EDGOOSE:
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EDGOOSE, Harriet
1858 - 1916 (57 years) Has 8 ancestors and 8 descendants in this family tree.
1804 - 1883 (79 years)-
Name EDGOOSE, Harriet [1] Birth 14 Nov 1858 Algarkirk Fen, Lincolnshire, England 
[1] Gender Female Death 5 Apr 1916 Ulceby, Lincolnshire, England [1] Person ID I1205 Edgoose Last Modified 19 Jul 2026
Father EDGOOSE, Joel, b. 19 Jan 1804, Swineshead, Lincolnshire, England d. 24 Dec 1883, Amber Hill, Lincolnshire, England (Age 79 years) Mother JONES, Mary Elizabeth Grace, b. Between 1813 and 1814, At Sea d. 27 May 1888, Aberdeen, Brown County, South Dakota, USA (Age 75 years) Marriage UNKNOWN Family ID F408 Group Sheet | Family Chart
Family 1 COCKER, John Armstrong, b. 15 Nov 1851, Hathersage, Derbyshire, England d. 14 Dec 1887, Hathersage, Derbyshire, England (Age 36 years) Marriage 5 Dec 1883 Hathersage, Derbyshire, England Family ID F516 Group Sheet | Family Chart Last Modified 27 Jan 2026
Family 2 RIGGALL, Marmaduke, b. 15 Mar 1851, Warne, Beverley, Yorkshire d. 8 Sep 1927, Spilsby Registration District, Lincolnshire (Age 76 years) Marriage 24 Nov 1891 Hathersage, Derbyshire, England Children 1. RIGGALL, Harriet Doris, b. 21 Apr 1893, Budleigh Salterton, Devon, England d. 9 Apr 1980, Edinburgh, Scotland (Age 86 years)2. RIGGALL, Paul Rigauld, b. 1894, Budleigh Salterton, Devon, England d. 1961 (Age 67 years)3. RIGGALL, Clara Valetta, b. 1896, Alford, Lincolnshire, England d. 1970 (Age 74 years)4. RIGGALL, Francis Edward, b. 1898, Rose Villa, Alford, Lincolnshire d. 10 Dec 1978 (Age 80 years) [Father: natural] [Mother: natural]Family ID F519 Group Sheet | Family Chart Last Modified 27 Jan 2026
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Event Map 
Birth - 14 Nov 1858 - Algarkirk Fen, Lincolnshire, England 
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Biographies 
EDGOOSE, Harriet (1858-1916), wife of (i) John A. COCKER and (ii) Marmaduke RIGGALL
The younger of the two sisters, Harriet EDGOOSE, was born on 14 November 1858 at Algarkirk Fen, Lincolnshire, the youngdest daughter of Joel EDGOOSE (1804-1883) and his wife Mary JONES (Circa 1814-1888).
[The marriage between Joel EDGOOSE and Mary Elizabeth Grace JONES has not been traced].
The family were living at Sutterton at the time of the 1861 census:
Joel EDGOOSE, head, married, aged 57, agricultural labourer, born at Algarkirk;
Mary EDGOOSE, wife, married, aged 47, born at Newport, Hampshire (sic);
Joel EDGOOSE, son, unmarried, aged 16, born at Algarkirk;
Jonathan EDGOOSE, son, aged 10, born at Algarkirk;
Elizabeth EDGOOSE, daughter, aged 7, born at Algarkirk;
William EDGOOSE, son, aged 5, born at Algarkirk;
*Harritt (sic) EDGOOSE, daughter, aged 2, born at Algarkirk.
(RG9/2340/68/10)
Harriet, daughter of Joel and Mary EDGOOSE of Algarkirk Fen, was baptised at Amber Hill, Holland Fen, Lincolnshire, on 6 August 1869. Her father Joel was a labourer.
(Parish Register)
In her own words she "was the child of a poor home. A few acers (sic) of land, a cow and a few sheep, were all the earthly goods my Father and Mother had when I came the eleventh child in their family, nine were living and I made ten, and ten we remained till I was nine years old" (Letter dated 11 February 1905).
According to the 1871 census return for Maryland Bank, Algarkirk Fen, she was working as a servant or "nurse girl" (= foster child?) for Joshua WESTMORELAND:
Joshua WESTMORELAND, head, married, aged 46, farmer, born at Algarkirk Fen;
Maria WESTMORELAND, wife, aged 35, born at Kirton Fen;
Joshua WESTMORELAND, son, aged 1, born at Algarkirk Fen;
William WESTMORELAND, son, aged under 1 month, born at Algarkirk Fen;
Ann WHITFIELD, servant, aged 28, dairymaid, born at (illegible: Harlaxton?);
*Harriet EDGOOSE, servant, aged 12, nurse girl, born at Algarkirk Fen;
Thomas SMITH, servant, aged 17, waggoner, born at Reesby (sic);
Ann OWEN, servant, widow, aged 43, nurse, born at Boston.
