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Wales (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Flintshire => Wales => Flintshire Lookup Requests => Topic started by: Hugh BlacK on Wednesday 04 June 08 13:02 BST (UK)
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Has anyone come across any information about the Fox family who farmed at Ferry Bank farm, Sealand? I believe they were there for at least 400 years and in about 1860 set up a brewery in the area.
I would particularly like to know if they are buried in the area?
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Hi there,
Welcome to Rootschat. I'm sorry I can't help you very much about this particular family.
However, you are correct in that they opened a brewery. I have a bottle at home with "John Fox, Castle Hill by Ewloe" thereon.
I am assuming this contained beer as I know there was a brewery at the location.
Ewloe is not too distant from Sealand. The name Fox is quite a common name locally.
If you have a look at www.archivesnetworkwales.info (http://www.archivesnetworkwales.info) and search for Castle Hill Brewery it will give you some information as to what is in the Flintshire Archives in respect of the brewery and the Fox family.
Good luck.
:)
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Hello Hugh.....welcome to Rootschat ;D
I did a goolge search and found this....tab down a bit....
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/northeast/sites/askalocal/pages/hist40.shtml
There is a Catherine Fox who has left some replies about the Fox family........... :-\
mab
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Hi
I have seen these sites but thank you anyway. I am distantly related to this family and would love to know what happened to them?
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Have you tried posting to that BBC site........maybe some of the people that posted previously will be able to supply more info now.
mab
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Yes I have and achieved some contact re the branch of the family that set up the brewery. At the moment no joy regarding the farming side.
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Not the answer you want - but in 1881 part of my family, Abraham Wilcoxon and his family were living at Ferry Bank Farm Cottage.
He was an ag lab, I wonder if he worked for Thomas Fox on the previous page.
Small world innit :o :o :o
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Thanks..in 1881 Thomas Fox did employ at least 3 laborers. His son poss also called Thomas Fox would have been my Great grandfather. His daughter born about1908 was called Mary Fox and this is the time (around 1900 till the farm was sold) that I am interested in. I feel there must be some of the family still alive.
I have managed to trace the family back very easily as they all stayed in the same area but moving forward seems more difficult.
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I found this in the Historical Directiories site - does he fit in. It`s the only one in the area.
W H Fox. Queensferry. Builder.
Wales trades 1912
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Thanks will investigate..
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1901
William H Fox 33 farmers son,
Thomas Fox 30 ditto
Thomas Fox 79 head
living at Ferry Bank farm all born Hawarden.
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Thanks not sure how I can find out what happened to them?
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1891 RG12/2869/119/6 Ferry Bank Farm, Hawarden, Flintshire
Thomas Fox 69 farmer b Shotton
Mary 59 b Broughton Flints
William 23 b Shotton farmer
Thomas 20 b Shotton farmer
Matilda 21 b Shotton
Jessie Fox sister in law b Westmoreland
Adelaide Tallis 25 niece b Shotton
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Thanks..I have seen a less detailed version of this but this helps to fill in some gaps.
Is there anyway of finding where these people were buried ? I think it was probably locally and not Chapel although that is a guess.
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Try North Wales BMD.
http://www.northwalesbmd.org.uk/bmd_welcome.html
It gives the registration area, and for marriages the actual Church.
It might help track them a little.
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Hello Hugh......
At one time, the Fox Family lived on Broad Lane, Hawarden....
Not sure how these connect, but here are a couple Of "Foxs' " buried in Hawarden........
Here lieth the body of
MARTHA FOX
late of Broad Lane
Who was interr'd July the 13th 1787
aged 70
Here lieth the body of
TIMOTHY FOX
Who was interr'd May the 29th 1787
Aged 72
In Loving memory of
MARTHA FOX
Of Wood Lane
who died May 4th 1900
aged 60 years
Her end was peace
Also THOMAS FOX
The beloved husband of the above
who died Feb 19th 1915
aged 79 years
Until the day dawns, and the shadows flee away
Not sure if this helps or not !!
My own forebear was buried there in 1784 (William Podmore ) He farmed at FOX'S TENEMENT, Broad Lane , Hawarden, for many years. I have a copy of his will, and it gives details of the farm and buildings......
kind regards
JeannieR
ps Forgot to say, that Broad Lane, is called Castle Hill now.
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Thanks..that is the same family.
In about 1830 the family split and John Fox founded a brewery at Castle Hill.
