X00402 Mary Woolley Birth Information

I have written previously about X00402 - trying to find birth information about my 4x great grandmother, Mary Woolley who was born about 1809 in Heapey, Lancashire, England.

The only known information that I have about her parents is that her father's name was Jeremy.

I have posted previously about Edward Woolley and family (X00042). Mary Woolley is living with that family in the 1841 census. As well, I have posted about Thomas Woolley and family (X00399). Thomas' granddaughter, Martha is listed as a neice of Mary Woolley in the 1871 census.

Since, then, I have also come across a baptism record for a Catharine Wooley who was born about 1805 in Montgomeryshire, Wales, and is the daughter of a Jeremiah Woolley.

Other possible connections that I have found - a John Woolley and family that appear on the on the same page as Edward Woolley on the 1841 census and a Joseph Woolley who appears on the same page as Mary Hannah Woolley on the 1901 census.

So, here is the current list of possible connections to investigate:

Individual	Birth Year	Birth Location	Connection to Mary Woolley
Mary Wooley	ca. 1809	Heapey, Lancashire, England
Edward Woolley	ca. 1791	Lancashire, England	Mary Woolley living in same household in 1841
Thomas Woolley	ca. 1801	Llanidloes, Montgomeryshire, Wales	Granddauther Martha listed as niece to Mary Woolley in 1871 census
Catherine Woolley	ca. 1805	Montgomeryshire, Wales	Has a father named Jeremiah Woolley
John Woolley	ca. 1806	Lancashire, England	Appears on same page as Edward Woolley in 1841 census
Joseph Woolley	ca. 1841	Blackburn, Lancashire, England	Appears on same page as Mary Hannah Woolley in 1901 census

Joseph Wooley is not from the same generation, but the others could all be siblings to Mary Woolley. Edward Woolley is the only one old enough to possibly be from the generation before, perhaps a brother to Jeremiah Woolley?

So, there are a lot of potential connections to investigate further

X00399 Who is Martha Woolley in the 1871 census? Part 2

Last week I posted about finding a Martha Woolley in the 1871 census, listed as a neice to Mary Woolley. I had found that her parents were Jeremiah and Mary Woolley and that she was baptised at the same time as a Mary Hannah Woolley.

Then through searching some census records, and eventually a baptism record, I found that Jeremiah Woolley was born about 1828 to a Thomas and Jane Woolley.

So, if Martha Woolley is truly a niece to Mary Woolley, born about 1809, that would make Mary Woolley the sister of this Jeremiah Woolley and the daughter of this Thomas Woolley. But this Thomas Woolley was born about 1801, which makes him being the father of Mary Woolley, born 1809, unlikely. So, if the connection is a true connection, it is more likely that Martha Woolley is a great niece to Mary Woolley

The search continues

X00399 Who is Martha Woolley in the 1871 census? Part 1

As I look for clues as to who might be the parents of Mary Woolley (X00402) I found the family in the 1871 census:

Listed with the family is a Martha Woolley, aged 4, who is listed as being a neice of John Glover. So, she is connected to the family somehow. Could this be a clue to finding Mary's parents?

I tried to find Martha in later records with the family and couldn't find her in anything. I also did not find her in other records after 1871. But I did have some luck in finding a baptism record. From being age 4 in the 1871 census, it would suggest a birth year of about 1867. I did manage to find a baptism record for a Martha Woolley born 27 February 1867 to a Jeremiah and Mary Woolley. In the 1871 census, Martha's birth location is given as Church, Lancashire. The baptism took place in Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, right next to Church. So, it looks like a good fit.

Right above the baptism record, however, was another record for the baptism of a Mary Hannah Woolley, also a daughter of Jeremiah and Mary Woolley. Mary Hannah was born 10 May 1865, but baptised on the same day as Martha. So, if I can't find out much with Martha Woolley, perhaps I'll have better luck with tracing Mary Hannah Woolley.

