William Arthur Sawyer and Ann Smith

Beach, Gorleston-on-Sea
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © PAUL FARMER - geograph.org.uk/p/6203072

William Arthur Sawyer (b. 18 Nov 1798, bap. 20 Nov 1798 in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk), son of John Sawyer and Charlotte Manning, married Ann Smith, daughter of Charles Smith and Esther Salter, on 29 Jun 1822 at St Andrew's Church, Gorleston, Suffolk (now Gorleston-on-Sea, Norfolk).

There are records for five children:

1. Ann Salter Sawyer bap. 15 Jun 1825 at The Minster Church of St Nicholas, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.
2. Henrietta Mary Sawyer bap. 15 Sep 1828 at The Minster Church of St Nicholas, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.
3. Jane Sawyer b. 19 Jul 1832, bap. 22 Jul 1832 at The Minster Church of St Nicholas, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. 
4. William Arthur Sawyer b. 10 Aug 1835, bap. 13 Sep 1835 at The Minster Church of St Nicholas, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.
5. Margaret Manning Sawyer, b. 1840 D Quarter in GREAT YARMOUTH Vol 13 Page 329 (mother's name SMITH), bap. 20 Apr 1851 in Great Yarmouth.

On the baptisms William Sawyer's occupation is listed as Cordwainer, which makes the distinction that he was a shoemaker who makes new shoes from new leather, as opposed to a cobbler who just repairs them. On Jane and William Arthur's baptisms, their denomination, curiously, is listed as Primitive Methodist and that these are the records of NORFOLK: Yarmouth Tabernacle (Prim. Methodist): Births & Baptisms, but on the originals, it is clearly written that the baptisms were at St Nicholas. 

Also on Jane's baptism, her mother is listed as 'Ann Sawyer, otherwise Salter', the latter used as a middle name for eldest child, Ann. We know from the marriage record and from the registration of Margaret's birth that her maiden name was Smith. As we see, Salter was Ann Smith's mother's maiden name.

In 1841, William Sawyer (35) was living in George Street, Great Yarmouth, with wife Ann (35), Ann (15), Henrietta (10), Jane (8), William (6) and Margaret (0).

In 1851, William Sawyer (50), Shoe Maker, and Ann Sawyer (50), birthplace London, were living at 100, Row, St Georges Ward, [Great] Yarmouth, Norfolk, England with Henrietta (22), Jane (18), William (15) and Margaret (10).

Henrietta Sawyer died, age estimated to 22, in 1852 S Quarter in KINGSTON UPON HULL Volume 09D Page 165. This is useful to pin down the timeframe during which the family had must have relocated to Hull.

William Arthur Sawyer died in 1858 D Quarter in SCULCOATES Volume 09D Page 104 and was buried, on 24 Nov 1858 at All Saints Church, Sculcoates. 

In 1861, Ann Sawyer (50) - ten years out - widow, was boarding with her son-in-law, George Holland and eldest daughter, Ann, at 5, Kings Square, Sculcoates. Jane Sawyer (28) was living in Market Place, Kendal, Westmorland with her widowed Aunt (her mother's sister) Mary Taylor, assisting in her grocery business.

In 1871, Ann Sawyer (70) widow, was living with her youngest daughter, Margaret M Wall (30) Widow, School Mistress, at Lumpers Row (School House), Dawley, Madeley, Shropshire. Jane Sawyer (34ish) was still at Market Place House, Kendal, Westmorland with her Aunt, now remarried, Mary Archer.

Ann Sawyer wasn't with any of the immediate family anywhere in 1881, so I'm fairly sure she died in the interim decade. There is a death of an Ann Sawyer, of the right age 75 in 1876, in Warwick, Warwickshire (Q4 Vol 6D Page 299). This is relatively close to the midlands area she was living in with her youngest daughter and my research didn't find any corresponding local woman whose death it could have been instead, so I think it reasonable to believe this may be her.

In 1881, Jane Sawyer (48) Retired grocer was living with her younger sister, Margaret M Wall at School House, Sedgwick, Kendal, Westmorland.

In 1891, Jane Sawyer (58) Living on own means, was staying with her older sister, Ann Salter Holland, in Convent Lane, Holy Trinity and St Mary, Hull. 

