Needham
The Needham Family from Derbyshire
See the Needham Census Returns Derbyshire Parish register transcripts for Needham
the Needham family tree and the Needham photos
and my webpage on the History of the Duke of York Inn, in relation to the Needhams
Early Needhams:
The Needham family originates from Derbyshire. It is presumed (says Maxwell Craven in his article, “Is Your Name Needham?”) that the name was adopted from the tiny settlement of Needham, now High Needham, in the Hatingdon Middle Quarter. There was a Thomas Needham born at Needham, Derbyshire, in about 1308, and he was living in 1337.
He had two known children: Thomas, who was living in 1353, married Maud Melure (the daughter of Roger Melure of Thornset, Derbyshire); and William born about 1330 at Needham, Derbyshire who married Alice Cranage.
Thomas Needham was of Needham Grange, Derbyshire – the family home (on the crossroads at High Needham, overlooking the River Dove). The family can be traced back for several more generations, but with very few details to a William Needham, who was of Needham, Derbyshire, and Lord of Staunton. He was living in 1102. The Derbyshire branch of the family remained in possession of Thornsett and Needham as rich yeomen until early in the sixteenth century. Six generations down from Thomas, Otwell Needham married Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of Nicholas Cadman of Cowley. They had ten sons and five daughters and from six of those sons, many of today’s Needhams probably descend. One son, George, went to London and his son Francis founded Needham Market in Suffolk.
Our Needham family originate from the Chelmorton area of Derbyshire. I initially followed the line back from Maria Needham (my husband’s great grandmother) who married Henry Tyrer in 1908, to her Great grandfather George Needham, publican of the Duke of York Inn, Pomeroy. There was still a question mark, however, over the line beyond George. Thanks to Neil Wagstaff, who has done a lot of research on the Needhams I was able to piece together a line but I knew something wasn’t right. I had two possible sets of parents for George, but none had any connection whatsoever to the Richard Needham that was publican of the pub immediately before George – and I couldn’t believe that they would be unrelated.
So after a couple of years I began to research Richard Needham, the publican, independently from George’s branch. I found that this Richard, born in 1789 at Chelmorton had a brother called George born at Chelmorton in 1793 – that I thought had married Mary Robinson in 1814. Now, “our George” was in 1792 also at Chelmorton and we know that he married Ann Nall in 1817. Due to the fact that these marriages are pre 1837 with no father’s name mentioned, how do I know definitely which one is which? What if I have the Georges the wrong way round and the one that was born in 1793 is the one who married Ann Nall and vice versa? This would mean that the publicans of the Duke of York were indeed brothers and that would make much more sense. I am also grateful at the this point to Derek Gilchrist, a Derbyshire research specialist who has helped me make sense of these the possibilities and helped with the earlier generations back to Richard born 1688. I am never going to be able to prove this link with 100% certainty – alas no wills have been found for these men – but unless anyone comes up with a better theory then, this is it!
The furthest back I can go at present is with Richard Needham, who was probably the son of Ricardus Needham, and baptised on 12th June, 1675 at Taddingtson/Priestcliffe which is near Chelmorton. [Thanks to Nigel Needham, we have ruled out the other option which was him being the son of Ellis Needham baptised at Castleton, 6th June, 1688, as this Richard was buried the day after!].
There is both a Richard Needham and a George Needham listed as having one hearth each at Flagg in 1670 (Hearth Tax) HT . There is also an Admon dated 1711 for a Richard Needham of Flagg to Joanne Needham, widow.
