Montran-Barber-Blackhurst Line
Transcription & Comment by Don Taylor
“In the News” is my reporting of newspapers articles and obituaries regarding ancestors and other relatives I am researching. The information found in newspapers often raises more questions and research areas but invariably provides fresh texture to understanding an ancestor’s life.
Today’s article reports an event in the life of my 3rd Great-Grandfather, Stephen Blackhurst.
From the Sheffield and Rotherham Independent newspaper (Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England) dated 20 Nov 1847 is an ad; “Sales by Mr. George Taylor.”
“Sales by Mr. George Taylor.”
Norfolk Sales Rooms, George street.
Mr. GEORGE TAYLOR has received instructions from Mr. Stephen Blackhurst, to sell by auction, on Monday, Nov. 22nd, 1847, at his Garden, Far Field, near Hill Foot Bridge, the entire of his far famed and expensive collection of PRIZE GOOSEBERRY TREES, &c. For Particulars see Posting Bills.
Gooseberries – Photo by Abhishek Jacob via Wikipedia
Comment
Stephen Blackhurst’s father (Stephen Blackhurst (1777-1847) died the previous March. Stephen and his wife Fanny Taylor immigrated to the United States in 1847-48. So, Stephen was selling his prize gooseberry tree collection in preparation for moving to the States.
I Learned
In 1847, Stephen Blackhurst (1801-1869) had a garden at Far Field, near Hill Foot Bridge, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England.
In 1847, Stephen Blackhurst (1801-1869) had an interest in Gooseberry Trees.
Further Research
Was George Taylor, who sold the gooseberry trees for Stephen, a close relative to Fanny Taylor, Stephen’s Wife?
Montran-Barber-Blackhurst Line
Transcription & Comments by Don Taylor
“In the News” is my reporting of newspapers articles and obituaries regarding ancestors and other relatives I am researching. The information found in newspapers often raises more questions and research areas but invariably provides fresh texture to understanding an ancestor’s life.
Today’s article reports an event in the life of my 4th great-grandfather, Stephen Blackhurst (c.1777-1847). The article is from the Sheffield and Rotherham Independent (Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England), dated 13 March 1847, Page 3, Column 3 reports “The Driving of Carriers’ Drays.”
[Transcription by Don Taylor]
The Driving of Carrier’s Drays.
On Tuesday, an inquest was held at the Infirmary, on view of the body of Mr. Stephen Blackhurst, of Chapel street, Bridgehouses, shoemaker, aged 70. The deceased was the father of Mr. John Blackhurst, whose name is familiar to our readers. It appeared from the evidence of two youths, named John Goddard and Thos. Wadsworth, that on the previous Wednesday night, a little after eight o’clock, they were standing in Love street, when they saw a man coming round the comer from Love lane. A carrier’s cart was coming in the direction from Spring street, the driver being in front with the reins in his hand, and the horse trotting sharply. The cart turned the comer into Love lane very quickly, and the shaft came in contact with the man, (the deceased,) who appeared to be upon the cause- way, and knocked him down into the road, the right wheel of the cart passing over him. The cart went on without stopping, and the two youths ran to the man’s assistance. He appeared quite sensible, and in answer to the question whether he was hurt, replied that the cart Lad run over his body, and his leg was broken. Wadsworth, with the assistance of another person, carried him to the Blue Pig, in Spring street, from whence he was immediately removed in a cab to the Infirmary. Goddard ran after the cart, which belonged to Messrs. Newcombe, Chaplin, Home, and Co., and called to the driver, Thomas Ellis, that he had run over a man and broke his leg. Ellis, without pulling up, replied that he had not seen any man and had not time to stop. Goddard continued running after the cart, and urged upon the man that he ought to stop and look after the person he had run over. He took no notice, and Goddard continued running after him down tire Wicker. When near the Railway station, Ellis urged his horse to increased speed, passed two cabs and another dray, and Goddard being unable to keep up, lost sight of him. The corner where the accident occurred, it appeared, was very dark, the causeway and the lane also being very narrow. Both the witnesses were of opinion, that the occurrence was purely an accident, and that the driver did not see the deceased. They, however, spoke with equal distinctness to the