Thomas Fox stayed at the farm and was my great great Grandfather.
I would be interested in the will you have just for interests sake. It all helps to give a picture of the life there
Thanks again..
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forgot to ask where they are buried..
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Hello Hugh......
All the above mentioed Foxs', were buried at St Deiniol church yard, at Hawarden.
I have also found a couple more.
In loving memory of
JOHN HOLMES FOX
dearly beloved husband of
GLADYS MARION FOX
of Castle Hill, Ewloe
Born July 6th 1888
Died Oct 13th 1943
Also hs wife
GLADYS MARION FOX
Born June 23rd 1892
Died June 5th 1978
In treasured memory of
Lieut. JOHN F R FOX
2nd Queens Royal Regt
Eldest son of above
missing in Burma
April 4th 1944 age 28
This is on grave 36
I have looked again at my William Podmore 1784 will, and it does not give as much detail about Foxs Tenement as I thought.
It just says ...
" Whereas I am possessed of a house, out buildings, garden and tenement, known as Foxs Tenement "
Don't give up hope of meeting up with a descendent. I actually met a cousin, who is now 87, through this site. My family had lost touch during the blitz on Liverpool.
Kind regards
JeannieR
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This is really interesting ..thanks. The trail starts to get warmer again.
I am in touch with a descendant of John Fox who will be fascinated by this info.
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Hugh,
The John Holmes Fox, mentioned in my last post, is actually the son of John Fox, the brewery founder. On the 1901 census, he is a widower, with three children. Do you have the details ? I would be happy to post them for you.
He married Gladys Marion Smith. Registered Wandsworth//December qtr 1914/volume 1d page 1213.
My William Podmore, had sons who were farmers, and magistrates, at Bank Farm , Sealand. They probably knew your Fox family well.
Regards
JeannieR
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This gets more interesting everyday..will pass on to that side of the family (if you don't mind?).
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Yes i would any more information you have...thanks
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I meant to say I would like to see any more information you have..
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Hugh.......
1901 census.
Castle Hill (Brewery)
John Fox / head / widowed / age 41 / Brewey Proprietor / Born Ewloe
John Holmes Fox / son / age 12 / born Shotton
Evelyn G Fox / daughter / age 11 / born Shotton
Cecil H Fox / son / age 4 / born Shotton
Mary Holmes / sister in law / age 42 / born London
There are also 2 servants.
Evelyn married a Frederick Taylor in 1914 at Hawarden. There does not appear to have been any children born to them........
Children born to John Holmes Fox, who married Gladys Smith were......
John F R Fox / 1915 / killed in Burma
Harold O Fox / 1920
Violet Fox / 1921
I will try tro find the marriages of some of Thomas Fox's children.
Hope this helps.
Kind Regards
JeannieR
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I am trying to find out about Jane Banks who married John Fox, also intrested in James Banks who set up the brewery with John. Does any one know of their parents and where they came from.
Chris
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Hi Chris,
And welcome to Rootschat.
Do you have a time scale, for the birth of Jane ?
I have quite a few Parish Registers for Hawarden, and would be pleased to help.
I have just had a quick look, and found no trace of the name Banks, so far.
regards
JeannieR
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Chris , Hello again.....
Are you sure that it was a Jane Banks, who married John Fox ?
This is the 1851 census
Castle Hill (Brewery)
John Fox / head / age 35 / Master Brewer / born Hawarden
JANE Fox / wife / age 33 / born Liverpool
Elizabeth H Fox / daughter / age 7 / born Hawarden
Sarah Fox / daughter / age 5
James Fox / brother / age 25 / commercial traveller in ale and porter / H'den
James HEYES / brother in law / age 25 / Partner in the Firm / Hawarden
Thomas HEYES / brother in law / age 45 / land surveyer / Ormskirk
Henry HEYES / brother in law / age 38 / school teacher
Jane Heyes, married John Fox, registered March quarter 1843 / Great Boughton/vol 19 page 69
John Fox was born April 23rd 1815. His parents were John Fox, farmer of Castle Hill, and Sarah nee Meacock
Not sure if this helps or not !! But he is the only John Fox, at the brewery,with a wife Jane.........
Regards
JeannieR
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Hello JeannieR
Thank you for replying to my message so quickly.
First my apologies Jane was Jane HEYES not Banks (working on two names and got them mixed up when writting to you).
