A Snelson DataBase and Index

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Person Page 37

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William Henry Snelson1

M, #914, Deceased, b. about 1833, d. 30 November 1877
Person ReferencesFame & Infamy
Last Edited6 August 2024 17:40:51

Main Events

ResidenceWilliam Henry Snelson lived in Brook_House Farm, Old Withington, Cheshire.
OccupationWilliam Henry Snelson was a farmer.
BiographyHis great grandson Peter John Snelson of Queen's Park, Handbridge, Chester records that his father told him that William alighted from the wrong side of a train when he was pissed, and was killed by a passing-through train at Biddulph Junction

On 10th November 1877 an article appeared in the Macclesfield Courier reporting "The Shocking Death of a Cheshire Farmer"

A verdict of accidental death was recorded by the Coroner, Mr Dunstan at the inquiry held at the Railway Hotel.

Evidently the deceased probably had travelled by the Biddulph train and got off at the Junction, trespassing on the line, where he unfortunately met his death by accident.

This is not entirely consistent with the evidence reported in the Macclesfield Courier which was presented to the Coroner. Assuming that there was only one William Snelson killed by a train on this spot at this time, then my interpretation of the inquiry evidence is as follows.

William was on seen on Congleton Station; an express train came through; probably, William got on board the Biddulph train and alighted at the Junction illegally when that train stopped to be shunted.

The shunting was necessary as Biddulph is south east of the junction which is north of Congleton. About 1 mile north of Congleton Station, I can see that the line crosses the Macclesfield Canal. Some 100 yards to the south is the road to Brook House Farm, which is only about 200 yards away. William may have had a few bevvies too many, in spite of what the Coroner said.

So, I think that William was killed by the Stafford to Macclesfield (and on to Manchester train) having alighted illegally at Biddulph Junction on his way home to Brook House farm, perhaps in a drunken stupour from the alehouse, after celebrating a day at the markets.

In fact, he wasn't in my opinion going home at all. I think he was on his way to stay with his brother-in-law.

All of this is quite easy to summise from a modern Ordnance Survey map which clearly shows the Biddulph Junction and the now dismantled railway which goes south-east from a point just north of Congleton to Biddulph.

William I believe, had caught the train to Biddulph which went north from Congleton to the Junction where the train was shunted onto the other line to Biddulph.

When the train stopped to be shunted, he must have got off illegally, as there was no station there; but it is within 200 yards of Brook House Farm - I can see it on the map ! At least, that is my reconstruction of how William came to nut the evening Manchester train from Stafford.

What amazes me is the evidence given by Inspector Harris presumably reporting what I think must have been said to him by the train driver Briggs : " Not a minute elapsed from the time we first saw the man to the period we lost sight of him ". Does this mean that the driver and his fireman had William in their sights so to speak for a full minute and STILL HIT HIM !

Had he been on the bottle or not, the evidence is very strange isn't it ? Everyone seems to be tripping over themselves to explain that (1) " There was not the least smell of drink " and (2) " He could not tell whether he was under the influence of drink or not " and again (3) " There was no evidence to show that the deceased was intoxicated ". All very strange.

Nevertheless, it is still a tragic, unfortunate and very sad story. He left an estate of about 800 pounds in his will. [:CR:].
Reference NumberHe had reference number 914.
BirthHe was born about 1833 in Withington.2
BurialHe was buried in November 1877 in Grave 37, St. John the Evangelist, Chelford.
DeathHe died of an accident at night on 30 November 1877 at Biddulph Junction in Congleton.3
ProbateProbate was granted to the estate of William Henry Snelson on 19 October 1878 in Chester.4

Census

Label and YearManual
Census 1851William Henry Snelson Id #914 (Principal) was at home on Census night 1851 at Kermincham; Witness Role: Son

Original Documents, Source and Citations here5

Citations

  1. [S951] Will of John Snelson d. 23 Jun 1861
  2. [S81] Letter from Michael Snelson
  3. [S120] Article in the Macclesfield Courier on, R3-1350
  4. [S701] Calendar of Grants of Probate & Letters of Admininstration, Memo: Annotation: Richard James SNELSON


    This terrific research by cousin Richard details the wills and administrations granted in the above period. The detail extracted from the calendar below shows the Individuals Record Number in the Snelson database and Index and then Name of the deceased or other party to the will ( e.g. executors, beneficiaries or others named ), date of the granting of probate or administration and lastly that person's occupation where known. The amount of the estate and other details are given full in the main records for the database attached as a reference file or in hard copy. I do not have the full extract of the wills.

