Ellen HAYWARD, Herbalist - Forest of Dean FHT Forum

I have just been reading about Ellen Hayward who went to trial charged with witchcraft in 1906. Does anyone have any info with regards to her family history? Just wondered as I have Haywards listed in my family tree from the same area of the forest.

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"In 1906 the 1753 Witchcraft Act was used to bring a prosecution against Ellen Hayward. Ellen lived in the Forest of Dean and was brought before magistrates in Littledean on a charge of pretended witchcraft.
Widely known as Old Ellen, she was a phrenologist and wise woman who charged no fees for the help and advice that she offered but simply accepted what her customers offered her. In 1905 Ellen was visited by John Markey of May Hill who was worried that £50 had disappeared from a drawer in his house. Ellen advised him to go home and rest as she felt that he was unwell. Within a week of this visit, three members of the Markey family had become violently insane. A daughter and granddaughter had to be taken to an asylum and his wife disappeared. After days of searching, she simply reappeared holding a hazel stick which, she claimed, was to protect against witches. Her son George, who had been involved in the search for his mother, then became violent and managed to impale his eye with a spike. After this he ran away and had to be detained by the police. He was later certified as insane.

In the villages of May Hill and Huntley people started carrying hazel sticks around as tales of what had happened to the Markey's spread. The newspapers got hold of the story which then spread nationally. Questions were even asked in Parliament as to what action the authorities were going to take to suppress witchcraft. In the midst of all this furore a letter was published in the Dean Forest Mercury in which Ellen denied pretending to be a witch but accepted that she was well known as a phrenologist. This letter, written either by Ellen herself or, more likely, on her behalf went on to explain that this "cruel attack" by the papers had left her unable to make a living and asked readers to send donations!

However, Ellen must still have had some customers as in September 1905 she was visited by James Davis of Pauntley near Ledbury who believed that his pig had been charmed by a woman called Amos. Ellen simply advised him to wait until the moon changed. This he did and the pig did indeed get better. Davis, however, became ill. Ellen told him that he had the flu and should stay indoors until February. By February Davis had convinced himself that the Amos woman had paid Ellen to put a spell on him. Davis confronted Ellen who must have been worried that this was going the same way as the Markey family. He demanded that she lift the curse or he would inform the authorities. He then offered Ellen 2/6d to curse the entire Amos family. Ellen naturally refused.

In May 1906 Davis made good on his threat and Ellen found herself in court charged with using pretended witchcraft to deceive and impose upon James Davis. Ellen pleaded not guilty and defended herself. Part of her defence was that, since the Markey affair, she had been very cautious as to what advice she offered people. In court Ellen was supported by a large number of people who gave examples of her good works. The magistrate threw the charges out.
Ellen Hayward died of a stroke in 1912. At the time of her death she was described as a "widow and herbalist". In death she was not forgotten as her grave bears the inscription "erected by her friends in loving memory."

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Year: 1912
Month: Sep
Day: 28
Surname: HAYWARD
Forenames: Ellen
Residence: Pembroke S[tree]t Cinderford
Age_at_death: 74
Officiating_Minister: R. J. Hawksworth Curate
Event: Burial
Cause_of_death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register_Reference: P85/1 IN 1/14
Page_No: 190
Parish_Chapel: Cinderford St John

1911 Pembroke St Cinderford
Ellen Hoyward 73 Widow Arlingham Herbalist
Florrie Parsons 25 Daughter Lydbrook

1901 Pembroke Rd Cinderford
Ellen Hayward abt 1839 Arlingham, Gloucestershire, England Head East Dean Gloucestershire Widow Herbalist !

1891
Ellen Hayward abt 1841 Arlingham, Gloucestershire, England Wid East Dean Gloucestershire

1881
Ellen Hayward abt 1842 Arlingham (Eastdean), Gloucestershire, England Head Flaxley Gloucestershire
Edd. Hayward abt 1872 Arlingham, Gloucestershire, England Son Flaxley Gloucestershire
Florence Hayward abt 1878 Westbury On Severn Daughter Flaxley Gloucestershire
Ruth Hayward abt 1876 Arlingham, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Flaxley Gloucestershire

1871
Ellen Hayward abt 1842 Arlingham, Gloucestershire, England Head Arlingham Gloucestershire
James Hayward abt 1862 Arlingham, Gloucestershire, England Son Arlingham Gloucestershire

