The Family of Betsy Haslam of Bolton, Lancashire

John Haslam’s mother was Betsy Haslam and his father was William. In a letter from Jennie Weeks, a genealogical researcher in Salt Lake hired by the Haslam family in the 1960s, to Edith Norris, a genealogical researcher in Bolton, England, Ms. Weeks states: “He gave his mother’s name as Elizabeth Haslam, and listed his father as William with no surname given.” The letter continues with additional clues: “We have definitely proven that the English family that he was connected with, who wrote him many letters after he left England, was the family of John Hardman and his wife Jane. We have a record showing that Jane had an illegitimate son, Thomas, born 16 July 1815. She then married John Hardman and had five children, including Elizabeth, James, Rodger, Giles, and Sarah. We know that this is the family he calls brothers and sisters.”


 

Betsy’s parents were John and Alice Haslam. Research in Bolton is challenging because Haslam is a common name, and during this time period there were four John and Alice Haslam’s having children. They were:
 

1. John Haslam and Alice Draper, married in 1779, in Bolton.

2. John Haslam and Alice Crompton, married in 1782, in Deane by Bolton.

3. John Haslam and Alice Roscoe, married in 1786, in Bolton le Moors.

4. John Haslam and Alice Halliwell, married in 1794, in Bolton le Moors.

 

Dividing out the many Haslam children among the proper families has been difficult, as the mother’s maiden name is not given at the christening. These christenings took place in St. Peter’s in Bolton, and in Deane by Bolton. On occasion, the townland is given, which can be helpful in grouping the families. Notes from Mrs. Morris, along with the townlands propose the following family groups:

 

John Haslam and Alice Draper
 

John Haslam and Alice Draper’s marriage is recorded in the St. Peter’s parish register: “John Haslam, weaver of this parish, and Alice Draper of this parish were married" on 14 October 1779. Their children, all christened in St. Peter, were:
1. Betty, christened 17 September 1780 of Tong.
2. Ellen, christened 10 August 1783 of Tong.
3. Alice, christened 18 April 1784 of Great Bolton.
 
Alice Draper Haslam died 1807 as a widow.
Sources: IGI, St. Peter parish register, FHS# 559176; marriage FHS# 559180.
 

John Haslam and Alice Crompton
 

John Haslam of Middle Hulton married Alice Crompton 12 February 1782 in Deane by Bolton. Their children, all christened in Deane by Bolton were:
1. Mary, christened 28 June 1782 in Deane.
2. Peggy, christened 21 August 1785 in Deane.
3. Hannah, christened 18 November 1787 in Deane.
4. Alice, christened 4 September 1789 in Deane.
5. Matty, christened 27 December 1791 in Deane.

6. Ruth, christened 19 October 1794; died 2 September 1795, buried in Deane.

7. Betty, christened 1 January 1795 in Deane.

8. Abraham, christened 5 November 1795 in Deane.

9. Thomas, christened 25 September 1796 in Deane.

10. John, christened 30 April 1797 in Deane.

11. John, christened 18 May 1800 in Deane.

12. Lettice, christened 18 September 1802 in Deane.

13. Hannah, christened 7 August 1803 in Deane.

14. George, christened 6 September 1804 in Deane.

15. James, christened 15 September 1805 in Deane.

16. Elizabeth, christened 7 February 1806 in Deane.

17. Mary, christened 17 May 1807 in Deane.

18. John, christened 15 October 1809 in Deane.
 
 

John Haslam, Sr. died 13 November 1808. Alice Crompton Haslam died 26 March 1819.
Sources: IGI; monumental inscription in Deane churchyard for John, Alice and their daughter Ruth. The inscription states “Here is interred the body of Ruth Haslam the daughter of John and Alice Haslam of Middle Hulton September 2nd in the year 1795. Also the said Alice Haslam died March 26th 1819 in the 60th year of her age. Like wise John Haslam died November 13th 1808 in the 67th year of his age.”
 

John Haslam and Alice Roscoe

 
 

Marriage of John Haslam and Alice Roscoe in St. Peter's parish

John Haslam and Alice Roscoe’s marriage is recorded in the St. Peter’s parish register: “John Haslam of Deane, weaver, married Alice Roscoe of this parish 25 December 1786.”

Their children were:

1. Mary, christened 6 May 1787 of Darcy Lever; died 8 May 1791.
2. Catherine, christened 1 March 1789 of Haulgh; married Thomas Openshaw 26 September 1813 in Bolton; died 9 October 1832. (Mother of Job Openshaw who immigrated to Utah.)
3. Molly, christened 31 October 1790 of Great Bolton.
4. Alice, christened 13 November 1791 of Haulgh; died 10 May 1800.
5. John, christened 30 September 1792 of Great Bolton at Bolton Le Moors Methodist Church on Bridge Street.

