Nat Gould

Mary Edge 1825-1913

Mary Edge was born in 1825 at Longnor in Staffordshire.

She was married to William Horobin 1807-1886. He was born on 30 January 1804 at Longnor.

When first married they lived in Longnor. However when her husband's father Thomas Horobin died in 1858, they took over Meadow Farm, just across the river Dove in nearby Crowdecote in Derbyshire. The land extended to over 60 acres, and included Crowdecote Mill.

She continued living there after her husband William Horobin died in 1886 and his son William Horobin took over the farm.

Mary Horobin nee Edge at home

After she was widowed Mary Horobin became very well known to visitors. Both she and her home were featured on popular Edwardian picture postcards (1).

The farm has long been demolished.

When the Census was taken in 1861, the household included widowed Ellen Horobin, the mother of William Horobin, as well as widowed James Edge (born in 1792 in Longnor) and an unmarried miller and farm servant John Gilman (born in Crowdecote in 1840).

These two men were probably relatives of the family.

William and Mary Horobin had the following children:

William Horobin. He was born in 1857 at Longnor, before his parents had moved to Crowdecote.

Thomas Horobin. He was born in 1858 at Crowdecote, and baptised on 11 July 1858 at Earl Sterndale. He married Jane Weston of Buxton on 24 January 1899 at Earl Sterndale. He died on 5 February 1942 at Dove Cottage in Crowdecote aged 83 years.

Mary Ellen Horobin. She was born in 1860 at Crowdecote, and baptised on 8 April 1860 at Earl Sterndale.

Jethro Horobin. He was born in 1861 at Crowdecote, and baptised on 11 August 1861 at Earl Sterndale. In 1898 he married his cousin Rachel Horobin 1853-1919, and they lived at the Crofts Farm near Longnor. He died on 25 November 1927 aged 66 years. She died on 15 February 1919 aged 66 years. Both were buried at Earl Sterndale where there are monumental inscriptions to their memory.

George Horobin. He was born in 1863 at Crowdecote, and baptised on 8 April 1863 at Earl Sterndale.

Rachel Horobin. She was born in January 1865, and baptised on 5 January 1865 at Earl Sterndale. She died on 27 February 1863 aged 7 weeks, and was buried on 2 March 1865 at Earl Sterndale.

Sidney Horobin. He was born in 1867 at Crowdecote, and baptised on 10 November 1867 at Earl Sterndale. He died on 25 July 1954 aged 88 years, and was buried at Earl Sterndale where there is a monumental inscription to his memory.

Signature on 1911 Census Return

Their mother Mary Horobin died on 1 November 1913 aged 88 years.

Her husband William Horobin had predeceased her on 13 March 1886 aged 79 years.

William and Mary Horobin, and their infant daughter Rachel, were buried in the family table tomb in Earl Sterndale churchyard.