(RG10/3346/87/3)
She was at her brother Jonathan EDGOOSE's bedside when he died at Algarkirk Fen on 29 May 1871.
When she was about seventeen she felt that she could help her ageing parents most by leaving home, and she took a job as a housekeeper, sending home what little money she earned (Letter dated 11 February 1905)
In the early summer of 1879 she took a similar job at Hathersage in Derbyshire. There she met her employer's son John Armstrong COCKER, a 27 year old Hathersage merchant, and began a romantic courtship which was not to end in marriage for another four years.
She was in service at Belle View, Outseats, Derbyshire, in 1881:
Joseph R. Cocker, head, aged 62, retired merchant and steel manufacturer, born at Hathersage, Derbyshire;
Margaret COCKER, wife, aged 64, born at Salford, Lancashire;
John A. COCKER, son, aged 29, unmarried, merchant and steel manufacturer, born at Hathersage;
Hannah COCKER, sister, aged 72, unmarried, born at Hathersage, Derbyshire;
*Harriet EDGOOSE, servant, aged 22, general servant, born at Swineshead, Lincolnshire;
Sarah BOWERS, servant, aged 20, general servant, born at Eyam, Derbyshire.
(RG11/3452/33/5)
This death notice appeared in the Sheffield Independent and Sheffield Telegraph:
13 March 1883 COCKER - March 12, Hannah COCKER, Belleview, Hathersage.
Harriet EDGOOSE married John Armstrong COCKER at Hathersage Parish Church on 5 December 1883. John Armstrong COCKER's parents, Joseph Robert and Margaret COCKER, were witnesses.
(GRO December Q 1883 Bakewell 7b 1367)
The wedding was an occasion for celebrations at Hathersage. A newspaper of the time reported that on Christmas Day the bridegroom's parents presented every child between the ages of three and fourteen with "a rich currant loaf". Two hundred and fifty children assembled at the National School and marched through the village, accompanied by a band and a crowd of spectatators. The following day a dinner was given at the George Hotel for the Atlas Works' employees and their wives, and toasts were drunk to their "excellent employer" and his new wife.
Margaret COCKER wrote from Bellevue, Hathersage, on 7 December 1883:
"My dear Son & Daughter
Your father has written to you and I feel that except to tell you how much I think of you and love you it is unnecessary for me to write for he will have told you all the news.
I often wonder how you are gettin (sic) on this very cold weather - mind you do not take cold - there is great danger I fear - do take care. I hope Harriet will be pleased with her visit home and that she will find her Father as comfortable and free from pain as can be hoped for - and that her Mother is as well as can be expected under the circumstances
I do hope your visit to London will be thoroughly enjoyed by both of you something you can think about with pleasure when at home.
We are going on very nicely at home - My ailment did not abate so we have consulted the Dr who thinks he can soon set me right
Your father is going on nicely as to his health - only he has been very tired two or three times - it is scarcely conceivable that so much has to be done on such occasions
Accept my love and best wishes for your temporal and eternal welfare.
I remain
Your loving Mother
Margaret COCKER
The Lincoln, Rutland, and Stamford Mercury 7 December 1883:
"MARRIAGES
COCKER-EDGOOSE - On the 5th inst., at the parish church, Hathersage, Derbyshire, John Armstrong COCKER, merchant and manufacturer, of Hathersage, to Harriet EDGOOSE, youngest daughter of Joel EDGOOSE, of Algarkirk Fen, Lincolnshire."
Sheffield Daily Telegraph 8 December 1883: HATHERSAGE
"MARRIAGE. - The mariage of Mr. John Armstrong COCKER, of Belle Vue, Hathersage, to Miss Harriet EDGOOSE, Algarkirk Fen, Lincolnshire, was celebrated in the Parish Church, by the Rev. C. S. CUTLER, vicar, in the presence of
a large audience of inhabitants, who had gathered together to witness and congratulate the happy pair, who, amidst the merry ringing of the bells, were on returning saluted with showers of rice and good wishes for their prosperity."
The Sheffield & Rotherham Independent 8 December 1883:
"COCKER-EDGOOSE - Dec.5th, at the Parish Church, Hathersage, by the Rev.
C. S. CUTLER, vicar, John Armstrong COCKER to Harriet EDGOOSE."
Margaret COCKER wrote again from Bellevue, Hathersage on 11 December 1883:
"My dear Daughter
Thank you for your letter recd. this morning. I am so glad to hear you are going on so nicely.
I hope your visit to London may always be a pleasant memory.
I am glad to hear too that my dear Son is well and happy. I hope you may both escape taking cold. Here the weather is very cold and winterly. I am glad you find the fur cloak useful & comfortable if you will accept it I shall be glad for it to be yours for the future
We are going on nicely at home. Mrs. F. and the girls were pleased to have your message this morning My dear Husband is quite as well as when you left. I think he will not now come to London
I am better than when you left home but not well but I hope to improve.
We shall be glad when the time for your return home comes meantime I hope you will have unalloyed enjoyment.