6. Jane, christened 10 May 1794 of Great Bolton at Bolton Le Moors Methodist Church on Bridge Street; married John Hardman.

 

Sources: IGI, St. Peter parish register, FHS# 559176.

 
 

John Haslam and Alice Halliwell

 
 

Marriage of John Haslam and Alice Halliwell, St. Peter's parish


John Haslam and Alice Halliwell’s marriage was recorded in the St. Peter’s parish register: “John Haslam of this parish, widower, and Alice Halliwell of this parish, spinster were married in this church by banns this fifteenth day of October in the year 1794.” Mrs. Norris proposed that this is the second marriage for John Haslam, with the first marriage being to Alice Roscoe. The children, all christened in St. Peter, were:
 

1. Betty, christened 15 November 1797; died 1798.
2. Thomas, christened 25 November 1798.
*3. Betty, christened 25 May 1800 of Tong.
Betty Haslam baptism
 Baptism record for Betty Haslam in Bolton: "25 Betty dr of John & Alice Haslam of Tong"
4. Alice, christened 15 November 1801, Great Bolton.
5. Mary, christened 24 April 1803 of Haulgh.

6. Samuel, christened 24 February 1805 of Tong; died 11 December 1883.

 

Sources: IGI, St. Peter parish register, FHS# 559176.

 

There are several possible Betsy Haslams in the families of John and Alice Draper, Alice Crompton, and Alice Halliwell. John S Haslam’s mother Betsy had a sister, Jane, who raised John after her death. Only the combined families of John Haslam and Alice Roscoe, and Alice Halliwell meet this requirement.

 
Other information related to Jane Haslam confirm this assumption. The Bolton parish register shows the birth of “Thomas, son of Jane Haslam, Haulgh, spinster” on 18 June 1815. (FHS# 559176)  The townland of Haulgh is listed at the christenings of several of John and Alice Roscoe and Alice Halliwell’s children.
 
In addition, a death certificate for Jane Hardman on 28 February 1838, at the age of 44 years has Thomas Haslam, brother listed as the informant. (Death certificate of Jane Hardman) Betsy has a brother, Thomas, two years older than her in the family of John Haslam and Alice Halliwell.

 

Another clue in the letters of Jennie Weeks and Edith Norris is the fact that John S Haslam was related to Job Openshaw. Ms. Weeks states: “Another fact that has been established shows that John was related to Catherine, the wife of Job Openshaw, and several of these connections you have been able to authenticate with actual dates and places.” Catherine was the daughter of John Haslam and Alice Roscoe. She was actually the wife of Thomas Openshaw, and the mother of Job Openshaw. Job was born in 1819 in Tong, Bolton, and died 1901 in Salt Lake City.
 

The combined families of John Haslam and Alice Roscoe, and John Haslam and Alice Halliwell meet all of these conditions. Betty Haslam, christened 25 May 1800 to John Haslam and Alice Halliwell is the most likely person to be Betsy, the mother of John S Haslam.
 

The letters from Edith Norris propose this parentage for John Haslam and Alice Roscoe:

John Haslam, christened 3 July 1761 to James and Ellen Haslam.

Alice Roscoe, christened 14 September 1760 to Robert and Ellen Roscow of Tong.
 

Alice Halliwell, Betsy’s mother, is most likely the daughter of Thomas Halliwell and Betty Marsh, and was christened 28 April 1771 in St. Peter's, Bolton le Moors. While there were other Alices born within the right time period around Bolton, this Alice is the only one born in St. Peter's parish. In addition, her parents were Thomas and Betty. These were the names given to Alice Halliwell Haslam's first two children.
 
 

The research above suggests that Betsy Haslam, the mother of John S Haslam, was born in 1800 to John Haslam and Alice Halliwell. When Betsy was born she had five older brothers and sisters: Catherine, age 11; Molly, age 10; John, age 8; Jane, age 6; and Thomas, age 2. More brothers and sisters were born: Alice in 1801, Mary in 1803, and Samuel in 1805.
 

When Betsy was in her early twenties she was employed as a “lady worker and teacher at the Duke of Bridgewater’s estate at Worsley. William, the Duke of Clarence, was a visitor at the Duke of Bridgewater’s home. William later became King William IV of England." While in the Duke’s employ, Betsy became pregnant. At the age of 23 she gave birth to a son, John. In 1845 John gave his father’s name as William. William, the Duke of Clarence, may have been the father. (See the discussion of John S Haslam’s birth for research on his parentage.) Some family stories indicate that Betsy received financial support for her son John. Betsy raised her son until her death. When John was only nine years old Betsy died. She was 32 years old when she died on 6 May 1832. There is no record of a marriage or other children for Betsy.

