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one of EIGHT threads on the same family

n

To Julie by 1891 William had been adopted by another family. He married Alice Parkin on 15th July 1901 (I think Sheffield) they had 7? children. I am in contact with the family of son william bn 1903.

just remembered - the surname of Compo in Last of the Summer Wine was Simmonite!!! useless bit of info there!

thanks to every one who has helped. Yes he was Henry Simmonite bn 1821 Whiston. the Aukland connection brings me to the Loxley family. for which I have had many contacts.. Frances married both Joseph's one in Rotherham10th feb 1804. Hannah bn /died 1806. Joseph (1) died 1806. Frances Simmonite widow then married Joseph Simmonite (2)6th June 1808 Whiston. cannot be sure which one. Apparent age at death 64 yrs. 15 Oct 1848. by profession son of Ester and Joseph. by apparent age son of Wm & Mary. I don't know.! I have enjoyed reading the Whiston web.

n

I just goggled Henry-Simmonite and found this site. It was not my research.

http://www.whistonweb.co.uk/gen/simonite.htm

It can often come up with interesting things when you google a name, an address or a place.

well I donlt know about anyone else, but I think an enormous sound of applause is due for some amazing feedback on this thread

Ann

1891 Institution: H M Prison, Parkhurst Isle of Wight
SIMMONITE, Henry Convict Married M 70 1821 Herbalist
Yorkshire
Wisten

Henry Simmonite
Henry Simmonite, described himself as a Medical Botanist. He tried to follow in his brother William's footsteps, and was sentenced to life in prison for manslaughter.



Henry Simmonite, born Whiston, Yorkshire, son of Joseph Simmonite and Frances, married in 1848 at Sheffield, to Sarah Haywood, born 1821 at Southey Hall, Sheffield.

Living with Henry, who described himself as a Medical Botanist, and Sarah on census night, 1881 at White Cottage, Macro St, Brightside Bierlow, Sheffield:

Clara Elen Harlow, Daughter, age 30, born Sheffield
Henry W. Simmonite, Son age 20 born Sheffield. Joiner & Builder
Florence Simmonite, Daughter age 17 born Sheffield
William Harlow, Son In Law age 30 born Liverpool. Concert Hall Traveller (Performer)
Sarah Harlow, Granddaughter age 6 born Sheffield
Madalene Harlow, Granddaughter age 3 born Sheffield
William Harlow, Grandson age 1 born Sheffield
Sentenced to PrisonIn July 1862 he was sentenced to a month in Wakefield prison. He was charged at Sheffield with obtaining money under pretence of telling fortunes. For some time the police hsd suspected that Simmonite was carrying on a system of imposition and pretending to 'cast nativities' and tell fortunes.

The police sent two women to his house instructing them what to say. A Mrs. Norton wished to be informed of the whereabouts of her husband. After consulting his books, Simmonite informed her that the husband had left town with a woman of loose habits. He stated he would be punished by falling off a building when he returned!

The other woman, struggled to keep her composure as Simmonite told her nonsense about her husband. Both women had left their husbands at home awaiting the result of the visit to the Fortune Teller!

Both women paid a shilling to have their fortune told.

Later the same day two police officers, Alery and Brayshaw, went to the studio of Simmonite, armed with a warrant. They took away a diary containing names and addresses of his clients. The book contained names of a large number of respectable people, mainly women, not only from Sheffield, but others in Manchester, Leeds, Hull, Isle of Man, in fact most counties in the UK.

As a result of Simmonites activities many women in Sheffield left their husbands. The police found a large collection of letters, asking for information on love, marriage etc., in which they had enclosed money and a stamped addressed envelope for a reply.

When Simmonite appeared before the court he promised never to repeat the offence and was sentenced to a month's hard labour at Wakefield Prison.

ManslaughterOn 21st May, 1887, The Sheffield Coroner held an inquiry into the death of Mary Elizabeth Drew, a single woman aged 26, who was alleged to have died from injuries inflicted during an unlawful operation performed upon her. The jury returned a verdict of wilful murder against Mary Clay, Henry Simmonite, a medical botanist and Ellen Pearce a midwife, they were committed for trial.