1861
William H Hayward abt 1834 Arlingham, Gloucestershire, England Head Arlingham Gloucestershire
Mary H Hayward abt 1836 Gloster, Gloucestershire, England Wife Arlingham Gloucestershire
Charles E W Hayward abt 1859 Arlingham, Gloucestershire, England Son Arlingham Gloucestershire
Walter C Hayward abt 1858 Arlingham, Gloucestershire, England Nephew Arlingham Gloucestershire
Ellen Hayward abt 1841 Arlingham, Gloucestershire, England Sister Arlingham Gloucestershire

1851
Mary Hayward abt 1796 Robble, Gloucestershire, England Head Arlingham Gloucestershire
Charles Hayward abt 1826 Arlingham, Gloucestershire, England Son Arlingham Gloucestershire
William Hayward abt 1831 Arlingham, Gloucestershire, England Son Arlingham Gloucestershire
Elen Hayward abt 1841 Arlingham, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Arlingham Gloucestershire

1841
Ann Hayward abt 1827 Gloucestershire, England Arlingham Gloucestershire
Charles Hayward abt 1796 Gloucestershire, England Arlingham Gloucestershire
Charles Hayward abt 1826 Gloucestershire, England Arlingham Gloucestershire
Elizabeth Hayward abt 1801 Gloucestershire, England Arlingham Gloucestershire
Elizabeth Hayward abt 1821 Gloucestershire, England Arlingham Gloucestershire
Ellen Hayward abt 1840 Gloucestershire, England Arlingham Gloucestershire
Henry Hayward abt 1838 Gloucestershire, England Arlingham Gloucestershire
John Hayward abt 1811 Gloucestershire, England Arlingham Gloucestershire
John Hayward abt 1821 Gloucestershire, England Arlingham Gloucestershire
John Hayward abt 1828 Gloucestershire, England Arlingham Gloucestershire
Joseph Hayward abt 1829 Gloucestershire, England Arlingham Gloucestershire
Mary Hayward abt 1801 Gloucestershire, England Arlingham Gloucestershire
Mary Hayward abt 1833 Gloucestershire, England Arlingham Gloucestershire
Mary Hayward abt 1834 Gloucestershire, England Arlingham Gloucestershire
Robt Hayward abt 1840 Gloucestershire, England Arlingham Gloucestershire
Sam Hayward abt 1821 Gloucestershire, England Arlingham Gloucestershire
Saml Hayward abt 1796 Gloucestershire, England Arlingham Gloucestershire
Saml Hayward abt 1837 Gloucestershire, England Arlingham Gloucestershire
Thomas Hayward abt 1826 Gloucestershire, England Arlingham Gloucestershire
Wm Hayward abt 1830 Gloucestershire, England Arlingham Gloucestershire

Name: Ellen Hayward
Date of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep 1839
Registration district: Wheatenhurst
Inferred County: Gloucestershire
Volume: 11
Page: 443

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Hi all...looking for information on the Hayward's. Ellen Hayward is my great x4 aunt and would love to find her grave site or more information on her. I love the article
http://www.forum.forest-of-dean.net/index.php?id=6052 on her that had her being tried for being a witch! Her brother William Hayward born 1832 is my 4x great grandfather. I have his parents Charles Hayward & Mary ? would love to trace them as well. Any and all information or direction would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

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Hi Alby, welcome to the Forum. In case you didn't know, the Forum is completely searchable which makes it an even better resource, for example please see these old threads re Ellen Hayward, they may help you further.

http://www.forum.forest-of-dean.net/index.php?id=6801

http://www.forum.forest-of-dean.net/index.php?id=6046

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On the census' Mary HAYWARD (nee KNIGHT) gives place of birth transcribed as ROBBLE) - there are a couple of KNIGHT's address given as RUDDLE - christened at Newnham.

Marriage on FOD records - Arlingham - 17 March 1818

Charles HAYWARD - bachelor - residence - Arlingham

married

Mary KNIGHT - Spinster - residence - Arlingham

by Licence

witnesses: Mary VIMPANY/John HAYWARD/Aaarton TAYSUM - Clerk

John SAYER (Vicar)

Marriage with parents consent.

childrens' baptism on FOD records at Arlingham

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Gloucestershire BDM

http://ww3.gloucestershire.gov.uk/bmd/

Births Registration

HAYWARD - mother's maiden name KNIGHT

Ellen - 1839- Gloucester Frampton
Joseph - 1842 - Gloucester Frampton

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Looking for some info on the Parish Records of the Forest of Dean. If the Register_Reference Numbers are the same does that mean they are part of the family? I have several papers that say P18 IN 1/8 so I'm thinking they are all one family. Than I have another set that are P18 IN 1/7 and so...would all P18 be part of one family?

