NEW THURSFIELD FAMILY FORUM HERE
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THURSFIELD The Story of a Cheshire Family The surname of Thursfield is well recorded in that part of England which lies on the Cheshire and Staffordshire Borders. Indeed there used to be a village of that same name, situated near to Mow Cop, Cheshire, although on the Staffordshire side of the ancient Palatine. The village of Thursfield changed its name to Newchapel in the 17th century after the Reformation, when the land reverted to private ownership. The new owner of the land had a new Church or Chapel built and the name of the village was changed to commemorate that new building. The area still today boasts a number of houses and cottages which bear the name of Thursfield. The Village also has a School and Community Centre, which still proudly bears the legend of "Thursfield Community Centre" across the whole of it's facade. Historical records also show that this small Village of Thursfield was once known as Turvoldesfeld (of Viking origin), and was recorded as such, in The Domesday Book of 1086. Names mentioned in the survey at the time include; Aelfric, Beornwulf, Godwine, Otto, Nigel of Stafford, Robert de Busey, Thegns of King William, Tholf, Wulfric and Wulfwine. Background to the Family My mother is the daughter of a Thursfield of Cheshire. By default, therfeore, a part of myself is of the same Thursfield family blood. Florence Alice Thursfield, a Draper & Milliner, of Crewe, was a daughter to the second marriage of James Peter Thursfield, also of Crewe, but formerly of Congleton in Cheshire, and Elizabeth Thomson of of Crewe. James was the son of Joseph Thursfield of Congleton, formerly of Audlem in Cheshire. Prior to residence in Congleton, the family name had existed for some 250 years in Audlem and Wybunbury, both of which are small townships on the outskirts of Nantwich in Cheshire. The immediate Thursfield family members were Plumbers, Painters and Decorators, and Engineers. Florence was just one of a number of Drapers in the family and she followed the family tradition of being in business for herself. She continued in this vein, whilst still finding time to raise a family of five daughters and managing to cope with the years of the Depression of the 1930's and the fears, worries and uncertainties of World War II. Artisans, Apostles and Alcohol For the male part, the Cheshire branch of the Thursfields appear to have earned their living from occupations as varied as; Farmers, Engineers, Craftsmen, Artisans, Plumbers, Electricians, Beer Sellers & amateur Ale-House Keepers. Early settlers in the Cheshire area were Hawkers and Peddlers. Eventually they became Farmers, Wheelrights, Coopers, Shoemakers and Cordwainers, eventually progressing to such illustrious occupations as; "Gentlemen", Church Deakons, Ministers, Missionaries, Surgeons, Doctors and Surveyors of the Roads.
Many of the more senior members of the family branches became quite wealthy in their own right, as "Gentlemen Farmers". They were quite busy and involved in their local communities, both on and around the Audlem area of Cheshire from mid 16th to mid 19th Century. They then seem to have split again in all directions, part going to reside in the Congleton area, where they continued to flourish as hardworking and God fearing members of the then, fast expanding Silk town. When the expansion of the Railways came to those small areas known as Monks Coppenhall and Church Coppenhall, in the mid to late 19th Century, a small section of Thursfields moved to Crewe to follow the influx of population and industry. Others moved to the Stoke-on-Trent area to further persue their businesses and careers, with many going into the Pottery industries. Most of the female Thursfields were, in keeping with the times, not involved in anything more, than being the bearers of many offspring. There are of course, some exeptions to that old fashioned concept. An inspection of the many records and documents held at the Chester Public Records Office, shows that in the 18th Century, a female Thursfield, was employed as a Surveyor of the Roads for the Audlem area. Not only were the 17th & 18th Century Thursfields employed as Farmers, they were also engaged in such part-time activities as; Overseers to the poor, Parish Constables, Land Assessors and Tax Collectors. There is also the well documented history of Ethel Annie Thursfield, who as a State Registered Nurse became a Baptist Missionary in Congo and China with her Husband. Her son, Eric Sutton Smith also became a Missionary in Ceylon. Their lives are remembered in the book entitled "Yakusa-The very Heart of Africa", which was