2.6 Essex

Extracted from Genealogical Gleanings in England Page 1166

"EDMOND SHERMAN OF DEDHAM, ESSEX, clothier signed 1 Aug 1599, with a codicil made 20 Dec 1600, proved the last day of April 1601. To wife Anne my house and tenement and all the meadow and lands which I do now occupy and dwell in, for her natural life. I give her my woolhouse and hopyard annexed which I bought of John Upcher, for term of her natural life, and five acres, parcel of the land which I bought of JOHN WEBB (and plate and household stuff and cows, and horses and grain etc). To son Edmond, after decease of my wife, all the houses and lands before given to said wife and a house and seven acres called Ryes, where he now dwells, and my sherman's occupation. To son Richard fifty pounds at four and twenty. Similar bequests to sons Bezaliell, Samuel, John and Benjamin. To my eldeset dau Anne Sherman fifty pounds at one and twenty. A similar bequest to dau Sarah. I give to Hanna my dau which I had by Anne my second wife fifty pounds at one and twenty. The same sum each to daughters _o_o_o_ and Mary at similar ages. To sister JUDITH PETTFIELD the tenement wherein EDMOND BROWNE the taylor now dwelleth, term of her life. My house at the chrch gate, my house that ROBERT FINCH now dwelleth in (and other lands etc) shall be sold within six months of my decease by my brother HENRY SHERMAN and my kinsman SYMON FENNE, clothier, of Dedham. Certain other houses and lands to be let until my youngest dau Mary come unto the age of twenty years, or the term of twenty years after the date of this my will shall be expired. I do then give to Joyhn my son (certain portions) and to sons Benjamin and Samuel (certain other portions). After my wife's death, I give to Bezaliell my son my tenement called Ryes, now in the occupation of son Edmond, on condition he pay to my son, Richard, within one year of his entry and possession of the same, the sum of fifty pounds. If Bezaliell die etc., then to Richard. After my sister's death I give the field and tenement, before given unto her during life, unto the Governors of the public Grammar School in Dedham, to be improved for a dwelling house for a schoolmaster that shall teach children to read and writing, which said schoolmaster shall freely teach one poor child which shall be from time to time appointed unto him by my son Edmond and after him by his heirs forever. To wife Anne all my malt. To Sarah, Hanna the daughter of Anne my second wife, _o_o_o_, Samuel and John, my children, twenty shillings apiece which was bestowed upon them by their grandmother CLEERE. To JOHN ELMES my kinsman ten shillings. Others (servants etc). Wife Anne to be executrix and Mr Dr CHAPMAN and my brother in law ROBERT LEWYS to be supervisors.

Wit: ROBERT LEWIS, HENRY SHERMAN, WILLIAM COLE
(Codicil) To eldest dau Anne Sherman and Bezaliell and dau Sarah, each forty shillings which their grandfather SHERMAN gave them, to be paid them at the ages mentioned in his will.

ANNE SHERMAN of DEDHAM Essex's will 3 Aug 1609 mentions, widow FENCE, WARNER, NICHOLAS CLARR of Colchester, MR THOMAS HASLEWOOD, brother MR ROBERT LEWES Wit: HOHN ROGERS, THOMAS THURSTON, WILLIAM COLE.

SPERHAWKE of DEDHAM ESSEX
From Genealogical Gleanings in England Page 1194
"LEWES SPERHAWKE of DEDHAM, ESSEX, mercer, 4 November 1597 proved 9 March 1597. Nuncupative will. To wife Margaret ten pounds a year, to be paid by son Nathaniel. TO NATHANIEL THORNE the house wherein WILLIAM ELMES now dwelleth. Sone Daniel Sperhauke to be sole executor, Nathaniel Sperhauke one of the witnesses. Proved by THOMAS ILES, notary public, for Daniel Sparhawke.

WILL OF JOHN SPARHAWKE, Commissary for Musters for the King, 25 Oct 1605, proved 25 Jun 1608. I have ever "bynne" from my cradle a true protestant in heart and soul, detesting from the very inward parts of my heart the Pope with all his shavelings and all their papistical trumperies and most ungodly and execrable courses in religion. My old good friend SIR WILLIAM BROWNE, knight, "Lieutfetennte"Governor of Vlishinge (Flushing) whome I have heretofore with an entire affection dearly loved. Mentions LIEUT JOHNSON, CAPT THROGMORTON, SERGEANT MAJOR OF VLISHINGE, CAPT YOUNGE, MR DANIELL AND MR ABRAHAM, preachers of God's word in Vlishinge. SIR WILLIAM WAADE, knight, My cousin EDWARD HODIERNE. My cousin RENOLDE RABBATT, My brother ERASMUS SPARHAWKE etc etc.

