Smithin - Leeds & Nottingham

This is a summary of the information we have discovered about the branches of our family that now live in Leeds and Nottingham. These are descendants of John Smithin and Harriet Harris.

All modern Smithins are descendants of Joseph Smithin (1761-1807) and Margaret Rickets who lived and farmed in Birlingham,Worcestershire. Joseph and Margaret had four sons. Joseph the eldest inherited the family farms and estate at Birlingham and married Anne Proctor and their descendants lived in Birlingham until about 1890; there are several modern descendants of this branch. Thomas did not marry and lived all his life in Birlingham. William may have married late in life but we do not think he had any children.

Benjamin (1791-1861) married Elizabeth had four sons one of which was John Smithin who married Harriet Harris.

John Smithin (c.1830)

John Smithin (1828-1867). The son of Benjamin and Elizabeth. He was christened on the 13th April 1828 in Stoulton.[1] He married Harriet Harris (1821-1920) at St Andrew's, Worcester on the 22nd December 1846. The witnesses were Thomas Harris, a farmer and Mary Ann Harris.[2] [3]

Harriet was christened in Pirton, Worcestershire on the 15th July 1821.[4]

John and Harriet had four children; Henry (b.1847), Benjamin (b.1848), Margaret (b.1850), John (b.1854). They must have moved about a fair bit in the early years of their marriage because the second child Benjamin was born in Pirton, Margaret in Chaddesley Corbett and John Alfred was christened at Hill End, Eastnor, Herefordshire.

At the 1851 census John's father Benjamin was about 60 and was described as a farmer of 500 acres at Wadborough House, Wadborough, employing 20 labourers. Also living at Wadborough house were Kezia Harris aged 21, House servant and Esther Harris aged 16, House servant; possibly relatives of Harriet.

At the 1881 census a Mary Harris, age 72, and family were farming at Abbotswood Farm in Wadborough. This was possibly the wife of Harriet's older brother Edward.

John was mentioned in the Will of his father Benjamin who died in 1861.[5]

And Upon Trust to pay and divide the residue of the said trust monies unto and amongst my four children the said Benjamin Smithin and Mary Horniblow the wife of the said William Thorneloe Horniblow and Joseph Smithin and John Smithin share and share alike. The share of the said Benjamin Smithin and Mary Horniblow to be paid retained assigned or transferred to them respectively as soon as conveniently may be. And the shares of the said Joseph Smithin and John Smithin to be paid assigned or transferred to them respectively at their respective ages of twenty one years.

In about 1862 John was taken very ill and gave his brothers control over his farm to carry on his business and so keep his wife and children reasonably well provided for. A legal document was drawn up on the 2nd Decemebr 1862 and signed by all three brothers.

John Smithin of Fibden farm in the Parish of Hampton Lovett

Benjamin Smithin of Sherrif's Lench

Joseph Smithin of Wadborough

Whereas the said John Smithin being unable from ill health properly to manage and attend to his Farming business and being desirous of making some provisions for his wife Harriet Smithin and her children hath proposed and agreed to assign to the said Benjamin Smithin and Joseph Smithin his furniture, farming stock and other his personal effects.....

John died, aged 38, in 1867; registered at Droitwich in the March quarter.[6] In 1877 he was referred to as the 'late John Smithin of Fibden'.

At the 1881 census John's wife Harriet was described as a Widow, aged 61, and she was staying with her brother Edward Harris in Pershore.

Abbottswood Farm, Holy Cross, Worcestershire

Edward Harris, Head, unmarried, age 74,  Holy Cross, Worcester, Farmer of 250 Acres Employing 6 Men and 3 Boys

Ann Harris, Sister, unmarried, age 66, Holy Cross, Worcester,  Housekeeper Domestic    

Harriet Smithen, Sister, widow, age 61, Holy Cross, Worcester     

'Holy Cross' refers to 'Pershore Holy Cross'.

At the 1891 census Harriet was still living at Abbotswood farm.

Ann Harris, Head, Single, age 70, Farmer, born Pershore Holy Cross

Harriet Smithin, Sister, Widow, age 66, Living on own means, born Pershore Holy Cross

Elizabeth Yeomans, Servant, Widow,   age 43, servant domestic, born Hereford, Street Court

Harriet's age should be 71.

Harriet died, aged 80, on the 27th May 1902; registered at Pershore. She was living with her son John Alfred in Eckington. Probate was granted to John Alfred Smithin farmer's agent (her son) and William George Andrews, farmer, Here effects were valued at £78 9s 5d.[7]

Children of John and Harriet (c.1850)

John and Harriet had four children. John Alfred (b.1854) is covered in the document 'Smithin Family - Eckington'.

