Return to The Elsoms of Spalding
The Children of Mr. & Mrs. Elsom
Before dealing with the members of this family individually,
it will be advisable to make a few remarks of the family generally
- especially with regard to their education. The whole of the
twelve, excepting No. 12, attended either the boys' or the girls'
department of the British School in Pinchbeck Street, but five
of the eight girls attended one or other private school in the
town, as a finish, where they were taught the piano etc. Generally
speaking, the elder children had least, and the younger most
of the school tuition. This, however, was as might have been
expected.
Eliza Elsom
As we have seen, Eliza, the first child, was born in the old
toll bar house on August 9, 1848. Her career was a very brief
one. After a very few years of happy childhood at home and school
she passed away before completing her eighth year on July 22,
1856. Her mother believed that her death was hastened by having
been allowed to walk home from Surfleet during a downpour of
rain.
Mary Ann Elsom
Born May 20 1850. She was a very precocious child. After attending
the British School, and Miss Lavender's, Albion Street, she was
apprenticed with the late Mr. Pennington, Hall Place, Spalding,
to the millinery business, under Miss Freeman, who became the
second wife of Mr. G.F. Barrell. Having served her apprenticeship,
she secured a situation as "second hand" in the millinery
department of a drapery establishment at Market Harborough in
Leicestershire, but also served in the shop. Later, she obtained
an appointment in the house of Peter Robinson, Oxford Street,
London. There, however, her health failed her, and, after spending
some time with friends at Tottenham, she returned home to die.
She was for some months under the able and sympathetic care of
Dr. T. Cammock of Pinchbeck St., who paid every attention; but
she passed away fully two months before attaining her majority
on March 17, 1871.
Isaac Elsom
The writer of these "Jottings". Born June 13, 1852.
Before he had completed his third year, a brother and sister
had been added to the family. Attended the British School from
his fifth or sixth year to the commencement of his twelfth year.
At the latter end of August, 1863, the school "broke up"
for harvest holidays as usual, but Isaac did not return. From
that time until the latter end of August, 1872, he was fully
employed in the ropemaking business with his father, but after
nine years of such occupation, an entire change took place. This
change had its history.
From infancy he had been a scholar in the "Wesleyan Reform",
afterwards the "Free Methodist" Sunday School. At thirteen
years of age he became a teacher of a junior class of boys. At
fifteen he began to give addresses in the school, first in the
junior department, and later in the senior. At eighteen, he commenced
to preach, and before he had completed his twentieth year he
had become a fully accredited local preacher, and a candidate
for the Connexional Ministry. Provisionally accepted by the Annual
Assembly of the "United Methodist and Free Churches"
of 1872, which was held that year in Bristol, he subsequently
preached a trial sermon and underwent theological examination
at Sheffield, and finally left home for his new vocation on August
31.
After serving what is known as his "provisional year"
at Gainsboro' in the Brigg circuit and his four years of "probation"
in London, he was received into "full connexion" at
the Annual Assembly of 1877, held at Louth, under the Presidency
of Rev. Anthony Holiday.
On August 23, 1877, Mr Elsom was united in marriage to Miss
Eveline Smithies of Battersea Park, and Brixton, London. Their
first home was at Cardiff; they lived subsequently at Newhall
(Burton on Trent), Bristol, Eckington, Holt (Norfolk), Bacup,
Shrewsbury, Hexham, Wisbech, Eckington (Derbyshire), Salford
and Market Rasen. In 1908 they returned to London, residing first
at Mitcham and afterwards at East Ham; and retired to Spalding
in August, 1914, where they still reside at "Stoneleigh",
16 Pinchbeck Road.
There are four children:
Isaac Charles born at Cardiff, Oct 1878. He resides
at hull and has charge of the importing department of Messrs
Smart and Elsom, Timber Importers & Merchants, of Derby &
hull. On August 31, 1911, he married Miss Claire Hollingworth,
of Hull; but there are no children. Their address is 25, Desmond
Avenue, Beverley High Road, Hull.
