Category Archives: East Drayton

John Henry Allen 1872-Deceased: Baptism

Published: October 14, 2017    Last modified: February 21, 2024

Church of Saint Peter, East Drayton, Nottinghamshire

This post is once again as a result of the searches I was making regarding Zillah LITTLEWOOD (née Zillah FENTON abt. 1807-1862).

The England and Wales Census 1881 records Jane SMITHSON (née Jane ALLEN 1853-1892) the eldest of the Allen siblings married to George SMITHSON 1830-Deceased and living at East Drayton, Nottinghamshire.

Interestingly a John H ALLEN 1872-Deceased is recorded as a step son, born at Lambeth, Surrey (now more commonly shown as Lambeth, London), one of the few of my Nottinghamshire ALLEN line to be born outside of the north Nottinghamshire area.

FHJ Ref: 002
Census: England and Wales Census 1881
Place: 4 North Street, East Drayton, Nottingham, England
Household: George Smithson
Registration Number:
Piece/Folio:

SURNAMEFIRST NAME(S)RELSTATUSSEXAGEOCCUPATIONWHERE BORNREMARKS
SmithsonGeorgeHeadMMale51Agricultural LabourerHeadon, Nottinghamshire
SmithsonJaneWifeMFemale28Retford, Nottinghamshire
AllenJohn HStep SonMale9ScholarLambeth, Surrey
AllenJaneStep DaughterFemale7ScholarRetford, Nottinghamshire
SmithsonElizabethDaughterFemale2East Drayton, Nottinghamshire
AllenZillahSister In LawUFemale22Dom Serv Unemployed (Farm)Little Gringley, Nottinghamshire

To view this table full width please click here.

Quite by chance I came across a baptism record giving a little more detail:

John Henry ALLEN 1872-Deceased was baptised at the Church of Saint Peter, East Drayton, Nottinghamshire on the 19th of June 1878. His mother is shown to be Jane ALLEN and the register notes record 'Born in London. Mother shown as now SMITHSON'.

My great grandmother Ziller JACKLIN (née Ziller ALLEN 1858-1949) is also recorded as living at East Drayton, in the SMITHSON household.

George SMITHSON and Jane ALLEN were married on the 17th May 1875 at the Church of Saint Peter, East Drayton. George is shown to be 44 years of age and Jane 24 years of age.

Georgiana Ward (née Georgiana Allen 1879-1965)

Published: March 14, 2015    Last modified: February 21, 2024

Ziller Jacklin (née Ziller Allen 1858-1949)

This information has taken me quite some time to document and publish but at the time it came as quite a surprise:

Through the "Suggest a change" form at Family History Journal I received the following email:

Proposed Change: Ziller ALLEN (I22)
Tree: Jacklin / Ashforth
Link: Ziller ALLEN
Description: Zillah was mother of Georgina 06/03/1879-1965 father not registered. Georgina(eanor) married Charles Henry Ward 1896 Aston parish church Sheffield. Zillah is my G.G.Grandmother.

Basically this email informed me that my grandfather Wilfred Jacklin 1896-1967 had a step sister by the name of Georgina (Georgiana). I immediately phoned my aunt, the daughter of Wilfred Jacklin 1896-1967 and Ivy JACKLIN (née Ivy DIXON) 1901-1983 and asked if she was aware of this step sister; no she wasn't.

So this opened up a whole new avenue to explore.

I replied to BW and he provided me with a synopsis of Georgiana's family history:
Georgiana known to the family as Georgina married Charles Henry Ward at Aston Parish Church¹ and had 8 children. The eldest daughter had 5 children including the mother of BW.

I sent for Georgiana's birth certificate because Fanny Allen² would have been in her 50s when she was born. I have enclosed copies of birth and marriage
certificates. The name on the marriage certificate is Eanor which is a mystery to the family.

¹ Aston Parish Church is the Church of All Saints, Aston-cum-Aughton, Rotherham, Yorkshire.

