Updated 18 Oct 2013

WIRKSWORTH Parish Records 1600-1900

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Marriages in Cathedrals, Derbysgen 17oct2013

Hello folks,
Does anyone know whether Cathedrals offered a different type
of marriage service to a parish church?
Melvyn Braggs program this morning suggested that they did,
(something to do with the version of the Book of Common Prayer used),
and I've always wondered why so many couples living in
Wirksworth went to Manchester or Derby to to get married,
since Wirksworth Church is like a mini-cathedral itself.
Regards,
John Palmer, Dorset, England


----------------------------
Manchester Cathedral was a chuch of convenience.
For those who don't know, it means they didn't ask too many questions which 
allowed couples who were within the forbidden degrees, under the age of consent 
or where the parents or others had objected to the marriage could marry when 
they couldn't marry in their local or a neighbouring church.
The only reason I know about is it's something that's come up elsewhere before.
With Derby it could be a status thing (a cathedral marriage costs more than a 
local church), a relative might have been the incumbent, or any other reason - 
unless someone knows different, of course :))

Charani (UK)
OPC for Walton,  Ashcott, Shapwick,
Greinton and Clutton, SOM
http://wsom-opc.org.uk
------------------------------
I've always believed that people went to the Cathedrals because of the anonymity 
they afforded. No questions asked and a plentiful supply of witnesses.
Regards,
Mike Fry
Johannesburg
-------------------------------
Ancestors of mine went to Manchester because she was pregnant and I suspect 
they didn`t want the questioning that they would have had to endure at 
Disley.

For people using daughter churches to Manchester Cathedral (this does not 
include Disley) it was actually cheaper to use the the Cathedral as only one 
fee was payable rather than two.

Maybe some folk wanted to make it a more special occasion.  Disley folk had 
to use the mother church of Stockport from 1754 to 1837.  For many years 
after this period though, when they could have married in Disley, they still 
chose to go to Stockport some six miles away.

best wishes

Marjorie Ward
Derbyshire, UK
Sources for Disley; Lyme Handley; Taxal & Whaley www.disley.net
Sources for Hollingworths www.hollingworths.net
Sources for NWDby incl Chapel; Charlesworth; Chinley; Fernilee; Glossop;
Hayfield; Hope Valley; Mellor & New Mills
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~dusk
John Ward Paintings: www.johnward-art.com 
-----------------------------------
I don't know about Derby, John, but in the 1850s - and possibly earlier and 
later - Manchester Cathedral was notorious as a place where they would marry 
people without asking too many questions, like how long had they been resident 
in the parish. They used to do marriages on virtually a production line basis, 
umpteen a day! 
I found a distant aunt of mine from Scarborough who married in Manchester 
Cathedral in the 1850s. I couldn't understand it at first but when I learned 
about the multiple marriage caper, I then discovered she and her husband had 
gone immediately afterwards to Australia. It then became apparent they had 
stopped off on their way from Scarborough to Liverpool to catch the boat to get 
married!
Roy Stockdill
Genealogical researcher, writer & lecturer
Famous family trees blog: http://blog.findmypast.co.uk/tag/roy-stockdill/
-------------------------------------------
The subterfuges that people had to go through to marry were quite amazing. I 
have an ancestor from Cromford who decamped to Manchester to marry. A friend 
from Cromford stood as best man but he had to interrupt his studies at 
Glasgow University and turned up in North London for the birth before (I 
suppose) returning to Glasgow where he qualified as a veterinary surgeon 
and subsequently reappearing in Cromford to start his practice. I suppose 
the time away gave them enough time to conceal the exact age of the baby and 
blur facts such as the date of marriage!
Peter in France
------------------------------
Certainly Manchester Cathedral when it was a Collegiate Church used to 
charge a fee even if the ceremony was elsewhere in the parish
ie you paid twice.   but if you went to the Cathedral only paid once.
See  http://www.aidan.co.uk/article_manchester_cathedral.htm
I have an interesting example of marriages at Manchester jumping the gun
on 7 Jan 1821 Peter Royle and Louisa Webb both of Manchester married by 
Banns
also same day his sister Ruth Royle  and John Poole both of Manchester also 
married by Banns.
These images from the Manchester Cathedral records on Ancestry
I've not located those Banns
BUT
Banns for both these marriage were read at St Bartholemews, Wilmslow 11, 18 
and 25 Feb with no note of marriage date as seen in other entries
Fee 3s6d  both couples of Wilmslow which was true.  Images from the Cheshire 
Collection on FindMyPast
Obviously the Cathedral never checked!
NB The Royle family is the family that started the first Methodist church in 
Wilmslow
Bill Deverell 
-----------------------------------

