The massive Wrexham AFC history thread (The sad case of a founding members and player of Wrexham...)

[eastsussexred]

Updated details for Thomas Henry Sykes.
While later census records listed his year of birth (estimated) as 1841. Parish records show that his birth was registered in 1840

Charles Edward Kershaw (Captain)
Born Saddleworth (Yorks) 1829. Died Southport 1874.

William Tootell
Born Wrexham 1831. died Wrexham 1866

Thomas Henry Sykes
Born Huddersfield 1840. Died Nottingham 1910

Thomas Broster
Born Wrexham 1845. Died Bethlehem, South Africa 1921

Thomas Hanmer
Born Overton 1839. Died Wrexham 1887

Edward Ephraim Knibbs
Born Chester 1837. Died Wrexham 1875

Thomas Heath
Born Ramsbury (Wilts) 1824. Died Wycombe 1887.

John Taylor
Born Wrexham 1842. Died Newcastle 1895

George Rumsey Johnston
Born Bangor 1843. Died Denbighshire 28.01.1912

Joseph Roberts

[eastsussexred]

Originally Posted by eastsussexred

The very sad case of another founding member and player of Wrexham Football and Athletic Club.


For the last year, I have been struggling to find details about one of our founding players- recorded in our first ever game as G.R. Johnson; but after I appealed for help on a national ancestry forum, a lady from near Wrexham, very kindly came to the rescue and showed me why details were missing.


George Rumsey Johnston (sometimes recorded as Johnson or Johnstone) was born the son of George and Mary Rumsey Johnston, in Bangor, Caernarfonshire, in 1843: he was christened on 14th March of the same year.
The 1851 census recorded that George Rumsey had 2 brothers- Edward Clifford (b 1845) Francis Thomas (b 1848) and 1 sister- Mary Elizabeth (b 1847). At this time, the family were living in Llanbeblig, Caernarvonshire and his father was recorded as having no occupation, although they were certainly a family of means, having 3 live-in servants (his mother was a member of the Rumsey Williams family, a local family in the legal profession). Shortly after the census, the family moved to Oxford Street in London, and in 1852, while living in Oxford Street, Georges brother- Edward Clifford, died, aged just 7 years. Mary Rumsey then briefly returned to Caernarvon in 1852 and gave birth to another son- Henry Rumsey, although he died soon after.
Two years later, the family were living in Kempton Square, in the Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, where Mary Rumsey gave birth to a son- James Rumsey (baptised 1st March 1854).
George Johnston, the father, was recorded as a lawyer. Mary Rumsey then gave birth to twin daughters- Annie Florence and Elizabeth Amicia on 12th April 1857, though, Elizabeth Amicia died on 19th December 1859, while the family were living in Kentish Town, Camden. By the time of the 1861 census, the family had moved back to Wales and were living at Llysfaen- (then in the borough Caernarvonshire and later Denbighshire, but now in Clwyd) with 2 live-in servants, where Mary Rumsey, gave birth to another daughter- Emily Margaret Rumsey (born December 1860 and Christened in Llanbeblig on 30 October 1861). At this point, eldest daughter- Mary Elizabeth did not return to Wales and neither did George Rumsey, who was recorded as a tax office clerk, living as a boarder in a house at St Pancras, London.
Mary Rumsey then gave birth to another daughter- Ellen Maude Rumsey Johnston (b 1863) in Llysfaen, Caernarvonshire, before the family moved again, to Menai Bridge, Anglesey, where Mary Rumsey gave birth to another daughter- Fredericka Mehetabel Rumsey (born January 1868). Here, George Johnston snr is recorded as an attorney, in the 1871 Census. However, he died sometime later, as the 1881 census recorded that Mary Rumsey Johnson was as a widow, living back in Llanbeblig, and her profession was listed as a pearl dealer; she died in Caernarvon on 23rd January 1898.
In the meantime, George Rumsey Johnston (b 1843 Bangor) disappeared from the records in London in the early 1860’s and re-surfaced as an insurance clerk for The Provincial Welsh Insurance Company, in Wrexham.

