Thornton
This section deals with the branch of the Croft family who settled in the area west of the river Wyre around Thornton.
The first Crofts to appear in the registers of the parish church in Poulton were Peter Croft of Stalmine, marrying Jane Brad in 1662 (presumably the marriage was conducted in Poulton as this was Jane's parish). Peter Croft is covered in the main Fylde section, but suffice to say he and Jane did not settle in the Poulton area, but returned to Peter's home in Stalmine, where their family continued.
There are no other Crofts in the registers until the burial of Elizabeth Croft, wife of William Croft of Houlms [sic] on 3rd August 1705. This was followed one month later by the marriage of William Croft and Ann Bentson on 2nd September 1705 (both described as being "of Houlms"). Holmes was the name of a hamlet about a mile or so north of Thornton.
There are no other Crofts in the registers until the burial of Elizabeth Croft, wife of William Croft of Houlms [sic] on 3rd August 1705. This was followed one month later by the marriage of William Croft and Ann Bentson on 2nd September 1705 (both described as being "of Houlms"). Holmes was the name of a hamlet about a mile or so north of Thornton.
The fact that there is no marriage in the Poulton register for William and his first wife Elizabeth would indicate that they arrived here already married (the Poulton registers are complete, and clear, in the 20 year period leading up to this point, and their marriage is not there). The swift remarriage of William following his wife's death also suggests that he perhaps had a young child in need of caring for. It was not uncommon for widowers to remarry after very short periods for this reason. Later records (William's will) also vindicate this theory.
The origin of William Croft is uncertain, but it seems likely that he was a son of one of the Crofts in Stalmine as there were several members of the family having children at the time when William would have been born (1660-1680) - including of course Peter Croft who married over in Poulton. Of course it is also possible that William was born elsewhere, perhaps Lancaster, moving to this area once married, but I can find no evidence to prove it one way or the other.
The origin of William Croft is uncertain, but it seems likely that he was a son of one of the Crofts in Stalmine as there were several members of the family having children at the time when William would have been born (1660-1680) - including of course Peter Croft who married over in Poulton. Of course it is also possible that William was born elsewhere, perhaps Lancaster, moving to this area once married, but I can find no evidence to prove it one way or the other.
First Generation born in Thornton
According to the Poulton baptism records, William Croft and Ann had four children (between 1706 and 1715), though in the will which William left on his death he mentions another son who seems to be the eldest - presumably the child he had with his first wife Elizabeth. So, in total William's children were:
According to the Poulton baptism records, William Croft and Ann had four children (between 1706 and 1715), though in the will which William left on his death he mentions another son who seems to be the eldest - presumably the child he had with his first wife Elizabeth. So, in total William's children were:
George
John Martha William Ralph |
b.~1704 see next generation
b. 1706 see next generation b. 1708 married Thomas Carter in 1731 b. 1712 I can find no certain record of him after this b. 1715 see next generation |
William Croft died in 1721 and left a will. He is described as a Blacksmith in the will, but states that he has both Leasehold lands and "Lands of Inheritance" in other words lands that he owns, so he was also a Yeoman. He states that his children George, John, Martha, William and Ralph should be provided for until they are of age. So at this time, 1721, all of his children, including George from his first marriage, are under 21 years old. This supports the theory that George was only a baby when his mother Elizabeth died in 1705, and is a probable reason for William remarrying so quickly.
He goes on to say that his wife should have all the "Rents, Issues and Profits" from all his lands, so it would seem that William was not a poor man, and he had tenants of his own. The inventory of his goods comes to £64, a very reasonable sum for those days, and includes cattle (five), horses (four), husbandry equipment, and a good amount of household goods and furniture. His house was evidently quite large, as the Inventory describes the contents of three bedrooms. His ready Money was £36, again quite a large sum for that time. There is no mention of any Blacksmiths equipment, so I assume his blacksmith business was one of the properties indicated in the will. It seems likely that he was a Master Blacksmith, either employing someone else to run it for him, or perhaps he had given the business over to a tenant. This was perhaps where the "Profits" mentioned in the will came from. I can find no record of the death of Ann, William's widow, and William's will does not specify what should happen to his lands and property after her death, so perhaps we can only assume the division of the estate based on the subsequent fortunes of the individuals.
He goes on to say that his wife should have all the "Rents, Issues and Profits" from all his lands, so it would seem that William was not a poor man, and he had tenants of his own. The inventory of his goods comes to £64, a very reasonable sum for those days, and includes cattle (five), horses (four), husbandry equipment, and a good amount of household goods and furniture. His house was evidently quite large, as the Inventory describes the contents of three bedrooms. His ready Money was £36, again quite a large sum for that time. There is no mention of any Blacksmiths equipment, so I assume his blacksmith business was one of the properties indicated in the will. It seems likely that he was a Master Blacksmith, either employing someone else to run it for him, or perhaps he had given the business over to a tenant. This was perhaps where the "Profits" mentioned in the will came from. I can find no record of the death of Ann, William's widow, and William's will does not specify what should happen to his lands and property after her death, so perhaps we can only assume the division of the estate based on the subsequent fortunes of the individuals.
There is another individual also mentioned in the records around this time. There are two baptisms, Jennet (1722) and William (1728) both children of John Croft of Holmes. There is no marriage of this John in the records, and there is nothing to indicate who he was. I feel the most likely answer is that he was the younger brother of William. John's daughter Jennet died in 1726 and John himself died in 1730 (I can find no record of what became of John's son William).
Second Generation
George - married Margaret Bradshaw in 1727. On the marriage register George is stated to be of Thornton, and on the baptism of his first child a year later it is the same. He is described as a Yeoman, which of course he would be if, as the eldest son, he inherited the property in Holmes. On the baptisms of his next two children (four and six years later) they are in "Stayneing" (Staining) which was about 4 miles south of Holmes.
George and Margaret had four children:
George - married Margaret Bradshaw in 1727. On the marriage register George is stated to be of Thornton, and on the baptism of his first child a year later it is the same. He is described as a Yeoman, which of course he would be if, as the eldest son, he inherited the property in Holmes. On the baptisms of his next two children (four and six years later) they are in "Stayneing" (Staining) which was about 4 miles south of Holmes.
George and Margaret had four children:
Elizabeth
Bradshaw George William |
b. 1728 married Thomas Wrayton around 1755 (I cannot find the marriage, but there are baptisms from 1756)
b. 1732 married Betty Price in 1774. They had no children, although Bradshaw did have an illegitimate daughter with Ann Kellet the year before he married. Bradshaw died in 1794 (his abode is given as Poulton) and Betty died in 1807 b. 1734 see next generation b. 1737 see next generation |
George Croft died in 1757 and left a will. George and his family were living in Normoss (just north of Staining) by this time. There is no surviving inventory with the will, but it is clear that George is quite well off. In his will George leaves all his property and land in Normoss to his son Bradshaw, and his messuage and garden in Holmes, along with all his leasehold property in Holmes, to his wife Margaret. He bequeaths the sum of £30 to his son William (owed to him by a neighbour in Holmes). He goes on to say that once his son William is married, he should inherit all the Holmes property and land, along with the sum of £10 (to be given to him by Bradshaw). His daughter Elizabeth (married to Thomas Wrayton) is bequeathed a yearly sum of money - £1 10s. George's other son, George, is not mentioned at all in the will.
