THE FROGGATT FAMILY OF BREWHOUSE YARD:Earlier Generations in Clifton, Ashbourne & Norbury, DerbyshireJohn FROGGATT (1805-1888)John FROGGATT was the tenth and last child of Humphrey FROGGATT from Clifton, near Ashbourne Derbyshire. Humphrey had fathered six children from his first wife Mary YATES and four more from his second wife Mary FROGGATT (possibly his cousin). John married Mary Ann HANDLEY in 1824 at Ashbourne St Oswald. They had six children. This is the story of John's life, the lives of his children and further descendents.
(Note: you can read through each page, or you can follow the links for the people in the tree for more information on each one. There is a link at the bottom of each page to bring you back here!) Humphrey and his new wife Mary had four children, all baptised at Ashbourne St Oswald. The youngest of these was John, baptised on 24 March 1805. John FROGGATT (1805-1888)John was born on 2 March 1805 at Green Lane, Ashbourne to Humphrey and Mary. He was baptised at Ashbourne St Oswald on 24 March 1805. It is most likely that John married Mary Ann HANDLEY at Ashbourne St Oswald on 28 Jun 1824. The element of doubt in this marriage is that John would have been aged 19 at the time but they were married after Banns had been read three times so obviously there was no objection.
There were several John and Mary FROGGATT families in this area around 1835, so we need to be sure we have the correct couple. I think the clue lies in the baptism at Matlock on 14 April 1833 for a William Handley FROGGATT to John and Mary. The middle name makes it almost certain that this John and Mary were the couple who married at Ashbourne in 1824 as Mary's maiden name was HANDLEY. Assuming we have the correct couple, John and Mary had six children, all baptised at Matlock St Giles:
The family was recorded in the 1841 census at Stackholme, Matlock. John was absent but his mother Mary, aged 95, was living with them. There are several records for a John FROGGATT in the 1841 census but nearly all have family with them. The John at Clay Lane, North Wingfield (about 9 miles NE of Matlock) may be him. His occupation was "sinker" which is a mining term for sinking a new shaft.
Death of Mary Ann FROGGATTSome time after 1841 John and family moved to Bilston, Staffordshire where John worked as a miner. His wife Mary Ann FROGGATT died of Cholera at Bilston in 1849 and was buried at Bilston St Mary on 6 Sep 1849 aged 51. Their son Ebenezer had succumbed to Cholera a few days earlier.
Marriage to Ann HIGGINBOTTOM (née SMITH)The year 1850 was eventful for John and family. First, John the widower married Ann HIGGINBOTTOM the widow, at Bilston St Mary on 7 January 1850. Ann had been baptised as Ann SMITH on 15 Sep 1799 to Joseph and Jane SMITH at Bilston. Ann married Charles HIGGINBOTTOM, a miner, at Bilston in 1830; they had seven children at Bilston. Charles and their young son John died of Cholera; both were buried at Bilston on 10 Sep 1849.
Next his unmarried daughter Sarah gave birth to a daughter - Mary Ann - on 8 January 1850. But death had not finished with the family as young Mary Ann Handley FROGGATT died aged 3 weeks and was buried on 24 January 1850. (Note the Handley middle name on the burial confirms this is the correct family.)
By 1851 John, Ann and three of his sons had moved to Sedgeley, a short distance from Bilston where they were all coal miners. Ann had her son and daughter with her as well. The place of birth for John's three sons was listed as Matlock, confirming this is the correct family. In 1861 and 1871 John and Ann were still at Bilston and John was still working as a miner. In 1881 Ann was living with her daughter Sarah Ann GANDY at Bilston; she died there in September 1883. By 1881 John was being cared for in the Ashbourne Union Workhouse, where he died in 1888. He was buried at Ashbourne St Oswald on 28 Dec 1888.
The Children of John and Mary Ann FROGGATTEbenezer FROGGATT (1826-1849)Ebenezer was born at Starkholmes Matlock in 1826 and baptised at Matlock St Giles on 19 March 1826. He moved to Bilston, Wolverhampton with the family and died there of Cholera, being buried on 31 August 1849 aged 23.
