HAMER ANCESTORS

FAMILY GROUP RECORD OF
JOHN HAMER
AND JANE BENTLEY

John Hamer was born 9 August 1777, the son of Samuel Hamer and Nancy Hodgkinson, and christened 11 September at Bank St. Presbyterian church, Bolton, Lancashire. He worked as a laborer.

Bank Street Church

John married Jane Bentley 15 April 1800 in Bolton Le Moors, Lancashire.

Marriage record for John Hamer and Jane Bentley in Bolton

Jane was the daughter of Thomas Bentley of Bury and Martha Woolfit, and was christened 2 October 1774 at St. Peter parish, Bolton.

John and Jane had the following children:

1. Jonathan, born 8 June 1801 in Bolton le Moors; christened 8 July 1801 in Bolton.

*2. Samuel, born 28 May 1803 in Bolton Le Moors; married Jane Thornley 7 March 1824; died 7 August 1843.

Samuel Hamer baptism

3. James, born 31 July 1805 in Bolton Le Moors.

4. John, born 18 December 1807 in Bolton Le Moors.

5. Edward, born 18 January 1811 in Bolton Le Moors.

SOURCES: Parish registers- Bank Street Presbyterian Church, FHS# 560877; Bolton Le Moors FHS# 942.72/B3; www.ancestry.co.uk.

FAMILY GROUP RECORD OF
SAMUEL HAMER AND
NANCY HODGKINSON

Samuel Hamer was born 3 September 1746 in St. Mary, Bury, Lancashire, the son of Thomas Hamer and Jane Kay of Bury. Samuel, listed as a tanner of Kersley, married Nancy Hodgkinson 3 April 1771 at St. Peter parish, Bolton, Lanchashire.

Marriage record for Samuel Hamer and Nancy Hodgskinson in Bolton

Nancy was the daughter of John Hodgkinson and Ann Holme of Heaton, born in about 1746.

Nancy died 27 April 1810 in Little Bolton and was buried 1 May 1810 in Ainsworth.

Burial record for Nancy Hamer in Cockey Moor Presbyterian Chapel in Ainsworth:
"Nancy Hamer, of Little Bolton, aged 62 years, died April 27th & was buried May 1st 1810 at Cockey Dissenting Chapel by the Rev. John Holland"

Gravestone for Samuel and Nancy Hamer in Ainsworth
(also their daughter Esther)

Samuel died 8 May 1818 in Bolton and was buried 12 May 1818 in Ainsworth.

Burial record for Samuel Hamer in Cockey Moor Presbyterian Church in Ainsworth:
"Samuel Hamer, of Bolton Lancashire died May 8th aged 69 years and was buried May 12th 1818 by me J. Whitstead"

Samuel and Nancy had the following children:

1.John, born 20 September 1772, christened 21 October 1772 at Bank St. Presbyterian Church, Bolton.

2. Esther, born 4 August 1774, christened 24 August 1774 at Bank St. Presbyterian Church, Bolton.

*3. John, born 9 August 1777, christened 11 September 1777 at Bank St. Presbyterian Church, Bolton; married Jane Bentley 14 April 1800 in Bolton.

John Hamer birth

Christening record for John Hamer at Bank St. Presbyterian Church, Bolton

4. Thomas, born 19 October 1779, christened 22 November 1779 at Bank St. Presbyterian Church, Bolton.

5. Ann, born 12 September 1784, christened 15 October 1784 at Bank St. Presbyterian Church, Bolton.

6. James, born 21 July 1787, christened 23 August 1787 at Bank St. Presbyterian Church, Bolton.

7. Susanna, christened 26 June 1791 at Bank St. Presbyterian Church, Bolton.

SOURCE: Parish registers- Bank Street Presbyterian Church, FHS# 560877; IGI; St. Peter parish register; www.ancestry.co.uk; Records of the Cockey Moor Dissenting Chapel (Presbyterian) in Ainsworth; www.findagrave.com .

FAMILY GROUP RECORD OF
THOMAS HAMER AND
JANE KAY

Thomas Hamer was born in about 1715 of Walmersley, Bury, Lancashire, England. Thomas married Jane Kay 24 October 1738 in Bury. Jane was born 14 April 1716 in Bury, the daughter of James Kay, a cooper, and christened 17 April 1716 in Bury.

