Person Page - 1

     William Harold Parsonage was born 1953 at St Helens, Lancashire. He was baptised on 17 January 1954 at Sutton Road Methodist Church, St Helens, Lancashire. He was educated in October 1965 at Cowley School, Hard Lane, St Helens, Lancashire; where he passed 10 "O" Levels and 4 "A" Levels. He was educated in October 1972 at Nottingham University, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire; graduating with a B.Sc. degree in Metalurgy and Materials Science. In March 1977 at Grantham, Lincolnshire, William Harold Parsonage as an engineer in corrosion prevention work. He worked on a number of projects including corrosion prevention on the internal surfaces of the gates of the Thames Flood Barrier, and the pipelines at the Sullom Voe Oil Terminal in the Shetland Islands. On 1 January 1980 William Harold Parsonage joined the Nottinghamshire Constabulary. His first posting was to Worksop as a uniformed patrol officer. In 1982 he joined the CID and later that year transferred from Worksop to the city. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1987. He married Martina Mary Brennan, daughter of Martin Brennan and Brigid Kirrane, on 9 June 1984 at Tallanstown, County Louth, Eire, and the ceremony was witnessed by Keith Prince and Breda Brennan.

     William Henry Parsonage was born on 26 October 1911 at 65 St Peters Street, St Helens, Lancashire. He was baptised at St Thomas, Westfield Street, St Helens, Lancashire. He lived on 26 October 1925 at 9 Oldham Street, Bolton, Lancashire; According to his wife Elsie he moved to Bolton with his family when he was five years old. Circa 1930 at, Bolton, Lancashire, , William Henry Parsonage worked in a mill. In 1936 William Henry Parsonage started work on the railway. He worked as a Porter at Rainford Junction, Prescot, and Shaw Street, St Helens. He became a goods guard and later a passenger guard. He was reputed to have a large appetite. When he was a lodger on Bickerstaffe Street he was served with Hotpot in a washing up bowl to see if he could eat it all and he could. In the canteen at Sutton Oak Sheds where he met his wife Elsie he was challenged to eat a large number of poached eggs and the canteen staff had to give up before he did for fear of running out of eggs to feed the other men. He began military service on 13 June 1940; He did not serve in the regular forces during the war as he was in a protected occupation so he served in the Home Guard. He ended military service on 31 December 1944. He married Elsie Chaulk, daughter of Henry Chaulk and Elizabeth Ann Hardman, on 23 February 1952 at Sutton Road Methodist Church, St Helens, Lancashire, and the ceremony was witnessed by Ellen Parkinson and Oliver Parsonage; At the time of the marriage William Henry was a Railway Goods Guard living at 87 Liverpool Road, St Helens and Elsie was a canteen assistant living at 6 Station Road, St Helens. In March 1972 at St Helens, Lancashire, William Henry Parsonage retired from the railway, taking early retirement. He was awarded a certificate of service and presented with chiming mantle clock for his 36 years service. He died on 13 May 1974 at Royal Infirmary, Liverpool, Lancashire, at age 62; Cause of death renal failure, myelosclerosis. He was cremated on 16 May 1974 at St Helens Crematorium, Lancashire.

     Her married name was Parsonage. Elsie Chaulk was born on 21 April 1917 at Earlestown, Lancashire. She was baptised in May 1917 at Sutton Road Methodist, St Helens, Lancashire. Elsie was originally brought up in Earlestown living at 20 Houghton St, Earlestown in her early years and moved to Sutton after the death of both parents before she was ten. At this time she went to live with her aunt at 6 Station Road, Sutton, St Helens, the house which her aunt (Mary Ann Black #81) later left to her in trust. (This house is not shown on a local OS map of 1882 but is there on the map in 1894)
She attended Earlestown school until the age of ten, and then Robins Lane School.
She looked after her aunt for many years and later went to work at BICC cables in Prescot about 1943. She also worked in the sheeting shed at Penlake works, repairing tarpaulins for railway wagons, and then in the canteen at the Sutton Oak engine sheds where she met her husband to be. She moved to a council house at 179 Robins Lane, Sutton in 1980 aftre 6 Station Road was made subject of a compulsory purchase order to make way for redevelpoment. She married William Henry Parsonage, son of Herbert Harold Parsonage and Esther Ann Morris, on 23 February 1952 at Sutton Road Methodist Church, St Helens, Lancashire, and the ceremony was witnessed by Ellen Parkinson and Oliver Parsonage; At the time of the marriage William Henry was a Railway Goods Guard living at 87 Liverpool Road, St Helens and Elsie was a canteen assistant living at 6 Station Road, St Helens. Elsie Chaulk died on 17 March 2003 at 179 Robins Lane, Sutton, St Helens, Lancashire, at age 85; Elsie died at home from heart failure and the cause on the certificate is recorded as ischaemic heart disease, coronary artery atheroma and left ventricular hypertrophy. She was cremated on 26 March 2003 at St Helens Crematorium, St Helens, Lancashire; The service was led by Ruth Byworth the vicar of St Nicholas Church, Sutton.

     Her married name was Parsonage. Martina Mary Brennan was born 1960 at Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, County Louth, Eire. She married William Harold Parsonage, son of William Henry Parsonage and Elsie Chaulk, on 9 June 1984 at Tallanstown, County Louth, Eire, and the ceremony was witnessed by Keith Prince and Breda Brennan.

