Chapter 6.1

 

Elizabeth Bramhill & William Hill

By Rupert and Alison Battersby

 

Alison Battersby is related to the Epworth Bramhills via Elizabeth Hill (nee Bramhill) who married William Hill and is on the 1881 census at High Street, Epworth. They live in Cheshire, United Kingdom.

 

Richard Bramhill was a Druggist from Bramhill’s Yard in Epworth. Little is known of him at this time beyond his occupation and the fact that he had one daughter Elizabeth. Elizabeth married William Hill, born in Misterton, Nottinghamshire, on March 2, 1874 at the Primitive Methodist Chapel, Epworth.

Richard was a son of Matthew Bramhill and Elizabeth Butterfield. Two of his brothers were George Bramhill who emigrated to Canada and John Bramhill who married Eliza Oliver.

            The following narrative is a history written from the Hill point of view but linking Elizabeth Bramhill. It gives valuable insight into the life around our cousins in Epworth.

 

The Hill Family

 

William - born in about 1851/2, his census returns record his birthplace as Misterton, Nottinghamshire. His father is known to have been Charles Hill, a cattle dealer; but as yet nothing else is definitely known about the earlier history of this family.

 

Charles - totally unknown apart from the memories of Christine Alker (nee Hill, the above William’s granddaughter). He was apparently quite a character and lived in Skegness with his wife and daughter, Constance.

 

Charles Hill Sr.

In the 1881 census for Beckingham, Nottinghamshire there is a return for a Charles Hill and his family in High Street - this may well be the return for the above William’s father. It reads as follows: -

 

Charles Hill      Age 52   Head     Cattle Dealer      Born Misterton, Notts.

Elizabeth Hill   Age 53    Wife                                                       

 

There are other entries in Beckingham, which may well belong to relatives - a George Hill, an agricultural labourer and a William Hill, a labourer. These entries were found on the Mormons compilation of the 1881 Census (No.3294/78/8) and this entry would mean that Charles Hill was born around 1829 and was approximately 22 when William Hill, my great-great grandfather was born.

On the IGI for Notts. There is a possible entry for his baptism - Charles Hill; the son of a William and Mary Hill baptised in Misterton on the 21 Sept. 1828.

 

William Hill

He may have been christened on 3 April 1853 at North Wheatley; Nottinghamshire the son of a Charles and Elizabeth Hill but this is far from certain. His census returns always give his place of birth as Misterton, Notts.

The first known event in his life was when he married Elizabeth Bramhill, the only daughter of Richard Bramhill, the druggist from Bramhill’s Yard in Epworth. The date of the marriage is 2 March 1874 at the Primitive Methodist Chapel, Epworth. He is a bachelor aged 22 and his occupation is given as Butcher. She is aged 23 years, a spinster. His father is recorded as Charles Hill, a cattle dealer. The witnesses are Arthur Bramhill (her brother) and M. Dawson. The minister was Thomas Campey (or similar!).

 

Both William and Elizabeth are buried in Epworth Cemetery. Elizabeth died on 19 March 1927 aged 75 years (she must have been born around 1852) and an entry in The Epworth Bells not only gave notice of this but gave her address as West End, Epworth and the fact that she was the only daughter of Richard Bramhill (druggist) of Bramhill’s Yard, High Street, Epworth.

 

  

Photograph of Elizabeth Bramhill 

(Richard Bramhill’s daughter) 

and her husband William Hill.

(Provided by Dawn Gallagher)

 

  

Their gravestone reads: “In loving memory of ELIZABETH the beloved wife of WILLIAM HILL who died March 19th 1927. Aged 75 years. “The Lord is my keeper.” also of ANNIE their daughter who died April 7th 1890 aged 16 years. Also of the above named WILLIAM HILL, who died April 20th 1934 aged 81 years. “Re-united”.

Stonemasons. Tyas & Guest, Swinton.

 

In the National Index of Wills for 1935, there is this entry - William Hill of Epworth, Lincolnshire, died 20th April 1934. Probate LINCOLN 14th Feb. to Charles Richard Hill, butcher, and George Rupert Newborn, solicitor. Effects £1212 17s 8d.

