TEXT. MONICA GILL.
PRINTING. FRANCIS GILL.
ILLUSTRATIONS. ROSEMARY BOALER.

Preface
Soon after my marriage in 1956, Aunty Sarah whetted my interest
in my family history. A visit with my husband, Fran, and my
brother, Tom, to Cuckney Church provided a starting ooint for
research. Now I am retired, visiting record offices and
libraries proves an absorbing pastime. The people mentioned in
the book are all Boalers unless otherwise stated. Detailed
information about my ancestors plus details of where it was
obtained, are contained in the family albums. After my death,
these will belong to my daughter. Miss Sara Gill currently
residing at:- Ie Domaine St. Georges.
38410,
Vaulnaveys-le-Haut,
France
It would not have been possible to write this book without the
help of Fran and my sister-in-law. Rosemary.

Relationship of surnames of people mentioned in this book.

Boaler = Burgoyne

Boaler = Mee

Boaler=Beeley

Boaler =Jarvis Jarvis = Charlesworth Jarvis = Coupe

Boaler =Allen Allen = Pearson = Crooks

Boaler
Thanks for assistance from:-
Fran
Rosemary
Fray - my sister Frances
Tom-my brother
Aunty Ethel
My cousins Jean Stevenson, Alan Boaler and Frances Rogan
Leslie Leyland
Doris Clarke
Priscilla Crooks
Aunty Sarah
Dad - William Henry (Harry)

In 1888, John's father, Frederick Javan, was buried
in Cuckney churchyard. This sad event was reported in the local
newspaper:-
•It was no wonder that his death was felt to be a serious loss
and this was the reason why so many assembled at Collingthwaite
and at Cuckney church on the day of the funeral which took
place on Wednesday afternoon last in the family grave in
Cuckney churchyard. As he lived without ostentation so he
wished to be buried and his wishes were fully carried out by
his wife in accordance with his desire. His remains were
conveyed from Collingthwaite to the grave in one of the farm
wagons which was suitably arranged for the mournful occasion,
members of the family followed the remains riding in their own
light trap, this too being one of his last wishes. The remains
were followed likewise by a large number of sorrowful friends
and the funeral was one of the most marked respect. The
gentlemen farmers for miles around attended among those being
the aged Colonel Welfitt and Mr. F. J. Turner (agent of the
Duke of Portland). The chief mourners were his wife and
daughter and three sons, Mr.Thomas Ludlow, brother-in-law, Mr.
Boaler of MansfieldWoodhouse, Mr.Sydney Smith (Marriot Hall),
Thomas Arthur, Joseph Collingham. These were all members of
Worksop Guardians, the Church wardens- Mr. David Winks, Mr.
Levick, Mr. Shaw, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Roberts and many others
including several from Welbeck. A large number of wreaths were
sent by sympathetic friends near and far, and these were
arranged about the coffin prior to the funeral procession
setting forth. As the remains moved slowly through Cuckney
every blind was down and the entire population went forth to
show their respect and sorrow many falling in the rear of the
procession to the scene of the last rites. The Church being
quiet the service was choral and the organist performed the
Dead March as the remains entered the Church. The scene about
the grave as the service was concluded was most impressive and
which no one will readily forget.The coffin was a plain one,
oak, unpolished, with suitable furniture. The coffin was met at
Welbeck in accordance with the wishes of the Duke of Portland
who showed the utmost concern when he was told Mr. Boaler was
seriously ill.
On Sunday morning the new Vicar of Cuckney - the Reverend
Samuel Berry M. A., spoke most feelingly of the deceased. He
mentioned his life of usefulness in the parish, his invariable
kindness and forethought for those in need and spoke also of
the warm way in which the deceased had welcomed him (the
preacher) only a few days before on his arrival to take charge
of the parish.'
In the late 1890s a succession of bad harvests made John
Frederick decide to move his family to Nottingham where he
joined his mother, Ann, in running a general store. In 1911.
when Ann died, her remains were taken by train to Cuckney where
they were met by a horse and cart and taken to St. Mary Otter
for burial. Both my father and Aunty Sarah could remember that
day when they accompanied their father, John Frederick and the
rest of the family on this last, sad, journey.

Since 1957, when I first went to Cuckney churchyard
with Fran, my husband and Thomas William, my brother, there
have been sad changes. Headstones have been moved. Many have
disappeared completely as that of Frederick Javan and his wife,
Ann. Some have been re-erected round the boundary. Many have
been broken. The reason for this vandalism was the supposed
difficulty of keeping the churchyard tidy. It was neglected
and consequently weeds and brambles made it unsightly. My
father felt the answer was to leave the headstones which his
ancestors had erected in situ and let sheep graze there. I rue
the double standards of our society A which allows the
ecclesiastical authorities to commit vandalism on consecrated
ground. Perhaps it is their example which accounts for today's
hooligans.

St Mary Otter, Cuckney
Erected on the site of a mass grave, presumed to be victims
of a battle in the 7th.century between the Christian King
Edwin of Northumberland and the pagans of Mercia, the church
of St.Mary Otter in Cuckney was probable built in the reign of
King Stephen. It has many unusual features including a leper
door which was left open so that lepers left outside could
follow the service. In Victorian times, the church was the hub
of village life.'Occasions for rejoicing or grief were shared
by the whole village.
Since the 18th. century, Cuckney Church has had many
associations with ancestors on the Beeley and Boaler lines. In
1782, Joseph Boaler who was then employed at Hardwick Hall in
Derbyshire accepted the post of gamekeeper to the Duke of
Portland at Welbeck im north Nottinghamshire. Thus began a
long association with St.Mary Otter. At least eighty-six of his
descendants were baptised there. The church had close ties with
the local aristocracy who expected their employees to worship
at the local parish church. Did the vicar sometimes have to
remind parents that their offspring had not been baptised as
group baptisms were not a rare occurrence e. g. in 1852, Joseph
and Hannah Boaler had three of their offspring aged seven, four
and three, baptised on the same day. At that time, Joseph was
head gamekeeper to the Duke of Portland. Eighteen of the older
Joseph's descendants were married in Cuckney Church and more
than fifty Boaler funerals took place there. Some Boalers who
had left Cuckney found their last resting place in Cuckney
churchyard namely William of .Manchester who died in 1866,
Joseph, the head gamekeeper mentioned above, who died in
Ilkley and in 1871, Matilda", who died tragically in London at
the age of only twenty-one.

