Spelling Whyrill CROMPTON's name

There are many different spellings of Whyrill's name in official documents. This has caused much consternation,

It is possible this family name originates from Sarah Jane KNEESHAW, John harper's wife. Sarah Jane KNEESHAW was the eldest child of nine. In the second quarter of 1869 the eighth child was registered as Wyrill.

Above: Wyrill Kneeshaw's GRO birth entry in 1869

In 1880 John Harper and Sarah Jane's chose to add an H to Whyrill's name and this persisted thorough to his marriage.

Top: Whyrill Crompton's GRO birth record Above: Whyrill Crompton's GRO marriage record

But the General Register Office's (GRO) death record adds to the confusion. Here both an H and an L had disappeared.

Above: Whyrill Crompton's GRO death record

In the 1881 census his name is recorded as Wyrill, but this could be an enumerator's error. Newspaper reports have a variety of spellings.

The final confirmation of the spelling of his name has to be taken from his signature on the 1911 census.

The London Gazette of 17 August 1934, Issue 34079, page 5295 complicates the issue as an 'official document'. Here Whyrill's name is recorded as 'Wyril'. This event took place one year before John Harper's death. It is suggested that the Cromptons are John harper's son, of Crompton Brothers.  This is, therefore, the senior Whyrill, born 1880, some four years before his death. Had this been the younger Whyrill, born 1910, Henry john, born 1882 and Whyrill senior's younger brother, would have been the senior partner.

1852info2a, sheet 2

His family

There is no obvious record of the baptism of Harper and Frank.
Right lower: Although the name Florence mary matches family knowledge the Florence's parents are recorded as Wyril and Mary.
	Above: Whyrill and Ester's children in the Hoviley Brow Primitive Methodist Chapel baptism register. Source: Manchester City Archives: Hoviley Brow Primitive Methodist Baptism Record 1845-1934 C22/5

It is interesting to note that Whyrill's trade changes from bricklayer to, in 1918, builder. Since children were born in 1916 and 1918 and Whyrill's trade is listed as bricklayer, rather than soldier, it is unlikely that Whyrill served in the Great War.

1852info2a, sheet 3

Their homes - 15 Napier Street, Hyde

Whyrill's family appears to have been more mobile than other families, although they remain in a narrow area of Hyde.

From at least May 1910 to at least April 1912 and through the 1911 census, the family lived at 15 Napier Street, Hyde. This home was very convenient for what would become the builder's yard for Crompton Brothers.

1911 Census:           Sun/Mon 2nd April/3rd April 1911
Source TNA Ref:        RG14 PN21339  
       Reg. Gen. Ref:  RG78 PN1269 RegDist: 443 SubDist: 2 En.Dist: 15 Sched: 105
Dwelling:              15 Napier Street, 
Place:                 Hyde, Cheshire
Rooms in dwelling, other than scullery, landing, lobby, closet, bathroom: 4
Years married:         7
Children:              Alive 3, dead none 

Name              Rel  Age Mar  Occupation  Status  Birthplace 
Whyrill Crompton  Head  30  M   Bricklayer  Worker  Yorks, Holme upon Spalding Moor
Esther Crompton   Wife  34  M                       Shropshire, Tonge
Harper Crompton   Son    5                          Cheshire, Hyde
Frank Crompton    Son    2                          Cheshire, Hyde
Whyrill Crompton  Son    10m                        Cheshire, Hyde

The plaque, on the top left of the photograph, reads 'Napier Terrace 1903'. Right: 15 Napier Street, Hyde

1852info2a, sheet 4

36 Higher Henry Street, Hyde
Right: Charles Henry CROMPTON's baptism record shows that in 1916 the family had moved to 36 Higher Henry Street. This is the brown door towards the right of the photograph.

10 Auburn Avenue, Hyde

In 1918, when Florence was born, Whyrill and his family were living at 10 Auburn Avenue, Hyde.

Left: It is thought that 10 Auburn Avenue, Hyde is the first or second house. Auburn Avenue is a street of thirteen well built three bed-roomed houses, in three terraces, of facing red engineering bricks and a more 'common' brick to the sides and rear. The Welsh blue slated roofs are topped by impressive chimney stacks. Although modernised with uPVC windows and doors, the street still gives the impression of homes for a more affluent client: they are fronted by large windows and bays on the ground floor.

However, gardens, serviced by a rear car width access, are small and limited to a size similar to those in an industrial terrace.

1852info2a, sheet 5

At some point in the development of Crompton Bros the builder's year moved to Silver Hill Road, off the Stockport Roads. Although, in 1911, John harper still lived at 18 Thornley Street, it is possible the builder's yard moved to Silver Hill Road before the 1911 census. Whyrill's home in Napier Street was within easy walking distance of the new yard. Right: Map locating Napier Street, Hyde and its proximity to Thornley Street and the new builders yard.

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This page was created by Richard Crompton and maintained by Chris Glass	Version A.9 Updated 03 January 2010