 

Christine Alker and Aubrey Hill both have photographs of William Hill.

 

 

 

1881 Census Return:

Their address is given as High Street, Epworth (possibly No.86 or schedule no.86) and the following information is recorded on their family:

 

William Hill  aged 26  Head  Grocer and dr. (?)  Born Misterton, Notts.

Elizabeth             28  Wife  Grocer’s wife                 Epworth, Lincs.

Annie                    6  Dau      Scholar                                       

Charles                  3  Son                                                        

Beatrice                 1  Dau                                                        

Edith A. Brooks     15  Unmarried  Domestic General Servant  Born Epworth, Lincs.

 

 


The Bramhill Connection:

 

1861 Census: No. of schedule 24, High Street, Epworth.

Richard   Bramhill    Head   M   34  Messenger or postman      Born   Epworth

Harriet                    Wife    M   34                                                   Burnham

Elizabeth                 Dau            9   Scholar                                       Epworth

Harriet                                     7                                                        

Arthur                      Son           5                                                           

George Franklin                     1                                                          

 

1871 Census: No. of schedule 143, High Street, Epworth.

Richard  Bramhill   Head  M   42   Grocer & druggist             Born   Epworth

Harriet                   Wife  M    42    Grocer’s wife                           Burnham

Elizabeth                Dau   U    19  Draper’s assistant                       Epworth

George F.               Son    U    12  Scholar                                         

 

Arthur (age c. 15) was still alive despite being unmentioned on this census; it is not known whether the same was true of their daughter, Harriet (she would have been c. 17)

 

1881 Census these details are given of members of the Bramhill family: -

Richard Bramhill    aged   52  Head   Druggist Mast.   Born       Epworth, Lincs.

Harriet                           52  Wife                                          Burnham, Lincs.

George F.                       21  Son Unmarried  Solicitor’s Ge…  Born Epworth,

 

 

Arthur Bramhill   aged 24  Head   Grocer Master   Born Epworth, Lincs.

Elizabeth                      21  Wife                                                     “.

 

Both households were living in High Street, Epworth.

 

Richard Bramhill was obviously a person of some importance in the town as shown by the following information (minutes of the Select Vestry taken from the introduction to the AFHS booklet on Epworth Cemetery) - a meeting of the Select Vestry (forerunner of the Parish Council) was held a 7pm on the 13th December 1880 and it was decided to set up a Burial Board of 9 members . Among the 17 ratepayers from the parish nominated as members of the Board was “Mr Richard Bramhill”. On December 16th a poll took place and 9 members were duly elected - among them was Richard Bramhill. They were responsible for the buying of land, building of the house and chapel, organising and running the Epworth Cemetery. It is therefore only apt that Richard and Harriet are both buried in Epworth Cemetery in a plot adjoining their daughter, Elizabeth, their son-in-law, William and their granddaughter, Annie HILL.

Their gravestone reads: ‘ In loving memory of RICHARD BRAMHILL who died 7th. February 1900, aged 73 years. Also HARRIET the beloved wife of the above, who died 18th February 1900, aged 72 years.’

In the National Index of Wills for 1901, there is this entry - Richard Bramhill of Epworth, Lincs. chemist and druggist died 7th Feb. 1900. Administration (with will) LONDON 7th Jan.1901 to George Franklin Bramhill, law clerk. Effects £61 2s.]

 

1891 Census

The Hill family’s address is still given as High Street, Epworth and is as follows-

William Hill   aged 38   Head  Grocer, pig dealer, cattle…  Born Misterton, Notts.

Elizabeth              38   Wife   Husband’s assistant, grocer  (employee)  Born Epworth

Charles R.             13   Son     Scholar                                                            

Beatrice                 11   Dau    Scholar                                                            

Louise                      9   Dau    Scholar                                                            

Frank                       8   Son     Scholar                                                            

Ethel                         1   Dau                                                                            

(1891 Census Epworth, Enumeration District No.2, No. of schedule 52 High Street).

 

 

Children of William and Elizabeth Hill

Annie - born c. 1874/5 in Epworth; died 7 April 1890 and buried in Epworth Cemetery with her parents. My grandmother was named Annie after her. See poem below.

