Murderous Assault: Martin Westhoff

On a Friday, I share something that I have found whilst looking for records, that is interesting, useful, mysterious, fun, macabre, or adds information to our family tree.

Taken from the Daily News (London, Greater London, England),  24 Dec1849, page 7

Transcription
MURDEROUS ASSAULT - Martin Westhoff, a German sugar baker, 62, St. George's-in-the-East, was charged with assaulting Henrich Schwarman, and inflicting a wound whereby his life is at present in danger.

It appeared that the prisoner and the wounded man had agreed to fight German fashion - that is, without any regard to fair play. Schwarman was thrown violently, and, whilst down, the prisoner knocked his head several times with great force against the pavement, thereby inflicting the injury which placed his life in such jeopardy.

The case was remanded for further evidence, as well as to abide the issue as regards the injured man.

I do know of a Martin Westhoff, but he was younger than the Martin Westhoff mentioned in this article (he would have been 22 when this assault took place). He may be related, but so far, I have not found any direct links to our family.

Wordless Wednesday

My great grandfather, Percy Hooley (1882-1919)

Percy Hooley

Thomas Meakin (1835-1888)

Here I have another ancestor with a June birthday - Thomas Meakin (1835-1888), he is my 2nd great grandfather.

Thomas is a good illustration of someone who probably never went further afield than the local town, he lived and died in Langley/Sutton, Cheshire.

He was born on 6 June 1835 in Sutton, Cheshire to John and Ellen (Millward) Meakin. He was baptised 2 years later, there is no indication on the baptism register of why they waited so long. He was baptised in Brunswick Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Sutton.

The first census record I have of him is in 1841 and the family were living in Byrons Lane, Sutton. The last name is incorrectly recorded as Makin.

1841 Census

John Makin, age 35, labourer
Ellen Makin, age 35
John Makin, age 18, silk printer
Mary Makin, age 15, silk piecer
Sarah Makin, age 13, silk piecer
Thomas Makin, age 6
James Makin, age 4
William Makin, age 1

In 1851, the family were still in Byrons Lane. His parents were both still alive, but John and Mary had left home.

On 18 December 1854, Thomas married Sarah Griffiths in the Parish Church, Prestbury.

The record states:

Thomas Meakin, age 20, bachelor, blockcutter, living in Sutton. Father: John Meakin, labourer

Sarah Griffiths, age 19, spinster, living in Macclesfield. Father: John Griffiths, labourer

Witnesses: John Meakin (older brother of Thomas) and Charlotte Griffiths (younger sister of Sarah)

Thomas and Sarah remained in Sutton and in 1861, they were living at 16 North Street. This time, they are recored as Mearton in the census. By this time, they had 2 daughters, Frances Eugenia and Elizabeth Ellen.

1861 Census

Thomas Mearton, age 25, block cutter
Sarah Mearton, age 26, silk winder
Frances E Mearton, age 5
Elizabeth E Mearton, age 1

By 1871, the family had moved to Langley, which is a village just outside of Sutton. They now had 2 more children, Thomas and Sarah. Their 2 older daughters were still living at home.

It is now 1881 and the family are still in Langley, the 2 older daughters are now married and have left home (Frances Eugenia married John Downes on 15 February 1875 and Elizabeth Ellen married William Robinson on 20 May 1878) and they have another 3 children, James, Hannah and John.

Would you say that his life was unremarkable? He lived in the same place all his life, he was born, married and died there. He worked in the silk industry and he was listed as a block cutter on the 1851 census, which was when he was 15 years old, he remained a block cutter until his death in 1888.

Thomas died on 20 September 1888, age 53 in Langley, Cheshire. His death certificate states that he died of paralysis, however there is no indication of why this occurred, the informant was his son Thomas, who signed using his mark.

Obituary: Bridget Boushell (1873-1943)

On a Friday, I share something that I have found whilst looking for records, that is interesting, useful, mysterious, fun, macabre, or adds information to our family tree.

This week is the Obituary for Bridget Boushell from the Leinster Leader, dated 6 November 1943.

The transcription of the article is:

OBITUARY

MISS BRIDGET BOUSHELL, NAAS
Sincere regret will be expressed at the death, which took place on Sunday of last week of Miss Bridget Boushell, eldest daughter of the late Patrick and Mary Boushell, South Main Street., Naas.