    ___Rec #____Name____Probate______Date of Death___Occupation ( if known )

    5 Thomas SNELSON 1897 17 Jan 1897 Watchmaker
    9 Edward SNELSON 1876 8 Jan 1876 Cordwainer
    183 (Elizabeth) Ann UNKNOWN 1890 23 Aug 1890 Grocer
    253 Richard SNELSON 1888 27 Oct 1888 Farmer/Publican
    362 Peter SNELSON 1893 1 Dec 1892 Farmer
    479 Thomas SNELSON 1864 30 Jul 1864 Farmer
    484 Ann POSTLES 1866 29 Apr 1866
    694 Mary SNELSON 1862 24 Jan 1862 Spinster
    695 Edward Charles SNELSON 3 Sep 1852
    696 Matilda DINNAGE 1869 28 Jan 1869
    698 Mary SNELSON Actress
    699 Adolphus Filewood SNELSON 1909 20 May 1909
    703 Theodore SNELSON 1891 20 Apr 1891 Accountant
    704 Mary Barnes HEWETT 15 May 1938
    724 Samuel SNELSON 1905 3 May 1905 Painter Plumber
    874 Maria PRIDDEY 1925 14 May 1925
    912 George SNELSON before 1915 (?) Farmer
    913 Mary Ann UNKNOWN 1915 15 Feb 1915
    914 William SNELSON 1878 30 Nov 1877 Farmer
    915 Sarah Ann BAILEY 1914 23 Apr 1914
    934 John SNELSON 1861 23 Jun 1861 Farmer
    936 Mary UNKNOWN 1875 10 Sep 1874
    1363 Unknown UNKNOWN
    1364 Sarah ROBERTS
    1393 Mary Ann UNKNOWN
    1560 Henry ( Harry ) SNELSON 1901 24 Jun 1901 Grocer/Cowkeeper
    1571 Leonard SNELSON 1917 31 Jul 1917 Clerk
    1629 Sarah UNKNOWN
    1635 Jonathan JOINSON Hosier/Solicitor
    1688 Joseph Wainwright SNELSON 1928 21 Feb 1928 Pawnbroker's Mgr
    1898 Victor Louis SNELSON 1918 15 Jul 1917 Soldier
    2549 Samuel SNELSON 1867 3 Oct 1866 Stonier
    2803 Bethnia PARTINGTON after 1826
    2826 Thomas SNELSON 1880 2 Jan 1871 Baker
    2896 Annie ALSOP
    3095 Ellen SNELSON 29 Oct 1886
    3096 John KITSON 6 Sep 1873
    3338 Frederick SNELSON 1886 29 Nov 1885 House Agent
    3341 Ann SISSLING
    3361 Tom SNELSON 1894 26 May 1893 Miner
    3362 Mary Jane WHYATT
    3470 Matthew SNELSON 1863 9 Mar 1863 Wheelwright
    3475 Caroline UNKNOWN after 1863
    3478 Catherine UNKNOWN
    3498 James SNELSON 1866 7 Apr 1866 Coachbuilder
    3499 Mary HALFORD
    3505 Joseph Halford SNELSON 1889 6 Feb 1889 Gentleman
    3551 George SNELSON Beerhouse Keeper
    3552 Mary HAYNES 1865 4 Nov 1864
    3663 George SNELSON 1894 27 May 1894
    3664 Patience UNKNOWN 1922 8 Jan 1922
    3778 Elizabeth SNELSON
    3779 David KITSON
    4270 Thomas William SNELSON 1855 Sep 1855
    4271 Ann Elizabeth PALMORE
    4354 Edward WYLD Boatbuilder
    4644 Thomas SNELSON
    4891 Mary Ann SNELSON 1911 12 Aug 1911
    4914 Jane UNKNOWN
    5599 Robert SNELSON 1870 21 Jun 1870 Farmer
    5624 Edward SNELSON 1888 27 Dec 1850 Grover/Yeoman
    5625 Unknown UNKNOWN before 1809
    5627 Martha FITHON 1 Mar 1853
    5785 Elizabeth UNKNOWN
    5831 Margaret CONNOR
    5864 John SNELSON 1860 23 Jan 1860 Shoemaker
    5865 Thomas SNELSON Shoemaker
    5866 John SNELSON 1860 13 Feb 1859 Innkeeper
    5867 Ann UKNOWN
    5871 John BROOKHOUSE Rice Miller
    5872 John DAVENPORT Cabinet Maker
    5873 Mary Ann UNKNOWN
    5874 Arthur COTTERILL Builder
    5876 Elizabeth UNKNOWN 1869 30 Jul 1869
    5878 Unknown SNELSOM
    5880 Unknown SNELSON
    5881 Mary UNKNOWN 1873 30 Apr 1873
    5882 Thomas SNELSON Tailor
    5884 Ann UNKNOWN
    5887 Thomas SNELSON 1881 23 Mar 1863 Saddler
    5889 William SNELSON 1885 5 Mar 1885 Farmer
    5890 Elizabeth UNKNOWN
    5891 William SNELSON 1885 24 May 1885 Boot & Shoemaker
    5892 Henry PICKERING Gas Coy Secretar
    5893 John LONGSHAW Photographer
    5896 Frederick SNELSON Auctioneer Clerk
    5897 George WHITE Rate Collector
