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Philip Jerrison wrote
I have just had a look at your Wirksworth Web site for my HALLOWS relatives
and found lots of new and interesting facts. I have some additional
information that you may like to include or pass on to the other
contributors.
1. Samuel HALLOWS of Parsley Hay
Samuel had another son George born 9 November 1838 at Parsley Hay.
His birth certificate gives his father as Samuel HALLOWS and his mother
as Hannah Hallows (formerly YOUNG). George married Jane Webster at
Elton on 21 July 1860 and moved to Eckington about 1868 where he
died on 16 July 1904.
I am happy to provide copies of his birth and marriage certificates if
required.
2. HALLOWS on the Cromford & High Peak Railway
The following are my extracts from the records at Kew and refer to HALLOWS.
All information is taken from RAIL 410/1309 in Kew Records Office.
NAME Birth Date Date Started Date Left Book Page
Albert Henry 18 Oct 1873 19 Aug 1892 1 p9
Ralph 4 May 1871 1 p15
2 p24
William 4 Sep 1836 Sep 1856 21 Mar 1904 1 p19
2 p5 & 71
(Also gives date of William's death as 28 Oct. 1913)
Samuel 2 Jul 1845 20 Dec 1875 5 Nov 1913 1 p20
2 p20 & 72
Joseph 24 Jun 1866 30 Jul 1880 1 p118
William 31 Jan 1868 31 Jan 1887 1 p144
Referred to as "Junior" on page.
William 23 Jun 1864 15 Jun 1887 1 p146
Designated as No 2 in index and on page.
Herbert 29 Mar 1878 17 Jun 1898 26 Mar 1943 2 p86
H J Hallows 18 Oct 1937 2 p91
The staff records show the injury to Ralph HALLOWS (right leg) in
June 1878, but those of his father William have no mention of any
accident.
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3. Newspaper reports relating to HALLOWS on C & HPR.
3a Ralph HALLOWS
Derby & Chesterfield Reporter: Friday, 13 October 1854. p5 Col 4.
Middleton by Wirksworth, Fatal Accident:
Monday evening a rumour gained
credence at Matlock and the neighbourhood that two brothers had been
killed at the Middleton inclined plane of the Cromford and High Peak
Railway, and on visiting the spot early next morning, the wreck of a
passenger-carriage or omnibus at the bottom of the incline indicated
that some disaster had occurred. On enquiry we ascertained, that the
company had been for a few months running this conveyance from Cromford
and Whaley and back daily, with perfect safety, and to the great convenience
of parties residing near the line. On Monday evening, between five and
six, the carriage arrived at the top of the plane, and the engine was
ready to let it down, when the driver Ralph Hallowes, usually a steady
careful man, by some strange fatuity refused to allow it to be attached
to the endless chain, and purposely commenced the descent of the plane,
trusting wholly to his brakes. The persons in and upon the vehicle at
this time were the driver, a Cromford man, a mason named Walker, residing
at Bole Hill, and a passenger whose name escapes. The consequences of
this rash and foolhardy act of Hallowes was that the carriage became
unmanageable, and at about the middle of the incline commenced descending
with fearful velocity, running into some stone drugs at the foot of the
plane, where it of course was smashed to pieces. The casualties are as
below. Hallowes paid for his rash act with his life, dying at Middleton
while we were in place on Tuesday morning; Walker so dreadfully bruised
and injured as to almost preclude the hope of recovery; and the other
man was bruised and cut about the face but not dangerously. An inquest
was held on the body of Ralph Hallowes, at the Miner's Standard, Middleton
on Wednesday, before Mr. Mander, coroner, and an intelligent jury, when
all the facts above narrated were fully established by the evidence of
unimpeachable witnesses, and after a most searching and patient
investigation, a verdict of "Accidental death" was returned. Mr. Barton,
the agent of the association, and Mr. Brittlebank, their solicitor,
attended to watch the proceedings, and from a statement made by the former
gentleman it appeared that the deceased had been fully instructed in his
duties and that he had entirely disobeyed a most stringent order, never
to descend the Middleton incline, unattached to the main chain. It
appeared from the evidence that the stone trucks at the bottom of the
plane would have been removed, had Hallowes given time, by descending
in the usual and proper way thus exonerating the company from all blame.
Derby Mercury: Wednesday 18 October 1854 p5 Col 2.
Fatal Accident on the Cromford and High Peak Railway:
On Monday, the 9th, an accident occurred on this railway which caused the
death of Ralph Hallows, the driver of a train, and injured two passengers.
Deceased was the driver of a single passenger carriage, which had been
established about three months, and which preceded daily to and from
Whaley Bridge. In returning to Cromford, on the afternoon of the day
mentioned, he neglected to hang the carriage to the main chain of the
Middleton inclined plane, and the consequence was that the carriage
proceeded downwards with such velocity that the points could not be worked,
and it struck on some stone trucks which were standing on the line, and
which had been a short time previously lowered by the engine. Hallows was
taken up speechless and died about 15 hours afterwards. An inquest was
held before Mr. Mander, coroner, and the jury been satisfied that the
deceased death was accidentally caused returned a verdict to that effect.
