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

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

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

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

The farmhouse, showing the front lawn and orchard

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)

A row of terraced houses on Railway Terrace, in Derby. 2 storey with large chimneys

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)

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

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)

A junction of two roads, quite rural, two houses and a couple of caravans parked

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)

St Lawrence's church North Wingfield

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)

The newspaper logo

Tom Coupe (1851-1903)

A blog post in my series looking at the people and families that have a connection with my late-father-in-law’s farm in Pilsley, Derbyshire. Carrying on from my previous post, Tom Coupe inherited the land and property (marked in red below) from his mother Matilda. Tom was baptised by his parents Matthew and Matilda on the 11th January 1852 at St Lawrence’s in North Wingfield, Derbyshire.1 … Continue reading Tom Coupe (1851-1903)

Matilda Coope Cutts (c1820-1898)

A blog post in a my series looking at the people and families that share a connection with my late-father-in-law’s farm in Pilsley, Derbyshire Matilda inherited the land and property (marked in red below) from her father Thomas Coope following his death in 1879. Matilda was baptised on the 26th November 1820 in North Wingfield to single woman Elizabeth Cutts. Her middle name being Coope … Continue reading Matilda Coope Cutts (c1820-1898)