John Sykes, son of Benjamin Sykes, clothier, was born in 1797/98 in the village of Adwalton, township of Drighlington, parish of Birstall, Yorkshire, England.

Note: Father's name and occupation, taken from the the records John Sykes's second marriage in 1847 and his third marriage in 1864. Place of birth taken from the censuses (Adwalton 1851 and 1871, Drighlington 1861).

It is assumed that his mother was Hannah Longbottom. Hannah Longbottom married Benjamin Sykes of Drighlington, 11 January 1796, a year before the birth of John Sykes. Hannah, age 84, was listed with John Sykes and his family in the 1841 census. Unfortunately, no relationship was listed in this census. Unfortunately, it is not know if Longbottom was a maiden or married name. There does not appear to be any real consistency in using married or maiden names in the church records.

John Sykes, Cordwainer and Master Shoemaker

John Sykes was listed on several records as either a shoemaker or a cordwainer.

• At least three of his sons, Benjamin, George Stell, and Joseph were cordwainers.

• At least one of his grandsons, William, the son of Benjamin, was a boot maker.

John Sykes and his sons were not listed in any of the local Directories, with the exception of George who was listed as an Adwalton boot and shoemaker in the 1857 Leeds directory. In Baine's Directory of 1822, three shoemakers were listed in Birstall: Thomas Armitage, James Walker and John Walker. There were none listed in the 1829 Pigots. The 1834 Pigots listed four shoemakers: Thomas Armitage in Birstall, William Cawthown in Gomersal, William Dewhirst in Birstall, and James Walker in Birstall. While Drighlington was listed for other trades, there were no listings in Dringlington for shoemakers.

In the 1841 census in there were 1028 people in the village of Adwalton including 14 shoemakers and 4 shoemaker apprentices. There was a shoemaker for every 73 people in the village. Clearly the shoemakers in Adwalton were not making shoes or boots for the local population.

What were they doing? There appear to be two possibilities:

1. According to ancient tradition cordwainers were shoemakers who worked with cordovan leather. Cordovan was a heavy leather used to make the highest quality men's shoes. During the Middle Ages the Arabs in Cordoba Spain developed the process for making this highly prized leather from horsehide. Cordovan was called "cordwain" in England. Since the Middle Ages the title "Cordwainer" had been used rather loosely to indicate shoemakers. Generally, however, it referred to a certain class of shoe and boot-maker. Unlike the "cobbler", the cordwainer worked only with new leather.

   A 1944 ad in Life magazine calls cordovan "the leather of kings" and further states:

   "Cordovan had a great history. Kings and Emperors of the Middle Ages had rich-looking, long wearing boots made from this rare and wonderful leather. Today it is not only costly but extremely rare".

   According to The Honourable Cordwainers Company at www.thehcc.org

   "Whenever shoemakers have organized, they have shown a clear preference for the title "Cordwainer", conscious of the distinguished history and tradition it conveys".

2. There are a few hints on the Internet that cordwainers in some parts of England were making boots for the army
3. In The West Riding of Yorkshire At the Opening of the Twentieth Century W. Herbert Scott says the the area was known for coal mining, shoe and boot making, and cloth manufacturing.

Marriage of John Sykes and Ann Stell, 1817

"John Sykes of this parish and Ann Stell of this parish were married in this Church by Banns with Consent of _______ this twenty seventh Day of April in the Year One Thousand eight Hundred and Seventeen by me Matthew Sedgwick, curate. This Marriage was solemnized between us John Sykes, Ann Stell, "her mark". In the presence of James Fox and John Chadwick."

Notes:

• John Chadwick was the parish clerk. I don't know anything about James Fox.
• The above record was taken from the Bishop's transcript and the "signature" of John Sykes is in the handwriting of the clerk who transcribed the records.
• Ann Stell was born in Gomersal in Birstall parish.
• John Sykes, according to the 1851 census, was born in Adwalton in Birstall Parish.
• Their children were baptized in Birstall parish.
• Batley and Birstall parishes abut one another and the records show a fair amount of movement between one parish and the other. However, since all of the other records connected with the Sykes and Stells were found in Birstall parish I am not sure why the marriage occurred in Batley parish.

Marriage record of John Sykes and Ann Stell.

