It is never too late to discover new information on an
ancestor, as more and more Records come online. Such was the case
l for me.
I first wrote a profile on my great great
grandfather Henry Danson (1806-1881)
many years ago in
pre-Internet days. He lived near Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire in north west England and the
standard resources provided me with a good picture emerging of his life,
his
family (6 daughters and 3 sons) and his occupations as a farmer and
later in life as a bridge toll collector. at the River Wyre, in nearby Singleton.
I am a
regular user of newspapers online** and in a very casual browsing
of the Danson name, I came across a wonderful find - an obituary
and a coroner’s report on Henry's death. I I iscovered information on Henry
that was completely new to me and added cvour to his life.
Blackpool & Gazette Herald:
11th November 1881.
"
DEATH OF AN OLD INHABITANT. Few men were better known in the Fylde than Mr
Henry Danson who died at Shard Bridge Tollhouse on the 29th ult. aged 75.
He was
born at Trapp Farm, Carleton, at which place he resided until he was nearly 60 years old. After leaving the Trapp he took a farm at Warbreck, but only
occupied it for a few years. Shortly after leaving Warbreck he was appointed
toll-collector at Shard Bridge, which occupation he held up to the time of his
death.
He was
brought up as a farmer. When a young man he had few equals at any kind of farm
labour. At staking, thatching, mowing, or ploughing, he did his work in such a
manner as made him noted for miles round as a first-class man. In the
management of horse he was quite at home, and always had his team under perfect
command. He was also a famous judge in horse flesh, and for many years
possessed a breed of horses well known and much admired in the Fylde for their
endurance and good constitution. They were known by the name of "Robin
Hood's breed," and many of the old farmers at the present day think they
are not excelled if equaled by the present breed of horses. He was a kind
neighbour. His motto ever was "to do unto others as he would they do unto him."
What a
lovely description of my great great grandfather - and a wonderful find,
as in Britain, unlike the
USA, it is not customary to write such
tributes to a person, unless they have made their mark in some
distinctive way in
their community - as clearly Henry Danson had. I had no idea he was
well known locally and had never heard of the breed of Robin Hood
horses, as Robin Hood country was much further south around Nottingham.
But
as I found later, there were some omissions in the obituary on the nature of
Henry's death. For another newspaper report revealed the details.
Manchester Courier and Lancashire General
Advertiser: Wednesday 02 November 1881
“FATAL FALL FROM A CART. On Monday
evening Mr. Gilbertson held an inquest at Poulton-le-Fylde, on the body of
Henry Danson, collector of the Shard Bridge tolls. The deceased, who was 75
years old, was riding in a cart with Mr. John
? farmer, on the way to Poulton, when the horse took fright and jumped
forward. Danson was standing in the cart leaning on his stick at the moment
he was jerked out upon the road. He was attended Mr. Winn, surgeon, but
could never walk afterwards, his left thigh being injured, and he had an attack
of pleurisy fortnight before his death, which occurred on Thursday night last.
The jury returned verdict of Death from the effects of injuries received,
and resulting illness, through fall from a cart."
It is both sad and ironic that Henry, noted for his skill with horses,
should have died, whilst driving his
horse and cart.
Henry was buried in the graveyard of St. Chad's Church, Poulto-le-Fylde.
A photograph taken by my uncle Harry Rawcliffe Danson, great grandson of Henry above.
**********
Note – I would
never have searched in a Manchester paper for a report relating to Poulton – a lesson
that a wider search by county, rather than by specific place or newspaper title can be more productive.
Sources
**************