In 1901, Jane Sawyer (68) from Yarmouth, Norfolk, was living at Bindless Lodge, Milnthorpe, Kendal, Westmorland.

In 1911, still at Bindloss Cottage Homes (Bindloss Cottages, Milnthorpe, an Almshouse Charity), Milnthorpe, Westmorland, was Jane Smith Sawyer (78) from Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, listed as 'Occupant of bindloss homes', along with Marion Lamb (64) and Mary Ann Ashburner (55), both listed as Nurse attendant. 

Jane Smith Marianne Sawyer died, aged 79, in 1912 J Quarter in KENDAL Volume 10B Page 787. She certainly didn't have those ever increasing second names (obviously, Smith was her mother's maiden name) at baptism, but adding them has proven very useful in locating and confirming the record of her death.

George Oliver and Mary Hodgson

Interior of All Saints Church, Appleton-le-Street

George Oliver (bap. 1758), son of George Oliver and Elizabeth Rawson, married Mary Hodgson (b. 1762) on 16 Jun 1791 at All Saints Church, Appleton-le-Street, 4 miles west of the town of Malton, North Yorkshire.

This couple had three daughters, baptised at St. Helen's Church, Amotherby:

1. Mary Oliver bap. 3 Jun 1792
2. Betty Oliver b. 28 Feb 1794, bap. 2 Mar 1794
3. Hannah Oliver bap. 16 Dec 1798

Mary Oliver (née Hodgson) was buried on 10 Feb 1831 in Appleton-le-Street.

In 1841, George Oliver (80) Publican was still living in Appleton-le-Street. There was only one pub in the village, the The Cresswell Arms, next door to which was the household of John Monkton (24) Blacksmith. Living with George Oliver were son-in-law, John Langdale (50) and Mary Langdale (45) and their children.

George Oliver died, aged 92 (GRO: 1850 D Quarter in MALTON UNION  Volume 24  Page 275) and was buried on 22 Nov 1850 in Appleton-le-Street.

Robert Leeming & Margaret Crowley & Alfred James Amass

Hull Minster, King Street, Kingston upon Hull
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Bernard Sharp - geograph.org.uk/p/6532039
Hull Minster, formerly Holy Trinity Church, mainly 1300-1425.

Robert Leeming (b. 1840) Greengrocer of Robinson Row, Hull, son of James Leeming and Jane Irwin, married Margaret Crowley (b. 1850), younger daughter of Thomas Crowley and Elizabeth Molloy, at Hull Holy Trinity, on 15 Jun 1870. 

This was not Robert's first marriage, however, as he had previously married widow, Sarah Brown (née Barber) on 12 Nov 1865, at All Saints Church, Sculcoates. He's described as a widower on his 1870 marriage to Margaret Crowley, but I've not found the record of Sarah's death. His first marriage did not produce children.

On his 1865 marriage, Robert lists his father as Robert Leeming, Soldier. In 1870, he again lists his father as Robert Leeming, but with his father's occupation given as Shoemaker. After much digging, we discover his step-father was Robert, while his biological father, James Leeming, was both a soldier and a shoemaker.

Robert Leeming's birth, in 1840, is listed in the Gro Regimental Birth Indices, Royal Artillery, in Drypool, England. And in 1841, James Leeming (37), Jane Leeming (24), Elizabeth Leeming (4) and Robert Leeming (1) were all listed as living at the Citadel and Barracks Hull, Drypool. "The Citadel" was a moated triangular bastioned artillery fortification built in the 1680s in the south-west corner of Drypool.

James Leeming, born in Lancashire, had enlisted in the Royal Regiment Of Artillery on 11 Nov 1825 - his previous trade being Shoemaker - and was discharged, at Woolwich (Royal Artillery Barracks) - son James was born here in 1845 - on 14 Sep 1846, having served for 20 years and 336 days, 7 years 5 months of that in Gibraltar. He was discharged due to chronic rheumatism, which the army judged impaired him and was as a result of his military service. Upon discharge at the age of 43, he was 5ft 9in, with fair hair, grey eyes and a fresh complexion. 

