A-Z Challenge 2023: Family Traits - U for UNETHICAL

My Theme for the A-Z Challenge 2023
Family Traits, Quirks and Characteristics 

U for UNETHICAL 

 

 Two tales of UNETHICAL behavior (in the conventions of the times) -

fathering a "bastard  child" and conducting a secret marriage to an heiress.

 

 

 

John Danson, the eldest son of my great, great, great  grandparents - Henry Danson and Elizabeth Brown of Carleton, Lancashire, was the Black Sheep of my Danson family - as evidenced in  this document which I was delighted to find at at Lancashire Record Office.

 

For John,  in 1810 at the age of 21, was served with an affiliation order ordering him to contribute to the upkeep of his “said bastard child”  - a daughter by Ann Butler of Marton.   The poor child was repeatedly given this tag in the document below which  is fascinating on its choice of language:

“Ann Butler, single woman, was upon the 27^th day of August last, delivered of a female bastard child in the said township of Marton…and that John Danson, husbandman of Carleton did begot the said bastard on her body and is the father of the same.

Thereupon, we order… for the better relief of the said township…and the sustenance and relief of the said bastard child…John Danson pay unto the churchwardens and Overseers of the Poor…the sum of One Pound Eighteen Shillings for and towards the charges and expenses incident to the birth…further sum of four shillings towards the cost of apprehending and securing the said John Danson….the sum of Two Shillings weekly…towards the keeping, sustenance and maintenance of the said bastard child”.

In 1810, £1 18s 0d would have the same spending power of today's £131. with 2s 0d being worth today  £6.88   -  not much for bringing up a child! (http://www.measuringworth.com)

Unfortunately I have been unable to trace anything further on this story. A search for an Ann butler brought no results - she could well have married and be known by a different name.   John Danson died in 1836, aged 46, as far as I know unmarried,  and he predeceased his father Henry by three years.  

Does anyone have any thoughts  where I could turn to next?  

 

 

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"Butler's Secret Marriage to an Heiress" was the headline  when this Downtown Abbey style story came to be revealed.  

 

It came to light when a cousin  asked me to help trace  information about  his maternal grandmother Sarah Haydon Lounds who married my great uncle John Danson (below).  My cousin knew very little apart from the fact the family came from Lincolnshire/Nottinham shire  area and there was a scandal involving a Henry  Lounds who worked as a butler  in a large house. 

 

John's wife, Sarah was born in Worksop, Nottinghamshire in 1884.  Sadly she  died at the young age of 21 in 1905, soon after the birth of their daughter Annie.  My cousin was keen to find out the background to Sarah's middle name - Haydon.  He knew little  other than of family connections with Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire and that there was some kind of scandal with  a member of the family who had been a servant in a large country house.

Using standard online resources,  I traced Sarah''s father to be George Haydon Lounds  and her brother Haydon Lounds (1873-1947) who was named after his grandfather  - another  Haydon Lounds, a coach builder in Grantham, Lincolnshire.  The Haydon name came from two  generation further back when  in 1814 a Thomas Lounds married a Sarah Haydon.  The name Haydon was passed down through many generations and branches of the family. 

I was grateful to an internet contact for filling me in with details  on this  "black sheep" of the family.  

For it came to light that butler Haydon Lounds had secretly married heiress Miss Maud Ward Fox - the daughter of his employer, a wealthy widow.  

Henry Lounds - a photograph in my cousin's family collection

On her death in 1911 Mrs Eleanor Ward-Fox  left in her  will £13,000 to her daughter, Maud,  with a legacy of £200 to "my butler Lounds in my service at my death".  (. £.   In today’s money terms)

A Secret Marriage Ceremony in 1909:   However  not known at the time of Mrs Ward-Fox's death was the fact that butler Haydon Lounds, "a good looking  and well educated man", according to a newspaper report, had been for three years the husband of Maud, following a secret marriage ceremony in Devon in 1909.   The online Index to marriages confirms this event.

Single in the Census of 1911:  But in the 1911 census Haydon was still describing   himself as single  - a 38 year old  bachelor,  still working as a butler for the Ward-Fox family - Mrs Eleanor Ward-Fox, her  older daughter Gertrude and Maud, 30, (also cited in the census as single) all living at Bramhope, Torquay in a household that included a footman, groom, cook, kitchen maid and two housemaids.  Mrs Ward Fox died later that year at the main family home in Bakewell, Derbyshire.

Change of Name: The wedding was kept a secret for three years and was first reported in the then "Morning Post" Feb 9th 1912 when Haydon changed his surname by deed poll to Haydon Stephen-Fox. 

 

No children were born to the marriage, with Maud dying 1945 and Haydon two years later. 

