'Sliding Doors' into my ancestry 1893 - 2020

It’s 30 May 2020, we’re entering our eleventh week of lockdown measures. This morning I picked up Ted's Clacton Belle, written by my Mum, Victoria Wood and published symbolically in millennium year 2000.

On Friday 29th May Mum & I

Sam at Mona's Queen Anchor at Kallow Point,
Port St Mary - June 2012

should have been at an annual service to be held by the memorial anchor at Port St Mary in the Isle of Man, this year commemorating 80 years since the Isle of Man Steam Packet ship, Mona’s Queen sank in just two minutes off Dunkirk, killing 24 men.  

Mum was invited to the special service by Captain Jack Ronan, who's three uncles, Harry, Fred and Tom survived the explosion on board Mona's Queen.  Divers were due to place a plaque on the wreck of Mona's Queen in the sea at Dunkirk which was to be live streamed to us in Port St Mary.

Unfortunately, the current coronavirus restrictions allow no travel to or from the Isle of Man, where my great grandfather, Ted Groom, a little man with a camera and a passion for the sea photographed the captains, staff and holiday makers on the paddle steamers, which now form part of a permanent exhibition at the House of Manannan Museum in Peel.

This day in particularly it seems significant that John & I are not yet allowed to visit our daughter, Emma, in her new home at Stroud Green, just 14 miles from where Ted lived with his family at 51 Ladywell Road, Lewisham.

Currently we don’t know when or where we’ll next see our son, Tom, located in Manama, Bahrain, a port my Grandfather, Freddy, may have sailed to as a young boy in the Merchant Navy on reconnoitre in the Middle East circa 1925, aged about 17.

I am however, blessed to live in the Ribble Valley near to the very place where Ted and his wife Fanny took a holiday with friends in the late 1930s on their way back from the Isle of Man.

A walk by the River Ribble, my Grandfather, Freddy Groom, Freddy's sister,
(my Great Auntie Doris) & friend, Mrs Oldham from Accrington

In Mum's book Ted's Clacton Belle, Ted’s story starts with the death of his mother, Emily Elizabeth Groom (nee Loscomb) from typhoid in April 1893.  

What is typhoid?  I googled to search any correlation between 1893 and now, 2020.  Typhoid is a water born epidemic which 127 years ago hit London areas hardest.  The seaside town of Worthing, most surely one of the routes to which Ted sold tickets for day trips, had a population of 16000, 1050 people died of typhoid there.  One in every sixteen people were stricken with the fever.  Five improvised hospitals were created "Nearly all the windows stood open to the sun. All the rooms, upstairs and down, had been turned into wards, and every bed was occupied by a fever patient – by men and women, boys and girls, and little children....."

"The summer visitors have scampered away, and the front of the town is a desert. No pleasure boats put out to sea, for there are no holiday makers to use them.....The hotels and lodging-houses are empty, and many escape the fever merely to find ruin staring them in the face.”

If you'd like to read Ted's Clacton Belle and you have the time just now, Mum still has a few copies we can lend to you, or you can pick up a preloved copy online (if we haven't bought them back already!).

Commemorations will resume on May 29, 2021 - we'll be back!

Below I list most of the references I have surfaced this morning.  I'm going to 'dig for victory' and plant my veg, then this afternoon I'm going to re read Ted's Clacton Belle in the sunshine and safety of my home.  

Take care & stay safe.

Samantha Jane Turner (31st May 2020, Harrop Fold)

Right to left, Granny, Brenda Groom, Great Auntie Doris, Mum
(Victoria Wood) with her Daddy, Freddy (my Grandfather who died in 1955)

Victoria rings Belle history - Lancashire Telegraph December 2002

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/5926882.victoria-rings-belle-history/

Isle of Man Today 

http://www.iomtoday.co.im/article.cfm?id=55895&headline=Remembering%20the%20island%27s%20sacrifices%20during%20Dunkirk&sectionIs=news&searchyear=2020

Manx Radio - Friday 29th May 2020

https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-news/port-st-mary-commissioners-commemorates-80th-anniversary-of-dunkirk/

Manx Radio piece from 2019 remembrance and the lovely Manx tones of Captain Jack Ronan

https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-news/its-our-solemn-duty-says-captain-as-manx-dunkirk-effort-remembered/

