James BRAILSFORD

of Wirksworth 1884-1925

A fine RP postcard of a soldier and a horse turned up on Ebay (nobody else bid!), posted in Wirksworth. Who was he? Three people are mentioned on the address side. Fortunately enough was written to allow them to be traced.

Index

Writing on postcard Persons mentioned on postcard BRAILSFORD tree VALLANCE tree BELDING tree

VALLANCE data BELDING data emails John Walker BELDING Prior Aylward BELDING

James BRAILSFORD (1884-1925) taken in 1908, holding an officer's horse about 16 hands high, with docked tail.

Posted at Wirksworth, Thur 9am Jy 16 1908 (Halfpenny stamp)

Please Mr Belding Could you send me another dress shirt same as the the other one the other I have took for every day I want send it me for Friday night that I want it for Sunday I shall give you extra when you come I only want cheap one pleated one same as the other one it wont matter about the colour Miss Lizzie Vallance No 60 Green Hill Wirksworth Jas Brailsford -------------- P.A.Belding Wirksworth Bridge Street 9am Belper Jy 16 08 James Brailsford of Wirksworth orders a new shirt from Mr Belding of Belper, who supplied a previous shirt. James needs it delivered the next day (Friday) for use on the Sunday. It is to be delivered to Miss Lizzie Vallance of 60 Green Hill, close to No 55, where lives May Spencer, who James marries 4 years later. (in the 1911 Census Prior Aylward Belding is listed as a 'Retail Draper's Traveller and Collector' living at 4 Cromford Road, Wirksworth, aged 47, with 6 children).

Persons mentioned on postcard

BELDING, Prior Aylward 1864 born in Newington 1866 both parents died 1871 orphanage in Newington 1881 apprenticed to Grocer 1885 married Mary Louisa Glenn 1891 Grocer, Grimsby, 3 children 1901 Draper's traveller, Belper, 6 children 1911 Drapers traveller, Wirksworth 1917 Wife Mary died. 1920 Died VALLANCE, Elizabeth 1884 born in Wirksworth 1890 mother becomes totally blind 1891 Scholar in Wirksworth 1901 at 60 Green Hill, Housemaid 1911 Parents at 60 Green Hill, Wirksworth BRAILSFORD, James 1884 born in Wirksworth 1889 wife born 1891 at Bolehill, schoolboy 1901 at Bolehill, hosiery millhand 1911 at Bolehill, Masson millhand 1912 married May E Spencer 1914? offspring 1925 died 1936 wife remarried

BRAILSFORD tree 1814 1813 Anthony 1836 Hannah BRAILSFORD=====v=====COLLEDGE 1884 | 1894 | |----|-------|------|------|------|---|-----|-------|-------| | | | | | | | | | | 1838 1840 1843 1845 1848 1850 1852 1854 1856 1859 Mary William Joseph Thomas Sarah John James Charles Rebecca Alfred | | 1843 1845 Joseph 1866 Sarah BRAILSFORD=====v=====JACKSON 1908 | 1919 | |-----|-----|---|----|-----|-------| | | | | | | 1868 1870 1874 1876 1879 1884 Tacy John Charles Mary Hannah James | | 1876 1889 1884 James 1936 May E 1912 James HOWSLEY=====v=====SPENCER=====v=====BRAILSFORD | 1925 | unknown offspring Census: | 1841 | 1851 | 1861 | 1871 | 1891 | 1871 | 1881 | 1891 | 1901 | Grave: | QA044 | QA073 | Emails: | X608 | Ince: | 049b |

VALLANCE tree 1798? 1798? Thomas 1824 Ann VALLANCE=====v=====BRUNT 1877? | 1874? | |---|------|------|---|---|-------|------|----| | | | | | | | | | 1832 1834 1837 1840 1843 1840 1851 | George Elizab Abraham Richard Thomas Fred Thomas | | |----| | | | 1850 1851 1825 1828 Emma 1876 Thomas Ann Sarah WORRELLOW=====v=====VALLANCE 1916 | 1911 | |-----|-------|--------|----------|-------| | | | | | | 1879 1881 1883 1884 1887 1890 Emma Thomas MaryAnn Elizabeth George Joseph VALLANCE Census: | 1841 | 1851 | 1861 | 1881 | 1891 | 1901 | Grave: | QD319 | Emails:

BELDING tree

1824 John 1824 Walker 1848 Mary BELDING=====v=====AYLWARD 1866 | 1866 | |-----|----|------|--|--|-------|-------|-------|-------|------| | | | | | | | | | | 1848 1849 1851 1852 1854 1856 1858 1859 1862 1864 Harry Lucy Mary Sarah Henry John Anne William George Prior 1850 Ann Elizab Jane Aylward William Aylward Henry Aylward 1855 1920 1943 1885 1920 | | | | |-------------------------------------------------------| | | | 1862 1859 1864 George (1) Mary (2) Prior Henry 1882 Louisa 1885 Aylward BELDING=====v==================GLENN=====================v=====BELDING 1885 | 1917 | 1920 | | | |-------|----|----|-------|-------|-|-------| | | | | | | | | 1883 1887 1887 1887 1889 1892 1895 1898 Florence George Ann Fred Amy Albert Lizzie Charles Louisa Henry 1888 1888 Beatrice Edward Aylward Sidney 1891 1960 1951 Census: see data Grave: Emails: Ince:

VALLANCE data

1841=================== ---North end---[Wirksworth]------------ W837a Thomas VALLANCE 35 m Y Lab W837b Ann VALLANCE 35 f Y W837c Ann VALLANCE 15 f Y W837d Sarah VALLANCE 12 f Y W837e George VALLANCE 9 m Y W837f Abraham VALLANCE 3 m Y W837g Frederick VALLANCE 11m m Y 1851============================================ #094---Green Hill---[Wirksworth]--- W246a Thomas VALONS Head M 46 M Coal higler & lab Fritchley W246b Ann VALONS Wife M 44 F Wirksworth W246c Sarah BULLOCK Dau M 20 F Wirksworth W246d George VALONS Son U 19 M Coal higler & lab Wirksworth W246e Richard VALONS Son 11 M Wirksworth W246f Thomas BULLOCK Son iL M 24 M Carpenter Cromford 1861===================================================================================== #83---Greenhill---[Wirksworth]---(Page 14,ED 2, RSD "Wirksworth",RG9/2517)--- W246a Thomas VALLONS Head M 57 M Coal higgler Fritchley W246b Ann VALLONS Wife M 57 F Wirksworth W246c Richard VALLONS Son U 19 M Ag lab Wirksworth W246d Thomas VALLONS Son 10 M Wirksworth 1871======================================================================================= #80---The Dale---[Wirksworth]--- W228a Thomas VALONS Head M 69 M Higgler Fritchley W228b Ann VALONS Wife M 68 F Charwoman Wirksworth Thomas died 1877 aged 79 and Ann died Sep 1875 aged 72 C 1809sep17 BRUNT Ann=(dau)Abraham/Margaret(Wirksworth),dob=1804nov16 B 1874feb11 VALLANCE Ann(Wirksworth)[76],#287 B 1877oct06 VALLANCE Thomas(Wirksworth)[79],#528 1881====================================================================================== #97---Greenhill---[Wirksworth]---(RG11-3419-2-p17) W244a Thomas VALONS Head M 30 M Quarryman Wirksworth W244b Emma VALONS Wife M 31 F Longmor STS W244c Emma VALONS Dau 1 F Wirksworth 1891====================================================================================== #19---West End---(2 rooms)---[Wirksworth]--- W321a Emma VALLANCE Head M 40 F Longnor STS W321b Emma VALLANCE Dau S 11 F Scholar Wirksworth W321c Thomas VALLANCE Son 9 M Scholar Wirksworth W321d Lizzie VALLANCE Dau 7 F Scholar Wirksworth W321e George VALLANCE Son 6 M Scholar Wirksworth W321f Joseph VALLANCE Son 2 M Wirksworth 1901=================================================================================== #56---Green Hill, 60---(3 rooms)---[Wirksworth]--- W199a Thomas VALLANCE Head M 50 M Limestone quarryman Wirksworth W199b Emma VALLANCE Wife M 51 Longnor STS blind 9 years W199c Emma VALLANCE Dau S 21 Charwoman Wirksworth W199d Thomas VALLANCE Son S 19 M Limestone quarryman Wirksworth W199e Elizabeth VALLANCE Dau 15 Housemaid domestic Wirksworth W199f George VALLANCE Son 14 M Limestone quarryman Wirksworth W199g Joseph VALLANCE Son 12 M Wirksworth 1911==================================================================================== 1911 Census for 60, Green Hill, Wirksworth VALLANCE Thomas Head Married M 64 1847 Lime Stone Quarry Delver Wirksworth Children:7born,5alive,2died VALLANCE Emma Wife Married F 66 1845 Married 43 years Wirksworth Totally blind at 50 VALLANCE Joseph Son Single M 21 1890 Lime Stone Quarry Delver Wirksworth VALLANCE Emma Dau Single F 33 1878 Tape Mill Cook Wirksworth BUNTING Lily Visitor F 13 1898 School Wirksworth ===========================================================================================