Apart from his burial which took place in Nottingham,
Cuckney church was the setting for all the important events in
the life of my grandfather, John Frederick Boaler. He was
baptised there on July 3rd. 1857 when he was just one day old.
His wedding to Fanny Ward Boaler in 1885, was reported in the
local newspaper. See 'Ladies of Interest*
During the next few years John and Fanny had three
sons and one daughter who were all baptised at Cuckney church.
A new organ was bought for the church in 1877 and my father,
William Henry Boaler, told me it was played by John Frederick.
In 1893, tragedy overtook John when Fanny died of a fever. She
was buried in Cuckney churchyard and John was left with a young
family to raise. In 1896, he remarried, again at Cuckney church
and he and his wife, the former Martha Ann Alien, had five
children.
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CHURCHWARDENS
Many of my ancestors were church wardens. The names Beeley,
Boaler, Jarvis and Coupe appear in parish records at Laughten-
en-le-Morthen in Yorkshire, Cuckney, Nottinghamshire and
Scarcliffe, Derbyshire. Other family names like Charlesworth,
are among ancestors who received payment from the wardens. The
earliest record I have found is of John Beeley, warden at
Cuckney in 1673. Twenty five years later, there was a Boaler at
Laughten-en-le-Morthen. It was at the same parish that in 1741,
William Boaler signed the Bishop's Transcripts with a cross,
yet 7 years later a William Boaler signed clearly. Were there
two William Boalers or just one who had learned to sign his
name?
17th and early 18th century records for the
parish of Scarcliffe show many family names and include as
church wardens a John Coupe in the the 1730s and the 1790s also
a William Coupe in the 1720s. In those days, the church was the
focal point of village life and its well being depended on the
efficiency of the vicar, aided by his wardens. The church
wardens had such a wide range of responsibility that it was an
unwise vicar who upset them. In April 1790, when the vicar
wished to appoint one of the two wardens, the Scarcliffe
villagers held a vestry meeting to ask for arbitration. Among
the I7 signatories were John Charlesworth and William Coupe
while other members of their families were present. The dispute
was settled 7 months later, the villagers won their case.
Suitable wardens were essential to the smooth running of the
Life of the village.
The care of the church and its fabric was
arranged by the wardens who hired people to carry out approved
work. While he was warden in 1730 John Coupe paid himself
9s.6d. for work at the church. In 1791, perhaps due to the
visitation of the bishop, Scarcliffe church had its snow
cleared, the surplices washed, also the table linen, and its
pulpit cleaned. For these numerous tasks, Jarvis Coupe was paid
4/6d.
Needy villagers were cared for and expenses
charged to the church. When Bennet Bridford became pregnant in
1746, she was lodged with William and Sarah Coupe, clothes were
provided for the baby, John Coupe earned I/- for fetching the
midwife who in turn was paid 5/- for her services. Later, the
wardens found a husband for Bennet and even arranged the
wedding. Where possible, caring for the poor was done on an
individual basis and the wardens worked with the Overseer of
the Poor. One sad tale is that of the Widow Coupe and her
family. The children had smallpox, funds were given to help pay
for two burials, nursing, food and clothing but 'being drunk
and incapable' she fell and dislocated her wrist. She was piven
more money but again got drunk.
Scarcliffe eventually opened a workhouse for
its needy. Unlike Victorian workhouses, this was a friendly
place, heated, with plenty of food and great efforts were made
to find employment for its residents. Two ancestors, John
Charlesworth and John Coupe supplied malt, potatoes, wheat and
oatmeal to the workhouse. How prices change. In 1779, a bushel
(8 gallons) of malt cost 3/9d. Eventually, with the change from
a rural to an industrial society, Scarcliffe workhouse could no
longer cope and the residents were sent to Bolsover.
Another responsibility of the church wardens
was keeping down vermin in the village. Nearly all the church
wardens accounts at Scarcliffe contain payments for the
destruction of vermin, foxes, badgers and fummards (wild cats).
lwhile William Coupe was warden in the 1720s the rates were l/-
for the head of a badger or fox and 4d for a fummard's.
over the years, the role of churchwarden has
changed. Recently I spoke to a gentleman who has been both
sidesman and warden at Blackburn Cathedral. Today, the
churchwardens' responsibility is confined to the church itself-
that part of the church in front of the altar, its upkeep;
cleaning, seating arrangements, recitals etc.. I wonder what
my ancestors would think of today's churches - mainly locked
except during services, gravestones removed, one vicar servinp
two or three parishes, remote from the lives of many people. I
feel they would turn in their graves if they could but in many
cases their graves have been vandalised by the church
authorities.
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GAMEKEEPERS
Many Boalers earned their living from gamekeeping. It was a
secure job which carried responsibility combined with many
perks. Gamekeepers needed knowledge of a multiplicity of
creatures - hounds, spaniels, pointers, deer, pheasant, rooks,
hawks, harriers, falcons, ling, salmon, grayling - those
classed as vermin - weasels, fummards, badgers, cats, rats,
foxes, rabbits, hares, etc. and the ability to preserve a
balance between the varying needs of the estate and its wild
life. National and domestic issues influenced these needs.
During the Napoleonic Wars, Joseph (1747-1833) was asked to
increase the deer at Welbeck due to demand from the infantry.
This was in 1799 when Joseph's wages were £79 per year and his
caring for the deer during the winter earned him an extra £305.
Years later, in 1868, his grandson, Joseph (1809-1887) was
concerned about the decrease in the rook populationand the
ratio of trees in the parkland.
Housing was a gamekeeper's perk though it was not always
provided free. In 1782, Joseph (1747-1833) had a house provided
for himself and family but in 1862 Bernard wrote to the Duke of
Portland asking for a rent reduction on the £17 10s he paid
from his wages of £52 yearly plus I/- for each night spent
watching. Shooting rights were another perk and game
certificates were paid for by their employer. A uniform was
provided, usually a green coat and black hat. To discourage
poaching, gamekeepers were allowed to keep the 'penalty' paid
to the estate by the guilty person. In 1816, William received
£5 for apprehending a poacher found fishing in Carburton Lake.
Grazing rights were another perk. Joseph (1747-1833) was given
grass and hay for two horses in 1872, also grass to keep a cow
but only for the summer. Some expense had to be defrayed from
his wages e.g. the upkeep and tax on his dogs (£2 each in 1802)
and provision of powder and shot for himself. He was expected
to 'discharge all the expenses of mending and repairing guns'!
Nevertheless, gamekeeping was a profitable job as shown by
the amounts left by the following who were all gamekeepers:-
Name status Will
Joseph 1 Yeoman 1833 £7,000
Gideon Gamekeeper 1834 £1500
George 1 Gentleman 1841 £ 6,000
William Yeoman 1848 £1500
Joseph 2 Gentleman 1887 £1228
George 2 Gentleman 1893 £4353
Louis 1952 £7,153
Gideon was only in his forties when he died yet, with a wife
and six children to keep, he still left a considerable sum.

