A CRABTREE FAMILY IN BURNLEY, LANCASHIRE
ENGLAND

This is a compilation of all the current information from registers, census returns, registration certificates and monumental inscriptions, assembled with the help of Peter Crabtree.  Information has been included from a family chart obtained by my father's cousin, Benjamin Smith of Colne.  This chart contains many names but few dates or sources and the children's names are not necessarily in the right order.  However, where checked against the documentary evidence, such as census returns, the chart has not been found in error so the information may continue to be of value in helping to assign relationships. 

Thomas Crabtree, probably taken in the 1870s		Jug labelled "Thomas Crabtree 1835"		Susannah Crabtree, b. 20 Dec 1855, married Benjamin Smith

Thomas Crabtree, a blacksmith, the eighth child in Generation 2 was my GG Grandfather. The occasion for the production of the commemorative jug is not known but he would have been about 17 at the time.  The information on the family of Thomas's son Lawrence Crabtree comes from his descendant, Pamela Edwards of Burnley. Information on the family of Thomas's son Stephen and his daughter Mary Crabtree, comes from Rosemary Harrison in Somerset.  She is a descendant of Mary Crabtree, who married William Taylor and her maiden name was Rosemary Taylor Gregory. I have also been contacted by Elizabeth Clements in Virginia, who is descended from William Taylor and Mary Crabtree through their daughter Ada, who married John Stephenson. Pamela, Rosemary and Elizabeth are mentioned in the tree with bold type and an asterisk.

In Colne Public Library is a book of bound pedigrees entitled "North East Lancashire Pedigrees, Originating in the Office of Caleb Howarth, 1796-1879, Conveyancer of Marsden.  One of the charts relates to James Crabtree, blacksmith of Burnley, who married Mary Holt. No dates are given but the relationships match what we know for the family of James Crabtree.

Thomas Crabtree and the Chartists

I am grateful to Roger Frost of Burnley for an account of Thomas Crabtree's activities in relation to making pike heads at the time of the Chartist disturbances in East Lancashire. It comes from his book A Lancashire township: the history of Briercliffe-with-Extwistle, published by Rieve Edge Press, 1982, page 57.

"By tradition the maker of the pikes at Haggate was Th'Owd Blacksmith. There was a smithy in the village at that time. It was known as Th'Owd Smithy and stood beside the Sun Inn on what later was Burnley Road. We have some evidence of pikes made there in evidence taken before several local magistrates and forwarded to the Home Secretary.

In this evidence, John Procter, a shoemaker, of Tattersall Barn, described visits he had made to Thomas Crabtree, the blacksmith of Haggate. Procter told how he had asked Crabtree if he had ever made any of them pikes which were so much talked about. The blacksmith confirmed that he had and that he was willing to make one for Procter for two shillings. The price was agreed and the shoemaker handed the sum over, but then Crabtree gave him a penny back saying that the he would have the pike ready in a few days.

Procter went back to the blacksmith's shop to collect the pike on Tuesday 2 April 1839. When he got there he found that the job was not completed and he was asked to wait until Crabtree had finishes sharpening some stone getter's picks. That job completed, Procter was taken to the back of the smithy where the grind stone was kept. Crabtree then produced the pike head from under his coat or apron and the two men worked together. Procter turning the grindle stone and later the throw wheel. There was still a socket to be made and screw with a thread on it and Crabtree said that he would require about half an hour.

The shoemaker left the shop but returned in thirty minutes. He found the pike head in a small bag which had left at the smithy and being unable to find the blacksmith, Procter walked home with the weapon. When he arrived at Tattersall Barn he examined it and found that the socket and thread had not been made. In the afternoon Procter took the pike head to William Chaffer the Constable of Burnley, who advised that it be returned to Haggate so that the job could be completed.

Christopher Procter, John's fourteen year old son took the pike head back to Haggate where the job was finished. Then the weapon was taken back to the Constable. Christopher stated that while Crabtree was working on the pike several people visited the smithy but on each occasion the blacksmith was able to throw it into a hole out of sight until the persons left the shop so that nobody but himself saw him work at it."

Note that at this period there is not a police force so the constable mentioned would have been the parish constable. The government were afraid that there was a conspiracy among Chartists for a general uprising. In this case Procter appears to be working with the constable in an attempt to incriminate Thomas Crabtree. While the account refers to the old blacksmith, Thomas Crabtree, born in 1818 would only have been 21 in April 1839. Perhaps Th'owld blacksmith refers to his father, Henry.