Mona's Queen III Memorial

http://www.portstmary.gov.im/monas-queen-iii-memorial/

Typhoid and Tourism - extracts from 1893 newspapers

http://www2.westsussex.gov.uk/learning-resources/LR/extracts_from_1893_newspapers_describing_the_typhoid_epidemic_in_worthing.pdf?docid=c3e10d83-44cb-4310-930e-c470939b7832&version=-1

Ted's Clacton Belle synopsis

https://littleshipclub.co.uk/content/teds-clacton-belle

Edward & Eliza Austwick - my paternal great, great grandparents,

A story documenting the social good work, Edward & Elizabeth Austwick were part of has already

been written, namely "Sent From God - The Romance of Queen Street Mission, Bolton, Lancashire" written by Rev C Davies Warren.  The journey to their calling is also worthy of writing, even though, as usual, I'm skimming the surface and have more questions than answers.

Edward, the son of John and Sarah Austwick of Ackworth, was born in Wakefield on 12 August 1832 and baptised at All Saints, Wakefield (28 March 1834). Edward initially followed in his father, John's footsteps as a Draper's Assistant.

On 21 October 1858 (age 26) Edward enlisted in the 84th Foot Regiment of the British Army serving in Ireland (& maybe Canada?).  Edward married Elizabeth ‘Eliza’ Spedding (from High Leigh, Cheshire) at St Leonard's Church in Shoreditch on 30 June 1856 (I'd love to know why they married in Shoreditch, what took them there?  Military service?).

Eliza gave birth to John Edward (1857) and Sarah (1861) whilst the couple were located at the Infantry Barracks, Salford.  Mary Alice (b. 1864) was born while Edward and Eliza were on tour with the 84th Regiment in County Kildare.  In the Dublin Daily Express Corporal Austwick was regularly amongst the 'gentlemen wielding the willow' on the Civil Service Club cricket ground who "had their eye in and meant mischief, lots of work for the field, and runs plentiful".

On leaving the military Edward was positioned as a Police Officer Instructor in Bolton,  on 18 March 1871 an inspection of the Borough Police Force reported in the Bolton Chronicle, that "the force was a remarkably fine body of men".

Edward & Eliza's family grew further with the arrival of Lilias in 1871 and finally Beatrice Barlow in 1875, when Eliza was aged 43.

Edward Austwick returned to his original career, now as a 'Master Draper' on Market Street, alongside sparing "unstinting devotion" in representing the interests of the Queen Street Mission for over 25 years.  With a compassionate heart he rejoiced in the children rescued, homes changed and lives transformed.

We're curious as to why Beatrice (my father's grandmother) was christened Beatrice 'Barlow' Austwick?  Would it have been out of respect for George Clough Barlow, founder and benefactor of the above mentioned Queen Street Mission? 

George Clough Barlow Back Story -

Following the loss of their little girl (Lizzie, aged 4), Mr & Mrs George Clough Barlow "opened their hearts and home to the sadly deprived urchins of Bolton Streets".   The Queen Street Mission opened in 1873 in the old Brass Foundry on Queen St, known as "The Ragged School".  For 19 years George Clough Barlow laboured in the cause of the children of Bolton.  My Mum was fortunate enough to spot the book "Sent From God" on Amazon (if you wanted to/could pick up a copy, it makes enlightening reading of life in the 1880s), I wouldn't want to re quote too much, however, to set the scene:

"It was estimated that over 1,000 Bolton children were underfed, under clothed and insufficiently sheltered, their physical and moral wellbeing was sadly and seriously neglected.  Many of them were the frequent recipients of blows and curses, instead of kindness and love, not a few were sent out in the coldest weather to earn or beg money for themselves, or in some cases, for idle and drunken parents"

Sadly, it seems George Clough Barlow passed away before witnessing the epoch of the Queen Street Mission, however, Edward Austwick and other benefactors ensured the scheme was taken up "with much enthusiasm and energy".

The Queen Street Mission provided a large mission school with vigorous evangelistic temperance and rescue work among the poor and outcast, a 'ragged' school, a home for fallen or homeless girls, a seaside home in Lytham for cripples, free meals and clogs.

In May 1893 eight stones were laid at the new Queen Street Mission, which retained it's name at the new location on Central Street, by gentlemen, including my ancestor, Edward Austwick with eight commemorative silver trowels and eight mallets – one of these sets has been passed on to my Dad and is proudly displayed.  The last stone was laid by Edward Austwick, saying "he was some of the fruit of the work at Queen Street".  A Mr E Deakin said it was a 'red letter day' in the history of the mission, he considered the work be of 'true religion' and suggested that 80 more stones were laid by ladies of the Queen Street Mission.

