Generation 6.3 Joseph Severn 1863 - 1942 & Louisa Goddard 1868 - 1947
Joseph Severn was born in Cotmanhay near Ilkeston on 14th January 1863, the son of James Severn and Mary Sanders. (or Saunders or Sanderson - various spellings have been discovered for this lady). He was christened on 5 April 1863. He would have attended a small local primary school for a few years but census records show that it wasn't in Cotmanhay, Ilkeston or Mexborough. I have no knowledge of his whereabouts between 1863 and 1886 when he pops back into history again on his marriage day.
He was a miner and I believe he moved to the Mexborough area during the expansion of the Denaby mine. At this time the mine owners were offering the best wages in England in order to attract miners from other collieries. There were many people from Ilkeston who settled around Mexborough at this time. Hardly surprising though - in comparison to the Cotmanhay area, Mexborough must have seemed like paradise! (believe it or not!!)
By 1886 Joseph or "the old man" as he is affectionately known as, was living in Mexborough for it was on 26 January 1886 that he married Louisa Goddard, the daughter of Charles and Mary Ann Goddard. Louisa was born 12 January 1868 and christened the 21 June 1868 at Mexborough Parish Church. Charles Goddard was employed as a plumber and glazier. They were married at Mexborough Parish Church.
We know that "the old man" worked down the mine until he had an accident that left him with a damaged hand. This occurred sometime before 1911 as by then he was working as an insurance agent. . There are two stories that relate how he lost the use of his hand.
One family member says that Joe was a hard working and a hard drinking man and that he was very fond of a drop of whisky. One night he had had quite a lot to drink and collapsed on Denaby Main Colliery railway line crossing. A passing train amputated his hand. It was very cold that night and the only thing that kept him alive was the whisky, said the doctor - it kept the cold at bay. From that time he wore a leather glove over a false hand. When he emerged from hospital he was a changed man. He gave up alcohol.
Much as I like that story, it seems to make him more human to my mind - this after all is the man that was super strict, an authoritarian amongst Victorian authoritarians, a fundamentalist Christian, a man who still generates awe and respect amongst many of his descendants - but not many warm & fuzzy feelings. Look at his pictures - he doesn't look like a man with a sense of humour, till later in life. Then again, when pictures were being taken one had to sit stiff and silent for a long time.
However, the remainder of the family all state that they were always told that there was an accident down the pit and Joseph lost has hand that way. It seems more plausable too. He received enough insurance to enable him to come out of the pit. I don't think he would have received insurance if the former story had happened.
Jobs were limited for a one handed labourer, so "the old man" had to learn a few new skills - and full credit must be given to him here. He went back to school. He literally sat on the benches of the Doncaster Road School with Primary school aged children and learned to read and write. I am full of admiration for a man who could do that. It must have taken a lot of courage.
With his new found skills he became an insurance agent for the Pearl Insurance Company. He always wore a black leather glove from this time on, and you'll notice in the photographs he preferred to hide his hand behind his back.
Between 1894 and 1896 he and his growing family moved to 14 Sarah Street, Mexborough and by 1908 he was living at 31 Cross Hall Gate. He was deeply involved with the Methodist Church - in fact many miners were in those days. His parents were Methodists too. However, I believe that after the accident he had more time and money to be able to devote himself to the Methodist cause - which he did with gusto.
Stories abound about his religious beliefs, some even state that he was a Jehovah's Witness. Whether this is true or not I cannot say. Suffice to say he was baptised in a Wesleyan Chapel. In Mexborough he was a member of the Primitive Methodist Church but at some stage, left and along with a number of other Methodists started the Doncaster Road United Methodist Chapel. There was a period during his life when, following a heated debate involving parishioners stealing money from the Church coffers, he started preaching in his house at 9a Doncaster Road - sometime after 1910 and held chapel above the shop next door - now a betting shop! These stories come from his surviving grandchildren. Records at this time are very sketchy. He was still living at 9a Doncaster Road when he gave evidence at his brothers coronial enquiry.