fact of his going at an improper speed, the horse trotting sharply round the comer, the wheel of the cart passing close to the edge of the causeway, and only just avoiding a post, which is placed at the comer… .Mr. Law, the house surgeon, described the injuries received as a fracture of the right leg, and an extensive wound in the thigh. Two days after his admission, there was also ex- tensive discolouration of the lower part of the abdomen. He died on Monday, from the great shock which the system had sustained from the injuries received. He stated to Mr. Law, that it was entirely an accident, but the driver was going at too rapid a rate when it occurred, and went on without taking any notice when called to… .Thomas Ellis, the driver of the cart, made a voluntary statement, after the usual caution, to the effect that it was very dark, and he did not see any man as he turned the corner, or know at the time that any person was injured; that his horse was not trotting as stated, but going at a walking pace. He saw two youths in Love street, as he turned into Love lane. He admitted that one of them ran after him half-way on the lane, and said he had run over a man, and he replied that he had not seen one. The lad asked him to go back, but he did not, as he thought the whole story was an hoax. The comer is a dangerous one. He denied that his horse trotted at all, and said he had a load weighing near a ton in the cart at the time. He was riding on the proper side of the cart and had the reins in his hand Mr. U. Peace, agent for Messrs. Newcombe, Chaplin, Home, and Co., stated that Ellis had been in their employ about nine months. For many years previous to that, he was in the service of Mrs. Lister. He was a very steady and sober man. In answer to some remarks of the Coroner, as to the improper speed at which the carriers’ carts fre- quently were driven at night, he explained that the gates at the Railway station were closed every night at half-past eight, and whatever goods were not in by that time had to remain a whole day before they were sent away. Many of the manufacturers and merchants would tell the porters that they must drive it as late as possible, perhaps tenminutes or a quarter-past eight before they called for packages. Perhaps there might be three or four such every night, some a very wide distance from each other. They (the carriers) must oblige their customers, and were compelled to do tins or lose their custom. The consequence was, that
the men must trot their horses from these places to the station to get there in time…..The Coroner said, this could be no excuse for placing the lives of persons in danger…. Mr. Peace admitted the great extent of the evil complained, and said his only surprise was, when he saw the manner in which the carts were trotted down the Wicker, that a great many more accidents did not occur .. The Coroner, in summing up the evidence, laid down the law as applicable to the case, that any driver of a vehicle occasioning the death of any individual, if he had not used due care and circumspection, was guilty of manslaughter. The greatest possible care could perhaps not strictly be expected, but a person seeking to avail himself of the excuse that he had used proper care, ought at least to shew that he took as much care as persons under similar cir- cumstances usually do. It often happened, that with carts it was extremely difficult, if not impossible, to pull up on the instant; the greater therefore was the caution required; and a driver going at an unusual speed, causing the death of another as he had stated, was held to be guilty of man- slaughter. He in strong language condemned the exceed- ingly improper speed at which the carriers’ carts were frequently driven at nights, through the streets, and more particularly down the Wicker and the approaches to the railway stations. He also expressed his indignation at the want of the common feeling of humanity shewn by Ellis, in not stopping, as he was in duty bound, after being informed of the accident. It was for the Jury to say from the evidence, whether they thought the occurrence was purely an accident, or whether the having driven at an im- proper rate round so dangerous and dark a corner, the driver was guilty of manslaughter….. Some conversation followed among the Jury, and considerable difference of opinion appeared to exist, as to the possibility of the de- ceased being upon the edge of the causeway at the time the accident happened.. .Mr. Blackhurst asked permission to repeat a conversation he had with his father before his death, in