Joseph Boaler (1747-1833)
Joseph started the family tradition of gamekeeping. Born in S
outh Yorkshire he worked on the Sandbeck estates as a boy and
young man. His name figures frequently in the estate accounts
where he was an outdoor servant. He travelled on his own and
with the rest of the servants to London, Rufford, Manchester
and Glentworth in Lincolnshire. Various expenses include 6d.
for himself and horse crossing a ferry, 6/- for travelling from
London to Sandbeck, 6d. for elder vinegar and his clothing was
charged to the estate. In 1762 he was allowed I/- for a vest
and 2/- the following year for boots. Washing was also paid for
as was his board. He had a lucrative side line selling eggs,
butter and pigeons to the estate kitchens. He moved to Hardwick
Hall in Derbyshire in 1775, then in 1782 to the Duke of
Portland's estate at Welbeck Abbey, North Nottinghamshire where
he progressed to parkkeeper. Joseph brought up a family of ten
and became quite prosperous. By 1813, he was able to purchase
property at Mansfield of five acres with two houses and a
cornmill.
George Boaler 1773-1841
Sometimes gamekeepers had their own speciality. George had
one. He followed in his father's footsteps being employed, as a
gamekeeper on the Welbeck estate where he progressed from the
usual run of tasks such as mending nets and destroying vermin
to having responsibility for the estate dogs. This was no mean
job as there were over thirty. George's basic wage was £50 per
year. Providing board for the dogs and caring for their welfare
earned him over £100 in 1799. Quarters were provided at Welbeck
Kennels for both the estate dogs and those of visitors to
Welbeck. These bought George extra money e.g. £8 in 1799 for
caring for dogs belonging to Sir John Shelley and Lords William
and Frederick Bentinck. George was provided with a horse and
received regular amounts for his expenses, coal, straw, candles
and physic.

Thomas Burgoyne 1786-1850
Thomas was head gamekeeper to the 6th. Duke of Devonshire
living at Edensor, the estate village for Chatsworth. He
accompanied the Duke when he held shooting parties at his
Yorkshire estate at Bolton Abbey in Yorkshire where there are
two oil paintings of him by Reinagle. One shows him with a
shooting party dated 1812, the one on his own is dated 1813.
What a handsome figure he presents with his green coat, fawn
breeches, brown boots and gaiters, white stock and black hat
with his gun in his hand and horse by his side and dog at his
feet. How times change. Thomas had ten children and his later
years were beset by the trouble they caused him. In 1845 his
son Thomas earned the Duke's displeasure by shooting seven
fowls belonging to a neighbour. He was ordered to replace them
as it was a 'very wrong and improper thing to do'! In 1849,
Thomas wrote to the Duke explaining his infirmities made him
unfit for any business. He feared the Duke would think him
inattentive to his request that another son, George should
leave home. Plans for him to go to the United States had been
frustrated so George was sent to live in Eyam. The letter
finishes 'No doubt your Grace has heard of the infamous conduct
of Mrs Stultz. The public report is only a specimen of what I
also to my great sorrow have experienced from here. I return my
sincere thanks for all your Grace's kindness during my life'.
Mrs Stultz was his daughter, Catherine. What had she done?
Thomas died the following year. Maybe the money he lent
Catherine -over £600- caused his worry as he left less than
£200.
Joseph Boaler 1809-1887
Joseph progressed from gamekeeper, to parkkeeper and finally
superintendent gamekeeper to the Duke of Portland. The Duke,
though interested in all aspects of his estate, communicated
only by letter. Joseph's letters written in a cultured hand,
end identically with
I am,
Your Graces Humble Servant,
There is an interesting series of letters between the two in
1865 when the inbred estate of the Welbeck deer herd was
causing concern to Joseph. The Duke gave him the task of
finding a stag suitable for mating with the Welbeck does. This
involved much travelling and having chosen a stag, he then had
to report to the Duke who wrote to its owner. Lord Fitzwilliam,
for pemission to bring it to Welbeck. Permission -granted.
Joseph's serious work now began as he had to arrange transport
and also erect a large fenced enclosure in which to keep the
stag and protect him from the does who would be keen to get
close to him. The height of this fence was a matter of great
importance as excited does can jump a great height.

George Boaler 1823-1893
George too, worked as gamekeeper on the Welbeck Estates. When
the sixth Duke of Portland purchased the Langwell Estate near
S^^ and several other estates in Caithness between 1857
and 1869, he appointed George as factor. George wrote regular
reports to the Duke about the estate and the' welfare of the
people. While in Scotland, he was appointed a J.P.
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Ladies of Interest
Mary Kelley nee Boaler 1792-1833+
What a contrast between
Mary's life and those of
her brothers. George,
William, and Gideon were
gamekeepers, Joseph a
gunsmith and Enoch an
excise officer. Mary
was a chimney sweep, the
only one employed at Welbeck
Abbey between 1811 and 1816.
Her post included sweeping
the many outdoor chimneys
as well as numerous ones in
the Abbey itself. For this,
she received less than
£3 per month while William
was earning over £30
monthly for sundry tasks
around the estate on top
of his salary of £80 per year.

A Lady of Character
Ann Boaler nee Jarvis 1835-1911
Small in stature but a lady of principle and courage, Ann was
brought up at Scarcliffe Mill where her father was both miller
and farmer. After her marriage in 1856 to Frederick Javan
Boaler, she led a privileged life as the mistress of a 26
roomed farm house. Servants left her time to care for her
family -she had seven children- and manage the house. She was a
talented needlewoman. On the death of her husband, life altered
drastically. She paid many of her late husband's 'moral debts '
from her own money and became a shopkeeper in Nottingham. Here,
she was joined by her eldest son, John Frederick. A series of
poor harvests combined wih a lack of financial acumen caused
him to leave Hilltop Farm, Cuckney. Ann was the mainstay of
the family of eight children plus John Frederick and his wife.
Martha.
Conditions in Nottingham at the turn of the century were grim.
Families were cramped together, poverty was rife and drink the
common solace. Newspaper accounts of Ann, nicknamed the
Singing Lady' show how she tried to bring relief. A staunch
teetotaller and Dame of the Primrose League, she strode through
the meanest of the city streets singing hymns, taking food to
tne SICK and underfed and routing out the husbands bent on
spending their meagre wages at the pub. 'John, James' or
whatever his name was, 'the Devil is at your elbow. Come home
to your wife and children before you are lost' and she'd take
him by the arm and he'd go like a lamb. She hired landaus to
give needy people an outing in the country, she made clothes
and was a whole social service and welfare department rolled
into one. Her voice was true and powerful as any siren and
would drown a whole choir or congregation but she had no sense
of time. In St. Peter's church once when her favourite hymn was
sung, the choir, organ and congregation were 'running the
straight race' while Ann was still fighting 'the food fight'
and nearly lifting the roof of with her efforts. Chaos ensued.
Dad and Aunty Sarah had fond memories of her, an autocrat but
her heart was in the right place.
TOP

Marriage of John frederick Boaler and Fanny Ward Boaler
which appeared in the local paper Tuesday 21-4-1885

