The Spencer and Hyde families became connected through the marriage of Bertha Spencer (nee Boot) to James Hyde. Bertha and James had two sons, James and Joseph, who both survived to adulthood. Tragically, their father James was killed in action during the First World War in 1917.
In 1921, Bertha had a daughter; however, the fathers name was not recorded on the birth certificate.
James’s younger brother, Alfred Seddon Hyde, played a significant role in Bertha’s life after James’s death. On Jane’s wedding certificate, Alfred is listed as her father, and he is buried alongside Bertha in Philips Park Cemetery. Evidence strongly suggests that Bertha and Alfred began living together in the 1920s and remained together until Bertha’s passing in 1954.
Grandad, Alfred Spencer, born in 1904, would have grown up in a household that brought together members of both the Spencer and Hyde families, living alongside both his stepfather James Hyde prior to his death in 1917; then with Alfred Seddon Hyde as well as his step siblings: Joseph born 1910, James born 1914 and Jane born 1921
Family stories recount grandad, Alfred Spencer, getting on his horse and visiting ‘somewhere in Yorkshire’ to see ‘the Hyde’s’. This intriguing detail led to a detour in the research, shedding light on connections that could extend beyond Manchester. Whilst specific details of these visits remain elusive, they hint at ties with extended Hyde family members – maybe from their time living in Sheffield in the 1880’s.
James Hyde 1876 – 1917
James Hyde was born on Thursday April 27, 1876, in Sheffield, to Alfred Seddon and Jane Hyde. He spent his early years in Sheffield, growing up with his three brothers – Samuel, Alfred and John and their sister Jane.
Sometime between 1881 and 1889 the family moved back to Manchester where James lived with his family at 22 Oldham Road, Failsworth. By 1901 James was living with his brother John at 1 Clough Rd, Newton Heath.
On 31 March 1908 James married Bertha, a widow whose first husband has passed away in October 1907. At the time of Henry’s death, Bertha and her family were living at 3 Clough Street, Newton Heath. Interestingly, in 1901, James Hyde was living at 1 Clough Street, suggesting the couple likely became acquainted as neighbours before their marriage following Henry’s death.
Bertha had two surviving children from her first marriage, and together James and Bertha went on to have 3 children, James b1910 and James b1914. Sadly, a child known only as ‘Baby Hyde’ was buried on December 7, 1912, with no record beyond the burial entry.
At the outbreak of the First World War, James joined the British Army and saw active service in the towns and villages of Flanders and northern France. Tragically, he was killed in action on August 19, 1917. James is buried in Bard Cottage Cemetery, a military cemetery in Ypres, Belgium, a solemn reminder of his sacrifice during the war.
Alfred Seddon Hyde 1852 – 1889
Alfred Seddon Hyde was born on Tuesday August 31, 1852, in Manchester, to Samuel and Ann Hyde. He spent his early years in Manchester and Sheffield, growing up with his brother – Samuel their sisters Mariah and Sabrin.
The names ‘Seddon’ and ‘Sabrin’ were family names, commonly used across many Hyde families uncovered during research.
On 12 May 1873, Alfred married Jane, a widow whose first husband had passed away, leaving her with a son. At the time of their marriage Alfred was living at 115 Briscoe Lane, Newton Heath.
Alfred and Jane went on to have 5 children: Samuel Thomas b1873 in Manchester; James, born in Sheffield in 1876; Alfred Seddon born in 1878; John born in 1880; and Jane born in 1882.
In 1887, there is a record of an ‘Alfred Hyde’ serving time in Wakefield Prison for being drunk & disorderly (14 days), assaulting a constable (28 days) and damaging an overcoat (14 days). While his birthplace is listed as Manchester, no conclusive evidence confirms this is Alfred Seddon Hyde.
By 1889 the family had returned to Manchester, where tragedy struck. On 10 November 1889 Alfred Seddon Hyde died from injuries received in a workplace accident. The accident occurred when molten iron was being poured into a mould; the mould’s backing gave way, and the molten iron came into contact with cold iron plates, causing a catastrophic explosion. Alfred suffered severe burns and was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary, where he succumbed to his injuries.
