My Fifth Great Grandparents
John
Cufflin and Jane Woolet
John Cufflin was born at Ratby, Leicestershire, England in 1742 and on the 26th
of December 1763 was married to Jane Woolet of Thurlaston following the
publication of Banns at Ratby Parish Church. One of the witnesses to the
marriage was Tom Cufflin, who was the only one, apart from the Vicar to sign
his own name, both John, Jane and the other witness making 'their mark'.
Jane was also born in 1742 and was the daughter of
William and Mary Woolet of Thurlaston.
There is very little more that we know about them having traced so far only one
son, Richard Cufflin 1764-1820.
The only information I have about Thomas and Elizabeth, has been obtained from
the records of the baptism of their daughter Alice at Humberstone. There
is another Alice whose baptism is recorded at Barrow upon Soar on the 10
January 1769 and also naming the parents as Thomas Loe and Elizabeth?
My Fourth Great Grandparents
Richard Cufflin and Elizabeth Wheat
Richard Cufflin was born at Anstey in Leicestershire in 1764. He married
Elizabeth Wheat of Anstey on the 26th September 1790, and died on the 15 August
1820 at the age of 56.
Elizabeth was born in 1764 and died on the 27
February 1837 at the age of 74. They had eight children: Richard 1791-; John
1793-; Elizabeth 1796-; William 1798-1870; Sophia 1803-; Sarah 1806-;
Bradshaw 1807- and James 1809-1881.
I
have rechecked my notes for records of Tom and Mary but have not so far found
any documentation concerning them although I must have got the information from
somewhere. "Watch this space!"
John Roddle and Sarah Ball were married at Thurcaston Parish Church
Leicestershire on the 1st of December 1794.
Robert Daft and Alice Loe were married in the parish church at Humberstone,
Leicestershire on the 23rd of June 1793. Alice was the daughter of Thomas and
Elizabeth Loe and was born at Humberstone.
Joseph Branston and Elizabeth Marshall
Joseph Branston was born at Langford in Nottinghamshire in 1733 and was a
farmer. He was a widower when he married Elizabeth Marshall on 19 January 1784
at Upton by Southwell in Nottinghamshire. Elizabeth was born at Upton in 1763.
Children I have traced so far are: Mary 1785; Eleanor 1787; Joseph 1788;
Elizabeth 1790; Mary 1792 and Ann 1802.
My Third Great Grandparents
William Cufflin and Christina Hunt
William was born on the 24 March 1798 at Anstey in Leicestershire, he was the
third son of Richard Cufflin and Elizabeth Wheat. On the 3 September 1820 he
married Christina Hunt of Anstey who was the daughter of Thomas Hunt and his
wife Mary. At the time of the 1841 census they were living at 'Southside'
Anstey and were described as Framework Knitters. By 1851 they had moved to 23
Friday Street, Leicester.
Their children were: William born 1820; Henry
born 1823; Sophia, 1828; Sarah, 1831; Mary Ann, 1835; Selina, 1837 and
John, 1841. William died on the 20 February 1870 at the age of 71.
Following Williams death, Christina moved in with
her daughter Selina and her family at 35 Friday Street. Christina died at the
age of 87 on the 1 February 1888.
William and Christina are both interred at the
Welford Road Cemetery in Plot R1/508.
Edward Baum was born at Cropstone, Leicestershire in 1801. He married Hannah
Roddle of Thurcaston on the 28 July 1821 and worked as a Carpenter. Hannah was
the daughter of John Roddle and Sarah Ball, and was christened at Thurcaston on
29 November 1795. Their children were: John 1824; Elizabeth 1826; Sarah
1828; Frances 1830; Ann 1833; Edward 1835;
Samuel Smith and Mary Daft were married at Kirby Muxloe Parish Church on the 19
November 1819. at the time they were living at Leicester Forrest East. Mary was
baptised at Humberstone Parish Church on 25 December 1779 and was the daughter
of Robert Daft and his wife Alice Loe. We have so far only found one son, John
1818.
Research is at an early stage at the moment but from the IGI Records a George
Hallam of Widmerpool married Ann Emerson of Willoughby on the 24 December 1809.
A witness to the marriage was John Holmes. The same records show that Elizabeth
Hallam was baptised on 27 December 1818 and was the daughter of George and Ann
Hallam?
Edward
and Mary Gray were both born in Nottinghamshire, Edward at Bingham and Mary at
Flintham. Mary was the daughter of Joseph Branston and Elizabeth Marshall and
their first son, Joseph 1816, was no doubt named after her father. Shortly
after they moved to Brentingby in Leicestershire. This was probably around 1818
as their second child William 1818. was born on the first of November
1818 at Brentingby. Their other children, who were all born at Brentingby were:
Sarah 1821; John 1824; Elizabeth 1826; George 1830; Ann 1832 and Edmund 1835.
