Samuel of High Ercall

… and his descendants

Reviewed and updated 21 Jun 2014

Samuel Atcherley founded a line of farmers who, after the marriage of his son John to Elizabeth Wood, occupied Moortown in the Shropshire parish of High Ercall for about 150 years, until the farm was lost in the 1880s.

Unless otherwise stated, all places named below are in Shropshire, England and those places outside Shropshire are in England or Wales.

[Top] 1st generation

Samuel Atcherley. Baptised 2 Sep 1687 at Shrewsbury. A gentleman farmer. Was “of p. Staunton” (parish of Stanton upon Hine Heath) at the time of his death in 1731. Buried 11 Aug 1731 at High Ercall, aged about 43. ^Parents

Spouse: Elizabeth Shelton. Born at Perton in the parish of Tettenhall, Staffordshire, daughter of John Shelton. Baptised (as Elizabeth, daughter of John Sheldon) at Tettenhall, Staffordshire, 17 Apr 1677. She married “Samuel Roycraft, of the Parish of High Arcol” (Samuel Roycroft of High Ercall) at Tettenhall, Staffordshire, 7 Dec 1699. Samuel, “of the Moor” (Moortown) was buried at High Ercall 11 May 1708. The widowed Elizabeth Roycroft then married Samuel Atcherley 30 Nov 1710 at High Ercall, and after making her will on 21 Jun 1728 she was buried there 5 Sep 1729. The parish register described her as the wife of Samuel Atcherly, of “Sowbich” (Sowbath, in the parish of Stanton upon Hine Heath). Son:

  • John Atcherley. Born at Roden in the parish of Ercall Magna. Baptised 15 Mar 1714/5 at High Ercall. 2nd generation >>

[Top] 2nd generation

John Atcherley. Born at Roden in the parish of Ercall Magna. Baptised 15 Mar 1714/5 at Ercall Magna. Buried 27 Dec 1750 at High Ercall aged about 35. ^Parents

Spouse: Elizabeth Wood. Born at The Cross Pavement, Rowton, in the parish of Ercall Magna, daughter of Robert Wood and his wife Margaret. Baptised at High Ercall 12 Mar 1713/4. Married 20 Jul 1736 at Stoke Upon Tern. After the death of her husband John Atcherley she lived at Moortown, Ercall Magna, with her brother Thomas Wood and succeeded him in the tenancy of the farm there; she was “of the Moor” at the time of her death on 9 Nov 1777. Buried 13 Nov 1777 at High Ercall, age given as 64. Children:

  • Samuel Atcherley. Born at Moortown, Ercall Magna. Baptised 2 Sep 1737 at High Ercall. Buried there 13 Feb 1742, aged about 4.
  • John Atcherley. Baptised 4 Jan 1738/9 at Alberbury. 3rd generation >>
  • Thomas Atcherley. Baptised 28 Sep 1740 at Alberbury. Buried 22 May 1763 at High Ercall 22 May 1763, aged about 22.

[Top] 3rd generation

John Atcherley. Baptised 4 Jan 1738/9 at Alberbury. Buried 21 Feb 1803 at High Ercall, having died intestate aged about 64; he was described as “late of the parish of High Ercall, ffarmer” when his widow Elizabeth was granted administration of his estate on 19 Oct 1803. ^Parents

Spouse: Elizabeth Beech. Born about 1731 based on her age at death, probably in London, Middlesex (where she was married and where her son John was baptised) or perhaps in Hertfordshire (in which county her sons Samuel and Robert were married and buried, respectively). Married 20 Apr 1763 at Westminster, Middlesex. Was of Moortown, Ercall Magna at the time of her death, aged 89. Buried 15 Dec 1820 at High Ercall.

Children:

  • Samuel Atcherley. Born at Moortown in the parish of Ercall Magna, and baptised at High Ercall in that parish on 2 Mar 1764. 4th generation >>
  • John Atcherley. Born at Westminster, Middlesex, 18 May 1766 and baptised there 6 Jun 1766. Branch 1a: John of Waters Upton >>
  • Robert Atcherley. Born at Moortown in the parish of Ercall Magna, and baptised at High Ercall in that parish on 14 Apr 1769. Monumental inscription at the Conventual Church of St Alban, Hertfordshire states “Robert Atcherley, late Lieutenant and Paymaster of the Rutland Fencibles, dyed 22nd of February 1795, aged 26.” Buried at St Albans, Hertfordshire 24 Feb 1795.

