The Hissem-Montague Family

This is rapidly becoming my favorite page in this site as I try to work out the ramifications of the DNA study linking the American Hissem/Hissam family with the Heesom's of East Yorkshire. See DNA Studies, below, for more.

The county of York is due east of Lancashire and would have been a magnet of migration with its great city of York, seaport of Hull in the East Riding, and burgeoning manufacturing industry around Leeds and Sheffield in the West Riding. I am interested in the Yorkshire Heyshams for several reasons. First, I would like to compile a complete picture of the family and am, therefore, tracing all the lines I can, including those of Dorset, far to the south. But more importantly, my earliest forebear in America, John Heesom, is first found in the colony of Burlington, in West Jersey. This community was settled by two Quaker groups, one from London and and the other from Yorkshire. While this would not necessarily preclude settlers coming from adjacent counties as well, as I currently have the descent, but it makes the Heesom's of Wragby and Crofton, in the West Riding of Yorkshire, and of North Ferriby and Welton, in the East, of notable interest.

Other place names provide their own confusion. Hexham, 20 miles west of Newcastle, and Halsham, southeast of Hull, both as village names and surnames, are often mistranscribed as Hesham or Hasham. I've recently begun to wonder if there's more to the story than that, however. Was Hexham sometimes pursposefully written as Hesham? The old English ballad, the Battle of Flodden, relates that,

"With striplings strong from Stainmoor side,
And Austin-Moor-men marched even,
All those that Gilsland grave did hide,
With horsemen light from Hesham-Leven.
All these did march in Dacres' band,
All these ensued his banner broad
No lustier lord was in the land,
Nor more might boast of birth and blood."

Horsham is sometimes rendered as Hasham or Haasham [see Samuel Haasham of Boston, Massachusetts, as an example]. Nicholas Heseham, a merchant trading with the Hanseatic League, below, had his name rendered as Hassham in at least one reference. Hailsham [Hailesham, Haylesham], further south in Sussex, may provide its own confusion.

The name Hesam and Heesam are very early versions of the de Hesham (Heysham) surname used by the Gernets and the family in Lancaster in the 13th century. I have not found evidence of the Hesom(e)/Heesom(e) spellings, however, until the mid-17th century - just in time for John Heesom to emigrate to America. The earliest records I have of their use in Lancaster are in 1664; in Halton 1634; in Capernwray, near Yealand Conyers, in 1657; in Cheshire there is an outlier in 1552, but the next use was not until 1664; in Yorkshire in 1576 for Hesome and 1629 for Heesome; in London 1674. The greatest concentrations of the Hesom/Heesom name are in Yorkshire and Cheshire. Since the dates in Yorkshire are somewhat earlier, this may indicate a east to west migration of that clan, vice the north to south that I have previously supposed.

Circa 1200, Christiana de Heceham was involved in a court case. While I do not know where this case took place, I'm assuming York simply because the surname is found no where else.

"4140. Assisa uenit recognitura si Christiana de Heceham iniuste et sine judicio . . ."

[Assize to recognize if Christiana de Heceham unfairly and without justice . . .] - from "Pleas Before the King or His Justices, 1198-1202

Henry could be a member of the family, though I'd like to see the original of the document cited below to see how his name is really spelled. Experience has taught me that when the surname is spelled with an "a" as the first vowel, we're often looking at a mistranscription or a dropped letter(s).

"Inquisition on the knight's fees and advowsons of churches which were Roger de Moubray's, made at York, on 8 May, 29 Edw. (1301), by William de Casteley, Adam de Wynkesle, William Graffard, Richard son of Ranulph of Kirkeby, Robert de Colton, Roger Raboc, Robert Fox, Henry de Hasham, Henry de Colton, William son of Ranulph of Thocwit [Tocwith], John Groo of Cawode, and William de Cawode. William de Aldefeld held of Roger de Moubray three carucates of land in Aldefeld and Stodley, by the service of the fourth part of a knight's fee, worth L6 a year. Agnes, daughter of John de Stodley, held three carucates of land in . . ." - from Yorkshire Inquisitions in "A Catalogue of the Publications of the Record Series" by Charles Travis Clay, page 155

There is always the possibility of mistranscriptions, especially considering the existence of a Richard de Halsham in Yorkshire circa 1301. Another text, "The Vale of Mowbray" by William Grainge and John Gilbert Baker, referring to the inquisition above, renders his name as Henry de Haasham.

I believe the was Baron Roger de Moubray/Mowbray. While he died in 1297 there appear to have been multiple inquisitions taken of his estates, at least three of which occurred in 1301. This was the family that Benedict de Gernet of Halton claimed a connection through his mother.

Johan de Hesham, Edmundus de Hesham, and Adam de Hesham, below were all mentioned in the "York Memorandum Book" by Maud Sellers and Joyce W. Percy. The same book also mentions Adam and John Heseham, litsters and citizens of York.

A note on spelling: The surname and village of Heysham, no matter what their English spelling, were normally rendered in latin as Hesham. Heseham was a variant seen as a surname in York, though I have seen it used several times for the village as, "Heseham near Lancaster" and for the parish church. This spelling implies that the pronunciation had moved from Hee-sham to Hees-ham. In another variant, Heceham, the "c" is probably pronounced as in peace. Heceham may, however, be a variant of the village of Hecham, in Norfolk.

Historical Timeline: Reign of Kings 1272-1307 Edward I Called Longshanks for his great height, Edward was, unlike his feckless father, Henry III, a strong King and excellent administrator. He conquered Wales and fought many long battles for control of Scotland. While he was called the "Hammer of the Scots," and conquered Scotland at one point, he never fulfilled his ambition to make that country part of a United Kingdom. He defeated William Wallace (Mel Gibson). By 1300 the population of England and Wales had climbed to 5 million, or approximately what it had been during Roman times.

I am grouping family members by occupation on the assumption that sons would take the trade of their fathers. This was not always the case, of course. Note especially that any tradesman might become a merchant of his own craft items, just as the Tailors Guild became the Merchant Tailors.

The following indicates that John was a Master tailor who probably ran his own shop starting at this time.

1349, 24 Edward III, The Freemen of York: "Johannes de Hesham, taillour" - from "Register of the Freemen of the City of York: From the City Records ... 1272-1759" by Francis Collins.

At this time Thomas de Dacre, Joan Gernet de Dacre's grandson, owned Heysham manor. Thomas de Hesham lived in Over Heysham and Lawrence de Hesham, the rector of Tatham, which is just east of Gressingham, had property in Over Heysham. David de Hesham lived in Lancaster. Geoffrey de Hesham, a couple of generations earlier than Johannes, had perhaps left descendents in the vicinity of Bath, in Somerset.

Historical Timeline: Reign of Kings 1327-1377 Edward III He was another powerful King. Because his mother was a daughter of the French King, when that throne became vacant Edward pressed his claim. Not surprisingly the French nobles could not bear the idea of an English King on their throne and, instead, picked one of their own number to take the crown. This began the 100 Years War with France. This was a turbulent era. The dawning century saw the climate begin to cool in what became known as the Little Ice Age. The growing season shortened and marginal regions could no longer support their populations. Torrential rains from 1315 to 1317 ruined the crops and created the Great Famine. The Hundred Years War began in 1337 and ran, intermittently, to 1453. This diverted the King's attention and drained his treasury. In 1348 the Black Plague reached England and killed between and third and a half of the population.

Edmund may be the son of John de Hesham. The dates work well enough and they share the same trade as tailors, however Edmund did not earn his Freedom by patrimony making this relationship uncertain.

1386, 9 Richard II, The Freemen of York: "Edmundus de Hesham, taillour" - from "Register of the Freemen of the City of York: From the City Records ... 1272-1759" by Francis Collins.

". . . Edmundus Heceham, Thomas Carleton, Johannes (fo. 179, b.) Clegg, Robertus Dunnyng, Thomas Barbour, Willelmus Brukeshagh, Thomas Greteham et Johannes Munckgate, cives Ebor', et expresse ibidem recognoverunt et dixerunt quod personaliter presentes, videntes et audientes fuerunt . . ." - From the "York Memorandum Book"

Historical Timeline: Reign of Kings 1377-1399 King Richard II He was the son of the Black Prince, who had predeceased his father, Edward III. His frivolous manners reminded too many of Edward II. The 100 Years War continued, but at a slackened pace. In 1377 a census of principal towns in the kingdom was taken. No Lancashire towns were shown. The census stated, "that Lancashire contains no town thought worthy of particular mention." That probably meant that Lancaster's population had fallen below 800 by this time. In 1381 John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster and the King's uncle, advised him to triple the tax. Watt Tyler led 60,000 people in a 'Peasants' Revolt'. Rebels converged on London and pillaged the Savoy palace – John of Gaunt's London home. The Mayor of London killed Watt Tyler when he becomes abusive in a confrontation with the young King and the Rebellion collapsed. Richard was deposed by his cousin, Henry Bolingbroke, in 1399.

Perhaps Edmund or Edward.

1411, 13 Henry IV, The Freemen of York: "Ed. Heysham, taillour" - from "Register of the Freemen of the City of York: From the City Records ... 1272-1759" by Francis Collins.

23 Henry VI, 1445. John Coupland, tanner, and John Dale, sauce-maker, wardens. "FOSSE BRIDGE: . . . And for 15s. for the farm of a tenement hence demised to Edward Heseham at the same terms [for the Pentecost and Martinmas terms this year] . . . Expenses of Houses: . . . And for a modius of plaster worked in the camera of Dominus Richard Kyghley, chaplain, Thomas Henrison and Edward Heseham 6d. . . . And paid for repair of two hearths in the tenement of Robert Stodeley and Edward Heseham with stone 7d."

"FOSSE BRIDGE. And for Emma Heseham for the sixth tenement there for the aforesaid terms 15s."

1447. "Roll containing the descent and alliances of the families of Brus, Fauconberg, Perehay, Saxron and Darcy (18th century); on the reverse of the roll is:"The account of Edmund Hesham and John Fissher, collector of the rents and keeper of the Bridge of Fosse, 25-26 Hen. VI." - from Rools, 6, "Calendar of Charters and Rolls Preserved in Bodleian Library."

The will of an "Heseham, Edmund, York, tailliour, Oct. 20, 1463" has a date of (? 1463) in Vol. 2 Fol. 591 of the "Index of Wills in the York Registry A.D. 1389 to 1514" by Francis Collins, E. W. (Ely Wilkinson) Crossley.

Historical Timeline: Reign of Kings - House of Lancaster 1399-1413 Henry IV He was called Henry Bolingbroke, for the place of his birth. The son of John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster. He rebelled against Richard II when the King attempted to seize his inheritance upon John of Gaunt's death. The 100 Years War in France continued, but Henry was forced to spend all of his energies holding on to his throne. Richard II's supporters revolted upon his deposition in 1400. In Wales, Owen Glendower led a national uprising that lasted until 1408. The Scots waged continual warfare throughout the reign. The powerful families of Percy and Mortimer, who possessed a stronger claim to the throne than Henry himself, revolted from 1403 to 1408. Richard Scrope, Archbishop of York, proclaimed his opposition to the Lancastrian claim in 1405.

1432-3, 12 Henry VI, The Freemen of York: "Johannes Heceham [sic], taillour" - from "Register of the Freemen of the City of York: From the City Records ... 1272-1759" by Francis Collins.

The will of a John Hesam, of Eperston, with no date, is in Vol. 8 Fol. 85 of the "Index of Wills in the York Registry A.D. 1389 to 1514" by Francis Collins, E. W. (Ely Wilkinson) Crossley. There is an Epperstone in Nottinghamshire, just northeast of Nottingham.

Historical Timeline: Reign of Kings - House of Lancaster 1413-1422 Henry V Living a dissipated life as a young man, as famously depicted in Shakespeare's plays Henry IV, Parts I and II, he became one of England's greatest martial Kings upon assuming the throne. He returned to France and the 100 Years War with new vigor. The victor of the battle of Agincourt in which the longbow, as at Crecy, decimated the French knighthood. Cannon finally became effective weapons, knocking downs the walls of fortified cities. Henry conquered France and married the daughter of the deposed French King, but he died young. The French King, unfortunately, was subject to fits of madness, a trait passed down to Henry’s son, the new King Henry VI.

Or Sporrier/Spurrier, a maker of spurs.

1373, 49 Edward III, The Freemen of York: "Robertus de Heseham, sporyer" - from "Register of the Freemen of the City of York: From the City Records ... 1272-1759" by Francis Collins. If Robert were related to John, above, would they necessarily have the same trade?

Tinctors, Litsters and Dyers were all the same trade. See Medieval Dyeing for more information. The Hesham's of this line appear to have been the most successful, prominent men of their town and giving birth to merchant adventurers in later generations.

1383-4, The Freemen of York: "Adam de Hesham, tinctor" - from "Register of the Freemen of the City of York: From the City Records ... 1272-1759" by Francis Collins. An Adam Hesham, Litster [a dyer], was a Warden of Foss Bridge, in the city of York, in 1392.

"Bond by William Wadman, merchant, Adam Heseham, John Heseham, Robert Dunnyng and John Sutton, litsters, citizens of York, to Godfrey Rust of Duredraght, merchant, for a loan of 100l, of which 50l shall be repaid on the feast of S. Peter's chains (1 August) next and 50 l, the following Martinmas . . . " - from "York Memorandum Book" by Maud Sellers, Joyce W. Percy

The first wife of Adam Heseham was Joan whose act of charity was recorded:

" . . . women associated with cottage accommodation in Micklegate, Hamerton Lane and Rotten Row are conspicuous in the city's Ouse Bridge rentals, and in 1425 Joan Heseham bequeathed clothing to a group of eight women said to be living in the thistles ['in thystels'] next the suburb of Bootham." - from "Towns and Townspeople in the Fifteenth Century" by John A.F. Thomson

"Dec. 11 1426 Heseham, Joan, late wife of Adam H. of Yorks, Mary 20 1425." - from the "Index of Wills in the York Registry" by Francis Collins, E. W. (Ely Wilkinson)

"Dec. 22 1436 Heseham, Mary [garbled], late wife of Adam H. of York, May 20, 1435." - Ibid"

I have another snippet from the "York Memorandum Book" which states,

". . . senioris, Ade Heseham, Willelmi Neuland, Henrici Dubber, Ricardi Neuland, Willelmi Semer, . . ."

". . . sheriffs of York, William Muston, Adam Heseham . . ."

". . . Thomas Lyverton, William Wadman, Robert Lonesdale, Adam Heseham Date: York 11 May 6 Henry V [1418] Seals 15.
Quitclaim Parties, property and witnesses as in no. 40 above Date: York, Saturday, Christmas Eve 1356 Seal 42.
Grant William de Grantham, citizen and mercer. . ." - from "Borthwick Texts and Calendars."

1412-13, The Freemen of York: "Johannes Heceham [sic], litster" - from "Register of the Freemen of the City of York: From the City Records ... 1272-1759" by Francis Collins. I have a John Hesham, Litster [a dyer], who was a Warden of Foss bridge, York, in 1419.

Possibly a son of Adam or John. 1424-5, 4 Henry VI, "Willelmus Heceham [sic], lytster" - from "Register of the Freemen of the City of York: From the City Records ... 1272-1759" by Francis Collins.

The will of a William Heseham, York, littester [? garbled], has a date of 2 August 1436 [or 1438, hard to read] in Vol. 3 Fol. 530 of the "Index of Wills in the York Registry A.D. 1389 to 1514" by Francis Collins, E. W. (Ely Wilkinson) Crossley.

Possibly a son of Adam or John. 1427-8, 7 Henry VI, "Thomas Heseham, lytster" - from "Register of the Freemen of the City of York: From the City Records ... 1272-1759" by Francis Collins.

I make the assumption that Laurence was a younger brother of Adam, another litster. 1393, "Laurencius de Heseham, littester" - from "Register of the Freemen of the City of York: From the City Records ... 1272-1759" by Francis Collins. I'm listing Laurence with three sons, Nicholaus and Thomas from the Register, and Henrici because he's a merchant like his supposed brothers.

The will of a Laurence Heseham, York, occupation tincter, has a date of 5 [garbled] 1435 in Vol. 3 Fol. 373 of the "Index of Wills in the York Registry A.D. 1389 to 1514" by Francis Collins, E. W. (Ely Wilkinson) Crossley.

Historical Timeline: Reign of Kings - House of Lancaster 1422-1461, 1470-1471 Henry VI Henry became King while still a child. During his minority his uncles ran the war in France, and lost the country to Joan d'Arc. Henry VI was subject to fits of madness, as was his grandfather, the King of France. During his reign, upset by his mismanagement, the House of York rebelled, starting the War of the Roses. Returning soldiers from the defeat in France turned to robbery to survive. In 1453 Constantinople, the last vestige of the Roman Empire, fell to the Turks. Scholars fled to Europe where they helped fuel the start of the Renaissance. Historical Timeline: Reign of Kings - House of York 1461-1470, 1471-1483 Edward IV The grandson of King Edward III and, as Duke of York, the head of the House of York. He rebelled against Henry VI and was victorious. He confined Henry to the Tower of London. Henry was later murdered and his son and heir was killed in battle. Edward caused dissension in the royal family by marrying a woman of lower birth.

At right is the portrait of Richard Whittington, an English merchant, 1358?-1423, and Lord Mayor of London. He wears the dress typical of the era.

1419-20, "Nicholaus Heseham, merchant, fil. Laurencii Heseham, lyttester" - from "Register of the Freemen of the City of York: From the City Records ... 1272-1759" by Francis Collins. This indicates that Nicholas earned the Freedom of the City by patrimony. Note that the son's name is in English and the father's in Latin. Note also that we have a clear case of a son changing professions from that of his father. My guess would be, however, that Nicholaus did not go that far afield. I expect he traded in dyed cloth.

Nicholas was prominent in the Baltic trade between the ports of Yorkshire and those of the Hanseatic League. He was appointed as the Governor of merchant relations with Prussia and the Hanseatic states from at least 1432 to 1435.

"Yorkshiremen appear to have taken over the leadership of the English merchants in Prussia. Nicholas Hassham of York is named as governor in 1432 and remained in that post at least until the breakdown of trade in 1435 [page 169] . . . "
- from "England and the German Hanse, 1157-1611" by T. H. Lloyd

Merchants' Governor "In 1391 the king [Richard II] confirmed the appointment of a "governor" who had been elected by the English merchants trading with Prussia and the Hanseatic cities. In 1407 "governors" were set up with similar authority to procure agreement among the English merchants in cases of disputes, to arrange differences between them and the foreign traders, and to apply for redress of injury on their behalf for the British trade in Holland, Zeeland, Brabant, and Flanders." - from "The Development of International Law" by Geoffrey G. Butler and Simon Maccoby. Major Cities of the Hansa

There is another similar reference, undated,

"The English negotiators were Nicholas Hessham alias Gare, merchant of York, and William Brakley, merchant of London." - from "The English Historical Review"

A German source has,

1433. "C. Nachtragliche Verhandlungen.
Der Hockmeister Paul von Rusdorf quittiert uber den Empfang von 838 Noblen, welche Nikolaus Hassham, anders genammt Gar, Aeltermann [guild master, head of chamber of commerce], Johann Hennaye, Thomas Byerton, Wilhelm Assilay, Johann Berton, seniories mercatores de Anglia [senior merchants of England]. . . "
- from "Hanserescesse von 1431-1476"

"Nicol. Hessham, gen Gare, Kaufmann zu York" was also referenced in the "Regesta Historico-Diplomatica Ordinis S. Mariae Theutonicorum, 1198-1525" by Erich Joachim and Walther Hubatsch.