If I am Correct Jane's father was Henry and Her mother Elizabeth nee Fairclough (both from Ormskirk Lancashire) and at one time between 1841 and 1851 the Heyes and Fox family were neighbours in Puddington Cheshire.
Jane married John in 1843.
I have found the 1851 census showing the Fox and Heyes family.
John Fox aged 35 Head born Hawaden Brewer Master Castle Hill Brewery
Jane Fox aged 33 Wife born Liverpool
Elizabeth H aged 07 daughter born Hawarden
Sarah aged 05 daughter born Hawarden
James Fox aged 25 Brother Born Howarden
James Heyes aged 31 Br in Law Born Halsall Lancashire Partner in the firm.
Thomas Heyes aged 45 Br in law Born Ormskirk Lancashire
Henry Heyes aged 45 Br in Law born Liverpool
Thomas Heyes jr aged 21 ser born Halsall Lancashire
Ann Heyes aged 24 visitor born Halsall
Jane is not with the family in 1841 but James and Henry and Ann are with their parents (their ages match). They are in Puddington Cheshire.
In 1861 census john is married to an Ann. A John Fox married an Ann Heyes in liverpool in 1859. I am taking it that Ann was Janes sister.
All my finding's are somewhat speculative at the present until I can fit the pieces together. Elizabeth is the last piece of my puzzle. So any help you can give will be appreciated.
Kind Regards
Chris
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hi again JeannieR
Do you know what happened to John's and Janes Children Sarah and Elizabeth? Did they have any more children?
Chris
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Hi Chris......
Elizabeth Heyes Fox, married Paul Evans , Registered June qtr 1869 / Great Broughton / volume 8a page 508......
On the 1871 census , they are living at Broughton Road , Poulton cum Seacombe, Cheshire. They have a daughter Eva, who is 1 year old. Sarah Fox , is visiting them.......
I do not think Jane and John had any more chidren, but as yet, I haven't found the girls on the 1861 census. Jane died in 1858.
Will see what else I can find later, but right now, my husbands is wanting to claim his share of the computer !!
Regards
Jeannie
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Hi Jeannie
Thanks a million for the info. It gives me another way to go. I think I will have to get Jane's and John's marriage certificate to see if her father was Henry!
I'm so lucky my husband does not like the computer so it's all mine.
Chris
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Chris.....
Just a bit more info.....
Sarah FOX married William George HEPPEL / registered Chester / Sept qtr 1872 / volume 8a page 678
On the 1881 census, they are living at 33, Caterbury Road , Lambeth, with their 5 children......
Will have a look now, and see if I can find anything to confirm the Heyes Childrens, parentage.....
Regards
Jean
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Hi Jeannie
Thank you so much for your info. My sister and I spent Saturday night going through census and when we lost Sarah trailed through deaths and Marriages. William Heppel was one of the names we found, so thank you, you have verified what we found. Sue and I are so grateful for all the assistance you are giving us. We have started a Maybe Heyes / Hayes tree.
Chris
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Re the Fox family.
My mother was born Patricia Fox at Ferry Bank farm in 1924. Her mother was Mary Fox who was the daughter of either John or Thomas Fox. Their father was Thomas Fox who farmed at Ferry Bank farm and it was in that generation that his brother John Fox set up the brewery at Castle Hill.
When I started to try and find out about my mother's mother.I had no idea where to look. Quite by chance I Stopped at the nearest house to Ferry bank farm and by an amazing coincidence the person I met there was going to see a friend of his in hospital who had known my grandmother.
This person died soon after but before he did wrote to my mother enclosing a photograph of her mother that he had kept for 60 years...an incredible result.
The family at Ferry bank can be traced back quite easily to at least the late 1600s. There seems to be a recurring Thomas or John Fox in Hawarden since then.
I am very interested to know what happened to the family from about 1920 and why the farm was sold?
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Hello Hugh
I am sorry to say I can not help you with info relating to the farm. I am trying to find info on the Heyes family that set up the brewery with John Fox in 1844.
I have a Henry Heyes that lived next to Thomas Fox an occupier of land in Puddington Cheshire. This info is taken from the 1843-1844 Chester District Polling Records...... Hundred Broxton. I am not sure if it is the same Fox family, maybe just a coincidence. I am sorry to say I am not sure where Ferry Bank Farm is?
