BATEMAN Coat of Arms
Bateman is an English-Scottish name based on the Greek given name Bartholomew and which translates as a man (friend/servant) of Bart or Bartholomew. Alternate derivations from Old English are bat (boat) or bate (contender) which describe a boatman or military man.
Bateman is an English-Scottish name based on the Greek given name Bartholomew and which translates as a man (friend/servant) of Bart or Bartholomew. Alternate derivations from Old English are bat (boat) or bate (contender) which describe a boatman or military man.
The earliest found ancestral Bateman record in this Tree is for William Bateman (1660 - 1713). He signs his marriage licence on the 11 May 1694 declaring himself a "Farmer from Whatton" - (Nottinghamshire). He marries Leicestershire's Sarah Hough from a family, with money and land. In their family history book - The Hough's of Nottinghamshire and Bottesford (ISBN 0953024407) there is the mention of the marriage of William to Sarah twice in chapter 6. They are married in St James' Church, Papplewick in June 1694.
Two sons are born to them, William in September 1695 and John in January 1700. Although their father's signature appears regularly in the Whatton Churchwardens' Accounts for the Church of St John of Beverley, the two boys are both born and baptised in Granby. Legal documents dated 1698 - 1702 then regularly cite William Bateman Snr (and his family) as being residents of Granby. William dies aged 53 on 6 January 1713. He and Sarah are both buried in Granby's All Saints Church.
William Bateman (1695 - 1740) as was his father, also becomes a farmer and a church warden. At just eighteen years old upon his father's death he and his Mother Sarah share "the rest and remainder of the estate" noted at the time as £200. The Granby Parish Records for the Churchwardens' Accounts regularly carry his signature.
William's marriage licence application for his 30 December 1730 marriage to a Sarah Johnson confirms his age as 35, and Sarah's 28. He states his occupation as a "Husbandman", a free tenant farmer or landowner. The couple marry in Sarah's parish at St Nicholas Church, Southwell. Again though, the Granby residency is confirmed when all four of their children; Sarah b October 1791, Elisabeth b June 1734 Mary b January 1736 and William b December 1739, are registered as both born and baptised in Granby.
Tragically and for reasons as yet unknown (although likely Smallpox) and at the age of only 45, William dies on 30 June 1740. He leaves behind the 9 year old Sarah, 6 year old Elizabeth, 4 year old Mary and the baby, 6 month old William. In his detailed will he leaves his wife Sarah all his "goods, chattels and credits" to the value of £315.
William Bateman (1739 - 1784) After losing their father at the young age of six months, William (and his siblings) early years have been difficult to trace plus despite their Mother Sarah inheriting such a large amount of money. It must be wondered whether she was allowed to own property or land once her Husband had died. There is nothing to suggest that young William does not spend his childhood and early working days in Granby, so it can be assumed that he carried on managing his Father's Farm.
It is known with certainty that at the age of 29, on 15 November 1769 in Granby's All Saints Church, he marries Ann Kemp from nearby Orston. Between 1770 and 1785 they have eight surviving children; Ann, William, Mary, Elizabeth, John, Sarah, Emmet and George.
At this time, in the late 18th century, the population of Granby was 479 people living in 108 Houses. The whole "manor" belonged to the Duke of Rutland. More than half of the population of England lived and worked in the countryside at just subsistence or bare survival level. Each village was quite self-contained, and wherever you were born often meant spending your whole life there. The Village was organised in a hierarchy with the Landowner, or Squire, or at the top. Then came the tenant Farmers (such as William) who would look after the Squire´s land and livestock along with help of the blacksmiths, carpenters, saddlers and other craftsmen, who were essential to the life of the village and the smooth running of the farms. At the bottom were (the very poor) farm labourers. The Squire would take most of the profit from his land, the tenant farmer would get his share, and the farm labourers very little.
Many people enjoyed cruel "sports" like cockfighting and bull baiting, they drank gin as we would drink water, smoked clay pipes and took snuff. A major scourge of the 18th century was smallpox - a contagious, disfiguring and often deadly disease - perhaps a reason why so many children and adults (including the Bateman's) died early.
William, as with his father and his grandfather before him, is again recorded as being Granby's Church Warden, a post he occupies from 1777 until he passes away on 5 August 1784 at the age of 44.