Children of John Sykes and Ann Stell

1. Benjamin, cordwainer, (1818-1866) and Mary Halliday
   Baptism: Benjamin, "son of John and Ann Sykes of Little Gomersal, shoemaker", was baptized on May 24, 1818 (Church of England, Birstall Parish)
   Occupation: Cordwainer.
   Marriage: Benjamin Sykes, age 27, bachelor, cordwainer, of Pudsey, son of John Sykes, cordwainer, and Mary Halliday, age 29, spinster, of Pudsey, daughter of John Halliday, farmer, were married on October 19, 1846 in the parish church of Calverley, Yorkshire. Witnesses were Joseph Halliday and Rebecca Clayton. While the signatures on the record are not theirs, it indicates that Benjamin and Mary signed their names. (December 1846, vol. 23, page 256 Bradford) Note: Pudsey is between Bradford and Leeds.
   Birth of Mary Holliday: Mary Halliday baptized April 5, 1816, daughter of John Halliday and Betty Balmforth
   Residence: Benjamin and Mary Sykes lived in Adwalton (a village in the township of Drighlington) and in Nethertown (a village north of Adwalton in the township of Drighlington)
   Children:
   1. John born September 13, 1847, baptized November 14, 1847, of Benjamin and Mary Sykes, Adwalton, cordwainer (twin, see next entry) ( Church of England, Birstall Parish)
      Death: John son of Benjamin Sykes of Adwalton died March 12, 1848, age 5 months. (Parish records)
   2. Joseph (twin, see above entry) (Church of England, Birstall Parish)
      Death: Joseph of Benjamin Sykes of Adwalton died April 6, 1848, age 5 months (Parish records)
   3. James Holliday of Benjamin and Mary Sykes of Adwalton, cordwainer born March 18, 1850, baptized April 28, 1850 (Church of England, Birstall Parish)
      Death: James Holliday Sykes Neathertown April 25, 1852 age 2 years
   4. William Sykes, boot maker (1852-??) and Hannah
      Birth: William of Benjamin and Mary Sykes Netherland cordwainer born February 9 baptized March 21 1852
      Marriage: Hannah, date and place unknown
      Children:
      1. Mary, circa 1874, Carlinghow
      2. Elizabeth circa 1888, Birstall
      1871 Census: With his uncle, Joseph. See Sykes in the Censuses
      1881 Census, Church Street, Gomersal:
      • William Sykes, head, married, age 29, born Drighlington, boot maker
      • Hannah Sykes, wife, age 28, born Birstall
      • Mary E Sykes, daughter, age 7, born Carlinghow
      1891 Census, High Street Birstall, Gomersal:
      • William Sykes, head, married, age 39, born Nethertown, Adwalton, cordwainer
      • Hannah Sykes, wife, age 38, born Birstall
      • Mary E Sykes, daughter, age 17, blanket finisher, born Batley
      • Elizabeth A, age 3, born Birstall
      1901 Census: High Street Birstall, Wm. Sykes, head, married, age 49, postman (& shoemaker), worker, born Nethertown, Hannah Sykes wife age 48, born Birstall, Mary E Sykes, daughter, age 24, dressmaker, own account, at home, born Batley, Eliza A Sykes, daughter, age 13, born Birstall.
   5. Elizabeth of Benjamin and Mary Sykes, Drighlington, cordwainer, born May 21 1854, baptized June 19, 1854, Drighlington Chapel (Church of England, Birstall Parish)
      1871 Census: With her Uncle, Jospeh. See Sykes in the Censuses
      
   6. John George of Benjamin and Mary Sykes, Drighlington, cordwainer, born May 10, 1857 baptized June 7, 1857, Drighlington Chapel (Church of England, Birstall Parish)
      Death: John George Sykes, Drighlington, infant, June 19, 1857, Drighlington Chapel
   7. Anne Holliday, date of birth unknown
      Death: August 2, 1866, according to tombstone inscription.
      Notes:
      • There is no record of the death of Ann Halliday or Anne Sykes in the Sept 1866 death index.
      • There is no record of the death of Ann Holiday or Ann Sykes on August 2, 1866 in the Drighlington Chaple records on LDS film #1849288
   1851 Census: See Sykes in the Censuses
   1861 Census: See Sykes in the Censuses
   Death of Benjamin Sykes: Benjamin Sykes of Nethertown, July 17, 1866, age 48 (LDS film #1542225 and #1849288)
   Civil record Index Deaths, Sykes Benjamin, age 48, Sept 1866, Bradford Y vol. 9b page 9
   Death of Mary Halliday Sykes: Mary Sykes of Nethertown July 29, 1866, age 50 (LDS film #1849288)
   Civil record index: Deaths, Sykes, Mary, age 50, Sept 1866, Bradford Y vol 9b, page 10)
   Death of Anne Halliday Sykes : August 2, 1866 per tombstone. Note: Anne was not listed with Benjamin and Mary in the 1861 census.

   Tombstone:

   Erected in affectionate
   Remembrance of Benjamin Sykes
   Late of Nethertown in the township
   Of Drighlington who died July 15, 1866
   Age 48
   Also of Mary, his wife, who died July
   27, 1866, age 50
   Also Anna Holliday, daughter of the above
   Who died August 2,1866

   William and Elizabeth Sykes in the 1871 census: William and Elizabeth, the orphaned son and daughter of Benjamin Sykes and Mary Halliday, were listed with their uncle, Joseph Sykes, see Sykes in the Censuses

2. Samuel Sykes, machinist (1821-1911), Emigrated to US and Canada
   Baptism: Samuel, son of John and Ann Sykes of Adwalton, shoemaker, was baptized March 4, 1821 (Church of England, Birstall Parish)
   Marriage: Arthur Ashton Sykes who wrote a Sykes family history in Canada in 1970 said he thought Samuel was married twice, the first time in England, but he had no proof of that. Free BMD lists several possibilities
   Occupation: Machinist, Engineer
   Immigration: Samuel Sykes left England about 1843:
   • He was in the United States from at least 1849 to 1855
   • He was listed in the 1850 US Federal Census in Ithaca, New York
   • Circa 1855 he immigrated Toronto, Canada and later moved to Newmarket, Ontario, Canada where he was listed in the 1871 Canadian census.
   Note: He was not listed in the 1841 census in England with his parents.
   Marriage: Ann Hill, daughter of Daniel Hill of Long Island, date and place unknown.
   Children:
   1. Isabelle, born circa 1849, USA
   2. Josephine, born circa 1852, USA
   3. Adelaide, born circa 1854, USA
   Question: Samuel was 29 years old when his first known child was born. Were there other children by this or another marriage?
   1871 Census Newmarket, Ontario, Canada:
   • Samuel Sykes, married, age 50, born England, machinist
   • Ann Sykes , married, age 45, born US, Irish
   • Isabel Sykes, age 21, born US
   • Josephine Sykes, age 19, born US
   • Adeline Sykes, age 17, born US
   • Mary Ellen (or Elden), single, age 47, born Ireland
   • Charles Johnson, age 17, born Ontario, apprentice
   1881 Census, Canada: Samuel Sykes and his family were listed in Newmarket, York North, Ontario, Canada as follows:
   • Samuel, age 60, born in England
   • Hannah, age 52, born Jamaica, West Indies
   • Isabelle, age 25, born in USA
   • Josephine, age 23 born in USA
   • Adelaide, age 21, born in USA
   • Mary Gill, age 52, born in Jamaica, West Indies
   Note:
   • Newmarket is several miles north of Toronto.
   For more information on Samuel and his family in the USA and Canada see Sykes in Canada

