Ann's Places

The Inman Family

12/12/2025 /
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Marian Lister was close to her Inman cousins. Here’s more information on them.

Lister Inman Connection

Marian & Anne Lister’s aunt Fanny (their mother Rebecca’s sister) married William Appleton in 1795.1 Their daughter, Marian’s cousin Mary Anne, was born in 17952 and married John Inman, a surgeon, in 1813.3

The Inmans had at least 3 children: Sarah (1820)4 Mary Ferreman (1824)5 and Eskricke John (1828).6 The Inman children were second cousins to Marian and played an important role in her life through the years. They would visit Marian and she them, travelled together and after she left Shibden Hall, their presence was a constant.

Inman Cousins

Sarah Inman

Sarah is the oldest of the Inman cousins and is often referred to in Anne Lister’s journal. Anne’s writing clearly illustrates that she was not fond of this family branch, but for Marian, they were truly family.

In 1857 Sarah married Augustus Edward Henry Ansell, a Captain in the 4th (Kings Own) Regiment in the British Army.

Sun (London) newspaper of Sarah Inman and Augustus Ansell's wedding.
23 January 1857 Sun (London) ©The British Library Board

The couple had at least three children. The first was a son, stillborn on 8 January 1859.

Morning Post newspaper announcement of Sarah & Augustus's stillborn birth.
12 January 1859 Morning Post ©The British Library Board

A daughter was born in 1861, named Marian Henrietta Mary Ansell and was baptized in London.1

Thacker's Overland News for India and the Colonies newspaper announcement of Sarah & Augustus birth of a daughter.
18 January 1861 Thacker’s Overland News for India and the Colonies ©The British Library Board

The 1861 UK Census shows that Sarah and infant Marian Henrietta were in London with cousin Marian Lister listed as a visitor.2 Sarah’s husband Augustus was not listed but presumably away in the service.

Augustus and Sarah’s son, Arthur, was born on 1 Sept 1862, just months prior to his father’s death. Sarah was in Zante in the Ionian Islands when she gave birth. It is unknown when Sarah joined her husband.

London Evening Standard newspaper announcing Sarah & Augustus Ansell's son's birth at Zante.
12 January 1863 London Evening Standard ©The British Library Board

Sadly, Sarah’s husband Augustus died on 6 December 1862 on the island of Zante (Greece, now known as Zakynthos). These clippings give us more information on Augustus.

Naval & Military Gazette and Weekly Chronicle of the United Service newpaper announceing the death of Augustus Ansell at Zante.
17 January 1863 Naval & Military Gazette and Weekly Chronicle of the United Service ©The British Library Board

From the project.littlehamptonfort.co.uk article, more is learned about Augustus.3 Its reporting is incorrect as Arthur Ansell was born 1 September 1862 while his father was alive.

rom the project.littlehamptonfort.co.uk article, more is learned about Augustus military service.

In 1863 Marian Henrietta and her brother Arthur began receiving their father’s military pension.

Marian Henrietta and Arthur Yates Ansell military pension from their father image. From Natl Archives
The National Archives WO 23/122

Augustus’ will was granted probate in 1863 with everything going to Sarah. His estate of £1,500 would have the purchasing power of £240,846.09 today.4

Augustus Ansell probate from Ancestry.com Principal Probate Registry.
Principal Probate Registry; London, England; Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries of the High Court of Justice in England

Sarah’s son Arthur Yates followed in his father’s footsteps and chose military life, receiving an appointment in 1883.

Homeward Mail from India, China and the East newspaper announcing young Arthur Ansell's appointment in the military.
8 May 1883 Homeward Mail from India, China and the East ©The British Library Board

Sadly, Sarah lost her son at the age of 22 years while he was serving in Burma.

St James's Gazette newspaper announcing the death of young Arthur Ansell at the age of 22 yrs.
20 February 1885 St James’s Gazette ©The British Library Board

In 1885 Arthur left his personal estate of £322 which would have the purchasing power of £52,876.67 today to his mother Sarah.5 He died and was buried in Thayetmyo, Burma (now Myanmar).6 Learn more about his burial site, his stone “Erected by his sorrowing mother” here.

