THE EMMERSON FAMILY
"The surname EMERSON is derived from Aimeric / Aimerick / Haimerico / Emericus / Aimeri / Emeric / Aimery / Emery /Aimeris / Emry / Emries / Eimery / Emerie / Imrie (these all being slight differences of script or dialect for Haimericus) + son. Emerson, like other 'son' names is only to be found inthe parts of britain colonized by the Danes and Northmen ie. always in the North of england, never in the south save by migration. Haimericus, the oldest form I have found in any English authorities is a derivative from Haime and Rike... Haim meaning home, dwelling, estate and Rike - ruler, power, kingdom."
"The English Emersons" by P H Emerson. First published 1898. pg 1
My grandmother Sarah Elizabeth EMMERSON, born in November 1904, was the daughter of Joseph William EMMERSON and Elizabeth LANGLEY. Joseph and Elizabeth were married on September 5th 1903 at the Parish Curch in Ferryhill. Both resided at Denebridge, Ferryhill at the time of their marriage. Joseph was 23, a bachelor, working as a miner and the son of George EMMERSON, also a miner, who was deceased at the time of their marriage. Elizabeth was 19 at the time of her marriage and the daughter of Moses LANGLEY, a miner.
Previously thought to be line of descent:
George EMMERSON married Helen EDWARDS, the widow of George EDWARDS. George was born in 1844, in Auckland St Helens, the eldest of John EMERSON and Ann BRIDDICK's children.
The EMMERSON's in 1851 Census
1851 HO 107 2385 St Helen Auckland Dur Fol 417
EMERSON John 27 b Weardale, Durham
EMERSON Ann 24 b Westerton
EMERSON George 6 b St Helen
EMERSON William 5 b St Helen
EMERSON Hannah 2 b St Helen
John EMMERSON and Ann BRIDDICK (for more on Ann's line, see under BRIDDICK) were married on 28 August 1842 at Auckland St Andrew.They had six children:
John EMMERSON born between 1842 and 1845
George EMMERSON born 1845 at Auckland St Helen.
William EMMERSON born 1846 and christened 15 Jul 1846 at Auckland St Helen. He married Jane HARKER on the 22 Dec 1870 at Auckland St Helen.
Hannah EMMERSON born 1848 at Auckland St Helen
Catherine EMMERSON born 9 Jul 1852 at Auckland St Helen
Margaret EMMERSON born 19 May 1854 at Auckland St Helen
Now thought to be line of descent:
Joseph W EMMERSON was brought up by Henry COOK and his wife Mary (1901 Census Entry: 37 Albert Terrace, Esh, Durham has Joseph W Emmerson aged 20, a Coal Miner born Willington in the Household of Henry COOK, described as Nephew).
He was (we now think) the son of George EMMERSON and Sarah Elizabeth FOX. In 1881 the above were both living at 8 Percy Street, Helmington Row, Durham. George EMMERSON was 18, a Coal Miner living in the Household of his widowed father Ralph EMMERSON. Sarah E. FOX was 16, and the domestic servant. Also in the household were his older brothers Joseph and William.
FreeBMD has a marriage between George EMMERSON and Sarah Elizabeth FOX in the 4th Quarter of 1881.
There is also a death record on FreeBMD for a George EMMERSON aged 22 in the 3rd Quarter of 1885.
The following record from the Durham Mining Museum website may also tie in:
10 Sep 1885 at Willington Colliery - EMMERSON, George aged 22. Hewer. Died in a fall of stone at the face of a broken jud.
We believe that Ralph EMMERSON was the son of Joseph EMMERSON and Hannah FAIRLESS and threfore brother to John EMMERSON (of the Emmerson/Briddick line above).
Joseph EMMERSON and Hannah FAIRLESS were married on 20 May 1809 at Stanhope (for more on Hannah's line, see under FAIRLESS). Their children were:
Thomas EMMERSON b 18 Feb 1810 at Heathery Cleugh, Durham
Betty EMMERSON b 25 Dec 1813 at Wham, Durham
William EMMERSON b 25 Dec 1813 at Wham, Durham
Nancy EMMERSON b 27 Apr 1816 at Wham, Durham
Joseph EMMERSON b 20 Sep 1818 at Low Rigg, Weardale, Durham
Hannah EMMERSON b 4 Feb 1821 at Low Rigg, died 1826
John EMMERSON b 27 Dec 1823 at Low Rigg
Ralph EMMERSON b 27 Dec 1823 at Low Rigg
Joseph EMMERSON was the son of Thomas EMMERSON & Ann FEATHERSTONE who married 4 Jun 1767 at Stanhope.