[Top] 4th generation

Samuel Atcherley. Born at Moortown in the parish of Ercall Magna, and baptised at High Ercall in that parish on 2 Mar 1764. A farmer. Census: 1841 – Moortown, Ercall Magna. Died 12 Jul 1847 at Moortown in the parish of Ercall Magna, aged 83, and buried at High Ercall in that parish on 16 Jul 1847. ^Parents

Spouse 1: Frances Bathamley or Bothamley. Possibly the daughter of Joseph Bothamley, yeoman, of Bailiams Farm in the parish of Harpenden, Hertfordshire (the farm being on the boundary between that parish and the neighbouring parish of Redbourn). Married 9 May 1797 at Redbourn, Hertfordshire. Buried 4 May 1798 at Ercall Magna. Daughter:

  • Frances Elizabeth Atcherley. Born at Moortown in the parish of Ercall Magna, and baptised 4 Apr 1798 at High Ercall in that parish. Married Richard Juckes (baptised 9 Aug 1792 at High Ercall) there 24 Jul 1817. The couple had 12 children, ten born at at Stanton Lacey and two at Dinchope in the parish of Halford. Richard Juckes died 5 Mar 1866 at Condover and was buried there 9 Mar 1866. Frances died 7 May 1879 at Cheetham, Lancashire.

Spouse 2: Margaret Wase. Baptised 16 May 1770 at Waters Upton, daughter of John Wase and his wife Sarah Slater. Married there 15 Mar 1802. Buried at High Ercall 18 Apr 1820, aged 49. Children:

  • Mary Atcherley. Born at Moortown, Ercall Magna, and baptised at High Ercall in that parish 6 Mar 1804. 5th generation, family 1 >>
  • Robert Atcherley. Born at Moortown, Ercall Magna, and baptised at High Ercall in that parish 12 Jul 1805. 5th generation, family 2 >>
  • Sarah Atcherley. Born at Moortown, Ercall Magna, baptised at High Ercall in that parish 20 Oct 1806, and buried there 14 Feb 1812, aged about 5.
  • Margaret Atcherley. Born at Moortown, Ercall Magna, and baptised at High Ercall in that parish 6 Dec 1807. Nothing further known.
  • Ann Atcherley. Born at Moortown, Ercall Magna, baptised at High Ercall in that parish 27 Feb 1809, and buried there 12 Aug 1812, aged about 3.
  • Emma Charlotte Atcherley. Born at Moortown, Ercall Magna, and baptised at High Ercall in that parish 12 Aug 1812. Married Joseph Shakeshaft, a farmer of Cold Hatton (baptised 29 Jun 1802, son of farmer Samuel Shakeshaft and his second wife Ann Skitt), at High Ercall 5 Nov 1839. The couple lived at Cold Hatton and had one child, Samuel Atcherley Shakeshaft, before Emma died. She was buried 3 Feb 1845 at High Ercall, aged 32. Joseph then married Martha Wright on 13 Nov 1846 at High Ercall. This couple had five children, one of whom had a son named Joseph Baxter Shakeshaft, who married Ada Mabel Atcherley, a grand-niece of Emma Charlotte Atcherley.

Spouse 3: Ann Tunnington. Born about 1755. Possibly the Ann Turf of Wellington who married William Tunnington of that parish on 21 Apr 1778 and who was later widowed (a William Tonington was buried at High Ercall 31 Aug 1816, aged 61). Married Samuel at High Ercall on 16 Apr 1823, and was buried there 10 Nov 1830, age given as 75. Samuel and Ann had no children.

[Top] 5th generation, family 1

Mary Atcherley. Born at Moortown, Ercall Magna, and baptised at High Ercall in that parish 6 Mar 1804. ^Parents

Spouse 1: Unknown. Son (born out of wedlock):

Spouse 2: John Titley. Born around 1796 at Waters Upton. Married there 23 Mar 1826. A butcher. John and Mary had three sons at Waters Upton: Thomas, John and Samuel, the latter two dying in infancy. Mary died 6 Apr 1832, aged 28, and was buried at Waters Upton. John died 4 Mar 1856, aged 60, and was buried at Waters Upton.