Principal Probate Registry from Ancestry.com for young Arthur Yates Ansell.
Principal Probate Registry; London, England; Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries of the High Court of Justice in England

Sarah’s daughter Marian Henrietta married Cyril Ramsbotham on 17 April 1884 in Middleton Stoney, Oxfordshire, England.7 Her mother Sarah signed the register.

On 31 July 1893 Marian Henrietta filed a Petition for Nullity of Marriage in court.8 This petition was not for the faint of heart as both had to undergo medical inspections.

National Archives; London, England, UK; Court for Divorce and Matrimonial Causes, later Supreme Court of Judicature: Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Files, J 77; Reference Number: J 77/519/15858; Series Number: J 77; Piece Number: 519

By 21 March 1894 the medical inspections were completed and Marian’s divorce was granted on grounds that it was never consummated. After the financial matters of the marriage settlement were completed, Marian reverted to her maiden name and Cyril was also ordered to pay £25 for her court costs.

On 12 November 1894 Marian Henrietta married Donald Mackenzie Smeaton, a widower, again with her mother Sarah signing the register.9

Home News for India, China and the Colonies newspaper on Marian Henrietta remarriage to Donald Mackenzie Smeaton.
23 November 1894 Home News for India, China and the Colonies ©The British Library Board

The couple had a daughter whom they named Amethe Gwendolen Marion MacKenzie Smeaton, born in Burma.10

Home News for India, China and the Colonies newpaper of the birth of a daughter to Marian & Donald Smeaton.
6 March 1896 Home News for India, China and the Colonies ©The British Library Board

In the 1901 UK Census Amethe was listed at her grandmother Sarah’s home. Sarah, aged 78, and Amethe, 5, were living with a Nursery Governess and three other servants in Surrey.11

Sarah Inman Ansell died 17 November 1905 in Hampshire, England.12

Daily News (London) newspaper announcing the death of Sarah Inman Ansell.
22 November 1905 Daily News (London) ©The British Library Board

In 1905 Sarah’s estate of £9,062, which has the purchasing power of £1,408,095.03 today, was left to her daughter Marian Henrietta.13

Image of Sarah Ansell's probate from Principal Probate Registry from Ancestry.com
Principal Probate Registry; London, England; Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries of the High Court of Justice in England

In 1910 Sarah’s daughter Marian Henrietta Smeaton’s husband Donald died.

Hampshire Observer and Basingstoke News newspaper obituary of Donald Smeaton.
23 April 1910 Hampshire Observer and Basingstoke News ©The British Library Board

In 1919 Marian’s daughter Amethe married Captain Ian McEwen in Surrey.14 It was a very large posh wedding.

Surrey Times and County Express newspaper account of Amethe Smeaton's wedding to Ian McEwen.
A Popular Wedding Surrey Times and County Express 26 April 1919 Newspapers.com

Amethe gave birth to a daughter, Eleanor McEwen, in December 1919.

General Register Office ©Crown Copyright License: Open Government License

In 1922 Amethe gave birth to a son, Ian Donald William McEwen, in Surrey.15 Ian Donald became a Scottish Guardsman and died of meningitis in 1841 at the age of 19.16

Principal Probate Registry; London, England;
Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries of theHigh Court of Justice in England

From these news reports Captain Ian McEwen divorced Amethe in 1929 and she then married Count Leo Parcus Von Zeppelin in quite a scandal.

DECREE FOR CAPTAIN The Daily Telegraph 7 May 1929 Newspaper.com
Evening News (London) newspaper announcing Amethe's wedding to Count von Zeppelin
15 August 1929 Evening News (London) ©The British Library Board

Amethe’s mother, Marian Henrietta Mary Smeaton, died in 1933.17 Her estate of £623 has the purchasing power of £56,979.92 today and was left to her daughter Amethe.18

Marian Henrietta Smeaton's probabte - Principal Probate Regsitry from Ancestry.com
Principal Probate Registry; London, England; Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries of the High Court of Justice in England

Amethe von Zeppelin, Sarah (née Inman) Ansell’s granddaughter began her book translation work after her marriage to the Count.