In February 1863, G. R. Johnston was recorded in a list of insurance clerks who thanked The Provincial Welsh Insurance Company, when they opened a new gymnasium in their offices on The High Street. OPENING OF THE NEW READING ROOM AND GYMNASIUM AT THE OFFICES OF THE PROVINCIAL IN. SURANCE COMPANY.|1863-02-21|Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser and Cheshire Shropshire and North Wales Register - Welsh Newspapers Online

Then, on 2nd May, he was listed, merely as ‘johnson’ in a cricket match for Provincial against Wynnstay. Many of the Provincial team will later play for Wrexham Football Club.
...-,",,-r....-"-'"'- '- -.- - '"'- - - - - - - - - -"-""'-......'-.",.......-..... THE RIVER ALYN.|1863-05-09|Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser and Cheshire Shropshire and North Wales Register - Welsh Newspapers Online

11th July 1863 – the name ‘Johnson’ (no initials) first appears, playing for Wrexham Cricket Club. Many of the team would later play for Wrexham Football Club. 10 CRICKET.|1863-07-11|Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser and Cheshire Shropshire and North Wales Register - Welsh Newspapers Online

October 1863 Provincial Insurance Office Clerks including ‘Johnson’ have a half term holiday and play cricket on The Racecourse against Wrexham Cricket Club. [No title]|1863-10-03|Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser and Cheshire Shropshire and North Wales Register - Welsh Newspapers Online

25th June 1864, G.R. Johnson plays for Provincial Cricket team against Wrexham Cricket Club and on 2nd July, played for Wrexham CC against Wynnstay. Many of the Provincial and Wrexham Cricket teams will later play for Wrexham Football Club. I CRICKET. I|1864-07-09|Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser and Cheshire Shropshire and North Wales Register - Welsh Newspapers Online

July 1864- G.R. Johnston plays for Provincial Cricket team against a scratch 11. Many of both teams will later play for Wrexham Football Club. [No title]|1863-10-03|Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser and Cheshire Shropshire and North Wales Register - Welsh Newspapers Online

August 1864 (Johnson) plays for Provincial against Wynnstay and then G. R. Johnson arranges two games of cricket for Provincial Insurance Company against Wrexham Cricket Club. [No title]|1864-08-13|Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser and Cheshire Shropshire and North Wales Register - Welsh Newspapers Online

22nd October 1864, G.R. Johnson is one of the 10 founding members who play for Wrexham Football Club in their first ever game against 10 men of The Prince of Wales Fire Brigade. [No title]|1864-10-29|Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser and Cheshire Shropshire and North Wales Register - Welsh Newspapers Online


He then disappears, never to be heard of again in Wrexham, but is next recorded in Bangor/Beaumaris, where he is sent, either admitted or committed by his family, to what is then termed, Denbigh Lunatic Asylum.

He then spends the rest of his life in the asylum

Johnstone. George Rumsey
09/12/1865 aged 23 clerk in insurance office. transferred from Bangor & Beaumaris.
.

1871 North Wales Counties Lunatic Asylum Denbigh
George Rumsey Johnston patient 27 clerk in insurance office (no birth place) lunatic.

1881 North Wales Lunatic Asylum.
G.R.J. patient (status unknown) insurance clerk. born unknown. Lunatic.

1891 North Wales Counties Lunatic Asylum Denbigh
George Rumsey Johnstone. Patient / pauper. clerk in insurance office 47 b Bangor. Lunatic. Speaks English

1901 Glan Y Wern Branch Lunatic Asylum. Llandyrnog. Denbigh
George Rumsey Johnstone patient 56 general labourer b Llanbeblig, Caernarvonshire, Speaks English.

1911 Denbighshire census. Johnstone. George Rumsey, patient, age not known ,status not known, occupation clerk, office (code 050) worker. b Middlesex London. (possibly relating to his time in London) Lunatic. English.

1912. Institution: Denbigh Denbighshire Wales Geo R Johnstone Admission Date: 9 Dec 1865 Died: 28 Jan 1912 Denbighshire, Wales. (This date was crossed out and ‘transferred to Dist December 11th’ was written in) and so, aged 69, he may have spent his last few weeks in an external hospital.
George R Johnstone. Estimated birth year: abt 1843

1912 Registration Quarter: Jan-Feb-Mar
Age at Death:69 Registration district of St Asaph
I have found no record of the cemetery where he was buried, or even if he had a headstone.

