Lord Hiley

As far as I know there has never been a Hiley (or Highley) to be given the distinguished title of Lord, although there are one or two who have received knighthoods.

But there was a Lord Hiley who lived for only a short time in Walsden near Todmorden in 1873.

The Blog of 7th May 2019 included a story about Reuben Hiley ('Old Wraggs'). Reuben and his wife Betty had 5 children, including a son James. In 1857 James married Mary Ann Lord and the couple had 10 children. The eighth of these was Lord.

Lord was born on 16th April 1873. The family lived in Newbridge, Walsden and the occupation of Lord's father James was recorded on Lord's birth certificate as a 'Carter for Manufacturing Chemists'. The birth was not registered until 28th May. Lord's mother Mary Ann was the informant at the Register Office in Todmorden and, unable to sign her name, she made her mark on the form.

Lord, only six months old, passed away on 10th November the same year. This time his father James was the informant and he had been present at the death. He also made his mark on the form.

Lord had been seen only once by a doctor. The cause of death was given as pneumonitis. Pneumonitis is inflammation (swelling) of the tissues of the lungs. A dry cough and shortness of breath are symptoms of the illness.

Lord was buried in the graveyard of St Peter's Church in Walsden. In the same grave were buried four other children under 10 years old - his brother William (aged 8), his sister Mary Ann (aged 6 months), and two infant children (aged 2 and 9 months) of his sister Sarah Ellen and her husband Fred Smith. Lord's parents James and Mary Ann were buried with him.

There are 23 graves in the St Peter's churchyard where Hileys or people connected with Hiley families are buried.

The photo below shows part of the graveyard at St Peter's. The walking stick marks the grave of John and Mally Highley, distant relations of Lord and his family. Lord's grave has not yet been located.

St Peter's, Walsden graveyard

St Peter's Church, Walsden