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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Yorkshire (West Riding) => Topic started by: peterbroscombe51 on Thursday 25 October 12 13:53 BST (UK)
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I am related to the Downs family of Thornton, many of whom were christened at Kipping Independent -NC.My 3xgreat grand father, Benjamin Downs, 1816 - 1908 probably married Nanny Drake, 1818 - 1854, prior to 1837 as that is when their first child, Mary Ann was born. Does anybody know when?
Research has indicated that the Drake and Craven families were joined in marriage when Jonas Drake married Nanny Craven. Could this be Nanny's parents?
Also one of Benjamin and Nanny's sons was called Craven, could he be named after a relative?
Can any of you help me with these queries or point me in the right direction as to where I can find the answers, together with the family tree of both Drake and Craven families to see if all three families are related? Thank you
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St Peter, Bradford
Benjamin Downs of this Parish Farmer and Bachelor and Nanny Drake of this Parish Minor were married by Banns with consent of Minors Parents on 15th May, 1837.
Both made their mark
Witness: Charles Craven
Mo
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Mo,
Thank you very much for finding the wedding date, obviously a shot gun marriage as Mary Ann was born third quqrter 1837
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Hi,
My husband is also descended from Jonas Drake and Nanny Craven.
They were married on the 30th December 1799 at St. Peters Church (Bradford Cathedral)
Jonas and Nanny did have a daughter named Nanny who was baptised in 1818.
Thornton Old Chapel, Bradford
5th April 1818 Baptism of Nanny daughter of Jonas and Nanny Drake of Thornton, Farmer. Officiating Minister P Bronte.
If I can be of any further help, please just ask.
Best Wishes
CJL
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cjl,
Thank you for your reply. It would appear to answer some of the queries. I have the same baptism date, but parents Joseph and Nanny. Obviously Jonas and Joseph are the same. The minister would appear to be part of the famous Bronte family
Can you confirm that Nanny Drake is the same person who married Benjamin Downs? If so she IS my 3 x great grandmother.Do you know anything about the witness to the marriage, Charles Craven?
I will now look at completing my family tree
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Hi.
I obtained the details of Nanny Drakes baptism from a transcript of Thornton Old Bell chapel parish registers. In the transcript Nanny fathers name is recorded as Jonas not Joseph.
I cannot confirm that Nanny Drake is the same person who married Benjamin Downs. The Charles Craven who witnessed the marriage may not necessarily be a close relative because he signed as a witness for several marriages on the same page.
I have located a monumental inscription which I think may be Benjamin and Nannys, so thought that I would post the details just in case you do not have them.
School Croft Graves, Kipping Independent Chapel, Thornton
In affectionate memory of NANNY,
Wife of BENJAMIN DOWNS of Thornton.
who died Sep 5th 1854 in the 36th year of her age.
Also of SARAH ELLEN, their daughter, who died in her infancy.
Also of the above named BENJAMIN DOWNS who died August 18th 1908 in his 93rd year.
I can look for the burial records for you if you would like them.
If I can be of any further help, please just ask.
Best Wishes
CJL
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CJL,
Thank you for the very interesting information supplied. I had no idea that Benjamin and Nanny had a daughter Sarah Ellen. Looking her up it would appear she was born quarter 3 1854 and died quarter 2 1855. Could Nanny have died as a result of child birth? But the intersting fact is that after Nanny's death, Benjamin married Sarah Illingsworth in 1858 , and their first child was called Sarah Ellen. But Benjamin had been carrying on with Sarah prior to Nanny's death and had had the communion taken from him by the church because of this, but it was reinstated after the marriage. Last child with Nanny named after his girl friend?
I am sure now that we have found the correct first wife of Benjamin, and Nanny was one of eleven children I have identified of Jonas/ Joseph Drake and Nanny/Nancy Craven. Which part of the Drake Craven family does your husband come from? Can the above be confirmed.
Thank you again
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Hi,
It is possible that Nanny died as a result of child birth. The only way of confirming that would be to order a copy of her death certificate.
I was aware of the church removing communion from both Benjamin and Sarah because there is a record to that effect in the parish records. Are you aware that he married for a third time in 1874 to a Grace Bates nee Downs? I have located monumental inscriptions for both his second and third wives if you would like them.
I also have identified eleven possible children of Jonas and Nanny Drake. Although I have not as yet researched the majority of them so do not have much information on them as yet.
My husband is descended from Jonas and Nanny Drake's son Isaac who was born in 1812. Isaac Drake was my husbands 3 x great grandfather.
If I can be of any further help, please just contact me.
Best Wishes
CJL
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CJL,
Thank you for additional information. Yes I knew Benjamin married three times, but as far as I can work out there were no children from this marriage. I would be grateful if you could send the monumental inscriptions for both Benjamin's second and third wives.I understand Sarah Illingsworth is buried with her children, and Grace Bates with her first husband and their children.
Look forward to hearing from you again
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I will find the monumental inscriptions and post the details right away.
CJL
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Here is the monumental Inscription for Benjamin Downs third wife Grace. I will locate his second wifes monumental inscription and let you have it in a separate post.
Kipping Independent Congregational Chapel, Thornton
10th January 1888 burial of Grace Downs of Thornton, aged 63 years. Died 7th January 1888. Grave Number B 8.
In affectionate remembrance of JONATHAN son of JONAS and GRACE BATES of Thornton who died June 8th 1865 aged 14 months.