    5898 William SNELSON 1887 1 Nov 1887 Waiter
    5899 Lucy UNKNOWN
    5901 Thomas SNELSON 1892 24 Oct 1892 Wheelright/Innk
    5903 Charles SNELSON 1894 5 Jul 1894
    5904 Maria UNKNOWN
    5905 Ann SNELSON 1895 8 Oct 1895 Spinster
    5907 Sara Ann UNKNOWN 1895 24 Apr 1895
    5908 Thomas Edward SNELSON Waterman
    5909 Charles Daintry SNELSON 1896 2 Sep 1896
    5910 George Henry SNELSON 1901 31 Dec 1900 Insurance Clerk
    5911 Agnes UNKNOWN
    5912 Henry SNELSON 1898 17 Apr 1898 Mill Manager
    5914 John SNELSON 1898 25 Mar 1885 Wheelwright
    5916 Thomas SNELSON 1900 11 Jan 1900 Butcher
    5921 James SNELSON 1902 28 Jun 1902
    5923 William Smith SNELSON 1921 4 Sep 1921 Fitter
    5924 Harriet UNKNOWN 1903 17 Jun 1903
    5926 James SNELSON 1906 19 Dec 1905
    5930 Edward SNELSON 1910 17 Feb 1910
    5931 Susanna UNKNOWN 1908 27 Jul 1908
    5933 Robert SNELSON 1909 14 Feb 1909 Shoemaker
    5934 Ann Hannah Mynards UNKNOWN
    5935 Mary Martha Hicks UNKNOWN 1919 11 Jul 1919
    5939 Sarah Ann SNELSON 1910 2 Apr 1910 Spinster
    5940 George SNELSON 1911 13 Feb 1911
    5943 Edward SNELSON 1911 5 May 1911 Farmer
    5944 Sarah UNKNOWN
    5945 John Jones SNELSON 1926 16 Jan 1926 Farmer
    5947 Elizabeth Hannah UNKNOWN 1913 7 Mar 1913
    5948 Samuel SNELSON Schoolmaster
    5949 William SNELSON 1913 5 Jul 1912 Farmer
    5952 Charlotte Annie SNELSON 1923 23 Feb 1923 Spinster
    5953 George Wells SNELSON 1915 19 Apr 1914
    5954 Edwin SNELSON 1915 23 Jan 1915
    5955 William SNELSON 1915 19 Dec 1914
    5960 William Henry SNELSON 1915 12 Apr 1915 Boilermaker
    5961 Esther UNKNOWN
    5962 Ann UNKNOWN 1915 16 May 1915
    5963 Unknown SNELSON
    5965 Herbert SNELSON 1916 3 Oct 1915 Soldier
    5966 Charles Lewis SNELSON 1921 21 Aug 1920 (?)
    5967 Hannah UNKNOWN
    5968 William SNELSON 1917 26 Apr 1917 Felt Hatter
    5970 Elizabeth Jane UNKNOWN 1917 20 Jun 1917
    5972 Unknown SNELSON
    5975 Eliza UNKNOWN 1918 25 Nov 1917
    5976 Unknown SNELSON
    5977 Fanny UNKNOWN 1918 23 May 1918
    5978 James SNELSON
    5981 John SNELSON 1919 24 Dec 1918 Pattern Card Mkr
    5982 Elizabeth Ann UNKNOWN
    5983 George SNELSON 1919 6 Feb 1919 Platelayer
    5984 Mary UNKNOWN
    5985 Minnie UNKNOWN 1919 26 Jul 1919
    5986 John SNELSON Gun Worker
    5987 Ann UNKNOWN 1920 2 May 1920
    5988 Unknown SNELSON
    5989 Mary Jane UNKNOWN 1920 15 Aug 1920
    5990 Unknown SNELSON
    5992 Mary SNELSON 1921 4 Dec 1920
    5995 Emma UNKNOWN 1921 21 Apr 1921
    5996 John SNELSON Rail Controller
    5997 John SNELSON 1921 24 Mar 1921
    6000 Charles SNELSON 1921 6 May 1921 Milkman
    6001 Annie UNKNOWN
    6002 Angelina UNKNOWN
    6004 Alice Mabel SNELSON 1923 1 Jan 1923 Spinster
    6007 Eliza UNKNOWN 1925 4 Dec 1924
    6008 Joseph UNKNOWN 1925 22 Feb 1925 Farmer
    6009 Henry SNELSON 1924 26 Jan 1924 Platelayer
    6011 Thomas SNELSON 1924 20 Mar 1924
    6012 Martha UNKNOWN 1926 7 Aug 1926
    6013 Thomas SNELSON 1924 5 Oct 1924
    6014 Sarah Jane UNKNOWN
    6015 Esther UNKNOWN 1925 10 Dec 1924
    6017 Unknown SNELSON
    6022 Mary Anne UNKNOWN 1925 2 Aug 1925
    6025 Florence Marion UNKNOWN
    6028 Nancy UNKNOWN 1926 29 Sep 1926
    6029 Mary Ellen UNKNOWN 1927 9 Feb 1927
    6030 John SNELSON
  5. [S5787] Census 1851 Cheshire John Snelson a. 42, Age: 42
    County: Cheshire
This extract has been compiled from The Snelson DataBase & Armory.
Compiler: Adrian John Snelson
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