Bolton Evening News, Monday 2 May 1893

Edward Austwick's stone at the Queen Street Mission
(there might be a joke in there for today's 'mission' but I'll not!)

On Tuesday 3rd December 2019 Dad & Mum took me to the exact location of Queen Street Mission (now home of Premier Beds!).  The owners kindly let us have a browse inside where we could summon up in our minds the smell of warm food, the noise of clogs & chatter and gain a sense of the sanctuary.  I tried to imagine the spiritual needs of poor and destitute being delivered from what remains of the upper loft floor.

The same day we returned to Heaton Cemetary at Overdale, Bolton where we located Edward Austwick's gravestone, literally a one row further on from James Wood's (see blog 10/10/2017)!

Regrettably, in my excitement, I took my photo of the gravestone before we subsequently cleaned it up!  Both sides of the gravestone are engraved with names, the sexton at the cemetery told us this is very unusual - somewhat indicative of our thrifty Yorkshire and Lancashire heritage!

Side one of the gravestone at Heaton Cemetary, Overdale, Bolton

Continuation on side 2 - the engraving a little more worn, but cleaner!

One of the eight silver trowels and mallets, alongside a necklace gifted to my grandmother, Edna Beatrice Moss

Tying the Knot - A Wedding Family Tree 1905-2019

My daughter, Emma Beatrice Turner, married her sweetheart, Edward Thomas Fletcher, 15th June 2019.  During 18 months of the necessary consultations with Pinterest, Emma came across the idea for a 'family tree' of wedding photographs.

The Out Barn wedding venue had the perfect location for our 'tree' & we could use some of the handmade picture frames made by my Great Grandfather, Ted Groom.

Ed's Wedding Family Portraits from his Mum's side (still on the hunt for the Fletcher's!).  Ed's Mum, Karen received the splendid photo of David Waddell and Helen Gilmour  (her father’s parents), via her cousin who lives in Boston.

Olive Cooke & Bertram Rubery

4^th September 1924

(Ed’s maternal great grandparents)

Helen Gilmour & David Waddell

9^th April 1921

(Ed’s maternal great grandparents)

June Rubery & James Waddell

15^th July 1950

(Ed’s maternal grandparents)

Karen Waddell & Tom Fletcher

1^st August 1981

(Ed’s parents)

Emma's Wedding Family Portraits.

Gertrude Fanny Turner & Ted Groom

July 1905

(Emma’s maternal great, great grandparents)

Brenda Gray & Freddy Groom

21^st June 1940

(Emma’s maternal great grandparents)

Edna Beatrice Moss & Samuel Wood

6^th July 1927

(Emma’s maternal great grandparents)

Victoria Groom & Peter Wood

10^th May 1960

(Emma’s maternal grandparents)

Jean Harley & Peter Turner

24^th October 1957

(Emma’s paternal grandparents)

Samantha Wood & John Turner

6^th June 1987

(Us - Emma’s parents)

And so to the present day.....

Helen Fletcher & Jonny Twelvetrees

21^st December 2014

(Ed’s sister & brother in law)

Sarah Burton & Tom Turner

16^th June 2018

(Emma’s brother & sister in law)

Emma Turner & Edward Fletcher

15^th June 2019

Acknowledgements: Kirsten Platt Photography, Delicious Photography & Richmond Framing.

James Wood - 1843-1874 - My Paternal Great Great Grandfather

Some potential stories just niggle, and James Wood has 'niggled' my Mum since she started researching Dad's family tree in greater depth.

THE FACTS:

• James Wood was born in Bolton in 1843.
• In 1861 James' occupation was 'engine smith apprentice' (Census 1861).
• James married Margaret Horrocks of Bolton on 18 January 1864 at the Wesley Chapel, Bradshawgate, Bolton.
• On the 1871 Census, James (an 'engineer fitter at works') & Margaret live at Apple Street, Bolton, with their four children:-  Thomas Holroyd (b.1864), Sarah Harriet (b.1867), Samuel Henry (b.1869) (my great grandfather), James Henry (b.1870). 

All quite straight forward, and yet?....