Elizabeth FROGGATT (1827-)Elizabeth was born in Starkholmes Matlock on 25 May 1827 and baptised at Matlock St Giles on 17 June 1827. She was recorded in the 1841 census with her mother at Stackholme, Matlock, aged 14 and working as a cotton spinner. She is not in the 1851 census with her parents so possibly had married or died by this time. The marriage of Elizabeth to Thomas ALLWOOD at Matlock on 15 September 1845 is an obvious choice but this Elizabeth was aged 23 and the daughter of George FROGGATT. It is not clear what happened to Elizabeth. Sarah FROGGATT (1831-1893)Sarah was born on 1 January 1831 and baptised at Matlock St Giles on 20 Jan 1831. She was recorded in the 1841 census with her mother at Starkholme, Matlock, aged 10. She is not in the 1851 census with her parents. In 1850 she gave birth to a child - Mary Ann - who died a few months later. In early 1851 she again gave birth - to Emily FROGGATT - who was buried at Bilston St Mary on 4 April 1851 aged 3 months.
It appears that by 1851 Sarah was working as a prostitute in Bilston, which might explain the two illegitimate births. Sarah FROGGATT married David HUGHES in Bilston in 1849. This was probably the same David HUGHES who was a lodger at the same boarding house as Sarah in 1851. (He may in fact have been the father of Mary and Emily.) The age for David is correct but the stated place of birth is Oswestry in 1851 but Nantwich in later censuses, so the David in 1851 could be coincidental.
It appears that David and Sarah did not have any children (at least after they were married). They did look after various members of the family (David's father in 1861) and they adopted Sarah's niece Elizabeth (daughter of Thomas, Sarah's brother). Neither Sarah nor David are in the 1901 census. Sarah HUGHES (née FROGGATT) died at Bilston (or Wednesfield) in 1893. It appears David HUGHES died there in 1895. William Handley FROGGATT (1833-)William was born in Matlock and baptised at Matlock St Giles on 14 April 1833. He was recorded in the 1841 and 1851 censuses with his parents. The evidence suggests William married Ann LANE at Coseley, Sedgeley on 12 April 1852. Ann LANE had been born to MARY LANE at the Stone Workhouse and was baptised at Stone, Staffordshire on 2 July 1826. William and Ann had seven children including twins, but five died young. Only Elizabeth and Phoebe lived to adulthood, both marrying and having families.
In 1861 William and Ann were living at Bread Lane, Sedgeley, west Birmingham. By 1871 they had moved to 13 Cooksey Row, Sedgeley. Neither address exists today.
Death of AnnIt appears that Ann FROGGATT (née LANE) died at Sedgeley in mid-1879. Note the 1871 census recorded her as being deaf and blind. After the 1871 census William vanishes. He does not appear to be in the death records or the later census records. Of the Children of William and Ann FROGGATT Elizabeth FROGGATT (1855-1930): was born in 1855 in Sedgeley. She was recorded with the family in the 1861 and 1871 censuses at Sedgeley. Elizabeth married William PETERS at Bilston St Peters on 6 October 1872. Although the marriage record shows Elizabeth as aged 19 she was actually only 17 (birth registered in 1855). Thomas had been born in Bilston in 850 to Thomas PETERS and Hannah (LEACH).
William and Elizabeth had 12 children. 11 were still alive in 1911. (I have not researched this family line yet.)
William initially worked as a labourer. In 1891 he was a "boat man", possibly working barges, but in 1901 he was a "boatman blast furnace" as was his son William. In 1911 he was a "boat man" and the industry was "canal".
William THOMAS died at Coseley (near Bilston) in 1925 and Elizabeth in 1930. Phoebe FROGGATT (1857-1937): was born in 1857 in Sedgeley and recorded with her parents in the 1861 and 1871 censuses. Phoebe married Auguste CARON at Radford, Nottingham in Mar 1880. Auguste was born around 1853 in France and was a lace designer. He was a widower by the time he married Phoebe, his first wife Rosalind PHILLIPE had died in France. It would appear that Auguste had not long been in Nottingham when he married Phoebe and his employ there was not without concern to some of the local lads, who were convicted in September 1881 of assault.