Give my love to John and accept it yourself.
I remain
Yours lovingly
Margaret COCKER
For Mrs. John A COCKER."
From letters which her mother-in-law wrote to her on 7 December and 11 December 1883 one can surmise that Harriet and John Armstrong COCKER left Hathersage to visit Joel and Mary EDGOOSE after their marriage on 5 December and then went to spend their honeymoon in London. This honeymoon may well have been curtailed by the
death of her father Joel EDGOOSE on 24 December.
From an unidentified newspaper cutting:
"HATHERSAGE
TREAT TO CHILDREN (CORRECTED REPORT). - On Christmas Day, as reported last week, Mr. and Mrs. J. R. COCKER, of Belle Vue, Hathersage, presented every boy and girl of three years old and under 14 with a rich currant loaf in commemoration of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. John A. COCKER on December 5th The children all met by arrangement, to the number of 250, in the National School, from whence, conducted by Mr. BOWMAN, and preceded by a band of music, they marched through the village, accompanied by a crowd of spectators, who, with the children, enjoyed the treat very much.
WORKMEN'S DINNER. - On the 26th ult., as previously mentioned last week, a dinner was given by Mr. and Mrs. John COCKER to the workmen employed at the Atlas Works, Hathersage, who, with their wives, to the number of 60 persons, met at the house of Mr. Charles E. MARRISON, the George Hotel, where the meal was provided in honour of the marriage of the said lady and gentleman. A capital spread was laid out, dessert being also provided. The room had previously been decorated in a beaututiful manner by Mr. MARRISON, with evergreens and mottoes, one being in white letters on a red ground, having the words "God bless the bride and bridegroom," another, "Long life and happiness," and a third, "Welcome to all." Every one seemed to have a cheery appearance, and greatly enjoyed the feast prepared for them. After dinner Mr. John WRIGHT proposed the health of Mr. and Mrs. J. R. COCKER in felicitous terms. The toast was given with musical honours. Mr. COCKER in responding said that he had great pleasure in meeting so many old friends and neighbours on that auspicious and pleasant occasion; and spoke at some length about his marriage, the excellent choice he had made, and the satisfaction it had given them. Mr. John WRIGHT, next in suitable words proposed the health of Mr. and Mrs. John Armstrong COCKER, the newly married couple, and their excellent employer and his wife. The toast was given with musical honours and much cheering. Mr. John A. COCKER in responding, thanked everyone for the kind manner in which they had drunk his, and his wife's health, and in return wished them every good, with the compliments of the season. He also stated that amid all the difficulties concerned or connected with carrying on the business, owing to the reckless competition which had to be met with, he had never known a strike amongst his men, and he hoped he never should, for he would not run down prices in the market, and then he should not have cause to oppress the workpeople. Several other toasts were given, and the enjoyments of the evening increased with songs, recitations, music and dancing, the party closing about ten o'clock."
This death notice appeared in the Sheffield Independent and Sheffield Telegraph:
24 November 1884 COCKER - November 22, at Belle Vue, Hathersage, Margaret, the beloved wife of Joseph R. COCKER, aged 69.
Joseph Robert COCKER, her father-in-law, died in September 1887. In his will he bequeathed everything to his son John Armstrong COCKER or, if he was no longer living, to his son's wife Harriet COCKER. This death notice appeared in the Sheffield Independent and Sheffield Telegraph:
"1 October 1887 COCKER - September 29th at Belle View, Hathersage, Joseph Robert COCKER, aged 68."
Harriet's happiness was, however, shortlived. According to a tombstone in Hathersage Churchyard John Armstrong COCKER of Belle-Vue, Hathersage, the beloved husband of Harriet COCKER and only son of Joseph ROBERT and Margaret COCKER, died on 14 December 1887. He was born on 15 November 1851. In his will made on 14 November 1887 he referred to his friend John Charles CLEGG (1850-1937) the Sheffield solicitor, and to E. M. WRENCH of Baslow, Derbyshire; and he made bequests to his mother-in-law Mary Elizabeth Grace EDGOOSE or John Robert EDGOOSE and Elizabeth EDGOOSE son and daughter of Mary Elizabeth Grace EDGOOSE; to Mary Bibby JULIAN, the wife of John JULIAN, of The Vicarage, Wincobank, Sheffield; and to Mary, the wife of John IBBOTSON, postmaster of Hathersage.
The friendship between the CLEGG family and Elizabeth and Harriet EDGOOSE somehow grew out of the professional relationship between the COCKERs and their solicitor John Charles CLEGG, later Sir Charles, son of William Johnson CLEGG.
In the letter referred to above, Harriet describes how she was tenderly watched over by her husband's half cousin, the wife of the Reverend John JULIAN of Hymnology House, and by her Solicitor John Charles CLEGG of Sheffield and his devoted wife during the first days and weeks of sorrow. She refers also to the fatherly care of Alderman William Johnson CLEGG, Mayor of Sheffield at the time.