Thanks

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It doesn't indicate that they aren't related, but what it does mean is that the individual records came from the same parish register (book). Depending on how active a parish was a register might be completed in just a few years, in other cases completing all the pages in the parishes registry book could take decades.

If the numbers are the same it does indicate the people mentioned lived in the same parish.

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Thank you I appreciate your help!

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Ok, I'm a bit confused. I looked over the article on Ellen which than has a list of census from 1841 to 1901.

1841 - Lists her as a child with Ann & Charles parents (?)
1851 - Daughter to Charles & Mary
1861 - Sister to William H. (1834)
1871 - Head with children all named Hayward
1881 - Same
1891 - By herself
1901 - By herself

Is this just a collection of information people found on Ellen? as if I read this correctly it would seem that Charles remarried but how could she and the kids be Haywards? Or are there 2 Ellen's one a daughter to Charles/sister to William and the other than married into the Hayward family?

Sorry, maybe I missing something but I'm very confused!

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I just give what the Census recorded - its not unusual for anomolies to be thrown up !!

--
Ἀριστοτέλης A Gloster Boy in the Forest of Dean ><((((*>

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I'm sorry, I hope you didn't think I was being mean...I was just trying to understand it and wanted to know if anyone could help in figuring it out. I am grateful for people like you who do so much work for people like me looking for family. Again, I apologize if I worded my question wrong.

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For starters - If you check on Gloucestershire BDM

http://ww3.gloucestershire.gov.uk/bmd/

you will find Ellen HAYWARD's birth in 1839 - mother's maiden name KNIGHT

Charles HAYWARD married Mary KNIGHT Arlingham 17 March 1818

So, although on the 1841 census, she is named Ann - on the 1851 census, she is also Mary

This sometimes happens (as in my family tree) - when a girl is christened Mary Ann - and goes by either name.

---

going over the 1861 census at Arlingham

William H HAYWARD - 27 - Bricklayer
Mary A HAYWARD - wife - 25
Charles E HAYWARD - son - 2
Ellen HAYWARD - sister unmarried 20
Walter C HAYWARD - nephew - 3

-----

using the Gloucestershire BDM

Charles HAYWARD - mother's maiden WESTON -
again GlosBDM - Marriage at Glos St. Luke 1856 - William HAYWARD/Mary WESTON

Walter C HAYWARD - just called HAYWARD - no mother's surname, so ? is this Ellen's Son

Looking at FOD records - Edward Walter was baptised at Arlingham - 8 July 1871 - mother Helen...... (a singlewoman)
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1871 Census

Ellen HAYWARD - head unmarried, Dressmaker age 29 - with a Son James age 9

using Gloucestershire BDM - his birth is listed there, again no mother's maiden name......

---

1881 Census - Flaxley

Ellin HAYWARD (lists herself as a Wdr) age 39 - Dressmaker - but have moved area......
Ed - 9
Ruth - 5
Florence 3

again using Gloucestershire BDM - you will find their births + and on FOD records - calling herself Helen/Ellen (single woman)
Edward Walter HAYWARD - 1871
Ruth HAYWARD - 1875
Florence Mary HAYWARD - 1878

no maiden name given for mother

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FOD records

Edward Walter HAYWARD - 8 July 1871 - Arlingham
Ruth HAYWARD - 25 February 1876 - Arlingham
Florence Mary HAYWARD - 20 March 1878 Littledean Workhouse

Then Ellen took her children to Flaxley, and called herself a Widow

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1891 Census East Dean
Pembroke Road

Ellen HAYWARD - Widow - 50 born Arlingham
Edward HAYWARD - son, Collier, labourer, born Arlingham
Ruth HAYWARD - daughter - age - 16 - born Arlingham *

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Gloucestershire BDM

George SMEDLEY married Ruth HAYWARD - FOD Register Office - 1899

1901 Census, East Dean
Upper Bilson

George SMEDLEY - 29 - Coal Hewer, born Brierley, Glos
Ruth SMEDLEY - 26 - born Arlingham

SMEDLEY

previous threads inc

http://www.forum.forest-of-dean.net/index.php?id=23667

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Thank you so much. I really do appreciate everyone's help. Without all of you I wouldn't have gotten this far in my research. I will input this all and see what I come up with. Again, thanks.

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Would you know where I could obtain copies of the newspaper articles regarding this case. My interest is the Markey family who claimed to have been affected.

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I'd try Cinderford local studies centre / library, Belle Vue rd (?), look in the Dean Forest Mercury fiche....

