Question from Paul
Hanson from Derby March 2006
Hi
Richard,
I am researching my family history and can identify my grandfather
(Kenyon Hanson) as being born in Clifton Villa, Brierley. He was born 1907
to Robinson and Ethel Hanson (nee Kenyon). My grandfather was one
of seven children. Robinson is cited as a Hospital Gardener on my
Grandfathers birth certificate.
I
would be interested to know if Clifton Villa is still standing and where
it is. Do you know anything of the family as my Grandfather never
spoke of them.
Any
other information or pointers in the right direction would be
appreciated.
Regards
Paul
Hanson Darby
Reply
from Richard
Hello
Paul
Attached
is a map of Brierley centre dated about 1893. It shows the smithy owned
by the Hanson family. Here is an extract from some notes of mine on the
family.
"A
well remembered blacksmiths in Brierley was that of the Hanson family.
William Hanson and his father George from Hemsworth took over the blacksmiths
shop of Joseph Askin which stood on
Church Street
opposite the
Three Horse Shoes
about 1852. William’s grandson George
was blacksmith there in 1908. This blacksmiths shop had closed by
1936.”
It
also shows nearby Clifton Villa, built about 1820, it is now our
village post office. There is also Red House a home of the Kenyon’s
until about 1970.
Regards
Richard
Hi
Richard,
Many
thanks for the information, its most informative!
I
have the 1881 census for the Hanson family, but not seen the list of
Kenyon family before. Am I right in my interpretation of your text
that the Hanson family had George who had a son William (1830) who had a
son George (1858)? Was it George (1858) that was working the Blacksmiths
in 1908 or another George that I have no record of?
I
know the family had ties with Kirk Smeaton and the water mill
there. Do you have anything on that?
Do
you have any further information that may be of interest or any contacts
I may approach?
This
is getting fascinating, I have only just started looking into my family
history! I appreciate all your time and efforts, thank you very much!
Regards
Paul
Hanson
Hello
Paul
Pleased
to be able to help. This
link should take you to a photo of Cliffton Villa it is the building on
the right. buildings
Yes
I believe that George born 1858 was the a blacksmith in Brierley in
1908. Charles Hanson was the last Blacksmith he was working in Brierley
in 1922 and possibly in 1927. The smithy had closed by 1936. The family
first appear in Brierley in White’s West Riding Directory for 1852
Just
checked Kirk Smeaton but have not found a Hanson or Kenyon listed.
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 1861a 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.
Regards
Richard
