JOHN FARNSWORTH & MARY HOUSLEY
John Farnsworth was born at Bagthorpe, Parish of Selston, Nottinghamshire, England on 9 December 1808, and baptised at St Helen’s Church, Selston on 13 December 1808. His parents were John Farnsworth and Sarah Hill who had married at Sutton-in-Ashfield in 1802.
On 14 February 1831 John married Mary HOUSLEY in the Parish Church, Selston. John was 22 years of age and Mary celebrated her 21st birthday that day.
Mary was born at Bagthorpe on 14 February 1810, and christened at St Helen's Church, Selston on 20 March 1810. Her parents were John Housley and Ann Housley (nee Price).
John and Mary moved around the Derbyshire / Nottinghamshire areas and John worked at a number of occupations as their circumstances changed -
· The Pigot Trade Directory of 1829 lists John as a carrier from Bagthorpe to the Old Bear in Nottingham, and his was still a carrier when his son Eli was born in 1839.
· Between 1831 and 1841 John and Mary were living at Bagthorpe and by the time his son William was born in 1841 John’s occupation was recorded as farmer.
· In June 1841, John, Mary and their 4 sons (John, Edwin, Daniel and Eli) were living at Selston, Notthinghamshire and John’s occupation was recorded as farmer. The 1844 Tithe (church tax) ascertainment register for Selston records John's total holdings as just over 18 acres of which about 20% was arable and the remainder was grass. His landlord was Lord Melbourne who was Prime Minister at the accession of Victoria. His farm was on the north side of the road into Bagthorpe to the east of the Manor House (or Manor Farm as it is now known).
· On 30 March 1851, John, Mary and 5 of their children (William, Frederick, Henry, Thomas and Robert) were living at Northedge in Ashover, Derbyshire and both John and Mary were employed as Framework Knitters. Their eldest 2 sons were no longer living with the family and the next 2 eldest sons (Daniel and Eli, aged 14 and 12 respectively) were working as farm servants in the employ of the Hopkinson family at nearby Northedge House.
Framework knitting was, the the 1840’s (with few exceptions) a very badly-paid industry which people only entered as a last resort; but because it was a domestic industry, in which people were self employed, there were no barriers to entry, except skill. John may have moved the family from Bagthorpe to Ashover because he could no longer pay the rent on his farm, or to enable his family to take up framework knitting.
· On 6 February 1859 Eli was working as a labourer.
· On 7 April 1861, John, Mary and 6 of their children (Daniel, Henry, Thomas, Robert, Mary and Benjamin) were living at Clay Lane, Clay Cross, Derbyshire and John was employed as a colliers labourer. Also at this time, 2 of Mary's relatives (Ann and Hannah Housley) were visiting the family. Both girls were framework knitters. There were some long established coal mining pits near Selston during this period, but rich seams had been discovered by Robert Stephenson whe he was building the Clay Cross railway tunnel. Coal mining would have provided higher earnings for able bodied men and this could well be why John (and later his sons) took up employment in the mines.
· On 2 April 1871, John, Mary and 4 of their children (John, Robert, Mary and Benjamin) were living at Danesmoor Road, Clay Cross and John was working as a fish dealer. Their one year old grand daughter, Mary Farnsworth, was also living with the family (this may be Daniel’s daughter).
· In 1876 either John, or his son John (junior), was living at Danesmoor Road, Clay Cross and working as a licensed beer retailer.
· The 1879 Electoral Registers for Clay Cross Polling District, township of Clay Lane, recorded “voters in respect of property including tenant occupation at a rent of 50 pounds and upwards” as follows –
John Farnsworth : Abode -Clay Cross
Nature of Qualification - House and land as occupier at Thanet Street.