Marriage record for Thomas Hamer and Jane Kay in Bury:
"Tho. Hamer & Jane Kay - 24"

Thomas died 1 August 1762 in Bury, and was buried 2 August 1762 in Bury.

Burial record for Thomas Hamer in Bury:
"Tho. Hamer, Harwood August 1, 2"

Thomas and Jane had the following children:

*1. Samuel, born 3 September 1746 of Kersley, Deane, Lancashire; christened 7 November 1746 at St. Marys, Bury, Lancashire; married Nancy Hodgkinson 3 April 1771 at St. Peter parish, Bolton, Lanchashire.

Samuel Hamer baptism 1746

Christening record for Samuel Hamer in Bury: "Samuel s. Thos Hamer, Walmersley"

2. Alice, born 13 December 1751 of Bury; christened 25 December 1751 in Bury.

3. Richard, born 14 October 1752 of Bury; christened 24 November 1752 in Bury.

4. A child, gender unknown, possibly Richard or Alice, buried 27 November 1752 in Bury.

Rochdale, from British History Online

Which Thomas is ours?

Thomas Hamer married Jane Kay in 1738 in Bury. Jane was 22 years old at their marriage. Assuming that Thomas was between 18 and 30 at the time of the marriage, Thomas was likely born between 1708 and1720. There were several Thomas Hamers christened in Bury in that time period:

Thomas, born 1 February 1711, christened 3 February 1711 in Bury, the son of Robert Hamer. He would be 27 years old in 1738.
Thomas, born 29 November 1716, christened 30 November 1716 in Bury, the son of Thomas Hamer. He would be 22 years old in 1738.
Thomas, born 1 April 1718, christened 2 April 1718 in Bury, the son of Thomas Hamer. He would be 21 years old in 1738.
Thomas, christened 12 June 1720 in Bury, the son of John Hamer. He would be 18 years old in 1738.
Thomas, born 26 October 1720, christened 6 November 1720 in Bury, the son of Daniel Hamer. He would be 18 years old in 1738.

There is also a burial for Thomas, son of Thomas Hamer, died 14 October, buried 16 October 1721 in Bury.

The two Thomas Hamers who would have been 18 in 1738 are less likely to have been marrying a 22 year-old Jane Kay. Possible, but not likely. Eliminating them leaves us with three possibilities: Thomas, son of Robert Hamer, and two Thomases, sons of Thomas Hamer. The two Thomas Hamers seem to be sons of the same father, Thomas. Possibly the first Thomas son of Thomas died as an infant. The second Thomas died and was buried in 1721.

So, that leaves us with just one good possibility - Thomas Hamer, born in 1711, son of Robert Hamer.

Baptism record for Thomas Hamer in Bury:
"Tho: s: of Robert Hamer - - Febr 1, 3"

SOURCE: IGI; Bury parish register; St Peter Bolton parish register; www.findagrave.com.

FAMILY GROUP RECORD OF
ROBERT HAMER AND
ELIZABETH TOWNE

Robert Hamer was born in about 1680 of Bury. He married Elizabeth Towne 11 August 1706 in Bury.

Marriage record for Robert Hamer and Elizabeth Town in Bury:
"Robt. Hamer & Eliz: Towne - 11"

Elizabeth was born 26 October 1683 in Bury, the daughter of John and Alice Towne.

Robert died 15 November 1750 and was buried 17 November 1750 in Bury.

Burial record for Robert Hamer in Bury:
"Robt. Hamer ffour Lane end kill'd 15,17"

Robert and Elizabeth had the following children:

1. Anne, christened January 1707 in Bury.

2. Robert, born 26 July 1709; christened 31 July 1709 in Bury (father Robert is shown as "of Elton").

*3. Thomas, born 1 February 1711; christened 3 February 1711 in Bury; married Jane Kay 24 October 1738 in Bury; died 1 August 1762 in Bury; buried 2 August 1762 in Bury.

