Asselby

Visitor Comments

Posted by BS on 27/05/2005

Asselby - the village with nowt but a pub when it is open; no post office, nothing. No social life, nothing. No feeling of village life; no feeling of being a small community; no life, just Asselby. Take it as you find it, that's if you can find it. One road in, one road out. Still I have been here 30 years, so it must have something, but what is it?

Posted by Ex Asselby Dweller on 26/07/2005

I have often wondered the same thing myself, looking back, I see it is the vicious network of neighbourhood gossips and commuters. Once, because a neighbour's dog kept coming to do its business on someone's front lawn, the owner of the lawn scooped it up and flung it at the dog's owner's window!

Posted by New Resident on 21/01/2006

Just moved to Asselby for a quieter lifestyle, we lived in a town with a football stadium opposite us! We've been made very welcome by everyone we've met. Shame it has no shop or post office, but that's a small price to pay to live away from drunken yobs. Having grown up in Cliffe, I know that village life is what you make of it, talk and people will talk back, drive through and miss out.

Posted by Ex Asselby Teenager on 05/02/2007

Yes it's true, Asselby is truly a village of nothing!

I spent most, if not all, of my teenage life speeding up and down the lanes of Asselby and Barmby on a motorbike with friends of mine, upsetting all the whinging farmers and residents of Asselby :. There was nothing else to do in this god forsaken place.

I'm glad I don't live there anymore as I now have a four-year-old daughter and wonder what she would be doing in this community with no village hall, no playing field, no shops and no school!

Posted by GGG on 16/02/2007

I am trying to trace my family tree and it would appear my family were centred on Asselby. However, the more I find out about the place, the more reluctant I am to come up there to find further information - surely it cannot be that bad? I'm beginning to expect a sign saying "Abandon hope all ye who enter here!" Someone please assure me otherwise. In the meantime, if there is anyone out there related to either a STALHARD, CONSTABLE or PLASTER, I would be very grateful if you would let me know.

If there is only one pub and nothing else in Asselby, how do you all survive on ale alone?

Posted by Sue on 04/06/2007

We have lived in Asselby now for seventeen years. After living in Leeds, Doncaster - only the best parts of the cities - we lived in fear at night-time to go out anywhere, even driving home at night we had to make sure that the car doors were locked. We next moved out to Gowdall but somehow that didn't fit the bill either, so here we are. Yes there is only one pub! Some pub! and two days a week when the bus comes through, but to sleep peacefully in my bed at night knowing that there will be no drunks turning out at God knows what time, my neighbours are friendly without being in each other's home gossiping. If you don't like the very quiet, peaceful country life then go back to somewhere that's more suitable to you and let other quieter people move in.

Posted by Duncan on 30/07/2007

Leave Asselby alone! It doesn't pretend to be anything other than an agricultural village. My wife and I have found the people are extremely friendly and helpful. Yes, you can sleep at night without worrying if you've padlocked everything you possess. At the "only pub" you can get a lovely meal for 1980s prices and if that doesn't suit you, travel the two miles to nearby Howden where there's at least a dozen more to choose from. You have also got nearby river walks, bird sanctuaries and the M62!

Posted by Martin on 05/06/2008

Asselby may be a quiet place, but I spent ten years there and I must say I wish I was still there. Everyone knew each other and there was no trouble whatsoever. Some of my family still live there.

Posted by Anthony on 08/06/2008

What can I say but take no notice of the negative feedback of our quiet little village. Yes it may have no shops or post office but you only have to go two miles down the road for one and on a summer's day it is a pleasure to get on your bike and take in the wonderful scenery we have. People who say there is no sense of community in Asselby are the ones who don't talk to people or go to the pub to meet other locals. We don't have a village hall so the pub is the next best thing. Have a quiet drink, a beautiful meal, and most importantly meet people. My family have lived in Asselby for generations and I have lived here all my life and that may only be 21 years but I wouldn't move anywhere else.

If you would like to know a bit of history of our little village there is a wonderful book called "Those Magnificent Shires," written by an ex-Asselby lad on his accounts of growing up in the village just after the war and working on some of the farms in Asselby.

