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Hannah Heap: not just a servant
Hannah Heap – you may have never heard of her, but she was a beloved servant to the Walker family. Mentioned in Anne Lister’s diaries, we explore who Hannah was and where she is referred to in the archives. Birth and early life As with many people without money in the 1800s, her early life and birth are harder to track down. Unfortunately, we don’t yet know exactly when. We can estimate that it was between 1791 and 1796. This is because she is recorded in the 1841 census as 50 years old and in this census they rounded adults’ ages down to the nearest multiple of 5 (1). Working…
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Ann’s Aunts, Uncles and Cousins
By Martin Walker [This page will be continuously updated as more is discovered about this family] Ann had numerous aunts, uncles and cousins and many are mentioned in her own diary, Anne Lister’s diaries and archive documents. This blog seeks to briefly introduce these family members so that the documents we are finding can be placed in Ann’s life more accurately. Ann’s parents were John Walker (1753-1823) and Mary Edwards (1763-1823); they were married on 18 June 1795 at Halifax Minster. Ann’s father had four brothers and sisters: Mary, William, Elizabeth and Ann (Aunt Ann of Cliff Hill). Only Elizabeth married – a Priestley – and had children. Of Ann’s…
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William Walker, Junior
By Ashleigh Kobevko and Deb Woolson Birth & Family William Walker was born in Halifax in 1748 to William Walker and Elizabeth Caygill. He was baptised in Lightcliffe on 3rd March 17481. Elizabeth Caygill was William’s father’s second wife, as his father’s first wife, Mary Wainhouse of Pye Nest, died after 7 years of marriage. Elizabeth Caygill was the sister of John Caygill, who donated the land where the Piece Hall was built. William Walker Junior had siblings; Mary born 1747, Elizabeth born 1750, John born 1753 and Ann born 1757. He was Ann Walker’s uncle. His father William Walker Sr (1713 – 1786) was a wealthy merchant and owner…
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Frances Penfold Walker Clarke (1803-1838) A Consequential Life
By Caroline Maillard (updated 23/6/2022) Birth and Early Years Frances (Fanny) Esther Penfold was born 26 August 1803 in Steyning, Sussex in southern England. She was the second daughter of the Reverend John Penfold (1772-1840) and Charlotte Brooks Penfold (1770-1843). Reverend Penfold held multiple roles with the Church of England. He was the Vicar of Steyning and the rector of the neighboring community of Pyecombe, and also served as the domestic chaplain to the Duke of Sussex in the early 1800’s.1 To this day the Steyning Parish Office is housed in Penfold Hall. Fanny was one of twelve children in her family, which may explain why she left home when…
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Delia Priestley Edwards of Pye Nest
By Caroline Maillard Image above from Historic EnglandDate: 1900 – 1934 Location: Pye Nest, Sowerby Bridge, CalderdaleReference: BB71/02769 Type: Photograph (Negative)https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/photos/item/BB71/02769 Birth and early Life Delia Priestley Edwards was born in Skircoat, West Yorkshire on 25th February, 1807. She was the eldest daughter of Henry Lees Edwards, a wealthy woollens manufacturer, and Lea Priestley (cousin of William Priestley). Delia and Ann Walker were first cousins; Ann’s mother Mary was the sister of Henry Lees Edwards.1 Henry Lees Edwards’ close connection to the Walker family resulted in his being named a joint trustee, along with William Priestley, of Ann Walker’s affairs after her brother John died.2 Delia had seven brothers and…