Regards
Chris
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Hi There
I'm tracking backwards and think I can solve the puzzle of Elizabeth Hayes Fox raised by Chris in this thread - so let's hope people are still monitoring it as it's looking oldish now.
Anyway - Elizabeth Hayes Fox was my great-great-grandmother. She married a Paul Evans (my great-great-grandfather) and obviously emigrated to New Zealand, as that's where her decendants have ended up. I think she and her husband Paul Evans probably emigrated to New Zealand in approximately 1885 or thereabouts.
I'm basing this on a photo that I have in which she and husband and children (Thomas, Mira, Inez, Paul, Mabel and Eva) are pictured in a very "staged" looking shot next to a boat. We think this was shot in New Zealand after arrival - though it's a studio shot, so difficult to know for sure.
My great-grandfather Thomas Evans who was born in 1875 or thereabouts appears to be about 9 or 10 years old in the photo. Which would make the date of the photo around 1885.
In the picture are:Thomas Evans and in the very front (small girl) Mira Evans.
Mama (Elizabeth Hayes Fox/Evans) and Papa (Paul Evans) are middle and right. With Mama is Inez Evans and along the back row from left to right are: Paul Evans, Mabel Evans and Eva Evans.
Very keen to make contact with others in this branch of the family tree ... and have a digital copy of this photo if anyone's interested.
Regards
Mark Evans
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Further to my previous post, I have a marriage certificate for Elizabeth Hayes Fox to Paul Evans (a brewer from Seacombe in Cheshire) dated 1869.
Fathers of the two are listed as Thomas Evans, Coach Proprietor and John Fox, Brewer.
I came across a post here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/northeast/sites/askalocal/pages/hist40.shtml where someone is asking for information about a pub called the Hawarden Castle where her Great Great Great Grandfather, a William Evans, was listed as the Publican on his death certificate in 1850. Interestingly, one of the witnesses on the marriage certificate is a William Evans - obviously not the same one, as the marriage was in 1869 and the death certificate in the post above was dated 1850. But it's perhaps possible that the William Evans who witnessed the marriage cert was related to (son or nephew perhaps) of the William Evans publican?
One thing does appear clear - the Hawarden Castle was definitely a pub supplied by Castle Hill Breweries.
I'm interested in a possible "Cheshire" connection here too. Paul Evans, on the marriage cert, is listed as coming from Seacombe in Cheshire. I know that Castle Hill Brewery was acquired by the Burtonwood brewery from Cheshire in 1948. Burtonwood continued to operate until only a few years ago when it appears that it was sold to a pub chain called “Marstons” which operates 500+ pubs across UK : http://www.marstontaverns.co.uk (http://www.marstontaverns.co.uk)
So I wonder whether there was an Evans/Cheshire connection operating here that may have been tied into the Burtonwood acquisition in some way .. since Paul Evans was clearly listed as a "Brewer" from Cheshire in the marriage certificate??
This is all fascinating .. so any further elucidation would be very welcome!?
Regards
Mark Evans
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Hi Mark......
This is the 1851 census for The Evans Family
Penn Street , Birkenhead, Cheshire.
Thomas Evans / head / age 30 / Coach Proprietor / Born Liverpool, Lancashire
Susanah Evans / wife / age 29 / Born Parkgate, Cheshire
PAUL EVANS / son / age 7 / Born Birkenhead, Cheshire
Emeline Ann Evans / daughter / age 5 / Born Birkenhead, Cheshire
WILLIAM EVANS / son / age 4 / Born Birkenhead
Robert Evans / son / age 2 / Born Birkenhead
Mary Evans / daughter / age 3 months / born Birkenhead , Cheshire
Ellen Evans / mother / widow / age 67 / born Oxton, Cheshire
There were also 2 stablemen, and 3 house servants.
It would appear, that the witness at Elizabeth and Paul's wedd ing , was his brother.
I have the details of Elizabeth Heyes Fox and her family, for the same year. They were living at Castle Hill Brewery.....Do you have, would you like the information ?
Regards
JeannieR
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Jeannie that's fantastic!! Many thanks!! Yes would love the information about the fox family. Thank you so much for your help. In under a week our knowledge of the family has gone back two more generations!
Fantastic
regards
mark
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My Pleasure Mark....