3. Isabelle Sykes (1823-1869/70) and Dick Holdsworth
   Baptism: Isabelle, daughter of John and Ann Sykes of "Barnsley", cordwainer, was baptized on May 25, 1823 (Church of England, Birstall Parish) . I do not know where Barnsley was located. It is not on a current map of the area. However, it was listed under "The Chapelry of Drighlington in the parish of Birstall".
   Marriage: SYKES Isabella HOLDSWORTH Dick St Peter, Leeds Leeds CE46/27/169, 1848 (Yorkshire BMD)
   Children:
   1. Thomas, Adwalton, circa 1849
   2. Ann, Farnley, circa 1850
      1881 Census: See Sykes in the Censuses
      
   3. Seth Holdsworth
      Seth, Farnley, circa 1853
      Marriage: Ann Elizabeth _____ born Bradford
      Children:
      1. Dick Holdsworth, circa 1877 Gildersome
      2. Mary Alice Holdsworth, circa 1879 born Gildersome
      3. Lily, circa 1885 born Gildersome
      4. Annie, circa 1887 born Gildersome
      5. Maurice, circa 1890 born Gildersome
      1881 Census: See Sykes in the Censuses
      1891 Census: See Sykes in the Censuses
      
   4. Mary, Farnley, circa 1855
   5. John, Farnley, circa 1859. John Nussey Holdsworth according to the 1881 census.
      1881 Census: See Sykes in the Censuses
      1891 Census: See Sykes in the Censuses
      
   6. Hannah, circa 1862, Leeds
   7. Sarah, circa 1864
   8. Martha, circa 1866
   1851 Census: In Leeds. See Sykes in the Censuses
   1861 Census: In Leeds. See Sykes in the Censuses
   Death of Isabella Sykes Holdsworth:
   1. HOLDSWORTH Isabella Wortley Leeds WORT/34/75, 1869 (Yorkshire BMD)
   2. HOLDSWORTH Isabella Wortley Leeds WORT/34/279, 1870 (Yorkshire BMD)
   1871 Census: In Leeds. See Sykes in the Censuses
   
Remarriage of Dick Holdsworth: HOLDSWORTH Dick, WILSON Anne, Holy Trinity, Armley Hall Leeds CE3/38, 1874 (Yorkshire BMD)
1881 Census: In Leeds. See Sykes in the Censuses
4. George Stell Sykes, Master cordwainer, (1826-1898)
   

   Note: George Stell Sykes was my direct line ancestor, Maggie Land Blanck

   Baptism: George Stell Sykes, the son of John and Ann Sykes, Adwalton, cordwainer, was baptized on March 12, 1826 in the Chapelry of Drighlington, parish of Birstall.

   Marriage: Sarah Walker January 16, 1847

   Children:

   1. Oliver Walker Sykes (1847-1864)
   2. Samuel (1850) married Caroline Tolson, immigrated Canada
   3. James (1852-1853)
   4. Ann married Job Nussey and Thomas Parker
   5. Elizabeth married Law Land, immigrated Canada and USA. Note; Elizabeth Sykes was my direct line ancestor, Maggie Land Blanck
   6. Robert Walker Sykes (1859) married Annie Hepworth, immigrated Canada
   7. John George Sykes (1864-19090 married Harriett Ellen Fenton
   8. Mary Sykes (1866)
   9. Benjamin (1868-1870)

   More Information on the family of George Stell Sykes and Sarah Walker: See George Stell Sykes

5. James Sykes (1829-1905), Emigrated to US and Canada
   Baptism: James, the son of John and Ann Sykes, Adwalton, cordwainer, was baptized on February 15, 1829, Chapelry of Drighlington, parish of Birstall.
   Immigration: James Sykes immigrated to Ithaca, New York, before 1850 where he was listed with his brother, Samuel in the 1850 census. See Sykes in Canada
   Marriage: Sarah Erp, unknown, USA
   Children:
   1. Emily, circa 1856, USA
   2. William J, June 15, 1859, Ontario, Canada
      Marriage: Mary Ellen Banbury
      Children:
      1. Fred Henry ?4 November 1883, of William John Sykes and Mary Ellen Banbury, farmer, Whitemarch, York.
         5 year break
      2. Arthur Ashton Sykes, April 29, 1888, #043367, father, William Sykes, occupation, grocer, mother, Mary Ellen Banbury (?), 167 College Street Toronto.
         Marriage:
         Children:
         1. Clint (Chris Ibbotson Feb. 2006, information from his father Peter, 1970s)
      3. Evelyn Sarah Sykes, November 24, 1890, #044077, daughter of William John Sykes, grocer, and Mary Ellen Banbury, 34 College Street, Toronto.
      4. Ethel Louise Sykes, August 26, 1892, #042149, daughter of William John Sykes, grocer, and Mary Ellen Banbury, 346 College Street.
      5. Rita Isabel Sykes, April 29, 1895, father, William John Sykes, grocer, Mother, Mary Ellen Banbury, 346 College Street, Toronto, #040316.
   3. Fred H., circa 1864, Ontario

6. Mary Sykes (1832-1922) and William Wright

   Baptism: Mary, the daughter of John and Ann Sykes, Adwalton, shoemaker, was baptized on May 13, 1832, parish of Birstall. Mary was listed with her father in the 1851 census.

