The Family of Agnes Ellen Brown, formerly West or Johnson of Ironville, Rotherham and Sheffield

She was born 15 September 1878 at 16 Furnace Row Ironville a daughter of Elizabeth West (father’s name not given).

In 1881 she was at home with her parents, at Prospect Place, Normanton, Yorks., aged 2 and born at Normanton.

In 1891, living at 25 Newcastle Street, Hucknall under Huthwaite, Sutton in Ashfield, Notts, she was living with her mother, (as Johnson, rather than West), aged 12 and born in Ironville, Derbys.

In the 1901 census there is an Agnes Johnson, aged 23, a visitor at the Kings Arms, Commercial Road, Sheffield, a barmaid, born at Codnor Park. This may well be Agnes West, using her stepfather’s name or possibly her real father’s name, as George could have been her father before he and Elizabeth were married.

She married Wilson Henry Brown. The marriage was by licence, in the parish church of Wicker (most probably Holy Trinity), Sheffield on 27 June 1903. Agnes was aged 24, a spinster of Holmes, Rotherham. Her father was stated to be George Johnson (deceased) a boot maker! He should have been a miner. George’s mother, Elizabeth was a shoe maker in the 1871 census, so perhaps George also made boots when he was not being a miner? She signed as Agnes Elaine Johnson, but she may never have had a birth certificate and may have confused Ellen with Elaine. Alternatively the registrar of Ironville may have made the mistake when the birth was registered. Wilson Henry Brown was a bachelor aged 36 of 15 Burngreave Road, a manager. His father was William Brown (deceased), a slate merchant. The Holmes is an area of Rotherham bounded on the northern side by Ferham Road, Cavendish Street is in the middle of it. Wicker is central Sheffield and Burngreave Road is just north of the centre.

According to the electoral register of Sheffield between 1921 and 1925 Wilson and Agnes were living at 15, Stair Road, Burngreave.

Agnes died of cancer and her death was registered in the June quarter of 1940, in the registration district of Sheffield.

Wilson lived with John A.S. Frith and Winifred Frith at 81,Moorview Road, Woodseats (the opposite end of Sheffield to Burngreave) from 1945 to 1949 inclusive. The Friths continued to live there until the 1962-3 electoral roll.

Wilson Henry Brown died 3 January 1951 at Fir Vale Infirmary, Sheffield. Administration of his estate was granted at Wakefield (17 March 1951) to Winifred Frith, wife of John Alfred Sidney Frith. Wilson was of 81 Moorview Road, Sheffield.

1. Harold, possible birth registered at Sheffield, June quarter 1904. He married Ruth Spinks, who died in 1985 a few years after suffering a stroke which left her disabled. Harold worked for Firth and Brown and is thought to have died in 1989.
2. Winifred, possible birth registered in the Sheffield district in the September quarter 1907. She married (John Alfred) Sidney Frith. They lived at 81, Moorview Road, Woodseats (the opposite end of Sheffield to Burngreave). Sidney is thought to have died in the Plymouth area, of gangrene as he was severely diabetic and had both legs amputated. Winifred returned to the Sheffield area and died in 1986. They had no children.