[Top] 5th generation, family 2

Robert Atcherley. Born at Moortown, Ercall Magna, and baptised at High Ercall in that parish 12 Jul 1805. A farmer. Census: 1841, 1851, 1861 – Moortown, Ercall Magna. Died 16 Sep 1861 at Moortown, aged 56. Buried 19 Sep 1861 at High Ercall. ^Parents

Spouse: Elizabeth Icke. Born at Cold Hatton, Ercall Magna and baptised 13 May 1810 at Waters Upton, daughter of victualler William Icke and his wife Eleanor Icke. Married 1 Aug 1837 at Waters Upton. Census: 1841, 1851 – with husband; 1861 – High Offley, Staffordshire; 1871 – Osbaston, Ercall Magna; 1881 – Ercall Magna; 1891 – Osbaston, Ercall Magna. Buried 27 Mar 1896 at High Ercall, aged 86. Children:

  • John Atcherley. Born at Moortown, Ercall Magna, and baptised at High Ercall in that parish 9 Feb 1838. Held various jobs (including cook and labourer) in New Zealand, was a farmer at High Offley, Staffordshire after his return to England, before being declared bankrupt, then worked as a gardener. Census: 1841, 1851 – with parents; 1861 – with father; 1871 – Moortown, Ercall Magna; 1881, 1891 – not on census, living in New Zealand; 1901 – Wednesfield, Staffordshire; 1911 – Arthog, Merionethshire. Married Charlotte Elizabeth Ethell (baptised 25 May 1845 at Norton Canes, Staffordshire, daughter of farmer Thomas Ethell and his wife Sarah Ann Lindop) 1 Jun 1897 at High Offley, Staffordshire. The couple had no children. John died 1914 in Wales, aged 76, and Charlotte died there in 1916, age given as 72.
  • Margaret Jemima Atcherley. Born at Moortown, Ercall Magna, and baptised at High Ercall in that parish 22 Mar 1839. Census: 1841 – with parents; 1851 – Market Drayton; 1861 – with father; 1871 – Moortown, Ercall Magna; 1881 – Ercall Magna. Went to South Africa and married Edward Ryley (born 21 Mar 1837 at Betton, Drayton in Hales, son of miller Edward Ryley and his wife Mary Ann Heath) there on 3 Sep 1883 at Pinetown, Natal, following the death of Edward’s first wife – Margaret’s younger sister Mary Ellen Atcherley (see below). Edward and Margaret had no children. Edward died at Dundee, Natal, South Africa on 9 Jun 1912, aged 75. Margaret died there on 10 Feb 1935, aged 96.
  • Mary Ellen Atcherley. Born at Moortown, Ercall Magna, and baptised at High Ercall in that parish 13 Jul 1840. Census: 1841, 1851 – with parents; 1861 – with father. Married Edward Ryley on 14 May 1862 at High Ercall and emigrated with him and their eleven children to South Africa in 1879 (their eleventh child may not have been born until after their arrival). Mary died 16 Oct 1879 at Durban, Natal, South Africa, aged 39, after which Edward married Mary’s older sister Margaret Jemima Atcherley (see above).
  • Samuel Atcherley. Born at Moortown in the parish of Ercall Magna and baptised at High Ercall in that parish on 8 Jul 1842. 6th generation, family 1 >>
  • Elizabeth Atcherley. Born at Moortown, Ercall Magna, baptised at High Ercall in that parish 1 Sep 1844, and buried there 1 Mar 1845, aged 6 months.
  • Robert Atcherley. Born at Moortown, Ercall Magna, baptised at High Ercall in that parish 10 Jul 1846, and buried there 18 Dec 1848, aged 2.
  • Fanny Atcherley. Born at Moortown, Ercall Magna, towards the end of 1847, baptised at High Ercall in that parish 5 Jun 1848, and buried there just over six months later on 11 Dec 1848, aged 1.
  • William Henry Atcherley. Born 31 May 1849 at Moortown, Ercall Magna. 6th generation, family 2 >>
  • Charlotte Emma Atcherley. Born around January 1851 at Moortown, Ercall Magna. Census: 1851 – with parents; 1861 – Wellington. Married John Brookes (baptised 4 Feb 1839 at High Ercall, son of farmer Thomas Brookes and his wife Sarah Adney of Osbaston), a farmer, on 2 Oct 1867 at High Ercall and lived with him at Osbaston. The couple had five children, one of whom (Gertrude Elizabeth) married her first cousin Robert Atcherley (son of Charlotte Emma’s brother Robert, see below), while another (Thomas Brookes) also married a first cousin, Elizabeth Maud Ryley (daughter of Charlotte Emma’s sister Mary Ellen, see above), in South Africa. John Brookes died 13 Jan 1893 and was buried 17 Jan 1893 at High Ercall, aged 53. Charlotte was buried there on 14 Oct 1912, age given as 62.