Crabtrees in Australia and Tasmania

I am grateful to Carole Fiori in Enfield for information regarding the possible first marriage of Stephen Crabtree in generation 4 below. According to the family tradition, Stephen went to Australia in a gold rush in the 1850s, returned some time later and then emigrated again on the death of his first wife, Dorothy. Dorothy is buried at Haggate Baptist Chapel near Burnley. Carole found two shipping entries that correspond to Stephen in the records of Victoria. A Stephen Crabtree aged 20 arrived in December 1858 in the Ellen Stuart and there is a second entry for a Stephen Crabtree age 44 in October 1882 on the Austral. These dates fit with Stephen being born in 1838. Carole has identified the marriage of Stephen Crabtree, journeyman and bachelor of full age to Dorothy Softley, widow of full age, on 14 May 1865 at St. John the Baptist Anglican Church, Buckland, Spring Bay, Tasmania. Carole is descended from Dorothy's brother and has been looking into the colourful life of Dorothy, who was transported to Australia from England for stealing a coat. An article was published in 'Practical Family History' by Carole's colleague Barbara I. Thompson in Issue No. 70, October 2003 and a follow up letter describing the recent work was published by Carole Fiori in Issue 72, December 2003.

I am grateful to Peter Heap for many details from the census and registers of St. James Briercliffe for the family of Lawrence Crabtree and Alice Heap in generation 3 below and their descendants.

Gilly Holt has provided me with details of the family of Henry Crabtree and his wife, Mary Duerden, from the British Vital Records Index.

I am grateful to Kristian Baxter for additional details on the family of Edith Taylor and William Sutcliffe.

For the sake of simplicity not all the branches of the families with other surnames have been included beyond generation 5.  Birth years have been excluded for the current generations for privacy reasons.

Abbreviations:

C41    Census of 1841 etc. in Burnley unless otherwise stated, also C51, C61, C71, C81 & C91.
FC      Family Chart.
BSP    Burnley St. Peter, the parish church.
HB     Haggate Baptist
MI      Monumental Inscription.
BC     Birth Certificate
MC    Marriage Certificate.
DC     Death Certificate
NELP North East Lancashire Pedigrees from Caleb Howarth 1796 to 1879, conveyancer.
marr.  married
bapt.   baptised
b.        born
c.        about
 