The trial was at Leeds before Mr. Justice Grantham on 9th May, 1887. Mary Clay, 47 a seamstress, Henry Simmonite, 66, a medical botanist and Ellen Pearce, 47, midwife were charged with the wilful murder of Mary Elizabeth Drew at Sheffield on the 9th March, 1887. Mr. Coltman and Mr. Banks prosecuted on behalf of the Treasury; Clay was defended by Mr. C. Mellor; Simmonite by Mr. L. A. Kershaw; and at the request of the Judge, Mr. Gerald Hardy defended Pearce.

The deceased woman finding herself pregnant consulted Simmonite, who carried on business in the house where Clay lived. According to the prosecution, two operations took place at the house of Pearce, as a result Drew died 10 days after miscarriage from peritonitis.

The case rested mainly on the statement of the deceased just before her death. The jury found all the prisoners guilty of wilfully procuring an abortion and thereby causing death.

The Judge said the finding of the jury amounted to murder. The foreman asked if the prisoners were charged with murder or wilful murder and said the jury thought they were not guilty of wilful murder, but guilty of manslaughter.

After further discussions, the Judge returned a verdict of Manslaughter. Clay and Simmonite were sentenced to life in prison and Pearce to 10 years in prison.

In 1881 Clay and Simmonite had carried out an abortion resulting in the death of Betsy Ross, wife of Walter Thomas Ross, grandson of James Ross of Thrybergh; at the inquest, however, there was not enough evidence to charge anyone over the death of Betsy Ross (Nee Hill).

Source: Leeds Mercury, Manchester Guardian

William Joseph Simmonite
Dr William Joseph Simmonite was born at Whiston in 1809, the son of Joseph and Frances Simmonite. He was a Professor of Medicine and Mathematics, and a prominent Herbalist,teaching at the Bethel Academy, Coalpit Lane, Sheffield in 1837.

In 1852 he was living and working from his home at 60 St George's Square Sheffield.

He died at Sheffield in 1863.

It is said that next to R. J. Morrison, the most influential astrological publicist of the early Victorian era, was undoubtedly William Joseph Simmonite

Astro-meteorology shared forms and audiences with phrenology, mesmerists, scientific demonstrations, and instrumental exhibitions in the Victorian market for scientific amusement. However, astrology was illegal and its practitioners in danger of persecution and imprisonment. Simmonite refused personal interviews following the prosecution of a a colleague and ran his practice by correspondence to avoid entrapment. ¹. This could be further explained - his brother Henry was sentenced to prison for a month in 1862, charged with obtaining money under false pretences for Fortune Telling. At the time William was living with Henry in Sheffield, and kept a druggists shop in Corporation Street, Sheffield.

It is said that Simmonite, in his Scientific and Literary Messenger, published in 1842, was traditional in his approach. He described the influence of the Moon on the atmosphere, stating that the atmosphere changed when the Moon reached the Sun's declination. He also listed the angular positions of planets by zodiacal sign.

The Astro-Philosopher and Meteorologist. Published in 1848. Largely devoted to astrology, it includes an essay on The Physical Constitution of Comets, and another devoted to 'Showing the effects of the Planets, Jupiter and Saturn in Accelerating or Retarding the Movements of Comets'

Horary Astrology, published in 1851, described as a utilitarian text book on Horary Astrology designed to, with a few weeks study, convince students of the feasibility of foretelling the result of any important undertaking or event. Horary Astrology, which Simmonite denominated as Prognostic Astronomy, is the sublime art of foreseeing events from the position of the heavenly bodies and stars; and for seasons, and for days, and for years. 'Nothing more than this volume and Astronomical Ephemeris is required for the student to practice Horary Astrology, or answer his own or his friends questions'.

William Joseph Simmonite was described as, a gentleman, a man of talent and character.