Books of the Week, Liverpool Daily Post, 2 May 1934, Newspaper.com

Amethe led a controversial life prior to WWII. She is mentioned in this document regarding Susan Dorothea Mary Therese Hilton who was a member of the British Union of Fascists and worked for the German propaganda service as a newscaster.

National Archives KV2/423

This newspaper article is about the radio broadcast as mentioned about the Countess.

Bradford Observer newspaper about Amethe radio broadcast from Germany.
23 September 1939 Bradford Observer ©The British Library Board

Before WWII Amethe was believed to be anti-British by the British security services however there is no evidence that Amethe was found guilty of any of these accusations.

An image of Count and Countess von Zeppelin.

FROM CASTLE TO A COTTAGE, Countess Amethe von Zeppelin, 18 November 1938, Newspaper.com

An interview with Countess Amethe Zeppelin regarding losing their fortune after Hitler took Austria and living in South Warnborough, Hampshire, UK.

OWNED CASTLE, Now Lives in Cottage, The Northern Star 7 November 1938, Newspaper.com

It’s unclear when and where Count von Zepplin died, however Amethe died in 1969, living back in Austria.19 Her estate was valued at £886 in 1969 which has the purchasing power of £18,636.65 today.20

Probate for Countess Amethe Von Zeppelin from Birmingham Archives from Ancestry.com.
Birmingham Archives; Birmingham, England; England and Wales Probate Calendar; Reference:
1972TUV

Mary Inman

Mary was the second child born to John and Mary Anne Inman. She is mentioned in Anne Lister’s journal though not as often as Sarah.

In 1845 Mary married Captain Henry Caesar Hawkins at the British Embassy in Brussels.

Morning Herald (London) newspaper announcing the marriage of Mary Inman to Capt Henry Hawkins.
16 August 1845 Morning Herald (London) ©The British Library Board

There are no known children from this marriage and Mary died in 1859.

Hampshire Telegraph newspaper announcing the death of Mary F Hawkins at age 35 yrs.
16 July 1859 Hampshire Telegraph ©The British Library Board

Mary died from diabetes and exhaustion at the age of 35 years.

Image of Death Certificate of Mary F Hawkins.
General Register Office ©Crown Copyright License: Open Government License

Such a beautiful inscription by Captain Hawkins for his wife Mary F Hawkins:

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/244058166/mary-hawkins: accessed September 7, 2025), memorial page for Mary Ferreman Inman Hawkins (1812–12 Jul 1859), Find a Grave Memorial ID 244058166, citing Portfield Cemetery, Chichester, Chichester District, West Sussex, England; Maintained by ER-76 (contributor 51296615).

Mary’s husband, Captain Hawkins, remarried in 1870 to Ellen Harding.1

Portsmouth Times and Naval Gazette newspaper of Capt Henry Hawkins remarriage to Ellen Harding.
26 November 1870 Portsmouth Times and Naval Gazette ©The British Library Board

Captain Hawkins died in 1884.

Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette newspaper announcement of the death of Capt H. C Hawkins.
15 May 1884 Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette ©The British Library Board

Captain Hawkins left his wife Ellen his estate of £19,966 in 1884, which has the purchasing power of £3,170,593.25 today.2

Probate for Capt Henry C Hawkins - Principal Probate Registry from Ancestry.com
Principal Probate Registry; London, England; Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries of the High Court of Justice in England

Eskricke Inman

Eskricke married Mary Benson in 1852.1 They had at least five children: Mary Ann Inman,2 Sarah F. Inman,3 Amethe Inman,4 Eskricke H. Inman5 and Anne E. Inman.6

Eskricke died in 1902.