Ann Bateman (1770 - 1854) eldest child and first born daughter was baptised in Granby's All Saints Church on 22 April 1770. She had a difficult upbringing for as the eldest and with Mother continuously giving birth, child care seemed a necessity alongside school and work to help the family's income. When her father William dies in 1784, Ann appears in the UK Register of Duties Paid for Apprentices' Indentures (1710-1811) as a 14 year old apprentice "mantua maker" - a dressmaker, in the employ of Ann Hall of Southwell.
Whether her likely 5 year apprenticeship was completed is not known but six years later, in 1792, she gives birth to an illegitimate boy, Matthew, she is just 22. Four years later in 1796, Ann has a second illegitimate boy, William, whose baptismal certificate confirms his place of birth as Thurgarton, close to Southwell where Ann had served her Apprenticeship. This could mean she not only finished her Apprenticeship but was now working as a Dressmaker. No father to her two boys has ever been found.
Ann's maternal grand parents then die within months of each other in Orston, near Granby) in late 1799/1800 and Grandfather George Kemp states in his will that "his estate was to be equally divided amongst his children as share and share alike". One of those children was Ann's own 52 year old mother; noted in George's will as being my daughter Ann, the widow of William Bateman. The amount of money Ann's mother inherited was £320. Who can imagine just what that large sum of money meant to Ann Snr and her family.
On 17 November 1808 Ann marries 28 year old William Calverley, a cordwainer (shoemaker), from Great Dalby in Leicestershire; they have no further children. She does have grandchildren however - seventeen - thanks to the two boys Matthew who married Ann Taylor and William who married Mary Tuckwood. Early census returns of 1841 and 1851 confirm the closeness Ann and her husband William Calverley had as they often acted as hosts to other members of the family. William passes away in December 1851 and just three years later on 19 August 1854, so too does Ann. She dies of pneumonia aged 84.
Footnote:
By keeping the Bateman name for her two illegitimate children, particularly for Matthew Bateman, Ann ensured a surviving legacy for the Bateman descendants that followed; including to the author.
Two sons are born to them, William in September 1695 and John in January 1700. Although their father's signature appears regularly in the Whatton Churchwardens' Accounts for the Church of St John of Beverley, the two boys are both born and baptised in Granby. Legal documents dated 1698 - 1702 then regularly cite William Bateman Snr (and his family) as being residents of Granby. William dies aged 53 on 6 January 1713. He and Sarah are both buried in Granby's All Saints Church.
William Bateman (1695 - 1740) as was his father, also becomes a farmer and a church warden. At just eighteen years old upon his father's death he and his Mother Sarah share "the rest and remainder of the estate" noted at the time as £200. The Granby Parish Records for the Churchwardens' Accounts regularly carry his signature.
William's marriage licence application for his 30 December 1730 marriage to a Sarah Johnson confirms his age as 35, and Sarah's 28. He states his occupation as a "Husbandman", a free tenant farmer or landowner. The couple marry in Sarah's parish at St Nicholas Church, Southwell. Again though, the Granby residency is confirmed when all four of their children; Sarah b October 1791, Elisabeth b June 1734 Mary b January 1736 and William b December 1739, are registered as both born and baptised in Granby.
Tragically and for reasons as yet unknown (although likely Smallpox) and at the age of only 45, William dies on 30 June 1740. He leaves behind the 9 year old Sarah, 6 year old Elizabeth, 4 year old Mary and the baby, 6 month old William. In his detailed will he leaves his wife Sarah all his "goods, chattels and credits" to the value of £315.
William Bateman (1739 - 1784) After losing their father at the young age of six months, William (and his siblings) early years have been difficult to trace plus despite their Mother Sarah inheriting such a large amount of money. It must be wondered whether she was allowed to own property or land once her Husband had died. There is nothing to suggest that young William does not spend his childhood and early working days in Granby, so it can be assumed that he carried on managing his Father's Farm.
It is known with certainty that at the age of 29, on 15 November 1769 in Granby's All Saints Church, he marries Ann Kemp from nearby Orston. Between 1770 and 1785 they have eight surviving children; Ann, William, Mary, Elizabeth, John, Sarah, Emmet and George.