² Fanny ALLEN (née Fanny LITTLEWOOD) 1832-1915, the mother of Ziller (Zillah, Zellaby) ALLEN 1858-1949

In the census record shown below, Georgina, or Georgiana ALLEN 1879-1965 is shown to be 2 years old and a grandaughter of John ALLEN 1831-Deceased, though at this time Ziller ALLEN 1858-1949 is living and working at East Drayton, Nottinghamshire, in the the household of George SMITHSON 1830-Deceased.

FHJ Ref: 008
Census: England and Wales Census 1881
Place: Little Gringley, Retford, Nottinghamshire
Household: John Allen

SURNAMEFIRST NAME(S) RELSTATUSSEXAGEOCCUPATIONWHERE BORNREMARKS
AllenJohnHeadMarriedMale50Agricultural LabourerLittle Gringley, Clarborough, Nottinghamshire
AllenFannyWifeMarriedFemale49East Retford, Nottinghamshire
AllenElizabethDaurUFemale20General Servant DomesticLittle Gringley, Clarborough, Nottinghamshire
AllenDavidSonUMale14Agricultural LabourerLittle Gringley, Clarborough, Nottinghamshire
AllenJohnSonUMale12ScholarLittle Gringley, Clarborough, Nottinghamshire
AllenSallyDaurUFemale10ScholarLittle Gringley, Clarborough, Nottinghamshire
AllenTomSonUMale7ScholarLittle Gringley, Clarborough, Nottinghamshire
AllenHarrietDaurUFemale4Little Gringley, Clarborough, Nottinghamshire
AllenJaneG DaurUFemale5Workhouse, Clarborough, Nottinghamshire
AllenGeorgianaG DaurUFemale2Workhouse, Clarborough, Nottinghamshire

To view this table full width please click here.

In the census record shown below Ziller ALLEN 1858-1949 is living in the household of George SMITHSON 1830-Deceased. I must admit, it had never crossed my mind to link Georgiana to Ziller ALLEN 1858-1949 as a daughter.

FHJ Ref: 002
Census: England and Wales Census 1881
Place: 4 North Street, East Drayton, Nottingham, England
Household: George Smithson

SURNAMEFIRST NAME(S)RELSTATUSSEXAGEOCCUPATIONWHERE BORNREMARKS
SmithsonGeorgeHeadMMale51Agricultural LabourerHeadon, Nottinghamshire
SmithsonJaneWifeMFemale28Retford, Nottinghamshire
AllenJohn HStep SonMale9ScholarLambeth, Surrey
AllenJaneStep DaughterFemale7ScholarRetford, Nottinghamshire
SmithsonElizabethDaughterFemale2East Drayton, Nottinghamshire
AllenZillahSister In LawUFemale22Dom Serv Unemployed (Farm)Little Gringley, Nottinghamshire

To view this table full width please click here.

Of course this still leaves me with the mystery of Elizabeth ALLEN, as shown by the census record below, living in the household of Daniel JACKLIN 1862-1953 and Ziller JACKLIN (née Ziller ALLEN) 1858-1949. To view an earlier article regarding Elizabeth ALLEN please click here.

FHJ Ref: 007
Census: England and Wales Census 1891
Place: Bradley Yard, Aston With Aughton, Rotherham, Yorkshire
Household: Daniel Jacklin

SURNAMEFIRST NAME(S)RELSTATUSSEXAGEOCCUPATIONWHERE BORNREMARKS
JacklinDanHeadMarriedM28Coal MinerWhaddon, Cambridgeshire,
JacklinZillerWifeMarriedF32Gringley, Lincolnshire
AllenElizabethNieceSF9Gringley, Lincolnshire
Note: Gringley, Lincolnshire ought to be Little Gringley, Nottinghamshire

To view this table full width please click here.

George Smithson 1830-Deceased and Jane Smithson (née Jane Allen 1853-1892): England and Wales Census 1891

Published: September 30, 2008    Last modified: February 12, 2017

Church of Saint Peter, East Drayton

Church of Saint Peter, East Drayton, Nottinghamshire

Looking through my notes I came across this entry in the England and Wales Census 1891:

FHJ Ref: 034
Census: England and Wales Census 1891
Place: 2 North Green, East Drayton, East Retford, Nottinghamshire, England
Household: George Smithson

SURNAMEFIRST NAME(S)RELSTATUSSEXAGEOCCUPATIONWHERE BORNREMARKS
SmithsonGeorgeHeadMarriedMale61Agricultural Labourer (Em'ee)Upton, Nottinghamshire
SmithsonJaneWifeMarriedFemale40Retford, Nottinghamshire

To view this table full width please click here.