written for the Baptist Society by her husband the Reverend Herbert Sutton Smith. The Non-Conformist and Baptist Churches feature very prominently in the lives of the Audlem Thursfields from 1750 onwards for just over 150 years. One senior member was responsible for the establishment and building of the first Baptist Chapel in Audlem which opened in 1840. Without his involvement and considerable financial input, it is doubtful that the Chapel would have been constructed so quickly. He became a Minister, and his Brother, his Son, and his Grandson all held positions in the same Chapel as, Pastor, Deacon, Churchwarden and Secretary at various times. The Ministers of Audlem Chapel kept meticulous records, which still survive intact. These give a unique, if slightly biased insight into life in Audlem in the 19th Century. Most poignant, is the recording, in writing, of the death of one Ann Thursfield, in her Chambers, with her finger pointing to an extract from the Bible, which lay upon her bed. In those days Alcohol was taken regularly, and yet, was much frowned upon by others of a more genteel disposition, and also by the Church Elders. The Officers of the Chapel had frequent reports made to them of members being seen to "walk unsteadily" or even to "talk in drink" It was the Pastors duty to warn those sinners of their wrong-doings, and it was not unusual for the guilty or even suspected party, to be "withheld from the Sacrament" (excommunication), for a period of time. It is quite amusing to note, that one Deacon Thursfield, was himself, "withheld from the sacrement", for two weeks in 1842, for being drunk at Chapel service. Did he excommunicate himself I wonder? One female member of the Chapel was excommunicated for two weeks for "speaking unkindly of Brother Thursfield". "Never! I don't believe it" I hear you shout... Despite the anti-alcohol feelings of many, there is evidence of the fact that the Thursfields were Malsters, unofficial ale and beer sellers during these and later times, one at least, even having his own Malt-Kiln, in his garden, as long ago as 1781. The tradition was carried on until the late 19th, early 20th Century, when James Peter Thursfield was selling ale from the front room of his house in Crewe. Parish Records Parish Records make for very interesting reading. Apart from having large natural families (which was not unusual), there are numerous references to illigitimate children being fathered by some of the Thursfield young men, from in and around their home Parish of Aldelyme (Audlem). For the most part, the young men concerned, acted in a responsible manner, and, according to the laws of the day accepted their responsibilities, and admitted to being a "bounder", and made financial arrangements accordingly. Some of the men even married the girls concerned, to legitimise the child. There is ample evidence within these records to show that it was not only the young men who were caught out "sowing their wild oats" as some of the girls were also "caught" Bastardy Records, as they were called, were kept by the parish, and were stored in the Oak chest, which is still to be seen in St. James Church in the Village centre. Wills Bills and Codacils The making of a Last Will and Testament was a popular thing to do in those bygone days, and the Thursfields were no exception. Copies of Wills obtained thus far, show purchases of 2 cottages, lands, fields, lakes, roads, meadows, woods and woodlands etc. for as little as 30 pounds, (paid in Silver). Also of a Court Case dragging on for in excess of 75 years, over a dispute regarding leases, tenants, occupiers and property inhabitation, and resulting in ejection by force of arms, has been found. In another Will, the testator actually leaves cash, and instructions, for the purchase of 12 new hats and 12 pairs of new gloves, so that the Mourners should be suitably attired at his funeral. Another leaves his best wig to a member of his family. The oldest Cheshire Will would appear to be made by one Joshua Thursfield, who was a Farmer in the Somerford Booths area of Congleton in 1772. Illness Disease Poor-Houses and Lunatic Asylums Pestilence, Plague, Cholera and Smallpox all appear in the studies of papers relating to the Thursfield family, during their time in the Cheshire area. At least two infant children from the same family, died of the Smallpox, within a few days of each other. Lives was cheap, labour was intensive and poorly paid. Welfare was practically non-existent, though some of the better-off members of society gave to Charity. Poor-Houses, Alms Houses, Lunatic Asylums and Prisons were all overcrowded, and disipline was strict. Thieves, Convicts and