Edward & Mary were still alive at the time of the 1861 Census when they
were both 69.
My Great Great Grandparents
Denis McNeill & Catherine Stewart
From the 1851 Census records, both Denis McNeill and his wife Catherine, were
born in Co. Antrim Ireland, Denis in 1803 and Catherine in 1811. The Census
which was carried out at Rasharkin in Co. Antrim shows Denis to be a Farmer and
living with them are 8 children: Ann 1837; Archibald 1839; Patrick 1841; Denis
1843; Stewart 1845; Hugh 1846; Charles 1848 and William 1849.
Henry Cufflin and Elizabeth Baum
Henry was born in 1823 and baptised at Thurcaston (Chapelry of Anstey) on 18
May 1823, he was the son of Framework Knitters Henry Cufflin and Christina
Hunt.
On the 27 November 1843 he married Elizabeth Baum
of Anstey. Elizabeth was born in 1826 and baptised at Anstey Parish Church on
26 November, she was the daughter of Edward Baum, a Carpenter of Cropstone and
his wife Hannah Roddle of Thurcaston. Elizabeth died on the 1 June 1878 at
Great Glen, Leicestershire.
They had nine children: William Edward 1843-; Henry
1845-; John 1848-1917; Edward 1850-1917; William 1852-; Samuel
1857-1899; Frances 1864-1864; Elizabeth 1867-1943 and James 1869-.
Henry later moved back to Leicester living at 61
Clipstone Street and was employed as a 'Warp Loom Hand'. He died on the 19
October 1916, at what would certainly have been in those days, the 'grand old
age' of 94. He is buried with his wife Elizabeth, daughter Frances and grandson
William Thomas in Welford Road Cemetery, Plot No. A/347.
John Smith and Elizabeth Hallam
John Smith was born in Kirby Muxloe in 1818 and baptised at the Parish Church
on 27 August 1820, he was the son of Samuel Smith of Glenfield and Mary Daft of
Humberstone. He married Elizabeth Hallam of Widmerpool Nottinghamshire on 31
December 1838 at Widmerpool.
They lived at Glenfield until about 1845 when they
moved to Ansty. Their children were: Joseph born 1839; Richard born 1841; Mary
A, 1843; Samuel, 1845; Phebe Hallam, 1846; Robert, 1849; Alice, 1851;
Elizabeth, 1853; Sarah, 1856 and John, 1858.
William Gray was born at Brentingby, Leicestershire and baptised at the village
church on 1 November 1818. He married Ann Clipson of Gretton, Northamptonshire
and it was here that their first child was born in 1839. All their other
children were born at Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire and baptised at the
Parish Church.
In 1851 at the time of the Census they were living
at Brickfield Cottages on Pidgeon Row and William was working as an
Agricultural Labourer.
Their children were: Sarah 1839; John 1843; Edward
1846; George 1851; William 1852; Henry 1852; Elizabeth 1855 and Fanny
1857.
My Great Grandparents
Hugh McNeill and Bridget McQuade
Hugh McNeill was born in Antrim, Ireland, in 1844. He was married to Bridget
McQuade, who was born at Pomeroy in Co. Tyrone, Ireland, in 1846. After their
marriage they continued to live at Pomeroy where their first three children
were born: Patrick in 1864; John in 1866 and Mary in 1868.
Between the years 1868-1872 they emigrated to
England where two more children were born at Consett, Co. Durham: My
grandfather Hugh 1872 and Ellen in 1873. A sixth child was born at
Dungannon in Ireland in 1877. At the time of the 1881 census they were all
living in Cuthbert Street, Winlaton, Co. Durham, where Hugh was employed as a
General Labourer and their son John was an apprentice Glassmaker.
James Gartland and Ellen McNicholl
James Gartland 1840-1904 and Ellen McNichol 1845-1891 were both born in Co.
Tyrone Eire in the northern province of Ulster and it is thought likely that
they married shortly before moving to England where James obtained work as a
Coal Miner.
The first real date we have of their presence in
England is 1870 which marked the birth of their first son Thomas who was born
at Trimdon Colliery, where James was employed. In 1873 the family were living
at Wardley Co. Durham and it was here that my grandmother Susannah was
born. Three years later in 1876 their third child John was born at Brandon
Colliery. Shortly afterwards, in 1877, Thomas was attending St. Josephs School,
Broom and at the time of the 1881 Census they were living at The Old Row,
Iveston in Co. Durham.