The England and Wales Census 1881 records their address as:

4 North Road, East Drayton

The England and Wales Census 1891 records their address as:

2 North Green, East Drayton

North Green is still in existence though I am unsure about North Road. Interestingly all the children now appear to have left home.

According to an entry in FreeBMD, Jane SMITHSON (née Jane ALLEN 1853-1892) died the following year age 39 years.

Elizabeth Allen or Elizabeth Smithson?

Published: September 29, 2008    Last modified: October 18, 2017

While checking this earlier article, one of the earliest articles on this website, the name Elizabeth SMITHSON 1879-Deceased caught my eye.

This is my transcription of the England and Wales Census 1881:

FHJ Ref: 002
Census: England and Wales Census 1881
Place: 4 North Street, East Drayton, Nottingham, England
Household: George Smithson

SURNAMEFIRST NAME(S)RELSTATUSSEXAGEOCCUPATIONWHERE BORNREMARKS
SmithsonGeorgeHeadMMale51Agricultural LabourerHeadon, Nottinghamshire
SmithsonJaneWifeMFemale28Retford, Nottinghamshire
AllenJohn HStep SonMale9ScholarLambeth, Surrey
AllenJaneStep DaughterFemale7ScholarRetford, Nottinghamshire
SmithsonElizabethDaughterFemale2East Drayton, Nottinghamshire
AllenZillahSister In LawUFemale22Dom Serv Unemployed (Farm)Little Gringley, Nottinghamshire

To view this table full width please click here.

These records suggest Jane SMITHSON (née Jane ALLEN 1853-1892) had 2 children, either from a previous marriage or 'out of wedlock'.

I suddenly realised that Elizabeth SMITHSON 1879-Deceased, Jane's daughter presumably from her marriage to George SMITHSON 1830-Deceased, could be the elusive Elizabeth 'Betty' ALLEN.

A search of FreeBMD reveals a death, registered at Retford in March 1892 of one Jane SMITHSON aged 40 years. Elizabeth SMITHSON 1879-Deceased would now be about 12 years of age.

The England and Wales Census 1891 records the following:

FHJ Ref: 007
Census: England and Wales Census 1891
Place: Bradley Yard, Aston With Aughton, Rotherham, Yorkshire
Household: Daniel Jacklin

SURNAMEFIRST NAME(S)RELSTATUSSEXAGEOCCUPATIONWHERE BORNREMARKS
JacklinDanHeadMarriedM28Coal MinerWhaddon, Cambridgeshire,
JacklinZillerWifeMarriedF32Gringley, Lincolnshire
AllenElizabethNieceSF9Gringley, Lincolnshire
Note: Gringley, Lincolnshire ought to be Little Gringley, Nottinghamshire

To view this table full width please click here.

I conjecture Jane had fallen ill and was unable to care for Elizabeth her youngest child and Daniel JACKLIN 1862-1953 and Ziller JACKLIN (née Ziller ALLEN 1858-1949) agreed to 'adopt' her.

A quick search of the England and Wales Census 1901 reveals an Elizabeth SMITHSON aged 22 years living at East Drayton.

Another search of FreeBMD this time for a marriage for Elizabeth SMITHSON reveals several, but the only one in an anticipated locality is registered in December 1909 at Rotherham, Yorkshire. The husbands name could either be Thomas DAVIS or Fred KEIGHLEY.

At this time Daniel JACKLIN 1862-1953 and Ziller JACKLIN (née Ziller ALLEN 1858-1949) were probably still living at Swallownest so it could well be Elizabeth SMITHSON 1879-Deceased married at the Church of All Saints at Aston-cum-Aughton which of course is in the registration district of Rotherham.

This is all conjecture and supposition at the moment and the dates, though not exactly what I would expect, are close enough to warrant further research. Since I am unlikely to glean much more from FreeBMD or the England and Wales Census, I will invest in the purchase of the marriage certificate and hope that I can prove my theory.

