Gen 2.1 Sarah-Ann 'Siran" Severn 1873 - 1948
Sarah Ann Severn, the eldest child of George and Martha Jane Severn was born 5 March 1873. On my trip to England, in 1997, some of the older members of the family recalled an old lady called Sirann (Yorkshire/ Lancashire dialect). I believe this is the person they were talking about. I am indebted to Jim Evans, her son (1919-1994) for a wonderful story and some of the facts here. And a huge thanks to his widow Lilian for the photos.
Sirann (Sarah Ann) was born in Darfield of George and Martha Jane Severn was born 5 March 1873. the youngest of 16 children, though 8 died young. She married James Evans of Rawmarsh. Jim continues the story:
"James Evans, my father was born in 1868 in Dawlish, Shropshire and he always said Dr Webb (Capt. Webb's father) brought him into the world. He was the son of John Thomas and Hannah Maria Evans who came to Rawmarsh in the 1880s from Dawlish with his children: James, Jack, Reuben and Charlotte. Both grandparents died within a day of each other at a house in Victoria Road, Parkgate. John was aged 84.
Jim was very fond of his dog.
Donated by Lilian Evans
Jim and the dog
Donated by Lilian Evans
Jim and unknown grandchild
Donated by Lilian Evans
James (Jim) was born 11 March 1870 at Langley Square, Dawley in the Registration District of Madely in Staffordshire. He married Sarah Ann Severn and they started married life in a very small house in Church Street, Rawmarsh and had a very large family of 16, but 7 died of scarlet fever which was deadly in those days. They moved to a larger house in Pottery Street an area well known for fighting and blackclocks, each family having a team of them. Jim told me that "In 1926 during the strike, my old man used to take me coal picking on Stubbin Tip. I was only eight at the time - we used to go up Haugh Lane and down a track to Bank Cottages which was pretty steep and pulling a barrow of coal up was no Joke. He used to tie me to the barrow for two reasons - one to help him pull, the other so I couldn’t run off. This barrow was a home made effort about 6 feet long and three feet wide with wheels off old wringing machines or mangles as they were called. The axle was made by “Old Footit” the blacksmith at the top of Pottery Street. Funny name for anyone, but a popular one. If anything went wrong down Pottery Street where I was born, you could hear them shout his name or something like it."
Top left Sirann in the yard at Pottery Street;
Above Sirann and Jim;
Left: Jim on a horse. All photos donated by Lilian Evans
Jim said that "In them days Pottery Street had all the mod cons ...... ash middins, dry closets, blackclocks and bugs. When it was hot they used to come out - the bugs I mean, and feed on you - sucking blood. If they had a feed off our old man, they’d be drunk for three days. We used to chase them up the bedroom wall with a candle. But you had to watch them - they’d turn around and blow it out.”
Jim and Sirann had the following children:
Martha Jane Evans 1892 married Haigh then Riley (a widow at 32)
John Thomas Evans 1893 – 1963. married Barker.
George Evans 1896 -1917
Ernest ‘Cufty’ Evans 1898 – 1967. married Leather
Mary Evans 1902 - 1902 - 1946 . married Gillespie
Sarah Jane Evans 1905 – married Turton & Simpson
Beatrice May Evans 1908 - 1946 . married
Betsy Mabel Evans 1911
Kathleen ‘Cathy’ Evans 1913 – 1967. married Killeen
James Evans 1918-1996. married Makin
Rose Evans 1923. married Hunt
Jim died in 1951 aged 83. Sarah Ann died 1 June 1948 aged 75
This letter penned by Siran to her son, Ernest's, commanding officer demonstrates the anguish felt by every family at this time. Especially since Ernest joined up underage. His army number was 241135 and he was a member of the 5th Yorkshire and Lancs Regiment.
I don't have the original so you have to imagine it's hand-written.
It reads (spelt as read)
Mrs S A Evans.
No 43 Newpottery st
Rawmarsh
Dear Sir
I am sending to ask you if you cude be so kind as to look over my son going to the front as i would rather him not go till he is of age so as i have had his Brother killed and i would much rather him not go till he is old enuf hoping Dear sir you will oblige and see to it yours truly Sarah Evans
my sons name is inside with Birth certificate
Martha Jane Evans 1892 - 1973
Martha Jane Evans born 1892 married 1. Cliff Haig by whom she had issue:
Mary Haig - died without children
Edward Haig b 1919 died at Dunkirk
Brian Haig born 1924
She married secondly Cliff Riley and has:
Jean Riley of Huddersfield
Doreen Riley
John Thomas Evans "Jack" 1893 - 1963
John Thomas Evans (Jack) born 16 Nov 1893 died 6 Jan 1963 aged 70. Jack spent all his working life at the Aldwarke Main Colliery and his out of work time at Rawmarsh Cricket Club. He married Elizabeth Barker (born 28 Nov 1895, died 19 Jan 1952 aged 57).
Eliza and Jack Evans
Donated by Lilian Evans
Jack and Eliza had three children
Hilda Evans 1915 - 1956 married Larrett Winstanley 1912 - 1960. Issue
Barry Evans d 1921
Peter Evans d 2017
Robert Evans d 2022 - not sure who he married but I believe there are two children - Davies and Sharon
Phyllis Evans
Beatrice Evans
Phyllis Evans 1917 -
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