John HEWITT and Mary ?

[Kirsty]

Joseph HEWITT married Martha THORNTON on 15 April 1793 at Huyton no further details as it was on www.familysearch.org.

I found a number of Farnworth ones but I know you have the LPRS for that.

When you go to Lancashire Record Office it would be worth looking at the probate indexes for John Hewitt after 1858 even better if you have some death dates because the 2 Johns may just have left a will.

Hi Tilly, Thanks for the Huyton marriage. I've come across children from this marriage so this is really helpful. Also, thanks for the probate index suggestion. I wouldn't have thought to do this so I'm glad you suggested it. I think I've found the death registration for the John who appears on the 41/51/61 census:

Death - 1866 - December Quarter
John HEWITT - age 77 - Prescot - 8b 482.

I'll look at burials while I'm in Preston and see if I can find anything more out about the above death.

I've just finished Prescot vol. 156 (1727 - 1765) and am about to move onto what I've got for Farnworth (baptisms: 1698 - 1743 & burials: 1698 - 1743). I'll look at later dates for Farnworth in January.

That's all from me for now. Cheers, Kirsty

[taylor]

Concerning George Hewitt, Chronometer Movement Maker, I think this is one of my lot. I have details for George, his sons (who go into business in Atherton St as watchmakers) and his father (watchmaker). If you drop me a line on andrewtaylor665(at)btinternet(dot)com, I will send tree and details. I keep tripping over a John Hewitt, so perhaps we could see if the two trees join up somewhere.
All the Best
Andrew

On the assumption that the family lived close to each other, in 1851 Atherton Street holds father John with married daughter Mary Pillinge with husband and children, and closed by are Thomas and wife Alice and daughters, as he's aged 29, can it be assumed that this is Ann's brother? What a pity Mary seems to have died by this time, no confirmation of her place of birth.

If so then who is George Hewitt aged 57, Chronometer Movement Maker, living a few doors away, with wife Margaret and children? Is it possible to find George's parents and find any clues that way?

Another thought is where is Mary buried? Could the location give any clues? Could she be with or near her parents?

Do we have any details in censuses about the other John and Mary to see if there are any "in laws" living with them to identify.

[taylor]

Kirsty

I've been exploring a 200 year old family story concerning the Hewitts, specifically in regard to a run-away couple, a disinheritance, and a dispute with Lord Derby.

The couple were James Hewitt and Margaret Large. James' father was Joseph Hewitt (watchmaker) who died 1835, whose Will you identified in your message. I believe this Will holds the key to understanding the family story. Do you have a transcript of this Will? If not, could anyone advise me on where Wills for Lancashire are held?

Many Thanks
Andrew Taylor

Hi Tilly & Mary,

Tilly, thanks for the Rainford PR's. I'm adding them to my list. I've come across children from what looks like the John Hewet and Jane Twist marriage, so an extra thanks for that one .

Mary, thanks for Childwall marriage. It is interesting seeing the occupation of watch movement maker. Sticking to a Joseph Hewit's and watch making theme, I came across the following wills:

Supra - Hewitt, Joshua of Prescot, watchmaker - 19 June 1802
Supra - Hewitt, Joseph of Prescot, watchmaker - November 1835

I'm going to check these wills out when I go to Preston. I think it's going to be an interesting trip.

Many thanks, Kirsty

[MaryA]

We've put a lot of information regarding obtaining Wills here
http://liverpool-genealogy.org.uk/phpBB ... php?t=7142

However, most Lancashire Wills, hopefully including yours at that date, should be held at the Lancashire Record Office, in Preston. Online Catalogue and Address and contact details

[taylor]

Thanks Mary. Looks like I'll be needing a trip to Prescot.

For information, the Hewitts of interest to me are as follows:

JOSEPH HEWITT SNR:

Baptisms: 26 Aug 1770 St Mary the Virgin, Prescot, Lancashire, England
Joseph Hewett - Son of Joshua Hewett & Jane
Born: 12 Aug 1770
Abode: Eccleston
Occupation: Watchmaker
Register: Baptisms 1766 - 1809, Page 18, Entry 24
Source: LDS Film 1657583 item 8

Burial: 30 Jun 1835 St Mary the Virgin, Prescot, Lancashire, England
Joseph Hewitt -
Age: 64 years
Abode: Prescot
Buried by: C.G.T. Driffield
Register: Burials 1826 - 1836, Page 257, Entry 2050
Source: LDS Film 1657597 item 7

Possible Will:
Supra - Hewitt, Joseph of Prescot, watchmaker - November 1835.

Possible marriage to Martha Thornton, 15th Apr 1793, Huyton by Roby.