Betsy Haslam burial
Burial record for Betsy Haslam in Bolton St. Peter: "Betty Haslam, Little Bolton, 6, 25 yrs, Thos. Airey Off. Minister"
The columns are Name, Abode, When Buried, Age, By whom the Ceremony was performed.

Betsy’s son, John, was then raised by Betsy’s sister Jane. Jane had an illegitimate son, Thomas in 1815, when Jane was 21 years old. Jane married John Hardman, a weaver, on 13 May 1832, just seven days after Betsy’s death. Jane and John Hardman had six children: Elizabeth, James, Rodger, Sarah and Giles, who were twins, and Martha. John Haslam considered the Hardman children as his brothers and sisters. (Click here to see letters to John Haslam from his family in England.)

If John was the son of William IV, then financial support may have stopped in 1837, when William died. John would have been 14 years old at that time. Stories of John’s childhood, as told by his wife Mary Ann Kay, say that John “had to work in the coal mine as a child…Later at the age of 14 his mother bound him over to a Mr. Wordley to learn the blacksmith trade.” Jane must have been the mother mentioned, as Betsy had died by then.

 

Jane Haslam died just six years later, on 28 February 1838, of asthma. After Jane died, “When John was 16 years of age, he served in the British Navy.” He would have left home to join the Navy one year after Jane died. (Coincidentally, William IV served many years in the British Navy, and had a great love for the sea.) John stayed in touch with his adopted “brothers and sisters”, actually cousins, and several fond letters from the Hardman children are in descendants' possession.


FAMILY GROUP SHEET OF
JAMES HASLAM AND
ELLEN HEYWOOD


James Haslam was born in about 1730 of Bolton le Moors, Lancashire. There were five different James Haslams christened in Bolton in this time period. Three of these died young and were buried in Bolton. The other two were:

James, christened in 1724 seems to be most likely. His father Richard was a weaver, as James was at the time of his marriage. Our James had no children named Adam, but he did have a son Richard, and daughter Mary. Richard was of the townland of Little Bolton, as was James at the birth of his first two children.

James Haslam baptism
Baptism record for James Haslam in St. Peter, Bolton:
"James s: of Richard Haslam weavr. & of Mary his w: L:B: - 16"

James married Ellen Heywood 23 December 1760 in Bolton Le Moors, Lancashire. The parish record shows, "James Haslam of this parish, weaver and Ellen Heywood of this parish spinster were married in this church by banns this 23rd day of December in the year one thousand seven hundred and sixty by me, J. Folds. This marriage was solemnized between us, James Hazleme and Ellen Heywood in the presence of John Haslam and Jas. Livesey."
 

James Haslam marriage
Marriage record for James Haslam and Ellen Heywood in Bolton


Ellen was christened 23 June 1731 in St. Peter, Bolton, the daughter of Henry Heywood and Elizabeth Rothwell.


James and Ellen had the following children:

*1. John, christened 3 July 1761 in St. Peter, Bolton, of Little Bolton; married 1) Alice Roscoe 25 December 1786 in St. Peter, Bolton; married 2) Alice Halliwell 15 October 1794 in St. Peter, Bolton. John was a weaver.

John Haslam baptism

 Baptism record for John Haslam in Bolton: John s. of Jas & Ellen Haslam of L.B - 3"

2. Thomas, 24 Oct 1762 in St. Peter of Little Bolton.

3. James, christened 3 July 1763 in St. Peter, of Tong.

4. Peter, christened 14 July 1765 in St. Peter, of Little Bolton.

5. Richard, christened 2 November 1766 in St. Peter, of Tong.

6. Mary, christened 15 February 1767 in St. Peter, of Little Bolton.

7. Hannah, christened 9 February 1772 in St. Peter, of Sharples.

8. James, christened 25 February 1774 in St. Peter, of Sharples.

9. Alice, christened 29 October 1775 in St. Peter, of Sharples.

10. Betty, christened 16 November 1777 in St. Peter of Sharples.
 
 

SOURCE: IGI; St. Peter parish register; www.ancestry.co.uk.



FAMILY GROUP RECORD OF
RICHARD AND MARY HASLAM


Richard Haslam was born 14 April 1691, and christened 26 April 1691 in Bolton, the son of Adam Haslam and Ellen Booth. He married Mary. Richard was a weaver in Little Bolton.