Charles Richard - born 25 June 1877 in Epworth and baptised on 1 August 1877 at the Primitive Methodist Chapel, Epworth by Alfred Lowe. His father’s profession is recorded as ‘Tradesman’ and their address is merely noted as Epworth. See later in file for ‘the rest’.

Beatrice - born c. 1879/80 in Epworth; she married Battye Greaves and went on to run the sweet shop where the Post Office now is in Epworth. She had 2 children - Jack and Gladys. Gladys died in 1995 and her married name was Bowden.

Louise - born c. 1881/2 in Epworth; she married George Howey and lived in Withernsea. She had 4 children - Mary, Ethel, Dorothy and Kathleen.

Frank - born c. 1882/3 in Epworth and died on 10 May 1966 aged 83 years. Buried in Epworth Cemetery with his wife, Annie Frances who died on 5 September 1950 aged 66 years. They had 2 children - Ralph who died and a daughter, Christine who still lives in Epworth (now Christine Alker).

Ethel - born c. 1889/90 in Epworth. She was the schoolmistress in Epworth for a while and later married George Fillingham. She had 4 children - Stanley, Madge, Rita and Marie

 


Annie Hill

Below is a copy of a poem about Annie Hill written by her grandfather and found among my grandmother Annie’s possessions in 1995.

 

Lines On the Death of Annie Hill who died April 7th.1890, aged 15 years.

Said at the Primitive Methodist Sunday School Anniversary, Epworth, Sunday June 1st. 1890.

 

Dear Annie, she has gone, death came

And snapped the brittle thread;

Who would have thought one week before,

Her stay with us would soon be o’er?

 

How short a time this flower bloomed,

What love and tenderness she shared!

How all our hearts did round her twine,

Yet God said, Your time is not mine.

 

But Jesus watched our friend safe home,

An angel came and took her there,

Christ wished that flower to deck His breast,

So laid her body down to rest.

 

Dear Annie rests in peace above,

Close by the throne of heavenly love;

She lives in Heaven, in mansions bright,

Beyond the reach of storm or blight.

 

No chilly winds or scorching heat,

Nor thorns to tear her tender feet;

No pain, no trouble dwells above,

But perfect peace, and perfect love.

 

Dry up your tears, look, look up there,

See Annie stands in robes so fair;

God let us love with hearts sincere,

And we shall meet our loved one there.

 

She’s gone a little while before

To welcome us upon that shore;

May we prepare for that great day,

When God shall wipe all tears away.

 

We miss her from her class,

We miss her from her home,

We miss her from the singer’s pew.

We miss her from the school.

 


But is she gone? Her pleasant smiling face,

In class or school she never more will be:

Her words we’ll try to think upon,

Till we in Heaven her face shall see.

 

Oh, we can tell how great her joy,

That does her spirit fill,

To see her Saviour’s smiling face,

And rest on Zion’s hill.

 

She’s taken from her home below,

But now she lives with Christ above,

To sing the song in mansions fair,

Till we shall meet our loved one there.

 

But is she dead? Ah! No, she lives,

Her happy spirit flies

To Heaven above, and there receives

So early gained,- The prize.

 

Annie, you and I have often trod,

This sacred spot, the House of God,

But now you dwell in mansions fair,

And by God’s help we’ll meet you there.

 

Epworth, 1890.                R. Bramhill

 

 

Charles Richard Hill

His parents were William and Elizabeth Hill and he was born on 25 June 1877. He was baptised on 1 August 1877 at the Primitive Methodist Chapel, Epworth. He married Agnes Gertrude Mann at Ecclesall Bierlow, Sheffield in QTR 1 1903  9c 465. Their marriage took place on 9 February 1903 at St. Mary’s Parish Church, Walkley, Sheffield. He was aged 25, a bachelor resident at High Street, Epworth and his father was given as William Hill, cattle dealer. Agnes is aged 21, a spinster with no profession and her address is given as 92, Cundy Street; her father is noted as Alexander Mann (deceased), a farmer. They were married by licence by Sidney Smith, the vicar, and the witnesses were Walter Milner and Harriet Milner, her sister and brother-in-law (was she living with them at the time?).