John - married Margaret Hull in 1732. Margaret must have been heavily pregnant at the time of their marriage, as their first child was baptised only 8 days later! In the marriage register John is described as being of Thornton, and Margaret of Carleton (about a mile or so south of Thornton). They had nine children over the following 22 years, and their abode on the baptisms varies between Thornton, Holmes, Haddle House( a farm near Holmes), Little Carleton, and Poulton (all within a few miles of each other) John's occupation on the marriage bond was Labourer, and where given on the baptisms was Husbandman. It looks like the family were moving around quite a lot, perhaps moving where there was work. Margaret died in 1757, and John died in 1788, age 82
John and Margaret's children were:
John and Margaret's children were:
William
Ann Isabell Martha John Alice Margaret Elizabeth Margaret Margaret |
b. 1732 see next generation
b. 1734 had an illegitimate child (Alice) in 1762. Ann died, unmarried, in 1798 b. 1737 married John Pickup in 1763 b. 1739 I can find no certain record of her after this b. 1742 see next generation b. 1744 died 1761 b. 1748 died 1751 b. 1750 married John Hall (Husbandman) in 1767 b. 1753 died in infancy b. 1754 died unmarried in 1801 |
Ralph - married Margaret Sandham in 1742. in 1746 when their first child was baptised they are living in Normoss, but by the time of their second child in 1749 they have moved over the river to Rawcliffe. Margaret died in 1780 (in Stalmine), and Ralph died in 1799, by which time he was in Preesall.
They had three children:
They had three children:
Ann
Elizabeth William |
b. 1746 married Thomas Shaw in 1764 (in Pilling)
b. 1749 married William Strickland (Husbandman) in 1771 (in Pilling) b. 1752 see next generation |
Third Generation
Children of George Croft and Margaret (Bradshaw)
George - (married?) Mary around 1752. I can find no marriage record for George and Mary, but as their first child was born in 1753 I'm assuming the marriage was shortly before this. George would only have been nineteen at the time, so still a minor, but of course could still marry with his parents consent. It is of course possible that he and Mary did not in fact marry at all, and this could be a reason for him being excluded from his fathers will four years later - the 'black sheep' of the family. There is no baptism of George's first child, only the burial, which states the child was the son of George Croft of Normoss, so it seems he was still living in the family home at this time. As only the father of the child is named in the burial register, it is of course an assumption that the mother of the child was the same as the mother of his next child four years later. The baptism of George's next child ("child of George and Mary") took place at Stalmine church and their abode is stated as Rawcliffe, so it seems they moved away from his family over in Normoss. There are no more baptisms of children of George, nor can I find the burial record of either George or Mary.
George's children were:
Children of George Croft and Margaret (Bradshaw)
George - (married?) Mary around 1752. I can find no marriage record for George and Mary, but as their first child was born in 1753 I'm assuming the marriage was shortly before this. George would only have been nineteen at the time, so still a minor, but of course could still marry with his parents consent. It is of course possible that he and Mary did not in fact marry at all, and this could be a reason for him being excluded from his fathers will four years later - the 'black sheep' of the family. There is no baptism of George's first child, only the burial, which states the child was the son of George Croft of Normoss, so it seems he was still living in the family home at this time. As only the father of the child is named in the burial register, it is of course an assumption that the mother of the child was the same as the mother of his next child four years later. The baptism of George's next child ("child of George and Mary") took place at Stalmine church and their abode is stated as Rawcliffe, so it seems they moved away from his family over in Normoss. There are no more baptisms of children of George, nor can I find the burial record of either George or Mary.
George's children were:
George
George |
b. 1753 died in infancy
b. 1757 see next generation |
William - married Agnes Bell in 1759 in Kirkham (Agnes was from Weeton, a village about half way between Normoss and Kirkham). In the marriage bond William is describes as a Yeoman (having inherited property from his father). He is still described as being of Normoss however, as the will specified he wouldn't inherit the property at Holmes until after he married. William and Agnes had eight children.
I can find no burial record for either William or Agnes.
William and Agnes's children were:
I can find no burial record for either William or Agnes.
William and Agnes's children were:
George
Richard Peggy Bradshaw Mary Sally (Sarah) William John |
b. 1760 died 1777
b. 1762 possibly died 1780 (son of Agnes Croft in register) b. 1765 there are two possibilities for her. There is a marriage of Peggy Croft to Thomas Bagot (Farmer) in Preesall in 1791, and there is also a Margaret Croft (unmarried) age 76 in Bispham in the 1841 census. b. 1767 see next generation b. 1769 I can find no certain record of her after this b. 1772 mentioned in her brother John's will in 1855 as having 4 children, however I can find no record of her marrying, nor of her death. b. 1775 possibly died 1790 (son of Agnes, widow in register) b. 1778 in Skipool, just south of Thornton, in the 1841 and 1851 census, working as a Coal merchant and then Grocer/Shopkeeper. He never married, and died in 1855 |
Children of John Croft and Margaret (Hull)
William - married Ellen Lawson in 1756 (both of Thornton). They had eight children. William died in 1799 and Ellen died a year later. In the burial register William is described as "Farmer", and in the burial entry for Ellen, her late husband William is described as "Yeoman". William left a will. He is described as being "of Bispham" and "Yeoman". There is no surviving inventory with the will, but as a Yeoman William is clearly not a poor man. He bequeaths his two properties in Trunnah (just south of Holmes) and Thornton to his wife Ellen, and after her death to go to his son John and his daughter Alice. He bequeaths all his other possessions and money to be shared equally among his remaining children. He mentions his son Thomas having left the country some time before, and had not since been heard of, but he makes a provision for Thomas's children when they reach the age of 21.
William and Ellen's children were:
William - married Ellen Lawson in 1756 (both of Thornton). They had eight children. William died in 1799 and Ellen died a year later. In the burial register William is described as "Farmer", and in the burial entry for Ellen, her late husband William is described as "Yeoman". William left a will. He is described as being "of Bispham" and "Yeoman". There is no surviving inventory with the will, but as a Yeoman William is clearly not a poor man. He bequeaths his two properties in Trunnah (just south of Holmes) and Thornton to his wife Ellen, and after her death to go to his son John and his daughter Alice. He bequeaths all his other possessions and money to be shared equally among his remaining children. He mentions his son Thomas having left the country some time before, and had not since been heard of, but he makes a provision for Thomas's children when they reach the age of 21.
William and Ellen's children were:
John
Thomas Thomas William Margaret Robert Alice Martha |
b. 1756 see next generation
b. 1757 died in infancy b. 1761 see next generation b. 1764 died 1829 age 65. I can find no evidence of him marrying b. 1766 died 1789 age 23 b. 1768 died in 1832 in Myerscough, age 64. I can find no evidence of him marrying b. 1770 living with sister Martha and family in 1841 (unmarried). She died in 1850. She left a will, in which she divided her property (including a house in Thornton) between her nephews and nieces b. 1773 married Benjamin Raby in 1805. they settled and had a family in Myerscough. She died in 1850 |
John - married Alice Kilshaw in 1768. Alice died in 1775 and John remarried in 1788 to Alice Smith. John was a Husbandman, and remained in Thornton. He had three children with his first wife, and another four with his second wife. His second wife Alice died "in child bed" in 1795, and her infant son died two weeks later. John died in 1823, and left a will. He was living in Hambleton by this time, and is described as a Yeoman in the will, so must have done sufficiently well to purchase his property. There is no inventory, but in the will John divides his property equally between his two sons, and leaves an annuity of £5 4 shilling to his daughter.