The 1879 Electoral Registers for Clay Lane Polling District, township of Clay Lane, recorded “rateable value under 12 pounds and under 50 pounds rental” as follows –
Fred Farnsworth : Abode -Clay Cross
Nature of Qualification – House, Market Street
Henry Farnsworth : Abode -Clay Cross
Nature of Qualification – House, High Street
Mary died at Clay Cross on 28 November 1878 (aged 68 years) and was buried at St Bartholomews Church, Clay Cross on 1 December 1878. John died at the Crown Inn, Clay Cross on 26 January 1880 (aged 71 years) and was buried at St Bartholomews Church, Clay Cross on 29 January 1880. His son Henry was then the publican of the Crown Inn. Both Mary and John were buried in the family plot at St Bartholomew’s Churchyard, Clay Cross. John's death was announced in the Derbyshire Times of 31 January 1880 -
"FARNSWORTH : On 26 January at the residence of his son, Mr Henry Farnsworth the Crown Inn, Clay Cross, Mr John Farnsworth - aged 71 years"
CHILDREN
John and Mary had 12 children -
William, was born on 7 July 1831
John, was born on 21 March 1833
Edwin, was born on 5 November 1834
Daniel, was born on 16 January 1837
Eli, was born on 16 July 1839
William (II), was born on 9 September 1841
Frederick, was born on 11 December 1843
Henry, was born on 14 July 1846
Thomas, was born on 15 April 1848
Robert, was born on 28 July 1850
Mary, was born on 11 July 1854
Benjamin, was born on 18 March 1857
William FARNSWORTH
William was born at Bagthorpe on 7 July 1831, and baptised at St Helen's Church, Selston on 7 August 1831. He was 8 years of age when he died, and he was buried on 23 October 1839 at St Helen’s Churchyard, Selston.
John FARNSWORTH
John was born at Bagthorpe on 21 March 1833, and baptised at St Helen's Church, Selston on 21 April 1833. John was 8 years of age and living at home with his parents at the time of the 1841 Census, but was living, and working, away from home at the time of the 1851 and 1861 Censuses. However, on 2 April 1871 he was again at home with his parents. His occupation is recorded as fish dealer (1871) and framework knitter.
Edwin FARNSWORTH
Edwin was born at Bagthorpe on 5 November 1834, and christened at St Helen's Church, Selston on 8 December 1834. Although he was living at home with his parents in 1841, by the 1851 Census, aged 16 years, he was working as a coal miner at Clay Lane (bottom long row), Clay Cross. He emigrated to Australia in about 1854 and after working in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, he settled in New South Wales. He married Jane SKINNER at Sydney on 3 June 1861 and they had 7 children -
v Ellen Cook Gourlay, was born at Sydney on 12 August 1862. She married Henry John Seer FIELD at Hartley on 8 November 1882 and they had 3 children.
v Edwin George, was born near Hartley on 17 August 1868. He married Isabel PEARCE at Lithgow on 28 December 1892.
v Eli John, was born at Surry Hills on 14 November 1871. He married Matilda Alice Elizabeth NYE at Orange on 23 January 1891 and they had 4 children, 2 of whom died in infancy. Eli and Matilda later divorced and, on 6 April 1921, Eli married Elizabeth Evelyn GOLSBY at Bathurst. They had one child.
v Mary, was born at Brewongle on 24 January 1874. She married John Johnstone PRENTICE at Eskbank on 22 January 1900 and they had 3 children.
v Henry (Harry) James, was born at Macquarie Plains on 7 May 1876. He married Emily Eliza Tomlinson at Eskbank on 15 August 1900. They had 3 children, the youngest died at Cobar on 18 November 1909 the day before Emily died, also at Cobar. Harry married Helena Louisa Albertine MARTIN at Cobar on 9 October 1912.
v George Skinner, was born at Mount Victoria on 3 November 1880. He married Gertrude Jane EVANS at Bathurst on 19 January 1918. They had 10 children.
v Benjamin, was born at Bowenfels on 1 May 1886. He married Mabel Maud COLES at South Bathurst on 11 August 1909 and they had 6 children.
Daniel FARNSWORTH
Daniel was born at Bagthorpe on 16 January 1837, and baptised at St Helen's Church, Selston on 5 March 1837. By 30 March 1851, at the age of 14 years, Daniel and his younger brother Eli, were working as farm servants for the Hopkinson Family at Northedge House, Ashover.
On 10 August 1857 Daniel married Sarah LOWE at North Wingfield, Derbyshire. Sarah was born in 1839, the daughter of John Lowe. She died at Clay Cross less than a year after her marriage and was buried at Clay Cross on 22 April 1858.