WILL OF WILLIAM WILSON OF DEDHAM, ESSEX
Extracted from Genealogical Gleanings in England _ Page 1175

"THOMAS WILSON OF DEDHAM, ESSEX, butcher, 30 January 1630, proved 24 May 1631. Wife Anne. Brother JOHN WILSON and his son THOMAS, Brother HENRY WILSON and his now wife and his son THOMAS and his two daughters ELIZABETH and MARY. The children of LEWES ELMES my brother in law, late deceased. To my sister MARY EMERY the rents of my house wherein RICHARD CROWE now dwelleth during her life and after her decease to MARY PARKER and _o_o_o_ SMITH, two of the daughters of the said Mary Emery. The other two children of my said sister, vix HENRY SMITH and JUDITH THORNTON. My sister STRAUNGE and her children (except her son Robert). New nephew ROBERT STRAUNGE. MARY MUN the younger, at one and twenty. Every one of the daughters of my brother JOHN WILSON. ROBERT ALDERTON and his son ROBERT. My sister SYDAY's children. Mr JOHN ROGERS, preacher of God's word, and MR THOMAS COTTESFORD. ELIZABETH AND JOYCE ELMES. JUDITH GOSLINE and her children. MR ANTHONY WHITING, PHEBE WHITING and the rest of my wife's children. MARGARET MORSE. WILLIAM WOOD. THOMAS MAKIN's son. JOHN GARRAD's child. I make my brother in law HENRY SHERMAN senior and THOMAS WOOD of Dedham executors.

2.7 Gloucester

Gloucestershire Helmes, etc.
A private searcher has surveyed the Gloucester Record Office for our English Helme, etc names (HELME/ELME/HELM/HELMS)Letter from the Gloucestershire Researcher (Mr R Haines BSc,25 Lynch Road BERKELEY Glos GL13 9TA)

"I enclose the result of my research. Basically I have searched through some of the various indexes available at Gloucester Record Office and also some of the county histories. I have encountered references to the name but I could not find any extensive articles/previous research on the family, nor can I find specific mention of Standish House." (Since Worcester was a part of Gloucestershire up until about 1600, some Worcester records exist at Gloucestershire.
Also, because the name Helmes was sometimes listed as Holmes, particularly in indexes, Holmes are included below. No effort was made to confirm the spellings.)
For information: The visitation refers to a visit by the Herald who visited the county to check the pedigrees of the gentry families and their coats of arms. If their pedigrees were found to be imperfect like the Goosnargh Helmes, they lost their coats of arms and could not have private armies.

THE VISITATION OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE IN 1623, ED SIR JOHN MACLEAN & W C HEANE, HARLEIAN SOCIETY, VOL. 21, 1885:

Mary dau of ______ FOWLER married Edmond BEREWE of Felcourt and they had William Berew who was 15 in 1623 and then they had seven other children. Edmond Berewe's second wife was Eleanor dau of ______HELMES.

THE VISITATION OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE - BEREWE -THE VISITATION OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE - BEREWE 1543

In the Harleian Society books I could not find a pedigree for Helmes/Elmes, but I did find Helm mention under Berewe.

BEREWE

(Gives a page of Baptisms for the Bell family).

THOMAS DEREHUST married JONE d. to .... 17 H 6 (or acc. to Harl. 1041, Margarett d of Robert Baynham of Westbury) They had Elizabeth d and heire to Thomas Derehust who married Walter Berewe. Several marriages took place with the following families: HAWKINS, CLYFFORD, FOXE, DOVER, FOWLER, GOUGH,

Mary d of ... Ffowler of Shropshire married Edmond Berewe and he later married ELEANOR DAUGHTER OF HELMES.

VISITATION OF GLOUCESTER, 1682-83, ED T F FENWICK AND W C METCALFE, PRIVATED PRINTED FOR MR FENWICK IN 1884

Page 35 - Cartwright of Washbourn and Tredington:
Margery, born 1583, dau of Timothy CARTWRIGHT of Washborn (he died 1628), Will at Gloucester 1628) married EDWARD HELME of London.

Page 132: Payne of Gloucester
Elizabeth, wife of ROBERT ELMES of Gloucester, first daughter of Robert PAYNE of the city of Gloucester and his wife Elizabeth, dau of JOhn Veel of Longford co. of Gloucester.

THE VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF WORCESTER, 1569, ED WPW PHILLIMORE, HARELIAN SOCIETY, VOL 27, 1888:

No Elme(s) or Helme(s) entries.

Page 2 - Charles HOLME, Doctor at Lawe, listed as a Justice of the Peace for the county of Worcester in a list dated 1620.