Eveline Smithies born at Newhall, Burton on Trent,
Sep. 8, 1880 and Grace Hilda, born at Holt, Norfolk, Aug
20, 1886, have been for a goodly number of years clerks at wholesale
business houses in Manchester. They lodge together in Broughton,
which is included in the Borough of Salford; and work together
in the same Church and Sunday School in St. Stephen Street and
Mount Street, Salford. Their private address is 180, Gt. Clowes
Street, Broughton, Manchester. They are unmarried.
William Graham born at Bacup, Feb. 11, 1892, joined
the staff of the London City and Midland Bank, 5, Threadneedle
Street, London, April 26, 1909. In October 1914, he "joined
up" with the Royal Horse Guards, with whom he fully trained
for service: but was afterwards transferred to a branch of the
Royal Engineers, and went to France about April, 1916; where
he remained (except when on furlough) until some months after
the signing of the Armistice: when he returned to the bill office
at the Bank. He married in October 1918, Miss Iris Bramall, of
S. Hampstead, and there is one child, a girl. Their address is
42, Hazelbank Road, Hither Green, Catford, London, S.E.
John Elsom Born Nov. 18, 1853. Not being particularly
fond of school and not liking work in the ropewalk, but preferring
agricultural employment, he left home quite early to learn the
principles and practice of farming, first at Hazlewood Farm,
Palmers Green, and next at New Park Farm, Herts, both farms being
occupied by Mr. W. Derham of Tottenham. After obtaining useful
experience ha had two or three short appointments as farm bailiff
in Hunts and Berks.; and then for a year or two occupied at first
one, and then a second hay farm in the parish of Northaw, Herts.,
where he brought up a large family. But being deprived of his
farm, and health failing him, he died at Enfield, Middlesex,
of consumption of the bowels, in his 45th year, on May 16, 1898.
John Elsom married Miss Sarah Peacock, of Hanyard's Farm,
Northaw - one of the two farms they afterwards occupied. They
had a large family. The first was a daughter, Pollie;
the others are sons, of whom four or five served in the Great
War. Pollie married a Mr. Barnes, a man of feeble health with
whom she is living at Dunmow, in Essex. They have marriageable
children, one of whom is living at Derby. Most of Pollie's brothers
are now married, but scattered; one at Nottingham, one at Northaw;
two or three at Tottenham etc. Their mother is still living and
spends her time among her children, chiefly with her eldest son,
Samuel.
Ellen Elsom
Born 6th June, 1855. After having two or three unhappy situations
as governess, fell on her feet with the family of a farmer named
Knight at Walcot, between Bourne and Sleaford. With this family
she maintains most happy relationships to this day. She married
on September 21, 1881, Major Shadford, nephew of Mr. Major Shadford,
Chemist and Druggist of Spalding and went to live at Milton Street,
Nottingham. The business not prospering, they took a similar
business at Derby; where Mr. Major afterwards obtained the appointment
of Dispenser to the Derby Poor Law Guardians; a post he occupied
with general satisfaction. He died May 23, 1918, aged 62 3/4
years. The present address of Mrs Shadford is 24, Sale Street,
Derby.
Jane Elsom
Born August 21, 1857. After the usual schooling and serving
a year or two in the shop of Mr. Tharratt, draper, of Hall Place,
Spalding, she obtained a similar, but better, situation at Worthing,
the popular and "sunny" seaside, health and pleasure
resort in Sussex; where she remained several years. On November
23, 1882, she became the wife of Mr. John Richard Hewitt, Chemist
and Druggist, of 493, Seven Sisters Road, S. Tottenham (formerly
of Spalding). At the time of her marriage (age 25) she was a
very beautiful woman; and was as beautiful in character as in
person. She was, however, a great sufferer for a number of years,
and died March 19, 1913, aged 55 years and 7 months.
Mr. & Mrs. Hewitt had four children. Ethel Mary,
the eldest, born Nov. 5th, 1883, became a school teacher. About
1910, she married Mr. Harry Allen, who was in the employ of a
shipping agency, and lived for a time at Palmer's Green, London,
N., but have been living for some years in Manchester. They have
four or five children. Herbert, the eldest son, after
his school days, assisted his father in the business, and now
succeeds him. He has recently married. Frank, his second
son, learned the business of Timber Merchant with his uncle at
Derby; and later undertook the management of a business in Bedfordshire;
but at the call of his country, he joined the army and fell during
the great struggle in France! Kathleen, born Sept 25,
1901, is a teacher in a high class girl's school.