On 7 April 1861 Daniel was recorded as a widower, working as a coal miner and living with his parents at Clay Lane, Clay Cross.
On 14 November 1867 he married Mary Catherine WHETTON at North Wingfield. Mary was born on 7 August 1847, the daughter of John Whetton and Ann Whetton (nee Statham). Daniel and Mary settled in Clay Cross and he continued to work as a coal miner. His sons Frederick and Edwin had followed him into the mines by the time they were 13 years of age.
At the time of the 1881 census Daniel and Mary were living at 41 Thanet Street, Clay Cross with their 10 eldest children. Daniel and sons Frederick and Edwin were employed as coal miners at that time; however, between 1887 and 1892 Daniel was working as a beer dealer / beer retailer. The family, comprising Daniel, Mary and their 10 youngest children (excluding Agnes) were still living at Thanet Street and Mary’s 51 year old brother James Whetton, a coal miner, was boarding with the family. Sons John and Daniel were still employed in the mines in 1891.
Daniel died at Clay Cross in 1893 and was buried at Danesmoor cemetery on 24 July 1893. Mary continued to operate the family business after Daniel's death and was listed in "Kelly's Directory" of 1895 as Mrs Daniel Farnsworth, beer retailer of Thanet Street. She died at Clay Cross on 9 December 1914 and was buried at Danesmoor cemetery.
Daniel and Sarah had one child
v Eli, was born at Clay Cross in September 1857 and baptised at St Bartholomews Church, Clay Cross on 2 December 1857. He died at Clay Cross less than 2 weeks later and was buried at St Batholomews Church, Clay Cross on 14 December 1857.
Daniel and Mary had 14 children
v Frederick Whetton, was born at North Wingfield on 6 June 1867 and baptised at St Bartholomews Church, Clay Cross on 11 July 1866. His birth (being out of wedlock) caused problems for the family at that time. He commenced employment in the mines with his father and brother. He was said to be a member of the “magic circle” and appeared at theatres and the like. His great grandson can remember sitting with him in his workshop as he made the props for his act. He was a noted practical joker and was described by some as a loveable rogue.
In 1923 Frederick purchased the old Wesleyan Chapel at Heath for one hundred and thirty five pounds and ten shillings, and converted it into 2 cottages, one for himself and his wife and the other for his son.
He married Margaret SCHOFIELD of Manchester and they had one child. Frederick died in about 1953, aged 86 years and Margaret died in about 1939 aged 73 years. Frederick and Margaret had one son -
w John Daniel Whetton. He married Mary Elizabeth GRICE of Walsall Wood, Staffordshire. John became a colliery under-manager at Glapwell colliery. His left arm was severely injured in an accident at the colliery as he was inspecting a broken machine. As a result, his arm was amputated. He remained at the colliery in an administrative capacity until his retirement. He also lectured in Mathematics at Sheffield University on a part time basis.
John’s diminished earning capacity affected the educational aspirations of his son who had been expected to attend university. Instead, at the age of 18 years, John’s son Fred was required to work in the coal mines to earn a decent wage to help keep the family together.
John and Mary had 8 children –
Ø Frederick Walter Whetton, was born at Mansfield, Nottinghamshire on 19 August 1917. He married Evelyn EVANS at St Peters Church, Mansfield in January 1942 and they had 5 children
Ø Nellie, was born on 25 October 1919 and died about the same year
Ø John Thomas (Jack), was born on 17 January 1921
Ø Vera Ivy, was born on 12 October 1923 and died in December 1990. She married Austin (Don) POLL.
Ø Richard Levi (Dick), was born on 28 June 1925. He married Mavis TERRY
Ø Harry, was born on 28 September 1926 and died on 4 July 2003
Ø Eileen, was born on 24 August 1928 and died in 2004. She married Joseph TAMASOUSKAS
Ø Una, was born on 10 December 1930. She married Joseph SIMANSKIS
v Edwin, was born at Clay Cross and baptised at St Bartholomews Church, Clay Cross on 8 April 1868. He married Ada (maiden surname not known) at Clay Cross. Ada was born at Clay Cross in about 1873. Edwin’s occupation, at least between 1881 and 1901, was recroded as coal miner. The family was living at 34 Flaxpiece Road, Clay Cross in 1891 and at Stollards Street, Clay Cross in 1897.
