Shep's Place Family Tree

In 1851, still in Riddings in the parish of Alfreton, were William 27 years and his wife Ann 27 years, his mother Lydia, who was 70 years ‎[which census is closer to the correct age: 1841 or 1851?]‎, and a lodger Samuel Hollingworth, an iron moulder who was 21 years old. William's occupation was not that of coal miner; he was a "dealer in tea and coffee." It sounds a much healthier occupation. Ann's occupation was that of "framework knitter." The name of the village where the Walkers live is Greenhill Lane.

Joseph Bradley, son of William's first wife by a previous marriage, was four years old. He was also born in Alfreton.

In 1861 the William Walkers lived in the parish of Alfreton in Derbyshire at Green Hill Lane. William, once again a coal miner, and Ann were both 37 years old. They had five children: Joseph Bradley 14 ‎[adopted]‎, Adeleve J. nine, Mary A. eight, William four, and Agnes one year. William Bradley was lodging with them. Born in Wensley, Derbyshire, he was 67 years old and a widower, who worked as a labourer at the iron foundry. Perhaps he was Joseph's grandfather.

In 1871 William was 48 years old, and his occupation was "Deputy Viewer." Ann had four children at home: Adeleve ‎[misspelled Adelaide]‎ 19, a domestic servant; Mary A. 18, a domestic servant; William 14, scholar and Lydia eight, scholar. William Morton, a collier aged 21, was boarding with the family.

There is an interesting story about Adeleve's experiences as a domestic servant, which involved her sister Polly, which is recorded as biographical notes about these two sisters.

In 1881 the Walkers lived in Yorkshire in Aston cum Aughton and Ulley where they lived on Aston Terrace. William 57 years worked as a collier deputy. Ann, also 57 years, had only Lydia at home. Lydia was 18 years and a school teacher. The occupations of two of their neighbours were collier underviewer and coal miner.

Four years later at the relatively young age of 61 both William and Ann died; Ann in January and William in mid-April. Perhaps 61 wasn't so young for someone who had worked in the mines.