptism I can find that matches with his age at burial is the one is Appleby, and the parents were Joseph and Susanna. They had married in Susannah's parish of Austrey (Warwickshire), and the marriage licence gave Joseph's parish as Overseal (Derbyshire). A brief glance at the parish registers suggests that Joseph had a brother, Martin.

But in fact the surname appears frequently on the PRs in lots of villages around this area. I think that before you go any further, I would try to see if there's a copy of Martin's 1805 marriage licence at the Derbyshire record office, in the hope that it will tell you what his home parish was. If you put a request on the Derbyshire board you might find that someone is heading that way and can do a look up for you; failing that a phone call to the archives might work?

[KGarrad]

That will only give you his parish at the time of marriage (where banns or licence were referred to).
It won't give you his parish of birth.