   Death: I found a death in the parish records for Mary Sykes - Mary Sykes of Adwalton, daughter of John and Ann Sykes, was buried on June 30, 1852, age 18, film #1849288.

   However, I cannot find her civil death record. The General Registers office says that June 1852 Bradford 9b 9 is not her. Subsequently Ellen Sykes wrote in June 2007 and informed me that Mary Sykes married and moved to Toronto Canada so I can only assume that the 1852 records is some sort of clerical error.

   Further Records: In 1851 Census with her father.

   Marriage: William Wright

   Death: April 1922, Toronto, Canada.

7. Joseph Sykes Adwalton infant buried 2 February 1834

   Note: This record is very vague and there was another Sykes family having children in Adwalton at the time. See Sykes in Adwalton now or at the bottom of the page. However, the name and the spacing fit.

8. Joseph Sykes, Cordwainer (1835-1901+) and Elizabeth
   Baptism: Joseph Sykes, the son of John and Ann Sykes, shoemaker of "Drighlington", was baptized on July 19, 1835 (LDS film #0990529)
   Further Records: Joseph is listed in the 1841 census with his parents, in the 1851 census with his brother Benjamin, and on his own in the 1861, 1871 and 1881, 1901 censuses.
   Occupation: Cordwainer
   Marriage: Elizabeth, date and place unknown, (Information from the 1881 English census)
   Children:
   1. Annie H. 1861 (1861 English Census)
   2. John Sykes (1863-) and Fanny
      John, born circa 1863 (1881 English Census)
      Marriage: Fanny
      Children:
      1. Eva E, circa 1888, born Birstall
      2. Joseph, circa 1892, born Birstall
      3. Willie, circa 1896, born Birstall
      4. Minnie, circa 1898, born Birstall
   1861 Census: in Birstall. See Sykes in the Censuses
   1871 Census: In Birstall. See Sykes in the Censuses
   1881 English Census in Gomersal: See Sykes in the Censuses
   1901 Census: In Birstall See Sykes in the Censuses

9. Sarah Ann (1838-1917) and William Thornton
   Birth:
   • Baptism Sarah Ann, the daughter of John and Ann Sykes, shoemaker of "Dringlington", was baptized on September 22, 1838 (LDS film #0990529)
   • Civil Birth Record: Sarah Ann, daughter of John Sykes, cordwainer, and Ann Sykes, formerly Stell, was born on September 22, 1838, Drighlington, reported by John Sykes, father, Dringlington.
     
   1851 Census: Sarah Anne was listed with her father in the 1851 census.
   1861 Census: There were two Sarah Ann Sykes born in Adwalton circa 1838 in the 1861 census. Both were servants: one a maid, the other a cook. The other Sarah Ann was the daughter of Joseph Sykes and Mary Thornton.
   Marriage:
   • Civil Record: August 31, 1864 Parish Church Morley, William Thornton, age 23, bachelor, corn dealer, Brighouse, father, John Thornton, joiner, married Sarah Ann Sykes, age 25 spinster, Morley, daughter of John Sykes, shoe maker, both signed. Witnesses: George Stell Sykes and John Wormald
   • Church Record:
   Children:
   1. John Thornton, circa 1866, and Henrietta Gibb
      Birth: Circa 1866
      Occupation: "He became a newspaper man, being at times editor of the Blackpool Herald after other assignments." (Arthur Ashton Sykes' notes sent by Ellen Sykes June 2007)
      Marriage H Gibbs (Chris Ibbotson Feb. 2006, information from his father Peter, 1970s)
      Henrietta Gibbs born circa 1866 (Arthur Ashton Sykes' notes sent by Ellen Sykes June 2007)
      Children:
      1. William Fletcher circa 1891
         Further Records: William Fletcher Thornton - born abt. 1891; deceased abt. 1956. He married Valerie. "who at age 65 died while returning from a holiday in Scotland, leaving a widow and daughter" (Arthur Ashton Sykes' notes sent by Ellen Sykes June 2007)
         