CALENDAR OF WILLS, ADMINISTRATIONS AND MARRIAGE LICENCE BONDS IN THE CONSISTORY COURT OF WORCESTER, 1451-1600: ED E A FRY, BRITISH RECORD SOCIETY, 1904:

Page 402 - ELIZ HELMES, Daylesford, and CLEMENT MOSELEY, gent., of London, Marriage bond, 1598.
Page 366 - JOAN HELMES, Blockley, and RICHARD REEVE. husbandman marriage bond 1594
Page 303 - ROBERT HELMES Als PERSALL, miller, Blockley, Will and Inventory, 1586
Page 365 - JOHN ELMES and MARGERY SAUNDERS, Witchinford, Ligh, marriage bond 1594.
Page 195 - ROBERT ELMES, Inkberrow, Letters of administration, 1564.
Page 375 - BRIDGET HOLMES, Belbroughton and THOMAS PERKS marriage bond 1595
Page 30 - EDWARD HOMES, Henley in Arden, Letters of administration 1558
Page 149 - EDWARD HOLMES, Henly yun NOrthen, invetory 1558
Page 400 - ELIZABETH HOLMES, Kings Norton, will & inventory 1598
Page 274 - FRANCES HOLM, Kitherminster, & Simon Pitt, marriage bond, 1581
Page 14 - HENRY HOLMES, Halesowen, will 1546
Page 107 - HENRY HOLMYS,Halysowen, 1545
Pages 195, 104,,67,126, 135, 211, 278, 29, 68, 182, 225, 172 contain more references to Holmes. See full report

GLOUCESTER WILLS 1541 - 1650 ED WPW PHILIMORE & LL DUNCAN, BRITISH RECORD SOCIETY 1895

Page 109 - AGNES HELLOWE, Witcombe Magna 1601
Page 24 JOHN HELLAM, Leonard Stanley 1557
Page 121 - THOMAS HELLOME, Great Witcombe 1608
Page 177 - WILLIAM ELMES abode not given 1637
Pages 84, 187, 82, 147, 187, 158 - contain references to HOLMES -see full report.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE MARRIAGES VOL VI, ED WPW PHILLIMORE; STANDISH;
He checked entries 1559 - 1660 and could only find: THOMAS HOM & JOHAN TYLER, anno Elizabethae 10, 2 Oct 1568 (Gap 1641-1654)

BIGLAND'S GLOUCESTERSHIRE COLLECTIONS
Ralph Bigland, Garter King of Arms at the College of Arms, travelled throughout Gloucestershire in the 1770s and early 1780s and collected and recorded the memorial inscriptions in the churches and their churchyards.
Published 1791- 1889.
Standish: P 1128-1132
-details of monuments to members of the YATE family are recorded, but no reference to HELME (This is disappointing as Major Thomas Helme's family on Barbados was related to the Yate family). That Yate is found at Colethorrp.

VICTORIA COUNTY HISTORY OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE - VOL X ED CR ELRINGTON & N M HERBERT 1972
Page 234 Details relating to Standish Court - the chief house and manor house of Standish. Owned by WINSTON family for period c1540-1620. No ref to HELM etc. No reference to Standish House.

GLOS RECORD OFFICES PERSONAL NAMES INDEX:

MR & MRS HELM: D1405/10/134
CARRISHAW HELME, minister, 'Good and Great Men of Gloucestershire', J Stratford
CHARLES AUGUSTUS HELM, gent, 1822-1831, Thornby & St Michael in Bedwardine, Worcs, D3412/3
JOHN HELME, Newland, 1535, D2957/p386
JOHN OF HELME, 1343, Kirtby, Bucks, D2244/24 NOTE THE EARLY DATE
NESTOR HELME, 1653, Chaceley, D2079/III/207
JOHN HELMES, Newland, 1492, D2957/p.376
JOHN HELMYS, Newland, 1503, D2957/p 378

The wills are sparse as the Helmes had lots and lots of money and their wills would have been proved at a higher church court such as the Parochial Court of Canterbury.
That becomes a major missing element of our searches in England

The Helmes were obviously around from the 1300s onwards. They were in the gentry with coats of arms - there has got to be more on them somewhere - perhaps it is sitting in the Worcestershire Record Office, as Worcestershire was separated about 1600.

NESTOR/CARRISHAW/AUGUSTUS first names do not occur in the NC HELMS records.

THE VISITATION OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE _ BEREWE _ 1543

In the Harleian Society books do not list a pedigree for Helmes/Elmes, but Helm is mention under Berewe.

BEREWE
(Gives a page of Baptisms for the Bell family).

THOMAS DEREHUST married JONE d. to .... 17 H 6 (or acc. to Harl. 1041, Margarett d of Robert Baynham of Westbury) They had Elizabeth d and heire to Thomas Derehust who married Walter Berewe. Several marriages took place with the following families: HAWKINS, CLYFFORD, FOXE, DOVER, FFOWLER, GOUGH,

Mary d of ... Ffowler of Shropshire married Edmond Berewe and he later
married ELEANOR DAUGHTER OF HELMES.