Eliza Elsom
Born Feb. 9th, 1859. She was named after her mother and her
deceased sister; but has scarcely ever been so called, Lillie
being the name by which she has been known. After receiving a
liberal education she had happy positions as a governess at Saffron
Waldon and Bristol.
In 1880 she became the wife of Mr. Alfred William Barker of
Cambridge and went to reside with him at Dalston, London, N.E.
where he had bought the business of a chemist and druggist. At
later dates we find them in similar circumstances at Fulham,
S.W., and Wrexham: but they have now, for some years, been established
at the important town of Watford, in Hertfordshire.
Mr. & Mrs. Barker have been specially happy in their home
and family life. There are four children of the marriage - all
of them happily married themselves and having children. Jessie,
the only daughter and eldest child, is married to a Mr. Brodhead,
who is in the Civil Service and residing at New Haven in Sussex.
Donald, the eldest son, is partner with his father in
the business. Malcolm and Eric are both members
of the medical profession and doing well. Mr. & Mrs. Barker's
private address is Craig Avon, Cassiobury Park Avenue, Watford,
Herts.
George Elsom
Born March 18, 1860. He was a beautiful and healthy looking
babe, but, when three or four years of age, he contracted dropsy,
which nearly carried him off. Though he recovered from this attack,
he was never strong. Brought up to the ropemaking, he succeeded
to his father's business on Jan. 1, 1866, but he died on April
9, 1901, aged 41 years. (See Elsoms
of Spalding continued.)
William West Elsom
Born April 28, 1862. After attending the British School as
a scholar, he remained for a short time as pupil teacher: but
eventually he was apprenticed to the business of a timber merchant
with the late Mr. William Capps, of High Street, Spalding, who
traded under the style of "Maples and Capps". Mr. Capps
dying before the term of the apprenticeship had been completed,
William remained for a short with the new proprietor of the business,
but, at the age of twenty, he removed to Nottingham, where he
was, for some months, in the employ of a timber merchant there,
with another Spalding youth, Mr Alfred Smart.
(End of Book 7. Book 8 continues)
In the Spring of 1883, these two young men seriously considered
the question of commencing business together on their own account,
and having secured a piece of land from the Great Northern Railway
Company in Derby, adjoining Friar Gate Station, they obtained
a supply of stock, and duly opened out on July 1,under the style
of Smart and Elsom, Timber and Slate Merchants, their address
being Great North Wharf, Stafford St., Derby. In 1899 the firm
became importers as well as merchants, and obtained of the North
Eastern Railway Company, a timber wharf at ..... Dock, Hull,
where they have since done a large business, their offices being
at 26, Charlotte Street, Hull. About 1920, the firm received
from the Gt. Northern Railway Co., notice to quit the wharf at
Derby; and new offices having been secured at 45, Friar Gate,
Derby, the wharf was duly quitted and the business continued
without one. The style of the firm is now Smart and Elsom, Timber
Importers and Merchants, Derby & Hull.
In 1897, Mr. Elsom married miss Chestney of Derby and there
has been a family of three sons and six daughters. The two elder
sons, William and John are with their father in
the business. William married in April, 1925, Miss ..... of Derby.
Raymond, the third boy and youngest child is still at
school. Margaret, the eldest child is qualifying for a
medical career. The other daughters are in various situations
or at school. Mr. Elsom is a Justice of the Peace for the Borough
of Derby.
Harriet Elsom
Born March 1863. Generally known as Hattie. After the usual
schooling she had several appointments as school teacher, in
Spalding, .........., Littleborough etc., but being far from
strong, she could not continue the work, and finally settled
down with her father and mother, with whom she remained until
their deaths in 1910 and 1911. In July, 1914, she removed to
her own house, No. 14, Pinchbeck Street, where she still resides.