      2. Jessie Cunningham
         Further Records: Jessie Cunningham Thornton, a private secretary until her marriage in 1940 to Willaim Hodge Craig. In 1942 they adopted a daughter, Christine Fiona, who married in 1968 David Beddard, who is a lecturer in plastics at Southal College. (Arthur Ashton Sykes' notes sent by Ellen Sykes June 2007)
      3. James Douglas Thornton, a ladies hairdresser and prominent in amateur dramatic circles (Arthur Ashton Sykes' notes sent by Ellen Sykes June 2007)
      1891 Census: Rawtenstall, Lower Booths, Lancashire, England, John Thornton, age 25, newspaper reporter, born Brighouse Yorkshire, Henrietta wife age 25, William F age 6 mo.
      1901 Census: Blackpool, Lancaster, 33 Woodfield Rd. John Thornton, age 35, journalist, newspaper editor, born Brighouse Yorkshire, Henrietta, wife, age 35, born Scotland, William Fletcher, son, age 10, Jessie Cunningham daughter age 4, Agnes Marshall Pilling (?), sister? in law, widow, age 40, certified school mistress, born Scotland, James Stuart, Pilling ?, nephew, age 10, Jessis Atkin Pilling ? age 5, niece and Emily Capel, servant age 23
      Note: I can't read the first leter of Agnes Marshall _illing, sister in law, It is very strange and may be P, V or N. It is most likely a P based on the way the census taker made his Rs.
      Death of Henrietta Gibb Thornton: March, 1939 (Arthur Ashton Sykes' notes sent by Ellen Sykes June 2007)
      Death of John Thornton: Feb. 1940 (Arthur Ashton Sykes' notes sent by Ellen Sykes June 2007)
   2. Emma (Emily) , circa 1868, never married.
      Further Record: Emily Thornton, the eldest girl of the family, born 1871, was a far as I know, the only one of the folks who visited this country. Emma was unmarried and came to Ontario a few years after I had left for the west and visited at Newmarket and Toronto. I heard of her through letters at the time and occasionally since. She was quite popular with the relatives. She left this world February 1919. (Arthur Ashton Sykes' notes sent by Ellen Sykes June 2007)
      Death of Emily Thornton : 26 Feb 1919 in England (Arthur Ashton Sykes' notes sent by Ellen Sykes June 2007)
   3. Mary Thornton (1870-) and Samuel Empsall
      Birth: Mary, circa 1870, and Samuel Empsall
      Marriage:
   S Empsall (Chris Ibbotson Feb. 2006, information from his father Peter, 1970s)
   Other: In 1891 and 1901 censuses with her parents.
   More Information on Mary Thornton: Mary, the fourth child and second daughter, married Samuel Empsall. She was born in 1869, and lasted till Sept. 1955. Samuel was born in 1869 and died May 16, 1933. Isabel Jenkinson and the Empsalls I believe visited and corresponded for years but I have no details to offer. (Arthur Ashton Sykes' notes sent by Ellen Sykes June 2007)
   Death of Samuel Empsall: 16 May 1933 (Arthur Ashton Sykes' notes sent by Ellen Sykes June 2007)
   Death of Mary Thornton Empsall: 28 Sep 1965. (Arthur Ashton Sykes' notes sent by Ellen Sykes June 2007)
   4. Hannah Thornton (1872-) and Samuel Ibbotson
      Birth: Circa 1872
      Marriage: Samuel Ibbotson (Chris Ibbotson Feb. 2006, information from his father Peter, 1970s)
      Children:
      1. Edith circa 1899, married Alan Dobson (Chris Ibbotson Feb. 2006, information from his father Peter, 1970s) - child- Michael (Arthur Ashton Sykes' notes sent by Ellen Sykes June 2007)
      2. Arthur Edward married Lily Sibley, children Peter John (married Hilary Shakespeare - Children: Richard , born 1968 & Christopher John , born 1970 Lily Sibley divorced Arthur Ibbotson in the 1930s and married George Bradbrooke in the 1940s. George Bradbrooke was a Lt. Col in the 1st Canadian Paras and from a legendary Army family from Saskatoon, SK ! (Chris Ibbotson Feb. 2006, information from his father Peter, 1970s)
      1901 Census: 17 John Street Brighouse: Sam Ibottson, head age 33, clerk in borough office, Hannah, wife age 29, Edith M, daughter, age, 2, all born Brighouse.
      Samuel Ibbotson in the 1881 Census in Brighouse on Albion St: Mary Ibbotson, head, widow age 45, Sarah, daughter, age 18, tailoress, Samuel son age 13 errand boy, Fanny, daughter age 8 scholar, all born Brighouse.
      More on Hannah Thornton and Sam Ibbotson: The second daughter, Hannah, I am sorry to say I have been unable to trace, other than to have some detail about her marriage and family. She married Samuel Ibbotson. They had two children, Edith and Arthur. Edith married Alan Dobson and they have a son Michael, married. Arthur married Lily Sibley; they had a son, Peter, married to a lady with the first name of Hilary and they are the parents of two, a lad, Richard, aged two and another lad Christopher John, a baby. (Arthur Ashton Sykes' notes sent by Ellen Sykes June 2007)
   5. Joseph Thornton (1875_) and Hannah Jackson
      Birth: circa 1875
      Marriage: H Jackson (Chris Ibbotson Feb. 2006, information from his father Peter, 1970s) Hannah per census
      Children:
      1. Eleanor (Nellie) married L Smith no family, (Arthur Ashton Sykes' notes sent by Ellen Sykes June 2007) see A A Sykes not below
      2. Ann, married Arnold Downend, no family (Arthur Ashton Sykes' notes sent by Ellen Sykes June 2007) see A A Sykes not below
