Sarah
Johnson was born 12 November 1855 at Ironville, a
daughter of Edward Johnson and Elizabeth (Hawksley).
I am very grateful to Margaret Middleton, Marion Hopkinson and the late Douglas James Gillam for much of the information about Sarah Johnson and her families.
She may have been a witness to her brother George’s marriage to Nancy Smith 22 June 1873.
On 28 December 1871 at 15
Victoria Row, the home of her parents, Edward and Elizabeth Johnson, Ironville, Sarah gave birth to an illegitimate son, Edward George Johnson. She had been raped by her employer, a
farmer and was aged just 16.
Sarah married John Edwards (X), aged 34 (born 1839 at Belper), a puddler and son of James Edwards, a horse dealer, on Christmas Day 1873, after banns, at Alfreton. The witnesses were George Johnson and Rebecca Johnson. Her age was given as 19, a daughter of Edward Johnson, a labourer.
John and Sarah lived in Furnace Row, next to Hiram Gillam, an iron roller, (born 26 August 1853 at Ironville, to William [an iron shingler] and Martha Gillam, formerly Pursglove) and his young wife Fanny Tinsley. Hiram and Fanny were married 31 July 1876. In the 1881 census Hiram and Fanny were living at 54 Market Place, Codnor Park, both aged 27 and born at Ironville and Moxley, Staffordshire. Hiram was an iron roller. Fanny died 2 February 1886.
In the 1881 census, the Edwards
family, with two lodgers, Henry Jepson and Hugh McNamara, was living at 5,
Furnace Row, Ironville. John Edwards, a puddler,
was aged 44 and born at Belper. Sarah, his wife, was aged 26 and born at
Alfreton.
Edward G, aged 9 was stated to be the son of John Edwards. John was aged 5, James 4, Sarah A 2 and
Rebecca 3 months. All the children
were born at Ironville.
At 4
November 1882 they were at 5 Furnace Row, Ironville.
John, Sarah’s husband, died 30 July 1885 at Ironville, leaving her with her six children. Hiram Gillam’s wife died shortly afterwards 2 February 1886, of abdominal ulcers and chronic diarrhoea (now known as ulcerative colitis?), leaving him without children. The widow, Sarah, and the widower, Hiram, married 5 August 1888 at The Baptist Chapel, Swanwick. They had two sons together, Hiram and William.
In 1891, at 26 King William Street, next to the grocer’s shop, Ironville, the family consisted of Hiram Gillam aged 38 an ironworker shingler, Sarah Gillam 37, stepsons and step daughters George Edwards 19 an ironworker shingler, John Edwards 16 an ironworker, Jim Edwards 14 an ironworker, Sarah A Edwards 12, Rebecca Edwards 10, Jessie Edwards 8, and sons Hiram Gillam 1, William E Gillam 2 months, and Harriett Wright (niece) 25, all born in Ironville.
Soon after their second child was born, Hiram and Sarah began to live apart. Hiram stayed in Ironville, an iron forge roller, and Sarah and her children moved to Carlisle Street, Whittington, Chesterfield. Carlisle Street was in The Brushes, a working class housing area for the Sheepbridge Ironworks. Perhaps she left Ironville with someone who had moved from there to similar work at Sheepbridge. In 1892 both the young Gillam children developed measles. Hiram survived but William Edward developed bronchitis and died.
Sarah then moved again, this time to Sheffield, to 54 Hill Top, Attercliffe Common and it appears that Hiram, Sarah’s husband, became reconciled with her, for he was present when she committed suicide, 26 July 1899, and Hiram was a witness to his step-son, John Edwards’ marriage at Attercliffe 5 March 1899.