Edwin and Ada had 4 children –
¨ William, was born at Clay Cross and baptised St Bartholomews Church, Clay Cross on 20 February 1891. He died at Clay Cross on 8 April 1892 and was buried at Danesmoor cemetery.
¨ Maud, was born at Clay Cross on 8 June 1893 and baptised St Bartholomews Church, Clay Cross on 4 July 1893
¨ Mabel, was born at Clay Cross in 1894
¨ Amy, was born at Clay Cross on 28 February 1897 and baptised St Bartholomews Church, Clay Cross on 27 March 1897. She died at Clay Cross on 25 July 1898 and was buried at Danesmoor cemetery.
¨ Mary, was born at Clay Cross and baptised at St Bartholomews Church, Clay Cross on 20 October 1869. She married Jacob HATTON, a gold prospector in South Africa. Interestingly, Mary’s brother Daniel had also prospected for gold in South Africa some time after 1901. Mary and Jacob had one child –
¨ Una
v John, was born at Clay Cross and baptised at St Bartholomews Church, Clay Cross on 20 April 1871. He married Sarah Ann (maiden surname not known). Sarah was born in Ashby, Lincolnshire in about 1874. At least between 1891 and 1938, John’s occupation was recorded as coal miner. The family was living at 4 Baileys Square, Clay Cross in 1894 and at Thanet Street, Clay Cross between 1896 and 1901.
John died at Clay Cross on 23 September 1938 and was buried at Danesmoor cemetery. John and Sarah had 2 children –
¨ Jane Elizabeth, was born at Clay Cross on 26 June 1894 and baptised at St Bartholomews Church, Clay Cross on 11 August 1894
¨ John William, was born at Clay Cross on 5 November 1896 and baptised St Bartholomews Church, Clay Cross on 12 January 1897
v Daniel, was born at Clay Cross and baptised at St Bartholomews Church, Clay Cross on 16 October 1872. During the period 1881-1901 he was living at 41 Thanet Street, Clay Cross. In 1901 his occupation was recorded as horse dealer, but at some time after that he had prospected for gold in South Africa. He died at Clay Cross on 30 March 1960 and was buried at Danesmoor cemetery.
v Agnes (or Ann), was born at Clay Cross in 1874. She was still living at home at Thanet Street, Clay Cross at the time of the 1881 census.
v Emma Catherine, was born at Clay Cross and baptised at St Bartholomews Church, Clay Cross on 6 April 1876
v Benjamin, was born at Clay Cross and baptised at St Bartholomews Church, Clay Cross on 17 April 1878. He married Lillie (maiden surname not known) who was born in 1883. Benjamin was a labourer by occupation, Between 1881 and 1901 resided at 41 Thanet Street, Clay Cross and between 1904 and 1911 he and Lillie resided at Slater Street, Clay Cross.
Lillie died at Clay Cross on 19 December 1911 and Benjamin died at Clay Cross on 1 January 1934. They were both buried at Danesmoor cemetery. Benjamin and Lillie had 4 children -
¨ Eli, was born at Clay Cross on 2 April 1904 and baptised at St Bartholomews Church, Clay Cross on 23 April 1904
¨ Nellie, was born at Clay Cross on 4 August 1905 and baptised at St Bartholomews Church, Clay Cross on 2 September 1905. She married George WALKER at St Bartholomews Church, Clay Cross on 28 February 1925 and their witnesses were Edward Flavell and Florrie Lowe. George was born in 1905 and was a farm labourer of Woodthorpe Hall, Old Tupton. Nellie had been working as a shop assistant in 1925.
¨ Lois, was born at Clay Cross on 2 February 1908 and baptised at St Bartholomews Church, Clay Cross on 21 February 1908
¨ Geoffrey, was born at Clay Cross on 21 February 1910 and baptised at St Bartholomews Church, Clay Cross on 11 March 1910
v Maud Mercy (or Maud Mary or Ingrid M.), was born at Clay Cross in 1880 and baptised at St Bartholomews Church, Clay Cross on 11 February 1880. She was married twice, firstly to George Henry THORPE (a coal miner) in 1901; and secondly to William Bentley TRYNER (a coal miner) in 1903. It is not known at this time what became of Maud’s first husband.
