Saddingtons of Rochers Head, Bradfield, Yorkshire

This post relates to a family that I am still researching and is being posted in the hopes of connecting with a family member.

The first Saddington of Rochers Head was Joseph Saddington, son of Samuel Saddington and Mary Milbourne, born in Tansor, Northamptonshire circa 1843. How and why he made his way to the Sheffield area is as yet unknown.

In the December quarter of 1870, Joseph married Lucy Ann Earnshaw in the Wortley Registration District, and later that same quarter, she gave birth to their first son, John Albert. They went on to have 11 children in total.

Samuel Ernest arrived in 1873, followed by Joseph William in 1875. Florence Ann showed up in 1876, and Lucy Ann in 1878. Then Catherine Mary was born in 1880.

The 1881 census showed Joseph and Lucy Ann living at Smallfield, Rotchers Head, Bradfield, Yorkshire. He was a farmer of 200 acres. Their eldest son, John Albert, was living with his uncle, John Earnshaw, at Fair House, Bradfield, but the other five children were at home with their parents.

The family continued to grow. Percy was born in 1883, followed by Clara Elizabeth in 1885 and Elsie Emma in 1887. Then Louisa Ellen came along in 1890.

The 1891 census showed Joseph and Lucy Ann at Rocher Head, Bradfield, with nine of their then ten children. Lucy Ann the younger is not with the family. Joseph was still a farmer.

Edith came along in 1892 to finish off the family, but unfortunately died later the same year.

The surviving children of the family married one by one, and started producing their own families. John Albert married Lily Earnshaw, and Joseph William married Clara Haigh probably on the same day in 1898.

The 1901 census shows Joseph living at Rotcher Head with five of the children. Lucy Ann has gone to stay with her aunt, Ann Holbrook, at Cross House, Bradfield, where Lucy Ann the younger is working as housekeeper. John Albert is at Cross Cottage, Bradfield, with his wife and two small children, working as a stone cutter. Joseph William is at Fir Tree Farm, Thurgoland, with his wife and son, working as a carter and farmer.

Lucy Ann the younger married William Bramhall in 1905, and Florence Ann married Benjamin Roebuck in 1908. Clara Elizabeth married Alfred Andrews in 1909 and Samuel Ernest married Rachel Barnes in 1915. Louisa Ellen married James Heywood Staniforth in 1917.

Catherine Mary is believed to have married a Mr Binder, but no marriage has yet been found. Elsie Emma is known to have died a spinster, and it is believed that Percy never married.

Joseph Saddington died on 8 May 1928, described as being "of Rocher Edge Bradfield near Sheffield". He didn't leave a will and administration was granted to his sons, Samuel Ernest and Joseph William, both farmers. His estate amounted to £767 12s 1d, which would have been worth £141,951.43 in 2007, based on average earnings.

His wife, Lucy Ann, died on 17 December 1929, described as being "of Rocher Head, Bradfield, Yorkshire". She didn't leave a will either, and in March 1930, administration was granted to her son, Samuel Ernest Saddington, farmer. Her estate amounted to £712 13s 4d, which would have been worth £132,397.74 in 2007, based on average earnings.

If this family of Saddingtons belongs to you, please get in touch.