Four years later, Harriet married the Rev. Marmaduke RIGGALL, Superintendent of the Devon and Dorset Methodist Mission, at the Wesleyan Chapel, Hathersage, on 24 November 1891. The former mayor of Sheffield, Alderman W.J. CLEGG, escorted her up the aisle of the Chapel. Witnesses were Wm. J. CLEGG and Robert W. RIGGALL.
(The Bradwell Wesleyan Circuit Monthly Greeting No. 24 December 1891)
(Marriage Certificate)
"DEATHS
EDGOOSE. - May 27th, 1888, at Aberdeen, Dakota, U.S. America, Mary Elizabeth Grace, the relict of Joel EDGOOSE, and beloved mother of Mrs. COCKER, Belle Vue, Hathersage, aged 73 years. Will be interred at Algarkirk, Lincolnshire."
(The Sheffield & Rotheram Independent, 6 June 1888"
Her nephew William Thomas EDGOOSE is said to have travelled from America to stay with her in Hathersage. It seems likely from a letter written by her brother-in-law J. S. M. BAYLES (q.v. for transcript) on 5 June 1889 that he was staying with her at that time.
She and her companion, a Miss or Mrs. M. C. SCHOFIELD, went to Aberdeen, South Dakota, in the summer of 1890. Described as Saloon Passengers, they embarked on the SS City of Chester at Liverpool on 21 May 1890 bound for New York and returned to England on the City of New York, Inman Line, which sailed from the USA on Wednesday 17 September 1890. She brought two of her sister Alice's children back to live with her, Mamie and David HINCHCLIFF.
"Miss SCHOFIELD and Mrs. John Armstrong COCKER, of Sheffield, England, are visiting in the city. The latter is a sister of Mr. and Miss EDGOOSE. It is likely that the visitors will spend the summer here."
(www:genealogybank.com. Aberdeen Daily News, 21 June 1890)
"FROM BIG STONE
How the Aberdeen Folks are Passing the Time -- A Breezy Letter
ORTONVILLE, Aug. 2, 1890.
DEAR NEWS --Our party has been so busy fishing, boating and driving all week that we have had but little time to write our friends of the good time we are having, but will tell them all about it on our return. We are having such a delightful time that the most of us have decided to remain here several days longer.
The part regrets that Mr and Mrs. D. McGLACHLIN leave for home tonight, but "Mack" pleads "business" and I do hope that none of us will be unkind enough to claim that the snake we saw on the water this morning had anything to do with his going. Mrs. TENNANT's health has greatly improved since she came here. Her new method of walking should receive part of the credit of this. Mrs. McBRIDE is also improving in health, but persists in displaying her kindness of heart by leaving most of the fish in the lake. Miss Carrie DINSMORE seems to be enjoying the trip very much and might make some excellent catches if she would only half try Little Margaret GILMORE is the pride of our party and receives more than passing notice from every sojourner here. Even the fish seem fascinated with her pretty ways for she has caught more fish than most of the members of the party.
Miss EDGOOSE is determined to add the art of swimming to her many other accomplishments and will doubtless succeed. Mrs. COCKER, Miss SCHOFIELD and Miss Nettie McBRIDE have by their musical talents added greatly to the enjoyment of the party. Mr. McBRIDE seems to be doing fairly well. Though looking a little pale and careworn, I think, with proper care he will pull through all right. RED LETTER."
(Aberdeen Daily News, 3 August 1890)
"Rev. J. M. and Mrs. McBRIDE, Mrs. COCKER and the Misses EDGOOSE, SCHOFIELD, Arnetta McBRIDE and Margaret GILMOR returned last evening from Big Stone lake where they have been spending the past week. they report an enjoyable time and splendid fishing, and are loud in their praises of the treatment accorded by Landlord Geo. W. HAWES of the Lake House at Ortonville who did everything in his power to make their stay pleasant."
(Aberdeen Daily News, 5 August 1890)
"Mrs. COCKER and Miss SCHOFIELD, of England, who have been the guests of Miss EDGOOSE for some time, depart on Tuesday for the east. They will embark from New York on Sept. 17th."
(Aberdeen Daily News, 31 August 1890)
Clara Strohmeier CLARK (daughter of Harriet's sister Elizabeth) said that Harriet visited Aberdeen twice, once in 1888 or 1889 and again about three years later.
The 1891 census of Belleview, Outseats, Hathersage, Derbyshire:
*Harriett(sic) COCKER, head, aged 32, widow, living on own means, born Algarkirk Fen, Lincolnshire;
William T. HEDGOOSE (sic), nephew, aged 11, scholar, born at Nottingham;
David HINCHCLIFF, nephew, aged 20, theological student, born at Sheffield, Yorkshire;
Mary E. SCHOFIELD, companion, aged 39, single, amanuensis, born at Newington, Yorkshire;
Joseph POLLARD, visitor, aged 44, married, grocer's master, born at Chelsea, London;
Mary A. DARVILL, servant, aged 26, single, housemaid, born at Hathersage;
Emily MARSDEN, servant, aged 24, single, cook, born at Thornhill, Derbyshire.