3b James HALLOWS
Sheffield Independent, Tuesday 25 May 1875 p3 Col 6
Fatal Accident at Hopton near Wirksworth:
A man named Jas Hallows, who was employed on the Engine House Plane, was
coupling wagons on Friday when he was knocked down and injured. He died
on Sunday, and an inquest was held yesterday before A O Brookes Esq.,
at the Red Lion Inn, Wirksworth, when a verdict of "Accidental Death"
was returned.
3c Ralph HALLOWS
Derby Mercury, Wednesday 26 June 1878 – District news
Wirksworth: Accident:
On Thursday afternoon last an accident of a somewhat singular character
occurred upon the Cromford and High Peak Railway, now worked by the
London and North-Western Company, to a stoker in their employ named
Ralph Hallows, who was in his usual place of work upon the engine, then
running at the very low pace of about five miles an hour, when a strong
chain, used in shunting wagons, fell off the foot plate on the line, one
end, however, remaining entwined round Hallows leg. Before the engine
could be brought to a stand the end on the ground caught under a "sleeper"
and stuck fast, which drew the other end so tight round Hallows' that
his leg was broken in such a dreadful manner as to necessitate amputation
below the knee. This operation was satisfactorily performed the same
evening at the Wirksworth Cottage Hospital, where the young man now lies
in a favourable state. This strange accident is rendered all the more
remarkable by the fact that Hallows' father has a wooded leg, and that
another relative has been killed on the line and a third had a leg off,
all through accidents from engines.
3d Joseph HALLOWS
Derby Mercury: Wednesday 28 July 1880 p5 Col 6
Shocking Tunnel Accident at Wirksworth, Three Men Killed:
Between two and three o’clock on Monday afternoon a shocking accident
occurred on the Cromford and High Peak Railway, whereby three men lost
their lives while pursuing their daily avocations. It appears the London
and North Western Railway Co., who work the above line, are lining a short
tunnel between the Middleton and Hopton inclined planes, and in doing this
it is necessary to blast out portions of rock to get a level surface. On
Monday afternoon a number of men were engaged in the performance of this
duty, and having blasted a piece of the rock from the crown of the tunnel
were clearing the debris off the line, when a huge mass of rock fell
burying three men underneath it and killing them instantaneously.
Information was quickly conveyed to Middle Peak Wharf, whereupon
Mr. Fawcett, manager of the Hopton Wood Stone Co., at once proceeded to
the spot with a number of his employees and extricated the unfortunate
men, who were removed to Middleton to await the inquest. Their names are
John Gould, Wirksworth, Joseph Hallows, Middleton and Isaac Swindell,
Brassington, and, we regret to state, all leave large families.
Derby & Chesterfield Reporter, 30 July 1880. p5 Col 6. (My summary)
The Fatal Accident near Wirksworth: Three Men Killed:
Monday 26 July
in Hopton Tunnel, blasting accident. John GOULD of Wirksworth leaves a
wife and 7 children Joseph HOLLIS of Middleton leaves a wife and 8
children. Isaac SWINDELL a widower leaves 5 children. Verdict:
Accidentally killed by a fall of stone upon them whilst at work.
Hope you find the above useful and are able to include some of it in
your website. I am happy for you to pass my e-mail address to any other
contributors and hope you continue to keep up the good work.
Philip Jerrison
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Colin Watson of Southampton writes:
Hello John,
A long time since I last spoke to you, but I was very interested in your
new entry on the Hallows family. I was also interested in the email from
Jean Durbin. She said that Celia Hallows (Brailsford) may have been
pregnant with Ralph's child when he was killed. I had a suspicion about
this too, but looking on census records no dates seemed to match up.
I decided to look on BMD to see if I could find a child for Ralph and
Celia, and I found an entry for a Mary Hannah Hallows in Ashbourne
district, Vol 7b, Page 413, Dec Quarter 1854. As the names were the
same as Celia's mother Mary and Ralph's mother Hannah I was fairly excited
that I may be lucky if I ordered a certificate.
The Certificate has now arrived and Mary Hannah was born on
26th November 1854 at Middleton. The father was Ralph Hallows Deceased.
The mother Celia Hallows formerly Brelsford and informant Celia Hallows,
Middleton, 14th December 1854. Their daughter was therefore born in the
month following Ralph's death. I have now added her to my family tree.
I have also found an interesting link in Ince's Pedigrees in the Coates
Family tree 066d. This states that the Coates family seem to have been
settled here on or before the reign of Elizabeth, for in 1571
Clemence Coates and Humphry Hallowes both of Youlgreave were mard.
Hope you are both well and thank you for all your excellent work.
Yours sincerely,
Colin Watson, Southampton.
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Jean Durbin of Australia writes:
Dear John
Yes, I can help with the following and I do remember Glenis contacting me re
Hallows family history perhaps about a year ago now.
There were indeed a number of Hallows menfolk involved in accidents &
mishaps of one sort or another on the CHPR. The four names you mention
Joseph, James, William & Ralph were all sons of my 3 x gt grandfather Samuel
Hallows & Hannah Young. Joseph Hallows was killed in the Hopton Tunnel in
1880 & that you already have as a coroner's inquest report I believe.