At this time, in the late 18th century, the population of Granby was 479 people living in 108 Houses. The whole "manor" belonged to the Duke of Rutland. More than half of the population of England lived and worked in the countryside at just subsistence or bare survival level. Each village was quite self-contained, and wherever you were born often meant spending your whole life there. The Village was organised in a hierarchy with the Landowner, or Squire, or at the top. Then came the tenant Farmers (such as William) who would look after the Squire´s land and livestock along with help of the blacksmiths, carpenters, saddlers and other craftsmen, who were essential to the life of the village and the smooth running of the farms. At the bottom were (the very poor) farm labourers. The Squire would take most of the profit from his land, the tenant farmer would get his share, and the farm labourers very little.
Many people enjoyed cruel "sports" like cockfighting and bull baiting, they drank gin as we would drink water, smoked clay pipes and took snuff. A major scourge of the 18th century was smallpox - a contagious, disfiguring and often deadly disease - perhaps a reason why so many children and adults (including the Bateman's) died early.
William, as with his father and his grandfather before him, is again recorded as being Granby's Church Warden, a post he occupies from 1777 until he passes away on 5 August 1784 at the age of 44.
Ann Bateman (1770 - 1854) eldest child and first born daughter was baptised in Granby's All Saints Church on 22 April 1770. She had a difficult upbringing for as the eldest and with Mother continuously giving birth, child care seemed a necessity alongside school and work to help the family's income. When her father William dies in 1784, Ann appears in the UK Register of Duties Paid for Apprentices' Indentures (1710-1811) as a 14 year old apprentice "mantua maker" - a dressmaker, in the employ of Ann Hall of Southwell.
Whether her likely 5 year apprenticeship was completed is not known but six years later, in 1792, she gives birth to an illegitimate boy, Matthew, she is just 22. Four years later in 1796, Ann has a second illegitimate boy, William, whose baptismal certificate confirms his place of birth as Thurgarton, close to Southwell where Ann had served her Apprenticeship. This could mean she not only finished her Apprenticeship but was now working as a Dressmaker. No father to her two boys has ever been found.
Ann's maternal grand parents then die within months of each other in Orston, near Granby) in late 1799/1800 and Grandfather George Kemp states in his will that "his estate was to be equally divided amongst his children as share and share alike". One of those children was Ann's own 52 year old mother; noted in George's will as being my daughter Ann, the widow of William Bateman. The amount of money Ann's mother inherited was £320. Who can imagine just what that large sum of money meant to Ann Snr and her family.
On 17 November 1808 Ann marries 28 year old William Calverley, a cordwainer (shoemaker), from Great Dalby in Leicestershire; they have no further children. She does have grandchildren however - seventeen - thanks to the two boys Matthew who married Ann Taylor and William who married Mary Tuckwood. Early census returns of 1841 and 1851 confirm the closeness Ann and her husband William Calverley had as they often acted as hosts to other members of the family. William passes away in December 1851 and just three years later on 19 August 1854, so too does Ann. She dies of pneumonia aged 84.
Footnote:
By keeping the Bateman name for her two illegitimate children, particularly for Matthew Bateman, Ann ensured a surviving legacy for the Bateman descendants that followed; including to the author.
Matthew Bateman (1792 - 1866) the eldest of Ann Bateman's two illegitimate children (his brother was William Bateman), Matthew was born in Sutton-cum-Granby but lived with his Mother for many years in Southwell where she worked as a Dressmaker. When he is sixteen, his mother marries William Calverley in Granby and it is here he remains, taking work as an agricultural labourer. Aged 25 he marries Ann Taylor on Wednesday 26 February 1817 in her home village of Staunton.
Records for the birth of their first six children confirm that they were all born in Granby; Elizabeth b 10 August 1817, Mary bpt 24 October 1819, John b October 1821, Matthew bpt 5 October 1823, Sarah bpt 1 January 1826 and William Calverley bpt 20 July 1828 .
When their next three children are born Matthew and Ann are living in Holm Lane Cottages, Holme Pierrepont, Radcliffe-on-Trent. George bpt 15 August 1830, Mark bpt 24 March 1833 and Ann bpt 31 January 1836. The family house is listed in census returns as being near door to the local public house, The Fox and Crown in Holme Lane - first mentioned in the local parish accounts of 1670.