[Top] 6th generation, family 1

Samuel Atcherley. Born at Moortown in the parish of Ercall Magna and baptised at High Ercall in that parish on 8 Jul 1842. A linen merchant and small farmer. Census: 1851 – Moortown, Ercall Magna; 1861 – Clerkenwell, Middlesex; 1871 – Walton on the Hill, Lancashire; 1881, 1891, 1901, 1911 – Maghull, Lancashire. Died 16 Mar 1917 at Poynton in the parish of Ercall Magna, aged 74. ^Parents

Spouse: Helen Brookes. Born at Osbaston in the parish of Ercall Magna and baptised at High Ercall in that parish on 19 Jun 1844, daughter of farmer Thomas Brookes and his wife Sarah Adney. Married 2 Apr 1867 at High Ercall. Census: 1871, 1881, 1891, 1901, 1911 – with husband. Died 28 Jan 1914 in Shropshire, likely at Poynton, aged 69. Children:

  • Robert Atcherley. Born in Liverpool, Lancashire. Baptised 16 Feb 1868 at Wavertree, Lancashire. A fruit merchant, he was a director of Elders & Fyffes and made many trips to Las Palmas and Grand Canary. Census: 1871, 1881 – with parents. 1891, 1901, 1911 – unknown (probably abroad on business). Married Helena Anastasia Johnston (born 1 Apr 1857 at Cashel in the parish of Tullaghobegley, County Donegal, Ireland and baptised at that parish 10 May 1857, daughter of Robert Johnston and his wife Catherine Dick) 1893 in Ireland. The couple had no children. Helena died 21 Dec 1919 in Lancashire, aged 62 (though her age was given as 58). Robert married his first cousin, Gertrude Elizabeth Brookes (born at Osbaston in the parish of Ercall Magna and baptised at High Ercall in that parish 22 May 1869, daughter of Robert’s paternal aunt Charlotte Emma Atcherley and of his maternal uncle John Brookes) on 20 Jun 1921 at Ercall Magna. Both were in their early 50s and they had no children. Robert died 19 Jan 1954 in Shropshire, aged 86, and was buried at High Ercall. Gertrude died in Shropshire, aged 91, on 22 Apr 1961.
  • Helena Atcherley. Born 1870 in Liverpool, Lancashire. Baptised 11 Sep 1870 at High Ercall. Census: 1871, 1881, 1891, 1901 – with parents. Married Edward John Taylor (born 1859 at Stourbridge, Worcestershire), a chain manufacturer, 22 Jan 1902 at Maghull, Lancashire. The couple had no children. Edward died 14 Jun 1929 at Wollescote Hall, near Stourbridge, Worcestershire, aged 69. Helena died 4 Nov 1940 in Worcestershire, aged 70.
  • Amy Elizabeth Atcherley. Born 5 May 1875, and baptised 13 Jun 1875, at Maghull, Lancashire. Buried there on 29 Dec 1876, aged 19 months.
  • Samuel Atcherley. Born 1 Jan 1878 at Maghull, Lancashire and baptised there 24 Feb 1878. 7th generation, family 1 >>

