Person Page - 50

     William Redfearn was born circa 1837 at Dewsbury. He was the son of George Redfearn and Harriet Sharp. In the census of 6 June 1841 he was listed as the son of George Redfearn at New Batley, Batley.¹
In the census of 30 March 1851 he was listed as a scholar the son of George Redfearn at New Street, Batley.²

     Susannah Fox was born on 21 February 1834 at Batley. She was the daughter of David Fox and Margaret Sheard. Susannah Fox was baptized on 30 March 1834 at Batley.¹
In the census of 6 June 1841 she was listed as the daughter of David Fox at Batley.²
In the census of 30 March 1851 she was listed as a laundress, daughter of David Fox.³

     Hortensi Fox was born in 1835. She was the daughter of David Fox and Margaret Sheard. Hortensi Fox was baptized on 18 September 1835 at Batley.¹
In the census of 6 June 1841 she was listed as the daughter of David Fox at Batley.²
In the census of 30 March 1851 she was listed as a laundress, daughter of David Fox.³ In the census of 7 April 1861 she was listed as the head of household at Hanover Square, Batley, as housekeeper, aged 25, now the family sadly orphaned, looking after her younger siblings.⁴
In the census of 1871 she was listed as the head of household at Providence Street, Batley, as housekeeper with two of her sisters living with her.⁵
In the census of 3 April 1881 she was listed as the head of household now living on her own and working as a warper.⁶
Hortensi Fox died in 1898; aged 62.⁷

     Sarah Sheard Fox was born on 1 September 1840.¹ She was the daughter of David Fox and Margaret Sheard. Sarah Sheard Fox was baptized on 1 November 1840 at Batley.¹
In the census of 6 June 1841 she was listed as aged 9 months the daughter of David Fox at Batley.²
In the census of 30 March 1851 she was listed as a scholar, daughter of David Fox.³ In the census of 7 April 1861 she was listed as the sister of Hortensi Fox.⁴ In the census of 1871 she was listed as a woollen weaver the sister of Hortensi Fox.⁵

     Elizabeth Parr was born on 10 September 1783. She was the daughter of Thomas Parr and Rachel Walker. Elizabeth Parr was baptized on 17 September 1783 at Batley.¹

     Jonas Sheard of Littletown. He was born circa 1700. He was the son of Benjamin Sheard. Jonas Sheard married Alice Shepherd, daughter of William Shepherd, on 3 October 1720 at Birstall.¹

     Joseph Sheard was born at Birstall. He was baptized on 13 November 1712 at Birstall.¹
He was the son of Benjamin Sheard.

     James Sheard of Littletown. He was born. He was the son of Benjamin Sheard. James Sheard married Sarah Yates, daughter of John Yates and Martha Gledhill, on 21 September 1746 at Birstall.¹

     Alice Shepherd was the daughter of William Shepherd. Alice Shepherd married Jonas Sheard, son of Benjamin Sheard, on 3 October 1720 at Birstall.¹

     John Sheard was born in 1721. He was the son of Jonas Sheard and Alice Shepherd. John Sheard was baptized on 7 November 1721 at Birstall.¹

     David Sheard was born in 1723. He was the son of Jonas Sheard and Alice Shepherd. David Sheard was baptized on 6 October 1723 at Birstall.¹

     Elinor Sheard was born in 1731. She was the daughter of Jonas Sheard and Alice Shepherd. Elinor Sheard was baptized on 19 March 1730/31 at Birstall.¹

     Michael Healey putative father Michael Sheard of Eddercliff. (in Littletown)
"bastard of Abigail Healey of Long Liversedge, Michael Sheard of Eddercliff the reputed father.