2.8 Lancshire

Lancashire is reported to have been the place where the Helme family originated at a crossroads called Helme, now Elmridge, near Chipping, the ancient market place. See the discussion in the website. For that reason, Lancashire assumes a prominent place for English Helmes. Early American writers like Conkwright discussed Goosnargh a principal place for Helmes. In early times the family was clearly Catholic and held on to the point of persecution and fines and loss of property, etc. Keen interest has centered on the families who were at Goosnargh. There, a family sort of dissolved and went underground, as we would say today. Thus, it has not been possible to prove a trace to them. It is hoped that an accumulation of data will help. It is to that end that data has been gathered. By the 1700's we have found Helme/Elme people in numerous English Scot and Irish counties, so the family was scattered about heavily.

Within Lancashire, it is worth mentioning that the Goosnargh Helmes were related the Helmes of Chipping, Ribchester, Hollowforth and Lea (Lancashire),and to the Yorkshire and Berkshire Helmes. We can prove this.

Helme Crests

A member of the Heraldry Branch of the Lancashire Family History and Heraldry Society has provided two recent HELME crests and arms:

HELME (H. Coll.). Per chevron embattled vert and or, an esquire's helmet proper, between two lions rampant combatant in chief of the second and a fleur_de_lys in base gules. Mantling vert and or. Crest _ on a wreath of the colours, upon a mount vert, a tower proper between two rose_branches stalked and leaved of the last, on each branch three roses gules. Motto _ "Cassis tutissima virtus". Livery _ Green.

Eld. son of late James Helme of Lancaster, m. Mary, d. of James Milner:_ Sir Norval Watson Helme, Kt, Bach., J.P. Lancs., Alderman of Lancashire County Council, Mayor 1896_7, M.P. for Lancaster Div. Lancs. 1900_18, b.1849; m. 1877, Mary, d. of Thomas Wilson of Caldbeck, Cumberland; and has issue_(1) Thomas Wilson Helme, Esq., J.P. and C.C. Lancs., b. 1881; (2) James Helme, Gentleman, C.C. Lancs., b. 1884 (m. 1911, Muriel, d. of A.T. Eccles, J.P., of The Grange, Darwen (Res._Haverbreaks House, Lancaster)); and Edith Mary (m. 1st, 1913, Capt. Erskine Crossley (d. 1920); 2nd, 1922, Rev. Benjamin Gregory). Res._Springfield Hall, Lancaster. Club_County (Lancaster).

HELM (H. Coll, 2 Jan 1914). Sable, on a bend engrailed argent, between two roses of the second, barbed and seeded proper, three pheons of the first. Mantling sable and argent. Crest_On a wreath of the colours, a sinister and a dexter cubit arm, vested sable, cuffed or, holding in the hand proper a pheon as in the arms. Motto_"Prospice". Livery_Dark blue, yellow waistcoat, silver buttons with crest.

Son of Paul Helm, Gentleman, of Edinburgh, b 1818; d 1902; m. 1844 Isabella, d. of Matthew Maudlin, of Medomsley, co Durham:_ Robert Dundas Helm, Esq. (tenth in descent from Richard Helme of Barmston, Yorks., who d. 1601), M.D. (Edin.), J.P. Carlisle, consulting physician to the Cumberland Infirmary, b. 1862;; m. 1893, Annie Carolina, d. of Henry Christian Lobnitz, Esq., J.P. of Clarence House, Renfrew; and has had issue_Henry Paul Dundas Helm, Capt. Border Regt., b. 1894; d 1918; Leslie Robert Dundas Helm, Esq., Lieut.Comdr. R.N., b. 1898; Adrian Charles Dundas Helm, Gentleman, b. 1903; Catherine Mary Dundas. Res._13 Portland Square, Carlisle. Club_Cumberland County (Carlisle).

Sir Henry Hellmes family

The reference of The will and inventory of Dame Ann Helmes of 1662 is 56HW51 and 4HR24. per Ruth Pyle. Archivist

Will of Dame Margaret Browne
The Will of Dame Margaret Browne mentions several Elmes.

Dame Margaret Browne of Stamford, late wife of William Browne, June 25th 1489. My body to be buried in the Chapel of St Mary in the Church of All Hallows in Stamford. To JOHN ELMES, my elder son, and Elizabeth his wife, a whole bed of linen cloth stained; to WILLIAM ELMES, KATHERINE ELMES, JOHN ELMES the younger, and ISABEL ELMES; to Thomas Stock my brother; to every son and dau of said JOHN ELMES the elder, a board cloth and I appoint JOHN ELMES and WILLIAM ELMES, my sons, my executors. Proved 30 Jan 1489_90.

FREE BURGESSES OF LANCASTER, ENGLAND

The titles of Burgess were passed down through the generations of the same family.