(RG12/2777/29/1)
(Mary Ann DARVILL was in service with E. Mason WRENCH of Baslow, Derbyshire, in 1881).
She married the Rev. Marmaduke RIGGALL, Superintendent of the Devon and Dorset Methodist Mission, at the Wesleyan Chapel, Hathersage, on 24 November 1891. The former mayor of Sheffield, Alderman W.J. CLEGG, escorted her up the aisle of the chapel, and her niece Mamie HINCHCLIFFE was present (The Bradwell Wesleyan Circuit Monthly Greeting No. 24 December 1891). The same publication recorded that Mrs. COCKER's subscription was £ 7.10.0 towards the income of the Quarterly Meeting.
(Harriet COCKER 32 years widow of Independent Means Bellevue, Outseats, Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Hathersage, by licence. Witnesses: Wm. J. CLEGG, Robert W. RIGGALL, Mary Ellen HINCHCLIFF - Book 13 Page 61 District of Bakewell, Derbyshire). Marmaduke RIGGALL was described as of Budleigh Salterton, Devon, son of Robert RIGGALL deceased, a landowner and farmer.
(GRO 1891 Dec Bakewell 7b 1485)
An unidentified newspaper cutting:
"Marriage of Mrs. COCKER, of Hathersage.
The marriage of Mrs. COCKER, of Hathersage, with the Rev. Marmaduke RIGGALL, Superintendent of the Devon and Dorset Mission, took place in the Wesleyan Chapel, Hathersage, (which had been specially licensed for the occasion,) on Tuesday, November 24th, at 1.30 p.m. The day was fine, though misty. At half-past one the carriages commenced to leave Belle Vue, and proceeded to the chapel. The first contained the Bridegroom and his friends. Next came the Revs. Thomas ALLEN and W.H. HILL, and Mrs. DYSON and Miss BROMLEY. Then followed the guests in order, and last of all the Bride, who was escorted up the aisle of the chapel by Alderman W. J. CLEGG, Ex-Mayor of Sheffield.
The hymn commencing - "The Voice that breather o'er Eden," was sung, the congregation being led by the choir, Mr. J. T. HANCOCK presiding at the harmonium. The chapel was crowded with spectators, the front pews being reserved for the guests, of whom there were about forty. A strip of scarlet cloth was laid from the entrance of the chapel to the communion for the accomodation of the bridal party.
The bride wore a handsome dress of silver grey cloth, embroidered with pearls and trimmed with ostrich feather ruching, and a grey felt hat also trimmed with ostrich feathers.
Miss M. HINCHCLIFF, niece of the bride, wore a dress of pale terra cotta, trimmed with fur.
Mr. Robert RIGGALL, brother of the bridegroom, was best man.
For a time they let Belle-Vue, Harriet's house in Hathersage, and built a house in Alford, Lincolnshire, which they called Malta House. (In 1972 the house Belle-Vue was called Sladen and was occupied by Richard COLLEY Esq.).
She wrote several poems and hymns and was very active in the Temperance Movement. She had attributed the decline in her parents' standard of living, perhaps rightly, to her father's drunkenness; and the death of her first husband, perhaps unfairly, to wine.
From Hill's Arrangements it is possible to trace her husband's movements. In 1891 he was in Devon; in 1895 at Alford, Lincolnshire; in 1898 at Lincoln; at the time of the 1901 census in East Street, Alford; in 1905 at North Derby; in 1909 at Loughborough.
Her nephew David HINCHCLIFF gave his address as Malta House, Alford, when he married Frances Mary PAYNE at Moor Park Wesleyan Chapel, Preston, on 10 October 1900. Harriet RIGGALL was a witness.
Harriet RIGGALL's last letter to her daughter Harriet Doris RIGGALL (Dorrie). Apparently the letter was written and dated 1905 when the latter was 12. She did not see it or get it until 1970 when she was with her sister Valetta shortly before she died.
"Malta House. Alford
Lincolnshire February 11th 1905
My dear Dorrie,
I am writing this for you to have when I have gone to Heaven.
I am the youngest daughter of Joel and Mary Elizabeth Grace EDGOOSE. My Mother's maden name was JONES Her Father was a Soldier & retired from the Army after the Battle of Waterloo, he was constantly in action but never injured & when he retired he had some position under government. For this position he needed many horses, his favourite horse was the one he rode during the battle of Waterloo & which he kept for many years afterwards. Often when on journeys with a great deal of Goverernment money upon his person, He used to lie down & sleep by the side of his horse Popit because she was his greatest protector the affection between them was such that she would not alow any one to go into the stable if Grandfather was near her many tales of his favorite horse did my mother tell me as a little girl. From these stories & my mothers love of popit I grew up loving horses, but never had the joy of possessing one till I was married.