1851 census
Castle Hill Brewery, Ewloe Town
John Fox / Head / age 35 / Brewer (Master, employing 7 indoor servants / Born Hawarden
Jane Fox / wife / age 22 / Born Liverpool, Lancashire
ELIZABETH H FOX / daughter / age 7 / Born Hawarden
Sarah Fox / daughter / age 5 / born Hawarden
James Fox / brother / age 25 / Commercial Traveller in Ale and Porter / born Hawarden
James HEYES / brother in law / age 21 / Partner in the Business / born Hawarden
Thomas HEYES / brother in law / age 45 / Land Surveyor / born Ormskirk, Lancashire
Henry HEYES / brother in law / age 38 / School Master / born Liverpool
Thomas HEYES / servant / age 21 / Joiner / born Halsall, Lancashire
Ann HEYES / visitor / age 24 / born Halsall, Lancashire
There are also 5 house servants
I have a feeling, that Jane , may not be your Elizabeth's mother. She would have been very young. I will look into it . Unfortunatley, my PR's only go up to 1840.....
I will post again, with more info
Kind Regards
JeannieR
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Hi Again Mark......
I have checked, and Jane is the mother of Elizabeth.......
John Fox, married Jane Heyes, in a Civil ceremony, registered March qtr 1843 / Great Boughton / vol
19 page 58a........
Jane died in 1858, and John married her sister ? Ann Heyes ai 1859.....
John Fox was born on 23rd April 1815, and Baptised 28th June . His parents were John Fox, Farmer, ans Sarah MEACOCK . Their abode was Castle Hill, Ewloe. If you would like, I will find all his siblings for you........
John Fox senior, was the son Of Thomas Fox and His wife Mary Bithell. He was baptised on 17th December 1779. Thomas Fox was a farmer of Castle Hill.....
Thomas Fox and Mary Bithell were married 25th December 1774.
The Fox family, were neighbours of my own forebears, The Podmores. Indeed My William Podmore leased property from the Foxs' which was called Fox's Tenement, and it is mentioned in his will.
I actually have a photograph of John Fox 1815-1886. If you let me have your email address in a PM I will forward a copy. I can do the research, but I am terrible with the technical side !!
Just Let me know what information I can help with
Kind Regards
Jeannie
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Wow that's fantastic Jeannie you are so kind. Would love to have that information and the photo would be extremely appreciated!! I will pm you my email address. Thaks again - hope the foot is getting better?
Regards
mark
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Mark......
Hope you have received the emails alright ?
I have just made a astonishing discovery !!!
Just messing around to see if I could help you further. I found "your" Robert Fox, born 1830 at Hawarden, son of John and Sarah. He was living in Manchester 1881, with wife Henrietta and children........
BUT staying with them, was one Samuel PODMORE , born 1867 , Hawarden , described as 2nd cousin !!.....so we are related....remotely , but it is there.....
I have as yet to prove it, but I THINK , that Samuels grandfather, also Samuel, born 1803, married Sarah Meacocks sister, Martha.......
Just go's to prove you have to be nice to each other...you could end up related ...
This is the 2nd time it has happened to me on Rootschat....
Regards
Jeannie
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:)
Well howdy cousin!!
Isn't this fantastic. I'm new to this whole family tree thing, and I must say I'm starting to see how addictive it can become! Especially when you start to make connections like this. It's fascinating.
Many thanks for your help Jeannie. Any information you can give on the siblings of John Fox senior would be very helpful .. I'm updating the family tree my cousin has setup on Tribal Pages. Great to have that photo of John Fox too ... many thanks for that!! I've added that to the tree as well.
Thanks again for all your help
Regards
Mark
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Hi Jeannie
Just wondering what information you have on the Heyes Family back from Jane Heyes (who married John Fox). You mentioned the 1851 census shows :
James HEYES / brother in law / age 21 / Partner in the Business / born Hawarden
Thomas HEYES / brother in law / age 45 / Land Surveyor / born Ormskirk, Lancashire
Henry HEYES / brother in law / age 38 / School Master / born Liverpool
They are obviously Jane Heye's brothers so I'd like to add them in as well .. but Tribalpages doesn't let me add them in until I can add Jane's parents to the tree .. and I don't have any information on them ..
Regards
Mark
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Also interested in the Meacock Family connection too ..
Regards
Mark
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Hi Mark......
I think that I am getting there .......
Jane HEYES, was older than it states on the census...I thought she was rather young....
She was actually born 1817 and baptised May 28th of that year...
