"One of the deepest impulses in man is the impulse to record, to scratch a drawing on the tusk or keep a diary, to collect sagas and heap cairns. This instinct as to the enduring value of the past is, one might say, the very basis of civilization" - John Jay Chapman

THE HEMSWORTH FAMILY - 1861 AND BEFORE

WILLIAM HEMSWORTH (father of ALONZO - my great grandfather)

Date of Birth 18th May 1819 Christened 23rd June 1819

PLACE All Saints Church, Derby, Derby, England

PARENTS: WILLIAM and MARIA HEMSWORTH. Details of their marriage five years earlier in November 1814 is given after the next section

WILLIAM HEMSWORTH (1819 - 1893) is my great great grandfather and his parents WILLIAM and MARIA HEMSWORTH my great great great grandparents

WILLIAM HEMSWORTH can be found on the 1891 Census living at 40 Richards Road, Heeley, Sheffield. The complete entry is as follows "Hemsworth William head Widr 71 retired currier DBY Derby 40 Richards Rd 68 88 3812."

This confirms the details contained on the marriage certificate of Alonzo and Mary Ann Hemsworth (nee Myers) in 1878 and the information on the previous Census in 1881.(Source: FHL Film 1342121 PRO Ref RG11 Piece 4639 Folio 123 Page 45). Incidentally a currier was a person who worked with animal hides and more specifically "Tanned leather by incorporating oil or grease". His wife ANN (nee NUNNINGTON) died in 1886 and so  predeceased WILLIAM as his status is now that of a widower.  Sadly my great great grandfather WILLIAM HEMSWORTH died two years later in the June quarter of 1893 at the age of 73. (GRO Ref Ecclesall Bierlow Vol9C Page244). He is buried with his wife in City Road Cemetery, Sheffield

Hemsworth, William (Coal Miner, age 73)

Died at 40 Richard Road; Buried on May 10 1893 in Consecrated ground;  Grave Number 13881, Section Y of City Road Cemetery, Sheffield.

The strange element to this entry is that he is in the burial register as a coal miner which is the first and only time that I have come across this as William's occupation. In all the census's, certificates etc, his occupation is given as Currier. Even as late as 1891 two years before his death he is entered in the census as a "retired currier" . My reasoning is that the person who gave the information to the Clerk about the deceased said the word currier and the clerk thought he said collier hence the term "coal miner"

An earlier record of the family is the 1851 Census for Gainsborough, Lincolnshire. (PRO REF HO 107/2120 page44) where they are living in Workhouse Yard. The 1841 Census merely lists WILLIAM and ANN HEMSWORTH as living in Church Lane Gainsborough, Lincolnshire where WILLIAM was a 20 year old currier and his wife ANN was of the same age

NAME STATUS AGE SEX BIRTHPLACE OCCUPATION
William HEMSWORTH Married 31 Male Gainsborough, Lincolnshire Unable to decipher occupation - ***man
Ann HEMSWORTH Married 32 Female Gainsborough, Lincolnshire  
George HEMSWORTH   9 Male Gainsborough, Lincolnshire  
John HEMSWORTH   7 Male Gainsborough, Lincolnshire  
Charles HEMSWORTH

Single

 5 Male Gainsborough, Lincolnshire  
Ann HEMSWORTH   1 Female Gainsborough, Lincolnshire  

Ten years later in 1861 the family are still in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire. The image is unclear but the reference is 2408/44 Workhouse Yard (?). Four years earlier on 13th January 1857, my great grandfather ALONZO was born in Hiley's Yard off Church Street, Gainsborough - this ties in with the details on the census. Thanks to the assistance of two fellow researchers I was eventually able to obtain a copy of ALONZO's birth certificate which stated that his mother ANN was formerly known as NUNNINGTON. This was confirmed when it was found that in the March quarter of 1841 for Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, a marriage took place between WILLIAM HUNSWORTH and ANN MUMMINGTON (PRO Ref Vol 14 Page 404). (the transcription of their names is a classic!)

NAME STATUS AGE SEX BIRTHPLACE OCCUPATION
William HEMSWORTH Married 42(?) Male Gainsborough, Lincolnshire Journeyman Currier
Ann HEMSWORTH Married 43(?) Female    
Charles HEMSWORTH

Single

 15 Male Gainsborough, Lincolnshire No occupation
Ann HEMSWORTH   12 Female Gainsborough, Lincolnshire  
Henry HEMSWORTH   9 Male Gainsborough, Lincolnshire  
Alonzo HEMSWORTH   4 Male Gainsborough, Lincolnshire  

As for the children, CHARLES was born in the December quarter of 1845 in the Gainsborough district of Lincolnshire (Vol14 Page 312) whilst HENRY was born six years later  in the June quarter of 1852 (Gainsborough - PRO Ref Volume 7a Page 611). At the time I thought that Charles was the eldest child in the family but in September 2006, a fellow researcher found that there were two older children WILLIAM GEORGE (b1841) and JOHN (b1843) who were living and working with ANN's younger brother GEORGE NUNNINGTON in Worksop, Notts

The 1871 Census adds to the information found in 1861. By then Charles and Ann have left the family, Ann to marry a Thomas Holding and Charles to marry a woman called MARY (surname unknown). The only information I have to date is that Mary was eight years older than Charles but like Charles was born in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.   