"The old man" collected bibles. I have seen three of them and from this we can gather a few interesting facts about him. One bible, owned by Jessie Holbrook - a large leather one with brass clasps tells us his eyesight in 1901 was right eye 3.50/11 and his left eye was 2.25/15. This bible was given to him by Louisa on 15 January 1901 - a birthday present.
The 1891 census tells us that "the old man" was living at number 24 Firbeck Street, Conisborough and his occupation at that time was given as a labourer and by 1892 he was a night watchman.
Living in the same house was Louisa, Edwin aged 2 years and Anne (aged 2 days). The eldest son, Charles, on the night of the census was staying with his grandfather Charles Goddard in Mexborough.
Joe and Louisa circa 1935 donated by Nancy Severn.
It's good to see that they are smiling - they did have a sense of humour after all :)
This was where the old man held his services - in the upstairs room at 9 Doncaster Rd. Mexborough. The building would have been built during "the old man's" day - and the road was not tarred. On the 23 July 1935 with 10 members present they discussed rules of the upper room at a prayer meeting.
Audrey remembers that the shop became the Co-operative Society and she said that her mother shopped there. "The assistants wore spanking crisp, white coats and aprons - wonderful" she told me.
A report of the day describes Doncaster Road as "a narrow sinewy street ..." and ".. ankle deep in mud .. and refuse."
I saw another bible that Joe owned - this particular bible is quite old. On the front page is written "March 4th 1880" and "paid for carridge 2/3d" and "paid for banner June 31st 1880" and "Jemima, 23, turned for the Lord. Rock in ......."
Another bible, held by Edna Collins is smaller and bears the interesting inscription:- "Oct 15 1933 - At our Sunday School in the afternoon service I had the pleasure of persuading 51 children to swear and serve Jesus Christ in only 10 minutes. God addressed and blessed the effort. There ages were from 9 to 14 year old.
The front of the bible has this inscription: "This bible was given to me Nellie Morgan (nee Severn) by my father Joseph Severn shortly before his death. He read it every day as can be seen by reason of it's well used condition, and it gave him great comfort. It's worn and well-used appearance gives it the character with which I associate my Dad. For this reason I hand this Bible over to my brother Ted, in the hope that he will hand it over to one of his sons." Nellie 23/11/80"
Religion and worship of the Christian Lord formed a great part of "the old man's" life. The Doncaster Road United Methodist Chapel, where almost all the family were baptised, married, buried or partied from was the focus of family life. The Chapel was built in 1915. "The old man" was a trustee of the Chapel and during his life he held almost every post available to him. Ada, his grandaughter well remembers having to "...go round the streets singing ... My cups full and running over, now the Lord's saved me, I'm as happy as can be, my cups full and running over." The annual Whitsun march was a great attraction for church groups and the community. A photograph on page 60 shows one such march.
Nancy told me that Joseph and Louisa were very strict with their children, so much so that they insisted on picking their children's partners for them. When Ted married Jane, Louisa told her that she didn't approve of the marriage. Jane never visited the old couple - Ted used to go along with the children - who were never spoken to. It wasn't until Louisa was dying that she apologised to Jane for her behaviour. This Victorian attitude thankfully has changed with the passing of time, but it does put their behaviour more into context. Ted wasn't the only child whose spouse wasn't approved of.
"The old man", apparently, used to give each of his children a gold chain on their wedding day. Except for Albert - Joe and Louisa thought he married too young and refused to give him one.
An interesting story - though I'm very dubious about this one - is that he gave every man returning from the First World War a gold sovereign.
"The old man" was a very practical person. As an insurance agent he had more time to devote to hobbies - unlike most miners, he liked working with wood and even though his left hand was damaged - he made many objects around the house. He took up photography as well - thankfully we still have a number of the photographs he took but I would bet my missing finger that there were many more that have days was the making of face moulds. Apparently "the old man" made one of himself and Louisa and they were mounted outside the back door at 29 CrossHall Gate. I enquired at the house when I visited England in 1997 but the owners knew nothing about them. Apparently they were removed when the house was sold. Someone may be holding onto Joe & Louisa's face!!!