John and Alice's (1 and 2) children were:
John and Alice's (1 and 2) children were:
John
William Peggy Betty John Margaret Thomas |
b. 1770 died1777
b. 1772 see next generation b. 1774 died 1776 b. 1789 died 1799 b. 1791 see next generation b. 1794 married Robert Crumbleholme (according to her father's will - I can find no record of the marriage). In the 1851 census she is living in Poulton, a widow, with her brother in law. They are both "Dyers". b. 1795 died in infancy |
Children of Ralph Croft and Margaret (Sandham)
William - married Jane Threlfall in 1777 in Stalmine. William is described as a Husbandman in the register. They had a large family, the first two in Stalmine, but then the remainder in Pilling. I can find no record of the deaths of either William or Jane (nor records of most of their children, which is a little unusual, as records are plentiful for the late 18th/early 19th century)
William and Jane's children were:
William - married Jane Threlfall in 1777 in Stalmine. William is described as a Husbandman in the register. They had a large family, the first two in Stalmine, but then the remainder in Pilling. I can find no record of the deaths of either William or Jane (nor records of most of their children, which is a little unusual, as records are plentiful for the late 18th/early 19th century)
William and Jane's children were:
Ralph
Ralph John Elizabeth Peggy Danson Jane William William Thomas Betty |
b. 1777 died in infancy
b. 1779 I can find no certain record of him after this b. 1782 I can find no certain record of him after this b. 1784 died 1803 age 18 b. 1787 I can find no certain record of her after this b. 1790 married Mary Hill in 1819 in Liverpool, where they remained (although in the 1851 census they are in Rochdale, Danson working as a Gardener).They had no children. He died in 1866 in Liverpool in the West Derby Workhouse. b. 1792 I can find no certain record of her after this b. 1795 died 1797 b. 1797 I can find no certain record of him after this b. 1800 I can find no certain record of him after this b. 1805 I can find no certain record of him after this |
Fourth Generation
Children of George Croft and Mary
George - married Margaret Danson in 1786. On the marriage bond his abode is given as Bourne Hall (about a mile north of Holmes). He is described as "Husbandman" in the register. Margaret was only 19 years old at the time of the marriage, so needed parental consent, and although George's age is given as 21 in the marriage bond, he was actually 28.They had eight children in all, the first two while living in Hackinsall/Preesall Ridge (which is on the north coast of the Fylde, on the eastern side of the Wyre). Their next child, two years later, was baptised in Leyland, and their abode is given as Cuerden which is about 4 miles south of Preston, and about 20 miles from where they had been living. I have no idea what they were down there for, and as the next child after this was another three years later, they could have been there for some time. The remainder of the children were born in Stainall, a mile or so from Stalmine on the east of the River Wyre.
Margaret died in 1835 and George died the following year, age 78. They were living in Hambleton (near Stainall) at this point.
George and Margaret's children were:
Children of George Croft and Mary
George - married Margaret Danson in 1786. On the marriage bond his abode is given as Bourne Hall (about a mile north of Holmes). He is described as "Husbandman" in the register. Margaret was only 19 years old at the time of the marriage, so needed parental consent, and although George's age is given as 21 in the marriage bond, he was actually 28.They had eight children in all, the first two while living in Hackinsall/Preesall Ridge (which is on the north coast of the Fylde, on the eastern side of the Wyre). Their next child, two years later, was baptised in Leyland, and their abode is given as Cuerden which is about 4 miles south of Preston, and about 20 miles from where they had been living. I have no idea what they were down there for, and as the next child after this was another three years later, they could have been there for some time. The remainder of the children were born in Stainall, a mile or so from Stalmine on the east of the River Wyre.
Margaret died in 1835 and George died the following year, age 78. They were living in Hambleton (near Stainall) at this point.
George and Margaret's children were:
Richard
Peggy Ralph Catharine Ann Peter Danson Mary George |
b. 1787 died in infancy
b. 1790 had an illegitimate child, Richard Danson Croft in 1812 (father Robert Worthington). Peggy died in 1861 in Poulton, unmarried. Richard Danson Croft married Ann Barrow in 1846 in Garstang, but they had no children as far as I can see. b. 1792 never married, worked as an agricultural labourer. Living with sister Catherine in 1861 in Hambleton (retired servant). Died in 1864 b. 1795 had several illegitimate children (see next generation) b. 1797 had an illegitimate child, Margaret, in 1816. Married William Hodgson in 1818 and had a family in Stalmine. b. 1800 see next generation b. 1802 had an illegitimate child, Margaret, in 1824 (Jan). Married James Clarkson (almost certainly the father of the child) in March 1824 b. 1804 see next generation |
Children of William Croft and Agnes (Bell)
Bradshaw - married Rebecca Porter (widow) in 1799. He is described as "Husbandman" in the register. They remained in Thornton and had two children. His wife Rebecca died in 1840, and in the 1841 census Bradshaw has his married daughter and family living with him in Trunnall. He is described as a farmer in the census. Ten years later in the 1851 census he is still with his daughter and family, and he is described as a farmer of 7 acres, employing one labourer. Bradshaw died in 1852 age 85.
Bradshaw and Rebecca's children were:
Bradshaw - married Rebecca Porter (widow) in 1799. He is described as "Husbandman" in the register. They remained in Thornton and had two children. His wife Rebecca died in 1840, and in the 1841 census Bradshaw has his married daughter and family living with him in Trunnall. He is described as a farmer in the census. Ten years later in the 1851 census he is still with his daughter and family, and he is described as a farmer of 7 acres, employing one labourer. Bradshaw died in 1852 age 85.
Bradshaw and Rebecca's children were:
Rebecca
Mary |
b. 1800 married John Bleasdale (Tailor) in 1818, and had a family in Thornton. Rebecca died in 1887
b. 1801 died in infancy |
Children of William Croft and Ellen (Lawson)
John - married Margaret Parkinson in 1780. He is a Husbandman in the register. They lived in Carleton, and then Great Bispham, and had five children. John died in 1831 age 75, and Margaret died in 1845 age 92. John left a will, in which he is described as "Yeoman", which is not surprising as he inherited the property in Trunnah from his father. He bequeathed all his property and land in Thornton, and his house and garden in Bispham (currently in possession of his sister Alice) together with all his cattle (unspecified number) and other possessions to his wife Margaret, to be divided between his three children after her death. So it is clear that John was still reasonably well off, as he owned not only the property he inherited, but also another in Bispham which his sister Alice was living in. It's interesting to note that in the 1841 census, while John's widow Margaret was still alive, Alice was at the house of her sister Martha and her family. It's impossible to say from the census if she was a temporary visitor or was permanently living there (having been made to leave the house in Bispham).
