Henry Gray 1823

HENRY GRAY  born 1823 in Ibstock, Leicestershire &

CAROLINE SHEPHERD born 1834 in Ibstock, Leicestershire

 In 1823 the current Monarch is George IV, he is also becomes the King of Hanover after the death of his father. The Prime Minister is Tory Robert Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool. On the 23rd September the Burmese attack the British on Shapura, an island close to Chittagong, (First Burmese War). We also see the beginning of the first Anglo-Ashanti war. On the 25th November the Royal Suspension Chain Pier at Brighton opens, the first pleasure pier on the English mainland. This year according to tradition, William Webb Ellis invents the game of rugby.

Henry Gray my 4x grandfather was born in 1823 in Ibstock, County of Leicestershire. He was baptised on the 13th October 1823, the son of William and Hannah Gray. His father William worked as a Framework Knitter, a common East Midlands occupation.

Caroline Shepherd, his future wife, was born around 1834, also  in Ibstock. She was baptised on the 29th of March 1834. Her father Edwin was employed as a Butcher and her mother Lettice was a Straw Bonnet Maker.

On New Years Eve 1850 Henry Gray married Caroline Shepherd at St Denys, the Ibstock Parish Church. They had at least eleven children together. Eliza was the eldest daughter, born on the 7th May 1851, she is my 3x great grandmother. The youngest child being Caroline, born in 1878.

Eliza their eldest, had a daughter herself called Sarah Ann Gray in 1870 when she was just nineteen, the birth certificate for Sarah Ann Gray gives her mother's name as Eliza Gray but no father is mentioned, Sarah had just taken her mothers surname (Gray) as she was born out of wedlock. She appears on the 1871 Census aged just nine months and she is noted as Henry's daughter, this should have been grand-daughter ?, certainly in 1881 she is noted as being the grand-daughter of Caroline, Henry's wife. Was the 1871 Census correct that he was the father ?

I cannot be 100% sure but it is possible Sarah Ann Gray was born through a incestous encounter with Henry and his first daughter Eliza if the Census information was correct - she was the grand-daughter of Caroline and Henry but he was also the father !   but i believe it is more probable and i hope that Henry was just stating he was the father of Sarah Ann Gray on the Census to cover the fact she was illgitimate and the father was unknown. Later on Sarah's marriage certificate she still gives Henry Gray as her father to avoid the issue of no father being entered on the certificate.

Henry had several occupations over time, such as Labourer, an Agricultural Salesman and eventually a  Collier at the local Ibstock pit. William Thirlby, a farmer and lace manufacturer of Ibstock Grange, sank shafts in 1825 and succeeded in reaching workable coal seams. The Colliery at Ibstock was one of the early sinkings into the concealed part of the Leicestershire Eastern Basin coal seam. The initial startup proved to  be expensive but by the early 1830’s the colliery was working the Upper and Lower Main coal seams and a branch line was also built to connect with the Leicester & Swannington Railway in 1832. Up until 1890 the colliery comprised three shafts and in 1890 there was a sinking of a fourth shaft, 14 feet diameter, near to the upcast shaft (a ventilation shaft through which air leaves a mine). A new shaft was downcast (the shaft down which fresh air enters a mine) and coal winding and together with the existing upcast shaft was known as the No.2 Plant. The older winding and pumping shafts together became the No.1 Plant. The existing upcast shaft served both mines.

Coal Mining was still one of the most dangerous of occupations and the profession was eventually to kill Henry. On the 27th of May 1880 while working as a loader the roof caved in and he died of his injuries. His death certificate notes it was shock caused by accidental injuries. He was buried at Ibstock on the 29th May.

On the 1881 Census Caroline is the head of the family now as she has just been widowed because of the fatal accident involving Henry in the colliery. This left her looking after a large family although some children would have been earning like William and George who were Colliers like their father.