On Tuesday 21st. April this interesting village was in a
state of ferment and rejoicing consequent on the marriage of Mr
J.F. Boaler, of Hilltop, the eldest son of Mr F.J.Boaler, of
Collingthwaite with Miss F.W.Boaler, daughter of Mr George
Boaler, Welbeck. Out of respect for the bride and her family
the villagers of Cuckney determined to make the day notable
and, among other preparations, erected a very pretty and
tastefully designed archway over the entrance gates to the
church, where a large number of persons congregated to witness
the arrival and afterwards went into the church to witness the
proceedings. After the ceremony the 'happy pair' on leaving the
church were fairly deluged with showers of rice thrown by the
willing hands of the young people, while young and old joined
in the hearty expression of good wishes. Never before perhaps,
in the annals of this village has there been a bride more
beloved and respected than the one who this day was wedded but
changed not her name. For the information of our lady friends
we may say the bride wore a costume of terra cotta broche, the
skirt being composed of velvet broche with bodice and draperies
of broche satin. She carried a rare bouquet of flowers the gift
of Baroness Bolsover. The bridesmaids were Miss L.T and Miss
H.M.Boaler, sisters of the bride and Miss E.Boaler, sister of
the bridegroom. They were attired simply and tastefully in
cream dresses with hats to match and carried baskets of cream
roses. The gifts to the bride were very numerous and of a
costly character.
The ceremony was performed by the Rev. B.W.Wriiht.
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POETS
A Way with Words
The two poets among my forebears led completely different
lives. Matilda, born when Victoria had reigned for only twelve
years, spent her early years in the village of Cuckney where
her father was a gamekeeper employed on the Welbeck estates.
Later she lived in London where she worked as a milliner.
Priscilla Crooks, born when Victoria's son, Edward, was on the
throne, also lived in a village, Horsley Woodhouse, during her
childhood. Her life includes nursing, travelling for pleasure
both in the U.K. and abroad and now in her retirement, she
runs a smallholding, which with its flower and kitchen garden
plus the Croft or orchard, would tax a much younger person. A
talented needlewoman. Cousin Prissie never wastes anything
especially that most precious commodity, time.
'How are you using those talents on earth,
Those talents entrusted to you at birth,
Are you improving 'gainst the day,
When your Lord and Maker will appear and say,
Not by word,but just a look
Into your soul as in a book,
What will he find engrained there
When every thought and deed's laid bare?'
She has not and does not want a T.V., an essential item in
most houses in the 1990s as she has far better ways of
spending her time.
Their poetry reflects their differing life styles but a
deep trust and faith in God and His Mercy are common to
both. Matilda's 'The Workroom' reveals the tedium and stress,
, the cramped working conditions and the impossibility of
pleasing demanding customers in the days when most ladies wore
large, intricate creations on their heads. When only twenty-
one, Matilda died alone of typhoid. Her distraught mother,
Fanny, had her body brought home by horse and cart, on the
long journey from London to Cuckney where she was buried.
These lines from her one of her poems make me wonder if she
had a premonition of her own early death.
'Then mark the crush'd spirit and carefully trace
The bloom of health fading from each youthful face'

Cousin Prissie's poetry shows a remarkable degree of
compassion, as in 'The Suicide' and an abiding love of
Nature. She has lived through dramatic times including two
world wars and current events have inspired many of her poems
e.g. The Abdication of King Edward VIII in 1936, the V.C.
awarded posthumously to Captain Fagen in 1940 during the 2nd.
World War when his merchant ship was sunk by enemy action, the
suicides of Hitler and Himmler when Germany had finally been
defeated by the Allies in 1945 and many more. In 1987 when
Aunty Sarah died, my father, nearly ninety, frail and blind
found comfort in listening to her 'Requiem' and 'Bring me not
flowers'.
Some of the poems of these two remarkable ladies are in the
family albums.
The Suicide
Full was your mind with fears
For the unknown.
Heavy your eyes with tears
Oft shed alone.
Those who did love you best
Pitifully unaware,
And in their hearts never guessed
The tragedy lurking there.1
Cold was the grave you sought
Under the cover of the night,
When by death you bought
Oblivion to end the fight.
Dare we whom life equips
With strength to endure,
Dare we by thoughts or lips
On thee pass censure?
What if in unconsecrated ground
Your resting place should be.
May your immortal soul have found
Rest and pardon free.
Priscilla Crooks
(to F.N., an only child aged 23
who drowned herself in the
River Derwent, March,'41)

A BEDTIME THOUGHT OR REQUIEM
Shall I when old and tired
Welcome death, like sleep now
Between the blankets fold?
Shall I when my span on earth is o'er
Be eager to enter that open door?
As to the tired body sleep is blest,
So will death bring peace and rest,
And He who gave the soul in keeping
Will receive the Soul in sleeping,
Priscilla Crooks
There is Hope in Thine End.
Weep on, weep on, ye penitents
Weep, but be not afraid;
Bless the strong arm that laid you low,
And sin by suffering stayed.
It is your father, loving still,
Tho' chastening with the rod;
Oh! never think since Jesus came,
That He's an angry God.
For it is He, who chastens you,
Who sent you his most dear;
To show us how He hated sin,
And how He loved us here.
Weep on, weep on, ye penitents
Weep, but have hope in prayer;
Bless the strong hand that held you back
From ruin and despair.
Matilda Boaler,
July 2nd, 1871.
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GROCERS WIVES

Elizabeth Raworth nee Boaler 1794-1850
Married at the age of 37 to a Sheffield grocer, Elizabeth is
remembered by the tall pillar erected to her memory in
Carburton Churchyard and its inscription:-
"This mortal
Shall put on immortality"
The dead are like
the stars by day,
Withdrawn from mortal eye,
But not extinct
they hold their way
In Glory through the sky.
Spirits from bondage
thus set free
Vanish amidst immensity,
Where human thought
like human sight,
Fails to pursue
their trackless flight.

Ellen Maude Stevenson nee Boaler 1869-195 7
From the humdrum life of a grocer's wife to sailing to a
foreign land in pursuit of romance was the lot of Ellen. Her
first husband, Samuel Stevenson, was a grocer at Mansfield
Woodhouse. They had three children, one of whom died in
infancy. After Samuel's death she fell in love with his brother
but unfortunately marriage was impossible due to the law in
England. They sailed to the United States where they made a new
life. Ellen lived in Delhi, New York State, dying at the ripe
old age of 88. The two sons who survived infancy chose
different countries in which to spend their adult lives. Donald
stayed in the United States, married and had three sons,
Stanley returned to England where he became a canon at York
Minster then later Bishop of Hull.
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TEACHERS

