Re: Hindley Family, Leigh, England
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In reply to:
Hindley Family, Leigh, England
LARRY HINDLEY 6/30/99
Dear Larry and others interested in the Bedford Hindley branch,
To compile the genealogy back from the Joseph that you mention will take months or possibly years.However, it is almost certain that he was decended from the first Hindleys of Bedford and i am acquainting you with some facts that I hope you will find interesting.
The first reference to the Hindleys at Bedford (near Leigh) appears in the Leigh registers and records the baptism of an Elizabeth in 1603, a Jennet in 1607, and Adam in 1610.Because of the proximity of these dates it can be assumed that they were the children of one family.Adam became a blacksmith and married Ellen Collier at Leigh in 1632.He had eight children and was the authentic ancestor of hundreds of Hindleys (including me and my family!).His smithy was at Marsland Green and from my research appears to have been situated at the North-West corner of what is now Marsland Green Lane - a road containing a more or less recent development of three and four bedroomed houses!The smithy, called 'Hindley's Smithy' is shown on a map dated 1605 which can be viewed at Leigh Public Library.The business of the smithy appears to have been carried on by Hindleys for many years.Adam's youngest son Matthias also became a blacksmith and had a smithy in the town of Leigh (then a village) which was situated on the site of the present 'Cantors' store.
Adam Hindley was a co-executor on the death of Patience, the widow of Hugh Hindley of the mainstream Hindley family, who died in 1651.This shows that Adam was closely related to the principal family although no further evidence of a link has been found as yet.
The will of Adam Hindley (who died circa 1663) which was proved in the year 1663/64 can be seen in the Preston (Lancashire) Record Office, and starts with the usual preamble used in those days 'In the name of God, Amen'.
Matthias Hindley was buried in Leigh cemetary, 200 to 300 yards to the North-West of his father's smithy.The custodian of the cemetary is able to point out exactly where he is buried.
I hope that you have found this information useful.
Kind regards
Arnold T Hindley
17 April 2001