My Father was of Dutch decent & for nearly two hundred years I can trace them as educated men. My Fathers Mother was Elizabeth LAWSON. Her Father fell of his horse in the White Horse Inn Yard (Boston) & was killed My Great Grandmother who was also riding on horseback returned to the Inn Yard to see what was detaining her husband & found him dead My Great Grandmother was a widdow 25 years & when 75 years old married a man that her family & her lawyer urged her not to marry, but she did marry him & died in a week after her marriage, her money became the property of her husband & he went off with what should have been her childrens dowery.
My Father always spoke of his mother with the greatest tenderness. Father was a well educated man & often used to tell us that he rode one poney to school for eight years. I believe the EDGOOSEs came from Holand when Duch enginers were brought over to drain the marsh lands. When my first husband saw my father, father was on his death bed & was only a few of his Eightieth birth day. My husband found him remarkably intelegent & in touch with all divolepments of modern engenering this line of thought seems to have been charesteric of the EDGOOSEs.
My Dorrie will I trust always be tender to the poor her Mother was the child of a poor home A few acers of land, a cow & a few sheep, were all the earthly goods my Father & Mother had when I came the eleventh child in therir family, nine were liveng & I made ten, & ten we remained till I was nine years old. One word seems to describe the decent into poverty but never want of my Fathers family & that word is Drink (underlined twice)
My brave, clever, Mother worked & suffered & prayed to keep us from want & succeeded. For it has been said of us no family with our small opportunitys ever did as well.
As I was the youngest I had the care of Father & Mother in their old age all my brothers & sisters helped them the last ten years of their life so that they had comforts that others often lacked.
I found when I was about seventeen that I could help them most by taking a Situation, & a situation I took as housekeeper in a business house with the entire care of a little girl & living with the family & doing all I could for their interest I found true friends, & cash in hand for my parents, when I was about 20.1/2 I took another situation this time at Hathersage In Derby Shire & here I met my first husband. he was the only son of Joseph Robert & Margaret COCKER & loved me the first day he saw me & never seased to love me, we had a romantic Courtship, as my position was not the most desirable for the only Son of an old proud family to marry his wife from he agreed that we would wait in Silence till the time when, he could mary without greving his parents His Father was so dear to Him that he would not grieve him in this matter. Four years of duty folowed this resolve, before that time had come to an end His Father & Mother loved & trusted me almost as much as he did. And one day his Father said to me "do you love my son"!!! for one moment the temptation to say no came because to say yes, might mean seperation & sorrow for years, but only for a moment did it linger & I boldly said yes I do. Next remark "Have you any reason to think my son loves you". Yes (underlined twice). Then Mr. COCKER said in my prayers for my son (who was not then a Christian) I have heard a voice saying your name That evening the matter was settled to the joy of all four of us & in about three months we were married No (underlined) bride ever more truly loved & no bridegroom could have love is bride more. Then there came four years of all the happiness this world could give, I got more drawn from Christ as my mind got more filled with the pleasures money & position can give, But the greatest mistake of my life was when I let the Dr & my husband persuade me I needed wine to make me strong. I had always avoided these things knowing what the abuse of them had caused my mother & us children. I then lost the controle I had over my husband on this point & he took more & more, he was never drunk in his life but his fine brain & highly strung nervous sistem became a wreck & when a chill taken at his Fathers funeral settled on the Liver the Dr could not help him & in three months after his Fathers death he died. I had only one joy left & that was that he told me I had been a good woman & had led him to Christ & his only regret at leaving the world was to leave me alone in it, He said as a dying message "live to do Good Harrie", & some one will be kind to you. Two years after his death I was thinking of him & the past & for the first time in my life I took up a pencil & wrote doggerill. This
Four long years of waiting
Four short years of joy
Two lone years of walking
Without my darling boy
Did I forget the Giver?
And love the Gift too well?
That thou didst take him Father?
Home with Thee to dwell?
Forgive me loving Father,
And I will love thee more
And follow the more closely
Than I have done before
I'll work & not be wearey
And Thou my Strength will be
I'll seek the lost & fallen
And lead them back to Thee
Be Thou my God my Father,
My Husband Brother Friend
And I will will (underlined) be thy daughter
to Go where Thou shalt send
Two years after writing the above I was married to your dear Father & he tooke me into the work that God had waiting for me, Many have been kind to me. In the first days & weeks of sorrow (my hair turned white) I was most tenderly watched over by my husbands half cousin the wife of Revnd John JULIAN of Hymnology House & by my Solicitor John Charles CLEGG of Sheffield & his devoted wife also to the fatherly care of Alderman CLEGG Mayor of Sheffield at that time.
Thirteen years have passed since your father took the responsibility of my empty life & filled it with all the brightness that he could put into it.
I don't think any have been more truly one in heart than we have been & are. Our joy is chasened and we live unto Him who has washed us from our Sins in His blood & made us Kings & preists unto God. To His name be the Glory To him that over cometh will I give to Sit with me on my throne "He always reigns who sides with God" He who perfectly accepst the will of God dwells in a perpetual kingdom. Says an old writer
Since I accepted the perfect will of God I have perfect peace often great joy, & Power with God & men.