 

He died in Epworth on 2 March 1962 and is buried in St. Andrews Churchyard, Epworth with his wife who died at Scotter, near Scunthorpe, on 6 December 1969.

 

They lived for a while in the Market Place, Epworth and ran a butcher’s shop; he delivered the meat while she was in charge of the shop. Apparently, she insisted on having a rest every afternoon so heavy reliance was placed on their eldest surviving daughter, Annie, to help with the business and to look after the younger children. Charles Richard Hill was reputed to enjoy a drink and it was not unknown for him to return home after his deliveries with a couple of greyhounds or some such strange items instead of the money! Fortunately he had a sensible pony to make sure that he and his trap arrived home in one piece!

 

There are 7 known children of their marriage: -

Ethel

 

William - born c. 1902/3. He was married to Charlotte Brooks and died in Owston Ferry. He was a butcher and had a son, Geoffrey Hill who lives in Scunthorpe. I have a photocopy of a photograph of him as a young boy standing outside his grandmother Mann’s house at Willingham near Stow.

Annie - born 27 July 1905; my grandmother. She was their eldest surviving daughter and she went on to marry George Wilfrid Brown at St. Andrews, Epworth on 26 March 1927. They had two children: Edna and Derek.

 

Edwin - born 6/7th Feb 1907? At one time a lorry driver, a farmer and then ran Albion Bakery, Albion Hill, Epworth. Married to Mabel. Died in Epworth. They had 2 children: Aubrey and Joan. Both Mabel and Edwin are buried in Epworth Cemetery. Their gravestone reads - “To the memory of a devoted wife & mother MABEL ANNIE HILL died 7th March 1977 aged 64 years also a dear husband & father EDWIN HILL died 10th February. 1994 aged 87 years. Dear grandparents.”  There is also a plaque on a tree in the Cemetery, which reads “To the memory of MABEL ANNIE HILL 7th March 1977”.

 

Reginald - born in Epworth, also thought to have been christened there; known to have died there. Born on 6/7th Feb.1910/11. First marriage to Amy Levitt who ran the garage in Epworth; second marriage to a widow, Elsie Harris. Reg. served in the Royal Engineers in WW2; thought to have fought at Arnhem. Later became a builder; lived for a while in Scunthorpe before returning to live in Epworth. He had no children of his own, although Elsie had by her first marriage.

 

George - born in Epworth on 25 June 1914, was christened at the Baptist Chapel, Epworth according to his own belief. Birth certificate ref.: George M. (Mann) Hill Thorne 1914 3 QTR 9c 1979.) Served in the Royal Artillery in WW2 and then became a butcher, first in Epworth and later in Redcar. In later life, returned to live in West Butterwick. He never married. He died in Scunthorpe Hospital in 1997 and was buried at St. Andrews in Epworth.

 

Ruth - born in Epworth on 29 Dec. 1916 and was christened there; married Robert Proctor in August 1939 in Epworth. Lived in Saltburn and had two boys: Robert and Clive. Birth certificate ref.: Ruth Hill 1 QTR 1917 Thorne 9c 1648.

 

Richard - born in Epworth on 17 March 1918 and was also christened in Epworth. First marriage to Madge Everett probably in Eastoft, second to Janet Ross probably in Arbroath. He died in Scunthorpe, possibly in the early 1970s. He and Jan had one son, Richard.

A brief biography based on an article from The Epworth Bells cut out by my gran but undated: Dick was called up in 1939 and joined the Royal Scots Fusiliers. He became a staff car driver. He was sent to France and was among those forced to retreat to Dunkirk in 1940. He was evacuated on 18 June and was sent to Bangour Hospital, Edinburgh where he met his wife-to-be, Janet who was a theatre sister. In 1941, he was sent to collect Rudolf Hess when he landed in Scotland. After the war, he settled in Epworth again and joined his brother, Reg., in a firm of builder’s merchants. He and Jan had one son, Richard who died when he was about 21. They later moved to 45, West Common-Crescent, Scunthorpe and showed dogs as one of their hobbies. They kept pointers and one of their entries at Crufts won a second prize. Richard senior and junior worked at Appleby-Frodingham steelworks, Scunthorpe.