BELDING data

1911 Census for 4 Cromford Road Wirksworth. BELDING, Prior Aylward Head Married 26 years M 47 1864 Retail Draper's Traveller And Collector Lincs Boston BELDING, Mary Louisa Wife Married F 49 1862 Warwickshire Draycott BELDING, Charles Sidney Son M 13 1898 Schoolboy Lincolnshire Grimsby ELLIS, Sophia Julia Visitor Single F 42 1869 Private Means Cambs Cambridge ELLIS, Bernard Ronald Visitor M 1 1910 Derbyshire Belper 1901 Census for Far Laund, Belper BELDING, Prior Aylward Head Married M 37 1864 Retail Draper's Traveller London BELDING, Mary Louisa Wife Married F 40 1861 Draycott Warwickshire BELDING, Albert Ed Son M 9 1892 Grimsby Lincolnshire BELDING, Lizzie Aylward Daughter F 6 1895 Grimsby Lincolnshire BELDING, Amy Beatrice Daughter F 11 1890 Grimsby Lincolnshire BELDING, Chas Sidney Son M 3 1898 Grimsby Lincolnshire 1891 Census for 132&134, Albert Street, Great Grimsby, Grimsby Lincolnshire BELDING, Prior A Head Married M 29 1862 Grocer London Middlesex BELDING, Mary L Wife Married F 30 1861 Draycote Warwickshire BELDING, George H Son Single M 4 1887 Grimsby Lincolnshire BELDING, Florance Daughter Single F 7 1884 Salford Lancashire BELDING, Amy B Daughter Single F 2 1889 Grimsby Lincolnshire 1881 Census for 221, Cleethorpes Road, Great Grimsby Lincolnshire LEAFE, John Head Married M 31 1850 Grocer & Baker Employing 1 Man & 1 Boy Boston Lincolnshire LEAFE, Mary E Wife Married F 30 1851 Tydd St Mary Lincolnshire LEAFE, Caroline J Daughter Single F 9 1872 Scholar Grimsby Lincolnshire LEAFE, Frank Son Single M 5 1876 Scholar Grimsby Lincolnshire LEAFE, Walter Son Single M 2 1879 Grimsby Lincolnshire BELDING, Annie A Sister In Law Single F 21 1860 Domestic Servant Tydd St Giles Cambridgeshire BELDING, Prior A Brother In Law Single M 17 1864 Apprentice To Grocer Camberwell Surrey 1871 CENSUS for Clapham Road Spurgeon's Orphanage, Lambeth London, Surrey BELDING, Prior ? Inmate M 8 1863 Surrey 1851 CENSUS for Village, Tydd Saint Mary Lincolnshire BELDING, John Head Married M 26 1825 Journeyman Tailor Long Sutton BELDING, Mary Wife Married F 26 1825 Boston BELDING, Lucy Ann Daughter F 1 1850 At Home Tydd St Mary BELDING, Mary Elizabeth Daughter F 0 (3 MOS) 1851 At Home Tydd St Mary

