My Helliwell ancestry first came to light whilst researching the paternal Sanderson line in Bradfield WRY.
At this point we were unaware of the connections, but intrigued by the relationships within a particular Sanderson family group.
We had reasonably easily traced the line back to around 1800, in Bradfield and ‘George’ Sanderson, but it would take several years and lots of sideways investigation to discover which of the Bradfield George Sandersons he was.
We began by logging all the Sandersons entered in the various censuses in Bradfield, and one particular family group caught our attention.
Joseph Helliwell aged 45, a cutler, was head of the house with Zacharius Sanderson aged 28, also a cutler, Mary Sanderson 25 and Charles Sanderson aged 5.
Ten years later this family group were still together, and the relationship even more intriguing!
Joseph Helliwell, now 56, still a cutler, was head of the house. Zacharius Sanderson 37, and Mary Sanderson 34, were entered as brother and sister, Charles 15, a nephew, along with the addition of Henry aged 3, also nephew.
Could it be that Mary was actually the wife of Zacharius and sister in law to Joseph Helliwell? But all were entered as unmarried. And who were the parents of Charles and Henry Sanderson?
Ten years on in 1861, they were still all living in the same household. All unmarried, although both Zacharius and Mary were described at sibling ‘in law’.
Joseph Helliwell died in February 18th 1869, Zacharius in 1882 and Mary in 1883. They were buried together in the same grave in Bradfield churchyard.
However, Joseph Helliwell’s will, describes that Charles and Henry were the children of Mary, a further daughter, Sarah had been born in 1843, dying at 3 months. There is no mention of the father to any of the children; could it have been Joseph or Zacharius!
So who was Joseph Helliwell, and how did he connect to the Sanderson family?
This question was answered by a visit to Sheffield Archives in 2002, when we found the Will of Joshua Hartley. This Will was written in 1803, and describes family relationships, which also confirmed ‘our’ George Sanderson. With it were other legal documents relating to the sale of land to Sheffield Waterworks.
WILL PROVED 5 APRIL 1804 (WRITTEN 21 JULY 1803)
I Joshua Hartley of Mill Lea Bottom Bradfield, Cutler, I give to my son William Hartley all my houses, barns, smallholdings, smithies, lands etc situated at Mill Lea Bottom. I devise to my son in law Joseph Sanderson my house at Nether Bradfield together with land etc. under the name of Gillott Fields and he is to pay rent to Joshua’s wife (Mary Hartley). After death of Joseph, land etc to be divided equally between his children, Joseph Helliwell to have an equal share with the rest of the children of Joseph.….
18 December 1838
John Hartley (Rowland’s son) is making an agreement between himself and Mary Sanderson, Zaccariah Sanderson and Joseph Helliwell.
Indenture between George Sanderson and John Sanderson (cutlers) and Zaccariah Sanderson, & Joseph Helliwell (cutlers) and Mary Sanderson (spinster) and John Hartley. Repeats above will and speaks of Joseph dying in 1830, leaving sons George, John, Zaccariah and Mary & Joseph Helliwell who was born out of lawful wedlock but was directed to have an equal share. Rowland died in 1830 leaving son John as heir. George and John are selling their parts to Zachariah, Mary and Joseph Helliwell. John Hartley is giving up his right to this land so that Zachariah and others can take it on. Francis Hoole is a gentleman holding land as trustee on behalf of Zachariah, etc.
1st JANUARY 1839 DECLARATION BY JOSEPH SANDERSON
I Joseph Sanderson,shopkeeper, was well acquainted with Joshua Hartley formerly of Mill Lee. He was the stepfather of Joseph Sanderson (the father of George John Zaccariah Mary and Joseph Helliwell). Joshua Hartley purchased from Joseph Jones of Rotherham about 1802 various messuages etc. called Gillotts Fields. Joshua died in the latter part of the year 1803 leaving surviving children Rowland his heir, William and two daughters. Rowland was married to Sarah Ibbotson in November 1790 and they lived together until the death of Rowland in January 1830. They had several children including John Hartley residing at Hill Foot (his eldest son and heir). Joseph took over two messuages and made them into four. Joseph died in February 1833. Joseph was married to Sarah Helliwell until she died in 1827. They had seven children George, John, Zaccariah, Mary and Joseph Helliwell and three others who died in infancy and on the death of Joseph his said children, including the said Joseph Helliwell entered into possession.
So we then set about finding a marriage of Joseph Sanderson to Sarah Helliwell, and the birth of any children.
02/04/1794 Joseph baptised to Sarah Helliwell at WIGTWIZZLE.
26/06/1797 Marriage at Bradfield JOSEPH SANDERSON and SARAH HELLIWELL . Joseph could sign his name, Sarah couldn’t. Witnesses John Helliwell and Joseph Morton.
06/12/1797 GEORGE to JOSEPH SANDERSON and SARAH.
31/5/1803 JOHN SANDERSON to JOSEPH of WIGTWIZZLE
29/1/1809 JOEL SANDERSON to JOSEPH SANDERSON NETHER TOWN (BORN 22/12/1808)
15/2/1812 ZACHARIUS SANDERSON to JOSEPH of NETHER TOWN (BORN14/2/1812)
16/12/1815 MARY SANDERSON to JOSEPH AND SARAH of NETHER TOWN (CUTLER)
On 2nd January 1828, Sarah Sanderson wife of Joseph of Low Bradfield was buried in Bradfield churchyard, aged 53.
This would make her year of birth around 1774/5. Joseph Sanderson, her husband, was born 1758, making him about 16 years her senior. There are many questions regarding Joseph’s life and this marriage. He was born and grew up in Bradfield village, so why was he living at Wigtwizzle, and why marry a woman so much younger, why was there such a time lag between birth of first Illegitimate child, and marriage (3 years).
It appears that the will of Joshua Hartley left Joseph a large property to live in at Low Bradfield around 1803/4, which would explain the family moving from Wigtwizzle to Low Bradfield about this time.
For many years, I was unable to find a suitable birth/ baptism for Sarah Helliwell, this week I believe I have found the correct entry.
On July 17th 1774 at Bradfield church, Sarah daughter of Joseph Helliwell of Wigtwizzle was baptised.
It appears that the unusually named hamlet of Wigtwizzle, within the parish of Bradfield, may be a marker in this research.
The following details need to be confirmed
It seems the most likely marriage of Joseph Helliwell, would be to Sarah Morton 4th April 1763 at Bradfield. Both parties are able to sign their names. (Sarah b. 1774, named after her mother?). The next marriage of a Joseph Helliwell at Bradfield (to Sarah Mitchell, is 1775, too late for the legitimate birth of Sarah in 1774).
So having apparently solved the question of who Sarah Helliwells parents were, it was time to follow the trail further back.
As with my other Bradfield ancestry, I set about noting all the ‘Helliwell’s’ entered in the Bradfield BMDs from first records (1559), this proved easier than some of the other lines as it is not such a common name. Many of the baptisms appear to be female, which removes them from the surname on marriage.
As my Helliwell ancestry begins with the birth of Sarah 1774, I shall not log those born or married after 1800.
Completed so far 1559 – 1723
John Helliwell
John Helliwell
28.07.2025