The Lee Line
Thomas Lee was born in 1786 and was married to Beatrice. Beatrice was born in 1796 but I do not have any other informtion about her. Thomas and Beatrice had five children,
Alfred b.1814 Harriett b.1821. Thomas b. 1825.
Abraham b.1831 Ellen b.1839.
In 1841 Thomas and Beatrice were living with their four younger children at Eldon Street, Eccleshall, Bierlow, Sheffield. Thomas was 55 but it is not clear what his job description was. Beatrice was 45 and a housewife, Harriett was not working. Thomas and Abraham were Apprentice Tool Makers and Ellen was two years old
Alfred b.1814 Harriett b.1821. Thomas b. 1825.
Abraham b.1831 Ellen b.1839.
In 1841 Thomas and Beatrice were living with their four younger children at Eldon Street, Eccleshall, Bierlow, Sheffield. Thomas was 55 but it is not clear what his job description was. Beatrice was 45 and a housewife, Harriett was not working. Thomas and Abraham were Apprentice Tool Makers and Ellen was two years old
Alfred Lee married Mary Cartledge b.1818 in the summer of 1840. Mary Cartledge was born in Duffield, Derbyshire. There is a record of her Baptism on 15th January 1818. Her father, James Cartledge, was a Farm Worker and her mother Anne was a Knitter.
Alfred and Mary had five children.
Thomas b.1840. Elizabeth b.1842. Harriett b.1846. Anna b.1850.
Tamar Ellen b.1856.
In 1861 they were living in Hockenthorpe, Beighton, Derbyshire. Alfred and his son Thomas were Patent Scythe Makers and Elizabeth was a Knife Maker. Harriett, Anna and Tamar Ellen were still at school..
At the time of the census in 1871 Alfred was living alone in Oak Street, Heeley Sheffield aged 57 but at the same time his wife Mary and Tamar Ellen were living at Cobden Terrace, Chesterfield and Mary was described as Mother-in-law to the head of the houshold, Edward Hobson. There was no record of Edward's wife but in a later census his wife was described as Elisabeth b. 1842 who would be the daughter of Alfred and Mary. It is possible that Elizabeth had been taken ill or was having a baby and Mary and Tamar Ellen had gone to Chesterfield to help her.
In 1901 Mary, now aged 83. was living with her daughter Harriett and son in law Isaac Fairburn at Mill Farm, Eckington, Derbyshire. I believe Mary died in 1903 aged 85. Harriett and Isaac had two children.
Frederick b. 1869 Amy b.1879
Alfred and Mary had five children.
Thomas b.1840. Elizabeth b.1842. Harriett b.1846. Anna b.1850.
Tamar Ellen b.1856.
In 1861 they were living in Hockenthorpe, Beighton, Derbyshire. Alfred and his son Thomas were Patent Scythe Makers and Elizabeth was a Knife Maker. Harriett, Anna and Tamar Ellen were still at school..
At the time of the census in 1871 Alfred was living alone in Oak Street, Heeley Sheffield aged 57 but at the same time his wife Mary and Tamar Ellen were living at Cobden Terrace, Chesterfield and Mary was described as Mother-in-law to the head of the houshold, Edward Hobson. There was no record of Edward's wife but in a later census his wife was described as Elisabeth b. 1842 who would be the daughter of Alfred and Mary. It is possible that Elizabeth had been taken ill or was having a baby and Mary and Tamar Ellen had gone to Chesterfield to help her.
In 1901 Mary, now aged 83. was living with her daughter Harriett and son in law Isaac Fairburn at Mill Farm, Eckington, Derbyshire. I believe Mary died in 1903 aged 85. Harriett and Isaac had two children.
Frederick b. 1869 Amy b.1879
Thomas Lee married Sarah Ann Lambert on 15th November 1864. Sarah Was a Dressmaker. Her father was George Lambert and her mother Sarah. George was an Auger Maker. Thomas and Sarah had eleven Children.
Frederick Wilmur b.1865 Lizzie b.1867 Alice Ada Ann b.1870 Lillie b.1872 Bertha b.1877 George A b.1879 Mary Tamar b.1882 Dermot b.1885 Nora b.1885 Elizabeth b.1887 Gladys b.1888.
