Born on 14th May 1885 at Shottle, Derbyshire, George Beardsley was the third child of Isaac Beardsley, a former police constable but then working as a farmer, and his wife Annie Turner (née Hudson). He was baptised on 7th June at St Lawrence’s Church, Shottle.
George grew up at Handley Wood, Shottle, and by the age of 15 he was selling milk from his father’s dairy farm. Between 1901 and 1911, the family moved to White Wells Farm, Belper, where he continued to work for his father, together with his brothers Isaac and Frank.
On 24th January 1912, George married Clara Hall at St Peter’s Church, Belper. Their marriage was witnessed by Clara’s brother Alfred, and George’s younger brother Isaac (known by his middle name ‘Lawrence’).
The wedding of George Beardsley and Clara Hall24th January 1912
Clara, the daughter of Henry Hall and his wife Sara Ann (née North), was born at The Grapes Inn, Belper, on either the 25th or 27th September 1882. She was baptised at St Peter’s Church on 21st February 1883.
The parish register records that Clara was born on 25th September 1882. However, the 1939 register records her date of birth as 27th September.
The Hall family were one of the oldest families of Belper and Clara’s father Henry was widely known in the Midland counties through his business, which took him to many local villages, towns, and cities: owning shooting galleries and sweet stalls, he attended annual shows, fairs, markets, wakes, and feats. When the family returned from attending the fairs, Clara’s mother would stay in her caravan outside The Grapes, refusing to stay in the house unless it got very cold. All the fair equipment would arrive by train to the goods yard and large shire horses would then pull the equipment up to the coppice. Henry Hall became one of the largest property owners in Belper, and by 1901, Clara was working for her father at The Grapes Inn, High Street, Belper, which he owned. After her father died in 1903, Clara’s older brother Alfred took over The Grapes Inn, and by 1911 Clara was working from home as a dressmaker.
Clara Hall circa. 1910
Shortly after their marriage, George and Clara moved to Eastwood in Nottinghamshire where their first child, Beatrice ‘Sybil’ Beardsley, was born on 16th October 1912. Soon afterwards in 1913, they moved back to Belper where George became the tenant and landlord of the Lion Hotel. Here their second child Joyce was born on 4th October 1914, followed by George on 14th May 1916, and Betty Irene Beardsley on 4th May 1920.
A descendant recalls being told that while at the Lion Hotel, George became ill and straw was put on the road to soften the noise from horses and traps passing by. It was also said that George was a big man and didn’t suffer fools gladly, and was known for throwing out anyone who misbehaved in the pub.
On 16th November 1920, George and Clara moved from the Lion Hotel, Belper, to run the Neptune Hotel at The Spot, Osmaston Road, Derby. As a leaving gift, George was presented with a marble clock ‘by a number of local admirers’.
Clock presented to George Beardsleyand an article from the Belper News, 19th November 1920
In the early hours of Sunday 19th December 1920, a thief removed glass and unbolted a door at the back of the Neptune Hotel to gain access to the smoke room. He emptied the tills behind the bar and took almost everything from the safe, having obtained the keys by forcing his way into George’s bedroom and taking them from his trouser pockets. There were eight people in the house: George, Clara, their four children, and two maids, but no-one heard anything; the family dog is thought to have been doped. The thief did not take Clara’s jewellery which was in the bedroom, nor any valuable articles which were downstairs. It was estimated that the loss the George was £80. Within a few weeks, Thomas Such, a painter from Rugeley, Staffordshire, surrendered himself at Rugeley police station, saying “I broke into the place. I had the money, and I have spent it all and had a good time.” He was charged with stealing £50 10s.
This experience unsettled the family - George made his will on 24th December in Derby, witnessed by his brother Frank, and within four months the family were back in Belper with George running the Nags Head Inn at High Pavement.
George, Clara, Joyce and Betty, circa 1930.
George and Clara’s oldest daughter Sybil married in 1931.
George’s father Isaac Beardsley died in February 1933 and he appointed George and his brother Frank to be Executors of his will. He bequeathed his home at Belper Lane End to George’s brother Richard and directed that his farm be sold at auction. However, in July both properties were auctioned, and Isaac’s previous home, known as “The Yews” and having 5 rooms, was bought by George for £180.
George was active in supporting Belper licensees. On their behalf, in 1935 he applied for an hour’s extension to the opening hours for the Saturday night of Belper Fair, Christmas Eve, and Boxing Day, which were all granted. He made similar applications in 1936 and 1937, where the extension was from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m.
In December 1939, George and Clara attended the wedding of their daughter Betty. George gave Betty away, and the reception was held at the Lion Hotel, Belper.
In 1944 George was appointed joint Executor for the will of his uncle George Beardsley of Chapel Farm, Shottle.
George Beardlsey died at the Nags Head on 27th June 1947 aged 62. A service was held at 2.30 p.m. on 1st July at St Peter’s Church, Belper, followed by burial at Belper Cemetery. In his will, George left everything to his wife Clara, and his Estate was valued at £9,778 17s. 7d.
After her husband’s death, Clara continued to hold the licence of the Nags Head for a short while, before it was taken over by her married daughter Sybil and her husband Charles Parsons Clayton, although she continued to live there. In 1948 Clara attended the wedding of her daughter Joyce.
On 24th January 1959 at the age of 76, Clara collapsed at the Nags Head and died the following day. A service was held at St Peter’s Church, Belper, on 28th January, after which she was interred with her husband George. In her will, Clara appointed her son George and her daughter Sybil as Executors of her will, and left her Estate, valued at £16,813 7s. 10d., equally between her four children.
‘In loving memory of a dear husband GEORGE BEARDSLEY, at rest June 27. 1947, aged 62 years. “Thy will be done.” Also his beloved wife CLARA BEARDSLEY, at rest Jan. 25. 1959, aged 76 years.’
George Beardsley was my first cousin three times removed.