William was born at Mansfield, Nottinghamshire in 1882, the son of Samuel Tryner and Sarah Ann (maiden surname not known). He married Maud at Clay Cross on 10 August 1903 and their witnesses were B. Farnsworth and M.J. Tryner. Between 1901 and 1903, William was residing at New Tupton, Derbyshire.
Maud and George had one child –
¨ Sybil, was born on 9 August 1901. She married Frederick SMITH on 10 August 1930. Frederick was born on 26 January 1906 and died on 28 December 1984. Sybil died on 9 January 1980. Sybil and Fred had 2 children –
Maud and William had six children –
¨ Franz Norman, was born on 31 December 1905 and died on 28 January 1986. He married Alice Mary RHODES on 25 January 1939. Alice was born on 12 February 1906 and died on 15 June 2000. Franz and Alice had 2 children
¨ Doris, was born on 26 January 1910. She married George KEETON on 24 December 1930. George was born on 11 August 1903 and died on 16 October 1977, just a year earlier than Doris who died on 10 October 1978. Doris and George had 3 children
¨ Harold, was born in 1911
¨ Maud, was born on 29 April 1917. She married John Thomas LOWE and they had at least one child before emigrating to Australia. John was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland on 6 September 1912 and died on 5 February 1990.
¨ Frederick, was born on 11 August 1921. He married Mary SIMSON on 31 July 1948. Mary died on 26 November 1983 and Fred died on 23 March 1999. Fred and Mary had 2 children
¨ Ivy, was born at Clay Cross on 26 October 1918 and baptised at St Bartholomews Church, Clay Cross on 13 December 1918. Ivy was married three times, first to Robert James HEPTON; then to Oswald CLARKE and then on 22 Januray 1955 to William BRAMWELL. William was born on 4 August 1918 and died on 26 September 1966. Ivy died on 16 November 1997. Ivy had 2 children
v Noah, was born at Clay Cross and baptised at St Bartholomews Church, Clay Cross on 5 January 1881. Noah’s occupation was recorded as coal miner. He married Maria NIELD (a widow, nee RALLY) at Clay Cross on 3 August 1904. Their witnesses were James Rodgers and Elizabeth Porter. Maria was born in 1872, the daughter of Francis Rally. In 1905 Noah and Maria were living at Bradley Square, Danesmoor and between 1913 and 1914 at Main Street, Danesmoor. In 1941 they were living at 137 Parkhouse Terrace, Clay Cross.
Maria died at Clay Cross on 7 March 1942 and Noah died at Clay Cross on 1 May 1947. They were both buried at Danesmoor cemetery. Noah and Maria had 2 children –
¨ Ivy, was born at Danesmoor on 31 August 1905 and baptised at St Bartholomews Church, Clay Cross on 30 September 1905
¨ Una, was born at Danesmoor on 21 January 1913 and baptised at St Bartholomews Church, Clay Cross on 14 February 1913. She died on Christmas day 1914 and was buried at Danesmoor cemetery.
v Fanny, was born at Clay Cross baptised at St Bartholomews Church, Clay Cross on 27 May 1884. In 1901 her occupation was recorded as domestic servant.
v James Albert, was born at Clay Cross and baptised at St Bartholomews Church, Clay Cross on 14 April 1886. In 1901, aged 5 years, he was recorded as a horse driver (underground) and living at 41 Thanet Street, Clay Cross. In 1913 he was residing at the Kings Head, Thanet Street, Clay Cross and had a son –
¨ James Edwin, was born at Clay Cross on 27 September 1913 and baptised at St Bartholomews Church, Clay Cross on 19 October 1913.
v William Housley, was born at Clay Cross and baptised at St Bartholomew’s Church, Clay Cross on 13 March 1888.
v Vastina, was born at Clay Cross on 28 June 1889 and baptised on 31 July 1889. She married William Henry SANDERSON (a coal miner) at Chesterfield Registry Office on 30 May 1908. Their witnesses were Lewis John Fretwell and Nellie Bolton.