Caroline died in Ibstock in 1891 aged just 53, she was buried on the 5th January at Ibstock Cemetery. It appears that she has been suffering from bronchitus and chronic asthma for the last ten years and a short bout of pneumonia were given as reasons for her death on her final certificate, but life would go on for the Gray's. Her eldest children had been married for a number of years, such as Eliza who was happily married to John Allen and after Caroline passed on, her son George Henry would become the head of the household, you can see him living in Meadow Row, Peggs Lane, Ibstock with his youngest siblings, Elizabeth, Vincent, Hannah and Caroline in the 1901 Census.

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HENRY GRAY  born 1823 in Ibstock, Leicestershire.

Baptism Henry Gray,  13 October 1823, Ibstock

            Son of  William & Hannah Gray

Census 1841.  Henry Gray Aged 20.

            Parish - Ibstock.

            Living with William Gray (60) & Hannah Gray (60).

            Frederick Gray (25), Hannah Gray (10).

            Ann Glover (20), Maria Glover (2) & Hannah Glover (1)     

            All born in the District.

Marriage.  31 December 1850.  Henry Gray (Full Age). Labourer

            Residence - Ibstock

            Father -  William Gray. Frame Work Knitter

            to Caroline Shepherd

            Father -  Edwin Shepherd. Butcher

            Residence - Ibstock

            at the Parish Church, Ibstock.  (By Banns) 

            Signed by Henry Gray and Marked by Caroline Shepherd

            Presence of - Marked by George Shepherd &  P Clarke 

Census 1861.  Henry Gray Aged 38. - Agricultural Salesman.

           Address - Mainways Yard, Ibstock.

           Parish - Ibstock.

           Living with Wife Caroline Gray(28)

           Daughters Eliza (10), Selina (8), Harriett (6) 

           & Emma Gray (3) - all Scholars

           Son William Gray (10 Mnths)

           All born Ibstock.

Census 1871.  Henry Gray Aged 48 - Coal Miner.

           Address - Peggs Lane, Ibstock.

           Parish - Ibstock.

           Living with Wife Caroline Gray(38) .

           Sons William Gray (12) - Factory Tile Worker

           Harry Gray (5) & Fred Gray (3) - both Scholars

           Daughters Eliza Gray (21) , Harriett Gray (16) 

           & Emma Gray (14) - all Knitters.

           Betsy Gray (8) - Scholar.

           Sarah Ann Gray (9 Months)  (noted as Henry's Daughter)

           Hannah (3 Months) - (Grand Daughter)

           All born Ibstock. 

            Mining Report: (incorrect  date)
            Henry Gray died 27 June 1880 in Ibstock Colliery
            Age 61, Loader, Ibstock, Ibstock Colliery Co, Leicestershire
            Fall of roof.

            Death Certificate:
            Henry Gray  died 27 May 1880 Ibstock.
            Age 60  years.
            Cause :  shock caused by accidental injuries
            Informant :  Certificate  received  from  F  Harrison
            coroner  for  the  County  of Leicester
            Inquest  held  29th  May  1880   Adjourned  to  8th June  1880
            Registered :  Tenth June 1880

            Buried :  29 May 1880 , Ibstock         

Children of HENRY GRAY and CAROLINE SHEPHERD are:

   i.    ELIZA GRAY

                  b 7 May 1851,  Ibstock, Leicestershire

                  bap 6 Jun 1858,  Ibstock, Leicestershire

                  m 18 Apr 1875 to John Allen, North Wingfield, Derbyshire

                  d 19 Oct 1911 Eliza Allen, 

                  Chapel Street, Ibstock, Leicestershire

   ii.    SELINA GRAY

                  b Bet Apr - Jun 1853,  Ibstock, Leicestershire

                  bap 6 Jun 1858  Ibstock, Leicestershire

                  m Bet Apr-Jun 1875 to William Cave, 

                  Ibstock, Leicestershire

                  d Bet Jan-Mar 1908 Selina Cave, Ibstock, Leicestershire

   iii.    HARRIETT GRAY

                  b Bet Apr-Jun 1856,  Ibstock, Leicestershire

   iv.    EMMA GRAY

                  b  Bet Apr-Jun 1858,  Ibstock, Leicestershire

                  m Bet Jan-Mar 1880 to Arthur Evans, 

                  Ibstock, Leicestershire

                  d  Bet Oct-Dec 1920 Emma Evans, Ibstock, Leicestershire

   v.    JOHN WILLIAM GRAY

                   b Bet Apr-Jun 1860.  Ibstock, Leicestershire

                   m 02 Oct 1886 to Maria Smith, Ibstock, Leicestershire

   vi.    BETSEY GRAY

                    b Abt 1863,  Ibstock, Leicestershire

  vii.    ELIZABETH GRAY

                    b Abt 1864,  Ibstock, Leicestershire

 viii.    GEORGE HENRY (HARRY) GRAY

                    b Abt 1866,  Ibstock, Leicestershire

                    m Abt 1880 to Annie Burchell (nee ?) 

   ix.    VINCENT FREDERICK GRAY

                    b Bet Apr-Jun 1868,  Ibstock, Leicestershire

                    m Bet Jan-Mar 1914 to Lillia Drawwater, 

                    Chesterfield, Derbyshire

                    d  Bet Apr-Jun 1955, Chesterfield, Derbyshire

   x.    HANNAH GRAY

                     b Abt 1871,  Ibstock, Leicestershire

                     bap 18 Apr 1886  Ibstock, Leicestershire

   xi.    CAROLINE GRAY

                     b  Bet Jul-Sep 1878,  Ibstock, Leicestershire

                     bap 18 Apr 1886  Ibstock, Leicestershire

                     m Bet Oct-Dec 1898 to Charles Williams Edwards

                     d Bet Jan-Mar 1965 Caroline Edwards, 

                     Ibstock, Leicestershire

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CAROLINE SHEPHERD born 1834 in Ibstock, Leicestershire.

Baptised: Caroline Shepherd 29th March 1834 Ibstock

           Father Edwin Shepherd

           Mother Lettice Shepherd (nee Fradsham)

Census 1841.  Caroline Shepherd Aged 7.

           Address - Ibstock.

           Parish - Ibstock.

           Living with Edwin Shepherd (35) - Butcher

           Lettice Shepherd (35) - Straw Bonnet Maker.

           Edwin (15), John (14) & Joseph Shepherd (12)

           George (10), William (3) & Emma Shepherd (1)

           All born in District.

Marriage.  31 December 1850.  Henry Gray (Full Age). Labourer

            Residence - Ibstock

            Father -  William Gray. Frame Work Knitter

            to Caroline Shepherd

            Father -  Edwin Shepherd. Butcher

            Residence - Ibstock

            at the Parish Church, Ibstock.  (By Banns) 

            Signed by Henry Gray and Marked by Caroline Shepherd

            Presence of - Marked by George Shepherd &  P Clarke 

Census 1851.  Caroline Gray Aged 17 - Daughter.

           Address -  Ibstock.

           Parish - Ibstock.

           Living with Father Edwin Shepherd (47) - Butcher

           Mother Lettice Shepherd (48) - Straw Bonnet Maker.

           Brothers Joseph (21), George (19 ) 

           & William Shepherd (14) - all Coal Miners

           Vincent Shepherd (6) - Scholar.

           Sisters Emma Shepherd (11) - Scholar & Betty Shepherd (4).

           All born Ibstock. 

Census 1861.  Caroline Gray Aged 28 - Wife.

           Address - Mainways Yard, Ibstock.

           Parish - Ibstock.

           Living with Husband Henry Gray (38) - Agricultural Salesman.

           Daughters Eliza (10), Selina (8), Harriett (6) 

           & Emma Gray (3) - all Scholars

           Son William Gray (10 Mnths)

           All born Ibstock. 

Census 1871.  Caroline Gray. Age 38 - Wife.

           Address - Peggs Lane, Ibstock.

           Parish - Ibstock.

           Living with Husband Henry Gray(48) - Coal Miner.

           Sons William Gray (12) - Factory Tile Worker

           Harry Gray (5) & Fred Gray (3) - both Scholars

           Daughters Eliza Gray (21) , Harriett Gray (16) 

           & Emma Gray (14) - all Knitters

           Betsy Gray (8) - Scholar.

           Sarah Ann Gray (9 Months)  (noted as Henry's Daughter)

           Hannah (3 Months) - (Grand Daughter)

           All born Ibstock. 