Henry Smithin (1847-1902). The son of John and Harriet. Henry was christened at Pershore Holy Cross on the 5th February 1847; registered at Pershore in the March quarter.[8] [9]

Henry married Louisa Hooper on the 22nd May 1878 at Pershore Holy Cross.[10] [11] Louisa was born on the 21st March 1858 in Stoulton. Her parents were Thomas Hooper and Emma Corbett.[12] Thomas and Emma were married at Hartlebury, Worcestershire on the 29th March 1857.[13] There were other Hooper families living in Wadborough; possibly relatives of Louisa.

At the 1881 census  they were living at Norton by Kempsey.[14]

Smithin Henry, age 34, farm bailiff, born Pershore, head of household

Smithen Louisa, age 23, born Pershore, wife of Henry Smithin

A daughter Louisa (b.1880) had died as an infant and we think that they also lost another child as an infant.

Henry was described as a Farm Bailiff at Cook's Home farm when his son Henry was born in 1882.[15]

There is a picture of Louisa with son Henry (as a baby) taken in Bromsgrove in about 1884. Henry remembered being taken in to see his mother when she was ill; this must have been about 1887 when Louisa died. We think that she suffered from Diabetes.

At the 1891 census Henry had moved to Harborne (Birmingham) and was lodging with a family named Hall.

10 Vine Terrace, High Street, Harborne Staffordshire

Frederick Hall, head, age 31, Paviors Labourer, born Pencombe Herefordshire

Hannah Hall, wife, age 30, born Pencombe Herefordshire

Eva A Hall, daughter, age 9, scholar, born Pencombe Herefordshire

Winifred A Hall, daughter, age 4, born Pencombe Herefordshire

Henry Smithin, lodger, age 43, widower, gardener, domestic servant, born Holy Cross Pershore

John Ashworth, lodger, age, 48, married, bricklayer's labourer, Rochdale Lancashire

Mary Downing, lodger, age, 32, single, general servant domestic, Edgbaston Warwickshire

Son Henry was in Wadborough staying with his Hooper grandparents.

Soon after this Henry started a Furniture removal business. This was listed in Kelly's Directory for 1898.[16]

Henry Smithin & Son, Furniture removers and landscape gardeners, 48 Hubert Road, Selly Oak

Henry later had a serious accident and was looked after by his son until he died in 1902; registered at King's Norton in the March quarter.[17]

Benjamin (1848-1867). The son of John and Harriet. He was christened at Pirton on the 4th July 1848.[18] [19] He died, aged 18, on the 29th January 1867; registered at Pershore in the March quarter.[20] [21] There is a memorial in Stoulton churchyard.

Benjamin Smithin

Second son of

John & Harriet Smithin

who departed this life

Jan 29 1867 aged 18

For he received from God the Father

Honour and Glory when there came such

a voice to him from the excellent glory.

This is my beloved son in whom I am

well pleased,

Peter 1 Ch. XVII

Benjamin may have been living with one of his Uncle's as his father was ill and this was why he was buried at Stoulton.

Margaret (b.1850). The daughter of John and Harriet. She was christened on the 17th February 1850 at Chaddesley Corbett.[22] [23] Margaret did not marry and lived in Stoulton near her brother Henry.[24]

Descendants of Henry and Louisa (c.1880)

Henry and Louisa had three children - there may also have been another child who died as an infant.

Louisa (bd.1880). Louisa Margaret. The daughter of Henry and Louisa. She died less than 1 year old; registered at Pershore in the March quarter.[25]

Henry (1882-1981). Henry Edward. The son of Henry and Louisa. He was born at Cook's Home farm, Stoulton on the 4th June 1882; registered at Pershore in the September quarter.[26] [27]

His mother Louisa died in 1887 when Henry was only 5 years old and he remembered being brought up mainly by his grandmother Harriet. She paid for his schooling at two (old) pence per week.

At the 1891 census Henry was staying with his Hooper Grandparents at Abbotswood Cottage in Wadborough; next to Abbotswood farm where his grandmother Harriet Smithin was living with her brother.[28]

Thomas Hooper, head, age 60, agricultural labourer, born Holy Cross Worcestershire

Emma Hooper, wife, age 53, born Hartlebury Worcestershire

Henry Smithin, grandson, age 8, born Norton, Worcestershire

Frank C Burnett, Lodger, age 15, Railway porter, born Eastington, Gloucestershire

Henry's father was lodging in Birmingham attempting to start a new business.

Henry left school, aged 9, having passed his School certificate. He remembers seeing a demonstration of a steam threshing machine which the family were the first to use; at this time both his Great Uncle Edward Harris and Great Aunt Elizabeth Smithin were still farming in Wadborough.

When he first left school he went to London to work for an Uncle who was a shoemaker but Henry did not enjoy it and came back to Birmigham.

As a young man, around 1900, Henry remembered working for Joseph Chamberlain in a Engineering factory in Birmingham (possibly Nettleford's Screw factory). Once after a very long shift he took a short break for a cigarette and was fined one shilling by Neville Chamberlain (the future Prime Minister!). Henry later worked with his father in his Furniture removal business.

