BEESLEY ANCESTRY

Beesley or Beasley?!

In the book "The Ancient History of the Distinguished Surname Beesley". It says, in part: "Research analysts have carefully reviewed ancient manuscripts, such as the Domesday Book, the Ragman rolls, the Curia Regis Rolls, the Pipe Rolls, the Hearth Rolls, parish registers, baptismals, tax records and other ancient documents and found the first record of the name Beesley, in Warwickshire, where they have been seated from ancient times, long before the Norman Conquest in 1066." For more information, see full section here: BEESLEY NAME

This page will be used to document the known details of the family descended from Edward Beesley who was born in 1844 in Heaton Norris, which was then in Lancashire. I know the names of Edward's parents and siblings but have not researched them in any detail to date.

Edward's father's name was James and his mother's name was Rebecca Cooper. They married at Manchester Cathedral on 19th August 1827. In 1841 James and Rebecca were living at Hurst Farm Cottage, Heaton Norris with their children:

I believe the age of 5 for James was incorrect as there are records for James Beesley son of James and Rebecca, Christened on 3rd March 1839 at St James Church, Didsbury and died 13th March 1842 age 3.
Anna (or Hannah) was Christened on 2nd March 1828 at Eccles.
Robert was born 21st January 1830 and Christened at St James Church, Didsbury on 28th March 1830
Caroline was born 12th October 1832, Christened on 30th December 1832 at St James Church, Didsbury. I believe she married in 1851 at Manchester.
Mary Ann was Christened on 24th May 1835 and died 13th May 1836.
Edward was born in Heaton Norris in 1844 and Christened on 26th September 1852 at Manchester Cathedral.
Another son, John, was born in 1846.

By 1851 Rebecca was a 45 year old widow working as a Laundress, born Grassbeack, Yorkshire. She was living with her children at 7 Nelson St, Chorlton-upon-Medlock, Manchester. Robert was a 21 year old Millwright (born Burnage), Mary was 10, Edward was 7 (both born Heaton Norris), and John was 4 (born Reddish, Stockport).

Edward Beesley married Elizabeth Parry (born Rhosymedre) in St Mary's Church, Ruabon on 21st May 1864. Edward was a 21-year old Forgeman and his father James was a Labourer. Elizabeth was 20 years old and her father John was a Quarryman. Elizabeth did not sign the register but made her mark. The marriage was witnessed by Henry Pritchard and Maria Pritchard.

In 1871 Census 26 year old Elizabeth was at Hill Street in Cefn Mawr with her children John (Joseph?) age 4, Mary age 2, and Robert age 8 months, but haven't found Edward (see below). Elizabeth was staying in Hill Street, Cefn Mawr, with her Father and Mother John (born around 1811) and Eliza Parry (born 1822). John was a 61 year old Stone Cutter who was born in Bilston, Staffordshire, but I believe that he was born in Cefn and Eliza was born in Bilston. Also in the house were: John's sons Richard Thomas Parry, an 18 year old Forgeman, and 10 year old Charles, and daughter Eliza age 12, plus daughter Mary Ann and her husband Jonathan Heague, a 28 year old Coal Miner born Ashton. Mary Ann and Jonathan married at St John's Church, Rhosymedre in 1870.

John Parry and Eliza Hallstone (or Hullston) married by banns at st Mary's Church, Ruabon on 5th December 1840. John and Eliza both made their mark. John's Father's name and occupation was given as Richard Parry, Fidler (* presumably this is Pudler). Eliza's father was Thomas Hallstone, a Pudler. IGI has a possible Marriage of Eliza's parents on 23 Mar 1818 at Sedgley of Thomas Hullston to Mary Ann Randle. John and Eliza's eldest son was Richard Thomas Parry named afer their fathers, and their second daughter was Mary Ann names after Eliza's Mother.

In 1871 census when Elizabeth was with her parents in Cefn, there was an Edward R Beazley born 1845 age 26, staying with Joseph W P Riley born 1843, his brother William B Riley born 1838, and Margaret M Hickman born 1812. They were at Regent Road Salford, Lancashire (ED 22 Sched 79) which is not far from Failsworth where the Beasley family lived in 1881.

In 1851 John and Eliza were in Cefn Mawr with 4 year old Eliza and 2 year old Mary Ann. John was a 39 year old Mason, born Ruabon, and Eliza was 29. The birthplaces of Eliza and the children were given as Bilston. Elizabeth and Mary Ann were christened at St John's Church, Rhosymedre, so the 1851 census information s probably incorrect for their birth places. At the same time Eliza's parents Thomas and Mary Ann Houlston were at Mill Cottage, Trefor Isaf. Thomas was age 64, born in Gresford around 1787, a Forge Labourer, and Mary was age 65 and gave her birth place as Colchester. See below for more information on Thomas Houlston's family.