Ralph Hallows was killed 9 Oct 1854 age 25, the death certificate describes
him as a driver to a passenger train carriage on a railway namely the CHPR.
At this time a passenger carriage was used on that line but later because of
accidents the practice was discontinued & the line was for freight only.
Thomas Mander was the Coroner & the verdict was accidental death.
The Derby Mercury for 18th Oct 1854 has the following:
Fatal Accident on the Cromford & High Peak Railway
"On Monday, the 9th, an accident occurred on this line of railway which
caused the death of Ralph Hallows, the driver of a train & injured 2
passengers. Deceased was the driver of a single passenger carriage which had
been established about 3 months, & which proceeded daily to & fro daily from
Whaley Bridge. In returning to Cromford, on the afternoon of the day
mentioned, he neglected to hang on the carriage to the main chain at the
Middleton inclined plane, & the consequence was that the carriage proceeded
downwards at such velocity that that the points could not be worked, & it
struck on some stone trucks which were standing on the line, & which had
been a short time previously lowered by the engine. Hallows was taken up
speechless & died in about 15 hours afterwards."
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There is a little time discrepancy here, if Ralph Hallows died 15 hours
after the accident on the afternoon of the 9th then death surely would have
been the 10th but the death certificate does say the 9th.
I have a photo of the "hanging on" procedure if you are interested which
acted as a brake on the inclined planes on the railway.
Ralph was married to Celia Brailsford in 1849 in Wirksworth. Her mother in
law Hannah Hallows nee Young died in Sep 1854 aged 45 of gastro enteritis at
Parsley Hay where her husband Samuel was a wharfinger on the CHPR. Celia was
probably pregnant with her first child (a daughter) when Ralph was killed in
Oct 1854. In 1858, May 16th, Celia married her father in law Samuel Hallows
at Bakewell Register Office, he as a widower aged 51, she a widow aged 33.
I am assuming this marriage may not have been allowed by the Established
Church or at least frowned upon. Samuel died in 1863 at Parsley Hay of
paraplexy (stroke?). Celia had another daughter with Samuel in 1862 & was
probably pregnant with her 3rd child (a son) when Samuel died. Celia then
married William Orme in Wirksworth 20th May 1866 but William Orme seems to
have died in 1875 in Cromford aged 39. I have no idea what Celia looked like
but she certainly didn't lack for husbands !!
James Hallows was killed 23 May 1875 in Wirksworth age 26, the death
certificate says he died from accidental injuries sustained by a wagon
running over him on the Cromford & High Peak Railway at Hopton inclined
plane. An inquest was held 24 May 1875 but as yet I haven't located a
newspaper report of the inquest. James died in Wirksworth hospital & his
address was given as Middleton by Wirksworth. James married Margaret Shaw
14 Apr 1871 at Carsington and a son was born later in 1871.
William Hallows was born 1836 Parsley Hay & married Mary Sheldon in 1856 at
Matlock. His right leg was injured on the Cromford High Peak Railway but I
don't know when exactly. I have a photo of him working in the Cromford Rail
workshops after the accident, showing a pegleg below his right trouser leg.
He did receive a pension in 1909 & free rail pass, & died in 1913. I am
still looking for a newspaper report of the accident if it exists.
William Hallows had a son also named Ralph Hallows who seems to have been
injured on the railway according to the following report:
Derby Mercury 26th June 1878 - Accident Wirksworth
"On Thursday afternoon last an accident of a somewhat singular character
occurred upon the Cromford & High Peak Railway, now worked by the London &
North Western Company, to a stoker in their employ, named Ralph Hallows, who
was at his usual work upon the engine, then running at the very slow pace of
about 5 miles an hour, when a strong chain, used in shunting wagons, fell
off the footplate on the line, one end, however, remaining entwined around
Hallows' leg. Before the engine could be brought to a stand the end on the
ground caught under a "sleeper" & stuck fast, which drew the other end so
tight round Hallows' that his leg was broken in such a dreadful manner as to
necessitate amputation below the knee. This operation was satisfactorily
performed the same evening at the Wirksworth Cottage hospital where the
young man now lies in a favourable state. This strange accident is rendered
all the more remarkable by the fact that Hallows' father has a wooden leg, &
that another relative has been killed on the line, & a third had a leg taken
off, all through accidents from engines."
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Not sure who the third amputee was but it may just be an inaccurate
newspaper report.
The Ralph Hallows injured in 1878 seems to have remained single & in 1901 he
is a railway level crossing gate keeper at Hazel Grove in Cheshire with his
sister Emma as his housekeeper. He died in 1912.
Hope the above helps you. The Hallows' as a family were certainly heavily
involved in the CHPR railway. Both sides of my family have railway
connections. My father was a railway guard & I got numerous trips in the
guards van as a child. The railway industry was always a dangerous one as
the above illustrates. The CHPR employed a lot of people & I do have
material on some of those people plus information on the CHPR history &
working.
Best wishes Jean
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