During the 19th. century many families employed a governess
who lived with the family. Unlike today, children 'could be
scholars at the tender age of 3 yet by their early teens they
could be working.
Caroline Boaler who was born in 1824, was
the first Boaler to enter teaching. When she was twenty-six,
she was governess to the three children of the Vicar of
Cuckney. I-Ier farmer father employed a governess for his 4
children aged from three to eleven, while his fifteen year old
son worked on the farm as a miller. By 1861, Caroline had
opened her own school at Whitwell. In the proceeding ten years,
she had inherited £300 from her grandfather and £700 from her
father plus a fifth share in the residue of his £6,000 estate
so she was quite well provided for financially. The school had
eight pupils including her half- sister Mary Jane. Apart from
Caroline, there was one more teacher plus a servant to cater
for their needs.
Caroline's half-sister, Ellen, was also
teaching in 1861, then in 1867 she married a publican and
moved to Sheffield. A cousin, Isabella, though only 20, was
also teaching in 1861 but by 1856 she had married a grocer and
become a wife and mother. Another cousin, Martha Ann Boaler,
ran a day and boarding school in Sheffield during the 1870s and
1880s. For Caroline, teaching was a career and in 1871 there
were 9 pupils at her school including her cousin Jane who was
18 and her nephew George who was aged 10.
Unlike the above, more recent teachers in
the family, have had the benefit of formal teacher training.
Among Charlotte Elizabeth Boaler's descendants are head
teachers like Leslie Leyland, a deputy head, a teacher of
English to Italians, who is resident in Italy, infant teachers
and Leslie's daughter, Diane, who specialises in computer
studies. My brother Tom's studies were during the troublous
times of the 2nd. World War. He was studying with a religious
order in Belgium when the Germans invaded and was fortunate to
catch the last plane from Brussels to reach England safely
before Belgium was isolated. He continued his studies in
London where work was often interrupted by the hum of a VI
rocket or 'doodlebug'. Once the humming stopped, danger was
imminent from these lethal weapons. At a very early age, Tom
became headmaster of a large grammar school in north London.
Here, he continued to teach, leaving administrative work for
his leisure time where possible. Summer holidays were spent
drafting the timetable for the next academic year. Most
teachers at that time, did not see social involvement as part
of their role but Tom was always willing to give help. This
story is one of many that typify his attitude. When one of his
boys, from a deprived home, was taken before the juvenile
court, much to the annoyance of the school's establishment, Tom
went to court to provide a character reference. This caused him
much extra work and effort. I have reason to be grateful for
the notes he lent me when I was studying for my teaching
qualifications. Unlike Tom, whose subjects were mathematics and
physics, mine were economics, law, accountancy and statistics
and I became a peripatetic remedial teacher, teaching children
with problems, either in a small group or one to one.
Tom left the religious order and continued
teaching in Loughborough and later in Nottingham. He finished
his career in Zambia where he and his wife. Rosemary, enjoyed a
fresh challenge to their teaching skills.
TOP

THE LURE OF GOLD

Gold has an exerted a fascination for man since
biblical times. The alchemists of the Middle Ages
believed the philosopher's stone could turn base
metal into gold and spent their lives and energies
trying to prove their theories. The wealth its
possession brings plus its visual allure make it a
constant attraction. In three days time, the 4th May
1991, my daughter Sara goes on a gold prospecting
holiday in the Pyrenees.
In 1851, Frederick Javan Boaler was a
23 year old farmer living with his sisters, Eliza and
Sarah Jane. He had a comfortable life with four
indoor and five outdoor servants to help him run his
182 acres. This was the year that gold was
discovered in Australia. Though the journey by sea
was long and arduous, Frederick, accompanied by two
Worksop gentlemen, decided to try his luck there. He
stayed for five years, returning to marry, raise a
family and live out his life at the same farm. The
amount of gold he brought back with him is unknown
but he had rings made for his four sons.
Unfortunately, the supply ran out and his youngest
child, Eliza, received a ring which is about four
fifths original Australian gold with an inset of
lower quality gold. This ring passed via Eliza to her
niece Sarah and is now in my possession. Over the
years it has worn wafer thin due to the softness of
high carat gold.
TOP

PANTRIES

These tales were told me by
Aunty Sarah. Pantries were rooms
off the kitchen or scullery of a
house where food, for present and
future use, was stored. They were
definitely the domain of the lady
of the house. Until after the 2nd
World War, when fitted kitchens,
freezers and refrigerators took
over from the pantry, they
changed little over the years.
Her uncle, Edwin (Ted)
Boaler, born in 1865, was a
marine engineer. While working in
Greenock, he married his
landlady's daughter. They had one
child. Aunty's cousin Jean, with
whom she kept in touch all her
life. After the family moved
south to Birkenhead, Jean and her
mother regularly returned to
Greenock for stays of months. On
their return, there was evidence
of a woman's presence. Curtains
had been washed, the house was
spotless, but it was most
noticeable in the pantry where
stocks of home-made jam,
preserves, salted beans, etc.
showed that a thrifty housewife
had been in charge in their
absence. According to Jean, her
mother never asked Ted nor did he
ever volunteer any information on
the identity of the mystery lady
nor of his relationship with her.

The second story concerns
Percy Boaler, born in 1889, Aunty
Sarah's step-brother. After a
life-time at sea when he had a
home in Africa, he retired to
Croydon. It was from Africa that
his son brought his wife on
holiday. This was after the
second World War when life in
England with its rationing and
shortages, compared unfavourably
with the luxurious living
conditions of white settlers in
Africa. Percy and his wife did
their best for the couple, but
even the most gifted housewife is
not 'a magician. During one
dinner, the daughter-in-law said
that the food would not be given
to the pigs in Africa. There was
no immediate reaction, but next
morning she was taken to the
pantry which was half empty. It
was pointed out to her that the
empty half was hers and in future
she must both provide and cook
for herself and her husband.
TOP

FAMILY TRAITS

A hotch potch of personalities and temperaments is common to
many families despite their shared background and environment.
A good example is John Frederick Boaler s family. Eight of his
nine children lived beyond infancy. Their lives spanned the
reigns of Queen Victoria, Edward VII, George V, Edward VIII,
George VI and Elizabeth II also the Great War 1914-1918 and the
2nd World War.
Contrast the life of his eldest son, George Frederick
Javan or Uncle Javan as I knew him, who earned his living as a
van driver in Nottingham, with that of Percy, who led quite a
glamorous life. Uncle Javan was a quiet man who had his moment
of glory by surviving the carnage of the 1st.World War. He Had
one unusual hobby, rearing poultry in a bedroom!
Percy's life style was far more affluent. Chief engineer
on a ship on the Indian Ocean run, he found his wife's
friendship with a lady in waiting to the Queen of Siam meant
they were frequently entertained at the palace. Retiring to
England after the 2nd. World War, he found his previous life
style was a poor preparation for life here. Under the post war
Labour government, there had been immense social changes.
Percy's wife, Constance caused quite an impasse at a large
London store when an assistant waited for her to try on a pair
of gloves while Constance, who was accustomed to servants
carrying out even the smallest tasks for her, waited for the
assistant to personally place them on her fingers.
The third son, Edwin or Ted earned the nickname "Red
Ted" and was thought by his father to be a communist. John
Frederick and his ancestors had been Tories for generations and
Ted's views were unpopular at home. They were inspired by the
poverty and unemployment he witnessed in the early half of the
20th. century. A genuine socialist, he would talk in the market
place and try to convert others to his views. Though unemployed
for years, he shared his home with needy relatives and was
greatly loved by his own children.
Lilian, the eldest daughter managed to inspire great
hatred between herself and her half sister Sarah. She died
young, in her early 30s in 1924, and was buried with her
father. When his 2nd. wife. Martha Ann died, she too was
Buried there the Grave now being ful1- Auntv sarah told me in
the 1980s, that Lilian was occupying her grave space. My father
and Aunty Sarah discussed erecting a tomb stone over their
parent s grave but as Aunty was unwilling to have Lilian's name
on it, the grave was left bare.