• 1.    Henry Crabtree.   Said to be 70 in C41. Henry died at Haggate on 18 November 1848 when he was said to be 83 and a blacksmith. Ellen Crabtree was the informant for the DC. He was buried at Haggate Baptist Chapel on 22 November. These records put his birth about 1765 whereas the age on the 1841 census suggests a birth year of 1771 .See footnote 2. Peter Crabtree found an entry for Burnley St. Peter's of a baptism of Henry Crabtree son of Henry of Extwistle in 1768 which could be the correct person.
• +    Mary Smith, 19 Feb 1798, both of this chapelry, by banns, BSP.  She was d. of John Smith and Sarah of Cockden.  John died 2 June 1821 aged 79, Sarah died 8 Aug 1821, aged 79, (MI at Haggate cemetery). Mary died aged 68 at Haggate in Briercliffe on 24 July 1845, James Crabtree present at the death (DC) and was buried at Haggate Baptist Chapel on 28 July. Footnote 6
  • 2.    Sarah Crabtree, bapt. 24 Mar 1799, (BSP); possibly died in infancy.
  • 2.    Robert, s. of Henry and Mary of Briercliffe, bapt. 24 May 1801, (BSP)
  • +    Elizabeth (Betty) Simpson, 30 Nov 1828, BSP, when Robert was described as a blacksmith and bachelor and Elizabeth as a spinster, both of this chapelry in the presence of James Hey and James Hargreaves. Elizabeth was born 1801/6 (C41, Marsden, when ages were rounded down to the nearest five for those over 20 showed at Coal Pit Lane, Robert aged 35; Elizabeth,35; Sarah, 11; Thomas, 9; John, 7; Susanna, 5; and Henry 3.
    • 3.    Sarah Crabtree, b. 11 Dec 1829, at Marsden Chapel, (HB)
    • +     Mr. Clegg, (FC)
    • 3.    Thomas Crabtree, b. 12 Mar 1832, at Marsden Chapel, (HB)
    • 3.    John Crabtree, b. 1 May, 1834, at Marsden Chapel, (HB)
    • 3.    Susanna Crabtree, born 7 Feb. 1836, at Loblane, Little Marsden, (HB)
    • +     Mr. Pomfrit (FC)
    • 3.    Henry Crabtree, b. 1837/8 (C41, Marsden)
    • 3.    Robert Crabtree (FC) b. after C41
    • 3.    Mary (FC) b. after C41
  • 2.     Mary Crabtree daughter of Henry, bapt. 27 Feb 1803, (BSP)
  • +      Mr. Sutcliffe (FC) It is possible that this was William Sutcliffe, weaver, bachelor, who married Mary Crabtree, spinster, both of this chapelry, at Burnley St. Peter by banns on 2 November 1823, in the presence of James Hey & James Hargreaves.
    • 3.     Rebecca Sutcliffe, marr. Mr. Bland (FC)
    • 3.     Sarah Sutcliffe, marr Mr. Peel (FC)
    • 3.     Mary Sutcliffe, marr. Mr Cunliffe (FC)
  • 2.    Henry Crabtree, bapt. 30 Nov 1806, son of Henry Crabtree, blacksmith of Briercliffe and his wife Mary. (BSP) See footnote 8
  • +    Ellen Bradshaw. Henry Crabtree described as a weaver and bachelor when he married Ellen Bradshaw, spinster, both of this chapelry by banns on 10 July 1832, itpo Joseph Sutcliffe & John Bradshaw at Burnley St. Peter. Ellen was born c. 1809/10 (C41, C51 & C61 Hag Gate)
    • 3.     Betty Crabtree, b. 1828-33 (C41 & 51); marr Mr. Astin (FC)
    • 3.     Martha Crabtree, b. 1832/3 (C41)  Possibly the Margaret, b. 6 June 1832 (HB).
    • 3.     Sarah Crabtree, b. 28 Apr 1834 (HB); marr. Mr. Halstead (FC)
    • 3.     Mary Crabtree, b. 1838/9 (C41)
    • 3.     Ann Crabtree, b. 1841/2 (C51, Hag Gate)
    • 3.     Ellen Crabtree, b. 1844/5 (C51) marr Mr. Stanworth (FC)
    • 3.     Henry Crabtree, b. about 1837/8 (C51), possibly died in infancy.
    • 3.     John Crabtree, b. 1839/40 (C51)
  • 2.   John Crabtree, b. 27 May 1808, (HB)
  • +    Margaret (Peggy) b. 1806/7 (C41, Briercliffe)
    • 3.     Sarah Crabtree, b. 29 Dec 1828, HB; marr. Mr. Berry (FC)
    • 3.     Thomas Crabtree, b. 7 Sept 1831, Pighole Briercliffe, (HB).
    • +     ?
      • 4.     Margaret Crabtree, married a Mr. Crabtree (FC)
      • 4.     Sarah Crabtree, marr. Mr. Rycroft (FC)
    • 3.     Elizabeth Crabtree, b. 5 Apr 1836, Pighole in Briercliffe, (HB)
    • +      Mr. Cook (FC)
    • 3.     Alice Crabtree, b. 1838/9 (C41), marr. Mr. Preston (FC)
    • 3.     Richard Crabtree, b.  1838/9 (C41)
  • 2.    James Crabtree, b. 22 July 1811, (HB) See Footnote 7
  • +     Mary Holt. James was a blacksmith and bachelor when he married Mary Holt, spinster, both of this chapelry at Burnley St. Peter by banns on 26 Jan 1834, itpo John Rawson and John Bradshaw. Mary was born 1813/14 Briercliffe (C51) and is known to be the daughter of James Holt of Lee Green, Extwistle and Betty Smith (NELP) (footnote1)
    • 3.     Mary Crabtree, b. 1835/6 (C51), marr.  Joseph Emmott (FC and NELP) There is a Mary dau of James and Mary Crabtree recorded at Haggate Baptists with birth date of 30 July 1835 which would fit.
    • 3.     John Crabtree, b. 1837/8 (C51)
    • 3.     Elizabeth Crabtree, b. 1839/40 (C51), marr. Henry Howarth (FC and NELP)
    • 3.     James Crabtree, b. 1843/4 (C51)
    • +      ?
      • 4.    William Crabtree (FC)
      • 4.    Nanny Mary Crabtree, marr Mr. Bannister (FC)
      • 4.    Percy Crabtree, (FC)
      • 4.    Ada Crabtree, (FC)
      • 4.    Helen Crabtree, (FC)
    • 3.     Sarah Crabtree, b. 1846/7 (C51) marr. Mr. Riley (FC)
    • 3.     Ellen Crabtree, b. 1847/8 (C51)
    • 3.     Wilkinson Crabtree, b. 1851/2 (C61)
    • 3.     Sophia Crabtree, b. 1853/4 (C61), marr. Mr. Burrows (FC)
    • 3.     Emma Crabtree, b. 1856/7 (C61)