Three years later, he was dead and was buried, on 17 Sep 1849, in Drypool.

Jane Leeming (34), widow, Charwoman pauper, born in Eastbourne, Sussex, was, in 1851, living Whytalls Place, Drypool, with her five children: Elizabeth (13) Servant; Robert (10), William (8), James (5) and Margaret (3). Then, on 27 Nov 1851, listed as Jane Lemon, she married Richard Plank, Soldier, at All Saints Church, Sculcoates. On this marriage, she lists her father as James Irwin, Soldier. At this rate she was at risk of being seen as a jinx on the regiment, as Richard Plank (38) died the following year in 1852. Hence, it was Jane Plank who married Robert Wright in 1856. In 1861, Robert Wright (47) from Norfolk, Greengrocer, at 17, Broadley Street, Hull, was living with wife Jane Wright (44) and step-children, Robert Leeming (21) Greengrocer, James Leeming (16) Shoemaker and Margaret Leeming (13).

Jane Wright (formerly Plank, previously Leeming, née Irwin) died, aged 52, in 1870, in Hull. NB: I never did find a record of her first marriage to James Leeming.

After they married in 1870, in 1871, Robert Leeming (34) Shop keeper, and Margaret Leeming (20) were living in Broadley Street, Hull, next door to William Henry Tummon, whose wife, Elizabeth Crowley was Margaret's sister. 

The marriage between Robert Leeming and Margaret Crowley didn't produce any children either and there must have been 'an estrangement', because in 1881, Margaret Crowley (31) Dressmaker, was living as a boarder in the house of Alfred Amass (26) Dock labourer from London, at 8, Empringham Terrace, Hull.

Then Robert Leeming died, aged just 44, in 1884, in Sculcoates.

St Matthew's Church
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Paul Glazzard 
geograph.org.uk/p/1156490

Unsurprisingly, Margaret Leeming (35) remarried, at St. Matthews Church, Hull, on 15 Jun 1885 to Alfred James Amass (29), reputedly son of Samuel Amass. Reputedly, because there appears to be no such person as Alfred James Amass until 1881: no birth, does not appear on any previous census.

But they had 5 lovely daughters:

1. Emma Leeming Amass b. 1883 (there's no registration nor baptism, presumably to avoid formalising this secret 'premature' birth)
2. Gertrude Amass b. 1886, bap. 14 Dec 1887 at St John the Baptist, Newington, Hull
3. Ada Amass b. 1887, bap. 14 Dec 1887 at St John the Baptist, Newington, Hull
4. Maud Amass b. 1889, bap. 7 Oct 1891 in Newington
5. Eva Amass b. 1891, bap. 7 Oct 1891 in Newington

The family's address on the four baptisms was given as 86 Glasgow Street, Hull. Margaret's father and brother also lived in Glasgow Street at this time.

In 1891, still in Glasgow Street, Newington, were Alfred Amass (34) Fisherman, Margaret Amass (40), Emma (7), Gertrude (5), Ada (3) and Maud (1).

Then in 1901, the family were living at 55, Scarbrough Street, Sculcoates with Alfred James Amass (45) Ships husband, Margaret Amass (50), Emma (17) Office cleaner, Gertrude (15), Ada (13), Maud (11) and Eva (9).

Alfred James Amass died, aged 50, in Sculcoates, in 1905.

In 1911, Margaret Amass (60) was living at 45 Scarborough Street, Hull with Ada (23), Maud (21) Assistant teacher; Eva (19) Housemaid and two boarders, Frederick (16) and Charles (15) Johnson, both from Crewkerne, Somerset.

In 1921, Margaret Amass (71) Mother-in-law, was living with James and Eva Gibbins at 75, Edinburgh Street, Hull.

 Margaret Amass (née Crowley, formerly Leeming) died, aged 77, in 1928.

