Joseph Follows (1811-1890)
Mary Wright (1824-1883)

Joseph Follows and Mary Wright are my 3rd Great-Grandparents on the Follows family line. Joseph was born around 1811 in East Leake, Nottinghamshire, close to Wymeswold. His older siblings John, William, Elizabeth, Henry and Thomas were all baptised together at East Leake Baptist Chapel on the 10th January 1806 by their parents Henry and Ann Follows.

The year 1811 saw the United States enduring one of the coldest winters on record, Niagara Falls was frozen solid enough for people to cross. Famous people born that year include Sunny Lowry, the first woman to swim the English Channel. In March and April eleven thousand workers at the Singer Manufacturing Co. sewing machine factory on Clydebank, Scotland go on strike in solidarity with twelve female colleagues protesting against work process reorganisation, 400 alleged ringleaders are eventually dismissed. On the 31st May crowds see the launching of the ocean liner RMS Titanic in Belfast and on the 22nd June the Coronation of George V and Queen Mary at Westminster Abbey, London takes place.

Joseph is farming at Costock in 1841, he is living on the farm with several servants including a Mary Wright, aged 15, more on her later. Also there in the property is his Brother Thomas, a cordwainer (shoe maker) and his apprentice Issac James. 

Joseph's future wife is called Mary, Mary's original maiden name is Wright.  Mary Wright was born in Wysall, baptised there on the 12th of December 1824, Daughter to Edmund and Elizabeth Wright. As mentioned above a Mary Wright is also present in the same property as Joseph in 1841 at Costock working as a servant although her age is younger than the Baptism found and later Census returns. Mary's age in the Census vary wildly which does not help pinpoint Mary's exact birth year.

A possible marriage has now been found for the 6th October 1843  at Parish Church, Radford, Nottinghamshire. The groom is Joseph Follows, he is noted as a labourer, his father is Henry Follows, a Cottager and the bride is Mary Wright, her Father is Edmund Wright, a Shoemaker, which confirms her baptism record in 1824. For all family historians,  for every fact and hint you receive via the web tools such as Ancestry, make sure you double check, confirm and hopefully tie in with other known records.

Joseph and Mary after marrying moved to East Leake, their first three children are born there. Henry, born in 1844, Betsy in 1845 and Joseph in 1850. In 1851 they are farming at Costock Lane, East Leake. Joseph is 40 years old and living with Mary, his Wife, aged 27. Also in the property are their  Sons,  Henry, aged 7, a Scholar and  Joseph, aged 9 months and  their Daughter Betsy, aged 5, a Scholar. Also there are Joseph's Father Henry Follows, aged 79 and  Mother Ann Follows, aged 77.  Joseph is farming a modest 22 acres and keeping a beer house. Farms would often make their own ale or cider to provide refreshment for their own family or to tempt the seasonal workforce to come and work on their specific farm.

Joseph, Mary and family were living at Burton on the Wolds, Leicestershire sometime in the early 1850's, approximately between the years 1852-1856 as their Sons William, John and Daughter Fanny were born there, although in the census 1871 they seem to have mistakenly noted as being born in Wymeswold. This is just an example on how the Census can differ from each years sample, Mary's age for example changes significantly, she's 27 in 1851, 35 in 1861, 52 in 1871 and 60 in 1881.

By 1861 the family have moved to a property in Wymeswold noted as Follows Dwelling, Brook Street, Wymeswold. Joseph is now expanded his land being farmed to 100 acres. His sons are helping him on the farm, Henry, aged 17, a Stock Tender and Joseph, aged 11, Plough Boy. Also there are Joseph and Mary's younger children, William, John and Fanny. Also there is my Great Grandmother Betsy, aged 15, William Sheppard's future bride.

In 1871 they are in a property noted as being in the area called Wymeswold Wolds. Living there are head of the house, Joseph Follows, age 60, Farmer of 120 acres who employs 2 farm boys. Also Mary, age 52, noted as a Farmers Wife, Sons Henry, age 25, Joseph, age 20 and John, age 13, also there is their daughter Fanny, age 17 and a Farm Servant John Collington, also aged 17. 

In 1881 for the first time we see one of my ancestors living and working as a tenant farmer at Church Farm, it is noted on the Census as Sch 23. East Street, Wymeswold.  A farm of 200 acres. Living with Joseph, aged 70 is Mary, aged 60, noted as a Farmers Wife.  Also on the farm are Henry, aged 35 and John, aged 24, both noted as Farmers Sons, along with a  Domestic Servant, Mary Burton, aged 18. After Joseph's death in 1890,  the 1891 Census records it is Joseph's Daughter Betsy and her children Harry, Ernest and Fanny  who are now resident at Church Farm, Betsy is a widow after losing her husband William Sheppard to a heart condition.

Mary died on the 13th March 1883 aged 61 and Joseph passed on the 3rd May 1890 at High Thorne Farm, Gotham, Nottinghamshire, where his sons farmed.  They are buried together at East Leake Baptist Chapel Cemetery.

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Joseph Follows (1811-1890)

Born c1811 East Leake, Nottinghamshire

Census 1841. Joseph Follows Age 30 - Farmer

    Address - Costock, East Leake, Nottinghamshire

    Also there are -

    Joseph Cook(20), John Hogget(20) - Male Servants

    Mary Wright(15) - Female Servant 

    Thomas Follows(30) - Cordwainer

    Issac James(10) - Apprentice

    All born within the County (Nottinghamshire)

Possible Marriage 6 Oct 1843 - St Peter's Parish Church, Radford, Nottinghamshire
Joseph Follows - Labourer - F=Henry Follows (Cottager)
Mary Wright - F=Edmund Wright (Shoemaker)
Both Full Age

Census 1851. Joseph Follows Age 40 - Head

    Farming 22 acres and keeping beer house

    born East Leake, Nottinghamshire

    Address - Sch 105. Costock Lane, East Leake, Nottinghamshire

    Living with Mary Follows(27) - Wife

    born Wysall, Nottinghamshire

    Sons -

    Henry(7) - Scholar

    Joseph(9 Months)

    Daughter Betsy(5) - Scholar

    Father Henry Follows(79)

    Mother Ann Follows(77)

    All Children & Parents born East Leake, Nottinghamshire

    Servant Samuel Bradwell(18)

    born Sutton, Nottinghamshire.

Census 1861. Joseph Follows Age 50 - Head 

    Farmer of 100 acres, employs 1 Lab'

    born East Leake, Nottinghamshire

    Address - Sch 127. Follows Dwelling, Brook Street, Wymeswold, Leicestershire

    Living With Mary(35) - Farmers Wife  

    born Wysall, Nottinghamshire

    Sons -

    Henry(17) - Stock Tender, Joseph(11) - Plough Boy

    born East Leake, Nottinghamshire

    William(8) - Scholar, John(5) 

    born Burton, Leicestershire

    Daughters -

    Betsy Follows(15) - Scholar

    born East Leake, Nottinghamshire

    Fanny(7)

    born Burton, Leicestershire

    Farm Servant Thomas Thompson(18) 

    born Scalford, Leicestershire

Census 1871. Joseph Follows Age 60 - Head 

    Farmer of 120 acres, employs 2 boys

    born East Leake, Nottinghamshire

    Address - Sch 123. Wymeswold Wolds, Wymeswold, Leicestershire 

    Living With Mary(52) - Farmers Wife

    born Wysall, Nottinghamshire

    Henry(25) - Farmers Son

    Joseph(20) - Farmers Son

    both born East Leake, Nottinghamshire

    Fanny(17) - Farmers Daughter

    John(13) - Farmers Son 

    both born Wymeswold, Leicestershire (?)

    Farm Servant John Collington(17)

    born Wymeswold, Leicestershire

Census 1881. Joseph Follows Age 70 - Head 

    Farmer of 200 acres

    born East Leake, Nottinghamshire

    Address - Sch 23. East Street, Wymeswold, Leicestershire  (Church Farm)

    Living With Mary(60) - Farmers Wife

    born Wysall, Nottinghamshire

    Henry(35) - Farmers Son

    born East Leake, Nottinghamshire

    John(24) - Farmers Son 

    born Burton on the Wolds, Leicestershire

    Domestic Servant Mary Burton(18) 

    born London.

Died 3 May 1890   High Thorne Farm, Gotham,  Nottinghamshire

Buried East Leake Baptist Chapel Cemetery

*to view more details on Joseph's passing click here

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Mary Wright (c1824 - 1883)

Born c1822 Wysall, Nottinghamshire

Baptism
First name(s) Mary
Last name       Wright
Baptism date 12 Dec 1824
Relationship Daughter
Father's first name(s) Edmund
Father's last name         Wright
Mother's first name(s) Elizabeth
Mother's last name Wright
Baptism place Wysall
Church Holy Trinity
Denomination Anglican
Residence Wysall

*Possible Census ?
Census 1841.    Mary Wright(15) - Female Servant
    Address - Costock, East Leake, Nottinghamshire
    Also there are -
    Joseph Follows Age 30 - Head -Farmer
    Joseph Cook(20), John Hogget(20) - Male Servants  
    Thomas Follows(30) - Cordwainer
    Issac James(10) - Apprentice
    All born within the County (Nottinghamshire)

Possible Marriage 6 Oct 1843 - Parish Church, Radford, Nottinghamshire
Joseph Follows - Labourer - F=Henry Follows (Cottager)
Mary Wright - F=Edmund Wright (Shoemaker)
Both Full Age

Census 1851. Mary Follows Age 27 - Wife 

    born Wysall, Nottinghamshire

    Address - Sch 105. Costock Lane, East Leake, Nottinghamshire

    Living with Joseph Follows(40) - Head

    Farming 22 acres and keeping beer house

    born East Leake, Nottinghamshire

    Sons -

    Henry(7) - Scholar

    Joseph(9 Months)

    Daughter Betsy(5) - Scholar

    Father Henry Follows(79)

    Mother Ann Follows(77)

    All Children & Parents born East Leake, Nottinghamshire

    Servant Samuel Bradwell(18)

    born Sutton, Nottinghamshire.

Census 1861. Mary Follows Age 35 - Farmers Wife  

    born Wysall, Nottinghamshire

    Address - Sch 127. Follows Dwelling, Brook Street, Wymeswold, Leicestershire

    Living With Joseph Follows(50) - Head 

    Farmer of 100 acres, employs 1 Lab'

    born East Leake, Nottinghamshire

    Sons -

    Henry(17) - Stock Tender, Joseph(11) - Plough Boy

    born East Leake, Nottinghamshire

    William(8) - Scholar, John(5) 

    born Burton, Leicestershire

    Daughters -

    Betsy Follows(15) - Scholar

    born East Leake, Nottinghamshire

    Fanny(7)

    born Burton, Leicestershire

    Farm Servant Thomas Thompson(18) 

    born Scalford, Leicestershire

Census 1871.  Mary Follows Age 52 - Farmers Wife

    born Wysall, Nottinghamshire

    Address - Sch 123. Wymeswold Wolds, Wymeswold, Leicestershire  

    Living With Joseph Follows(60) - Head 

    Farmer of 120 acres, employs 2 boys

    born East Leake, Nottinghamshire

    Henry(25) - Farmers Son

    Joseph(20) - Farmers Son

    both born East Leake, Nottinghamshire

    Fanny(17) - Farmers Daughter

    John(13) - Farmers Son 

    both born Wymeswold, Leicestershire (?)

    Farm Servant John Collington(17)

    born Wymeswold, Leicestershire

Census 1881. Mary Follows Age 60 - Farmers Wife

    born Wysall, Nottinghamshire

    Address - Sch 23. East Street, Wymeswold, Leicestershire  (Church Farm)

    Living with Joseph Follows(70) - Head 

    Farmer of 200 acres

    born East Leake, Nottinghamshire

    Henry(35) - Farmers Son

    born East Leake, Nottinghamshire

    John(24) - Farmers Son 

    born Burton on the Wolds, Leicestershire

    Domestic Servant Mary Burton(18) 

    born London.

Died 13 March 1883   East Leake, Nottinghamshire

Buried East Leake Baptist Chapel Cemetery

*to view more details on Mary's passing click here

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 Notes on Children :

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Henry Follows (1844-1911)

Born 2 May 1844  East Leake, Nottinghamshire

Birth Certificate Record
Born 2nd May 1844 East Leake. Nottinghamshire
Son of Joseph Follows Farmer & Mary (formally Wright)
Informant Mary Follows Mother East Leake Notts

Census 1861 - age 17 (See Joseph Follows for details)

Census 1871 - age 25 (See Joseph Follows for details)

Census 1881 - age 35 (See Joseph Follows for details)

Census 1891 - High Thorne Farm, Gotham

John Follows age 34 - Head - Farmer

Born Wymeswold, Leicestershire

*Henry Follows age 44 - Brother - Farmer

Born East Leake, Nottinghamshire

Martha Hore age 41 - Housekeeper - Widow (*)

Born Wymeswold, Leicestershire

Harry Hore age 17 - Farm Servant

Born Yorkshire Sheffield

George Hore age 4 - visitor

Born Loughborough, Leicestershire

Frank Sharpe age 24 - Farm Servant

Born East Leake, Nottinghamshire

Elizabeth Powdrill Age 16 - Domestic Servant

Born Gotham, Nottinghamshire

Allen Brown age 15 - Farm Servant

Born Wymeswold, Leicestershire

*Note Martha is John Shepherd's Daughter.

Census 1901 - HighThorne (Cliffs Farm), Gotham

John Follows age 47 - Head - Farmer

Born Wymeswold, Leicestershire

Martha Follows age 51 - Wife 

Born Wymeswold, Leicestershire

George Follows age 14 - Farmers Son 

Born Loughborough, Leicestershire

*Henry Follows age 60 - Brother - Farmer

Born East Leake, Nottinghamshire

Joseph Powdrill age 22 - Ploughman & Farmer

Born Gotham, Nottinghamshire

Mary Barton age 60 - Servant Domestic

Born Newark, Nottinghamshire

Frederick Hardstigg age 23 - Farm Labourer

Born East Leake, Nottinghamshire

Census 1911 - High Thorne Farm, Gotham

John Follows age 56 - Head - Farmer

Born Burton, Leicestershire

Martha Follows age 64 - Wife 

Born Wymeswold, Leicestershire

*Henry Follows age 67 - Brother - Farmer

Born East Leake, Nottinghamshire

George Follows age 23 - help on farm

Born Gotham, Nottinghamshire

Peter Hemsley age 56 - Labourer of farm

Born Kegworth, Nottinghamshire

Family Bible died 24 August 1911 Age 67 

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Betsy Follows (1845-1928)

Born 20th Sept 1845, East Leake, Nottinghamshire.

Married 16 January 1871 at St Marys Church, Wymeswold. (By Licence)
William Shepherd To Betsy Follows.  

Died  22nd March 1928, Wymeswold, Leicestershire.

Buried  Baptist Church, Wysall Lane, Wymeswold, Leicestershire.

*See main descendant page {Betsy Follows}

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Joseph Follows (1850-1912)

Born  c1850 in East Leake. Nottinghamshire

Children : Mary Eliza, Harry, John William, Betsy Ellen

Census 1861 - age 11 (See Joseph Follows for details)

Census 1871 - age 20 (See Joseph Follows for details)

Married Sarah Jane Boulton Cook (1855–1934)
Father William cook - Consented to marriage
Mother Eliza Boulton
Marriage Jan-Mar 1871

Census 1881 - The Muzzels

Joseph Follows age 29 - Head - Farmer Of 28 Acres

Born Leake Fields, Nottinghamshire

Sarah J.Follows age 26 - Wife

Born Mountsorrel, Leicestershire

Mary E. Follows age 5 - Daughter

Born Barrow On Soar, Leicestershire

Henery Follows age 1 - Son

Born Barrow On Soar, Leicestershire

Census 1891 - The Wolds

Joseph Follows age 40 - Head - Farmer Of 28 Acres

Born East Leake, Nottinghamshire

Sarah J.Follows age 36 - Wife

Born Mountsorrel, Leicestershire

Mary E. Follows age 15 - Scholar

Born Barrow On Soar, Leicestershire

Harry Follows age 11 - Scholar

Born Barrow On Soar, Leicestershire

John W Fallows age 9 - Scholar

Born Wymeswold, Leicestershire

Betsy E Fallows age 4 - Daughter

Born Wymeswold, Leicestershire

Henry Rawlings age 19 - Farm Servant

Born Braunston, Rutland

Census 1901 - Six Hills Road, Wymeswold

Joseph Follows age 50 - Head - Farmer

Born East Leake, Nottinghamshire

Sarah Jane Follows age 46 - Wife

Born Mountsorrel, Leicestershire

Harry Follows age 21 - Farmers Son

Born Barrow On Soar, Leicestershire

John William Fallows age 18 - Farmers Son

Born Wymeswold, Leicestershire

Betsy Ellen Fallows age 14 - At School

Born Wymeswold, Leicestershire

Census 1911 - Wolds Farm, Wymeswold

Joseph Follows age 60 - Head - Farmer

Born East Leake, Nottinghamshire

Sarah Jane Follows age 56 - Wife

Born Mountsorrel, Leicestershire

Married 36 years.

Alfred Bland age 17 - Waggoner On Farm

Born Old Dalby, Melton Mowbray

Arthur Bland age 15 - Cowman On Farm

Born Broughton Grange

Family Bible died 7 January 1912  Age 61

Probate Joseph Follows Farmer. died 7 January 1912.
Leicester Probate Registry Probate Act Book. DE1169/1/27

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William Follows (1853-1912)

Born  c1853 in Burton on the Wolds, Leicestershire.

Census 1861 - age 8 (See Joseph Follows for details)

Census 1871 Sch 42a. 4 Silver St, St Martins, Leicester 

William Follows - age 19 Assistant Draper

Born Leake, Staffs (?)

Living with various including

Thomas H Kirby age 29 - Head Draper

*A draper's shop would sell cloth for people to buy and make their own clothing.
  Originally a draper would actually make the cloth.

Family Bible died 17 August 1889  Age 36

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Fanny Follows (1854-)

Born  c1854 in Burton on the Wolds, Leicestershire

Census 1861 - age 7 (See Joseph Follows for details)

Census 1871 - age 17 (See Joseph Follows for details)

Marriage. 23 Dec 1876 Fanny Follows to John Bennet
Register Office, Loughborough.
John Bennet age 32 Farmer Burton on the Wolds. Father Thomas Bennet Farmer.
Fanny Follows age 21 Wymeswold. Father Joseph Follows Farmer.

----

John Follows (1856-1916)

Born  c1856 in Burton on the Wolds, Leicestershire

Census 1861 - age 5 (See Joseph Follows for details)

Census 1871 - age 13 (See Joseph Follows for details)

Census 1881 - age 24 (See Joseph Follows for details)

Census 1891 - High Thorne Farm, Gotham

John Follows age 34 - Head - Farmer

Born Wymeswold, Leicestershire

Henry Follows age 44 - Brother - Farmer

Born East Leake, Nottinghamshire

Martha Hore age 41 - Housekeeper - Widow (*)

Born Wymeswold, Leicestershire

Harry Hore age 17 - Farm Servant

Born Yorkshire Sheffield

George Hore age 4 - visitor

Born Loughborough, Leicestershire

Frank Sharpe age 24 - Farm Servant

Born East Leake, Nottinghamshire

Elizabeth Powdrill Age 16 - Domestic Servant

Born Gotham, Nottinghamshire

Allen Brown age 15 - Farm Servant

Born Wymeswold, Leicestershire

*Note Martha is John Shepherd's Daughter.

Census 1901 - HighThorne (Cliffs Farm), Gotham

John Follows age 47 - Head - Farmer

Born Wymeswold, Leicestershire

Martha Follows age 51 - Wife (*1)

Born Wymeswold, Leicestershire

George Follows age 14 - Farmers Son (*2)

Born Loughborough, Leicestershire

Henry Follows age 60 - Brother - Farmer

Born East Leake, Nottinghamshire

Joseph Powdrill age 22 - Ploughman & Farmer

Born Gotham, Nottinghamshire

Mary Barton age 60 - Servant Domestic

Born Newark, Nottinghamshire

Frederick Hardstigg age 23 - Farm Labourer

Born East Leake, Nottinghamshire

*1 - Note Martha is now John Follows's Wife. 

*2 - Note George (formally Hore) has taken the Follows family name.

Census 1911 - High Thorne Farm, Gotham

John Follows age 56 - Head - Farmer

Born Burton, Leicestershire

Martha Follows age 64 - Wife 

Born Wymeswold, Leicestershire

Henry Follows age 67 - Brother - Farmer

Born East Leake, Nottinghamshire

George Follows age 23 - help on farm

Born Gotham, Nottinghamshire

Peter Hemsley age 56 - Labourer of farm

Born Kegworth, Nottinghamshire

Family Bible died 22 November 1916  Age 60

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