     Herbert Harold Parsonage was born on 23 March 1872 at Broxton, Cheshire. He appeared on the 1881 Census in Broxton, Cheshire, and Henry Caldicott, Caroline (?), Samuel Caldicott and Frederick John Parsonage were living in the same household; Henry Caldicott was a farmer, aged 75 years at the time, Caroline was his wife and Samuel was his brother. Henry Caldicott described Herbert and Frederick as his grandsons, although this is not likely to be strictly correct. It appears that the boys' mother had died in 1875 and their father was living alone in Yorkshire. He lived with a Mr & Mrs Ashton at the Manor House, Tarporley, Cheshire and was brought up by them according to Lillian Dean. This may have been after the death of Henry Caldicott. Herbert Harold Parsonage appeared on the 1891 Census in, Nantwich, Cheshire, ; Herbert was described as a farm servant and was living with a farming family by the name Gregory. Herbert Harold Parsonage married Esther Ann Morris, daughter of Oliver Morris and Emily White, on 14 March 1896 at Holy Trinity, Hulme, Manchester, Lancashire, and the ceremony was witnessed by William Buxton Rogers and Fanny Gill; the marriage certificate shows Herbert and Esther were both living at 64 Dale Street, Hulme at the time and that Herbert was a forgeman. Herbert Harold Parsonage appeared on the 1901 Census in 3 Armstrong Street, Horwich, Bolton, Lancashire, and Esther Ann Morris, Agnes Ada Parsonage and Edith Emily Parsonage were living in the same household; Herbert was described as a Gasmaker at Railway Engine Works. There were two lodgers also living with the family. Herbert Harold Parsonage appeared on the 1911 Census in, St Helens, Lancashire, , and Esther Ann Parsonage, Agnes Ada Parsonage, Edith Emily Parsonage, Oliver Parsonage and Eric Parsonage were living in the same household; Herbert was described as a Gas Maker at the Lead Smelting Company, and there were two lodgers James Taylor and John Ashton. The census record shows that there were 10 children that had been born alive and just four of them living at the time. There were 8 persons in the house sharing four rooms which included any kitchen. He was living at 65 Peter Street, St Helens at the time of William Henry's birth and his occupation was a gas maker at the Lead Works. On 8 September 1925 at Horwich, Bolton, Lancashire, Herbert Harold Parsonage was a railway pumpman. He lived on 26 October 1925 at 9 Oldham Street, Bolton, Lancashire; and was still living there in 1927 when his daughter Edith was married. He may also have lived at 226 Deane Road, Bolton at some time as this address is on the rear of an old photograph ( in the possession of Barbara Jager). On 1 March 1927 Herbert Harold Parsonage was a labourer. Barbara Jager-Smith recalls Herbert took a light job when he moved from Bolton to Prestatyn about 1935. She believes he worked at the station possibly something to do with the water tower as he took the kids up it when they visited. He used to caddy on the local golf course and liked to pick up bargains at house sales. He had old bibles and bound copies of Victorian magazines that he had bought. Herbert's house was called Cartref, No. 87 Carodoc Rd (the first house they lived at before Albert Terrace). There was no running water except a cold tap outside, there was gas lighting and the toilet was a hole in a piece of wood over a drain. Herbert was a keen gardener, growing vegetables and flowers. He married Annie Davies in 1940. Herbert Harold Parsonage died on 8 June 1943 at Prestatyn, Flintshire, at age 71. He was buried in June 1943 at Coed Bell Cemetary, Gronant, Prestatyn, Flintshire; His grandson David Parsonage remembers that Herbert died at Prestatyn and David went with his sister Irene to the funeral at Gronnant cemetary. While they were there he recalls the small railway terraces where Herbert lived and that he thought it odd as a child that the back garden was actually across the other side of the back street through a gate. This may have been 7 Albert Terrace, Prestatyn, where Herbert was certainly living in 1939 when his wife Esther died. Herbert was also commemorated on the grave of his wife, Esther and their daughter Edith in Warton Cemetary.