Joe and Louisa Severn had a total of eleven children but three died before reaching their second birthdays. Here are the children. Click on each name for their story
Children of Joe and Louisa
John Charles Severn b 10 September 1887 married Elizabeth Hyde
Edwin 'Ted' Severn b 18 April 1889 married 1. Jane Myers and 2. Betty Doran
Annie Severn b 4 April d 17 April 1891
Myra Severn b 14 June 1892 married Jack Scholey
Louisa Severn b 24 June 1893 married Thomas Venables
Joseph Severn b 18 December 1894 married Elsie Lunn
Ada Severn b 18 March 1896 married Bill Evans
Albert Severn b 25 September 1899 married Lily Cain
Caroline Severn b 4 October 1900 died 1900
James Severn b 27 Aug d 4 Dec 1902
Nellie Severn b 17 November 1908 married David Morgan
The “old man" and Louisa were very musical people, like many were in the pre-television age. They taught all their children to play musical instruments. I am indebted to my aunt Rene Heaton for giving me the original of the photograph at the start of this page, as well as those throughout this story.. It seems that this was a very popular print because each one of the children had a copy. It is one of my most cherished possessions.
Joseph died on 3 February 1942 at the age of 79 and Louisa died February 23 1947 also at the age of 79.
The Methodist chapel has not survived the test of time. The Lindsay Centre now occupies the site.
This is a copy of "the old man's" will. The grammar leaves something to be desired, but it shows us that he wrote it himself and did NOT employ a solicitor
This is the last will and testament of me Joseph Severn of 29 Cross Gate Mexborough Yorkshire in the County of Yorkshire. I hereby revoke all Wills and Codicils heretofore made by me. I appoint John Scholey of 40 Cowper Road of Mexborough Yorks in the county of and David R Morgan of 14 Wheatley Street in the county of Denaby Main Yorks. to be Executors and Trustees to this my will. I direct that all my just debts and funeral and testementary expenses shall be paid as soon as conveniently may be after my decease I give an bequeath unto my wife Louisa Severn all my household furniture linen china and chattels of every description and remander of my property for her use absolutely monies in War Saving Post Office Barnsley British Coop- erative and National War Saving Certificate. In the event of her death all furniture Linen clothing and chattels to be sold and any money in Post Office Saving Barnsley British Cooperative and National War Saving Certificate to be equally divided between my children namly John Charles Severn(,) Edwin Severn(,) Myra Scholey (,) Louisa Venables (,) Joseph Severn(,) Albert William Severn(,) Nellie Morgan and the deceased Ada Evans her share to be equally divided between her children Irene Heaton(,) Marion Evans and Stanley Evans In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this Januray Fourteenth day of Januray in the year of our Lord One thousand nine hundred and forty two
JOSEPH SEVERN
Signed by the said testator as as for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us present at the same time who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses
Edith Beeby 47 Hallgate Mexborough
Louisa Thomas 22 Kelvin Street. Mexborough
4 fos. On the 2nd day of April 1942 Probate of this Will was granted at Wakefield to the Executors
29 Crossgate in 1998
Mexborough
The home of Jo and Louisa Severn nee Goddard.
They brought up 11 children here.
John Charles Severn 1887 - 1966
John Charles Severn (or Jack as he was called) was the eldest son of Joseph and Louisa. He was born on 10 September 1887 and baptised on 2 October 1887 at the Mexborough Parish Church. Interesting to note that on the night of the 1891 census, he was staying at the home of Charles GODDARD (his uncle). Jack's dad, Joseph, was living in Conisborough. Jack became a miner down the Denaby Main pit.
He married Elizabeth Hyde on 11 September 1913 at the Doncaster Road United Methodist Chapel. At the time of his marriage he was living at 9a Doncaster Road with his parents. Elizabeth, aged 20, lived at 15 Cromwell Road, Mexborough. Alert readers will know that this was also the address for the old man's chapel/meeting house. Jack died in 1966
Jack and Elizabeth had:
John (Jack) Severn born 1914. He joined the Navy and whilst serving aboard HMS Harvester during World War 2 was lost in the mid Atlantic.