Lovly (sic) Infant sleeping here
Once thy parents tender care
Thy few days of pain are o'er
Thy wilt wake to weep no more
Sweetly laid on Jesus breast
Where the weary are at rest
Also of the above named JONAS BATES who died Sep'r 5th 1868 in the 43rd year of his age
Also of GRACE wife of the above and late wife of BENJAMIN DOWNS who died Jan'y 7th 1888 in her 64th year
Also of JOSEPH PEARSON BATES who died February 26th aged 74 years
Also of Ellen wife of the above JOSEPH P BATES who died April 11th 1849 aged 83 years
Best Wishes
CJL
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Here is the monumental inscription for Benjamin's second wife Sarah.
1st January 1866 burial of Sarah Downs, housewife, of Thornton aged 45 years. Died 28th December 1865. Grave number A 9.
Kipping Independent (Congregational) Chapel, Thornton
Grave A 9
In affectionate remembrance of SARAH wife of BENJAMIN DOWNS of Thornton who died Dec 28th 1865 in the 45th year of her age.
Also ELIZABETH daughter of WILLIAM & MARGARET DOWNS and Grandaughter of the above who died March 1st 1871 aged 15 months.
Also WALTER son of WILLIAM & MARGARET DOWNS who died August 12th 1877 aged 1 year and 11 months.
Also of GRANVILLE DOWNS THEWLIS born 9th October 1882 died 27th January 1885.
Also of AMY DOWNS THEWLIS born October 16th 1879 died November 5th 1889
Also of ARNOLD DOWNS THEWLIS born November 27th 1884 died June 2nd 1900
Also of MARGARET the beloved wife of WILLIAM DOWNS who died March 21st 1907 aged 67 years.
Also of the above WILLIAM DOWNS who died June 7th 1914 aged 75 years.
(Side 1) In loving memory of EDWARD dear husband of CAROLINE SMITH died March 16th 1948 aged 76 years.
Also of the above named CAROLINE SMITH died May 27th 1952 aged 74 years.
(Side 2) In remembrance of EDWARD ARTHUR beloved husband of HARRIET BOOTH died November 26th 1944 aged 73 years.
Also of the above HARRIET BOOTH who died October 11th 1951 aged 78 years.
Also MARGARET DOWNS BOOTH beloved daughter of the above died March 2nd 1977 aged 69 years.
If I can be of any further help, please do not hesitate to ask.
Best Wishes
CJL
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CJL,
Thank you for the inscriptions, the Sarah one answers a number of queries I have on the Downs family. You have been a star as far as I am concerned and I am grateful for all you have done for me
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You are most welcome and if I can be of any further help, please feel free to ask.
Best Wishes
CJL
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Peter,
I hope this isn't too late but Sarah Ellen was the daughter of Sarah Crossley & Benjamin - she was his 2nd wife = Nanny 1st, Sarah 2nd (my ancestor) & Grace Bates 3rd. Benjamin & Nanny had Mary Ann 1837, William 1839, Craven 1842, Caroline 1845, John 1849, Harriet 1850, Jonas 1853.
Benjamin & Sarah's children = Sarah Ellen 1859 & George 1863. No children born to Benjamin & Grace Bates.
Hope this helps.
Anita
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Hello Peter,
I am also descended from Jonas and Nanny. Through their daughter Dinah b 1803 and Abraham Craven marr 1823, and D and A's daughter Hannah b 1838, and also through Jonas and Nanny's daughter Betty b 1805 marr Jonas Bentham 1829 and J and B's son Thomas b1832. Thomas and Hannah, first cousins marr 1857
U 9 Table monument
In memory of JONAS CRAVEN of Thorntonheight who died April 2nd 1797 aged 51.
Also of MARY, widow of the above-said JONAS CRAVEN, who died Septr 8th 1818 aged 73 years.
Also of BENJAMIN, son of JONAS and NANNY DRAKE and grandson of the above, who died in his infancy.
Also of the abovesaid JONAS DRAKE who died July 7th 1849 aged 76 years.
Also of NANNY, wife of the above said JONAS DRAKE, who died November 28th 1862 in the 84th year of her age.
(from Old Bell Chapel )
I have info into the Jonas Drake and Nanny Craven families which I would be happy to share
Good luck with your researches - Brenda
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Sarah CROSSLEY-ILLINGWORTH-DOWNS married my 2 x great grand uncle Charles ILLINGWORTH then married Benjamin DOWNS following the death of Charles. Is there anyone descended from that marriage?
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atina576,
Thank you for your information concerning Sarah. This is different as to the information I have been given. Was Sarah Crossley born in 1822 in Bradford? Did she marry Charles Illingworth in 1840? If these are correct I am not certain what happened before Charles death. Do you know? Did they have any children? When did Charles die? I would like to resolve this with you, so I have the correct information in my family tree. Thank you
As far as I can determine, there are no descendants from the marriage, but I could be wrong.
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Charles ILLINGWORTH born 11 Jan 1819 Allerton by Bradford, Married Sarah 3 Dec 1840 St Peter, Died 2 June 1846 Thornton buried Sunday School Burial Ground Thornton.
3 Children: Thomas 1841 - 1849, Alice 1842 - 1894, Joseph 1845, ?.
Alice married Zachariah ACKROYD 3 daughters & 4 sons. (1 son named Crossley Ackroyd)
Joseph married Martha Ann SMITH 3 girls & 1 son.
Cheers.
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atina576,
Thank you for the information, I will now correct my family tree and inform the other members of the family who gave me false information. At least it is now correct, thanks to you
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If I can be of use again on my ILLINGWORTH lot please contact me -
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Quite a few years ago I worked for a company in Bradford called Downs Coulter. Mr Ben Downs was a director of the company which was a family owned business. They lived around Cross Hills as I remember, had a mill in Thornton, Bradford which is still there although the company is not trading. They also had a mill in Lancashire. A lovely family, I enjoyed working for them. The company was located in Bradford in what is/was known as Little Germany. Hope you find this of interest.