Elizabeth (Storey) Acklam (1845 - 1890)

Born 19 Dec 1845 in North Frodingham, East Yorkshire, England

Wife of John William Acklam — married 22 Sep 1874 in North Frodingham, Yorkshire East Riding, England, United Kingdom

Died 7 May 1890 at age 44 in Dyer Lane, Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom

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Biography

Birth & Baptism 1845 N Frodingham

Elizabeth was born in 1845 in North Frodingham ^[1] in the fertile valley of the River Hull and not far south of Driffield, the local market town. Her parents were Richard Storey a farmer and machine owner, and his wife Hannah,

Marriage 1874 to John William Acklam

In 1874 John William Acklam married his former teacher, Elizabeth Storey, who mysteriously had taken four or five years less than he had to become 26. ^[2] As is quite common, the full entry in the register gives information not in the brief transcript readily available. John William Acklam as a machine man is probably an employee of Richard Storey, his new father-in-law, described here as a farmer, but at census as "owner of agricultural machines".

Farming in Weel 1878-1887 Fails

John William and Elizabeth move to Weel, ^[3] a hamlet just across the River Hull from Beverley, where they begin to farm on the fertile but easily flooded land. ^[4] The farming venture failed, perhaps because Elizabeth became ill and needed help herself rather than vigorously looking after the poultry and the cows as well as her three young daughters, Margaret Honor 1875, Lily Hannah 1876, and Elizabeth Blanche Phoebe 1880. There was probably a son, George 1880-83, but if so he did not live long. John William lost his farm and became a humble tanners' labourer in Beverley.

Death and Burial 1890 Beverley

It is quite certain that Elizabeth Storey died in 1890, though the Parish Register and the Gravestone disagree as to her age. Her mother soon after and her husband 50 years later, are buried in the same grave.^{[5] [6]}

The Elixir of Youth?

The basics of Elizabeth's life come from official documents, usually solemnly sworn, finally engraven in stone, so who are we to disbelieve them? She was baptised in December 1845, and at the census of 1861 she was a pupil-teacher aged 15, five years older than one of her pupils John William Acklam, who was only 10. In 1874, still in North Frodingham, they married: He was 26, more or less as expected, but so was she. In 1890 at her death, she was 32 according to her gravestone and 33 according to the Parish Register. Whatever elixir or illusion was used to produce these results her death was at least 44 years after her baptism.

Most of us would prefer her husband's life: 90 years lived at the normal speed with no major illness spoiling the prospect.

Sources

1. ↑ Baptism in the North Frodingham Register: in the East Riding Archives : 19 December 1845 : Elizabeth Storey dau of Richard & Hannah.
2. ↑ North Frodingham Marriage Register in East Riding Archives PE 118/9 no 174  : 22 September 1874 : John William Acklam 26 machine man, bachelor otp son of John a farmer marries Elizabeth Storey 26 spinster otp daughter of Richard a farmer: both sign: by banns, WH Higgins, vicar of Foston  : witnesses Marmaduke Storey (her brother) and Sarah Ann Blythe
3. ↑ Note: Weel although just outside the capital of the East Riding took an hour to reach by road, the alternative being a little ferry-boat operated by the Ferry-Boat Inn.
4. ↑ Census 1881 @@ Farm in Weel near Beverley :

   Farmer of 115 Acres Employing 1 Boy

   John W. ACKLAM Head M 29 Wharram, Yorks,

   Lizzie ACKLAM Wife M 27 N Frodingham, Farmers Wife

   Margaret A. ACKLAM Daug 5 b North Frodingham,

   Lilly H. ACKLAM Daug 4 Beverley, Yorks,

   Lizzie B.P. ACKLAM Daug 4 m Weel, Yorks.

   Matilda BROADLEY Serv 23 b Lund, General Serv Domestic

   Robert STATTERS Serv 16 b Lund, Farm Serv (Indoor)

   William STOREY B In Law 33 Corn Miller b N Frodingham, @@ Dwelling Weel, York, England PRO RG11 Folio 4743 84 Page 4.

5. ↑ Died 7 May 1890 in Beverley: Elizabeth Acklam age 32 : Memorial in New Walk Cemetery, Beverley.
6. ↑ Burial St Mary's Parish Register in the East Riding Archives : 8 May 1890 : Elizabeth Acklam age 33. The street, Dyer Lane, is added.

• "Family Tree," database, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org : modified 09 May 2016, 09:40), entry for Elizabeth Storey(PID https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/4:1:MG83-H1R); contributed by various users.