It is likely that Michael Healey later took the name Sheard and is the Michael Sheard who married Alice Green in Birstall in 1735, and whose children included Joshua and Michael. He was born in 1709. He was the son of Michael Sheard and Abigail Healey. Michael Healey was baptized on 19 June 1709 at Birstall.¹

     Jonas Sheard was born in 1770. He was the son of Michael Sheard and Sarah Barber. Jonas Sheard was baptized on 12 September 1770 at Birstall.¹

     Mary Sheard was born in 1772 at Birstall. She was the daughter of Michael Sheard and Sarah Barber. Mary Sheard was baptized on 28 August 1772 at Birstall.¹
She married Joseph Blakeley, son of Joseph Blakeley, on 15 April 1792 at Batley witnesses William Pyrah, Benjamin Chadwick.²
Mary Sheard died on 9 October 1829 at Dewsbury. She was buried on 13 October 1829 at Batley.²

     Elizabeth Crawshaw was born in 1809 at Dewsbury. She was baptized on 16 June 1809 at Dewsbury.
She was the daughter of Philip Crawshaw and Susanna Senior. Elizabeth Crawshaw married George Blakeley, son of Joseph Blakeley and Mary Sheard, on 22 January 1829 at Dewsbury.
In the census of 6 June 1841 Elizabeth Crawshaw was listed at Batley Carr Road, Dewsbury, as wife of George Blakeley.¹
In the census of 30 March 1851 Elizabeth Blakeley was listed at Hirst House, Batley Carr, Batley, as wife of George Blakeley.²
In the census of 7 April 1861 Elizabeth Blakeley was listed at Holling Royd House, Dewsbury, as wife of George Blakeley.³

     Benjamin Blakeley was born in 1829 at Dewsbury. He was the son of George Blakeley and Elizabeth Crawshaw. Benjamin Blakeley was baptized on 20 September 1829 at Dewsbury.
In the census of 6 June 1841 he was listed as the son of George Blakeley at Batley Carr Road, Dewsbury.¹
In the census of 30 March 1851 he was listed as the son of George Blakeley at Hirst House, Batley Carr, Batley.²

The Mill at Köpenick.

Although Willans attributed it to his father George, who may have been the instigator of the scheme, it is Benjamin Blakeley who was recorded as the acquirer of a plot of land in Köpenick, near Berlin, close to the junction of the rivers Spree and Dahme, and opposite the 1842 railway station. On the 10th December 1853 he submitted a planning application for a factory building, boilerhouse and steam engine building, and this was approved in May of 1854.³
In 1854 and 1855 Benjamin Blakeley was listed in a Berlin Directory as Kaufmann (merchant) at Mühlenstrasse 33, Berlin.⁴

Back in England on 18 September 1856 Benjamin married Maria Louisa Wooler, daughter of William Moore Wooler and Sidney Maria Allbutt, at Dewsbury.⁵

German records tell of a a dwellinghouse being built in that year by the mill in Köpenick and towards the end of the year Benjamin was living there with his bride.
In the early 1860s there were enlargements to the premises including sheds and stables. A visit from the factory inspector in 1872 seems to have required some modification of procedures. At this time two machines were mentioned, although it is not clear whether this refers to rag machines, and a figure of 125 employees is mentioned.³
In that year and until 1860 we find him listed in a Berlin Directory as Kaufmann and Fabriksitzer (factory owner).⁶
In 1857 Benjamin Blakeley was listed as Kauffmann und Schoddinwollenfabrikant, now at at Mühlerstrasse 59-60.⁴
In 1859 Benjamin Blakeley was listed in a Berlin Directory as a merchant and shoddy wool manufacturer (Kaufman und shoddywollen fabricant), and there are similar entries for several years in the 1860s.⁶
In 1861 a different address is given and this address is shown in 1862, 1864 and 1865 at Prenzlauerstrasse 47.⁴
In 1866 We learn from a notice in the London Gazette that Benjamin had been in partnership with his father George Blakeley , who had died the previous year, and brother Edward Blakeley.⁷ Benjamin pulled out of the partnership that year.⁷

His brothers Edward Blakeley and James Henry Blakeley were to carry on the mill at Köpenick for a time.⁷

In about 1875 the Köpenick Mill was sold to John Blackburn.
In the census of 3 April 1881 he was listed as the head of household at West Park Street, Dewsbury, as an oil and soap agent aged 51.⁸

