Dressmaker - Leabrooks

Violet Amy Ainsworth was born at Sleetmoor in 1892. She was baptised on 2 January 1893 at the Church of St. Thomas, Someercotes. At the time of the census taken in 1911 she was 18 years old and working as a dressmaker. She was living with her parents, William Joseph Ainsworth, a colliery overseer and Annie Elizabeth, along with many siblings. Their address was Albert Street, Leabrooks. She married Walter Mason in 1918.

Laundry Services - Somercotes

Information though to relate to this company has been transcribed from  THE LONDON GAZETTE, of 31 March 1922, page 2660:

"The ALFRETON DISTRICT STEAM LAUNDRY COMPANY Limited. (In Voluntary Liquidation.) NOTICE is hereby given, that a General Meeting of the Members of the above named Company will be held at the George Hotel, Alfreton, on Thursday, the 4th day of May, 1922. at four o'clock in the afternoon precisely, to receive the report of the Liquidators, showing how the winding-up of the Company has been conducted and its property disposed of, to hear any explanation that may be furnished by the Liquidators, and to pass an Extraordinary Resolution as to the disposal of the books, accounts and documents of the Company.—Dated this 28th day of

March, 1922. [207] SAML. EDWD. SHORT and CO., Liquidators."

Motor Engineer - Somercotes

Charles Argyle was born at Alfreton, Derbyshire in 1878.  He was born into a family of engineers. In 1911 his father William (by then a widower) was described as an “engine wright” and his eldest son, George as a “fitter & turner”.  Charles, then 33 years old and unmarried, was recorded as a Motor Engineer. They lived at Leabrooks Road, Somercotes. He married Olive Bakewell in 1916, the year this trade directory was published.

Farmer - Somercotes

George Armstrong was born at Greenhill Lane in 1849. He married Jemima Spencer on 18 April 1870. Prior to his occupation as a farmer, George was, for many years, a coal miner. In 1881 he was a miner living with his wife and family at 42, Coupland Place, Somercotes, but by the census taken in 1901 was a farmer on Nottingham Road. By the census of 1911 he lived with his wife Jemima at “The Farm” Somercotes and was recorded as a dairy farmer. The postal address was 4, Nottingham Road.

BAKEWELL, John Mrs

(Hannah May Bakewell)

Draper - Leabrooks

Mrs John Bakewell was Hannah Mary Bakewell who, in 1911, was recorded as a Draper, Milliner and Dressmaker. She was married to John Bakewell who was described in 1911 as a “Life Assurance Superintendent”. Hannah’s name before she married was Wilbraham and she was born at Alfreton, Derbyshire in 1862. Hannah and John married in 1886. She ran the shop that was situated at the corner of Chapel Street and Swanwick Road, Leabrooks. There is a photograph of Bakewell’s shop in the photo gallery.

Shopkeeper - Somercotes with Birchwood

Joseph Bates was born in 1850, in Somercotes, Derbyshire. He married Mary Ann Froggatt in 1875. In 1911, he was recorded as a “yeast dealer and confectioner” and his wife was listed as his assistant. They lived on Birchwood Lane. Joseph died in 1923.

Greengrocer - Somercotes Hill

Henry Thomas Batty was born in Haverbrook, Westmorland on 18 August 1882. He married is wife, Hannah, when he was 20 years old, and it is assumed that he had already moved to the district as she was born at Riddings. The census of 1911 records that their first child was born at Riddings, but their second child, Amy was born in Somercotes. The family lived on Quarry Road in 1911, and Henry is recorded as a greengrocer. By the census of 1939, taken for the National Identity Cards, Henry and Hannah lived alone at 61, Somercotes Hill. He was still listed as a shopkeeper.