Over the next 40 years in Holme Pierrepont, Matthew continues to work as an agricultural labourer (on farmland that today is better known as The Cotgrave Golf and Country Club, West Bridgford). His census returns marks the growth of his family and the fact that he sees five of his children marry between 1840 and 1850. Sadly though the health of his "step-father" William who is still living in Granby deteriorates and he dies on 16 November 1851. Three years later yet another marriage for one of his children but also, and sadly, the loss of his Mother Ann aged 84 on 19 August 1854.
His son George Bateman who has been working in Annesley Woodhouse returns home in early 1860 and soon he too marries, giving Matthew and Ann yet another grandchild Christopher Bateman. In time it will be George who will become the mainstay of the family.
Matthew is now 73 years old and still working, so perhaps, as reported in the newspapers of the time some just reward comes to him for the article dated Friday 3 November 1865 states: "The Nottinghamshire Guardian can publish a report that the Bingham Agricultural and Labourers Friendly Society Award for the labourer most distinguished for general good conduct and careful bringing up of his children shall go to Matthew Bateman of Holme Pierrepont". Matthew passes six months later on 4 June 1866.
A Friendly Society was then, a mutual organization or benefit society composed of a body of people who joined together for a common financial or social purpose. Before modern insurance and the welfare state, friendly societies provided financial and social services to individuals, often according to their religious, political, or trade affiliations, such as those working in Agriculture. People paid into the friendly society and in return, received guaranteed payments for times of hardship or for funeral and burial arrangements". The first Friendly Society of Agricultural Labourers was formed in October 1833 in the Dorset village of Tolpuddle where the men became known as the Tolpuddle Martyrs.
George Bateman (1830 - 1891) baptised on the 15 August 1830 in St Edmund's Church, Holme Pierrepont was the fourth son and seventh of nine children born to his parents Matthew and Ann. After leaving school George initially works away from home. He lives in lodgings at the Blue Bell Inn, Annesley Woodhouse working on the local farms as a labourer. He no doubt regularly visited his parents back in Holme Pierrepont for when he does move back home it is to marry Mary Barnard of Radcliffe-on-Trent on the 3 July 1860. He would have known Mary well, she was his "sister-in-law" by virtue of brother Mark marrying her own sister Eliza in 1854!
George's first son Matthew was born in December 1860 then Christopher b 24 November 1862, William bpt 30 April 1865, Elizabeth bpt 19 January 1868, George b 10 July 1870 and Herbert b March 1874. The 7 April 1861 census (the first after his marriage) finds George and the family living in a small, and by all accounts, very unhygienic house in Thraves's Yard, Radcliffe-on-Trent, just a mile from the Bateman family home in Holme Pierrepont. On 4 June 1866, George's father dies aged 74.
It seems that sometime soon after his Father's death, George and Mary move their ever increasing family (now five) out from the poor housing at Thraves's Yard back into Holme Lane Cottage in Holme Pierrepont to join his mother Ann - a move confirmed by the April 1871 census which also shows that eight persons aged 1-77 years occupied this tiny cottage. Sadly for George, it is only 3 months later when his Mother dies on 30 July 1871. She is buried alongside husband Matthew in St Edmunds' Church, Holm Lane.
Over the next twenty years, the successive census returns confirm that George and Mary continue to live and work from the tiny cottage whilst all the time raising the family and entertaining the many grandchildren. As with his father before him, George works for the whole of his life as an agricultural labourer. He dies aged 60 on 8 March 1891. (Mary his wife survives him by 33 years).
Christopher Bateman (1862 - 1954) was born in Radcliffe-on-Trent on 24 November 1862, but better known for his time spent in Holme Pierrepont before his 70 years in East Bridgeford. His first job as a nine year old was as a Tanner Boy - a tough, dirty and dangerous job that involved taking raw, untreated hide or skin from the abattoir and "converting it" into leather for the Cordwainers (the Boot and Shoe-makers). From leaving school he next joined a local 'Smithy to learn the Shoeing and Blacksmith trade - one that he would participate in for over 50 years.
Aged 21 and on the 16 December 1883, he married the 18 year old Mary Ann Palmer in St Peters Church, East Bridgeford. Their eight children were all born at home in the village; Walter b 29 December 1883, Edith b 31 January 1885, Sidney Harold b 10 October 1886, Horace b 20 June 1888, Ethel b 24 April 1890 George b 19 July 1892, Evelyn b 13 April 1894 and Winifred b 6 March 1896.