     Maria Louisa Wooler was born in 1832 at Derby.¹ She was baptized on 3 March 1832 at St. Alkmund, Derby.²
She was the daughter of William Moore Wooler and Sidney Maria Allbutt. Maria Louisa Wooler married Benjamin Blakeley, son of George Blakeley and Elizabeth Crawshaw, on 18 September 1856 at Dewsbury.³

In the census of 2 April 1871 she was listed as the head of household at Prospect House, Soothill, Benjamin being away from home. There are a governess and three female servants.⁴
In the census of 3 April 1881 Maria Louisa Blakeley was listed at West Park Street, Dewsbury, as wife of Benjamin Blakeley.⁵
Maria Louisa Wooler died in 1920 at Dewsbury.^6,7

     Ada Maria Blakeley was born circa 1858 at Köpenick, Berlin. She was the daughter of Benjamin Blakeley and Maria Louisa Wooler. She was listed in the census of 2 April 1871 at Oakwell Hall, Birstall, as a pupil in a school run by her cousins once removed Ellen M Carter and Catherine Elizabeth Carter.¹
In the census of 3 April 1881 she was listed as aged 23 the daughter of Benjamin Blakeley at West Park Street, Dewsbury.²

     George Ernest B Blakeley was born circa 1859 at Köpenick, Berlin. He was the son of Benjamin Blakeley and Maria Louisa Wooler. In the census of 2 April 1871 he was listed as a scholar the son of Maria Louisa Blakeley at Prospect House, Soothill.¹
In the census of 3 April 1881 he was listed as a solicitor's articled clerk the son of Benjamin Blakeley at West Park Street, Dewsbury.²
He was articled to his Mother's cousin Frederick Sykes Wooler.³

     Max William Blakeley was born circa 1860 at Köpenick, Berlin. He was the son of Benjamin Blakeley and Maria Louisa Wooler.
In the census of 2 April 1871 he was listed as a scholar, his father seemingly away from home. the son of Maria Louisa Blakeley at Prospect House, Soothill.¹
Max William Blakeley was articled to Michael Sheard and Walter Hanstock.²
In the census of 3 April 1881 he was listed as an architect's clerk aged 21 the son of Benjamin Blakeley at West Park Street, Dewsbury.³
When articled to the Batley practice Max William Blakeley made drawings of Howley Hall, Thornhill Hall, and also Oakwell Hall, where he is said to have spent a fortnight sketching , staying there with his second cousins, who at the time kept a school there.²
Sketches there included one of a fine ceiling in the drawing room, said to have been drawings given to Batley Museum.
It was as well that Max recorded this impressive ceiling for in 1882 it fell in on his cousin Susan Margaret Carter! A storm brought down a chimney, smashing through the roof and floor below, and Susan, who had been in bed in the chamber above, landed amongst its debris on top of the grand piano.²
Max William Blakeley married Fanny Ethel Hewitt on 28 December 1898 at Holy Trinity Church, Chesterfielld.²

     Alice Blakeley was born circa 1863 at Dewsbury. She was the daughter of Benjamin Blakeley and Maria Louisa Wooler. In the census of 2 April 1871 she was listed as a scholar the daughter of Maria Louisa Blakeley at Prospect House, Soothill.¹
In the census of 3 April 1881 she was listed as a teacher aged 18 the daughter of Benjamin Blakeley at West Park Street, Dewsbury.²

     Edith Helen Blakeley was born in 1864 at Dewsbury. She was the daughter of Benjamin Blakeley and Maria Louisa Wooler. In the census of 2 April 1871 she was listed as a scholar the daughter of Maria Louisa Blakeley at Prospect House, Soothill.¹
In the census of 3 April 1881 she was listed as aged 16 the daughter of Benjamin Blakeley at West Park Street, Dewsbury.²

     Edward Reginald Blakeley was born circa 1874 at Dewsbury. He was the son of Benjamin Blakeley and Maria Louisa Wooler. In the census of 3 April 1881 he was listed as a scholar aged 7 the son of Benjamin Blakeley at West Park Street, Dewsbury.¹