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Onto V for VALIANT

 

 IN CASE YOU MISSED

A for ADVENTUROUS, B for BIGAMOUS, C for CRIMINAL,  D for DEVOUT

E for ENTERPRISING  & ESTEEMED,   F for FEISTY

  

G for GENIAL & GOOD LOOKING,  H for HEROIC    I  for INSOLVENT  

 J for "JOINER", K for KEEPER OF THE FAMILY ARCHIVES,

 

L for LONG LIVING,  M for MYSTERIOUS, N for NE'ER DO WELL 

 

O for ORPHANED, P for POETIC,    Q for QUESTIONABLE BEHAVIOUR 

 

R for RESILIEN, S for STOIC  T for TRAGIC

 

 

L for Leisure Time: A-Z Challenge 2020

My Theme

Family History Meets Local History - 

Sources and Stories from England & Scotland 

Our ancestors worked very long hours, but how  did they enjoy themselves in their limited LEISURE TIME?  You can best find out by searching  local newspapers.

Reports abound in the local  press covering my small village of Earlston in the Scottish  Borders, whether leisure  activities were sporting, cultural, educational, musical, dramatic, or just simply fun. 

Earlston lies 32 miles south of  Edinburgh, with its population numbers changing little over the period of 1861  (1749) to 2011 (1750).  Yet in the late  19th century, villagers could enjoy a variety of events taking place in the Corn Exchange Hall.  The adjacent Reading Room, founded in 1856  provided a quiet corner with its subscription library and billboard hall, but with strict rules that make entertaining reading today.

Earlston Corn Exchange  on the  far right of the photograph,  adjacent to the Reading Room. The clock and belfrey tower were donated by  Earlston-born John Redpath,  who in 1816 as a stonemason emigrated to Canada and in Montreal made a name for himself as an industrialist and philanthropist, but never forgetting  his birthplace. A plaque, mounted on the chassis of the clock mechanism, reads:  “The gift of John Redpath Esq. Montreal To his Native Town of Earlstoun. A.D. 1869”.

What could residents enjoy in the late 19th century? 

• In Spring 1869 a series of "Penny Readings" were held with the comment that these were  "instructive and pleasing entertainments."
   
• On 4th November 1869, "The Southern Reporter"  described the formal opening of a piano donated to the Corn Exchange by Mrs Colesworth of Cowdenknowes.   
  
  The ceremony was slightly marred by an "unforeseen accident" in opening the piano, but this was followed by "three hearty cheers for Mrs Colesworth"  and  "a  grand concert of miscellaneous music......with the hall crammed in every part."  

• Also in November 1869,  a meeting was called   in the Corn Exchange for the Electors of Earlston  to select a Liberal Candidate  to stand in the forthcoming election, on the current MP Robertson being raised  to the peerage.  The handbill for the meeting carried the headline  "Caution - Electors of Earlston - Beware!"   with Lord William Hay selected  to contend the seat. 

• September  1869 saw  the annual show of the Earlston Cottagers Horticultural Society  taking place for the first time in the Corn Exchange.  "The hall was set off in an artistic  and pleasing manner"  with contributions from the gardens and greenhouses of Cowdenknowes, Carolside and Drygrange - nearby estates. 

• On a more serious note, in January1869 a series of evangelical  meetings was held  "commencing the evening of Monday and continuing nightly until Sunday", when Lord Polwarth's talk was "listened  to throughout his lengthy discourse with marked attention"  from the packed hall".
  

                              

• In December 1881 The Earlston Tradesmen held their annual  "Show of  Roots" in the Corn Exchange.
• In February 1884, a lecture entitled "Holidays in the Highland", was given by local  bank manager John Mackenzie - one hopes he was a good speaker, as there would be no visual aids to enliven a long talk.
• A concert and ball were held in September 1886 under the auspices of the Earlston Street Lighting Committee to raise  funds for winter street lighting in the village.
  

  "After the concert, dancing commenced to the inspiring strains of Earlston Orchestral Party and carried on with unabated zeal  to  the  advanced hours in the morning.

   
  Earlston's Orchestral Party - 
      one of the oldest photographs in the Auld Earlston collection. 
  
  
• Another fund rising event in July 1889 was on  behalf of the Bowling Club, founded six years earlier, who were looking to liquidate its debt, with"the amount taken far exceeded the sanguine expectation of the club."  A wordy description gave a picture of the bazaar stalls - along with the more usual cushions and crafts,   "live poultry" - and a painting by renowned Borders artist Tom Scott.
  