    • 3.     Ann Maria (Annie) Crabtree, b. 1858/9 (C61), marr. Mr. Pickles (FC)
  • 2.    Nanny Crabtree, b. 4 Sept 1814, (HB).
  • +     Mr. Heap (FC)
    • 3.     St. John Crabtree Heap (FC)
    • 3.     John Heap (FC)
    • 3.     Eileen Heap (FC)
    • 3.     Mary Ann Heap, marr. Mr. Charnley (FC)
    • 3.     Ellen Heap marr. Mr. Wolstenholme (FC)
  • 2.    Thomas Crabtree, b. 15 Dec 1818, HB. A blacksmith.  Died 25 June 1891, aged 71. (DC and MI at HB) For census details see Footnote 2
  • +    Alice Nuttall (Alicia Nusstaler) d. of James on 12 July 1841, at Burnley P. C.  She was born 1818/9 (C51, DC and MI at HB), died 4 Feb 1866 aged 46 when name given as Ellen Alice.  She is believed to have been German. Buried at Haggate under the name Alice on 7 Feb 1866. If the name Alicia Nusstale was misinterpreted as Alice Nuttall, then there is doubt if she was born in Worsthorne as stated in C51. See Footnote X
    • 3.     Stephen Crabtree, b. 29 Jan 1838 at Briercliffe and registered as Stephen Nuttall.  (C41 & 51).  In the 1841 census Stephen is shown with his father as Stephen Crabtree and also in a separate dwelling with his mother. This was just before Thomas and Alice married.) Stephen first went to Australia in 1858 on a gold rush, returned to England at a date undetermined and then emigrated to Tasmania in 1883 where he married Florence Matilda Wickens in 1884 and died on 29 Feb 1916 aged 78 (MI). See footnote 3.
    • +    Dorothy Softley, born in Sunderland in 1822. On the marriage register, Stephen Crabtree, journeyman and bachelor of full age was married to Dorothy Softley, widow of full age, on 14 May 1865 at St. John the Baptist Anglican Church, Buckland, Spring Bay, Tasmania. Dorothy died in England on 2 Sept 1882 aged 59, (MI at Haggate) no issue*. See notes in the introduction on Dorothy Softley.
    • +    Florence Matilda Wickens in Tasmania in 1884.  The following children all in Tasmania.
      • 4.    George Thomas Crabtree, b. 1884, died 18 Nov 1950
      • +     Aldeline Elizabeth Duffy
        • 5.    Patricia Mary Crabtree, b. 1920s
      • 4.    Alice Catherine Crabtree, b. 2 Jan 1886.
      • +     Percival Alfred Driscoll, married on 24 July 1912.
      • 4.    James Wickens Crabtree, b. 1887, died 11 Oct 1908
      • +    Amy Vardon
        • 5.    Evaline Florence Crabtree, died in infancy
        • 5.    Doris Mabel Crabtree, died in infancy.
      • 4.    Florence Mary Crabtree, b. 1889, died 1932
      • +    Alfred Edward Lovett
        • 5.    Lancelot Stephen Lovett
        • 5.    Maxwell Wickens Lovett
        • 5.    Philippa Anne Lovett
      • 4.    Ellen Elizabeth Crabtree, b. 25 July 1891 died 18 Sept 1895
      • 4.    Eva May Crabtree, b. 29 May 1893
      • 4.    Stephen Horace Crabtree, b. 18 Apr 1895
      • +     Jennie Agnes Freeman, married November 1922.
        • 5.    Stephen Freeman Crabtree (see Footnote 5)
        • 5.    Mary Catherine Crabtree
      • 4.    Eleanor Lucy Crabtree, b. 18 Aug 1897
      • +     William Alex James Berry
        • 5.    Noel Evan Berry, died in infancy
        • 5.    Phyllis Florence Berry born in the 1920s
        • +     Rex Matthew Conway
    • 3.     Lawrence Crabtree b. 17 April 1840 in Burnley and registered as Lawrence Nuttall, (C41, C51, C61).  Died 12 September 1908, buried St. James, Briercliffe, aged. 68. (MI at Briercliffe).  In the 1871 census he was at Higher Saxfield and in 1881 at Widow Lane Head.  By 1891 he had a second wife, Betty and llived at Throstle Nest.  In 1901 he was at 12a Jib Hill with his wife Betty and was a Cotton Weaver.
    • +     Alice Heap, was baptised 18 Aug 1878 at St. James Briercliffe. In 1861 she was living with her parents James and Ann Heap formerly Crossley, at Higher Saxfield and was a Power Loom Cotton Weaver.   She was married from Higher Saxfield at St. James Briercliffe, in 1861 and witnesses were James Procter and Nancy Rushworth. Alice died 20 February 1887 aged 47, (MI at Briercliffe where she was buried in the same grave as her husband)
      • 4.     Alice Ann Crabtree, died 13 August 1878, aged 17 (MI at Briercliffe)
      • 4.     Sarah Crabtree, born about 1865 Burnley, died 1951 (FC).  Found in C71 at Lower Saxfield then in C81 at Widow Lane Head. In 1891 at 74 Burnley Road as head of family with Annie, John, James, Stephen & Thomas.  In 1901 whe was at 7 Ivy Street, possibly as housekeeper to John Pitts, widower and Cotton Warp Dresser aged 34.
      • +     John Barton in Chorley in Dec quarter of 1903
        • 5.    Lawrence Barton (FC)
        • 5.    Annie Barton, married but no issue (FC)
        • 5.    Nellie Barton (FC)
        • +    Jack Longworth and all following children from FC
          • 6.    Margaret Longworth married John Campbell
          • 6.    Betty Longworth
          • 6.    Eileen Longworth
          • 6.    John Longworth
          • 6.    Susan Longworth
          • 6.    Lawrence Longwort
      • 4.     Stephen Crabtree born 4 November 1867 in Burnley (BC) and died 6 April 1937.  In C71 at Lower Saxifield, in C81 at Widow Lane Head and in 1891 at 74 Burnley Road with his sister, Sarah.  In 1901 he was at 8 Talbot Street, Briercliffe.  He was a Cotton Weaver
