Descendants of Luke and Mary ? Dewhirst of Brantom Farm near Sowerby, Yorkshire

click on above link to see family group charts for Luke and Mary

researched and submitted by Sylvia Green

DEWHURST DNA #94974

NOTE: Charles is the youngest brother of Richard Dewhirst, Schoolmaster of Horbury, Yorkshire and son of Luke Dewhurst of Sowerby, Yorkshire

Family of Charles Chantler Dewhirst and [1] Sophia Last

[1] According to an ' Essay on the Dewhirst Family ' written by a Dewhirst relative Muriel Langdon Parsons (eldest child of John Langdon Parsons and his wife Marianne nee Dewhirst): "Charles was the youngest of 13 children and born in the area of Wakefield, Yorkshire. No parents or siblings names mentioned. (No references or verification of any kind. ) He was delicate and his mother nursed him for a long time. His father was killed by lightening whilst driving in a four wheeled gig with his wife. They took shelter under a tree. His wife would never afterwards drive in a conveyance of any kind. When quite a young man, an old wool merchant and cloth spinner Simon Cumberland had a great affection for him. They were like father and son. Simon Cumberland was an old bachelor and when he died he left £90,000 but Charles only benefited to the extent of £1,000 and a valuable library." Family connections pointed to the area of Wakefield, Horbury, Dewsbury, Osset, Gomersal and Halifax where Richard Dewhirst, Schoolmaster lived. It has been proved (2007) Richard and Charles were brothers; sons of Luke Dewhirst of Brantom Farm, Sowerby, W. Yorkshire. They may also be grandsons of George Dewhirst from Osset who married an Elizabeth Mitchell - no dates given and/or George Dewhirst who married Frances (who d. April 1758). The record comes from the Register of the Chapel of Horbury in the Parish of Wakefield 1598 - 1812 and this could be one man who had two wives. Charles was a minister for 49 years at the Whiting St. Congregational Chapel (Est. AUG 1646) and moved to Bury St. Edmunds in 1801. For some service rendered by pen to the Royal French exiles, he received from Louis XVIII on his restoration a flattering letter fo thanks, accompanied by a patent of nobility and the order of "Fleur de Lis." Ther is an engraved portrait of him dated 1818 at the Museum of Bury St. Edmunds.

"In reading The Harwoods of Suffolk written by Alfred Harwood 1831- Will of Simon Cumberland proved at £147.000. Residue of his property to 6 cousins. Cannot find will but does prove validity of part of the essay: ' The Dewhirsts of the little village of Dewhurst of Osset, Wakefield, their crests and arms are identical, also the name Dewhirst now more generally spelt Dewhurst. ' "

Charles was educated at the Hoxton Academy in London, in 1797 and was listed as a member of the Church of Christ at Osset, after training at Hoxton. His letter of application was written from Gomersall, near Leeds in Yorkshire in Jun 1797. Charles was ordained at Whiting St. Church in Bury (currently United Reformed Church) on the 25 May 1801, by imposition of hands, after obtaining honourable dismission from the Church of Christ at Ossett from the Rev. Taylor. A John Taylor was documented as curate of Horbury when he married Richard Dewhirst at all of his 3 weddings 1782, 1785 and 1789, further suggesting a close tie between Charles and Richard. During his lifetime Charles' work was published, including in 1808, a set of Essays on the Nature, Order, Priviledges, and Duties of the Christian Church. His particular interests were in social reform and the abolition of slavery.

Seven years after his wife, Sophia’s, death Charles married Letitia Bromley, daughter of Nathaniel Warner Bromley, of Badmonsfield Hall. This family were non-conformist landowners in Suffolk. Sadly Letitia died the following year. Charles died in 1845 of carcinoma of the stomach. He had been the longest serving minister at the Whiting St Church, Bury St Edmunds and a memorial was placed on his tomb.

[2] Charles married Sophia Mary Last 3 May 1808. Sophia (b. 1788-9, d. 18 OCT 1824, Bury St. Edmunds) was a daughter of Simon and Mary Last of Southwell Park, Suffolk. Sophia may have been pregnant when she married as an unnamed child was buried at Whiting St Church and Charles recorded his daughter’s death in the registers. Sophia had seven children at 2 yearly intervals.