• Margaret gives birth to another James Wood (no middle name) on 1 March 1872, in Varnes Street, Aylesford, Kent.
• On the 1881 census Margaret and the four children appear back in Bolton at 167 Derby Street, Bolton

THE QUESTIONS:

What happened to James and his son James Henry?  What took James & Margaret 260 miles from Bolton to Kent?  What event made Margaret move back to Bolton?

The answers steadily unraveled this year when Mum made a telephone call to Heaton Cemetery in Bolton, whilst researching the young James Wood (1872, born near Aylesford, died in the Isle of Man and was interred in Liverpool).

Evidence came back in spades, when a helpful chap from Heaton Cemetary not only gave Mum the location of a headstone, but also nipped round in his car later to take a photo.  There upon the splendid headstone it says:-

In Loving Memory of

Dad at Heaton Cemetary - Sept 2017

JAMES WOOD

Died on July 4th. 1874 age 31 yrs.

Interred at Stone Church, Kent.

And MARGARET – his wife.

Died Oct. 1st. 1906 age 65 yrs.

Also JAMES WOOD on April 22nd. 1952

DSO. MRCS. LRCP

Son of the above and

Beloved husband of Betty Wood

After Mum's long years of searching we now have a date of death for James Wood and the knowledge that he is interred at St Mary the Virgin, Stone in Kent, one of the most famous churches in Kent.

The headstone was planned & executed by James ( IOM) & his wife Betty after James (IOM) death in 1952. It is a little sad, as James & Betty died with no children or family to follow their wishes, that Betty's name hasn't been added to the space most likely left for her, but at least she gets her mention.

With more information to hand we were able to request a death certificate for James, which reveals that he died of 'fracture to the skull from accidentally falling from a ladder' at Stone Cement Works in Kent.  There was an inquest on 22 July 1874 with information received from Charles Joseph Carttar, Coroner for Kent.  (Stone Cement Works is now the location of The Bluewater Shopping Centre).  

James Wood death certificate 1874

So the story builds itself, it would seem as though James & Margaret moved to Kent to build a new life with their four children.  Cement was the innovative industry following the Cotton Slump which destroyed Lancashire Mills.  Sadly, young James Henry (b.1870) died, we assume soon after James & Margaret arrived in Kent, and James (IOM) was born there.  

On the 1881 Census, widowed, with four children, Margaret (a stocking knitter) has returned home to Derby Street, Bolton for her Horrock's family support.

James Bower - 1815-1887 - my maternal 4th great uncle

James was brother / brother-in-law of my great, great, great grandparents, Bridget Bower and (Alderman) Thomas Gray. 

James's appearance on different family members Census caught Mum's attention.  Living with his parents and working on Hartley West Farm he stays there until at least the Census in 1851, by which time, his brother, William and sister in law, Barnella (great name!) have taken on the tenancy.

According to the 1861 Census Reports, in the end column, James is deaf.  We can't confirm if James was born deaf or became deaf through illness, ie Scarlet Fever, of which there had been an epidemic in James' early years.

Definition of terms used on Census returns England & Wales 1841 - 1891 : 

Lunatic : a mentally ill person with periods of lucidity

Imbecile : persons who have fallen in later life into a state of chronic dementia 

Idiot : persons who suffer from a congenital mental deficiency 

James had moved to live with his widowed sister, Elizabeth Wharrier, on a 300acre farm with 6 labourers at Avenue Head, Seaton Delaval.  At the time of that Census in 1871, James and Elizabeth's older sister, Jane Froud, is a 'Visitor'.

James may have been moved on through the family or welcomed by his brother in law, Thomas Gray and children following the death of Bridget in 1875.  A 'retired farmer', age 66, James was living at Red House Farm on the 1881 Census, the end column now stating he is "deaf and dumb".  I wonder if Thomas' children John (Matthew) Gray, Elizabeth, Jane, Mary & Bridget communicated with him in their own version of sign language or whether by this time of his life he had retreated into himself?

I've located a copy of James' death certificate from the Records Office and it is comforting to find that Thomas Gray was in attendance when James passed away at the age of 74 on 10th March 1887, cause of death being cancer of the stomach.

A lifelong interest explained:

Growing up, my Mum had often wondered why her Grandfather, Jack Gray, gave talks and helped raise hundreds of pounds, in particular for deaf and dumb charities.  Clearly James' presence at Red House Farm must have struck a chord with the family which passed on to Thomas Gray's grandson, Jack, in his active and generous support of deaf and dumb societies.