"In 1436 Nicholas Hisham of York had license to sail to Prussia with four ships in quest of woods for spears and bows, there being a scarcity of such wood in England." - from "Archery" by Charles James Longman, Henry Walrond, Alice B. Legh.

Westminster, 1436. ". . . ;ersucht daher die mit vier Schiffen nach Preussen [with four ships to Prussia] fahrenden Nikolaus Hassham aliter Gare, Kaufmann aus York [merchant of York], unde Wilhelm Brakley, Kaufmann aus London, freundlich zu behandeln (et haberi sinceriter recommissos); . . ." - from "Hanserescesse von 1431-1476"

"In August [1436] Henry VI notified the Grand Master that he would not molest any German merchants who came to England and asked him to protect the four ships coming with his letter. The leader of this expedition was Nicholas Hassham, alderman of the English merchants, and his licence from the crown refers to a current scarcity of bowstaves and wainscot in England [page 148] . . ."
- from "England and the German Hanse, 1157-1611" by T. H. Lloyd

Nicholas may still have been governor of the English merchants as late as 1442.

"Meanwhile, on 11 June 1442 the Danzig city council had summoned Nicholas Hassham of York and six other merchants of Hull, Lynn and London to be examined about the complaints made in parliament. This group, doubtless under pressure, disavowed the agitation in England, saying that they and their fellows had no claims against their host city [page 177] . . ."
- from "England and the German Hanse, 1157-1611" by T. H. Lloyd

1419-20, "Thomas Heseham, merchant, fil. Laurencii Heseham, lyttester" - from "Register of the Freemen of the City of York: From the City Records ... 1272-1759" by Francis Collins.

Note that if a man left the City he lost his Freedom. If he returned he had to regain it somehow, perhaps by paying for it. The Thomas Hesham below paid for his freedom.
- 1439, The Freemen of York: "Thomas Hesham, merchant, vj s. iiij d." - from "Register of the Freemen of the City of York: From the City Records ... 1272-1759" by Francis Collins. A footnote reads "Reconciliati sunt ad libertatem civitatis prout patet supra capita", that is, a restoration of freedom of the city that had been previously granted.

Thomas, under the name Hissem, apparently traded with the Baltic, like his brother Nicholas, including the Hanseatic city of Lubeck.

"Lubsche Sammlung.

Sie is von dem H. Maler Milde zu Lubeck von Siegelmarken aus Urkunden entnommen, die bis zum Jahre 1338 durch seine Hande gegangen waren. Unsre Erlauterungen betreffen den Namen, die Herkunft (d.i. wenn nichts anderes bemerkt worden die Lubsche), den Stand der alphabetisch geordneten Eigner und das Jarhr des Urkunde. Die haufigen and mannigfaltigen Einfassungen der Marken in Schildes-und andrer Form sind regelmassig fortgelassen.

. . .
102. Thomas Hissem, Englander, 1440
. . ." - from "Die Haus- und Hofmarken" by Carl Gustav Homeyer

"Zwolf Englische Kaufleute erklaren, dass funf ihrer Schiffe von der im Sunde kreuzenden Flotte des Konigs Christoph und der Stadte angehalten und gegen die Hollander bemannt seien, dass ihnen jedoch von den Stadten gestattet sie, ihre gesammte Ladung nach Preussen oder wohin es ihnen sonst beliebe, zu bringen. 1440. Jun. 23.

Wij Thomas Bolte, Wilhelm Kliff, Thomas Hissem . . . " - from the "Urkundenbuch der Stadt Lubeck: 1139-1470"

Thomas Hesham was again registered
- 1442, The Freemen of York: "Thomas Hesham, mercator [another word for merchant], vj s. viij d." - from "Register of the Freemen of the City of York: From the City Records ... 1272-1759" by Francis Collins. A footnote says, "Reconciliati sunt ad libertatem civitatis prout patet supra capita." that is, another restoration of freedom of the city that had been previously granted.

Thomas' name was spelled as Hescham, or mistranscribed as such, in the next Lubeck/Danzig document.

"Versammlung zu Lubeck. - 1442 Sept. 1.
. . .
22. Thomas Hescham conqueritur contra eosdem de Danske, quod acceperunt sibi bona anno supradicto valoris 24 l sterl, residuum bonorum suorum retinuerunt ad dampnum ipsius 40 l." - from "Hanserecesse"

Thomas may have moved his base of operations because the next citation makes Thomas Hesham to be of Newark. This could, of course, be another man, but how many Thomas Heshams, who were merchants, could there have been on the North Sea coast?

28 April 1451, at Westminster. "Licence, for 20 marks paid in the hanaper, for John Burton, vicar of the church of St. Mary Magdalene, Newerk, doctor of sacred theology, Thomas Forster, chaplain, Thomas Hesham of Newerk, 'marchaunt,' John Clerc and William Boson of Newerk to found in honour of the Holy Trinity and St. Mary a chantry of a chaplain to celebrate divine service . . . " - from the "Patent Rolls"

A year later Thomas was again referenced as "of Newerk."

23 November 1452, at Westminster. "Licence for the alientation in mortmain by John Burton, vicar of the church of St. Mary Magdalene, Newerke, doctor of sacred theology, Thomas Forster, chaplain, Thomas Hesham of Newerk, 'marchaunt,' John Clerc and William Boson of Newerk, to Thomas Seward, chaplain of 'Forster Chaunterie' in the said church, of 6 messuages in Newerk, extended at 40s a year and not held in chief, as was found by an inquisition taken before John Westnes, late eschetor in the county of Nottingham; to hold to the value of 4 marks a year in part satisfaction of the 12 marks of lands and other possessions which he has licence to acquire by letters patent dated 28 April last." - from the "Patent Rolls"

Bundle 18. "John Brian and Mabel his wife; Thomas Iseham (or Heysham), of Newark; Money matters; Notts." - from "Lists and Indexes of Early Chancery Proceedings," volume I, 1901

Thomas died in 1457.

"5 May 1457 Heseham, Thomas, V. of Newerk, Merchant, adm: 20 269" - from "Index of the Wills and Administrations Entered in the Registers of the Archbishops of York"

A clerk and the son of a Staple merchant. I don't know that Thomas Jr. was from York, but it makes sense to put this reference here since (12) Thomas Hesham was known to be a merchant, was well traveled, was born at the right time to be Thomas Jr's father, the court case referenced below was against a gentleman of York, and Thomas Sr. was mentioned in the same Chancery records, above - that's as conclusive as things get for the 15th century. The reference dates to 1460-1465 and relates to the administration of Thomas Sr's will; again the timing is appropriate.

"Thomas Heysham, clerk, son and administrator of Thomas Heysham, merchant of the staple at Calais. v. John Hemelsey, gent., late of York, servant to Thomas late lord Roos.: Attachment of goods at Calais for a pretended debt.: Calais. Chancery pleadings addressed to [George] Neville. Date range: 1460 - 1465." - from The Court of Chancery: Six Clerks Office

A similar case, from the same bundle, was by "Thomas Heysham, clerk, son and administrator of . . .", etc., was against "Johm Hemelsey, gent., of York, servant to Thomas late lord Roos" for an "Attachment of wools at Calais."

Another Heseham of Newark, and perhaps the brother to Thomas, though I originally put John here because I thought he might be Thomas' son. The following is from a will recorded during the reign of Henry VI, in July 1439.

"Thomas Blaunkeney [Blankeney] of Newerk, son and heir of Thomas Blaunkeney of Brandoun, to Master William Duffeld clerk, John John [sic] de Boston of Newerk, Henry Alderston chaplain and John Heseham, their heirs and assigns. Charter with warranty of a capital messuage in . . ." - from "Calendar of the Close Rolls" of 1933, page 280

Rod Neep, a researcher of that family, writes in Rootsweb:

"There is even a tantalising reference to a William Nepe on 17 June 1449 who died at Newark without leaving a will. In his administration his goods were granted to "William Heseham, mercer of Newark, and William Crecy of the same place"

Tantalisingly, I know nothing more than the record which is preserved at the Borthwick Institute in York: "On 17 June 1449 the Administration of the goods of William Nepe, late of Newark, deceased intestate, was granted to John Heseham, mercer of Newark and William Crecy of the same place"

I also have the following Heseham stray from nearby Lincolnshire who could be Thomas or John's wife.

"And for default of heirs of the said John Bedford, I will that the said piece of land shall wholly remain to the right heirs of Katherine Heseham, my sister, for ever. To hold from the chief lords of that fee by the services therefor due and of right accustomed for ever. Also I give bequeath and grant to Alice . . ." - "Reports and Papers of the Architectural and Archaeological Societies of the County Of Lincoln" page 66

His profession is unknown, but since it was not noted below, I suspect he was probably a merchant like his son.

This is a little odd, and may actually record three different men, but for now I'll keep it as one. This may be similar to the case above in which Thomas Heseham reregistered as freeman three times. The first notation is for a man earning his Freedom via patrimony of his father, Henry, the second by completing service as an apprentice, and the third by purchase.
- 1429, The Freemen of York: "Johannes Heceham, merchant, fil. Henrici Heceham" - from "Register of the Freemen of the City of York: From the City Records ... 1272-1759" by Francis Collins.
- 1432, The Freemen of York: "Johannes Heceham, mercator" - from "Register of the Freemen of the City of York: From the City Records ... 1272-1759" by Francis Collins.
- 1439, The Freemen of York: "Johannes Hesham, merchant, vj s. iiij d." - from "Register of the Freemen of the City of York: From the City Records ... 1272-1759" by Francis Collins.

The following is a craft closely associated with both the tailors and dyers.

1397, The Freemen of York: "Willelmus de Hesham, wever" - from "Register of the Freemen of the City of York: From the City Records ... 1272-1759" by Francis Collins.

The following may indicate that William was an educated man.

1384, The Freemen of York: "Willelmus de Hesham, clerk" - from "Register of the Freemen of the City of York: From the City Records ... 1272-1759" by Francis Collins.

William lived on castle hill - though I haven't seen that there was much of a hill here.

"He held jointly with John Alwent, chaplain, and John de Morton, who are still living, by enfeoffment of Henry Nessefeld, a messuage upon Castelhill, which William Heseham now inhabits, together with all shops, tenements, gardens and dovecotes between the said messuage and the bridge of York Castle ; worth by the year, beyond reprises, . . ." - from the "York Memorandum Book" by Maud Sellers and Joyce W. Percy

"Testamentary Burials. 12 Sept., 1426. Willelmus Heseham de Ebor [of York].--Sep. in cim. eccl. mea pa. Beatae Mariae in Castelgate, ex parte australi prope murm dictae eccl.--Wife Margaret, sole executrix." - from "The Yorkshire Archaeological Journal" by the Yorkshire Archaeological Society

From the same source, "Margareta Heseham, nuper uxor Will. Heseham de Ebor, clerici.--Sep. in eccl. mea par. B.M. in Castelgate,--juxta corpus Will. Heseham, nuper viri mei." followed her husband on 20 January 1428-9. In a footnote as "20th January, 1428-9. Margaret Heseham, late wife of William Heseham, of York, clerk. To be buried near her husband in the church of St. Mary, in Castlegate [Pro. 22nd October, 1429]." - from "Index of Wills in the York Registry A.D. 1389 to 1514" by Francis Collins, E. W. (Ely Wilkinson) Crossley and "The Publications of the Surtees Society."

19 Richard II [1396] a licence was granted to found the Gild of St. Christopher and a chantry. The Gild maintained common gildhall and various stone bridges and roadways in and around the city, as well as providing relief to the poor. A number of bequests were made to the Gild, including the following:
- BIHR PR 2 497r 1426 "William Heseham clerk of the parish of St Mary Castlegate: 2s [to the Gild of Corpus Christi]."
- BIHR PR 2 568r-v 1429 "Margaret Heseham widow of William pf St Mary Castlegate: 2s [to the Gild of Corpus Christi]."

". . . In the latter year he came to the house of Wm. Heseham (clerk to the castle) and arrested and imprisoned a woman, as the house was within the jurisdiction of the Castle. The Mayor demanded her release as the house was within the city boundary. It was arranged that a conference be held at the adjacent priory, when it was agreed that the house was within the City Liberties." - from "An Account of the City and County of the City of York" by George Benson.

Its hard to know where the following fit, but, as educated men, I am inclined to believe that the first three are very likely sons and/or grandsons of "Willelmus de Hesham, clerk," above.

Circa 1407. Attorney. Willelmum de Hesham attornatum. - from "Record Series" by the Yorkshire Archaeological Society.

He was cited as a witness in the parliamentary returns mentioned below in response to a writ, 12 Henry IV, 1411.

"Between Edmund Sanford, sheriff of York, of the one part, and William Halgate, attorney of Ralph [Neville, 1st] Earl of Westmoreland [c1364-1425]; William de Rillyngton, attorney of Lucia [daughter of Barnabas, Duke of Milan, widow of Edmund de Holland, Earl of Kent] Countess of Kent; William Hesham, attorney for Peter Lord de Mauley [Willelmum Hesham attornatum Petri domini de Malo Lacu]; William de Barton, attorney of William Lord de Roos [Baron of Kendal]; Robert Queldale, attorney of Ralph Baron de Graystock [in Westmorland]; William de Foston, attorney of Alexander de Metham, Chivaler; and Henry de Preston, attorney of Henry de Percy Chivaler [son of Sir Thomas Percy, 3rd son of the 1st Earl of Northumberland. Henry's cousin was the more famous Henry, Baron Percy, known as "Hotspur"], common suitors annually to the county of York every six weeks [that is, they were required to attend court every six weeks], of the other part . . . Witnesseth that proclamation having been made by the said sheriff in the county court, by virtue of a certain writ directed to the same sheriff for holding a parliament of our lord the king at Westminster . . . the aforesaid attorneys by unanimous assent and will, in the said county court then being . . . have chosen two fit and discreet knights, etc." - from "Ancient Parliamentary Elections" by Homersham Cox.

From documents of the Medieval Carmelite Priory at York: Hesham [Heseham, Heselam] William. A Carmelite who probably joined the Order at York and later studied at Oxford university where he was awarded a doctorate. There exist the title and incipits of two sermons preached by Thomas Netter at the vesperies of “William Hesham and John Upton.” These must have taken place at Oxford University sometime before 1430. [Bodl. Libr., Ms. Bodley 73, fo. 204v]. Note that the Carmelite Friary was located next to the Foss Bridge where other members of the Heseham family apparently lived. For more information about the Carmelite house, see The Medieval Carmelite Priory at York.

In the will of William Barton, fishmonger, dated 22 Aug 1438, there occurs a bequest of 3s.4d. to 'Doctor William Heseham of the Carmelite house in York'. [Borthwick Inst. Hist. Research, Prob. Reg., 536V: information from Ms. Tessa Frank].

A second bequest occurs in the will of Thomas Clynt, merchant, dated 9 April 1439 of 6s.8d. to 'Master Heselam, Carmelite'. [Borthwick Inst. Hist. Research, Prob. Reg. 3, 567V: information from Ms. Tessa Frank].

While somewhat repetitive, there is also this,

"HESHAM (Heseham, Heselam) William A Carmelite, who probably joined the Order at York and later studied at Oxford university where he was awarded a doctorate. There exist the title and incipits of two sermons preached by Thomas Netter at the vesperies of “William Hesham and John Upton”
1. Collacionem benediccionis in vesperijs magistrorum Wilhelmi Hesham et Johannis Upton Carmelitarum: "Benediccionem perhibere non valeo, Numeri .23o. Domini mei beatus Ambrosius .lio. primo. Abraham senset eum ter benediccionis frugem a Domino Deo precepisse de celis.":
2. Collacionem commendacionis in vesperijs eorumdem: "Date gloriam laudi primo 65o. Nostis domini mei quum intemerata consuetudo universitatis matris nostre." These must have taken place at Oxford University sometime before 1430. [Bodl. Libr., Ms. Bodley 73, fo. 204v].

In the will of William Barton, fishmonger, dated 22 Aug 1438, there occurs a bequest of 3s.4d. to 'Doctor William Heseham of the Carmelite house in York'. [Borthwick Inst. Hist. Research, Prob. Reg., 536V: information from Ms. Tessa Frank].

A second bequest occurs in the will of Thomas Clynt, merchant, dated 9 April 1439 of 6s.8d. to 'Master Heselam, Carmelite'. [Borthwick Inst. Hist. Research, Prob. Reg. 3, 567V: information from Ms. Tessa Frank]."

I also have a snippet, "William Hesham (vicar 1454 — 1476) was before the court for omitting to say Mass between February 4th and the first Sunday in Lent, 1461." - from "Life in a Medieval College: The Story of the Vicars-Choral of York Minster" by Frederick Harrison. The vicars choral was a member of the clergy in a cathedral who sang certain parts of the service. They also performed the marriage ceremony.

The will of an Edmund Heseham was registered in York in 1463 - from "Index of Wills in the York Registry" by Francis Collins, E. W. (Ely Wilkinson) Crossley. There's no way to tell anything from this entry.

Of York.

"Weddings in Anno D'ni 1594
. . .
John Hesame & Anne (blank) was maryed the 7 of februarye [1594]" - from "The Registers of St. Michael Le Belfren, York 1564-1653" in Publications of the Yorkshire Parish Record Society

There was also a large Heysham family who resided in the southern wapentakes of the West Riding of Yorkshire. It is not clear, however whether they were emigree's coming directly from Lancashire or were part of the York city family, above. I suspect the former. Note that while we see the Heseham spelling in York and Lancashire, though only rarely in the latter, none of the West Riding family used the spelling.

The West Riding is now known as West and South Yorkshire and has been, since very early times, a coal mining region. It may have been this that drew the family there.

In the 17th century there was also extensive farming and a growing textile industry.

The Heysham surname variants of Heesham, Heesom, Hesom and Hesome were the ones most commonly used in this region. Note that the first member of our family to come to America, John, also used the spellings Heesom, Hesom and sometimes Heesham. He was amongst a group of Quakers from London and Yorkshire who settled the Burlington colony in West Jersey. Other Yorkshire Quakers, including Samuel Oldale, Michael Newbold and Godfrey Hancock, came from the region around Sheffield, which is also in South Yorkshire. While at this point I still think our forebear was the John Heesom who lived in Yealand Conyers, Lancashire, it is possible that our real ancestor dwelled in the West Riding of Yorkshire.