IF this Richardus Needham is the father then there may be two sisters baptised at Chelmorton where Richard is described as being “of Flagg”:
Elizabeth Needham bp 11.6.1668 Chelmorton Richard Needham bp 12.6.1675 Taddington/Priestcliff m 17.6.1714 Bakewell to Deborah Goodwin bur 27.10.1749 Chelmorton Alice Needham bp 18.8.1679 Chelmorton
It is also very likely that Richard married Deborah Goodwin of Flagg. They married on 17th June, 1714 at Bakewell. (A Richard born in 1675 would be 39 by this time – did he have an earlier marriage?). She is possibly the daughter of Hugh Goodwin Yeoman of Monyash; Deborah is mentioned in 1725 in the will of her uncle George Goodwin, gent of Monyash, as wife of Richard Needham and daughter of his late brother Hugh. However, as Derek Gilchrist pointed out there is a Deborah Goodwin baptised at Beeley, near Chelmorton, on 21st March 1681, the daughter of Johannis Goodwin 10 . This is just as likely. Either way, Richard was the father of the following seven children, no mother is documented 1:
Richard Needham bp 10/16.11.1714 Chelmorton m 3.3.1746 Chelmorton to Mary Swann d 23.4.1786 11, bur 26.4.1786 Chelmorton
Joan Needham bp 10.3.1716 Chelmorton
Edward Needham bp 6.9.1718 Chelmorton
Ann Needham bp 14.4.1719 Chelmorton
John Needham bp 30.7.1723 Chelmorton bur 2.8.1723 Chelmorton
John Needham bp 28.1.1724 Chelmorton
Joseph Needham bp 24.8.1729 Chelmorton
Richard was buried at Chelmorton on 27th October, 1749 2.. Deborah lived to the great age of 92 and was buried at Chelmorton on 11th August, 1772 1.(This burial bits in with the Deborah baptised at Beeley, so where does that leave the will of Hugh Goodwin?!)
Richard Needham was the eldest son of Richard Needham and Deborah Goodwin, baptized on 10/16th November, 1714 at Chelmorton parish church1 . He married Mary Swann, daughter of Jonathan Swann and Sarah Hawkesworth on 3rd March, 1746 at Chelmorton parish church 1. They had eight children, all baptized at Chelmorton 1;
Mary Needham bp 3.4.1748 Chelmorton
Sarah Needham bp 7.10.1750 Chelmorton bur 11.1.1761 Chelmorton
Hannah Needham b 1754 Chelmorton
Richard Needham bp 7.4.1754 Chelmorton m 1.7.1779 Chelmorton to Elizabeth Dawson d 25.3.1818 11, bur 28.3.1818 Chelmorton
Martha Needham bp 28.1.1759 Chelmorton d 13.9.1772 Flagg aged 22 11
Joseph Needham bp 7.2.1762 Chelmorton m1 23.2.1792 Bakewell to Mary Dawson m2 29.11.1810 Chelmorton to Martha Needham bur 22.2.1837 Chelmorton
George Needham bp 9.5.1765 Chelmorton bur 5.6.1766 Chelmorton
Betty Needham bp 13.12.1767 Chelmorton
Richard died on 23rd April, 1786 11 and was buried on 26th April 1786 at Chelmorton 2. He left a Will dated 11th April, 1786 in which Richard is stated to be an ‘Innholder’ 3. His eldest son Richard received only £10 while his younger son Joseph was to receive all the estate after his mother’s death. The only other children mentioned in the will are the daughters Mary and Elizabeth. So presumably the others died by this time? His widow Mary was buried on 29th March, 1709 2.
Richard Needham was the eldest son of Richard Needham (of Bakewell) and Mary Swann born in 1754 at Chelmorton and baptized there on 7th April 1754 1. He married Elizabeth Dawson, daughter of Robert Dawson and Jane Bott of Chelmorton, on 1st July 1779 at Chelmorton parish church 1. They had seven children between 1781 and 1803 all baptized at Chelmorton 1 ;
Sarah Needham bp 11.2.1781 Chelmorton
Martha Needham bp 8.5.1784 Chelmorton ? m 29.11.1810 Bakewell to Joseph Needham
Joseph Needham bp 23.11.1786 Chelmorton
Richard Needham(Publican Duke of York) bp 12.4.1789 Chelmorton m 15.4.1813 Bakewell to Nancy Hulme d 1852 Heaton Norris
George Needham (Publican Duke of York) bp 15.2.1793 Chelmorton m 4.4.1817 Chelmorton to Ann Nall d 31.7.1824, Chelmorton, bur 3.8.1824 Taddington
Eliza Needham bp 3.5.1796 Chelmorton
Hannah Needham bp 3.8.1803 Chelmorton
I have not been able to confirm the Richard’s occupation – it is highly likely that he too ran a pub and or was a farmer. He died on 25th March 1818 at Flagg 11 aged 64 and was buried on 28th March, 1818 at Chelmorton and his wife Elizabeth on 3rd March, 1833 aged 75.