The inquest was held 28 July 1899 at the Golden Ball Hotel, Attercliffe. The inquest was reported in the Sheffield Independent, 29 July 1899. During the previous eighteen months Sarah had been treated for rheumatism in her hands and feet, and headaches. Her daughter, Mrs Bennett, said that Sarah had been very depressed since having rheumatic fever the previous Christmas and Sarah had frequently expressed the wish that she was dead and out of the way. One of her sons had caused her a great deal of concern and, being a small shopkeeper, was worried about outstanding debts due to her. About a fortnight ago she attempted to knock her brains out with the coal rake, because her daughter would not let her go out of the house. Sarah had had a quarrel with her daughter-in-law about some money matters. On Wednesday night at about half past ten, Hiram and Sarah were sitting in their kitchen, when she suddenly got up and went into the shop. Her husband followed, and caught her drinking from a bottle of carbolic acid. He knocked the bottle out of her hand but she never spoke. Her doctor was immediately called but Sarah died at a quarter past twelve the same night. The bottle of carbolic acid had been bought the previous day, to be used as a disinfectant. As to her manner of life it was said that she did not drink alcohol excessively and had always been hard-working and dependable. A verdict was returned of suicide whilst in a state of temporary insanity.
In 1901 Hiram appears not to be in the census.
On 26 December 1903, at St Mary’s, Westwood, Hiram Gillam married Elizabeth Hemsley (registered in the Basford district in the December quarter 1903). They were both of full age and a widower and widow. Hiram was a miner of Ironville, a son of William Gillam, a forgeman, and Elizabeth was of Pye Hill (no father given). The witnesses were W. Gillam and E Gillam.
In 1911, in the Basford district, he was aged 57 and with Elizabeth Gillam, also aged 57.
Hiram died in Tank Street, Ironville in July 1927.
Sarah's illegitimate first child was:
Edward George Johnson (1871 – 1942), born 28 December 1871 (birth certificate) at 15 Victoria Row, the home of Sarah’s parents, Edward and Elizabeth Johnson, Ironville.
In 1881, as Edward G. Edwards, aged 9 he was at home with his mother.
In 1891, as George Edwards he was aged 19 and at home with his mother.
Edward George Johnson married Martha Jane Baxter 2 October 1891 at St Matthias, Sneinton, Nottingham, after banns. He was aged 21 a bachelor and ironworker of 66 Carlton Road, a son of John Edwards (deceased) an ironworker. She was aged 23 a spinster of the same address a daughter of Elijah Baxter a commissionaire. The witnesses were Albert Allen and Eliza Ann Baxter [sister].
In 1911, at Bentinck Buildings, Wheeler Gate, Nottingham, in 4 rooms, Martha Jane Johnson , married and aged 43, a pantographer lace, Swiss Lace and born in Woolwich, Kent. She had been married for 19 years and had had no children. She was with her parents and sister, Rose Caroline, aged 34 and single.
Reported in the Nottingham Evening Post (Tuesday 27 August 1918) at the Guildhall a maintenance order of 15s a week to Martha Jane Johnson of Welbeck Street was made against Edward Johnson, of 12 Horner Road, Abbeydale Road, Sheffield for desertion. They had married in 1891 but Martha suspected he was ‘carrying on’ with another woman. In 1906 they went to live in Darlington but on 10 March that year they went for a walk around the town. On the way back he told her to go home first and he would follow later but when she got home found that his clothes were missing and she never saw him again. She discovered that he had gone off with a Mrs Walker, and that he was at present a tenant of a beer off-licence and living with another woman named Nellie. Mrs Walker had returned home. In his defence it was said that he had gone off with Mrs Walker and that the woman he was then with had been living with him for nearly 12 years. He had had good wages from Vickers’ works but had had an accident and was currently unemployed due to bad health. He had worked for Brown and Bailey at Attercliffe for about 3 weeks.
In 1917-1920 (Directories and Electoral Rolls) Edward George Johnson was living at 12 Horner Road, grocer, with Mary Ellen Johnson.
In 1920-1932 Miss Rose Baxter was at 74 Welbeck Street and from 1933-1940 Rose Baxter, Martha Jane Johnson and Edward George Johnson were all living there.
In 1939 (register), at 74 Welbeck Street, Nottingham, with a birth date of 28 December 1871 Edward G. Johnson was a travelling salesman. Martha J. had a birth date of 19 December 1867, and with them was Rose C. Baxter birth date 13 June 1876, a lace hand [Martha’s sister].
