Person:Ellen Thompson (18)

Ellen Thompson's origins have yet to be established. It seems reasonably likely that she was the daughter of a yeoman called Edward Thompson who lived at Swettenham in Cheshire, had two daughters called Catherine and Ellen, and died in 1673.

Ellen's first confirmed sighting is on 6th February 1684, when she was named in a marriage bond as a spinster of Swettenham, with licence being given to marry John Fernihough of Marton. The record of their actual marriage has yet to be found, but it would appear that they did marry and then settle in Marton after their marriage, having seven children baptised there between 1686 and 1706.

At Marton, John was a yeoman, holding a leasehold farm. The family appear to have been quite comfortably off, able to send their eldest son John to the King's School in the nearby town of Macclesfield and then Cambridge University, after which he became a priest in Nottinghamshire, whilst their son Thomas became a surgeon.

Ellen's son James married in 1713 and her first known grandchild was born the following year. She had at least five grandchildren born in her lifetime.

Ellen's son Thomas died in 1719, aged 26.

Ellen died in 1725, being buried at Marton on 17th March 1725 alongside her son Thomas. Her husband John survived her by fourteen years.

1. ↑ Church of England. Chapelry of Marton (near Congleton, Cheshire). Bishop's transcripts for Marton, 1622-1913. (Chester: Cheshire Archives and Local Studies Service).

   Burials at Mereton in the Year 1724 / Mar[ch] 17 [i.e. 17 Mar 1724/5] Ellen Ferniough of Mereton then buried

2.   Cheshire Memorial Inscriptions (Cheshire Family History Society).

   Here (is) interred
   The Body of THOMAS the Son / of JOHN and ELLIN FERNIHOUGH / of Merton chirurgion in Stockport who / Departed this life the 3rd day / of November Anno dom 1719 / and in the 26th year of his age / "who ere you are that pases by / As you are now so once was I / As I am now soe must you be / therefore prepare to follow me" / Allso the body of ELLIN the / mother of the sd THOMAS FERNIHOUGH was interd / March the 17th 1724