Enoch Vernon, blacksmith of Sparrowpit in Peak Forest, Derbyshire, d. 1774
Enoch Vernon was born in the parish of Peak Forest around the year 1701. He was almost certainly baptised at St Charles King and Martyr church in that parish, but records for that period do not survive intact meaning the exact year of his birth cannot be ascertained (but his age at death in 1774 was given as 73 years). He was certainly still not of age in 1710 when his father Francis left £20 in his will (proved in 1712) "willing my executors hereafter named to help [Enoch] to a suitable trade".
That trade in fact became smithing, and a lease was granted in 1726 to "Elizabeth Vernon and Enoch Vernon her second son of Sparrowpit in Peak Forest, blacksmith". It is not clear whether Enoch was yet of age by 1722, when he was left the sum of £8 by his maternal uncle Thomas Moult of Lane End in Chinley: "I give & devise unto John Vernon of Sparrowpitt (my Nephew) the sume of ffive pounds ... item I give & devise unto Enock Vernon his Brother the sume of Eight pounds in case he be liveing at my decease".
Enoch did not marry until 1734, by which time he was likely in his early 30s. He married Hannah Fletcher, at least ten years his junior, at Peak Forest parish church on 5 May 1734.
Enoch and Hannah continued to live in Sparrowpit, where Enoch continued as a master blacksmith (he had an apprentice, John Ford, in 1745). Between the years 1735-1756 they had a total of 12 children - 4 daughters and 8 sons, at least eleven of whom, quite remarkably for the period, survived into adulthood and most of which went on to have children of their own.
We trace our direct ancestry through three of Enoch and Hannah's children:
1. Their third child and eldest son Francis Vernon 1737-1822, who married Hannah Lomas and was a farmer in Sparrowpit.
2. Their seventh child and fourth daughter Hannah 1744-1799, who married George Hallam, blacksmith.
3. Their eighth child and fifth son John Vernon 1747-1823, who married Hannah Dalton and was a farmer at Fernilee.
Enoch died in March 1774 by which time he had several dozen grandchildren! (In total, his 12 children would go on to produce at least 54 grandchildren). He was buried at Peak Forest on 16 March, and his age at this time was given as 73 years. His wife Hannah outlived him another 19 years, dying in December 1793. In the entry recording her burial at Peak Forest, she is still recorded as "wife of Enoch Vernon".
That trade in fact became smithing, and a lease was granted in 1726 to "Elizabeth Vernon and Enoch Vernon her second son of Sparrowpit in Peak Forest, blacksmith". It is not clear whether Enoch was yet of age by 1722, when he was left the sum of £8 by his maternal uncle Thomas Moult of Lane End in Chinley: "I give & devise unto John Vernon of Sparrowpitt (my Nephew) the sume of ffive pounds ... item I give & devise unto Enock Vernon his Brother the sume of Eight pounds in case he be liveing at my decease".
Enoch did not marry until 1734, by which time he was likely in his early 30s. He married Hannah Fletcher, at least ten years his junior, at Peak Forest parish church on 5 May 1734.
Enoch and Hannah continued to live in Sparrowpit, where Enoch continued as a master blacksmith (he had an apprentice, John Ford, in 1745). Between the years 1735-1756 they had a total of 12 children - 4 daughters and 8 sons, at least eleven of whom, quite remarkably for the period, survived into adulthood and most of which went on to have children of their own.
We trace our direct ancestry through three of Enoch and Hannah's children:
1. Their third child and eldest son Francis Vernon 1737-1822, who married Hannah Lomas and was a farmer in Sparrowpit.
2. Their seventh child and fourth daughter Hannah 1744-1799, who married George Hallam, blacksmith.
3. Their eighth child and fifth son John Vernon 1747-1823, who married Hannah Dalton and was a farmer at Fernilee.
Enoch died in March 1774 by which time he had several dozen grandchildren! (In total, his 12 children would go on to produce at least 54 grandchildren). He was buried at Peak Forest on 16 March, and his age at this time was given as 73 years. His wife Hannah outlived him another 19 years, dying in December 1793. In the entry recording her burial at Peak Forest, she is still recorded as "wife of Enoch Vernon".