 

Delia - born in Epworth on 13 September 1920. Married William (Bill) Rogers in Chatham, Kent and died there in the late 1980s or early 1990s. Birth certificate ref.: Delia Hill 4 QTR 1920 Thorne 9c 1739. They had one daughter, Susan. Bill served in the Royal Navy in WW2 and stayed in after the war, serving at The Admiralty for many years.

 

-

Descendants of Elizabeth Bramhill

 

 

Generation No. 1

 

1. ELIZABETH8 BRAMHILL (RICHARD7, MATTHEW6, JOHN5, THOMAS4, THOMAS3, JOHN2, WILLIAM1)1 was born Abt. 1852, and died March 19, 1927. She married WILLIAM (BILLIE) HILL1 March 2, 1874 in Primitive Methodist Chapel, Epworth1. He was born 1852 in Misterton, Nottinghamshire.

Notes for ELIZABETH BRAMHILL:

Date Source: OGFN: 524837061 by Ann Milroy.

Notes for WILLIAM (BILLIE) HILL:

Birth Date Source: OGFN:524837065

 

Children of ELIZABETH BRAMHILL and WILLIAM HILL are:

i. ANNIE9 HILL, b. Abt. 1875.

Notes for ANNIE HILL:

Source: OGFN: 524837061

2. ii. CHARLES HILL, b. June 25, 1877; d. March 2, 1962, Epworth, Lincolnshire, England.

iii. LOUISE HILL, b. Abt. 1878.

Notes for LOUISE HILL:

Source: OGFN: 524837061

3. iv. FRANK HILL, b. Abt. 1879.

4. v. BEATRICE HILL, b. Abt. 1880.

5. vi. ETHEL HILL, b. Abt. 1890.

 

Generation No. 2

 

2. CHARLES9 HILL (ELIZABETH8 BRAMHILL, RICHARD7, MATTHEW6, JOHN5, THOMAS4, THOMAS3, JOHN2, WILLIAM1)1 was born June 25, 1877, and died March 2, 1962 in Epworth, Lincolnshire, England. He married AGNES GERTRUDE MANN February 9, 1903 in St. Mary’s Parish Church, Walkley, Sheffield. She died December 6, 1969 in Scotter, near Scunthorpe.

More About CHARLES HILL:

Baptised: August 1, 1877, at the Primitive Methodist Chapel, Epworth by Alfred Lowe

 

Children of CHARLES HILL and AGNES MANN are:

i. ETHEL10 HILL.

6. ii. WILLIAM HILL, b. Abt. March 1902; d. Owston Ferry.

7. iii. ANNIE HILL, b. July 27, 1905.

8. iv. EDWIN HILL, b. February 6, 1907; d. February 10, 1994, Epworth, Lincolnshire, England.

v. REGINALD HILL, b. February 6, 1910, Epworth, Lincolnshire, England; d. Epworth, Lincolnshire, England; m. (1) AMY LEVITT; m. (2) ELSIE HARRIS.

vi. GEORGE HILL, b. June 25, 1914, Epworth, Lincolnshire, England; d. 1997, Scunthorpe Hospital.

9. vii. RUTH HILL, b. December 29, 1916, Epworth, Lincolnshire, England.

10. viii. RICHARD HILL, b. March 17, 1918, Epworth, Lincolnshire, England; d. Aft. 1970, Scunthorpe.

11. ix. DELIA HILL, b. September 13, 1920, Epworth, Lincolnshire, England; d. Abt. 1990.

 

3. FRANK9 HILL (ELIZABETH8 BRAMHILL, RICHARD7, MATTHEW6, JOHN5, THOMAS4, THOMAS3, JOHN2, WILLIAM1)1 was born Abt. 1879.

 

Children of FRANK HILL are:

12. i. CHRISTINE10 HILL.

ii. RALPH HILL1.

 

4. BEATRICE9 HILL (ELIZABETH8 BRAMHILL, RICHARD7, MATTHEW6, JOHN5, THOMAS4, THOMAS3, JOHN2, WILLIAM1)1 was born Abt. 1880. She married BATTY GREAVES1.

