George Cedric
George Cedric Beardmore was born in Stoke on Trent on May 18th 1908. His parents were Francis William Beardmore (Frank) and Frances Gertrude née Bennett. The 1911 census shows George living with his parents, brothers Alan and Roger, and sister Margaret at 11 The Villas, Stoke on Trent.
Ten years later, in 1921, George, then 13, was still at 11 The Villas with his mother and his brother Roger. His mother was working as a political organiser for the Coalition Liberal Organisation; his father does not appear in the 1921 census.
George’s upbringing was strict; as he was later to recall: “No cider in our house and certainly no Rosie!” School wasn’t much fun either: “Just a ropy old Council School where floggings took place publicly on Friday mornings.”
Arnold Bennett, the celebrated writer who was his mother’s brother, seems to have cast something of a shadow over George. Writing to his brother Alan in 1971 he says: “AB has been pictured as generous, magnanimous, droll, and a card, whereas in fact he was the same old Bennett known to us in childhood; scoffing, clever, forever trying to teach his nearest and dearest better, intolerant, heartless. When I was first introduced to his study I hoped and indeed believed that, world famous as he was, he must be different from the home product, but no… I stood there mute and filled with hate as he showed me the errors in ‘Dodd the Potter’.”
‘Dodd the Potter’ was George’s first novel published in 1931 under the name Cedric Beardmore. He still had a ‘day job’ at an insurance company in London and he hated it. In 1932 he was – as he described it to his nephew later – “bent over a desk in Lombard Street EC3, and when today I have a rotten time with health or whatnot I tell myself at least it’s better than an insurance company in the city. I once thought I’d never get out of it, but thank God the war came along.” George was a lifelong asthmatic and missed active service. His wartime experiences are chronicled in ‘Civilians at War‘; a unique record of life on the home front published by his daughters in 1984.
In 1931 George was living with his brother Roger at his parents’ home: ‘Knype’, 22 Holmdene Avenue, Harrow. Knype was the name Arnold Bennett had given to Stoke in his ‘Five Towns’ novels.
George married Jean Annie Edith Wolfenden (Jinnie) on July 20th 1935 in Pinner. His mother refused to attend the wedding. George and Jean went to live at 18 Minster Road, Camden until sometime in 1937/38 when they moved to 45 Pinner Park Avenue in Harrow. There they had two daughters: Victoria Helen, born in 1939, and Anthea Frances (Tiffa), born in 1944.
By the outbreak of war George had escaped the insurance company. The 1939 Register, taken at the end of September 1939, records George and Jean at 45 Pinner Park Avenue, with George working as a costing clerk at the BBC.
George went on to become a successful writer with an eclectic range. Writing as George Wolfenden he published ‘The House in Spitalfields’ (1937), ‘The Undefeated’ (1940), ‘The Spy who Died in Bed’ (1941), and ‘The Little Doves of Destruction’ (1942). As Cedric Stokes he published ‘All Space my Playground’ (1943) and ‘The Staffordshire Assassins’ (1944). As George Beardmore he published ‘Madame Merlin’ (1946),’ A Tale of Two Thieves’ (1947), ‘Far Cry’ (1948), ‘Going into the Country’ (1948), ‘A Lion among Ladies’ (1949), ‘The Isle of Apes’ (1950), ‘North Wind’ (1952), ‘A Thousand Witnesses’ (1953).
‘Going into the Country’ is thinly disguised auto-biography. The book is dedicated to Ann and Richard (his brother Alan’s children), Robert-John (his wife’s nephew), Victoria (his eldest daughter – Mary in the book) and the Landlady’s Baby (his youngest daughter – Tiffa).
In September 1954 George looked after his aunt Marguerite, Arnold Bennett’s widow, on her first visit to England for 23 years. She stayed with the family, and on September 23rd he took her to the Potteries, where she was welcomed by the Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent and visited her husband’s grave in Burslem; George spoke at the civic luncheon at the North Stafford Hotel. A photograph of “Auntie Marguerite with Cedric” taken that day survives in a scrapbook kept by his cousin Ruth Bennett, now in the University of Staffordshire’s Arnold Bennett archive. Marguerite lived at the Château de Lolière, Nègrepelisse, near Montauban, and Tiffa remembers visiting her there as a child.
In the late fifties George and his family moved to 32 Chiltern Avenue, Bushey Heath. By now George was writing for two popular comics: ‘Eagle’ and ‘Girl’. ‘North Wind‘ was first published in 1951 as serial in Eagle. His main strip for Eagle was ‘Jack O’ Lantern‘ but he was also responsible for a ‘Dan Dare’ episode called ‘The Red Moon Mystery‘. His ‘Belle of the Ballet’ for Girl was very popular and was even syndicated in Europe. Belle was drawn by a succession of talented artists: John Worsley, Chris Garvey (actually the painter June Mendoza), Stanley Houghton, and Harry Lindfield.
George’s letter to his nephew Rick of 4 November 1952 catches Belle at the very start. He was then writing two serials for Girl, “Robbie” and “Starling”, and told Rick that “Starling is to be replaced by a soppy item dealing with a girls’ ballet-school. The artist is John Worsley, who does the PC.49 drawings in EAGLE. I have never attended a girls’ ballet school so had to begin from scratch – very funny to go there and see these shapely little poppets bouncing up and down.” That “soppy item” became Belle of the Ballet. Read George’s letter.
George published three books during this period: ‘Belle of the Ballet’s Gala Performance‘ (1956), ‘Belle of the Ballet’s Country Holiday‘ (1957) and ‘Jack O’ Lantern and the Fighting Cock‘ (1958).
In about 1961 George and his family moved to Four Marks in Hampshire. He returned to writing novels with ‘Charlie Pocock and the Princess’ (1967) and ‘Waldo Rush 48%’ (1968). At the same time he embarked on a successful series of children’s books: ‘Leslie’s Great Adventure’ (1967), ‘Island of Strangers’ (1972), ‘Expedition to Fallen’ (1973), ‘The Maid of the Isles’ (1974), ‘Ladies of Spain’ (1979), and ‘The Treasures of Spanish Bay’ (1979).
In 1972 George and his wife Jean worked together to edit and publish a collection of letters between Arnold Bennett and his French wife Marguerite under the title ‘Arnold Bennett in Love‘. George clearly didn’t much enjoy this project; he called it “easily the most distasteful book I have ever had to deal with.”
Jinny died very suddenly at home from an aneurism on June 15th 1973. George stayed on at Burchfield in Four Marks. He was still writing and in December 1975 he reported to his nephew: “Tomorrow I take up to the publishers a new adult novel which is as rich as a walnut fruit-cake, all about a bank manager of 45 who is looking for a wife to replace the one he has lost.” This novel was never published.
Tiring of Four Marks and unable to manage the big garden at Burchfield, George moved in May 1977 to Trim’s Cottage, West Stour, Somerset. In 1979 he suffered a heart attack and was admitted to the Westminster Memorial Hospital in Shaftesbury. He was discharged but died soon after, on December 7th 1979. He is buried at Four Marks.
George’s letter to Rick, 4 November 1952
George wrote this letter to his nephew Richard (Rick), Alan’s son, soon after Rick began three years’ regular service with the Royal Armoured Corps at Hadrian’s Camp, Carlisle. It is typed on George and Jean’s notepaper; the year, the signature and the postscript are in ink. The typist’s crossed-out letters are left out.
45, Pinner Park Avenue, Headstone Lane, Harrow, Middlesex.
Hatch End 1763.
November 4th. 1952
Dear Trooper,
Your mother has only just let us know your address or we should have written before. It’s quite an event having a soldier in the family again. You may not know it, but you had a great-uncle killed in 1917 (blown up by a mine in a suicidal counter-attack ordered by staff officers who were some miles behind the line) and your father skipped out the army to join the R.F.C. I missed it myself, and I’m sorry. It’s thrilling to learn that you’re in for 3 yrs. regular service. I have never heard of a C.O. called Hadrian. Is he a general?
We are all pretty well, and working hard without getting anywhere, like a swimmer in mid-Atlantic. My Dan Dare story about the Red Moon was so successful that they’re publishing it in Australia. But I’m not occupied with Dan at all these days. The Editor accepted one story called “Winds of Space” but the artist (a very fine fellow called Hampson who has a small boy who wears a space-suit and refers to doors as “air-locks”) decided that he was fed-up with the present universe, as known, and the next story will therefore show Dan skedaddling into Outer Space. I don’t know what the story’s called, but it’ll be good. The present Mercury story is a wash-out, and not by me or Hampson. I am much occupied with writing the two cartoon-serials in GIRL – “Robbie” and “Starling”. Robbie is so popular that I have had to think-up another story about her, dealing with a drowned valley, but Starling is to be replaced by a soppy item dealing with a girls’ ballet-school. The artist is John Worsley, who does the PC.49 drawings in EAGLE. I have never attended a girls’ ballet school so had to begin from scratch – very funny to go there and see these shapely little poppets bouncing up and down. Also young men who might be doing 3 yrs. r.s. whirling round and round on the points of their toes. I’ve just had a novel accepted (title not yet decided upon) all about a 5-years-old crime in a small French village. [underlined in ink, with a tick]
That’s all about me. Your Auntie Jean is plumper, Victoria is a grown-up young lady, and Anthea is quite a character. She always runs, never walks, with the result that she turns corners at 45 degrees, head down. A biography is to come out this month about your great-uncle (the famous one) but as a biography it is plain bad. I have read the proofs and don’t remember so incompetent a bit of writing.
Someday you will be posted nearer London and when that happens we want you to make use of us. We shan’t mind if you turn up at midnight or anytime and want a bed. But I shall feel really hurt (I mean this) if you don’t come and see us all you can. That is what uncles are for. Don’t forget. Here is a scrap of paper to remind you – keep it and you will never be penniless. Better still, send it back – I’ve had to borrow it from A. Jean.
Jolly good luck, Rick,
from
Uncle C
Keep us posted with your addresses
Envelope: 22814109 Tpr. Beardmore J.R., 32nd. Intake A Squadron, 67th. Training Regt. R.A.C., Hadrians Camp, Carlisle, Cumberland. Postmarked Harrow, Middx., 9.15 am, 5 November 1952.
Notes: the famous great-uncle is Arnold Bennett, and the biography was almost certainly Reginald Pound’s Arnold Bennett: A Biography, published that year. The novel about a crime in a French village was probably A Thousand Witnesses (1953). The great-uncle killed “in 1917” was probably Sydney Marsden, husband of Alan’s aunt May Beardmore, who was killed with the North Staffordshire Regiment near Loos in October 1915; no one else in the family is known to have died in the war. George’s Dan Dare story was “The Red Moon Mystery”, drawn by Frank Hampson. The “soppy item” about a ballet school became Belle of the Ballet.
Olive Dale to George Beardmore, 4 August 1954
The earliest of Olive’s letters that we have. The scan has been cleaned up to bring out the faint typing.
Transcription
[Typed at the top:] Thank you very much for forwarding the form to the Staffs. Socy. I have heard nothing further as yet; wish you luck with the book.
Telephone: Newcastle, Staffs. 69015
“Kingsley,” 92 Hassam Parade, Newcastle, Staffs.
4th August, 1954.
Dear Mr. Beardmore,
Arnold Bennett business first, of necessity.
I heard from Mr. Bemrose and Mr. Ford that Mr. Swinnerton has declined the Presidency of the Society, and therefore another suggestion must be made.
Mr. Ford has seen the Chairman, Alderman Barks, and he agreed that a meeting might be held on September 24th, [handwritten: not] first preference, to suit me; second preference, September 21st, a Tuesday; but on hearing that you intend to be in the district for Oct. 26th, the Chairman wonders whether you would prefer to leave the Committee Meeting open to round that date. Please let us know if any of these dates would suit you.
I am glad to tell you that Mr. Frank Bell, who used to be the Secretary and a Director (I think) of Brittains Ltd., Paper Manufacturers, Cheadle (also Ivy House Paper Mills, Hanley) enclosing his cheque for 5/- subscription and saying that he was at the old Middle School when A.B. was still there. Mr. Bell is now aged 81, so cannot undertake any active participation, but wishes to be a member. I wrote him a nice letter and asked if he knew any other “old boys” who might like to join. I got another letter from him this morning, saying that most of them had now passed on, and that he himself was one of the members of the Foundation Committee of the Old Medians 60 years ago (or rather over 60 years on referring again to his letter). He also says he knew the Beardmore family fairly well many years ago and wonders whether I am related – I had told him that I took over a man’s job in 1918 at the Ivy House offices, working with his brother, Mr. Ben Bell, and of course I was not married then. However, through him, the Rev. V. G. Aston, the Vicar of Penkhull, has also joined the Society, who tells me that he has been for many years a friend of Mrs. Fanny Scott (Fanny Bennett) the widow of the “Sentinel” Editor; he knew her before she was married and when she attended the Sneyd Church. He officiated at the funeral at Cobridge of Jim Bennett, and preached at the dedication of the Memorial to him 36 years ago. He knew the Burslem Bennetts (though not A.B.) well.
Now, for the Beardmore family. As soon as I saw your papers, I said to myself, “That is Mr. John Beardmore’s writing”; I have a copy of the William Beardmore–Mary Critchlow family notes in his writing which he gave to my Uncle George Beardmore the Registrar when they were having the search in 1905. I note from your sheet that you give Mr. John Beardmore’s father and mother as George Beardmore (1815–1895) = Eliz. Bowyer, son of John b. 1792, whereas on the paper I have he gives –
William Beardmore and Mary Critchlow, marr. Dec. 26th, 1780, died June 11th, 1824, aged 65.
Their sixth son John Beardmore, b. 1792, died 1874 = Eleanor Luckcock, died 1859.
Their sons Thomas and John, both unmarried. Their other son Benjamin Beardmore, died 1890 = H. Thomas, died 1892.
Their daughter H. Beardmore, living 1905. Their son John Beardmore, Hanley (brassfounder), living 1905.
I shall be pleased to see what I can discover farther back in your section of the Beardmore family, but I feel that we must be related to each other, but quite some distance back. I know my own ancestors definitely back for eight generations, and don’t think we overlap by then. However, I have many details of the de Berdmor family (as its original name was) and I will say that we can definitely pride ourselves as descending from a very distinguished family, although the “broad acres” and money has been diminished gradually through large families, sales, etc.
