Crabtree_Fry_Rigg_Ancestry

Luke Crabtree (Doris Crabtree’s grandfather) Born 1867 died April 28th 1898 age 31 by drowning.

John/Jonas Crabtree 1821-1897 - M - Hannah Kershaw?  = Luke Crabtree 1867- 1898

Luke Crabtree married Margaret Rigg In Todmorden in 1890 Oct-Dec 9a page 385

Jonas’ Son, Luke Crabtree Born 1867, Died April 28th, 1898 at age 31 by drowning.   From the Annals of Todmorden: 28th April 1898 = The dead body of a man named Luke Crabtree of Burnley was taken out of the canal near Thistle Hall, Walsden. See Inquest

Row 17 .Space 31 Luke Crabtree 5 Ashworth St. Burnley 02-May 1898 32 Christ Church Todmorden.

I can't find Luke Crabtree on FreeBMD, but there are 2 that might be him. 

March quarter 1864 Male Crabtree Todmorden 9a 208

June quarter 1867 Male Crabtree Todmorden 9a 213

The Crabtree’s were mostly weavers. Jonas spun yarn at his farm. Textiles: a local cottage industry of over 5 centuries.

A tragedy during Lucas & Jonas time. A massive Boiler Explosion, and a smallpox epidemic.

“A smallpox epidemic had ravaged its way through the town, testing the meager medical resources and killing off many. The Sourhall smallpox hospital was to be purchased in March 1875, too late for the victims of the latest outbreak. Tuberculosis and measles continued to be major killers and many of the victims to these diseases were the young children. Each year, 50 people in every 1,000 died, but not always as victims of disease. In spite of the Factory Acts, the latest of which was demanding a reduction in the hours that 15 year olds should work on a Saturday, the mills and factories were death traps. There were several cases of workers being trapped or maimed or even killed by machinery in factories, which were reported every week at that time.

Canal Street Mill Boiler Explosion

The aftermath of the explosion, taken from the canal bank

Thursday 21st January 1875 was a day the people of Todmorden could never forget. On the Sunday following the explosion, hundreds of sightseers came on trains from surrounding towns to see the damage. Such was the magnitude of the disaster.

Full story, more pictures and details available at: Toddmorden Walsden.com

Compulsory schooling for children had begun in 1871 and the courts took a dim view of youngsters who did not agree with this new innovation. The courts sent one young lad, who showed that he had no intention of regularly attending school in that January of 1875, to the training ship 'Southampton', which was moored in the Humber estuary at that time. “

 

              CHRIST CHURCH TODMORDEN Christ Church Todmorden

Where Lucas Crabtree is buried. in 1838, age 32. Row 17, grave number 31 Grave is unmarked, but the location can be found by the name on the graves on either side.  No.30 - Sydney Turner, and number 32: Ingham Holt.

In 1868 a murder took place in the Christ Church vicarage and this is a story which can be fully read HERE. Christ Church Vicarage

 

 

 

  Pictures Provided by Todmorden Walsden Free Pages:

I wrote to to Linda of Todmorden Walsden Free Pages:: March 30th 2007 asking for some information and she kindly provided the following:

“Luke's burial is on our website. If you scroll down to where it gives a link to the occupants of the graves, and go to part 4, you will find his name in row 17, grave number 31. At the moment I don't have an inscription for this grave, and it may be there is no headstone. We are currently transcribing all the head stones, and when we get to row 17 we will find out.

The church has been bought by a young couple who are converting it into a home. They are doing well with it, and are intending to keep the body of the church as it was, with all the stained glass and mosaics. The actual grave yard is still in use, and people can still be buried there, although it is now almost full.”