Richard Needham born 1779 was the first of our branch to run the Duke of York public house at Pomeroy, near Buxton. He married Nancy Hulme on 15th April 1813 at Bakewell. They had two children born at the Duke of York and then appear to have moved to Heaton Norris and had four further children;
Elizabeth Needham bp 3.4.1814 Chelmorton
George Needham bp 3.12.1815 Chelmorton m 1838 Disley to Jane Wilks
Enoch Needham b 9.11.1820, bp 6.1.1821 Longton, Stafford m 19.12.1852 Heaton Norris to Sophia Bardsley
Louisa Needham born abt 1826
Mary Needham born abt 1826 Heaton Norris
Alfred Needham born abt 1828
They had moved to Longton by 1820 and then to Heaton Norris by 1826 but it is likely that they left Chelmorton as early as 1816 when Richard’s brother George took over the running of the Duke of York. They lived at Ince Street, Heaton Norris at the time of the 1841 census, although his eldest son George who was by now married to Jane Wilks and was living at Love Lane, Heaton Norris and was a cotton weaver at this time. However, he became a beer seller by the time of the 1851 census. Nancy died in 1850 aged 62 and Richard died in 1852 aged 64 both at Heaton Norris.
George Needham born in 1793, succeeded his brother as publican of the Duke of York inn in 1817. George married Ann Nall, daughter of Robert Nall and Ellen Dicken (Thanks to Cath Collison for this info) on 4th April, 1817 at Chelmorton parish church.
They had four children born at the Duke of York, baptised at Chelmorton 1:
George Needham (Farmer) bp 15.2.1818 Chelmorton d 1889
Matthew Needham (Farmer) bp 9.5.1819 Chelmorton m1 18.3.1861 Tideswell to Julia Elizabeth Bowden m2 28.9.1857 Tideswell to Mary Howell bur 25.11.1888 Taddington aged 69
Mark Needham(Grocer) bp 1.10.1820 Chelmorton m 21.6.1846 Buxton to Ann Brocklehurst (born 1828) d 1852?
Ellen Dicken Needham (Publican) bp 12.5.1822 Chelmorton m 1847 to George Dicken d 1902, bur 19.4.1902 Taddington 6
George died at the young age of 34 on 31st July, 1824 and was buried on 3rd August 1824 at Taddington. His widow Ann and her children continued to run the pub; she was listed as both Farmer and Duke of York publican in the 1857 Directory of Chelmorton. Ann was publican up until 1859 when she died. Her son George took over as publican until 1868 when his brother-in-law George Dicken took over.
Mark Needham was the third son of George Needham and Ann Nall, born in 1820 at the Duke of York Inn, Pomeroy, near Buxton, Derbyshire. He was baptised at Chelmorton parish church on 1st October 1820 1. In 1841 he was living with his widowed mother Ann and his siblings at what was called “Shut House”, Chelmorton, ie The Duke of York. His mother ran the pub from the time of his father’s death until her own in 1859.
Mark married Ann Brocklehurst, daughter of John Brocklehurst, farmer and Maria on 21st June 1846 at Buxton parish church 7. He was a Bathman at that time. They had two sons:
George Francis Needham bp 26.10.1846 Buxton m 1.4.1872 Earle Sterndale to Ann Wardle d 1896 Buxton
John Needham (Railway/Hotel Porter) b 23.8.1848 bp 10.9.1848 Buxton m ? to Ann Sneath d 24.5.1910 Walton Workhouse
By 1848 Mark had become a shopkeeper. His wife Ann appears to have died before the time of the 1851 census, when he was living back at the Duke of York with his mother and eldest son George. In 1851 his young son John was found to be living with his grandmother Maria Brocklehurst and possible greet grandmother Sarah Newton, at Buxton.
It is not yet clear what happened to Mark after 1851 but there is a Mark Needham who died in 1852 at Ecclesall Bierlow – just over the border in South Yorkshire; this could be him.
John Needham was the second son of Mark Needham and Ann Brocklehurst, born in Buxton on 23rd August 1848. He was baptised at Buxton parish church, Derbyshire on 10th September, 1848 4. John was living with his grandmother Maria Brocklehurst at the time of the 1851 census, after the death of his mother, and in 1861 with Maria now married to Francis Drake. At the time of the 1871 census, John was a grocer’s porter in Manchester.
