SON OF A

GENTLEMAN.

A while ago I spotted a request on one of the online Genealogy Forums, someone was
wondering if he was related to the Crewe family of Cheshire. His ancestor was a
Stephen Crewe born c 1820 in Chester. A search for a baptism found the only match
was the son of Randle Crewe and Sarah.
In 1861 Stephen was working as a gun filer, which was very different to the status of
the Crewe family of Cheshire.
The census records have - Steven Crewe 47 gun barrel filer born City of Chester, his
wife Mary Crewe aged 46 was born Birmingham as were their daughters Charlotte 21
and Sarah Ann aged 14
In Dec quarter 1843 Stephen Crewe and Mary Ann Hadley were married in the West
Bromwich district. I suggested that the marriage certificate was needed to be sure of
his father, and when that arrived it revealed that Stephen Crewe, "Gun Barrel Filer"
was the son of "Randle Crewe, Gentleman.
More searching revealed that Stephen had three siblings, all were baptised at St
Oswalds, Chester, but little Charles died just a few days after he was born.
1817 June 15 Randulph Crewe s/o Randulph and Sarah ,
1818 Nov 29. Charles s/o Randalph and Sarah Crewe, Kings St., Gentleman.
1820 May 09. Stephen s/o Randalph and Sarah Crewe, Kings St., Gentleman
1822 June 4 Henrietta Crewe d/o Randle Crewe and Sarah.
Burial. Charles Crew aged 4 days 02 Dec 1818, St. Oswald, Chester.
In 1841 at Moon Street, St Peters, Birmingham I found a Stephen Crewe labourer
aged 21 living in the same household as Henrietta Crewe shop woman aged 20,
neither were `born in county` also there was an Eliza Hadley shop woman aged 17,
was she a relative of Stephens wife to-be Mary Ann Hadley, quite a coincidence I
thought, but could it the same brother and sister.
A search for Henrietta came up trumps, in 1861 she was living at Bush Lane,
Longdon , aged 47 born St Oswalds, Chester and was the niece of Charles Crewe the
Vicar of Longdon, he was unmarried , aged 81 and had been born at Barthlomely
Cheshire. A little bit of `Googling` and I found that Charles was the son of the Rev
Randulph Crewe, and had been born before his father moved to Hawarden.
In the North Wales Chronicle dated June 11 1864 the notice of his death was
published.
On the 26th ult (May) aged 84 at Longton Vicarage, Worcestershire the Rev Charles
Crewe, for more than 40 years Vicar of that parish, the eldest and last surviving son
of the late Randulph Crewe, Rector of Hawarden .
During his life Charles had been very generous, having donated an amount of money
to purchase a site for the erection of a parsonage; he also contributed to the erection
of schoolhouses with masters residences at Longdon. In 1842 he gave a subscription
of 1.1.0 to the Hospital of the Insane Poor of North Wales.
He left a will, effects under 14,000 proved by Offley Malcolm Crewe-Read of
Llandinam Hall. Commander in her Majestys Navy.

I thought a look at Hawarden parish records would help and trip to Cefn soon gave
me the results I had hoped for and more. I found baptisms for the children of Rev
Randulph Crewe of Hawarden and his wife Frances nee Glynne. There is enough on
this family known already, so I won`t go any further back in time.
Baptisms.
Stephen 1782 Dec 7th
Selina 1784 July 12th
Frances 1786 Feb 11th Buried 1786 Feb 28th
Randulph 1787 Sep 4th
John Glynne 1789 May 19th
Francis Glynne (son)1791 Jan 4th born 1790 Aug 10th
Richard Glynne Crewe 1792 July 9th
Stephen died in tragic circumstances not along after his marriage and left his wife
with two young children. They had married with consent by licence as Priscilla was
described as a junior.
Baptisms.
1821 Dec 27th Richard son of Stephen. Gent and Priscilla abode Moore.
1822 Dec 27th born 9th. Stephen son of Stephen, gent deceased and Priscilla
Liverpool Mercury February 9, 1821;
Marriage. Stephen Crewe youngest son of the late Rev R Crewe Rector of that place
to Priscilla youngest daughter of Mr John Humphreys of the Moor.
The Morning Chronicle (London, England), November 25, 1822
We are sorry to record an accident which proved fatal to a son of the Rev Mr Crewe
of Hawarden, the young gentleman we believe had been out with a hunting party on
the morning of Friday last and was returning home in the evening when his horse,
which was becoming very restive threw him. A man going on the road between
Holywell and Hawarden a short time after with his cart picked him up, but life was
totally extinct. He has left a young wife to lament the loss of an affectionate husband,
and the poor of Hawarden by whom he was greatly loved, a kind friend.
Then I found this is Hawarden, a real gem.
Burial 1821 April 21st
Randulph Crewe, Gent. Capt of 58th Regt Foot, and son of the late Rev R Crewe of
this parish. Abode King Street Chester. This is the same address given when Stephen
was baptised.
There is a will held at Chester; Randulph Crewe. Occupation: Captain 58 Rgt Foot.
Date: 1857 Will: last of Chester
Was there an issue with the will, was it not proved till 1857, could this be the reason
why his children were `down on their luck`
A search for Randulph Crewe in the census drew a blank, not surprising as I later
found he had been transported in 1838 on the convict ship Bengal Merchant. theres
no doubt that it is Stephens brother, the age, place of birth and the fact that he was
also in the gun trade in Birmingham are all to much to be a coincidence.