John and Margaret's children were:
John - married Margaret Parkinson in 1780. He is a Husbandman in the register. They lived in Carleton, and then Great Bispham, and had five children. John died in 1831 age 75, and Margaret died in 1845 age 92. John left a will, in which he is described as "Yeoman", which is not surprising as he inherited the property in Trunnah from his father. He bequeathed all his property and land in Thornton, and his house and garden in Bispham (currently in possession of his sister Alice) together with all his cattle (unspecified number) and other possessions to his wife Margaret, to be divided between his three children after her death. So it is clear that John was still reasonably well off, as he owned not only the property he inherited, but also another in Bispham which his sister Alice was living in. It's interesting to note that in the 1841 census, while John's widow Margaret was still alive, Alice was at the house of her sister Martha and her family. It's impossible to say from the census if she was a temporary visitor or was permanently living there (having been made to leave the house in Bispham).
John and Margaret's children were:
William
Margaret Elizabeth Ellen Alice |
b. 1781 lived with his mother and sister Ellen, and continued to live with Ellen in Thornton after their mother's death. William never married, and
inherited his aunt Alice's cottage in Thornton in 1850. He died in 1857. In his will he left all his property to his sister Margaret. b. 1784 she was a house servant in Carleton in the 1851 census, but in the 1861 census she is described as "Landed Proprietor" in Bispham, having inherited her brother's property (the house he had inherited from Aunt Alice). She never married, and died in 1861 b. 1787 died in infancy b. 1789 lived with her brother William, never married, and died in 1855 b. 1796 died in 1800 |
Thomas - married Dorothy Nickson in 1787. He is a Husbandman in the register. They had five children, and lived in the Layton/Marton area (near modern day Blackpool). His father's will of 1799 states that Thomas left the country some while before that time, and had not been heard of since. There is no record of where he went, nor of ever returning. In the 1841 census Dorothy was in Blackpool, staying in her daughter Ellen's lodging house. Dorothy died in 1853.
Thomas and Dorothy's children were:
Thomas and Dorothy's children were:
William
Ellen Alice Jane William |
b. 1787 died in infancy
b. 1789 married Thurston Simpson (Shoemaker) in 1819. In 1841 she was running a boarding house in Blackpool (with her mother Dorothy also living there). Ellen died in 1845, and Thurston died in 1855 b. 1791 married John Earnshaw in Preston in 1818 b. 1792 I can find no record of her after this b. 1794 I can find no record of him after this |
Children of John Croft and Alice (Kilshaw and Smith)
William - married Isabel Wilson in 1797. He is a Husbandman in the register. They remained in Thornton and three children. Isabel died in 1826 and William died in 1846. William left a will, in which he is decribed as "Yeoman". He bequeathed all his properties and land in Trunnah and Bispham (he inherited half his father's estate in 1823) to his two sons to run together. He also left a sizeable amount of money to be held in trust for his grandson, (son of his daughter Alice)
William and Isabel's children were:
William - married Isabel Wilson in 1797. He is a Husbandman in the register. They remained in Thornton and three children. Isabel died in 1826 and William died in 1846. William left a will, in which he is decribed as "Yeoman". He bequeathed all his properties and land in Trunnah and Bispham (he inherited half his father's estate in 1823) to his two sons to run together. He also left a sizeable amount of money to be held in trust for his grandson, (son of his daughter Alice)
William and Isabel's children were:
Richard
John Alice |
b. 1798 farmed the land he had inherited from his father together with his brother John. In the 1841 census (before their father's death) both
Richard and his brother are living in Carleton with their father. Also with them are the two children of their sister Alice. In 1851 the two brothers are in Trunnall, running the farm, and their nephew is still with them. Richard married Isabella Coward in 1856 (at the age of 58), but unfortunately died less than two years later in 1858 b. 1800 as mentioned above, he ran the farm with his brother up until his brother's death. In the 1861 census John is still running the farm (described as "Yeoman" in the census), and his nephew is still with him (described as Agricultural Labourer). Also with him is a cousin, also described as an Agricultural Labourer. So it looks like the farm is very much a family business. In 1871 John is still there, along with his nephew and five other people ranging in age from 59 to 5, all cousins. John never married, and died in 1872. There is no surviving will, so I don't know what became of the farm after his death. b. 1802 married Alexander Stothard (a Grocer) in Liverpool in 1826. They had a son and two daughters (one of which died in infancy). As both their surviving children are living with their uncles and grandfather in 1841, I assume both Alice and Alexander have died by this point, though I can not find a record of their deaths. |
John - married Jenny (Jane on marriage register) Cardwell in 1811. He is a Husbandman in the marriage register. They had six children, the first in the area of Layton Hawes, on the west coast of the Fylde (he is described as a Husbandman on the baptism), then the second and third child in Thornton, by which time he is described as a Farmer. The next three children were all born over in Hambleton, where his father was living at this time. John inherited half of his father's property and land in 1823, so became a Yeoman Farmer at this point. In the 1841 census they are in Great Marton, farming, and they have all their children (aged from 15 to 27) with them, except for their eldest daughter who had married by this time. Jenny's father is also with them. In 1851 John and Jenny (Jane) are still in Great Marton, but now with only one unmarried daughter and a grandson. Jenny died in 1859, and I cannot find John in the 1861 census. John died in 1870
John and Jenny's children were:
John and Jenny's children were:
Alice
John Thomas Elizabeth Mary Ann Jane |
b. 1812 married Lawrence Fish (Labourer) in 1835. They lived in Blackpool where they had twelve children. Alice died in 1867
b. 1814 see next generation b. 1817 see next generation b. 1820 married James Davidson (Labourer) in 1862. They became Lodging House Keepers in Blackpool, (had the house next door to Elizabeth's sister Mary Ann) and had one son. She died in 1898 b. 1822 became a Lodging House Keeper in Blackpool. I can find no record of her after 1871 b. 1825 living with her sister Mary Ann in 1851 (Assistant), but no longer with her by 1861. In 1881 she was living in a boarding house in Blackpool, still unmarried, and unemployed. I can find no record of her after this |
Fifth Generation
Children of George Croft and Margaret (Danson)
Catherine - had three illegitimate children between 1820 and 1836. The father of her first child, Ralph, we know was William Birch, as Ralph stated this on his marriage. William Birch was a neighbour of Catherine in Hambleton, and in the 1851 census he is still living only three doors from Catherine. By this time he was a widower (and Pauper) and had children and grandchildren living with him. Catherine lived in Hambleton most of her life and never married, working variously as a House Servant and a Washer Woman (she was a pauper in 1851). In the 1861 census her brother Ralph is with her. She died in 1867
Catherine's children were:
Children of George Croft and Margaret (Danson)
Catherine - had three illegitimate children between 1820 and 1836. The father of her first child, Ralph, we know was William Birch, as Ralph stated this on his marriage. William Birch was a neighbour of Catherine in Hambleton, and in the 1851 census he is still living only three doors from Catherine. By this time he was a widower (and Pauper) and had children and grandchildren living with him. Catherine lived in Hambleton most of her life and never married, working variously as a House Servant and a Washer Woman (she was a pauper in 1851). In the 1861 census her brother Ralph is with her. She died in 1867
Catherine's children were:
Ralph
George Margaret |
b. 1820 see next generation
b. 1827 in 1841 he was in Pilling working as a Male Servant on a farm. In 1851 George was in Stalmine, an Agricultural Labourer. I can find no record of him after this b. 1836 married William Danson (a Blacksmith) in 1857. Settled in Out Rawcliffe and had a large family (at least eleven children). William Danson died in 1909 and Margaret died in 1913 |
Peter Danson - married Ann Atkinson in 1826. They were both living in Preesall at the time of the marriage, and Peter is described as a "Husbandman". They had six children, all while living in Stalmine, and for all the baptisms Peter is described as a "Labourer", presumably having to take on paid work as an agricultural labourer to support a family. By 1841 the two eldest sons (age 15 and 13) had already left home and were working as laborers/servants on nearby farms. By 1861 Peter and Ann had moved down to West Derby, near Liverpool, and Peter was working as a Gardener. Their youngest son was still with them at this point. Peter died in 1876, living in Birkenhead on the Wirral, just over the river from Liverpool, and Ann died in 1881.