[Top] 6th generation, family 2

William Henry Atcherley. Born 31 May 1849 at Moortown. Baptised, aged 32, on 5 Apr 1882 at High Ercall, shortly before his marriage there. A farmer, until he lost the family farm after being declared bankrupt in 1887. Held a variety of jobs after this including licensed victualler, time keeper at a car works, and a seed merchant. Census: 1851, 1861 – Moortown, Ercall Magna; 1871 – Liverpool, Lancashire; 1881 – Ercall Magna; 1891 – Waters Upton; 1901 – Hadley, Wellington; 1911 – Moseley, Worcestershire. Died 1921 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, aged 72. ^Parents

Spouse: Charlotte Emma Shakeshaft. Born about 1853 at Cold Hatton, High Ercall, daughter of farmer William Shakeshaft and his wife Sarah Icke. Married at High Ercall 11 Apr 1882. Census: 1891, 1901, 1911 – with husband. Died 1946 in Warwickshire, aged 93. Children:

  • Charlotte Eva Atcherley. Born 25 Jan 1883, most likely at Moortown, in the parish of Ercall Magna. Married Philip Montague Burton (born 1888 at Allington, Lincolnshire) in 1920. The couple had one child, Harold Burton, born 24 Mar 1924 in Lincolnshire. Philip died 19 Dec 1960, aged 72, Charlotte died in 1982, aged 99, and Harold died in 1999, aged 74, all in Lincolnshire.
  • Ethel Mary Atcherley. Born 12 Feb 1884 at Moortown in the parish of Ercall Magna. Census: 1891, 1901, 1911 – with parents. Worked as a nurse at Queen’s Hospital, Birmingham (receiving the MBE in 1920 for services in connection with World War 1. Later worked as a Chartered Masseuse at the Royal Mineral Water Hospital, Bath, and as Matron at the Long Eaton Sick Nursing Association & Clinic. Died 12 Feb 1971 in Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire, on her 87th birthday.
  • William Clive Atcherley. Born 22 May 1885 at Moortown in the parish of Ercall Magna. 7th generation, family 2 >>
  • Hilda Margaret Atcherley. Born 26 Aug 1886 at Moortown in the parish of Ercall Magna. Census: 1891, 1901, 1911 – with parents. Married Seth Sadler (born 1887 at Smethwick, Staffordshire) on 27 Feb 1915 at Aston, Warwickshire. The couple had five children. Seth died 11 Jul 1941 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, aged 54. Hilda died 1987 in Somerset, aged 101.
  • Ada Mabel Atcherley. Born 30 Mar 1888 in Ercall Magna parish. Census: 1891, 1901 – Ellerdine, Ercall Magna; 1911 – Kings Norton, Worcestershire. Married Joseph Baxter Shakeshaft (a second cousin, born 1885 at Waters Upton) on 10 Jun 1912 at Solihull, Warwickshire. The couple had three children. Joseph died at Solihull, Warwickshire, 29 Mar 1960 aged 74. Ada died 1991 in Birmingham, West Midlands, aged 103.
  • Robert Clifford Atcherley. Born 1890 in Ercall Magna parish. 7th generation, family 3 >>
  • Eric Graham Atcherley. Born 1891 at Waters Upton. Census: 1901 – with parents; 1911 – Poynton, Ercall Magna. Served with the Royal Engineers in World War 1, receiving the Military Medal for bravery. Emigrated to Canada in 1922 and married Esther Louisa Cowley (born 22 Jul 1894 at Tilbury, Kent, Ontario, Canada, daughter of John Cowley and his wife Sarah) at Windsor, Essex, Ontario, Canada, 19 Feb 1927. The couple had no children. Eric, who was an active member of the Canadian legion at Tilbury, Ontario, Canada for many years, died 1984 in Ontario, Canada, aged 92. Esther died there in 1981, aged about 87.
  • Major Cecil Atcherley. Born 1894 at Rodington and baptised there 24 Mar 1895. Census: 1901, 1911 – with parents. Served with the Royal Engineers in World War 1 and was wounded in 1917. Emigrated to Canada with brother Eric in 1922 but returned 1929. Went to Canada again in 1930 but returned the same year.  Married Annie Mary Dorothy Van Helden (born about 1900 at Aston, Warwickshire, probably the daughter of Reinier Van Helden and his wife Annie Hare) about 1932 in Birmingham, Warwickshire. The couple had no children. Major died 2 Jul 1948 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, aged 53. Annie died 17 May 1955 at Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, aged 55.
  • Frank Ryley Atcherley. Born around November 1896 at Rodington and baptised there 14 Mar 1897. Buried 14 Apr 1897 at High Ercall, aged 5 months.