emails

----Anyone with more details for publication on this webpage, please email ---- -------------- From John Readman 01apr2012 Prior Aylward Belding was born in Camberwell, London-I don't have his birth certificate, mainly because he isn't really a close relative of mine, except a brother of my great grandmother Annie Alyward Belding. Mind you I don't have her birth certificate either, and maybe after trying to sort out the Beldings I ought to get one. One of the problems with the family is their surname, which gets transcribed as Beldon, Boulding, Belding etc For instance this evening I have discovered an Annie Belding baptised in Tydd St Mary, daughter of John & Mary Belding of the Tydd St Mary village, him being a tailor by profession, so that would seem to be my gg mother wouldn't it? Except, according to Free BMD there isn't an Annie Belding born at all, apart from one in the December qtr of 1859 in Wisbeach RD. This is an Annie Alyward Belding, so same family name. However, in the same year, in Middlesex, London, in the December qtr of 1859, in St Luke Middlesex, , a William Belding is born, and that lad is with his grand parents in 1861 census in Long Sutton, William Belding & his wife Lucy (bn. Tydd St Mary) so that is Lucy Walker, the parents of John Walker Belding, father of Prior Aylward Belding, not as you have him John William Belding by the way. So this can't be the son of John Walker Belding and his wife Mary, maybe he had a girlfriend, only a birth certificate would show it, if the mother's name is on it that is. I can't find the baptism yet for young William, or Prior Aylward either. I enclose what I have done so far for both Prior and his parents. Much has still to be done, and there are still many mysteries to be sorted out. The orphanages for instance and the way the children were split up after the death of both parents, neither grandparent offering to help, but maybe they too were on the parish as well by then. John

