JOHN KELSALL c1780 - 1850
In describing John Kelsall, it may be as well to work backwards,
at least in part, in describing what is known of this individual. John
Kelsall died on 23rd October 1850 at Vine street, Shelton, Stoke on Trent of
"Hydrothorax" which event was registered by one Joseph Kelsall, described as
being "present at the death". John's occupation is given as Fishmonger and
his age at death was said to have been 70. This would give a date of
birth between 24th October 1779 and 23rd October 1780. It is unfortunate
that John did not survive another eight months until after the Census of
1851 as that would have given his age. It would also have acted as a check
on the information on the death certificate.
Black's Medical Dictionary defines Hydrothorax as:
. . . a collection of fluid in the pleural cavities.
The William Salt Library in Stafford contains a collection of
material of local history information including a collection of brief death
notices from the local Newspaper, The Staffordshire Advertiser, from the
beginning of the nineteenth century. On the 24/3/1990 I found two such
notices:
"On the 23rd ultimo [October 1850] John Kelsall Fishmonger of Vine street
Shelton aged 70 years."
"On the 3rd Instant [January 1848] Elizabeth, wife of John Kelsall,
fishmonger, Shelton aged 68."
[Staffs. County Record Office; 24/3/1990]
I checked these notices with the Burials Register for the Parish
Church of St. Mark, Shelton on the 24th March, 1990 but found no extra
information other than the burials took place a few days after the dates of
death.
I have found what appears to be a reference to the family of John
Kelsall in the 1841 Census:
.. [Hanley, Horace Berks Reference Library, 26/6/1987]
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|1841 Census HO 107 992 [taken 6/6/1841] |
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| S.R.D.: Parish : |
| R.D. : Ecclesiastical Distr.: |
| City,Borough :Stoke on Trent |
| Town,Village :Shelton |
| E.D. : |
| folio : |
| Schedule nr.: |
| Address : Vine street |
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| Occupants | Age| Q.T. or P: | Born in this county? |
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| John Kelsall | 60 | Fishmonger | Yes |
| Elizabeth " | 63 | | do. |
| Joseph " | 25 | Fishmonger | do. |
| William " | 8 | | do. |
| James Gelling | 20 | M[ale] S[ervant] | do. |
| Sarah Boutree | 15 | F[emale] S[ervant]| do. |
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The difficulty with the 1841 Census is that ages were rounded down
to the nearest 5 years except for those under fifteen for whom exact ages
should be given.
So, the suggested family of John and Elizabeth includes Joseph who
appears to have been born sometime between 1811 and 1816 as well as one
William who appears to have been born about 1833. I shall have something
more to add about John and Elizabeth's children and about William a little
further on.
It seems to be the case that John Kelsall was baptised in 1780 or
1781. John may well have been the John Kelshall who was baptised on the 16th
September 1781, the son of Thomas and Sarah Kelshall, and who figures to the
end of a detailed and apparently accurate pedigree chart compiled in the
late 1820's or early 1830's and which is also to be found in the William
Salt Library, Stafford. John Kelsall married in St. Peter's parish Church,
Stoke on Trent in July 1799. His bride was, it seems, Elizabeth Ratcliffe.
There appears to have been an older son, Thomas who was baptised
on the 5th October 1799 at St.Peter's, Stoke on Trent. This Thomas Kelsall
moved to Chester where he married and had a business as a Fishmonger.