Yorkshire Evening newspaper announcing the death of Eskricke John Inman.
6 January 1902 Yorkshire Evening ©The British Library Board

He left an estate of £38,364, which has the purchasing power of £6,025,969.26 today.7

Probate for Eskricke J Inman - Principal Probate Registry from Ancestry.com
Principal Probate Registry; London, England; Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries of the High Court of Justice in England

Eskricke’s widow Mary died in 1903.

Yorkshire Gazette newspaper announcement of the death of Mary Inman.
10 January 1903 Yorkshire Gazette ©The British Library Board

Inman Family Connection

  1. Ancestry.com. England, Select Marriages, 1538-1973 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.
  2. Ancestry.com. England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.
  3. Borthwick Institute for Archives; University of York, Yorkshire, England; Parish Registers for the Archdeaconry of Yorkshire; Reference: PR/M/W/11
  4. Ancestry.com. England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.
  5. Borthwick Institute for Archives; University of York, Yorkshire, England; Parish Registers for the Archdeaconry of Yorkshire; Reference: PR/M/W/7
  6. Borthwick Institute for Archives; University of York, Yorkshire, England; Parish Registers for the Archdeaconry of Yorkshire; Reference: PR/M/W/7

Sarah Inman

  1. City of Westminster Archives Centre; London, England; Westminster Church of England Parish Registers; Reference: SMCH/PR/1/2
  2. Class: Rg 9; Piece: 644; Folio: 123; Page: 42; GSU roll: 542677
  3. https://www.project.littlehamptonfort.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/target-practice.pdf
  4. https://www.officialdata.org
  5. https://www.officialdata.org
  6. Ancestry.com. India, Select Deaths and Burials, 1719-1948 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.
  7. Oxfordshire Family History Society; Oxford, Oxfordshire, England; Anglican Parish Registers; Reference Number: BOD168_ACC5251-1
  8. The National Archives; London, England, UK; Court for Divorce and Matrimonial Causes, later Supreme Court of Judicature: Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Files, J 77; Reference Number: J 77/519/15858; Series Number: J 77; Piece Number: 519
  9. London Metropolitan Archives; London, England, UK; London Church of England Parish Registers; Reference Number: P87/JNE1/018
  10. Ancestry.com. Geneanet Community Trees Index [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2022.
  11. Ancestry.com. 1901 England Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005.
  12. Ancestry.com.UK and Ireland, Find a Grave® Index, 1300s-Current [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.
  13. https://www.officialdata.org
  14. Surrey History Centre; Woking, Surrey, England; Surrey Church of England Parish Registers; Reference Number: Sher/2/5
  15. General Register Office; United Kingdom; Reference: Volume 2a, Page 154
  16. Death certficate – Ian David W McEwen – General Register Office
  17. Surrey History Centre; Woking, Surrey; Surrey Church of England Parish Registers; Reference: 7452/2/1/3
  18. https://www.officialdata.org
  19. Birmingham Archives; Birmingham, England; England and Wales Probate Calendar; Reference: 1972TUV
  20. https://www.officialdata.org

Mary Inman

  1. London Metropolitan Archives; London, England, UK; London Church of England Parish Registers; Reference Number: P87/CTC/003
  2. https://www.officialdata.org

Eskricke J Inman

  1. Ancestry.com. England, Select Marriages, 1538-1973 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.
  2. Ancestry.com. England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.
  3. Ancestry.com. England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.
  4. Ancestry.com. England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.
  5. Ancestry.com. England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.
  6. Ancestry.com. England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.
  7. https://www.officialdata.org

Special Thanks

Diane Halford – Archival research & editing

Trish Rafa – Editing & Inman Family Tree

Martin Walker – Editing

How to cite this article:
Deb Woolson (2026) “The Inman Family”: In Search of Ann Walker [Accessed “add date”]

I'm semi-retired and live in the US. Between researching for ISAW and dabbling in politics, my time is well spent. I watched GJ S1 and was overwhelmed by the beauty of Yorkshire and the amazing story of these two women. (Months later I learned my ancestors came from Yorkshire!) I have such admiration for Ann Walker and am honored to work with the talented ISAW team to bring her story to the forefront.

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