      Esther Ann Morris also went by the name of Tet this was her father's pet name for her. Her married name was Parsonage. She was born on 1 November 1875 at 56 Alton Street, Monks Coppenhall, Cheshire. She appeared on the 1881 Census in 26 Alton Street, Monks Coppenhall, Crewe, Cheshire, and Oliver Morris, Emily White, Ada Mary Morris, Agnes Morris, Arthur Morris, Oliver Morris, Clement Morris and William Henry Morris were living in the same household; The head of household, Oliver was described as a forgeman (iron), and Emily was described as a British Subject born East Indies. Esther Ann Morris appeared on the 1891 Census in 192 Chorley New Road, Horwich, Bolton, Lancashire, and Oliver Morris, Emily White, Arthur Morris, Oliver Morris, Clement Morris and William Henry Morris were living in the same household; The head of household, Oliver was described as a forge foreman. Arthur, Oliver and Clement were also described as forgemen. Also lodging in the household was another forgeman, Joseph Webb aged 16 years. Esther Ann Morris married Herbert Harold Parsonage, son of Thomas Parsonage and Frances Elizabeth Blake, on 14 March 1896 at Holy Trinity, Hulme, Manchester, Lancashire, and the ceremony was witnessed by William Buxton Rogers and Fanny Gill; the marriage certificate shows Herbert and Esther were both living at 64 Dale Street, Hulme at the time and that Herbert was a forgeman. Esther Ann Morris appeared on the 1901 Census in 3 Armstrong Street, Horwich, Bolton, Lancashire, and Herbert Harold Parsonage, Agnes Ada Parsonage and Edith Emily Parsonage were living in the same household; Herbert was described as a Gasmaker at Railway Engine Works. There were two lodgers also living with the family. Esther Ann Parsonage appeared on the 1911 Census in, St Helens, Lancashire, , and Herbert Harold Parsonage, Agnes Ada Parsonage, Edith Emily Parsonage, Oliver Parsonage and Eric Parsonage were living in the same household; Herbert was described as a Gas Maker at the Lead Smelting Company, and there were two lodgers James Taylor and John Ashton. The census record shows that there were 10 children that had been born alive and just four of them living at the time. There were 8 persons in the house sharing four rooms which included any kitchen. Barbara Jager's father (Ben Smith) once remarked that Esther made the best curry he had tasted. He also told her of an occasion when he had a headache and Esther brought out a shoe box full of different pills all mixed together and offered him one. Ben was horrified and said she should be careful not to poison herself. Esther said she new what each one was describing them, but nevertheless Ben didn't take up the offer. In her later years when her eyesight was failing, Esther would often ask her daughter Edith to give her one red one and one blue one, etc when she needed to take the pills.
Esther used to amuse Barbara and her sisters as children by counting to them in Hindi or Urdu. It appears that Esther came to a sad end. On 26th April 1939 she was certified by doctors at the Public Assistance Hospital, St Asaph, as suffering from senile dementia and taken to the Mental Hospital at Denbigh. She spent the rest of her days at the Mental Hospital. Esther Ann Morris died on 20 September 1939 at The Mental Hospital, Denbigh, Denbighshire, at age 63; She died at 1.45 p.m. and the immediate cause was recorded as myocardial degeneration, with additional morbid conditions - artheroma of the aorta, and pulmonary congestion. She was buried at Warton, Lancashire.

     Henry Chaulk was born on 29 November 1860 at, Little Haseley, Oxfordshire, . Elsie his daughter believes Henry was a coachman in Oxfordshire before he moved North. She remembers a pair of brown corduroy breeches he used to keep in a drawer at 20 Houghton St, Earlestown. He moved to the North West at the time of the boom in the railways presumably for employment. He was christened on 20 January 1861 at St Peters Church, Great Haseley, Oxfordshire. He appeared on the 1861 Census in Great Haseley, Oxfordshire, and William Chaulk, Mary Thorn, Elizabeth (Bess) Chaulk and Thomas Chaulk were living in the same household; William the head was described as an ag. lab. Henry Chaulk appeared on the 1871 Census in, Little Haseley, Oxfordshire, , and William Chaulk, Mary Thorn, Thomas Chaulk, Jane Chaulk, Alice Chaulk and Ellen Chaulk were living in the same household; William and his son Thomas were Ag Lab's. Henry Chaulk appeared on the 1881 Census in Parr Moss, Parr, St Helens, Lancashire; Henry was a lodger with the Twist family and he gave his occupation as a carter. Henry Chaulk married Mary Ann Barrow, daughter of Richard Barrow and (?) (?), on 28 June 1882 at Parr, St Helens, Lancashire, and the ceremony was witnessed by James Barrow and Ellen Thompson; At the time of the marriage Henry was working as a labourer and both he and his bride gave their place of residence as Parr. According to the electoral rolls he was living at 8 Ellamsbridge Road, Sutton in 1884, by 1886 he moved to 3 Crossley St. In 1887 he is not at that address and this may be when he moved to Earlestown. At the time of Emily's birth in 1885 the family was living at 3 Crossley Street, Sutton and Henry was a labourer at the glassworks (this was probably the Sutton Glassworks on Lancots Lane). Henry Chaulk appeared on the 1891 Census in, St Helens, Lancashire, , and Mary Ann Barrow, Minnie Chaulk, Emily Chaulk and Richard Barrow were living in the same household; Henry was a Plate Glass Maker and Richard Barrow his father-in-law was a labourer at the glassworks. Henry Chaulk appeared on the 1901 Census in, Newton in Makerfield, Lancashire, , and Mary Ann Barrow, Minnie Chaulk and Emily Chaulk were living in the same household; Henry was a machine labourer at the wagon works, Minnie was a paper ruler at a printers and Minnie was a paper packer at a printers. Also in the household was a lodger John Baker. He was widowed in April 1915. Henry Chaulk married Elizabeth Ann Hardman, daughter of Daniel Hardman and Ellen Morris, on 22 April 1916 at The Wesleyan Chapel, Sutton Road, Sutton, St Helens, Lancashire, and the ceremony was witnessed by Daniel Hardman and Martha Hardman; At the time of the marriage Henry was a labourer at the wagon works in Earlestown and was living at 20 Houghton Street, Earlestown. Elizabeth was living at 75 Peckers Hill Road, Sutton. Henry Chaulk died on 25 October 1922 at 20 Houghton St, Newton le Willows, Lancashire, at age 61; The cause of death is recorded as - pleuresy, emphysema syncope. The infomant was his widow Elizabeth. At the time of his death he was employed as an iron cutting machinist in the railway works at Earlestown. He was buried on 28 October 1922 at Park Road Cemetary, Grave 4055, Newton le Willows, Lancashire; The bill for the interment shows that the funeral costs were £1 16s 2d. Part of this cost was for "Tolling the Passing Bell" and this was 1s 4d.