• Emma Leeming Amass (20) married William Henry Sole (23) Engine Fitter, son of James Sole, both of 91 Bean Street, Hull, on 3 Aug 1903 at St. Matthews Church, Hull. Witnesses were the bride's father, Alfred James Amass, and Elizabeth Sole, William's younger sister.
• Gertrude Amass (21) married Willie Brown (22) Carpenter, son of James Brown, Iron moulder, both of New Cleveland Street, on 16 Sep 1906 at St. Mark's Church, Hull (St Mark In The Groves). St Mark's was built in 1843. It was badly bombed and demolished in the 1950s. The Groves was a slum area in east Hull, a riverside community of mills and cramped terraces along Cleveland Street. Witnesses were James Brown (probably NOT the Godfather of Soul) and Mary Ellen Brown.
• Ada Amass (25) married James Wilson Brown (36) Tailor, also son of James Brown, Iron moulder, of New Cleveland Street, on 22 Mar 1913 at St. Matthews Church, Hull. There were three witnesses: J Brown, E Amass and A Brown. So it appears that the two sisters, Gertrude and Ada, married two brothers, Willie and James.
• Maud Amass (23) married George Arundell (23) Iron moulder, son of James Vickers Arundell, both of 45 Scarborough Street, Hull, on 8 Mar 1913 at St. Mary and St. Peter's Church, Dairycoates (The old church building was taken down in February 1962 to make way for the Hessle Road flyover which replaced the Dairycoates level crossing.) Witnesses were William Henry Sole (Emma's husband) and Eva Amass.
• Eva Amass (25) of 20 Witty Street, Hull, married James Gibbins (22) Boiler maker of 68 Havelock Street, son of William Gibbins, on 16 Jun 1917 at St. Mary and St. Peter's Church, Dairycoates. Witnesses to this marriage were William Henry Sole (again) and Olive Gibbins.

Thomas Crowley and Elizabeth Molloy

Bowlalley Lane, Kingston upon Hull
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Bernard Sharp - geograph.org.uk/p/3847770

Thomas Crowley (bap. 25 Dec 1812, in Hull), son of Thomas Crowley and Mary Ann Wood (m. 1808), married Elizabeth Molloy (b. 1815 in Sunderland, Durham) on 13 Jun 1838. The marriage was even announced, "At Sunderland Church [...] (undoubtedly at that date Holy Trinity Church or Sunderland Parish Church) on Tuesday, Mr Thomas Crowley, to Miss Elizabeth Molloy" in the Durham County Advertiser on 15 Jun 1838. Although Elizabeth also claims to be from Sunderland, there is no baptism record for her, so I've been unable to identify her origins. 

Thomas and Elizabeth had five children:

1. Elizabeth Crowley b. 1841 (no birth registration nor baptism found)
2. Margaret Crowley b. 1847 J Quarter in KINGSTON UPON HULL Volume 22 Page 449, died aged 2, in 1849 D Quarter in HULL Volume 22 Page 327 and buried on 14 Oct 1849 at All Saints Church, Sculcoates
3. Sarah Ann Crowley b. 1849 J Quarter in KINGSTON UPON HULL Vol 22 Page 483, died 1849 S Quarter in KINGSTON UPON HULL Vol 22 Page 35
4. Margaret Crowley b. 1850 in KINGSTON UPON HULL Vol 22 Page 458
5. Thomas Crowley b. 1852 D Quarter in SHEFFIELD Volume 09C Page 235

Mother's maiden name on the registrations for Sarah Ann and the 2nd Margaret is Molloy, on that for Thomas, it's spelled Malloy, on the first Margaret it was Maloy. Have checked the GRO year by year for each and any similar derivatives.

In 1841, Thomas Crowley (25) Groom, and Elizabeth Crowley (20) - ages were rounded down to the nearest five on this census - were living in the household of Thomas' mother, Mary Crowley (50) in Cumberland Street, Sculcoates.

In 1851, Thomas Crowley (40) Agricultural Labourer, from Hull and Elizabeth Crowley (36) Spinner from Sunderland, Durham, Elizabeth Crowley (9) and Margaret Crowley (0), were among a long list of Lodgers in the household of Elizabeth Hamilton (40) at 41, Pea Croft, Sheffield, Yorkshire.

Elizabeth Crowley died, at 49, in 1858 J Quarter in Sculcoates.

On 1 Nov 1858, therefore, Thomas Crowley, Oil Miller, of Church Street, Hull, son of Thomas Crowley, Corn Factor, married Jane Rich, spinster, daughter of John Rich, Warehouseman, at St. James's Church, Hull. (The church was closed in the mid 1950s and demolished in 1957. The site is now a garden.)