 

Child of BEATRICE HILL and BATTY GREAVES is:

i. GLADYS10 GREAVES1.

 

5. ETHEL9 HILL (ELIZABETH8 BRAMHILL, RICHARD7, MATTHEW6, JOHN5, THOMAS4, THOMAS3, JOHN2, WILLIAM1)1 was born Abt. 1890. She married GEORGE FILLINGHAM1.

 

Children of ETHEL HILL and GEORGE FILLINGHAM are:

i. MARIE10 FILLINGHAM1.

ii. MARGERY FILLINGHAM1.

iii. RITA FILLINGHAM1.

iv. STANLEY FILLINGHAM1.

 

Generation No. 3

 

6. WILLIAM10 HILL (CHARLES9, ELIZABETH8 BRAMHILL, RICHARD7, MATTHEW6, JOHN5, THOMAS4, THOMAS3, JOHN2, WILLIAM1) was born Abt. March 1902, and died in Owston Ferry. He married CHARLOTTE BROOKS.

 

Child of WILLIAM HILL and CHARLOTTE BROOKS is:

i. GEOFFREY11 HILL.

 

7. ANNIE10 HILL (CHARLES9, ELIZABETH8 BRAMHILL, RICHARD7, MATTHEW6, JOHN5, THOMAS4, THOMAS3, JOHN2, WILLIAM1) was born July 27, 1905. She married GEORGE WILFRID BROWN March 26, 1927 in St. Andrews, Epworth.

 

Children of ANNIE HILL and GEORGE BROWN are:

i. EDNA11 BROWN.

ii. DEREK BROWN.

 

8. EDWIN10 HILL (CHARLES9, ELIZABETH8 BRAMHILL, RICHARD7, MATTHEW6, JOHN5, THOMAS4, THOMAS3, JOHN2, WILLIAM1) was born February 6, 1907, and died February 10, 1994 in Epworth, Lincolnshire, England. He married MABEL ANNIE. She was born 1913, and died March 7, 1977.

 

Children of EDWIN HILL and MABEL ANNIE are:

i. AUBREY11 HILL.

ii. JOAN HILL.

 

9. RUTH10 HILL (CHARLES9, ELIZABETH8 BRAMHILL, RICHARD7, MATTHEW6, JOHN5, THOMAS4, THOMAS3, JOHN2, WILLIAM1) was born December 29, 1916 in Epworth, Lincolnshire, England. She married ROBERT PPROCTOR August 1939 in Epworth, Lincolnshire, England.

 

Children of RUTH HILL and ROBERT PPROCTOR are:

i. ROBERT11 PPROCTOR.

ii. CLIVE PPROCTOR.

 

10. RICHARD10 HILL (CHARLES9, ELIZABETH8 BRAMHILL, RICHARD7, MATTHEW6, JOHN5, THOMAS4, THOMAS3, JOHN2, WILLIAM1) was born March 17, 1918 in Epworth, Lincolnshire, England, and died Aft. 1970 in Scunthorpe. He married (1) MADGE EVERETT. He married (2) JANET ROSS in Arbroath.

 

Child of RICHARD HILL and JANET ROSS is:

i. RICHARD11 HILL.

 

11. DELIA10 HILL (CHARLES9, ELIZABETH8 BRAMHILL, RICHARD7, MATTHEW6, JOHN5, THOMAS4, THOMAS3, JOHN2, WILLIAM1) was born September 13, 1920 in Epworth, Lincolnshire, England, and died Abt. 1990. She married WILLIAM (BILL) ROGERS in Chatham, Kent, England.

 

Child of DELIA HILL and WILLIAM ROGERS is:

i. SUSAN11 ROGERS.

 

12. CHRISTINE10 HILL (FRANK9, ELIZABETH8 BRAMHILL, RICHARD7, MATTHEW6, JOHN5, THOMAS4, THOMAS3, JOHN2, WILLIAM1)1. She married FRED ALKER1.

 

Children of CHRISTINE HILL and FRED ALKER are:

i. RUBY11 ALKER1.

ii. HELEN ALKER1.

 

 

Endnotes

 

1. Reunion2003v3.GED, Date of Import: Oct 19, 2003.