William was born at Clay Cross on 14 October 1883. His parents were Arthur Sanderson and Alice Sanderson (nee Clay). Vastina and William were living at Clay Lane, Clay Cross in 1908; at New Street, Clay Cross in 1911; at King Street, Clay Cross in 1915 and at 33 King Street, Clay Cross in 1922. William died at Chesterfield Hospital on 24 April 1964 and Vastina died at Clay Cross on 17 August 1974. Both are buried at Danesmoor Cemetery.
Vastina and William had 8 children
¨ Frederick William, was born at Clay Cross on 24 October 1908 and baptised at Clay Cross on 27 November 1908. On 1 June 1936 he married Winifred Iris LAKIN at Fazeley, Staffordshire. Winifred was born at Fazeley on 8 February 1918 to William Lakin and Emma Lakin (nee Bailey) and baptised at the Methodist Church, Fazeley on 6 March 1918. At that time her parents were living at 110 Lichfield Street, Fazeley. In 1938 Winifred was living at 34 Lichfield Street, Fazeley and between 1941 and 1962 at 64 Mill Lane, Fazeley.
On 1 June 1937 Fred was stationed at Bulford Camp, Wiltshire and Winifred was living at 64 Mill Lane, Fazeley. After WWII, Fred was a cable jointer by occupation. Fred died at Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands on 27 July 1986 and Winifred died at Tamworth, Staffordshire on 21 September 1992. Fred and Winifred had 3 children
¨ Edwin, was born at Clay Cross on 23 November 1910 and baptised at Clay Cross on 16 December 1910. He died at Clay Cross on 6 February 1911 and was buried at Danesmoor cemetery.
¨ Cyril, was born at Clay Cross on 4 February 1912 and baptised at Clay Cross on 23 February 1912. He died at Clay Cross on 27 June 1943 and was buried at Danesmoor cemetery,
¨ Nora, was born at Clay Cross on 24 December 1914 and baptised at Clay Cross on 15 January 1915. She married Enoch HALL, the son of Samuel and Ada Hall. Enoch was born at Clay Cross on 6 April 1913 and baptised in St Bartholomews Church, Clay Cross on 20 April 1913. Enoch served in the British Army, 1st Sherwood Forresters for 22 years. He died at Chesterfield on 1 March 1982 predeceasing Nora by 7 years, she having died at Chesterfield on 20 July 1989. They had one child
¨ Gladys, was born at Clay Cross on 4 January 1919 and baptised at St Bartholomews Church, Clay Cross on 23 January 1920. She married Robert COLE (a coal miner) who was born at Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire on 20 August 1915. Robert served with the British Army, Lincolnshire Regiment in Africa and Italy during WWII. Gladys died at the Royal Hospital, Chesterfield on 24 June 1986 and Robert died at Broadleys, Clay Cross in June 1997. Gladys and Robert had 3 children
¨ Leonard, was born at Clay Cross in 1922. He died at Clay Cross on 17 March 1923 and was buried at Danesmoor cemetery.
¨ Wilfred, was born at Clay Cross on 7 February 1924 and baptised at St Bartholomews Church, Clay Cross on 29 February 1924. He saw military service between 1939 and 1945 and was badly wounded by a V1 rocket. He married Marion ADLINGTON at Clay Cross on 8 February 1947. Their witnesses were Jessie Bunting and Robert Cole. Marion was born at Danesmoor on 24 April 1925 the daughter of Albert Adlington and Ethel Adlington (nee Spencer). She was working as a Woollen Mill Worker before her marriage to Wilfred. Wilfred and Marion resided their whole married life at 26 Bestwood Park, Clay Cross. Wilfred died at Clay Cross on 1 August 1989 and was buried at Danesmoor cemetery. Wilfred and Marion had 2 children
¨ Mona, was born at Clay Cross on 14 January 1928 and baptised at St Bartholomews Church, Clay Cross on 3 February 1928. She married Geoffrey HOGGINS at Chesterfield on 22 March 1952. Geoffrey was born at Grassmoor, Derbyshire on 8 August 1924, the son of Joseph Hoggins and Gertrude Hoggins (nee Staley). Mona and Geoffrey had 3 children -
v Herbert, was born at Clay Cross on 6 May 1892 and baptised at St Bartholomews Church, Clay Cross on 16 June 1892. He was a coal miner by occupation and lived his whole life at Thanet Street, Clay Cross. He died at Clay Cross on 12 April 1913, aged 20, and was buried at Danesmoor cemetery.