Her parents were Henry HEYES born at Ormskirk 1784 died 1850. and Elizabeth FAIRCLOUGH born Scarisbrick 1785. They were married August 10th 1807 at St Mary and St Elizabeth Roman Cathoilic Church, Scarisbrick......
On the 1841 census, the family are living at Puddington, Cheshire and Henry states he is a Agent
Iwill email you the census along with the 1861 census for John Fox, which backs up my research.
I have also found out, that the MEACOCK family were also Brewers, and owned The Argyle Street Brewery at Birkenhead. In 1851,, it was being run by Sarah MEACOCKS, brother John. Again, I will email you the census.......
Sarah had at least four siblings, one of which was Mary, who married my Robert PODMORE in 1826. Mary was widowed not long after, and is living with Susannah Meacock in 1851 / 1861
I am still trying to find the parents of the Meacock children, and have asked for help, on the Cheshire forum on this site...
It is a Bank Holiday here, so I am going to go out for a couple of hours....will be back in touch, and will forward the Census images, as promised
JeannieR
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Mark......
I haven't forgotten you.....
I am having problems with my server at the moment. I have email, and attachments prepared, but I haven't been able to access my email account for a few hours......Sooo frustrating !!
Jeannie
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Hi jeannie
No hurry. Work is flat out so won't be able to enter anything on the family tree for a while anyway. Thanks for your efforts though!!
Regards
mark
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Hi would it be possible for me to see your photo of John Fox..it seems he was my great, great, grandfather's brother. I have also made contact with his great, great, grandaughter who has some paintings of the whole family together.
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Hello Hugh......
If you send me a PM with your email address, I will send you a copy of the photograph of John Fox.....
I have just received some new copies of the Parish Registers for Hawarden, and can now say that John Fox died in 1837, and was buried on the 14th January.....
JeannieR
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That surely is the father of the John Fox who founded the brewery..
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Yes Hugh......
You are quite correct.....Sorry.......
John Fox snr was 57 , when he died. He was baptised 17 / 12 / 1779
JeannieR
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Hi Hugh Black and Jeannie,
I doing a family tree on the Fox side that was at Castle Hill. My dad has the painting of John Fox born 1815 and James Heyes in his house. I would like to back further and get more information as my dad has gone back to 1690 and I would like to go further back. Any info and photos would be much appreciated. My grandfather was at Castle Hill.
John Fox
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Hello
I am a descendant of the other branch of the family. Thomas Fox who was John Fox's brother stayed at the family farm (Ferry Bank) My mother was then born a couple of generations on in 1924 to Mary Fox who lived at Ferry Bank farm. I could never trace my mother's father and why she ended up being adopted in Birmingham.
The only picture I have is of Mary Fox taken in the garden of Ferry Bank about 1920.
I too have found it easy to trace the family back to 1650 but would be interested to know where the family went from 1930.
I was contacted by a Catherine Fox who had some pictures to send to me of the family but have lost touch with her. I must confess I have not been very organised with this information but would be very interested in any information you wish to share.
regards
Hugh
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Hi Hugh,
Is it possible that I can get your email. I would be interested to go back to 1650 and get some of your info on the tree.
Regards,
John
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Hi To all
I am not part of your trees, but have a bit of useful info for you all!
Regarding Castle Brewery: google 'The history of Shotton, angelfire.com
Chapter 8 is titled 19th Century Shotton.
There are details regarding the brewery and the pubs built by the Brewery.
The Castle Inn, I knew it as Hendy's many years ago. It is still there now
The other pub is The Plough, and that is still there also. They are about two miles apart.
Meriel
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Thanks..all info useful.
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I realise this is an old post, but for posterity...
The Castle (Hendies) in Shotton is not the same pub as the Hawarden Castle in Queensferry. Both were built by the Castle Hill Brewery, and are a mile or so apart.
The Hawarden Castle is at the south end of the 'Blue Bridge', on the south bank of the Dee. It closed in the late 1980s/ early 90s, and is now semi-derelict.
At the opposite end of the bridge is the Ferry Hotel. Both establishments pre-date the construction of a permanent crossing, and travellers could stay overnight and wait for the next ferry.
There is a lane called Foxes Drive, which runs along the north bank of the river, only a couple of hundred yards away. This ends at a farm, although I'm not sure of its name.
I would expect the Fox family to be involved with both.
Regards, Darren.