So far there is no sign of a marriage to his partner, Ann Sneath. All we know about her is that she was born in Cottesmore, Rutland, the daughter of William Sneath and Maria. [William was the son of James Sneath of Cottesmore Hall, Rutland]. John and Ann had three children:
John Needham b 1874 Derby (remained unmarried)
Anne Needham b 1876/7 bp 18.2.1877 Buxton d 1896 Buxton age 19
Maria Needham b 22.11.1879 Burbage, bp 7.1.1880 Buxton m 23.5.1908 Walton-on-the-Hill to Henry Tyrer (b 1881) d 1957, bur 21.2.1957 Kirkdale Cemetery
At the time of the 1881 census, John is living in Burlington Place, Burbage with his “wife” Ann (nee Sneath), children and his grandmother Maria (now Maria Drake) aged 73.
At the time of Maria’s birth in 1879, John was a goods Porter for the Midland Railway, but by the 1881 census he was a hotel porter and his wife Ann, a lodging house keeper at Burlington Place, Burbage. By the time of the 1891 they had moved to Liverpool and were living at 51 Buchanan Road, Walton-on-the-Hill. John was now a Dock porter. Their son John was 16 and working at a grain store and Marie/Maria was at school. There is no mention of her sister Ann, so I had thought she had died, but I later found her back in Buxton as an under housemaid aged 14 with another Maria Needham, aged 23 – a possible 2nd/3rd cousin. However, it appears that Ann did die in 1896 aged 19 5 at Buxton. In 1901, John, now a widower, was still living at 51 Buchanan Road with his son John and daughter Maria who was a topper at a jam factory. His wife, Ann had died on 24th April, 1900 aged 54 at their home of broncho-pneumonia. John died on 24th May, 1910 aged 61.
Maria Needham was born on 22nd November 1879 at Burlington Place, Burbage 7. She was baptised on 7th January, 1880 at Buxton parish church 4.
Maria married Henry Tyrer on 23rd May, 1908 at the parish church in Walton-On-the-Hill 7. She was still living at Buchanan Road at the time with her father John, who was a witness at the wedding and a labourer. Maria and Henry lived at Walton-on-the-Hill and had seven children. Maria died in 1957 and was buried on 21st February, 1957 also at Kirkdale cemetery 10. See the Tyrer Family history for more.
Maria Needham is the only Needham we have a photo of! Right; Maria with husband Henry Tyrer and their first two children.
[This following part of the family history was added after Linda Needham gave me some information about Joseph (brother of Richard b 1754 and son of Richard and Mary Swan) and his descendants that got me started!- Thanks Linda!] 9
Joseph Needham was born in 1762, the younger brother of Richard of Flagg. Joseph was a farmer of Flagg and married Mary Dawson, of Chelmorton (is she related to Elizabeth Dawson who married her brother-in-law Richard? ) on 23rd February, 1792 at Bakewell 1. His brother, Richard Needham was a witness.
They had the following four children1:
Joseph Needham bp 6.1.1793 Chelmorton d 7.1.1793 11, bur 8.1.1793 Chelmorton Joseph Needham bp 26.4.1794 Chelmorton m 1.1.1827 Chelmorton to Mary Ann Burton ? d 23.12.1868 Flagg 11 John Needham bp 5.3.1797 d 15.7.1811 Flagg aged 14 11 Thomas Needham bp 2.2.1800 Chelmorton m 26.1.1835 Bakewell to Ellen Skidmore d 25.8.1873 Flagg11
Shortly after Thomas’ birth, Mary died (26th April, 1800 11 ) and was buried on 29th April, 1800 at Chelmorton 1. Joseph then married Martha Needham on 29th November, 1810 at Chelmorton 1. [It was presumed that Martha was the daughter of Richard Needham and Elizabeth Dawson – which would make her his niece (and technically illegal 13). Although she is said to be of Bakewell parish at her marriage, she is stated as being born at Hallhill, Staffordshire on the 1851 census. This could refer to be HallHill farm house which is over the border from Monyash and Chelmorton, so possible but not conclusive. It would also make her 8 years out on her age at burial] They had the following three children 1 :
George Needham b 3.3.1811, bp 10.3.1811 Chelmorton m 30.12.1841 Bakewell to Sarah Slack bur 8.1.1893 Chelmorton Richard Needham bp 28.2.1813 Chelmorton m 26.2.1838 Bakewell to Ann Bagshaw of Flagg bur 17.3.1846 Chelmorton age 33 John Needham bp 14.11.1814 m 21.5.1844 Bakewell to Jane Skidmore bur 22.6.1902 Chelmorton age 87
Joseph died on 1837 at Flagg and was buried on 22nd February, 1837 at Chelmorton aged 75 1. He left a will dated 12th February, 1837, proved on 14th June, 1837 in which his sons were to continue to farm the various parcels of land that he was leasing from the Duke of Devonshire and other landowners 14.