Thanks to some good record keeping by the incumbent Vicar in his Parish Notes many village events are recorded but not surprisingly one event was larger than most - Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee celebrated by the whole village in June 1897.
By the turn of the century Christopher and Mary Ann's children; Horace 12, Ethel 11, George 9, Evelyn 7 and Winifred 5 are living with them as well as Sidney 14, who it is noted works in the village as a Butchers Apprentice. Ethel their eldest girl and just turned 16 is working as a Domestic/Kitchen Maid and lodging at the East Bridgford Wesleyan Chapel School/Temperance Hall in Main Street. Christopher is now the "owner of the blacksmith business" and his son Walter, 17 works as his Blacksmith Apprentice.
In the 2 April 1911 census, and now married to Mary Ann for over 28 years, we are able to see again where Christopher's children are. Edith has replaced Walter as his Blacksmith Apprentice (he is serving in the Army), Sidney is a Butcher with the Army and is billeted in Hampshire, Horace is a Blacksmith working away in Mansfield Woodhouse, Ethel is a Housemaid at Nottingham's Northern Station Refreshment Rooms, George is helping out in the Blacksmith Shop, Evelyn is starting her career as a School Teacher and young Winnifred is still at School. As mentioned before and with thanks to East Bridgford's Parish Magazine, glimpses of the Bateman's daily lives can be seen in the many monthly reports that cover church business, social events (flower shows and fêtes), football, cricket and tennis news from Butt's Field, the infamous East Bridgford's Feast Week as well as all the other regular village gossip.
By the time Christopher reaches 70 years old he is thinking of passing the business on. Son Walter, a Sergeant Farrier in WW1 certainly would have helped him but he also had a business interest in East Bridgford's local bicycle shop. So son George now helps and maybe in return Christopher would have helped him on his parish duties that included the different roles of Bat-Catcher and Verger!
It must be assumed the world literally stopped for Christopher when tragically his wife Mary Ann dies in an accident in the house on Tuesday 18 February 1941. Christopher immediately makes a decision to move out of Forge Cottage in Main Street to live at Wharf House in Trent Lane to be looked after by his daughter Winnifred. Son George buys Forge Cottage and the land behind the Forge.
After a long and happy retirement Christopher dies on 18 March 1954.
Records for the birth of their first six children confirm that they were all born in Granby; Elizabeth b 10 August 1817, Mary bpt 24 October 1819, John b October 1821, Matthew bpt 5 October 1823, Sarah bpt 1 January 1826 and William Calverley bpt 20 July 1828 .
When their next three children are born Matthew and Ann are living in Holm Lane Cottages, Holme Pierrepont, Radcliffe-on-Trent. George bpt 15 August 1830, Mark bpt 24 March 1833 and Ann bpt 31 January 1836. The family house is listed in census returns as being near door to the local public house, The Fox and Crown in Holme Lane - first mentioned in the local parish accounts of 1670.
Over the next 40 years in Holme Pierrepont, Matthew continues to work as an agricultural labourer (on farmland that today is better known as The Cotgrave Golf and Country Club, West Bridgford). His census returns marks the growth of his family and the fact that he sees five of his children marry between 1840 and 1850. Sadly though the health of his "step-father" William who is still living in Granby deteriorates and he dies on 16 November 1851. Three years later yet another marriage for one of his children but also, and sadly, the loss of his Mother Ann aged 84 on 19 August 1854.
His son George Bateman who has been working in Annesley Woodhouse returns home in early 1860 and soon he too marries, giving Matthew and Ann yet another grandchild Christopher Bateman. In time it will be George who will become the mainstay of the family.
Matthew is now 73 years old and still working, so perhaps, as reported in the newspapers of the time some just reward comes to him for the article dated Friday 3 November 1865 states: "The Nottinghamshire Guardian can publish a report that the Bingham Agricultural and Labourers Friendly Society Award for the labourer most distinguished for general good conduct and careful bringing up of his children shall go to Matthew Bateman of Holme Pierrepont". Matthew passes six months later on 4 June 1866.