There is reference in notes that Sylvia has obtained from one of Edward’s descendants in Australia that a knighthood was granted on Charles by Louis XVIII of France. This was never claimed and is thought to have been lost through Emma’s daughter’s fianc�e taking the documents on a pretence to finding out whether they could be claimed. Sophia died 1Mar 1823, probably with child.

[3] Letitia was b. at Bansfield Hall, daughter of Nathaniel Warner Bromley and ???. She d. 9 July 1832 at Bury St. Edmunds.

[4] According to family papers Alfred died of yellow fever on the West Coast of Africa, perhaps some time arround the 1830's.

[5] According to Mary Sophie's marriage certificate, her brother Edward, a minister officiated at the ceremony. Children of Mary Sophie Dewhirst and Alfred Gore are: Alice (b. 1845, Billericay, Essex), Emily (b. 1846, Billericay, Essex), Alfred O. (b. 1847, Oxford, Oxfordshire), William B. (b. 1849, Oxford, Oxfordshire), Charles E. (b. 1850, Hungerford, Bedfordshire), Howard (b. 1852, Hungerford, Bedfordshire), Ann Y. (b. 1854, Islington, Middlesex), Tom Y. (b. 1857, Lea Bridge, Essex), and Emma (b. 18 Oct 1819, St. James Parish Bury, St. Edmunds).

[6] Captain John Weeks was born in Southampton abt. 1812 and was 9 yrs. older than Emma. He was a Commander on the P and O Line, Steam and Navigation Co. Children of Emma Dewhirst and John weeks are: Charles (b. 1846, Southampton), John (b. 1847, Southampton), Emma (b. 1849, Southampton), and Edith Anna (b. 1850, South Stoneham, Hampshire), Alice Sophia (b. 1853, Bitterne, Hampshire). Captain John Weeks d. 18 Sep 1884, 24 Belsize Road, Hampstead, Middlesex. He had done very well for himself as a Master Mariner. Captains had their own place in the hold, for their own imports. Thus money to be made.

[7] Anna Dewhirst and Thomas Youngman were married in Billericay Independent Chapel and her brother Edward officiated at the service. Two of her husband's siblings were witnesses at the wedding; Alfred Youngman and Amelia Youngman, and also a lady called Sophia Hindes. Thomas died in Felixstowe, Suffolk on the 11 Sep 1883. There were no issue from this marriage. In her will Anne Dewhirst Youngman left ten pounds to Madeline Dewhirst McDonald, daughter of William Henry Dewhurst, who was the son of John Robert Dewhirst. The two women would have been cousins.

Family of William Dewhirst and Eleanor Eliza Gould nee Allman

[1] William led a different live to that of his brothers, enlisting in the 94th. Regiment of Foot, at Bury St. Edmunds on the 7 Sep 1843. Documented as aged 20 yrs. and 5/12, he served in the 43^rd regiment of the foot for 4 years and the 94^th regiment for 10 months. He was in the East Suffolk Militia for 10 years. He was court marshalled when he returned home for his father’s funeral. He was documented as a seaman in 1851 and branded with the letter "d" for deserter. He went on to work as a chimney sweep. Evidence suggests he never actually married his common law wife, Eleanor Gould but they had 10 children. In the 1861 census William, aged 38 yrs, lived with his wife, Eleanor and 4 children, at Long Yard, Cold Dunghills, in the parish of St. Margarets. They lived in the poorest area of Ipswich and was caught twice for poaching. William was documented as being a merchant seaman on Edwards birth certificate. He died in 1875 at 52 years of age.