      3. Fred - The third child and first son, Fred married K. Baldwin. Two children; John, who married M. Conway and they have children three - David, and twins, Carol and Vivian, aged 8 and 6 respectively; the other son, Brian, married P. Davis and they are the parents of three; Ian, Andrew and Susan, aged 7, 5, and 2, respectively. (Arthur Ashton Sykes' notes sent by Ellen Sykes June 2007)
      4. Lilias, the fourth child of Joseph and Hannah, died in infancy. (Arthur Ashton Sykes' notes sent by Ellen Sykes June 2007)
      5. Hilda, number five of the family, married E. Robertshaw. Two children - Pamela and Anthony. Pamela married P. Shaw and have two children, Deborah, aged 6, and Richard, aged 4. Anthony married J. Whitehead. They too have a couple of children, Emma, 4, and Daniel, a few months. (Arthur Ashton Sykes' notes sent by Ellen Sykes June 2007)
      1901 Census: 14 Firth Street, Rastrick, Brighouse, Joseph Thornton, head, age 26, fit-- hydraulic engineer, Hannah, wife, age 25, Eleanor M, daughter, age 1, all born Brighouse
      More on Joseph Thornton: Joseph, the second son and fifth child of William and Sarah Thornton, born 1874, died Nov. 13, 1933. His wife was Hannah Jackson 1876-1963. They had four daughters and one son. Nellie married L. Smith No family. Anne (Ann) married Arnold Downend, and no family. I am indebted to this Ann for most of the information about the English cousins, and in addition have had some most interesting letters from her, and received a very well prepared chart of the Thornton family, which has set me straight on a number of items. (Arthur Ashton Sykes' notes sent by Ellen Sykes June 2007)
      Death of Joseph Thornton: 13 Nov 1933 (Arthur Ashton Sykes' notes sent by Ellen Sykes June 2007)
      Death of Hannah Jackson Thornton: 2 Jul 1963 (Arthur Ashton Sykes' notes sent by Ellen Sykes June 2007)
   6. Fletcher Thornton (1876-) and Alice Lister
      Birth: July-Aug-Sept 1876 Halifax 9a (Free BMD)
      Marriage: Alice Lister (Chris Ibbotson Feb. 2006, information from his father Peter, 1970s)
      Children:
      1. Eleanor
      1901 Census: 19 Dale Street, Brighouse, Fletcher Thornton, head, age 24, house painter, Alice both born Brighouse
      More on Fletcher Thornton: Fletcher, the sixth child and third son of Sarah and William, was unfortunate in being an invalid for most of his life, following his marriage to Alice Lister. Born 1877, died 1934. No family. (Arthur Ashton Sykes' notes sent by Ellen Sykes June 2007)
      Death of Fletcher Thornton : 17 Feb 1934 (Arthur Ashton Sykes' notes sent by Ellen Sykes June 2007)
   7. Sarah Elizabeth Thornton (1879-) and Percy Roberts
      Birth: circa 1879
      Marriage: P Roberts (Chris Ibbotson Feb. 2006, information from his father Peter, 1970s) - Percy Roberts (Arthur Ashton Sykes' notes sent by Ellen Sykes June 2007)
      Children:
      1. Freda Isobel - married George H. COUSINS - children: Marion and Raymond (Arthur Ashton Sykes' notes sent by Ellen Sykes June 2007)
      2. Elsa married Colin McLeod (Arthur Ashton Sykes' notes sent by Ellen Sykes June 2007)
   8. Frederick Frederick , born 1886; deceased 20 Oct 1886 (Arthur Ashton Sykes' notes sent by Ellen Sykes June 2007)
      Frederick, died in his infancy (Chris Ibbotson Feb. 2006, information from his father Peter, 1970s)
   1871 Census: Brighouse Hipperholme com Brighouse, 4 Bank Street William Thornton, head age 29, corn dealer's assistant, Brighouse, Sarah A, wife, age 32, Adwalton, John, son, age 5, scholar, Adwalton, Emma, daughter, age 3, Brighouse, Mary, daughter, age 1, Brighouse
   1881 Census: Brighouse Hipperholme com Brighouse, 4 Bank Street William Thornton, head age 39, shopman corndealer, Brighouse, Sarah A, wife, age 42, Adwalton, John, son, age 15, scholar, shop boy, Adwalton, Emma, daughter, age 13, millhand Brighouse, Mary, daughter, age 11, scholar, Brighouse, Hannah, daughter age 9, scholar, Brighouse, Joseph, son, age 6, Fletcher, son, age 4, Sarah E, daughter, age 2
   1891 Census: Brighouse Hipperholme com Brighouse, 4 Bank Street William Thornton, head age 49, shopman corndealer, Brighouse, Sarah A, wife, age 52, Adwalton, John, son, age 15, scholar, shop boy, Adwalton, Mary, daughter, age 21, cotton reeler, Brighouse, Joseph, son, age 16, mechanic's apprentice Fletcher, son, age 14, painter's apprentice Sarah E, daughter, age 12, scholar
   1901 Census: Brighouse 106 Commerical Street William Thornton, head age 59, corn dealer shopkeeper, own account at home born Brighton Sarah A wife age 62, born Adwalton Emma age 33, born Brighouse Mary age 31, born Brighouse
   Death of Sarah Ann Sykes Thornton: 1 January 1917 (Chris Ibbotson Feb. 2006, information from his father Peter, 1970s) (also Arthur Ashton Sykes notes sent by Ellen Sykes June 2007).
   Death of William Thornton: 22 April 1917 (Chris Ibbotson Feb. 2006, information from his father Peter, 1970s) May 1917 (per Arthur Ashton Sykes' notes sent by Ellen Sykes, June 2007)
   More of William Thornton: He was listed in the 1861 census in Hipperholme cum Brighouse, on Commercial Street, age 19, corn dealer's assistant, nephew of John Hargreaves age 52, born Dewsbury, corn dealer, and his wife Mary, age 45, born Halifax. I did not find him in the 1851 census.