Freda Severn born 3 July 1924. Freda married Albert Caddick on 3 February 1951. Albert was born in Doncaster and worked at Manvers Main Colliery in Wath-upon-Dearne. They lived at 14 Crossgate, Mexborough, a house they bought from Tom & Louisa Venables. Brian and Freda had three children:
Stanley Caddick born 16 July 1952. Stanley is/was the Manager of the Pleasure Gardens in Blackpool, Lancs.
Gary Caddick born 25 July 1958 is a machinist at Murphy Richards factory in Swinton. He married Carol Riley and now has two step- children.
Jeanette Caddick born 22 July 1960 and works at the Department of Health and Social Security in Mexborough. She lives at 14 Plumpton Avenue, Mexborough and has a daughter:
Lindsay Richardson
George Brian Severn born 26 July 1932. At a fairly young age he had a lung removed because of TB ((tuberculosis). He married Maureen Nettleford on the 26 December 1970. She died in 2000 and the couple did not have children. Brian lived in Pym Road, Mexborough.George died in Mexborough aged 86 on 16 April 2018.
Edwin "Ted" Severn 1889 - 1987
Edwin, or Ted as he was always called, was born 18 April 1889 to Joseph and Losuia Severn. Like all his brothers and sisters he was taught to play a musical instrument from an early age. It was his father's ambition that Ted would eventually be the organist at the Mexborough United Methodist Chapel in Doncaster Road. Ted soon learned to play the organ but being a very small person he had a problem - his legs wouldn't reach the pedals. So "the old man" taped jam jars to the organ pedals. Ted was the organist at the chapel until 1914 when he joined the Army.
Ted (2nd lad from the left) in the Mexborough Football Team
Photo donated by Edna Severn
After he left school, went down the pit at Denaby Main. As soon as he was capable of doing a man's work, he asked for a man's wage (instead of a boy's) When management refused his request, he resigned and started selling fish in the market- place. His story is that someone came up to him and said ".. if tha' can sell fish, tha' can sell insurance!" Thus Ted moved onto this more lucrative employment.
In 1914, at the outbreak of World War One he joined the Royal Engineers and served in Mesapotamia - building roads. He told stories of great hooded snakes, valleys of sand scattered with gold coins, horses frozen solid on picket lines, of Turks captured and guarded to keep the Gurkhas away - and one morning finding that the Gurkhas had got to them (said Turks) and had silently sliced off and mounted their heads onto poles.
After the war he was the organist at the Mexborough Oxford Picture House on the Low Road where they played silent movies. People referred to the cinema matinees as the "Penny Rush". Many people still remember walking across the market place, picking up vegetable scraps and orange peel to throw at Ted when the lights went out. There was a screen behind him to protect him from this barrage. When talkies were introduced he became the cinema's projectionist. The cinema eventually closed.
Oxford Picture Theatre circa 1935 as Ted would have known it. Donated by Lindsay Richardson
It was bought by an umbrella company and Ted continued to work at the place. He became known as the "Umberella Man" and used the well-known song of the same name as his signature tune.
After he retired he attended the Lindsay Centre which by coincidence has been built on the exact spot where the old Doncaster Road United Methodist Chapel once stood.
Ted married a girl called Jane (Jinny) Myers on 26 Apr 1916 - son of John Myers of 74 Tickhill Street, Denaby Main. John was a collier. Five years later, in the 1921 census we find that Ted is living at 35 Clayfield Road and he has a full house. Besides wife Jane and the first two kids - Irwin and Muriel, he had Wilfred Oliver, Wilfred's wife Florence and their daughter Doreen Oliver. Wilfred was one of the Mexborough Olivers and was working at Denaby Manin the plate layer pit yard. Ted's occupation was musical director at the Oxford Picture House. Ted still lived at 35 Clayfield Road in 1939.