Ellen died on the 1st of July 1891 and is buried in
Stella Cemetery Co. Durham. James later commissioned a burial plot in St James
Churchyard Benwell, which he intended for himself and his three children. He
was interred there following his death in 1904 at Benwell, Newcastle upon Tyne.
William Cufflin and Alice Smith
When we first started researching our family history it was William who became
the centre of our enquiries but after many weeks we were still no further
forward. We had heard from an Aunt that he was prone to moving about the county
which prompted my co-researcher Dorothy, to refer to him as 'Wandering William'
and he has been stuck with this description ever since.
From census records we know that he was born in
Leicester in 1852 and was the son of Henry Cufflin and Elizabeth Baum but have
found no other reference as to his birth.
He married Alice Smith of Anstey, who was the
daughter of John Smith and Elizabeth Hallam, on 11 August 1872 and at that time
was living in Alfred Street Leicester.
Alice was baptised at Ansty Parish Church on 24
August 1851 and died in the Borough Asylum Leicester in 1881 at the age of 30
and is interred at Welford Road Cemetery Leicester Plot N/492. We have not
found any information with regard to Williams death. They had two children: William
Frederick, 1876-1955 and John Henry 1879-1962.
William Gray and Elizabeth Burdett
William Gray was born in 1849 at Melton Mowbray and was employed as a
Platelayer on the Railway. He married Eliza Burdett of Weldon in
Northamptonshire sometime around 1870 and at the time of the 1881 Census they
were living at 22 Sarah Street, Belgrave, Leicester with their four children:
Kate Elizabeth 1872-; William J 1774-; Sarah Ann 1875-1960 and John
1880.
My Grandparents
Hugh McNeill and Susannah Gartland
According to the 1881
Census Hugh McNeill was born at Consett, Co. Durham in 1872 but the Registrar
of Births has been unable to find a Birth Certificate for him in the Consett
records so his birthplace still remains something of a mystery. In the early 1900's
he married Susannah Gartland who was born on September 25th 1873 at Wardley,
Co. Durham . Their early married years were spent in Scotswood and they later
moved to Benwell where they made their home at 161 Dolphin Street. Hugh was a
Journeyman Carpenter and Susannah was a School Teacher teaching in the local
school, she died of Pneumonia on the 5th April 1918 and Hugh died of an
Apoplectic Seizure on the 19th February 1927. They had four children: Ellen,
born 9 March 1902; Hugh, born 3 October 1904; James, 9 July 1909 and
Thomas 9 August 1911.
Wm. Frederick Cufflin and Sarah Ann Gray
William Frederick Cufflin
was born on 20 October 1876 at 100 Gresham Street Leicester the son of William
Cufflin and Alice Smith. He started work at the age of 12 and was employed in
the shoe trade as a 'Finisher' and later as a 'Skiving Machine Operator'. He
remained in the shoe trade throughout his working life and at one time worked
from a shed in his garden which he always referred to as 'the shop'. A keen
sportsman, he played soccer for Leicester Fosse who played in the second
division in 1894 and went into the first division of the Football League in
1908.
He retired from work at the age of 70 and died on the 4 July 1955 at Hilcrest
Hospital Leicester aged 78.
On the 3 November 1894 he had married Sarah Ann
Gray 1875-1960 at the Register Office in the County Borough of Leicester. Sarah
was born on 5 June 1875 at 193 Syston Street Leicester, the daughter of William
Gray of Melton Mowbray and Elizabeth Burdett of Weldon Northants. She died at
21 Deepdale, Leicester, the home of her eldest daughter in 1960.
Their children were: Frederick William c1896;
Constance 1902; Ethel 1904-1905; Dorothy Mabel 1909-1985 and Ronald KG
1920-.
Hugh
McNeill and Dorothy Mabel Cufflin
Hughie McNeill was born on
3 October 1904 at 8 Sister Street Scotswood, Newcastle upon Tyne. He was the
second child and first son of Hugh McNeill and Susannah Gartland. In the mid
1920's he moved down to Melton Mowbray where he worked as a Carpenter &
Joiner with the Midland Woodworking Co. and remained with them until his
retirement in 1969.
He had a strong baritone voice and played a part in
8 productions of the local Amateur Operatic Society between the years 1946 to
1954 and was its chairman in 1950-1951. Towards the end of his life, which he
spent at St. Mary's Hospital, he could still entertain his fellow patients with
a powerful rendering of 'The Blaydon Races'.
