Wendy Cartey (cartey @t onetel.com) wrote to comment on HILLS, Hoddesdon & Cheshunt, Mid 19th century saying: My Grandfather, Frederick Hills, was born in the 1880's and lived and worked in Rushden, Hertfordshire, all of his life. His father was a stockman, I think at St. Julien's Farm, and was fairly religious and taught children to read at Sunday School.  Frederick married Kate Toft, also of Rushden.  One of his brothers lived in Stevenage and worked on the railways. I wish I knew more, but I don't. I can only say that they were lovely people and I am proud to be a member of the Hills family.

While I don't think there is any close connection with the HILLS, Hoddesdon & Cheshunt, Mid 19th century I can provide you with some information on your ancestors. In the 1891 census the following family is listed as living at South End Green, Rushden.

Frederick was almost certainly the youngest member of the family but some older siblings are shown in the 1881 census at Shaw Green, Rushden.

The following extract, for Bygrave Lower Farm, Bygrave, in the 1891 census, probably is your Kate Toft and her family.

The entry is rather difficult to read and in one index I consulted the name is wrongly indexed as "Lofts". In addition some of the ages may not be correct. Frederick is probably Jane's son by a previous relationship and while his surname is hard to decipher there are other people called Mabbitt in the Baldock area - so it is a local surname. Some members of this family, but not Kate, were shown as living in Rushden at the time of the 1901 census.

There is a web page for Rushden

HILLS, Sandon, early 19th century may be a connected family

If you can add to the information given above tell me.

HOME