Teacher of Music - Quarry Road, Somercotes (Ernest was also the organist at Riddings Church)

Ernest Bettison was born on 14 October 1875 at Somercotes. He was listed as a music teacher on the census return of 1911, when he lived with his wife Lily and two children at Quarry Road, Somercotes. He married Lily Mumby in 1903. On the census return of 1939 they lived at Charles Street, Leabrooks. Ernest died in 1950. Samuel Bettison, listed below, is Ernest's father.

Music & Musical Instrument Dealer - Somercotes Hill

Samuel Bettison was born in 1850 in Somercotes, Derbyshire. He married Clara Annie Bennet in 1872, who was born at Birchwood. By 1911 the family lived at Somercotes Hill and Samuel is described as a “Music Dealer”. It seems that Samuel had not always been a music dealer, as in the census of 1881 he is recorded as a coal miner, although ten years later in 1891 he is described as a musician. Their son, Ernest Bettison, is also in this list.

Boot Repairer - Somercotes

William James Bilbie was born in Somercotes, Derbyshire on 8 July 1890. By the census of 1911 he lived with his parents (his father was also named William James) at Victoria Street, Somercotes. His occupation was recorded as a bootmaker. William married Elizabeth Ann Godber on 18 August 1912 at the Church of St. James, at Riddings. The census of 1939 records William and his wife Elizabeth and family living at 17, Victoria Street, where he was still employed as a boot repairer. William died in 1969 at the age of 79 years.

Fried Fish Shop - Somercotes

Moses Brentnall was born in 1855 at Riddings, Derbyshire. He married Sarah Elizabeth Radford on 31 March 1877. The 1911 census records Moses living at 59, Nottingham Road, Somercotes and his occupation as a “[Potato Chip &] Fish Dealer”. By 1911 his wife had died and he is listed as a widower. Moses died on 12 January 1920 and left just under £515 in his Last Will & Testament, at the time a relatively large amount for someone in the district.

Undertaker - Somercotes

Edmund Amos Burt was born on 12 June 1884. He married Beatrice Annie Clifford at Clay Cross on 20 June 1909. At the census in 1911, Amos lived with his wife and son at 33, Langley Avenue, Somercotes. His occupation was recorded as “wheelwright and coachbuilder”. Although he is recorded in the 1916 Trade Directory as an Undertaker this is still in keeping with his profession, as many carpenters and joiners increased their income by furnishing funerals  By the 1939 census Edmund had moved to Crich, Derbyshire and was employed as a “Motor Coach Builder”. He died at Crich on 30 July 1957. See also information on World War One Soldiers.

Chemist - 74, Nottingham Road, Somercotes

Frank Casson was born in North Ormsby, Yorkshire in 1872. He seems to have travelled around the country both with his parents and after he left home. At the census of 1891 he lived with his parents and siblings at Aston in Warwickshire where his father worked as an engineer. At 18 years old Frank was working as an analytical chemist. By 1901 he lived at Trowbridge, and married Caroline Ada King there on 21 August 1902. Sometime in the following few years Frank and his wife moved to Somercotes. In 1911 the family lived at 74, Nottingham Road, Somercotes and Frank’s occupation was recorded as Chemist & Druggist. It is not known exactly how long Frank lived in the village, but his name does not appear in any trade directory for 1925.

Blacksmith - Victoria Street, Somercotes

William was born at Birchwood on 3 January 1871. His parents were Edmund and Ann Dawes. His father was a coal miner, who probably worked at Birchwood [Shady] Colliery. William married Harriet Gent at the Church of St, James in Riddings on 18 August 1903 and they settled in Somercotes. At the time of the 1911 census William and his wife had two children and they lived on Victoria Street, where William carried on his trade as a blacksmith. The family is recorded on the 1939 register at the same address, 8 Victoria Street, Somercotes. On the register, William was described as a retired master blacksmith.

Shopkeeper & Insurance Agent - Somercotes

James Daykin was the son of James and Mary Daykin. He was born at Leabrooks in 1869. At the time of the census in 1901 James’s father worked as a jewellery and umbrella dealer. The family lived on Somercotes Hill. In 1911, his father ‘s occupation was recorded as an insurance and commission agent, working for the Royal Liver Assurance Company, and James, then 42 years old, was working with his father in the business. He was single and still lived with his parents at 41, Somercotes Hill.