A Friendly Society was then, a mutual organization or benefit society composed of a body of people who joined together for a common financial or social purpose. Before modern insurance and the welfare state, friendly societies provided financial and social services to individuals, often according to their religious, political, or trade affiliations, such as those working in Agriculture. People paid into the friendly society and in return, received guaranteed payments for times of hardship or for funeral and burial arrangements". The first Friendly Society of Agricultural Labourers was formed in October 1833 in the Dorset village of Tolpuddle where the men became known as the Tolpuddle Martyrs.
George Bateman (1830 - 1891) baptised on the 15 August 1830 in St Edmund's Church, Holme Pierrepont was the fourth son and seventh of nine children born to his parents Matthew and Ann. After leaving school George initially works away from home. He lives in lodgings at the Blue Bell Inn, Annesley Woodhouse working on the local farms as a labourer. He no doubt regularly visited his parents back in Holme Pierrepont for when he does move back home it is to marry Mary Barnard of Radcliffe-on-Trent on the 3 July 1860. He would have known Mary well, she was his "sister-in-law" by virtue of brother Mark marrying her own sister Eliza in 1854!
George's first son Matthew was born in December 1860 then Christopher b 24 November 1862, William bpt 30 April 1865, Elizabeth bpt 19 January 1868, George b 10 July 1870 and Herbert b March 1874. The 7 April 1861 census (the first after his marriage) finds George and the family living in a small, and by all accounts, very unhygienic house in Thraves's Yard, Radcliffe-on-Trent, just a mile from the Bateman family home in Holme Pierrepont. On 4 June 1866, George's father dies aged 74.
It seems that sometime soon after his Father's death, George and Mary move their ever increasing family (now five) out from the poor housing at Thraves's Yard back into Holme Lane Cottage in Holme Pierrepont to join his mother Ann - a move confirmed by the April 1871 census which also shows that eight persons aged 1-77 years occupied this tiny cottage. Sadly for George, it is only 3 months later when his Mother dies on 30 July 1871. She is buried alongside husband Matthew in St Edmunds' Church, Holm Lane.
Over the next twenty years, the successive census returns confirm that George and Mary continue to live and work from the tiny cottage whilst all the time raising the family and entertaining the many grandchildren. As with his father before him, George works for the whole of his life as an agricultural labourer. He dies aged 60 on 8 March 1891. (Mary his wife survives him by 33 years).
Christopher Bateman (1862 - 1954) was born in Radcliffe-on-Trent on 24 November 1862, but better known for his time spent in Holme Pierrepont before his 70 years in East Bridgeford. His first job as a nine year old was as a Tanner Boy - a tough, dirty and dangerous job that involved taking raw, untreated hide or skin from the abattoir and "converting it" into leather for the Cordwainers (the Boot and Shoe-makers). From leaving school he next joined a local 'Smithy to learn the Shoeing and Blacksmith trade - one that he would participate in for over 50 years.
Aged 21 and on the 16 December 1883, he married the 18 year old Mary Ann Palmer in St Peters Church, East Bridgeford. Their eight children were all born at home in the village; Walter b 29 December 1883, Edith b 31 January 1885, Sidney Harold b 10 October 1886, Horace b 20 June 1888, Ethel b 24 April 1890 George b 19 July 1892, Evelyn b 13 April 1894 and Winifred b 6 March 1896.
Thanks to some good record keeping by the incumbent Vicar in his Parish Notes many village events are recorded but not surprisingly one event was larger than most - Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee celebrated by the whole village in June 1897.
By the turn of the century Christopher and Mary Ann's children; Horace 12, Ethel 11, George 9, Evelyn 7 and Winifred 5 are living with them as well as Sidney 14, who it is noted works in the village as a Butchers Apprentice. Ethel their eldest girl and just turned 16 is working as a Domestic/Kitchen Maid and lodging at the East Bridgford Wesleyan Chapel School/Temperance Hall in Main Street. Christopher is now the "owner of the blacksmith business" and his son Walter, 17 works as his Blacksmith Apprentice.