The Ridings of Yorkshire West Riding Yorkshire was divided in three Ridings, North, East and West. The word's original meaning meant "a third." The West Riding lies on the border with Lancashire, Cheshire and Derby. The towns of York and Beverley, the latter in the East Riding, had been the powerhouses of the north during the medieval period, but declined precipitously during the Tudor. This was the West Riding's gain, and it became one of the three major regions of the English cloth industry. Hull, lying at the eastern terminus of the major rivers flowing out of the West Riding, became the north's major seaport. Wapentakes of Osgoldcross and Staincross Wapentakes were a sub-division of a Riding, equivalent to the Hundred in other counties. The word was probably derived from "weapon touch," and referred to an assembley or meeting place. The wapentake of Osgoldcross included the parishes of Adlingfleet, Badsworth, Burghwallis, Campsall, Castleford, Darrington, Kellington, South Kirkby, Owston, Pontefract, Whitgift and Womersley and parts of Featherstone, Snaith and Wragby. By the way, Osgoldcross is probably a corruption of St. Oswald's Gold Cross, which was located in Pontefract. Staincross included the parishes of Felkirk, High Hoyland, Penistone, Royston, Silkstone (including Barnsley) and Tankersley and parts of Darfield and Wragby. Both wapentakes were under the lordship of the Honor of Pontefract. Today this region is known as South Yorkshire, and is further divided into the boroughs of Barnsely, Doncaster, Sheffield and Rotherham. Parishes and Villages Wragby, Ackworth, Crofton, and Royston were parish towns and were located in the region where the Osgoldcross and Staincross wapentakes met. Wakefield is the largest town in the region and Crofton, Wragby and Ackworth form a line, west to east, from it. Normantown [Normanton] is just north of Crofton and Ryhill is just south. Hessle is just north of Ackworth and Featherstone is north of that. Sheffield is about 15 miles south of Wakefield with Barnsley about half-way between. Royston is just north of Barnsley. Halifax is about 15 miles west of Wakefield. Gisburn is even further to the west, almost in Lancashire. Carlton, often referred to as Carlton-juxta-Snaith to differentiate it from so many other Carltons in the country, is in the parish of Snaith, towards the extreme eastern end of Oslgoldcross, or about 15 miles east of Crofton. Rotherham and Doncaster are large towns lying northeast of Sheffield.

Doncaster was one of the major market towns of Yorkshire, along with Ripon and Richmond.

Thomas is the earliest Hesham I've found in southern Yorkshire. His wife was Maude. I have a snippet view of Thomas,

"39. Westminster. Quindene of Easter, 20 Edward III, 1346.

Thomas de Thwayt, quer., Thomas de Hesham and Maude, his wife, and William de Atherlagh and Agnes his wife, and, and Elena sister of Agnes, def., of 2 tofts in Doncastre: To hold to Thomas de Thwayt and his heirs; he gave 100s . . ." - from "Record Series" of the Yorkshire Archeological Society.

I haven't yet been able to place William de Atherlagh. Atherlagh is a village in county Clare, Ireland.

Note that there was a Thomas de Hesham (1260) living in Lancashire at about this time. I don't know when he died, but a writ of diem clausit extremum for "Nicholas son of Thomas de Hesham," circa 1349, would have signalled that Thomas' son died in that year.

As with most regions, there is now an interruption in the records that lasts into the early 16th century, when Tudor monarchs restored order. This was the period of the Black Plague, 100 Years War, the Great Famine and the War of the Roses. Not a pretty time, and not a time when records were well kept. Of those that were kept, many were destroyed. Note, for instance, that in the Peasant's Revolt under Richard II's reign, the first target of the mob was usually tax and land records.

Historical Timeline: Reign of Kings - House of York 1483 Edward V The Two Princes, young Edward and his brother, were killed in the Tower of London, supposedly by their uncle, Richard, who later became King. 1483-1485 Richard III Called Crookback. While Shakespeare famously made him out to be a villain and a hunchback, modern opinion is that he was a man of his time and no more ruthless than his brothers, or the Lancaster family. He was probably also not a hunchback. However, his base of power was in the north of England and when the Lancaster family, in the person of Henry Tudor, Duke of Richmond, landed in Wales with an army, he was unable to raise a sufficiently loyal force to resist him.

Historical Timeline: Reign of Kings - House of Tudor 1485-1509 Henry VII Henry Tudor, last heir of the House of Lancaster, defeated and killed Richard at the battle of Bosworth. He married Elizabeth of York, reuniting the two families. Known to be tight with money, after sixty years of bitter civil war he left his son a peaceful kingdom and a full treasury. 1492 America discovered by Christopher Columbus. 1496 John Cabot maps the coast of North America under commission to Henry VII. Historical Timeline: Reign of Kings 1509-1547 Henry VIII Henry made England a great nation that could deal on an even level with France and the Empire. However, he broke with the Catholic Church over his divorce from his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, the aunt of the Empereor. He then established the Church of England with himself as its head. Importantly, the north and west of England, being much more conservative than the cosmopolitan southeast, remained strongly Catholic in attitude and practice. Henry eventually married, and made Queens of, six women. Catherine of Aragon (the mother of Queen Mary), Ann Boleyn (the mother of Queen Elizabeth), Jane Seymour (the mother of King Edward VI), Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and Catherine Paar. The following rhyme tracks their individual fates: Divorced, Beheaded, Died. Divorced, Beheaded, Survived.

Based on the advise of Nicolette Heesom, I've expanded my search into the names Easom, Eassom, Esom, etc., in Yorkshire and have been surprised at the number of findings that clearly belong to families that usually ran under the surname of Hesom or Heesom. Apparently that dropped-H thing of Pygmalion is no joke.

Conceivabley a cousin or brother of (14) William Heysham (c1520-1540). He had, perhaps, two sons, who lived near each other in the adjoining towns of Barnsley and Royston.
(15) Raphe Hesome (c1550), of Barnsley
(15) Richard Esom (c1550), of Royston

Historical Timeline: Reign of Kings 1547-1553 Edward VI The son of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour, Henry’s third wife. He was a sickly boy who died young. 1553-1558 Mary The elder sister of Edward VI, she was the daughter of Henry VII and Catherine of Aragon. Known as Bloody Mary, she made many martyrs in her attempt to re-establish the Catholic Church in England. She married King Philip of Spain, but they had no children. Calais, the last English possession in France, was lost during her reign. In this defeat England was finally forced to turn away from her dreams of an empire in Europe to that of a empire of the sea.

Also as Ralphe Hesom, Hesum, or Esum. Raphe Hesome married Jenet Byrkenshawe on 9 August 1576 in Barnsley, Yorkshire. From the date of birth of their son, William, below, this appears to have been a shotgun wedding. A recent history I read indicated that as many as half of the brides of this period were pregnant on their wedding day.

Jenet had several brothers, Robert, John, Thomas and Richard. All were having children in Barnsley in the same years as Jenet. John Byrkenshawe. Thomas Birkinshawe married Elizabeth Dransfeld on 15 January 1573 in Barnsley. Rychard Burkenshawe married Anne Batt [Bett] on 12 November 1574. Birkenshaw is the name of a village in West Yorkshire, northwest of Barnsley.

At this same time (16) John Easom (c1550) was having a family in Frodsham, Cheshire.

Raphe and Jenet's children were,
(16) William Hesome (1576), who died young
(16) William Hesome (c1577)
(16) John Esum (1580), who died young
(16) John Esume (c1580)
(16) Raphe Esum (1581)
(16) Dorythie Esum (1585)
(16) Sara Hesum (1587)

Historical Timeline: Reign of Kings 1558-1603 Elizabeth I Called “Gloriana.” She was one of the greatest monarchs of all time, and was so attested by even her great enemy, the Pope. She brought the realm good government, good coinage, and, most importantly, peace. Her rule created the basis for the country's great leap forward in economics, military power and artistic achievement. After the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots, the Spanish King, Philip, sent the great Armada to subdue England and bring the country back to the Catholic faith. This force was destroyed in a series of fleet actions and by bad weather. The populace was exhilerated by this achievement. The first attempts were made to colonize America, but without success. In 1570 the population of England and Wales is estimated to be about 4 million.

Elizabeth Esum married John Ellice on 29 August 1585 in Barnsley, Yorkshire. She may have been a sister of Raphe, above, or an elder daughter if we assume Raphe married twice.

The son of Ralph Hesome. He was christened on 28 December 1576 in Barnsley, Yorkshire, England. He died on 11 February 1577.

Apparently a second son named William, in honor of his deceased older brother. He made his home in Normanton, which is also in the Wakefield region.

William's children, were,
(17) Janne Esam (1600)
(17) Ursula Esam (1602)
(17) Betteris Esam (1604)
(17) Frauncis Esom (1607)
(17) Estar Esum (1609)
(17) Thomas Esom (1611)
(17) Georg. Hesom (c1600), perhaps

Historical Timeline: Reign of Kings - House of Stuart 1603-1625 James I King of Scotland and son of Mary Queen of Scots. He gains the English throne through a sister of King Henry VIII. 1609 Henry Hudson explores Hudson and Delaware rivers for Dutch East India Company. English Colonies in Virginia and Massachusetts established. 1605 Gunpowder plot.

This village is north of Barnsley, just beyond Crofton.

Janne, the daughter of Wyllyam Esam, was baptized on 13 July 1600 in Normanton, Yorkshire, England. Normanton is just north of Crofton.

Ursula, the daughter of Willia. Esam, was baptized on 6 June 1602 in Normanton, Yorkshire, England.

Betteris, the daughter of Wm. Esam, was baptized on 26 August 1604 in Normanton, Yorkshire, England.

Frauncis, the daughter of Willm. Esom, was baptized on 1 April 1607 in Normanton, Yorkshire, England.

Estar, the daughter of Wyllyam Esum, was baptized on 16 April 1609 in Normanton, Yorkshire, England.

Thomas, the son of Willm. Esom, was baptized on 6 September 1611 in Normanton, Yorkshire, England.

John, the son of Raphe Esum, was baptized on 22 July 1580 at Saint Mary, Barnsely, Yorshire. He died on 24 July 1580.

John Esume married Dyones Browne on 19 July 1615 at Saint Mary, Barnsely, Yorshire. Their children were,
(17) Grace Esom (1616)
(17) Raph Esom (1618)
(17) John Esam (1619)

Grace, the daughter of John Esom, was baptized on 8 July 1616 at Saint Mary, Barnsley, Yorkshire, England.

Raph, the son of John Esam, was baptized on 6 September 1618 at Saint Mary, Barnsley, Yorkshire, England.

John, the son of John Esam, was baptized on 13 February 1619 at Saint Mary, Barnsley, Yorkshire, England.

Raphe, the son of Raphe Esum, was baptized on 1 January 1581 at Saint Mary, Barnsley, Yorkshire, England. I have a Raphe Hesam who was a sailor with the East India Company, making his second voyage with them in 1614.

Jan. 15. 1614. East Indies Colonial Papers. "Petition of Raphe Hesam and Wm. Warrey, sailors entertained "for this second joint voyage," to have 5l. each given them, for which they agree to resign all their right to wages and goods due to them on the purser's books should they die on the voyage, but if they return home, the money was advanced to be freely given them; the Company willing to perform the bargain and to do the same for others who may desire it." - from "Calendar of State Papers"

Dorythie, the daughter of Raphe Esum, was christened on 11 July 1585 at Saint Mary, Barnsley, Yorkshire, England. Dorythie Esom married Thomas Spiuie on 24 January 1606 at Saint Mary, Barnsley, Yorkshire, England.

Sara, the daughter of Ralph Hesum, was christened on 15 August 1587 at Saint Mary, Barnsley, Yorkshire, England. Sara Esam married John Gaunt on 20 July 1609 in Barnsley. Sara Esam died and was buried on 29 March 1611 in Barnsley.

The son of George Hesome. He was christened on 3 December 1686 at Saint Mary, Barnsley, Yorkshire, England.

She might be the daughter of George. She was born in about 1674 in Barnsley. She married Samuel Kershaw on 4 February 1695.

Royston is just a few miles north of Barnsley. Originally a farming village, in the latter part of the 18th century a canal was built which brought the area into the industrial revolution. It had mine, clay and brick works. A coke works is still in operation today.

Ric. Esom married Mgret. Pey on 13 April 1589 in Royston, Yorkshire, England. The following work as Richard's children if we assume his marriage to Margaret was his second.

He was christened on 16 September 1580 in Royston, Yorkshire, England.

He was christened on 13 April 1583 in Royston, Yorkshire, England.

Alice Esome was baptized on 11 March 1591 in Royston, Yorkshire, England. I also have this as "Alice Hesome was baptized on 11 March 1591 in Royston, Yorkshire."

He married Mary Broadhead on 16 December 1765 in Royston.

Worsbrough is just south of Barnsley.

The following, from the papers of the Verson-Wentworth family of Wentworth castle, relates to the Rockley Hall estate, where Thomas had a close.

27 October 1690. "John Hatfeild of Hatfeild, esquire, and Frances, his wife, administratrix of the goods and chattels of Thomas Westby late of Fursby, deceased, to Thomas Wainwright of Sandall Magna, yeoman. A judgment of £2,520 (and costs) which Thomas Westby obtained in 1656 against Francis Rockley together with half the capital messuage called Rockley Hall with appurtenances, occupied by George Auden, Edward Snowden and William Tingle in Worsbrough, named closes occupied by George Auden in Worsbrough and Stainbrough, Friertayle Wood occupied by Edward Snowden, Robert Froggett and William Tingle, Old Parke Wood occupied by William Ashmore, several closes (named) occupied by Thomas Wood and Thomas Saunderson, a close and Smithy Wood occupied by William Irish, an iron furnace called Rockley Furnace and a close occupied by Dennis Hayford, gentleman, a messuage with named closes occupied by William Irish, a messuage and named closes occupied by Joseph Shawe, a messuage and named closes occupied by James Burnley, named closes occupied by Thomas Heesome, a messuage and named closes occupied by Thomas Wood and Anne Wood, a messuage and named closes occupied by Thomas Wildsmith, a close occupied by Anthony Robinson, a cottage and close occupied by Elizabeth Hawksworth, a water corn mill called Lewden Mill and a close occupied by James Burnley, named closes occupied by Joseph Shaw and James Ownsworth, a messuage and close occupied by William Ashmore and William Guest, half a messuage and half a close occupied by Michael Crookes, two closes occupied by Robert Tottington and several named closes occupied by Toby Holland, all in Worsbrough. The deed recites that the above property of Francis Rockley was valued by a jury at £150 p.a. and delivered to John and Francis Hatfield at that price until Francis Rockley had discharged his debt. For the consideration named in a mortgage deed of even date." - from the "Vernon-Wentworth Muniments, Sheffield Archives"

"Heesome, William, Worsbrough, linnen weaver, Jan. 28, 23 Chas. II. 3 Mar. 15, 1679." - from "Index of Wills in the York Registry" by Francis Collins and Ely Wilkinson Crossley. Worsbrough is just south of Barnsely. Silas Marner, of the eponymous novel, was a linen weaver, living his lonely life.

Thomas Heesome married Jane Ellis on 10 December 1733 in Worsbrough, Yorkshire, England.

Northwest of the villages of Barnsley, Royston, Crofton and Normanton. It was on the Aire river near where the Calder river joined it.

Thomas Easome married Alice Wright on 27 November 1636 in Pontefract, Yorkshire, England.

Elizabeth, the daughter of Thomas Eosome, was baptized on 5 November 1637 in Pontefract, Yorkshire, England.

Dorithie, the daughter of Thomas Easome, was baptized on 8 February 1642 in Pontefract, Yorkshire, England. Pontefract is north of Crofton.

"Matthew Hutchinson, Pontefract, York, maltster, and John Heesome, of Pontefract, joiner, and Martha Nodder, of Monkhill, as executors and executrix of John Nodder, deceased. Seal. Dec. 8. . ." - from "The Law Advertizer" of 1828.

"Heesome, Gul . . . Trin. A.B. 1667. A.M. 1671." - from "Graduati Cantabrigienses"

Gisburn is to the west, almost in Lancashire.

She married Thomas Lawkeland on 20 August 1629 in Gisburn, Yorkshire, England. Gisburn is closer to Lancaster than it is to York.

"The Crofton parish registers begin 22nd June, 1617, and from the first we find the names of families still existing here or in the neighborhood; whilst later occur other well-known names. I give a list in the note [D], marking in italic the surviving names, and adding a few interesting particulars."

"D. Scholey, Lee, Jubge, . . . Heesome (also Esham, Hesam, Heasom, Heysome 1678), . . . William Heysome, churchwarden, buried 1678; Edward Heysome and George Firth, churchwardens, 1678." - from "Walk in Yorkshire; Wakefield and Its Neighborhood" by Willima Stott Banks, 1871.

Of Crofton. I don't have any evidence of his birth nor direct ties with either Barnsely and Normanton, other than that Crofton lies between them. However, William Hesome of Normanton was the only man having children at the right time and at the right place to be George's father.

George Hesome, of Crofton, was buried on 8 April 1657. The following widow was the relict of a Heesom living in the West Riding circa 1650.

"Widdow Heesom 3" - from "Yorkshire West Riding Hearth Tax Assessment Lady Day 1672" by David Hey

George's children were,
(18) William Hesom (1629)
(18) Elizabeth Esom (1633)
(18) Anna Easom (1636), perhaps
(18) Saraye Esume (1638)
(18) George Heesom (1641)
(18) Edward Esume (1644)
(18) Richard Esum (1646)
(18) Beteres Hesum (1647)
(18) John Esume (1650)
(18) Jane Heysom (c1654)

Historical Timeline: The Stuarts: 1625-1649 Charles I Religious conflicts accelerated. Charles was an ineffective King, stubborn when he should be conciliatory, irresolute when he should be strong. The English Civil War and defeat of the King's forces. The Virginia colony was loyal to the King, but a fleet loyal to Parliament forced it to acquiesce. 1645 Sir Thomas Fairfax and Oliver Cromwell's Parliamentary troops defeated King Charles' army at the battle of Naseby.

"John Field of Fetherston & Ann Hesome, Nov: 18," year unknown - from Publications of the Yorkshire Archaeological Society. Featherstone was just north of Crofton.

Of Crofton. "William Hesom son of Georg Hesom bapt. 18 Oct. [1629]" - from Crofton Parish Records. William, or Willyam, Esume married Ann Robinson on 26 December 1651 in Crofton.