Randle Crewe age 20, birth place Chester, Occupation, gun smith for 4 years. Tried at
Warwick on 17th October 1837 for stealing clothes - 7 years, he didnt get his
certificate of freedom for 10 years.
New South Wales
Randulph married Agnes Bonner at Cobbity, Narrellan in 1845; she was also a
convict and had been transported on the Planter. She was convicted in Aberdeen on
19th April 1838 and started her long voyage on 29 th October 1838. Agnes is
mentioned in the Medical journal of the convict ship Planter, from 27 August 1838 to
16 March 1839 by Thomas Robertson, surgeon and superintendent, while carrying
female convicts to Sydney.
Agnes Bonner, aged 17; disease or wound, cynanche; put on sick list 30 September
1838, discharged 15 October 1838.
In the NSW BMDs we find that they had a daughter Mary J born in 1846, but after
this there is no record of Agnes, perhaps she died.
In 1856 Randulph married again to a widow, Fredericka Catherine Muller nee
Minzinmeyer in Yass, she had been born in Stuttgart Germany about 1827.
The area was a new settlement; it had first been seen by Europeans in 1821 and by
1848 it only had a population of 48 people. Randulph became a police officer, which
was not uncommon if they didnt have enough people.
On 24 September 1856 an article appeared in the Southern District news.
On Wednesday, two constables named Randall Crewe and John Morgan were taking
six prisoners from Yass to Golbourn by foot, when two of them, named Nowlan and
Flatterie escaped. Morgan, after galloping about for an hour and a half, found
Nowlan only a quarter of a mile from the place whence he had escaped, Morgan
called upon him to stop; threatening to shoot him if ho did not. Nowlan cried out,
You b-dog, you're not game to do it," at the same time making a movement as if to
wrench the pistol from the constable's hands. Morgan then fired, and the ball took
effect on the left shoulder, perforated the fleshy part of the arm, glanced off the ribs,
passed round the back, and finally lodged below the right breast. Whilst this affray
was occurring, Crewe succeeded in capturing the other runaway, but in his case no
resistance was offered.
Randulph and Fredericka had children Sarah L born in Yass in 1857, Alfred
Alexander born 1859 and Henrietta born 1860 in Carbora and Albertine born 1865
Orange. By this time Randall had moved from Yass to Cadia and was working at the
copper mine.
This was not a good year for the family, as a couple of reports from the Police
Gazette reveals.
NSW Police Gazette 4 Oct 1865
John Permire charged on warrant with unlawfully and carnally knowing Sarah Crew
a child 8 years of age, the daughter of Randall Crew, Cadia Copper Mines, has been
arrested by Constables Nichols and Roche, Orange Police. Committed for trial at the
next quarter sessions to be holden at Orange

NSW Police Gazette 17 Dec 1865

Grey horse 15 hands high. Brand RC over two JT`s conjoined near shoulder. Cadia
copper mines. Stolen on the 13th instant. Reported stolen - owner Randall Crew miner,
address not stated.
Sarah L married Peter Nicholas Merryfield at Bathhurst in 1879. He was born in
Devon in 1854 and was the son of a tin miner.
Henrietta married Walter Hingley, and had four known children, Walter, Albert,
Gladys and Elsie, Henrietta died in 1947 at the age of 88.
Albertina F married John Lloyd in 1889 at Lithgow; she was buried there in 1945.
Alfred Alexander Crewe married Wilhelmina Starr, she died early 1838, he died aged
80 in 1939 at Church Street Blakehurst, and his obituary notice describes him as the
beloved father of Mrs J Arniel, Mrs S Duggan, Mrs A Forrest and Alfred.
Alfred Alexander and Wilhelmina had also had another son, William Randulph
Crewe. He had joined the AIF 17th Batt. at Mumbil on 2nd February 1916 at the age of
20, at the time he was a motor driver. On the 5th May 1917 he was reported as
Missing in Action at Bullecourt, Bullecourt, France and was confirmed as Killed in
Action on 10th October 1917.He is remembered on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial.
Fredericka Catherine died on the 15th August 1911 aged 84, Randulph who had added
the middle name of Glynne died sometime in 1886 aged 69.
They are buried in Lithgow cemetery, Bowenfels, a small township in eastern New
South Wales about 150 km west of Sydney.
The gravestone leaves no doubt at all as to Randulphs ancestry, as the entry from the
inscription records reveals it all.