     Her married name was Chaulk. Elizabeth Ann Hardman was born on 29 March 1875 at Sutton Moss, St Helens, Lancashire. She was baptised at The Wesleyan Chapel, Sutton Road, Sutton, St Helens, Lancashire. She appeared on the 1881 Census in 71 Hills Moss Lane, Sutton, St Helens, Lancashire, and Daniel Hardman, Ellen Morris, John F. Hardman, Thomas Hardman and Margaret Ellen Hardman were living in the same household; Daniel the head was a labourer in the glassworks. Elizabeth Ann Hardman appeared on the 1891 Census in 67 Peckers Hill Rd, Sutton, St Helens, Lancashire, and Daniel Hardman, Ellen Morris, John F. Hardman, Thomas Hardman, Daniel Hardman, Mary Ellen Hardman and Thomas Worrall were living in the same household; Daniel the head was a coal miner/colliery labourer, John a horse driver, and Thomas an India wagon sheet repairer. Elizabeth Ann Chaulk appeared on the 1901 Census in, Newton in Makerfield, Lancashire, ; Elizabeth was a domestic at the home of a George Clarke and accountant. Elsie her daughter recalls that Elizabeth was a cook at the Haydock Cottage Hospital before she married Henry Chaulk. She was also in service at G.F. Clark ( a well to do person in Earlestown ) prior to marriage. When her husband died she went to work as a cleaner in the Viaduct Works offices in Earl Street, Earlestown. She also enjoyed the Methodist Church, Brunswick Methodist at Earlestown. Elizabeth Ann Hardman married Henry Chaulk, son of William Chaulk and Mary Thorn, on 22 April 1916 at The Wesleyan Chapel, Sutton Road, Sutton, St Helens, Lancashire, and the ceremony was witnessed by Daniel Hardman and Martha Hardman; At the time of the marriage Henry was a labourer at the wagon works in Earlestown and was living at 20 Houghton Street, Earlestown. Elizabeth was living at 75 Peckers Hill Road, Sutton. Elizabeth Ann Hardman died on 20 January 1927 at 20 Houghton St, Newton le Willows, Lancashire, at age 51; The cause of death was auricular fibrillation and cardiac failure, her brother Thomas Hardman was the informant. She was buried on 22 January 1927 at Park Road Cemetary, Grave 4055, Newton le Willows, Lancashire; She was buried in the same private grave as her late husband Henry. Elizabeth left no will, admon was granted to Minnie Odlum wife of Thomas Odlum and Thomas Hardman railway wagon sheetmaker.

     Thomas Parsonage was born on 27 April 1827 at Trevalyn, Denbighshire. He was baptised on 27 May 1827 at Gresford, Denbighshire. He appeared on the 1851 Census in Tattenhall, Cheshire; Thomas was living with Thomas Booth Brierley (the head of the household) and his family. Brierley was a surgeon in general practice and Thomas was his assistant. Thomas Parsonage married Frances Elizabeth Blake, daughter of Thomas Blake and (?) (?), on 17 November 1853 at Malpas Parish Church, Malpas, Cheshire, and the ceremony was witnessed by Timothy Parsonage and Catherine Parsonage; On his marriage certificate Thomas gave his occupation as surgeon. This was probably an embellishment of the truth, as he had been an assistant to a surgeon just two years earlier on the census. Thomas Parsonage appeared on the 1861 Census in Broxton, Cheshire, and Frances Elizabeth Blake, Emma Louisa Parsonage, Thomas Henry Caldecott Parsonage, Ellen Rose Parsonage and Eliza Eugenia Parsonage were living in the same household; The head of the household, Thomas (senior), described himself as a farmer of 20 acres. Also living with the family was Ann Bowker, aged 16 years a house servant. Thomas Parsonage appeared on the 1871 Census in Mount Pleasant, Broxton, Cheshire, and Emma Louisa Parsonage, Frances Emily Parsonage, Mary Elizabeth Parsonage, Frederick John Parsonage and Frances Elizabeth Blake were living in the same household; The head of the household, Thomas, described himself as farmer of 18 acres. Thomas Parsonage appeared on the 1881 Census in Cottage, Littlethorpe, Ripon, Yorkshire; He was shown as the head (and only occupant), and described himself as a gardener (domestic) and widow. Thomas Parsonage appeared on the 1901 Census in Wrexham Union Workhouse, Wrexham, Denbighshire; Thomas is described as formerly a farmer and is resident with 329 others at the workhouse.