Now, evidently your family would appear in the registers of Alton or Cheadle. The Alton register has not been transcribed, and only commences in 1681 (I think); I shall have to use my influence and drop a few hints with regard to this one being done. The Cheadle register has been transcribed, but not printed, and is deposited at the William Salt Library at Stafford; I shall try to spend a day or so there, but quite expect there will be literally hundreds of Beardmore entries, as I know our ancestors were all round that area, owning the manor of LUTLEY or LYTLEHEY – still known as Littley – from at least 1297 to 1574, when Richard Beardmore sold it. You will see what a task it is when I tell you that I have copied between 450 and 500 Beardmore entries from the Kingsley register alone, from 1561 to 1795, all of these “without benefit of clergy”. If one has to get the Rector’s permission to make an extract, the cost mounts up, so shall have to hope on with regard to Alton. I have a great deal of very interesting information regarding the de Berdmors (Beardmores) who are of Whiston, Ipstones, Kingsley, Froghall, Cheadle, Alton, Cotton, and all round for miles. I am very busy at the moment with various matters, but shall try to see Mr. John your cousin at Burslem. So Mr. John Beardmore, the brassfounder, was your grandfather; from his letters, he was a most interesting gentleman and keenly interested in his family, but does not appear to have any records preceding William and Mary. Did you sign as George Beardmore IV? If you saw my notes, you would think you were George Beardmore XLIV!
Please let us know about Bennett meeting.
Very sincerely,
O. A. Dale
What the letter tells us
The Arnold Bennett Society. Olive and George were both involved in setting up the Society in 1954. Frank Swinnerton had declined to be its President, and Olive was recruiting members, among them an 81-year-old Mr Bell who had been at school with Bennett.
John Beardmore’s papers. George had sent Olive family papers in the hand of John Beardmore, the Hanley brassfounder, which she recognised from the copy he had given her uncle, George Beardmore the Registrar, during the 1905 search (see John’s letters and his pedigree).
A mix-up corrected. George’s family sheet made the brassfounder a son of George Beardmore (1815–1895) and Elizabeth Bowyer. Olive pointed out that John’s own pedigree makes him a son of Benjamin, son of John (born 1792), though she still took him to be George’s grandfather. By her letter of 5 March 1955 she had it straight: the brassfounder descended from William’s son John, and George’s line from William’s son Thomas. George Beardmore (1815–1895) was in fact George’s great-grandfather, through his son John (1845–1908), George’s grandfather, who was the brassfounder’s second cousin.
Olive’s research. By 1954 she had copied 450–500 Beardmore entries from the Kingsley register (1561–1795), and believed the family had held the manor of Lutley (Littley), near Cheadle, from at least 1297 until Richard Beardmore sold it in 1574.
The Beardmores of Farley, Cotton and Alton: Olive Dale’s long version
Olive Dale’s fullest typed tree of the family, which she sent to George Beardmore, probably in the 1950s, as part of their correspondence. Much of this site’s account of the early generations was built from it. On page 4 George has added a note for his nephew Rick, with a line drawn to Thomas (1789): “Richard – This is our line. GCB 20/3/79.”
Transcription
Page 1. From: (Mrs.) Olive A. Dale, 92 Hassam Parade, Newcastle, Staffs. [Handwritten: Long version.] The BEARDMORES of FARLEY, COTTON and ALTON.
THOMAS BEARDMORE of Farley. Will dated March 12, 1568. Will proved Apr. 10, 1573.
– FRANCIS of Farley (“my sonne”), will pr. 1579 = AGNES.
– WILLIAM (“my sonne”), will pr. Sept. 20, 1598; Robt. B. to take invty. = ELLEN (son by 1st marr. Humphrey Wollerscroft); will pr. Dec. 17, 1609, dated Nov. 20, 1609.
Children of Francis: ROBERT of Farley (“my grandson”), purc. tithes of Farley, etc. 1607; leased farm from Earl of Shrewsbury 1613; will Apr. 21, 1619, prvd. May 30, 1619; buried at Alton; all 5 ch. under age. FRANCIS, w. 1617, d. unmar.; bro. JOHN apprsr. JOHN of Ford, Wetley, ancestor of B’s of Fd. Wt. ?Other young ch. not named in gfr’s will.
Children of William and Ellen: KATHERINE = BONAVENTURE HARTSHORNE (will 1629 pr. but missing); ALICE = RICH. PERCIVALL; MARGARET (d. 1609) = GEORGE HEWITT → MARGARET.
Children of Robert of Farley: THOMAS; ROBERT = ANNE (→ JANE bp. May 26, 1644; Wm. bur. Mr. 27, 1646); WILLIAM = ANNE (Wm. bur. Mar. 29, 1656; Ann bur. May 24, 1652; → SUSANNAH bp. Ju. 12, 1643; WILLIAM bp. Dec. 8, 1648 xx); ELIZABETH; DOROTHY.
Above ROBERT buried as “Senex” (an old man) at Alton Sept. 9, 1684. Paid tax on three hearths (fair-sized house), 1666. Will dated Mar. 25, 1684 unfortunately missing, but tithes were left to his sons. These were eventually all secured by the BILL family of FARLEY HALL.
xx WILLIAM BEARDMORE = MARY SHAW at Alton Jan. 16, 1676/7. Had one dau. only, SARAH = .. NIXON, one grandson WILLIAM NIXON. Will dated May 6th 1725, pr. May 5, 1725. WILLIAM bur. “Senex” at Alton Apr. 11, 1725. MARY bur. Mar. 5, 1717. I am not sure whether this WILLIAM is the son of WILLIAM and ANNE, or whether ROBERT and ANNE had another son named WILLIAM after the first one died. I had some knowledge that the tithes of FARLEY, COTTON and ALTON were left to ROBERT’s three sons, who are referred to by their residences, but as his will of 1684 is missing, I am not sure. I have had a lot of information from the BILL papers, so will try to find this again, but this particular WILLIAM does not affect you in any case.
ROBERT BEARDMORE = ANNE. Will pr. 1684.
– PRUDENCE (1) = THOMAS of Farley = (2) ELIZABETH ELKES, marr. Dilhorne May 26, 1687. Will dated Apr. 19, 1700, proved Aug. 18, 1702 (refers to my “cosen” Robert, but I think this means his nephew Robert son of Samson). THOMAS bur. Alton May 17, 1700. → ROBERT (Curate at Kingsley) (see over).
– SAMSON of ffur-Cotton = ELLEN HUNT, marr. Dilhorne May 11, 1678. C/W Alton 1683. Left 10s. chg. for sermon to be preached. Will dated July 7, 1712 (refers to “brother” John Hunt). SAMSON bur. Alton (“Senex”) Feb. 24, 1712/3. ELLEN bur. Alton Feb. 1, 1718. → ELIZABETH, ROBERT.
Page 2. ROBERT, B.A. 1683–4, M.A. 1693, born Feb. 12, 1660, bp. Alton. Educ. Jesus College. Curate at Kingsley 1685 on. Marr. at Temple Church, London, May 17, 1688 to ELIZABETH WOOLLEY, d. the late Rev. RALPH WOOLLEY, Vicar of Alton (d. 1681). ROBERT afterwards Vicar of Nassington, Northants, 1693–1730; bur. there Jan. 26, 1730. Children: ANNA, born May 14, 1679 [sic], bap. Kingsley May 18, 1689; RALPH, B.A. 1713–14, M.A. 1726, bap. Kingsley 1691, educ. Pembroke Coll., Vicar of Stamford, Lincs., died unmar.; eventual heir to all Beardmore tithes was his nephew JOHN SWANN, who sold the last of them to complete BILL’s possession; THOMAS, bp. Nassington June 2, 1696, bur. Aug. 1698; ELIZ., bp. Nass. Apr. 9, 1698; ANN, bp. Nass. Apr. 16, 1700.
SAMSON BEARDMORE = ELLEN HUNT (marr. at Dilhorne May 11, 1678); bur. Alton Feb. 24, 1712; she bur. Alton Feb. 1, 1718. Children: ELIZABETH, bp. Alton June 10, 1680 = SAMUEL SLATER, C/W 1720, bp. Alton Apr. 13, 1680; ROBERT, C/W 1722, bp. Alton Oct. 3, 1685, bur. Alton Mar. 1, 1728 = JOYCE SLATER, bp. Alton May 16, 1688 (children of JEREMIAH & JOYCE SLATER (bur. Sept. 22, 1716) – hence name of JEREMIAH). ROBERT & JOYCE marr. CAVERSWALL Apr. 26, 1707.
Children of Samuel and Elizabeth Slater: 1. JEREMIAH. 2. SAMUEL, bp. Feb. 28, 1702/3. 3. ELIZABETH, bp. Feb. 27, 1699. 4. ELLEN, bp. .. 10, 1711. 5. JOYCE, bur. Feb. 18, 1717. 6. JOHN, bp. July 4, 1717. 7. JOYCE, bp. Oct. 12, 1719.
Children of Robert and Joyce: 1. THOMAS, bp. Feb. 13, 1708, bur. May 10. 2. ELLEN, bp. June 25, 1713. 3. JEREMIAH, bp. May 2, 1715 (x). 4. ROBERT, bp. Aug. 23, 1719 (x). 5. JOYCE, bp. Nov. 1, 1722. All at Alton, but 6. SAMUEL, bp. Kingsley Mar. 9, 1726. (x See next page for descendants of JEREMIAH and ROBERT.)
Page 3. (3) JEREMIAH BEARDMORE of KINGSLEY, bp. Alton May 3, 1715, bur. Aug. 24, 1755, will pr. Nov. 6, 1755 (aged only 40 yrs.) = ELIZABETH HARRIES, marr. at Alton Aug. 20, 1744; (2) marr. SAMUEL FITTON of SWINDON, May 1764; Wit: ROBT. BEARDMORE. Children: ELIZABETH of “The Side”, bp. Kingsley Sept. 1, 1745, bur. Kingsley Dec. 10, 1781, aged 36 yrs.; ROBERT, bp. Kingsley Jy. 5, 1747, bur. Kingsley Jy. 6, 1747; JEREMIAH, bp. Kingsley Mar. 12, 1748/9, C/W Kingsley 1773 and 1795, juror for Whiston, Totmonslow Hundred 1784, bur. Kingsley Dec. 28, 1836, aged 87 years = ELIZABETH LOCKER, d. JOSEPH & MARTHA, bp. Kingsley Aug. 19, 1753, d. Ju. 5, 1820, aged 67, marr. at Kingsley Mar. 21, 1773; ELLEN, bp. Kingsley Mar. 22, 1752, bur. Kingsley.
Children of Jeremiah and Elizabeth Locker: CATRINE, bp. Kingsley Ju. 22, 1775; MARTHA, bp. Kingsley Sept. 13, 1777, marr. THOS. MOOR Feb. 21, 1814, wits: HANNAH & JERE. BEARDMORE; BETTY, bur. K. Dec. 10, 1781; BETTY, bp. K. May 25, 1783; HANNAH, bp. K. Oct. 9, 1785, d. Sp. 21, 1852, ag. 67 yrs.; ELLEN, bp. 1788, bur. K. Dec. 8, 1826, aged 38 yrs.; JEREMIAH 1790–1868, bp. Kingsley Nov. 28, 1790, C/W Oct. ?, d. at Bucknall Dec. 20, 1868 = SARAH, d. Ju. 1882.
Children of Jeremiah and Sarah: JEREMIAH (architect, of “The Poplars”, Bucknall), born 1844, died 1923, unmarried; JOSEPH, b. June 2, 1850 = ANNIE, b. Sp. 15, 1858, d. Oct. 2, 1938 → HOPE & or. ch. (This Miss Beardmore has visited me, and I know she has a nephew to carry on the descent.); ELIZABETH, d. Aug. 1919; CATHERINE, d. Sept. 1921; HELEN, d. Feb. 1920. I think all are bur. at Bucknall, but have not searched too thoroughly for the gravestones – grass too long and wet.
(4) ROBERT BEARDMORE, bp. Alton Aug. 23, 1719 = GRACE BRASSINGTON, marr. at LEIGH, Staffs. July 27, 1741. Children: MARY, bp. Leigh Mar. 23, 1741/2; ANN, bp. Alton Jan. 20, 1744, marr. Alton May 5, 1766 to EDWARD BIRCH of Stafford, wit: ROBT. B.; JOYCE, bp. Alton Mar. 23, 1745; JEREMIAH, bp. Alton June 18, 1752; ROBERT, bp. Alton May 19, 1754; ? WILLIAM, bp. .. 1759 = MARY CRITCHLEY Dec. 26, 1780. Banns at LEIGH Dec. 3, 10, 17, but no marr. He desc. as of LEIGH, she as of DRAYCOTT. (I will try to find the marr. at Draycott when opportunity occurs. It took years of search before I eventually found the Banns at Leigh. He is supposed to be of Cotton and I cannot find any Beardmore other than Robert & Grace having ch. round that period. One reason for hope is that Robert and William were either married or “banned” at Leigh, and their resp. first child bap. at Leigh.)
Page 4. WILLIAM BEARDMORE, bur. Audley June 11, 1824, aged 65 = MARY CRITCHLEY, married Dec. 26th, 1780 (possibly at Draycott). Banns called at Leigh Dec. 3, 10 and 17, 1780. William described as of Leigh (might have been working there or taken residence to qualify if son of Robert and Grace, so that does not clear up his birth entry). Mary described as of Draycott, although her parents are said to be of Ramsor, or Ramshorn, fairly near to Cotton and Alton.
Children: FRANCIS, bap. Leigh July 11, 1781, died young; MARY, bap. Audley Mar. 24, 1783, died unmarr.; WILLIAM, bap. Audley Dec. 16, 1784, afterwards of Dimsdale Hall Farm, Wolstanton; GEORGE, bap. Audley Jy. 18, 1787, fthr. Wm., g’fr. Rev. Wm. George, London; THOMAS, bp. Audley Apr. 7, 1789, g’fr. of JOHN BEARDMORE (Pidduck & B., Burslem) & EDWD., Barlaston; FRANCIS, bp. Audley Sp. 7, 1790; JOHN, bp. Audley Nov. 2, 1792, g’fr. of JOHN BEARDMORE, Brassfounder, Hallfields Fndy, Hanley, S-on-T. = ELEANOR LUCKCOCK (JOHN d. 1874, ELEANOR d. 1859; → THOMAS, d. unmarr.; JOHN, d. unmarr.; BENJAMIN d. 1890 = H. THOMAS, d. 1892 → dau. H. BEARDMORE, living 1905; son JOHN B. (brassfndr.), lvg. 1905); SOLOMON, bp. Audley Jan. 1, 1795, died unmarr.; SAMUEL, bp. Audley Mar. 26, 1797; DANIEL, bp. Apr. 23, 1799, dd. unmarr.; KITTY, bp. Audley Jan. 29, 1801, died unmarr.; JAMES, bp. Audley Dec. 22, 1804, died unmarr.; ELIZABETH, bp. Audley Oct. 27, 1806, died unmarr.
[Handwritten by George Beardmore, with a line drawn to Thomas:] Richard – This is our line. GCB 20/3/79.
In a list of very rough and incorrect notes supplied by JEREMIAH and JOHN and my uncle GEORGE BEARDMORE, of Hall Croft, Kingsley, they have tried to trace a relationship between all three of them, but without great success. In it they list a ROBERT 1714 as possibly the father of WILLIAM 1759, whereas ROBERT was born 1719. He could be the father of WILLIAM and if only I could find a baptismal entry, I should be happy to accept this. However.. in the KINGSLEY Register there is an entry dated 1759, the crucial date, as under:
1759. WILLIAM, son of THOMAS and ELLEN BEARDMORE, Bapt.
There is also an entry 1766. WILLIAM BEARDMORE, Bur., but I think this was an older WILLIAM with children of his own, as at that date the entries gave the names of all parents whether the child was Bapt. or Buried, so it is possible the above WILLIAM, son of THOMAS and ELLEN, was your ancestor. Shall I type out the other entries appertaining to THOMAS and ELLEN? I really think he was ROBERT’s son, but have no definite proof either way. I think I told you previously that there are no less than fifteen pages of single spaced foolscap entries for BEARDMORES alone in the KINGSLEY registers!
What it tells us
Almost everything here was already on the site, but checking it against the tree turned up some gaps, now filled: the family of Robert the curate of Kingsley and Vicar of Nassington; the children of Samuel Slater and Elizabeth Beardmore; the full names of Bonaventure Hartshorne and Richard Percivall; and the descendants of Jeremiah Beardmore (1790–1868) at Bucknall.
Most importantly, it sets out Olive’s reasons for making William (1759–1824) a son of Robert and Grace — and her honest doubt. She found no baptism for him, and pointed to another candidate: William, son of Thomas and Ellen Beardmore, baptised at Kingsley in 1759.
Olive Dale to George Beardmore, 5 March 1955
Transcription
[Typed at the top:] Must apologise for few omissions in script; please complete as you wish it to be…. A Beardmore can always “raise a laugh,” so …
Telephone: Newcastle, Staffs. 69015
“Kingsley,” 92 Hassam Parade, Newcastle, Staffs.
5th March, 1955.
Dear Mr. Beardmore,
As I have many other things lying in wait for attention I have hurriedly typed out the notes I took of your lecture sorry, I mean “talk”, of Friday last. I have not even read it through for typing errors, as I know you will wish to alter some of it. After you have finally decided on any corrections and rewording, if you will let me have it back, I think I can get some stencils cut. I have typed it in double spacing to allow for ease in correction, but suggest that it be typed in single spacing to save paper and stencils.
Mr. Ford seems to want to send a copy to all those members who were unable to attend, as “so far they have had nothing for their subscriptions”, and I myself think it would be nice in the case of the Inaugural Lecture, but whether we should continue to do this for future lectures, I do not know. What is your opinion?
I am very glad you agreed to become the Society’s first President, as in my humble opinion, there is no-one more suitable from many aspects. I can understand your desire to obtain someone else, in particular nearer Bennett’s own age and of literary reputation, but unfortunately they are now either dead or too old to undertake any such office.
I am still continuing my investigations into the Beardmore family history, as time allows, together with other families when needed for the Field Club, etc. I had a good time searching through Elizabethan, etc., wills at Birmingham. They are very helpful for establishing definite relationships, but unfortunately, one or two do not appear in the Calendars; there are about six John Beardmores of Henry VIII. to Elizabeth and James I, and they take some sorting out. Anyway, I am trying another tack to see if I can get at the Cheadle registers, which I think I told you are locked up in the Bank, and the Rector and Churchwardens have to go together to get them out. It will make more work for me, as usual, but I may manage to get some desired information. I have got lots of information about Jeremiah’s family, which he did not know when John of Hallfields Foundry, Jeremiah and my uncle George were searching about in 1905. I find that one of my great-great-grandfathers, Ralph Beardmore, born 1751; marr. Mary Beardmore, born 1751, in 1773, both christened, married, and buried at Kingsley. Mary’s parents were Robert and Mary, grandfather Thomas, g’mother Sarah, of Woodhouses, Cheadle, and I have notes going back to round 1550 of Beardmores at Woodhouses, but not connected everybody up yet.
Did you ever examine the notes I put in the envelope which I handed to you when we had the last Committee Meeting and you spoke at the Grammar School? They were copies of letters between John, Jeremiah and Uncle George, and you would be able to see from John of Hallfields Foundry, Hanley, that he descended from the son of William that you had thought John of Burslem (P. & B.) descended from. When you get an opportunity to glance through them, please do. I have been to Newcastle, Hanley, Stafford and Birmingham in search of information, also to Whitmore and Kingsley several times. All this, and my work, too!
I hope you enjoyed your week-end; my husband and I have to attend the Annual Dinner of the Whitmore & Newcastle Cricket Club, of which he was captain for twelve years, and the only founder of the club that is still active. Mr. Cavenagh-Mainwaring, the President, is unable to be present, and has asked Frank to be there (as Senior Vice-President and Life Member) so we shall have to turn out, despite the weather – I prefer school when it is cold.
Let me know, please, when you have had a chance to consider the notes of your talk.
Kindest regards,
Yours sincerely,
Olive A. Dale.
P.S. I am afraid I must apologise for the “roughness” of the transcript; I took down under difficulties – on my knee with a little notebook – and I am rather out of practice – teaching does not keep up one’s own speed much. Still, no doubt you can make something out of it. Best wishes.
P.P.S. Before I could post my notes off to you, I got your letter with yours in to help me. I have “improved” the three first pages, and left all ten for you to look through; I missed a few little words out, but have a few illegible ones, I am afraid, through writing on my knee. I think it would save time for you to read through and insert or correct anything you wish, and then if you return them to me, stencils might be cut shortly, before the Easter holidays, at any rate. Did I tell you I had enrolled Sir George and Lady Wade as members? You would see them on Sat. At our Dinner last night, Mr. Francis Wood (Mr. Harry’s eldest son) told me he had seen my portrait in the paper, (group in “Sentinel”) and he would like to join the Society, if he were asked (holding his head on one side and looking firmly at me, so I said, “Would you like to join”, and he said he would be delighted, so I am going to send him the “objects” and see what happens. He, too, appeared in the New Year Honours, so poor old Arnold has got two of our leading business men interested at this late date!
What the letter tells us
George, first President of the Arnold Bennett Society. George had given the Society’s inaugural talk, and had agreed to become its first President. Olive took down his talk in shorthand on her knee, and typed it out so that it could be duplicated for members.
Olive’s own line. Her great-great-grandparents Ralph Beardmore and Mary Beardmore, both born in 1751, married in 1773 and were christened, married and buried at Kingsley. Mary’s parents were Robert and Mary, and her grandparents Thomas and Sarah Beardmore of Woodhouses, Cheadle; Thomas is the man “whose will is dated 1742” in Jeremiah’s notes.
The 1905 letters. The “copies of letters between John, Jeremiah and Uncle George” that Olive gave George are the typed copies now on William’s page.
Olive herself. She was a teacher, and her husband Frank had been captain of the Whitmore & Newcastle Cricket Club for twelve years.
Olive Dale to George Beardmore, 27 March 1955
Transcription
Telephone: Newcastle, Staffs. 69015
“Kingsley,” 92 Hassam Parade, Newcastle, Staffs.
27th March, 1955.
Dear Mr. Beardmore,
I was glad to hear that your nephew Richard Beardmore is interested in his family tree. Oddly enough, I had just had a letter from my only nephew asking how I was getting on with my digging into the past history, and asking me not to go too far, otherwise I might find our ancestors wearing tails and swinging from trees – in the next line stating that I was not to worry, as they were not believers in the Darwin theory!
You may tell your nephew Richard that the first definite ancestor of the Beardmores that I have so far traced was Richard de Berdmor (or Bordmor) acting as a Juror in 1280 at the time that Edmund the King’s brother proposed to endow a chantry at St. Mary’s, Tutbury; this Richard died in 1295, leaving a son Richard by his first wife Matilda, and sons William and Robert by his second wife Philippa. My working out of dates, etc., makes me believe that the William was the one who was Rector of Leek, stated by Jeremiah in 1905 to have become Bishop of Llandaff. I have looked up the Llandaff Bishops, and oddly enough one was appointed in 1361, whilst William is supposed to have died 1360, but no note of William de Berdmor amongst the list of Bishops. I went to Llandaff Cathedral last Whit.; three generations of us went; my sister her son and his wife and three boys, my husband and myself. It was badly bombed in 1940, but services are held in part of it. However, I have now got acquainted with the Diocesan Registrar’s Secretary at Lichfield, and knowing that the secret of William de Berdmor must lie entombed in two large volumes lying there – the registers of the then Bishop, Roger de Norbury (Northburgh, Northbury) I shall make another endeavour to find definite information.
With regard to his crest, I can find nothing as to where Jeremiah got this from – nor the motto. A Bishop’s mitre is not handed down to descendants, and in any case William a priest at that period, would hardly be married. Another crest, the stag’s head, which my uncle claimed we had, (also another, a boar’s head my sister vaguely recalls) is given on a seal attached to documents bearing this William’s name, as “W. de Leke”, but it might have been a Rudierd, of Rudyard. A stag’s head caboshed is also the crest of the de Bougheys of Whitmore, and one John Berdmor of Frogholle (with “lands lying in the lordshippe of Kingsley”) married Margaret Boughey. I enclose a draft of his will which I have examined at the Probate Office, B’ham, which may be the son of John and Margaret, or the Elizabeth mentioned may be John’s second wife. However, I am again “taking steps” to see what I can prove about this. I wondered whether Jeremiah’s notes might be a bit of “wishful thinking” and taken from Sleigh’s book, which is not too well-referenced, but I have examined both Sleigh’s big and little volume for all the references to William de Berdmor, but nary a mention of any crest or motto.
Jeremiah was an educated man, an architect, and of good position, and his sister is quoted on two occasions in the history of the Adams family, as Percy Adams visited her when writing it. She is referred to as Miss Helen, which might be correct, but the usual spelling in their branch was Ellen.
In Jeremiah’s notes which you quote, he was evidently trying to attach both John and Uncle George’s branch far too soon. On the copy I sent you, I think I had written “No.” where Jeremiah asks about the old will possibly being Uncle George’s g.g.g’fth’s. I did not know then that Ralph’s wife (my great-great-grandmother) was a Beardmore before she married Ralph, so that sent me off on another branch of the Beardmores, to discover that the will is that of her grand-father, therefore my four-greats and a grandfather’s. To be clear, I am the seventh generation from the Thomas, whose will it is in that branch, whereas Ralph’s immediate ancestors for three grandfathers, that is his father Thomas’s father, grandfather and great-grandfather were all George Beardmores.
Going back to Jeremiah and his note, he asks “Where do Robert and Mary come in”? Well, Robert and Mary were the parents of Mary who married Ralph, as you will see from the enclosed sheet, quoting notes from the will dated 1742. Unfortunately, Mary’s two brothers Robert and Thomas died in infancy, so your line is not connected through them nor is Jeremiah’s. I have had one or two Wills of Jeremiah’s line out, and found out the information about his family through these and the registers, which gives a lot more information about him that he knew before, but still nothing whatever to shew who were the parents of your William born 1759. Have none of your family any idea at all? However, I shall be getting hold of the Cheadle registers sometime and will let you know if I have any success there. He was not bap. at Alton, nor Kingsley; of course, he might not have been born at Cotton, although living there when he married. We might have to advertise yet, but shall see.
Rychard Berdmore [handwritten: bur. at K. 1575. I have seen his will at B’ham] was the Lord of the Manor of Lutley, otherwise Litley, Cheadle, in Elizabeth’s day, and you may tell Richard that there was a Richard and also a Robert from the Hundred of Totmanslow mentioned in the famous Muster Roll of 1539 as being liable for “a hors and harnesse for a man” which meant all war-harness for the horse and man, and this was the height of importance, some only producing a “bowe” or a “chiefe of arrowes”, or a “byll”. I feel so frustrated sometimes, but progress keeps progressing slowly. Shall eventually write a book on the Beardmores, I think. What do you say? I have a large family tree written out of my own folks, and you have William’s from 1759, and I have some of Jeremiah’s, but want William’s parents!
Yours sincerely,
O. A. Dale
What the letter tells us
Rick started it. Olive was writing because George’s nephew Richard (Rick) had become interested in the family tree.
The earliest Beardmore. Richard de Berdmor, a juror in 1280, who died in 1295, is the Richard de Berdmore mentioned on Thomas Beardmore’s page.
Jeremiah’s 1905 notes. (A copy of his notes is on William’s page.) Olive describes Jeremiah as an architect whose sister was Miss Helen or Ellen. He is very probably the Jeremiah born in 1844, with a sister Helen, at the foot of Olive’s sheet on Jeremiah of Kingsley’s family. She doubted his claims that William de Berdmor became Bishop of Llandaff and that the family had a crest and motto.
The enclosed will. The “draft of his will” she enclosed is very probably her sheet on the Bougheys of Whitmore and John Berdmor, which asks the same question: were the two Johns one man, or father and son?
Olive’s own descent. Her great-great-grandmother Mary Beardmore, daughter of Robert and Mary Beardmore (whose will is dated 1742), married Ralph Beardmore, whose father, grandfather and great-grandfather were all called George. Mary’s brothers died as infants, so Olive concluded that neither our line nor Jeremiah’s joined hers there. This is the “but no” in her note on the Kingsley sheet.
