One of Ari’s 3x great-grandfathers was David Spencer. David was born on 11 May 1867 in Middleton-by-Wirksworth, Derbyshire, to Judith Brooks and William Spencer.
David’s birth certificate
He was their eighth child. His baptism took place one month later.
Derbyshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, 1813–1916, Ancestry.co.uk
The 1871 census shows David aged three, living at Rise End in Middleton, and at school. There is a school record for Middleton By Wirksworth National School showing his admission at 3 years, 7 months in October 1870.
Front cover of the register, National School Admission Registers & Log-books 1870–1914, Findmypast.co.uk
David was still listed as a scholar in 1881 at the age of fourteen, when the family were living in Water Lane, but by 1891 he was working in a quarry, probably a limestone quarry (where his father William worked). His mother, Judith, had died the year before.
On 9 May 1897, David married Elizabeth Pearson at the parish church in Wirksworth. His profession was given as Quarryman.
The 1901 census shows them living at 11 Dale Street in Wirksworth with their two daughters, Mary Ann and Elizabeth. David’s mother-in-law and father-in-law were next door.
1901 census, Ancestry.co.uk
In 1911 David was a limestone quarry delver, living at Coldwell Street in Wirksworth.
1911 census, Ancestry.co.uk
(Sadly, baby Emma, their last child, had died in 1908.)
I have this photo of the family (Elizabeth and David on the left, then Harry, with Mary at the back and David on the right).
David died on 19 January 1938 at 26 Queen Street, Belper. By this time he was working as a hoist man (lift operator) at the English Sewing Cotton Company. His son David was present at the death.
I have to share this story featuring Queen Street in 1930!
Derby Daily Telegraph, 15 February 1930, Findmypast.co.uk
The house is still there, in the middle of this picture:
Ari, this is how you are related to David:
