War dead - Holme Hale



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William and Jane Oxborough - Holme Hale



Saint Andrew - Holme Hale (Link)

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The ruins of Saint Andrew - Southolm Juxta Hale

I'm interested in Church ruins because they often contain lost graveyards and a source of social history. Regrettably the site of  Saint Andrew (Southolm Juxta Hale) is a bit of a mystery. I know where the Church should be in the landscape although there is clearly nothing on the surface. Industrial ploughing has taken away the site of the building in the plough soil and the locals have robbed out the stone and flint. Whilst the remains of the departed are no longer commemorated they continue to rest in this magnificent environment.

From the Anglican Church website.... "Holme Hale was originally two lordships: Holm and Hale, both held in the 14th century from Lord Fitzwalter: Holm by Sir Robert de Hulmo and Hale by Sir Edmund de Illeye. The two lordships were separate, distinct places, each with a church dedicated to St Andrew. The Black death in 1349 decimated the population, and the two lordships were eventually combined in about 1375, doubtless on the authority of Edward III"

It's a pity that the modern Church of Saint Andrew in the nearby village of Holme Hale has always been locked when visited. Doubtless through the needs of the Anglican clergy and community.



Saint Andrew - The deserted village of 'Southolm Juxta Hale'.
The faithful departed under the field
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'The Witch of Holme Hale'

Died, Mrs. Parfrey, aged 80, wife of Mr. R. Parfrey, of Holme Hale, near Swaffham.  “The public will best recollect her, as a doctress, by her former name of Fyson, and for the many cures she made in dropsy and other complaints.”

Mrs Elizabeth Parfrey (1717-1803) married Mr Parfrey (1776-1856) at around the age of 80 years before being deserted by her husband who was probably around 60 years her junior. This genealogy has been well researched.

War Dead - Louis Charles Heyhoe



Louis Charles Heyhoe



 

Private Louis Charles Heyhoe  of  Holme Hale, Norfolk

 

Son of Anthony and H. Emily Heyhoe

Died age 25 on 26 Oct 1917  at Poelcapelle of wounds

Regiment: Norfolk Regiment : 8th Battalion  43628

 

Buried Dozinghem Cemetery

George William Thurrell 1893 -1917

George William Thurrell

Name: George William Thurrell

Son of Thomas Thurrell (Farmer of Town Farm) and Agnes Thurrell

Birth Place: abt 1893  Holme Hale, Norfolk

Son of William and Agnes Thurrell, of Carleton Rode, Norwich, Norfolk.Native of Holme Hale

Death Date: 27 Aug 1917

Memorial : Tyne Cot Memorial

Rank: Private

Regiment: Northamptonshire Regiment

Battalion: 7th Battalion

Number: 43533

Type of Casualty: Killed in action

Comments: Formerly 2929, Norfolk Yeomanry

James Whitby d. 6th September 1825



James Whitby
d. 6th September 1825

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Married 21 Sep 1801 (or even 1808 in the IGI) to Susanna Wright. Probably born around 1780 although this is conjectural.

George Daines 1840 - 1929



George Daines
1840 - 1929

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The life of George Daines is well reflected in the public record and we can see that George lived a life in Holme Hale and was very much part of his community situated in mid Norfolk. The son of George and Elizabeth is called 'Saines' in the Census of 1851 and we have to deduce who the name 'Saines' should represent.

The web site of Norfolk Pubs has George Daines as the landlord of the Railway Inn from 1885 to 1912. This information is reflected in the 1911 Census and seems to build on a lifetime of progress and advancement.

The 1901 Census does not show any family at the same address in Holme Hale although George continues to live with his wife Maria. It is not until the 1891 Census that we find George and Maria or Mary living with a daughter Agnes at The Railway Tavern. Agnes is seen to be a dressmaker born in the village whilst Mary was born in nearby Ashill.

The 1881 Census has a surprise in store and we see George Daines employed as a farm bailiff of 125 Acres and employing 3 labourers. This seems unlikely considering later employment although in a highly rural environment it is entirely likely for a man to have a number of occupations and for some of that endeavour to be spent in rural occupations. The 1871 Census sees George as an agricultural labourer  living on Lower Road in the village with Mary and daughters Harriet and Agnes.

Harriet Daines married Walter Ward in1853 in Swaffham and gave birth to Ada  (1882),Walter (1883), Agnes  (1885), Ernest (1890), Hilda (1893), Mary (1897), Stanley (1898) and Phyllis (1900). In effect, the descendants of George Daines  now populate most of central Norfolk. Perhaps this is one of the great successes of anyone reflected in genealogy. I'm sure that the descendants of George lie in the cemetery of Swaffham.

Elizabeth Kiddell 1812 - October 27th 1856



Elizabeth Kiddell

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In the 1851 Census, Elizabeth is a washerwoman and lives with her father William who is the parish clerk in Holme Hale. Elizabeth does not appear to be married or living with children

Edward Hudson d. November 25 1907




Edward Hudson
d. November 25 1907

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James Secker d. June 3 1911

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James Seckers life in Holme Hale is well reflected in the  available 19^th Century records and we start to see both the power of the state to compel individuals to surrender information about themselves and for the lives of individuals themselves  to become recordable in their diversity.  It is always easier  to follow men in the record and it is always easier to follow men with an unusual given and family name. Whilst “James” as a name is not unusual we may accept that “Secker” is easier to spot in a crowd and less likely to be confused with other names.

The first appearance of James Secker in the Census record is for “Jas Secker” who is recorded in the 1841 record for England as the 10 years old son of James and Susan. In 1851 James is seen as a 19 year old “Farm Servant”

James met Charlotte by the 1861 Census and has children Elizabeth (6), Arthur (4) and George aged 2. The increase of their family continues in 1871 when James as an “Agricultural labourer” continues to live with his dress maker wife. The census continues to record our arrival and departures in and out of the world and it continues to record our address and occupation.

The 1881 Census shows James and Charlotte with George (21), Sophia (13), Charles (10), Alice (8), and Wilhemina aged 5 although it is unusual to find the name Wilhemina in Norfolk. I wonder what the influence was for this name and at this time?

The 1891 record shows an older James and Charlotte living near the Red Lion in Holme Hale accompanied by Sophia and Charles. In 1901 James is still working on the land as a horseman (Ostler?) and Charlotte is still with him although all the children have gone.

The life of James and Charlotte is well recorded in the Census records and further research will doubtless reveal the dates for family members and their circumstances