John Walker BELDING

Information from John Readman 01apr2012 JOHN WALKER BELDING was born in 1824 in Long Sutton, Lincolnshire. There are two alternatives for his birth & baptism: 1. 1824 12 September, Lutton, Lincolnshire, England 236: September 12, 1824, John Walker, son of Wm & Lucy Beldon, Lutton, labourer, Chas. Sunderland, curate. 236: Lutton Parish Records: 1824-1825 see Lincs to the past (http://www.lincstothepast.com/Records/RecordDisplayTranscript.aspx?oid=547985&iid=344808 2. 1829 27 September Age: 5 Sutton St Mary, Lincolnshire, England 1663:: 27 September 1829: John Walker, son of William & Lucy Belding, of Little London, labourer, by Chas. Cole, curate. 1663: Sutton St Mary Parish Records: Baptisms: 1829 John Walker, baptised same time as brother Richard Belding, so is this a new born John Walker, born as twin to Richard-if so, when did the first child JW of 1824 die? Lincs to the Past (http://www.lincstothepast.com/Records/RecordDisplayTranscript.aspx?oid=550579&iid=243896) He died on 03 Feb 1866 in Lorrimer Cottage, John-street, Walworth, Newington, Surrey. He married MARY AYLWARD on 25 Jun 1848 in Tydd St Mary, Lincolnshire, the daughter of Henry Aylward and Anne. (maybe Prior or Pryer, marriage not found yet) Wife: Mary AYLWARD Marriage Date: 25 Jun 1848 Recorded in: Tydd, Lincolnshire, England British Isles Vital Records Index from Family Search Collection: St Mary Husband's Father: William BELDING Wife's Father: Henry AYLWARD Mary Aylward was born in Boston in 1824, and baptised at Boston St. Botolph on 27 June 1824. Source: 27 June 1824, Mary, daughter of Henry & Anne Aylward, Boston, Cow-keeper, by B Goe. Detail:1689: Boston St Botolph Parish Records-Baptisms Lincs to the Past (http://www.lincstothepast.com/Records/RecordDisplayTranscript.aspx?oid=525581&iid=67310) In 1841, aged 17, she too was in Tydd St Mary, Working as a family servant on Dunton Farm, St Mary Tydd, Lincolnshire, England. (Ancestry) In 1841, John Walker Belding is in Tydd St Mary as an apprentice tailor, aged 17. (Ancestry) The 1851 census shows that he is married, a journeyman tailor, with 2 children, Lucy Ann aged 1, and Mary Elizabeth, 6 months, both born in Tydd St Mary, where the family are living in the village, Mary his wife was born in Boston, Lincolnshire. Between in 1848 & 1864, John & Mary have 5 children born and at least one die. The children are: 1. HARRY BELDING was born in Dec 1848 in Holbeach RD. He died in Jun 1850 in Holbeach RD. (unable to find baptism in TS Mary, nor his burial as yet) 2. LUCY ANN BELDING was born in Jun 1849 in Holbeach, Lincolnshire. She died in Jun 1855 in Holbeach, Lincolnshire., according to free BMD (at present can’t find her baptism, or her burial-there is a Belding Burial in April 30th, 1855, a May Elizabeth Belding aged 6 at Tydd St Mary, buried by James Barryman, officiating minister) 3. MARY ELIZABETH BELDING was born before 02 Feb 1851 in Tydd St Mary's, Lincolnshire. (Baptism: Number 371: February 2nd 1851: Mary Elizabeth Belding, daughter of John & Mary Belding, him a tailor, resident in Tydd St. Mary, baptism by Charles Ash, curate) Source: Lincs to the Past: http://www.lincstothepast.com/Records/RecordDisplayTranscript.aspx?oid=554436&iid=205399 She died before 29 Jul 1884 in Grimsby, Lincolnshire. She married JOHN LENG LEAFE in Sep 1870 in Boston, Lincolnshire, son of John Leafe and Caroline Leng. He was born in 1849 in Boston, Lincolnshire. He died before 19 May 1908 in Grimsby, Lincolnshire. 4. SARAH JANE BELDING was born in Dec 1852 in Holbeach RD. (Can’t find her baptism at Tydd St Mary, so maybe not resident there in 1852.) 5. HENRY AYLWARD BELDING was born in Jun 1854 in Holbeach RD. (Can’t find his baptism in Tydd St Mary, so maybe not resident there in 1854) 6. JOHN WILLIAM BELDING was born in the September qtr., of 1856 (Holbeach 7a 312), in Tydd St Mary's, Lincolnshire. He was baptised at Tydd St Mary privately on April 2nd, 1857, recorded in Tydd St Mary baptisms on Lincs to the Past: Number 524: John William Belding, son of John & Mary Belding, father's occupation tailor, residence, Tydd St Mary, by David Long, curate see:- http://www.lincstothepast.com/Records/RecordDisplayTranscript.aspx?oid=554436&iid=205428 He died on 01 Feb 1920 in Grimsby, Lincolnshire. He married ELIZABETH ANN GREEN on 23 Nov 1879 in St Andrew's Parish Church, Freeman St, Grimsby. She was born in 1860 in Waltham, Lincolnshire. She died on 14 Oct 1906 in Grimsby, Lincolnshire. Then we have a mystery, because in the 1861 census, there is a William Belding, aged 2, born NK, London, Middlesex, living with his grandparents in Long Sutton. The grand parents are called William Belding and his wife Lucy Belding. Lucy Belding was born in Tydd St Mary, maiden name Walker. The address is shown as Roman Bank, Sutton St Mary, William was born in the St. Luke area of London. in the family move to London because their next child, William is born in London in June 1859, in Middlesex. They must have done this after the birth of Annie Belding, who was baptised privately on 4th May 1858, at Tydd St Mary. The birth certificate of William would demonstrate this. Generation 3 (con't) Notes for William Belding: http://www.about-bristol.co.uk/ash-01.asp http://www.mullers.org/history.html#ORPHANHOMES http://www.institutions.org.uk/orphanages/GLS/ashley_down.