NAME STATUS AGE SEX BIRTHPLACE OCCUPATION
William HEMSWORTH Married 51 Male Gainsborough, Lincolnshire Currier
Ann HEMSWORTH Married 51 Female Gainsborough, Lincolnshire   
Henry HEMSWORTH  Son 19 Male Gainsborough, Lincolnshire Currier
Alonzo HEMSWORTH  Son 14 Male Gainsborough, Lincolnshire Engineer 

The birthplace for both William and Ann is given as Gainsborough, Lincolnshire which is incorrect as it conflicts with information given in later Census. The ages are slightly different as well. The family were living at Back Street, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire (Rg10/3444 Folio 23 page3). On the next sheet is an entry for a ANN NUNNINGTON a 77 year old widow who is living at Albert Square, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire. This person I believe is either Ann's mother or possibly Aunt. If it is the former, she would be my great great great grandmother.  

As far as I can ascertain WILLIAM HEMSWORTH had the following brothers and sisters (Alonzo's Aunts and Uncles) 

The four children William, Harriot, John and Charles were all baptised on New Years Eve 31st December 1826 at the Bethel Chapel, North Street, Bridge Street Methodist, Kingston Upon Hull, Yorkshire. I am convinced that at sometime circa 1820 William and Maria became Methodists. It meant that my great great grandfather WILLIAM had been both christened and baptised. Why the youngest Charlotte was christened as opposed to baptised like the others will remain a mystery.  

WILLIAM also seems to be have named after his father who was also called WILLIAM (my great great great grandfather).

There is a record of a MARRIAGE between

WILLIAM HEMSWORTH - MARIA THURSBY (my great great great grandmother) 

DATE 23 Nov 1814

PLACE Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, England.

This is rather intriguing inasmuch as there is an entry for a WILLIAM and MARIA HEMSWORTH in the 1861 Census for Gainsborough, Lincolnshire  - WILLIAM HEMSWORTH aged 63 years old living at Church Lane, Gainsborough. It gives his place of birth as Morton, Lincolnshire which I'm led to believe is adjacent to Gainsborough and his occupation is  that of a Book Binder. His wife MARIA is aged 65, two years older than William and was born in South Leverton, Nottinghamshire. Living with the couple was their grandson JOHN aged 13 a Blacksmith's Apprentice who was born in Gainsborough. Given that William and Maria are listed as William's parents in the 1819 christening in Derby, I think it is reasonable to assume that the couple living at  Church Lane are my great great great grandparents WILLIAM and MARIA HEMSWORTH  (nee THURSBY). MARIA THURSBY & her family are listed on a separate section

The following information on William's ancestors is still in  need of verification but I have placed it on the page as I think that sections of it may be relevant in my research

BIRTH-CHRISTENING - 

WILLIAM HEMSWORTH (great great great grandfather - father of WILLIAM and grandfather of ALONZO) Christened 17 May 1794 PLACE Gainsborough, Lincoln, England

There is a record that I have yet to confirm of a WILLIAM HEMSWORTH dying at the age of 79 in the September quarter of September 1873 (GRO ref vol  7a page 413) in the district of Gainsborough Lincolnshire. This ties in with the data I have to date and confirms the family's origins in that area of England

Parents: EDWARD and ELIZABETH HEMSWORTH. 

Details of their marriage the previous year are Marriage - EDWARD HEMSWORTH - ELIZABETH JIZZEP (great great great great grandparents) DATE 4 July 1793 PLACE Gainsborough, Lincoln, England

Note: I am more or less certain the Edward's wife maiden name should be JESSOP and not JIZZEP. I can find no trace of such a surname anywhere and so I am keeping the name as JESSOP in my records.

Just to confuse matters even further, EDWARD and ELIZABETH had TWO sons called EDWARD (named after their father) who were also WILLIAM's (b 1794) younger brothers. The first EDWARD was born in 1796 and christened on 26th April 1796 in the All Saints church,  Gainsborough, Lincoln, England. Sadly he died on 10th November1796, he was less than one year old. In less than a year, there was another christening in the same church. According to the records of the church, he was christened on 14th October 1797 and was named EDWARD FRANCIS HEMSWORTH . This child survived childhood -  21 years later he was married in the same church as he was christened in. The marriage took place on 21st October 1818. His wife's maiden name was ANN CUTT. A year and nine days later on 30th October 1819 Edward and Ann christened their daughter ANN HEMSWORTH in the same church. On 15th December 1820 they christened their son THOMAS HEMSWORTH 

Edward and Elizabeth's other children were

ANN HEMSWORTH - christened 2nd April 1803

JOSEPH HEMSWORTH - christened  20th April 1805

BENJAMIN HEMSWORTH - christened 25th December 1809 (Christmas Day) but died eight months later on 22nd August 1810