It is known that Ted's mum, Louisa, didn't approve of the marriage and for many years refused to talk to either Jinny or her children. On 15 May 1951 Jinny died of cancer. Ted remarried to Elizabeth "Betty" Doran in 1967. She made the headlines on the 7th day of the 7th month in 1977 when she reached 77 years of age. Telegrams arrived from all over the world and she was featured in the newspaper and on television and received a silver tankard. (Nothing on the internet in 2015 though!). Betty died in 1982. Ted died in 1987.
Ted and Jinny had six children - but two died in infancy. Children:
Muriel Severn 1921 - married John Hoult
Joseph Severn 1925 - disappeared from history
Nancy (called Annie) Severn married Colin Foster
Irwin Severn married Edna Collins
Nellie Severn b 1921 at 35 Clayfield Road, baptised 10 September 1921 Doncaster Road United Methodist Chapel - died young
Annie Severn born 13 April 1928 at 35 Clayfield Road, baptised 7 May 1921 Doncaster Road United Methodist Chapel - died young.
Left:
Ted and Jinny
Donated by Edna Severn
Right:
Ted and Betty on their wedding day.
Left:
Ted's 90th Birthday in front of Lindsay Centre, 1979
Extreme left: Nancy Severn; Back row: Malcolm and Nellie Morgan
Front row: Betty; Ted
Below:
Ted with family and friends on his 90th birthday party at the Lindsay Centre
Muriel Severn 1st child of Ted and Ginny Severn
Muriel Severn born 9 April 1921, baptised 1 May 1921 at Doncaster Road United Methodist Chapel. Muriel attended Doncaster Road School and Tadwick Road School. After leaving at the age of 14 she helped her mother in the house. During World War 2 she worked on Lancaster bombers at Slapton. She met John Allan Hoult who worked at Cadeby pit - actually she used to clean up for John's sister. She left Slapton and then worked in the Powder Works at ICI Denaby, inspecting hand grenades, bridge bombs and blockbuster bombs.
My thanks to Muriel for all her help with stories, photos and anecdotes.
Allan and Muriel were married in 1942 at Mexborough Parish Church - and they had two children:
Alan Hoult born ? and attended Doncaster Ro ad and Adwick Road Schools. Then he worked down Manvers pit for 5 years and moved to the Steelworks inRotherham working as a maintenance fitter. The steelworks were closed down and Alan was made redundant.
Denise Hoult born ? and attended Maple Road and Adwick Road schools. Denise married Richard Lane from Wadworth - a painter by trade. She went on to attend Melton College, studying Social Services and now works with the disadvantaged in Edlington. They have two children:
Gareth Lane
Judy Lane
Muriel & Jack Hoult
Donated by Muriel
Joseph Severn 2nd child of Ted and Jane Severn
Joseph Severn born 6 September 1925 at 35 Clayfields Road, baptised Doncaster Road United Methodist Chapel and I tracked him down to an old converted seventeenth century school house in Fishponds, Bristol. I tried to see Joe on a number of occasions, but unfortunately missed him each time. I know that he has a son - Stevan Severn, but that's all the information I have.
Joseph and ?. Donated by Muriel
I believe this to be Stevan. Donated by Muriel
Nancy Severn 3rd child of Ted and Jane Severn
Above: Annie and Colin Foster; Donated by Annie Foster
Below: Carl and Jane, Zoe and Andrew Donated by Annie Foster
Nancy SEVERN - b 14 Dec 1924 (called Annie) attended Adwick Road School. In the 1939 census she was at her parent's home (31 Shirbeck Road(?) Kingston upon Hull) working as a varnish filler. She married Colin Foster in 1951 (son of Joseph & Alice Bernice Foster) born 2 January 1927.
Colin worked in the power station. Nancy ran a shop in Mexboro for 12 years. Colin retired suffering from glaucoma, thankfully a successful operation rectified this. Colin and Annie have one son.
The next paragraph may be put of date as it's been a few years since I had any information. Annie and Colin moved back to Mexborough from Rotherham and live just off the Doncaster Road, on the site of the old Glebe Farm house. Annie suffers from spondolosis and arthritis and has to wear a collar following a nasty car crash. They have a holiday caravan in Bridlington and like to get away whenever possible.
