60 - The Heathcote Family

The Heathcote family seem to have lived a very tragic life. Ann was born Ann Batley, the daughter of Thomas Batley who worked as a stone mason. In 1842 she married William Heathcote, a hatter from Marple. Ann already had 3 children by this point, Thomas, Joshua and Caleb. As William's father was called Joshua, it seems to follow that he was the father of the children, but the dates are confusing. He would have only been 14 when Thomas was born.

After the marriage they had a girl named Mary and in 1844 Mary and Caleb were baptised together. The baptism occurred 2 weeks after the death of their father William.

In the 1851 census Ann was living with all 4 of her children on Church Street in Marple. She worked as a cotton reeler whilst her 2 eldest boys worked as cotton piecers.

Then in January 1859, aged 20, Caleb died. A month later his sister Mary also lost her life. By then the family were living in Romiley at 10 Oakwood Cottages. Thomas and Joshua worked at the cotton mill and the family had a lodger named Samuel.

In 1870 Joshua Swindells took part in an "Old Man's Race" at the Friendship Inn during Wakes Week. The men were given a handicap according to their age and had to run 100 yards. First place went to 60 year old Peter Swindells, known as "Windy Low Pee", who was said to run "as wildly as a broken winded March hare".

By 1871 Ann and her unmarried sons were living at Foundling Terrace and they were still there in 1881. It seems that Thomas Heathcote was a member of the Romiley and Bredbury Brass Band. Thomas sang "While we were making hay" at a gathering in 1880.

On 9th January 1882 Thomas Heathcote was buried at St Chads. His mother Ann was also buried there in 1889.

Joshua moved from Romiley Road to Burymewick where he lodged with Edward and William Rowbotham (William's tragic death from a fall on the ice is recounted in my book The Residents of Romiley Road) in The Cage, which was a small house near Chadkirk. Joshua died in 1898.