On the 30th March 1989, I checked the (micro-film) copy Baptism
Register for the Parish Church of Lane End, Longton, Stoke on Trent starting
at 6th January 1799:
(Staffs County Record Office ref.: D3276/1/1/2)
1800 Sarah dau of John & Kelsal Labr. Nov. 9
1801 Sarah dau of John & Elizth Kelsal Labourer May 22
1803 Richard son of John & Elizth Kelsal Carrier June 3
- there was only one other Kelsall entry (up to 3rd Jan 1813):
1806 Nathan son of Chas.& Kelsal Labr. March 9
On the 3rd April 1989 at the Lichfield Joint Record Office, I
checked the Bishop's Transcripts for the Parish of Hanley:
1803
Oct 7 James son of Ralph & Anne Kelsow
1804
Feb 20 Thomas son of William & Clementina Kelsey
1806
Oct 26 Sarah dau of Ralph & Anne Kelso
1807
Nov 8 John son of John & Elizabeth Kelso
Dec 13 Andrew son of William & Clementina Kelsell
1808
May 29 Jane dau of George & Susanna Kelsell
Oct 30 Eliza dau of Daniel & Anne Kelsille
1809
Mar 5 Hamlet son of Richard & Mary Kelsall
Aug 7 William son of John & Elizabeth Kelso, Shelton, born Jan 3, 1809
1810
Aug 19 Mary dau of William & Christina Kelsall, Hanley born July 27, 1810
Dec 16 William son of George & Susanna Kelsall, Hanley, born Nov 22, 1810
Dec 16 William son of Richard & Alice Kelsall, Hanley, born Nov 30, 1809
1811
Dec 1 George son of George & Susanna Kelsall, Hanley, born Nov 25, 1811
1813
Jan 10 Peter son of Richard & Alice Kelsall, Hanley, Collier
Aug 2 Sarah dau of William & Clementina Kelsall, Hanley, Potter
Oct 10 Anne dau of John & Hannah Kelsall, Hanley, Soldier
1814
Feb 13 Margaret dau of Thomas & Mary Kelsall, Hanley, Collier
Apr 14 Mary dau of George & Susanna Kelsall, Hanley, Collier
Aug 4 Richard son of Thomas & Mary Kelsall, Hanley, Collier
Dec 3 Lucy dau of William & Clementina Kelsall, Hanley, Potter
Dec 6 Thomas son of Thomas & Mary Kelsall, Hanley, Collier
John Kelsall is mentioned in a number of Trade Directories:
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.. [L.J.R.O. 8/9/88]
| |
|'1818 Parson & Bradshaw: Staffordshire Directory:' |
| |
|:4 Hanley and Shelton |
| |
| Kelsall, Thomas Piccadilly, Shelton |
| Kelsall, John Fishmonger Vine Street, Shelton |
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.. [Hanley, Horace Berks Reference Library, 26/6/1987]
| |
|'1822-3 Newcastle and Pottery Directory:' |
| |
|Shelton (Hanley &) |
| |
|Kelshall John Fishmonger Vine street |
| " Richard Presser Broad street |
| " Thomas Grocer Piccadilly |
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..
| |
|'1829 Pigot Directory of Staffordshire:' |
| |
|:......................................... |
| |
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.. [L.J.R.O. 8/9/88]
| |
|'1834 White's Staffordshire:' [etc.] |
| |
|Hanley & Shelton |
| |
|Fruiterers: |
| |
|Kelsall Wm. Brunswick St S |
| |
|Beer Houses: |
| |
|Kelsall George Union Street |
|Kelsall Wm. Piccadilly |
| |
|Shopkeepers |
| |
|Kelsall Thomas Bow Street |
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.. [Hanley, Horace Berks Reference Library, 26/6/1987]
| |
|'1835 Pigot Directory of Staffordshire:' [etc.] |
| |
|Kelsall John Fishmonger Vine street |
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..
| |
|'1841 Pigot's Royal National & Commercial Directory:' |
| |
|Kelsell John Fishmonger Vine street, Shelton |
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.. [Hanley, Horace Berks Reference Library, 26/6/1987]
| |
|'1846 Williams' Hanley Directory:' |
| |
|Kelsall Clementina Shopkeeper Bow street Hanley |
| " John Fishmonger Crown Bank |
| |
| Burslem: |
| |
|Kelsall Charles (Cartwright J.& Co.) Hot Lane |
| Richard Fishmonger Queen street |
| |
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LAND TAX RETURNS 1797 - 1831 (checked on the 29/3/1989)
The folowing entries were found:
1815 Land Tax return for Hanley, Stoke on Trent:
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|Rental:|Proprietor: |Occupier: |Description:|Exonerated:|Assessed: |
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| |Biddulph Ricd.|Ricd. Kelshall| |# / / |# / / 6d|
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1816 Land Tax return for Hanley, Stoke on Trent:
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|Rental:|Proprietor: |Occupier: |Description:|Exonerated:|Assessed: |
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| |Biddulph Ricd.|Ricd. Kelshall| |# / / |# / / 6d|
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1817 Land Tax return for Hanley, Stoke on Trent:
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|Rental:|Proprietor: |Occupier: |Description:|Exonerated:|Assessed: |
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| |Birch Edmd John|John Kelshall| |# / / |# / / 6d|
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| |Biddulph Rich.|Richard Kelshall| |# / 6/ |# / 6/ |
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1818 Land Tax return for Hanley, Stoke on Trent:
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|Rental:|Proprietor: |Occupier: |Description:|Exonerated:|Assessed: |
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| |Birch Ed. Ino.|John Kelshall| |# / 6/ |# / 6/ |
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| |Biddulph Ricd.|Richd Kelshall| |# / / 6d|# / / 6d|
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1819 Land Tax return for Hanley, Stoke on Trent:
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|Rental:|Proprietor: |Occupier: |Description:|Exonerated:|Assessed: |
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| |Birch E.J. |John Kelshall| | -- |# / / 6d|
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1820 Land Tax return for Hanley, Stoke on Trent:
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|Rental:|Proprietor: |Occupier: |Description:|Exonerated:|Assessed: |
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| |Birch E.J. |John Shortes | |# / 6/ |# / 6/ |
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1821, 1822, 1823, 1824, 1825: no relevant entries.