"William Heysome, churchwarden, buried 1678" - from the Crofton parish register as recorded in "Walk in Yorkshire; Wakefield and Its Neighborhood" by Willima Stott Banks, 1871

The son of William Heesome of Crofton. He was christened on 30 October 1653 in Crofton. He married Marth Litlewood on 8 May 1677 in Crofton. He died, or one of his sons did perhaps, in 1669, "Obitus Robert Heesome" 24 August 1669 - Burials Wragby Parish Registers. Neither of his male sons appears to have lived to maturity. His children were,
(20) Anne Heysom (1678)
(20) Dorothy Heysom (1680)
(20) Michaell Heysom (1682)
(20) John Heysom (1685)
(20) Grace Hesom (1688)

The daughter of Robert Heysom. Anne Heysaom was christened on 27 January 1678 in Crofton, Yorkshire, England. Anne Heesham was buried on 21 July 1694 in Crofton [father not named] - from Publications of the Yorkshire Archaelogical Society.

The daughter of Robert Heysom. Dorothy Heysom was christened on 25 January 1680 in Crofton, Yorkshire, England.

Michaell, the son of Robert Heysom, was christened on 15 October 1682 in Crofton, Yorkshire, England. "Michael Son of Robert Heesham," was buried on 11 April 1693 in Crofton - from Publications of the Yorkshire Archaelogical Society.

John, the son of Robert Heysom, was christened on 5 April 1685 in Crofton, Yorkshire, England. "John son of Robt Heesom" was buried on 26 February 1692 in Crofton.

The daughter of Robert Hesom. She was christened on 28 July 1688 in Crofton, Yorkshire, England.

William, the son of William Esume and Ann Robinson, was born on 10 March 1655 and baptized on 23 March 1655, in Crofton, Yorkshire. Also as "A sonne born to Willia Esham & Anne his wife March 10 [1656], bapt: William March 23 . . ." - from the Crofton parish register. William Heysom married Frances Hall on 20 November 1683 in Crofton.

The daughter of William Heysom and Frances Hall. She was christened on 12 September 1684 in Crofton. "Hellen dau: of William Hesom bur: Feb: 10. [1687]" - from Crofton Parish Records.

The daughter of William Hesam of Crofton. She was born on 3 May 1660 and baptized on 13 May 1660 in Crofton.

The daughter of William Heysome. She was christened on 17 May 1663 in Crofton. She married George Robinson on 3 August 1685 in Crofton.

Elizabeth, the daughter of William Easom, was baptized on 5 August 1666 in Crofton, Yorkshire. Elizabeth, the daughter of William Esume and Ann Robinson, who was born circa 1661 in Crofton, was buried on 24 September 1668.

Elizabeth, the daughter of George Esom, was baptized on 2 September 1633 in Crofton, Yorkshire, England.

"Anna filia Georgij Easom Bapt: fuit vicesimo primo Feb:". That is, Anna, the daughter of Georgij Easom, was baptized on 21 February 1636 in Crofton, Yorkshire - from the Publications of the Yorkshire Archealogical Society Parish Register Section. I believe that Georgij is just a latin bawlderization of George.

"Georg base sonne of Anne Easom bur: Feb: 7." - from the Publications of the Yorkshire Archealogical Society. Does this mean George was a bastard?

Ann Easam married John Gill on 25 October 1670 at All Saints, Wakefield, Yorkshire, England.

Saraye, the daughter of George Esume, was baptized on 23 August 1638 in Crofton, Yorkshire.

George, the son of George Esume, was baptized on 15 August 1641 in Crofton, Yorkshire. Georg Heysom married Sarah Hepworth on 5 November 1667 in Crofton. He then moved to the next village east, which was Wragby.

George Heesom of Wragby was buried on 9 September 1701. Elisabeth wife of George Heesom of Wragby, a second wife?, was buried on 25 August 1747. His children were,
(19) Katherine Heesome (1678)
(19) Richard Heesome (1679)
(19) George Heesome (1680)
(19) Richard Heesum (1687)
(19) Jane Hesum (1690)
(19) Ann Heesum (1692)
(19) Sarah Heesom (1697)

The daughter of George Heesome. She was christened on 5 June 1678 in Wragby, Yorkshire, England, She died on 6 June 1678.

The son of George Heesome. He was christened on 12 June 1679 in Wragby, Yorkshire, England. He died young, on 14 June 1679.

The son of George Heesome. He was christened on 17 October 1680 in Wragby, Yorkshire, England. Elisabeth wife of George Heesom was buried on 25 Aug 1747. George Hesome of Crofton was the father of George, below. His children were,
(20) George Hesome (1708)
(20) Edward Hesome (c1708), perhaps
(20) Frances Hesome (1709)
(20) Mary Hesome (1711)

"George son of George Hesome" was christened on 4 September 1708 in Crofton. He was buried on 6 September 1708 - from Publications of the Yorkshire Archaeological Society.

Edward Hesome was buried on 31 May 1708 in Crofton. Perhaps the son of George.

"Frances dau: of George Hesome" was christened on 29 August 1709 in Crofton. - from Publications of the Yorkshire Archaeological Society.

"Mary dau: of George Hesome" was christened on 28 February 1711 in Crofton. She was buried on 4 April 1712.

The son of George Heesum. He was christened on 6 January 1687 in Wragby, Yorkshire, England. A Richard Heesom of Wragby was buried on 15 May 1732.

"Grace dau: of Rich: Heesom" was baptized [or buried?] on 23 October 1732.

The daughter of George Hesum. She was christened on 12 October 1690 in Wragby, Yorkshire, England.

The daughter of George Heesum. She was christened on 28 April 1692 in Wragby, Yorkshire, England.

The daughter of George Heesom. "Sarah Daughter of George Heesom baptized 11 Nov 1697" in Wragby, Yorkshire, England.

Historical Timeline: The Commonwealth Period: 1649-1658 Oliver Cromwell After the King was beheaded, and after a tumultuous period of Parliamentary rule, the leading general of the Puritan cause, Cromwell, was made Lord Protector. He ruled England through Parliament, but his absoute power over the Army made him a virtual dictator. 1658-1659 Richard Cromwell Richard lacked his father’s political skills and General Monk, one of the Civil War's great generals, engineered the restoration of the House of Stuart.

Edward, the son of George Esume, was baptized on 14 January 1644 in Crofton. His surname is also spelled as Heysom and Heysome. I have an Edward Easom, born in about 1641, who married Mary Brown on 16 April 1666 - IGI.

"Edward Heysome and George Firth, churchwardens, 1678." - from the Crofton parish register as recorded in "Walk in Yorkshire; Wakefield and Its Neighborhood" by Willima Stott Banks, 1871

Also as Heasom. The daughter of Edward Heysome. She was christened on 20 January 1667 in Crofton, Yorkshire, England. Ann Hesyom married Daniel Tomlinson in April 1686 in Crofton.

Jane, the daughter of Edward Heysom, was christened on 31 January 1669 in Crofton, Yorkshire, England.

Matthew, the son of Edward Heysom, was christened on 9 December 1671 in Crofton, Yorkshire, England. He had a numerous family, most living in Sandal Magna. Matthew's children were,
(20) Edward Esom (1698)
(20) Mary Esom (1702)
(20) Matthew Esum (1704)
(20) Averel Esume (1707)
(20) Elizabeth Esum (1709)
(20) Anne Esum (1712)
(20) James Esum (1715)

Edward, the son of Matthew Esom, was born and baptized on 19 February 1698 in Sandal Magna, Yorkshire, England.

Mary, the daugther of Matthew Esom, was baptized on 8 June 1702 in Sandal Magna, Yorkshire, England.

Matthew, the son of Matthew Esum, was baptized on 3 February 1704 in Sandal Magna, Yorkshire, England. He was a mason. I can only see a snippet of the following so I'm not certain where William, Robert and Martha fit.

"Elizabeth dau: of Matthew Heesome Jun: Sep:9 [1733]
Willm Heesome, Mason, Mar: 20.
James Son of Matthew Heesome, Mason, July 17. [1744]
Martha Wife of Robert Heesome, Mason, Oct: 7." - from Publications of the Yorkshire Archaeological Society Parish Register Section

Elizabeth, the daughter of Matthew Heesome, was baptized on 9 September 1733 in Crofton, Yorkshire.

James, the son of Matthew Heesome, was baptized on 17 July 1744 in Crofton, Yorkshire.

Averel, the daughter of Matthew Esume, was bapized on 19 September 1707 in Sandal Magna, Yorkshire.

Elizabeth, the daughter of Matthew Esum, was bapized on 18 March 1709 in Sandal Magna, Yorkshire.

Anne, the daughter of Matthew Esum, was bapized on 19 October 1712 in Sandal Magna, Yorkshire.

James, the son of Matthew Esum, was baptized on 21 August 1715 in Sandal Magna, Yorkshire, England.

Edward was the son of Edward Heysom. He was christened on 18 October 1674 in Crofton, Yorkshire, England. "03 May 1755 Ann the wife of Edward Heesom" was buried in Thornhill.

William, the son of Edward Heysom, was christened on 4 July 1677 in Crofton, Yorkshire, England. He apparently died young.

The daughter of Edward Heysome. She was christened on 29 September 1678 in Crofton, Yorkshire, England.

Historical Timeline: Reign of Kings; Restoration of the House of Stuart: 1660-1685 Charles II Charles II led a bawdy court famous for its royal mistresses. It was not famous of its intellect. Restricted in his income by Parliament, the King accepted money from France’s King Louis XIV. Dutch colonies in America were seized and given to Charles' brother James, the Duke of York (hence New York city). The Pennsylvania colony was founded by William Penn as a Quaker refuge. 1665 - Bubonic Plague strikes London. 70,000 die. 1665 - The Great Fire levels London (and frees the city of the plague).

Historical Timeline: Reign of Kings, The Stuarts 1685-1688 James II Brother to Charles. He publicy converted to Catholicism causing the people to fear a forced return of the Catholic religion upon his assension to the throne. The English Revolution followed the birth of a male heir to the King. The King and his household fled to France. The King's son, which the Protestant’s refused to believe legitimate, became known as the “Old Pretender.”

William, the son of Edward Heysom, was born on 7 July 1680. He was baptized on 1 August 1680 in Crofton, Yorkshire, England.

William moved to Ackworth as an adult. William Hesome married Ann. He was a carpenter.

William and Ann's children were,
(20) Elizabeth Heesom (1705)
(20) Elizabeth Hesome (1708)
(20) William Heesom (1710)
(20) Thomas Hesome (1713)
(20) Unnamed Heesom (1717)
(20) Susannah Hesome (1720)
(20) James Heesom (1726)

The daughter of William and Anne. She was baptized on 1 July 1705 in Ackworth. She apparently died young.

The daughter of William and Anne. She was baptized on 15 October 1708 in Ackworth.

He was the son of William and Anne. He was baptized on 31 January 1710 in Ackworth, Yorkshire. William Heesam married Ann Stanfield 9 March 1754 in Ackworth. He died in 18 October 1764.

Historical Timeline: Reign of Kings, The House of Orange 1689-1702 William & Mary William of Orange and his queen, Mary, the daughter of James II, seized the throne without bloodshed, in part engineered by John Churchill, a forebear of William Churchill. James II fled to the court of France. This became known as the "Glorious Revolution." William was the son of William II, prince of Orange, in the Netherlands, and Mary, was the eldest daughter of King James I of England. William III led a European alliance that worked ceaselessly, and successfully, to restrict the power of King Louis XIV’s France. By 1700 the population of England and Wales had grown to 6 million.

Historical Timeline: Reign of Kings 1702-1714 Anne Sister and heir of Mary and daughter of James II. She died without issue. In 1704 the Duke of Marlborough, John Churchill, defeated the army of Louis XIV at the battle of Blenheim. His many victories over the French crippled the power of the Sun King in his final years on the throne and restored the balance of power in Europe.

Thomas, the son of William Heesome, was baptized on 3 May 1713 in Ackworth, Yorkshire, England.

While born in Ackworth, he moved east to Carlton, in Snaith parish, on the Aire river. This river leads to the Humber estuary, and Hull. Thomas married Jane.

"Thomas Hesome of Ackworth, cordwainer, son of William of Ackworth, House carpenter, by Ann his wife, d. 19 May 1779 b. in the churchyard. 70 years [sic]. A slow fever." - from the Carlton juxta Snaith parish register

"Jane wife of Thomas Hesome cordwainer of Carlton d. 02 Apr 1784 b. in the Churchyard. 82 years. Old age." - from the Carlton juxta Snaith parish register

Thomas and Jane's children were,
(21) Elizabeth Hesome (c1737)
(21) Thomas Heesom (1744)

The daughter of Thomas Hesom, cordwainer. She was of Carlton.

"Thomas Hindsley of Camblesforth par: Drax [the parish of Drax, just north of Snaith] & Elizabeth Hesome of Carlton mar. by banns (16 Oct 1763, 23 Oct 1763, 30 Oct 1763) 10 Nov 1763 by Joseph Fisher, Curate. Witn: Thomas Wheatley, Joseph Taylor." - from the Carlton juxta Snaith parish register

The following may be the same woman, assuming a second marriage to Richard Lee.

"Elizabeth Lee (dr of Tho Hesom cord wainer & wife of Rich Lee) d. Dec: 2 [1785] b. in the Church-yard. 48 years [1737]. Fever." - from Carlton-juxta-Snaith Parish Records

Of Carlton. "Thomas son of Thos Heesom baptized 02 Sep 1744" in Carlton juxta Snaith. Note that Thomas Sr. had moved to Carlton from Ackworth, probably as a young man. Carlton is about 15 miles east of Ackworth.

Nicolette Heesom believes this may be the same Thomas Heesom who died in Swanland, near Hull, in 1792. That man was a wheelwright. Normally I would assume a man would take the trade of his father, but Thomas Sr. was a cordwainer and his father, William, was a carpenter, so there was not pattern of following in a father's footsteps in this family.

Of Ackworth. The son of William and Anne. He was baptized on 17 June 1717 in Ackworth. Died young?

The daughter of William. She was baptized on 26 June 1720 in Ackworth.

Of Ackworth. The son of William Heesom. He was baptized on 21 August 1726 in Ackworth. He married Ellen.

The son of James and Ellen. He was born on 31 October 1765 and christened on 1 January 1766 in Ackworth.

Frances, the daugther of Edward Heysom, was christened on 15 April 1683 in Crofton, Yorkshire, England. She married George Hopwood on 6 April 1708 in Crofton.

Richard, the son of George Esum, was baptized on 7 June 1646 in Crofton, Yorkshire, England.

Of Crofton. The daughter of George Hesum. She was christened on 30 May 1647 in Crofton, Yorkshire, England.

John, the son of George Esume, was baptized on 16 March 1650 in Crofton, Yorkshire, England - from the Parish register of Crofton.

Jane Heysom married John Marshall on 10 February 1676 in Crofton.

This village is just south of Carlton, on the other side of the Aire river.

He married Sarah Littlewood. I have a Sarah, the daughter of John Littlewood, who was baptized on 21 March 1787 in Snaith. She would have been, however, only 17 1/2 when her first child was born.

Bessy, the daughter of William Esem, was baptized on 9 September 1804 in Snaith, Yorkshire. Elizabeth Esom married Charles Woodcock on 21 June 1830 in Snaith.

Catherine, the daughter of William Esom and Sarah Littlewood, was baptized on 2 May 1813 in Snaith, Yorkshire, England. A Catharine Esam married John Trate on 10 November 1836 in Sculcoates, Yorkshire, England.

Thomas, the son of William Esom and Sarah Littlewood, was baptized on 25 August 1816 in Snaith, Yorkshire, England. He died young.

Thomas, the son of William Esom and Sarah Littlewood, was baptized on 6 June 1819 in Snaith, Yorkshire, England.

Ann, the daughter of William Esom and Sarah Littlewood, was baptized on 13 May 1821 in Snaith, Yorkshire. A second daughter, also Ann, was baptized on 5 March 1826 in Snaith.

Henry, the son of William Esom and Sarah Littlewood, was baptized on 26 June 1822 in Snaith, Yorkshire, England.

George, the son of William Esom and Sarah Littlewood, was baptized on 13 July 1823 in Snaith, Yorkshire.

Letitia, the daugther of William Esom and Sarah Littlewood, was baptized on 22 June 1828 in Snaith, Yorkshire.

In the 1841 census of Hessle Cottage, Wragby parish, Yorkshire as Elizth Heesom, a 36 year old "F. L.," probably meaning female laborer. The "L" could be an "S" changing the meaning to female servant. She was living in the household of Charles Fox, a 40 year old farmer. Hessle is just west of Ackworth.

"Rotherham Polling District
Whiston Township
. . .
Heesom, William Broom " - from "West-Riding Election. The Poll for Two Knights of the Shire" of 1841. Broom is just northwest of Whiston.

1 - Agnes Haysome was born in Halifax, West Riding, Yorkshire, England. That is in northwestern Yorkshire. She married William Whittaker on 6 November 1580 in Halifax, Yorkshire, England.

Like the members of the West Riding family, I suspect those of the East Riding migrated out of the west, as opposed to the north, in York. With a single exception, they also eschew the Heseham spelling of the name.

Rivers of Yorkshire Yorkshire is drained by several rivers. The three most southerly, the Aire, Calder and Don, empty their waters into the River Ouse which reaches the North Sea via the Humber Estuary. The River Hull flows southwards to join the Humber Estuary at Kingston upon Hull. The western Pennines are served by the River Ribble which drains westwards into the Irish Sea.

I have a snippet reference to a Robert de Esom, a juror in an inquisition upon the death of Sir John de Vescy, who resided (perhaps) in Sledmere, in the East Riding.

c 1289. ". . . Richard Lovel of Langton, Robert de Kayton, Robert [de Esom], John Pucerl of Sledmere, Peter de Briddale of the same, William Dringe of Neuton, William Mangevilayn of the same, Robert de Langtoft of Schireburne, Wiliam West of Thurkelby, and Adam de Duggelby who say by their oath that John de Vescy lately deceased held on the day of his death ^8 gs. $d. annual rent at Martinmas and Pentecost in the manor of Wyntringham, which Alan Buscel and Ivetta his wife hold for life, and is held in chief of Sir Edmund de Mortimer, by what service is not known. The same John held in Duggelby . . ." - from "Yorkshire Inquisitions" in the Record series By Yorkshire Archaeological Society

Another early member of the family I've found living in the East Riding was William Heseham, a man of some distinction in the town of Beverley. He, if no others, was probably a member of the medieval York family of dyers and litsters.

Of the East Riding, though I suspect he was born in York, part of the merchant family of that name, and relocated to Beverley to find a less crowded market. He was one of the Keepers or Governors of Beverley, serving perhaps three terms, 1452-3, 1456-7 and 1459-60. The town of Beverley is in the East Riding, about 10 miles northwest of Hull.

"1452-3. James Conpis, William Heseham (1459-60), John Potter, John Quail, John Wilforth, John Williamson" - from "Lists of Officers, A History of the County of York East Riding," Volume 6: The borough and liberties of Beverley."

During this period the Master of the Beverley Gramamar School was William Harding [Hardinges]. He also served as one of the governors of the town of Beverley. The following is from a history of the Beverley Grammar School and records the election of 1456.