Thomas Hamer
baptism

Baptism record of Thomas Hamer: "Tho: s: of Robert Hamer - Febr 1/3"

4. John, born 9 August 1714; christened (torn) August 1714 in Bury.

5. Alice, born 27 December 1715; christened 1 January 1716 in Bury.

SOURCES: Bury parish register; www.ancestry.co.uk.

Bury

THE PARENTS OF ROBERT HAMER OF BURY

No christening record has been found in Bury or nearby for Robert Hamer, but Bury parish registers offer clues that suggest parentage for him.

Robert was born in about 1680 of Bury. Three families in Bury had children born and christened during this time period: the families of John Hamer, Thomas Hamer, and Robert Hamer. None have a son named Robert christened, however, Robert Hamer was buried in 1683 as "Robert Hamar sanior". This implies that there was a Robert Hamer, junior. No other signs of a child named Robert Hamer has been found in the right time period.

Robert Hamer senior was christened 7 April 1640 in Bury, the son of Robert Hamer. He married Elizabeth Benson 1 July 1668 in St. Peter Bolton (as Robert Hamer junior).

Marriage record for Robert Hamer and Elizabeth Benson in Bolton:
"Robert Hamer junior Elizab Bensonn } of Tottington, were married - 1"

Robert is shown as being "of Affetside" in one of his child's christening record. Affetside is a village in Bury near Tottington.

Affetside

Elizabeth Hamer died and was buried 4 February 1676 in Bury.

Robert died 9 December 1683 and was buried 11 December 1683 in Bury.

"Burial record for Robert Hamer in Bury:
"Robart Hamar sanior - 9/11"

Robert and Elizabeth had the following children:

1. Mary, christened 8 November 1668 in Bury, "daughter of Robert Hamar junior".

2. Elizabeth, christened 22 May 1670 in Bury.

3. John, christened 27 February 1671 "of Affetside".

*4. Robert, born about 1675 of Bury.

SOURCES: Bury parish register; Bolton St. Peter parish register; www.ancestry.co.uk.

FAMILY GROUP RECORD OF
ROBERT HAMER AND
JANE HOLT

Robert Hamer was born in about 1610. He married Jane Holt 16 July 1632 in Bury. Robert was shown as of Rochdale in the marriage record. Rochdale is a parish about seven miles east of Bury.

Marriage record for Robert Hamer and Jane Holt in Bury:
"Robt Hamer Rothdale, Jane Holt Bury - 16"

Jane Holt was christened 6 December 1607 in Bury, the daughter of James Holte.

Robert and Jane had the following children:

1. Mary, christened 30 September 1632 in Bury.

2. John, christened 24 September 1637 in Bury.

3. Richard, christened 21 October 1638 in Bury.

*4. Robert, christened 5 April 1640 in Bury; married Elizabeth Benson 1 July 1668 in Bolton; buried 11 December 1683 in Bury.

5. Edward, christened 24 November 1642 in Bury.

6. Mary, christened 19 September 1645 in Bury.

SOURCES: Bury parish register; www.ancestry.co.uk.

No christening record is found for Robert Hamer in Bury, but three possible Robert Hamers are christened in Rochdale:

Robert, christened 2 July 1609 in Rochdale, the son of Robert Hamer of Wardleworth. This would make Robert the son aged 23 at his marriage to Jane Holt.
Robert, christened 8 August 1613 in Rochdale, the son of Thomas Hamer of Wardleworth. This would make Robert aged 19 at his marriage to Jane Holt.
Robert, christened 31 March 1616 in Rochdale, the son of Edmund Hamer. This would make Robert 16 years old at his marriage to Jane Holt, and seems less likely.

Wardleworth was a township in the parish of Rochdale that included territory to the northeast of the town of Rochdale, including the hamlet of Hamer Fold.

It seems more likely that the 23-year-old Robert was our Robert Hamer, but 19-year-old Robert is still a possibility. Both are shown as being of Wardleworth, and may be related.

There are two possible Jane Holts christened in Bury of the right age, one in 1605 and one in 1607. Both would be much more likely to marry the older Robert.