His sister- Ellen Maude Rumsey Johnston also died in the Denbigh institution.

George Rumsey Johnston, a founding player of Wrexham Football Club. Born Bangor 28.02.1843- Died Denbighshire 28.01.1912

Rest in peace.

Updated
George Rumsey Johnston was born 28th February 1843

[StattoWrexham]

Whatever happens to us this season, we've had a rich and varied history as a football club!

Many ups and downs along the way.

[eastsussexred]

Originally Posted by StattoWrexham

Whatever happens to us this season, we've had a rich and varied history as a football club!

Many ups and downs along the way.

Plenty of tragedy for our founding players too Statto.
William Tootells death shortly after playing for the club and George Pritchard drowning in The Isle of Man, or the deaths of both Thomas Hanmer and his father at The Turf Hotel, as well as the other players who died at the pub; but also the amount of players children who died in those early days.
Additionally, I find it particularly sad that George Rumsey Johnston spent the rest of his life in what was then termed Denbigh Lunatic Asylum. It would be impossible to imagine the internal suffering for the poor man, not least because of the way such institutions operated in the Victorian and Edwardian era's.

But there were also plenty of other tragic and even bizarre events in the lives of our founding players. One particular incident involved John Taylor catching graverobbers.

ATTEMPT TO STEAL .A BODY FROM THEI NEW BURIAL --GROUND. (also has a jester connection too)

http://newspapers.library.wales/view...32/4587435/22/

[eastsussexred]

Originally Posted by eastsussexred

The very sad case of another founding member and player of Wrexham Football and Athletic Club.
For the last year, I have been struggling to find details about one of our founding players- recorded in our first ever game as G.R. Johnson; but after I appealed for help on a national ancestry forum, a lady from near Wrexham, very kindly came to the rescue and showed me why details were missing.


George Rumsey Johnston (sometimes recorded as Johnson or Johnstone) was born the son of George and Mary Rumsey Johnston, in Bangor, Caernarfonshire, in 1843: he was christened on 14th March of the same year. The 1851 census recorded that George Rumsey had 2 brothers- Edward Clifford (b 1845) Francis Thomas (b 1848) and 1 sister- Mary Elizabeth (b 1847). At this time, the family were living in Llanbeblig, Caernarvonshire and his father was recorded as having no occupation, although they were certainly a family of means, having 3 live-in servants (his mother was a member of the Rumsey Williams family, a local family in the legal profession). Shortly after the census, the family moved to Oxford Street in London, and in 1852, while living in Oxford Street, Georges brother- Edward Clifford, died, aged just 7 years. Mary Rumsey then briefly returned to Caernarvon in 1852 and gave birth to another son- Henry Rumsey, although he died soon after. Two years later, the family were living in Kempton Square, in the Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, where Mary Rumsey gave birth to a son- James Rumsey (baptised 1st March 1854). George Johnston, the father, was recorded as a lawyer. Mary Rumsey then gave birth to twin daughters- Annie Florence and Elizabeth Amicia on 12th April 1857, though, Elizabeth Amicia died on 19th December 1859, while the family were living in Kentish Town, Camden. By the time of the 1861 census, the family had moved back to Wales and were living at Llysfaen- (then in the borough Caernarvonshire and later Denbighshire, but now in Clwyd) with 2 live-in servants, where Mary Rumsey, gave birth to another daughter- Emily Margaret Rumsey (born December 1860 and Christened in Llanbeblig on 30 October 1861). At this point, eldest daughter- Mary Elizabeth did not return to Wales and neither did George Rumsey, who was recorded as a tax office clerk, living as a boarder in a house at St Pancras, London.
Mary Rumsey then gave birth to another daughter- Ellen Maude Rumsey Johnston (b 1863) in Llysfaen, Caernarvonshire, before the family moved again, to Menai Bridge, Anglesey, where Mary Rumsey gave birth to another daughter- Fredericka Mehetabel Rumsey (born January 1868). Here, George Johnston snr is recorded as an attorney, in the 1871 Census. However, he died sometime later, as the 1881 census recorded that Mary Rumsey Johnson was as a widow, living back in Llanbeblig, and her profession was listed as a pearl dealer; she died in Caernarvon on 23rd January 1898.
In the meantime, George Rumsey Johnston (b 1843 Bangor) disappeared from the records in London in the early 1860’s and re-surfaced as an insurance clerk for The Provincial Welsh Insurance Company, in Wrexham.
In February 1863, G. R. Johnston was recorded in a list of insurance clerks who thanked The Provincial Welsh Insurance Company, when they opened a new gymnasium in their offices on The High Street. OPENING OF THE NEW READING ROOM AND GYMNASIUM AT THE OFFICES OF THE PROVINCIAL IN. SURANCE COMPANY.|1863-02-21|Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser and Cheshire Shropshire and North Wales Register - Welsh Newspapers Online
Then, on 2nd May, he was listed, merely as ‘johnson’ in a cricket match for Provincial against Wynnstay. Many of the Provincial team will later play for Wrexham Football Club. ...-,",,-r....-"-'"'- '- -.- - '"'- - - - - - - - - -"-""'-......'-.",.......-..... THE RIVER ALYN.|1863-05-09|Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser and Cheshire Shropshire and North Wales Register - Welsh Newspapers Online
11th July 1863 – the name ‘Johnson’ (no initials) first appears, playing for Wrexham Cricket Club. Many of the team would later play for Wrexham Football Club. 10 CRICKET.|1863-07-11|Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser and Cheshire Shropshire and North Wales Register - Welsh Newspapers Online
October 1863 Provincial Insurance Office Clerks including ‘Johnson’ have a half term holiday and play cricket on The Racecourse against Wrexham Cricket Club. [No title]|1863-10-03|Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser and Cheshire Shropshire and North Wales Register - Welsh Newspapers Online
25th June 1864, G.R. Johnson plays for Provincial Cricket team against Wrexham Cricket Club and on 2nd July, played for Wrexham CC against Wynnstay. Many of the Provincial and Wrexham Cricket teams will later play for Wrexham Football Club. I CRICKET. I|1864-07-09|Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser and Cheshire Shropshire and North Wales Register - Welsh Newspapers Online
July 1864- G.R. Johnston plays for Provincial Cricket team against a scratch 11. Many of both teams will later play for Wrexham Football Club. [No title]|1863-10-03|Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser and Cheshire Shropshire and North Wales Register - Welsh Newspapers Online
August 1864 (Johnson) plays for Provincial against Wynnstay and then G. R. Johnson arranges two games of cricket for Provincial Insurance Company against Wrexham Cricket Club. [No title]|1864-08-13|Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser and Cheshire Shropshire and North Wales Register - Welsh Newspapers Online
22nd October 1864, G.R. Johnson is one of the 10 founding members who play for Wrexham Football Club in their first ever game against 10 men of The Prince of Wales Fire Brigade. [No title]|1864-10-29|Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser and Cheshire Shropshire and North Wales Register - Welsh Newspapers Online
He then disappears, never to be heard of again in Wrexham, but is next recorded, possibly in a workhouse, in Bangor/Beaumaris, where he is sent, either admitted or committed by his family, to what is then termed, Denbigh Lunatic Asylum.
He then spends the rest of his life in the asylum
Johnstone. George Rumsey
09/12/1865 aged 23 clerk in insurance office. transferred from Bangor & Beaumaris.
.

1871 North Wales Counties Lunatic Asylum Denbigh
George Rumsey Johnston patient 27 clerk in insurance office (no birth place) lunatic.

1881 North Wales Lunatic Asylum.
G.R.J. patient (status unknown) insurance clerk. born unknown. Lunatic.

1891 North Wales Counties Lunatic Asylum Denbigh
George Rumsey Johnstone. Patient / pauper. clerk in insurance office 47 b Bangor. Lunatic. Speaks English