Rhosymedre Christening records for the 2 girls and son Richard:

The likely Baptism for John Parry is 28 Oct 1808 at St Mary's Church, Ruabon - son of Richard and Elizabeth of Cefn Mawr.
There is a burial for John Parry age 75 of Cefn Mawr on 10 Nov 1885 in St John's Rhosymedre.

I believe that these are the Parish records for the Christening of Thomas Houlston (sp) and his siblings, and the marriage of his parents:
Gresford Baptisms
July 22 1787 Thomas Hurlston s/o William. Abode, Llay.
Aug 24 1783 Elizabeth Jones(Hurlston) d/o William.
June 5 1785 William Hurlston s/o William. Llay.
Jan 31 1790 Mary Hurlston d/o William. Llay.
Gresford Marriage Dec 29 1780
William Hulston(x) of Holt.
Elizabeth Jones(x) Of This Parish.
Witnesses. John Salisbury & Edward Evans.

It looks as if Thomas died in 1858 and his wife in 1864 but I have not found a record of their burial yet.

Pontcysyllte
  Cefn Mawr was part of the ancient parish of Ruabon and the area was known as Cristionydd Cynrig (or Cristionydd Kenrick in English). In 1844, most of Cristionydd Cynrig, together with the neighbouring township of Coed Cristionydd became part of the new parish of Rhosymedre. Cefn Mawr was once heavily industrialised, with large deposits of iron and coal, and heavy industry dominated the area in the 18th and 19th centuries. Iron was worked at several blast furnaces and forges throughout the area, and coal was dug at pits in Cefn, Plas Kynaston and Dolydd. Cefn Mawr is located on a ridge of yellow sandstone (Cefn Rock), which was quarried for local buildingsCefn Sandstone was cut at quarries high above the village. Much of the mineral wealth of the area was exported by canal over the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct on the Shropshire Union Canal, before the railway reached Ruabon in 1855.

Monsanto
  In 1867 Robert Ferdinand Graesser, an industrial chemist from Obermosel in Saxony, established a chemical works at Plas Kynaston to extract paraffin oil and wax from the local shale. The company later expanded into the production of coal tar, carbolic acid and phenol. The site soon became the world's leading phenol producer.

In 1919 the US chemical company Monsanto entered into a partnership with Graesser's chemical works to produce vanillin, salicylic acid, aspirin and later rubber. The works was later operated by Flexsys, a subsidiary of Solutia, but has now closed. In 1848, Cefn Viaduct was built by Thomas Brassey to carry the Shrewsbury and Chester railway across the valley of the River Dee.

Both the aqueduct and the viaduct were built using stone from local quarries.

In 1881 Edward age 37 and Elizabeth age 35 were living at 14 Peel Street, Failsworth, Lancashire with their children:

Edward's occupation was given as Coal Miner, as was his son Joseph. Daughter Lily appears to be elsewhere. I believe she is listed as 9 year old Elizabeth Beesley staying at the home of her uncle Thomas at 2 Bird in Hand Yard, near Hill Street Cefn Mawr. Although I do not know why Lily was also called Elizabeth, probably named after her Mother, but there was also a younger sister called Eliza.
Thomas Williams was a 29 year old coal miner living with his wife Mary Ann (age 31) and 4 year old step son Samuel Haynes who was born in Featherstone, Pontefract, Yorkshire. Thomas and Mary were both recorded as born in the Parish of Ruabon, and I believe that Mary Ann was the sister of Elizabeth Beesley, and had remarried since the 1871 census when she was with her husband Jonathan. Sadly Jonathan Hague died in 1879 age 36, leaving Mary Ann a young widow with a small son.

Thomas Williams married Mary Ann Hague in St Mary's Church, Ruabon in 1881. Next door to them on either side in Bird in Hand Yard, lived 2 Parry families: Mary Ann's parents John and Eliza were at 3 Bird in Hand Yard with their son Charles, a 20 year old Coal miner. John was still working as a 70 year old "Quarry Man Free Stone" and this time his birthplace was given as Ruabon and his wife's as Bilston! They also had 9 boarders, who were labourers, an engine driver, and a dressmaker. John's son Richard was a 29 year old "Quarry Man Free Stone" living next door to Mary Ann at number 1 Bird in Hand Yard with his wife Eunice and 9 year old son Thomas.

In 1891 the Beesley family were living in Cefn Mawr: Edward, wife Eliza, Robert born 1871, Lilly born 1873, James born 1875, Eliza born 1881, and Carrie born 1886.
In 1901 he was a 57 year old Grocer's Shopkeeper living in Cefn Mawr living with his 55 year od wife. Daughters Eliza age 20 and Caroline age 15 were both Domestics.

In November 1909, Edward witnessed the second marriage of his daughter Lily, and his occupation was given as "Master Grocer".
Edward died in 1916 age 73 and his wife Elizabeth died the following year age 70.