Hours of Opening:

Monday 10-1 2-7
Tuesday 10-1 Closed
Wednesday 10-1 2-5
Thursday Closed Closed
Friday 9:30-1 2-7
Saturday 9:30-12:30 Closed
Sunday Closed

Location: Belle Vue Road, Cinderford GL14 2BZ

Tel No. +44(1594) 822581
Fax No. +44(1594) 824907

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I am also interested in the Markey family from Taynton and connected to
John Markey b1829 and his wife Ellen Green b 1831 Newent.
I did try searching at Cinderford Library for the original newspaper article but without any luck. I do however have an article from the Forest Review from 2005 where they told the story and produced a photo of Ellen Hayward.

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I would love to see a copy of the article you mention. Would you be able to send me an image off line.

My connection with John Markey is through his brother Charles. My husband is a direct descendant of his.

I live in Australia but am visitng the UK in Sept so hopefully will be able to spend sometime searching the archives for the original newspaper article now I know where they are kept.

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<in progress>
1851
Charles Markey abt 1820 Gloucestershire, England Head Aston Ingham Herefordshire
Elizabeth Markey abt 1822 Aston, Herefordshire, England Wife Aston Ingham Herefordshire
Chas Mackey abt 1846 Aston, Herefordshire, England Son Aston Ingham Herefordshire
Edwin Markey abt 1850 Aston, Herefordshire, England Son Aston Ingham Herefordshire
Mary Mackey abt 1848 Aston, Herefordshire, England Daughter Aston Ingham Herefordshire

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CHARLES MARKEY
--------------------------------------------------------
Event(s):
Birth:
Christening: About 02 JAN 1794 Aston Ingham, Hereford, England
-----------------------------------------------
Parents:
Father: THOS. MARKEY
Mother: MARY
----------------------------------------------------
Messages:
Extracted birth or christening record for the locality listed in the record.
The source records are usually arranged chronologically by the birth or christening date.
--------------------------------------------------
Source Information:
Batch No.: Dates: Source Call No.: Type: Printout Call No.: Type:
C037591 1739 - 1853 0091584 Film 0933213 Film
Sheet: 00

1841
Charles Markey abt 1796 Herefordshire, England Aston Ingham Herefordshire
Mary Ann Markey abt 1801 Herefordshire, England Aston Ingham Herefordshire
Abia Markey abt 1831 Herefordshire, England Aston Ingham Herefordshire
Charles Markey abt 1834 Herefordshire, England Aston Ingham Herefordshire
Harriett Markey abt 1836 Herefordshire, England Aston Ingham Herefordshire
Mathew Markey abt 1821 Herefordshire, England Aston Ingham Herefordshire
Sarah Markey abt 1832 Herefordshire, England Aston Ingham Herefordshire

1851
Charles Markey abt 1795 Aston, Herefordshire, England Head Aston Ingham Herefordshire
Mary Anne Markey abt 1798 Redmarley, Worcestershire, England Wife Aston Ingham Herefordshire

1851
Charles Markey abt 1834 Aston SC, Herefordshire, England Servant Upper Swinford Worcestershire

1861 ?
Charles Marke abt 1790 Linton, Gloucestershire, England Servant Peterstow Herefordshire

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If a scan has been made of the article would you be kind enough to send us the image as we will probably include here on the web site.

If you go to the Photo Gallery page you will find an email address where you can send the image.

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Added 05-06-07

Ellen Hayward charged with witchcraft.pdf

Downloads - Stories and Articles
http://www.forest-of-dean.net/joomla/resources/documents-and-articles

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Forest of Dean FHT Forum

Ellen HAYWARD, Herbalist (General)

Ellen HAYWARD 1839 - 1912 Herbalist

Ellen HAYWARD 1839 - 1912 Herbalist

Ellen HAYWARD 1839-1912 - Article

Ellen Hayward - Article

Charles HAYWARD/Mary KNIGHT

Parish Records Register Reference

Parish Records Register Reference

Parish Records Register Reference

Ellen HAYWARD 1839-1912 - Article

Ellen HAYWARD 1839-1912 - Article

Ellen HAYWARD 1839-1912 - Article

Ellen HAYWARD 1839-1912 - (+ children) + SMEDLEY

Ellen HAYWARD 1839-1912 - (+ children) + SMEDLEY

Ellen HAYWARD 1839 - 1912 Herbalist

Old Forest newspapers

Ellen HAYWARD 1839 - 1912 Herbalist

Ellen HAYWARD 1839 - 1912 Herbalist

Charles MARKEY 1820

Charles MARKEY 1794 Aston Ingham

Ellen HAYWARD - Newspaper article