One of our more mysterious families, Sarah BROADHURST (#3 of 11) and James WOODWARD, has a bit more information thanks to Bill Hoke. Bill recalled two things about their daughter Frances Woodward: Frances was a Ziegfeld Girl and she married George Bau. From those two clues I was able to piece this story together.

Frances was born in 1908 in Dover, New Hampshire where her parents worked in a cotton mill and sometime after 1920, she moved to New York City. By opening night, 28 March 1927,  Frances was a dancing girl at the Majestic Theater (where the Phantom lives now) in a musical review, “Rufus LeMaire’s Affairs.” In August of 1927 Frances was in the opening night cast of  ”Ziegfeld Follies of 1927″ at the New Amsterdam Theatre on 42nd Street, where Disney’s Lion King reigned. The picture above on the left is of the Ziegfeld Girls around the time Frances was a member. Additional information is listed in Frances’ Internet Broadway Database listing: click here to view.

Frances must have been garnering attention as an actress because by 1932 when she fell off a horse and broke her arm in Baltimore the news made it into The New York Times:

Ed Wynn

In 1934 Frances Woodward marries and again she makes the New York Times:

Her husband Adrian Droeshout worked for the French Line Steamship Company.

So how does Charles Laughton and his hump work into this tale?

From other family obituaries we know that Frances’ parents moved at some point to Los Angeles and I think Frances and her husband moved there before 1943. The Internet Movie Database list Frances Woodward playing the role of Sue Mason in the Hopalong Cassidy adventure “Riders of the Deadline.” It is her only credit on IMDB.com.

Frances gets credit above Robert Mitchum!

The Internet Movie Database lists Adrian Droeshout playing uncredited bit parts in movies from 1944 – 1946. It’s the the war years. By 1949 Adrian returns to work for the French Line in their new Los Angeles office according to a New York Times article. In that article it states that Adrian had been working with the publicity department of Warner Brothers.

The Hump?

Also at Warner Brothers were Gordon Bau, the head of makeup department and his brother George Bau, renowned Hollywood makeup artist, who at one time headed its prosthetics laboratory. George developed a new foam rubber formula for a lightweight facial makeup and hump which Charles Laughton wore as Quasimodo in 1939′s Hunchback of Notre Dame.

So, where are we?

I haven’t found any record of a divorce for Frances and Adrian, but our cousin Bill Hoke is certain that Frances and George Bau visited the Adams Cabins as husband and wife. Were they? Does anyone else know any more information about these family members? Let me know if you do and thanks for reading all the way to the bottom on this one!

Lowell Cemetery Gate

John Broadhurst was the son of John Richard “Jack” and Edith Broadhurst. He died when he was only 13 years old and is buried in Lowell Cemetery. The funeral bearers were Frank Crossley, Carl Costello, Peter Broadhurst and Harry Maguire as noted below. Frank Crossley was the husband of Frances “Fanny” Broadhurst. Carl Costello was Frank’s son-in-law having married his daughter Elizabeth. Peter Broadhurst was my grandfather. Harry Maguire is an unknown person at this time.

The Lowell Sun, Lowell, MA., Wed., 21 Nov. 1923, Page 3:

DEATHS

BROADHURST–The many friends of John R. and Edith M. Broadhurst will regret to hear of the death of their son, John G. Broadhurst, who died yesterday at the home of his parents, 77 West Fourth Street, aged 13 years, 3 months and 17 days. Besides his parents, he is survived by one brother, Harold, and a sister, Eva Broadhurst, all of this city.

FUNERAL NOTICES

BROADHURST–Died in this city, Nov. 20, at 77 West Fourth Street, John G. Broadhurst, son of John R. and Edith M. Broadhurst. Funeral services will be held at 77 West Fourth Street on Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock. Friends are respectfully invited. Undertaker William H. Saunders in charge.

Lowell Courier-Citizen, Sat., 24 Nov. 1923:

FUNERALS

The funeral of John George Broadhurst took place yesterday afternoon at 2 o’clock from the home of his parents, 77 West Fourth Street, and was largely attended. The services were conducted by Rev. Appleton Grannis, rector of St. Anne’s Episcopal Church. There were many floral tributes. The bearers were Frank Crossley, Carl Costello, Peter Broadhurst and Harry Maguire. Burial took place in the family lot in the Lowell cemetery, where the committal service was read by Rev. Mr. Grannis. The funeral arrangements were in charge of Undertaker William H. Saunders.