In the 2 April 1911 census, and now married to Mary Ann for over 28 years, we are able to see again where Christopher's children are. Edith has replaced Walter as his Blacksmith Apprentice (he is serving in the Army), Sidney is a Butcher with the Army and is billeted in Hampshire, Horace is a Blacksmith working away in Mansfield Woodhouse, Ethel is a Housemaid at Nottingham's Northern Station Refreshment Rooms, George is helping out in the Blacksmith Shop, Evelyn is starting her career as a School Teacher and young Winnifred is still at School. As mentioned before and with thanks to East Bridgford's Parish Magazine, glimpses of the Bateman's daily lives can be seen in the many monthly reports that cover church business, social events (flower shows and fêtes), football, cricket and tennis news from Butt's Field, the infamous East Bridgford's Feast Week as well as all the other regular village gossip.
By the time Christopher reaches 70 years old he is thinking of passing the business on. Son Walter, a Sergeant Farrier in WW1 certainly would have helped him but he also had a business interest in East Bridgford's local bicycle shop. So son George now helps and maybe in return Christopher would have helped him on his parish duties that included the different roles of Bat-Catcher and Verger!
It must be assumed the world literally stopped for Christopher when tragically his wife Mary Ann dies in an accident in the house on Tuesday 18 February 1941. Christopher immediately makes a decision to move out of Forge Cottage in Main Street to live at Wharf House in Trent Lane to be looked after by his daughter Winnifred. Son George buys Forge Cottage and the land behind the Forge.
After a long and happy retirement Christopher dies on 18 March 1954.
Sidney Harold Bateman (1886 - 1942) is the third child born to Christopher and Mary on 10 October 1886. Raised in East Bridgford his first job as a 14 year is as a Butchers Apprentice - a big clue as to what was in store for him in later life! The Butchery (and Abattoir) at that time was near to his father's Forge on Main Street. Now a house, the bull's head depicting the Butchery can still be seen on the wall. On 21 August 1905, at age 18, Sidney enlisted into the British Army and joined the Royal Artillery (later the Royal Army Service Corps). After being an Army regular for 6 years, Sidney is recorded as a Butcher and based in Hampshire where it seems because of his role and rank, he would have worked at several functions held at his Colonel's residence.
One of the Colonel's parlour maids at that time was Jessie Lee, the daughter of Belcher Lee (1859-1940) & Lucy Ostler (1865 - 1933). It was love at first sight for Sidney and Jessie were married on Christmas Day 1912 at All Saints' Church, Swallowfield near Reading.
Given the impending Great War, Sidney and Jessie settled in Reading but he remained in the Army until demobbed in August 1926 with 21 years service. He held the rank of Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant SQMS, a non-commissioned officer in charge of supplies. Children arrived regularly, Charles b 1913, Jessie (Peggy) b 1915, Nora b 1919 and Lucy b 1921. At times they and their Mother travelled with him to his postings, including Hong Kong in 1924.
Following Sidney's de-mob two more children arrived, Albert Noel b 1926 and Ralph b 1930. His first job in "civvy-street" was as a journeyman butcher, however, one year later, in late 1927, he joined Reading's Royal Mail Service serving as a local Postman for the next 15 years. After a period of poor health in hospital, Sidney dies on 2 January 1942 at the early age of 55.
Albert Noel Bateman (1926 - 1956) was born on Christmas Day 1926 in his parents newly built and acquired council house in Reading and, on their own 14th Wedding Anniversary. Following his education at the Alfred Sutton School, Reading, Albert joined the merchant navy's pre-sea training school TS Vindicatrix . Whilst waiting for his first ship Albert took on other jobs and in the summer of 1944, whilst helping out with the harvest at Arborfield Hall Farm near Reading, he met and courted the farm bailiff's daughter, Annie Macdonald Wood. Within a year they were to be married at St Bartholomew's Church in Earley, Reading.
Their first home was in Reading with Albert's widowed mother Jessie. With Annie heavily pregnant with first child Geoffrey Albert (b 1946), Albert joined the ss Empire Martaban for a nine-month voyage via South Africa to New Zealand and Australia. This voyage proved to be Albert's first and last for upon return to England he voluntarily discharged himself from further sea service.
Over the next couple of years Albert and Annie continued to live in Reading, they had a daughter Susan (b 1947). Then an opportunity arose to move to their own house in Gosport, Hampshire where a similar move had already been made by Albert's married sister Nora and her husband Reg. Albert it seems had numerous jobs whilst in Gosport (including ship's painter and milkman) whilst Annie had numerous babies; Janet b 1950, Gary b 1952 and Lynne b 1954.