1755_56
William Helme of Lancaster, joyner

1771_2
Thomas Helme of Claughthrop in Westmorland son of Anthy

1779_80
Thomas Helme of Lancaster, taylor, son of William late of Lancaster, cabinet maker, deceased

1783_4
William Helme of Preston, cabinet maker, son of William, joyner deceased

1784_5
William Helme of Lancaster, merchant, son of John, of same draper, deceased

1801_2
James Helme of Leyton Beck near Beetham, son of Thomas of Claughthrop in Westmorland

1801_2
Anthony Helme of Over Kellett, flaxman, son of Thomas of Claughthrop in Westmorland

1806_7
John Helme of Lancaster, ropemaker

1815_6
Robert Helme of Little Tower Hill in the county of Middlesex, esquire

1816_7
William Helme of Stroud in Gloucestershire, clothier, son of Robert Helme of Little Tower Hill in the county of Middlesex, esquire

1816_7
James Helme of LIttle Tower Hill in the county of Middlesex, merchant, son of Robert Helm of Little Tower Hill in the county of Middlesex, esquire.

For the Middlesex/Gloucestershire Helmes to be burgesses of Lancaster, they had to be related to the families in the area.

Re: 1784_5 William Helme of Lanaster, merchant, son of John, of same draper, deceased _ I think this refers to the John Helme found with a share in a slaving ship as he was a linen draper deceased c1730.

Helms of Padiham, Lancashire
A descendant Trish Catrysse of Vancouver Island has written that his branch lived in Paddiham and moved to Bury, Lancashire in the mid 19th century.

Incumbents at Lee House, Thornley, Lancashire
We have a picture of the inside of Lee House RC church at Thornley where Father Germanus Helme of the Goosnargh/Chipping Helme family was the incumbent in the early 1700's. He was martyred in jail for the cause. It was not unusual for such persons to use an alias. Anyway, he is also carried as a Holmes.
File: pic8.jpg (98815 bytes)

Check out

Emails dated 2 Nov 98 re: Rochard Walmsley of Showley, Gent mentions the GERRARD/GERARD name, and Lancashire Inquisitions _ William Latus mentions Lord Gerrard and the Turners. We have found a John Gerrard as a Baptist minister in Virginia

Land of the Gerrard family of Brindle abuts the Hoghton boundary.

File: MYFILES\TXT\G663PLUS.TXT (27649 bytes)gives US Pre Colonial Census data on the Gerrards and shows the list. The dates are the dates of the note being cited. As you will see, they were scattered about even including French in Louisanna, and Germans in Philadelphia. I have subsequent CD's for 1790, and 1800, which sometimes show me the movements, late comers and such_such as the possible motion of John Gerrards in Virginia..

The Gerard/Gerrard's were in the Early Virginia Colony, 1607, Then Maryland Colony, in 1642, Frederick Co, Va., in 1764, and others. See the list.

The following had Gerard or Gerrard first names.
There were FOWKE,HOOE,ROBINSON, ELLYSON, MCKENNY, VAN METER, MARTERS, ALLEXANDER, BRISCOE, JOHNSON, BANKS, BARKES, ROBERSON,MANIFREE, SPINKS, TRAMELL, EDWARDS, MC CARTY, DE QUINVILLE, SMITH, BLYLE( JOHN OF GERRARD)/B, WALTHALL, GRANS, MILLER, ZIN, KLACKNER, OHLBACH, SCHEIR, WYCK, JARBEO, STANDERSON, BERCELAU, BSPENCER(MIDDLESEX, CT.)/B, TOWENSHEND, WARD, [BOARMAN, BRADY CAUSEEN, BDUTTON/B, DYSON, FOOTE JOHNSON, AND WOODALL OF CHARLES CO, MD 1778].
SOME OF THOSE ARE GERMAN AND FRENCH CONNECTIONS, AND MAYBE A DUTCHMAN. THE "BJOHN OF GERRARD/B" SUGESTS A PLACE OF THAT NAME.

From: ghelm
To: s.m.grimshaw
Subject: Lamb/Gerrard
Date: 29 November 1998 13:41

LANCSASHIRE RECUSANTS 1678 GERARD / GERRARD. ASHTON in MAKERFIELD.
Cuthbert GERARD Gent. page135
Ann " wid. page136

WESTLEIGH
William GERRARD Medic Doctor.page59
Alice " Wife of Wm.page59
Thomas " Husbandman.page59
John " Taylor.page60[spelling as per book]
Ffrancis " Husbandman.page60
William " Webster.page60

ASHTON in MAKERFIELD
William GERRARD Barronet.page75
William " Armigerous.page75
[two same name bracketed together] in book. (also these are in bold type which means they were prosecuted) andy.