Deceased, who was ailing for only a short time, had for many years residing at Tipper, Naas, and was a member of one of the oldest and esteemed families in the district. A very kindly and charitable lady, she was a devout Catholic and endeared herself to all classes by her generous and extremely warm-hearted disposition. The funeral, which took place to the family burial ground at Tipper after Requiem Mass, was largely attended. Rev. Patrick Kinsella, C.C., Cabra, cousin of the deceased, recited the last prayers at the graveside.

The chief mourners were - Messrs. Richard, Benjamin, Thomas and John Boushell (brothers). Misses Anne, Elizabeth and Kate Boushell (sisters). Messrs. Patrick, Joseph and Andrew Boushell (nephews).

Bridget Boushell was the 2nd great aunt of Dermot. She died aged 70 on 24 October 1943, the cause of her death was given as 'probably disease of the heart'. She was the eldest (by 10 minutes) of twins, but her twin brother died aged 2 in 1876.

Potters Gilder

What is fascinating in the families is the different occupations. Each family branch seems to have worked in a particular industry, because of where they lived and the jobs available in that area.

The first of these posts about occupations is Potters Gilder (or Guilder).

Gilding is the application of gold to the pottery ware. The gold applied is very thinly and usually applied on top of the glaze (which means that it can be rubbed off - so care is needed). It was classed as a skilled job and was usually done by women.

So far I have found 5 people who have at some point listed their occupation as that of Potters Gilder.

Elizabeth Baddaley (1845-1914)
Sarah Ann Hassall (1868-1951)
Elizabeth Hudson (1868-1928)
Florence Hassall (1876-1968)
Mary Maria Beardmore (1869-    )

I thought it might be interesting to show how we are related:

Elizabeth Baddaley - my 2nd great grandmother

Sarah Ann Hassall - my 2nd great aunt
William Hassall and Sarah Ann Alcock were the parents of Sarah Ann and my 2nd great grandparents

Elizabeth Hudson - my 2nd great aunt
John Hudson and Elizabeth Baddaley were the parents of Elizabeth and my 2nd great grandparents

Florence Hassall - my 2nd great aunt
William Hassall and Sarah Ann Alcock were the parents of Florence and my 2nd great grandparents

Mary Maria Beardmore - my 1st cousin, 3 times removed
William Hassall and Mary Hassall were the grandparents of Mary Maria and my 3rd great grandparents

Ellen Byrne (1870-1925)

Ellen BYRNE (1870-1925) is Dermot's great grandmother. I have chosen her for today, as she was born in the month of June.

Ellen was born on 28 June 1870 to Thomas and Mary (Malone) Byrne.
Her birth was registered on 22 July 1870 by Mary Byrne (mother).
Thomas’s occupation is given as labourer and they were living in Athgarrett, Rathmore, Co Kildare, Ireland.

1870 Birth Registration

Ellen married Richard Boushell on 6 September 1892 in the Roman Catholic chapel of Naas, Co Kildare. She was 22 years old.

1892 Marriage Record

They moved to Sallins Road, Naas probably just after they were married, the address given in August 1893 on the birth registration of their first child Mary is Sallins Road, Naas. Ellen lived in Sallins Road until her death in 1925.

Ellen and Richard had 9 children, 2 of whom died in infancy.

• Child 1: Mary (1893- 1959)
• Child 2: Patrick (1895-1969)
• Child 3: Elizabeth (1896-  )
• Child 4: Richard (1898-1900)
• Child 5: Esther (1900-1900)
• Child 6: Thomas (1901-  )
• Child 7: Joseph (1905-1960 )
• Child 8: John (1908-  )
• Child 9: Andrew (1912-1962)

Ellen died on 6 May 1925 (age 54) of diabetes, recorded as being of 12 months duration. Her death was registered by Elizabeth McLoughlin (daughter).

Fined: William Wain

I thought on a Friday I would share something that I have found whilst looking for records, that is interesting, useful, mysterious, fun, macabre, or adds information to our family tree.

This week, the article is from the Staffordshire Sentinel 21 March 1939, page 9

The transcription of the article is:

Mainly Against Lighting Regulations

Ralph Heap, of 36, Broad-street, Hanley, who did not appear, was fined 10s. at Hanley yesterday for having a motor-car on the highway without lights, and 10s. for not having a rear light.