Updates:
2017-10-18 Recently I located a baptism for one Eliza ALLEN. To read about this development please click here.

Southwell & Nottingham Church History Project

Published: May 10, 2005    Last modified: March 4, 2015

Southwell and Nottingham Church History Project is a collaboration between the University of Nottingham and the Diocese of Southwell:

The Southwell Church History project began as a labour of love by the late John Severn. His intention was to build a reliable database of historical knowledge about all of the churches of Southwell Diocese.

This database of churches includes the Church of Saint Peter, East Drayton, a church I visited a few weeks ago while researching my ALLEN ancestors.

Update:
2008-01-05 Click here to view my photographs of the Church of Saint Peter, East Drayton.

2015-03-04 This project is still active, though the website appears to have been re-vamped and extended. I have updated the links.

Zillah Allen: Forum message: Update

Published: May 6, 2005    Last modified: January 14, 2017

I was a little quick off the mark with my previous post. The email address I replied to was indeed 'live' and I received a speedy reply. Unfortunately it became clear that we have two different families here, though I image if we go a little further back in time they will undoubtedly be closely linked.

Having checked the England and Wales Census 1891 there are indeed two Zillah ALLENs recorded in Nottinghamshire:

FHJ Ref: 012
Census: England and Wales Census 1891
Place: Carlton, Nottinghamshire, England
Household: Richard Allen

SURNAMEFIRST NAME(S)RELSTATUSSEXAGEOCCUPATIONWHERE BORNREMARKS
AllenRichardHeadMarriedMale45Frame W KnitterCarlton, Nottinghamshire
AllenZillahWifeMarriedFemale63EmbroiderCarlton, Nottinghamshire
AllenMaryDaughterUFemale19EmbroiderCarlton, Nottinghamshire
AllenJohnSonUMale17Frame W KnitterCarlton, Nottinghamshire
AllenJoseph GSonUMale10ScholarCarlton, Nottinghamshire
AllenElizaDaughterFemale8ScholarCarlton, Nottinghamshire
AllenHarriottDaughterFemale6ScholarCarlton, Nottinghamshire
WalkinsonAmosMale11Carlton, Nottinghamshire

To view this table full width please click here.

The census record above shows a Zillah ALLEN at Carlton, Nottinghamshire.

The other is my great grandmother Ziller JACKLIN (née ALLEN) 1858-1949, who at this time was still single and living with her sister-in-law at East Drayton, Nottinghamshire, England.

Elizabeth Allen

Published: April 27, 2005    Last modified: March 8, 2015

I am aware of Ziller (Zillah) ALLEN living in the household of George SMITHSON at East Drayton, Nottinghamshire but when I carried out a search for ALLEN on the England and Wales Census 1881 I also found an entry for an Elizabeth ALLEN in this household.

FHJ Ref: 6
Census: England and Wales Census 1881
Place: East Drayton, Nottinghamshire, England
Household: John Scott

Surname First name(s) Rel Status Sex Age Where Born Occupation Remarks
Scott John Head U Male 74 E Drayton, Nottingham, England Retired Farmer
Salmon Jane Sister M Female 66 E Drayton, Nottingham, England Housekeeper
Scott John (Junior) Nephew U Male 30 E Drayton, Nottingham, England Farmer of 56 Acres Employing 1 Lab
Allen Elizabeth Serv U Female 17 Grove, Nottingham, England Domestic Serv General

To view this table full width please click here.

I note this Elizabeth ALLEN's birthplace is given as Grove, Nottingham, England.

Ziller Jacklin (née Ziller Allen 1858-1949): Census: Little Gringley

Published: April 26, 2005    Last modified: May 22, 2022

Ziller Jacklin (née Ziller Allen 1858-1949)
<a href="https://familyhistoryjournal.com/?s=Ziller+Allen">Read more...</a>

Ziller Jacklin (née Ziller Allen 1858-1949)

The England and Wales Census 1881 records an Elizabeth ALLEN at Little Gringley, Nottinghamshire. I feel sure this must be Ziller JACKLIN (née Ziller ALLEN 1858-1949). My father recalls he knew his grandmother as Ziller but just to add to the confusion, her marriage certificate records the name Zellaby.

