Tyson / Jopson

Ann Tyson was born in 1837 in Beckermet, near Gosforth in west Cumbria. There were quite a few Tyson families in that area but the 1841 census records records only one Ann Tyson aged 4, living at High Prior Scales Farm in the Calder valley, owned by a branch of the Mossop family (another very popular name of that area).

Ann’s mother Mary was not listed on this census, so we cannot have that confirmation that this is the right child, and we do not know the name of her father. The other members of the household were Henry aged 60 (farmer) Ann aged 50, Isaac aged 25, Henry aged 10, William aged 60, Jane aged 18, and two other people William Turner aged 13 and Ann Noble aged 20. So, nine people altogether lived at this farmstead. Unfortunately the 1841 census does not record their family relationships.
Another farm close by (Farmery, now in ruins) housed a family of Tysons (John and Hannah, both 30, and children Isaac 8 and Jane 3) and yet another two farms house Mossops.

In the 1851 census however, Ann Tyson aged 14 is living in New Mill Cottage between Ponsonby and Gosforth, much closer to the coast (and the rest of society) than her previous home. She is living with her grandmother also called Ann, aged 78 (the elder Ann's birthplace is stated as Ulpha).
The other members of the 1841 household are more difficult to trace as their names are more common. I am also not sure where Ann senior was aged 68 in 1841, perhaps the age here or of Ann listed at High Prior Scales could be incorrect and they are the same person, but I am making presumptions!

The 1861 census has Ann aged 24, living in Front Street, Penrith (now King Street), as a domestic servant to the Simpson family (Henry Simpson was a 40-year-old bank agent).

By the time of the 1871 census, Ann has married Lancelot Jopson, a blacksmith in Skelton (about 10 miles to the NW from Penrith) and they have two children Mary Ann aged 7 and Jane aged 5. Their address is listed as Glen House, Unthank.


High Prior Scales Farm location: googlemaps


click for Jopson info