PRESTON
Richard GERRARD Apothacary.page130
Maria " wife of Rich.page130

WHEELTON
Bridgett GERRARD Wid.page142

CHORLEY
Anne GERRARD Wid.page145

BRINDLE
Eliz GERRARD Spinster.page147
James " Husbandman.page147
Eliz " Wife of James.page147
James " Shoemaker.page148
Cicilia " Spinster.page148
Henry " Junior H.page148 [assme H=husbandman,Andy]
Margery " Wife of Henry.page148
Eliz " Daughter of Henry.page148
[fol.103verso]
Alice GERRARD Wid.page148
Thomas " Husbandman.page148
Joanna " Spinster.page149
[fol.104recto]
Margaret GERRARD Wid.page149
Margaret " Spinster.page149
Jenett " Spinster.page149

Oliver " Husbandman,page150
Margaret " wife of Oliver.page150

that's all for Gerrard,but there is a note at the beginning of the book [page15]
The Gerrard family of Bryn and Ince(liverpool 1990)p.11 Blackwood.p159 L.R.O. QDV5,fol5.copy of will in possession of author, courtesy MR. C.C.COULSTON of Portsmouth. By Andrew Helm of London.

Our interest in the Garrards stem from finding them in West Virginia in a Baptist church there in our time period of interest, They left there and went further South, as a church group move.

GEORGE LEROY PARKER, the US outlaw otherwise known as Butch Cassidy, came from Accrington, just north of Blackburn.

LANCASTER AND THE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE BY MELINDA ELDER LOCAL STUDIES NO 14, LANCASTERA CITY MUSEUMS 1991

"Lancaster's slave_trading partnerships were typically small, commonly six to eight men. Elsewhere, 12 or more investors often joined together. Sole venturers were not unknown at Lancaster and included Thomas Hinde and Miles Barber, two of Lancaster's most committed slave traders.

Lancaster's pioneer slave merchants tended to be either young men, new to the area, or local wholesalers and tradesmen intent on find a way into profitable transatlantic trade. Such were DODSON FOSTER, the son of a Durham merchant and JOHN HELME and JOHN FOWLER, upholsterers and linen drapers. The most committed of these early investors, however, was WILLIAM BUTTERFIELD, grocer, apothecary, rope maker and Baltic trader, who clearly used the African trade to broaden the scope of his commercial undertakings, making him the typical multifarious entrepreneur of Georgian England".

Conyers were also Fauconbergs.

PHILADELPHIA NATURALISATION RECORDS

(These are from Preston Lanc England)

Hugh Helm Sr, Gr BI cp 15 Sep 1866 sc 19 Sep 1868
Hugh Helm Jr cp 15 Sep 1866 sc 19 Sep 1868

1891 Census - Blackburn, Park Ward, ED 40, RG12/3408 FF7

45 Mosley Street
============

Thomas Helm, Head, Married, 37 years, Cotton Spinner, born Preston
Walburge Helm, Wife, Married, 31 years, --- born Preston
James Helm, son, 11 yrs, Cotton Creeler (half time) born Blackburn
Thomas Helm, son, 10 yrs, cotton Creeler (half time) born Blackburn
Henry Helm, son 8 yrs, Scholar born Blackburn
Bella Helm, dau, 6 yrs, Scholar, born Blackburn
John Helm, son, 3 yrs, Scholar, born Blackburn

Thomas Helm, head, was Susan Grimshaw's Great Grandfather and Henry aged 8yrs was her Grandfather.

Search for Leonard and Meredith Helm in Lancashire
Because of the prominence of Leonard Helm, and his son Meredith of Frederick Co, VA. A concerted effort has been made for his roots. This is the results of a search in Lancashire, a place where some have thought he originated. The following is mostly Lancashire data searching for Leonard and Meredith Helm.

BOLTON LE SANDS

Registers covered 1655 _ 1736.

Baptisms

Agnes Helme dau of Leonard Helme de (of) Bolton (assume le Sands) 7 June 1691 (see burial below)
Elizabeth dau of Richard Helme of Neither (Nether) Kellet born and baptised 29 Mar 1685 (see burial below)
Elizabeth dau of Richard Helme bapt 4 April 1686
Ellin dau of Richard Helme of Kellet bapt 19 May 1689.

Burials

Agnes dau of Leonard Helme of Bolton 24 July 1691
Elizabeth dau of Richard Helme of Nether Kellet dyed and was buried 15 May 1685.

Marriages

Richard Helme married Elin BARROW both of Silverdale 7 Dec 1678
Edwardus Edmon son of Heysa and Ann Helm de (of) Nether Kellet (date?)
LENORD HELME OF CARTMEL AND ELIZ GREENWOOD married 23 Nov 1687.