Shopkeeper - Quarry Road, Somercotes

Thomas John Foddy was born at Hanslope, Buckinghamshire in 1891. At the census of 1911 John was 19 years old and lived with his parents at 44, Mansfield Road, Alfreton. His father, Charles, worked as a builder’s foreman, and John’s occupation is recorded as a joiner’s apprentice. He married Beatrice Maud Burton in 1913. On the census in 1939, John’s occupation is recorded as a carpenter and joiner, which corresponds with that of 1911. However, this is the only Thomas John Foddy recorded in the census returns, and it is possible that his wife ran the shop, although John was considered the proprietor. In 1939, he lived with his wife and family on Nottingham Road, Somercotes. John died in 1965 at the age of 74.

Beer Retailer - Somercotes

Samuel Frogg was born in Somercotes, Derbyshire in 1871. He married Mary Elizabeth Cumberland in 1893 (the marriage was registered at Basford, Nottinghamshire). At the census return taken in 1911 Samuel lived with his wife and family at the Old English Gentleman, on Somercotes Hill. He is described as a “beerhouse keeper”. Prior to this he worked as a coal miner. Samuel died in 1934.

Farmer - Lower Birchwood

Henry Gadsby was born at Swanwick, Derbyshire in 1867. Henry’s father died when he was relatively young and by the census of 1891 he was living with his widowed mother and siblings at Derby Road, Swanwick. His mother is recorded as a grocer and farmer and Henry as a “farmer’s son”. He married Annie Sims on 24 June 1891 at Swanwick. At the census of 1911 Henry was a Farmer, living with his wife and children on Sleetmoor Lane, Somercotes. The family must have moved to Lower Birchwood sometime shortly after this census.

Draper and House Furnisher - Lower Somercotes

Joseph Francis Goodacre was born at East Torrington, Lincolnshire in 1859. He lived and married in Nottingham but by the census of 1891 had moved to Somercotes. He was recorded as a Draper, living on Nottingham Road. There was a draper’s shop at the corner of Nottingham Road and Victoria Street [opposite the cinema]. It was owned by Henry Ward in the 1910s and 1920s, but could have been owned by Joseph Goodacre prior to this, although we cannot confirm this with certainty. The census of 1901 records Joseph living at Lower Somercotes. By 1911 Joseph described himself as a Draper and House Furnisher. In a trade directory published in 1925 there are two references for Joseph; Private resident – living at Torrington House, Somercotes [the house seems to have been named after his birthplace] and House Furnisher & draper of Manchester House, Lower Somercotes. Joseph died on 11 February 1929. He left and estate worth £4999.13s.7d., which was a large sum of money at the time.

Grocer - Birchwood Lane, Somercotes

Herbert Harris and his wife Emily ran a small grocery business on Birchwood Lane in 1916, but at the time of the census return in 1911 Herbert’s occupation was described as a beer retailer. He was born about 1864 at Colsterworth, Lincolnshire and before moving to Somercotes was a police officer who served in various towns and villages in Derbyshire. He died in 1937 at the age of 73.

Insurance Agent - Somercotes

William George Hodges was born about 1881 at Wotton-under-Edge in Gloucestershire. He lived with his wife Ann [who was born in Tibshelf] on Nottingham Road, Somercotes. William worked as a Wesleyan & General Assurance Agent. He was also listed in a trade directory for 1925.

Fried Fish dealer - Somercotes

Herbert was born at Ironville about 1872. His wife, Eliza was born at Greenhill Lane in 1870. Herbert and Eliza ran a ‘Fish & Chip Restaurant’ at No. 100, Nottingham Road, Somercotes.