Auguste and Phoebe had nine children (although Auguste stated 10 on the 1911 census I cannot find any evidence of a birth/death for another child).
In 1881 Auguste and Phoebe were living at Barrack Lane, Lenton, Nottingham. Barrack Lane lies on the northern edge of The Park. Between 1884 and 1885 Auguste and Phoebe moved to Sedgeley, to 6 Cooksey Row, across the road from where Phoebe's family had lived in 1871. Auguste was now an Art Dealer. In 1901 Auguste and daughter Phoebe Louisa were away from home and do not appear anywhere in the 1901 census. (Perhaps they were in France?). By 1911 Auguste and Phoebe were living at 22 Swann Row, Coseley (Bilston) with their three youngest children.
Auguste CARON died at Bilston in 1912. Phoebe, who was 12 years younger, remained living with her youngest three sons. In 1921 they were at 26 Broad Lanes, Bilston.
Phoebe CARON (née FROGGATT) died at Rowley Regis in 1937. John FROGGATT (1835-1918)John was born 4 July 1835 and baptised at Matlock St Giles on 2 Aug 1835. The baptism record suggests he was born in Clifton, Ashbourne where his parent's families were living. John was recorded in the 1841 and 1851 censuses with his parents. John married Sarah HARRIS(S) at Wolverhampton St George on 27 May 1855, both being recorded as "minors": indeed John would have been 19. John and Sarah had 3 children but all three died young. John's headstone records only Martha Elizabeth, the "only child" of John and Sarah but in fact the birth and baptism records tell us they had three children. The census and baptisms also tell us John was a miner, but by 1865 he was working as a grocer in Hall St, Bilston. Later he learned the galvanising and "japanning" trade and owned the works at Oxford St, Bilston.
Census records
Their daughter Martha Elizabeth FROGGATT died at BIlston on 31 August 1875 and was buried at Bilston Cemetery on 6 September 1875 in a plot bought by John and Sarah. But 18 months later Sarah FROGGATT died in Bilston and was buried at Bilston Cemetery on 18 January 1877 along with their daughter Martha Elizabeth.
Soon after the loss of his wife Sarah, John married Elizabeth LLOYD at Bilston. John was 42 and Elizabeth was 34, having been born in Sedgeley in 1843. John and Sarah did not have any children.
In 1881 John took over the licence of the "Wheat Sheaf" inn in Oxford Street, Bilston. John ran an engineering business doing galvanising and "Japanning" the technique of giving metal a black finish. He emplyed several men, but in 1890 he sued one of them for walking off the job. In 1891 one of them lost three fingers in an accident and was awarded £60.
Death of John FROGGATTJohn FROGGATT died at "Fair View", Wellington Rd Bilston on 1 July 1918. His Will was valued at £9,795 (about £450,000 in late 2022). He was buried at Bilston Cemetery, Wolverhampton, along with his first wife Sarah and his daughrter Martha Elizabeth, who died in 1875. His second wife Elizabeth (LLOYD) died at Fair View, Bilson on 9 April 1925.
Thomas FROGGATT (1840-1873)Thomas was born at Stackholme, Matlock and baptised at Matlock St Giles on 25 Oct 1840. He was recorded in the 1841 and 1851 censuses with his parents. Thomas married Ann WHITMORE at Ettingshall Holy Trinity, Wolverhampton on 26 December 1859 (Ettingshall is about 2 miles from Bilston). Ann claimed to be aged 20 and Thomas 21 but they were in fact only 18 and 19.
In the 1861 census Thomas and Ann and young daughter Mary Ann were living with Thomas' father John at 3 William St Bilston, where Thomas was working as a coal hewer. By 1871 they had their own house at Bristol St Bilston where they now had 3 more children, although Mary Ann had died. Thomas and Ann had 6 children altogether. Five were born in Bilston, Wolverhampton but the last, Ebenezer, was born in Spatslade, Trentham, Stoke on Trent where Thomas was a coal miner.