FHJ Ref: 008
Census: England and Wales Census 1881
Place: Little Gringley, Retford, Nottinghamshire
Household: John Allen

SURNAMEFIRST NAME(S) RELSTATUSSEXAGEOCCUPATIONWHERE BORNREMARKS
AllenJohnHeadMarriedMale50Agricultural LabourerLittle Gringley, Clarborough, Nottinghamshire
AllenFannyWifeMarriedFemale49East Retford, Nottinghamshire
AllenElizabethDaurUFemale20General Servant DomesticLittle Gringley, Clarborough, Nottinghamshire
AllenDavidSonUMale14Agricultural LabourerLittle Gringley, Clarborough, Nottinghamshire
AllenJohnSonUMale12ScholarLittle Gringley, Clarborough, Nottinghamshire
AllenSallyDaurUFemale10ScholarLittle Gringley, Clarborough, Nottinghamshire
AllenTomSonUMale7ScholarLittle Gringley, Clarborough, Nottinghamshire
AllenHarrietDaurUFemale4Little Gringley, Clarborough, Nottinghamshire
AllenJaneG DaurUFemale5Workhouse, Clarborough, Nottinghamshire
AllenGeorgianaG DaurUFemale2Workhouse, Clarborough, Nottinghamshire

To view this table full width please click here.

I think I need to obtain a copy of Ziller's birth certificate in order to clarify both her name at birth and her place of birth.

Updates:
2007-08-31 I later discovered Elizabeth ALLEN 1861-Deceased was a younger sister of Ziller JACKLIN (née Ziller ALLEN 1858-1949). The England and Wales Census 1881 records Ziller (Zillah) now living with the George SMITHSON 1830-Deceased household at East Drayton, Nottinghamshire.

East Drayton, Nottinghamshire

Published: April 10, 2005    Last modified: February 4, 2017
Church of Saint Peter, East Drayton, Nottinghamshire

Church of Saint Peter, East Drayton, Nottinghamshire

Continuing my research into Ziller JACKLIN (née Ziller ALLEN 1858-1949) my great grandmother, we decided to visit various villages mentioned in the England and Wales Census of 1881 and 1891. These villages are located east of Retford, Nottinghamshire and I was curious to see if some on the spot research might turn up some more clues.

The first village was East Drayton, we strolled around the churchyard but many of the gravestones were too badly eroded to make out names. As is the norm nowadays, the church itself was closed. Though we could have obtained the keys from named village residents, it seemed a shame to disturb their Sunday afternoon.

Ziller Jacklin (née Ziller Allen 1859-1949): Census: East Drayton

Published: April 5, 2005    Last modified: November 14, 2016

Searching the England and Wales Census 1881 I discovered Ziller JACKLIN (née Ziller ALLEN) 1858-1949, my paternal great grandmother, appears to have had an older sister Jane ALLEN 1853-, both were born at Little Gringley, Nottinghamshire.

I surmise Jane ALLEN 1853- married George SMITHSON 1830- of East Drayton, East Retford, Nottinghamshire since the 1881 British Census records Ziller ALLEN 1858-1949 living (as sister-in-law) at East Drayton in the household of George SMITHSON 1830-:

FHJ Ref: 002
Census: England and Wales Census 1881
Place: 4 North Street, East Drayton, Nottingham, England
Household: George Smithson

SURNAMEFIRST NAME(S)RELSTATUSSEXAGEOCCUPATIONWHERE BORNREMARKS
SmithsonGeorgeHeadMMale51Agricultural LabourerHeadon, Nottinghamshire
SmithsonJaneWifeMFemale28Retford, Nottinghamshire
AllenJohn HStep SonMale9ScholarLambeth, Surrey
AllenJaneStep DaughterFemale7ScholarRetford, Nottinghamshire
SmithsonElizabethDaughterFemale2East Drayton, Nottinghamshire
AllenZillahSister In LawUFemale22Dom Serv Unemployed (Farm)Little Gringley, Nottinghamshire

To view this table full width please click here.

These records suggest Jane SMITHSON (née Jane ALLEN 1853-) had 2 children, either from a previous marriage or 'out of wedlock'. I will need to conduct further research.