At the time of the 1841 census, his widow Martha was living at with her son George Needham, farmer at Hargatewall, Wormhill before George’s marriage to Sarah Slack, later that year on 20th December 8,1. Then she was living with her son John and his wife Jane in Flagg at the time of the 1851 Census 8. She died in 1858 aged 82 and was buried on 8th September also at Chelmorton 1.
John Needham born in 1814 was a farmer of 160 acres at Flagg (1851 census). He married Jane Skidmore, daughter of George Skidmore and Ann) on 21st May, 1844 at Bakewell 1. They had the following children8:
Ellen Needham b 1845 Flagg, bp 6.7.1845 Chelmorton
George Needham b 1847 Flagg, bp 21.6.1847 Chelmorton Thomas Needham b 1848 Flagg, bp 23.10.1848 Chelmorton
Richard Needham b 1850 Flagg, bp 13.3.1850 Chelmorton
Mary Jane Needham b 1851 Flagg, bp 16.11.1851 Chelmorton
William Needham b 1853 Flagg, bp 10.10.1853 Chelmorton Joseph Needham b 1856 Flagg, bp 2.3.1856 Chelmorton m 6.7.1881 Ashford in the Water to Martha Furniss
Peter Needham b 1857 Flagg, bp 20.6.1857 Chelmorton
Martha Needham b 1859 Flagg, 20.3.1859 Chelmorton Sarah Ann Needham b 1860 Flagg, bp 15.12.1860 Chelmorton
John Needham b 1862 Flagg, bp 17.5.1862 Chelmorton
Emma Needham b 1864 Flagg, bp 2.3.1864 Chelmorton Matilda Skidmore Needham b 1866 Flagg, bp 3.1.1866 Chelmorton
Fanny Needham b 1870 Flagg, bp 31.1.1870 Chelmorton
The ages of the children vary with census; John and his family are living in Flagg through 1861 – 1881, he had anything from 68 acres in 1861 to 170 acres in 1881 when we finally learn the name of the farm; Hobson Farm8. Jane died in 1888 aged 63 and was buried on 28th May at Chelmorton 1. John, now widowed, continued to farm at Hobson farm until his death in 1902 aged 87. He was buried at Chelmorton on 22nd June, 1902 1,8 .
Next door from 1871 through to 1901 is his half nephew Joseph Needham farmer of 86 acres then 100 acres at Highfield House. This Joseph was baptised on 6th March, 1836, the son of Thomas Needham, farmer and Ellen 1. Thomas being John‘s half brother (son of Joseph and Mary Dawson).
Thomas married Ellen Skidmore, another daughter of George Skidmore and Ann, on 26h January, 1835. They were both farmers and innkeepers, running the Plough Inn at the time of the 1871 census Farm8. Amongst their 6 children was John born in 1840, who married Elizabeth Hodgeson. Their eldest son was Sir Christopher Thomas Needham born on 30th August, 1866 at Salford, died in 1944. Sir Christopher married Florence White in 1902. He became a partner in this father’s company; John Needham and Sons of Manchester, iron and steel merchants. He stood as Liberal candidate for the constituency of Manchester South West at the 1910 general election, He was knighted in 1919 after leaving parliament 15, 16.
In 1881 the Plough was being run by a Richard Needham (relationship unknown) born in 1818. Thomas died on 25th August, 1873 and Ellen on 31st December, 1886 11.
Another half brother Joseph Needham born in 1794 was also a farmer; having 122 acres at the time of the 1861 census 8 . He married Mary Ann Burton on 1st January 1827 at Chelmorton. She died on 15th January 1862 and Joseph died on 223rd December, 1868 11.
Joseph Needham, born in 1856, the son John Needham and Jane Skidmore of Flagg was baptised on 2nd March, 1856 at Chelmorton 1. He married Martha Furniss, daughter of Peter Furniss, Innkeeper of Ashford in the Water on 6th July, 1881 at Ashford 1. They had five children 8 :
Joseph Frederick Furniss Needham bp 19.7.1882 Ashford m 17.6.1908 Brassingston to Alice Elizabeth Spencer d 13.4.1915 Devonshire Arms, Ashford in the Water 12
Beatric Needham b 1884 Ashord
Mary Jane Needham b 1886 Ashford
Evelyn Furniss Needham bp 20.4.1887 Ashford
Stanley Peter Furniss Needham bp 16.10.1890 Ashford
At the time of the 1891 census they were living at the Bulls Head in Ashford where Joseph was licensed ale seller and farmer 8. Later, at the time of the 1901 census they were at West End, in Brassington; Joseph a farmer aged 45. 8 . Joseph died in Brassington in 1902 and was buried at Ashford on 22nd July 10 . His widow Martha lived in Wirksworth at the time of the 1911 census with her daughters and youngest son Stanley 8. Se died in 1920 aged 66 at Red House, Mapleton and was buried in Ashford on December 13th 10.