respect to the accident. He expressed with con- siderable feeling, that deeply as he deplored the death of his father, he could not in justice to the driver, but state his father’s explanation of the manner in which the accident occurred. He (deceased) was returning from St. George’s church, and after calling at two places in Westbar, in the expectation of meeting with him (Mr. Blackhurst,) had gone down Workhouse lane on his way home. He passed along Love street, and was crossing the end of Love lane, when the cart came up and knocked him down; the horse trod upon his leg and broke it, and the wheel of the cart passed over his body. His father was remarkable for great presence of mind at all times, and repeated to him three times in the presence of others, “I believe it was an acci- dent, but the man was driving too fast.” It would appear that he was crossing the road, and not on the causeway as the witnesses had stated. He must, however, state that the reason which Ellis alleged of thinking it a hoax when the lad called to him to stop, appeared to have been an inven- tion of his, for when he (Mr. Blackhurst) went three days after the accident with a policeman to the railway station, he made no mention of it until after a good deal of con- versation…. Mr. Law said the deceased had given precisely the same account of the accident to him which he gave to his son…. Wadsworth and Goddard were re called, and explained that they had not observed the deceased until the horse was close upon him, and then he appeared to be upon the edge of the causeway, or close to it…. The Jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death. They however, strongly condemned the want of feeling shewn by the driver, in not stopping when told of the accident. They also ex- pressed their hope that the drivers of carriers’ drays and carts, going to the railway stations, would not drive at the rapid rate which they were so so much in the habit of doing… .Ellis was, at the close of the enquiry, called into the room, and the terms of the verdict were communicated to him. He was cautioned by the Coroner that he had had a very narrow escape of being sent to York for man- slaughter, and that escape was entirely owing to impartial and conscientious feeling shewn by the relatives of the deceased… The Jury, after having requested the coroner to make a representation to the Lighting Committee, that a lamp ought to be placed at the corner where the accident happened, separated.. ..We are glad to learn that Mr. Peace, agent of Messrs. Newcombe and Co., has spontaneously communicated to the friends of the deceased, the willing- ness of the company to defray the expenses of the funeral.
What I Learned
The accident occurred on 3 March at the corner of Love Lane and Spring Street (“previous Wednesday night.”)
Inquest into Stephen Blackhurst’s death was held on 9 March. (“last Tuesday”)
The cart’s right wheel ran over Stephen, and the horse stepped on and broke his leg.
The driver was Thomas Ellis, a driver for Messrs. Newcombe, Chaplin, Horne, & Co. He was going fast to get to the Railway station before it closed its gates.
Stephen Blackhurst believed it was an accident, but the driver was driving too fast.”
The verdict was “Accidental Death.”
Messr. Newcombe and Co. would defray the expenses of the funeral.
Further Research
John Blackhurst in Newspapers – “The deceased was the father of Mr. John Blackhurst, whose name is familiar to our readers.”
St. George’s Church – The deceased was returning from St. George’s Church. (He was likely a member.)
“In the News” is my reporting of newspapers articles and obituaries regarding ancestors and other relatives I am researching. The information found in newspapers often raises more questions and more research areas but invariably provides fresh texture to understanding an ancestor’s life.
Today’s article reports an event in the life of my 4th Great-grandfather, Stephen Blackhurst.
Article
This week’s article from the Sheffield and Rotherham Independent (Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England) newspaper[i] dated 6 Mar 1847. It reports events at the Sheffield General Infirmary during the previous week.
Sheffield and Rotherham Independent newspaper dated 6 Mar 1847, via Newspapers.com
SHEFFIELD GENERAL INFIRMARY, March 5
In-Patients….
Out-Patients….
Casualties received into the House since last Friday…. …Stephen Blackhurst, Bridge; houses, shoemaker, fractured leg; George Milnes….
Discovered
I learned that Stephen Blackhurst lived at Bridge. (I need to know more about what that means.)