  
  
  
   
• In 1892, advertisements in "The Berwickshire News" promised the  following entertainment at  the Corn Exchange  
  

  and 

  *

• Taking to the stage on 17th September 1897 was "Alone in London - a   wonderfully sensational and  realistic Drama......the greatest ever put before a Scotch audience......witnessed on several occasion by Members of the Royal Family"

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In the 20th century, villagers could enjoy regular dances -particularly popular in wartime, when the Polish Band (stationed in the village) provided the music;   a major two day Masonic Bazaar, shows by the Girls' Club; regular whist drives,  a cinema in the 1950s, follower by a short lived session of bingo nights.    But the heydays of the Corn Exchange came to an end with a visit by pop star of the day  Manfred Mann - a night still remembered by local folk.  By the 1960s there were other forms of entertainment  on offer i.e. television.  

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Sources of Information 

"The Berwickshire News" and "The Southern Reporter" on:
British Newspapers Online 1710-1963  at FindMyPast 

A Tragic Family - 52 Ancestors Week: 9

"Disaster"  is the theme of this week's "52 Ancestors" prompt and I am looking at a personal tragedy that devastated members of my extended family.  

Here an admission -  in many ways I have come to regret my choice of title for my blog.  When I set this up, as a novice,  in August 2010,   I was keen to convey my enthusiasm and pleasure that I gain from my family history activities - hence "Family History Fun."  But  tragedies. abound in our research  from mothers dying in  childbirth, the early deaths of children succumbing to illness,  accidents at home and work,  and of course in warfare.  


So most of us will soon come across tragedies in our family history. Here is such a one from distant branch of my family, and  where my blog title  becomes inappropriate.

I was asked by my  cousin to find out more about the background of his  grandmother  Sarah Haydon Lounds who married my great uncle John Danson (left). He knew little about Sarah, other than her family came form the Nottinghamshire/Lincolnshire area.    It proved a sad tale.
Sarah's Parents

A search on www.ancestry.co.uk  quickly revealed  that the surname Lounds was very popular in Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. I soon traced an entry for a Sarah Haydon Lounds born Jan-March 1884 at Worksop, Nottinghamshire.   She was baptised at St. John's Church, Worksop, daughter of  George Haydon Lounds and Charlotte Ann Short, who had married in 1873. 

George Haydon Lounds was the eldest son of Haydon Lounds and Jane Beaver, born December 1853 at Bourne, Lincolnshire.  He and Charlotte had six children Haydon (1873),  Jane (1875),  Emma (1877),  Willie (1879), Sarah (1884)  and Harold (1889). 

Haydon Lounds: Coach Builder - Grandfather of "my" Sarah.

Given that coach builder Haydon was a local tradesman, I sought to find more about his own life and work and searched newspapers online (available on FindMyPast)  to discover a  wonderful source of entries on Haydon.  

Stamford  Mercury:27th January  1854

 But success was short lived as reported in 1855: 
 
The London Gazette:  22nd February 1855

"A petition for bankruptcy - hearing date 14th February 1855 has been filed against Haydon Lounds of Bourne in the county of Lincoln, coach builder and wheelwright......" 

Haydon could only have been about 23 years old at the  time of this bankruptcy and
had married only two years previously, with  eldest son George Haydon (Sarah's father) born the same year.    However Haydon continued working in his trade, as indicated in the census returns 1861-1891 where he was described as "employed". Three daughters and six sons were born over  the next twenty years. 

Newspaper reports gave an insight into  Haydon as a respected member of the community, with  frequent reference to Haydon being among a company of bell ringers, who performed in church and at various social occasions, plus an award made to him by a Friendly Society. 

The Stamford Mercury:  12th July 1870"

"The Managers of the Hearts of Oak  Friendly Society, of London, have this week presented a handsome silver medal, bearing a suitable inscription, to Mr. Haydon Lounds, workman in the employ of Mr. Anderson, coach builder, of this town, for valuable assistance he has rendered for some time in inducing persons to become members of that institution"....... 

 
The Friendly Society was set up in 1842 with the aim of giving its members protection against distress through sickness.   It grew rapidly and a major collection of its records is now held at the National Archives. 

 The Stamford Mercury:  9th December 1870

  "A company of hand-bell ringers, under the direction of Mr. Haydon Lounds, gave a very pleasing diversion"

The Grantham Journal:  27th November 1875  - an effusive  report  on a Saturday evening concert at the Temperance Hall noted among the entertainers were:  

"Mr. Haydon Lounds and his sons who gave immense satisfaction by their excellent manipulation at the hand bells; the various pieces played by them being received with enthusiastic manifestations of delight".

 However tragedy befell the family as reported below.  