Robert Beesley was born around 1875 and he married Hannah Griffiths in 1897. Their children were:

James Beesley was born around 1875, and married Mary Elizabeth Melville in a civil ceremony at Wrexham in 1906.
In 1901, James Beesley was a 26 year old Coal Miner Hawker, so presumably sold coal as well as working as a miner. In 1911 James and Mary were living in the Wrexham area but did not have any children at that stage. James died in 1960 age 86. At the same time 45 year old John Beesley (born 1866) was living with his wife Maria born 1868 age 43, and children Gertie born 1891 age 20, Edward born 1895 age 16, James born 1899 age 12, Doris born 1901 age 10, and Ethel born 1905 age 6 John had married Maria Edwards in 1889, and in 1891 he, Maria, and 11-month old daughter Gertie were living in Rock Hall, Cefn Mawr. In 1901 he was a Coal Miner Hewer living in Cefn with Maria and the children, including 3 month old Doris. John's son James married Hilda Jones in 1925 and they had 2 children. Doris maried Norman R M Whitehall at St John's Church, Rhosymedre, and they had a son. Gertie married Fred C Williams in 1915.

Edward and Eliza's youngest child Caroline was born in 1885 and married Edward Griffiths in Wrexham in 1905.

Lily (Elizabeth) Beesley was born in Preston area of Lancashire around 1873, and in 1894, she married Nicholas Hyslop in Oldham. James Nicholas Hyslop was born in 1869 (Dec Q) and the birth was registered in the district of Oldham, Lancashire. Nicholas and Lily's daughter Louisa was born in 1896 (March Q) and their son James Lees was born in 1898. Both children were registered in Oldham.

In 1881 census, Nicholas Hyslop (age 11) was living with his family at 10 Griffin Court, Salford, Lancashire. His father John Hyslop (age 45) was born in Scotland. John�s wife Hannah (age 44), Ada (9), Alexander (6), Betty (3), and Nicholas were born in Oldham.
In 1891 census, 21-year old Nicholas Hyslop was living in Oldham with his parents John and Hannah Hyslop, age 54 and 53, and their other children Ada (19), Alexander (16), and Betty (12). At the same time, Lily Beesley (age 18) was living in Cefn Mawr, as were her brother James (age 16, born in Lancashire), and sisters Eliza (age 10, born in Lancashire also), Carrie (age 5), with their parents Eliza (age 44), and Edward (age 48, born in Lancashire).

From the census data it seems likely that the Beesley family have moved between Lancashire and Denbighshire at intervals, probably to seek employment.

Coach and Horses
  In 1901 the Hyslop family were living in Cefn Mawr, Wrexham, Denbighshire. Nicholas was 30 years old and his occupation was listed as a Compositor printer. Elizabeth (or Lily) was 27, Louisa was 5 and James Lees was 2.
In 1911 Louisa was in the Fylde area of Lancashire staying with her Hyslop Aunts and Uncle - Ada age 33, Betty Lees age 29, and Alexander age 36.
Lily�s son James Lees Hyslop married Evelyn Edwards in a Civil ceremony at Wrexham in 1927 (Sep Q).
James was landlord of a public house in Rhosllanerchrugog. Initally the Feathers, and later the Coach and Horses on Vinegar Hill and we visited him and his wife there during the 1960s/early 70s.

In the picture, the Coach and Horses in on the left and Grango school in on the right of Vinegar Hill:
James (Jim) and Evelyn (Eva) had a son named Donald in 1928.

Lily�s daughter Louisa Hyslop died age 29 in 1925 in Wrexham.


Here is a picture of Lily and her daughter Ada:

Lily Beesley
  In 1909 (March Q) Nicholas Hyslop died at the age of 39, and his widow Lily remarried in a civil ceremony in Wrexham (December Q).

Lily�s second husband was Collier David Owen Morgan who was younger than her at only 23 years old. Lily's age was given as 26 and she was correctly described as a widow, but her age would have been around 36 at this time!

David's father Thomas, a Collier, and Lily's father Edward Beesley, Master Grocer, were named on the marriage certificate, and the 2 witnesses were Thomas Eveson and Edith Burgess. Thomas and Edith married in Oswestry district in 1914.

It seems that Lily and David moved to the valleys of South Wales in search of work.

Their daughter Ada Morgan was born in Pengam in the Rhymney Valley of South Wales in August 1912 and the birth was registered in the Bedwellty district. They returned to Cefn Mawr and Ada was brought up in 27 Hill Street, attending the local elementary school and then Ruabon Grammar school for a time.

Lily kept a shop at that address for many years.

Lily M Morgan died in 1938 and her husband David Owen Morgan remarried in a civil ceremony in Wrexham in 1940. The bride�s name was Maud M Evans and they lived for a time at 19 Benjamin Road, Wrexham. When David died in 1851, his wife Maud purchased a grave in Ruabon Road Cemetery, Wrexham. David was buried there on 20th April 1951.






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