Posted by Mike on 09/07/2008

I spent most of the happiest days of my childhood, growing up in Asselby, 1975 to 1982 in Linton House. I see on Google Earth that someone has annihilated the rustic charm of this particular residence. Progress I suppose!

Some of the negative comments pertaining to Asselby leave me dumbfounded. What happened to Freddie Ellwood and his wooden hut? and leg? The Boldan brothers (Mike, Mark and Martin) were the greatest people I ever knew. South Africa has been my home for almost 30 years, but I can't forget an idyllic childhood, in your perfect little village.

Posted by Trish on 22/07/2008

I love Asselby. I don't live there, but one of my dearest friends does. As one other writer mentioned, there is peace and quiet and it's a beautiful country spot, away from the noise and bustle of towns and cities. Heck, Howden is only a stone's throw away. There are some beautiful walks, by the river to Barmby-on-the-Marsh. A beautiful spot in glorious England. It's always greener on the other side… For me, it's the other side of the world and some days, I just long to be there! Love ya Asselby and all your lovely neighbours and friends.

Posted by Mark on 14/07/2010

Some people are so shallow minded, the best years of my life was in Asselby, How can they give so much negative feedback about such a fantastic place to live? Now it is much larger then it was when I was a child but we were never bored, always someone to help in the village. Has no one got any community spirit anymore or is it just people being ignorant to their neighbours and local folk that have lived there for many generations?

Yes, Asselby is still my favourite place. My family still live there and I visit as often as I can to catch up on the chat in the local pub. If people don't like it they can put a For Sale sign up and let somebody that appreciates the friendly community move in.

Posted by Ken on 14/03/2012

Moved here in 1968. Raised my family who have moved away but regularly return. Sadly the post office has closed and there is no school. In 1968 there was no pub, but since it re-opened there has always been a welcome and the food is plain, plentiful, home cooked and good value. The village has changed in character from working farm centred to a commuter village. Yes it is quiet but Howden is only two miles away, Goole only five miles. The M62 is just over three miles away so the whole road network is available. Asselby is quiet, safe and secure. The newspapers are delivered from Howden daily!

Posted by Tony on 30/10/2012

Asselby now has a thriving village community. Since the Jubilee celebrations of 2012 and the takeover of the pub, the village has a new life. The new pub is a hub for this close knit community and has become a regular for most of the locals with its varied events and comfortable atmosphere for socialising.

Now with a men's and ladies darts team and a new bar and lounge and refreshed menu along with its fun loving and very sociable landlady the pub serves a selection of fine real ales, beers and wines and a tasty fayre of food. Call in and try it for yourself.

Posted by Shuffleton Streets on 19/03/2006

Seeking genealogy about TAIT resident in Asselby in the 19th Century. Anyone out there know any local history? Thanks.

Posted by Kevin on 27/02/2007

Seeking genealogy on MOUNCEY or MOUNSEY around Asselby in 16th and 17th Century. Perhaps they were all dying to leave?

Posted by Corby on 15/11/2007

My great-great-great-grandfather John Singleton COOK born in Asselby 1816 to Mary nee Singleton of Howden and John Cook. I am having difficulty in finding which John Cook for certain. Anybody know the family? Thanks.

Posted by Claire-Marie on 02/12/2007

I am trying to find out about one of my ancestors, Adelaide HABBISHAW. She died in Asselby in 1865 at the age of eleven. She had come from Leeds where her parents had died. Her death was witnessed by Mary Bowling. Unfortunately, having been to Asselby and Howden, I have been unable to find a grave - can anyone help? Also, I am unsure why she would have been there - any ideas? Thanks.

Posted by Gary on 24/04/2008

I walked to Asselby from Goole in about 1963 to visit a school friend, John Pettican. I've never been back there.

Posted by June on 08/05/2008

Seeking any information about Emily MORRITT (b. 1865) married John Mills? Thanks.

Posted by Sandra on 11/02/2010

The marriage was to John Milston (March qtr 1883 Beverley vol 9d page 147. The couple seem to disappear after that point as I can't find them on following census.

There is a birth reg for an Emily Morritt that may or may not be correct: Dec qtr 1865 Howden, Yorks.

1871 census at Asselby with parents Thomas Singleton Morritt and Hannah plus seven siblings.