Eli / Elias FARNSWORTH
Eli was born at Bagthorpe on 16 July 1839, and baptised at St Helen's Church, Selston on 18 August 1839. He was also recorded in the 1851 census as Elias Farnsworth. By the time he was 12 years of age Eli and his elder brother Daniel were working as farm servants, employed by the Hopkinson Family at Northedge House, Ashover. Although the rest of the family lived nearby, the boys lived on the farm.
On 6 February 1859, Eli married Hannah BALL at St Bartholomew's Church of England, Clay Cross. Their witnesses were John Hunt and Hannah Hunt. Eli was then 20 years of age and working as a collier, and Hannah was a 19 year old spinster of Clay Cross. Neither Eli nor Hannah could sign their name.
Hannah was born in South Normanton, Derbyshire in 1840. Her parents were Ezra Ball, a collier, and Elizabeth Ball (nee Cook).
On 7 April 1861 Eli and Hannah, and their eldest child (one year old Sarah), were living at High Street, Clay Cross and Eli was working as a coal miner.
On 2 April 1871 Eli and Hannah, and three of their children (Elizabeth, Sarah A. and Emma aged 8, 4 and 3 respectively) were living at Eyre Street, Clay Cross and Eli was employed as a coal miner. They had 2 boarders living with them at the time, 48 year old bricklayers labourer William Galby and 5 month old baby Jabes Britton. It is not know what, if any, relationship these people had to Eli and Hannah.
By 4 October 1871 their circumstances had changed considerably and the family were living at the Ship Inn, St Mary's Gate, Chesterfield. It was here that their youngest daughter was born. Eli and Hannah remained at the Ship Inn at least until 1876.
When Eli’s youngest daughter Emma was baptised in June 1875, Eli recorded his occupation as Innkeeper of Clay Cross.
By 3 April 1881 they had moved to "The Castle Vaults", Castle Yard, Low Pavement, Chesterfield, and Eli was a licensed victualler at the Castle Inn. There were still 3 children (Sarah Ann, Ruth and Robert) living at home, as was Eli's younger brother Tom, who was working as a barman.
On 20 September 1881 Eli married Fanny REYNOLDS (the daughter of Thomas Reynolds) who was born at Warsop, Nottinghamshire in about 1856. By 1887 the family had moved to the Buck Hotel, High Street, Clay Cross. In 1891 Eli's 17 year old son Robert was living with them at the Buck Hotel along with servants Ellen and Elizabeth Fox (aged 15 and 23 respectively and both from Clay Cross) and Marian Reynard, 31 years of age from Paris, France.
Eli died on 26 January 1895 (aged 56 years) and was buried on 31 January 1895 in the family plot at St Bartholomew’s Churchyard, Clay Cross. Probate was granted on 29 March 1895 to Eli’s brother Henry (210 pounds and his personal effects)
Fanny continued to operate the Buck Hotel at least until 1901 (reference Bennetts Directory of 1892, Bulmers Directory of 1895, Kelly’s Directory of 1895 and 1899).
Eli and Hannah had 7 children
v Sarah, was born at Clay Cross in 1860 and baptised on 15 February 1860. Sarah was still alive in 1861 but probably died in infancy as Hannah had another daughter named Sarah.
v Elizabeth, was born at Clay Cross in 1863. Elizabeth may have died in childhood as she was not living with the family at the time of the 1881 census.
v Sarah Ann, was born at Clay Cross on 5 November 1865, and baptised at St Mary's Church, Chesterfield on 19 June 1874. She married George NAYLOR at Chesterfield on 16 November 1884. George was born at Chesterfield in 1861 and was a tobacco manufacturer of Church Lane Chesterfield at the time of his marriage to Sarah.
v Emma, was born at Clay Cross in 1868. Although Emma is recorded in the 1871 Census, she probably died shortly thereafter as Hannah had another daughter named Emma.