Those who knew Albert would confirm that he was a strict and disciplined father, but always kind and personable, the life and soul of any party, generous to a fault and ready to tease his children or anyone who visited. He therefore met many friends at work and, as well as inviting them home, would join with them in sports and social events. He played football for a local team in Gosport but tragically during a game on Sunday 11 March 1956 he suffered a severe head injury. Although brought home by colleagues he remained unwell and was admitted 72 hours later to Portsmouth's Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Cosham.
Whilst at first it was hoped that a recovery would be possible, he was then transferred to the specialist Atkinson Morley Hospital in Morden, Surrey and where, sadly, he died on the 27 March 1956 aged 29. Albert was buried in Reading's Old Cemetery on 4 April 1956 and which, with some coincidence, is on land opposite what was his parents house in Reading. Upon his death, Annie was pregnant with his last and sixth child Brian, b 4 September 1956.
One of the Colonel's parlour maids at that time was Jessie Lee, the daughter of Belcher Lee (1859-1940) & Lucy Ostler (1865 - 1933). It was love at first sight for Sidney and Jessie were married on Christmas Day 1912 at All Saints' Church, Swallowfield near Reading.
Given the impending Great War, Sidney and Jessie settled in Reading but he remained in the Army until demobbed in August 1926 with 21 years service. He held the rank of Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant SQMS, a non-commissioned officer in charge of supplies. Children arrived regularly, Charles b 1913, Jessie (Peggy) b 1915, Nora b 1919 and Lucy b 1921. At times they and their Mother travelled with him to his postings, including Hong Kong in 1924.
Following Sidney's de-mob two more children arrived, Albert Noel b 1926 and Ralph b 1930. His first job in "civvy-street" was as a journeyman butcher, however, one year later, in late 1927, he joined Reading's Royal Mail Service serving as a local Postman for the next 15 years. After a period of poor health in hospital, Sidney dies on 2 January 1942 at the early age of 55.
Albert Noel Bateman (1926 - 1956) was born on Christmas Day 1926 in his parents newly built and acquired council house in Reading and, on their own 14th Wedding Anniversary. Following his education at the Alfred Sutton School, Reading, Albert joined the merchant navy's pre-sea training school TS Vindicatrix . Whilst waiting for his first ship Albert took on other jobs and in the summer of 1944, whilst helping out with the harvest at Arborfield Hall Farm near Reading, he met and courted the farm bailiff's daughter, Annie Macdonald Wood. Within a year they were to be married at St Bartholomew's Church in Earley, Reading.
Their first home was in Reading with Albert's widowed mother Jessie. With Annie heavily pregnant with first child Geoffrey Albert (b 1946), Albert joined the ss Empire Martaban for a nine-month voyage via South Africa to New Zealand and Australia. This voyage proved to be Albert's first and last for upon return to England he voluntarily discharged himself from further sea service.
Over the next couple of years Albert and Annie continued to live in Reading, they had a daughter Susan (b 1947). Then an opportunity arose to move to their own house in Gosport, Hampshire where a similar move had already been made by Albert's married sister Nora and her husband Reg. Albert it seems had numerous jobs whilst in Gosport (including ship's painter and milkman) whilst Annie had numerous babies; Janet b 1950, Gary b 1952 and Lynne b 1954.
Those who knew Albert would confirm that he was a strict and disciplined father, but always kind and personable, the life and soul of any party, generous to a fault and ready to tease his children or anyone who visited. He therefore met many friends at work and, as well as inviting them home, would join with them in sports and social events. He played football for a local team in Gosport but tragically during a game on Sunday 11 March 1956 he suffered a severe head injury. Although brought home by colleagues he remained unwell and was admitted 72 hours later to Portsmouth's Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Cosham.
Whilst at first it was hoped that a recovery would be possible, he was then transferred to the specialist Atkinson Morley Hospital in Morden, Surrey and where, sadly, he died on the 27 March 1956 aged 29. Albert was buried in Reading's Old Cemetery on 4 April 1956 and which, with some coincidence, is on land opposite what was his parents house in Reading. Upon his death, Annie was pregnant with his last and sixth child Brian, b 4 September 1956.