William’s parents. In 1955 Olive could find nothing to show who the parents of William (1759–1824) were. He was not baptised at Alton or Kingsley. Our tree now makes him a son of Robert (1719) and Grace, who married at Leigh, where William was living when he married; the evidence for that step still needs to be pinned down, and her later letters may show how it was found.
Rychard Berdmore, Lord of the Manor of Lutley (Litley), Cheadle, in Queen Elizabeth’s reign, was buried at Kingsley in 1575. A Richard and a Robert Berdmore of Totmonslow Hundred appear in the Muster Roll of 1539.
Agnes Ethel Arrowsmith to George Cedric Beardmore
Agnes Ethel Arrowsmith (née Beardmore, 1884–1970), Frank’s youngest sister, wrote this letter in old age to her nephew George Cedric Beardmore, from The Brackens, Whitmore, near Newcastle-under-Lyme. It is undated. She remembers her grandfather George Beardmore, the iron founder, her father John, “the Iron Duke”, and her mother’s father, Grandfather Hancock. The photograph she enclosed, of a painting “with the doll”, came from the Rev. W. G. Beardmore of Highbury; it may be the painting the family knows as the “Beardmore Dwarf”. The Joan who had the painting was probably May’s daughter, Joan Marsden. Her abbreviations are kept; a few are filled out in square brackets.
Transcription
The Brackens
Whitmore
Nr Newcastle
Staffs
Dear Cedric.
I only know what I remember myself, not what I was told, if you understand me, I may have been told things by May in later years, (I think I was) but I have quite forgotten, for instance the 2 dwarfs’ names, but Joan may know about them as she has the painting of the enclosed photo (of painting) with the doll. I have only sent these photos to shew you, as these were from the Rev: W. G. Beardmore Highbury (cousin of John my father).
My grandfather George B. was an iron founder, and lived in the white house in Waterloo Road, & the foundry was behind, the house is not white now but McIntyre’s offices, next to their works, there may have been a blacksmith’s forge there as well but I never heard of it, he retired and went to live at Odd Rode. It was quite a large house with a lot of land, and was just the same when I passed not long ago.
[Here she draws a sketch map: the house, with the wood & stream and a field beside it, along the “main rd to Manchester”; “G.B.’s field” and the “Aqua D.” (aqueduct) beyond, and the way “to village”.]
I used to love the wood & stream stroll thro: singing Daisy Daisy etc: I was 11 yrs old when he died, & he is buried in St. Paul’s Church Yard, Dale Hall, Burslem. He made me pluck, empty & cook a fowl, before I was allowed to eat, since when I have never minded doing a fowl. I also did the supper of toasted cheese & apple sauce. All drinking water was carried from the field by the Aqua D[uct].
I do not suppose you want all this, but I am old, & like talking about old times.
He was a real old English gentleman, married twice no family by 2nd wife, I just remember her, there is a window in Odd R[ode] Church to his wife Carolin[e] (I don’t know which).
My father was a real character very generous, was always had by lame dogs, & lost a lot of money, very quick tempered but soon over. His nickname by his friends the Wood brothers etc & Enoch B[ennett]. was the Iron Duke. He lived in Waterloo Rd, house called Apsley, next door to Wellington House (Savages), & they said when he walked home he looked as if he had conquered B[urslem]. & was going for Hanley.
The Beardmores came from Northwood.
G’father Hancock was a potter at McIntyres, retired & lived at Alsager, he was born at Oak Hill, S[toke]-on-T[rent] there were 4 brothers all very tall & handsome. Grandfather H. walked from Stoke to Stafford & back before work, to see the last man to be publicly hanged! He & wife are buried at Barthomley Cheshire.
I am afraid that I am not a fount of real information, I will gladly answer questions if I can. Mrs W. G. Be— Highbury knew the B. family tree from A to Z, but I am afraid she is no use.
I was the youngest of 9 5 boys first then 4 girls 2 boys died of whooping cough, 1 still born girl, & my twin who lived 3 months, we were both christened at birth, but I am still fighting!
My G’father Beardmore was sworn in as a Special C[onstable]. when the Chartist riots were on, there was a “do” at the top of Swan Bank. Sorry about this ink, I do not know how it got on my hand & then on paper.
If I think of anything else I will write it down. Love to all.
A. E. A.
Olive Dale to George Beardmore, 13 July 1967
The first of Olive’s letters of 1967, written on her birthday. With it she sent George the typed copies of the 1905 letters and Jeremiah’s family tree that are now on William’s page. The long sheet has been joined from two scans.
Transcription
92 Hassam Parade, Newcastle, Staffs. 13th July, 1967.
Dear Mr. Beardmore,
As it is my birthday (alas, another year added on to the total!) and as usual, I have nothing to do, as you stated in one of your old letters, I thought I would get a letter off to you to show you that I shall endeavour to send you some particulars concerning the Beardmore family as soon as I can find the time.
As a matter of fact, I have been to Stafford this morning with my husband who had an Education Committee meeting (I am on the County Education Committee, as one elected by the County Council of “two women with special knowledge of education”, the other being a lady from Birmingham University) but having none myself, I spent the morning in the Record Office; we had lunch in the County Buildings, then visited a Special School of which my husband is the Chairman (and I am one of the Committee) to select a Secretary-Clerk, came home to tea and then Evening School. Yesterday we spent all day at Madeley College of Education with a meeting all morning, interviewing in the afternoon, Evening School at night, and that is how my life goes on.
Now, concerning the enclosed papers – these are copies of letters etc. which my cousin Olive, the daughter of George Beardmore, the Registrar of Births and Deaths, gave me when I had been working on the family for some time. She well remembers the old gentlemen, Jeremiah and John, visiting them, and she and her mother are the “ladies” referred to in one of the letters.
It is very amusing to me to read that Jeremiah thought they might search the registers at Kingsley in about two hours with three of them doing it. When I tell you that I have typed for a distant relative in America no less than fifteen long foolscap pages, single lines, of Beardmores in Kingsley registers alone, from 1561 to about 1840 or so, literally hundreds of them, you will see what an error they made. The trouble is, Kingsley is only one register, of course; many others are involved. I have visited Alton some years ago, and the then parson was very kind and produced the registers for my inspection, but I could not then – or since – find the baptismal entry of William, your “oldest” certain ancestor. I have got Jeremiah’s ancestry clearly back to 1568, although a little difficulty occurs mid-17th century, as one or two wills are missing. I feel that he is related to your William, but where the relationship between my little lot and the other two comes in, I cannot swear to. It took me many years to even find William’s marriage to Mary Critchley, but at last I know that the banns of marriage are contained in the Leigh register, the actual registers now being cared for in the County Record Office. The three dates are given as shown, but the marriage is not filled in. As Mary is stated at the time to be of “Draycott” perhaps they were married there. Anyway, I will get in touch with the Draycott Rector when time permits, but I do not suppose the entry will give their parentage, which is the necessary thing. Probably both William and Mary were working away from home at the time of their marriage. The “Squire Gilbert” referred to by John (Brass founder) who “took an interest” in the young William and his family was the brother of Thomas Gilbert the philanthropist, and it was John who acted as Steward or “middleman” for the Duke of Bridgewater and Brindley when the canals were built. Actually, there was a TV programme about them not long ago, although I already knew of this. John built Clough Hall, Kidsgrove, which is now a Golf Club, I think. We have the Bill of Sale of the contents in the Record Office (about 1812, I think). [In the margin: (Cotton)]
I have spent some fifteen years of my “leisure” time searching round wills, old documents, registers, etc., improving my knowledge of history all the time. I am very conversant now with where information may be obtained, families of many names and can almost tell you where they come from on hearing a name of any importance, and some of no importance.
Some of the information given by Jeremiah is quite wrong, but I will correct it when I write again. No Bishop of Llandaff, I am sorry to say, but Wm. was Rector of Leek, or rather Vicar, which used to be quite different. Am now off for a week to stay with my sister.
Sincerely, O. A. Dale
What the letter tells us
The 1905 papers. The copies of John and Jeremiah Beardmore’s letters had come to Olive from her cousin, also called Olive, the daughter of George Beardmore the registrar. She remembered the two “old gentlemen” visiting, and she and her mother were “the Ladies” to whom John sent his regards in August 1905.
Squire Gilbert. The “Squire Gilbert” of John’s story of the walk from Cotton was John Gilbert (1724–1795) of Cotton, brother of Thomas Gilbert the philanthropist and land agent to the Duke of Bridgewater, who worked with James Brindley on the Bridgewater and Trent and Mersey canals. He built Clough Hall, near Kidsgrove.
The size of the task. Olive had typed fifteen foolscap pages of Beardmore entries from the Kingsley registers alone – which shows how optimistic Jeremiah’s two-hour search had been.
Olive Dale to George Beardmore, 31 July 1967
The letter in which Olive first calls George “cousin”. With it she sent the pedigree sheets she had typed out for him – very probably her long version of the Beardmores of Farley, Cotton and Alton. The first sheet has been joined from two scans.
Transcription
92 Hassam Parade, Newcastle, Staffs. 31st July, 1967.
Dear Cousin George,
It is an odd thing, but I have always felt a relationship does exist between us, although I cannot find where it occurs for several hundreds of years. I feel this more with regard to you than I do with most of my actual cousins, only one of which I correspond with, in this country, at any rate. She lived for many years at the beautiful old farmhouse called “The Black and White House”, but which was originally Old Consall Hall, but has recently had a bungalow built on some land a little distance away, and sold the farm. She has only one son and he also has a bungalow. I write to several relatives in Australia, and recently helped to trace the ancestry of a distant relative in Newcastle, N.S.W. right back clearly to 1529. She was very lucky, as very many of them left wills which was a great help. Sometimes the very ones you need have not been bothered about, or have been lost. You will see I have had to make such entries in the enclosed sheets.
Your naughty postcard of an ancestor amused me very much, but I sincerely hope ours had not such protruding chins or misshapen legs. I note it was made in Easter Island, of course, which explains the “design.”
Now, as you may imagine – I tried several years ago to trace out your ancestry, but got stuck with the baptismal entry of the William born 1759, buried at Audley 1824, aged 65. I tried to link up the three lines of Jeremiah (architect), John (brassfounder) and uncle George (my family) which they had made a start with in 1905. I got things clear regarding Jeremiah and John, presuming William 1759 to be the son of Robert 1719, brother of Jeremiah 1715, which Jere. (arch.) had put down guessing as 1705 to 1755, but poor man, the first Jeremiah only lived to be 40, whereas his son aged 7 when his father died, lived for another 80 years. Anyway, I have let Miss Hope Beardmore, of Longton, niece of Jeremiah (arch.) have the pedigree of her section, which is quite clear back to Thomas 1568. John (brassfndr.) thought William was the son of Robert 1714 as he put it, but he was really born 1719. I have been disappointed this week. The County Archivist (Frank, my husband, is the Chairman of the County Records Committee – and many other things) called at our house the other day, whilst our car was laid up through being knocked in the back by a man when Frank had to brake rather suddenly to avoid a darned dog, and said he was trying to get the Alton registers. He is trying to prevail on parsons to deposit the registers and other parish papers at the County Record Office where they will be cared for properly in the correct atmosphere and conditions instead of being allowed to get mouldy in the churches, as so often happens. However, unfortunately, Alton are just now in the position of being without a Vicar as they are having to build a new Vicarage, so he could not get them yet. When Frank and I went to see them some years ago, the Vicar was residing in a marvellous old stone house, but of difficult convenience, no doubt. This is just what happened at Kingsley. They were without a Rector for a long time, but luckily, the then Verger had been in the employ of my father for some years when we lived there, so he let me see the registers whenever I liked. Of course, I always tipped him, and when the new Rector came I paid contributions to him.
As it is some years since I “did” the Beardmores, and have been employed full time day and evening teaching until two years ago, I do not now know where the Beardmore wills are, but I have managed to make a good stab at getting out the enclosed sheets for you. If only we had William’s [handwritten: 1759] baptism it would be splendid, and I will write as soon as possible to Draycott to see if the marriage took place there and whether the entry gives parents or not. After Lord Hardwicke’s Marriage Act 1754, much more information had to be given, but not always of use. (This Act was to prevent poor silly heiress girls being rushed off to Gretna Green by fortune-hunters.)
With regard to “The Side”, this was a farm where the Beardmores resided, Jeremiah’s ancestors in particular, and was probably in Kingsley parish (which was a big one) although maybe actually in or near say Whiston, Cotton, Alton, etc. All this area was under Kingsley until two divisions took place. You will note that one or two of the Jeremiahs resided at Kingsley or at least are entered in Kingsley register.
For myself, amongst my ancestral line comes common ancestry with two Lord Chancellors, including the Earl of Macclesfield and the present Lord Dilhorne. One dau. marr. the first Earl of Harewood, and quite a lot of Baronets, Earls, etc. occur along the lines. My father’s third or fourth cousin, Frederick Adolphus Fynney, of Manchester (late of Cheddleton) left over £350,000, died at the age of 75, was a bachelor when 75, so his wife came in for a nice little lot; my poor father would have been “passing rich” if he had had one or two thousands which could have been spared. Fredk. was a Railway Company director when times were good. However, I have traced the definite descent from 1500 or so without finding any clear relationship to either Jeremiah or John, unfortunately, but they must be related somewhere, or why did they come from the same area and bear the same name? I will try again when time permits, but get so many enquiries from America, Canada, Australia, etc., (they send me a few nice little dollars at times, too!) that I am kept very occupied, to say nothing of the fact that I am a member of the Staffs. Education Committee, and have many committees to attend; I am also still teaching at Evening School, and my husband is a Cricket TV addict, and if not cricket, it is tennis at Wimbledon, or football, or wrestling, or something, and this prevents my typing as much as I can even when at home. However, we have to give and take, as they say, and manage to keep busy, and try to rest when we can. I like Frank to get a little amusement as he works very hard as an Alderman on the County Council and an Alderman on the Borough Council; the past fifteen years have been very hard-working, no pay, of course, and sometimes little gratitude.
Well, look through the enclosed and see what you think about it. The first Beardmore in the vicinity was Richard de Berdmore 1290, and his three sons; first wife’s son Richard (she was Matilda), and second wife [handwritten: Philippa]’s two sons, Robert and William. I think the Alton and Cotton set descend from the Robert; the Froghall ones from Richard the eldest and William became a parson, leaving money to St. Mary’s at Leek in 1340–1360.