These are the details for both Robert Hamers:

Robert Hamer of Wardleworth was christened 8 March 1584 in Rochdale, the son of Robert Hamer of Rochdale. He married 5 September 1608, but the wife's name was not listed in the parish register.

Robert and his wife had the following children:

*1. Robert, christened 2 July 1609 in Rochdale.

Robert Hamer 1609 baptism

Baptismal record for Robert Hamer in Rochdale: "Robt filius Robti Hamer - 2 of Julie"

2. Edmunde, christened 3 March 1611 in Rochdale.

Robert's wife died 25 August 1614 in Rochdale.

Robert married again to Marie 30 September 1615 in Rochdale. Robert and Marie had the following children:

3. Mary, christened 7 July 1616 in Rochdale.

4. John, christened 15 February 1617/8 in Rochdale (of Wardleworth).

5. James, christened 13 February 1619/20 in Rochdale (of Wardleworth).

SOURCES: Rochdale parish register; www.ancestry.com; Rochdale parish registers - original scans on FamilySearch; these records list Wardleworth as residence.

Thomas Hamer of Wardleworth married 15 January 1608/9 in Rochdale, but the wife's name was not listed in the parish register. Thomas also had children born before that date to an unnamed wife.

Thomas and his first wife had the following children:

1. Sarah, christened 21 March 1597 in Rochdale.

2. John, christened 17 February 1600 in Rochdale.

3. Grace, christened 10 October 1602 in Rochdale (of Wardleworth).

4. John, christened 16 January 1602/3 in Rochdale (of Wardleworth).

5. Richard, christened 24 November 1605 in Rochdale.

Thomas' wife died and was buried 2 September 1608 in Rochdale.

Thomas and his second wife had the following children:

6. John, christened 6 January 1608 in Rochdale.

7. Ann, christened 10 June 1610 in Rochdale.

*8. Robert, christened 8 August 1613 in Rochdale (of Wardleworth).

Robert Hamer baptism Rochdale 1613

Baptism record for Robert Hamer in Rochdale: "Robt filius Thome Hamer ye 8 of Auguste"

9. Margarett, christened 15 September 1615 in Rochdale.

10. Jane, christened 15 August 1619 in Rochdale (of Wardleworth).

Thomas died and was buried 21 June 1619 in Rochdale.

SOURCES: Rochdale parish register; www.ancestry.com; Rochdale parish registers - original scans on FamilySearch; these records list Wardleworth as residence.

FAMILY GROUP RECORD OF
ROBERT HAMER

No christening record is shown for Thomas Hamer, but Robert Hamer was christened 8 March 1584 in Rochdale.

Baptism record for Robert Hamer, the son of Robert Hamer in Rochdale:
"Robt filius Robt Hamer"

Robert senior died and was buried 11 May 1608 in Rochdale.

Robert and his wife had the following children:

*1. Robert, christened 8 March 1584 in Rochdale.

2. Charles, christened 23 Jan 1585/6 in Rochdale.

3. Edmunde, christened 5 July 1590 in Rochdale.

4. Dorothie, christened 21 December 1595 in Rochdale.

SOURCES: Rochdale parish register; www.ancestry.com; Rochdale parish registers - original scans on FamilySearch.

Rochdale

The Origin of the Hamers

According to Geoffrey Hamer, in "A History of Hamer, the Origins of the Name and a Lancashire Family": "The name Hamer was originally classed as a local surname...Fortunately, we have the vast range of the Church of the Latter Day Saints' records, the International Genealogical Index (IGI), at our disposal. Of the 9,000+ Hamers currently recorded, approximately 75% came from Lancashire. Of those recorded before 1600, 90% came from this county, with the great majority of these coming from the Rochdale and Bury areas. In addition, evidence from wills registered at Chester from 1572 to 1858 for the counties of Lancashire and Cheshire reinforce this theory. A study of all births and deaths in the 19th centu ry for England and Wales also comes to the same conclusion...It is comforting to know the earliest known Lancashire record spells it the same way as it is today. Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Fishwick, F.S.A., one of Rochdales's most eminent historians, stated, "The Hamers, of course, took their name from the mere or small lake formed by the waters of the Hey-brook." It is also possible that the name was taken from the moor near the Hey-brook."