      • +      Sarah Jane Rhodes of Bradford in 1892 in N Bierley.  She was born 17 February 1865 in Bradford West Yorkshire (BC) died 10 March 1924. In 1881 she was at 433, Otley Road, Bradford. After marriage the couple were at 8 Talbot Street, Briercliffe in 1901. She was a Worsted Weaver.
        • 5.    Alice Crabtree, b. 17 August 1893 (BC) died 13 November 1920.  In 1901 she was at 8 Tabot Street.
        • 5.    Eleanor Crabtree, b. 31 December 1896 (BC) died July 1932 at Whittingham hospital near Preston.  In 1901 she was at 8 Tabot Street.
        • 5.    Annie Crabtree, b. 21 April 1899 and died 23 December 1957. In 1901 she was at 8 Tabot Street.
        • 5.    Thomas Crabtree, b. 30 April 1902 at Briercliffe and died 12 Nov 1975 at Shipley in Yorkshire.
        • +    Ada Margaret Smith born 23 February 1902, died 23 December 1966.
          • 6.    Peter Rhodes Crabtree born Shipley
          • 6.    Roger Denis Crabtree born Shipley
        • 5.    Stephen Crabtree (added middle name of Rhodes) born 7 January 1908, died 29 September 1978, married 6 December 1930.
        • +    Ellen Tattersall, born 22 November 1905, died 9 December 1966.
          • 6.    Barbara Helen Crabtree, married Robert Samuel Atkinson
          • 6.    Brenda Crabtree b. September 1934 and died the same month
          • 6.    *Pamela Lesley Crabtree, married Kenneth Crossley Edwards
        • 5.       James Crabtree marr. Sarah
          • 6.    Sarah Crabtree, marr. T. Pomfret
        • 5.    Thomas Crabtree died 1 June 1952 aged 80 (MI)
        • +     Margaret Dent who died 16 July 1951 aged 80 (MI)
          • 6.    Lizzie Crabtree, b. 28 Feb 1902, died 30 August 1967
        • 5.    John Crabtree
        • +     Ann Brown (FC)
          • 6.    Harry Crabtree, killed in 1938 (FC
          • 6.    Nellie May Crabtree marr. W. Whittaker (FC
          • 6.    Maggie Crabtree marr. J. Kippax (FC
          • 6.    James Crabtree (FC
        • 5.     Annie Crabtree
        • +     Thomas H. Pickles
          • 6.    Mary Pickles
          • 6.    Thomas Pickles
          • 6.    Annie Pickles married ? Critchley
      • 4.      James Crabtree, born 1870, Burnley, Lancashire.   In C71 at Lower Saxifield, C81 at Widow Lane Head, C91 at 74 Burnley Road with his sister Sarah, then following marriage in 1898 he was at 160 Burnley Road in 1901.  He was a Cotton Weaver.
      • +       Sarah Isabel Stephenson married in Sedbergh in 1898.  She was born in Dent, North Yorkshire and registered in the June Quarter of 1871, the daughter of Thomas and Jane Stephenson.  Thomas was an agricultural labourer/quarryman.  In C81 & C91 at Flintergill
        • 5.      Sarah Isabella Crabtree, birth registered March Quarter of 1900 at Burnley
      • 4.      Thomas Crabtree, born 1873 Lancashire.  In C81 he was at Widow Lane Head, in C91 at 74 Burnley Road with sister Sara and in 1901with brother John at 14 Talbot Street.  He was a Cotton Weaver.  His marriage was registered in the June Quarter of 1901, which must have been after the censu of that year.
      • +      Annie Dent, born 1876 Burnley and died 16 July 1951.  She was the daughter of James and Sarah Jane Dent.  In 1881 and 1891 she was at 17 Rowley Street, Habergham Eaves and in 1901 at 11 Albion Terrace.  She was a Cotton Weaver.
      • 4.     John Crabtree, born 1876, Burnley, Lancashire.  In C81 at Widow Lane Head, C91 at 74 Burnley Road with sister Sarah, in 1901 at 14 Talbot Street.   He was a Cotton Weaver. 
      • +      Elizabeth Ann Brown on 1 April 1899 at St. James, Briercliffe.  She was born in 1877 in Burnley.  She was a Cotton Weaver
        • 5.     Harry Crabtree, born 1900 Burnley, Lancashire.
      • 4.     Annie Crabtree, born 1880, Burnley, Lancashire.  She was at Widow Lane Head in 1881, at 74 Burnley Road with sister Sarah in 1891 then at 1 King Street as a boarder with Nancy Proctor in 1901 .  She was a Cotton Weaver.
      • +      Thomas Harold Pickles in 1906 at St. James, Briercliffe.  He was born at Briercliffe in 1881.  He was the son of Thomas and Mary Pickles and was at Haggate in 1891 and in 1901 at 24 Queen Street, Briercliffe.  He was a Cotton Weaver.
    • 3.     Henry Crabtree, b. 1842/3 (C51 but not with parents for C61) Henry was found in the 1881 Census at 2 Block Hall in Great and Little Marsden, when he was a quarry blacksmith aged 38, born in Briercliffe.
    • +      Sarah Duerden found in 1881 census, aged 37 and born in Briercliffe. Henry Crabtree, aged 21, son of Thomas Crabtree married Sarah Duerden aged 20, daughter of James Hartley, on 24 October 1863 in Marsden, Lancashire. Details of the children are from the census and from the British Vital Records Index as abstracted by Gilly Holt. See also Footnote 4
      • 4.     Stephen Crabtree (FC), baptised 4 September 1864, Marsden, a stone mason, born Great Marsden and aged 16 in 1881
      • 4.     Ellen Alice, baptised 20 May 1866, Marsden.
      • 4.     Mary Ann Crabtree (FC), baptised 7 January 1872, Marsden, a cotton weaver, born in Great Marsden and aged 12 in 1881
      • 4.     Dorothy Crabtree  (FC), baptised 7 January 1872 in Marsden, a scholar, born in Great Marsden and aged 9 in 1881. (Although baptised on the same day as Mary Ann we know from the census that Mary Ann must have been born about 1869