From: 
Subject:  Letter to the Editor 
Date:  4 Jan 2011 

Hello Folks,
Did anyone see a Letter to the Editor in The Daily Telegraph on 1 Jan 2011?
---------
Sir - I was raised in Wirksworth, Derbyshire, where the baker is A.Killer,
the pharmacist B.Payne and the builder J.Stone.
I intend to start a sanitary engineering business there one day.
Lt Col Thomas N.Crapper (retd)
Everleigh, Wiltshire.
--------
Perhaps I will take up the same idea one day
John Palmer nee Doxey

From: Stephanie Hitchcock
Subject:  Wirksworth Marriage
Date:  4 Jan 2011 

Hi John,
 
Re Marriage  18th October 1841 Henry Smith to Ann Bamford 
 
Came across the following entry in the Derby Mercury Wednesday, 
October 27 1841 Issue 5703
 
"On the 18th instant, at Wirksworth, by the Rev. T. Hirst,
Mr. Henry Smith, equestrian, to Miss Mary Ann Bamford.
This young damsel does not attain her fourteenth year until
February next, having been born February, 1828 and baptised
the following October."
 
Ann Bamford was bpt 5th October 1828 dau of John/Elizabeth (Wirksworth) 
[Blacksmith], and appears on the 1841 Census Wirksworth aged 13.
 
Thought you may find this interesting, it must have been unusual for 
someone to marry at such a young age in 1841 – or was it?
 
If you decide to post, please do not include my e-mail address.
 
Regards
Stephanie Hitchcock
Belper Derbyshire.

From: 
Subject:  Aaron DOXEY 1809-1872 
Date:  13 Feb 2004 

More information has come to light about the Will of
Aaron DOXEY 1809-1872, and the people mentioned in his Will.
This info was supplied by Michael Spencer, thanks Mike.

MENTIONED IN WILL 1873
----------------------
24 Aaron DOXEY of Middleton by Wirksworth hosier,mentions;
friend Hugh WALKER of Middleton by Wirksworth farmer
son George miner
wife Mary
dau Ann wife of Samuel SHELDON
son Aaron
land known as "Job BATEMANS piece"
dau Jemima DOXEY
Hugh WALKER witness
George DOXEY witness

Links to Aaron DOXEY's family in the CENSUS
-------------------------------------------
1871
1861
1851
1841

Link to Aaron DOXEY's family in the PARISH REGISTERs
----------------------------------------------------
DOXEY
From this link, the following info can be assembled, and more:
Aaron DOXEY, born 1809, died 1872
father Aaron mother Ann ADAMS (married 1803)
married Mary SPENCER 1832
children: George 1835, Ann 1836, Jemima 1837, Aaron 1839
Ann married Samuel SHELDON in 1866

From: Elaine Ross of California, USA
Subject:  Crowder/Doxey Link 
Date:  Sat, 16 Aug 2003 13:20:39 -0700 (PDT) 
To:    

Hi John,

I found the letter below which was written by your GG
Grandmother, Eliza Dorothy Doxey, on your Wirksworth
web site. In it, she refers to a Mrs. Crowder. I'm
related to the Crowder family in Matlock and I do
believe this reference to is one of my relatives,
Sarah Ann Crowder. She died during this time, being a
dress maker and leaving a baby.

I was wondering if you possibly have any further
information on this Mrs. Crowder?
Thanks,
Elaine Crowder-Ross

I think I told you Mrs Crowder is dead poor thing they
are all quarreling about her clothes forgetting there
is a baby that ought to be thought about. There was
quite a little (?) at her death there came a basket of
the most beautiful hot house flowers to be put in her
coffin a boy brought them and when asked who had sent
them he said there was no name they would not allow
them to be put in but her sisters made them into a
wreath and Aunt Mary Doxey carried them after the
Funeral (poor thing) somebody thought well on her. 

> Hello Elaine,
> 
> How fascinating, but regret that what
> Eliza Dorothy DOXEY says in her letter is 
> all I know about your Sarah Ann CROWDER.

