Aaron Stoppard

Born:

Died: 25 June 1844

Married: Hannah Brown

Mother: Elizabeth

Father: Aaron Stoppard

Descendant: David Stoppard

Census

Aaron Stoppard was the father of David Stoppard. He was a butcher by trade, and lived his adult years in Lea, Derbyshire. He died at the (relatively) young age of 57.

Birth

Aaron Stoppard was born circa 1787, his christening does not appear to have been recorded in the parish records at Crich, however his parents Aaron Stoppard and Elizabeth can be obtained from his father's will of 1813, which refers to a son Aaron. The probate clarifies this to be Aaron Stoppard, Butcher of Lea (this Aaron). His father's will also mentions a grandchild called Aaron.

Marriage

Aaron Stoppard of Critch married Hannah Brown of Cromford on the 2nd March 1812 in Wirksworth, Derbyshire. This ties in (almost) with their first child Aaron being born on the 4th November 1812.

Their parents were not mentioned, but the witnesses were a Thomas Brown, and a Sophia Wafs?

Children

Aaron Stoppart - born 4th November 1812, baptised 29th November 1812, to Aaron and Hannah.
Hannah Stoppard - born 23rd May 1814, died 1st June 1875 (see below)
Ann Stoppard - baptised 22nd March 1818 , Lea, Derbyshire, father Aaron (a butcher), mother Hannah. (Ann became a dressmaker)
Eleanor Stoppard (Ellen) - baptised 23rd April 1820, Lea, Derbyshire, father Aaron (a butcher), mother Hannah.
James Stoppard - baptised 16th December 1821, Dethick Chapel, Derbyshire, father Aaron (a butcher), mother Hannah, born at Lea.
Thomas Stoppard - baptised 28th December 1823, Dethick Chapel Derbyshire, father Aaron (a butcher), mother Hannah, born at Lea.
Mary Stoppard - baptised 2nd July 1826, Lea, Derbyshire
Sarah Stoppard - baptised 23rd March 1828, Lea, Derbyshire.
David Stoppard - baptised 11th July 1830 Chapel of St John the Baptist, Dethick, Derbyshire.
Elizabeth Stoppard (mentioned in Aaron's will)

Derbyshire Courier, 12th December 1839:

On Saturday night or early on Sunday morning, one ewe sheep, the property of Mr. Aaron Stoppard, was stolen from Lea, in Derbyshire : the sheep had the letter H branded on the near hip.

In 1841 he is living with his wife Hannah in Lea, Derbyshire along with their children Ann, Thomas, Mary and David. He was recorded as a farmer.

Death

Aaron died on the 25th June 1844.

A small notice was placed in the deaths section of the Derbyshire Courier, 29th June 1844:

On Tuesday, the 25th inst, at Lea, near Crich, Mr. Aaron Stoppard, butcher, aged 57.

He was buried on the 28th June 1844 in the churchyard of Crich Church, his abode was listed as Lea.

BMD:D: Reg. Q2 1844, Belper, 19, 295.

His will went through probate on the 10th October 1844 at Chesterfield, the amount being less than £800:

This is the last Will and Testament of me Aaron Stoppard of Lea in the Parish of Ashover and County of Derby Butcher made published and declared this twenty seventh day of February one thousand eight hundred and forty four. 

In the first place I will and direct the all my just Debts and funeral Expenses be paid and discharged by my Executors hereinafter mentioned out of my personal Estate. And the remainder or residue I give and bequeath to my Wife Hannah Stoppard for and during her Widowhood or natural life together with all my real estate and at her Death or Marriage I give and bequeath my real Estate consisting of a House Garden and appurtenances belonging thereto Situate at Crich in the said Country to my son Aaron Stoppard of Ashleyhay in the said County Castrator.

I also give and bequeath to my Son Thomas Stoppard all money owing as Book Debts together with all my household furniture and farming stock at the Death or Marriage of my Wife Hannah Stoppard.

I will and direct that my said Wife Hannah Stoppard shall have full power to give up the Trade as Butcher to my said son Thomas Stoppard at any time she may think proper. All the remainder or residue of my personal estate I give and bequeath to my seven children as hereafter mentioned equal share and share alike namely Hannah Hurd, Elizabeth Stoppard, Ann Stoppard, Ellen Stoppard, Mary Stoppard, Sarah Stoppard and David Stoppard. And lastly I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint Aaron Stoppard of AsheleyHay in the said County Castrator and my friend John Wildgoose of Lea aforesaid Schoolmaster joint executors of this my last Will and Testament herby revoking all Will or Wills by me at any time heretofore made. I do declare this to be my last Will and Testament In Witness whereunto I have hereinto set my hand the day and year first above written.

Signed by Aaron Stoppard Witnessed by Samual Buxton (Carpenter) and Adam Walker (Farmer)

His daughter Ann described him as a gamekeeper at her wedding in 1847.

Other Records

His children and grandchildren made some news, which indicates that they carried on the family butcher business.

Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal, 11 February 1846:

Marriages: At Ashover, on Tuesday Feb 3, Mr Thomas Cook, to Miss Ellen Stoppard, both of Lea.

Another article mentions the Thomas Cook above is a butcher, and that he married Eleanor Stoppard.