Henry had always wanted to be a soldier and joined the Worcestershire Regiment after his father died in about 1902. He served mostly in India and was put on Reserve just before the First World War. In 1914 Henry was posted to France with the British Expeditionary Force. He was wounded and when he came round on the battlefield he found that all his colleagues had been killed and a German soldier was standing over him who just pointed his rifle towards the British lines.

Henry had a shattered arm and convalesced in Portsmouth and later went back to Birmingham where the returning soldiers were very warmly received. He became the first Englishman to receive a bone graft but this was not successful; he later had a further graft and regained the use of his arm.

On his return from the War Henry married Edith Morris in 1915;  registered at King's Norton.[29]

Henry and Edith moved to Leeds in 1917. They had eight children. Dorthothy (b.1915), Beatrice (b.1917), Muriel (b.1918), Gwendoline (b.1919), Henry (b.1922), Jessie (b.1928), James (b.1930) and Frederick (b.1931). All but Dorothy and Beatrice were born in Leeds. All the children except Jessie, worked as tailors or in the Clothing industry in Leeds. Jessie was a nurse at the famous St James' Hospital in Leeds.

Dorothy married L. Warrener, Beatrice married A. Lord and Muriel married F. Laycock. Henry married J. Glover and Frederick was married but later divorced.

Henry's grandchildren are: Paticia daughter of Beatrice, Linda and Nicola daughters of Henry.

Henry Smithin's wife Edith Morris died in Leeds in 1973 at the age of 82. Henry Smithin died, aged 99; registered at Leeds in the June quarter.[30]

Emma (b.1884). Emma Louisa. The daughter of Henry and Louisa. She was born in 1884; registered at Pershore in the December quarter.[31]

At the 1891 census, aged 6, she was living in Aston, Birmingham with her Aunt Margaret Smithin. Her father was lodging in Birmingham looking for a new job and her brother was staying with their Hooper grandparents in Wadborough.[32]

45 Sampson Road North, Aston, Birmingham

Margaret Smithin, head, single, age 41, General grocer and outdoor Bar licence, born Bromsgrove

Emma L Smithin, niece, age 6, born Worcester

Emily M Dean, servant, single, age 24, General helper, born London

Emma moved to Nottingham in about 1900, aged 16/17, and took up a position in service in the West Bridgford area in the south of the city. She later moved to the Bulwell district of Nottingham where she met and married Issac Harvey, a Colliery timberer, in 1917.[33]

They had three children Cyril, William, and Annie. Annie remembers her mother taking her to Castle Donnington as a small child to visit a Harvey Hooper who she thinks may have been an uncle.[34]

Annie Harvey married Frank Holford an Engine driver on the railways in 1944. They had four sons: Michael (b.1945), Barry (b.1947), Ivan (b.1948) and Kevin Holford (b.1960).

Emma died aged 83 on the 6th March 1967.[35]

Notes [36]

List of Names

Andrews William George

Ashworth John

Burnett Frank C

Chamberlain Joseph

Chamberlain Neville

Dean Emily M

Downing Mary

Glover J

Glover Linda

Glover Nicola

Hall Frederick

Hall Hannah

Hall Eva A

Hall Winifred A

Hooper Thomas (b.1831)

Harris Ann (b.1811)

Harris Edward (b.1806)

Harris Esther (b.1835)

Harris Kezia (b.1830)

Harris Mary Anne

Harvery Issac

Holford Annie (nee Smithin)

Holford Barry

Holford Frank

Holford Ian

Holford Kevin

Holford Michael

Harris Thomas

Horniblow Mary [nee Smithin]

Horniblow William

Laycock F

Lord A

Lord Patricia

Lowry Kathleen

Proctor Anne (1800-1850)

Smithin Annie (1878-1953)

Smithin Beatrice (b.1917)

Smithin Benjamin (1791-1861)

Smithin Benjamin (1848-1867)

Smithin Benjamin John (1882-1966)

Smithin Dorothy (b.1915)

Smithin Edith

Smithin Elizabeth (1796-1875)

Smithin Emma (nee Corbett) (b.1838)

Smithin Emma (b.1884)

Smithin Frederick (b.1931)

Smithin Gwendoline (b.1919)

Smithin Harriet [nee Harris] (b.1822)

Smithin Henry (1847-1902)

Smithin Henry (1882-1981)

Smithin Henry (b.1922)

Smithin James (b.1930)

Smithin Jessie (b.1928)

Smithin John (1828-1867)

Smithin John Alfred (1854-1912)

Smithin Joseph (1761-1807)

Smithin Joseph (1789-1851)

Smithin Louisa (c.1850-1887)

Smithin Louisa (bd.1880)

Smithin Margaret [nee Rickets] (1768-1807)

Smithin Margaret (b.1850)

Smithin Margot [nee Robinson] (b.1913)

Smithin Muriel (b.1918)

Smithin Thomas (1797-1843)

Smithin William (1793-1851)

Warrener L