Martha Jane Johnson died 13 February 1942 at Vale Brook Lodge, 700 Hucknall Road, Nottingham. She was aged 74, of 74 Welbeck Street, the wife of Edward George Johnson an iron puddler. She died of 1a myocardial degeneration and 1b arteriosclerosis.
His death certificate records that he died 28 March 1942 at City Hospital, Nottingham. He was aged 70, of 74 Welbeck Street, Nottingham, and died of myocardial degeneration.
Rose Caroline Baxter continued to live at 74 Welbeck Street and died 23 January 1952 at the City Hospital.
Sarah and John Edwards’s children were
John Edwards (1875 – 1906), born 20 June 1875 (father a pudler, sic) at Furnace Row, Ironville and was known as Jack.
He married Sarah Elizabeth Hartley, 5 March 1899, after banns, at Christchurch, Attercliffe, Sheffield. He (X) was aged 23, a puddler, of 54 Hill Top, a son of John Edwards (deceased), a puddler. Sarah (X) was aged 20, of 97 Britwell Street, a daughter of John Hartley, a labourer. The witnesses were Hiram Gillam (X) and Sarah Ann Bennett (X).
He was particularly close to his brother James and was named as next of kin in James’ army records. He died 25 March 1906 at Sheffield Workhouse of pulmonary tuberculosis, aged 30. He was formerly an iron worker of 206 Ripon Street, Sheffield. John and Sarah had one child:
James Edwards (1905 - 1907), born about December 1905 and died 24 August 1907, of pneumonia, at 206 Ripon Street, Attercliffe, Sheffield, aged 21 months. John was an iron puddler, deceased.
James Edwards (1877 – 1935), born 3 March 1877 at
5, Furnace Row, Ironville, Derbyshire. He married Elizabeth Swaby on 15 November 1906 at the Register Office,
Sheffield, when he was a steelworker living at 8, Henson Street,
Sheffield. He was aged 29. Elizabeth was of no profession and lived
at 20, Broadoaks, Sheffield. She was aged 24. The witnesses were Elizabeth Ann Clough
(Elizabeth's Aunt) and Sarah Ann Bennett (James’ sister). When first married, James owned a
fruit/butchers shop at Bridport Road, Darnall Sheffield and then moved to another fruit shop at
Helen Road.
In 1911 at
95 Helen Road, Darnall, Sheffield, in 4 rooms, James
was aged 34, a fruiterer and born at Codnor Park and
Elizabeth was aged 28, assisting in the business and born at Swinton. They
had been married for 4 years and had had 2 children, 1 of whom had died. With them was Victoria May aged 10
months and born at Darnall. There was also a general domestic
servant, Ametta Gelsthorpe
aged 18 and born at Carbrook.
Not long
after this he had a fish and chip shop at Coleford
Road, Darnall.
By then, WW1 had started and Jim, as he was known, joined the army and
fought in Africa until he was discharged with malaria.
Back home, he embarked on
several more businesses: a fruit shop at Attercliffe, Sheffield (2 years), then a move to Coventry to a fruit shop which sold rabbits,
then a fish and chip shop and a further move to Greenwich, London, in
partnership in a fruit shop and actually lived above the shop. The family then moved back to Sheffield
and to another fish and chip shop, a sweet shop and a donkey and cart selling
fruit.
There was yet another move, to Nottingham, having bought a wooden caravan and
horse. He lived at Westwood for a
while and then moved into a railway van by the river. Jim had been out one evening for a drink
and was attacked by someone on his way home and was kicked in the face. He died of cancer of the throat/tongue
31st August 1935 at the City Hospital, Nottingham. He was of 96 Beverley Street, a
fruiterer and army pensioner. He is
buried in Grave No. 86, Section P26, Southern Cemetery, Wilford
Hills, Nottingham.