      • 4.     Elizabeth Annie Crabtree, a scholar born in Great Marsden and aged 7 in 1881.
      • 4.     Nanny Crabtree (FC) born in Great Marsden, aged 4 in 1881.
      • 4.     Annie Crabtree (FC) not in the 1881 census and may same as Elizabeth Annie.
      • 4.     Thomas Crabtree (FC) born in Great Marsden and aged 10 months in 1881
    • 3.     James Crabtree, b.  1843/4 (C51 & 61)   Unmarried, died in Tasmania on 12 Nov 1920 aged 77 (information from Rosemary Harrison).
    • 3.     Mary Crabtree, b. 20 Nov 1845, died 23 Nov 1915, Westhoughton, Lancs. (DC
    • +      William Taylor, b. 13 June 1834, died 6 Dec 1884 at Briercliffe (DC)
      • 4.     Stephen Crabtree Taylor, b. 1 Dec 1863 at Haggate (BC), died 1 June 1937 at Fall River, Mass. USA (DC)
      • 4.     Sarah Taylor, b. 10 Apr 1865, died 1951 at Westhoughton, Lancashire
      • +    Stephen Shackleton, b. 1867
        • 5.    Elizabeth Shackleton, b. 1890 married George Ascough
        • 5.    Mary Shackleton, b. 1891 married Harold Walsh Greensmith and they emigrated to Australia then New Zealand.
        • 5.    Gladys Evelyn Shackleton, b. 1896, married William Ewant Wilkinson
        • 5.    William Taylor Shackleton b. 1901 married Elizabeth Kay
      • 4.     Ellen Alice Taylor, b. 14 June 1866 and died 8 Aug 1898
      • +    Benjamin Smith on 7 Feb 1891.
        • 5.     Nellie Smith, died in infancy
      • 4.     Robert Taylor, b. 27 Sept 1868, died 1 Oct 1868
      • 4.     Ruth Taylor, b. 28 Oct 1869, died 6 Nov 1869
      • 4.     Emma Taylor, b. 28 Oct 1869, died 11 Nov 1869
      • 4.     Edith Taylor, b. 21 Oct 1870, buried 7 December 1954 at Haggate, Burnley.  Death reference for December 1954 at Horwich, ref: 10c 439  (I am grateful to Kristian Baxter for additional details on Edith's family)
      • +      Albert Sutcliffe, married on 24 Aug 1895. Albert was buried on 18 October 1943 at Haggate, Burnley. He was a Power Loom Overlooker and retired at the time of his death. Death in GRO index for Horwich, December 1943, 8c 460
        • 5.    John Stephen Sutcliffe, born 28 May 1896 at 8 Williams Road, Burnley and died 6 October 1915. Buried at Gunners Farm Military Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium, aged 19.  He was a private soldier in the Lancashire Fusileers..
        • 5.    William Taylor Sutcliffe, married Nellie Lindley (lived in Westhoughton, Horwich, Lancashire)
        • 5.    Harold Redvers Sutcliffe
        • 5.    Thomas Sutcliffe
      • 4.    Thomas Taylor born 1873, died 6 Oct 1947
      • +     Ruth Ada Gaukrodger, b. 10 Apr 1876, married 19 June 1901 (divorced)
        • 5.    Lavinia Taylor, b. 14 Nov 1902, died 12 June 1992
        • +     Henry Gregory of Westhoughton
          • 6.    John Kenneth Taylor Gregory, b. 13 Sept 1927, died 5 Oct 1939.
          • 6.    *Rosemary Taylor Gregory married William James Harrison
        • 5.    Edith Taylor, b. 28 Oct 1904, died 1984
        • +     Frederick Nicholas Brockley
      • 4.     Lena Taylor, b. 10 Aug 1874, died 9 Jan 1917
      • 4.     Annie Taylor, b. 9 Jan 1877, died 30 Mar 1968
      • +     Adam Brooks on 30 June 1926
      • 4.     Harriet Taylor, b. 17 May 1879, died 22 Oct 1879
      • 4.     Ada Taylor, b. 16 Oct 1880, emigrated to USA and died 26 Jan 1963
      • +      John J. Stephenson who was born in Preston. Ancestors of Elizabeth Clements*
      • 4.     Margaret Taylor, b. 25 Mar 1884 and died 21 Mar 1957
      • +      Robinson Greenwood Shackleton.
    • 3.    Sarah Ann Crabtree, born c. 1847/48 (C51 & C61)
    • +     Mr. Foster (FC)
      • 4.     John Foster (FC)
      • 4.     Thomas Foster (FC)
      • 4.     Alice Ann Foster (FC)
      • 4.     Arthur Foster (FC)
      • 4.     James Foster (FC)
      • 4.     William Foster (FC)
      • 4.     Cissie Foster (FC)
      • 4.     Elizabeth Foster (FC)
      • 4.     Jesse Foster (FC)
      • 4.     Herbert Foster (FC)
      • 4.     Harold Foster (FC)
    • 3.   John Crabtree 1850 (C51 & C61); died June 2nd 1875, aged 25 years, (MI at HB)
    • 3.   Robert Crabtree, 1852/3 (C61
    • 3.   Susannah Crabtree, born 20 Dec 1855, at Hag Gate (BC)
    • +    Benjamin Smith, born 4 March 1854, Marsden, son of Thomas Smith, gardener, and bachelor aged 23, at his marriage on 4 Mar 1877 at Burnley St. Andrews (MC)
      • 4.    Maria Smith, born 1877/8 (C91, Colne)
      • +     Ernest Turner.  No surviving children
      • 4.    Alice Smith, born, 19 Dec 1878, at Colne (BC)
      • +     Frederick James Thornber, 15 May 1909, Wheatley Lane Chapel, (MC
      • 4.     Thomas Smith, born 1881/82 (C91, Colne
      • +     Sarah Ellen Windle
      • 4.      Ellen (Nelly) Smith, after 1891 (not in C91).  Did not marry
      • 4.     Annie Smith, after 1891 (not in C91).  No children
    • 3.    Elizabeth Crabtree, 1857/8 (C61)
    • +     Mr. Dixon (FC)
      • 4.     Harry Dixon (FC)
      • 4.     Alice Dixon (FC
      • 4.     Martha Dixon (FC
      • 4.     Stephen Dixon (FC
      • 4.     Tom Dixon (FC
      • 4.     James Dixon (FC
      • 4.     Harold Dixon (FC
      • 4.     Rennie Dixon (FC)

