Shadrach Hadley (abt. 1834 - 1905)

Born about 1834 in Rowley Regis, Staffordshire, England

Husband of Jael (Gadd) Hadley — married 5 Jun 1854 in Handsworth, Staffordshire, England

Descendants

Died 17 May 1905 at about age 71 in Rowley Regis, Staffordshire, England

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Biography

Shadrach Hadley was born in about 1834 at Rowley Regis, Staffordshire.

Shadrach Hadley married Jael Gadd on 5 June 1854 at the parish church of St. Mary’s, Handsworth, Staffordshire. Their marriage certificate recorded Shadrach was a bachelor aged 19 and a rivet maker. His father was named as John Hadley, a smith. Jael was a spinster aged 18 years. Her father was named as Thomas Gadd, a rivet maker. Both gave their residence at the time of marriage as Handsworth. Their witnesses were Thomas Gadd Junr, Jael’s brother, and his wife Ellen Gadd. Both women signed with their mark.

This couple had 10 known children named Hannah Hadley born 1855, Ezra Hadley born 1856, Enoch Hadley born 1859, Moses Hadley born 1861, Nancy Zillah Hadley born 1863, Phebe Rebecca Hadley born 12 June 1864, Mary Hadley born 1866 and Thomas Hadley born 19 September 1868, Maria Hadley born 1870 and David Hadley born 1872. They were all born at Blakeheath or, as it became known as, Blackheath, Rowley Regis.

In the 1861 census the family was residing at Black Heath. Shadrach, aged 26, was a rivet maker. Jael was aged 25. Children Hannah, Ezra, Enoch and Moses were aged 5, 4, 1 and 1 month respectively. [RG9/2038 38 Pg 33]

Son Moses Hadley died later that year aged under 12 months.

Daughter Nancy Zillah Hadley died in 1863 aged under 12 months.

Daughter Maria Hadley died in 1870 in infancy.

In 1871 the family was living at High St, Blackheath. Shadrach, aged 36, was still a rivet maker. Jael was aged 35. Hannah was aged 15, Ezra was aged 14, Enoch aged 11, Phebe aged 6, Mary aged 4 and Thomas aged 2. Ezra was working as an apprentice carpenter. [RG10/2993 43 Pg 42]

Son David Hadley died in 1872 aged under 12 months.

When her father Thomas died in 1875, Jael, like her siblings, seems to have benefited well from their father’s quite substantial estate of many properties.

From the will dated 1871 - I give and devise my two houses and one shop to each house situate at Blackheath in the parish of Rowley Regis aforesaid and the use of entry with outbuildings and all conveniences and appurtenances now in the occupation of Shadrach Hadley and George Ward unto my trustees during the natural life of my said daughter Jael Hadley upon trust to pay to her or permit her to receive during her natural life the rents profits and annual produce of the same for her sole use free from the control debts or engagements or her present or any future husband as a separate and inalienable provision for herself without power for her to anticipate or charge the accruing payments and her receipt alone to be a sufficient discharge for the same and after her death unto and to the use of her husband the said Shadrach Hadley (if then living) and his assigns for his natural life or until he shall marry again. And after the death of the said Jael Hadley and the death or remarriage of the said Shadrach Hadley unto my said trustees and their heirs upon the like trusts for sale and payment or equal division unto between or amongst the child or children of the said Jael Hadley at the like times and with such powers and provisions in all respects as are hereinbefore expressed declared and contained in relation to the property given for the benefit of the said Ann Raybould her husband and child or children.
And - I give and devise my house situate at Langley aforesaid now in the occupation of Luke James with the outbuildings conveniences and appurtenances thereto including the use for all purposes of the said piece of land containing five hundred and thirty square yards with the other devises of my property at Langley unto and to the use of my said daughters Jael Hadley and Maria Taylor as tenants in common in equal shares and their respective heirs and assigns.

Although Shadrach was employed as a rivet maker he also appeared in the 1872, 1876 and 1880 Kelly's Directories of Staffordshire as a shopkeeper. The will above shows that the house the family lived in had a shop attached.