You children have all belonged to God by my act & deed,
My prayer has always been Suffer them not to live to dishonor Thee (underlined) my King.
The spelling in this is I know in need of tender consideration, & when my daughter remembers I left school a dames (underlined) school when I was thirteen & life has been a constant round of duty she will understand, her mothers defects."
The 1911 census of 67 Forest Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire:
Marmaduke RIGGALL, head, aged 60, Wesleyan Methodist Minister, born at Warne, Yorkshire;
*Harriet RIGGALL, wife, aged 52, married 19 years, 4 children (all living), born at Algarkirk, Lincolnshire;
Clara Valetta RIGGALL, daughter, aged 14, born at Alford;
Kate FLETCHER, servant, aged 20, single, general domestic servant, born at Whittlesea, Cambridgeshire;
Mary Ann Bates FLETCHER, servant, aged 16, general servant domestic, born at Whittlesea, Cambridgeshire.
(RG14/19117)
She died at Malta House, East Street, Alford, Lincolnshire, on 5 April 1916. Her son Paul R. RIGGALL was present.
Cause of Death:
(1) Lymphadenoma
(2) Mediastinal Tumour
(GRO June Q 1916 aged 57 Spilsby 7a 655)
She was buried at Ulceby in Lincolnshire.
An obituary was published in the Alford Wesleyan Methodist Circuit Magazine Vol. 20 No. 5 dated May 1916. She was buried at Ulceby in Lincolnshire.
A long obituary was written by Francis Mary PAYNE (q.v).
Will of Harriet RIGGALL:
"THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me Harriet RIGGALL of Fernie
Sknowe(?) Budleigh Salterton S Devon in the County of Devonshire made this twenty fifth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety three I hereby revoke all Wills by me at any time heretofore made I appoint my husband Marmaduke RIGGALL to be my EXECUTOR and direct that all just debts and funeral and testamentary expenses shall be paid as soon as conveniently may be after my decease I give and bequeath unto my husband Marmaduke RIGGALL all my possessioons Signed by me this twenty fifth day of March One thousand eight hundred and ninety three - Harriett RIGGALL - Signed by the testator in the presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnessess - Stanley M BUTTERS Budleigh Salterton Tutor William HUTCHINSON Budleigh Salterton Evangelist"
On the 15th day of May 1917 Probate of this Will was granted to Marmaduke RIGGALL sole executor.
NOTES & QUERIES:
CLEGG
Alderman W. J. CLEGG was never knighted, but his two eldest sons were - Sir John Charles CLEGG and Sir William Edwin CLEGG. His first wife, Mary, daughter of John SYKES, cutler, died in 1860. His second wife was Asenith, daughter of Mr. HARROP of Hathersage.
The only Mayor of Sheffield named CLEGG was William Johnson CLEGG, Mayor of Sheffield 1887-8; he was in office for two years and was succeeded in 1889 by J. B. JACKSON. In 1891 Mr. CLEGG was elected in place of the late Samuel OSBORN who had died in office. Mr. CLEGG was a solicitor and became, in 1883, Sheffield's first official receiver. His offices were in Figtree Lane, Sheffield, and his house at Cliffe Tower, Ranmore.
(Source: Letters from Sheffield Department of Local History and Archives)
Monumental Inscription: Hathersage Churchyard
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
JOHN ARMSTRONG COCKER
OF BELLE-VUE, HATHERSAGE,
THE BELOVED HUSBAND OF HARRIET COCKER,
AND ONLY SON OF JOSEPH ROBERT, AND MARGARET COCKER
BORN NOVEMBER 15th 1851 DIED DECEMBER 14th 1887
Monumental Inscription: Ulceby Churchyard, Lincolnshire
IN
LOVING MEMORY OF
MARMADUKE RIGGALL
Wesleyan Minister
BORN 15th MARCH 1851
DIED 8th SEP. 1927
also of HARRIET his wife
BORN 14th NOV. 1858
DIED 5th APRIL 1916
GOD IS LOVE
Sheffield Daily Telegraph 7 May 1932: MORE ABOUT HATHERSAGE NEEDLES
"Joseph COCKER built Belle Vue to be near the works, and moved there from Rock House. He had one child only, a son, who on his parents' death married his mother's maid, and died shortly afterwards. She thus became owner of all the COCKER property, and a little late married the Wesleyan minister. It was they who sold the mills to the needle combine. It was not their village, and so I suppose it was nothing to them that the entire village was thereby thrown out of work, and the old tradition of the needle-making village broken.