After Jim’s death, Elizabeth
went to live with her daughter Gladys and her husband Billy and family at 24, Flaxby Road, Darnall, Sheffield. She
convinced herself that she had cancer, like Jim, and on several occasions tried
to commit suicide, succeeding in her last attempt for on the 9 December 1953,
she was found dead by Billy, when he was getting up for work, having gassed
herself. She is buried in Handsworth Cemetery, Sheffield, Grave
no. 1332.
James and Elizabeth’s children were:
Jessie Edwards (1907 - 1907), born at 111, Whixley Road in 1907and died 6 September 1907 from acute enteritis/convulsions. .
Victoria May Edwards, born 24 May 1909 at Attercliffe. Her first job was in a fish and chip shop, and then she moved to Millhouses, Sheffield and worked in a Post Office. Following a move to Nottingham, she worked for Plumbs, West Bridgford. Between 18 and 21 she worked as a waitress in Lyons café with her sister, Gladys, where she met up with Arthur Thomas Marriott (born 7 June 1907 at Handsworth, Sheffield, to Lillian and Harry Marriott), who was working in Blackburn as a bus driver and lived above a clog shop. He and she had played together as children and they married 14 May 1931 at the Primitive Methodist Chapel, Blackburn. After his marriage to May he went into partnership with his brother and set up a potted meat factory and May worked in it. It was eventually sold to Princess Foods. His hobby however was doing up old cars. They moved back to Frecheville, Sheffield and he bought a garage and some waste land at Bridport Road, Darnall and started a business (dissolved about 1999), A.T. Marriott Ltd, Haulage Contractors. He also sold petrol and diesel. Later, he bought up the three houses next to the garage and rented them out. Later in life, Tom bought a surprise house for May overlooking the Dronfield countryside but they couldn’t settle so he also bought a bungalow at Filey. He died of bowel cancer 27 November 1978 at Belvedere Nursing Home, Scarborough. After his death, May moved to a bungalow at Dronfield Woodhouse until December 2002 when she was moved into Meadow Grange Nursing Home, Dronfield Woodhouse.
Gladys Edwards (1911 - 1993), born 2 June 1911 at
Attercliffe. She had rickets as a
child and was educated at Whitby Road School, Darnall,
Sheffield until she left at 14. She was in service, briefly at West Bridgford, Nottingham but ran away and then worked in the
kitchens at the Kings Café in the main square, Nottingham. At 16 she moved to the Lyons Café
in Long Row, Nottingham and then at the Palais de
Dance and later, Wollaton Golf Club where she met
William George Clarke, who was visiting the Club. William was a chef’s assistant (born
8 September 1909, Langley Marsh, Bucks., to Annie
(Aldridge) and William George Clarke) and he and Gladys were married on 5
December 1933 at Nottingham Register Office, the witnesses being two
passers-by. After marriage, Gladys
looked after the home whilst Bill, after the move to Sheffield, worked in
ammunitions and later as a centreless grinder in
Attercliffe, later to be promoted to chargehand. They lived first at Shakespeare Street
and then Alfred Street South, Nottingham, then moved to Sheffield where they
lived in a house rented from Jesse and Gertrude Edwards. Between 1945 and 1953 Elizabeth Edwards
lived with them and 1945 to 1947 Emma Jane Swaby
lived there also. William suffered
from angina but died 28 April 1976 of lung cancer. After William’s death, Gladys
moved to a flat in Woodhouse. She
died suddenly on 7 September 1993.
The post mortem revealed that she had died from ischaemic
heart disease and coronary artery atheroma.
Sarah Ann Edwards (1879 - 1940), born 8 March 1879 at Ironville. She(X) married William Bennett(X), 25 December 1897 at Christchurch, Attercliffe, Sheffield, after banns. They were both aged 20, bachelor and spinster, of 22 Attercliffe Common. William was a crane driver a son of George Bennett a tanner, and she was a daughter of John Edwards (deceased) a puddler. The witnesses were George Edwards(X, aka Edward George Johnson?) and Rebekah Edwards(X).
In 1901 the Bennetts were living in 4 rooms at 11, Omdurman Street, Attercliffe cum Darnall, Sheffield. Sarah Ann was aged 22 and born at Codner Park (sic). William was aged 23, a crane driver at steel works and born at Chesterfield. Her daughter was Mary E. aged 2, born at Attercliffe. With them was Sarah Ann’s brother Jess Edwards, aged 17, a boiler firer at steel works and born in Codner Park (sic).