Baptisms: 15 Dec 1771 St Mary the Virgin, Prescot, Lancashire, England
Martha Thornton - Daughter of Edward Thornton & Elizabeth
Born: 19 Nov 1771
Abode: Prescot
Occupation: Labourer
Register: Baptisms 1766 - 1809, Page 23, Entry 27
Source: LDS Film 1657583 item 8

Burial: 21 Nov 1834 St Mary the Virgin, Prescot, Lancashire, England
Martha Hewitt -
Age: 63 years
Abode: Prescot
Buried by: John Edwards Curate
Register: Burials 1826 - 1836, Page 236, Entry 1881
Source: LDS Film 1657597 item 7

CHILDREN OF JOSEPH HEWITT AND MARTHA:

GEORGE:

Baptisms: 14 Jul 1793 St Mary the Virgin, Prescot, Lancashire, England
George Hewit - Son of Joseph Hewit & Martha
Born: 19 Jun 1793
Abode: Prescot
Occupation: Watchmaker
Register: Baptisms 1766 - 1809, Page 123, Entry 2
Source: LDS Film 1657583 item 8

1841 census, Prescot, Lancs, Atherton Street
George Hewitt, 45, watchmaker, b Lancs
Margaret Hewitt, 45, b Lancs
Elizabeth Hewitt, 15, b Lancs
Joseph Hewitt, 15, watchmaker's app, b Lancs
Thomas Hewitt, 15, watchmaker's app, b Lancs
James Hewitt, 14, watchmaker's app, b Lancs
Martha, 12, B Lancs
Margaret, 6, b Lancs
George, 4, b Lancs
John, 3, b Lancs

1851 census, Prescot, Atherton Street (near Green Dragon)
George Hewitt, 57, head, Chronometer Movement Maker, b Prescot
Margaret Hewitt, wife, 56, b Tarbock, Prescot, Lancs
Thomas Hewitt, 26, Chronometer Movement Maker, b Prescot
Martha Hewitt, 20, b Eccleston
Michael Hewitt, 17, Watchmaker's App, b Prescot
Margt Hewitt, 16, b Prescot
George, 14, Watchmaker's App, b Prescot
John Hewitt, scholar, b Prescot

His sons:
Joseph, Thomas & James Hewitt of Prescot. (Watch movement maker) of Atherton St, Prescot.
This name appears in the 1855 Slaters Directory of Lancashire trades.
Source: British & Irish Clock and Watch Makers (c1600-c1940), Historical Clock & Watch Research, www.clockswatches.com

George Hewitt missing from 1861 census. His wife described as widow:
1861 census, Prescot, Atherton Street (prop sched no. 152)
Margaret Hewitt, head, widow, 67, b Tarbock, Prescot, Lancs
Thomas Hewitt, son, single, 36, Watch Movement Maker, b Prescot
Martha Hewitt, dau, single, 30, b Eccleston
John Hewitt, son, single, 23, butcher, b Prescot

JOHN:

Baptisms: 25 Jan 1795 St Mary the Virgin, Prescot, Lancashire, England
John Hewit - Son of Joseph Hewit & Martha
Born: 27 Dec 1794
Abode: Prescot
Occupation: Watchmaker
Register: Baptisms 1766 - 1809, Page 130, Entry 20
Source: LDS Film 1657583 item 8

Burial: 29 Oct 1796 St Mary the Virgin, Prescot, Lancashire, England
John Hewit - Son of Joseph Hewit
Abode: Prescot
Notes: Father is Watchmaker
Register: Burials 1766 - 1809, Page 300, Entry 30
Source: LDS Film 1657583

JOHN (2):

Baptisms: 18 Dec 1796 St Mary the Virgin, Prescot, Lancashire, England
John Hewit - Son of Joseph Hewit & Martha
Born: 29 Nov 1796
Abode: Prescot
Occupation: Watchmaker
Register: Baptisms 1766 - 1809, Page 138, Entry 45
Source: LDS Film 1657583 item 8

THOMAS:

Baptisms: 20 Jan 1799 St Mary the Virgin, Prescot, Lancashire, England
Thomas Hewit - Son of Joseph Hewit & Martha
Born: 24 Dec 1798
Abode: Prescot
Occupation: Watchmaker
Register: Baptisms 1766 - 1809, Page 149, Entry 21
Source: LDS Film 1657583 item 8

MICHAEL:

Baptisms: 30 Sep 1804 St Mary the Virgin, Prescot, Lancashire, England
Michael Hewit - Son of Joseph Hewit & Martha
Born: 29 Sep 1804
Abode: Prescot
Occupation: Watchmaker
Register: Baptisms 1766 - 1809, Page 177, Entry 11
Source: LDS Film 1657583 item 8

JOSEPH JNR:

Baptisms: 4 Mar 1807 St Mary the Virgin, Prescot, Lancashire, England
Joseph Hewit - Son of Joseph Hewit & Martha
Born: 15 Feb 1807
Abode: Prescot
Occupation: Watchmaker
Register: Baptisms 1766 - 1809, Page 188, Entry 41
Source: LDS Film 1657583 item 8