Thanks to Annie for this information and for making me feel welcome when I visited her in 1997. Even though suffering from arthritis, she gamely took me around Mexborough showing me the places of interest.
Annie and Colin have a son:
Carl Foster born 21 September 1960. He attended Mexborough Grammar School, then joined the Royal Marines. He holds a Higher National Certificate in Mining Engineering and for 17 years has worked in a coalmine - 10 years at Manvers before it closed and the last 7 at Maltby. He held the position of deputy in charge of operations. Carl enjoys playing and watching football.
He is a very keen supporter of Sheffield Wednesday. He also plays golf when he gets time. Carl has the honour of being the only miner left where once almost every man in the family was a miner.
Carl is married to Jane Fereday, daughter of Granville & Sheila Fereday. Jane was born at Goldthorpe, Yorkshire on 13 May 1964. Jane and Stephan were married 25 July 1987 at Goldthorpe and they have two children:
Andrew Carl Foster born 22 April 1989 at Doncaster - an extremely keen supporter of Sheffield Wednesday who loves playing football
Zoe Leigh Foster born 3 August 1992 at Doncaster
Carl and Jane, Zoe and Andrew Donated by Annie Foster
Irwin Severn 4th child of Ted and Jane
Irwin SEVERN was born 11 Dec 1919. While he was still at school he earned money by working as the film rewind boy and the chocolate selling boy at the Oxford Picture House where his father was the organist. Right next door to the cinema was a chocolate and sweet shop owned by James Collins (original name Connell) from Sunderland, who had come down to work in Dale and Brown's glassworks. James married Elizabeth Piper from Mexborough. James and Elizabeth had seven children, the youngest of whom, Edna Collns, married Irwin.
When the war came Irwin joined the Army, aged 21 and Edna moved to Parkgate to work at Parkgate Forge in the safety and security office. Parkgate Shopping Centre now stands on this site. Before the war, Irwin trained to become a plasterer, but joined up to serve in the Royal Artillery during World War Two, seeing active service in England, Belgium and Egypt. Afterwards, he became well-known. Afterwards, he became well-known throughout Yorkshire for his skill in restoring beautiful plaster carving and ornate plaster work.
Edna and Irwin married in 1946 - 6 weeks later, her dad died. Later that year, Edna and Irwin 1946 opened a small corner store.
Irwin suffered terribly from arthiritus and this eventually led to his early death in July 1984.
Edna continued to live in Swinton and led an active life sewing and serving on the committees of her Church. I spent three very happy days staying with Edna in 1997 and I should like to thank her very much for her hospitality, input, comments and suggestions for this project.
Irwin and Edna had a son:
Irwin and Edna's wedding
L-R Ted; Jinny; Edna; Doris (Edna's sister); Fred Tate
Donated by Muriel Hoult
Keith Severn born 24 June 1948. Keith started work as a fitter/machinist at a local foundry, later becoming a sales representative for a central heating company. He is now Heating Operations Manager for Sheffield City Council, and in his spare time is kept busy as a reservist in the 3rd Battalion Duke of Wellington Regiment. He also keeps ferrets (though don't talk about them to Ann!!)
He married Ann Constance Firth, daughter of Constance Mary (Moody) and Albert Firth in 1975. (Ann doesn't like ferrets!!)
Keith and Ann are intrepid travellers saving all their money to go to far-flung places on the globe. In 1994 for example they spent time in Katmandu, Nepal and the Himalayas. 1995 saw them in China, Polynesia, Hongkong and Malaysia. In 1997 when I arrived in Swinton, they had just returned from Central America.
I want to say a very big thank you to Keith and Ann who extended such wonderful hospitality to a long lost family member. You guys really made my stay wonderful. I now know what true Yorkshire hospitality means. Thanks.
Keith and Anne and have a daughter
Nina Severn born 15th December 1978, and having travelled extensively with her parents I imagine she won't be staying long in the Swinton area. Nina studied at Keele University near Lancaster.