1901 Glan Y Wern Branch Lunatic Asylum. Llandyrnog. Denbigh
George Rumsey Johnstone patient 56 general labourer b Llanbeblig, Caernarvonshire, Speaks English.
1911 Denbighshire census. Johnstone. George Rumsey, patient, age not known ,status not known, occupation clerk, office (code 050) worker. b Middlesex London. (possibly relating to his time in London) Lunatic. English.
1912. Institution: Denbigh Denbighshire Wales Geo R Johnstone Admission Date: 9 Dec 1865 Died: 28 Jan 1912 Denbighshire, Wales. (This date was crossed out and ‘transferred to Dist December 11th’ was written in) and so, aged 69, he may have spent his last few weeks in an external hospital.
George R Johnstone. Estimated birth year: abt 1843
1912 Registration Quarter: Jan-Feb-Mar
Age at Death:69 Registration district of St Asaph
I have found no record of the cemetery where he was buried, or even if he had a headstone.

His sister- Ellen Maude Rumsey Johnston also died in the Denbigh institution.

George Rumsey Johnston, a founding player of Wrexham Football Club. Born Llanbeblig, Caernarfon 1843- Died Denbighshire 28.01.1912

Rest in peace.

There was just one nagging doubt regarding George Rumsey Johnston; - i.e. what connection did he have in Wrexham, that made him leave London and work as a clerk in The Provincial insurance office, in Wrexham, before he eventually returned to Caernarvonshire, from where he was commited to Denbigh Lunatic Asylum. But I have now found additional information, which confirms this connection.


George Rumsey's parents- George Johnston and Mary Rumsey (Williams) were both from very well healed, very well connected families in the legal profession, and who lived in Llanbeblig, Caernarvonshire.


In 1863, The Wrexham Advertiser published a letter (attached to an earlier post) from a group of Provincial Welsh Insurance Clerks from the Wrexham office, who had thanked the insurance company when they opened a new reading room and Gymnasium in the insurance companies office in the High Street, Wrexham
G.R. Johnston is one of those clerks, but also on that list is R.O.R. Williams.

Robert Owen Rumsey Williams (b Llanbeblig, Caernarvonshire, 1847) was George Rumsey Johnston's first cousin.
R.O.R. Williams identify is confirmed in the 1871 census in Wrexham.

3 Wellington Road, Wrexham.
Robert (O) R Williams lodger 24 insurance clerk b Caernarvonshire

[WasanActonlad]

Interesting to see Wellington Rd mentioned, it was Edward Manners last abode before he died.

[eastsussexred]

Originally Posted by WasanActonlad

Interesting to see Wellington Rd mentioned, it was Edward Manners last abode before he died.

ROR Williams was lodging with a 'Davies' family in Wellington Road in 1871, WAL.

Just trying to tie down Joseph Roberts now, and then will have all of our original players histories.
Can then look at trying to raise funds for some kind of memorial at The Racecourse. Will also enable me to start finishing a history of the club and the ground.

[eastsussexred]

Originally Posted by draig arian

A perhaps less important question amongst all this brilliant fascinating history, can anyone confirm or otherwise that The Racecourse, for a short period ran from [B]east to west[/B] and not the present north to south?. I seem to remember my Brymbo uncle sitting me on his knee showing me a very old photograph of The Racecourse. That was a long long time ago mind; middle 40s?. Many thanks boys for quite brilliant work you all must have spent giving us this wonderful, interesting but important history of our great club. I really hope our younger supporters, male and female ,boys and girls will take the time to read the posts.

Originally Posted by jonesfach

Perhaps this was the trigger [B]for the pitch being turned[/B]. I notice it says stand also...so has anyone any idea when this was built?? Was it initially built for the racehorses?? It didn't have changing rooms so perhaps this was the case?

Gents. You were correct regarding the orientation of the pitch.

North Wales Football Association played Sheffield Football Association, under the London Association rules, on The Racecourse Ground on 18th November 1876. http://newspapers.library.wales/view...83/3854290/51/


‘Sheffield won the toss and chose to defend the goal nearest the Grand Stand, the wind slightly favourable at that end.’

So as the only grandstand on the course was on Mold Road in 1867, then the pitch had to be orientated from East to West, as you had said. I’m not sure if this had always been the way since our clubs founding, as the records are not clear, but articles in The Wrexham Advertiser show that by 1879, the pitch had been turned to its current North/South orientation. I assume that the pitch may also have changed at other times during our history. I will keep looking.

[jonesfach]

Superb find.