Marriage: 15 Feb 1838 St Wilfrid, Farnworth near Prescot, Lancashire, England
Joseph Hewitt - of full age Watchmaker Bachelor of Prescot
Mary Eaton - of full age Spinster of Prescot
Groom's Father: Joseph Hewitt, Watchmaker
Bride's Father: Joseph Eaton, Servant
Witness: Ellen Eaton, (X); John Anderson
Married by Banns by: William Jeff, Minister
Register: Marriages 1837 - 1845, Page 22, Entry 43
Source: LDS Film 1655236 item 2

A pocket watch signed Joseph Hewitt Prescot recently sold on eBay. It seems to be of a mid-1840s design, suggesting it was made by Joseph Jnr rather than his father.

JOSHUA:

Baptisms: 25 Dec 1808 St Mary the Virgin, Prescot, Lancashire, England
Joshua Hewit - Son of Joseph Hewit & Martha
Born: 21 Dec 1808
Abode: Prescot
Occupation: Watchmaker
Register: Baptisms 1766 - 1809, Page 199, Entry 20
Source: LDS Film 1657583 item 8

Burial: 2 Feb 1810 St Mary the Virgn, Prescot, Lancashire, England
Joshua Hewit - Son of Joseph Hewit
Abode: Prescot
Occupation: Watchmaker
Source: LDS Film 1657583

JOSHUA (2):

Baptisms: 5 Dec 1810 St Mary the Virgin, Prescot, Lancashire, England
Joshua Hewit - Son of Joseph Hewit & Martha
Born: 19 Nov 1810
Abode: Prescot
Occupation: Watchmaker
Source: LDS Film 1657583

PAUL:

Baptisms: 4 Sep 1814 St Mary the Virgin, Prescot, Lancashire, England
Paul Hewit - Son of Joseph Hewit & Martha
Abode: Prescot
Occupation: Watchmaker
Baptised by: John Kirby
Register: Baptisms 1813 - 1822, Page 47, Entry 374
Source: LDS Film 1657583 item 10

JAMES:

Baptism: 25 Dec 1800 St Mary the Virgin, Prescot, Lancashire, England
James Hewit - Son of Joseph Hewit & Martha
Born: 8 Dec 1800
Abode: Prescot
Occupation: Watchmaker
Register: Baptisms 1766 - 1809, Page 159, Entry 12
Source: LDS Film 1657583 item 8

Burial: 18 Aug 1826 St Mary the Virgin, Prescot, Lancashire, England
James Hewit -
Age: 25
Abode: Prescot
Buried by: CGT Driffield
Register: Burials 1813 - 1826, Page 294, Entry 2346
Source: LDS Film 1657597 item 7

Occupation 1822-1825 (at the baptism of his children): Painter (he was unusual in not being a watchmaker in this family).

Family mythology has it that he was working as a painter in Knowsley Hall (about 1820, when the Hall was being prepared for the visit of King George IV) when he met Margaret Large. (I am currently trying to locate staff lists for Knowsley Hall around 1820. They arent in the Hall archive, but may be at Liverpool or Prescot). The couple were denied permission to marry, but ran away and married anyway.

Possible marriage:
James Hewitt married Margaret Large, 14 Aug 1821, Grappenhall, Cheshire ...
1821 August 14. James Hewitt of this Parish and Margaret Large of this Parish were married in this church by Banns with the consent of Parents this fourteenth day of August in the Year One thousand eight hundred and twenty one by me John Burnett Stuart, Rector. This marriage was solemnised between us James Hewitt (signed) Margaret Large (signed) In the presence of Thomas Shaw (signed) and Betty Ousey (X her mark).
Source: Grappenhall, St Wilfrid, Register of Marriages 1813-1822 (Mf 145/1). (Question: was this a known irregular, or just the nearest church over the border?)

MARGARET LARGE:

Baptisms: 18 Aug 1802 St Mary the Virgin, Prescot, Lancashire, England
Margaret Large - Daughter of John Large & Ellen
Born: 26 Jul 1802
Abode: Prescot
Occupation: Barber
Register: Baptisms 1766 - 1809, Page 166, Entry 29
Source: LDS Film 1657583 item 8

Note: Not to be confused with another Margaret Large born Prescot 17 Feb 1799, who anecdotal evidence suggests married a John Stringer of Sussex and moved to Tunbridge Wells. She was the daughter of Thomas Large & Mary. Thomas Large was a watch tool maker (sometimes described as watch engine maker). His papers are kept in Manchester Central Library archives, and he also gets a mention in the book 'Your Time' (Antiquarian Horological Society, 2008).