1826 Land Tax return for Hanley, Stoke on Trent:
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|Rental:|Proprietor: |Occupier: |Description:|Exonerated:|Assessed: |
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| |Stephen Mayer |Thos.Shufflebotham|[House] |# / / |# / / 3d|
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| | |Richd. Kelshall|House |# / / |# / / 3d|
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| |Ra. Kelshall |Richd. Kelshall|House |# / / |# / / 3d|
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| |Jno. Jackson |Wm. Kelshall|House |# / / |# / / 3d|
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NOTE: the entry for "Ra. Kelshall" appears to be spurious, see below.
1827 Land Tax return for Hanley, Stoke on Trent:
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|Rental:|Proprietor: |Occupier: |Description:|Exonerated:|Assessed: |
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| |Stephen Mare |Richd. Kelsall|House |# / / |# / / 3d|
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|[P. 1]| |Richd. Kelsall| |# / / |# / / 3d|
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|[P. 10]|Ra. Biddulph |Rd. Kelsall|House |# / / |# / / 3d|
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|[P. 11]|John Jackson |Wm. Kelsall|House |# / / |# / / 3d|
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1828 Land Tax return for Hanley, Stoke on Trent:
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|Rental:|Proprietor: |Occupier: |Description:|Exonerated:|Assessed: |
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|[P. 2]|Benjn. Godwin |Ricd. Kelshall|House |# / / |# / / 3d|
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|[P. 11]|John Jackson |Wm. Kellshall|House |# / / |# / / 3d|
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1829 Land Tax return for Hanley, Stoke on Trent:
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|Rental:|Proprietor: |Occupier: |Description:|Exonerated:|Assessed: |
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| |Benjn. Godwin |Richd. Kelsall|House |# / / |# / / 3d|
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|[P. 10]|John Jackson |Willm. Kelsall|House |# / / |# / / 3d|
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1830 Land Tax return for Hanley, Stoke on Trent:
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|Rental:|Proprietor: |Occupier: |Description:|Exonerated:|Assessed: |
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|[P. 2]|Benjn. Godwin |Richd. Kelsall|House |# / / |# / / 3d|
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|[P. 10]|John Jackson |Wm. Kellsall|House |# / / |# / / 3d|
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1831 Land Tax return for Hanley, Stoke on Trent:
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|Rental:|Proprietor: |Occupier: |Description:|Exonerated:|Assessed: |
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| 28|Benj. Godwin |Richd. Kelsall|House | -- |# / / 3d|
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| 314|John Jackson |Wm. Kelsall|House | -- |# / / 3d|
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In view of the absence of John Kelsall up to 1817 and after 1819,
it would appear that the family must have lived elsewhere in the Potteries
than Hanley, which would suggest an explanation for the possible absence of
the baptism for Joseph (1811 - 1866) and further daughters. That of course
begs the question: where were they living? It will be obvious by now that
the family was quite mobile within a small area of the Potteries if, indeed,
that is the right interpretation to place upon the evidence of the Parish
Registers and the Land Tax records.
Both John and Elizabeth are buried in the now cleared graveyard of
St.Mark's, Shelton, Stoke-on-Trent. No gravestones appear to have survived
and I am not aware of any transcriptions which may help with additional
information about John and Elizabeth's family.
In the Pedigree prepared in the late 1820's there are mentioned
certain brothers and sisters of John (baptised 16 Sept 1781), namely:
1781 Septr. 16 Richd. son of Thos. Kelsall Bap Stoke
[no date] John son of Thos. Kelsall Bap Stoke
[no date] Thos. son of Thos. Kelsall Bap Stoke
[no date] Mary daughter of Thos. Kelsall Bap Stoke
[no date] Sarah daughter of Thos. Kelsall Bap Stoke
I have checked the printed Parish Registers for Stoke St.Peter ad
Vincula and found the following entries which appear to show the following
children of Thomas and Sarah Kelsall:
Christenings:
1779 April 18 Rich., of Tho & Sarah Kelsall
1781 Sept. 16 John, of Tho. & Sarah Kelshall
..Burial:
..
..1782 Mar. 7 Wm. Kelshall
..
..Christenings:
..