Thomas and Ann are absent from the 1881 census and the children are scattered, indicating Thomas and Ann had died by this time. Indeed, Thomas died in June 1873 and was buried at Dresden, near Stoke on Trent and Ann died in 1879 and was buried 22 March at Dresden, Staffordshire. That left four children still alive, ranging in age from 6 to 19.
Of the Children of Thomas and Ann FROGGATT Thomas FROGGATT (1862-1948): was born in Bilston in 1862 and was with the family in 1871. In 1881, after his parents had died, he was working in a pottery and boarding at 28 Goddard St, near Stoke on Trent. In 1883 Thomas enlisted in the South Staffordshire Regiment. It appears he had received a notice requiring him to enlist and to attend annual traing camps. He was discharged from the Army on 12 July 1889. In 1886 Thomas married Mary FENN at Wolverhampton. A few months later their first child - Thomas - was born on 11 August and baptised at Wolverhampton St Patrick Catholic Church on 5 September.
After 1901 Thomas and Mary are hard to find. In 1911 three of the sons (Thomas, Edwin and Martin) were boarding together at 52 Wall Lane, Wednesfield.
Elizabeth FROGGATT (1870-1922): was born in Bilston in 1870 and baptised at Bilston St Luke on 13 July 1870. She was recorded with the family in 1871. By 1881 she had been "adopted" by her aunt Sarah (now Sarah HUGHES). Although she was "adopted" it appears that Elizabeth retained the FROGGATT surname. She married Henry ALLEN, a collery worker, at Wolverhampton in 1887. Henry had been born in Wednesfield in about 1864 possibly to William ALLEN and Maria (TOTTY).
They had eight children, only two of whom were still alive in 1911 (John and Ann Maria).
Henry and Elizabeth remained at Wednesfield. In 1911 Henry was aged around 47 and was working as a coal miner. They were living at 3 Court, High St Wednesfield, Wolverhampton. By 1921 Elizabeth was a widow still living at 3 Court. Henry must have died between 1911 and 1921: the death records that might fit are in December 1911 or Jun 1921. It is not clear what happened to Elizabeth. She was no longer living at 3 Court, High St Wednesfield by the time of the 1939 Register and is not elsewhere in the Register, suggesting she may have died. There is a death record in 1922 for an Elizabeth ALLEN, aged 68 that might be her.
Ebenezer FROGGATT (1873-1951): was born in Trentham, Stoke on Trent on 7 March 1873. By March 1879 both of his parents had died, so Ebenezer was living with his Uncle and Aunt John and Elizabeth FROGGATT at Bilston, where John was a sheet metal worker and "japanner". In 1891 Ebenezeer was living with his aunt Sarah HUGHES at 74 Oxford St, Bilston. He was working as a clerk. Ebenezer married Susanna(h) WHITMORE at Wolverhampton in 1891, just after the date of the 1891 census. Their family grew quickly, so by September 1899 they had 5 children. The family was clearly a struggle for Ebenezer as in September 1899 the police issued a warrant for his arrest for desertion. The warrant noted he was a clerk and favoured music halls. Obviously he was found and returned to his wife Susanna, promptly having six more children.
In 1901 Ebenezer and Susannah were living in Gozzard St, Bilston where Ebenezer was now working as a furnaceman in a tube mill. By 1911 they had moved across Wolverhampton to 17 Neachell Lane with their 10 children (the youngest, Phyllis was born in 1912).
Ebenezer and Susanna had 11 children:
By 1921 Ebenezer had left the steel mill furnace and was now a warehouseman for Armstrong Stevens and Sons Ltd. He and Susanna were living at 83 Hart Rd, Wednesfield together with eight of their children. The older boys were out of work. The house had 5 rooms... In the 1939 Register Ebenezer and Susanna were still at 83 Hart Rd, but now had only two of the children with them.
Both Ebenezer FROGGATT and his wife Susanna (née WHITMORE) died at Wednesfield in early 1851, aged 78 and 81 respectively. Back to Humphrey Froggatt Family Back to Froggatt Family History Last updated: 17 January 2023 |