On that Whitsun Eve I saw an old man I knew staggering up the village street, and when I got to him the tears were rolling down his face. To inquiries, he replied, 'I have been hammering up the machine I have worked at since I was married, and brought up all my children on it, and my father worked at it before me, and I just can't bear it'. It was indeed a sad day for Hathersage." (extract from Lucy Ibbotson HUTT's letter)
Sheffield Daily Telegraph 12 May 1932: HATHERSAGE NEEDLE MAKERS
"Your correspondent states that on the death of his parents Mr. Joseph COCKER's son married his mother's maid. This is entirely wrong. I was present at the Hathersage Parish Church when Mr. Joseph COCKER's son was married, and the father and mother of the bridegroom were both present. The bridegroom's father gave away the bride, who was an adopted daughter of the family.
It was some years later that Mr. Joseph COCKER's death took place, followed in three months' time by the death of his son, on December 14th, 1887".
(extract from Teresa Osborne's letter)
A Letter from JAMES WESTMORELAND in Aberdeen, South Dakota, USA to his aunt HARRIET RIGGALL late COCKER formerly EDGOOSE dated 13 December 1897:
"Aberdeen S Dakota
Dec 13th 97
My Dear Aunt
I have no doubt but what you will be quiet (sic) surprised to recieve (sic) a letter from me. I hardly know in what manner to apolige (sic) for neglecting writing. I can assure you I appreciate the kind favours bestowed upon me.
There are quiet (sic) a good maney changes since your visit to Aberdeen in regard to our family affairs, Uncle JOHN, and his family are in Chicago, B, HENERY (sic) & his family are in Superior Wisconsin
The only ones left in Aberdeen of us are JIM HAYNES myself Aunt B her husband. Cousin ALFRED HINCHCLIFF & WILLIE EDGOOSE are living a short distance
(2) from from (sic) Aberdeen. Even the climate of South Dakota has taken a change for the better. The winter seasons are more snowey, and the summer more rainey. Therefore with a sufficent (sic) quantity of moisture the cerals (sic) and all kind of crops have been away above the average this last 3 years past. The condition generally of the people of South Dakota has a tendencey to be on the improve to prosperity, they are begining (sic) to build for themselves homes in which they intend to make South Dakota as their permanent residence.
The city of Aberdeen still continues to grow, new buildings are taking the places of old ones, a general improving is going on gradually, property is increasing in value
(3) accordingly.
Do you have the Phonograph and Vertiscope in England? The first named is a machine for retaining the voice of a speaker or any number of voices, all at the same time if necessary. The speech or whatever it may be is reproduced by this machine anytime you may desire exactly the same as when deliverd.
The second machine is called a vertiscope, Cenediscope etc, This is something similar to a Magic Lantern in some respects, only that this machine gives the pictures when thrown upon the canvass, a life like motion apperance (sic) For example at the Opera House the other evening they presented a BarnYard scene, pigeons could be seen to fly from the top of the barn to the ground and pick up the grain
(4) thrown to them. They also presented other scenes such as water falls, a train in motion going at a rapid rate, trains leaving the Union Depot, Chicago, The Fire Department going to a fire etc., I send you by to days mail a photograf of myself, but not in life motion, if it was it might be moving pretty slow.
I must bring this letter to a close I trust you are all in good health I am happy to state I am enjoying the best of health, accept my kind regards and best wishes for a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.
Please write soon, I shall be glad to hear some news from old Lincolnshire.
From Your
aff. Nephew
JAMES WESTMORELAND
Aberdeen S.D.
PS Aunt B & Uncle S and children are all well also JIM H.
Please give me a statement of my account with you and oblige. I expect to visit England in 1900 if spared to take in the Paris Exposition."
NOTES & QUERIES:
Dame Schools (Family Tree Magazine January 1997 p. 52)
These included Dame Schools, sometimes numerous in urban areas, where pupils paid meagre sums for limited tuition, usually in single rooms by old ladies whose main interest was often in scraping together a living rather than cultivating much acacademic achievement. They sometimes served more as "child minders" , enabling the mothers of very young children to go out to work. Their value in the nineteenth century education system is doubtful, though the better ones did have some limited success in teaching children to read and write. Dame Schools survived until the end of the nineteenth century when free basic schooling for all children was introduced.
See also William Johnson CLEGG (1827-1995) [ I11298]
(revised 21.07.2026)
Photos: People 
Edgoose HarrietEdgoose 1342 392
WHO: HARRIET EDGOOSE (1858-1916).
The identity of her companions is unknown. The young woman on her left could be just that: her personal Companion. The older woman could be the wife of the elderly man who was holding a walking stick or umbrella.
WHEN: The photographer was Robert Lee, Portrush and Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland. He is known to have been working in 1890.
Letters from USA 
Edgoose MaryElizabethEdgoose 693 05 18901022
*****Transcript
WHO: MARY ELIZABETH BAYLES formerly EDGOOSE (1847-1911) to her sister HARRIET COCKER formerly EDGOOSE (1858-1916).
WHEN: 22 OCTOBER 1890.
WHAT: Transcript of a letter written on 22 October 1890 by Mary Elizabeth BAYLES from Chicago, USA, to her sister Harriet COCKER.
-
Sources - [S1] Edgo21.FTW.
- [S1] Edgo21.FTW.