An inquest into the accident was held on 12 November 1889, and Alfred was laid to rest on 16 November 1889, in the graveyard at All Saints Church, Newton Heath.
Samuel Hyde 1827 – 1889
Samuel Hyde was baptised on Sunday 7 January 1827, in the Manchester & Chapelry of Newton – very likely All Saints Church, Newton Heath. Born before compulsory birth registration, his early baptism suggests he could have been born in December 1826. Samuel was the son of Isaac and Ellen Hyde and had an older brother, likely born around 1825/26.
On 6 February 1850, Samuel married Ann; with his residence listed as 20 Quay Street.
Samuel and Ann went on to have 4 children: Maria b1851; Alfred Seddon, b1852; Sabrin b1856; and Samuel b1863.
In 1841 Samuel lived with his parents brother James at Crown Point, Cheetham Fold, Newton.
By 1851 Samuel and Ann were living with their young daughter Maria at Crown point, alongside Samuel’s parents. Samuel was working as a Dyer.
By 1861 Samuel and Ann were living on Crown St, Newton with their three eldest children.
Tragedy struck in September 1869, when Samuel was fatally injured in what appears to have been a workplace accident. His death certificate records the cause as ‘legs crushed from flags falling on him’ as the cause of death. Samuel was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary, but he succumbed to his injuries.
An inquest into the accident was held on 28 September 1869, and Samuel was laid to rest on 30 September 1869, in the graveyard at All Saints Church, Newton Heath.
Isaac Hyde 1791 – 1863
Isaac Hyde was baptised on Sunday 9 October 1791, in the Cathedral Church, Manchester. His baptism suggests he was likely born in September or October 1791, before the era of compulsory birth registration. Isaac was the son of John and Seberah/Sarah Hyde (nee Seddon) and had an older brother, Samuel, likely born around 1788.
The spelling of Isaac’s mother’s name varies across records, probably due to the limited literacy of the period, appearing as Seberah, Sarah, Sabine and Sabin. Both Seberah and Seddon have been preserved as family names: Seberah/Sabine as a girl’s first name and Seddon as a middle name for boys. It seems it was important to the family to keep these two names in the family history and the practice to use these two names continues.
On Monday 5 August 1822, Isaac married Ellen in the Parish of Eccles. The marriage witnesses appeared to be ‘professional witnesses’, commonly hired during that time. Isaac signed his name, so had some level of literacy but Ellen made her mark indicating she was not literate.
Tracing Isaac’s family line
Determining the correct Hyde lineage has been challenging due to the popularity of the name Isaac and the large number of Hyde families in the area during the late 1700’s.
The 1841 census places Isaac, age 45, at Crown Point, Borough of Manchester, Township of Newton. He is recorded as a silk weaver, living with his wife Ellen and their two sons, James and Samuel.
Towns and cities were split into districts and the Hyde family resided in the Newton district, specifically at Crown Point. This area included Church Terrace, Culcheth Lane, Crown Point, Cheetham Fold and surrounding landmarks.
In the 1851 census the family remained at Crown Point, Isaac and Ellen are both listed as hand loom Silk Weavers, with their son Samuel working as a dyer. Samuel has now married and has a daughter (see Samuel Hyde 1827-1889 for his story). James has left the family home marrying Olivia in 1847.
The Later Years
Ellen Hyde died on 11 May 1859 at the age of 66, with her daughter in law at her side. The cause of death was cited as ‘old age’. Ellen was buried on 15 May 1859 at All Saints, Newton Heath.
Isaac remarried later in 1859 to Sarah Wood, continuing to live at Crown Point. The 1861 census lists Isaac and Sarah as silk weavers
Having worked all his life, Isaac died on 20 September 1863; still living at Crown Point. His death certificate also cited ‘old age’ as the cause. He was buried on 23 September 1863 in the graveyard at All Saints Parish Church, Newton Heath.
Isaac and Ellen’s story reflects the life of working class families in 18th & 19th century Manchester, shaped by the silk weaving industry and marked by resilience, literacy variations and the desire to preserve family names and traditions.
Family 