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_M%C3%BCller THIS I BELIEVE WAS MULLER ORPHANAGE AND DETAILS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE FOLLOWING. MULLERS HOMES FOR CHILDREN ADMIN. MULLER HOUSE. 7 COTHAM PK. BRISTOL. 0117 924 5001 I BELEIVE THERE IS A CHARGE OF £25 A SEARCH 7. ANNE ALYWARD BELDING was born in 1858,, or was it 1859? She died on 16 Jun 1943 in Grimsby, Lincolnshire. She married ARTHUR READMAN on 03 Jun 1883 in St. Andrews Church, Grimsby (A2), son of Thomas Featherstone Readman and Elizabeth Dufton. He was born on 28 Dec 1861 in New Holland, Barrow. He died on 31 Jan 1921 in Grimsby. 8. WILLIAM BELDING was born in Jun 1859 in Middlesex, London. ) 9. GEORGE HENRY BELDING was born in Mar 1862 in Boston, Lincolnshire. He died on 09 May 1885 in Grimsby, Lincolnshire. He married MARY LOUISA GLENN in Dec 1882 in Salford, Lancashire, daughter of Samuel Glenn and Caroline Ingram. She was born in Dec 1859 in Draycote, Warwickshire. She died in Jun 1917 in Belper, Derbyshire. 10.x. PRIOR ALYWARD BELDING was born in Jun 1864 in Camberwell, Middlesex, London. He died in Sep 1920 in Belper, Derbyshire. He married MARY LOUISA GLENN on 31 Dec 1885 in Free Methodist Chapel, Freeman St, Grimsby, Lincolnshire, daughter of Samuel Glenn and Caroline Ingram. She was born in Dec 1859 in Draycote, Warwickshire. She died in Jun 1917 in Belper, Derbyshire. Coninuing the story of John Walker Belding and his wife Mary. By 1861, he is a tailor, a visitor at 60, High Street, Boston, the home of a publican, still married, but the family are elsewhere. He is recorded as John Beldon in the census. I can’t find Mary Belding, JWB’s wife and the rest of the family in 1861. Maybe they are still in London, or in Boston area somewhere., certainly in 1862, GH Belding is born in the Boston area. We know he is brother to Prior because of the fact that Prior marries his widow in Grimsby. Also his second forename is Henry, and his grandfather was Henry Aylward. We do know that they are in Camberwell, London in 1864, because Prior is born there-there is an Eliza Anne born in Newington RD in 1862 as well, hopefully not same family) We also know that John Walker Belding dies in 1866: 9 April 1866 Letters of Administration of the Personal Estate and effects of John Walker Belding, late of 36, Lorrimer Cottage, John-street, Walworth in the County of Surrey, brewer's drayman deceased who died 3rd February 1866 at Lorrimer Cottage aforesaid were granted to Mary Belding of 36, Lorrimer Cottage aforesaid were granted at the Principal Registry aforesaid widow the Relict of the Deceased she having been first sworn. After her husband's death, Mary returns to the Boston area, with several children., but she dies later that year, leaving the children to be either cared for by the parish or by relatives. With Prior being born in London, his parish send him to the orphanage in Clapham, George Henry I can’t find in 1871, but think it must be in the Manchester area, because he ends up being apprenticed to a baker there. The rest of the family, the girls and John William live together in Boston. William Belding ends up in a Bristol Orphanage, so a lot more research to do here. Notes for Mary Aylward: Free Bmd has Mary's Death in June 1866: Belding Mary 42 Boston 7a 225 I need her death certificate I think. Mary Aylward England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 christening: 27 Jun 1824 BOSTON,?LINCOLN,?ENGLAND residence: Lincoln,? England parents:Henry Aylward,? Anne Paul Aylward England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 christening: 30 Apr 1829 BOSTON,?LINCOLN,?ENGLAND residence: Lincoln,? England parents:Henry Aylward,? Anne Henry Prior Aylward England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 christening: 04 May 1827 BOSTON,?LINCOLN,?ENGLAND residence: Lincoln,? England parents:Henry Aylward,? Anne Sarah Aylward England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 christening: 06 Feb 1825 BOSTON,?LINCOLN,?ENGLAND residence: Lincoln,? England parents:Henry Aylward,? Anne