OVER KELLET REGISTERS

The following gives just the Christian names mentioned in the index followed by the page no.
Agnes 5,
Alice, 7,8.9
Anthony 90 (w)
Elizabeth 5,9, 13, 50
Hannah 9,
Isabel 9,
Jane, 47,
John 5,7,8,9, 50, 52, 75,76, 94
Peter 8, 9
Thomas 7,8, 13, 48, 50, 54, 92

ALL REGISTERS SAID FOR HELME READ HOLMES AND VICE VERSA _ THE HOLME CHRISTIAN NAMES DID NOT SHOW LEONARD OR MEREDITH.
Since the data above showed Thomas' son was born at Cartmel, it was searched next..

CARTMEL PRIORY 1660 _ 1723

Burial _ 9 Aug 1695 _ Isabel Helme (of Walton)
Burial 10 Jun 1687 _ Jane wife of Leonard Helme
Baptism 8 Jun 1687 Thomas son of Leonard Helme (of Churchtown)

Now it looks as though Jane (wife of Leonard) died two days after her son Thomas was baptised _ childbirth must have killed her. Did this same Leonard then remarry Eliz Greenwood on 23 Nov 1687 _ if he did then he didn't waste much time, though he obviously needed to find another wife to look after his baby. The family must have had land in the Cartmel area - So a records search in the Kendal Record Office is needed.

ALSO, CARTMEL PRIORY 1559 _ 1661

Herewith names followed by page nos:_
Agnes 220
Anne 34, 222
Christopher 5, 25, 29, 34, 39, 44, 49, 53, 61, 187, 200
Dorothy 44, 242
Francis 205,
Isaac 39
Isabel 61
Jane 25
Jenet 53
John 29, 61, 221
Katherine 224
Thomas 61
William 123

There were several MAYBURYS, spelt also Mabery, Maijberrij (latin spelling) Mayberry and Maybery. This is the first time Mayberrys have been found outside of the Midlands area. There was also a rake of TAYLORS, BRIGGS, TURNERS, HARRISONS, WALLERS, SANDYS AND WASHINGTONS.

This search was focused specifically on Lynaugh and Meredith.

Marriages

Edward Bowman = Agnes Helm 3 Nov 1583
John Helm = Ann Britton 21 Feb 1592
Robert Carter = Katherin Helm 25 May 1600
John Bury = Dorothy Helm both of Churchtown 3 Sep 1638
John Tompson = Anne Helme 28 Apr 1596
Richard MAYBERY = Anne Wright of Churchtown 31 Jan 1626
Edward Fell = Mary MABERY Churchtown 19 July 1671
Edward Turner = Jennet WALLER 20 april 1672
(Mayberry is focussed on because Leonard Helm of VA, had a son, Maybry or Mayberry)

Burials

Christopher Helme of Churchtown 13 Mar 1641
Isabel Helme, of Walton, 9 Aug 1695

In summary, Church names would be useful to find the baptisms. Grange over Sands is near Cartmel and is miles from Carnforth and there are lots and lots of churches in between. These baptisms obviously exist for Lynaugh and Meredith etc. - just need to know where to look.

The following is about a Lancashire George Helm who spent some time in Germany

Some time back their was a meeting of the Preston Branch of the Lancashire Family History Society and the guest speaker talked about Brickmakers in the Preston Area. The speaker gave a brief family history of the family of George Helme of Goosnargh and how his descendants had carried on the brickmaking tradition in the Preston area throughout numerous generations. The speaker gave the reference number of a document held by the Lancashire Record Office in Preston and informed us that the family was also mentioned every 20 years in the documents held on the Preston Guild Merchant.

A photocopy of the above mentioned document was obtained (it is written in ye olde Englishe and is difficult to read), but as the copyright is held by Lancashire Record Office, the essence is:
George Helme of Goosnargh was petitioning the Overseers of the Poor at Goosnargh in order to obtain some poor relief (money) for his family. It does not state whether this poor relief was granted, but the year of the Petition was 1665.
George described in this petition how he had found himself in this penniless state and these are the salient points of what he said:
George Helme was born within the township of Goosnargh in the County of Lancaster and his occupation was Bricklayer. His father was James Helme, who was deceased. George told the Overseers that when he was a little child, James (his father) went as one of His Majesty's glaziers to Ireland during the end of the reign of James I (1603_1625). George was left behind in Goosnargh with his mother and his sister. Unfortunately George's mother died soon after the departure of her husband. George and his sister were then taken by their Uncles, Thomas Helme and Robert Helme, up to Cockermouth and left with Sir Richard Langley and Sir Richard Fletcher of Cockermouth. These two knights took them in and looked after them.
Time passed and George became an adolescent. He sailed off on a merchant ship to what was known as Prussia in those days which was then in the Kingdom of Poland. The exact place where he settled was either Eberswalde, just outside of Berlin) or Ellernwalde (which is 43 km to the NE of Berlin and is the town mentioned by the guest speaker). Either way it was near Berlin which is now in Germany. He married at Eberswalde and lived there for many years as a bricklayer/brickmaker. His business was doing very well but because of the Swedish Wars in that area (the King of Sweden was trying to return this area to Catholicism) and a hugh Spring flood, George's house, all his possessions and his business literally washed away down the river. As a result of this, George had lost everything he had worked for and could not make a living for himself and his wife because the rest of the country was in poverty.
George was desperate so he returned to Goosnargh with his Prussian wife in the hope that he could find some friends, who would help him to get back on his feet again. His wife had a baby on the journey back. Upon his return he found that his friends had all died and those that were still alive would not help him. George took his wife and family back to the "seaside", but all the ships had left for the winter, so George returned to Goosnargh to petition for poor relief for himself, his wife and his child until he could find work. George Helme was buried on 16 August 1674.