Tramps all frequented the streets. Ex-Soldiers, fallen on hard times, many of them missing limbs, stood on street corners. There were unemployed and unemployable, competing for charitable donations. Ale and Beer houses, gambling dens, cock fighting and bear-baiting were the main forms of entertainment for the masses of poorly educated citizens and dwellers in the towns and villages throughout the Country. There is evidence of the Thursfields both giving and receiving Charity. There was no electricity, no proper sanitation, and poor general education. It is recorded through those many copy documents such as Wills, Marriage Certificates and Parish Records etc., that the majority of the Thursfield adults could at least write or append their signatures to various official documents. This shows that they were an educated, and probably quite wealthy family in their own right. The relative wealth of the Thursfields of Audlem can be proven by Copy Wills, showing that house purchases were being made for cash as far back as 1725, (this particular transaction was to lead to the 75 year dispute). One Will also shows that in the 18th century, a legacy of £100 was made to each of 10 surviving children on the death of that particular testator. The wealth and properties were, therefore, as a general rule, kept within the family group. Specific acts of generosity are not known, and there is at least one male Thursfield, who, it is recorded was buried in a paupers grave. Whether this man was an outcast of the family will never be known, but if he was not an outcast, then why was he treated in this way? He was cerainly in need of Charity. There is also evidence of one male Thursfield, who died at the age of 60 years, in Parkside (Macclesfield) Lunatic Asylum back in 1873. The cause of death was Cardiac Arrest. There were a number of Thursfields living in the Wybunbury (Winbury) area from 1757 onwards. They are mentioned in the Records of the Churchwardens of the Village Church. For a period of 39 years from 1759 until 1798, successive Thursfields received a cash payment of £2.0.0p rising to £2.16.0p each New Years Day from a Charity. The gift was to purchase bread, and was the interest accrued from a gift of £70, which had been invested by the Parish. It would seem from the records that a number of members of this family group were poor enough to have qualified for this New Years Day handout. These Records also bear signatures of receipt from those members of the family, and also his/her X mark. Transport and Communication One should recall that transport and communication were very slow, or at best difficult in those days. There were no cars or even decent roads; horse drawn stagecoaches used tracks, and the horse or walking were the only means of transport. There were no telephones or radio, so communication was by word of mouth, or by messenger on horse, or by runner. Overseer Thursfield claimed expenses for the shoeing of his horse, whilst engaged on his official business. Shoeing cost between 1/3d and 2/6d. Messages were often late in arriving at their eventual destination, if at all, due to frequent acts of robbery on the highway, (an event that was punishable by death by hanging). By the time a message for help or assistance was reponded to, it was probably too late to help anyway. From the study of records, one can see that Thursfield family members were investing in the new Turnpike roads being created in the Cheshire area, particularly, the main road from Nantwich to Newcastle under Lyme in Staffordshire. Law and Order Organised Law & Order in the form of the Police, was not seen nationally until the mid 19th Century, and so Authority came from the lords of the Manors through their Bailiffs, Town Beadles and Parish Constables. Sentences for the convicted person were very harsh indeed, with the death penalty being used for offences which today would only bring a mild to severe rubuke. Hanging was a regular event, and was treated as a social occasion by the population, who turned out en-masse to the execution sites throughout the County. Transportation to the Colonies or imprisonment on the Hulks were the main alternatives to the death penalty. Corporal punishment such as "hard labour", "penal servitude, whipping and lashing were accepted forms of punishment. The "Scold's Bridle" was in use for women who would not hold their tongue, being used for the last time in the Borough of Congleton in 1824. Parish Records reveal that a number of Thursfields held the office of Parish Constable or Deputy Constable over the years. This was a purely voluntary and unpaid role, although expenses from the Parish could be claimed. These roles were