Pentecost Family Profile

A concise, source‑grounded portrait of the Pentecost family — immigrants, professionals, and the next generation who made their lives in Toronto and beyond.

Family Overview

The Pentecost family traces roots from England and the United States to Toronto, Ontario. Key family members include Ashton Spencer Pentecost and his wife Agnes Elizabeth D'Eye Pentecost, and their children Norman, Hazel, Agnes Ruth, and Marjorie. Several family events — births, marriages, occupations, and burials — are documented in archival records and contemporary newspapers.

Quick timeline

Ashton born 1863 Agnes D'Eye born 1864 Marriage 1884 (Chicago) Children 1884–1896 Norman died 1917 (France) Ashton died 1936 (Toronto) Agnes died 1946 (Toronto)

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Ashton Spencer Pentecost

Born: 25 Feb 1863 — Died: 10 Dec 1936 — Occupation: Architect

Ashton emigrated from England and worked as an architect in Toronto. He is recorded in the 1911 census as residing at 93 Charles St. East and later at 39 Wheeler Avenue. His obituary appeared in the Toronto Star following his death in December 1936.

"Pentecost - On Thursday, December 10th, Spencer Ashton, dearly beloved husband of Agnes E. Pentecost, 39 Wheeler avenue, and father of Mrs. A.H. Wilson; Mrs. E.D. Shaw: in his 74th year."

Notes: Worked as an architect for many years; burial at St. John's Cemetery is recorded.

Agnes Elizabeth D'Eye Pentecost

Born: 13 Oct 1864 (Watton, Norfolk, England) — Died: 4 Feb 1946 (Toronto)

Agnes was born in Watton, Norfolk, and immigrated to Canada in 1882. Census records show her living in Toronto by 1911; her obituary and burial are documented in Toronto newspapers and cemetery records.

"On Monday, Feb. 4, 1946, at Toronto, Agnes E. D'Eye, wife of the late Ashton Pentecost, and mother of Mrs. E.D. Shaw (Marjorie), of Philadelphia, U.S.A."

Notes: Buried at St. John's Norway, Toronto.

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Children and Next Generation

Norman Ashton Pentecost

Born: 4 Dec 1884 (Chicago) — Died: 9 Apr 1917 (France)

Norman served and died during World War I; military burial records place him in Pas‑de‑Calais.

"He was buried at the Nine Elms Military Cemetery in Pas de Calais, France in 1917."

Hazel Madge Pentecost (Mrs. Arthur H. Wilson)

Born: 1 Jul 1887 (Chicago) — Died: 1 Jun 1945 (Toronto)

Hazel worked professionally as an accountant and later settled in Toronto; she married Arthur Harold Wilson in 1915 and had one daughter, Vivienne Louise Wilson.

"She worked as an accountant on 21 Jun 1911 in Toronto, York, Ontario, Canada."

Buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

Agnes Ruth Pentecost

Born: circa 1890 (Chicago) — Died: 24 Jun 1903 (Toronto)

Agnes Ruth died young; death records list diabetes and heart disease as causes and show burial at St. John's Norway in Toronto.

"Cause of Death: diabetes/heart disease."

Marjorie Pentecost (Mrs. E.D. Shaw)

Born: Oct 1896 (USA)

Marjorie appears in the 1911 Toronto census with the family and later is referenced in Agnes's obituary as living in Philadelphia (Mrs. E.D. Shaw).

"She was Anglican on 21 Jun 1911 in Toronto, York, Ontario, Canada."

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Granddaughter: Vivienne Louise Wilson

Vivienne Louise Wilson

Born: 6 Aug 1919 — Died: 5 Mar 1940 (Toronto)

Vivienne, daughter of Hazel and Arthur Wilson, worked as a stenographer in Toronto. Her death in 1940 was reported in contemporary newspapers and the coroner's report concluded drowning, possibly following electric shock.

"Vivienne Wilson, pretty 20-year-old stenographer, was electrocuted or drowned while taking a bath at her home today."

Buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery.