This section documents a remarkable family that had very strong connections to Eccleshall. There were four brothers who served, only two came home. All four were born in Eccleshall. The family history records that their Grand Parents emigrated from Ireland due to the potato famine (1848-1851).

The family history is somewhat complex because at one time there were two Mossop families living in Eccleshall, the heads of the households were the brothers, Thomas and Edward, sons of the Grand Parents. Another confusion is that both brothers had sons named Vincent.

Here is an extended version of the Mossop
story, available free for download:

Family History (more details available in the downloadable document above)

Grand Parents:

• Maurice Mossop born about 1803, died 1879 in Eccleshall
• Mary Mossop born about 1811, died 1888 in Eccleshall

Both grand parents were born in Co Mayo, Ireland.
They came over because of the potato famine between 1847 and 1851
and took up residence in Castle St.

Parents:

• Edward Mossop (1847 - 1916)
• Ellen T (Hall) (1849-1901)

1841 Census documents Maurice Mossop as being a farm labourer on Badenhall Farm, Eccleshall. However, his children were all born in Ireland, and Edward was born after this date. It would appear that Maurice was supporting his family as an itinerant labourer in England during spring and summer, returning to Ireland when work was scarce.

1851 Census documents the Mossop family (with 5 lodgers) resident in Castle Street, Eccleshall
(the parents ages do not match later census)

• Maurice Mossop age 45 - born Ireland
• Mary Mossop age 40 - born Ireland
• Thomas Mossop - age 13 - born Ireland
• Maurice Mossop - age 10 - born Ireland
• Edward Mossop - age 5 - born Ireland

1861 Census documents the Mossop family (with 3 lodgers) resident in High Street, Eccleshall

• Maurice Mossop age 58 - born Ireland
• Mary Mossop age 56 - born Ireland
• Edward Mossop - age 14 - born Ireland

1871 Census documents the grand parents resident in High Street, Eccleshall

• Morris Morsop (Maurice Mossop) age 68 - born Ireland
• Mary Morsop (Mary Mossop) age 66 - born Ireland

1881 Census documents:

• One Mossop family resident in Castle Street, Eccleshall
  • Edward Mossop - age 34 Head of House - Bricklayer - born Ireland
  • Ellen Mossop - age 31 Wife - born Aston Birmingham
  • Mary Teresa Mossop age 8 - born America
  • Sarah Mossop age 7 - born America
  • Ellen Mossop age 5 - born America
  • Maurice Mossop age 3 - born Eccleshall
• Another (related) Mossop family resident in High Street, Eccleshall
  • Thomas Mossop - age 42 Widower - head of household - born Ireland
  • Mary Mossop - age 80 widow - born Ireland
  • Mary Mossop - age 16 daughter - born Southport, Lancashire
  • Maurice Mossop - age 11 son - born Eccleshall
  • Olive Mossop - age 9 daughter - born Eccleshall
  • Edward - age 5 son - born Eccleshall
  • Vincent - age 3 son - born Eccleshall

1891 Census documents the Mossop family resident in Castle Street, Eccleshall

• Edward Mossop - age 43 Head of House - Bricklayer, born Ireland
• Ellen Mossop - age 40 Wife - born Aston Birmingham
• Mary Teresa Mossop age 18 - born Jersey City USA
• Ellen Mossop age 15 - born Jersey City USA
• Maurice Mossop age 13 - born Eccleshall
• Edward Percy Mossop age 9 - born Eccleshall
• George Mossop age 7 - born Eccleshall
• William Augustine Mossop age 6 - born Eccleshall
• Vincent Mossop age 4 - born Eccleshall
• Bernard Alfred Mossop age 3 - born Eccleshall
• Thomas Francis Mossop age 1 - born Eccleshall

The cousin, Vincent Mossop age 13 (son of Thomas and Sarah)
is a scholar at Holy Trinity Boys Orphanage, Rye, Sussex.

1901 Census documents:

• The Mossop family now resident at 34 Highfield Road, Smethwick:
  • Edward Mossop - age 52 Head of House - Bricklayer
  • Ellen Mossop - age 51 Wife
  • Edward Mossop age 19 - Bricklayer
  • George Mossop age 17 - Clerk
  • Vincent Mossop age 14
  • Bernard Alfred Mossop age 13
  • Francis Mossop age 11
• William resident with his sister, Sarah Brown at 12 Romilly Road, Canton, Cardiff:
  • John F Brown age 29 Head of House - Book-keeper
  • Sarah L Brown age 26 wife - born Jersey City US
  • Louisa A L Brown age 1
  • Ellen J Brown age 11 months
  • William A Mossop age 16 - sailor (steward)
• Vincent Mossop age 23 residing with his Half Brother, Edward (age 26) in Burslem
  his occupation is given as potter's modeller

1910 (qtr 4) William married Emily (Andrews (1890 - 1953)) in Kings Norton.

1911 (2nd April) Census documents

• A one William Mossop and family, logding at 2 Arden Road, Aston, Birmingham.
  • William Mossop age 27 - gas fitter - born Staffordshire
  • Emily Mossop (wife) age 26- born Staffordshire
  • Marjorie Mossop (child) age 1 year, 6 months - born Staffordshire
• A one Vincent Mossop
  resident with his wife, Lily and their daughter, Angnes Ellen
  at 18 Oakwood Road, Smethwick,
  age 24, born Eccleshall, a scale maker and fitter.
• Another Vincent Mossop
  logding with the Brynings family at 21 Roseberry Rd, Bradford,
  age 32, born Eccleshall, a clerk.
• A one Bert Mossop, logding with the Jennings family at 34 Harding St, Smethwick,
  age 23, born Eccleshall, an ironworks machinist in Smethwick.

Other observations

• Bernard's father, Edward was granted £3 and 7 pence war gratuities on 26th June 1916
• Bernard's sister, Mary was granted £5 war gratuities on 29th April 1920