In 1911 6 Bughton Street, Darnall, Sheffield, in 4 rooms, Sarah Ann was aged 32 and born at Codnor Park, William was aged 35, a loco driver steel works and born in Chesterfield. They had been married for 13 years and had had 5 children of whom 2 had died. Their children were Mary E aged 12, Alexander G aged 6 and James E aged 2 and all were born in Sheffield.
William later had a fish business in Sheffield and Sarah Ann was to separate from Bill.
In 1939 at 6 Creswick Lane, Wortley she had a date of birth of 8 March 1880 (sic), and was living with Alexander G. Bennett, single, with a date of birth of 5 March 1905 and a wholesale fish merchant. She died 26 October 1940 at Firbeck Auxiliary Hospital, Firbeck. Sarah Ann and William’s children were:
Mary Elizabeth Bennett (1898 - 1954), born 19 July 1898 in the Sheffield district and died 4 January 1954. She married Alf Dodsworth. He was a Sheffield tram driver and then went into business, running first a fish and chip business near Norton crossroads, Woodseats, Sheffield and then a little general shop in Fulwood, Sheffield, but these business failed.
Alexander George Bennett, born 5 March 1905 (registered in the June quarter in the Sheffield district 1905) and known as George. He ran the wholesale side of his father’s business. In 1939 (register) he was living with his mother in Wortley. He married Stella.
James Edwards Bennett, birth was registered in the Sheffield district in the March quarter 1909. Jimmy ran the retail side of his father’s business. He married Sylvia.
Kathleen Bennett, born 1917 and married George Clay.
Rebecca Edwards (1881 - 1929). She was born 4 January 1881 at Ironville and died 18 March 1929 at the Cross Daggers Inn, Newbold, Chesterfield, two days after suffering a stroke. She was aged 48. She was buried 21 March 1929 at St John the Evangelist, Newbold. She (X) married James Bowler (X) (born 9 April), 31 July 1898 at Christchurch, Attercliffe, Sheffield, after banns. He was 22, a bachelor and labourer of 132 Liverpool Street a son of John Bowler a carter. She was a spinster aged 20 of 54 Hill Top a daughter of John Edwards (deceased) a puddler. The witnesses were George Edwards (X, aka Edward George Johnson?) and Martha Jane Edwards (X, aka Johnson?).
In the 1901 census of Sheffield Road, Newbold, Chesterfield, James Bowler was aged 24, a pottery labourer, born at Newbold, Rebecca, his wife was aged 21 and born at Ironville and their children were John J. aged 2 born at Old Whittington and Leslie aged 1, born at Newbold. Also with them was Hiram Gillam, aged 11 and born at Ironville.
In 1911 at 43 St John’s Road, Newbold, Chesterfield, in 4 rooms, Rebecca was aged 31 and born at Ironville and James was aged 35, a furnace stoker at pottery and born at Newbold. They had been married for 13 years and had had 5 children none of whom had died. Their children were John James was aged 12, at school and a butcher’s errand boy born at Whittington, Leslie was aged 11, Edward was aged 9, Nellie was aged 6 and Mabel was aged 4, all born at Newbold. There was also a boarder, Hiram Gillam aged 21, a pottery labourer born at Ironville.
In the 1920s they took over the Cross Daggers. After his wife, Rebecca’s death, James Bowler went to live with Nellie and Matthew William Hopkinson at Pratthall Farm (he was with them in the 1939 register, date of birth 9 April 1876 a widower and a coal carter) and lived with them for about 19 years. On a visit to his son and daughter-in-law, Edward and Ruth Bowler, at the Cutthorpe Hotel, he became ill and died there. Marion Hopkinson thought this was February 1947. He was buried at St John’s Newbold. James and Rebecca’s children were:
John James Bowler (1898 – 1964). He was born 14 December 1898 and was known as Jim. He married Clara Hatton67 7 November 1923 (in the Chesterfield district) and died 28 February 1964 aged 65 (Marion Hopkinson stated 29 February). They had no children. In 1926 Jim was injured while opencast mining during the Miners Strike and General Strike and then had long periods of unemployment. Clara was a French polisher at a large Chesterfield furniture store. Clara died 24 May 1978, aged 77.
