Henry and Ann Timpson · Glapthorn · 1874-1879
Glapthorn
Henry and Ann travelled to from Woodeaton, Oxfordshire to Glapthorn, Northamptonshire in 1874.
They probably arrived just in time for Henry to get acquainted with the manor estate well before his busy season as a Gamekeeper. There was Manor House and farm but no Lord of the Manor.
History of Glapthorn
The men of Glapthorn had no great house to sustain them. They were free men and could look only to their own efforts for sustenance. So, to supplement their crops, taken as best they could from the ancient rhythm of the three-field system, the villagers looked to agistment for the right to admit their cattle to the forest at stipulated times; to pannage, for the right to make payment for the pasturage of swine and particularly to estovers, for the privilege to take wood from the King for necessary repairs to property.
The village consists of two separate streets, on the North and South of a wide stream-valley, and also known respectively as Upper and Lower Glapthorn.
It would be less than seven and a half miles for the family to travel back to Kings Cliffe from Glapthorn.
Glapthorn Manor
The 1871 Census tells us the Manor House and associated farm of 474 acres was owned by John Freeman aged 38 who lived there with his wife Mary Ann aged 32. They employed household servants including a Groom, and outside he employed 8 men, 5 women and 5 boys.
Their Gamekeeper lived at Keepers Lodge. There was “Gamekeepers man” who lived separately with his family. There was a “Gamekeepers servant” who was the son of one of the agricultural labourers and lived with his parents.
So it would seem that Henry had obtained a much better position than he had previously held and presumably with better pay and extras.
Henry’s and Ann’s Children born at Glapthorn
John Thomas Timpson (TW8)
Their eighth child was born 13 June 1874 at Glapthorn North and registered in the civil registration records by his mother on 2 July 1874. Henry’s occupation is given as Gamekeeper.
John Thomas was baptised at St Leonard Church, Glapthorn on 25 October 1874 by the Rev Alfred Abbey and the parish registers have his baptism recorded as John Thomas Timpson. Henry’s occupation is given as Gamekeeper.
Annie Eliza Timpson (TW9)
Their ninth child was born 25 February 1876 at Glapthorn North and registered in the civil registration records by her mother on 20 March 1876. Henry’s occupation is given as Gamekeeper.
Annie Eliza was baptised at St Leonard Church, Glapthorn on 10 September 1876 by the Rev Joseph Hamley and the parish registers have her baptism recorded as Annie Eliza Timpson. Henry’s occupation is given as Gamekeeper.
Frank Arthur Timpson (TW10)
Their tenth child was born 22 September 1878 at Glapthorn Lodge North and registered in the civil registration records as Frank Arthur Timpson by his mother on 9 October 1878. Henry’s occupation is given as Gamekeeper.
Frank Arthur was baptised privately (presumably at home) on 27 October 1878 by the Rev Joseph Hamley and the parish registers have his baptism recorded as Frank Arthur Timpson. Henry’s occupation is given as Gamekeeper.
Sadly Frank Arthur passed away on 28 October 1878 at Glapthorn Lodge North, Glapthorn aged 5 weeks. His name was spelled correctly in the civil records. Henry’s occupation is given as Gamekeeper.
Frank Arthur’s burial took place at St Leonard Church on 31 October 1878 by the Rev Joseph Hamley.
Moving House and a new Employer
Between the birth of Annie Eliza in 1876 and Frank Arthur in 1878 the family moved from Glapthorn North to Glapthorn Lodge. From census records we know that Glapthorn Lodge did not exist in the 1871 but did in 1881 so it must have been built just before they moved in. This also signalled a move to a new employer – Lady Cardigan.
Moving To Luddington
The family lived there for a few years but Henry read of a rare opportunity and the chance to climb further up the ladder. He applied for a position and after an interview was accepted. The family were to move again to Luddington in Northamptonshire in mid 1879.