the ancestors of the early civil police. it was an onerous and diffuicult task, undertaken by well meaning, but untrained amateurs. No one else from the Thursfild family can have had such a great shock, as Richard Thursfield did on 12 April 1812, when he was summoned by his colleague to attend at a murder and attempted suicide scene, in Hankelow near Nantwich. The details of this are written about elsewhere , and are well documented, in a book called "Rope Dance" written by Margaret Neild. This matter was finally resolved by a Trial at Chester Assises, convictions of guilt of Murder being duly recorded against John Lomas a 20 year old serevant, and Edith Coomer, against her husband George Morrey. Poor George had been beaten about the head with an axe, had his throat slashed wide open with a razor, to the point almost of decapitation. Edith Coomer then cut her own throat using another razor. Lomas and Edith Morrey had been lovers. They were both sentenced to the Death Penalty, which was carried out in accordance with the laws of the day. Edith managed to stay her execution until her pregnancy occoured, after which she suffered the extreme penalty herself. Both bodies were dissected and displayed to the public. The child, christened Thomas, grew up in the Basford area of Newcastle, he became a criminal, and was eventually transported to Van Daemons Land in Tasmania. Richard Thursfield had played a prominent role in the interviewing of Edith Morrey (nee Coomer). I am informed that the Uniform of the Beadle, of the township of Audlem still exists. It would be quite wonderful to see it being worn, by a native of Audlem, on one of the Market Days. Witchcraft Witchcraft was still a potent source of fear in the rural communities in the late 17th and early 18th Century, and the punishment for anyone who was suspected, or proven of such a crime was death. Those who posessed the "Second Sight", or sought to foretell the future, or invoke a curse, were regarded as Witches by the superstitious masses. Again I have found no evidence to support any suggestion, or notion, (despite what modern day decendants may think), that any of the Thursfield family members have been, or were suspected of Witchcraft. Although I do not know of any witches within the family group, I am aware that some of the female decendants of today, seem to be able to be "more aware" than others. At least one new-born in the current family is said to "have been here before". Conclusions On the expansion of the Railways, the villages of crewe Green, Chuch Coppenhall and Monks Coppenhall became known as Crewe, There was obviously an explosion of industry, and it is of no surprise to me that elements of Thursfields moved from Congleton, to settle in the new area of high employment in the new Railway town. You may say, and you would be correct, dear reader, that nothing really changes does it. If some of us today are a little restless, it may be due to the fact that our family has, for the last 150 years at least, moved around to seek gainful employment, and therefore we have not really grown or established roots. The period of residence in Congleton was about two generations only. the period of residence in Crewe of the Thursfields, being no more than three generations. World War II and it's attendant worries and concerns, served to split the group even further, with members seeking and continuing various employment and professions throughout the length and breadth of the United Kingdom and abroad. Those who remained in Crewe were cousins, and decendants of cousins, of James Peter Thursfield. The Thursfields of Cheshire appear to have been, and continue to be, an ordinary family; and by that very ordinariness they have become, to my mind, extra-ordinary. They appear to have been industrious and God fearing, and in the main, respectable people, who have supported their families, and their respective family communities. They have passed on to the modern generations the very essences of; faith, hope, charity, love, endeavour, persistence and fortitude. They have carried these qualities through war, hardship, illness, disease and death. The family embodies all of those qualities that exist in families throughout the world. Acknowledgements Finally, I wish to thank in particularly my cousin, Sue Arthur of Lymm, Cheshire, for showing to me a previously unseen Wedding Group photograph from 1911, of our maternal Grandparents. It was this incident alone which started me on the compulsive and rewarding task of researching the family name, and which has resulted in the compilation of this account, entitled:- The Story of a Cheshire Family. © John A Burton. Cheshire 2001. |