1881 census the family are incorrectly transcribed as Morrill still at Asselby with both parents plus Emily and four older siblings. The three younger children from the previous census are not shown.

I hope that helps you.

Posted by David on 19/09/2008

My mother was born in Asselby in 1917 and still talks warmly of the happy years she spent as a child there with her parents and brothers and sisters. She walked every day to school in Barmby (unless it was raining or very cold when her mum would get out the pony and trap). Grandad was a farm labourer (James Duffin), grandmother was a Plaster, the sister of Sydney, killed in action at Gallipoli in August 1915 and named on the Howden War Memorial.

Posted by Tricia on 25/06/2011

As Mike mentioned him in his posting in July 2008, and for all other ex-Asselby-ites around the country who read this, I wish to inform you my uncle, Fred Ellwood, died this week, after a short illness, age 93. He was well known in the village (not least, as Mike said, for his shed) and was the last of generations of Ellwoods to have lived there.

Posted by Michael on 04/09/2011

R.I.P. Freddie Ellwood. You taught us young lads a lot back then. To Tricia, thank you for informing us. A big thanks for this Asselby page, ultimately for reuniting me with Martin and Mark Boldan. The latter shall be making his second visit to our home in South Africa in a couple of days' time!

Posted by Mark on 05/09/2011

Trisha, so sorry to hear about Fred. As kids we spent many hours with him, myself, Mike and my brothers. In 1976 he built me and Mike Brier a rather steep ramp for our skateboards. He was a much loved man. In my latter years I do recall many people meeting at his green shed, Vic Boldan, Norman Hessletine, Dan Deeley, Jeremy Oats, Dennis Ounsley are but a few to mention. In winter there was a paraffin heater burning and a nip or too of the harder stuff.

God bless you Fred.

Posted by Tricia on 06/09/2011

Thank you Michael and Mark for your lovely comments about Uncle Fred. I have printed them off for my mum (Dorothy, Fred's sister) who looked after him for many, many years and she will be so pleased to see them.

Posted by Margaret on 26/12/2012

I remember Freddie Ellwood and his mum and dad. His dad George was the village blacksmith and his wife was known to my three lads as Aunt Mary Anne. I loved Asselby and if I could I would live there again.

Posted by Tricia on 06/03/2013

I too would live in Asselby again - if I could afford it! I also remember two of your boys locking Uncle Fred in his shed when they were little, Mum and I still laugh about it.

It was nice to read your comments about Uncle Fred and gran and grandad Ellwood. Grandad was indeed the village blacksmith but was called Tom (Thomas John).

Posted by Willo on 10/03/2013

I also remember Fred working down at Frank Stead's farm and one day a number of us went exploring there, probably with Mike or Geoff Warrilow. Anyway Fred found us and as I tried to escape through a small hole in the barn wall I became stuck and he really gave me a helping hand to get out with his trusty size nines. I last saw him in a care home in Goole some three years ago and was extremely sorry to hear he had died.

I suppose I was at school with you Tricia, was your dad John?

Posted by Tricia on 12/03/2013

It was nice to read your comments, particularly about Uncle Fred. Gran and grandad left the pub in about 1960, they were followed by the Kitwoods (Cedric?) but after that Mum can't remember and does not recall the name Frank Richards.

We were probably at school together but Ellwood was mum's maiden name and John was her cousin. His daughter, who is the same age as me, was called Margaret, there was also another cousin/half cousin with us, Susan, Percy's daughter.

Posted by Elizabeth on 16/12/2012

Thomas Singleton Morritt 1829 is our great-great-grandfather. We had quite the interesting trip to Asselby. We got off of the train at Howden, not realising it was in the country. Fortunately, I spotted a car that was parked and it turned out to be a private hire waiting for a passenger from the next train. She said she would only be a few minutes and came back for us. We found Rose Cottage a little past the pub on the right side. Quite moving to see where our grandfather's family came. She drove us to Howden where we saw Hannah Morritt's grave in the minster graveyard. She was the wife of Thomas Singleton. Again quite moving.

Posted by Corby on 17/12/2012

Glad to hear that you not only found your Rose Cottage, but were lucky enough to find the grave you were looking for. I have spent many hours searching the Minster graveyard - usually in the rain. I have the CD of graves and noted yours which is much more recent than my connections.

