Jane Blackhurst b. 1777 Hoghton, Lancashire

[CarrollC]

I'm looking for the Baptism of Jane Blackhurst, born 20 Nov 1777, Hoghton, Lancashire.  Looking for parents.  The Hoghton records available on film are too late to help. 
She married James Sumner 26 Jul 1803 in Penwortham.  All of the census records for this couple list Jane as born in Hoghton.  She gives this as her birth on her early LDS records in Preston.  This marriage record is the only one aligning for a James Sumner and Jane for date and general area but seems a bit geographically out of place unless her family had moved by the time of her marriage.  All of their children are born in Longton.  1841 Census is in Longton, 1851 Census in Preston.  (The James Sumner and Jane Banister in Leyland are a different couple)
Thanks for any help.  I'm dead ended here.

[CaroleW]

Have you tried this website

www.lan-opc.org.uk

[CarrollC]

Yes, I've tried the on-line parish clerk with no results.  It seems the Hoghton records are not there or very sparse at this time.  Otherwise this has been a fantastic site as I've pursed the Sumner side of the line.  Also noticed that Preston is limited as well.

[Pennines]

Hi Carole,

According to Genuki -- the church at Hoghton wasn't founded until 1781. It is therefore possible that Jane was baptised in one of the churches in the surrounding villages.

I live fairly close to Hoghton -- and dependant upon where the Blackhursts were situated -- maybe Higher Walton or Wheelton -- or even Preston or Blackburn may have been their 'Parish' Church.

Have you tried searching for a batch of baptisms of children with the surname 'Blackhurst' around in the years preceding and following Jane's apparant birth --- to see if any of those were born in or near Hoghton?

How do you know her actual date of birth by the way?

[CarrollC]

Thanks, Pennines - it's a start.  I was wondering about the history of Hoghton's beginnings.  Her birth date comes from the date she provided when she joined the Mormons in 1837.  Her census record age aligns OK with 1777, and she's consistent with Hoghton as the place.  But as we know from dates in this time period it can be tweaked.  She married a man born in Leyland who's last sibling appears in Longton and where all of Jane's children are born.  But neither the Leyland nor Longton records have Jane Blackhurst.  There is some hesitation that the Jane that marries James Sumner is actually Jane Blackhurst.  Several other surnames have popped in the family records but either I have disproved them or cannot prove their existence.  The marriage in Penwortham of James Sumner and Jane Blackhurst is the only one that seems reasonable and has been on the family records for some time so for now, pursuing Jane Blackhurst.

[Pennines]

Hi Carole,

The history of Hoghton is very much connected with the De Hoghton family. See;
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=53065

 -- or simply Google 'Hoghton, Lancs History' (without the quotes).

Whether the village is named after the family, or vice versa, I am not entirely sure. However they owned much of the land around their home -- Hoghton Tower -- which still exists. It is reputed that James 1 knighted a joint of beef on his visit there - and thereafter such a joint was named 'Sirloin'. There is an old pub in the village named 'The Sirloin'.

I do know that at one time the De Hoghton family were Non Conformists. I wonder if Jane Blackhurst's father worked on the De Hoghton estate -- and therefore worshipped accordingly -- as his master would have wished -- in the chapel at Hoghton Tower? A bit fanciful I know -- but I'm clutching at straws here!!

I find it interesting that your Jane converted to the Mormon beliefs in 1837. It was in this year that many conversions took place in Preston -- and all were baptised in the River Ribble. I believe these were the first Mormon converts in Britain (although I may be wrong about that). However -- if Jane is named on that list -- and in view of the Mormons' strong feelings about family -- isn't it strange that her maiden name was not recorded at that time.

I have done a 'blanket' search of Lancs On Line Parish Clerk site looking for burials and marriages of people named Blackhurst, both before and after Jane's birth. There don't seem to be ANY at all around the village of Hoghton. The majority are from the Penwortham, Croston, Halsall areas -- which are all on the other side of Preston from Hoghton.

I know this doesn't help you with Jane's parentage, which remains a mystery. Sorry I have been unable to assist.

Regards June

[CarrollC]

You keep adding straws to ponder on.  Yes, these were among the earliest of Mormon converts.  I have to wonder if the non-Conformists were perhaps more receptive to the Momron faith.  Are there any records to look at in Hoghton for the non-Conformist.  Certainly worth looking.  I agree it's interesting her maiden name was not included in the Mormon records.  Many of the females did have the maiden name indicated, including a daughter-in-law.
At least you have enriched the history for us.  Thank you.

[Pennines]

Hi Carole,

If such records existed, I would have thought they would have been at Lancashire Archives in Preston. However I have checked their website for Hoghton records and  they only seem to hold the Methodist Chapel BMDs and the Anglican BMDs --both of which commence AFTER the birth of your Jane.

You can contact the Archives on 01772 533039 -- or by email at;

record.office@lancashire.gov.uk

It might be worth a try -- just to see if they know whether there would be any records for the Chapel at Hoghton Tower.

Good Luck

Regards June