v Ruth, was born at the Ship Inn, Chesterfield on 4 October 1871, and baptised at St Mary's Church, Chesterfield on 19 June 1874. She married John COATES at Sheffield Cathedral, Sheffield, South Yorkshire on 2 April 1888. John was born at Stretton, Derbyshire on 14 April 1868 and died at Clay Cross on 27 March 1930 predeceasing Ruth who died at Clay Cross on 12 April 1941. Ruth and John had 2 children -
¨ Fanny Elizabeth, was born at Clay Cross on 10 April 1890, she died at Scarsdale Hospital, Chesterfield in October 1966. Fanny married James RICHMOND (born at North Wingfield on 29 July 1886) at Clay Cross on 29 July 1919. James died at home at Mickley, near Clay Cross in November 1955 and Fanny died at Scarsdale Hospital, Chesterfield in October 1966. Fanny and James had one daughter –
Ø Evelyn Dora who was born at Smithy Moor Cottage, Stretton, Derbyshire on 16 May 1921. She married Raymond CARLIN (born at John Street, Clay Cross on 4 October 1920) at Chesterfield Register Office on 1 March 1940. Raymond was born at John Street, Clay Cross on 4 October 1920 and died on 5 September 1996. Evelyn and Raymond had one daughter -
¨ John
v Robert, was born at Chesterfield on 18 October 1873, and baptised at St Mary's Church, Chesterfield on 13 June 1874. His occupation in 1891 was recorded as general servant. He married Martha (maiden surname not known). Martha was born at Clay Cross in about 1874 and died at Clay Cross on 27 September 1918. Robert and Martha were living at Broadleys in 1909 and at High Street, Clay Cross in 1913. They had 4 children–
¨ Eli Robert, was born at Clay Cross on 24 August 1904 and died at Clay Cross on 2 February 1909
¨ Beatrice, was born at Clay Cross on 9 October 1909 and died less than 2 weeks later on 16 December 1909
¨ Dorothy Mary, was born at Clay Cross on 31 August 1911
¨ Edwin Clarence, was born at Clay Cross on 19 March 1913 and died on 22 November the same year.
v Emma, was born at Clay Cross in 1875 and baptised at Clay Cross Church on 24 February 1875. Because Emma is not recorded in the 1881 Census she probably died in infancy.
William FARNSWORTH
William was born at Bagthorpe on 9 September 1841, and baptised at St Helen's Church, Selston on 12 October 1841. In 1851 William was living at Northedge with his parents; however, his movements have not been traced after that time.
Frederick FARNSWORTH
Frederick was born at Bagthorpe on 11 December 1843. In 1851 he was living at Northedge with his parents and in 1876 he was a beer retailer at Clay Cross. By 1881 he was living at the New Square Inn, Chesterfield and the White Horse Inn, West Bars, Chesterfield and his occupation was recorded as Publican. The 1881 census also records his 15 year old niece Emma Farnsworth living at 7 White Horse and working as a bar maid. This is probably Eli Farnsworth’s daughter. The Clay Cross Electoral Registers record a Fred Farnsworth living at High Street in 1878, and Market Street in 1879.
On 27 March 1882, Frederick married Elizabeth FLETCHER at St Peter’s Church, Old Brampton, Derbyshire. Elizabeth was born at Peterborough, Northamptonshire in 1860. Frederick and Elizabeth were living at 248 New Street, Grassmoor in 1891 and Frederick was the landlord of the Sportsmans Inn at Grassmoor, Derbyshire. He died at Grassmoor on 31 October 1908 and Elizabeth died in 1933. They were both buried at Hasland cemetery.
Frederick and Elizabeth had 7 children
v Frederick, was born at Chesterfield on 11 August 1882 and baptised at Chesterfield on 25 August 1882
v Mary, was born at Chesterfield on 2 September 1883 and baptised at Chesterfield on 30 September 1883
v Elizabeth Margaret, was born at Chesterfield in 1884. She married William TARLTON at Grassmoor in about 1905
v James, was born at Chesterfield in 1885. He died on 10 April 1915 and was buried at Hasland cemetery
v Eli, was born at Grassmoor in 1890. He died on 9 March 1923 and was buried at Hasland cemetery
v Henry, was born at Grassmoor in 1890. He died on 11 August 1930 and was buried at Hasland cemetery
v Isabella, was born at Hasland, Derbyshire in 1895