50 - The Derbyshire Family

The full story of the Derbyshire, or Darbyshire (as it was sometimes spelled), family can be found in my book The Residents of Romiley Road.

I will include some key information about the family here.

Thomas Derbyshire was born in Marple in 1841 to William Derbyshire and Sarah Consterdine. They moved to Burymewick, near the Chadkirk Printworks, and the whole family worked there.

On the 4th Jan 1862 Thomas married Jane Tetlow, who was born in Blackburn, Lancashire, but moved to Marple as an infant. Her father George worked as a dyer at the printworks.

The couple had many children, including a son named Frederick when Jane was 42 years of age. Sadly Frederick died in infancy. It is said that at one point there were 14 people living in their small Chadkirk house.

Thomas Derbyshire was a huge personality in Romiley, becoming Grand Master of the Oddfellows Friendly Society, which allowed him to travel to Bristol and the Isle of Man for meetings. He was also known for his comic speeches and recitations.

Sadly, Jane died from a long illness in October 1898 aged 54. Thomas continued to be active in the community, acting as president of the Hatherlow Children's Burial Society. He died in July 1905.