The Kenyon family were well
known in Brierley, here is some of their early history. They
are first mentioned on the Staincross Mitilia List for 1806.
The Militia listed records of all men able to serve in the
West Riding of Yorkshire Militia at the time of an expected
invasion by France. For
Brierley there is Mathew Kennion, note the spelling, he is
classed as a poor labourer aged 35 with 3 children. This
would make him born in 1771. There are no Kenyon's on a 1720
rental for Brierley.
William White’s Directory of the West Riding
1838 has this entry for Brierley; Mathew Kenyon and Sons,
Gardeners.
The 1840 Brierley Tithe award
lists Mathew Kenyon as a tenant of the Lord of the Manor,
George Savile Foljambe, his cottage was on Common Road, Brierley, the site is now a
flower bed at the entrance to the village park. He rented
about 15 acres of land from John Hoyland. His sons George
and William Kenyon lived in the farm opposite the sharp bend
on Church
Street next to the Methodist Church.
George Kenyon aged 65 in 1861 a farmer and gardener
born in Brierley was the son of Mathew his wife Ann 64 was
born in Darfield. William Kenyon aged 60 in 1861also a
farmer and gardener born in Brierley was the second son of
Mathew his wife Mary 60 was born in Treeton near Rotherham.
White’s West Riding Directory
for 1852 lists George & William Kenyon as (Market)
Gardeners. In 1861
John Kenyon who was born in
Brierley is listed as Farmer & Gardener living at Red House
1n 1881