I have been contacted by a lady in Australia, she told me she had done a vast amount
of research on the Crewe family for descendants over there and has willingly passed
on her work. The mystery of why the will of Capt Crewe took so long to be proved is
part of it.
Capt Randulph Crewe Capt. 58th Regt.
Notes on Will dated 3/2/1821. Date of death: 24/4/1821
Captain Crewes will appointed his friends Major Boynton Stone of Northgate St,
Chester and Captain Edward Kinsley of Newtown, Northgate executers and trustees
of his estate in trust for his wife, Sarah, his effects to be called in and converted into
money as soon as convenient after his death, Sarah to have the use of his plate, linen,

china, household goods and furniture for her life but no so as to dispose of make
away with the same. The money was to be invested and interest paid to Sarah for her
natural life, free from debts, engagements, intermeddling or control of any future
husband, with sufficient provided for the maintenance, education, support and
bringing up of Henrietta, Randulph and Stephen. Upon Sarahs death his residuary
estate to pass to his children in equal shares when they attained the age of 21 years.
Major Stone and Captain Kinsley apparently didnt want the responsibility and Sarah
with three young children didnt either. All three renounced control of Randulphs
estate and handed the responsibility to Randulphs brother (also Stephen Crewe) the
Uncle and now legal guardian of Randulphs 3 minor children. 1st grant of probate
granted 21/11/1821
Uncle Stephen died in 1823 so Sarah retracted her renunciation of the execution of
the Will and appointed William Wood the younger, Notary Public and a Procurator
General of the Consistory Court of Chester to be her lawful Proctor. As the terms of
the will were unfulfilled (i.e. not everything sold off) the Estate continued 2 nd grant
dated 8 /1/1823.
The Will was finally proved 12/9/1857 after Sarahs death with son Stephen as
Executor. Residuary value less than 300. Other children, Henrietta and Randulph
are not mentioned.
Another wonderful find sent to me was a copy of a letter to Randulph in Australia
written by his brother Stephen with details of his ancestry. It was a page torn out of an
old book, so the source is not known.
I am the son of Captain Randulph Crewe, of the 58 th Regiment of Foot late of the city
of Chester, and he was a son of the late Rev.Randulph Crewe, most formerly Rector
of Hawarden, Flintshire. He enjoyed the Rectory many years. This gentleman was
the son of Dr. Crewe, of Warmingham a younger branch of the house of Crewe in
Cheshire.
Sir Randle Crewe was born in the county of Cheshire and educated in the study of
Municipal law, in which department he made such proficiency that, after the
progressive promotions, he was advanced to the dignity of Lord Chief Justice of the
Kings Bench, in the twenty-second of King James I., and therein served, with great
integrity, two Kings. It was rather extraordinary that he enjoyed this honour not quite
two years, for at the commencement of the reign of King Charles I, the exigencies of the
Government requiring speedy supplies, some of the Council thought it advisable not to
trustto the caprice of a Parliament, for fear in those distemperate times the Parliament
might countenance the dissatisfied party and refuse the necessary aids. A loan was
therefore proposed against which Sir Randle, with Great Spirit, openly expressed his
disapprobation, and declared he never would countenance preter legal proceedings.
Upon this account, Nov. 9th, 1626 he was commanded to discontinue his sitting in the
court and the ensuing day was, by a writ, discharged from his office. Although Sir
Randle was out of office he was not out of honour, as he resided many years at his
house in Westminster, and revered for his integrity and praised for his hospitality. Sir
Randle amassed a considerable property in his profession .large demesne
of Crewe, formerly in the possession of the Fulhursts, but originally ancestors. He
built the family mansion of Crewe Hall in a style of magnificence never before
attempted out of theHis portrait is in the gallery at Crewe, dressed in his scarlet
robes. He died A.D. 1643. Sir Randle had a younger brother .Sir Thomas Crewe,
Knight, whose honest and learned labours in the same profession render him worth of
pulHis son, John Crewe, Esq., was remarkable for his steadfast adherence to the
unfortunate Charles I., and was very in bringing about the Restoration.

My dear brother this is a correct statement of your father and your

grandfathers family.
To the wife of William Ewart Gladstone may be ac-corded such a triumph.
Catherine Glynn was born at Hawarden Castle on 6 th January, 1812. Her forbears,
both in her mothers as well as her fathers family had come over with William the
Conqueror. Her father, Sir Stephen Glynn, belonged to the Percy barony, and her
mother, Mary Neville, was eighteenth in descent from Richard de Greville, who died
in the Holy Land in 1147. Amongst her ancestors she could boast of such names as
Egbert, William the Conqueror, Henry Hotspur and Edward I. She was also related
to five Prime Ministers of England.
It really is quite an amazing story, its so easy to step back in time as the history of the
Cheshire Crewe family shows, but not so easy to come forward.
I `m certain this one little branch has never been researched before and am really
pleased to have had so much help and therefore am able to share it with you.
Annette Edwards
Member 2978