Lydia Ann Fearns (1851-1852)

This page is part of the Holmfirth Flood Project which aims to make content available to researchers in advance of the 175th anniversary of the 1852 Flood which will be commemorated in 2027.

Lydia Ann Fearns was the youngest victim of the Holmfirth Flood of 1852, together with her mother and older brother.

Biography

She was born on 17 July 1851, the daughter of hand loom weaver Matthew Fearns and his wife Amelia (née Thorpe), and was baptised on 21 September 1851 at Holy Trinity, Holmfirth.

She had an older brother Charles who was born to Amelia out of wedlock.

By the start of the following year, the Fearns were living on Hollowgate, Holmfirth, with Amelia's uncle, grocer and corn dealer John Kaye.

Death

Lydia Ann died in the early hours of 5 February 1852 when a devastating flood swept down the Holme Valley.

Her body was found near Smithy Place at around 3am and taken to the Rock Inn.

She was buried on 8 February at St. John's, Upperthong, together with her mother Amelia and brother Charles.