Hi John,

I had a feeling that was all you had but I had to ask.
I'm sure you already know but those letters are so
amazing and when I spotted the letter about Mrs.
Crowder, I couldn't believe it. Sarah's full name was
Sarah Ann Harrison and she married Joseph Crowder. I
have yet to find out what the baby's name was but I'm
researching that right now.

Please feel free to place my info on Sarah Ann by the
letter. It may prove useful for others too.
Thanks again,
Elaine

From: roy sims (simmy@globalnet.co.uk) 23 Jul 02
Cutting from Belper News, regular "Belper Memories" column by Michael Dexter.

"Murder in the Lane"
High up on the road from Whatstandwell to Wirksworth is Wigwell Grange.
Long ago it was the summer residence of the monks of Darley Abbey.In 
August 1863,the lane just below the Grange was the scene of a shocking
murder. Miss Elizabeth Goodwin lived with her grandfather at the Grange
She had been engaged to a Victor Townley but had broken off the
relationship.
Townley  begged Elizabeth to see him. One afternoon alighting from the
train at Whatstandwell,Victor walked up to the Grange.
The two were soon in deep conversation,First in the drawing room then the
garden lastly in the lane. It was there that Victor stabbed Elizabeth 
in the back of her neck with a pocket knife.
She died before she could be carried home.Townley was charged and found
guilty of her murder.
The case aroused great interest because these were "gentry" people.
Townley had a clever lawyer. He pressured the Home Secretary to reprieve
Townley on the grounds of insanity and was successful.
The press pointed out that if Townley had been a working class man
without powerful friends he would have hung.
Townley found little peace however,he committed suicide in prison.

From: roy sims (simmy@globalnet.co.uk) 23 Jul 02
Cutting from Belper News, regular "Belper Memories" column by Michael Dexter.

"The Wilds of Ashleyhay."
I have walked the footpaths and bye-roads for 50 years.
Up in the wilds of Ashleyhay was some quite country which I grew to
love. In the tight little lanes below Alport Stone there was always
something of interest. One could meet genuine tramps on their endless
journeys and most were willing to chat to a young rambler.
I have found stray dogs. Helped the pilot of a crashed microlight and 
been chased by a thunderstorm with my only shelter the lee odf a stone
wall.From the hamlet of Spout to Shottle and the Gorses there is a
network of field paths some of which are very old.
There is a fine one from above Belper Lane to Alport Hill and on to
Wirksworth if you wish.

From: roy sims (simmy@globalnet.co.uk) 23 Jul 02
Cutting from Belper News, regular "Belper Memories" column by Michael Dexter.

"Moat it Be"
In Ashleyhay between shottle and Alport Hill is a moat site.
It must be 900ft above sea level and is unlikely to have ever contained
much water. The ground within is hardly big enough for house more likely
a cattle pen.But what is the purpose of the ditch? It is too small for
defence or containment yet it is old and interesting.There is a larger
moat near Hazelwood.It is of a different type,fairly deep and filled
with water.Though big enough for a house within, the moat is not large
enough to stop animals or men.
As with many other sites I think the circles of water formed by smaller 
moats might have had a more ritual significance.

Date: Tue, 16 Jul 2002 23:39:07 +0100 
From: roy sims (simmy@globalnet.co.uk) 

B 1814jan05 KENYON Luke(Alderwasley)[96]

In his second memory lane book on Belper & Ambergate,Rod Jewel
has the following note on the Kenyons.
On a commanding eminence within Shining Cliff woods (Alderwasley)
stood a famous yew tree called Betty Kenney's tree. Luke and Betty
Kenney lived in the woods as charcoal burners during the 17th & 18th
centuries.They brought up a family of eight children without having
entered a home'except for the purchase of necessities. Their habitation
was a movable hut in the form of a cone or sugar loaf,one side of which
was furnished with a bed upon turf,the opening was covered by a large
board. On cold nights a portion of wood fire was taken inside.
Their favourite spot in the woods was the immense yew tree under which
is buried one of their children. Betty's real name was Kate Keynon and 
initially she travelled annually from Papplewick, Nottingham to these
woods.The lullaby Rock-a -Bye baby is alleged to originate from Betty
rocking one of her children to sleep on a hollowed stem of the tree.
In 1909 the tree was said to be around 2000 years old.
Thanks to local vandals the tree was severely damaged by fire in the
1930s. Rod's first book on the area contains two photagraphs of the tree
prior to its firing. The second book contains several pages of photos of
the Alderwasley township around 1900.