A founder member of the Barnsbury Cycling Club he
was its first Chairman. The club had taken its name from the corner of the
street in Benwell, Newcastle upon Tyne, where they used to meet, at the
junction of Barnsbury Road with Farndale Road and Dolphin Street. He was also a
founder member and Chairman of the Midland Woodworkers Sports and Social Club,
a position he held for 20 years...and to complete the 'hat trick' he was a
founder member of the Melton Local Labour Party. He died on the 25th January
1985 and was interred at the Thorpe Road Cemetery at Melton Mowbray
In 1932 he was married to Dorothy Mabel Cufflin 1909-1995
at the Sacred Heart church in Mere Road Leicester, she was born on 17 July 1909
at 6 Swaffam Street Leicester and was the daughter of William Frederick Cufflin
and Sarah Ann Gray.
Their married life was spent at Melton Mowbray,
where they brought up their five children: Hugh Brian 1933-; Frederick
Alan 1934-; Mary Sheila 1936; Anthony Colin 1937- and Francis Derek 1941-.
At her death on 17 June 1995, in addition to her 5
Children, she had 15 Grandchildren and 15 Great Grandchildren.
...and then there was me
Hugh Brian McNeill
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for more
My Children
Angela was born on 9 September 1963 at St. Mary's Hospital Melton Mowbray. She
attended school at St. Francis Primary, John Ferneley High School and Melton
Upper School. On leaving school she worked at the National Westminster Bank.
Out of school activities included The Girl Guides and competitive swimming
where she swam for her school, The Melton Swimming Club and represented her
county at international events.
She married Dean Cansick and they have a son
Conner.
Christine was born 1st November 1965 at St. Mary's Hospital Melton Mowbray. She
attended school at St. Francis Primary, John Ferneley High School, Melton Upper
School and Melton College. On leaving college she worked for PERA in Melton
Mowbray and later on a part time basis for McNeill Electrical. She is currently
employed as a Care Assistant in a Residential Home for adults with a learning
disability. She was a member of The Girl Guides and The Melton Swimming Club
and held the 'Butterfly Championship' for a number of years. She also swam for
her school, and represented her county at international events.
Married to Steve Kerr they have two children:
Phillip, born in 1989 and Stephanie born in 1991.
Sharon was born on 21 March 1975 at St. Mary's Hospital Melton Mowbray. She
went to school at Old Dalby Primary School, Melton Swallowdale School,
Longfield High School, Melton Upper School and Peterborough College, where she
achieved the highest marks ever recorded for her course. Leaving college she
worked as an Areobics Instructor at a local Gym before working at a British
Road Services Depot as a receptionist. Whilst there she met Tim Plumptre and
they have a daughter Ashleigh born in 1998. She is currently working as a
receptionist at a local garage.
Ben was born on 29 October 1986 at St. Mary's Hospital Melton Mowbray.
He attended St. Francis Primary School and the De'Lisle Comprehensive School at
Loughborough. Among his interests are Computing (educational of a kind?), Bass
Guitar, Music composition and Song writing.
He has just completed a two year course at Brooksby
Melton College having gained a BTEC in Performing Arts.
My Grandchildren
Conner is the son of Dean Cansick and Angela McNeill and was born at the
Leicester City General Hospital on 3 December 1991. He attended Glenfield
County Primary school and among his interests are Tae Kwon-Do, in which he
obtained his 1st Dan Black Belt in Dec 2002 and plays the electric guitar at
local gigs.
Phillip is the son of Steven Kerr and Christine McNeill and was born at St.
Mary's Hospital Melton Mowbray on 21 May 1989. 
He has recently left St. Francis Primary School at
Melton Mowbray and now attends the De'Lisle Comprehensive at Loughborough where
he is studying for his A Levels. He belongs to the Melton Mowbray Rugby
Football Club and works part time in a local store.
Stephanie is the daughter of Steven Kerr and Christine McNeill and was born at
St. Mary's Hospital Melton Mowbray on 12 September 1991. She attended St.
Francis Primary School at Melton Mowbray, where she was a Prefect and
interested in Irish Dancing. She now attends De-Lisle Comprehensive and in her
spare time plays the acustic guitar.
Ashleigh is the daughter of Tim Plumptre and Sharon Pugh, she was born
on 8 May 1998 at the Leicester Royal Infirmary Maternity Unit. She attended
school at St. Francis Primary where she enjoyed
Gymnastics, Roller
Skating and Football, she was a member of Asfordby Amateurs FC and played for
Asfordby Gems in the Leicestershire Girls league. Ashleigh currently attends De Lisle Comprehensive and plays football for the Leicester City Girls Academy.