[Top] 7th generation, family 1

Samuel Atcherley. Born 1 Jan 1878 at Maghull, Lancashire and baptised there 24 Feb 1878. A shipping clerk. Census: 1881, 1891, 1901 – Maghull, Lancashire. Died about 1903 in Lancashire, aged 25. ^Parents

Spouse: Constance Katherine Sheppard. Born 1874 at Birkenhead, Cheshire, daughter of flour merchant Thomas Pollett Sheppard and his wife Eliza Estelle Mary Mactier. Married 1902 at Manchester, Lancashire. Daughter:

  • Josephine Helen Atcherley. Born 10 Dec 1901 at Maghull, Lancashire and baptised there on 15 Jan 1902. Married Sidney Charles Andrews (born 23 Jan 1900 at Dorstone, Herefordshire), a farmer, at Wimbledon, Surrey, 16 Oct 1930. The couple had no children and their marriage ended, with Sidney remarrying in 1946. Josephine died 2000, in West Sussex, aged 99.

(After the death of Samuel Atcherley, his widow Constance married John Hughes (born about 1875 at Aberystwyth, Cardiganshire), a college clerk, about 1910 at Kensington, London. Constance died 30 Jan 1953 in London, aged about 78, though her age was given as 75.)

[Top] 7th generation, family 2

William Clive Atcherley. Born 22 May 1885 at Moortown in the parish of Ercall Magna. Census: 1891 – Waters Upton; 1901 – Ellerdine, Ercall Magna; 1911 – Moseley, Worcestershire. Served with the Royal Engineers in World War 1. Worked as a coach builder / motor body builder in Birmingham. Died 27 Jun 1974 in Leicestershire, aged 89. ^Parents

Spouse: Winifred Mary Randle. Born 1880 at Sheerness, Kent, daughter of Alfred Randle and his wife Jane Minter. Married 6 Aug 1916 at Sellindge, Kent. Died 1963 in Warwickshire, England, aged 83. Children:

[Top] 7th generation, family 3

Robert Clifford Atcherley. Born 1890 in Ercall Magna parish. Census: 1891 – Waters Upton; 1901 – Hadley, Wellington; 1911 – Poynton, Ercall Magna. Served with the Royal Engineers and then the South Staffordshire Regiment in World War 1. Served with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment in World War 2. Died 1957 in Warwickshire, aged 67. ^Parents

Spouse: Rose Agnes Neale. Born 27 Feb 1902 in Lichfield, Staffordshire, daughter of John Neale and his second wife Agnes Willock. Married 1927 in Birmingham, Warwickshire. Son:

(After the death of Robert Clifford Atcherley, his widow Rose married William E Haworth about 1966 in Warwickshire. She died 1992 in Shropshire, aged 90.)

[Top] 8th generation, family 1

Victor Clive Atcherley. Born 10 May 1918 in Kent. Lived in Birmingham, and later in Coventry. Served with the Royal Corps of Signals during and after World War 2. Died 20 Aug 1980 in Leicestershire, aged 62. ^Parents

Spouse: Presumed living. Children:

  • Living.
  • Living.

[Top] 8th generation, family 2

Roger Clifford Nuttall Atcherley. Born 23 Dec 1930 in Birmingham. Attended Solihull School. Awarded an Agricultural Scholarship at Harper Adams College, Newport, Shropshire in 1951. Worked for BOCM (British Oil and Cake Mills Limited, a poultry and livestock feed company). Died 15 Apr 1993 in Shropshire, aged 62. ^Parents

Spouse: Monica Joy Pipe. Born about 1932 in Warwickshire, daughter of the Rev William H W Pipe and his wife Doris K Brown of Ettington, Warwickshire. Married 1957 in Warwickshire. Died 10 Nov 2010 at Cleobury Mortimer, aged 78. Cremated at Worcester Crematorium 19 Nov 2010. Children:

  • Living.
  • Living.
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