Lincolnshire Chronicle Friday 27 March 1896:

GRANTHAM - SUICIDE.  Mr Aubrey H. Malin, coroner, held an inquest into  the death of Haydon Lounds aged 65, a coach-body maker, who died on the previous day.  Arthur..... Lounds, son of the deceased, identified the body. Deceased had been suffering from white-lead colic for six weeks but had not stayed off work until the previous Wednesday.  Deceased of late had appeared in a rather depressed state.  He seemed to trouble about the idea of having to live upon his children.   William Deed, engine driver,  said he had known the deceased for about 20 years.  On Saturday at lunchtime, the witness was called to the deceased house.  In his bedroom, he found the deceased lying on his side, with his throat cut and a razor in his hand.  He had noticed that the deceased had been rather absent minded.  Dr. Paterson, attributed death to shock and exhaustion, due to loss of blood.  Verdict - Suicide whilst in a state of unsound mind."

So work for  40 years as a coach-body builder, resulted in Haydon suffering from what was later believed to be work-related   lead poisoning.  Thus ended  the life of this family man and supportive member of his community.   He was buried at Grantham Parish Church, Lincolnshire. 

*********

Tragedy, though was to  follow Haydon's family. 
His granddaughter Sarah, who married my great uncle John Danson, died in 1907 of Tuberculosis at the young age of 21, leaving a one year daughter Annie Maria. Annie made her home with her paternal grandmother Maria Danson, and her aunt Jennie who was only 8 years here senior.   (Below)

But in 1917 Annie's father John, aged just 38,  died whilst  in army training.  There was a bit of a mystery about the  circumstances of his death, with my mother commenting "granny had to fight to get his name on the local war memorial". It was many years later I eventually ordered John's death certificate  to read the stark new "cut his throat whilst temporarily insane".



Postscript on  Sarah and John's orphaned daughter Annie.
Annie grew up with  her paternal grandmother's family   and on 4 October 1928 married Harry Ditchfield at St. Chad's Church, Poulton-le-Fylde Lancashire.

The local press report provided a colourful description of the wedding fashions of the day - with the headlline "Gowned in Delphinium Blue" .  The couple went onto have a son and daughter, and grandchildren.

                                                                   ***********                                                            

                      Adapted from an earlier blog post on the Lounds family. 

                                                           

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2020  "52 Ancestors" Challenges.   

Butler's Secret Marriage to Heiress - Black Sheep Sunday

A "Downton Abbey" story if there ever was one! For it came to light that butler Haydon Lounds had secretly married heiress Miss Maud Ward Fox - the daughter of his employer, a wealthy widow.  

On her death in 1911 Mrs Eleanor Ward-Fox  left in her  will £13,000 to her daughter, Maud,  with a legacy of £200 to "my butler Lounds in my service at my death".

A Secret Marriage Ceremony in 1909:   However  not known at the time of Mrs Ward-Fox's death was the fact that butler Haydon Lounds, a good looking  and well educated man, according to a newspaper report, had been for three years the husband of Maud, following a secret marriage ceremony in Devon in 1909.   The online Index to marriages confirms this event.

Single in the Census of 1911:  But in the 1911 census Haydon was still describing   himself as single  - a 38 year old  bachelor,  still working as a butler for the Ward-Fox family - Mrs Eleanor Ward-Fox, her  older daughter Gertrude and Maud, 30, (also cited in the census as single) all living at Bramhope, Torquay in a household that included a footman, groom, cook, kitchen maid and two housemaids.  Mrs Ward Fox died later that year at the main family home in Bakewell, Derbyshire.

Change of Name: The wedding was kept a secret for three years and was first reported in the then "Morning Post" Feb 9th 1912 when Haydon changed his surname by deed poll to Haydon Stephen-Fox. No children were born to the marriage, with Maud dying 1945 and Haydon two years later. 

Background

This story came to light when a cousin  asked me to help trace  information about  his maternal grandmother Sarah Haydon Lounds who married my great uncle John Danson (right in the only photograph I have of him) ).  

Sarah was born in Worksop, Nottinghamshire in 1884.  Sadly she  died at the young age of 21 in 1906, soon after the birth of their daughter Annie.  My cousin was keen to find out the background to Sarah's middle name - Haydon.  He knew little  other than of family connections with Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire and some kind of scandal with  a "black sheep" of the family who had been a servant in a large country house.

Using standard online resources,  I traced Sarah''s father to be George Haydon Lounds  and her brother Haydon Lounds (1873-1947) who was named after his grandfather  - another  Haydon Lounds, a coachbuilder in Grantham, Lincolnshire.  The Haydon name came from two  generation further back when  in 1814 a Thomas Lounds married a Sarah Haydon.  The name Haydon was passed down through many generations and branches of the family and I was grateful to an internet contact for filling me in with details  on this  "black sheep" of the family.  

Black Sheep Sunday is one of many daily prompts from www.geneabloggers.com
to encourage bloggers to record their family history.