From: "PhillipIbbotson" phillip@ibbotson2800.freeserve.co.uk 
Subject: Luke Kenny 
Date: Sat, 20 Jul 2002 03:57:33 +0100 

B 1814jan05 KENYON Luke(Alderwasley)[96]

Hello John,

My interest in the Kenny's is purely from a family point of view.
Luke's great-grand-daughter was my great-grandmother. Her name was Elizabeth
Prince and her father was Samuel Skeynor Prince  whose mother was a Kenny.
Elizabeth married John Mee probably at Crich then moved to Newbold and later
to Old Brampton where John Mee became sexton. 5 of the 8 children were born
there.
I do have some material on Luke Kenny - particularly his roots in Notts. I
have a micro-film of charcoal accounts for the Stanhope family Iron Founding
business 1700-1770 which may have information of Luke's Nottinghamshire
activities but at the moment I don't have access to a film reader - our LDS
Family Centre is closed pro tem.
I'm quite happy to pass on the Kenny material - do you like attachments or
prefer straight forward text?

Kind regards;  will be in touch soon,

Phill

Hi John, 
Here's a short article about Charles Gordon
[son of John BRITLAND and Mary Hannah GORDON]

M 1843apr01 BRITLAND John(Cromford),Spar+marbleturn
/GORDON Mary hannah(Cromford),#285
  Fathers: James BRITLAND,Boot+shoemaker
/Charles GORDON,Consul at St Domingo.
  Witnesses: Mark? BRITLAND,Harriet SMITH   Status: b,f/s,f 
Charles Britland was born in Matlock, Derbyshire, 12
January 1844.  He ran away to sea at an early age, and
was impressed into the US navy when an English
blockade runner was captured. He chose the navy over a
prison ship. Service of less than a year led to US
citizenship.  After injuring his hand in the
California gold fields, he traveled the world as a dog
and monkey trainer, calling himself Charles Gordon.  
In 1880 he married 19 year old Isabella Ross Brown in
Blackfriars district, Glasgow Scotland.  They had 11
children, the youngest of which, Lily Arnold, was my
grandmother. Isabella collected a civil war widow's
pension until 1946. As Belle Hatheway, she performed
with dogs and monkeys in circuses and vaudeville; her
older daughters performed trapeze acts rigged by their
father; her older sons joined the US Navy.  My
grandmother loved and trained dogs, but she couldn't
stand monkeys - even in the zoo.
I welcome all information concerning this family

Jane Ward:  janemar1e@yahoo.com

From the Parish registers:
C 1700apr19 RIDGWAY Anthony=(son)Tristram/(Wirkesworth)
B 1700sep08 RIDGWAY Anthony=(son)Tristram/(Wirkesworth)

            RIDGEWAY, RIDGWAY, RYDGWAYE
It is believed that this particular Anthony is the one connected to the
Buckinghamshire RIDGEWAYs.  As can be seen above this could not be possible
due to his death at the age of 5 months.
The source of this information is from Alan. F. RIDGEWAY who runs the
"Ridgeway Routes " newsletter.
I am directly connected to this line and have additional information that I
would be willing to share.

Take care

Jayne McHugh of St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
spiregen@webcomcreations.com

Hi John,
 
As I was reading through Ince's Pedigrees I came across
 
"40  Robert BRIGHT of Wirksworth of Mansfield 1781 A Lieutenant in the Militia
    Burnt to death at Nottingham Jun 1788 s.p."
Page 050c (147,173,H929.2/147) - Pedigree of MOORE of Winster Co Derby
 
I decided to check the Nottingham Date Book and found the following:
 
"June 7, 1788 - Lieutenant Bright, of the Nottinghamshire Militia 
(which had been called up for training) , having spent the evening with
his brother officers, retired to his lodgings on Long-Row.  After he had 
been in his bedroom, as was supposed, some time, suspicion arose in
the house that something was amiss. On entering his apartment, it was 
found he was in a state of insensibility and enveloped in flames. The
fatality, it was generally believed, arose from him having sat down too
near the candle, at the time he was undressing for bed.  He had recently
introduced into the town the since universal practice of wearing braces."
Nottingham Date Book (CD Archive Book project): 1750 - 1884
 
Maybe you could add it to your snippet page?

Take care
 
Jayne McHugh of Ontario
spiregen@webcomcreations.com