Thomas EMMERSON was born abt 1740 and baptised on 16 Apr 1743 in Ettersgill nr Middleton in Teesdale.
He died in 1818 aged 78 and left a Will
This the last Will & Testament of me Thomas Emerson of Wham in the Parish of Stanhope in the County of Durham, miner, Made this twenty eighth day of September 1816 I give and bequeath to my wife Ann Emerson all my money, goods and chattels of what nature and kind soever to be held and enjoyed by her during the term of her natural life And after her decease I will and devise all my money, goods and chattles in manner and form following. I give to my daughter Jane Peart the sum of fifty pounds. But if she does not survive me and my wife I give the said fifty punds to her husband Emerson Peart. I give to my daughter Mary Humble the sum of fifty pounds. But if she does not survive me and my wife I give the said fifty punds to her husband George Humble. I give to the children of my late son Thomas Emerson the sum of fifty pounds to be equally divided amongst them. I give to my two grandsons, the sons of Cuthbert Peart, the sum of ten pounds each and incase of the decease of either before the death of me and my wife I give to the surviver the sum of twenty pounds. I give to my two grandaughters, the daughters of the said Cuthbert Peart, the sum of fifteen pounds each. and incase of the decease of either of them before the death of me and my wife, I give to the surviver the sum of thirty pounds, to be paid them when they arrive at twenty one years of age respectively, with interest from the decease of me and my wife, till they come to twenty one years of age. I give to my two daughters Jane Peart and Mary Humble two featherbeds, bedsteads and bedding there unto belonging with all my china and delf, and also all the wearing apparel of my wife, to be equally divided between them. And the remainder of my household furniture I give to my son Ralph Emerson. All the residue and remainder of my money, goods and chattles I give equally amongst my three sons, John Emerson, Joseph Emerson, & Ralph Emerson, whom I hereby nominate, constitute and appoint joint Executors of this my last Will and Testement and declare all former Wills by me at anytime to be null and void. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written His mark Thomas X Emerson Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Thomas Emerson, the testator, as and for his last Wll and testement in the presence of us, who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses. ( signed ) Phebe Whitelock ( signed ) Sarah Fleming The 22nd day of April 1820 Phebe Whitelock one of the two subscribing witnesses to this Will was sworn to the due execution thereof by the testator and John Emerson of Wham within mentioned, miner Joseph Emerson of Lowrigg in the Parish of Stanhope, miner, and Ralph Emerson of Lowrush, in the same Parish miner, the executors therein named were sworn to execute and preform the same as usual / under (Sterling) 300, before me. Edward Whitelock A/comissioner
The children of Thomas EMMERSON and Ann FEATHERSTONE are:
Mary EMMERSON born abt 1768. Married George HUMBLE on 10 Jun 1791 at Stanhope. They had the following children, all in Stanhope: Thomas (b 1792), Peggy (b 1793), Emerson (b 1799), John (b 1801) George (b bef 1805), Ralph (b bef 1805), Mally (b 1808) Joseph (b 1810)
Joseph EMMERSON born abt 1769 died 1774
Thomas EMMERSON born abt 1770 and married Esther PEART on 26 May 1792 at Stanhope. He died in 1806 age 36. They had the following children: John (b 1794), Peart (b 1800), Thomas (b 1803), Joseph (b 1806).
Nancy EMMERSON born abt 1774 and married Cuthbert PEART on 28 Mar 1795 Stanhope. She died 27 Aug 1807 age 34. They had the following children: Emerson (b 1796), Nancy (b 1798), Joseph (b 1801), Esther (b 1804).
John EMMERSON born 16 Jul 1778 and married Hannah FEATHERSTONE on 18 Sep 1806 Stanhope. He died in 1836 age 59
Jane EMMERSON bapt 20 Sep 1779 and married Emerson PEART in Stanhope on 18 May 1799. She died 29 Mar 1831 age 57. They had the following children: Emerson (b 1800), Esther (b 1802), Thomas (b 1804), Nancy (b 1806), Hannah (b 1808), Mary (b 1811)
Joseph EMMERSON born abt 1783 died 1829 age 46 (see above for details)
Mathew EMMERSON bapt 13 Aug 1785 at Ireshopeburn Presbyterian church.
Ralph EMMERSON bapt 13 Nov 1788. Married Jane RACE on 8 Jun 1811 and died 14 Mar 1863 age 74
(Thanks again to John Emmerson for this information)
Thomas EMERSON was the son of Joseph EMERSON and Mary ROBSON who were married on 19 Jun 1728 at Middleton in Teesdale, Durham.
