My Family History

Black Sheep Sunday – Yorkshire Sheep Rustlers Part V

Part IPart IIPart IIIPart IV John and William Richardson sailed for Bermuda on 23rd April 1844 on the prison hulk Thames.  The voyage would have taken about a month and they would be joining other prison hulks already moored there. Transportation to Bermuda began in 1824 with the arrival of the Antelope, followed by the Dromedary, Coromandel and Weymouth.  US independence in 1776-1783 meant that Britain … Continue reading Black Sheep Sunday – Yorkshire Sheep Rustlers Part V

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My Family History

Black Sheep Sunday – Yorkshire Sheep Rustlers part IV

The last time we met John & William Richardson, they had admitted their guilt to the York Assizes and were on their way to Millbank prison in London to await transportation for ten years. Following their stay in Millbank they were moved to the prison hulk York moored off the Portsmouth coast. I found a record of them there on Ancestry. The register notes they … Continue reading Black Sheep Sunday – Yorkshire Sheep Rustlers part IV

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My Family History

Black Sheep Sunday – Yorkshire Sheep Rustling Part III

Part IPart II So John and William found themselves in York Castle prison, charged with two counts of sheep theft.  On 23rd of December 1843, the York Herald reported that they had pleaded guilty to both counts and William also admitted to having stolen a bay gelding from Robert Williamson the previous September. Since 1742 theft of sheep and cattle had been a capital offence, … Continue reading Black Sheep Sunday – Yorkshire Sheep Rustling Part III

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My Family History

Black Sheep Sunday – Yorkshire Sheep Rustling Part II

Part I William and John Richardson’s freedom following their discharge by the York magistrates was short-lived.  The following Saturday a warrant was issued for their arrest; evidence had been discovered of further sheep thefts carried out by the brothers.  John was arrested at a farmhouse in Wheldrake, while William had arrived at the Station House of his own accord. They appeared before the magistrate, Mr. … Continue reading Black Sheep Sunday – Yorkshire Sheep Rustling Part II

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A very rural view of fields, farm buildings in the distance and sheep in the foreground
My Family History

Black Sheep Sunday – Yorkshire Sheep Rustling. Part I

I was fortunate that my previous place of employment had access to the British Library’s online newspaper archive.  One quiet lunchtime I decided to put ‘Liverton’ and ‘Richardson’ in as search terms and see if there was any mention of this family and place in the papers. To my surprise the search returned a series of news reports on two Richardson brothers who had been … Continue reading Black Sheep Sunday – Yorkshire Sheep Rustling. Part I

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The farmhouse, showing the front lawn and orchard
My Family History, The Farm at Pilsley

Emanuel Taylor Hays (1907-1972)

Another post in my series on people who have been connected to my late father-in-law’s farm In Pilsley, Derbyshire. Emanuel was born on the 28th January 1907 in Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire to parents Anthony and Jane (née Taylor).1 He had three half-siblings from Anthony’s first marriage to Rachel Flint; Hannah, Sarah Ellen and William Anthony. At the time of his birth, he had one older full … Continue reading Emanuel Taylor Hays (1907-1972)

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Local Interest, The Farm at Pilsley

Nancy Melrose (1853 – 1927)

A blog post in the series of people who are or were connected to my late father-in-law’s farm in Pilsley, Derbyshire. Nancy’s husband William Thorpe purchased the two fields from Tom Coupe in 1902. Following William’s death later the same year, the land was held in trust on her behalf until 1920 by Robert Thorpe and James Melrose. Nancy was born in Derby in 1853 … Continue reading Nancy Melrose (1853 – 1927)

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Conveyance of fields from Robert Thorpe & James Melrose to The Pilsley Hand and Heart Industrial Society. Typewritten document
My Family History

James Melrose (1847 – 1927)

A blog post in the series of people who are or were connected to my late father-in-law’s farm in Pilsley, Derbyshire. James Melrose held two fields in trust between 1902 and 1920 following the death of his brother-in-law, William Thorpe. James was born in Derby in 1847 to parents James and Margaret (nee Hardman).1 In 1851 James is 3 and living with his parents and … Continue reading James Melrose (1847 – 1927)

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A junction of two roads, quite rural, two houses and a couple of caravans parked
Local Interest, The Farm at Pilsley

Robert Thorpe (c1840 – 1924)

Another blog post in the series of people and families associated with my late father-in-law’s farm in Pilsley, Derbyshire. Robert was the younger brother of William Thorpe. Following William’s death Robert held land in trust for William’s widow Nancy and their daughters. Robert Thorpe’s baptism took place at North Wingfield on the 2nd August 1840 in North Wingfield, Derbyshire, to parents William and Ann (née … Continue reading Robert Thorpe (c1840 – 1924)

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St Lawrence's church North Wingfield
Family History, Local Interest

William Thorpe (1834-1902)

Another blog post in the series of people and families associated with my late father-in-law’s farm in Pilsley, Derbyshire. William purchased the two fields from Tom Coupe in 1902. William Thorpe was baptised on the 14th December 1834 in North Wingfield to parents William and Ann (née Wheatcroft) from Woodthorpe. William Snr. noted as a farmer.1 In 1841 census, aged 6, he lived with his … Continue reading William Thorpe (1834-1902)

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