Richard Haslam baptism

Baptism record for Richard Haslam in Bolton:
"Richard son of Adam & Ellen Haslam of Little Bolton"


Richard Haslam, weaver of Little Bolton, died and was buried 28 March 1732 in Bolton.


Richard Haslam burial
Burial record for Richard Haslam in Bolton: "Richard Haslam of L.B. Wr. - 28"


Richard and Mary had the following children:


*1. James, christened 16 February 1724 in St. Peter, Bolton; married Ellen Heywood 23 December 1760 in Bolton Le Moors.

James Haslam baptism

 Baptism record for James Haslam in Bolton: "James s: of Richard Haslam, weavr. & of Mary his w: L:B: - 16"


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

 
 

FAMILY GROUP RECORD OF
ADAM HASLAM AND
ELLEN BOOTH


Adam Haslam was christened 10 April 1668 in Bolton, the son of Adam Haslom and Margery Walkden. He married Ellen Booth 10 August 1686 in St. Peter, Bolton.


Adam Haslam marriage
Marriage record for Adam Haslam and Ellen Booth in Bolton:
"August 1686, Adam Haslom & Ellen Booth of Little Bolton after publication - 10"


Ellen was christened 30 August 1673 in Bolton, the daughter of Richard and Alice Booth.

Adam died and was buried 29 April 1718 in Bolton.

Adam Haslam burial
Burial record for Adam Haslam in Bolton:
"Adam Haslam of L. Bolton - 29"


 Adam and Ellen had the following children:


1. Thomas, christened 6 April 1687 in Bolton.


2. Adam, christened 9 October 1688 in Bolton; died 1715.


*3. Richard, born 14 April 1691; christened 26 April 1691 in Bolton; married Mary.

Richard Haslam baptism

Baptism record for Richard Haslam in Bolton: "Richard son of Adam & Ellen Haslam of Little Bolton - 14 - 26"


4. Alice, christened 11 July 1694 in Bolton.


5. William, christened 11 May 1697 in Bolton.


6. John, christened 29 March 1701 in Bolton.


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

FAMILY GROUP RECORD OF
ADAM HASLOM AND
MARGERY WALKDEN


Adam Haslom was christened 22 March 1635 in Bolton, Lancashire, the son of Willyam Haslom. He married Margery Walkden 15 May 1659 in St. Peter, Bolton.

Adam Haslome marriage
Marriage record for Adam Haslom and Margery Walkden in Bolton:
"Adam Haslome & Margery Walkden of Little Bolton - 15"


Margery was christened 8 November 1640 in Bolton (as Margaret), the daughter of Robert Walkden and Margerey Kershaw. 


Margery, wife of Adam Haslome of Little Bolton died and was buried 10 July 1669 in Bolton.

Adam and Margery had the following children:


1. William, buried 2 November 1665 in St. Peter, Bolton (of Little Bolton).


2. Elizabeth, born 28 October 1665 in Bolton; christened 5 November 1665 in Bolton (of Little Bolton).


*3. Adam, christened 10 April 1668 in Bolton; married Ellen Booth 10 August 1686 in St. Peter, Bolton; buried 29 April 1718 in Bolton.


4. Elizabeth, christened 16 May 1669 in Bolton (of Little Bolton); buried 26 April 1670 in St. Peter, Bolton.


5. Alice, buried 22 August 1672 in St. Peter, Bolton.



SOURCE: Bolton parish register; www.ancestry.co.uk.


FAMILY GROUP RECORD OF
WILLYAM HASLOME


Willyam Haslome was christened 10 June 1604 in St. Peter, Bolton, the son of Ellis and Haslome.


Willyam married 1) unknown, who died and was buried 13 July 1634 in Bolton, "uxor Willyam Haslome de pva Bolton" - the wife of Willyam Haslome of Little Bolton.


uxor William Haslome burial
Burial record for the wife of William Haslome in Bolton: "Uxor Willyam Haslome de pva Boltonn - 13" (Wife of William Haslome of Little Bolton)

William then married 2) Marey Leach 16 June 1636 in Bolton.

William Haslome marriage
Marriage record for William Haslome and Marey Leach in Bolton: "Wm Haslom Marey Leach this parish maryed - 16"


William Haslome of Little Bolton died and was buried 23 January 1659/60 in Bolton.

William Haslome burial
Burial record for William Haslome in Bolton: "Wm Haslome of Little Bolton - 23"


Willyam and his first wife had the following children:


1. Ellisabeth, christened 3 July 1631 in St. Peter, Bolton (of Little Bolton).


2. An infant of William Haslom "of pva Bolton" buried 24 April 1633 in Bolton.


3. Marye, buried 6 November 1633 in Bolton, "of pva Bolton".


*4. Adam, christened 22 March 1634/5 in Bolton; married Margery Walkden 15 May 1659 in St. Peter, Bolton.