Must close now for a little rest, then get the ruling done on the pedigrees which takes quite some time, as you may imagine, otherwise you will wonder what it is all about.
Best wishes,
Yours sincerely,
Olive
What the letter tells us
How William was linked to Robert. Olive says plainly that she joined the lines “presuming William 1759 to be the son of Robert 1719”. That presumption is the link on which this site’s early generations rest. She also corrects Jeremiah’s 1905 dates: the first Jeremiah of Kingsley died at 40, while his son, aged 7 at the time, lived another eighty years.
The Side was a farm, probably in the large old parish of Kingsley, near Whiston, Cotton or Alton, where Jeremiah’s ancestors lived.
The three Beardmore lines. Olive’s view was that the Alton and Cotton Beardmores descended from Robert, son of Richard de Berdmore (died 1295); the Froghall ones from his eldest son Richard; and that William became the parson at Leek.
George Beardmore to Olive Dale, 4 August 1967
A carbon copy of George’s own letter, with the transcript of his family Bible that he enclosed. Olive’s reply of 22 August is the next letter.
Transcription
Burchfield, Four Marks. 4th August 1967
My dear Olive,
I’ve come unstuck somewhere. Would you mind helping out? Put very simply it is that my grandfather was John Beardmore, the ironmonger, of Burslem. He I guess is the man you call a “brassfounder, living in 1905”. (He died in fact in 1909.) Now his father was George: this is indubitably so, and I enclose a letter from my Aunt Agnes, John’s only surviving daughter, giving one or two charming reminiscences about her grandfather George. BUT you say John’s father was Benjamin, the man who married Hope Thomas. In fact, in the rough sketch of the family tree you were good enough to enclose with yours of the 13th July, you say that John (brother of the Barlaston Edward whom I vaguely remember) is the son of George. I wonder if perchance you are under the impression that my grandfather was someone other than the Pidduck & Beardmore JOHN? Because he was. I know this, having spent my childhood Christmases with his widow (born Emily Hancock) at 188, Waterloo Road.
It’s quite on the cards that somewhere I have misread your tables. Just put me right on this one point and I will trace the rest back from your comprehensive tables.
Needless to say I can’t thank you enough and am looking for ways to repay you. Would you for example like a copy of the book I’ve got coming out on Thursday next? Funny you should say that you felt a relationship with me: when I got back in the car I told the missis (this was at the School): “I know it’s absurd, but I feel I’ve known that woman all my life.”
I enclose a note of the handwritten entries made in a 1794 Bible I inherited.
Best wishes
Enclosure: Transcript of handwritten entries in a Bible printed by Mark and Charles Kerr in 1795, now in possession of George Beardmore, Alton, Hants., 1967.
George Beardmore born July 18 1787, married Jan. 1st 1811 in his 24 year of age.
Mary Beardmore Born Nov. 27 1811, married July 30 1835 in hir 24 year of hir age.
George Beardmore Born Sept. 20 1813, died August 27 1834 aged 21 years.
William Beardmore Born July 9 1815 ½ pas 8. William Beardmore died June 24 1848 aged 27 years.
Hannah Beardmore died Nove 10 1816.
Emma Johnson Born Decm. 10 1816 [the Bible itself appears to read December 29, 1803]. (Here is stuck in a newspaper obituary: “Deaths, On the 14th inst., at Fegg Hays Villa, Chell, aged 56 years, Emma, the beloved wife of W. Ford Esq., chief bailiff of Burslem”. Handwritten are the words: “September 1860”.)
Hamlett Johnson born May 29 1805.
Catharine Beardmore Born June 5 1785 [added in pencil: m. Thos Repton of Norton 6/6/1805].
Elizabeth Leigh Beardmore Born June 3 1818, Burslem, Staffordshire.
William George Beardmore. Born Nov 25th. 1842. 37 Isah., 9 II Kings, 32 II Cron.
William G. Beardmore, Northwood, 186?
Within the end pages: George Beardmore died February 17 1839 in his 51 year of his age. Catharine Beardmore died on Sunday September 15th. 1844, her end was peace, aged 58 years. Mary Beardmore, sister to the above George Beardmore, died February 17th. 1860, aged 77.
What it tells us
George and Olive had recently met in person (“this was at the School”), and George felt the same kinship that she did. Olive’s tables had confused two Johns – George’s grandfather John of Pidduck & Beardmore, and John the Hanley brassfounder – and George set her right from his own memories of Christmas at 188 Waterloo Road.
The enclosure is George’s transcript of the family Bible, which he had inherited. It gives the full entries, including William George Beardmore’s birth on 25 November 1842 and the three entries in the end pages. The pencilled note that a Catharine Beardmore married Thomas Repton of Norton in 1805 has not been explained.
Olive Dale to George Beardmore, 7 August 1967
Olive’s quick reply to George’s letter of 4 August. The letter was typed on two long sheets; each has been joined from two scans.
Transcription
92 Hassam Parade, Newcastle, Staffs. 7th August, 1967.
My dear George,
Many thanks for your letter and enclosure from your Aunt Miss Arrowsmith, which I have taken the liberty of copying and now return it herewith.
I should certainly very much like a copy of your new book, with a nice note from the author inside, of course! Thank you very much.
Now, to business. The old John referred to by me as the “Brassfounder” was not your grandfather John of Pidduck & Beardmore, Burslem, who must have been in his turn the son of George Beardmore, born July 18, 1787, the first entry in your family Bible. If you will consult the tabled pedigrees, you will see that the “Brassfounder” John states that he was the son of Benjamin, and grandson of John bp. Audley Nov. 2, 1792; this John was the sixth son of the old William and Mary, whereas George was the third son. I have not seen the baptisms etc. of the later descendants, but John “Brassfounder” must have crossed the two brothers’ descendants, as he gives George born July 18, 1787 as grandfather of the Rev. Wm. George of Highbury, and Thomas as your ancestor. Have you a verification of the ancestor of the Rev. W. G.?
At any rate, John “Brassfounder” was described on his letter-headings as “Iron and Brassfounder,” of Hallfields Foundry. Somehow, I do not think he was married; I will check up with my cousin Olive, dau. of my Uncle George who was engaged with the two of them in 1905. She may remember.
There is just one thing, in John’s list he gives Thomas b. Apr. 7, 1789 as father of George, grandfather of John (P. & B., Burslem and Edward of Barlaston) but your Bible gives George as bap. 1787. On thinking it over, I hardly think your Aunt Agnes Arrowsmith even if elderly would have a grandfather born 1787, and this generation may make the difference of name. However, try to find this out. I must tell you that my dear old friend, Mr. S. A. H. Burne, M.A., Barrister, etc., who used to be the Coroner for North Staffs., is still going strong, and his grandfather was born in 1775! My great-grandfather, Thomas Beardmore, was born 1775. It just depends how many children and what age at marriage, of course.
If this does not explain it, John Brassfounder must have crossed the descendants of the two brothers, Thomas and George. You say that Benjamin Beardmore married Hope Thomas. John only gave her initial as H., I did not know her name was Hope, but oddly enough, Hope is the name of Jeremiah’s niece, Miss Beardmore of Longton.
This morning, Frank my husband had a Planning Meeting at Stafford, so I took the opportunity of looking at the Burslem Register. I found the following indexed under Beardmore – there were also Aaron, Chris. and Charles indexed, but no entries to be found.
1771. Mar. 31. Sarah, dau. John & Hannah Beardmore. Bapt.
1775. Mar. 20. Hannah, wife of John Beardmore. bur.
1780. June 4. Mary, dau. John Beardmore. bur.
1811. Dec. 1. Mary, dau. George & Hannah Beardmore (Furlong). Bapt. (in Bible)
1812. Dec. 20. Sarah, dau. Josiah & Rebecca Beardmore.
If you can tell me when your grandfather John was born in addition to when he died (you say 1909) it might help to sort the generations out. I must admit that I have examined the will of Edward of Barlaston and one or two recent wills, but the maddening part to a researcher is that one or two crucial ones either never made one, or they are lost. By the way, talking about baptisms, as we were at Wolstanton, in the Burslem registers there are incidents of four children of varying ages being baptised at the same time.
I took the opportunity this morning of also examining a “Rentall” of the Earl of Shrewsbury dated 1581, etc., and found several Beardmore entries, including William, will pr. 1598, and Francis Beardmore’s wife (really widow) paying tithes, etc. and rent “for her ferme”. However, I shall have this Microfilm on again at a later date, as I had to use the beastly wornout machine, a young couple using the new big one (which, privately, I “pushed” my husband to agree to the purchase of). The old one is useless and almost crippled my arm to get it to work, so will look later.
Now, one point in your aunt’s letter intrigued me very much. She refers to the Beardmore dwarf’s photographs, and says that “Joan” has the actual painting from which the photograph was taken. Who was Joan, please, and is it possible to obtain any additional copies of this photograph, do you know? If only one, I could get it rephotographed at the Record Office, probably. The odd thing about this is, that, Miss Beardmore (Jeremiah’s niece) lent me a copy of this painting, calling it the “Beardmore Dwarf”. I have unfortunately mislaid it, and am unable to return it to her, although after I had sent her Jeremiah’s pedigree back to 1568, she said not to worry, send it back when it turns up, but if she could see the papers at my house (although we have a garage full waiting for the salvage men to take it for burning) she would wonder when that could be! Now, your aunt says the “2 dwarf’s names” escape her, but on searching my long-suffering memory after reading the list of names from your Bible, I recall that this girl was called ..something Leigh Beardmore, and there is an entry “Elizabeth Leigh Beardmore, born June 3, 1818, Burslem, Staffordshire.” Now, how did Miss Beardmore, Jeremiah’s set, obtain this photograph? She could not recall who had the painting. On looking at the picture, I do so wonder whether in actual fact the child was a dwarf (and ? two) as she looks more like a child in Georgian dress, with the long white frock and wide sash – see “Pinkie” the wellknown painting, and the “Little Mob Cap”, just that style. What do you think? I should so like to get another two photographs, one to send to Miss B. and one for myself.
The last entry, “Mary Beardmore sister to the above George B. died Feb. 17, 1860, aged 77” was the eldest dau. of William & Mary, bap. Mar. 24, 1783, died unmarr., as did his other two daughters. I have all their wills somewhere, but the darned old Wm. did not make one, and if he had, of course, a thousand to one he would never have said who his parents were! Strangely, Frank and I have visited Audley C/yd. several times, have found the grave of Mary and dau., but not that of William. Samuel is also there.
The Burslem registers have only been printed up to 1812, so I could not check the other children’s entries, but no doubt they were the children of George, born 1787 and his wife Hannah, d. 1816. There is a Hamlett Johnson referred to; there is a Hamlet Beardmore somewhere, but I have not got the will handy where he is mentioned. If you can find out anything further about the “dwarf” and the Leigh connexion, I will look up again.
By the way, in 1955 you sent me a note of rate books you had examined with Beardmore, Birks, etc., Earthenware Manufacturers, also including “Jerry” or “Jeremiah” Beardmore. On consulting the pedigree lists, you will see that the Robert who we think was the father of the old Wm. had a son named Jeremiah, and these are the Jeremiahs potters, etc., of Lane End, etc.
Shall be glad to hear from you again soon. Have had a letter this morning from my distant relative in Australia, whose pedigree (some of it mine, also) I have helped to trace right back to 1529. We are intrigued by the murder of one William Mountford, a famous actor, connived at by Lord Mohun, who engaged him in conversation whilst Capt. Hill stabbed him. This was occasioned by unfounded jealousy of Mountford’s friendship with the famous Mrs. Bracegirdle, with whom he acted: Hill tried to abduct Mrs. B., but fled the country after killing Mountford. There is an account of the State Trial of Lord Mohun for the murder, but he got off as he did not strike the actual blow; Mohun was afterwards killed in a duel with the Duke of Hamilton. Mountford was born in Staffs. 1664, son of Captain Mountford, and was a protégé of Judge Jeffries! Best wishes, Olive
What the letter tells us
The baptism of Mary, 1811. The Burslem register records the baptism on 1 December 1811 of “Mary, dau. George & Hannah Beardmore (Furlong)” – the Mary born on 27 November 1811 in George’s Bible. This confirms that George’s first wife was Hannah, and that the family lived at the Furlong, Burslem.
The “Beardmore Dwarf”. George’s Aunt Agnes had mentioned a painting of a “Beardmore dwarf”, then owned by “Joan” (probably May Marsden’s daughter Joan). Olive had been lent a photograph of the same painting by Jeremiah’s niece Miss Hope Beardmore, and remembered the sitter as “something Leigh Beardmore” – perhaps Elizabeth Leigh Beardmore, born at Burslem in 1818. Olive doubted that the child was a dwarf at all, thinking she looked more like a child in Georgian dress, “with the long white frock and wide sash”, like Lawrence’s “Pinkie”. If the painting or the photograph still exists, it would be a wonderful thing to find.
The two Johns again. Olive repeats that the brassfounder was not George’s grandfather; by 22 August she had accepted George’s correction.
Olive Dale to George Beardmore, 12 August 1967
Olive’s answer to a letter from George (now lost) with several numbered questions. The two long sheets have each been joined from two scans; the second ends with Olive’s sketch map of the Churnet valley.
Transcription
92 Hassam Parade, Newcastle, Staffs. 12th August, 1967.
Dear George,
I am replying to your letter fairly quickly, as next week I am off with Frank my husband to stay a day or two with my sister, who lives at Walmley, a few miles from Sutton Coldfield. We are getting a day or two off before being snowed under with County Council meetings, evening school, etc. I don’t know whether you know, but I am a member of the Staffs. County Education Committee, being one of the two women “with special knowledge of education” elected by the actual Council (not sitting as Councillors), the other one being a nice youngish woman from Birmingham University. As a result I am on a lot of Committees, Governorships, etc., including Madeley College of Education, Clayton Grammar School for Girls, etc., etc.
Now to business: C/W does mean “Churchwarden”, and I usually copy this if such an entry appears in a Register, as it gives a good idea of the standing of the persons concerned, and also that they are still living at that date, if their date of death should not be known.
(2) Farley is a lovely village situated between Oakamoor and Alton, see attached rough sketch map. One crosses the Churnet at Oakamoor, rises sharply up to Farley, drops down again to Alton Bridge across Churnet, rises sharply up to Alton village and Church. Absolutely beautiful scenery – the Churnet Valley has few equals.
