Eben Renshaw

Eben (also Ebenezer) was the third son of George and Elizabeth Renshaw (née Cripwell). His father George was born in Skegby, Nottinghamshire, in about 1841, the son of Charles and Elizabeth Renshaw; he was baptised at Skegby St Andrew on 31 October 1841. In 1851 his widowed father, Charles, a framework knitter, was living with his widowed mother and his four children, including George (9), in Little Manchester, Skegby. His mother Elizabeth was born in Ruddington, Nottinghamshire, the daughter of William and Mary Cripwell. In 1861 her father, a framework knitter, and his family, including the nine-year old Elizabeth, were recorded in Basford workhouse. However, by 1871 Elizabeth was living in Sutton Bonington with her widowed grandmother, Ann Domloe. George Renshaw and Elizabeth Cripwell were married at Nottingham St Mary on 25 January 1873 (J/F/M Nottingham) and had nine children who were all born in Ruddington: Samuel (Sam) birth registered 1873 (J/F/M Basford), Frederick (Fred) b. 17 April 1875, Eben/Ebenezer b. abt. 1888, Walter b. 6 January 1880 (J/F/M Basford), Emma b. 1882 (A/M/J Basford) d. 1888 (J/F/M Basford), Mary Ann b. 1884 (J/A/S Basford) d. 1902 (J/F/M Basford), Eliza Ann b. 9 November 1886 (O/N/D Basford), Harriet b. 27 January 1889 (J/F/M Basford) and Lily b. 24 January 1892 (J/F/M Basford). Eben has not yet been traced on the birth registrations (alternatives Eben/Ebenezer/Ben) and on the census returns his name was given as 'Eber'. In 1881 George (38), a framework knitter, and Elizabeth (29) were living on Wilford Road, Ruddington, with their four sons, Sam (8). Frederick (5), Eben (3) and Walter (1). Also in the household was Elizabeth's widowed father, William Cripwell (60), also a framework knitter, who was described as a lodger. Their first daughter, Emma, was born the following year but died in 1888 aged about 5 years old. By 1891 George and Elizabeth, who was working as a hosiery seamer, were living at Smith's Yard, Marlpit, Ruddington, with six of their then seven surviving children: Fred (15) a hosiery hand, Eber (13) a stocking winder, Walter (11), Mary Ann (6), Eliza (4) and Harriet (2). The eldest child, Samuel (18), was a footman in the employ of Jonathan Tidmas (32), a lace manufacturer, of Normanton-on-Soar, near Loughborough. By 1901 the family was again living on Wilford Road, Ruddington. Of George and Elizabeth's eight surviving children only six were in the home on the night of the census: Eben (24) a platelayer, Walter (21) a navvy, Mary (16) a lace mender, Eliza (14) a hosiery factory hand, Harriet (12) and Lily (10). Sam, a railway labourer, was a visitor in the household of Charles Grace and his wife Eliza (b. Ruddington) in Heanor, Derbyshire. Frederick had married Emma Bomford in 1898 (A/M/J Basford) and in 1901 they were living at 19 Sandy Lane, Mansfield; Frederick was a framework knitter. Mary Ann died the following year aged 17. The family had moved to Mansfield by the time of George's death at the age of 68 in 1909 (A/M/J Mansfield) and in 1911 the widowed Elizabeth (59) was living at 185 Newgate Lane, Mansfield. Only seven of her nine children were still living, four of whom were in the home on the night of the census: Sam (38) a colliery bank labourer, Eben (33) a bricklayer's labourer, Lily (19) a hosiery hand and her married daughter Harriet Tooth (22) together with Harriet's daughter Lily (under 1 month). Harriet had married George Henry Tooth in 1910 (O/N/D Mansfield) and their daughter had been born the following year; her husband was registered on the census in his parents' home on Rosemary Street, Mansfield. Two of Elizabeth's other children had also married since the 1901 Census: Eliza Ann to George Day in 1906 (J/A/S Mansfield) and Walter to Clara Grice at Mansfield St Peter in 1910 (J/A/S Mansfield). Eliza and George were living at 7 George Street, Mansfield, with their first child, Gladys Edna (1). Walter and Clara were probably living at 155 Westfield Lane, Mansfield. Frederick and his wife Emma were living next door to his mother at 187 Newgate Lane. He and Emma had four children, Sam (8), Frederick (5), Ivy (4) and Frank (7 months). Elizabeth continued to live at 185 Newgate Lane and her son Samuel lived with her until his death on 13 October 1925. Elizabeth died the following year (1926 J/A/S Mansfield) and may have still been living at the same address. Of Eben's surviving siblings: Samuel's army service documents record that he served in the 