After the frames were in the living room, and as you went through the villages, you would hear them at work. My maternal Grandmother had a brother whose son was a soldier in India and his son Edward served in the East India Company for 35 years: 21 years in one regiment and 14 in another. He was discharged from his first regiment after serving 21 years with a pay of 1s/2d a day and he relisted into the regiment his son was serving (his wife being dead). This son born in India was a drummer-lad and served in the ranks and when he attained manhood he was killed jumping out of the boat in which they were crossing a river in face of the enemy. Being over-anxious to reach land, his foot caught in a rope and he fell on his head and broke his neck. His father being in the same boat – his son being killed before his eyes.

Soon after, he got his discharge and came home with a pension of 1/1d a day, thus losing 1d a day after serving 14 more years service. When he returned home he married an old comrade’s widow who was living at Loughborough, she having a pension of 1/2d a day which the East India Company continued to pay her after her first husband’s death. Edward, though an old soldier, was a very hearty old man and lived many years, working a stocking frame to increase his income. He was a wonder indeed, for after being in India all these years, he came home hearty and full of life. I quite remember his homecoming – he came to see my mother. I was quite a little lad.

My Grandfather Hudson had a sister Mary who married Mr Bailey who had a book and shoe shop in Bridlesmith Gate, Nottingham, whose daughter married Mr Sam Wilmott, a Lace Manufacturer of Nottingham.

Uncle John Hudson was gamekeeper at Ticknall, Derbyshire, for many years, also his son John – his oldest daughter Mary married W. Webster who was gamekeeper to D Lisle Garston Park, Loughborough, Leicestershire. ¹ Also Hannah, Emma, and Martha married gamekeepers on the estate. Sarah married a gentleman’s butler. Elizabeth married Robert Cumberland, a gentleman farmer of Long Cliff farm, Shepshed, Loughborough.

Uncle William Hudson was dairyman to E. Paget esquire M.P. for many years and was much trusted by his master. His first wife had two children: John who died quite a young man of fever leaving 2 children; Mary who married Edwin Westmorland. By his second wife 3: Ann, Tom (none by 1st, 8 by 2nd), Rebecca (Longford) Pullen coach hand to E. Paget.

Uncle Samuel Hudson who had lace machines till 1844 when a great trade panic occurred. He was able to save a little with which he built a public-house, thus he was able to gain a living and save something. He died 1846 – age 42 – no family.

Uncle James Hudson was a small farmer at Blackbrook, Shepshed, Loughborough; had 3 sons, 1 daughter (George, James, Robert, and Sarah) – died 1874 age 71.

Aunt Elizabeth Hudson married Joseph Peat, farmer, of Long Whaton, Leicestershire: had 9 children (Joseph, Elizabeth, John (wheelwright), Mary, Harry, Mary, ² Sarah, Ann, William, Sarah (the second).
Elizabeth married Edward Wightman (labourer);
Joseph married a Whatton (surname forgot);
John married Hannah (surname forgot);
Harry married (surname forgot);
William married Eliza (surname forgot);
Ann married John Latun of Thorpemere;
Mary married William Sharp, butcher, Whitwick;
Sarah (2nd) married Samuel Bostock – 1st Samuel Wheatley, 2nd (no family)

Another ancestor, she was sister to Grandmother Caldwell, Ann Oldershaw. This great-aunt married Edward Ackroyd senior who was clothier and pawnbroker and silversmith of Wigan, Lancashire, who had 3 sons: Samuel, Edward, and William, who from what I can remember carried on the same business, Samuel having the father’s when he retired. William retired and lived at Quorn, Leicestershire: when I was a lad he was a Wesleyan local preacher. It appears from what my mother told me, Uncle Ackroyd wanted to choose the ladies for his sons wives, but Samuel and Edward thought they ought to choose their own and so offended their father, but William married the lady who his father had chosen. The old gentleman one day came to his son Samuel’s place of home and asked him to lend him £1000, but knowing he did not really want it, refused. He then went to Edward and he also refused the old gent, being very, very, importunate, Edward pushed him out of the shop. Then he went to William and he at once humoured him and gave him a cheque for the amount. Soon after the father died, and when his Will was opened it was found to be in William’s favour, for he had left the bulk of his estate to him. William died leaving 3 daughters.