25 April 1456.
"Schoolmaster again elected a Governor of Town.
[Do 107 b.]
Electio.
Roger Rolleson, Thomas Whyte, Johannes Couton, Joannes Myddilton, Willelmus Hundesworth, Jacobus Johannes Quale, Willelmus Heseham, Johannes Potter, Johannes Asheton, . . . Magister Willelmus Hardynges . . . " - from "Early Yorkshire Schools" by Arthur Francis Leach.

Apparently William was a leader of the Dyer's Guild of Beverley, a possible link with his relatives in York. It was the Dyer's job to dye the wool after it had been woven and fulled.

"In like manner, June 1, 1456, William Hoseham was warned in the Gild Hall to put down 40s. because the players of the pageant of the Dyers' craft were not ready to play their pageant in the first place at the North Bar. The money was returned, he promising that it should not occur again." - from "Some English Plays and Players, 1220-1548" in "An English Miscellany" by William Paton Ker

The following probably refers to our William since it occurs in the East Riding and involves a role of some importantance and a familiarity with the powerful.

"Robert Clifton, brother of Sir Gervase, was archdeacon of the East Riding . . . On Aug. 27, 1467, adminstration to his [Robert Clifton's] effects was granted to Robert Hill and William Heseham." - from "Testamenta Eboracensia: Or, Wills Registered at York, Illustrative of the History, Manners,..." by James Raine, John William Clay

I had an interesting email from Nicolette [Heesom] Reichhold that shows a close connection between the Thomas Hissom branch of my family and the Heesom family of East Yorkshire.

"Dear Steve

You may remember I wrote last year about my Heesom family in East Yorkshire. Recently my brother's Y-DNA (FTDNA) had a 35/37 match with a Hissem of America whose earliest known ancestor is a Thomas Hisam, born between 1775 and 1785 in Philadelphia, PA. Thomas Hisam's wife is unknown, his son, Thomas J. Hissam was born between 1818 and 1819 in Westmoreland Co. PA and died in West Virginia. I wonder if this fits in anywhere with your John Heesom line?

Regards
Nicolette"

There are 10 generations between the Hissem family's first ancestor in America, John Heesom, and the American Hissem whose test results were matched above. So there is a good chance, 90% anyway, that John Heesom's grandfather was also the ancestor, in a direct line, of Nicolette Reichhold's brother. We should be careful here, however, and to understand if this is really significant I would like to see the same matching attempted with a member of the large Heesom family in Cheshire or of the Heysham family in New York. If one of those also matched at the 35/37 level, what would that mean?

The Quaker colony where John Heesom settled circa 1687 had a large Yorkshire contingent, so it wouldn't be surprising if he came from the East Riding. The town where John lived in America had originally been called New Beverley by the colonists, after the Yorkshire town just north of North Ferriby. It was renamed Burlington after another Yorkshire town, Bridlington - which in the uniquely British fashion is pronounced Burlington. To understand that, I'm told you're supposed to invert the r & i and drop the d. Don't ask why, it's England.

John Heesom would have been born circa 1650. His grandfather, therefore, would have been born circa 1590. The point, however, where I think the two families may meet is with (17) Georg. Hesom (c1600) of Crofton.

An interesting comparison is with the Hysom family of Dorset. Their surname has also been rendered as Heysom, Haysome, and Haysham. I had always thought that the similarity in the spelling of this name to Heysham meant there was probably a family relationship, and from there through to the Heysham-variants, like Heesom. However, in comparing a DNA sample from the Hysom family of Swanage, Dorset with the Heesoms of Swanland, East Yorkshire (the repetition of the word Swan is, of course, accidental) showed only a 11/37 match. That is, there is no relationship. The Hysom haplogroup is R1b, the most common in England. The Heesom/Hissem haplogroup is G2a, which is relatively rare.

The next obvious question is, which of these two families, the Hysom's and the Heesom's, are related to the Heysham's of Lancashire, or are neither of them?

Looking back over old emails I realize I was given much of this information at an earlier date and did not realize its significance at the time. Andrew Peel wrote that he was genetically related to the American Hissem as well, but only to sharing a common ancestor within the previous 24 generations, at a 90% probability. He also mentioned a Crispin David Edwin Heesom who is at 66.71% within 24 generations. He opined that the Saxons were of Teutonic/Scythian origins, who he equates to the Sarmatians, so perhaps our family origins come from that direction.

I also have a Thomas Hesome, the son of Richard, who was christened on 16 September 1580 in Royston, Yorkshire. According to what Nicolette Heesom wrote me, a Thomas Heesom married Isabell Glendall in 1620, as recorded in the North Ferriby register.

"Hi,

I am a Heesom from England, who has enjoyed reading your Hissem-Montague family site. I have recently researched my Heesom ancestors from the East Riding and have additional information for the Heesom family in Welton. My public member tree in ancestry is called Heesom family. It looks as if the Heesom family were living in this area in the early 17th century, as I found a Thomas Heesom marrying an Isabell Glendall in 1620 in the North Ferriby register.

Regards N.Heesom"

The (16) Thomas Heesom (c1590) of North Ferriby, above, may be an outlier. It is also possible that the Heesom's of Ferriby & Swanland, below, emigrated from the west where a Heesom line had been moving north and east, through Barnsely, Royston, Crofton, Wragby, Ackworth, and Carlton, starting with Ralph[e] Hesum as early as 1576.

Timeline: The Reign of Kings, The House of Hannover 1714-1727 George I George was the Elector of Hanover and the first of the Hanoverian line of British rulers. He spoke only German. His mother, Sophia, was the granddaughter of King James I of England. 1715 - First Jacobite rebellion. From Jacobus, the Latin name for James, the deposed King James II of England. The Jacobites wanted James II's son, James Francis Edward Stuart, known as the "Old Pretender," to be King. He was a Roman Catholic.

Historical Timeline: Reign of Kings 1727-1760 George II The Seven Years War in Europe, called the French & Indian War in America. 1745 - Second Jacobite rebellion. James II's grandson, Charles Edward Stuart, known as the "Young Pretender" or "Bonnie Prince Charlie", leads an attempt to overthrow Protestant rule. In 1750 the population of England and Wales has grown to 6.5 million.

Nicolette Heesom thinks Thomas was probably the son of Thomas Hesome of Carlton. If so, he was baptized on 2 September 1744 at Carlton juxta Snaith [Carlton across from Snaith], Yorkshire. Just down river from Carlton are the villages of North Ferriby and Swanland, on the north shore of the Humber estuary.

Nicolette's family and my own share a common ancestor. At this time my guess is that this was 10 generations back, with (17) Georg. Hesom (c1600).

I've also listed a possible ancestry back to Raphe Hesome of Barnsley, the earliest Hesom/Heesom I've found in this part of Yorkshire. Before that . . . I would like to draw a line, heading west, from Swanland to Carlton to Ackworth to Crofton and on into Lancashire or Cheshire, where there is a large Heesom family to this day.

"Thomas Heesom married Rebecca Sergesson 2nd June 1768." - from the North Ferriby parish register. Both Thomas and Rebecca were otp, that is, of this parish. Rebecca Sergeson had been born in the parish, she was baptized on 8 February 1743 in North Ferriby - per the IGI. Her father was Isaac Sergeson. Isaac may have married Ann Bonsil at the church in nearby Kirk Ella.

"Kirk Ella. A.D. 1743. Sept. 17. Isaac Sergeson & Ann Bonsil both of N. Ferriby [parish] by Licence granted by W. Huntingdon Clerk" - from "The Register of Kirk Ella"

"Thomas, son of Thomas Heesom, Wheelwright, Swanland, died Dec 24th 1792, buried Dec 25th 1792, Age 49, consumption." - from the North Ferriby parish register. That would imply a birth in 1743. Thomas Jr. would have been just 19 years old.

Thomas and Rebecca's children were,
(22) Jane Esam (1771)
(22) Thomas Heesom (1773)

Historical Timeline: Reign of Kings 1760-1820 George III The American & French Revolutions. Napoleanic Wars. During the King’s fits of madness the Prince of Wales ruled as Regent (the Regency period). Also Elector, later King, of Hanover. By 1800 the population of England and Wales had exploded to 16.3 million.

Jane, the daughter of Thos. Esam, was baptized on 2 June 1771 in North Ferriby, Yorkshire, England - IGI. According to Nicolette Heesom, Thomas was further described as "of Swanland, Wheelwright" making the correlation complete.

Jane had two illegitimate chidren.

"Rebecca Heesom, illegitimate, mother Jane, daughter of Thomas Heesom, Swanland. Born Oct 16th 1795, Baptised Nov 8th 1795." - from "England and Wales Christening Records 1530-1906." Rebecca died in 1805, only 10 years old. "Heesm Rebecca, d. of Jane Heesom, Swanland, 20. 5. 05 Convulsions." - from "Yorkshire Burials 1805."

} May was born on 4 July 1802 and baptized on 15 December 1805, at the age of 3, at North Ferriby, Yorshire. Her mother was Jane Heesom, whose father was Thos. Heesom.

Eight years after Mary’s birth, Jane apparently married Mary’s father. 20 May 1810: "John Leak bach, married Jane Heason spr." - from Sculcoates Parish Records. Sculcoates is just southwest of Swanland, on the south side of the estuary. I also have it as "Jane Heesom married John Leake on 20 May 1810 at Sculcoates, Yorkshire, England" - IGI.

Thomas, the son of Thomas Easam [Easom], was baptized on 29 November 1773 in North Ferriby, Yorkshire, England.

Thomas Heesom married Frances (Fanny) Skane [Skein] on 20 January 1795 at North Ferriby, Yorkshire, England. Nicolette Heesom has, "Thomas Heesom married Frances Skane, both of this parish, married in this church by banns, 30th [sic] January 1795." There was a Frances Scain, the daughter of John, baptized on 6 November 1774 at Market Weighton, Yorkshire. This town is in the East Riding, about 20 miles northwest of Hull. John's wife was Alice Hugh, whom he married on 22 November 1758 in Shipton by Thorpe, in the Deanery of Weighton, Yorkshire. Frances was the last in a line of many children.

Sometime between 1813 and 1817, Frances died. Thomas Heesom then married Elizabeth Bewley, on 12 July 1817 at Welton With Melton, Yorkshire, England. They lived in North Ferriby and Welton - per Pauline Alden. They may have had one child, Maria.

In the 1841 census of Pool Bank, Welton parish, Yorkshire as Ths Heesom, a 65 year old "Ag Labor."

Thomas died in 1847.

In the 1851 census . . .

In the 1861 census of Welton parish, Yorkshire as Elizabeth [Bewley] Heesom, a 77 year old widow, of Willesby [Willerby], Yorkshire. Living with her was her step-daughter, Hannah, a 47 year old spinster, of Welton.

The following are the children of Thomas and Frances,
(23) Rebecca Heesom (1795)
(23) Isaac Heesom (1799)
(23) Isaac Heesom (1803)
(23) Thomas Heesom (1805)
(23) John Heesom (1808)
(23) Jacob Heesom (1810)
(23) Hannah Heesom (1813)

The following is the child of Thomas and Elizabeth,
(23) Maria Heesom (1819)

Rebecca was born on 23 December 1795 and baptized on 3 January 1796 at the Swanland Independent Chapel. She married James Andrew. "15 Feb 1824: James Andrew otp Gainsborough and Rebecca Heesom spinster otp married by banns 15th Feb 1824" - from Holy Trinity church, Hull parish register.

Isaac Heesom was christened on 22 October 1799 at Independent, Swanland, Yorkshire, England. He was the son of Thomas and Fanny Heesom. He apparently died young. Independent probably referred to the Swanland Independent Chapel, which was of the Congregationalist faith, a nonconforming, or dissenting church.

Isaac Heesom was christened on 19 August 1803 at Independent, Swanland, Yorkshire, England. He was the son of Thomas and Fanny Heesom. The later census returns indicate Thomas thought he was born in 1806.

Isaac Heesom married Mary Craike on 09 September 1826 at Welton With Melton, Yorkshire, England. She was born in 1807 in Welton and christened on 4 April 1807.

In the 1841 census of Welton parish, Yorkshire as Isaac [Husom in Ancestry.com], a 35 year old sawyer, that is, he sawed logs into boards. Living with him were his wife, Mary, 30, and children Thomas [?], 13 , John, 11, Fanny, 6, William, 4, and Sarah, 2.

Mary died and Isaac the married Eliza Hutty in January-March 1851. In the 1851 census of Welton parish, Yorkshire as Isaac Heesom [Neesom in Ancestry.com], a 47 year old woodman, of Swanland. Living with him were his wife, Eliza, 28 [the old goat], and children, Thomas [?], a 22 year old blacksmith, and William, 14, of Welton.

In the 1861 census of Welton parish, Yorkshire as Isaac Heesom, a 55 year old woodman. He was a widower, of Swanland, Yorkshire, residing at Welton Dale, a private cottage. Living with him were his childen, Polly, 9, George, 6, James, 3, and Sherwood, 5 months, all of Welton.

In the 1871 census of Welton as Isaac Heesom, a 69 year old woodman "out of employ." He was a widower, of Swanland. Living with him were his children, Mary, 19, James, 14, and Sherwood, 10, all of Welton. His children were,
(24) Thomas Heesom (1827)
(24) John Heesom (1829)
(24) George Heesom (1831)
(24) Fanny Heesom (1834)
(24) William Heesom (1836)
(24) Sarah Heesom (1839)
(24) George Heesom (1841)
(24) Mary "Polly" Heesom (1852)
(24) George Heesom (1855)
(24) James Heesom (1858)
(24) Sherwood Heesom (1860)

Thomas Heesom was christened on 31 October 1827 at Welton With Melton, Yorkshire, England. The son of Isaac and Mary Heesom.

In the 1841 census of Welton parish, Yorkshire as Thomas Heesom [Husom in Ancestry.com], 13. In the 1851 census of Welton parish, Yorkshire as Thomas Heesom, a 22 year old blacksmith, living at home.

Thomas married Emma Gibbard in January-March 1856. In the 1861 census of Hemsworth, Yorkshire as Thomas Heesom [Husom in Ancestry.com], a 33 year old police officer, of Welton. Living with him were his wife, Emma, 33, of Wellingboro, Northamptonshire, and children, Thomas E., 3, of Hull, and Ada C., 10 months, of Hemsworth.

In the 1871 census of Barnsley, Yorkshire as Thomas Heesom [Hersom in Ancestry.com], a 43 year old police officer, of Welton. Living with him were his wife, Emma, 43, of Wellingborough, and children, Thos. Ed., 13, of Hull, Ada Constance, 10, of Hemsworth, Alice Rosa, 7, of Hemsworth, and Frederick Wm., 1, of Barnsley.

Emma died in January-March 1880 in Barnsley. In the 1881 census of Notton [near Barnsley], Yorkshire as Thomas Heesom, a 53 year old police sergeant, of Welton. He may have resided at Staincrofs, a nearby village. Living with him were his children, Thomas Edward, a 23 year old Former and Wheelwright, of Hull, Ada Constance, a 20 year old housekeeper, of Hemsworth, and Frederick William, 11, of Barnsley.

Thomas married Harriet Towers in April-June 1883 in Barnsley. In the 1891 census of Broomfleet, Yorkshire as Thomas Heesom [Hersom in Ancestry.com], a 63 year old living on his own means, of Welton [Walton in Ancestry.com]. Living with him was his wife, Harriet, 63, of Port [garbled] Daventry.

Interestingly, "Heesom Thomas, dalekeeper, Welton Dale cot" was listed in Bulmer's Directory of Welton for 1892. Remember that in 1861 Isaac Heesom, Thomas' father, was residing at Welton Dale, a private cottage. From the same document was "Heesom Mrs. Christiana, grocer & beer retailer, 89 Waverley street."

Harriet died [I have a Harriet Heesom, born about 1829, who died in Wakefield in 1907] and Thomas married Mary Ann Oates in July-September 1899 in Lancaster. In the 1901 census of Poulton, Bare, and Torrisholme, Lancashire as Thomas Heesom, a 73 year old retired police sergeant, of Welton. Note that his brother, John, below, had moved to Poulton, Lancashire in 1881. Living with Thomas were his wife, Mary A., 50, and his sister, Mary, a 49 year old domestic servant. His children were,
(25) Thomas Edward Heesom (1857)
(25) Ada Constance Heesom (1860)
(25) Alica Rosa Heesom (1864)
(25) Frederick William Heesom (1870)

In the 1861 census of Hemsworth, Yorkshire as Thomas E. Heesom, 3, of Hull. In the 1871 census of Barnsley, Yorkshire as Thos. Ed. Heesom, 13, of Hull.

In the 1881 census of Notton [near Barnsley], Yorkshire as Thomas Edward Heesom, a 23 year old Former and Wheelwright, of Hull.

He married Emmeline Birkinshaw in the spring of 1882 in Barnsley. In the 1891 census of Darton, Yorkshire as Thomas Ed Heesom, a 33 year old unemployed joiner, of Hull. He was living with his mother-in-law, Mary Ann Birkinshaw, and his wife, Emmeline, 27, both of Darton.

In the 1901 census of Darton, Yorkshire as Thomas E. Heesom [Hersom in Ancestry.com], a 42 year old wagengate [garbled] proprietor, of Hull. He was living with his mother-in-law, Mary A. Birkinshaw and his wife, Emmeline, 37. They had no children.

In the 1861 census of Hemsworth, Yorkshire Ada C. Heesom, 10 months, of Hemsworth. In the 1871 census of Barnsley, Yorkshire as Ada Constance Heesom, 10.

In the 1881 census of Notton [near Barnsley], Yorkshire as Ada Constance Heesom, a 20 year old housekeeper, of Hemsworth. Ada Constance Heesom married Thomas Mason in January-March 1889 in the East Riding.

In the 1871 census of Barnsley, Yorkshire as Alice Rosa Heesom, 7, of Hemsworth. In the 1881 census South Cave, Rowley, Yorkshire as Alice Heesom [Olive Hesom in Ancestry.com], a 17 year old housemaid, of Hemsworth. She was living in the home of the Rector of Rawley. Alice Rosa Heesom married unknown in Beverly, East Riding, in April-June 1884.

He was born in January-March 1870 in Barnsley. In the 1871 census of Barnsley, Yorkshire as Frederick Wm. Heesom, 1, of Barnsley.

In the 1881 census of Notton [near Barnsley], Yorkshire as Frederick William Heesom, 11, of Barnsley. In the 1891 census of Darton, the Barnsely division of Yorkshire, as Fred Wm Heesom, a 21 year old coal carter, of Barnsley. He was single and a boarder at the house of Thomas Able.

Frederick married Ruth Barnard [or Lavinia Preston] in Barnsley in July-September 1896. In the 1901 census . . .

John Heesom was christened on 20 September 1829 at Welton With Melton, Yorkshire, England. The son of Isaac and Mary Heesom.