From The County Express dated 31 July 1880, Pg 8 – ROWLEY. FAILURES. At the Dudley County Court, on Saturday, the following petitions in liquidation were filed: [included] Shadrach Hadley, 55, High Street, Blackheath, Rowley Regis, grocer and rivetmaker; liabilities, £450; Mr Stokes, solicitor.

In the 1881 census the family was living at 55 High Street. Shadrach, aged, 46, was still a rivet maker. Jael was aged 45. Enoch, aged 21, and Phoebe [sic], aged 16, were both also working as rivet makers. Thomas, aged 12, was still attending school. [RG11/2858 67 Pg 23]
Daughter Mary, aged 14, was working as a nurse [domestic servant] in the home of Daniel Dodd, a tutor, and his family at Middleton Lodge, Church Road, Harborne, Staffordshire. [RG11/2958 37 Pg 17]

In 1891 the family was still at 55 High St, Blackheath. Shadrach, aged 56, was then shown as a rivet manufacturer and employer. Jael was aged 54. Living with them was granddaughter Jael Wilson, aged 10, daughter of Hannah. Domestic servant Mary Westwood, aged 16, also lived in. [RG12/2280 18 Pg 30]
Son Thomas was then living with his paternal uncle Solomon Hadley, a grocer, at 20 High St, Blackheath. Aged 22 Thomas was a bolt rivet maker. [RG12/2280 14 Pg 22]

Jael Hadley died in 1894 aged 58 years.

In 1901 Shadrach was living at 76 High St, Blackheath. The census recorded Shadrach, aged 66 years, was working as a rivet maker from home and was still an employer. Son Thomas and his family were living with him. Thomas, aged 32, was a rivet maker, working at home with his father. His wife Elizabeth was aged 31. Their children Enoch, Edgar, Ezra and Frances were aged 5, 3, 2 and 1 month respectively. Amy Partridge, Elizabeth's sister, was visiting them. She was aged 24. [RG13/2730 173 Pg 8]

Shadrach Hadley died on 17 May 1905 aged 70 years.

His will read -
This is the last Will and Testament of me Shadrach Hadley of High Street Blackheath in the county of Stafford Rivet Maker
I appoint my sons Ezra Hadley of Blackheath aforesaid Baker and Thomas Hadley of High Street Blackheath aforesaid Rivet Maker to be the Executors and Trustees of this my will
I give devise bequeath and appoint the whole of my real and personal estate unto my trustees Upon trust that my Trustees shall sell call in and convert into money the same or such part thereof as shall not consist of money and shall with and out of the moneys produced by such sale calling in and conversion and with and out of my ready money pay my funeral and testamentary expenses and debts and shall stand possessed of the residuary trust moneys In trust to pay and divide the same unto and equally between my six children viz the said Ezra Hadley Enoch Hadley the said Thomas Hadley Hannah Eliza Wilson Phoebe Rebecca Sturman and Mary Ruston as tenants in common Provided always that if any child of mine shall die in my lifetime leaving a child or children who shall survive me and being a son or sons shall attain the age of twenty one years or being a daughter or daughters shall attain that age or marry under that age then and in every such case the last mentioned child or children shall take (and if more than one equally between them) the share which his her of their parent would have taken under this my will if such parent had survived me
I revoke all former wills and testamentary dispositions made by me and declare this to be my last will
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand eighth day of May one thousand nine hundred and three: Shadrach Hadley
Signed by the said Shadrach Hadley the testator as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us present at the same time who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses: W. H. Woodell Clerk to Messrs Jobson & Marshall Solcs Dudley and James Whitehouse Clerk to Messrs Jobson & Marshall.

Probate was granted on 27 May 1905 to son Thomas Hadley of High Street, Blackheath, rivet-maker, the surviving executor. Effects £174 5s 7d.
Son Ezra Hadley had predeceased his father.

Sources

GRO Birth Index
HADLEY, SHADRACH Age at death 70
GRO Reference: 1905 J Quarter in DUDLEY Volume 06C Page 6