Jospeh Frederick Furniss Needham born in 1882 married Alice Elizabeth Spencer on 17th June, 1908 at Brassington, Derbyshire 9. They had three children 9 :
Joseph Frederick Spencer Needham b 1909 Chelmorton d May 1911 Francis Stanley Needham b 29.1.1912 m 1940 to Isabel Olive Nicklinson d 1983
Irence Alice Spencer Needham b 1914 d 1915
At the time of the 1911 census, Joseph and Alice were living at Wirksworth with their baby son Joseph. He was a farmer and a licensed Victualler 8. He died at the Devonshire Arms in Ashford on 13th April, 1915 12. Alice continued at the pub until her death in 1922 9.
Francis Stanley was sent to live with his maternal grandparents after his parents died. However they and their son also died and he was left without a guardian and was then sent to live with his mother’s sister; Mary Emma Taylor at Brassington which is where he was at the time of the 1939 Register 8. He was a lorry driver and a special constable. He married Isabel Nicklinson the following year 9.
1 Chelmorton parish records (from ancestry.co.uk)
3 Wills of Needhams in Derbyshire
6 Taddington burials at genuki.org
7 personally owned birth, marriage or death certificate
8 census returns and 1939 Register from ancestry.co.uk
9 emails from Linda Needham May 2020
10 baptisms, marriages and burials from ancestry.co.uk
11 Chelmorton Churchyard Inscriptions book
12 Probate records on ancestry.co.uk
HT Derbyshire Hearth Tax Records 1662-70 for the Needham family
14 Will of Jospeh Needham dated 12 February 1837 (Held by Linda Needham)
15 Email from Nola Chanroux May, 2020
16 Wikipedia; Sir Christopher Needham
I am a “Needham” – a direct descendant of William Henry Needham(1834-1905) and his wife, Louisa, who migrated to New Zealand in 1865 (Viscount Canning). They had 11 children and many of the New Zealand “Needhams” claim descent from this couple. I can trace the family line back to the Needhams of Leicestershire, in particular, to Henry Needham(1781-1866). He was born in Marefield, Leicestershire, and died in Oakham, Rutland. I believe Henry was a son of Thomas Needham (1751-1828) and Mary Cook (1754-1826), but have come to a halt at this stage. Like Nigel, I would like to find the link to the Derbyshire “Needhams” and wonder if anyone can help me with any further information. Syston, Barwell, Knossington and Tilton-on-the-Hill seem to feature frequently in family BMD details. One of Henry’s sons – George Gillson Needham (1811-1883) migrated to the USA and settled in Michigan and has many descendants there.
Your website and the contributions to it are impressive. I look forward to being able to add to and contribute to the Needham family history,
Regards
Robyn Brown (Needham)
Hi Robyn, Sorry for the delay! I wonder if one of the early Derbyshire Needhams moved down to Leicestershire and began a branch. I will keep my eyes open of any in my research. I also have a little on another family from Chelmorton headed by John Needham and Jane Brunt born abt 1674. As the counties are close to each other, I am sure they all connect up somewhere! regards Juliet
Am descendant from Christopher Needham (ca 1595-1676) who immigrated to the American Colonies circa 1636-1650 with wife, sons Edward and Thomas and six servants. Do not have ANY information on this family prior to coming to the colonies. It is believed that Christopher married one Jane Hayes/Ward, but most likely she was a second wife and not the one who sailed with him. Would appreciate any information you have, or guidance on where to look.