Once upon a time, at least once, our Richard and Sarah Ann Broadhurst family went on vacation to the Isle of Man. The Isle of Man is a self-governing British Crown Dependency located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Tourism boomed here in the late 1870′s and 1880′s as it became a favorite vacation spot for the mill workers of England; like our family.

The photo above–click photo for larger image–was provide by Bill Hoke at our recent Broadhurst Families reunion, it’s of our family taken on the Isle of Man. The photographer was Hugh H. McKay of Viking Studio on Douglas Head Road and based on the fake car it may have been taken around 1905.

By this time all eleven of Richard and Sarah’s children had been born: 1) Fannie, 1877 ; 2) Annie, 1879; 3) Sarah, 1882; 4) Jack, 1884; 5) Gertrude, 1887; 6) May, 1888; 7) Peter, 1889; 8) Nellie, 1891; 9) Violet, 1894; 10) Percy, 1896; and 11) Willie, 1898. In the 1901 England census two of their children were not in the household; Fannie and Sarah.

So who’s who? Does any one out there know for sure?

Click any of the images below to see views of The Isle of Man about the time our family visited ….

Up until recently the earliest family group I’ve posted has been John and Frances Adshead BROADHURST. John and Frances are my 2nd great grandparents. Their marriage certificate list’s John’s father as William Broadhurst and Edward Broadhurst as a witness. An 1841 England Census lists what I believe to be his family; William and Mary Broadhurst with children Elizabeth, Ann, Edward and Richard. I’ve recently found an older RootsWeb posting that perhaps better documents this family grouping. As of this date I still to confirm the sources with the original RootsWeb lister. Based on this infomation the family group would be as follows:

Farmer William BROADHURST (b abt 1781 Chelford) married Mary HARDERN on Tuesday, 10 February 1807 in St. Mary’s Sandbach. William and Mary may have had eight children:

1. William (b 3 Feb 1810 in Chelford, bap 04 Mar 1810)
2. John (b 27 Jan 1812 in Chelford, bap 23 Feb 1812) “my” Broadhurst lineage
3. Thomas (b 17 Apr 1814 in Chelford, bap 17 Apr 1814)
4. Edward H. (b 21 Apr 1816 in Chelford, bap 21 Apr 1816, married Ann WOOLLEY abt 1845, d 17 Feb 1885 buried in Wilmslow Parish Church Cemetery)
5. Richard (b 9 Mar 1818 in Chelford, bap 5 Apr 1818, married Mary UNKOWN, d 17 Mar 1884 in Broadwall, Sandbach and buried 21 Mar 1884 in St. Bartholemews, Wilmslow)
6. Joseph (b 10 Jul 1820 in Chelford, bap 06 Aug 1820)
7. Elizabeth (b 1824 in Cheshire)
8. Ann (b 1829 in Sandbach, Cheshire)

Thirty relative strangers shared a wonderful weekend together this June. Cousins mostly as we’re all related by virtue of sharing a connection to one of the eleven children of Richard and Sarah Ann Jones Broadhurst. Thanks go to the families of Harold Broadhurst and his sister Shirley Smaka for hosting a cocktail party and then arranging a dinner for us at Foxy’s near Alexandria Bay. The next day Gary and Kathy Snow hosted us at their riverfront home in Alexandria Bay, a place many knew as The Adams Greentop Cabins from childhood. Gary’s grandparents owned the property originally and it held wonderful memories for many of the cousins.

click photo for a larger image

Click here for more photos from the reunion

Photos courtesy of their great grandson, Bill Hoke. Click on thumbnails to view larger images.

Richard BROADHURST was born in 1855 in Hale, Cheshire. He is the son of John and Frances Adshead BROADHURST.  On 19 June 1876, at about 21 years old, Richard Broadhurst married 15 year old Sarah Ann Jones (b.1861 Wilmslow) at St. Mary’s in Bowdon, Cheshire, a village just west of Hale and 1 mile south of Altrincham. Richard and Sarah Ann had eleven known children:

1. Frances Mary (“Fannie” abt 1877 Wilmslow, married Frank A. CROSSLEY)
2. Jane Ann (“Annie” abt 1879 Wilmslow)
3. Sarah (abt 1882 Leigh, married John James WOODWARD)
4. John Richard (28 March 1884, Leigh, married Edith Mary BAILEY)
5. Gertrude (abt 1887 Leigh, married Arthur Adams)
6. Mary (“May “or “Mae” abt 1888 Leigh)
7. Peter Ernest (abt 1889 Rochdale, married Elizabeth ASPIN)
8. Nellie (abt 1891 Shaw, married William Thomas HOWORTH)
9. Violet (abt 1894 Wilmslow, married William DAVIS)
10. Percy (abt 1896 Heywood, married Edith Annie BRADBURY)
11. William Arthur (“Willie” abt 1898 Blackburn, married Emily READ)

1881 Census. By 1881, Richard and Sarah Ann lived at 68 Manor Road in Altrincham in St. John’s parish. Altrincham is less than two miles NNE of Bowdon. Richard had left the farm and was working as a Bricklayer’s laborer. Along with Richard and Sarah Ann the household included daughters Frances M. and Jane Ann as well as Richard’s 70 year old mother, Frances, and 69 year old father, John.

It’s likely Richard and Sarah Ann lived in Leigh, Lancashire around 1882-1888 as they had four children born here during this period; Sarah, John Richard, Gertrude and Mary.

1891 Census. By 1891, Richard had moved his family about 18 miles east-northeast to 2 Spadescroft, Crompton, Lancashire, where he returned to work on a farm as a farm laborer. Crompton was a cotton mill town and Fannie and Annie, 14 and 12, worked in a mill. Richard and Sarah Ann had two more children by this time; Peter Ernest and Nellie.

1901 Census. During the 1901 census Richard’s family had moved about 5 miles west and lived at 1 Peel Street in Heywood, Lancashire. By this time Richard and Sarah Ann had three more children; Violet, Percy and William Arthur. By this time Fannie and Sarah had left home while Annie, John Richard and Gertrude were at home and all worked in cotton mills.

To America – 1923. On 22 October 1923, the family of Nellie (nee Broadhurst), William Thomas and May HOWORTH set sail aboard the S.S. Megantic from Liverpool, England. With them is Nellie’s mother, Sarah Ann BROADHURST now a widow and listed at 5′-2″ tall with grey hair and grey eyes. It is the first time to America for all of the party and they all declare their intent to become US citizens. They arrive into Boston on November 1^st. They are headed to Utica, New York and the home of Arthur and Gertrude ADAMS nee Broadhurst at 543 Main Street.

Richard and Sarah Ann Deaths. About 12 miles north-northwest from Heywood, Richard BROADHURST died Monday 19 July 1910 at the age of 58 at 7 Colliers Row, Oswaldtwistle, Blackburn. His death certificate states: “Heart failure accelerated by injuries received on the 18th of June whilst riding his bicycle by coming into collision with another cyclist.” The deadly bicycle accident occurred in Harlingen, Lancashire Cheshire, about 4 miles from Oswaldtwistle. Richard’s oldest daughter Frances M Crossley nee Broadhurst lived in Haslingden.

Sarah Ann Jones BROADHURST died Sunday 09 May 1926, in the Utica, New York, at the age of 64 or 65. See her obituary here.

Percy and Edith are in the center with their son Kenneth and his family on the left and son Donald on the right

(post updated 14 May 2010 to include photo)

Percy BROADHURST was born on 22 January 1895 in Heywood, Lancashire, England. Percy was the tenth child of Richard Broadhurst and Sarah Ann JONES. On 20 December 1920, Percy married Edith Annie BRADBURY, born on 22 October 1899. (BRADBURY was her mother’s name later in life, it’s not confirmed if that was Edith’s maiden name). Percy and Edith Annie had two children:

1. Kenneth (b 1923, d 19 May 1977, Ogdensburg, NY)
2. Donald G. (b 15 August 1935, Utica, NY; d 01 February 2009, Port Orange, FL)

1901 England Census. Five year old Percy lived in the family’s Peel Street home. Two of his older sisters had married and moved out by this time. Fannie CROSSLEY nee Broadhurst and Sarah WOODWARD nee Broadhurst both lived in Haslingden, Lancashire.

To America – 1913. When Percy was 18 years old he sailed without other family members aboard the S.S. Adriatic from Liverpool on 10 April arriving in New York, NY 19 April 1913. He was headed to Lowell, Massachusetts where his sister, Frances M CROSSLEY nee Broadhurst lived at the time. The address looks like 5 West Tenth St but it is slightly illegible. He lists his mother, Sarah BROADHURST as his nearest living relative in England and her address at the time was Castle Street, Blackburn (house number is perhaps 10 or 19).