Prior Aylward BELDING

Information from John Readman 01apr2012 10. PRIOR AYLWARD4 BELDING (John Walker3, William2, John1) was born in Jun 1864 in Camberwell, Middlesex, London. He died in Sep 1920 in Belper, Derbyshire. He married MARY LOUISA GLENN on 31 Dec 1885 in Free Methodist Chapel, Freeman St, Grimsby, Lincolnshire, daughter of Samuel Glenn and Caroline Ingram. She was born in Dec 1859 in Draycote, Warwickshire. She died in Jun 1917 in Belper, Derbyshire. Notes for Prior Alyward Belding: In 1871, Prior is shown to be at Spurgeon's Orphanage, in Clapham Road, London, having been born in Newington, aged 8 years, so around 1863/64 The story starts in 1866 in London. The charismatic Baptist preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon was speaking during one of his Monday evening prayer meetings at the Metropolitan Tabernacle. He declared: “We are a huge church, and should be doing more for the Lord. Let us ask God for some new work to do and the money to do it with” £20,000 gift His sermon was later printed in his magazine ‘The Sword and the Trowel' and eventually fell into the hands of a Mrs Anne Hillyard, a wealthy widow living in Islington, London. She wrote to Spurgeon telling him of her desire to found a home for orphans, and to his amazement, she offered him a gift of £20,000 to carry out the work. He and one of the Tabernacle deacons. Mr. William Higgs, a Stockwell builder, called upon Mrs. Hillyard the next day. “We have called, madam, about the £200 mentioned in your letter.” Spurgeon said. “£200 did I write?” she exclaimed. “I meant £20,000!” “Oh, yes!” replied Spurgeon. ‘You did put £20,000, but I was not sure whether a nought or two had slipped in by mistake, and thought I would be on the safe side.” Furthermore before agreeing to receive this sum Spurgeon sought an assurance that the needs of none of her near relations had been overlooked by the widow and that she had given consideration to the wants of already existing institutions. A year later, having received many smaller donations, Spurgeon began the process of purchasing a freehold plot of land in Clapham Road; Stockwell. The house was to be called The Stockwell Orphanage. By 1869 the building was complete. The cost had been just over £10,000 and with no debt or mortgage attached to it. It comprised seven houses, a dining hall and play hall. Spurgeon was responsible for the design of the building. He felt that a more protective family atmosphere could be created with separate houses, each with it's own matron in charge. More buildings were added later. New master resigns The first six children arrived at the Stockwell Orphanage in February 1869, soon followed by seventeen more. But the first few weeks were difficult. The new Master and Matron that had been appointed decided to resign almost immediately. On the day that this news was received, a Mr Charlesworth was present at the home, being an assistant minister at Surrey Chapel. He was asked if he would take up the post of the new House Master. He replied,” but I am not a Baptist.” Spurgeon replied with quick wit and a twinkle in his eye, “ and I am not a bigot.” Charlesworth did take up the post and stayed on for forty-six years! The orphanage survived, despite some difficult times, and by 1880, foundation stones were being laid for the building of six new houses, a playroom and swimming baths. For the first time the new intakes would include girls. Charles Spurgeon died in 1892. His brother James took over as president and subsequently his sons, Thomas and Charles. children suffered ill health. A large number of the children who were taken in to the orphanage at Stockwell were suffering from bad health and so it was decided to open a home by the sea where the children could enjoy a holiday and regain their health. Eventually a large house was purchased in Northdown Road, Cliftonville. Mrs James Surgeon ran the house. It was also used as a primary school. In 1917 the Stockwell Orphanage celebrated its Golden Jubilee at the Queen's Hall in London. To celebrate this event it was decided to establish another seaside