     Her married name was Parsonage. Frances Elizabeth Blake was born circa 1832 at Broxton, Cheshire. She appeared on the 1851 Census in, Middlesex, ; Frances was a visitor at the home of Charles Kennedy and she was described as a farmer's daughter. Frances Elizabeth Blake married Thomas Parsonage, son of Timothy Parsonage and Mary Parsonage, on 17 November 1853 at Malpas Parish Church, Malpas, Cheshire, and the ceremony was witnessed by Timothy Parsonage and Catherine Parsonage; On his marriage certificate Thomas gave his occupation as surgeon. This was probably an embellishment of the truth, as he had been an assistant to a surgeon just two years earlier on the census. Frances Elizabeth Blake appeared on the 1861 Census in Broxton, Cheshire, and Thomas Parsonage, Emma Louisa Parsonage, Thomas Henry Caldecott Parsonage, Ellen Rose Parsonage and Eliza Eugenia Parsonage were living in the same household; The head of the household, Thomas (senior), described himself as a farmer of 20 acres. Also living with the family was Ann Bowker, aged 16 years a house servant. Frances Elizabeth Blake appeared on the 1871 Census in Mount Pleasant, Broxton, Cheshire, and Thomas Parsonage, Emma Louisa Parsonage, Frances Emily Parsonage, Mary Elizabeth Parsonage and Frederick John Parsonage were living in the same household; The head of the household, Thomas, described himself as farmer of 18 acres. Frances Elizabeth Blake died on 26 March 1875 at 5 Ellen Street, Wigan, Lancashire; The informant for her death was her husband Thomas, present at the death. Her occupation was described as wife of Thomas and farmer. The cause of death was pericarditis 6 months and pericardial effusion.

     Thomas Blake married (?) (?). Thomas Blake was a farmer.

     Timothy Parsonage was born circa 1797; His baptism has not been traced, his father was slow to baptise his other children, Elizabeth and John were aged four and one (resp.) at the time of their baptism in 1804. He married Mary Parsonage, daughter of Thomas Parsonage and Mary Price, on 12 May 1819 at, Gresford, Denbighshire, , and the ceremony was witnessed by Richard Cocks and Phoebe Parsonage; Timothy and Mary were cousins (their fathers were brothers). Timothy was described as of Wrexham, and Mary of this parish. It is not yet known how the witness Phoebe was related to Timothy and Mary. His mothers name was Phoebe but at the time of his marriage she was dead so the witness Phoebe could be a sister, although there is as yet no trace of her baptism. Timothy lived at Trevalyn Farm until his death in 1839. After his death the family remained in the farm until at least 1871 and it was run by his wife Mary. Timothy Parsonage died on 6 September 1839 at Wrexham, Denbighshire; The cause of death given on the certificate was "fever on the brain." The informant was a W.O.Parsonage of Wrexham, it is not known how this person is related to Timothy. He was buried on 10 September 1839 at, Gresford, Denbighshire, ; The grave in which Timothy is buried is a large tomb on the right of the path from the North gate to the North porch of the church. There are ten other members of the family in this vault. He left a will dated; made on 20th Dec 1838. He describes himself as a farmer of Trevalyn, Gresford. He left his estate to his wife for as long as she remained unmarried, and if not equally to his children. He made his wife and brother John executors.The executors swore an oath on 16th May 1840 to the effect that Timothy's estate was valued below £1000. Witnesses to the will were William Denson Jones and Jane Jones.

     Mary Parsonage was born on 24 November 1799 at Gresford, Denbighshire. She married Timothy Parsonage, son of Timothy Parsonage and Phoebe Lloyd, on 12 May 1819 at, Gresford, Denbighshire, , and the ceremony was witnessed by Richard Cocks and Phoebe Parsonage; Timothy and Mary were cousins (their fathers were brothers). Timothy was described as of Wrexham, and Mary of this parish. It is not yet known how the witness Phoebe was related to Timothy and Mary. His mothers name was Phoebe but at the time of his marriage she was dead so the witness Phoebe could be a sister, although there is as yet no trace of her baptism. The family lived at Trevalyn Farm, Trevalyn, Denbighshire. Mary ran the farm after her husbands death in 1839 until at least 1871. In the Tithe records of 1842 she is shown as farmer of 139 acres (rented) and 5 acres owned.The farm is now known as Trevalyn Farm and on the Tithe map it is marked as Parsonage's Farm. Trevalyn Farm is still in existence (1992) and is still being actively farmed, although no longer by a Parsonage. The farm house is very old and dates to perhaps the 1400's. There is a date on an over-mantle which is 1558 with the initials AM & BM. These were the Meredith family who built that part of the house onto the older part. The farm was later owned by DR Daniel Williams who appears to have left it to trustees in his will of 1711. It is from the Trust of Dr Williams that Mary Parsonage rented the farm. Mary Parsonage appeared on the 1851 Census in Trevalyn Farm, Allington, Denbighshire, and Mary Parsonage, Timothy Parsonage, Eliza Parsonage, John Parsonage, Catherine Parsonage, Adelaide Parsonage and Frederick Parsonage were living in the same household; Mary, a widow, the head of household, described herself as farmer of 198 acres employing 4 labourers. Elizabeth was a milliner and John a draper. Also in the household was a servant, Martha Mercer aged 14 years. Mary Parsonage appeared on the 1861 Census in Trevalyn Farm, Allington, Denbighshire, and Mary Parsonage, Timothy Parsonage, Adelaide Parsonage, Frederick Parsonage and Kate Gibson were living in the same household; The head of the household, Mary, describes herself as a farmer of 200 acres employing two labourers. Her daughter Mary was described as a dairy maid, Adelaide and Frederick as helpers, and Timothy as a farmer. Also in the household at that time was a 1 year old visitor named Kate Parsonage Gibson, described as grandaughter to Mary. Mary Parsonage appeared on the 1871 Census in Trevalyn Farm, Allington, Denbighshire, and Timothy Parsonage, Adelaide Parsonage and Frederick Parsonage were living in the same household; The head of the household, Mary, at the age of 72 still described herself as a farmer. A lodger named William Stoddart was staying at the farm and he gave his occupation as a government surveyor. It is possible that he was involved in the drawing of Ordnance Survey maps which were in their infancy at that time. Mary Parsonage appeared on the 1881 Census in Darland, Allington, Denbighshire, and Timothy Parsonage, Henry Price and Eleanor Parsonage were living in the same household; Mary, the head of the household, described herself as a retired farmer. Timothy's occupation was described as farmer's son. There were two other people in the house at the time a Henry Price, son in law aged 60 born Wisconsin, America, and Ellen Price aged 56 daughter born Wisconsin, America. This was most likely Eleanor and the census enumerator may have recorded their current residence as their place of birth. Mary Parsonage died on 9 February 1884 at Darland, Allington, Denbighshire, at age 84; The death was registered on 12th March 1884 by Mary's daughter Mary Parsonage, of Darland. The cause of death was given as congestion of the liver 1 month 7 days, suppression of urine 4 days, exhaustion.