Many thanks, stay safe, stay healthy
Bruce Harry Needham
NeedhamAncestry@aol.com
Hi Bruce. Well, ancestry is no use! After doing a quick google search, I see that you have discovered quite a lot about Christopher over the years but as for his beginnings, the only clue I found was from the Geni.com site. The link is huge so you’d have to go a google search to find it. Or I can email the link to you direct. Otherwise you have to pay to get in and search! It says Christopher was born in London in 1595, the son of Thomas and Mary. Thomas was born abt 1566 in Poolpark Wood, Shavinton, Shropshire and he was the son of Robert and Francis. In fact if you follow that line it contains a few Sirs and stays in Shropshire until 1362 then moves into Derbyshire back to Thomas born abt 1300. I have no idea how accurate that is. Would need to find the old parish registers and check them all. I cannot find anything on familysearch or anywhere else that corroborates any of it. Sorry! Juliet
Hi
I’ve been checking on my tree and came across Mary Needham. Her details I had copied from your website ie Mary Needham born abt 1826 Heaton Norris, m 15.7.1850 Didsbury to John Wild. BUT the marriage certs are now available on line for Manchester and the cert for the marriage for Mary and John Wild shows Mary’s father is a John Needham a dresser. Our Mary’s father is of course Richard! Thus Mary Needham b 1826 f Richard Needham appears not to have married John Wild. I can send you a copy of the cert if you would like a copy for your records.
Nigel
Hi
I’ve done some more work on the Needham’s this time looking at the issue you raised about who is George Needham bap 1792/3.
There are two George Needham’s born in Chelmorton:
1. George Needham baptised on 15 Feb 1793 f Richard Needham m Elizabeth (Dawson); he had at least 6 siblings including Richard Needham, landlord of the Duke of York at Flagg.
2. George Needham baptised on 12 Aug 1792 f William Needham m Elizabeth; he had at least 3 siblings
There are also two George Needham’s who get married in the area and have children:
1. George Needham marries Ann Nall in 1817 in Chelmorton and has 3 children between 1818 and 1822
2. George Needham marries Mary Robinson in 1814 in Chelmorton and has 6 children between 1815 and 1826
There are two other facts:
1. A George Needham dies and is buried in 1824 in Taddington
2. A George Needham wife Mary can be found living in Chelmorton in the 1841 and 1851 census with 2 children that correspond to 2 of the 6 children born to George and Mary – see above. The age of George would indicate that he was born in 1796 in the ’41 census and in 1794 in the ’51 census. In both census George was an agricultural worker
So where does this leave us. Which of the two George’s baptised around 1792/3 marries Ann Nall and which marries Mary Robinson?
The census data indicates to me that the George married to Mary was baptised in 1793 with parents Richard and Elizabeth. His birth date better corresponds to a birthday in 1793; I will discount the 1841 census implied birth date as they are notoriously inaccurate in this census. As the George married to Mary is still alive in 1851 this must mean that George Needham baptised in 1792 f William Needham m Elizabeth died in 1824.
If my logic is correct then George Needham bap in 1793 married to Mary Robinson is the brother of Richard landlord of the Duke of York. As George is an agricultural labourer in 1841 & 51 I doubt he would have been the landlord of the Duke of York. This would mean that George Needham b 1792 f William Needham m Elizabeth was married to Ann Nall and was the landlord of the Duke of York. Neil Wagstaff has the same relationships for the two George’s.
This conclusion is counter to your conclusion ie you had George bap 1793 f Richard m Elizabeth married to Ann Nall and dying in 1824. How does my logic compare to that which you used?
Regards
Nigel
Hi
I’m a Needham trying to discover my family links and I’ve come across your website and have a few questions on the Needham’s in Chelmorton but I’ll restrict myself to one:
You have a Richard Needham Christened: 16 Nov 1714 – Chelmorton, Derbyshire, England Died: 23 Apr 1785 – Flagg, Derbyshire, England Buried: – Chelmorton, Derbyshire, England. I have found a record which indicates that he was christened with a father Richard Needham. On your website you have stated:The furthest I can go at present is Richard Needham ( christened Nov 1714), who was possibly the son of Ricardus Needham, baptised on 12th June, 1675 at Taddingtson/Priestcliffe which is near Chelmorton.
You link to Neil Wagstaffes work where he states that Richard’s father was another Richard who was Christened: 10 Jun 1688 – Castleton, Derbyshire, England
I was wondering if any further work had been done on who was Richards father. What is the evidence he was born in Castleton? I ask because there is some distance between Chelmorton and Castleton while Taddington is quite close
I really like your website and appreciate the time and effort you have put into it. I understand the difficulty in trying to understand family links. I’d welcome your comments on the above
Regards
Nigel Needham