Thomas Crowley and Emma Gower

Glasgow Street, Kingston upon Hull
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Bernard Sharp - geograph.org.uk/p/3820479
Terraced houses on the west side of Glasgow Street.

Thomas Crowley (b. 1852), son of Thomas Crowley and Elizabeth Molloy, married Emma Gower (bap. 18 Dec 1856), daughter of Daniel Gower and Charlotte Moody, at All Saints Church, Hull (demolished in 1974), on 26 May 1877.

Thomas and Emma had one son, Thomas Crowley, born in the 2nd quarter of 1878, but who died in the 3rd quarter of the same year, in Sculcoates.

In 1881, Thomas Crowley (27) Labourer out of employ and Emma Crowley (24) were living at 58, Church Street, Sculcoates, Yorkshire. 

Thomas Crowley, then of Glasgow Street, Newington, Sculcoates, died, aged just 35 and was buried at Hull Holy Trinity, on 21 Jan 1889. 

In 1891, widow, Emma Gower (33), her occupation listed as "Takes in mangling", was still living in Glasgow Street, with Hannah Crowley (72), widow of Thomas' father, Thomas Crowley, described, curiously, as her aunt. Also living in the household were Lodgers, Christopher Kirby (27) Butler and Rosa Kirby (21).

Emma Crowley (36), Widow, daughter of Daniel Gower, then remarried to William Henry Appleby (bap. 29 Sep 1850), Widower, Sailor, son of Henry Appleby, Master Mariner and Rebecca Wilson, at St Matthew's church, Hull on 14 Dec 1891. 

It's hard to get one's head around, however, checking records we discover ... 

Emma Gower's first husband's father's third wife, Hannah Wilson - therefore her step-mother-in-law, but who was described as her aunt (suggesting an existing blood relationship) - was the sister of her second husband's mother, Rebecca Wilson. (WAY more convoluted than any fictional Soap (TV series) story line!)

William Henry Appleby had previously married his first cousin, Mary Ellen Wilson, daughter of Joseph Wilson (brother of Hannah and Rebecca), at St Barnabas, Hull on 25 Jan 1881. They had two children; Henry Appleby b. 3 Apr 1882 J Qtr in HULL Vol 09D Page 268 and George William Appleby b. 1885 J Qtr in HULL Vol 09D Page 240, bap. 6 May 1886. George William died, aged 2, in 1887 M Qtr in HULL Vol 09D Page 196. Mary Ellen Appleby died, at 37, in 1888. 

In 1891, Henry Appleby (9) had been living with his grandmother, Rebecca Postill (69) Widow*, at 10, Hetty's Terrace, Holy Trinity.

* Born Rebecca Wilson, she had originally married Henry Appleby, in Sculcoates on 23 Nov 1840. In 1851, Rebecca Appleby (29) Sailor's Wife was living at 8, Union Square Edward Place, Sculcoates with son William H Appleby (0). Henry Appleby was presumably at sea. I haven't found a record of Henry Appleby's death, however, Rebecca Appleby, then 45, remarried to Thomas Stork, in Hull, in Q3 of 1867. Thomas Stork died, at 35, in 1870. So Rebecca Stork (56), daughter of Joseph Wilson, married for a third time, at Hull, St Barnabas on 5 Sep 1877, to a Francis Postill (58). This must have been all too much for him, however, as Francis Postill was buried, only a few weeks later on 26 Oct 1877, at Hull Holy Trinity.

William Henry and Emma Appleby then added four children:

1. Alfred Appleby b. 1892 D Quarter in SCULCOATES Volume 09D Page 152, bap. 17 Aug 1898 in Newington, Yorkshire (aged 5)
2. Olive Appleby b. 23 Nov 1895 D Quarter in SCULCOATES Volume 09D Page 163, bap. 18 Dec 1895 in Newington, Yorkshire
3. William Appleby b. 1898 S Quarter in SCULCOATES Volume 09D Page 170, bap. 17 Aug 1898 in Newington, Yorkshire. Killed 20 Jul 1918.
4. Leslie Appleby b. 6 Aug 1901 S Quarter in SCULCOATES Vol 09D 189

The first three births correctly list the mother's maiden name as GOWER. On Leslie's it is listed wrongly, but usefully, as CROWLEY (Depends whether 'maiden' or 'former' name was asked for). The baptisms give their address as 99 Glasgow Street, Sculcoates and William Henry's occupation as Marine Fireman.

In 1901, Emma Appleby (46) Married, was living at 99, Glasgow Street, Sculcoates, with Alfred Appleby (8), Olive Appleby (5), William Appleby (2) and Rebecca Postill (80) Widow, who was her mother-in-law, William Henry's mother.

In 1911, at 34 Barmston St, Hull, were Emma Appleby (55) Married (William Henry presumably again at sea); Alfred Appleby (18) Feed cake mill stower; Olive Appleby (15) General domestic servant; William Appleby (12) and Leslie Appleby (9).

In 1916, Alfred Appleby enlisted in the East Yorkshire Regiment, 8th (Reserve) Battalion. The record shows that he was 23 years and 4 months and 5ft 9in with first 2 fingers on R hand missing (as well as the thumb). Initially, he was passed 'Fit for Labour', but was subsequently discharged on 28 Apr 1916, as 'Not being likely to become an efficient soldier'. He married Kate Joy Leadley in 1918 and they went on to have four children before he died in Hull, on 30 Jan 1933. (He was NOT the Private Alfred Appleby No. 3/21035, of East Yorkshire Regiment, 1st Battalion, b. 1882, son of Ethel Appleby, who was killed in action on 23 July 1916.)

Private William Appleby, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), 2nd/5th Bn, was killed on 20 Jul 1918. From the ROLL OF HONOUR in the local press: APPLEBY - Reported missing July 20th, 1918, now officially reported killed on or since that date, Pte. William Appleby, 52220. 2/5 West Yorks, beloved son of Mr & Mrs Appleby, 3, Lincoln Street, Hull, aged 19. He is buried at Marfaux British Cemetery, Marfaux, Departement de la Marne, Champagne-Ardenne, France, PLOT II. A. 2. The family grave at Hedon Road Cemetery, Hedon Road, Hull, also commemorates him. He was undoubtedly killed during the attack on the Ardre Valley July 1918 (Three Days at Marfaux: July 1918).

In 1921, at 3, Lincoln Street, Sculcoates, were William Henry Appleby (70), Emma Appleby (65), Alfred Appleby (28) Greaser Oil Mill; Kate Appleby (26) Daughter-in-law (wife of Alfred Appleby); Leslie Appleby (19) Weighing Assistant for Hull Corporation and Emma Appleby (3) Granddaughter.

William Henry Appleby died on 7 Mar 1924 and is buried at Hedon Road Cemetery.

In 1939, Emma Appleby (b. 29 Nov 1856) widowed, was living at 22 Swann Street, Kingston Upon Hull with her daughter Olive Haswell, widowed and granddaughter, Emma Appleby (b. 4 Jun 1918).

Emma Appleby died on 15 Mar 1943 and is buried at Hedon Road Cemetery.