Footnote 1.   I have been contacted by Alan Holt in Perth, Australia, who informs me that James HOLT was married twice, 1st : Mary HEAP, died 22 November 1831, 2nd : Elizabeth ? (probably the Betty SMITH shown in the chart) died 1 March 1858. The monumental inscriptions are C110 and F50 at Haggate and Hill Lane. Based on the birth years of the other children, (8 in total as far as Alan knows), Alan suggests that Mary was the child of James and Mary rather than James and Betty (Elizabeth) as indicated in the Caleb Howarth note.

Footnote 2. A burial record has been found for a Henry Crabtree aged 83 of Haggage at Haggate Baptist Chapel near Burnley on 22 November 1848 indicating a birth for this Henry of about 1765. It is a possible fit as the family were using this chapel from the early 19th century. We know that Henry survived at least to 1841 from the following census information showing his son and two grandsons. This record would put Henry's birth about 1767 to 1771 as the ages of adults were usually rounded down to the nearest multiple of 5 in 1841 so Henry could have been as old as 74. The only baptism record for Henry so far fits neither year exactly. It is for Henry Crabtree of Extwistle, bapt. 20 Nov. 1768 at Burnley St. Peter's. However, given the uncertainty in Henry's age, this could be the correct record. Stephen and Lawrence are the sons of Thomas and grandsons of Henry. They were born before Thomas and Alice were married and appear as follows in the 1841 Census