In 1871 Thomas and Sarah were living at 101 New Thomas Street, Eccleshall, Sheffield with their daughters Lizzie aged 3 years and Alice 8 months. There is no mention of Frederick.
In 1881 Thomas and Sarah were living at High Street, Eckington, Derbyshire, with Lizzie, Alice, Lillie, Bertha and George. By 1901 Thomas and Sarah were living at Ivy Cottage, 7.Ferns, Lower Wexford, Ireland with their children, George age 22, Mary age 18, Dermot and Nora age 16 (twins) and Gladys age 13.
Dermot, Nora, Elizabeth and Gladys were born in Ireland so the family must have moved to Ireland around 1884/5.
Ivy Cottage has changed and been updated over the years but it is still owned and occupied by decendents of Thomas Lee.
Frederick Wilmur b.1865 Lizzie b.1867 Alice Ada Ann b.1870 Lillie b.1872 Bertha b.1877 George A b.1879 Mary Tamar b.1882 Dermot b.1885 Nora b.1885 Elizabeth b.1887 Gladys b.1888.
In 1871 Thomas and Sarah were living at 101 New Thomas Street, Eccleshall, Sheffield with their daughters Lizzie aged 3 years and Alice 8 months. There is no mention of Frederick.
In 1881 Thomas and Sarah were living at High Street, Eckington, Derbyshire, with Lizzie, Alice, Lillie, Bertha and George. By 1901 Thomas and Sarah were living at Ivy Cottage, 7.Ferns, Lower Wexford, Ireland with their children, George age 22, Mary age 18, Dermot and Nora age 16 (twins) and Gladys age 13.
Dermot, Nora, Elizabeth and Gladys were born in Ireland so the family must have moved to Ireland around 1884/5.
Ivy Cottage has changed and been updated over the years but it is still owned and occupied by decendents of Thomas Lee.
Thomas was a scythe Maker and I believe that having made scythes, knives and scissors in Sheffield he would travel to Ireland to sell them, particularly at harvest time.
Below is an extract from a booklet written about the Bolger Family who were very well known in Ferns.
"The `long handled scythe increased in popularity with a growth in the importance of haymaking to farm economy. It was only, however, when it began to replace the sickle for cutting corn, that it became apparent that quantity production would soon be required to augment the necessarily slow output of the forges. Characteristically, the Bolgers were first in the field, and for many years they claim to be the only manufacures of patent scythes in Ireland. New expertise was now required mainly for tempering hardening and 'straightening' the new scythe blades. Thomas Lee, a specialist in this craft was brought from Sheffield to join the firm. Tom Lee's secret process became somewhat of a legend, but it is obvious that he soon passed on his skills to a number of others."
From Milltown Mills by J JMaquire BDS.
Below is an extract from a booklet written about the Bolger Family who were very well known in Ferns.
"The `long handled scythe increased in popularity with a growth in the importance of haymaking to farm economy. It was only, however, when it began to replace the sickle for cutting corn, that it became apparent that quantity production would soon be required to augment the necessarily slow output of the forges. Characteristically, the Bolgers were first in the field, and for many years they claim to be the only manufacures of patent scythes in Ireland. New expertise was now required mainly for tempering hardening and 'straightening' the new scythe blades. Thomas Lee, a specialist in this craft was brought from Sheffield to join the firm. Tom Lee's secret process became somewhat of a legend, but it is obvious that he soon passed on his skills to a number of others."
From Milltown Mills by J JMaquire BDS.
Nora married George Goodman at Enniscorthy, Southern Ireland in 1907. I presume Nora must have met George when she was visiting her family still living in Beighton. When married they lived in Kiveton Park, Sheffield and had three children.
Cyril b.1908 Amy Lillie b.1909 Doris Freeda b.1914.
Amy Lillie married Thomas Cunningham in August 1935
Cyril b.1908 Amy Lillie b.1909 Doris Freeda b.1914.
Amy Lillie married Thomas Cunningham in August 1935