BIRTH-CHRISTENING -  EDWARD HEMSWORTH (great great great great grandfather) Christened 23 Jun 1771 PLACE Bole, Nottingham, England

Parents: EDWARD AND MARY HEMSWORTH . Details of their marriage two years earlier are given after the next section

As far as I can ascertain EDWARD had a younger sister MARY HEMSWORTH who was christened on 8th October 1775 in Bole, Nottingham, England

MARRIAGE Edward Hemsworth - Mary Lilliman (great great great great great grandparents) DATE 20 July 1769 PLACE Bole, Nottingham, England

Notes

Church of All Saints - Derby Cathedral

The above photograph was taken in 1896

The Church is thought to have been founded by King Edmund in 943AD but the church has been altered considerably over the subsequent centuries. At the beginning of the 18th century, the only thing that could have been said to have been notable about this church was its tower, 212ft tall - the second highest parish church tower in England - and built in the time of Henry VIII. between 1510 and 1530. The rest of the church was rebuilt in 1725, and the chancel was added 1967 to 1972. In addition and it has the oldest ring of ten bells bells in the world.

The great perpendicular tower of the Cathedral is all that remains of the Medieval building that was demolished in 1723. At that time the Revd. Dr. Michael Hutchinson, the vicar of All Saints', facing a severely deteriorating structure, demolished the whole building except for the tower and began a complete restoration of the church.

The decision to demolish was unpopular with local people but shortly afterwards plans for the rebuilding were submitted by James Gibbs, who became famous for many of his churches including St Mary-le-Strand and St Martin-in-the Fields, in London. The designs for the new All Saints Church were accepted, and work soon began, resulting in the magnificent church which is know called Derby Cathedral.
Working in association with Gibbs was Robert Bakewell, a Derby ironsmith. The nave and the chancel are separated by a wrought iron screen made by Bakewell. The screen is so fine and intricate that it appears as lacework. Other notable features of the interior include the remarkable baldachino; several memorial carvings, many to notable Derbyshire families, one of which is Bess of Hardwick's monument which was built and completed within her own lifetime.

The rapid increase in the population of England in the late 19th and early 20th century resulted in the creation of new bishoprics and several hitherto parish churches becoming cathedrals. As there was neither the time nor the money to build the cathedrals which had risen in Norman times, new bishops were designated existing churches as their seats and so in 1927 All Saints' Church in Derby became Derby Cathedral.

 

 

BOLE AND THE CHURCH

Taken from White's Directory of Nottinghamshire 1853

Bole is a small village and parish on the west bank of the Trent, 2 miles south-west of Gainsborough, containing about 220 inhabitants and 1,163 acres of land, mostly a strong clay, except on the Trent bank, where it is a rich loamy marsh. Owing to the river having changed its ancient course, about 110 acres of land which adjoin this parish, are in Lincolnshire, and is the property of Sir Charles Anderson, of Lea Hall. The manor and rectory of Bole form a prebend for the maintenance of a prebendary in York Cathedral, but Lord Wenlock, the lord of the manor, is lessee of the prebendal lands and rectorial tithes. The great tithe is redeemed, except on a few small freeholds, and the vicarial tithe amounts to about £120 per annum. Lord Wenlock is owner of all the land except about 50 acres.

The church, dedicated to St Martin, is an ancient edifice, with chancel, tower and three bells. The living is a vicarage, valued in the King's books at £4 13s 4d, now £100. It is a peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York. The Prebendary of Bole is the patron, and the Rev. john Henry Willan of Gainsborough is the vicar. In 1394, Richard II granted leave to William Rothwell to assign for the support of the vicar and his successors, "eight acres of land and six of pasture", which lands were held of John Danby, clerk, as of the Prebend of Bole, by two appearances at the court of Bole, and paying 2d. The Wesleyans have a small chapel in the village.

1801 Population 160

1851 Population 220

1901 Population 142

GAINSBOROUGH AND THE CHURCH

Gainsborough Parish is only 1.75 miles northeast of Bole, Northamptonshire; and only 9.82 miles southeast of Austerfield, West Riding, Yorkshire.... " It is a parish in the wapentake of Corringham, parts of Lindsey, county of Lincoln, comprising the market town of Gainsborough, and the hamlets of Morton, East Stockwith, and Walkerith..." 18-1/4 miles northnorthwest of Lincoln, and 147 northwest of London... "situated on the eastern bank of the river Trent, appears to have been founded by a tribe of Saxons, soon after their first invasion of Britain: under the Heptarchy, it belonged first to the kingdom of Northumberland, and then to that of Mercia ... the living is a vicarage, in the archdeaconry of Stowe, and diocese of Lincoln, rated in the kings's books... and in the patronage of the Prebendary of Corringham in the Cathedral Church of Lincoln. The church, dedicated to All Saints, appears to have been founded and endowed by the Knights Templars, about the year 1209..."

 

Return to Alonzo's and Mary Hemsworths Page

Return to Main Family History Page

This page was last updated on 18/01/21 09:28