1841 Census: Film 107/506/15; ED 25; Folio 13, page 17, Briercliffe and Extwistle, Hag Gate

Thomas and Alice appear with more children in 1851

The Census of 1851: Film 107/2251: ED 4A: Folio 103, page 13; Briercliffe & Extwistle, Hag Gate

The Census of 1861: Film RG9/3037: ED 48: Folio 79, page 7, Briercliffe with Extwistle

The head of household index for the census at Burnley Library was consulted for evidence of Thomas Crabtree in 1871 or 1881. In 1871, there were only Thomas entries for a corn miller in Burnley and an engineer in Habergham Eaves, neither of whom are promising candidates. Similarly, there were no suitable candidates found for 1881 in Burnley although we know Thomas lived until 1891. However, in the 1891 census he was found again near his birthplace.

Census of 1891: Film RG12/3371: ED 63; Folio 141A, page 1 at Cockden

Footnote 3. Carole Fiori has obtained the following Australian immigration records for Stephen Crabtree from the Public Record Office in Victoria.

Footnote 4.

Pamela Edwards abstracted the following information from the census about Henry Crabtree from the 1891 and 1901 census returns.

1901 Census Gt. Marsden ED17 RG13/3881 F.59 p.32 at 132 Barkerhouse Road

Henry Crabtree	head, 57	blacksmith
Sarah	wife, 57
Pollie	dau, 32	weaver
Dorothy	dau, 29
Eliz. Ann	dau, 27	dressmaker
Fanny	dau. 24	winder
Tom	son, 20	moulder at Iron factory
Conrad	grandson, 6

Footnote 5

Kerryn Linklater in Australia has contacted me; she is the daughter of Stephen Freeman Crabtree, who was the son of Stephen Horace Crabtree.

Footnote 6: John and Sarah Smith of Cockden

I am grateful to Pamela Edwards for sending me some details of John and Sarah Smith and their remarkably long lived children which I reproduce below. I have some details of the descendents of these children. but these are not part of my Crabtree story here. Much of this information came from the Halstead family in a series of charts containing many names but completely lacking in dates.

• 1.   John Smith died 2 June 1821 aged 79
• +    Sarah Smith died 8 August 1821 aged 79
  • 2. Richard Smith, died 4 April 1853 aged 86
  • 2. John Smith, died 6 May 1849 aged 80
  • 2. James Smith died 27 Dec aged 89
  • 2. Thomas Smith died 19 June 1860 aged 85
  • 2. Sarah Smith born 12 Aug 1778, died 1 June 1872 aged 93 years married a Mr. Halstead.
  • 2. Benjamn Smith, born 1781 died 28 November 1857 aged 76
  • 2. Nanny Smith, born 1798 and died 14 Feb 1834 aged 46 married Mr. Walton.
  • 2. Mary Smith married Henry Crabtree. Mary died aged 68 at Haggate in Briercliffe on 24 July 1845, James Crabtree present at the death (DC) and was buried at Haggate Baptist Chapel on 28 July.
  • 2. Betty Smith, married Mr. Lawson.

Footnote 7: James and Mary Crabtree

The Census of 1851: (Film number missed) ED 6C, Folio 249; page 41; Burnley

The Census of 1861: Film RG9/3066: ED 11; Folio 105; page 21, Burnley, Eliza Street

Note that Ellen, mentioned in 1851 is missing in 1861 although she would be only 13. John and Elizabeth are also missing but are old enough to have left home by this date.

Footnote 8. Henry and Ellen Crabtree

1841 Census: Film 107/506/15; ED 25; Folio 13, page 17, Briercliffe and Extwistle, Hag Gate

Ends

An archive of Crabtree data in Burnley is being collected

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