I also learned he fractured his leg between 27 February and 5 March and was admitted to the Sheffield Infirmary. That is significant as I know from other things that Stephen died on 8 March at the Sheffield Infirmary.[ii]
[ii] England and Wales Death Registration Index 1837-2007, Family Search, Stephen Blackhurst – 1847. “England and Wales Death Registration Index 1837-2007,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2JMT-SSC : 31 December 2014), Stephen Blackhurst, 1847; from “England & Wales Deaths, 1837-2006,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Death, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.
Note: I intended to post this research before I posted the Sketch about Edward Lamb. I does, however, provide information about how I got to the Edward Lame sketch.
Introduction
Sorting out what happened to Isabella (Atkinson) Lamb has been difficult. I know she married Edward Lamb on 27 November 1853. I believe she had five children with Edward:
The 1861 Census found the Edward Lamb family living in Warcop at the Fox & Hounds. The census shows:
Edward Lamb Head, Age 29 – Victualler[v] – Born in Warcop
Isabella Lamb Wife, Age 26 – Born in Long Marton
Margaret Lamb Daughter, Age 11 Months – Born in Warcop
Dorothy Bradley Visitor (widow) age 77 – Landed Proprietor – born in Warcop.
So, the 1861 Census suggests the following:
Jane and Ann died before 7 April 1861, or I erroneously associated as children of Edward and Isabella.
Dorothy Bradley is likely a person for me to further research, looking for a relationship.
This made me wonder about Jane and Ann. What were my sources for them? When I reviewed them, the sources I had did not correctly associate Jane as the daughter of Edward and Isabella. I will reapply that association if I find something that fits the association.
So, where were the Lamb’s during the 1871 Census?
Censuses
1871
Edward Lamb
I believe I found Edward Lamb previously in the 1871 Census[vi]. He lived with his widowed mother, Ann Lamb, and his two spinster sisters, Isabella and Mary. Ann is the owner of the House and Land, and Edward is a Labourer. All had been born in West Sandford. Next door to them is John Atkinson (Age 44) and his sister Mary (Age 38).
James Cooper Lamb
James Cooper Lamb has a unique enough name to be easily found. Nine-year-old James is located in the household of his grandfather, John Atkinson, along with his aunt, Ann, and uncle, John. James is attending school (Scholar). John Senior is 70 and a farmer of 73 acres. John (senior) and James were born in Warcop, while John (junior) and Ann were born in Knock.
They are living in Soulby.
Endnotes:
[i] England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975, Family Search, Ann Lamb – Milburn, Westmorland, England. “England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J3VJ-K4B : 11 February 2018, Isabella in entry for Ann Lamb, 27 Mar 1859); citing , index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 97,399. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J3VJ-K4B.
[ii] Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1967, Margaret McAlister (McAllister) – Died 14 Jan 1929.
Source: Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania (State). Death certificates, 1906–1967; Certificate Number Range: 000001- 003000. Accessed 9/28/2019.
[iii] England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975, Family Search, James Cooper Lamb – Warcop, Westmorland, England. “England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NR9L-K8X : 11 February 2018, James Cooper Lamb, 18 May 1862); citing , index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 97,420. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NR9L-K8X.
[iv] England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975, Family Search, Edward Lamb – Kendal, Westmorland, England – 1864. “England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J7FS-B8Y : 10 February 2018, Isabella in entry for Edward Lamb, ); citing – 2:2ZKX01V, index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 1,471,686. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J7FS-B8R.
[v] A Victualler is a person licensed to sell alcoholic liquor.
[vi] 1871 England Census (April 2) (National Archives of the UK), Ancestry, Ann Lamb – Head – Sanford, Westmorland, England. “England and Wales Census, 1871”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V557-7BQ : 28 September 2019), Mary Lamb in entry for Ann Lamb, 1871. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V557-7B9.
