Sometimes in genealogy and also often in any form of detective work, it is necessary to go back to the drawing board. Today I found the need to do this myself, asking
What do I actually know for certain?
Well as it transpired, very little. I had built assumptions upon assumptions. Today I checked out John Panton’s address in the 1841 census once again. To my surprise, whilst surrounded by addresses in the Bailgate, he is actually listed as living in Angel yard 3.
My initial lofty ideals of them living in the grounds of a church, Were quickly discounted. Research seemed to indicate that whilst at a particular point in history, the area may have had ecclesiastical significance, the area was in fact occupied in 1841 by a pub. John Panton and family,( along with four other families) appear at that point in time to have lived in the grounds of an inn.
It can be interesting sometimes, to not merely focus on one’s own particular ancestor. To try to understand this area a little better, I investigated other adjacent households from the census, looking for their professions in particular.I made an amazing discovery. The innkeeper is listed as a woman, Charlotte Cherry.
I am now setting out to investigate Charlotte Cherry using the information I have been able to glean from the census. Having googled various combinations of “Charlotte Cherry” and Lincoln, I have finally found a reference to a Charlotte Cherry who ran the White Hart Inn in Lincoln in 1842.
http://pubshistory.com/Lincolnshire/Lincoln/WhiteHartHotel.shtml
I know detectives commonly use the phrase “follow the money”.
It seems to me that sometimes (when it comes to British family history at least) perhaps an appropriate mantra might be
“Follow the pub”.
Today’s search has indeed been fruitful. I have discovered James Panton(likely father of John) was living in the Angel Yards, Lincoln in 1809 and is described as a tenant. Up until this point I had no address for James Panton, prior to 1841. I am also now researching the papers to investigate any possible connections with his neighbours.
Also useful the names of other tenants living in the Angel Yards are given as:
Jos Brown
George Hanson
Mary Johnson
Simon Mulgrave.
Edward Scrivener was seeking a young man to work in his grocers, candle house in 1841(Stamford Mercury,1841). It may well be that it was John Panton, who responded to that advertisement. Unfortunately things do not appear to have ended well for either John Panton or Edward Scrivener.
In 1857, Edward Scrivener’s shop was at 197 High Street, Lincoln and is described as:
grocer, tea dealer, candle manufacturer, hop merchant, cheese & bacon factor & general provision merchant,
You must be logged in to post a comment.