home, this time in Birchington. Birchington Hall, which fronted onto the Canterbury Road where Charlesworth Drive is today, was purchased, altered and extended. The house stood in about 40 acres. During the war the building in Stockwell was bombed and fell into some disrepair. After the war the trustees came to realise that the Home at Stockwell would not be suitable for the children's return. Marriages Dec 1885 Belding, Prior Aylward Caistor 7a 1217 Glenn, Mary Louisa Caistor 7a 1217 Deaths Sep 1920 BELDING Prior A 56 Belper 7b 531 Notes for Mary Louisa Glenn: Mary Louise Glenn (Glen) was born in Draycote, Warwickshire the daughter of a agricultural labourer called Samuel Glenn (Glen) and his wife Caroline. Samuel was born in Bourton, Warwickshire, whilst his wife was born in Kelsby (evidence from 1861 census). By 1881, she was working as a servant in the home of a Master Baker in Salford, Lancashire. The baker lived/worked at 258, Regent Road, Salford. Working at the same baker's shop was a young baker called George Henry Belding, who had been born in the Boston area of Lincolnshire. Both his parents were dead by 1881. Mary and George married in Salford in December 1882, and their daughter Florence Louise was born then in Salford in 1883, about 12 months later. Some time after this, George and Mary move to Grimsby, where brother Prior and sister Annie are living. Unfortunately, in June qtr of 1885, George dies, but then in the December qtr, Mary marries her brother-in-law, Prior in the Free Methodist Church, Freeman Street, Grimsby. Births Dec 1859 GLENN, Mary Louisa, Rugby 6d 429 Marriages Dec 1882 Belding, George Henry Salford 8d 101 Glenn Mary Louisa Salford 8d 101 Marriages Dec 1885 Belding, Prior Aylward Caistor 7a 1217 Glenn, Mary Louisa Caistor 7a 1217 Deaths Jun 1885 Belding, George Henry 23 Caistor 7a 395 Arthur GREENSMITH Head M Male 32 Lincoln, England Baker Esther GREENSMITH Wife M Female 34 Lincoln, England Arthur W. GREENSMITH Son U Male 1 Salford, Lancashire, England George H. BELDING Lodger U Male 19 Boston, Lincoln, England Baker John W. HUGHES Lodger U Male 23 Stockport, Cheshire, England Baker Source Information: Dwelling 258 Regent Rd Census Place Salford, Lancashire, England Family History Library Film 1341948 Public Records Office Reference RG11 Piece / Folio 3970 / 30 Page Number 9 Robert N. LOOK Head M Male 37 Bootle, Lancashire, England Master Baker Mary H. LOOK Wife M Female 36 Partney, Lincoln, England Alice M. LOOK Daur U Female 11 Salford, Lancashire, England Scholar Florence L. LOOK Daur U Female 7 Salford, Lancashire, England Scholar Jessie C. LOOK Daur U Female 5 Salford, Lancashire, England Scholar Amy R. LOOK Daur U Female 4 Salford, Lancashire, England Robert A. LOOK Son U Male 2 Salford, Lancashire, England John W. LOOK Son U Male 3 w Salford, Lancashire, England Elizabeth LUCATE Serv U Female 30 Preston, Lancashire, England Bakers Assistant Sarah J. CURTIS Serv U Female 22 Merazione, Cornwall, England Bakers Assistant Mary L. GLEN Serv U Female 21 Draycott, Warwick, England Domestic Serv Source Information: Dwelling 254 Regent Rd Census Place Salford, Lancashire, England Family History Library Film 1341948 Public Records Office Reference RG11 Piece / Folio 3970 / 29 Page Number 8 Prior Alyward Belding and Mary Louisa Glenn had the following children: i. FLORENCE LOUISA5 BELDING was born in 1883 in Grimsby, Lincolnshire. She died on 16 Dec 1891 in Grimsby, Lincolnshire. ii. GEORGE HENRY BELDING was born in 1887 in Grimsby, Lincolnshire. Notes for George Henry Belding: Belding George H Garment Hendon 3a Garment Rose L Belding Hendon 3a 1045 iii. ANN BELDING was born on 20 Dec 1887 in Grimsby, Lincolnshire. She died on 17 Feb 1888 in Grimsby, Lincolnshire. iv. FRED BELDING was born on 20 Dec 1887 in Grimsby, Lincolnshire. He died on 20 Feb 1888 in Grimsby, Lincolnshire. v. AMY BEATRICE BELDING was born in 1889 in Grimsby, Lincolnshire. vi. LIZZIE AYLWARD BELDING was born in 1895 in Grimsby, Lincolnshire. vii. CHARLES SIDNEY BELDING was born in 1898 in Grimsby, Lincolnshire.

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