Thomas Crowley, as we see, became an Oil Miller: someone who extracted oil from seeds, particularly linseed and rapeseed that were grown in England. 

There seems to have been a long history of oil milling in Hull, one of two industries that dominated the town's industrial history, with 'Isis Oil Mills' silo, No.45 Morley Street, Stoneferry, previously the earliest surviving oil mill silo in the city, which became the heart of Hull’s oil seed milling industry. (The demolition of landmark Isis Oil Mill in Hull began in 2019.); former Oil Mill, Glass House Row, close to Sculcoates Bridge; Chambers & Fargus, seed crushers and edible oil refiners and the Anglo-Egytian Oil Mills & Refinery, Lime Street, next to the river Hull, among others. Oil Seed Crushing. "There are references to the milling of rape-seed in Hull from the early 16th century and by the middle of the 18th century the industry was well established. As early as 1740 Joseph Pease, later head of the banking firm, had built an oil-mill at the corner of Lowgate and Salthouse Lane."

In 1861, living at 56, Church Street, Sculcoates, were Thomas Crowley (47) Oil miller, Jane Crowley (46), Thomas Crowley (7) and Charlotte C Rich (17) Stepdaughter. (Charlotte Collings Rich was Jane's illegitimate daughter, presumably by Mr Collings, born in 1843. She married a Thomas Beach in 1863.) Elizabeth Crowley married William Henry Tummon, in 1860. Margaret, I've not located.

Then Jane Crowley died, aged 52, in the first quarter of 1869.

So, on 24 May 1869, Thomas Crowley (54) Widower, of Church Street, Sculcoates, son of Thomas Crowley, Merchant (deceased), married, Hannah Bassingdale (50), widow, daughter of Joseph Wilson, Engineer (deceased), at All Saints Church, Hull. (Hannah Wilson previously married Charles Bassingdale in 1846.) Witnesses were Thomas Wilson and Elizabeth Wilson.

In 1871, still at 56, Church Street, Sculcoates, were Thomas Crowley (59) Oil miller, Hannah Crowley (50) - still - and Thomas Crowley (17) Oil miller.

In 1881, Thomas Crowley (69) Oil miller and Hannah Crowley (63) were living at 13, Bowlalley Lane, Kingston upon Hull. (Nos.15, Bowlalley House & 16, two houses, circa 1820. Dividing the two premises is The Pathway, an alley. See: The secrets behind Hull's mysterious black door that goes to nowhere.)

Thomas Crowley, then of Glasgow Street, Hull, died, aged 76, and was buried on 14 Feb 1889 at Hull Holy Trinity (Hull Minster since 2017).

In 1891, the widowed Hannah Crowley was still living in Glasgow Street, Newington, Sculcoates with Emma Crowley (33) who "takes in mangling". Emma was the widow of Thomas Crowley's son, Thomas Crowley, who had died at 35 and been buried on 21 January 1889, only around three and a half weeks before his father. So Hannah was Emma's step-mother-in-law. However, she is listed as being Emma's aunt. This could be for want of a better description, but it could also mean she was already her aunt by blood relation [needs further investigation].

Hannah Crowley died, aged 78, in 1896, in Sculcoates.

James Peterkin and Mary North

St Mary's church west doorway, Portchester Castle
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Mike Searle - geograph.org.uk/p/2583428

James Peterkin (sic) (bap. 11 Mar 1743 at St Thomas, Portsmouth), son of John Peterkin and Sarah Pitchland, married, Mary North (bap. 7 Aug 1751 at Holy Trinity, Gosport), daughter of George North and Sarah Spencer, on 9 Jun 1773, at the first St Mary's Church, Portsea. (The church in which Isambard Kingdom Brunel and Charles Dickens were baptised, in 1806 and 1812, respectively.) Witneses to their marriage were a John Newton and an Elizabeth Cuken.

