Maternal Great Great Grandfather- Timothy Humphrey Major

Maternal Great Great Grandfather 

Timothy Humphrey Major

1858 - 1938

Timothy Humphrey was born on 25th April 1858 in Radstone, Northamptonshire  His mother was Mary Ann Humphrey.  There is no father named on his birth certificate. 

In 1861, Timothy was living with Mary Ann who was, by then, married to Thomas Major at Lawpit Hill, Helmdon, Northamptonshire.  The occupants were:

Thomas Major Head 54

Mary Ann Major Wife 39

Timothy Humphrey Son 2

Thomas Major Son 17

It is not clear whether Thomas is actually Timothy’s father, however he married Mary Ann six months after Timothy was born and Mary Ann’s previous husband, Thomas Humphrey, had died two years previously. 

In 1871, Timothy was living with Thomas and Mary Ann at Stockings Farm, Helmdon, Northamptonshire.  The occupants were:

Thomas Major Head 64

Mary Ann Major Wife 50

Timothy Major Son 12

This was the first time that Timothy was listed at “Major”. 

Timothy married Ann Elizabeth Ayres on September 18th 1875 in Helmdon, Northamptonshire.  Both Timothy and Ann were 17 years old.  The witnesses were John Flavers and Sarah Ann Southam.  At the time Timothy was listed as a labourer living in Helmdon.

In 1881, Timothy and Ann were living in Church Street, Helmdon, Northamptonshire with their daughters.  Timothy was working as an agricultural labourer.  The occupants were:

Timothy Major Head 23

Anne Major Wife 23

Charlotte E Major Daughter 4

Susannah M Major Daughter 2

In 1891, Timothy and Ann were living in Wappenham Road, Helmdon, Northamptonshire with their family.  Timothy was working as an agricultural labourer.  The occupants were:

Timothy Major Head 32

Annie E Major Wife 32

Lettie Major Daughter 9 

Edith Major Daughter 8

William Major Son 4

Mary Major Daughter 1

In 1901, Timothy was living in Ellis Row, Helmdon, Northamptonshire.  He was working as a farm labourer.  The occupants were 

Timothy Major Head 45

Lottie Major Daughter 24

May Major Daughter 10 

Edward Major Son 8

Lily Major Granddaughter 4

Jack Major Grandson 3

Although the census return actually states that Lily and Jack were Timothy’s son and daughter they were actually the illegitimate children of Susannah and Charlotte.  By this time Annie had left Timothy for another man.  

In 1911, Timothy was living in Crowfield, Syresham, Northamptonshire.  He was working as a general labourer.  The occupants were:

Timothy Major Head 54

Elizabeth Major Daughter 34

May Major Daughter 21

Edward Major Son 19

Evelyn Major Granddaughter 8

Mable Major Granddaughter 4

Connie Major Granddaughter 2

Again, it is believed that Evelyn, Mable and Connie were illegitimate children of some of the daughters.  

Timothy and Ann had 7 children, Charlotte Elizabeth, Susannah Mary, Lettie Sophia Harriett, Edith Lucretia Anne, William John, Florence May, and Edward John 

Timothy died on 25th October 1938 at London Road, Daventry.  The cause of death was shoack resulting from a fracture of the right femur following and accidental fall.  His death certificate states he was a retired farm labourer living at 1 Leigh Cottages, Pury End, Paulespury.   His death certificate states that there was an inquest into Timothy’s death held on 28th October 1838. 

Timothy’s inquest was reported in the Northampton Mercury as follows

AGED PAULERSPURY MAN’S DEATHFOLLOWING FALL IN BEDROOM
Death following a fall in his bedroom was described to the Divisional Coroner (Mr T Faulkner Gammage )at Daventry Public Assistance Institution, on Friday. 
The inquest was on Timothy Major (81) retired farm labourer, of Perry-end, Paulerspury.  
Frederick Charles Wootton, farm labourer, 1 Lea Cottages Perry-end, went upstairs with Major on the night of Oct 12 to go to bed.  They slept in the same room in separate beds. 
Witness heard a crash about 6.30am and awoke to see Major lying on his back by the side of his bed.  Witness called his step-daughter and with her assistance put Major back to bed.  Major told witness he got out of bed to put out an electric light by the side of the bed as it was daylight. 
Dorothy Mary Major, the dead man’s granddaughter, said the dead man had been attended to by a doctor for heart trouble during the past 12 months. 
Dr. Richard Moser, medical officer to Daventry Public Assistance Institution said he saw Major when he was admitted on Oct. 13.  He had a fracture at the neck of the right thigh.  Major grew gradually weaker and died on Oct. 25. 
In witness’s opinion death was due to shock resulting from the accident.  Major’s heart was weak and this combined with his age would accentuate shock.  
The Coroner recorded a verdict of “accidental death”. 

(Northampton Mercury 4th November 1938)