1784 Feb. 22 Thos., of Tho. & Sarah Kelshall
1785 Aug. 7 Eliz. of Tho. & Mary Kelshall
.. The I.G.I. shows only the following as brothers of John:
..
..----------------------------------------------------------------------------
..|Name: |M:Male |T|Event date:|Town, Parish: |Source: |
..| |F:Female |y| | | |
..| ------------- |p| | ---------------
..| |Father: | |e| | |Batch: |Ser |
..| | Mother:| | | | | | -ial|
..----------------------------------------------------------------------------
..|Rich. Kelsell |Tho. Sarah|M|C|18 Apr 1779|Stoke on Trent|P009961|12551|
..|John Kelshall|Tho Sarah|M|C|16 Sep 1781|Stoke on Trent|P009962|12984|
..|Tho. Kelshall|Tho. Sarah|M|C|22 Feb 1784|Stoke on Trent|P009961|13386|
..----------------------------------------------------------------------------
It appears therefore that the Pedigree is inaccurate as to the
date of Richard's baptism but contains additional information about two
daughters. I have not, as yet, checked through the Bishop's Transcripts
for the time, but suspect that I may yet find one or both the missing
daughters. Both the Pedigree and the Parish Register have their faults but
I am inclined to accept the Pedigree as correct as that was compiled by a
person or persons more contemporary with the events it seeks to list and was
compiled as part of Legal proceedings where the existence of fault or
inaccuracy would probably be fatal to the party's position.
As to proof of the identity of the parents of John Kelsall, as
yet, I am still without direct proof. There does not appear to be any Will
or other legal document which would show at least a prima facie case that
John is the son of one Thomas and Sarah Kelsall. I am left with several
pointers. Firstly, even the latest ('92) edition of the I.G.I. does not show
any other reasonable alternatives - admittedly arguing a negative like that
is difficult and no doubt ultimately unsustainable for several reasons
principally the limitations of the I.G.I. and the survival of documents even
allowing for perfect recording of every such baptism. Secondly, the usage in
the known descendants of a certain pattern of names especially John,
Richard, Joseph and Thomas, although the use of Joseph was less common in
this family lineage. Thirdly, the reported death in the Staffordshire
Advertiser for a Thomas Kelsall in 1826 and a Sarah Kelsall in 1830:
--------------------------------------------------------
|30 Sep 1826 |
|Died |
|On Wednesday at Shelton after a short illness, and |
|at an advanced age, Mr. Thomas Kelsall. |
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|29 May 1830 |
|Died |
|On Thursday morning, Mrs. Sarah Kelsall, widow of the |
|late Mr. Thos. Kelsall, Piccadilly, Shelton, aged 77 |
|years. |
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Again, if only the writer of the notice for Thomas had included
the age!
On the 15th August 1995, I checked a number of Burials Registers
at Stafford C.R.O. for the burial of Thomas and Sarah Kelsall, to check if
in any entry for the burial of Thomas, his age was given. There was no trace
in Stoke St. Peter ad Vincula, Hanley St. John or Burslem St. John for
either burial. The next check will be of the B.Ts, although it seems at
least likely that both Thomas and Sarah were buried in Hanley St. John in
which case the disastrous fire in 1842 will account for the absence of the
relevant entries. In the extract of the Victoria History of the County of
Stafford Volume VIII (reprinted 1983 by Staffordshire County Library) on
page 154 it is stated that:
The registers [of St. John The Evangelist] date from 1754.24
24 S.W.Hutchinson, 'Archdeaconry of Stoke on Trent', 129, ...
states that much was burnt during the riots of 1842.
However, using the naming pattern, the deaths recorded in 1826 and
1830, the abodes of both Thomas and Sarah, the unlikely possibility that
there were TWO couples both named Thomas and Sarah both living in the same
area of the Potteries at approximately the same time, and the
approximate age for Thomas by implication from that of Sarah, I would submit
that there is circumstantial evidence pointing to the identification of
these two as the parents of John Kelsall (1780 - 1850).
Whilst writing this section, I decided to check the Pedigree chart
and reminded myself that the chart states that:
"Thos Kelsall Burried at Shelton Chappil"
It also states that:
"Richard Kelsall Burried Stoke"
- this Richard Kelsall is the brother of John (1780 - 1850) and had
clearly died by the time this pedigree was compiled or shortly afterwards.
I have a copy of a Will and grant of Probate from the Lichfield
Joint Record Office for a Thomas Kelsall who appears to have died in April
1826 leaving a widow, Mary, to whom the grant was made on Oct 26th 1826.
This Thomas, however does not appear to be 'Family'. There is though, the
Thomas Kelsall whose death is noted in the Staffordshire Advertiser for 30th
Sep. 1826 noted already
To continue......