In the 1841 census of Welton parish, Yorkshire as John Heesom [Husom in Ancestry.com], 11. In the 1851 census of Glusburn, Yorkshire as John Heesom, a 21 year old married [?] servant (a groom), of Welton.

John married Hannah Overend in October-December 1852 in Skipton, West Riding. In the 1861 census of . . .

In the 1871 census of Cowling, Yorkshire as John Heesom [Hersom in Ancestry.com], a 40 year old coachman, of Welton. Living with him were his wife, Hannah, 38, of Glusburn, and children, Elizabeth, a 16 year old worsted weaver, Annie, 10, Fanny, 6, and Hannah, 3, of Cowling.

In the 1881 census of Poulton Barre and Torrisholme, Lancashire as John Heesom, a 51 year old cab proprietor, of Welton. He had a number of boarders living in the house, including a retired surgeon and a retired Lieutenant of the 24th Regiment, and their wives. Living with him were his wife, Hannah, 49, of Kildwick, and children, Annie, 20, Fanny, 16, and Hannah, 13, of Cowling.

In the 1891 census of Poulton, Bare and Torrisholme, Lancashire as John Heesom [Husom in Ancestry.com], a 62 year old cab [pub perhaps?] proprietor, of Welton. Living with him were his wife, Hannah, 59, and daughter, Hannah, 23, of Kildrick, Yorkshire.

His children were,
(25) Elizabeth (1855)
(25) Annie Heesom (1861)
(25) Fanny Heesom (1865)
(25) Hannah Heesom (1868)

George Heesom was christened on 16 October 1831 at Welton With Melton, Yorkshire, England. The son of Isaac and Mary Heesom. He apparently died young.

Fanny Heesom was christened on 03 November 1834 at Welton With Melton, Yorkshire, England. She was the daughter of Isaac and Mary Heesom.

William Heesom was christened on 18 December 1836 at Welton With Melton, Yorkshire, England. He was the son of Isaac and Mary Heesom.

In the 1841 census of Welton parish, Yorkshire as William Heesom [Husom in Ancestry.com], 4. In the 1851 census of Welton parish, Yorkshire as William Heesom [Neesom in Ancestry.com], 14, of Welton.

In the 1861 census . . .

Sarah Heesom was christened on 14 July 1839 at Welton With Melton, Yorkshire, England. The daughter of Isaac and Mary Heesom.

George Heesom was christened on 14 June 1841 at Welton With Melton, Yorkshire, England. He was the son of Isaac and Mary Heesom. He apparently died young.

In the 1861 census of Welton parish, Yorkshire as George Heesom, 6, of Welton. In the 1871 census of Cowling parish, Yorkshire as George Heesom, a 16 year old stable boy, living in the house of William Wainman, "JP Do. L." He was born in Wilton [sic] Dale.

In the 1881 census of Abenbury Fawr, Denbighshire, Wales as George Heesom, a 26 year old valet, of E.R. [East Riding], Yorkshire. He was working for the Baronet, Major General Robert Wm. Henry Palmer. He was unmarried

George Heesom married Geraldine Sarah Tobin in July-September 1890 in Cookham, Berkshire. Rather too close to the birth date of his son, Lionel, don't yah think?

In the 1891 census . . .

In the 1901 census of Maidenhead, Berkshire as George Heesom [Hersom in Ancestry.com], a 46 year old butler, of Welton. Living with his was his wife, Geraldine, 40, of Ireland, and their son, Lionel [Leonel in Ancestry.com], 11, both of Maidenhead.

George Lionel I. Heesom was born in Cookham, Berkshire in July-September 1890. George H. [sic] I. Heesom married a Lawson in April-June 1912 in Edmonton, Essex.

In the 1861 census of Welton parish, Yorkshire as James Heesom, 3, of Welton. In the 1871 census of Welton as James Heesom, 14, of Welton.

In the 1881 census as of Welton and Melton, Yorkshire as James Heesom, a 23 year old laborer, of Welton. He was single and a boarder.

In the 1891 census . . .

He was born in the Sculcoates district of Yorkshire in Oct-Dec of 1860. In the 1861 census of Welton parish, Yorkshire as Sherwood Heesom, 5 months, of Welton. In the 1871 census of Welton as Sherwood Heesom, 10, of Welton.

In the 1881 census of Welton and Melton, Yorkshire as Sherwood Heesom, a 20 year old engine driver at [garbled], of Welton. He was a lodger in the house of Joseph Sutton.

Sherwood Heesom, son of Isac Heesom, married Ellen Smith on 13 June 1888 at Sculcoates, Yorkshire, England. In the 1891 census of Sculcoates, Kingston-on-Hull, Yorkshire as Sherwood Heesom, a 30 year old Lighterman Borg [garbled], of Welton Dale. Living with him were his wife, Ellen, 24, and son, George H., 4. He died in 1899 in the Sculcoates district of the East Riding.

Interestingly, a Mary Jane Sherwood Heesom was born to Edmund Heesom and Jessie Irvine on 10 February 1895 in Yinnar, Victoria, Australia. Was there a connection?

His children were,
(25) George H. Heesom (1887)

In the 1891 census of Sculcoates, Kingston-on-Hull, Yorkshire as George H. Heesom, 4, of Hull.

Thomas Heesom was christened on 04 November 1805 at Independent, Swanland, Yorkshire, England. The son of Thomas and Fanny Heesom.

John, the son of Thomas Husom and Fanny, born on 19 January 1808 and baptized on 25 January 1808 at Swanland Independent.

John Heesom married Maria Beecroft on 30 November 1829 at Holy Trinity, Kingston Upon Hull, Yorkshire, England. Maria, the youngest daughter of James Beecroft, "cow keeper," and Mary Whitehead, was christened on 3 September 1811 in Kingston on Hull. Also as Becraft. A cow keeper was probably a small dairy man. He would have several cows which he kept in, or very near the city. He would milk them daily, then drive them to a common pasture to graze while he delivered the fresh milk in the town. Think of Tevye and his milk cart, ladling milk from large churns into the customer's jug.

In the 1841 census of Welton, Yorkshire as John Heesom [Husom in Ancestry.com], a 30 year old tailor. Living with him were his wife, Maria, 25, and children Emma, 10, Eliza, 7, Edwin, 5, and James, 2. John died sometime between 1841 and 1851.

John's son, James, wrote a memoir in 1918 in which he mentioned that his "father had been caught by the press gang in Hull, but was released by the [section missing] broken it by falling from a tree as a child."

"Unclear section in the British Dental Journal is as follows - "father had been caught by the press gang in Hull, but was released by the naval doctor who examined the recruits because one of his arms was weak (he had broken it by falling from a tree as a child)" - from Nicolette Heesom

John was tragically killed, on 6 October 1841, by a steam train while he was reading his bible in the streets of Hull [though of course it's not really funny under the circumstances, but I can't resist saying, 'and they say reading is good for you!']. He had the notoriety of being one of the first people in the world killed in a railway accident. There is an account of his death in The Hull Advertiser on 8 October 1841, page 3.

"The BDJ story of John's death is the one that has been passed down our family, but the account in The Hull Advertiser is rather different. Apparently John had a part time job opening the gates for the train to pass at Brough, near Welton and one day his timing was wrong. In our archive we have a half-finished commentary on Luke's Gospels written by John on which his widow, Maria, has added the comment that he was writing it 'the Moment before he left the world', so it looks as if John became too engrossed in his writing to notice the time." - from Nicolette Heesom

After John’s death, his widow, Maria Beecroft/Heesom, married three times. First, James Mayman married Maria Heesom on 2 October 1848 at Holy Trinity, Hull. One of the witnesses was Maria's daughter, Emma Heesom. James Mayman died in 1850.

In the 1851 census of Myton, borough of Kingston upon Hull, Holy Trinity parish, Yorkshire, as Maria Mayman, a 39 year old widow and grocer. Living with her were her two boys, Edwin and James Heesom.

Next, Thomas Jackson married Maria Mayman [Beecroft/Heesom] on 22 May 1852 in Hull.

In the 1861 census as . . .

Lastly, Edward Kennington married Maria Jackson [Beecroft/Heesom/Mayman] on 13 December 1866 in Hull. This wedding was witnessed by her son Edwin and his wife Christiana.

In the 1871 census as . . . Frederick Craghill, grandson, of Paris, was staying with Maria Kennington in Hull.

In the 1881 census at Buxted, Sussex, Maria Kennington was wrongly described as the mother of James Ernest Heesom’s wife, Louisa. Maria’s last three marriages were childless.

John and Maria's children were,
(24) Emma Heesom (1831)
(24) Eliza Heesom (1834)
(24) Edwin Heesom (1837)
(24) James Ernest Heesom (1839)
(24) John Heesom (1842)

Historical Timeline: Reign of Kings 1820-1830 George IV He secretly married a Roman Catholic, Mrs. Maria Anne Fitzherbert, in 1785. The marriage was declared illegal 2 years later. He then married his cousin, Caroline of Brunswick. This was an unhappy marriage. During his Regency and as King, George IV was known for his 'foppery.' His main concerns seemed to be gambling, women, his dress, and others' manners. His great friend, Beau Brummel, set the satorial stage for an ascendant empire. While George dallied, Parliament wielded the true power. 1830-1837 William IV Younger brother of George IV. Known as the Sailor King. His was a popular King, appreciated for his simple ways after the flamboyance of George. However, he came to the throne already an old man and had a short reign.

She married William Melling in Sculcoates in 1849. She later married Thomas Biggs. At the time of the 1881 census Emma and Thomas Biggs were staying with Louis Heesom, the wife of Emma's brother, James Ernest Heesom, in Buxted, Sussex. James was in Paris at the time.

Eliza, the daughter of John and Maria Heesom, was christened on 23 March 1834 at Welton With Melton, Yorkshire, England. She first married William Anderton Craighill on 9 June 1852 in Sculcoates. One of the witnesses was William Melling, her brother-in-law.

Eliza and William moved to Paris in the 1850's.

At the time of the 1871 census Eliza was staying with her brother, James Ernest, and his first wife, Emma, in St. Marylebone. Eliza was described as a perfumier. Perhaps something she picked up in Paris? Eliza’s business card from 1872, as Madame E. Craighill, described her as ‘Successeur’ to a G. Sherrell of 30, Fauborg St. Honore, Paris. The clients of the shop included ‘la Grande Duchesse Catherine de Russie & des Ambassades Anglaise & Americaine’. Nicolette Heesom believes that Eliza was running the Paris branch, as there was also a G. Sherrell’s shop in London.

Eliza's husband, William, died in Paris. She next married William Kirman Andrew, the son of her Aunt Rebecca and her first cousin. They married at the Holy Trinity church, Hull on 24 December 1883. One of the witnesses was Thomas Biggs, the second husband of Eliza's sister Emma.

In the 1841 census of Welton, Yorkshire as Edwin Heesom [Husom in Ancestry.com], 5.

In the 1851 census of Myton, the borough of Kingston upon Hull, Holy Trinity parish, Yorkshire, as Maria Mayman, a 39 year old widow and grocer. Living with her were her two boys, Edwin and James. or James and John?????

In the 1861 census of Myton, the borough of Kingston upon Hull, Holy Trinity parish, Yorkshire, as Edwin Heesom, a 24 year old painter, born in Hull. Living with him was his wife, Christiana, 23, of Hull. They were residing at 8 Temple Court.

Historical Timeline: Reign of Kings 1837-1901 Victoria Victoria was the daughter of Victoria Mary Louisa, daughter of the Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, and Edward Augustus, Duke of Kent, the fourth son of George III. The throne of Hanover was inherited by William IV's brother Ernest Augustus. She married Alfred of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, the Prince Consort. In 1861 Prince Albert died. In 1877 Victoria was made Empress of India.

James Heesom was born on 21 June 1839 in Welton parish, the East Riding, Yorkshire. In the 1841 census . . .

In the 1851 census of Myton, the borough of Kingston upon Hull, Holy Trinity parish, Yorkshire, as James Heesom, the 11 year old son of Maria Mayman, a 39 year old widow and grocer. He was an errand boy. All were of Welton.

A descendent, Nicolette Heesom, says that while John was not a qualified dentist, he may have been trained as a dental assistant in Hull before he left, at age 20, to join his sister, Eliza, and her husband, William Anderton Craighill, in Paris. They had moved there in the 1850's.

James took a job with an English dentist, a Dr. Seymour, in 1862, but soon after moved to Versailles where he worked for a French firm. In 1864 he set up his own practice, but this was apparently not successful because a year later he returned to London and joined the practice a Dr. Frederick A. Eskel, Surgeon-Dentist, as 25 Hanover Square. This is in Mayfair. No. 25 is a today a newly built office building in the clashing-styles school of architecture, right.

James Ernest Heesom, dentist, married Emma Sleigh on 19 December 1865 at St. Luke's, Westminster. She was born on 30 August 1848 in Camerton, Somerset, the daughter of Aaron Sleigh, mercantile clerk, and Vashti Sage.

In 1865 Dr. Thomas W. Evans, left, Surgeon Dentist to Napoleon III, sent an emissary to James inviting him to join Evans' practice in Paris, which James did. Evans was an American from Phialdelphia. He had come to Paris in 1847 and, as luck would have it, Napoleon III had poor teeth. Evans quickly became the dentist of chose of the crowned heads of Europe. Dr. Evans wrote his memoirs in 1905, but he did mention James Heesom. However, the "Memoirs of James Heesom" by D. Heesom and T. Heesom were used as footnotes in an article on Dr. Evans available online.

James rarely saw the Empereor, that treat being saved for Dr. Evans, but he did accompany Evans on his tour of the courts of Europe in 1867, visiting Berlin, Vienna and St. Petersburg

When Dr. Evans' practice was acrimoniously split between himself and his somewhat grandiose nephew, John Henry Evans, in 1869, James Heesom went with John Henry.

In 1870 France and Prussia went to war. Major hostilities ended at the beginning of September when the Empereor and a French army of 104,000 men were forced to surrender to the Prussians at Sedan. Napoleon III's Second Empire was overthrown by a coup in Paris two days later. In the meantime Dr. Evans took the Empress to England.

When peace negotiations between the Prussians and the new Republican government broke down, Pairs was laid siege, beginning on 19 September. Just before the gates of the city of Paris were closed before the siege, James fled the capital, returning to England.

In 1870 James married Louisa Emma, the daugther of Thomas Edwards of Tenby, South Wales. Louisa was born in 1853, in London.

The Siege of Paris lasted until 28 January 1871. During that time new French armies, raised in the provinces, repeatedly attempted to relieve the city, but were defeated. Finally, the city starving, an armistice was signed, ending the war.

In the 1871 Census James and his first wife, Emma, were living in Marylebone, London. James' sister, Eliza Craighill, was visiting from Paris. Eliza had remained in Paris during the Siege and, according to the family history, had nearly starved. Emma died just months after the census, on 7 June 1871, of 'phthsis' at her mother's house in Somerset.

In 1871 James Heesom returned to Paris to work in the practice of John Henry Evans. He then married Louisa Emma Edwards sometime in 1872 at the Chapel of St. Michael, the British Embassy, Paris. Unfortunately, the marriage records for that year have been destroyed.

James returned to England in 1881 and set up practice in Redhill, 2 miles east of Reigate town centre and 20 miles south of London.

In the 1881 census of Alpine Villa, Buxted parish, Sussex as Louisa Heesom, Head, married, aged 28, born in London. Living with her were her children, Edwin, 7, and Frank, 1, both born in France, and Jessie, 6m, a girl born in Buxted. Where was James? Also living with Louisa were her mother [read mother-in-law], Maria Kennington, 69, of Hull, her sister [in-law], Emma Biggs, 49, of Hull, and her brother-in-law, Thomas Biggs, 49, of Leicester, an unemployed engraver.

In 1882 James gave up practice due to illness. However, James Ernest Heesom, of Welton house, London road, Redhill, Surrey, who had registered as a dentist on 29 November 1878, and qualified to practice before 22 July 1878, was listed in the "Dentist Register" of Great Britain of 1889.

"The Dental Annual & Directory" of 1904 lists "Heesom, James Ernet, Welton House, London Road." He was also in the directories of 1905 and 1906, all three times just below his son, Edwin Heesom.

There is a "Heesom, James Sr. Lectr" in the 1916 edition of the "Commonwealth Universities Yearbook."

James died in 1925. The "Memoirs of James Heesom (1839-1925)" were published by Dudley Heesom and Thomas Heesom in the British Dental Journal on 7 September 1985. There is also a Thomas Michael Anthony Heesom article in the British Dental Journal which starts, "His great-grandfather, James Heesom, was for some years in practice with Thomas Evans in Paris in the late 1860s treating royalty and heads of state."

The following was included with papers donated by Dr. T.M.A. Heesom, below. There is some confusion about James' first name. The following calls him William, but most of the references I find refer to him as James. Note the use of his elder brother's name, Edwin, for James' first son.

"Typescript copy of memoirs of William [James?] Heesom (b.1839), retired dentist of Redhill, dictated by him to his son, Edwin Heesom, on 1 Dec 1918. Includes details of the Heesom family; childhood in Welton, near Hull, and later Hull; appointment as dentist in Paris for a year, Mar 1860, and then Versailles for two years; return to Paris to set up his own practice; move to London in 1865 to take up position with Dr Eskel of Hanover Square; return to Paris to work for Dr Thomas Evans, Surgeon Dentist to Napoleon III; treatment of other members of European aristocratic and royal families; tour to see patients, mostly royalty, including Czar Alexander II in St Petersburg, early 1868; joining practice of Dr Evans's nephew, Dr John Evans, 1869; departure from Paris at beginning of Sep 1870 to escape Paris Commune of 1870-1871; stay in London until end of war before return to Paris in [Jul] 1871; move to Redhill in [1881] where he practiced for one year before retiring due to ill health." - from a summary of the typescript copy

I suspect that the following Heesom family arms were obtained by James:

"Heesom (H. Coll.). Argent, on a chevron sable, a cock, between two fleurs-de-lys or, a chief gules, thereon a rose of the field barbed and seeded proper. Mantling sable and argent. Crest--On a wreath of the colours, a dexter cubit arm erect proper, encircled with an annulet gules and holding in the hand three ears of wheat also proper. Motto--"Honos quam honores."
Son of Rev. John Heesom, of Welton, Yorkshire., b. 1809; d. 1841; m. 1830, Maria, d. of Thomas Beecroft, of Beecroft House, Kingston-upon-Hull:--

James Ernest Heesom, Gentleman, b. 1839; m. 1872, Louisa Emma, d. of Thomas Edwards, of Tenby, South Wales; and has issue--Edwin Ernest Darley Heesom, Gentleman, b. 1873; Frank Hurlestone Heesom, Gentleman, b. 1879; Jessie Beatrice Emma. Res.--Welton House, Redhill, Surrey." - from "Armorial Families: A Directory of Gentlemen of Coat-Armour" by Arthur Charles Fox-Davies

Thomas' children were,
(25) Edwin Ernest Darley Heesom (1873)
(25) Frank Hurlstone Heesom (1879)
(25) Jessie Beatrice Emma Heesom (1881)

(25) Edwin Ernest Darley Heesom (1873)
(21) Thomas Heesom (1743) (22) Thomas Heesom (1773) (23) John Heesom (1808) (24) James Ernest Heesom (1839)

He was born on 19 July 1873 in Paris, France, the son of James Heesom, dentist, and Louisa Emma Edwards. His birth was registered at the British Consulate. He may have been named in honor of his uncle, (24) Edwin Heesom (1837).