Peter and Ann's children were:
Peter and Ann's children were:
George
Richard James Peter Elizabeth Thomas |
b. 1826 in 1841 he was in Out Rawcliffe working as an Agricultural Labourer. I can find no record of him after this
b. 1828 became a Mariner (master), lived in Thornton, and married Charlotte Davies (née Woolhouse) in Northern Ireland in 1860. She was a widow with two children which Richard took on as his own. They had no children together as far as I can see. Charlotte died in 1892 and Richard died in 1903 b. 1831 see next generation b. 1837 died in 1845 b. 1840 never married, and died in 1870 in Walton on the Hill, Liverpool b. 1844 He became a Shoemaker and married Eleanor Jones (née Owens, a widow from Anglesey) in 1879 in Tranmere. They had no children, and by 1891 had moved back up to Thornton. Eleanor died in 1899, and in the 1901 census Thomas is living with his brother James and family in Fleetwood, still a Shoemaker. Thomas died in Fleetwood in 1909 |
George - married Ann Parkinson in 1831 in Pilling. George is described as a Husbandman in the register. They had twelve children in all, George working as a Labourer and the family living in Pilling, Stalmine, Preesall and Barnacre (near Garstang). By 1861 George and Ann had moved back to Fleetwood with their youngest daughter and George was working as a Dock Labourer. Living with them was their eldest son John, with his wife and baby, and also their daughter Margaret with her husband and their daughter. They also had a lodger living with them, so that makes ten people in total living in what was probably a very small house. By 1871 they were still in Fleetwood, living with their married daughter Ann and her family. George died in 1873 and Ann died in 1875.
George and Ann's children were:
George and Ann's children were:
Peter Danson
John Margaret Agnes Ann Isabella Elizabeth George Robert Mary Mary Jane Isabella |
b. 1831 died in infancy
b. 1832 see next generation b. 1834 married William Jackson (a Weaver) in 1858 (Preston). They moved up to Fleetwood, then Thornton, where they had a family. William Jackson became a Chimney Sweep. Margaret died in 1893 b. 1836 in Preston in 1861, working as a Cotton Spinner, and died in 1879 in Farnworth, near Bolton b. 1837 married William Clarkson in 1858 (Preston), and had two children. William died in 1865, and Ann married again to John Swarbrick in 1868 (Fleetwood). They had two children together. Ann died in 1901 b. 1840 died in 1852 b. 1841 married James Gillet (a Fisherman) in Fleetwood in 1862. They had three children in Lytham, on the south west coast of the Fylde, but unfortunately James died in 1869. Elizabeth remarried in 1871 to Thomas Sutton (a Plasterer) and had several more children. Elizabeth died in either 1899 or 1901 b. 1844 died in 1869 age 24 b. 1847 died in infancy b. 1848 died in infancy b. 1851 died in infancy b. 1854 died in 1870 age 16 |
Children of John Croft and Jenny (Cardwell)
John - married Ann Bleasdale in 1844. They settled in Thornton (very near Holmes where his ancestors had settled five generations earlier) and had eight children. John was a labourer on the baptism records of his first two children, but on the baptism of his third child in 1849 he is described as a Husbandman. By the 1851 census he was a farmer of 10 acres, which had increased to 47 acres by 1881, with him employing two men (he may have inherited property from his father on his death in 1870, but there is no record). John died in 1881, and Ann died in 1890
John and Ann's children were:
John - married Ann Bleasdale in 1844. They settled in Thornton (very near Holmes where his ancestors had settled five generations earlier) and had eight children. John was a labourer on the baptism records of his first two children, but on the baptism of his third child in 1849 he is described as a Husbandman. By the 1851 census he was a farmer of 10 acres, which had increased to 47 acres by 1881, with him employing two men (he may have inherited property from his father on his death in 1870, but there is no record). John died in 1881, and Ann died in 1890
John and Ann's children were:
John
Thomas William Richard George Robert Jane Ann Septimus |
b. 1845 see next generation
b. 1846 see next generation b. 1848 see next generation b. 1849 died in 1857 age 7 b. 1851 died in 1872 age 21 b. 1852 see next generation b. 1854 died in 1867 age 13 b. 1856 died in 1870 age 15 |
Thomas - married Anne Salthouse in 1847. He was a Miller in the Great Marten/Lytham area at the time of the marriage, They moved to Blackpool a couple of years after having their first two children, where they had three more. In the 1851 census Thomas is described as a "Lodging House Keeper" (in Chapel Street, Blackpool) but on the baptisms of his children he is described as a "Grocer", and latterly "Labourer", so perhaps the idea of being a Lodging House Keeper was little more than just an idea. Ann died in 1858, and Thomas remarried 4 months later to Elizabeth Parkinson. On this marriage he is described as "Cab Proprietor", yet on the baptisms of his next two children a couple of years later he is still described a "Labourer", as he is in the 1861 census (still in Chapel Street). As with the idea of being a Lodging House Keeper, it seems the idea to be a Cab Proprietor had come to nothing as well. In 1871, still living in Chapel Street, he was working as a Chimney Sweep. Thomas died in 1880, and the following year in the 1881 census his widow Elizabeth in still in Chapel Street (with one of her sons), and is a Lodging House Keeper! She remained a Lodging House Keeper until her death in 1893.