Records suggest that James and Mary had seven children:

1. Sarah Peterkin bap. 17 Oct 1773 at St Mary's Church, Portsea
2. Mary Peterkin bap. 8 Nov 1775 in Portchester, Hampshire
3. Frances Peterkin bap. 17 Aug 1777 in Portchester, Hampshire
4. Elizabeth Peterkin bap. 20 Nov 1780 in Portchester, Hampshire
5. Anne Peterkin bap. 22 Apr 1783 in Portchester, Hampshire
6. James Spencer Peterkin b. 22 Apr 1785, bap. 24 Apr 1785 in Portchester
7. Thomas Spencer Peterkin bap. 2 Dec 1787 in Portchester, Hampshire

The baptisms - all listed as Peterkin - at Portchester will have taken place in the parish church of St. Mary, located within the grounds of Portchester Castle (overview of the site), within this Romanesque Font.

Unfortunately, none of the records gives any clues to James' occupation. 

James Peterkin was buried, on 25 Feb 1789, at St Mary's Church, Portchester.

Mary Smith, William Taylor and George Archer

Cafe corner of Market Place, Kendal
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Alexander P Kapp - geograph.org.uk/p/1760160

Mary Smith was Aunt to the daughters of William Arthur Sawyer and Ann Smith, so we may reasonably assume she was Ann Smith's sister. Baptism records show that both girls are the daughters of Charles Smith and Esther Salter.

In 1841, there is a Jane Smith (37), along with a Mary Smith (34) both described as Scholastic - of or concerning schools and education - residing at St Paul Terrace, Islington, London. In the household also were Maria [surname unreadable] (35) also a Scholastic; Johanna Morgan (17) Female Servant; Mary Crafts (15), Elizabeth Bailey (11), Sarah Bailey (9), Emily Lidington (8) and Isabel Smith (7). Presumably this was a private girls' school and most of those latter girls were the pupils. If this is the right Mary Smith, it seems quite conceivable that Jane Smith, could also have been Ann and Mary's sister, but I've not found a baptism to confirm this. With a name like Smith, it's equally possible that she was no relation whatsoever.

In 1851, Mary Smith (44) School Mistress, from Bermondsey, Surrey, was living at Coathow, Kendal, Westmorland. (The Grasmere parish register has a burial for 30 May 1802, 'William Udale of Coathow Loughrigg a pauper'. Source.) So, taking a wild guess, Coathow may be a house, farm or place close to Loughrigg Fell.

William Taylor, widower, son of Thomas Taylor, married Mary Smith, in Kendal, Westmorland on 1 Jun 1856. On the record of the marriage, Mary's father is listed as Charles Smith. There was a William Taylor bap. 6 Mar 1796, whose parents were Thomas and Jane Taylor, who could possibly be the chap.

By 1861, Mary Taylor (56) Widow, Flour dealer was living at Market Place, Kendal, Westmorland, with Jane Sawyer (28) Niece (her sister Ann's daughter), Assistant and William Taylor (8) Grandson - her late husband's grandson - from Grasmere, Westmorland. This lad may provide the clue to discover more about his grandfather, however, there was a death of a William Taylor of the right age, 63, in 1860 M Quarter in KENDAL Volume 10B Page 430, which probably relates.

In the 4th quarter of 1861, Mary Taylor married George Archer, also in Kendal.

Prior to this marriage, George Archer, Widower, Brewer from Underbarrow, Westmorland, in 1851, had been a servant in the household of Innkeeper, Thomas Walne in Strickland Gate, Kendal, Westmorland, and in 1861, was Brewer in the employ of William Slee, Inn keeper at the Seven Stars Inn, Stricklandgate (since demolished to make way for a shopping centre).

So in 1871, George Archer (67) Flour dealer was living at Market Place House, Kendal, Westmorland, with Mary Archer (60) and Jane Sawyer (34) Niece.

George Archer died, at 70, in 1874 M Quarter in KENDAL Vol 10B Page 498.

In 1881, Mary Archer (74) Widow, Retired grocer, along with Jane Sawyer (48) Retired grocer, were staying with Margaret M Wall (40) School Mistress at School House, Sedgwick, Kendal, Westmorland. Mary Archer was also Margaret's aunt and Jane was Margaret's elder sister. The record states that Mary Archer was deaf.

Mary Archer died, at 78 (Volume 10B Page 415) and was buried on 17 Aug 1885.