Back to England – 1914/5. In Percy’s WWI service record, he indicates in a letter that he returned with his brother (unnamed) to England for a holiday arriving Liverpool aboard the S.S. Bohemian on 25 December 1914 and ended up enlisting. At this date, I’ve found no record of the Bohemian in Liverpool at that date. Perhaps he joined brothers John Richard and Peter Ernest BROADHURST on their Bohemian voyage in 1915.

World War I. Percy BROADHURST, now living at 2 Plymouth Street, Blackburn, joins the Royal Regiment of Artillery on 03 November 1915. His mother is listed as next of kin and her address given as 36 Smithy St, Blackburn. He gives his occupation as “clerk.” Three days later he reported to Fort Brockhurst in Gosport, England. Percy was discharged 27 November 1918. He saw active service on three occasions and was discharged due to having been “gassed” thereby “unfit for further service.” He was in regiment 6274 and his rank was “Gunner” in the Royal Garrison Artillery at the time of his discharge. In 1920 he lists his address as 26 Fir Street, Patricroft. His records are part of the “First World War Burnt Documents” collection

Back to America – 1924. This time Percy BROADHURST was married to Edith Annie BRADBURY and had their one son, 5-year old Kenneth with them on the voyage. The family arrived in New York, again, for Percy, on the S.S. Adriatic, on 22 September, 1924 from Liverpool. Percy, now 28, is listed as an Electrical Engineer on the ship’s manifest and the family was headed to New York Mills, Utica, New York. The manifest indicates they were going to his mother’s house, Sarah Ann Broadhurst, at 343 Maine (probably 543 Main) Street.

1930 US Census. Six years later the family rented 328 North Genesee St, Utica, NY for $25 a month. Percy was a “Supervisor Heat” for the Utica Gas and Electric Company. He worked for Niagara Mohawk Power Company for 36 years and was a superintendent at the time he left the company.

The Queen Mary – 1948. Percy (52), Edith (48) and 11-year old son Donald G. BROADHURST (b.1937) were aboard The Queen Mary. They left from Southampton on 25 August 1948 and arrived in New York on 30 August 1948. They were in “tourist” class.  Their address is given as 2-1/2 Westmorland Street, Whitesboro, NY

Move to Florida. Sometime around 1971 Percy and Edith Annie moved to Florida.

The deaths of Percy and Edith Annie. Percy died Sunday, 25 January, 1976 in Port Orange, Florida three days after his birthday at the age of 81. He passed away in Halifax Hospital in Daytona Beach. Percy and Edith lived in Utica (to include Whitesboro) for 48 years. A former member of the Faxton Masonic Lodge, Utica, a Masonic service was conducted for Percy. He is buried in Daytona Beach, FL. His younger brother, William BROADHURST, died the following day in St. Petersburg Beach, FL.

At this time, Edith Annie‘s death is only known through the Social Security Death Index; she died in July, 1986, also in Port Orange Florida.

post updated 06 June 09

Karen Locke provided this great picture of various BROADHURST FAMILIES taken in the 1950′s. Karen is the child in the forefront of the photo. Thank you, Karen! Click on photo to enlarge.

1. Karen Sue Locke Fehr, granddaughter of Nellie Broadhurst (#6) and William T. (#4) daughter of May (#11)
2. William Arthur “Bill” Broadhurst (1897-1976), the youngest of the eleven siblings of Richard and Sarah Ann Broadhurst, died the day after his brother Percy (#15) husband of Emily (#3)
3. Emily Read Broadhurst (1898-1995), wife of Bill (#2)
4. William Thomas Howarth (1890-1957), Grandfather of Karen (#1) and husband of Nellie (#6)
5. Violet Broadhurst (1893-1982), youngest daughter of the eleven siblings of Richard and Sarah Ann
6. Nellie Broadhurst ( 1891-1967), wife of William T Howarth (#4) and Grandmother of Karen (#1)
7. Eva Broadhurst (d 1970), daughter of John Richard “Jack” Broadhurst (#12) and Edith Mary “Edie” Broadhurst (#8) wife of Lee (#16)
8. Edith Mary “Edie” Bailey Broadhurst (1887-1966), wife of John Richard “Jack” Broadhurst (#12)
9. Ruth Phillips Broadhurst, wife of Lawrence Broadhurst (#10)
10. Lawrence Broadhurst (1923-1991), husband of Ruth (#9) and son of Bill (#2) and Emily (#3)
11. May Howarth Locke (1914-1980), mother of Karen (#1) and wife of the Norman A. Locke, the photographer
12. John Richard “Jack” Broadhurst (1884-1962), eldest son of the eleven siblings of Richard and Sarah Ann Broadhurst, husband of Edith (#8)
13. Donald G. Broadhurst (1935-2009), son of Percy (#15) and Annie (#14)
14. Edith Annie Bradbury Broadhurst (1899-1996), wife of Percy (#15) mother of Donald G. (#13)
15. Percy Broadhurst (1895-1976), the younger brother of Bill (#2) husband of Annie (#14) died the day before Bill
16. Leland “Lee” Francis Wittenbeck, husband of Eva (#7)

