Great-Grandfather Ernest Hackett- Part 1

Ruth, Eveline and Lois Tolman

A few years ago, Aunt Lois gave me a box of letters written by Great-grandfather Hackett to Great-grandmother Hackett between 1906 and 1914. Ernest Hackett is the least known family member of the 20th century, and to my knowledge, no one has a photograph of him. My grandmother, pictured on the left as a young woman, must portray some of his features.

My brother Nathan has shared his research that uncovered some names and dates, shedding light on the Hackett story.

The baptism record of our great-grandmother "Granny Hackett" 

Baptism: 6 Nov 1881 Holy Trinity, Prestolee, Lancashire, England

Catharine Mary Hardman - Daughter of John Hardman & Hannah

    Abode: Aston under Lyne

    Occupation: Warper

    Baptised by: Edwin William Appleyard

    Register: Baptisms 1862 - 1906, Page 99, Entry 786

    Source: Manchester Central Library

Catharine Hardman/Heardman 1880-1974

The marriage of Catharine Heardman and Ernest Hackett (spelling variation of surname):

Marriages at St Luke in the District of Weaste, Salford

Marriages recorded in the Register for the years 1899 - 1904

Marriage: 1 Mar 1902 St Luke, Weaste, Lancashire, England

Ernest Emmanuel Hackett – 27, Traveller, Bachelor of 65 Ariel St.

Catherine Heardman – 22, Spinster of 4 Athol St. Seedley

    Groom's Father: David Hackett, Deceased, Cooper

    Bride's Father: Thomas Heardman, Brushmaker

    Witness: Benjamin Edward Barrett; Maud Mary Elizabeth Gregory

    Married by Banns by: H. A. Smith

    Register: Marriages 1899 - 1904, Page 124, Entry 248 

Marriage of Ernest and Catherine (Found by my brother)

The birth of their first child, Dora Hackett:

Baptism: 18 Feb 1903 Stowell Memorial, Salford, Lancashire, England

Dora Carrington Hackett - [Child] of Ernest Emmanuel Hackett & Catherine

    Abode: 67 Lord Nelson Street

    Occupation: Labourer

    Baptised by: Arthur Botterill

    Register: Baptisms 1898 - 1905, Page 185, Entry 1478

 

In the box of letters from Aunt Lois is a record of Dora's death at the age of 2 years old: 

 

Our grandmother, Eveline Hackett was born in Wales on January 20, 1905 to Ernest and Catherine. 

EDIT: My brother has provided the information below since the post was first published earlier today. 

Eveline Hackett

England and Wales Birth Registration Index, 1837-2008

Event Type:	Birth Registration
Name:	Eveline Hackett
Event Date:	1905
Event Place:	Llanelly, Carmarthenshire, Wales
Registration District:	Llanelly
Volume:	11A
Affiliate Line Number:	36
Registration Quarter:	Jan-Feb-Mar
Registration Year:	1905

 Ernest Hackett was from Jamaica and he and Catherine moved to Kingston around the time that Eveline was born. 

April 6, 1906

Ernest's letters were written from Cólon, Panama where he worked on the Panama Canal project from around 1906 until 1914. In this letter dated April 6, 1906, Catharine "Kate" and Eveline are living in Kingston and Catharine is expecting another child. 

Ernest writes," ...if you are still bent on going home (to England) before I can return to Kingston I should like you to leave little Eva with someone for me. "****" will take care of her for so many people, men and women here ask after her. Spend your money careful and do not neglect to eat and drink hearty that you may have strength in your coming sickness. Try to get to the hospital and have an interview with Matron or some experienced midwife. 

Catherine gave birth to a son named John but we have no record of his birth and his story is hearsay. Imagine if Catherine had returned to England and had left Eveline in Kingston! Would I be here?

Ernest Hackett was of mixed race and I wonder at his parentage and ancestory. Undoubtedly he was a descendant of slaves. Who were his European relations?

More to follow....