Leslie Bowler. He was born late 1899 or early 1900, in the Chesterfield district. He married Martha Ann Slater 21 October 1930 at Eyam, Derbyshire. They had no children. She died 19 April 1972 aged 71 and he died 26 June 1972 aged 72.
Nellie Bowler (1904 – 1990), born 25 May 1904 (1939 register). She married Matthew William Hopkinson, a farmer on 17 November 1929 at St John’s Newbold67. They took over Pratt Hall farm, near Cutthorpe. In the 1939 register, they were living at Pratt Hall. Matthew was a dairy farmer born 17 March 1899 and Nellie was born 25 May 1904. Also with them was James Bowler, a coal carter and widower, date of birth 9 April 1876. Matthew William Hopkinson died 10 September 1988 and Nellie died 28 April 199067.
Edward Bowler. He was a coal miner65 and married Ruth Whitham, a shop assistant, in August 1928 at St John the Evangelist. Their reception was at the Cross Daggers, Newbold. They ran the Cutthorpe Hotel, Cutthorpe (since renamed The Merry Lads).
Mabel Bowler. She wase 97 in November 2003. She married Henry Richard Brumby, a long distance heavy goods train driver, in September 1928 at St John the Evangelist, Newbold, Chesterfield. Their reception was also at the Cross Daggers. They lived in Staveley and had no children. Harry died 10 May 1977 aged 77.
Jesse Edwards (1882 - 1957). He was born 4 November 1882 at 5 Furnace Row, Ironville (father, a puddler).
In 1901 Jess Edwards, aged 17, a boiler firer at steel works and born in Codner Park (sic) was living with his married sister Sarah Ann Edwards at 11, Omdurman Street, Attercliffe cum Darnall, Sheffield.
He married Florence Gertrude Medley (born 25 June 1882 at Stephen Hill, Upper Hallam USD (birth certificate)/Crosspool, Sheffield (death certificate), a daughter of Joseph and Sarah, formerly Parkin) 19 February 1907 in the register office, Sheffield. They were both aged 24 and a bachelor and spinster. Jesse was a tyre maker of 22, Henson Street, Sheffield, a son of John Edwards (deceased) an iron puddler. Gert was of 16 Henson Street, a daughter of Joseph Medley (deceased) a spring knife maker. The witnesses were James Edwards and Elizabeth Edwards. They owned 24, Flaxby Road, Darnall, Sheffield and lived themselves in the next street 73, Balfour Road. Jesse was a pigeon fancier and Gert was quite a tyrant and was very strict. They had no children and when Gert died the house was passed on to a niece.
In 1911, at 24 Flaxby Road, Attercliffe, Sheffield, Jesse was aged 29, a lever man steel tyre manufacturer and born at Codnor Park. Gertie was aged 29 and born in Sheffield. They had been married for 4 years and had had no children.
In 1939 (register), at 104 Balfour Road, Sheffield, Jesse had a birth date of 4 November 1882, a steel forge man (heavy) and Gertrude had a birth date of 24 June 1882.
Jesse died 26 December 1957 at 73 Balfour Street, Darnall, Sheffield. He was aged 75, a steel forgeman (Steel Works) (retired), and died of 1a coronary thrombosis, b. arteriosclerosis and 2 diabetes mellitus. Gert was the informant. Gert died 26 July 1972 at Brinkcliffe (sic) Towers (a care home), Brincliffe Edge Road, Sheffield. She died of 1a right middle lobe pneumonia. Norah Hinchcliffe, of 66 Loxley View Road, Sheffield, registered the death and caused the body to be cremated.
Sarah and Hiram Gillam's children were
Hiram Gillam (1889 - 1956), born 12 July 1889 to Hiram (an iron roller) and Sarah at 26 King William Street, Ironville.