2nd Division Royal Marine Light Infantry, based in Porsmouth, for five years, discharged by purchase. It is likely that he enlisted some time after his eighteenth birthday in 1891 and had been discharged by 1901. He also served in the war and enlisted on 12 September 1914 at the age of 41 years 181 days (over-age). Sam was posted initially to the Hampshire Regiment and then to the 303 Reserve Labour Coy on 18 July 1917 (99468). He served at home until 4 March 1916 then joined the BEF in France on 5 March 1916 until evacuated to the UK on 11 August 1916 suffering from trench fever. He returned to France on 9 February 1917 but was admitted to 36 CCC on 21 April 1917 suffering from a bomb wound to the right thigh (later descibed as GSW right thigh); the injuries may have been received as the result of an accident. He returned to England on 2 May for treatment. Sam returned to France on 2 September 1917, now serving with the Labour Corps. He was not discharged to the Army Reserve until 20 March 1919. Sam committed suicide on 13 October 1925; he had been suffering from neurasthenia for 18 months and been unable to work. (See 'Extra information'). Frederick was living with his wife, Emma née Bomford (b. 8 February 1876) at 187 Newgate Lane, Mansfield, in 1919 but had moved to 27 Eakring Road, Mansfield, by 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled. Frederick was working as a legger (artificial and pure silk). Also in the home were two of their children, Ivy Hoyles (b. 8 December 1906) a widow and working as a seamer (artificial and pure silk) and Mary (b. 27 November 1914) a mender (artifical and pure silk). Ivy had married Charles William Hoyles in 1930 (J/A/S Mansfield) but he had died aged 23 on 19 August the same year; she married George Gidlow in 1941. Their other children were probably: George Albert b. 1901 d. 1902, Sam b. 1902, Frederick b. 1905, Frank b. 1910, George b. 1913, Douglas b. 1917 and Ben b. 1919 d. 1920. Frederick probably died in 1960 (A/M/J Mansfield). Walter and his wife Clara née Grice (b. 18 February 1885) probably had five children: Sidney b. 14 May 1911, Albert b. 12 August 1914, Rose b. 1913, Lily b. 1 March 1917 and May b. 1920. Walter attested on 10 December 1915 age 35 years 341 days and was mobilised on 9 June 1916 and posted to the Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers (175406 Sapper). He and Clara were living at 155 Westfield Lane, Mansfield, in 1919 and were still at the same address in 1939. Walter was then working as a collier shunter (above ground). At least two of their children were still at home; Albert, a colliery stone worker and Lily a hosiery runner-on; one record remains closed. Walter died in 1942 (A/M/J Mansfield). Eliza Ann and her husband George Day may have had five children: Gladys Edna b. 9 November 1909, Arthur G. b. 23 February 1912, Ethel M. b. 29 April 1916, Marjorie W. b. 27 May 1920 and Kathleen M. b. 17 April 1923. Eliza and George were living at 157 Westfield Lane in 1919 and were still at the same address in 1939. George (b. 29 November 1883) was a builder and contractor, and Eliza's occupation given as undpaid domestic duties. Four of their children were still at home: Gladys a radio manageress, Arthur a carpenter (wireless), Marjorie a drapery assistant and Kathleen a cashier, were still living at home. Eliza died in 1955 (A/M/J Mansfield); her husband may have died five years earlier in 1950. Harriet and her husband George Henry Tooth probably had three children; Iris M. b. 1914, Harold b. 1916 and Ralph William b. 13 November 1919. In 1919 they were living at 20 Rosemary Street, Mansfield, but by 1939 had moved to 80 Sutton Road, Mansfield. George (b. 15 March 1890) was a clerk for a grocery warehouse (probably the Co-operative Society). Only their son Ralph, an apprentice joiner, was still at home. George Henry died on 27 April 1948; he and Harriet were still living at 80 Sutton Road. Harriet died in 1972 (J/A/S Mansfield). Lily married Arthur Cook in 1912 (J/A/S Mansfield; they may have had three children: Phyllis b. 1913, Jack b. 1918 and Winifred b. 1928. In 1919 they were living on Francis Street, Mansfield, but by 1939 Arthur (b. 30 August 1891) was the licensee of the Newcastle Arms public house, King Street, Sutton in Ashfield; Lily's occupation was given as unpaid domestic duties. There was one other person in the household but the record remains closed. Lily died in 1962 (O/N/D Mansfield); Arthur survived her (d. 1972).