An advert from The Leeds Mercury, Saturday, April 3, 1841. This was the first book published by William J. Simmonite.

Books by W. J. SimmoniteThe Practical Self-teaching Grammar of the English Language, 1841
The Simmonite-Culpepper Herbal Remedies
Medical Botany: Or Herbal Guide to Health
The Celestial Philosopher, 1848
Horary Astrology: The Key To Scientific Prediction Being The Prognostic... Published 1851.
Arcana of Astrology
Complete Arcana of Astral Philosophy
Medical Botany ... Revised and modernized edition
Reference: 1. Skyscript

http://www.symonett.co.uk/symonett/my_family_simmonett.html

I think you will find this helpful

I thing it's the same lady on both census, Just wonder where William (son) was on the 1891

I have one of my calling herself a differnt name on 1 census, and funny enough her hubby wasn't there either

http://www.whistonweb.co.uk/gen/simonite.htm

Simmonite
The name was first recorded in this area when in 1345, a grant of land in the chapelry of Bradfield was granted to Reginald son of John Symonet.

More Simonite »

Mary Simonite b.1780 Greasbrough Riddings in 1861 living Whiston



A Martin Simonite married Ann Ardron(b 1709 Laughton-en-le-Morthen). in 1728 at Rotherham. (Is there a connection with Ardron of Treeton?) . They had 3 sons:

Martin born 1730. Married 15/7/1751 Anne Dobson
John born in 1732
Joseph born in 1736.
Joseph Simmonite (1735-1817) married Esther Capper in 1765 at Whiston. Children:

John Siminite ch. 22 Feb 1769 at Whiston
Mary Siminite ch.28/7/1774 Whiston
Thomas c.1777
Joseph c.29 JUN 1779
Isaac Simmonet ch.18/11/1781 Sheffield Cathedral Yorkshire
Mary Siminite b.09 FEB 1782 c.02 APR 1782 Whiston. living Whiston in 1851
Samuel c.27 JUL 1786
James c.04 OCT 1789
Joseph, a Boot and Shoe Maker was listed in the 1750 Directory.

John Simonite married Mary. Children born Whiston

John c.25 DEC 1787
Ann b.02 NOV 1789 c.25 DEC 1789 Whiston
Mary b.03 APR 1792 c. 22 APR 1792 Whiston
Sarah b.2 JUN 1797 c.25 JUN 1797 Whiston
Esther b.4 OCT 1800 c.02 NOV 1800 Whiston
William Siminite/Simonite married Mary. Children born Whiston

Sarah b.09 FEB 1781 c.11 FEB 1781 Whiston Joseph c.25 DEC 1783 Whiston
Ann b.05 MAY 1790 c.23 MAY 1790 Whiston
Joseph b.16 NOV 1800 Whiston
John b.06 FEB 1803 Whiston
William b.28 APR 1805 Whiston
Mary b.06 APR 1808 c.17 APR 1808 Whiston
Thomas Simonite married Hannah. Children:

Thomas c.11 SEP 1814 Whiston
Ann b.29 JUN 1817 Whiston


Joseph Simonite born 1783 married in 6 Feb, 1804 at Rotherham to Frances Au(c)kland.


Frances Auckland was born in 1786, daughter of Elizabeth Revell and Ephraim Auckland.

Joseph, a Boot and Shoe Maker was listed in the 1833 Directory.

It is not clear how many children they had. They included:

Hannah b.04 JAN 1806 c.07 JAN 1806 Whiston
John c.10 OCT 1813 Whiston
William Joseph Professor of Medicine and Mathematics
Henry b.1812 - sentenced to life in prison
Martha(1816-1878) m. 1838, in Whiston to William Hogton (b.Duffield, Derbys).Daughter Mary Hogton b. 1839.
Thomas b.10 JAN 1819 Whiston
Frances b.19 OCT 1823 Whiston
Mary b.08 MAY 1825 Whiston
In 1871 Frances(Fanny) now aged 86 was living with her daughter, Martha Hogton, a widow aged 55 and Martha's children: Tom, a gardener, aged 14 and Frederick aged 11.

