Tompkins of Stagsden in Bedfordshire

I am Janet Louise Ogden nee Tompkins, born 1933, at 16 Oak Bank, Gaisby Lane, Windhill.

My father William Tompkins born 25 November 1911 at Prospect House, St Ives Bingley, married Mary Wilkinson 29 October 1932, at Christ Church Windhill. We moved to Wrose Village, Windhill, Shipley when I was 18 months old, into a very old house built in 1668, which used to be the Home Farm House to Calverley Manor, which was the next to the oldest house in the village, my father's best friend, who was related to him, (via the West Family) although, they never knew of this relationship, some years later Norma moved into the oldest house in the village built in 1616. Until I was five years old there were only 32 houses at Wrose.

Joseph Tompkins my grandfather born 3 September 1886 at James Street, Baildon Wood Bottom, near Shipley, married 1 May 1909, Nellie May Spencer Mackinder, daughter of Lydia Sarah Ann Spencer and John Maltby Mackinder. Joseph was Farm Bailiff to the Ferrands of Bingley, and later to William (Billy) Gaunt Mill Owner and Gentleman Farmer and friend to my grandparents Billy asked my grandparents, if he could name his son Alfred after the son that they had lost to the First World War Flu. Alfred Gaunt was very found of Nellie and Joe Tompkins.

Albert Tomkins my Great Grandfather born 18 May 1857 at Stagsden Bedfordshire married Arabella Pickles born 25 October 1851 at Piper Lane Otley married 29 January 1877 at Calverley Parish Church. Albert was in Stagsden on the 1871 Census, and is said to have walked to Shipley to become Head Gardener at The Knoll which was the property of Sir Titus Salt of Saltaire. Albert had an elder brother Henry (Harry) Tompkins he was a Master Painter, and painted Leeds Town Hall and he himself painted the Owls on the top in gold paint.

Joseph Tomkins born 7 July 1817 in Horton Northamptonshire but lived most of his life in Stagsden, Bedfordshire, but married in Astwood Buckinghamshire, but this was in the next village to Stagsden. Married 1 April 1839 to Ann Sanders daughter of William Sanders. Joseph and Ann had amongst others a son Joel Tomkins he also came to Staningley near Leeds.

Descendants of Joel, until very recently Agnes Gill nee Tomkins and her husband Bert along with their grandson Tony Howe visited Stagsden .

When I went to Stagsden, about 20 years ago, the villagers told me, the last of the Tomkins Family had died only about 12 months ago.

Geffrey Tomkins born in Kempston Bedfordshire 31 October 1776 married Mary Gibbs 19 October 1800 at St Leonard's Church Stagsden, son of Robert Tomkins born at Bozeat Bedfordshire to Anna Maria Dudley of Biddingham was son of Jeffrey and Elizabeth and born 1731 married Circa 1750 may be at Bozeat.

Anna Maria Dudley born 1748 daughter of Henry Dudley born 1700 at Biddingham married Ann Joy born circa 1723 could not find her baptism. Married 5 June 1743 at Kempston .

Isreal Dudley her father married Helen Woodward 8 February 1683 At Kempston. Helen Woodward was the daughter of Henry Woodward and Helen. Isreal had amongst others a brother Isaac Dudley sons of John Dudley and Grace married 1641—53c. Grace was buried 11 Jan 1670.

Henry Woodward son of John Woodward and Joan Brooks. It is to his descendant Kay Collings to whom I owe many thanks for the research on last three generations of the Dudley, Woodward Joy Negus families and for the Wills she found.

email:janet@janets-families.org.uk