Aunty Sarah was an outspoken person who could be quite
intolerant, She held strong views on many topics. A truer Tory
never breathed, until towards the end of her life she felt
their policies were too mild and National Front policies suited
her better. She believed in old fashioned punishments e.g. the
birch and public hanging and the 'gibberings' of certain members
of the Labour Party, in particular Anthony Wedgewood Benn, incensed
her to the stage where she would have liked to be their executioner.
Royalty was above criticism and she put her
views way above her personal comfort e.g. her neighbour
stopped cooking he Sunday dinner
after her husband dared to suggest that the money spent
to celebrate the 90th. Birthday of the Queen Mother's could be put
to a better use and Aunty told him in no uncertain terms what she
thought of his republican views. Aunty was exceptionally
kind to those she loved. She helped my son pay what she
considered a ridiculously high fine for a motoring offence.
She was a welcome frequent visitor to our home and
would go on picnics and outings with us. She loved classical
music and was an excellent pianist. Though she was never
blessed with an abundance of this world's goods, she was always
content with her lot and never envious. She had little trust in
banks and hid amounts of money under carpets, in the shed,
under the mattress, etc..
Jarvis Alien, the fifth son, is a mystery man. Emigrating
to Australia in the 1920s, a fitter by trade, he settled in New
South Wales, made good, became Master of the local Lodge of
Freemasons and had a relationship with a Mrs. Stevenson, a lady
whose husband had deserted her and their three children. This
relationship remains an enigma. I have heard three versions: my
parents and Aunty Sarah believed they were living as man and
wife, Mary Watson, my sister thought he was just her lodger and
according to Mrs. Sue Howe, who was caring for him when last
heard of in Tasmania in 1989, Mrs. Stevenson was his sister.

Uncle George, the youngest of the family was a very
tolerant person who had a cheerful outlook on life and
was always happy. A quiet, modest, unassuming man, he
was content with his lot in life. He was devoted to his family,
particularly his granddaughters and was kind to
everyone especially Aunty Sarah who lived with him and Aunty
Ethel for some years. At the age of eight, he swam across the
Trent; all he would say in later life was that it seemed a long
way. An accomplished snooker player, he was at one time 'Young
Player of the Year' for the Nottingham area. A keen follower of
Notts, County, he was an ardent admirer of Tommy Lawton. This led
to friendly arguments with his son and son-in-law, equally
keen Nottm. Forest supporters. He enjoyed a wager on the
horses but never divulged the result whatever that might
have been.

He trained as a butcher then became a bricklayer, heating, plumbing and
gas engineer, at one time working on the building of the houses
in Churchfield Lane, Nottingham. He ended his working life as a
laboratory technician at the Basford Hall College.
Such was the varied mixture in John Frederick's
family. His grandchildren are just as diverse with the added
catalyst of an adopted child.
TOP

WILLS

My ancestors were part of the huge working class of this country.
The majority worked long hours for low pay but somehow managed
To bring up large families in an age when there was no welfare state
To uphold minimum standards of life for all.
Most had no assets to leave when they died.
Those who were fortunate enough to make wills or possess
sufficient assets have left a fascinating record of love. hate
selfishness as well as a few puzzles and surprises. The following
details are about people whoe’s lives and motives are as real today as
when they lived. If they were alive now, I think I would like the
majority admire some and feel sympathy for some and dislike a few. I
would certainly have nany questions to ask.
Until recently' illegitimacy was discouraged, more I feel for
flnancial than moral reasons. Single parents and their bastards
were often a charge on the parish. In 1816, my great, great
grandmother Sarah Beeley had an "legitimate son, John Draper.
She later married George Boaler and had six more children; she died at
The early age of thirty two sixteen years after her death in 1848,
Her father John Beeley, died aged seventy-eight leaving an annuity
of £20 to his grandson, John, showing a tolerance and compassion
unusual in Victorian times,
Isabel Beeley died in 1777. Both her husband and his father had
Churchwardens a responsible position in the local community.
Her eldest son and heir charles' was quite different and Isabel
was not blind to his faults. She made provision for him by making his
younger brother Jonathan the executor of her estate! Charles’s annuity
was not to be paid into his own hand but the full amount thereof shall be
expended by my executor and he shall see occasion in
them maintenance of my said son and his family and in providing
good sufficient meat' drink' clothes and other necessaries for him
and his children from time to time'.

Another who felt his money was more important than the
happiness of his nearest and dearest was George's (1796-1854)
brother-in-law, George Downs, who made his daughter,
Elizabeth, his heir, providing she did not marry. If she did,
she was entitled to only a third share of her father's estate.
Double standards have always applied in the treatment of males
and females. What made Joseph (1809-1887) and George (1823-
1893) decide that their grandchildren could inherit at twenty-
one but earlier if they were female and married. I don't think
they considered marriage a sign of maturity or they would have
done the same for their grandsons. Even my father, William
Henry (1896-1987) stated that if his daughters predeceased
him, their children would inherit their mother's share at
twenty-one but female grandchildren if below the age of
twenty-one could inherit on marriage!
Why, did George (1796-1854), give his son George a
bequest he could inherit at the age of twenty-one while his
two daughters, Caroline and Eliza, had to wait until they
were twenty-four?
Joseph Boaler(1775-1867), left £4000 when he died in 1867. He
had been a gunmaker and though he married twice, had no sons
just two daughters. He went to great trouble to see that they
had control over their inheritance. Although the estate would
eventually go to his grandchildren, in the short term their
mother Ann and their spinster aunt Mary were beneficiaries.
Ann was to 'enjoy and dispose of her income as her separate
estate without the control or interference of her husband
'Mary was to enjoy 'her separate property free from the
control of a husband whom she may marry'. They both had to
provide receipts for the trustees. Mary was illiterate signing
her own will with a X, so presumably that was also how she
signed the receipts.
The general format of the wills I have looked at has been
similar. Where there were children to inherit after the wife's
death, the widow was usually left the bed, personal chattels,
furniture and sometimes even the house. Unless this was
stated, these items became part of the residuary estate and
she could be dependant on the goodwill of her family. I was
surprised at the care taken by some to specify how money was
to be invested. Railways - a boom industry in the
19th.century, even in India- were in favour.
The majority of my ancestors who left wills come from two
groups. Those who lived from the land, at the beginning
usually on an estate and those who were shopkeepers. The
shopkeepers fared badly in financial terms. The following list
shows date of death, occupation and the amount left in the
will.
Joseph 1833 gamekeeper £7000
Gideon 1834 gamekeeper £1500
George 1841 gamekeeper £6000
William 1848 gamekeeper £1500
Joseph 1887 gamekeeper £1228
George 1893 gamekeeper £4353
George 1854 farmer £6000
F.Javan 1888 farmer £1866
Joseph 1880 butcher £50
William 1898 butcher £289
Robert 1898 butcher £358
Valentine 1895 butcher £56
Enoch 1889 innkeeper £170
Enoch 1899 beer retailer £14
Being in the right place at the right time is a matter of
chance. Poor Mary Jane died in 1893 leaving assets of £5. When
her husband died in 1944 aged eighty-six he left over £15000
and he had retired at forty. This money came from investments
in Bolsover Colliery, according to Aunty Sarah. Valentine
Alfred was certainly in the right place at the right time. He
was an aircraft constructor in the early days of aviation and
left over £11000 when he died in 1968. His background was
inner city Birmingham where his parents ran a beer shop.
Background did not stop two of the sons of Enoch (1849-1881+)
from making their mark. Enoch was a coal miner, a dangerous,
poorly paid occupation. His son, William (1870-1936) could
barely scratch his name but ran a successful business as a
hollowware manufacturer leaving over £3645. Enoch (1874-1933),
William's brother, left over £2000.
It has been fun trying to interpret these wills. It
surprises me that so much money could be accumulated by
ordinary working people in days when many found difficulty
satisfying the basic needs of food, clothing and shelter. I
know a lot of my ancestors came into this latter category. I
wonder what future generations will make of present day wills?
Agricultural Labourers Wages
S d
1750 5 1 weekly, approximately
1770 6 6
1850 9 3
These figures are for a 60 hour week.Family income was almost
invariably increased by the money earned by the wife and the
children. Extra payments were received for hay and corn
harvesting, overtime and allowances made in kind.
Gamekeepers Wages
1782 £75 per annum
1797 £50 "
1797 £79 "
1811 £83 "
1862 £55 "
Taken from the Welbeck Accounts, these figures show a wide
disparity due to the various responsibilities involved. They
omit the many perks gamekeepers received. See 'Gamekeepers'.