Click on the picture to see a larger version of the photo. Remember, all photos are welcome and I’ll post them on the site for all of us to enjoy!

In 1841 Cheshire there are 522 BROADHURSTs listed in the England Census as found at FindMyPast.co.uk. 268 males and 284 females live in the 10 Registration Districts as shown in the chart below.  There may very well be more individuals that were perhaps not recorded in the Census or listed at FindMyPast. As an example, I know of one 96 year old William Broadhurst who shows up in the Ancestry.com records but not in FindMyPast. 

Violet BROADHURST was born in 03 Feb 1893 in Wilmslow, Cheshire, England. She was the youngest daughter and ninth child of Richard BROADHURST and Sarah Ann JONES. On 22 November 1917 she married James E. HUGHES in Lowell, MA. Sometime later she married William DAVIS. Violet is associated with one child in some records but it is unclear if she was the birth-mother:

1. Evelyn (b 1918 Massachusetts)

1901 England Census. Seven year old Violet lived in Heywood, Lancashire at the Peel Street family home.

To America – 1907. The S.S. Adriatic manifest indicates that Violet had been to America before, in 1907. The is an arrival record into Canada in February 1907 that lists a married Frank CROSSLEY and Violet CROSSLEY, perhaps was really Violet Broadhurst as other records show this family to be close and to travel together. The ship was the Empress of Ireland which arrived into New Brunswick, Canada on 16 February 1907 in from Liverpool. John J WOODWARD is also aboard; he is the husband of Sarah BROADHURST. I don’t find her listing on board.

To America – 1911. With her 35 year old sister, Frances M CROSSLEY nee Broadhurst and her nine year old daughter Elizabeth, 17 year old Violet head to America on the S.S. Adriatic. They leave from Liverpool on 26 August 1911 and arrive in New York on September 3^rd. They are headed to the Crossley house at 18 Second St in Lowell, MA. Next of kin in England is listed as her brother John Broadhurst at 17 (unintelligible) Street, Newton Heath. Violet’s occupation, at 17, is listed as “cutter.” Violet’s passage was paid by her brother-in-law, Frank CROSSLEY.

Lowell City Directory – 1917. Violet BROADHURST is listed: “operative bds 26 Read”

Evelyn – 1918. A daughter, Evelyn was born in 1918.  At this time, I cannot find any record of James and Violet being together beyond their marriage announcement in 1917. However, I have located a 1920 US Census record of a William T. Davis living with his sister and his 30-month old daughter, Evelyn. No spouse is recorded.

1930 US Census. By now, Violet (36) is Mrs. William DAVIS (he is 42) living in Whitestown, Oneida County, NY. They rented their place at 462 Main Street for $26 a month. Along with 12 year old daughter Evelyn Davis, Violet’s younger brother and his family live with them. William BROADHURST (32), his wife Emily BROADHURST (30) and their son Lawrence BROADHURST (6) share the household. Both Williams work at the gas and electric company, Davis as a machinist and Broadhurst as a laborer.  Violet is a “finisher” in a cotton mill. It appears that William DAVIS had been married before as it’s reported that he was 25 years old at his first marriage. Violet is reported at 24 at her first marriage.

The death of Violet and William. After a long illness, Violet died at the age of 88 in the Rome Hospital, NY, on Wednesday, 20 October, 1982. Surviving her was her daughter Evelyn, now Mrs. Evelyn FARR of Kissimmee, FL. Previously, she lived at 12 Curran Road, Whitesboro, NY. She is buried in Oriskany Cemetery. She was predeceased by her husband William Davis.