     Oliver Morris was born circa 1840 at Smallwood, Cheshire. He appeared on the 1841 Census in Smallwood, Cheshire, and Samuel Morris, Sarah Broad and Ellen Morris were living in the same household; The head of the household, Samuel described himself as a farmer. Oliver Morris appeared on the 1851 Census in Spark Lane, Brereton cum Smethwick, Cheshire, and Samuel Morris, Sarah Broad, Ellen Morris, Thomas Morris, Charles Morris, William Morris, Fanny Morris and Sarah Morris were living in the same household; Samuel was a farmer of 25 acres. Oliver Morris appeared on the 1861 Census in, Cheshire, ; Oliver was a lodger and agricultural labourer. Oliver Morris married Emily White, daughter of William White and Esther (?), on 27 December 1866 at St Mary's, Nantwich, Cheshire, and the ceremony was witnessed by Charles Morris and Martha Platt; At the time of the marriage Oliver was a mechanic living in Coppenhall, and Emily was living in Nantwich. Oliver Morris appeared on the 1871 Census in, Crewe, Cheshire, , and Ada Mary Morris, Agnes Morris and Emily White were living in the same household; Oliver, the head, was described as foregman steel works, also present was wife Emily and daughters Ada and Agnes. At the time of his daughter Emily's birth in 1875 the family lived at 56 Alton Street, Monks Coppenhall and Oliver was a Forgeman. Oliver Morris appeared on the 1881 Census in 26 Alton Street, Monks Coppenhall, Crewe, Cheshire, and Emily White, Ada Mary Morris, Agnes Morris, Arthur Morris, Oliver Morris, Clement Morris, Esther Ann Morris and William Henry Morris were living in the same household; The head of household, Oliver was described as a forgeman (iron), and Emily was described as a British Subject born East Indies. Early in 1885 the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company started the building of the Horwich Locomotive Works. There were several large buildings on the site , the largest being the erecting shops which was 1520 feet in length. Six and a half miles of narrow guage railway serviced the site and some of the large workshops were lit by electricity, something of an innovation at the time.
By November 1886 the first locomotives arived for repair, the office block was ready for use in 1887 and in 1892 the works was in full operation. The first locomotive to be built was a 2-4-2 tank engine number 1008, completed in February 1889.
A lot of men came from the company workshops at Miles Platting and Bury. The first workmen arrived in November 1886. There were seventeen of them and during the early months of 1887 around twenty a week were taking up work in Horwich, some travelling back to Manchester at the weekends to their families. By mid February 200 employees had taken employment at the new works, and by 1894 there were 3000 men employed there. It appears Oliver was a forge foreman at the works and three of his sons were working there in 1891. He may also have been a foreman wheelwright at the works at some time. Winifred Morris (#519), his gt granddaughter wites in 2006 - "I remember that when I was still at Primary School I had piano lessons with a lady in Melbourne Grove and she insisted on presenting me to her father as the great-granddaughter of Oliver Morris whom he remembered living in the same road. According to my mother he was well known because he was such a striking figure- well over 6 ft and weighing 20 stone but I can't think she met him unless he lived to be a very old man." Oliver Morris appeared on the 1891 Census in 192 Chorley New Road, Horwich, Bolton, Lancashire, and Emily White, Arthur Morris, Oliver Morris, Clement Morris, Esther Ann Morris and William Henry Morris were living in the same household; The head of household, Oliver was described as a forge foreman. Arthur, Oliver and Clement were also described as forgemen. Also lodging in the household was another forgeman, Joseph Webb aged 16 years. He is shown in a number of local Bolton Directories as living at 192 Chorley New Road until 1898. He appears in a number of Bolton directories between 1902 and 1907 describing himself as a forge foreman and living at 22 Melbourne Grove, Horwich. Oliver Morris appeared on the 1901 Census in, Bolton, Lancashire, , and Clement Morris, Fanny (?), William Henry Morris, Mary Sale and Clement Morris were living in the same household; Oliver was described as Forge Foreman, Clement as Railway Guard and William as Steam Engine Maker - Fitter. Another grandson of Oliver was in the household - William 1 year born in Horwich but it is not clear who the parents are. A Mrs Winstanley of Horwich ( born c 1911 ) writes in a letter in 1993 that her godmother was Ada Morris ( later Rodgers ), Oliver's daughter. She says that Oliver lived with Ada, and she remembers him giving her buttered brazil nut toffee and saying ' suck it don't crunch it.' Mrs Winstanley lived at 23 Fairburn St and Ada lived at 22. Oliver Morris died in 1928.