John Sykes' Residences

• Adwalton (Birstall Parish) circa 1797 (Birth of John Sykes)
• Gomersal (Birstall Parish) in 1796 (Birth of Ann Stell Sykes)
• Batley Parish in 1817 at the marriage of John Sykes and Ann Stell
• Gomersal (Birstall Parish) in 1818 (Birth of a child) Note: John Sykes was not listed in the Land Tax records for Gomersal in 1818 or before, LDS microfilm 1657962.
• Adwalton Chapelry of Drighlington (Bristall Parish) in 1821 (Birth of a child)
• Barnsley Chapelry of Drighlington (Bristall Parish) in 1823 (Birth of a child)
• Adwalton Chapelry of Drighlington (Bristall Parish) in 1826 (Birth of a child)
• Adwalton Chapelry of Drighlington (Bristall Parish) in 1829 (Birth of a child)
• Adwalton Chapelry of Drighlington (Bristall Parish) in 1832 (Birth of a child)
• Drighlington (Bristall Parish) in 1835 (Birth of a child)
• Drighlington (Bristall Parish) in 1838 (Birth of a child)
Turnpike Road Drighlington (Bristall Parish) in 1841 (Census)
• Adwalton (Birstall Parish) in October 1841, at the death of Ann Stell Sykes
• Farnley (Leeds Parish) in October 1843, at the marriage of John Sykes to Ellen Hainsworth Taylor.
• Adwalton Township of Drighlington (Bristall Parish) in 1851 (Census) "All that part of the Hamlet of Adwalton (being part of the township of Dringlington) including Spring Gardens and the Adwalton Moor".
• Mirfield in the 1861 census
• Churwell (Batley Parish, Morley Chapelry) at the death of Ellen Sykes in 1863
• Churwell in the 1871 census

John Sykes in the 1841 Census

The 1841 census listed John Sykes on the Turnpike Road, County of York, Wapentake of Morley, Parish of Birstall, and Chapelry of Drighlington in Enumeration #1. This listing is between Adwalton Street and Gildersome Street, in the hamlet of Adwalton. In the 1841 census all ages over fifteen (unless they were of interest for some reason, such as extreme old age) were rounded to the nearest multiple of 5 in the 1841 census.

John Sykes and family were listed as follows:

1. John, age 40, shoemaker
2. Ann, age 40
3. Benjamin, age 20
4. Isabella, age 15
5. George, age 15
6. James, age 12
7. Mary, age 9
8. Joseph, age 5
9. Sarah, age 2
10. Joseph Stell, age 53, tailor
11. Hannah Sykes, age 84, pauper

While no relationship is given to the head of household (the person who was listed first), Hannah Sykes was most likely John's mother.

George Stell was Ann's brother.

Enumeration District #1, in the village of Adwalton was described as "All that part of the township of Drighlington on the North and South of the Turnpike Road from Adwalton to Gildersome Street." George Stell Sykes' future bride, Sarah Walker, and her family were listed in the same Enumeration District. The only other Sykes in the 1841 census in either Drighlington or Adwalton were the families of Richard, Francis, and Joseph Sykes listed in Drighlington in Enumeration District #2. I do not believe that they were closely related to John Sykes.

The Death of Ann Stell Sykes, 1841

Church Record: Ann Sykes, Adwalton, buried October 27, 1841, age 45

Civil Record: Ann Sykes, Adwalton, age 45, wife of a cordwainer, died on October 24, 1841 of an "affliction of the lungs". Death reported by John Sykes, "present at the death".

Marriage of John Sykes and Ellen Hainsworth Taylor, 1843

Civil Record: John Sykes, full age, widower, shoemaker, residence, Farnley, son of Benjamin Sykes, clothier, married Ellen Taylor, full age widow, of Farnley, daughter of Thomas Hainsworth, clothier, in the parish church of Leeds after banns, October 15, 1843. Witnesses: George Davey's his mark and R. W. Pickard (signed). John Sykes signed. Ellen made her mark. (Civil Record)

Note: Farnley is between Adwalton and Leeds. Again, I do not know why they did not marry in the parish where they appear to have lived both before and after the marriage.

John Sykes in the Leeds Directories

Unfortunately, John Sykes was not listed in the Directory of Leeds for the villages of Adwalton or Drighlington in 1830, 1842 or 1847.

John Sykes in the 1851 Census

In Adwalton:

1. John Sykes, head married age 53, cordwainer born Adwalton, Yorkshire
2. Elllen Sykes wife age 51 born Blackburn, Lancashire
3. Mary Sykes daughter age 18, weaver stuff, born Adwalton, Yorkshire
4. Sarah Ann Sykes daughter age 13, spinner, born Adwalton, Yorkshire
5. Harriet Taylor daughter age 12, scholar, born Blackborn, Lancashire

John Sykes in the 1853

John Sykes wrote a letter to his son James in The United States The letter was to

" James posted at Drighlington, and stamped Leeds No 21 1853. It is dated Farnley, Noreside Nov.20 and directed to James and his wife as "Dear son and daughter". The letter was directed to James, Engineer, Horellsville Streaben Co, New York, America."

Arthur Ashton Sykes

John Sykes in the 1861 Census

The 1861 Census lists John Sykes at the Toll Bar House in Mirfield as follows:

• John Sykes, age 64, toll collector, born Drighlington
• Ellen, wife, age 61, born Haulton, Yorkshire
• Harriett Taylor, daughter, age 22, cripple, born Blackburn, Lanchester

Death of Ellen Sykes, 1863

Ellen Sykes of Churwell, age 65, buried December 30, 1863, Drighlington Chapel.

Notes:

• Churwell was/is a nearby village in the Chapelry of Morley.

Marriage of John Sykes and Elizabeth Siddle Walker, 1864

John Sykes, age 66, widower, shoemaker, residence Morley, son of Benjamin Sykes, clothier married Elizabeth Walker age 58, widow, residence Morley, daughter of Joseph Siddle, clothier, in the parish church of Batley on June 15, 1864. John signed. Elizabeth made her mark. Witnesses: Benjamin Ellis Brayshaw and Ellen W. Sykes, both signed.

Notes:

• John Sykes (c 1797) was the father of George Stell Sykes (1826). Elizabeth Siddle Walker (born Elizabeth Siddle c 1806) was the presumed mother of Sarah Walker (c. 1829). George Stell Sykes (1826) married Sarah Walker (c. 1829) in 1847.

