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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Sussex => Topic started by: Lewy on Friday 15 April 05 15:55 BST (UK)
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Hi everyone
I recently discovered some information about my relative Napper Challen - a messenger who worked between Chichester and Donnington. His nickname was "Perambulator" and he was unfortunately drowned in 1855 when his hat fell into the canal and he tried to rescue it.
I was wondering if anyone had come across him in their research or if anyone else had relatives with unusual nicknames.
Lewy
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Who needs a nickname when they're called Napper. That's an unusual forename - I'm curious about the origin.
Best wishes
Deborah
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Its a maternal surname two generations back, his father was also called Napper and he was a first born son. Apparently the Nappers and Challens were quite prevalent in Sussex then .... not sure if they are now??!!
Also does anyone know what a Napper was?
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A quick search on google would indicate a servant responsible for the royal table linen. A prig napper was a horse thief. I wonder if it could also have something to do with cloth production.
Deborah
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mmm .... think I prefer the first explanation!! Anyone else have any idea?
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I should think it has something to do with fabric ... anyone who sews knows you have to be careful when piecing fabric together that has a "nap" e.g. velvet, has to go "nap down" or "nap up" or it doesn't look right! ;D
Janine
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Gosh I'm humbled - I know absolutely nothing about sewing. Well so far his family were all farm labs or tenant farmers so I'm not sure where the linen connection will come in ... still I've got another hundred years or so before I run out of parish records so you never know, I might find the connection.
I love this light hearted banter ... it makes it a pleasure to check my emails!!!
:D
Lewy
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I had another stray thought while driving the freeway today ... a Knapper was someone who worked with flints ...flint knapping, something about cutting flints to start fires ?! Maybe a misspelling at some point? Who knows, no idea is silly in this game! ::)
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I came across a few Nappers in the 1841 Rudgwick Census this evening, Lewy. Would they be of use?
Deborah
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My dad was Frank Leslie Burrows. He always was called Leslie or Les as his dad was also Frank. So why did his mum (my "posh" granny) always call him Budge!
Jane
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Not sure where Rudgwick is :) But yes, we haven't got very far with that side yet so any info on potential relatives would be good!
As for "Budge" - no ideas !!! Cute name though, Budge Burrows!
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Here we go:
HO107/1092
Schedule 21, Page 12, at Waste:
Henry Napper, 30,
Sarah do, 25
Frederick do, 7
Harriett do, 4
Ann do, x Inf (there is a note in the first column "q x" or "Ex")
Next door at Tismans(?):
John Napper, 60, Farmer
Ann do, 55
William do, 23
Elizabeth do, 19
The next household comprises:
Richard Tickner, 30, Ag Lab
Charles Greenfield, 20, do
William Earl, 18, do
William Napper, 28, do (these last three bracketed and the remark "q x" or "Ex")
Ann Buck, 20, FS
Charlotte Shepherd, 19, do
Charlotte Hows, 18, do (these last two bracketed with the usual remark).
Deborah
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Just had another thought ... and since my auntie has recently passed away, I know she won't mind ... her name was Edith, but we always called her Auntie Ninks.
Apparently it began when she was in diapers (nappies) and they called her "Stinky", she started at that time to call herself "Ninks"! And we still called her that till she passed away at aged 81.
Janine :D
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Dimps - thanks very much, I'll store that away and hopefully one day I'll make a connection!
Janine - thats gotta be the cutest story yet - I wonder if she ever told anyone the real story?!
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In Yorkshire your head was often called your napper ;D