     Her married name was Morris. Emily White was born on 6 February 1845 at, Poonamallee, Tamil Nau, , India; In the censuses of 1881 and 1891 she states she was born in the East Indies/India. There is the date 13 July written beside her place of birth in the 1881 census it is not known what this represents. She was baptised on 23 March 1845 at, Poonamallee, Tamil Nau, , India; The Baptism records the baptism as on this Easter Day 23rd March 1845. She appeared on the 1861 Census in, Staffordshire, , and Wingfield Harding, Esther (?), William Harding, Rose Harding and Selina White were living in the same household; Wingfield, the head was described as a General Medical Practitioner and Emily and Selina were his step daughters. Emily White married Oliver Morris, son of Samuel Morris and Sarah Broad, on 27 December 1866 at St Mary's, Nantwich, Cheshire, and the ceremony was witnessed by Charles Morris and Martha Platt; At the time of the marriage Oliver was a mechanic living in Coppenhall, and Emily was living in Nantwich. Emily White appeared on the 1871 Census in, Crewe, Cheshire, , and Ada Mary Morris, Agnes Morris and Oliver Morris were living in the same household; Oliver, the head, was described as foregman steel works, also present was wife Emily and daughters Ada and Agnes. Emily White appeared on the 1881 Census in 26 Alton Street, Monks Coppenhall, Crewe, Cheshire, and Oliver Morris, Ada Mary Morris, Agnes Morris, Arthur Morris, Oliver Morris, Clement Morris, Esther Ann Morris and William Henry Morris were living in the same household; The head of household, Oliver was described as a forgeman (iron), and Emily was described as a British Subject born East Indies. Emily White appeared on the 1891 Census in 192 Chorley New Road, Horwich, Bolton, Lancashire, and Oliver Morris, Arthur Morris, Oliver Morris, Clement Morris, Esther Ann Morris and William Henry Morris were living in the same household; The head of household, Oliver was described as a forge foreman. Arthur, Oliver and Clement were also described as forgemen. Also lodging in the household was another forgeman, Joseph Webb aged 16 years. Emily White died on 25 April 1900 at, Bolton, Lancashire, , at age 55.

     Samuel Morris was born circa 1811 at Astbury, Cheshire. He married Sarah Broad, daughter of John Broad and Sarah Hockenhull, on 5 September 1838 at Parish Church, Astbury, Cheshire. Samuel Morris appeared on the 1841 Census in Smallwood, Cheshire, and Sarah Broad, Ellen Morris and Oliver Morris were living in the same household; The head of the household, Samuel described himself as a farmer. Samuel Morris appeared on the 1851 Census in Spark Lane, Brereton cum Smethwick, Cheshire, and Sarah Broad, Ellen Morris, Oliver Morris, Thomas Morris, Charles Morris, William Morris, Fanny Morris and Sarah Morris were living in the same household; Samuel was a farmer of 25 acres. Samuel Morris appeared on the 1861 Census in Dean Hill, Betchton, Cheshire, and Sarah Broad, Thomas Morris, Charles Morris, Fanny Morris, Sarah Morris, Mary Morris, Clement Morris and Alfred Morris were living in the same household; Samuel was a farmer of 36 acres. Samuel Morris appeared on the 1871 Census in Dunnocks Fold, Hassall, Cheshire, and Sarah Broad, Sarah Morris, Mary Morris, Clement Morris and Alfred Morris were living in the same household; Samuel was a farmer of 96 acres employing one hand. Samuel Morris appeared on the 1881 Census in Dunnocks Fold, Hassall, Cheshire, and Sarah Broad, Mary Morris, Clement Morris, Alfred Morris, Henry Morris and Samuel Morris were living in the same household; Samuel was a farmer of 90 acres employing one hand. Henry and Samuel (Jnr) were recorded as grandsons. Also living with the family was a general servant Anne Griffiths aged 16 years. Samuel Morris appeared on the 1891 Census in Dunnocks Fold, Hassall, Cheshire, and Sarah Broad and Henry Morris were living in the same household. Samuel Morris died on 26 March 1892 at Dunnocks Fold, Hassall, Cheshire.