Kenneth Barnsley, of Spring Cottage, Stockton Brook, was fined 7s. 6d. for cycling without a light. He did not appear.

William Wain, of Stanley-road, Bagnall was fined 10s. for not having the rear identification plate on a motor-car illuminated. He was also not present.

Raymond Hodgkinson, of 54, Pitgreen-lane, Wolstanton, pleaded Guilty to failing to conform to a "Halt" sign while driving a motor-car. He was fined £1.

William Wain is my great grandfather, he would have been 62 at the time of the offence. I was asked if I had found any criminals in our family trees. I wonder if this counts?

UPDATE: I have now found out that my great grandfather did not have a driving licence, so the offender was actually my grandfather William Wain.

Wordless Wednesday

Clara Ann (Hemmings) Meakin with children.

Clara Ann Hemmings was my great grandmother and Brenda Meakin was my grand mother.

Not sure of the date, but possibly 1919, if so, Rex would be 12, Norman 10, Brenda 7 and Grace 5.

Back Row: Norman, Rex
Front Row: Brenda, Grace, Clara Ann 

Edward James Westhoff (1867-1921)

I have chosen Edward James WESTHOFF as the first person to post about, as his was the first of our family trees that I saw. At the time I was not interested in family trees and it was duly filed away. Several years later, a chance comment and I have been researching the trees for both sides of our family for about 2 years now and still finding lots of new information.

Edward James WESTHOFF (1867-1921), is Dermot's great grandfather.

Known as Edward (Edward James appears on his birth certificate only), his parents were Johann Jacob (known as John) WESTHOFF and Mary Ann MOONEY.

Edward James was born on 27 March 1867 in Liverpool. He was John and Mary Ann's 6th child of 7. The birth certificate shows them living at Raymond Street Court House in Liverpool. John’s occupation is given as marine stoker and the birth was registered by Mary (mother), she signed using her mark.

Edward was baptised on 21 April 1867 in St Anthony’s, Liverpool.

1867 Baptism record

In the 1871 census the John Westhoff family lived at Raymond Street Court House, Liverpool.

1871 Census

• John Westhoff – age 40, fireman at sugar house, born in Germany
• Mary Westhoff – age 45, born in Middlesex
• John Westhoff – age 12, born in Lancashire
• Frederick Westhoff – age 10, born in Lancashire
• Edward Westhoff – age 4, born in Lancashire
• Henry Westhoff – age 2, born in Lancashire

In the 1881 census the John Westhoff family lived at 3 Hedley Street, Liverpool. 

1881 Census

• John Westhoff – age 49, fireman, born in Germany
• Mary Westhoff – age 52, born in London, Middlesex
• John Westhoff – age 21, labourer, born in London, Middlesex
• Frederick Westhoff – age 19, labourer, born in Liverpool, Lancashire
• Edward Westhoff – age 14, at school, born in Liverpool, Lancashire
• Henry Westhoff – age 12, at school, born in Liverpool, Lancashire

The 1891 census shows Edward as a crew member on the ship Chantrey, he was 23 and single, his occupation is listed as fireman. Records have been found which indicate that Edward served on the following ships for approximately 4 weeks at a time from 1890 to1907: Vancouver, Chantrey, Canadian and Lake Erie. The records show that he was possibly illiterate as the registers are all signed with his mark. 

1907 Crew List - Lake Erie

Edward married Mary Horris on 30 October 1898 in St Sylvester’s, Liverpool.

1898 Marriage Record of Edward Westhoff & Mary Horris

Their first child Mary was born on 1 March 1901 and the 1901 census shows Edward’s wife Mary and daughter Mary listed as being with Mary' sister Ann Johnstone. Shortly after this, Mary died aged 4 months in July 1901. A census record for Edward for 1901 has not been found, so the assumption is that he was at sea and possibly never saw his daughter.

Their only son Edward was born on 9 September 1902 and from the ship records found so far, it seems as if Edward may have been at home. The first record found after Edward’s birth shows him going to sea in January 1903, when Edward was 4 months old.

Anne was born on 7 June 1909 and 10 months after this in April 1910 Edward’s wife Mary died.

Edward died aged 54 in October 1921 and was buried on 10 October 1921 in Ford Cemetery, Liverpool.