"Edwin lived in Paris until he was 8 years old. When he was a liule boy he had shoulderlength golden curls and blue eyes and appeared in several paintings of Paris street scenes by a French Impressionist painter called Jean Beraud." - from Nicolette Heesom.

In the census of 1881 in Alpine Villa, Buxted parish, Sussex, aged 7, occupation scholar. Buxted is 20 miles southeast of Reigate.

Edwin got his dental education at Guy's Hospital

"Dental Appointments
Curator in the Dental Laboratory.--Mr. E. E. D. Heesom."

"First Year's Prizes, 1894.-- . . .
Edwin Ernest Darley Heesom, Redhill, Certificate"

"Dressers in the Gas Room.--Messrs. A. De Mierre, E. E. D. Heesom . . ."

"Calendar of Coming Events . . .
Nov. 18.--Dental Society, 4.30. Paper on the Cleft Palate by Mr. E.E. Heesom"

- from "Guy's Hospital Gazette" of 1895

James married Maude Miller in Redhill, Surrey in 1898.

"Heeson-Miller.--On July 7th, at Redhill Congregational Church, Edwin Ernest Darley Heeson [sic], L.D.S. Eng., elder son of James Ernest Heeson, of Redhill, to Maude Agnes, eldest daughter of William Miller, of Maybury Lodge, Reigate." - from "The Lancet" of 1898

"The Dental Annual & Directory" of 1905 lists "Heesom, Edwin Ernest Darley, -L.D.S. Eng., Lowcroft, Station Road." He is just above his father, James Ernest Heesom. Edwin was also in the directory of 1906. Apparently Ernest was a successful dentist because in 1903 he was shown as a Justice of the Peace, a duty and honor given to successful men of the middle class in England.

Edwin's children were,
(26) Kenneth Ernest Heesom (1899)
(26) Alan Hedley Beecroft Heesom (1900)
(26) Dudley Stone Heesom (1903)
(26) Brian Gilford Heesom (1905)
(26) Lois Heesom (1907)
(26) Hubert Denys Alastair Heesom (1911)

Historical Timeline: Reign of Kings, The House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha 1901-1910 Edward VII Edward’s father, Prince Albert, was from the small German state of Saxe-Coburg, giving the family this un-English surname. Edward came to the throne late in life, frustrated in being kept from any important role in government during the Queen's reign. She, cruelly, blamed Edward for his father's death and never truly forgave him. One of the most significant developments during his reign was a change of affection from the German states, recently transformed into an Empire by Prussia, to France. A full-blown alliance would not occur until 1914. The House of Windsor 1910-1936 George V George V changed the name of the family during World War I in response to anti-German sentiment. The 'Great War' was the defining event of his generation and its cost in men and material beggared the empire, which never fully recovered its position. As a result, the 20th century became an American one. More significantly, the errors on the battlefield and those of state made the common man of England question anew the role of the aristocracy, whose rule he had until then accepted as in his best interests.

(26) Kenneth Ernest Heesom (1899)
(21) Thomas Heesom (1743) (22) Thomas Heesom (1773) (23) John Heesom (1808) (24) James Ernest Heesom (1839) (25) Edwin Ernest Darley Heesom (1873)

I place Kenneth here since he was, at least at the end of his life, of Redhill, the home of the dental family.

"Heesom, K.E. 2nd Lieut., R.E. [Royal Engineers] (W.) 1916" was of Pembroke College, Cambridge - from "The War List of the University of Cambridge, 1914-1918"

I believe 1916 refers to the year he graduated from Cambridge and took a commission in the Royal Engineers.

The Royal Engineers The original engineers were sappers, the men who tunneled and undercut the walls of fortifications. The Engineers of World War I provided a wide variety of combat support services, including building bridges and communications systems. They also established the first army flying unit, which later became the RAF. The Corps of Engineers became Royal in 1787. Below a team of Royal Engineers establish communications on the front during World War I.

"Kenneth Ernest Heesom . . . was M.A. of Cambridge University, from which he graduated before the Great War. In the period 1917 to 1919 he served in the Royal Engineers. After the War Mr. Heesom went to the Royal School of Mines, which he left in 1926." - from "The Mining Magazine" of 1940

The Royal School of Mines, founded in 1851, is part of the Imperial College, located in London.

"Mr. KE Heesom, Stud, Inst. MM, has left England for South Tunisia." - from the Bulletin of the Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (Great Britain) of 1926

Kenneth "left" the School of Mines, that is he didn't graduate, as the second reference makes clear, referring to him as a student.

"His first engagement was with the Dovey Valley Silica Syndicate, in Tunis . . ." - from "The Mining Magazine" of 1940

Dovey [Dyfi] valley is a coal mining region in Wales. The mining syndicate was apparently founded by men with roots in that area. The company dates to 1918. Kenneth was member of the Institute of Physics and Physical Science, circa 1928.

". . . and later he was with the Nile Congo Divide Syndicate, in the Sudan." - from "The Mining Magazine" of 1940

The company, headquartered at Loka, in the Congo, held mining rights in eastern Congo, northern Uganda and southern Sudan. From the next reference, Kenneth also had time while in the desert to learn to fly.

"Eqypt . . . Khartum--Heesom, K. E." - from "List of Members" by the Royal Aeronautical Society of 1928

In such a remote region, and with so few roads, an airplane, and the ability to fly it, would be a great asset.

"Heesom, Kenneth Ernest (Khartoum, Sudan)." - from the Bulletin of the Institution of Mining and Metallugry of 1929.

"In 1929 Mr. Heesom joined the Government Service in the Mines Inspectorate, Nigeria" - from "The Mining Magazine" of 1940

"Mr. KE Heesom, Assoc. Inst. MM, has left England on his return to Northern Nigeria." - from the Bulletin of the Institution of Mining and Metallugry of 1932.

I have references to Kenneth in Sierra Leone, Sudan, and Nigeria in the 1930's. He appears to have been in the Colonial Service as an Inspector of Mines.

Kenneth died on 11 February 1940 at Redhill.

"Kenneth Ernest Heesom, who died at Redhill on February 11, aged 40 . . . and at the time of his death was Inspector of Mines, Sierra Leone." - from "The Mining Magazine" of 1940

Did he go home to die, or die on a visit?

(26) Alan Hedley Beecroft Heesom (1900)
(21) Thomas Heesom (1743) (22) Thomas Heesom (1773) (23) John Heesom (1808) (24) James Ernest Heesom (1839) (25) Edwin Ernest Darley Heesom (1873)

I don't have birth records to know whose son he was. However, as a dentist who practised at Reigate, he was most likely the son of Edwin. This also makes sense since his son, Thomas, was referred to as a fourth generation dentist. Note also the use of the Beecroft name, the surname of his great-grandmother. I wonder if Hedley was his mother's surname?

"HEESOM, Alan Hedley Beecroft, Lowcroft, Redhill, Surrey (Tel. Redhill 130)--M.R.C.S. Eng., L.R.C.P. Lond. 1927; L.D.S. R.C.S. Eng. 1926; (Guys'); Dent. Surg. E. Surrey Hosp. & Redhill Co. Hosp.; Mem. B.M.A. & B.D.A.; late Dent. Ho. Sur. Guy's Hosp." - from Medical Directory of 1914

A member of the Fellows of the Royal College of Physicians.

A.H.B. Heesom was a member of the East Surrey Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society, where he performed, in 1921, as a member of the jury in Gilbert & Sullivan's "Trial by Jury."

Alan died in 1955 when his son, Thomas, was still at Marlborough.

"Heesom.-On April 19, 1955, at his home, Berkswell House, High Trees, Reigate, Surrey, Alan Hedley Beecroft Heesom, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., L.D.S." - from Medical News in the British Medical Journal of 14 May 1955

(27) Thomas Michael Anthony Heesom (1937)
(21) Thomas Heesom (1743) (22) Thomas Heesom (1773) (23) John Heesom (1808) (24) James Ernest Heesom (1839) (25) Edwin Ernest Darley Heesom (1873) (26) Alan Hedley Beecroft Heesom (1900)

The son of Alan, he attended Marlborough College in Wiltshire from 1950 to 1955. This is a boarding school for pupils between the ages of 13 and 18 - a High School in American parlance. He graduated from Guy's Hospital in 1960 and set up his own practice in Reigate. Of Norwood Hill, near Horley.

"Dr Tom Heesom represents the fourth generation of dentists within his family: his great grandfather, William [James?] Heesom, treated some of the crowned heads of Europe in Paris and St Petersburg. Dr Heesom set up practice at Berkswell House, High Trees, Reigate, in 1962. He later moved to the Wall House, where he was joined in 1974 by Stuart Averill and Chris Calder. In 1977, Jill Nightingale joined the practice, which included an annexe, Cranford, forming one of the first children's and preventive care units in the country. The expanded practice moved to purpose built premises at Ringley Park, 59 Reigate Road, in 1992, and Dr Heesom retired in 1995."

Also,

"HEESOM Tom Michael Anthony, b. 26 Feb 1937, Redhill, England. Dental Surgeon, m. Willo Elizebeth Heesom, 23 Mar 1966 Education: Marlborough Col. 1950-55; Guys Hosp, London, 1955-60, BDA London, 1960; LDS, 1961, MRCS, 1979. . . ." - from "Men of Achievement 1993-1994" by Ernest Kay

Tom Heesom died suddenly on 19 August 2007, aged 70. A friend wrote of him,

"Tom was the only person I have ever known who was incapable of a malicious thought about another human being: equally no-one ever had cause to have a malicious thought about him. He was a very highly-regarded and skilful dentist, orthodontist and a leader in that field.

At school he was an enthusiastic College beagler, but in recent years his greatest joy was to be driving his 1904 Sunbeam in the Brighton Run, in agreeable company and with a well-provided picnic hamper strapped to the running board for consumption on arrival (which he always achieved). He drove with panache, great skill and huge enjoyment regardless of the weather in that car, which had neither windscreen nor hood.

He was a lovely man; 450 of his friends attended his memorial concert in March 2008."

Tom Heesom owned a 12hp 1904/5 Sunbeam. I also found him driving a 1963 Lancia Flaminia 3C 2.8 convertible in 2007. Dentistry must be good business. The second driver was a Willo Heesom, his wife. She is apparently a ceramics artist.

(27) Woodley S. Heesom
(21) Thomas Heesom (1743) (22) Thomas Heesom (1773) (23) John Heesom (1808) (24) James Ernest Heesom (1839) (25) Edwin Ernest Darley Heesom (1873) (26) Alan Hedley Beecroft Heesom (1900)

A Woodley S. Heesom forwarded a copy of the Memoirs of James Heesom to the author of an article about Dr. Evans, the dentist of Napoleon III, in 1986. He must therefore be a member of this family. He could be a brother of Thomas, above, or his son.

(26) Dudley Stone Heesom (1903)
(21) Thomas Heesom (1743) (22) Thomas Heesom (1773) (23) John Heesom (1808) (24) James Ernest Heesom (1839) (25) Edwin Ernest Darley Heesom (1873)

"Heesom, Dudley Stone. s. of Edwin Ernest Heesom, JP b. 11 May, 1903. Junior Scholarship, November, 1917 ; Senior, June, 1919." - from the Register of Canterbury, King's School. In 1924 a D.S. Heesom, of St.John's College, got a scholarship at Princeton University. He graduated from Pembroke in 1925 - from the Alumini Directory of Pembroke State University. He got his MA from Oxford in 1935.

"Mr. Salmon, the Oxford Scholar last year, is succeeded by Mr. James A. Mackintosh of Balliol College, and Mr. Nettleton, last year's Cambridge Scholar, is succeeded by Mr. Dudley S. Heesom of St. John's College . . . Mr. Heesom was prepared at King's School, Canterbury, winning an Exhibition at St. John's College and also being granted one by his School. At the University he received last June a First Class in the History Tripos, rowed in his college boat, and was President of the College Theological Society. Like Mr. Mackintosh he was one of the most prominent men in his College." - from "The President's Report" of Princeton University, 1924.

Assistant Master at Oundle school in 1947. Dudley Heesom, Bramston House, Oundle, Peterborogh was Senior History Master of the Oundle School in 1952 and 1953 - from the "British Journal of Educational Studies."

Dudley Heesom was interviewed for the book, "The Berlin Airlift" by Ann and John Tusa, published in 1998.

His children were,
(27) Nicolette Heesom
(27) Crispin David Edwin Heesom

(27) Nicolette Heesom
(21) Thomas Heesom (1743) (22) Thomas Heesom (1773) (23) John Heesom (1808) (24) James Ernest Heesom (1839) (25) Edwin Ernest Darley Heesom (1873) (26) Dudley Stone Heesom (1903)

Nicolette, who corresponded with me, above, appears to be some kind of research biologist.

"Heesom, John Ernest, B.SC. . . 1960
Heesom, Nicolette St. Osyth, B.SC. . . 1961" - from Publications of the University of Bristol

I don't know who John Ernest Heesom is. St. Osyth is a village in Essex, so I don't know what that refers to.

Nicolette has a couple of papers on the web about the production of granulomata by antigen-antibody complexes and factors influencing chronicity in inflammation of rat skin. It's all greek to me, but my wife, a San Diego biotech, would probably get it. Nicolette has not indicated which line of the North Ferriby/Welton family she descends from.

(27) Crispin David Edwin Heesom
(21) Thomas Heesom (1743) (22) Thomas Heesom (1773) (23) John Heesom (1808) (24) James Ernest Heesom (1839) (25) Edwin Ernest Darley Heesom (1873) (26) Dudley Stone Heesom (1903)

Nicolette's brother, and my cousin, about 12 to 14 times removed. A painter, his photo and one of his works are below. Is there a family resemblance? It's probably just that two old men tend to look alike. From a biography on the net:

"Crispin Heesom graduated from Byam Shaw College of Art in London in 1973, and has worked full time as a painter since 1992. He has had many one-man and mixed exhibitions around the country, including a joint exhibition in 2000 with Simon Dolby and Peter Lloyd Bennett.

Recent shows include the Catmose Gallery, Oakham and Stamford Art Centre, both in 2006, and the Stanley Gallery, Leonardo Centre, Uppingham School in 2007.

Crispin will be showing canvases, watercolours and woodprints related to Tunisian and local landscapes.

Crispin: "I aim to do the sort of painting 'that is infused' by nature rather than an imitation of it. I want to maintain a certain flexibility, to explore different directions and give the work an abstract independence from the form it describes. Instead of reproducing exactly what I have before my eyes I use colour more arbitrarily so as to express myself more forcefully.

For the last fifteen years I have worked as a full time painter since graduating from the Byam Shaw college of art in London. I studied etching at the City Lit and Morley College of art and am now working in King's Cliffe.

My work primarily consists of landscape painting, drawings, etchings and murals. The drawings are done on the spot as are some of the paintings. Often my work is abstract usually being related to landscape. After showing in Peterborough museum in 1984 I have exhibited widely around Britain and in Germany."

"For the last fifteen years I have worked as a full time painter since graduating from the Byam Shaw college of art in London. I studied etching at the City Lit and Morley College of art and am now working in King's Cliffe." 62 West Street, King's Cliffe, Northamptonshire.

(26) Brian Gilford Heesom (1905)
(21) Thomas Heesom (1743) (22) Thomas Heesom (1773) (23) John Heesom (1808) (24) James Ernest Heesom (1839) (25) Edwin Ernest Darley Heesom (1873)

(27) Paul Alan John Heesom (1941)
(21) Thomas Heesom (1743) (22) Thomas Heesom (1773) (23) John Heesom (1808) (24) James Ernest Heesom (1839) (25) Edwin Ernest Darley Heesom (1873) (26) Brian Gilford Heesom (1905)

A noted historian and Senior Lecturer in History at the University of Durham. The son of Brian Heesom.

"Heesom, Alan John; Lecturer, Department of Modern History, University of Durham, since 1966; b 1941; m 1963; one s one d. BA(Hons) Cantab 1963 (1st cl. Hist), MA Cantab 1967. Address: Dept of History, 43 North Bailey, Durham." - from "The Academic Who's Who" of 1973.

(26) Lois Heesom (1907)

(26) Hubert Denys Alastair Heesom (1911)
(21) Thomas Heesom (1743) (22) Thomas Heesom (1773) (23) John Heesom (1808) (24) James Ernest Heesom (1839) (25) Edwin Ernest Darley Heesom (1873)

He probably entered Marlborough school in 1925. "Camb.; BA Heesom, Hubert Denys Alastair, ( B 3), b. of EED Heesom, . . ." - from "Marlborough College Register." Hubert Heesom emigrated to South Africa. See the "In South Africa" page.

(27) Christopher Guy Heesom
(21) Thomas Heesom (1743) (22) Thomas Heesom (1773) (23) John Heesom (1808) (24) James Ernest Heesom (1839) (25) Edwin Ernest Darley Heesom (1873) (26) Hubert Denys Alastair Heesom (1911)

Of Haywards Heath, West Sussex. Also as of Redhill. The son of Hubert Denys Alistair Heesom. Why didn't he go to South Africa?

(25) Frank Hurlstone Heesom (1879)
(21) Thomas Heesom (1743) (22) Thomas Heesom (1773) (23) John Heesom (1808) (24) James Ernest Heesom (1839)

He was born in Paris, France, the son of James Heesom, dentist, and Louisa Kennington [Biggs?]. In the census of 1881 in Alpine Villa, Buxted parish, Sussex, aged 1.

I believe Frank married a woman named Bea, Burridge perhaps.

(25) Jessie Beatrice Emma Heesom (1881)
(21) Thomas Heesom (1743) (22) Thomas Heesom (1773) (23) John Heesom (1808) (24) James Ernest Heesom (1839)

She was born in September 1880, in the village of Buxted, Sussex in 1881. She was aged 6 months at the time of the 1881 census.