     On his daughter Emily's marriage certificate she states that her father was a doctor. It has been said that there was a doctor in the family who's name was White but he was black. Further research reveals that the father referred to on her marriage certificate was in fact her stepfather Wingfield Harding. William White was born in June 1815. He began military service on 8 March 1839 at, London, ; His first appearance in the ranks of the British army, in the muster rolls for January to March 1839 (WO12/1211) , when the 15th Hussars were based first at Glasgow and then (from March 1839) at Hounslow, just west of London.

He was at the bottom of a page headed "Recruits who have joined during the Quarter" and, as is usual for muster rolls at the time, details were minimal: "683 White William, paid from 11th March 1839. Enlisted: 8th March 1839. Age on enlistment: 23 years 9 months [which suggests he was born in June 1815]. Height: 5ft 9ins. Place of Enlistment: London."

The next set of muster rolls (WO12/1212, 1839-1841) shows that within three months of enlisting Private William White was on his way to India. The April-June musters in Chatham state that he "embarked for Bombay" on 3rd June 1839 and the July-September musters show that he "landed in India" on 19th September 1839. He married Esther (?); In the April-June 1843 musters (WO12/1213) - Private White was "On Furlo' 22 April to 30th June 1843", (that's to say, he was on leave). This was presumably in India and the cryptic entry suggests that this might have been when he married Esther, though the regimental rolls are no help with this whatsoever. His leave period (and his marriage?) might also have had something to do with him being put on permanent detachment to Madras almost as soon as the leave ended, rather than staying with the regiment in Bangalore. On 23 March 1845 at, Poonamallee, Tamil Nau, , India, William White was described in the baptismal certificate of his daughter Emily as Hospital Serjt. of HM 15th Hussars Depot. He died on 17 April 1847 at, Tamil Nadu, , India, at age 31; In WO12/1219, musters for April 1847 to March 1848 the entry for the April muster read as follows : No 683 White William. Died in Depot Hospital 17th April 1847 / Poonamallee".This was confirmed on a subsequent page entitled "Number discontinued or reduced in the Regiment since 31st March 1847" (see pic 009): It read simply:
"Private White William. 17th April. Deceased".

     Timothy Parsonage was baptised on 23 April 1764 at, Gresford, Denbighshire, . He married Phoebe Lloyd on 24 April 1792 at Parish Church, Holt, Denbighshire, and the ceremony was witnessed by Peter Lloyd, Mary Richardson and James Tomlinson; Timothy was described as, of Gresford and Phoebe as, of Holt. Not an awful lot is known about Timothy but what is known is sometimes odd. He was married in Holt in April 1792 and his first son John was baptised in another parish in July 1792, proceeding what was perhaps a blunderbuss wedding. (It appears this son died in 1803). His other known children were baptised late. Elizabeth (born 30 Dec 1800) and John (born 17 Sep 1803) were both baptised together on 18 Sep 1804. His daughter Ellinor was born 5 Aug 1794 and baptised 21 Nov 1794. All these baptisms took place at Wrexham Parish Church. There is a possibility of a daughter Phoebe but no record of her baptism (see biography Timothy #12). In A.N.Palmer's detailed History of the parish church of Wrexham Timothy gets a mention. The parish records of the church show Timothy was a churchwarden 1800-1801, 1815-1816, 1816-1817. In 1816-1817 he was appointed General Overseer until he died in 1817. These records are in Ruthin Record Office, there are lots of entries in the vestry minutes signed by Timothy and also various account books from when he was Overseer. Palmer explains (writing in 1893) that 'in the times when in the town there was no municipality, and in the country no elected 'board',many of the functions of these bodies were discharged by the churchwardens, who, in open vestry, were every Easter Monday freely chosen by the parishioners. Other significant duties, which have since lapsed, belonged to them. The importance of their office is, therefore, not to be disputed. A General Overseer was a paid post and the other overseers of the parish and townships townships were subordinate to him. To each of the wardens a portion of the parish was assumed to be under his charge and he was responsible for the collection of rates.' Timothy is described as a maltster in various of the parish records. 'Timothy Parsonage, malster of Chester Street, lived in a house nearly opposite the Seven Stars, now number 35. His kiln was that which is close to Bodhyfryd. Malting was very extensively followed in the town, but from the beginning of this century (1800), brewing gradually became the staple industry of the town.' A maltster would prepare malt, i.e. barley or other grain used for brewing, by steeping, germinating and kiln-drying. Timothy Parsonage died on 13 January 1817 at age 52. He was buried after 13 January 1817 at, Gresford, Denbighshire, ; Timothy is buried in a large box tomb next to the pathway leading to the North entrance to the church. There are eleven other Parsonage relatives mentioned on this tomb.

     Her married name was Parsonage. Phoebe Lloyd married Timothy Parsonage, son of Timothy Parsonage and Elizabeth Parsonage, on 24 April 1792 at Parish Church, Holt, Denbighshire, and the ceremony was witnessed by Peter Lloyd, Mary Richardson and James Tomlinson; Timothy was described as, of Gresford and Phoebe as, of Holt. Phoebe Lloyd was buried on 10 February 1806 at, Gresford, Denbighshire, .

      Martin Brennan was a farmer. He married Brigid Kirrane. Martin Brennan died on 27 December 1997 at Pepperstown House, Ardee, County Louth, Eire.