William Joseph became well known as Professor of Medicine and Mathematics, and a prominent Herbalist. Henry, described himself as a Medical Botanist who tried to follow in his brother's footsteps, but was sentenced to life in prison for manslaughter.

Henry Simmonite, born Whiston, Yorkshire, son of Joseph Simmonite and Frances, married in 1848 at Sheffield, to Sarah Haywood, born 1821 at Southey Hall, Sheffield.

Living with Henry, who described himself as a Medical Botanist, and Sarah on census night, 1881 at White Cottage, Macro St, Brightside Bierlow, Sheffield:

Clara Elen Harlow, Daughter, age 30, born Sheffield
Henry W. Simmonite, Son age 20 born Sheffield. Joiner & Builder
Florence Simmonite, Daughter age 17 born Sheffield
William Harlow, Son In Law age 30 born Liverpool. Concert Hall Traveller (Performer)
Sarah Harlow, Granddaughter age 6 born Sheffield
Madalene Harlow, Granddaughter age 3 born Sheffield
William Harlow, Grandson age 1 born Sheffield

I feel sure I have the correct line with William Harlow. The 1891 census states the change of christian name.from Clara to Eliza , dont know who the other Eliza is. William was seldom at home.as he was a travelling "Artiste" ( Music Halls etc,)He was on his daughter Madeline's marriage certificate. as Actor. no further record of him.

She was definitely married to William Harlow. I thought all births had to be registered after 1837. Thanks. I shall have to try christening records for her.In 1851 the family was living at 149 FItzwilliam st. Sheffield. parents were married at St Judes Eldon st. Sheffield.elder daughter Madeline was christened there. 1st.Sept 1850.

Her death

Deaths Mar 1895 (>99%)
Harlow Clara Ellen 43 Sheffield 9c 350

That's strange as i thought this was her marriage...1881 has her husband down as William

Marriages Mar 1874 (>99%)

Hall Martha Sheffield 9c 408
Harlow William Sheffield 9c 408
Simmonite Clara Ellen Sheffield 9c 408
Simmonits Clara Ellen Sheffield 9c 408
Spotswood Edward Sheffield 9c 408

looks like she married as eliza

Marriages Sep 1870 (>99%)
DARLOW John Whitehouse Sheffield 9c 563
Simmonite Eliza Sheffield 9c 563

1891 Address: 5, 4 Court, Birley Street, Brightside Bierlow, Sheffield
HARLOW, Eliza E Head Married F 39 1852 Dress Makers Assistant
Sheffield
Yorkshire
HARLOW, Sarah E Daughter F 15 1876 Silver Chasers Assistant
Sheffield
Yorkshire
HARLOW, Madeline Daughter F 13 1878
Sheffield
Yorkshire
HARLOW, Edgar Son M 4 1887 Scholar
Sheffield
Yorkshire

I think the Clara that Julie found in 1881 is correct because her father Henry Simmonite is down as a medical botanist which ties up with 1861.

If this is correct for 1891, she has indeed become Eliza.......but it definitely looks as if she was born Clara.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HARLOW, Eliza E Head Married F 39 1852 Dress Makers Assistant
Sheffield
Yorkshire
HARLOW, Sarah E Daughter F 15 1876 Silver Chasers Assistant
Sheffield
Yorkshire
HARLOW, Madeline Daughter F 13 1878
Sheffield
Yorkshire
HARLOW, Edgar Son M 4 1887 Scholar
Sheffield
Yorkshire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RG number:
RG12 Piece:
3831 Folio:
9 Page:
11

Registration District:
Sheffield Sub District:
Brightside EnumerationDistrict:
24 Ecclesiastical Parish:
Pitsmoor

Civil Parish:
Brightside Bierlow Municipal Borough:
Sheffield Address:
5, 4 Court, Birley Street, Brightside Bierlow, Sheffield County:
Yorkshire (West Riding)