• Who were Ellen W Sykes and Benjamin Ellis Brayshaw? And why were they the witnesses to the marriage of John Sykes and Elizabeth Siddle Walker? In May 2008 I received an email from Colin White telling me that Ellen Weatherhead Sykes, the daughter of John Sykes and Ann Wheatherhead, was born 1 April 1841 in Whitley. She married Benjamin Ellis Brayshaw, born 29 January 1841 in Idle, on 15 June 1864 in Batley. John Sykes married Ann Weatherhead in Huddersfield District Jun 1839 (FreeBMD). According to the censuses John Sykes, coal miner, was born circa 1816 in Whitley, the son of William and Hannah Sykes. William was born circa 1782 in Whitley. There is no apparent connection with any of these Sykes and John Sykes, cordwainer born 1797 Adwalton. A quick look at the censuses does not show any apparent connection with John Sykes or Elizabeth Siddle Walker to Benjamin Brayshaw. Why were a 23 year old young woman and man acting as witnesses to the marriage of a 58 and 66 year old couple who they have no obvious connection to? At best Ellen may have been a grand niece of John Sykes. It would appear on the surface that the connecting factor was that they were married on the same day in the same place. The same surname may have been purly coincidental.

John Sykes and Elizabeth Siddle Walker Sykes in the 1871 Census

John Sykes was listed in the 1871 census on Dewsbury Road at the Tool Bar House in Churwell as follows:

• John Sykes, age 74, toll collector, born Adwalton
• Elizabeth Sykes, wife, age 65, born Gildersome
• Ann Sykes, granddaughter, age 16 visitor born Adwalton

Note: Ann was the daughter of George Stell Sykes and Sarah Walker and the granddaughter of both John Sykes and Elizabeth Siddle Walker Sykes.

Death of John Sykes

Church Record: John Sykes of Sandal, December 5, 1874, age 79 (Birstall Parish Records)

Civil Record: John Sykes, age 79, tool bar keeper, died of bronchitis (not certified) on 3 December 1874, Miluthorpe, Sandal, Death reported by Elizabeth Jennings present at the death, Registration District of Wakefield, County of York

Elizabeth Siddle Walker Sykes in the 1881 Census

Elizabeth Siddle Walker Sykes was listed with her son, Joseph Walker, in Bradford under the name Elizabeth Walker. See Walker

Death of Elizabeth Siddle Walker Sykes

Church Record:

Civil Record ?: Free BMD Deaths Jun 1888, SYKES, Elizabeth, 82, Dewsbury, 9b, 370,

Hannah Longbottom Sykes

Hannah Longbottom Sykes was born circa 1758 as listed on the 1841 Census with John Sykes and at her death in 1842.

Birth: Circa 1758

Marriage: ??

Children: ??

Marriage: Hannah Longbottom married Benjamin Sykes both of Drighlington after banns January 11, 1796.

Note: Hannah was about 39 years old at the time of the marriage. I am assuming that Hannah was a widow. The question is; Was she born or married a Longbottom?

Children:

1. John Sykes circa 1797

1841 Census: Hannah Sykes, was listed with John Sykes and his family in the 1841 census. See Sykes in the English Censuses

Death:

• Church Record: Hannah Sykes died in Adwalton and was buried January 6, 1842, age 84 years
• Civil Record: Hannah Sykes, age 84, widow, died on January 4, 1842 in Adwalton of old age. The death was reported by John Sykes "occupier", Adwalton on January 6, 1842

If she was the mother of John Sykes she would have been 39 years old (give or take) at the time of his birth

Where was she born and who were her parents?

Benjamin Sykes of Adwalton

At the marriage of John Sykes and Ellen Taylor in 1843, and at the marriage of John Sykes and Elizabeth Siddle Walker Sykes in 1864 John's father was listed as Benjamin Sykes, clothier.

Birth: Circa 1731.

Marriage: Benjamin Sykes of Drighlington married Mary Fenton in Birstall parish 5 August 1753.

Children:

1. Hannah 1754 died in 1754
2. John 1762 died 1763
3. Mary 1765
4. Samuel 1767

See Sykes in Adwalton

Death of Mary Fenton Sykes: 1795. See Sykes in Adwalton

Marriage: Hannah Longbottom 1796, see Hannah above.

Children:

1. John circa 1797 in Adwalton

Death of Benjmain Sykes: Benjamin Sykes of Adwalton was buried December 4, 1817, age, 86.

Note: Benjamin was 66 years old when John Sykes was born.

Elizabeth Siddle Walker Sykes

For more information on Elizabeth Siddle Walker Sykes go to Siddle

The Sykes in Adwalton

Since the census information indicated that John Sykes was born in Adwalton in Birstall parish and later records show that he lived in Adwalton, I make an investigation of the Sykes in Birstall parish with a special emphasis on the Sykes in Adwalton. The parish records show that the other Sykes in Adwalton were maltsters and were related to each other. The do know appear to be closely related to John Sykes, cordwainer.

For more information on the Sykes in Adwalton go to Sykes in Adwalton There were no other Sykes who were cordwainers or shoemakers in the parish.

For information on the Sykes in the Adwalton, click HERE

For information on the Sykes in the English censuses, click on the picture of the description of the Hamlet of Adwalton from the 1851 census

For information on Ann Stell, the wife of John Sykes, and her family, click on the photo of Fellane, Keightley Parish.

For information on George Stell Sykes, the son of John Sykes and Ann Stell, and his family, click on the photo of Elizabeth Sykes in the lilac bush

For information on the Sykes in Canada, click on the picture of Arnold Land with his Sykes cousins in Toronto