[2] Eleanor was b. 1819. William had been living with a wife called Elizabeth in Ipswich in the 1851 census. No evidence can the found of this marriage but we do not think it was the same woman, Eleanor Eliza Gould, whom William was later linked with, and by whom he fathered many children. Eleanor Eliza Gould used the name Allman, her first marriage and Dewhirst. Eleanor Eliza Allman was documented in the 1851 Census at 9 Gipping St. Ipswich.She lived on her own and was married and worked as dressmaker. The first child of William and Eleanor, Emma, was born in the workhouse in Ipswich under the Allman name. Twin sons were born in 1857. In 1881 Eleanor Gould is living with 3 children in Kent’s Yard off Church St. After her husbands death, Eleanor continued to live in St. Clements Parish and in 1881, and aged 53 yrs. worked as a charwoman and lived at Kents Yard off Church St. 3 of her children lived with her. Eleanor died aged 57 yrs. at 2 Kents Yard, in the parish of St. Clements on the 31 Jan 1885.

[3] Samuel Barnard worked as a shoe riveter. Children of Emma Allman Dewhirst and Samuel Barnard are: William Thomas Barnard (b. March 1883, Ipswich, Suffolk), Robert Charles (b. 1884, Ipswich, Suffolk), Fanny Suzanne (b. 1886, Ipswich, Suffolk), Alfred W. (b. 1890, Ipswich, Suffolk), Emily E. (b. 1892, Ipswich, Suffolk), and Florence Alice Barnard (b. Dec 1893, Ipswich, Suffolk).

[4] Charles died aged 7 yrs.of tuberculosis at Stoke Street in Ipswich, in July 1865.

[5] In 1881, William lived as a journeyman chimmney sweeper, with a James Richardson, and his daughter Ellen - later Willie's wife - in Norwich Rd. Ipswich. Their daughter, Edith Mary (wife of Frederick Calvert) , was born in Oct. 1883 at 22 St. Matthews, Church Lane, Ipswich. They later operated the Butt and Oyster at Pinmill, Chelmondiston where they dealt in antiques and eventually built the Ferry Lodge..

[6] Harry, Alice Mary and Edward died of Atrophy. Child mortality was very high in the poorer areas.

[7] Anna Dewhirst was born with "achondroplasia" a form of dwarfism. She grew to be 32" high. In 1891, she lived with her sister Emma. Annie was admitted to the Work House, from the Parish of St. Nicholas on the 2nd. Jul 1902. Annie died, in the Union Work House, on the 15 Apr 1918, of pernicious anaemia aged 54 yrs.

[8] Children born to Georgianna Allman Dewhirst and Stephen Webb: Stephen (b. Dec 1893, Ipswich, d. 3 Feb 1916, Ypres, France; Private 2888, "B" Coy. 4th. Battallion. Suffolk. Regiment), Ellen Edith(b. 29 Dec 1894 at 11 Lanes Court, Ipswich), Florence Lily (b. Jun 1896, Ipswich). Stephen Webb died in in the Sudbury Work House of T.B., aged 37 yrs. in 1903. Georgina died of heart disease and arteriosclerosos at her home in Old Foundry Road.

[9] Children of Arthur Dewhirst and Maud Ellis are: Arthur, Doris May, Frederick Alfred, John Henry, Charles William, Edith Maud, Robert Claude, Florence Eleanor, Eric Stanley.

Family of Alfred Dewhirst and Eliza Rudd

[1] In 1881, Alfred is a member of the East Suffolk Militia and a chimney sweep. He lives with Mr Harry Kemp family, and other militia men, 43 Bishops Rd. Bury St. Edmunds, where his father, William, had been born. Alfred died at teh age of 43 of cirrhosis of the liver, which may have been caused by heavy drinking. On the other hand, working as a chimney sweep, working in industrial chimmneys in the 1900's and subsequent inhalation of chimmney reidues could also have caused liver damage.

[2] Eliza Rudd, daughter of a Shoe Finisher, was b. 13 Nov 1863, 4 Harmony Square. St. Margarets, Ipswich. She was seven months pregnant as on the 12 Jun 1882, Matilda Dewhirst was born (Grandma Tilly.... ). Alfred died in 1900. Eliza was left to bring up the remaining children. By 1900, Eliza was ill with the disease which would eventually kill her. She had syphillis, a common and virilent disease of the time, either a congenital disease or contracted at a later date. There was no cure for this disease until penicillin was trialed in 1943. On 13 Apr 1903 Eliza died,aged 40 yrs. at 3 Tanners Lane. On the 20 Apr 1903, a few days later, Ellen, Charles and Frederick were admitted to St. Johns Chidrens Home, in Freehold Rd.