Thomas Burgoyne (1786 -1850) must have loved his daughters
Catherine and Frances very much. They were extravagant and
borrowed huge sums from him. When he died they owed him nearly
£1000, 5 times the amount he left in his will, yet he made
them equal beneficiaries with their brother.
Thomas was not the only one to lend his children money.
Joseph (1809-1887), a gamekeeper, was owed money by four of .
his eleven children when he died in 1887. Their debts amounted
to over £300, no mean sum for those days. My grandfather, John
Frederick (1857-1923) sounds a charming man, talented, musical
but with no idea how to manage money. He borrowed £500 from his
father, Frederick Javan, and never forgave him for being docked that
amount in his will. His wife Fanny's family must have been concerned about
this inability. Nine months after her father died leaving her over £400, she
lay dying in agony, from complications following a miscarriage.

In an age when few ladies made wills, their property being usually treated
as their husband's, she made her will four days before she died leaving her
estate to her children. Her brother George, sister, Eliza, were
executors, as was John Frederick. Two other sisters. Bertha and Jessie were
witnesses. Two years later Fanny's mother Frances, died. The £100 she had lent
Fanny before she died and a further £100 lent to John F. were
docked from their Children's share of her estate.
Love and hate are said to be opposite extremes of the same
passion. How William (1827-1899) apparently disliked his
second wife Catherine. I wonder if he ever loved her? By his
first wife, Mary, he had four children, then five more by
Catherine. When he made his will in 1894 he stated 'I wish my
executors to take possession of a vault at Baling Middlesex
where my body shall be laid and to see that no one else is
buried there except members of my first family the offspring of
my first marriage and may God bless them and prosper them and>
let me add that I strongly advise them to have nothing to do
with their mother-in-law for she is their worst enemy and a
bitter curse to me' (The term, in-law, was used by Victorians
to describe a step- parent.)
Another person unhappy with his life was Enoch (1835-1889).
He worked as a butcher, had five children, disliked them all
except one, a daughter, Ellen. He became an innkeeper, spent
his money, leaving the small amount he had left to her.
Joseph (1747-1833), a gamekeeper, styled himself yeoman in
his will. He left £7000 when he died in 1833, a large amount
for those times. Nine of his children were alive when he died
and his estate was split into nine shares. Of his five sons.
four were given their share outright but Enoch (1785-1860) was
treated like his four sisters, being given only the interest,
the capital to go to his children. Did Joseph disapprove of
Enoch's occupation? He was an excise officer and Joseph .was
liable for many taxes. In 1802 he paid £2 tax on a riding
horse, £2 each tax on four dogs and 18s 6d each on seven
windows. At least we don't pay tax on windows these days.

George Boaler(1773-1841) was a gamekeeper at WeIbeck Abbey. When he
died he styled himself gentleman, probably because he had
somehow managed to get assets valued at £6000 and had retired
to Barlborough where he had a smallholding. He had three
children, George a farmer, Robert, a gunmaker and Elizabeth who
married a Sheffield grocer. George's grandson, Frederick Javan
was to inherit eventually and then his heirs if 'lawfully
issuing'. He gave Elizabeth and George the interest on some
capital during their lifetime but never mentioned Robert, his
younger son. He left bequests to his eldest five grandchildren
but nothing to his three younger ones. Ten years later,
George's wife Sarah (1773) died without leaving a will. Robert
signed a Form of Renunciation of Letters of Administration
regarding his mother's estate. Perhaps he had better things to
do with his time. By 1851 he had retired, in an age when the
working class usually worked until they dropped dead. He
married in 1851 at the ripe age of 53, and the following year
became a father. Evidence points to Robert's being on good
terms with his brother George. He was at his farm in 1841 at
the time of the Census and George's children, Caroline and
Frederick Javan were witnesses to his will. What had Robert
done to upset his father?
Another unpopular person was John Martin, the husband of
Charlotte Elizabeth Boaler. She married him in 1885 and was his
second wife. His in-laws left specific instructions that, although
Charlotte Elizabeth was entitled to a share in their estates, John was not.
Her father, George (1823-1893), stated in his will that her share went to her,
her children or reverted to the estate. Her mother, Frances, gave Charlotte
only the interest from her share in the estate.Charlotte ' s children would
eventually inherit her share but if they died before Charlotte, the money
would revert to the estate. Charlotte was quite happy with her husband and
he had means to provide for her, being the manager of the Gas Works at Ormskirk.
What was wrong with him?
The .will of George (1796-1854) gives much food for thought.
George was a farmer. He was comfortably off and when he died
in 1854 he left £6000. He had seventeen children but only the
eldest six were in his will. Though he wrote his will before
his eleven younger children were born, he re-signed it later
when all of them were alive. His wife, Ellen, must have found
it a struggle to live on her annuity of £60 with a large family
to bring up the youngest of whom were two year old twins. She
needed to be a good manager.

