Bramwell Legacy

In 1979 my great uncle, Joe Bramwell (affectinately know as Uncle Joe the Shorter) gave me a piece of paper containing a list of names and told me that these people were my ancestors. This is that piece of paper.List of "Bramwells" family who were Sextons at Chapel-en-le-Frith Church

1. 1631-1683 52 years Peter Bramwell
2. 1683-1723 40 years Peter Bramwell
3. 1723-1761 38 years Peter Bramwell
4. 1761-1810 49 years Peter Bramwell
5. 1810-1853 43 years Peter Bramwell
7. 1853-1877 24 years Charles Bramwell
8. 1877-1892 15 years Joseph Bramwell
9. 1892-1899 7 years James Bramwell
10. 1899-1907 8 years Joseph Bramwell
and part of 1892, 1893 & 1894
11. 1907-1914 7 years Tom Bramwell
6. 1914-1922 8 years Peter Bramwell
12. 1922-1936 14 years James Bramwell
305 years in total

The last (no.12) James Bramwell still holds the office (also verger and caretaker at church schools) Charles (no.7) was brother to Joseph (no.8), Joseph (no.8) was father of James (no.9), Joseph (no.10) and Peter (no.6). Tom (no.11) sexton 1907-1914 was killed in the Great War on 19th May 1915 (at Kemmel aged 34 years), being a son of Peter (no.6). Also James (no.12) is another son. Peter (no.6) died on January 2nd 1923 aged 76 years Sexton 1914-1922.

George Henry Barber
May 23rd 1936

My mother gave me a book that belonged to her father. The Parish Church St. Thomas a Becket Chapel-en-le-Frith by W. Bunting dated 1925 In it is a passage

The family of Bramwell can claim an even more lengthy association with the Church as Sextons than their friends in the Belfry, for since 1631 the post has been practically hereditary. On the Sexton's workshop in Dane's Yard adjoining the Churchyard may be read, carved in stone, the following inscription:

"Charles Bramwell, died 1878, and was Sexton of Chapel-en-le-Frith for 24 years. His father 43, his Grandfather 50, his Great-grandfather 38, his Great-great-grandfather 40, his Great-great-great-grandfather 52."

The Parish Register records the burial on 6 February, 1720-1, of "George Bramwell, Sexton of this Church who had been Sexton near 40 years." Charles Bramwell mentioned above, was succeeded by his nephew Joseph Bramwell, who with a short interval (when his brother James Bramwell acted) was Sexton until his death in 1910, when he was succeeded by his nephew Tom Bramwell. On the latter, who was a member of "B" Coy. 6th Batt. Sherwood Forresterd (T.F), being mobilised on 4th August, 1914, his father Peter Bramwell took up the duty temporarily, but Tom being killed in action at Kemmel in May 1915, Peter Bramwell became Sexton and so continued till his death in January 1923, when he was succeeded by a younger son, James Bramwell, the present Sexton. The Derby Mercury Newspaper ~ Wednesday June 21 1893 Opposite the Parish Church I found the brick building, now unfortunately deralict, that is known to the locals as the Sextons Shop. Above the window is a stone described by W. Bunting, but reads

Joseph Bramwell Monumental Mason near the Parish Church Chapel-en-le Frith
Peter Bramwell for 52 years, Sexton at the said church, his son 40 years, his grandson 38, his great grandson 50, his great great grandson 43, his great great great grandsons 39
1631 - 1883 Has the stone been replaced? or did W. Bunting get his facts wrong? Joseph out lived his brother Charles!!

My Uncle Joe (Uncle Joe the taller, nephew of Uncle Joe the shorter) lent me a postcard. The date is unreadable but the stamp on the back shows a picture of King Edward VII who reigned from 1901 to 1910. The half penny stamp was in circulation between 1902 and 1911. It is addressed to Mrs H Hobson, Post Office, Hope, Via Sheffield and says

Thanks for the P C this morning you had not forgot the day but no one at home thought about it. I will write to you some other time Pollie. On the front is a photograph of a Bramwell stood in the church entrance. Above the photo is written

A Record - Peter Bramwell, the last Parish Clerk of Chapel-en-le-Frith held office for 52 years; his grandfather 52 years - in all 104 years.

Below the photograph is written

Another Record - Charles Bramwell, died 1878 and was Sexton of Chapel-en-le-Frith for 24 years, his father 43, his grandfather 50, his great grandfaher 38, his great great grandfather 40, his great great great grandfather 52 years - in all 247 years. On the left of the entrance is a notice dated 22nd May 1887.This rules out the possibility of it being Charles Bramwell.

At the back of the Parish Church is a wooden panel on the last row of pews which states

1931 About this time the Bramwell family completed three centuries of service as Sextons of this church & parish 1631 Peter, 1683 George, 1761 Peter, 1811 Peter, 1854 Charles, 1878 Joseph, 1893 James, 1899 Joseph , 1808 Tom, 1914 Peter, 1923 James, 1951 Tom I found a loose piece of paper in the archives at the Derbyshire Record Office in Matlock. It's a table set out in 4 columns. The heading for the first column says 'name' the second 'period stated on slab, years' the third 'dates in newspaper cutting' & the fourth, 'reference in parish register'.

Sextons at the Parish Church Chapel-en-le-Frith

Peter Brramwell - 52 - 1631 to 1683 - nil
George Bramwell his son - 40 - 1683 to 1723 - buried George Bramall, Sexton of this church who had been Sexton near 40 years 6th Feb 1721
George Bramwell son of George - 38 - 1723 to 1761 - buried George Bramwell Sexton in this town 12th Feb 1761
Peter Bramwell son of the last named George - 50 - 1761 to 1811 - buried 17th Aug 1811 NB. Peter Bramwell was killed dead upon the spot by a fall from the barn of Mr John Taylor. He was Sexton 51 years - aged 78.
Peter Bramwell son of last named Peter - 43 - 1811 to 1854 - buried 27th Jan 1854
Charles Bramwell son of last named Peter - 24 - 1854 to 1875 - buried 20th April 1878 aged 66 years
Joseph son of last named Peter - 1875 to 1893 - 1878 to 1893
James Bramwell son of Joseph - 1893 to 1899
Joseph Bramwell - 1899 to 1908
Tom Bramwell grandson of Joseph son of last named Peter - 1908 to 1914
Peter Bramwell father of Tom - 1914 to 1923
James Bramwell brother of Tom - 1923