The Hemsley family have a fascinating theatrical history, soon to be featured in Swindon Heritage, but for the moment I am concentrating on George Hemsley, a fitter and turner and an early arrival at the GWR Works, Swindon.
George was born on January 17, 1822 in Gateshead the son of William and Anne Hemsley. At the time of the 1851 census George was living at Quarry Field, Gateshead with his wife Mary and their 10 month old son William. George most probably worked at The Quarry Field Works, a marine, locomotive and general engineering firm established by John Coulthard & Son in 1840.
By 1861 George and Mary were living at 6 Westcott Place with their six children, four of whom had been born in Gateshead. John Robert Hemsley, was the first to be born in Swindon in around 1858 which places the Hemsley family's move to Swindon sometime between 1854 and 1858.
Tracking the family through the census returns we find them at 22 Reading Street in 1871. William has followed his father into the Works where he is a fitter and younger brother John Robert's job description is boy in foundry.
Trevor Cockbill writes in A Drift of Steam, his book about the early residents of the Railway Village.
Mr Hemsley was a staunch supporter of the local Liberal and Radical Association, frequently appearing on the platform at public assemblies and often putting his signature to the Nomination Papers of Liberal candidates at Parliamentary elections. He played a prominent part in the election campaign of Mr B.F.C. Costello in 1886, when the latter gentleman was opposed from the right by a Liberal Unionist and from the radical wing of the party by the Independent Liberal Sir John Bennett.
George was also co-founder of the New Swindon Industrial Co-operative Society.
George died at his home 22 Reading Street on November 12, 1888 aged 66. He was buried in Radnor Street Cemetery and his funeral arrangements were performed by Richard Skerten, a carpenter and undertaker.
Mary remained in the family home following George's death, living with her widowed daughter Mary J. Rollins and her two daughters, plus Frederick Birch, a Grocer's Assistant who boarded with the family. Mary died on December 19, 1899 and is buried with George.
In 1941, fifty three years after George's death, his daughter, Elizabeth Watson Dixon was also buried in Radnor Street Cemetery. Her funeral was arranged by A.E. Smith and the paperwork survives in a large family archive.
Swindon's early railwaymen will be remembered on two GWR themed walks taking place during the Swindon Heritage History Day on July 10 (see below for more details).
And for cemetery followers you may like to join me on a guided churchyard walk at St Mary's, Lydiard Park this Sunday, June 24 between 2-4.30 pm.
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George was born on January 17, 1822 in Gateshead the son of William and Anne Hemsley. At the time of the 1851 census George was living at Quarry Field, Gateshead with his wife Mary and their 10 month old son William. George most probably worked at The Quarry Field Works, a marine, locomotive and general engineering firm established by John Coulthard & Son in 1840.
By 1861 George and Mary were living at 6 Westcott Place with their six children, four of whom had been born in Gateshead. John Robert Hemsley, was the first to be born in Swindon in around 1858 which places the Hemsley family's move to Swindon sometime between 1854 and 1858.
Tracking the family through the census returns we find them at 22 Reading Street in 1871. William has followed his father into the Works where he is a fitter and younger brother John Robert's job description is boy in foundry.
Trevor Cockbill writes in A Drift of Steam, his book about the early residents of the Railway Village.
Mr Hemsley was a staunch supporter of the local Liberal and Radical Association, frequently appearing on the platform at public assemblies and often putting his signature to the Nomination Papers of Liberal candidates at Parliamentary elections. He played a prominent part in the election campaign of Mr B.F.C. Costello in 1886, when the latter gentleman was opposed from the right by a Liberal Unionist and from the radical wing of the party by the Independent Liberal Sir John Bennett.
George was also co-founder of the New Swindon Industrial Co-operative Society.
George died at his home 22 Reading Street on November 12, 1888 aged 66. He was buried in Radnor Street Cemetery and his funeral arrangements were performed by Richard Skerten, a carpenter and undertaker.
Mary remained in the family home following George's death, living with her widowed daughter Mary J. Rollins and her two daughters, plus Frederick Birch, a Grocer's Assistant who boarded with the family. Mary died on December 19, 1899 and is buried with George.
In 1941, fifty three years after George's death, his daughter, Elizabeth Watson Dixon was also buried in Radnor Street Cemetery. Her funeral was arranged by A.E. Smith and the paperwork survives in a large family archive.
Swindon's early railwaymen will be remembered on two GWR themed walks taking place during the Swindon Heritage History Day on July 10 (see below for more details).
And for cemetery followers you may like to join me on a guided churchyard walk at St Mary's, Lydiard Park this Sunday, June 24 between 2-4.30 pm.