[3] Children of Matilda (aka Tilly) Dewhirst and William Robinson are: Ellen Matilda (b. September 1904, d. 9 Jan 1987), William James (b. 1907, d. 19 Aug 1986), May Muriel (b. 1909), Constance Ethel (b. November 1911), Robert (b. October 1913, d. 7 March 2006), Florence (b. 1917, d. April 1920). William Robinson was born 10 Feb 1870 at 167 Burrage Rd. Plumstead, Woolwich, Kent and died in July 1920, at the age of 50 of toxaemia.

[4] William is documented working as a Chimney Sweep in 1901.

[5] Known children: Alfred, Gladys, Stanley, Grace, Jackie, Renee

[6] William Oxborrow was born Abt. 1885 in Woodbridge, Suffolk, England and died in the 1st. World War, 14 Sep 1918 in France. He was buried at Villers Cemetery. In 1891 he lived at St Mary At The Elms, Suffolk, England with his aunt. Occupation in Woodbridge Suffolk England (Chimney Sweep). Eliza and William had four children:

William Arthur b. Abt. 1908 in Woodbridge, Suffolk, England; m. Florence Gardiner Abt. 1929 in Hartismere Suffolk. Occupation in Suffolk, England (Builders labourer, and painter /decorator). Burial in Coddenham Suffolk.

Thomas Herbert b. 11 Jan 1910 in Woodbridge, Suffolk, England. He m. Cissie May Suttle 22 Aug 1936 in Ipswich Suffolk England. He died on 13 Aug 1990 in Ipswich, Suffolk, England. His occupation Bet. 1931-1938 in Woodbridge and Ipswich Suffolk was Carpenter and Master Builder.

Ruby Olive b. Abt. 1913 in Woodbridge, Suffolk, England. She earned a Teaching Degree Abt. 1935 in London University and m. Lourens Muller in South Africa. She died Abt. 1967 in South Africa and is b. in South Africa.

Charles Ernest b. 1916 in Woodbridge, Suffolk, England. He married Hazel Elaine Bowser Abt. 1939 in Staines. He died on 25 Nov 1942 at sea.

For more information on this line, contact Mary Oxborrow Godwin

[7] Ellen was admitted with her younger brothers Charles and Frederick, into St Johns Childrens Home in Freehold Rd. Ipswich. She was admitted on the 27th. April 1903, 7 days after her brothers. Ellen went to London to work as a servant 24 Nov. 1904 to Miss Mcnamara, Schoolmistress, 82 Gore Rd., Victoria Park, London. A report dated 14th. July 1905 stated: "Bright, intelligent girl. Being well trained and has the making of a finished servant. 26shillings in the bank. Mistress pleased with her."

[8] Clara died at 8 months old when the chair she was tied to caught fire whilst her mother was bathing another child in the cellar.

[9] On the 20 April 1903, Charles Alfred was admitted with his younger brother, Frederick Arthur, to St. Johns Childrens Home, in Freehold Rd. Ipswich. He was discharged from the childrens home on the 19th. March 1910, readmitted on the 27th. March 1910. Admitted on the 27th. March 1910, and finally discharged to Ireland, on the 30th. March 1910. Charles was sent to The Curragh in Ireland in 1905 where he was taught to ride. He joined the 20th. Hussars; The Old Contemptables. He was sent to France in 1914 and involved in 2 Cavalry charges at Ypres. He was wounded in 1916. Charles later joined the Mounted Police in Nottingham.

[10] Frederick was admitted to St. Johns Childrens Home in Freehold Rd. Ipswich on the 20th. April 1903. He was discharged to live in Canada, on the 29th. April 1912. He would have been 16 yrs. of age. On the 14 June 1912 he sailed from Liverpool to Quebec on the SS Tunisian, arriving on the 23 June 1912, with Dr. Barnado's organization.We know that Frederick married a Bessie and died in Detroit after working at the Ford Motor Company.