(3) “Critchley” is used in various references; it is only another spelling for “Critchlow” and is probably just the countryway of saying the name. The changes in many names are simply careless or fashionable pronunciations, even “chumley” for spelling “Cholmondeley”.
(4) Dwarfs. I am sorry it is awkward about the owner of the painting; I would have liked to have obtained photographs of it.
The eleven B’s and s’s amused me; I shall now think of them as brandies and sodas.
I return your notes on grandfather John. You will see in the “second coach” Mr. J. Beardmore, (Hanley). Thus if you read the letter carefully, you will see that this is the same old John who was busy with Jeremiah and my Uncle George, but did not get very far in their researches. Your Grandfather John was, of course, of Apsley House, whereas this John sitting with the Rev. W. G. was of Northwood.
Not only the notepaper, but the style and the signature and handwriting shew it to be dear old John (Brassfounder, as I have called him to distinguish him). I will write to ask my cousin Olive if he was unmarried – I rather think so. She told me that he laughingly said he “thought he was descended from a woman”, and I asked, “Aren’t we all?” He was joking that the old William had no father, as John did not know who he was!! He appears to have been rather a “card”!
Now, 1712 or 1713 marked as date of Samson’s death (marr. Ellen Hunt). This is accounted for by the fact that in the old days the years were reckoned from March 25th to March 25th, Lady Day, not Jan. 1st, so in many old registers the dates are written 1712/13 or whatever, so one has to be careful in assessing the right thing, otherwise one might find a child being dated as born before its parents’ marriage, when it was not so.
As I have been so busy tracing other people’s families for them, I have rather lost track of the Beardmores, but by a very “Hodd coin-side-ence” I have been turning out a lot of notebooks, wills, etc., and found two books containing many Beardmore wills, including Edward of Barlaston (by the way, your grandfather’s coffin plate is printed as died 1908, whereas the pencilled note on extract says October, 1909) and many others, particularly sisters Catherine, Mary and bro. Samuel and William, children of your old Wm. marr. 1780.
These confirm, amongst other things, that reference of John (Brassfounder) in letter returned herewith to Thomas Beardmore’s son Robert being “off his head” a bit, as amongst my notes there is the “Oath” taken by ROBERT FRANCIS BEARDMORE the younger, dated 8 November 1920 that his father, ROBERT FRANCIS BEARDMORE the elder, of 127 High Street, Tunstall, a retired Wheelwright deceased, had died on 1 Aug. 1920 at the County Mental Asylum, Cheddleton, a Widower and intestate, “and the son was to administer the estate.
Bond: ROBERT FRANCIS BEARDMORE, the younger, of 127 High Street, Tunstall, in the cty. of Staffs., Schoolmaster; JOSEPH HENRY COLLIS, of Porthill Lodge, Longport, Brickworks Manager; FREDK. WALKLEY, of 130 High Street, Tunstall, Hairdresser.
If you would like me to copy out some of the Wills concerning your people, I will do so when time permits.
By the way, the only thing that has given me pause years ago when searching for old William’s birthdate is that he had no child called either “Robert” or “Grace” whom I assume to have been his parents, nor although there is a William bap. 1759 at Kingsley, son of Thomas and Ellin, does he call a child “Ellen”. The name “Thomas” was very much used at one time. My “lot” had Thomases galore until one dau. marr. Ralph Oakden about 1730, and then I think “thousands” of Ralphs have appeared in all directions; my great-great-grandfather, Ralph was nephew to Ralph Oakden who was perhaps his godfather, and this Ralph had four sons, who each had a Ralph, and so on ad finitum, so if ever you come across a Ralph Beardmore anywhere at all, you can guess there is a relationship to me somewhere.
Did Miss Ruth Bennett ever tell you that her uncle – and yours – Mr. Kennerley, asked her to ring me up and asked me to go to see him at her house, where he wanted to know whether I had traced your family any more; I had to tell him the only “sticker” was the old Wm’s birth. By the way, at Audley churchyard we found two gravestones; one to one of his daughters (or perhaps two – note mislaid for the moment) and his wife MARY, adj. gravestone to their son SAMUEL, but we could not see one to old William. Anyway, the Rector told Frank (my husband) we could examine the Registers anytime if we let him know in advance, but we just have not had the time. I have spent years on these things, at varying costs, but don’t begrudge a penny of it. It has been well-spent for the useful interest it has brought me – also a few nice dollars from America and Australia!
Must get this off now, will write again when time permits.
Best love, Olive
P.S. Thought you might be interested in the enclosed article I wrote some years ago pub. in the “Sentinel”, although no name is attached. The verse I also wrote, which delighted Sir Edric Wolseley when I sent it to him after visiting his house. His predecessor (he is desc. from a brother) Erasmus Wolseley was imprisoned together with my ancestor Edward Thornbury of Thornbury Hall; for hearing Mass in Stafford Gaol when they were finally taken there after refusing to attend the Prot. Ch. they were condemned to death, but reprieved, but the poor old priest was “barbarously murdered” becoming a Cath. martyr. Edward lived another twenty years after this, so was lucky. [In the margin: 1586] I used to correspond with Sir Edric until he died in America.
[Sketch map: the River Churnet, with Farley, Oakamoor, Cheadle, Kingsley, Alton Castle, Alton Church and Alton Village.]
What the letter tells us
John the brassfounder. Olive’s cousin remembered John joking that he “thought he was descended from a woman” – because, as far as anyone knew, the old William had no father. He “appears to have been rather a ‘card’!”
William’s parents. Olive’s one doubt about making William a son of Robert and Grace: none of his thirteen children was called Robert or Grace. But none was called Ellen either, which tells against the other candidate, William son of Thomas and Ellin, baptised at Kingsley in 1759.
Robert Francis Beardmore (1847–1920), the Tunstall wheelwright, died at the County Mental Asylum, Cheddleton, on 1 August 1920; his son Robert Francis, a schoolmaster, administered the estate.
William Kennerley, uncle of both George and Ruth Bennett, had once asked Olive, through Ruth, whether she had traced the family any further. At Audley Olive found gravestones to William’s wife Mary, one or two of their daughters, and their son Samuel, but none to William himself.
Olive Dale to George Beardmore, 22 August 1967
Written twelve years after the 1950s letters, when Olive and George were signing themselves cousins. The letter was typed on both sides of a long sheet.
Transcription
92 Hassam Parade, Newcastle, Staffs., 22nd August, 1967.
My dear George,
I was delighted to receive the autographed copy of your new book, and feel that it should be very successful indeed. I started to read it, but was reluctantly torn away to go with my husband to Stafford.
This morning he had a ’phone call from the County Librarian (several things she wished to consult him about, one thing being about him performing the official opening of the Barlaston Library – he is the Chairman of the County Libraries Committee, amongst so many other things, and has opened quite a large number of Branch Libraries, also the huge County Library Headquarters a few years ago.) We took the opportunity to take your new novel with us, and asked if the Library had any copies – of course, we do not wish to be accused of nepotism, but still –. They have got three copies, and I showed the County Librarian and her Deputy my copy. I also borrowed from their stock two of your previous novels. Some years ago I very much enjoyed “A Tale of Two Thieves” and was very anxious to obtain “The Staffordshire Assassins” but was unable to do so at the time. The two I have got out of County stock are “The Staffordshire Assassins” and “Madame Merlin”, which I should think are two of your best.
I will try whenever I can to find the baptism of William Beardmore born 1759, but he is not in the Alton register, where other children of Robert and Grace are, but their dau. Mary was bap. at Leigh, so one never knows. William & Mary had their banns read at Leigh, and their first son Francis bap. there, but have not yet asked at Draycott if the marr. actually took place there. Of course, when Jeremiah, John and my uncle George were trying to find their joint relationships, they deducted William’s death date wrongly, writing 1749 for birth, but if he was 65 at death in 1824, it would be 1759. On one sheet I have Mary died 1824 aged 65, so there may be an error there. If only they had had a marr. lic. and had been under age, the names of guardians would have been of help. However –
I have now run up against two or three snags for your modern descent. Old John of Hallfields (Brassfounder) stated that William & Mary had ten sons and three daughters, the latter all dying unmarr. He named them as Elizabeth, Mary and Kitty. From somewhere else (it escapes me for the moment) I had a list which gave Catherine B. as a sister, born June 5, 1785, which of course fits her in nicely between William b. Dec. 1784 and George b. Jy 18, 1787. One might have thought from other entries that the three entries within the end pages of your Bible shewed George d. Feb. 17, 1839 aged 50; Catharine d. Sept. 15, 1844, aged 58 and Mary sister to the above George died Feb. 17, 1860 aged 77 were two sisters and brothers. Have you by any chance misread or mistyped any of the dates you gave to me, do you think? Catharine Beardmore born June 5, 1785 is entered in your Bible but the will I have of Catharine B. of Audley is dated 14 Nov. 1832, pr. 2nd May 1833, and in it she refers to her brother Samuel, sister Mary (spinster) and sister Elizabeth, residue to surv. s. & b. share and share alike. All these were children of William and Mary.
Then in Mary’s will dated Feb. 13, 1860, pr. Mar. 5, 1860 she refers to Mary, dau. of my late nephew James B. (Farmer) decd., niece Eliz. Machin, wife of Alfred Machin of Talk o’th’ Hill, writing clerk, Eliz’s son Frank Machin (under age), makes the Rector and bro. Samuel exors., and if nephew Frank did before 21, residue equally between surviving bros. Samuel, Francis, John, and the children of decd. bros. William, George, and Francis [handwritten: Thomas]. Also will of Wm. B. (one of dec. bros.) d. 1857 [handwritten: will dated July 12, 1856, pr. May 1857] refers to his wife Mary, son John, daus. Eliz. & Martha B. and dau. Kitty marr. to Wm. Mason. But turn over for biggest snag.
[Overleaf] FRANCIS BEARDMORE of Burslem, Bricklayer and Beerseller. I nominate my brother GEORGE BEARDMORE of Burslem, Blacksmith, and JOHN WATKIN of Burslem, Builder, exors. and trustees, they or their heirs to sell, etc. and invest the parcels thereof in Govt. or Real Securities (the will gives £100 as value), income to be for “my infant daughter MARGARET until she shall attain the age of 21 years. George B. and John W. to be guardians. Refers to wife SUSANNA BEARDMORE. Also desires that if his dau. MARGARET shall die before 21, his said real and personal estate shall go to nephews JOHN BEARDMORE and EDWARD BEARDMORE, the two sons of my brother GEORGE BEARDMORE. Witnesses: CHARLES HODGES, HAMLET BEARDMORE.
Now sort that one out! You can see what a frustrating job genealogical research can be.
Your grandfather JOHN was born in 1848, EDWARD round the same time, so were infants when this will was made, but how do you account for the GEORGE dying 1839 Feb. 17 (presumably the one born July 18, 1787) being referred to as father of JOHN and EDWARD when they were born after that date. There must have been another generation, and old John (Brassfounder) who stated that Thomas b. 1789 was grandfather of John and Edward and the George who heads the list in your Bible must have been the anc. of Rev. W. G. If so, why did the Bible come to you? Or is the FRANCIS will above bro. as he says of your great-grandfather George, and not the brother of Mary, will 1860, etc. You will note she refers to her brother Francis as being alive in 1860. I think you will find after asking your cousin John of Burslem that your great-grandfather George had a bro. Francis who died 1853, and an uncle Francis alive in 1860. What a tangle!
Dates have been put wrongly before – for example, my ancestor JAMES FYNNEY born late 1739 is entered in the Cheddleton register as dying aged 74 in 1804, whereas he was only 64. And one of his brother’s WILLIAM is not entered in the Alstonefield register, although all the others are, even one born after him, and yet I have his wife and all his descendants, to say nothing of the fact that he is included in his father’s and his uncle’s wills in the correct order of age. Oh, oh, these careless parsons and parish clerks. To say nothing also of my ancestors Thomas Beardmore and Sarah Bostock entered in the marriages in both Kingsley and Leek, also another marr. in Caversall and Kingsley, and my g-g-g-g (I am not counting) uncle ROBERT SHENTON is entered as buried in Kingsley and Cheadle. The answer is that both parsons wanted their fees for the marr. and the burial was entered in both as Robert S. left a charity to both villages, but why couldn’t the Kingsley parson say “bur. this day at Cheadle”? I know he was there as his gravestone is in the tower of Cheadle church!!
Again many thanks indeed for the lovely book – Charlie Pocock seems like a Potteries character to me.
Must close now for the time being. If you can think of any clues, or if I can, letters must follow. I have a terrible tangle to sort for an Australian distant relative, who I have got back to 1529 without any doubt, but she now wants to link up another branch (one who had big ideas of their descent from a kinsman of William the Conqueror!) Heigh-ho!
Best love from
Your affectionate cousin,
Olive
What the letter tells us
More from George’s Bible. Olive quotes three entries from the end pages of George Beardmore’s family Bible, then in George Cedric’s possession: George died on 17 February 1839 aged 50; Catharine on 15 September 1844 aged 58; and George’s sister Mary on 17 February 1860 aged 77. Catharine, born in 1785, was too close in age to her supposed brother William (born December 1784) to be his sister; she was much more probably George’s second wife.
The wills of William and Mary’s children. Kitty (Catharine of Audley) made her will in 1832, naming her brother Samuel and sisters Mary and Elizabeth. Mary’s will of 1860 names her surviving brothers Samuel, Francis and John, the children of her late brothers William, George and Thomas, and her niece Elizabeth Machin. William’s will was dated 12 July 1856 and proved in May 1857.
The “biggest snag” – the will of a Francis Beardmore naming nephews John and Edward, sons of his brother George – was solved as Olive suggested: the will is that of Francis (1826–1853), brother of George (1815–1895), the father of John and Edward.
Olive’s own family. Olive’s husband Frank Dale was Chairman of the Staffordshire County Libraries Committee. Her other ancestors included the Fynneys of Cheddleton and the Shentons of Cheadle; she was also descended from Thomas Beardmore and Sarah Bostock of Kingsley.
Olive Dale to George Beardmore, 12 September 1967
Olive had been to Hanley Reference Library to search the 1851 census for George. The long sheet has been joined from two scans.
Transcription
Please excuse dirty paper. I have bags of it, but too busy to sort it out. I have to study my agenda for an Educ. Metg. at Stafford to-morrow and take Ev. Sch. to-night.