Possible marriage:
James Hewitt married Margaret Large, 14 Aug 1821, Grappenhall, Cheshire ...

Her husband James Hewitt died young (1826), probably disconnecting her from any inheritance due from Joseph Hewitt Snr. who died in 1835. The disconnection was compounded by her re-marriage to watchmaker William Abbott in Feb 1829:

Marriage: 2 Feb 1829, All Saints, Rainford, Lancs
William Abbott - Watchmaker of this parish
Margaret Hewitt - Widow of this parish
Witness: William Appleton, Alice Large (X)
Married by Banns by William Ellam minister
Register: Marriages 1813-1831, page 162, entry 486
Source: LDS film 1657567

1841 census, Widnes, Pepper Street
William Abbott, watchmaker, age 30 or 36, living with Margaret Abbott 35, Isabella 6 or 8, William 5, Joshua 3, Mary 11 months,
Thomas Abbott 30, watchmaker, and William Lightfoot 14, watchmaker Apprentice.
Next door:
Josh, John, Joseph or Jack Abbott, 35, watchmaker, living with Ann Abbott 35, Ellen 12, Isabella 10, Margaret 8, and Joseph 4.
All given as born in the County.

Margaret died in 1848:
Name: Margaret Abbott
Abode: Widnes
When Buried December 18th 1848
Age 46 years
She was interred at Farnworth Chapel.

William Abbott remarried one year later...

Marriage certificate shows:
William Abbott, full age, widower, watchmaker, of Widnes, father John Abbott, watchmaker, married...
Mary Finch, full age, spinster, of Halewood, father Thomas Finch, wheelright...
On 13th August 1849 at the Chapel of Hale, in the parish of Childwall in the county of Lancaster by Banns...
In the presence of Margaret Gillow and James Davenport.
William Abbott, Mary Finch, her mark X.

[Hilary]

Many of the Derby family Papers are at Lancashire Record Office at Preston. They have a very odd indexing system of their own (The Derby papers I mean). Have you tried on Access to Archives on the National Archives web page?

Other than that I would contact Lancashire Record Office before visiting to see whether they have what you want. They will also send you copies of the wills you want for the photocopying costs and postage.

Ed Officer

[MaryA]

Thanks Mary. Looks like I'll be needing a trip to Prescot.

I hope you mean Preston!! a few miles difference

[taylor]

Oops! Er, yes, Preston. Keyboard getting ahead of brain.

Thanks for the pointers. I suppose Borthwick Institute would be the other source for Wills, although their service charges for online ordering may be higher.

I will have a look at A2A. In the past I've tried to locate papers for another large house (Wentworth, in Yorkshire) and found the A2A document descriptors rather vague, with entire blocks of documents simply labelled as 'Muniments'.

[Hilary]

The will you want is held at Lancashire Record Office Preston - this is the actual will. I very much doubt that the Borthwick Institute will hold even a copy as it's a Lancashire Will.

My suggestion for the Derby papers is to contact Lancashire Record Office and ask if the papers they hold contain a Staff Book for the 1820s.

Ed Officer

[taylor]

Many thanks.

I did get lucky with a previous enquiry to Borthwick Institute, but an exchange of emails with the institute explains why. They say "Prescot fell under the probate jurisdiction of the Archdeaconry of Chester within the Diocese of Chester, and not within the Diocese of York. Chester wills would only have been proved at York if individuals held land in more than one diocese in the Northern Province (and this was the case in my earlier enquiry). Otherwise wills would have been proved by the Consistory Court at Chester." So I took your advice and contacted Lancs Record Office earlier today.

Thanks for the suggestion re Derby papers and staff book. I will follow up on that.

Where should I search for obits. for my two Hewitts? They were both 'of Prescot' at the time of their death (1802 and 1835 respectively).

[MaryA]

I've been told by St Helens library that Prescot would be covered in the Knowsley area, so I suspect, although as yet haven't had confirmation, that the records would be in Huyton library.

[MaryA]

Although I've not yet got any information from Huyton Library, if you check my post re Newspapers on the For Posterity Board, you will see that there is held at St Helens the Prescot Reporter & General Advertiser from November 1859 to October 1868 and the Prescot Reporter & St Helens General Advertiser October 1868 to May 1888.

These are obviously much later than you want but the lady I spoke with from the St Helens Library, who was very informative, doesn't believe that there will be any newspapers available for the area and dates you are looking for.

[Hilary]

If your library has the Gale newspapers subscription try the Liverpool Mercury. This covered a wide area at the time and would have included Prescot.

What about the Prescot Watch and Clock Museum they may have further information?

Ed officer

[taylor]

Thanks both for these most useful suggestions. I will explore all these options over the next week or two (opening times permitting). I'm currently waiting for the two Hewitt Wills from LRO.

Have a good Christmas.