Joseph Boaler(1819-1880) acted very similarly to George. He was a
butcher in Stourbridge and had eight children. This was not a
well paid job. His estate was worth £50 and he left five of
his children out of his will. The three who were mentioned were
all unmarried. Could that have been the reason?
Male chauvenism is not just a 20th century innovation. I
suspect it has existed from time immemorial. Gideon (1787-1833)
is a prime example. A gamekeeper at Bolton Abbey, he was
married and the father of six children, five of whom were
alive when he made his will in 1833. In the original he wanted
his household goods and saleable effects to be sold at public
auction. His 'Beloved wife Sarah' was to have the interest on
monies on bond, notes and other securities until she died or
remarried. A year before he died when he was only in his
forties he added a codicil. Sarah was allowed to keep the
furniture while she remained a widow. The decision as to
whether to sell his. home was left to the trustees of his
estate. He stated 'Much as I love my wife and I really do and
believe she will remain one of the best of mothers yet knowing
the deceitfulness and cruelty of the world I think it my
painful duty to wish it to be understood that. all my money or
property will leave my wife should she marry again'. I don't
think he tried to make life easy for his 'Beloved Sarah' after
he had gone. She was left with five children aged from seven
to seventeen to bring up on her own. They, incidentally, all
signed this codicil. He sounds a very selfish person as it
seems his money was worth more to him than Sarah's happiness.
Sarah had not remarried eighteen years after his death.

A DAY TO REMEMBER.
If John Frederick Boaler {1857-1923} had not been a member
Of the Welbeck Militia, he would have missed the Proudest day
Of his life. From Anglo-Saxon times, every English grown
Male had an obligation to defend the country in which he lives.
Today the Territorial Army has taken over this duty but
In the 19th century, the local gentry organised and trained
Their own militia.
During the second half of the 19th. century, the duties of
The militia were mostly ceremonlal- The militia on the Welbeck estate
Of the Duke of Portland were raised from amongst his tenants and staff
one,of was John Frederick Boaler ofHilltop Farm.
While the Prince and Princess of Wales were
staying at Welbeck Abbey, the mounted Militia under their
commander, Colonel Welfitt, were assembled for inspection by
the Princess she stopped by John Frederick's horse and made a
sign .
Later he discovered the Royal couple needed a mounted escort
for their journey to Nottingham, about 35 miles away and that he had been chosen to lead
the escort.
It was, he said the proudest day of his life.
TOP

MILITARY MEN

The Hero
Nearly two generations separate John Frederick and Jarvis from
Reginald Boaler who fought in and survived two World Wars. In
the first, he served in the Royal Navy being only 19 when the
war ended in 1918. After a spell as a tobacconist in
Nottingham, he emigrated to Canada where, in 1939 he joined
the Royal Canadian Volunteer Reserve. During his six years
service, he participated in 1939 in many thrilling actions as a
member of the anti-submarine defence corps on merchantmen. When
Tobruk was captured by the Germans, the ship on which he was
serving was one of the last to leave port and some time later
he was torpedoed in Mid-Atlantic and wounded. He was four days
in an open boat before being picked up. He was awarded the
O.B.E. for meritorious service.

Jarvis in India

Unlike John Frederick, his younger brother, Jarvis, enlisted in
the regular army, joining the Guards. He saw service in Aden
and India. Letters show a keen interest in the family back home
also his contentment with service life. A person of mild
temperament, it is surprising to read his intense dislike of
The Salvation Army caused by their wearing native dress. He
felt they deserved a whipping for letting the side down.
TOP

index.htm

Soon after my marriage in 1956, Aunty Sarah whetted my interest
in my family history. A visit with my husband, Fran, and my
brother, Tom, to Cuckney Church provided a starting ooint for
research. Now I am retired, visiting record offices and
libraries proves an absorbing pastime. The people mentioned in
the book are all Boalers unless otherwise stated. Detailed
information about my ancestors plus details of where it was
obtained, are contained in the family albums. After my death,
these will belong to my daughter. Miss Sara Gill currently
residing at:- Ie Domaine St. Georges.
38410,
Vaulnaveys-le-Haut,
France
It would not have been possible to write this book without the
help of Fran and my sister-in-law. Rosemary.
Relationship of surnames of people mentioned in this book.
Boaler = Burgoyne
Boaler = Mee Jarvis = Coupe
Boaler=Beeley Jarvis = Charlesworth
Boaler =Jarvis Allen = Pearson = Crooks
Boaler =Allen
Boaler
Thanks for assistance from:-
Fran
Rosemary
Fray - my sister Frances
Tom-my brother
Aunty Ethel
My cousins Jean Stevenson, Alan Boaler and Frances Rogan
Leslie Leyland
Doris Clarke
Priscilla Crooks
Aunty Sarah
Dad - William Henry (Harry)

In 1888, John's father, Frederick Javan, was buried
in Cuckney churchyard. This sad event was reported in the local
newspaper:-
•It was no wonder that his death was felt to be a serious loss
and this was the reason why so many assembled at Collingthwaite
and at Cuckney church on the day of the funeral which took
place on Wednesday afternoon last in the family grave in
Cuckney churchyard. As he lived without ostentation so he
wished to be buried and his wishes were fully carried out by
his wife in accordance with his desire. His remains were
conveyed from Collingthwaite to the grave in one of the farm
wagons which was suitably arranged for the mournful occasion,
members of the family followed the remains riding in their own
light trap, this too being one of his last wishes. The remains
were followed likewise by a large number of sorrowful friends
and the funeral was one of the most marked respect. The
gentlemen farmers for miles around attended among those being
the aged Colonel Welfitt and Mr. F. J. Turner (agent of the
Duke of Portland). The chief mourners were his wife and
daughter and three sons, Mr.Thomas Ludlow, brother-in-law, Mr.
Boaler of MansfieldWoodhouse, Mr.Sydney Smith (Marriot Hall),
Thomas Arthur, Joseph Collingham. These were all members of
Worksop Guardians, the Church wardens- Mr. David Winks, Mr.
Levick, Mr. Shaw, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Roberts and many others
including several from Welbeck. A large number of wreaths were
sent by sympathetic friends near and far, and these were
arranged about the coffin prior to the funeral procession
setting forth. As the remains moved slowly through Cuckney
every blind was down and the entire population went forth to
show their respect and sorrow many falling in the rear of the
procession to the scene of the last rites. The Church being
quiet the service was choral and the organist performed the
Dead March as the remains entered the Church. The scene about
the grave as the service was concluded was most impressive and
which no one will readily forget.The coffin was a plain one,
oak, unpolished, with suitable furniture. The coffin was met at
Welbeck in accordance with the wishes of the Duke of Portland
who showed the utmost concern when he was told Mr. Boaler was
seriously ill.
On Sunday morning the new Vicar of Cuckney - the Reverend
Samuel Berry M. A., spoke most feelingly of the deceased. He
mentioned his life of usefulness in the parish, his invariable
kindness and forethought for those in need and spoke also of
the warm way in which the deceased had welcomed him (the
preacher) only a few days before on his arrival to take charge
of the parish.'
In the late 1890s a succession of bad harvests made John
Frederick decide to move his family to Nottingham where he
joined his mother, Ann, in running a general store. In 1911.
when Ann died, her remains were taken by train to Cuckney where
they were met by a horse and cart and taken to St. Mary Otter
for burial. Both my father and Aunty Sarah could remember that
day when they accompanied their father, John Frederick and the
rest of the family on this last, sad, journey.