92 Hassam Parade, Newcastle, Staffs., England. 12th September, 1967.
My dear George, [added:] I loved the Staffordshire Assassins, but talk about horrific!!
Oh, dear! I have been trying to get some letters off to my various relatives in Australia, etc., but think you will be well aware that I do live in England!
Thank you for your letter of 28th August, enclosing list of “Brothers and Sisters” which I appear to have seen before, as I note a pencil note in my writing giving “Solomon” who was omitted from the list; probably he was the one killed by a truck at the age of 14. “Catherine” is also omitted. I think the old John (Brassfounder) must have made an error when he said William and Mary had 10 sons and 3 daus. They evidently had 4 daus., but I will try to see the Audley register sometime. Frank (my husband) says he will be seeing the Vicar at a Library meeting soon, and will then ask him again about the registers. He [handwritten: the Vicar] has already told him that I can go when I choose, so long as he knows in advance to get the regs. out.
I have to say that nothing has appeared in the “Sentinel” about me, nor the Beardmores. The Robert you mention was a collateral of Jeremiah’s set and I think yours, and was Curate at Kingsley in 1680, then went to be Rector at Nassington, Peterborough, where he was bur. in 1730, so not “pre” Thomas, will dated 1568, pr. 1573.
Now, I arranged with Mr. Beard at the Hanley Ref. Lib. to put out the 1851 Census for me on the Reader machine and went up a fortnight ago. It took me all morning to run through the Burslem reel alone, and I did not have much luck, as you will see from the attached entries. The nuisance is that Hanley only have part of the Potteries area, whilst Stafford have the majority of the county, excluding the Potteries, so Audley part is at Stafford, and Burslem part at Hanley.
Isn’t it a game? There are two Thomas Beardmores with sons John and Edward, but I found the second entry interesting. I have not typed out the other few entries for Beardmores, one “Head” born at Newcastle, another “Liverpool”, both in the pottery industry, and an Eliz. Widow, son George aged 5, she born Uttoxeter, George b. Burslem.
Your entries are clear, according to your family letters, etc.
Liverpool Road: Thomas Beardmore, Head, Marr., 38, Ironfounder, born Alsager, Ches.; Mary, Wife, 34, born Burslem, Staffs.; Margaret, Dau., Unm., 13, Scholar; Thomas, Son, 12; Phillip, 10; Robert, ?13 or 3.
Garden Street: Thomas Stevenson, Head, Wdr., 82, Retd. Smith, born Northwich, Ches.; George Beardmore, Neph.-in-Law, M., 37, Blacksmith emp. 4 men, born Lawton, Ches.; Elizabeth, Niece, M., 40, born Northwich; John, Grandnephew, 6, Scholar, born Burslem; Edward, Grandnephew, 2, born Burslem; Elizabeth Bowyer, Visitor, 14, born Northwich.
It appears that George B. born at Lawton [handwritten: your great-grandfather] m. a girl from Northwich and lived with her old uncle, although George was employing 4 men. The Eliz. Bowyer might have been a sister of his wife, or cousin.
Pleasant Street: Thomas Owen, Head, 45, emp. 2 men, born Whitchurch, Salop; several in family. Hamlet Beardmore, Lodger, 20, Carpenter, born Burslem, Staffs.
The Thomas 38, and George 37, must have been the two brothers who did not “speak” for years. Write when you get time, as will I. Up to neck level at the moment. Best love, Olive
What the letter tells us
Olive’s search of the 1851 census found George Cedric’s great-grandfather George Beardmore (1815–1895), blacksmith employing four men, living in Garden Street, Burslem, with his wife Elizabeth, their sons John and Edward, and her uncle Thomas Stevenson – the household described on John’s page. In Liverpool Road she found his brother Thomas, ironfounder, with his family – “the two brothers who did not ‘speak’ for years” – and in Pleasant Street their cousin Hamlet Beardmore, a 20-year-old carpenter, lodging. She also confirms that William and Mary had four daughters, not three, and that Solomon was probably the son killed at about fourteen.
Olive Dale to George Beardmore, 20 December 1967
Olive’s Christmas letter, with the long-sought record of William and Mary’s marriage. The first page has been joined from two scans.
Transcription
92 Hassam Parade, Newcastle, Staffs. 20th December, 1967.
My dear George,
I am just sending you a few lines to let you know that I have made a little progress regarding your old WILLIAM BEARDMORE, died at Audley. I found at long last an entry in LEIGH Register (of which we now have the original books at the County Record Office) stating that Banns were read for WILLIAM BEARDMORE of the par. of Leigh, and MARY CRITCHLEY of the par. of DRAYCOTT-IN-THE-MOORS, during December, 1780, but no mention of the marriage having taken place. I therefore found out the name of the Rector at Draycott-in-the-Moors, wrote and gave him the exact date Dec. 26, 1780, and asked him please to check if they were married there. I hoped that the entry might give a clue to father’s name. I also asked him to please make any charge necessary. I received the following reply.
“22nd November, 67. Dear Mrs. Dale,
Thank you v. much for yr. letter of yesterday, & I have spent part of this morning in looking up our registers. Your luck is in & I enclose a copy of the entry 107, entered in our Marriage register started 2 Nov. 1754.
The name of your ancestor is clearly CRITCHLEY, like the great majority of people (esp. the women) then she could not sign her name but made her mark & the name of the second witness appears to me to be NEWTON IKIN but the forename is not clear. It may be a family name. We have a Doomsday farm here in Totmonslow called NEWTON.
Strangely enough you live in a Parade called after my father’s cousin (his mother & my grandmother were sisters, BURGESS) and I have his gold pencil & pen (this unserviceable) in my desk at this moment. He died in June 1926 & I came down from University to his funeral at S. George’s, N.C., at my father’s urgent request.
As regards payment, make it what you like & divide it into 2 equal parts, one for me & one for the church of S. Margaret’s, Draycott. Best Wishes, (sd) Charles Healy, Rector.
P.S. The two slips in the copying are mine. Sorry. I will keep the book (a most interesting volume from other points of view) at the Rectory for a week or so, & if you could care to run over you can see it in my study. We are usually in (one of us), but it would be wise to ring first. Many years ago I knew a Miss Beardmore who married Cyril Shingler. They were both in the Repertory players & I remember that she was related to (? niece) Arnold Bennett.
Extract from Marriage Register: “Banns of Marriage between WILLIAM BEARDMORE & MARY CRITCHLEY were published on the 3rd, 10th & 17th of Decr. 1780. No. 107. The said WILLIAM BEARDMORE of the parish of Leigh, Farmer, and MARY CRITCHLEY of this parish, Spinster, were married in this church by banns this twenty-sixth day of December in the year One thousand seven hundred and eighty – by me, J. Bill, Rector. This marriage was solemnised between us, WILLIAM BEARDMORE. The mark X of MARY CRITCHLEY. In the presence of WILLIAM ASTON, NEWTON IKIN. C. W. Healey, 22. Nov. 67.”
In view of the above, I was rather bothered as to what sum to remit to the Rector, but as I had given him the exact date and he had only to consult that book and check the entry, I eventually decided to send him 10s. (Previous parsons have charged say 1s. 6d. per entry if one examines the book oneself.) I have also recently had four entries sent by a friend who paid 3s. 5d. to the Rector there – at that parish I mean. I never heard again from the Rector, even an acknowledgment, so do not know whether he was offended at the smallness of the sum or not. However, this verifies that WILLIAM seemed to be of age on marr. and was evidently living at Leigh at the moment, as their first child Francis was bap. there in July, 1781.
I have studied the pages of the “Staffordshire Advertiser” Births, Marriages and Deaths, and found the following three entries:
1834. Sept. 6. At Burslem, on the 27th ult., George, son of Mr. George Beardmore, builder, aged 21.
1836. Oct. 15. At the Parish Church, Burslem, on Tuesday, Mr. J. Beardmore, blacksmith, to Miss Mary Lea, daughter of Mr. Lea, of the Old Crown, of Burslem. (Presumably “Billy Lear”.) (Entry states “Lea”.)
1839. Feb. 23. On the 17th instant, at Burslem, Mr. George Beardmore, aged 51, late of that place, builder.
If I can get any other information of help, I will write again.
In the meantime, I am busy spending millions with other members of the County Educn. Cttee, and struggling through the horrid fog, working all day and earning nothing.
So cheerio for the moment, – wishing you everything you wish yourself for a Happy Christmas and Prosperous New Year.
Best Love, Olive
What the letter tells us
The Draycott marriage. After years of searching, Olive found the banns at Leigh and then, through the Rector of Draycott-in-the-Moors, the marriage itself on 26 December 1780. This is the Rector’s transcription quoted on William’s page. It does not name William’s father, but shows him as a farmer of Leigh, of age, and still living at Leigh, where their first son Francis was baptised in 1781.
George the builder. The Staffordshire Advertiser records the deaths of George Beardmore (1787–1839), builder, of Burslem, aged 51, and of his son George, aged 21, in 1834 – matching the entries in George’s Bible.
Margaret and Cyril. The Rector, Charles Healey, remembered Margaret Beardmore and Cyril Shingler from their days in the Repertory players, and that she was related to Arnold Bennett.
The 1836 marriage of “Mr. J. Beardmore, blacksmith” to Mary Lea of the Old Crown, Burslem, is almost certainly that of Thomas Beardmore (1813–1884), who married Mary, only daughter of Billy Lear of the Old Crown – as Olive herself guessed (“Presumably ‘Billy Lear’”). The initial may have been misprinted.
Hassam Parade. Olive’s road was named after the Rector’s father’s cousin, who died in 1926.
John Beardmore’s letters of 1905
Typed copies, made by Olive Dale, of three letters from John Beardmore, iron and brass founder of the Hallfields Foundry, Hanley, to her uncle George Beardmore, Registrar of Births and Deaths, of Hall Croft, Kingsley. The originals were then in Olive’s possession. A copy of the pedigree he enclosed is on his grandfather John’s page.
Transcription
COPY OF LETTERS FROM MR. JOHN BEARDMORE, Hallfields Foundry, HANLEY. ORIGINALS in possession of OLIVE A. DALE, 92 Hassam Parade, NEWCASTLE.
JOHN BEARDMORE, Iron & Brass Founder. Hallfields Foundry, Hanley, August 12, 1905.
Dear Mr. Beardmore,
I enclose a List of my Grandfather’s Brothers and Sisters – all the women were unmarried – the only married ones were – William. George. Thomas. Francis 2nd. John. Samuel.
I have had an interview with Jeremiah Beardmore, Bucknall – he said he should very likely go to Kingsley – something has to be done to the Church – He is in about the same fix as myself – he has got “stuck” at his Great Grandfather.
With kind regards to the Ladies,
Believe me ever,
Yours sincerely,
Jno. Beardmore.
WILLIAM BEARDMORE of Cotton near Oakamoor – was my Great Grandfather; he married a MARY CRITCHLOW from Licks Head, near to Ramsor.
WILLIAM BEARDMORE = MARY CRITCHLOW, married Dec. 26th, 1780. Had issue as follows. (Note from O.A.D.: “I have inserted dated baptisms. Mr. B. only gave years in this letter.”)
- FRANCIS, born July 11, 1781 – died young
- MARY, born Mar. 24, 1783
- WILLIAM, born Dec. 16, 1784
- GEORGE, born July 18, 1787
- THOMAS, born Apr. 7, 1789
- FRANCIS, born Sept. 7, 1790
- JOHN, born Nov. 2, 1792
- SOLOMON, born Jan. 1, 1795
- SAMUEL, born Mar. 26, 1797
- DANIEL, born Apr. 23, 1799
- KITTY, born Jan. 29, 1801
- JAMES, born Dec. 22, 1804
- ELIZABETH, born Oct. 27, 1806
JOHN BEARDMORE – was my Grandfather.
THOMAS – was the Grandfather of JOHN BEARDMORE, Burslem – (Pidduck & Beardmore, Ironmongers).
Letter No. 2. Hanley, November 12th, 1905.
Dear Mr. Beardmore,
I enclose my pedigree as far as I can go. If you have copies out the registers – send them on to me – or to J. Beardmore. It does not matter which, so that he and I can copy them we can each have them then for mutual reference. If you have a chance to look over the Register again, see if you can find the Marriage Register Dec. 26th, 1780. At any rate, I intend to have another good search – “wind and weather permitting”.
Yours ever sincerely,
Jno. Beardmore.
Letter of November 15th, 1905 (to Mr. George Beardmore, Registrar of Births and Deaths, Hall Croft, Kingsley, Staffs.)
Dear Mr. Beardmore,
Many thanks for yours to hand and for the trouble you have taken – I keenly appreciate it.
No doubt if we have patience we shall be able to piece things together to our Mutual Satisfaction.
Mr. J. Beardmore intends to write for the particulars of that ½ Million when he gets it. – No doubt he will let us know.
In my great grandfather’s days a man of the name of Gilbert (Squire Gilbert) – lived at Cotton Hall – or was brother to the man who lived there – (of this I am not certain) – and he came over to the North Staffs. district – he was the Builder of the present “Clough Hall” – whether my Great Grandfather was in his employ I do not know – but he must have had a high opinion of him for he brought him over – and put him on a small farm called the “Foxholes” close to Talk-o’th’-hill – and also Bought Stock – for my Great Grandfather who was – a poor man at least he had not sufficient means to take the Farm on his own account – This Gilbert – also took a great interest in the Sons of my Great Grandfather – and used his influence to “put them apprentice” – to different trades – one a Builder – one a Blacksmith – one an Ironfounder and one a Potter – the one who was the potter – got killed when about 14 years old.
The Estate owned by Gilbert of course Contained Coal and Iron and a Colliery and Ironworks was owned – or rather rented – at the Hall-o’th’-Lee – by a Family of Luckcocks – My Grandfather “John” being put apprentice to these Luckcocks – to learn the Business of an Ironfounder.
At the period my Great Grandfather – came into Staffordshire he must only recently been married for I believe all his children were born at the Foxholes Farm.