Derbyshire Courier, 17 April 1847:

Marriages: At Ashover Church, on Tuesday last, by the Rev. Joseph Nodder, rector, Mr. Henry Lowe, to Miss Mary Stoppard, both of Lea, in the parish of Ashover.

Derby Mercury, 29th December 1847:

Marriages: At Ashover Church on Monday week, but the Rev. Joseph Nodder, rector, Mr. Robert Wildgoose, son of Mr. Wildgoose, schoolmaster, to Miss Ann Stoppard, daughter of Mr. Aaron Stoppard, gamekeeper, all of the township of Lea, in the parish of Ashover.

It's unclear if the above Ann Stoppard is the one that is the daughter of our Aaron (senior), or the daughter of his son (also Aaron). The marriage entry is unclear, it says Aaron is a butcher, but doesn't say anything about him being dead (which ours was in 1847). Some vicars did say if the father died, some didn't. The witness was Thomas Stoppard, not an Aaron. Ann was of full age, which might be possible in either case. Searching the 1851 census for a Ann Wildgoose in Lea, married to a Robert, we find that she was 33 years old. This makes her the daughter of our senior Aaron, which means that the reference to her father being a gamekeeper refers to him.

Our Aaron Stoppard died in 1844, this story is about his son, also called Aaron, which appeared in the Derby Daily Telegraph, 3rd February 1883:

Assaulting a father.- Samuel Stoppard and George Stoppard were both charged by Aaron Stoppard, farmer, their father, with having  assaulted him on Thursday, the 18th ult.- Mr Slack, of Ripley, appeared for the defendants. - Complainant said his sons had always been in his service, but on the morning of the day names they would work no more for him, and then struck and knocked him down, Complainant then stated that Samuel did not strike him, but incited George to do so. - The case as against Samuel was then dismissed. - In reply to Mr. Slack complainant said he was the father of fifteen children, and never struck one of them in his life. All of those who had left his house were in respectable positions, but they did not visit his house, and he did not want them to do so. The defendant George, was not quite right, but an imbecile, and so dangerous that he was afraid of his life.- Mr Slack informed complainant that, if the case was further proceeded with, he should have to draw his attention to a number of unpleasant family matters, the result being that the case was withdrawn.

Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 2nd January 1885:

Belper.- Disobeying Magistrates Orders. - An order having been made that all dogs in the Belper Local Board district should be under proper control, the following persons were summoned at the Public Hall yesterday for not keeping their dogs under restraint:- George Bellaby, Belper; James Parkins, of Street lane; and Aaron Stoppard, butcher, Lea. The bench imposed a fine of 1s. each and costs, and expressed a hope that the fines would be a warning to others.

Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald, 9th October 1895:

Wanted, Youth, who is used to Pork Butchering Business, also will be required to assist on Farm. Character required.- Apply J. Stoppard, butcher, Lea, near Matlock.

Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald, 9th May 1896:

Matlock.- The Dog Muzzling Order. - James Allsopp Stoppard, butcher, Lea, was charged with allowing a dog to be at large when unmuzzled, contrary to the orders of the County Council. He did not appear. P.C. Rowlett found the defendants fox terrier on the road. Stoppard explained to him that the dog must have got the muzzle off. He had seen the animal previously when it was properly secured. The costs 7s., had to be paid.

An Aaron Stoppard (perhaps father or uncle) died and had a will or probate on the 21st April 1813 in Crich (near to Lea). An Aaron Stoppard (whose father was Moses, and mother was Sarah, was buried on the 5th September 1810. A Joseph Stoppard was born in Crich to Aaron Stoppard, c. 1 March 1789.

Daughter - Hannah Stoppard

Hannah was mentioned in Aaron's will (written in February 1844) as his daughter Hannah Hurd, so was presumably still alive then.

Hannah Stoppard married Daniel Hurd in Matlock on the 2nd November 1837, her father was Aäron Stoppard (Butcher). Daniel's father was Daniel Hurd (Mason).

Daniel doesn't appear in later censuses after 1841. Looking at the deaths for Matlock Bridge:

Daniel Hurd died aged 40 and was buried on the 20th January 1848.
Two entries later is another Daniel Hurd, aged 70 on February 3rd 1848, likely to be his father.
On the 8th April 1848 a Lydia Hurd, infant, is buried. Possibly a daughter (his mother was called Lydia)
On the 28th May 1848 an Elizabeth Hurd is buried, aged 32.
On the 24th June 1849 a James Hurd, aged 35, is buried.

Bad time to be a Hurd in Matlock...

On the 23rd May 1849 Hannah went on to marry a widower George Drabble (Machine Maker) from Balsover. His father was also George Drabble a farmer. Her father was listed as Aaron Stoppard (a deceased butcher). The witnesses were Betsy Stoppard and David Stoppard (likely her brother).

Finally we can find a census result with an accurate age - in 1861 she is living with George at Matlock Bank, and three sons. Her place of birth is listed as Lea, Derbyshire, and her age is given as 46. Which would place her birth around 1815.

Her gravestone at St Giles Churchyard, Matlock, says "In Memory, Hannah, the beloved wife of George Drabble, Born May 23rd 1814, died June 1st 1875." It also says "George Drabble, Born June 9th 1818, Died July 26 1880", and "Also near this place rest the remains of William Stoppard, son of George and Hannah Drabble, born March 9th 1850. Died July 2nd 1854. Also of their infant daughter".