Adam Haslome baptism

Baptism record of Adam Haslom in Bolton: "Adam Haslome sonn of Willyam de Little Bolton"



Willyam and Marey had the following children:


5. Mary, christened 4 June 1637 in Bolton (of Tong).


6. Lawrence, christened 28 February 1641 in Bolton (of Tong).


SOURCES: Bishops transcripts of Bolton le Moors; www.ancestry.co.uk.


FAMILY GROUP RECORD OF
 ELLIS AND ANNE HASLOME


Ellis Haslome was christened 22 November 1573 in Bolton, the son of Roger Haslome and Anne Roscowe. Ellis married Anne. Ellis was a husbandman.


Ellis Haslome of Haulgh died and was buried 8 March 1610 in St. Peter, Bolton.


Ellis left a will written 2 May 1609 and proven 7 April 1610:

Ellis Haslam will
Will of Ellis Haslam of Bolton, 1609


Will of Ellis Haslam of Boulton, 1609

In the name of God Amen, the second day of Maey Anno Dom 1609, I Ellis Haslam of Boulton parishe in the County of Lancaster, husbandman, beinge sicke in body but of good and perfitt remembrance, God be praysed, do make this my last will and testament in maner and fforme ffollowinge, First I bequeath my soulle into the hands of God, trusting assuredlye by the precious blood sheedinge of Christ, my redeemer everlastinglye to be saved. And my body to be buried in the parishe house of Boulton, at the discrecon of my executors here after to be named. Item I do gyve unto every child that I am grandfather unto xijd. Item I gyve unto Ellin the wyef of John Seddon iijs iiijd. Item I do gyve unto my sonne Georgge Haslam all my best clothes. Item, the residue of my goods after my ffunerall expences discharged I gyve unto my children equallye to be devided amongst theym. Item, yt ys my will that yf my doughter Joane be lyvinge and come hither that then she shall have her porcon of good with the rest, but yf nott, that then her porcon shall be devided amongst the rest. Item I owe unto George Haslam my brother xvid. Item, I make Richard Haslam my sonne, and Edmund Whythew my sonne in lawe my full executors as my sure trust is reposed in theym. And here unto have sett my hand the day and yeare above written.

William Hewell
Edmund Fletcher
John Leit
Adam Grundy


Ellis Haslam inventory
Inventory for Ellis Haslam


An inventory was taken for Ellis:
A true inventory of all the goods of Ellis Haslam of the Halgh, late deceased, prysed the xiijth day of Maey 1609 by Anne Haslam, with John Lowe, Willm Laptrott, Richard Smalecroste and James Howell as ffolloweth:

Imprimis, one arke  
Item, one cowffer 
Item, one coverlet
Item, one hillinge 
Item, three old hillinge 
Item one payre of blancketes
Item, one old payre of blanckets
Item, one chaffe bed & five boulsters
Item, one payre of bedshetes & one forme
Item, one payre of sheets
Item, one payve of sheets
Item, one old payre of sheets
Item, one bord cheste
Item, one one daybord & one other bord
Item, one old payre of combes
Item, three old spinninge wheeles
Item, in money
Item, his apparel
Summa total xxvl, xvxd


Ellis and Anne had the following children:


1. Elizabeth, christened 30 March 1601 in St. Peter, Bolton.


*2. William, christened 10 June 1604 in St. Peter, Bolton.


3. James, christened 14 August 1607 in St. Peter, Bolton.


4. Joane, mentioned in father's will of 1609 - she was away from home at the time his will was written.


5. George, mentioned in father's will of 1609.


6. Richard, mentioned in father's will of 1609, and was appointed his executor for the will.



SOURCES: Bolton parish register; www.ancestry.co.uk; will of Ellis Haslam, 1609 .

FAMILY GROUP RECORD OF
ROGER HASLOME AND
ANNE ROSCOWE


Roger Haslome was born in about 1550 of Bolton. He married Anne Roscowe 16 January 1593 in St. Peter, Bolton.


Roger Haslome
Marriage record for Roger Haslome and Anne Roscowe in St. Peter, Bolton le Moors:
"Roger Haslome & Anne Roscowe maryed the xvith of January"


Roger of Longworth died and was buried 18 January 1609 in St. Peter, Bolton.


Roger and Anne had the following children:


*1. Ellis, christened 22 November 1573 in Bolton.


2. George, mentioned in brother's will of 1609.


SOURCES: St. Peter Bolton parish register; www.ancestry.co.uk; will of Ellis Haslam, 1609.