My Great Grandfather – walked from “Cotton” to Talk-o’th-Hill – and carried a small cheese with him – I believe the date of this journey could be fixed – for I am told – that it happened on the same day as the Great Gunpowder Explosion happened at Talk-o’th’-Hill and my Great Grandfather – when about ½ way on his journey, felt the concussion – but of course did not know what it was–
The Event was this, a Large waggon – (drawn by several horses) was passing through “Talk” – and it is said that a spark from one of the Horse’s hoofs set fire to the Powder – which Exploded with Terrific effect – and Blew down a good number of Houses – some of which I am told were never rebuilt – and where the waggon stood was excavated a great hole – the waggon and Horses being all blown to atoms–
I almost fancy this “Gilbert” was a Bachelor – at any rate he died – and the Estate passed into other hands.
Do you know this for certain? Did your “Robert & Mary” Live at Cotton? Did they ever Live at the “Side” Farm?
Yours sincerely,
Jno. Beardmore.
What they tell us
These are the sources of the list of William’s children and of the story of the walk from Cotton quoted above. The “Jeremiah Beardmore, Bucknall” who had also got “stuck” at his great-grandfather made the rough sketch of the family tree that follows. The “J. Beardmore” and “Mr. J. Beardmore” mentioned are probably John Beardmore of Burslem, of Pidduck & Beardmore, whose grandfather was William’s son Thomas. The “Robert & Mary” that John asks about were, as Olive Dale explained in 1955, the parents of George Beardmore of Kingsley’s own ancestor Mary, who married Ralph Beardmore.
Pedigree of John Beardmore, Brassfounder, Hanley
A typed copy, from Olive Dale’s papers, of a handwritten pedigree by John Beardmore (about 1848–1928), iron and brass founder of the Hallfields Foundry, Hanley. It belongs with his 1905 inquiry about the family: he gives everything he knew and asks for help in taking the pedigree further back.
Transcription
(COPY OF HANDWRITTEN PEDIGREE IN POSSESSION OF MRS. O. A. DALE).
PEDIGREE of JOHN BEARDMORE, Brassfounder, HANLEY
My great-grandfather was named WILLIAM BEARDMORE, formerly of COTTON, near CHEADLE.
He was married to MARY CRITCHLOW, formerly of LICKS HEAD, near ALTON. He had 10 sons and 3 daughters. None of the daughters were married. My grandfather was the 6th son, and his name was JOHN.
The above WILLIAM BEARDMORE was buried in AUDLEY churchyard on June 11th, 1824. His age was 65.
These are practically all the essential particulars I am able to obtain at present. What I want to find out is – to carry on the pedigree further back if possible.
WILLIAM BEARDMORE and MARY CRITCHLOW, married December 26th, 1780. Died June 11th, 1824 – aged 65.
WILLIAM and MARY BEARDMORE
→ JOHN BEARDMORE, 6th son, died 1874, married ELEANOR LUCKCOCK, died 1859.
→ → THOMAS BEARDMORE and JOHN BEARDMORE, both unmarried
→ → BENJAMIN BEARDMORE, died 1890, married H. THOMAS, died 1892.
→ → → Daughter: H. BEARDMORE, living 1905.
→ → → Son: JOHN BEARDMORE (HANLEY), living 1905.
What it tells us
It agrees with what we know of this branch, and adds a few details: Benjamin died in 1890 and his wife Harriet in 1892; besides Thomas there was a second son, John, who also died unmarried; and William was “formerly of Cotton, near Cheadle” and Mary Critchlow “formerly of Licks Head, near Alton”. It does not mention Hamlet. It gives John’s death as 1874; we have 1873.
Like Olive Dale in 1955, John could not take the family back beyond William. Olive also found William living at Cotton when he married, although the Draycott register calls him “of the parish of Leigh”.
Jeremiah Beardmore’s notes, 1905
A typed copy, from Olive Dale’s papers, of the “rough sketch of the Beardmore family tree” made by Jeremiah Beardmore of Bucknall, the architect who was working on the family history with John Beardmore of Hanley in 1905. Olive has added the handwritten corrections and the note at the foot.
Transcription
Mr. Jeremiah Beardmore’s Notes. ROUGH SKETCH OF THE BEARDMORE FAMILY TREE.
1337–1360. N.B. In the reign of EDWARD III the Vicar of Leek was one William Beardmore. He was afterwards made BISHOP OF LLANDAFF. Hence the family crest, which is a bishop’s mitre. Motto: “PROVIDENTIAE ME COMMITTO”.
(Supposed) JEREMIAH BEARDMORE, of the Side or Upper Cotton [Olive: say 1650]. His children:
– (Supposed) JEREMIAH BEARDMORE (probably disinherited on account of his becoming a Catholic.)
– ROBERT (actual), say 1680 to 1730
– (Supposed) MICHAEL
– (Supposed) RALPH
– [“Supposed” crossed out by Olive, “Actual” written in] THOMAS whose will is dated 1742 (is he the g.g.gfthr of Mr. GEORGE?) [Olive: “No.”]
ROBERT’s children:
– JEREMIAH (actual) 1705 to 1755 → JEREMIAH 1748 to 1836 → JEREMIAH 1790 to 1868 → JEREMIAH born 1844, livg. 1905.
– (Supposed) William → (Actual) WILLIAM 1759 to 1824, marr. MARY CRITCHLOW Dec. 26, 1780 (had 13 children, FRANCIS, WILLIAM, GEORGE, THOMAS, JOHN, SOLOMON, SAMUEL, DANIEL, JAMES, and FRANCIS (2nd); MARY, KITTY and ELIZABETH).
WILLIAM’s descendants:
– JOHN b. 1792 → BENJAMIN → JOHN, now living at Northwood (1905)
– THOMAS → GEORGE → JOHN at Burslem and EDWARD at BARLASTON
– GEORGE → WILLIAM → Rev. WILLIAM, London
Query: Where does Mr. GEORGE, of Kingsley, come in?
For answer see notes accumulated by O.A.D.
[Olive’s handwritten note on the bishop:] I can as yet find no trace of this William Beardmore (or de Berdmor) being appointed Bp. of Llandaff. He was, I think, undoubtedly Rector of Leek, and gave lands to the chantry etc. and also something to Abbey of Dieulacres. I think he is the Wm. described as “under age” as under: (1) Matilda = Richard de Berdmor = (2) Philippa (sued for dower 1297). Children: Richard de B. [of ?] by Matilda; William ([1297?] under age) and Robert ([1297?] under age) by Philippa.
What it tells us
Jeremiah’s own line is the one on Olive’s sheet about Jeremiah of Kingsley’s family, ending with himself, “born 1844, livg. 1905”. That confirms he was the Jeremiah born in 1844.
Like John, he could not find William’s parents. He guessed at a “supposed William”, son of Robert (say 1680–1730), whose son was William (1759–1824). Our tree instead makes William a son of Robert (1719) and Grace; neither link has been proved, and in 1955 Olive was still looking for William’s parents.
Olive could not confirm the Bishop of Llandaff, the crest or the motto (see her letter of 1955). Her note identifies the William of Leek as a son of Richard de Berdmor and his second wife Philippa.
Descent from Thomas Berdmore of Alveton, from Olive Dale’s papers
A typescript sheet from Olive Dale’s research, probably from the 1960s. It combines Thomas’s will with notes made in 1905 by Jeremiah Beardmore of Bucknall (“J.B. Notes”; a copy of them is on William’s page), the Lichfield calendar of wills and the Kingsley parish registers. The handwritten notes are Olive’s.
Transcription
[Handwritten at top:] This page fits somewhere
Will dated (proved) April 10, 1573 of THOMAS BERDMORE of ALVETON and notes from JEREMIAH BEARDMORE, BUCKNALL, dated 1905, shew descent as under:–
- THOMAS BERDMORE of ALVETON
- JEREMIAH BERDMORE (my sonne)
- ROBERT (grandson) of FARLEY (?selling tithes 1613?)
- J.B. Notes: ? JEREMIAH (say 1650?)
- Cal. of Wills: ROBERT (Alton), will pro. 1684 (but not in bundle at Probate Office, Birmingham)
- J.B. Notes: ?above ROBERT (actual) 1680–1730 ?will pr. Aug. 18, 1702
- Cal. of Wills: ROBERT (alive 1755) and JEREMIAH, 1705–1755 (will pr. Nov. 6, 1755) (of Kingsley) = ELIZABETH
Regs. at Kingsley, children of Jeremiah and Elizabeth:
- ELIZABETH, bap. Sep. 1, 1745, bur. Dec. 10, 1781, aged 36 yrs.
- ROBERT, bap. July 5, bur. July 6, 1747.
- JEREMIAH, bap. Mar. 12, 1748/9 = ELIZABETH LOCKER Mar. 13, 1773. C/Warden at Kingsley, 1795. Bur. at K. Dec. 8, 1836.
- ELLEN, bap. Mar. 22, 1752.
Children of Jeremiah and Elizabeth Locker:
- CATRINE, bap. June 22, 1775.
- MARTHA, bap. Sept. 13, 1777.
- BETTY, bap. May 25, 1783.
- JEREMIAH, 1790–1868, bap. Nov. 28, 1790.
- HANNAH, bap. Oct. 9, 1795.
- ELLEN, bap. Mar. 22, 1788, bur. at K. Dec. 8, 1826, aged 38 yr.
Children of Jeremiah (1790–1868):
- HELEN
- JEREMIAH, born 1844, died
[Handwritten:] I have seen Jeremiah’s will dated 17[5]5 and he mentions his brother Robert in it, so our Jer. (1905) wondered whether we were related here, but no, as appears from the second sheet attached. OD
What it tells us
The early generations come from the 1905 notes and are marked with question marks. Later research, which this page follows, found no Jeremiah among Thomas’s children: the line runs through his son Francis.
The later part fits the registers. Jeremiah of Kingsley was baptised at Alton on 2 May 1715 (not 1705), a son of Robert and Joyce, and married Elizabeth at Alton on 20 August 1744. The brother Robert named in his will is Robert (baptised 1719), the father of William (1759–1824). So Jeremiah’s descendants at Kingsley were cousins of our line. The Jeremiah born in 1844 is very probably Jeremiah Beardmore of Bucknall himself: in a letter of 1955 Olive describes him as an architect whose sister was Miss Helen or Ellen. Olive’s note seems to say the opposite, on the evidence of a “second sheet” that we have not yet found.
A few dates differ from the Ancestry index of the Kingsley register: it gives Elizabeth’s baptism as 5 September 1745, Robert’s as 5 July 1744 (probably a misreading of 1747) and Hannah’s as 9 October 1785. The burial on 10 December 1781 is indexed as “Bety, daughter of Jeremiah”, with no age, so it may have been an infant daughter of the younger Jeremiah rather than his sister Elizabeth.
The Bougheys of Whitmore and John Berdmore, from Olive Dale’s papers
Another typescript sheet from Olive Dale’s research, also marked as fitting in “somewhere”, with her handwritten notes. It is drawn from the wills of Humphrey Boughey, his wife Joyce and John Berdmor of Whitmore. She very probably sent it to George Beardmore with her letter of 27 March 1955, which mentions “a draft of his will”.
Transcription
[Handwritten at top:] This page fits in somewhere
HUMPHREY BOUGHEY, Lord of Whitmore. Will dated 10th Aug. 1539, proved 25th Sep. 1539. Buried at Whitmore.
= JOYCE. Will pr. Jan. 26, 1539/40.
[Handwritten:] both these wills refer to John Berdmore as husband of their dau. Margaret
Their children:
- ROBERT, and 6 other sons. Robert’s daughter ALICE married (2nd husband) EDWARD MAINWARING: the Mainwarings of Whitmore.
- MARGARET, and 2 other daughters. Margaret = (1) JOHN BERDMORE (of Froghall), marr. before 1539.
(2) JOHN BERDMOR of WYTTMOR = ELIZABETH. Will dated 13 May 1558, proved 20 Oct. 1558. “To be buried at Wyttmor.” Beq. all lands, etc. lying in the lordshippe of Kingsley to his wyffe ELIZABETH, and (see children below):
- (3) JAMES BERDMOR (my sonne), to have all lands lying in the lordshippe of Kingsley after the death of his mother (ELIZABETH, above)
- (4) STEPHANE (my sonne), £4 of lawful money of England
- JONE (my doghter), £4 of lawful money of England
All grandchildren to have 1 Lambe.
Elizabeth Prachett to have 1 Yewe and 1 Lambe, etc.
[Handwritten:] (1), (2): Are these the same John or father & son?
(3), (4): James & Stephane were “frankpledges” of Whitmore & appear in Newcastle Court Rolls.
More anon.
What it tells us
These are the earliest Beardmores in the family papers, a generation before Thomas. Before 1539 John Berdmore of Froghall, in Kingsley parish, had married Margaret, a daughter of Humphrey Boughey, Lord of Whitmore. A John Berdmor of Whitmore, who died in 1558, held land in the lordship of Kingsley, which was to pass to his son James. Olive could not tell whether the two Johns were one man or father and son.
The Lichfield probate index also lists wills of John Beardmore of Froghall (1562), James Beardmore of Whitmore (1572 and 1613) and Stephen Beardmore of Whitmore (1604). No link to Thomas of Farley is known yet, but the Kingsley land ties these Beardmores to the parish where later generations of the family lived.
George Beardmore’s family Bible
A page from the family register in George Beardmore’s Bible. The top and bottom lines are worn and partly lost; they are filled in from a transcript George Cedric Beardmore made in 1967, which also records three further entries in the Bible’s end pages.
Transcription
[George Beardmore, born July 18, 1787 – top line worn]
Married Jan 1 – 1811 in his 24 year of age
Mary Beardmore Born Nov 27 – 1811
Married July 30: 1835 in her 24 year of her age
George Beardmore Born Sept 20 – 1813
Died August 27: 1834 aged 21 years
William Beardmore Born July 9 – 1815
William Beardmore died June 24 – 1848 aged 27 years
Hannah Beardmore die[d] Nov 10 – 1816
Emma Johnson Born Decem 29 – 1803
[Newspaper cutting, dated in ink “September 1860”:] DEATHS. On the 14th inst., at Fegg Hays Villa, Chell, aged 56 years, Emma, the beloved wife of W. Ford, Esq., chief bailiff of Burslem.
Hamlett Johnson Born May 29 – 1805
Catharine Beardmore Born June 5 – 1785
Elizabeth [a word struck out, “Leigh” written above] Leigh Beardmore Born June 3 – 1818
Burslem Staffordshire
William George Beardmore. Born Nov[ember] 25th 1842 [the day and year are worn on the page, and are taken from George Cedric Beardmore’s transcript of 1967]