Thomas and Anne/Elizabeth's children were:
Thomas and Anne/Elizabeth's children were:
William
Jane John William Thomas Ann Robert Charles |
b. 1847 died in infancy
b. 1849 in the 1861 census (age 12) she is living in Poulton, a house servant, and in the 1871 census she is unmarried with a baby, still a servant, and living in a boarding house in Blackpool. She evidently moved to Blackburn, as she married James Maudsley, a Cotton Weaver, there in 1875. Jane was working as a Cotton Winder, so presumably she went to Blackburn to get work in the mills. Jane and James didn't stay in Blackburn, as by the 1881 census they are back in Blackpool, James working as a Chimney Sweep. They have a child together by this time, but Jane's first child, Elizabeth Ann is not with them. I can not find a record of her death, so I have no idea what happened to her. James and Jane had three children in total (though the last died in infancy), and remained in Blackpool. James became a barman, and eventually a Publican. Jane died in Blackpool in 1905 b. 1851 in 1881 he was boarding in the house of his sister Jane and her husband, working as a Cart Driver. He married Sarah Clarke in 1883, and they had two daughters, Beatrice Ida (1884) and Mary Ann Gladys (1887). On the baptisms of his second daughter he is described as a "Bookeeper", however in the 1891 census he was working as a Gas Works Labourer. John died in 1900 b. 1854 see next generation b. 1856 in 1871 she was living with her Aunt Elizabeth (Davidson) and family in Blackpool. I can find no certain record of her after this point. b. 1860 see next generation b. 1861 see next generation |
Sixth Generation
Children of Catherine Croft
Ralph - married Alice Swarbrick in 1848. They had seven children, and lived initially in Stalmine, then Preston and Failsworth for a while in the 1850s before moving back to Hambleton. Ralph was a Labourer all his working life, and died in 1871 age 51. Alice remarried in 1872 to Zachariah Porter in Hambleton (Ralph and Alice's daughter was already married to Zachariah's younger brother).
Ralph and Alice's children were:
Children of Catherine Croft
Ralph - married Alice Swarbrick in 1848. They had seven children, and lived initially in Stalmine, then Preston and Failsworth for a while in the 1850s before moving back to Hambleton. Ralph was a Labourer all his working life, and died in 1871 age 51. Alice remarried in 1872 to Zachariah Porter in Hambleton (Ralph and Alice's daughter was already married to Zachariah's younger brother).
Ralph and Alice's children were:
Margaret
Jane Thomas Jane Catherine Betty Ann |
b. 1849 married William Porter (a Farm Servant) in 1868. He was the younger brother of Zachariah Porter who Margaret's mother Alice married
in 1872. They had five children (all boys), though the final two (twins) died in infancy. Margaret died in 1876 age 27 and William Porter remarried in 1877 to Hannah Elizabeth Bee. b. 1852 died in infancy b. 1853 married Ann Lawson in Out Rawcliffe in 1874. She was from Little Eccleston, a couple of miles south, over the river. They settled in Little Eccleston, Thomas working as a Farm Labourer. Around 1890 they moved to Blackpool and Thomas took on work as a Brick Maker's Labourer, along with his eldest son Ralph (around 13 years old at the time). Thomas and Ann had a large family of nine children between 1875 and 1893, but Thomas died in 1899 age 46. Ann lived on in Blackpool until 1937. Their children were: Alice, Ralph, Thomas(d), Margaret, Thomas, Henry(d. age 20), Ann, Jane, George b. 1856 married John Hornby (a Farm Servant) in 1881. They settled in Blackpool and had two sons, John working as a Railway Carrier. Jane died in Blackpool in 1931 and John died in 1939 b. 1859 married James Bee (a Farm Servant) in 1875. They settled in Stalmine and by 1891James was a farmer rather than a farm labourer. They had seven children between 1876 and 1894, but James died in 1899 age 44. Catherine died three years later in 1902 b. 1866 married Jonathan Bowman (a Labourer) in 1887 in Hambleton. Jonathan was a widower who already had three children when he married Betty. They remained in Hambleton and had four more children together. Jonathan became a farmer, and died in 1945. Betty died in 1928 b. 1868 died in infancy |
Children of Peter Danson Croft and Ann (Atkinson)
James - married Agnes Parr in Inskip in 1859. James was a labourer at the time. They settled in Myerscough and had a family of twelve children, James continuing as a Labourer. They eventually moved back to Fleetwood, where James died in 1904, and Agnes died in 1915
James and Agnes's children were:
James - married Agnes Parr in Inskip in 1859. James was a labourer at the time. They settled in Myerscough and had a family of twelve children, James continuing as a Labourer. They eventually moved back to Fleetwood, where James died in 1904, and Agnes died in 1915
James and Agnes's children were:
Ann
Mary George Elizabeth Martha Richard Agnes Margaret Margaret Rachel Ellen Gertrude |
b. 1859 married John Blackburn (a Plate Layer) in Thornton in 1883 and had family there. Ann died in 1903 and her husband John died in 1904
b. 1860 married Michael Jamieson (a Police Officer from Scotland) in Castleton, near Rochdale, in 1882. He was a widower with two children. They stayed in the Rochdale area and had a large family. Mary died in 1918, and Michael died in 1928 b. 1862 married Tabitha Leadbetter in Fleetwood in 1887. George worked as a Labourer and Night Watchman, and they had a family of ten children there. Tabitha died in 1912 and George died in 1918. Their children were: Agnes(d), William Leadbetter, Peter Danson, James, George(d), Tabitha Leadbetter, John Robert Leadbetter(d), Elizabeth(d), Alice, George (d) b. 1865 still living at home, unmarried in 1881 and witness to her sister Mary's marriage in 1882. I can find no certain record of her after this point. b. 1866 married James Stott (a Police Constable) in Fleetwood in 1886. They ended up living in Horwich, near Bolton, and had four children. James Stott died in 1903, and Martha died in 1918 b. 1868 died in 1870 b. 1870 married Terence Johnson (a Fireman) in Fleetwood in 1893. They had no children, and Agnes died in 1929 b. 1872 died in infancy b. 1874 died in 1882 b. 1876 married Henry Cragg (a Police Constable) in Fleetwood in 1898. They lived in Thornton, then Liverpool and had two daughters, before moving eventually back to Fleetwood. Henry died in Fleetwood in 1941, and Rachel died in 1961 b. 1878 still living at home with parents in Fleetwood, unmarried, in 1901. She was working as a Steam Laundress. I can find no certain record of her after this point b. 1882 married Richard Collinson (a Marine Engineer) in Fleetwood in 1907. They had three children, but Richard Collinson died in 1912. Gertrude remarried in 1915 to Richard Wright and had three more children in Fleetwood. Gertrude died in 1951 |
Children of George Croft and Ann (Parkinson)
John - married Mary Porter in 1856 in Fleetwood. John was a Butcher on the marriage register. In 1861 John and Mary were living with John's parents in Fleetwood, with their young son Thomas. John is described as a Fisherman in the census, so evidently he had given up being a butcher. In 1871 Mary was living in Fleetwood with three children, but John was not with them. Perhaps he was at sea. In 1881 the family was still in Fleetwood, John still a Fisherman. John died in Fleetwood in 1899. John and Mary's children were:
John - married Mary Porter in 1856 in Fleetwood. John was a Butcher on the marriage register. In 1861 John and Mary were living with John's parents in Fleetwood, with their young son Thomas. John is described as a Fisherman in the census, so evidently he had given up being a butcher. In 1871 Mary was living in Fleetwood with three children, but John was not with them. Perhaps he was at sea. In 1881 the family was still in Fleetwood, John still a Fisherman. John died in Fleetwood in 1899. John and Mary's children were:
Mary Ann
Thomas Porter Mary Ann George Parkinson Robert Rachel Agnes John |
b. 1857 died 1860
b. 1860 married Annie Jones (from Pembrokeshire in Wales) in 1891. Thomas was a Deep Sea Fisherman, like his father. They had three children, but one died in infancy. Thomas died in 1939, and Annie died in 1948. Their children were: George Wilcox, Thomas(d), William b. 1862 married William Henry Cowell (a Bricklayer) in 1884. They remained in Fleetwood and had a family of at least seven children (5 of which survived beyond infancy). Mary Ann died in 1901 b. 1865 married Annie Wright in 1888. George was also a Fisherman in Fleetwood, like his father and brother. Annie died in 1930, and George died in 1941. Their children were: Richard(d), Richard Wright, John, Mary b. 1868 died in infancy b. 1873 married William Clapp in 1890. William a military man when they married (a private in the the medical corps), but by 1901 he was a sailor (ships engineer), and in 1911 he was a cook on a steam trawler. They had a large family of ten children. William Clapp died in 1915. Rachel did not remarry, and died in 1943 b. 1876 in 1891 he was with his uncle William and aunt Margaret Jackson. His uncle was a Chimney Sweep, and John was working as his apprentice. He married Emily Banham in 1899, by which time he was a Chimney Sweep, which he remained. They had five children, but all died in infancy except one. Emily died in 1953 and John died in 1956/59. Their children were: Susan(d), Ethel(d), Emily, George Vivian(d), Helen Banham(d) |
Children of John Croft and Ann (Bleasdale)
John - married Eleanor Swarbrick in 1872. John was a Mariner when they married, and Eleanor's father was a Sea Captain; perhaps John was working with him and met his daughter as a result. John and Eleanor settled in Thornton and had a family of ten children. By the time of the 1891 census, they were still living in Thornton, with eight children still living with them, ranging in age from 2 to 15 years old. John remained a Mariner until his retirement, and he died in 1914 in Thornton Cleveleys, near Blackpool. Eleanor died in 1928. Their children were:
John - married Eleanor Swarbrick in 1872. John was a Mariner when they married, and Eleanor's father was a Sea Captain; perhaps John was working with him and met his daughter as a result. John and Eleanor settled in Thornton and had a family of ten children. By the time of the 1891 census, they were still living in Thornton, with eight children still living with them, ranging in age from 2 to 15 years old. John remained a Mariner until his retirement, and he died in 1914 in Thornton Cleveleys, near Blackpool. Eleanor died in 1928. Their children were:
Septimus
John William Agnes Ann Thomas William Swarbrick Janet George Christina Elizabeth James Westworth |
b. 1875 married Nancy Eaves in 1896. He was a Fireman at the salt works in the early 1900s, and they lived in Fleetwood, but in
the 1911 census he is a Stoker on the ship SS James Fletcher (a Sea Fisheries Patrol Vessel). They had one child, a son named John in 1900. Nancy died in 1955 and Septimus died in 1958 b. 1877 married Jane Horn in 1897. In 1901 he was a Licenced Victualler (an Innkeeper selling food and drink) in Kirkham in the south of the Fylde. However, ten years later in the 1911 census he had given up running the Inn, and was a bottler for a beer company, and was living in Thornton Cleveleys. John died in 1923, and Jane died in 1957. Their children were: Elizabeth Swarbrick(d), Eleanor, Mary Ann(d), William, Edward Balfour, Agnes Westcoat, Christina b. 1879 married Francis Bennett Williams in 1898. Frank was a Bricklayers Labourer in the 1901 census, but by the 1911 census he had become an Insurance Salesman. They settled in the Thornton area and had a family of seven children. Agnes died in 1941 b. 1880 married Christina Westworth (a widow, maiden name King, from Birkenhead on the Wirral) in 1908. They lived in Thornton Cleveleys, and Thomas was an Agricultural Labourer in 1901, and a Traction Engine Driver in the 1911 census. They had no children (Christina was already 43 when they married). Christina died in 1957 age 92, and Thomas died in 1962. On the death register his name is Thomas Westworth Croft, yet he wasn't registered as having the name Westworth on his birth. It seems odd that his younger brother James also has the middle name Westworth. Was it a coincidence that Thomas also married someone with this name? b. 1882 married Mary Winifred Kitching in 1925. He lived in Thornton Cleveleys and was a "Driver" in 1901 and "Carrier/Carriage Proprietor" in 1911 (still living with his parents and brother and sister). William and Mary had two children, both daughters, Margaret Mary Sinclair in 1928 and Therese Philomena Mary in 1931. Sadly, William died in 1931 age 49. b. 1884 married Bertram Butterworth (from Sowerby, West Yorkshire) in 1911. He was a Postman in Blackpool at the time they married, they had two daughters, and Janet died in Blackpool in 1962, Bertram having died in 1943 b. 1886 married Mary Ann Lockwood in 1914. In 1911 he was working with his older brother as a "Carrier/Carriage Proprietor". George and Mary Ann had only child, a son George William. George (senior) died in Bolton in 1943 b. 1889 married Arthur Brown (a Joiner) in 1911. They had two children, a son and a daughter. Christina died in Lancaster in 1959 b. 1891 died in infancy b. 1893 married Priscilla Hawksworth (daughter of the landlord of the Albion Hotel in Blackpool) in 1927. In 1911 James was still living in Thornton Cleveleys with his parents and two older brothers and sister. In the census he is described as "Assisting Carrier and Carriage Proprietor", so it seems it had become a family business. In 1927, in the marriage register, he is described as a "Salesman". What he was selling is unknown, perhaps it was still the family business and he was selling cars, or perhaps the business had folded by then and he was a salesman for another company. James and Priscilla had two children, both boys, Keith Hawksworth in 1928 and Roy Westworth in 1929, however James died in 1931 age 37. Priscilla remarried in 1943 to Baden Powell Knowles Whalley, and died in 1956 |
Thomas - married Ellen Ashton in 1890. In the 1881 census Thomas was still living at home with his parents, but was a farmer of 23 acres of land in his own right. As his father John died in 1881, and his older brother was a mariner, it's reasonable to assume that Thomas inherited his father's land on his death, adding it to his own. In the 1891 census Thomas, now married, was still living at the same address, still a farmer. Ellen died in 1901, and in the 1911 census Thomas (still at the same address) is a "Retired Farmer". With him is his son, his daughter and her husband, and his son in law's parents. Thomas died in 1923. Thomas and Ellen's children were:
Ann
Thomas Ashton |
b. 1891 married William Thomas Simpson (a Professional Cricketer and Groundsman) in 1910. They had one child, a daughter. I
can find no reliable record of them after 1911 b. 1895 married Maggie Greenwood in 1935. I can find no evidence of them having any children. He died in 1971 in Fleetwood, and Maggie died in 1972. |