It could be wondered if George and his wife had any children in Eberswalde that they left behind with say the "in_laws". If so, some Germans from the Berlin area could be his descendants. If anyone has access to the IGI for Germany or who lives near Berlin and who could provide some more information, it would be appreciated.

There is an old Lancashire Helm family story that has been handed down from generation to generation that we are descended from German Jews, and that we had a lot of money and we lost it.

No trace has been made to George. Could it be that the German lady he married was a Jewess?

Thomas Helms of Lancashire.

Very recently Hilliary Draper [email protected] has sent material on a Thomas Helms of Lancashire, as follows:
I have traced my HELMES back as far as Whitewell, a village which was then (mid 18thC) on the Lancs/Yorks border. Thomas HELME m. Elizabeth MARSDIN 27 Dec 1753 at St Michael, Whitewell. Children were: Isabella 1754 Jane 1756 Elizabeth 1758 John 1762 Ann 1767 Thomas 1769 Alice 1771 James 1774 James 1779 my 4xgt. grandfather m. Agnes CRAGG 23 Oct 1797 St Michael, Whitewell James and Agnes had 12 children: Elizabeth, William (my 3xgt grandfather), Thomas and Titus (twins) Ellen, Alice, John, Agnes, Elsie, Sally, Ann and Mary. All born at Wyresdale. At least some of the family moved to Bolton le Sands including William who married Sarah SAVAGE 4 Jan 1827 at Lancaster, and had 11 children :Thomas, Betsy, James (d. young), John , Agnes, George, Charles, Ellen Ann, Sarah Ann, Simeon and Cornelius. The family had moved to Preston by 1841 except for my 2xgt. grandfather Thomas who moved to Goosnargh, where he was a shoemaker, and later to Myerscough and Westby, where he kept the Clifton Arms Inn prior to his death in 1899. Other members of the family settled in Lancaster, Manchester, Bolton and generally all over Lancashire. Best wishes, Hilary

Question on Thomas by our Irene Helm: >>Is there anything on the family before 1753? We Have a Leonard Helm who emigrated to Virginia before 1720 whose family reportedly came from Lancashire. His father's name is thought to be Thomas but that has not been proven. Leonard m. Elizabeth. Don't know her last name or if she was his first wife. We have found a record of Leonard Helm who married Elizabeth Greenwood in Bolton Le Sands in 1687. A few months earlier we found this record "Burial 10 Jun 1687 _ Jane wife of Leonard Helme Baptism 8 Jun 1687 Thomas son of Leonard Helme (of Churchtown)" Our Leonard had a son Thomas who should have been born about this time give or take five years or so, so this may be our Leonard. If he married to Elizabeth Greenwood so quickly , it may have been at least partially because he needed a mother for his baby. So he could have been married twice or even three times. he shows up in VA with wife Elizabeth but I am not convinced it is the same one since estimated birth dates show about 30 years before birth of first and last children. Our Leonard may be related to the Parker family of Browholme Hall near Goosnargh. Also not proven. We have record of a Robert Helm in that family who married someone from Riding. Here is what I know. Robert Helme of Goosnargh living 30th May 22 Henry 8 (in the 22 year of Henry VIII ) purchased Middleton in Goosnargh which is settled on his two younger sons. Buried at Goosnargh 1562 married a) Joan daughter and eventually co-heir (her only brother Robert having died) of Robert of Ryding ( Ridding) of Ridding by Margaret daughter and co-heir of Thos. Hill of Ribchester by her he had one child-- Thomas. b) Alice by whom he had two sons-- Henry on whom his father settled a moiety of Middleton d. 7 Dec 1589- He had a son Leonard born 1586 who died and a daughter Ellen who is mentioned as heir in Jan 1600, Thirdly, George upon whom a moiety of Middleton was settled and who claimed the whole as heir male in 1600. He had a son George of London, brewer. Do you think it possible we are speaking of the same family? Any info you can provide would be greatly appreciated..