After Sarah's suicide, Hiram was brought up by his half-sisters, Sarah-Ann Bennett (Sheffield) and Rebecca Bowler (Newbold, Chesterfield).
In the 1901 census of Sheffield Road, Newbold, Chesterfield, he was aged 11 and born at Ironville. James Bowler was aged 24, a pottery labourer, born at Newbold, Rebecca, his wife was aged 21 and born at Ironville and their children were John J. aged 2 born at Old Whittington and Leslie aged 1, born at Newbold.
Hiram junior married Emily Constance Pearson 2 November 1914 at St John the Evangelist, Newbold. Emily Constance (Connie) Pearson (b 30 June 1887, Whittington Moor, Chesterfield and died 6 April 1973 Walton Hospital, Chesterfield) was a daughter of the Pearsons who ran the gentleman’s outfitters, which became Pearson and Gillam, in Chesterfield.
In 1939 (register) at 9 Lyngrove, Grove Hill, Newbold, Chesterfield, Hiram was an engineer’s inspector with a birth date of 12 July 1889. Emily C. had a birth date of 20 June 1887, and John P. was a university student and officer cadet reserve with a birth date of 10 July 1917. There was one person whose record is closed.
Hiram and Connie and their family lived in St John’s Road, Newbold, Chesterfield.
He died 19 January 1956 at Newbold, Chesterfield, and his occupation was a turner. He was buried in the churchyard of St John the Evangelist. His gravestone, a plain slab, reads Hiram Gillam Born 12th July 1889 Died 19th Jan. 1956 Grant Him Lord Eternal Rest’. Hiram and Constance’s children were:
John Pearson Gillam (1917 - 1986). He was born 10 July 1917 at Chesterfield and died 31 December 1986 at Corbridge, Northumberland. He married Dorothy Marie Watson BA 2 March 1942 at St John the Evangelist, Newbold. Dorothy was born 9 December 1916 at Worsborough, Yorkshire and died 17 November 1993 at Corbridge. She was a teacher.
After attending Chesterfield Grammar School he read history at St. Chad's College, Durham, graduating in honours in 1938. In 1939, at the same college, he took a diploma in Theology. During World War II he served in the Royal Army Medical Corps and 2/6 Duke of Wellington's Regiment. He was commissioned, in 1942, and joined 14th Punjab Regiment, serving in India, North Africa, Sicily, Italy and Austria, and at the end of the war was on the staff of the 8th Army with the rank of Brevet Major. He returned to Durham and took up a research studentship at Hatfield College. In 1948 he became Lecturer in Romano-British Archaeology at King's College, Durham (which later became Newcastle University) and, in 1956, was appointed Reader in Roman and Romano-British History and Archaeology. A pottery expert, he played a major role in the excavation of the Roman forts at Corbridge and at many other places. He was a gifted linguist and spoke and read Hindi, Urdu, Italian and German with ease.
Douglas James Gillam (1920 – 2011). He was born 15 March 1920 at Chesterfield. He was educated at Chesterfield Grammar School. He graduated in Mathematics from Manchester University. During the war he was a pilot in the RAF and was shot down and imprisoned in Saxony for almost 2 years. He married Annie Winchester Jack (born 4 May 1913 at Grangemouth, Stirlingshire and died 27 March 1990 at Castor, Peterborough) 9 January 1943 at St Mary’s, Grangemouth. Annie was a civil servant. Douglas became headmaster of a newly built comprehensive school at Grays, Essex, retiring in 1980, after working in Yorkshire, Chesterfield, Smethwick and Walsall. They lived first at Chesterfield, then at Quinton, a suburb of Birmingham (January 1953 – August 1966) and then Corringham, Standford-le-Hope, Essex. He died on 10 November 2011 and his funeral was held on 27th. He is buried with his wife at Castor.
William Edward Gillam (1891 - 1892). He was born January 1891 at Ironville and died 26 August 1892 at Carlisle Street, Whittington, Chesterfield.
Posted October 2016