Grocer - Birchwood Lane, Somercotes

Lucy Mary Bacon was born in Somercotes about 1865. She married Richard James Jepson on 14 July 1896 at Alfreton. In 1911 it is her husband, Richard who was listed as a Grocer and Beer Retailer [Lucy had no occupation listed against her name]. They lived on Birchwood Lane with their four children. Lucy died in 1923 at the age of 58.

Slater - Leabrooks

Thomas Matthews was born c.1858 at Somercotes. His father, James was a slater by profession and Thomas continued this tradition. Thomas appears to have remained single all his life.  Shortly after his birth the family moved to Leabrooks, and by the census of 1881 lived on Bridle Lane. He became a Master Slater and on the census return of 1911 Thomas was living on Charles Street, Leabrooks and was described as an employer, working in the "Slating and Tiling Trade." He continued to live in Leabrooks and died there in 1932.

Boot Maker - High Street, Somercotes

William Moore was born in Alfreton in1846. He was baptised at St. Martin's, Alfreton on 22nd February the same year.. His father, also named William, was a shoemaker, and it is likely that his son learnt his trade from him.  William married Eliza Richards at Alfreton on 25th December 1869, and they set up home in Somercotes. By 1911 William and Eliza lived on the High Street, Somercotes, continuing his trade as a shoe and boot maker. William died on 14th May 1926.

Insurance Agent

Tom Richmond was born in 1875. At the age of 15 he worked as a coal miner and lived with his parents and siblings on Seely Terrace. Tom married Elizabeth Brentnall at St. Thomas's Church, Somercotes on 26th December 1899 and by the census of 1911 lived on Somercotes Hill with his wife and family, working as an insurance agent.  On the 1939 Register Tom lived on Charles Street, Leabrooks, still in the same occupation.

Landlord - Crown Inn, Sleetmoor Lane, Somercotes

John Charles Salmon was born at Hill Top, Eastwood, Nottinghamshire in 1863, the son of a coal miner. John followed his father to become a miner and with his wife Mary moved to Greasley, Underwood and then Selston by the 1901 census. In 1911 he was recorded as the landlord of the Crown Inn on Sleetmoor Lane, where he still lived in 1916. John died on 1st February 1940.

Watchmaker - Somercotes

Frank was born at Sowerby Bridge, Yorkshire on 5th June 1871 and was baptised there on 3rd September the same year. His father Percival was a jeweller and watchmaker, and Frank followed him into the same trade. He marrried Ruth Sykes at the village of Rippondon by Rishworth on 21st February 1906. Sometime after the marriage Frank and Ruth moved to Somercotes and he traded as a watchmaker and jeweller at 61, Nottingham Road (since re-numbered). The couple continued to live there probably until Frank's retirement, when he sold the premises and business to Edgar White. Frank and Ruth are listed in the 1939 Register, living in Halifax, and his occupation was described as Jeweller and Optician, retired. Frank Shackleton died at Halifiax on 4th February 1951. 

Farmer - Somercotes

Benjamin Simpson was born at Birchwood in 1864. By the census of 1901 he was working as a farm labourer and lived in a cottage on Moss Farm, Somercotes Hill with two sisters, probably working for Joseph Bown who owned Moss Farm at the time. Although Benjamin is listed as a farmer in the 1916 trade directory it does not say which farm, but Jospeh Bown died in 1915 and it is likely that although the Bown family still owned the farm, Benjamin became the tenant farmer. He died on 17th January 1935.

Shopkeeper - Somercotes

Bertha was born at Somercotes on 10th July 1874. By the census return of 1911 Bertha lodged at 97, Nottingham Road, Somercotes and worked as an assistant shopkeeper. According to the 1916 trade directory she was trading as a shopkeeper in her own right, but no address was recorded. Bertha also appears in the 1925 directory. On the 1939 Register Bertha lived with her sister Ada in Leabrooks, and had retired. She died in 1955. 

Shopkeeper - Lower Birchwood