Clarence James Moody

Clarence was the son of James and Harriet Moody (née Lovlee or Lovelee). His father James was born in Thorpe Salvin, Yorkshire, in 1953, the son of James and Julia Moody (née Pembleton). James snr. was a master blacksmith and his son served his apprenticeship with him and also became a master blacksmith. His mother Harriet was born in Lincoln in 1857, the daughter of Henry and Sarah Lovelee. In 1861 her family was living in Walshcroft, Caister, Lincolnshire, where her father was a grocer, draper and joiner. James and Harriet were married in 1877 (reg. Lincoln) and had 12 children who were all born in Gringley on the Hill; six children died before 1911. Eleven children have been traced through the census records or birth registrations: Ellen Pembleton b. 1878 d. May 1893, Henry b. 1880 (reg. J/F/M) d. April 1900, Bertrand Sharp b. 1881, Sarah Lois b. 1884, Clarence James b. 1886, Julie Miriam b. 1889 d. 1893 (O/N/D), Harriet Dorothy b. 1891, Unice (sic) Elizabeth b. 1893 d. 1893 (O/N/D), Jonathan (John) Thomas b. 1895 d. 1900 (A/M/J), Victoria Irene b. 1897 and Albert Edward b. 1901. In 1881 James, a master blacksmith, and Harriet were living on High Street, Gringley on the Hill, with their two children Ellen (3) and Henry (1). Also in the household was James' apprentice, John Arrand (18 b. Lincolnshire). The family continued to live on High Street for the next thirty years. By 1891 James was described on the census as a blacksmith and farmer. He and Harriet now had six children: Ellen, Henry, Bertrand (9), Sarah (6), Clarence (4) and Julie (2). Also in the household was Harry Staples (18 b. Lincolnshire), a farm servant. Their fourth daughter, Harriet, was born later that year. The eldest child Ellen died two years later in 1893 and was buried in Gringley on the Hill SS Peter & Paul churchyard on 13 May. Julia also died in 1893 as did another daughter, Unice Elizabeth (b. 1893). Their eldest son Henry died in 1900 and was buried in the churchyard in April 1900, while a fourth son, Jonathan Thomas (b. 1895), also died in 1900. By 1901 James was described on the census as a blacksmith and implement maker (own account); he was one of two blacksmiths in the village. He and Harriet had five children: Bertrand a plasterer, Sarah, Clarence, Harriet (9) and Victoria (3). Their son Albert Edward was born later that year. By 1911 only Albert (9) was living with his parents in Gringley on the Hill. The eldest surviving son Bertrand married Sarah (Sargeant) in 1905 and in 1907 they were recorded on the passenger list of SS Papanui sailing from London on 27 November 1907 for Wellington, New Zealand. However, they returned to the UK and in 1911 were living at 3 St Austin's Avenue, Carlton, with their two young sons. Also in their home on the night of the census was Bertrand's brother, Clarence, a blacksmith/shoeing. Sarah Lois also emigrated to New Zealand, sailing from London on 11 November 1908 for Wellington (SS Tainui). There is a NZ marriage registration for Sarah Lois (McDonald) and also a registration of death (not sighted). Harriet was a domestic servant in the household of John Godfrey, a lace warehouseman, his wife and daughter, in Carlton, Nottingham. She married George Osborn in 1913 and a son was killed in the Second World War (see 'Extra information'). The youngest daughter Victoria (13) was a 'nurse girl' living in Lincoln with her uncle and aunt, William and Sarah Elizabeth Leaming (née Lovlee). Clarence married Edith Annie Dawson (born 23rd February 1891) in 1914 and they had one child, James Frederick born 6th May 1915 they lived at 3 Station Terrace, Radcliffe on Trent. The CWGC record gave his widow's address as Mount Pleasant, Radcliffe on Trent. Edith never remarried and died in 1964. Commencing 10th July 1916 his widow was awarded a pension of 15 shillings a week. Clarence's parents were still living in Gringley on the Hill when the CWGC record was compiled. Harriet died in 1934 (reg. Basford)