Census 1881 Ibstock.  Caroline Gray.  

           Age 44 - Head & Widow. Worsted Knitter

           Address - Heather Road, Ibstock.

           Parish - Ibstock.

           Living with sons  William Gray (21), George Henry Gray (15)

          - both Coalminers

           Vincent Fredc Gray (13) - Bricklayer Boy

           Daughters Elizabeth Gray (17) - Domestic Servant

           Hannah Gray (10) - Scholar & Caroline Gray (3)

           Her Grand-Daughter Sarah Gray Gray (10) - Scholar

           All born Ibstock

Caroline Gray Died 1st January 1891 Aged 53.

           Registration District : Market Bosworth.

           Sub-District : Ibstock.

           Where :  Ibstock

           Occupation : Wife of Henry Gray a Coal Miner

           Cause : Died of Bronchitus (chronic) asthma 10 years,

           Pneumonia 3 days Certified by R H Thomas

           Informant : Henry Simpson Son in Law 

           Present at the Death Ibstock

           Registered : 2nd January 1891

Buried 5 Jan 1891 Ibstock Cemetery

           No 265 1891, Grave location is unreadable.

           Age 53 Collier’s Widow

           Meadow Row, Ibstock

           (Now Springfield Close)

Children of HENRY GRAY and CAROLINE SHEPHERD are:

   i.    ELIZA GRAY

                  b 7 May 1851,  Ibstock, Leicestershire

                  bap 6 Jun 1858,  Ibstock, Leicestershire

                  m 18 Apr 1875 to John Allen, North Wingfield, Derbyshire

                  d 19 Oct 1911 Eliza Allen, 

                  Chapel Street, Ibstock, Leicestershire

   ii.    SELINA GRAY

                  b Bet Apr - Jun 1853,  Ibstock, Leicestershire

                  bap 6 Jun 1858  Ibstock, Leicestershire

                  m Bet Apr-Jun 1875 to William Cave, 

                  Ibstock, Leicestershire

                  d Bet Jan-Mar 1908 Selina Cave, Ibstock, Leicestershire

   iii.    HARRIETT GRAY

                  b Bet Apr-Jun 1856,  Ibstock, Leicestershire

   iv.    EMMA GRAY

                  b  Bet Apr-Jun 1858,  Ibstock, Leicestershire

                  m Bet Jan-Mar 1880 to Arthur Evans, 

                  Ibstock, Leicestershire

                  d  Bet Oct-Dec 1920 Emma Evans, Ibstock, Leicestershire

   v.    JOHN WILLIAM GRAY

                   b Bet Apr-Jun 1860.  Ibstock, Leicestershire

                   m 02 Oct 1886 to Maria Smith, Ibstock, Leicestershire

   vi.    BETSEY GRAY

                    b Abt 1863,  Ibstock, Leicestershire

  vii.    ELIZABETH GRAY

                    b Abt 1864,  Ibstock, Leicestershire

 viii.    GEORGE HENRY (HARRY) GRAY

                    b Abt 1866,  Ibstock, Leicestershire

                    m Abt 1880 to Annie Burchell (nee ?) 

   ix.    VINCENT FREDERICK GRAY

                    b Bet Apr-Jun 1868,  Ibstock, Leicestershire

                    m Bet Jan-Mar 1914 to Lillia Drawwater, 

                    Chesterfield, Derbyshire

                    d  Bet Apr-Jun 1955, Chesterfield, Derbyshire

   x.    HANNAH GRAY

                     b Abt 1871,  Ibstock, Leicestershire

                     bap 18 Apr 1886  Ibstock, Leicestershire

   xi.    CAROLINE GRAY

                     b  Bet Jul-Sep 1878,  Ibstock, Leicestershire

                     bap 18 Apr 1886  Ibstock, Leicestershire

                     m Bet Oct-Dec 1898 to Charles Williams Edwards

                     d Bet Jan-Mar 1965 Caroline Edwards, 

                     Ibstock, Leicestershire

Go to Henry & Caroline's Daughter - Eliza Gray (1851)

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