William - married Alice Ann Green in 1867. He was a Farm Servant when he married, and worked as a labourer for many years, living in Thornton (although in 1869 at the time of his third child's birth they were living in Preston. The address on the burial of his daughter was Ribbleton Lane, Preston). They cannot have stayed there long however, as all their other children were born (and some died) in Thornton. By the time of the 1901 census he had become a farmer, still in the Thornton/Fleetwood area. They had a total of thirteen children (though five of these died in infancy or as children). Alice died in 1908, and in the 1911 census William is still farming, with his youngest son (now married) working on the farm with him. William died in 1930. William and Alice's children were:
Richard
John Elizabeth Ellen James Jane Ann Elizabeth Ellen Mary Emily George George William Alice Thomas Edward |
b. 1867 married Jane Walsh in 1895. He was a Clerk at Rossall School at the time of the 1891 census, but had become a
salesman (for a cotton manufacturer) by the time of his marriage. They moved to Levenshulme, South Manchester and had three children. Richard died in 1922. Richard and Jane's children were: Thomas Walsh, Herbert William(d), Harold Richard b. 1868 married Harriet Jenkins in 1889 in Chester. Harriet's father was a Gardener, and John became a Gardener also. They had three children in Helsby, about 6 miles south of Widnes, though one died in infancy. About 1900 they moved to Prestwich, North Manchester, where Harriet died in 1906, age 35. John possibly emigrated to America, and died in Georgia in 1952. John and Harriet's children were: Edith(d), Alice, William b. 1869 died in infancy (Preston) b. 1870 married Mary Ellen Smith in 1893. he was a Labourer when he married, and by 1901 he was a Coal Dealer. They lived in Thornton, but I can find no record of them after 1901, nor of them having any children b. 1872 married Jeremiah Clarke in 1902. He was a widower with two daughters. They continued to live in Thornton, and Jeremiah worked at the Alkali Works. Jeremiah and Jane Ann had only one child together, a son named William. Jeremiah died in 1931 and Jane Ann died in 1948 b. 1873 died in infancy b. 1875 died in 1878 b. 1876 married William Nicholson (a Hairdresser) in 1897. They lived in Thornton, and had no children. Emily died in 1940 and William died in 1950 b. 1878 died in infancy b. 1881 married Ada Louisa Mullinger in 1903. Before marrying he had been working on his father's farm in Thornton, but by 1911 he was working as a Coal Merchant, still in Thornton. George died in 1955 and Ada died in 1961. George and Ada's children were: Alice, Maria, William(d), James, Ada Louisa, Emily Nicholson(d) b. 1883 died in 1893 b. 1886 married Ernest Westerman (a Brewery Engineer's Fitter from Leeds) in 1910. They moved to Lambeth in London, where they were in the 1911 census, and had two children there. They had a third child in Leeds (where Ernest was from), and then they moved back to the Thornton/Fleetwood area at some point as they had a child there in 1919. Ernest died in 1935 in Blackpool, and Alice died in 1971 b. 1889 married Eleanor Acton in 1910. In the 1911 census he and his wife were still living with his parents, with Thomas working on the farm. They had one child, a son named Thomas Edward, in 1917. Thomas (the elder) died in 1967 and Eleanor died in 1969 |
Robert - married Annie Ibbison in 1879. Robert was a Shipwright, and they lived in Fleetwood. Annie died in 1921, and Robert died in 1944 age 91. Robert and Annie's children were:
John Edward
Harry Robert William Margaret Annie Septimus Edward Edmund |
b. 1881 died in infancy
b. 1882 married Hannah Barlow in 1903. He worked as a Labourer at the Chemical Works, and they had three children. Harry died in 1947. They had three children: Jessie, Robert, Amy b. 1883 died in infancy b. 1885 married John Benson (a Shop Assistant at the Co-op) in 1910. They moved to Kirkham in the south of the Fylde, and had two children. Margaret died in 1943 in Blackpool b. 1887 died in infancy b. 1891 married Elizabeth Bell in 1914. They had four children, and Edmund died in 1961. Their children were: Edmund(d), James Robert, Margaret, Thomas |
Children of Thomas Croft and Ann (Salthouse)
Thomas - married Margaret Blacow in 1881. In 1881 he was in Fleetwood working as a "Railway Engine Cleaner", but by 1891 he was a "Railway Engine Driver", living in Thornton. He eventually became a "Stationary Engine Man", and they moved to Blackpool in the 1890's (their final child was baptised there in 1898). Margaret died in 1931 in Blackpool and Thomas died in 1935. Their children were:
Thomas - married Margaret Blacow in 1881. In 1881 he was in Fleetwood working as a "Railway Engine Cleaner", but by 1891 he was a "Railway Engine Driver", living in Thornton. He eventually became a "Stationary Engine Man", and they moved to Blackpool in the 1890's (their final child was baptised there in 1898). Margaret died in 1931 in Blackpool and Thomas died in 1935. Their children were:
Annie
Frank Fred Walter Margaret Edith Mary |
b. 1883 married Thomas Nickson in 1911. They had one daughter in 1914. Annie died in 1960
b. 1884 I can find no evidence of him marrying, and he died in 1972 b. 1888 joined the Royal Navy and was at sea on the HMS Irresistible in 1911. He married Alice Vernon Wiggin in 1913 and they had a daughter, Vera, in 1920. Alice died in 1945 and Fred died in 1954 b. 1889 joined the Royal Navy and was at sea (Home Fleet, Special Services, in Barrow) in 1911. He married Margaret Harrison in 1917 (in Blackburn) and they had four children, living initially in Blackburn before moving back to Blackpool. Walter died in 1958. Their children were: Irene, Harold Eric, Frank(d), Dorothy b. 1891 married John Singleton in 1917. I can find no evidence of them having any children, and Margaret died in 1943 in Kirkham b. 1898 I can find no evidence of her marrying, and she died in 1949 in Blackpool |
Robert - married Frances Antcliffe in 1883. He was a Blacksmith. They lived in Fleetwood and had a daughter and a son. Robert died in 1933 and Frances died in 1943. Their children were:
Thomas Samuel
Mary Ellen |
b. 1885 married Catherine Annie Porter in 1909. They had a daughter, Catherine, in 1919. He was Chief Engineer on the
SS Trader in 1944, calling in at New York, coming from Barbados, and originally Liverpool. According to the ship's manifest Thomas had been a mariner for 38 years, (i.e. since the age of 21). b. 1889 married Alfred Watson in 1910. They had a son and three daughters in Fleetwood. |
Charles - married Margaret Alice Ellis in 1882. He was A Gas Stoker in 1891, living in Blackpool. He remained a labourer all his life, working at the Gas Works, and he died in Blackpool in 1924. Margaret died in 1939. Their children were:
Elizabeth Ann
Charles Ellis Gertrude Elizabeth May Ada Ellis Thomas Henry Annie |
b. 1882 died in infancy
b. 1885 married Catherine Banks in 1912 (possibly). There is no evidence of him having any children, and he died in 1939 in Kirkham b. 1888 died in infancy b. 1890 married John Park in 1913. They remained in Blackpool and had two sons. May died in 1944 in Blackpool b. 1891 married George William Calvert Townley in 1914. They lived in Blackpool where they had a son and a daughter. George died in 1944, and in 1954 Ada married her sister's widower Frederick William Raistrick. Ada died in 1973 b. 1893 died in infancy b. 1895 died in infancy b. 1897 married Frederick William Raistrick in 1920. They lived in Blackpool where they had a daughter. Annie died in 1951, and Frederick remarried in 1954 to her widowed sister Ada (Townley). Frederick died in 1983 |