Other Redhill or Reigate Heesom's

Nicolette Heesom says the following are not in her family:
Sydney Dennis Heesom
Woodley S. Heesom - "he sounds to me very much like an American. Maybe a Pennsylvanian Heesom, as he forwarded James' memoirs to a Pennsylvania University library?"
John Heesom from Linkedin
John Colin Heesom

(26) Sydney Denis Heesom (1916)
(21) Thomas Heesom (1743) (22) Thomas Heesom (1773) (23) John Heesom (1808) (24) James Ernest Heesom (1839) (25) Edwin Ernest Darley Heesom (1873)

I also have a "HEESOM, Sydney Denis, AMIEE— b. 1916 ; ed. Goodmayes Elem. Sch. and Sutton County Sch. ; Br. PO, 1933 ; inspr., posts and tels, dept., Ken., Uga. and TT, 1944; asst. engnr. (later, psots and tels, E.A.), 1946" - from the Proceedings of the Instituion of Electrical Engineers of 1940. He was also in the Colonial Office List of 1951 AMIEE.

"Heesom.--On July 19th, 1949, at Kampala, Uganda, to Brenda, wife of Sydney Heesom, East Africa High Commission — a daughter (Karen)." - from "Corona: The Journal of His Majesty's Colonial Service" of 1950.

". . . A NI 549 Healey D. Admiralty 66 Heesom SD - Aviation 245 Heesom SW - Trinity House 760 Heffernan Miss JF Med. Res. . ." - from "The British Imperial Calendar and Civil Service List," 1964. Could this be Sydney Denys?

S.W. Heesom

Who then, was SW? I have a Woodley S. Heesom below, was he perhaps really S. Woodley? The Corporation of Trinity House is the official General Lighthouse Authority for England, Wales and other British territorial waters. SW Heesom was listed as one of the "Higher Executive Officers" in a British Almanac of 1958. Also as SW Heesom, Deputy Seretary FCA. He retired from Trinity House in 1980.

John Heesom

John Heesom, from Linkedin: Technical Architect at Mandant Solutions Limited, Redhill, United Kingdom. He also shows an adress of Chelmsford. I also have a John Heesom of Limpsfield, Surrey, which sounds close.

John Colin Heesom

Of Godstone, Surrey. A research chemist, perhaps.

(24) John Heesom (1842)
(21) Thomas Heesom (1743) (22) Thomas Heesom (1773) (23) John Heesom (1808)

In the 1851 census of Myton, the borough of Kingston upon Hull, Holy Trinity parish, Yorkshire, as John Heesom, the 9 year old son of Maria Mayman, a 39 year old widow and grocer. All were of Welton.

In the 1861 census . . .

(23) Jacob Heesom (1810)
(21) Thomas Heesom (1743) (22) Thomas Heesom (1773)

Jacob Heesom was christened on 03 October 1810 at Independent, Swanland, Yorkshire, England. He was the son of Thomas and Fanny Heesom.

In the 1841 census of Elloughton, Yorkshire as Jacob Easom [?], a 29 year old joiner. Living with him were his wife, Sarah, 25, and children, Caroline, 5, John, 3, Ann, 2, and Rebecca, 3 months.

In the 1851 census of Elloughton, Yorkshire as Jacob Heesom, a 40 year old joiner, born in Welton. Elloughton is in Harthill wapentake, the Hunsley Beacon division, of the East Riding. This is just east of Welton. Living with him were his wife, Sarah, 37 [1814], of Brander...[this was probably Brandesburton, a parish in the East Riding], and the children, John, 13, Ann, 11, Rebecca, 10, Sarah, 9, Thomas, 5, and Charlotte, 1, all of Elloughton.

Jacob's wife Sarah apparently died, probably in about 1855. In the 1861 census of Welton parish, Yorkshire as Jacob Heesom, a 50 year old carpenter, of Welton. Living with him were his wife, Mary, 47, of Brantingham, and children, Thomas, a 15 year old "gardneer domestic servant," of Elloughton, and Henry, 4, of Welton.

In the 1871 census. . .

In the 1881 census of Welton and Melton, Yorkshire as Jacob Heesom, a 70 year old laborer, of Welton. He was residing at Dale Gates. Living with him were his wife, Sarah, 66, and unmarried son, Thomas, a 33 year old laborer, of Elloughton.

Jacob and Sarah's children were,
(24) Caroline Heesom (1836)
(24) John Underwood Heesom (1837)
(24) Ann Skane Heesom (1839)
(24) Rebecca Heesom (1841)
(24) Sarah Heesom (1842)
(24) Thomas Heesom (1845)
(24) Charles Heesom (1849)

(24) Caroline Heesom (1836)
(21) Thomas Heesom (1743) (22) Thomas Heesom (1773) (23) Jacob Heesom (1810)

(24) John Underwood Heesom (1837)
(21) Thomas Heesom (1743) (22) Thomas Heesom (1773) (23) Jacob Heesom (1810)

John Underwood Heesom was christened on 17 December 1837 at Elloughton With Brough, Yorkshire, England. He was the son of Jacob and Sarah Heesom.

In the 1841 census of Elloughton, Yorkshire as John Easom [?], 3. In the 1851 census of Elloughton, Yorkshire as John Heesom, 13, of Elloughton.

In the 1861 census . . . He may have emigrated that year as his first child was born in Australia in 1862.

Elloughton with Brough A parish in the wapentake Harthill, a part in the liberty of St. Peter's; 3 miles SE. of South Cave.

John Underwood Heesom emigrated to Australia in the mid-19th century and has several descendents in the Melbourne area.

(24) Ann Skane Heesom (1839)
(21) Thomas Heesom (1743) (22) Thomas Heesom (1773) (23) Jacob Heesom (1810)

Ann Skane Heesom was christened on 07 July 1839 at Elloughton With Brough, Yorkshire, England. She was the daughter of Jacob and Sarah Heesom.

(24) Rebecca Heesom (1841)
(21) Thomas Heesom (1743) (22) Thomas Heesom (1773) (23) Jacob Heesom (1810)

Rebecca Heesom was christened on 17 Janaury 1841 at Elloughton With Brough, Yorkshire, England. She was the daughter of Jacob and Sarah Heesom.

(24) Sarah Heesom (1842)
(21) Thomas Heesom (1743) (22) Thomas Heesom (1773) (23) Jacob Heesom (1810)

(24) Thomas Heesom (1845)
(21) Thomas Heesom (1743) (22) Thomas Heesom (1773) (23) Jacob Heesom (1810)

Thomas, the son of Jacob Esom and Sarah, was baptized on 25 October 1845 in Elloughton With Brough, Yorkshire, England.

In the 1851 census of Elloughton, Yorkshire as Thomas Heesom, 5, of Elloughton. In the 1861 census of Welton parish, Yorkshire as Thomas Heesom, a 15 year old "gardneer domestic servant," of Elloughton.

In the 1871 census . . . Tom Heesom married Jullia Maria Curtis in about 1875 in Patrington, Yorkshire, England.

In the 1881 census of Welton and Melton, Yorkshire as Thomas Heesom, a 33 year old, unmarried, laborer, of Elloughton. He was living at home with his parents, Jacob and Sarah Heesom.

In the 1891 census . . .

In the 1901 census of Welton and Melton, Yorkshire as Thomas Heesom, a 56 year old general laborer, of Elloughton. Living with him were his wife, Julia, 46, of Patrington, Yorkshire, daughter, Beatrice, 18, of Hull, and his father-in-law, Samuel Suddaby, an 83 year old widower.

(24) Charles Heesom (1849)
(21) Thomas Heesom (1743) (22) Thomas Heesom (1773) (23) Jacob Heesom (1810)

Charles Heesom was christened 21 October 1849 at Elloughton With Brough, Yorkshire, England. The son of Jacob and Sarah Heesom.

(24) Charlotte Heesom (1850)
(21) Thomas Heesom (1743) (22) Thomas Heesom (1773) (23) Jacob Heesom (1810)

(24) Henry Heesom (1857)
(21) Thomas Heesom (1743) (22) Thomas Heesom (1773) (23) Jacob Heesom (1810)

In the 1861 census of Welton parish, Yorkshire as Henry Heesom, 4, of Welton.

In the 1871 census. . .

The following may fit here. In the 1901 census of Armley parish, Leeds borough, Yorkshire as George Hny [Henry?] Heesom, a 44 year old bricklayer, of Altofts, Yorkshire. Living with him were his wife, Elizabeth, 36, and children, Thomas Hy [Henry], a 15 year old Currier's [?] apprentice, Elizabeth, 4, and Amy, 3 months, all of Leeds.

(23) Hannah Heesom (1813)
(21) Thomas Heesom (1743) (22) Thomas Heesom (1773)

Hannah Heesom was born on 3 August 1813 and christened on 12 August 1813 at Independent, Swanland, Yorkshire, England. She was the daughter of Thomas and Frances Heesom.

In the 1851 census of Welton parish, Yorkshire as Hannah Heesom, a 36 year old servant, unmarried, of Welton. In the 1861 census of Welton parish, Yorkshire as Hannah Heesom a 47 year old spinster, of Welton. She was living with her stepmother, Elizabeth Heesom, a 77 year old widow, of Willesby, Yorkshire.

In the 1871 census of Welton parish, Yorkshire as Hannah Heesom [Hersom in Ancestry.com], a 57 year old with no occupation shown, of Welton. She was unmarried and living alone.

(23) Maria Heesom (1819)
(21) Thomas Heesom (1743) (22) Thomas Heesom (1773)

A Thomas and Elizabeth Heesom were the parents of Maria, who was christened on 21 December 1819 at Welton With Melton, Yorkshire, England. Maria Heesom married Robinson Harper on 31 October 1844 at Welton With Melton, Yorkshire, England.

Leeds

Leeds is a major industrial center, just north of the Wakefield/Crofton/Wragby region.

(23) Thomas Heesom (1800)

In the 1841 census of Halton, Whitkirk parish, Yorkshire as Thomas Heesom [Hessom in Ancestry.com], a 40 year old Hay Dealer. Living with him were his wife, Sarah, 40, and children, John, 15, James, 12, William, 10, Thomas, 8, George, 2, and, I presume, his mother-in-law, Betty Livesey, a 70 year old widow.

In the 1851 census . . .

In the 1861 census of Healton [Halton?], Whitkirk parish, which is near Leeds, in Yorkshire as Thomas Heesom, a 61 year old farm laborer, of Shaner [?], Yorkshire. Living with him were his wife, Sarah, a 60 year old laundress, grand-daughter, Hannah, 12, and sister-in-law, Elizabeth Livsey, a 58 year old laundress, all of Whitkirk.

(24) John Heesom (1826)
(23) Thomas Heesom (1800)

In the 1841 census of Halton, Whitkirk parish, Yorkshire as John Heesom [Hessom in Ancestry.com], John, 15.

In the 1851 census . . .

He may have married Priscilla Carter. In the 1861 census of Leeds, Yorkshire as Priscilla Heesom, a 36 year old washerwoman, of Whitkirk. She was a widow living with her brother Robert Carter. Her children were Benjamin, 11, and Sarah, 1, both of Whitkirk.

(25) Benjamin Heesom (1850)
(25) Sarah Heesom (1860)

(24) James Heesom (1829)
(23) Thomas Heesom (1800)

In the 1841 census of Halton, Whitkirk parish, Yorkshire as James Heesom [Hessom in Ancestry.com], James, 12.

In the 1851 census . . .

(24) William Heesom (1831)
(23) Thomas Heesom (1800)

In the 1841 census of Halton, Whitkirk parish, Yorkshire as William Heesom [Hessom in Ancestry.com], 10.

In the 1851 census of Woodhouse, Yorkshire as William Hesome, a 20 year old "stuff linger" [stone mason?], residing on Nesby court. Woodhouse is near Leeds. Living with him was his wife, Dinah, 30. She was from Woodhouse, he from Faven [Farburn?], in Yorkshire.

In the 1861 census of West Leeds, Yorkshire as William Heesom [Heeson in Ancestry.com], a 40 [sic] year old laborer, of Farburn. Living with him were his wife, Dinah, 40, and children, Henry, 9, and Thomas, 8. of Leeds. William appears to have "aged" to match his wife's years.

In the 1871 census of West Leeds as William Heesom [Hasom in Ancestry.com], a 49 year old dyer, of Fair Bourne. Living with him were his wife, Dinah, 53, of Bramely, and sons, Henry, a 19 year old warehouseman, and Thomas, an 18 year old mason, of Woodhouse.

Dinah Heesom died in April-June 1876 in Leeds. In the 1881 census of West Leeds as William Heesom, a 61 [?] year old laborer, of Farburn, Yorkshire. Living with him was his new wife, Mary, 59.

(25) Henry Heesom (1852)
(23) Thomas Heesom (1800) (24) William Heesom (1831)

In the 1861 census of West Leeds, Yorkshire as Henry Heesom [Heeson in Ancestry.com], 9, of Leeds. In the 1871 census of West Leeds as Henry Heesom [Hasom in Ancestry.com], a 19 year old warehouseman, of Woodhouse, living at home.

In the 1881 census . . . a 29 year old.

In the 1891 census of Bradford, Yorkshire as Henry Heesom, a 39 year old woolen warehouseman, of Leeds. He resided on 21 Airedale road. Living with him were his wife, Ann, 35, and children, Harriet, 7, Edith, 5, Amy, 3, and Harold, 1, of Leeds.

In the 1901 census of Headingley cum Burley, Yorkshire as Henry Heesom [Heeson in Ancestry.com], a 49 year old electric [garbled] car driver. Living with him were his wife, Ann, 46, and children, Harriet Ann, a 17 year old woolen cloth knitter, of Leeds, Edith, a 15 year old domestic nurse, Amy, a 13 year old linen weaver, Harold, 11, and Ada, 4, of Bradford.

(25) Thomas Heesom (1853)
(23) Thomas Heesom (1800) (24) William Heesom (1831)

In the 1861 census of West Leeds, Yorkshire as Thomas Heesom [Heeson in Ancestry.com], 8. of Leeds. In the 1871 census of West Leeds as Thomas Heesom [Hasom in Ancestry.com], an 18 year old mason, of Woodhouse, living at home.

In the 1881 census of West Leeds, Yorkshire as Thomas Heesom, a 28 year old dyer laborer. Living with him were his wife, Elizabeth, 27, and children, Edwin, 3, and Harriet, 5 months, all of Leeds.

(26) Edwin Heesom (1878)
(23) Thomas Heesom (1800) (24) William Heesom (1831) (25) Thomas Heesom (1853)

(24) Thomas Heesom (1833)
(23) Thomas Heesom (1800)

In the 1841 census of Halton, Whitkirk parish, Yorkshire as Thomas Heesom [Hessom in Ancestry.com], 8.

In the 1851 census . . .

(24) George Heesom (1839)
(23) Thomas Heesom (1800)

In the 1841 census of Halton, Whitkirk parish, Yorkshire as George Heesom [Hessom in Ancestry.com], 2.

In the 1851 census . . .

Other Heesom's of Leeds

(24) John Heesom (1823)

In the 1871 census of Leeds, Yorkshire as John Heesom, a 48 year old "stoner" [stone mason?]. He was residing at 2 Peel Court. Living with him were his wife, Mary Anne, a 48 year old housekeeper, and children, Sarah, a 13 year old mill girl [love that child labor], and James, 9 [1862]. All were of Leeds.

In the 1881 census of West Leeds as John Heesom, a 58 year old dyer, of Dodworth, Yorkshire. Living with him were his wife, Mary A., 58, son, James, a 19 year old stuff lenterer [?], daughter, Sarah, a 23 year old woolen weaver, with her husband, James K. Thackwray, a 24 year old bricklayer, all of Leeds.

(25) James Heesom (1862)
(24) John Heesom (1823)

In the 1901 census of West Leeds, Yorkshire as James Heesom, a 39 year old dyer laborer, of Leeds. He was a widower. Living with him were his children, Clara, 13, Lily, 9, and William, 5, all of Leeds.

(26) William Heesom (1896)
(24) John Heesom (1823) (25) James Heesom (1862)

(24) James Heesom (1838)

In the 1871 census of Holbeck, in the borough of Leeds, Yorkshire as James Heesom, a 33 year old stone mason, born in Leeds. He was a boarder living with Mary Thompson, a 39 year old seamstress.

In the 1881 census of Holbeck as James Heesom, a 41 year old stone mason, of Woodhouse. He was unmarried and still boarding with Mary Thompson.

(25) William Heesom (1845)

In the 1881 census of West Leeds, Yorkshire as William Heesom, a 36 year old Stuff Warehouseman "out of employ," of Leeds. He was a widower boarding at the house of Mary Garth. In the 1891 census of West Leeds as William Heesom, a 46 year old cloth warehouseman, but now employed. He was single and a boarder, still with Mary Garth.

Yorkshire: North Riding

York

(??) John Heesam

He married Ann.

(??+1) Emma Heesam (1862)

The daughter of John and Ann. She was born on 10 June 1862 and baptized on 20 July 1862 at St Mary Bishopgill Junior, York.

Pickering

1 - Lawrence Hesham and Martha =
- 2 - Dorothy Hesham, the daughter of Lawrence and Martha, was christened on 7 December 1681 in Pickering, Yorkshire, England.

Strays

Robert Stanley Heesom (c1900)

"Mr. Robert Stanley Heesom, general secretary, British Sailors' Society" - from the "Fairplay International Shipping Journal" of 1951. "British Sailors Society. General Secretary: Stanley Heesom, OBE" - from "Shipbuilding & Shipping Report" of 1970. Sailors’ Society is an inter-denominational Christian organisation providing pastoral care to seafarers. The Society was formed in 1818 as the Port of London Society. Following mergers with two other societies, the name was changed to The British & Foreign Sailors’ Society. In 1925 it was changed to The British Sailors’ Society. In 1995 the name was changed to The British & International Sailors’ Society. The most recent name change took place on 1 December 2007 when the present name was adopted. The Society has close links with many of the mainstream Protestant Churches in the UK, such as the Church of Scotland and the Methodist Church in Great Britain. The headquarters are in Southampton, England.

J. Heesom

"Report on Crime and Punishment In the Royal Navy, in the Year 1864
. . .
Robert Bertie and J. Heesom, servants, H.M.S. Excellent; for an unnatural crime, 10 years each." - from Parliamentary Papers" of 1866. An unnatural crime in the Navy was buggery. HMS EXCELLENT was, after 1835, a shore establishment housed in a hulk in Portsmouth. In 1864 the hulk was the ex-HMS QUEEN CHARLOTTE, a 104-gun 1st rate, renamed HMS EXCELLENT. HMS EXCELLENT was a gunnery school and a test site for the evaluation of new weaponry.

Edward Heesom

In 1878 the Heesom name again became infamous when "At Chester Assizes, last week, a woman named Heesom was put upon her trial for causing the death of her mother and two of her children by administering arsenic to them." This was part of a life insurance scam. The woman was Ellen Johnson, the paramour of Edward Heesom of Lower Walton, near Warrington, in Lancashire.

Henry Heesom Underwood (1902)

Henry was born on 30 January 1902 in North Ferriby, Humberside. He married Irene Gilchrist on 3 August 1929 in Hessle, Yorkshire. In 1931 he was living in Beverley, where his daughter, Betty Marie, was born.

Steve Hissem
San Diego, California