Nancy Booth (c.1808-1852) née Taylor(?)

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.

Nancy Booth was a victim of the Holmfirth Flood of 1852, together with her husband James.

Biography

She was born circa 1808, based on her reported age at death and the 1851 Census, which records her birthplace as the parish of Almondbury.

She may have been the spinster Nancy Taylor, daughter of farmer John Taylor, who married widower farmer James Booth (aged 48) of Burnlee[1], son of clothier Jonas Booth, on 1 January 1845 at All Hallows, Almondbury.[2] Nancy Taylor was residing at Greave, Netherthong, at the time of the 1841 Census, together with her siblings and parents farmer John and Hannah Taylor. If so, she was born on 28 December 1807 and baptised on 10 January 1808 at All Hallows, Almondbury.

By the time of the 1851 Census, they were living at Fold Gate, Hinchliffe Mill. Also residing in their house was lodger William Healey.

Death

On the night of the flood she was killed together her husband and the lodger Healey:[3]

The Booths and Healey lived in a house one storey high, which yet stands although completely gutted. They were found reclining in bed, and undressed. The situation of the house is such that it is very doubtful whether they would have escaped, even though they had been aroused.

Her body was recovered and identified by Jonathan Roberts, and taken to the New Inn, Hinchliffe Mill, where the inquest was held.[4]

She was buried with her husband at Lane Independent Chapel, Holmfirth, on Sunday 8 February 1852.

Notes and References

  1. Most likely the Burnlee in Holmfirth.
  2. Although James' occupation is slightly inconsistent with him being a labourer in the Census records, the age difference between him and Nancy matches the 1851 Census of the James Booth of Hinchliffe Mill.
  3. "The Inquest" in Leeds Intelligencer (14/Feb/1852).
  4. "List of Bodies Found, by Whom Found, and by Whom Identified" in Huddersfield Chronicle (14/Feb/1852).