Amanuensis[i] Monday
Darling, McAllister, Lamb
By Don Taylor
The 1894 Last Will and Testament of Edward Lamb shows the rift that occurred in the Lamb family. Sometime between 1861 and 1871, the Lamb family blew apart. During the 1871 Census, Edward was enumerated living with his mother and two sisters. His wife, Isabella, and son, Edward, went off to parts unknown, to be found in 1881 in Lancashire. His daughter Margaret left Westmorland and headed to Workington, Cumberland, England, where she married. She then emigrated to the United States in 1884. His son, James Cooper Lamb, appears to have had a stint in jail, cleaned his act up, and joined the military, where he was when Edward completed his will. So, although his wife, daughter, and two sons were living, he gave everything he had to James.
Edward Lamb’s Probate Document*
BE IT KNOWN that at the date hereunder written the last Will and Testament of Edward Lamb of Sanford in the parish of Warcop in the county of Westmorland, farmer, deceased, who died on the first day of November 1893 at Sanford aforesaid and who at the time of his death had a fixed place of abode at Sanford aforesaid within the District of the Counties of Cumberland and Westmorland was proved and registered in the District Probate Registry of Her Majesty’s High Court of Justice at Carlisle and that Administration of the personal estate of the said deceased was granted by the aforesaid Court to James Cooper Lamb of Linen Hall Barracks in the city of Dublin Sergeant in the 4th Royal Dublin Fusiliers, son of the said deceased, the sole executor. Named in the said will he having been first sworn well and faithfully to administer the same.
Dated the 10th day of July 1894
Gross value of Personal Estate £22.10.0
33rd Section
Extracted by John Bell
Solicitor Appleby.
Edward Lamb’s Will*
This is the Last Will and Testament of me, Edward Lamb of Sanford in the parish of Warcop in the county of Westmorland, Farmer. I appoint my son, James Cooper Lamb sole executor of this my will I give and bequeath all my money, securities for money nd all my household stores and articles of consumption, linen, furniture and other effects of household use or ornament articles and implements of every kind and description and all other goods and chattels of which I may be entitled to dispose by this my will to the said James Cooper Lamb for his own use absolutely I give and devise my to freehold messuages or dwelling houses situate at Sanford in the township of Sanford in the parish of Warcop in the said County of Westmorland with the yards, gardens and appurtenances hereunto belonging and the field thereunto adjoining commonly call or known by the name of Mosey Dale and also all that my open and unenclosed Dale situate in Sanford Mise in the said township of Sanford and Parish of Warcop to the said James Cooper Lamb absolutely and I give devise appoint and bequeath all other my real and personal estate whatsoever and wherever and whether in possession reversion remainder of expectancy unto my said son James Cooper Lamb for his own use absolutely and I declare this only to be my last Will and Testament in witness whereof I the said Edward Lamb have herein to set my hand this eighteenth day of August one thousand eight hundred and ninety three.
Signed and declared by the said Edward Lamb the { testator as and for his last will and testament in the { presence of us, present at the same time, who at his { request, in his presence and the presence of each other{ have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses { the works “all my having first been inserted between { the third and fourth lines from the top hereof. {
Est. Lonsdale Nankon of Appleby Solicitor Mary Lamb, Sanford
On the tenth day of July 1894 Probate of this will was granted at Carlisle to James Cooper Lamb, the Executor.
Discussion
James Cooper Lamb owned a house and land freehold in Sanford from 1895 until he died in 1898, even though he was in the military and stationed in Ireland.
Follow-up
Determine exactly what property was Edward Lamb’s that transferred to his son in 1894.
Endnotes
[i] John Newmark started the “Amanuensis Monday” category in 2009 on his Blog, Transylvanian Dutch and many bloggers have followed suit using the tag. Google provides the following meaning for amanuensis: “A literary or artistic assistant, in particular one who takes dictation or copies manuscripts.”
* Images available through GOV.UK — Probate Search — Service — “Find a will” — https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/#wills