Posted by Corby on 03/07/2013

I have been following your mail and am quite intrigued. You mentioned finding Hannah's grave. Was not her husband's name on the headstone? Thomas Singleton Morritt 1829 preceded her by ten years, although he passed away in the East Riding Asylum 1900 and he was interred within the Minster graveyard. I would assume that they would have been together

Posted by Nellie on 18/08/2013

I am Elizabeth's sister. We sailed on 27 November 2012. Hannah Morritt's gravestone has the following information: "Hannah Morritt, wife of Thomas S. Morritt (of Asselby) Born January 20, 1828, died March 20, 1910, She was a good mother." We saw no nearby grave with a headstone for Thomas. I don't remember if we looked at the back of Hannah's stone or not. I expect we did. I had known he was buried there and thought perhaps they would be together or nearby.

Joyce Mary Palmer, daughter of Mable Morritt, daughter of Fred Morritt, son of Thomas and Hannah Morritt, a genealogy researcher of this Morritt line kindly shared her information with me. I have enjoyed reading references to the Morritts on this web page.

Posted by Corby on 18/08/2013

According to Howden minster burial records, headstone reading

In loving memory of Thomas Singleton Morritt

Of Asselby . Who died 6 October 1900 Aged 71 years

G&A Leake Hull ?

PR 1900 Oct 9th Thomas Singleton Morritt East Riding Asylum

I have done a little more searching and it appears that the asylum had their own burial ground in Walkington from 1911. Prior to that St. Martins and St. Johns.

Posted by Corby on 21/08/2013

It has just been confirmed by Treasure house Archives Beverley that Thomas's Grave is within Howden Minster Cemetery. Where, I know not. I am now intrigued by all this that I need to find it myself. Unfortunately as I live in Southampton and have no plans to go up this year. I will have to put it on hold

Posted by Elizabeth on 18/10/2013

Very interesting that you found Thomas Singleton grave. I hope you get up north soon.

Posted by Nellie on 18/10/2013

Thanks for the additional information on Thomas Singleton Morritt. I was very pleased to visit Asselby after hearing about Rose Cottage and the family much of my life. Too bad the pub wasn't open for a celebratory pint.

Posted by Corby on 08/06/2014

The pub you visited turns out to be once run by my great(x4)-grandfather, Thomas Cook, a farmer in Asselby. He had five children John, Thomas, Mary and Hannah. His final son Francis was born at the pub when Thomas became a publican and victualler. Francis later crossed the river to live in Long Drax. This family married into the Morritt family via Morritt the Miller.

Posted by Margaret on 26/12/2012

Asselby is a lovely village with a good community spirit. I lived opposite the pub for many years and cooked there for fourteen years. The Boldans were farmers, they had a farm just over the old Hull and Barnsley Railway crossings. Asselby used to belong to an estate and was called a garden village.

Posted by Elizabeth on 12/01/2013

I would love to know more about an estate town and whose estate was it.

Posted by Margaret on 19/01/2013

I think most of Asselby estate was owned by the French emigrees at Knedlington Manor, I think they changed their name to Rudd-Clark.

Posted by Tricia on 06/03/2013

I believe the Black Swan has changed names. I am all for progress but do think it is such a shame changing it after over 100 years. I spent many happy hours there as a child and it will always be the Black Swan to us, and I am sure to many of the original villagers. I also remember two of your boys locking Uncle Fred in his shed when they were little, mand I still laugh about it.

Posted by Willo on 10/03/2013

My mother used to work at the Black Swan when Frank Richards used to be there and I spent far too much time there during my formative years sampling the wares. I often spent time sat with Vic talking about "who knows what" until it was time for one of us to leave.

Posted by Elizabeth on 07/04/2013

Curious, has anyone of or at the Black Swan made a comment about my dance shoe and postcard of the Queen Mary II, that I left hanging on the door knob to signify that the great-great-grandaughters of Hannah Morritt made the trip back to Asselby?

Posted by Tony on 17/04/2013

We did receive your shoe and postcard and are curious. We did wonder about the connection. Do you live in the country or abroad? We have also had communications with Les Ellwood who now lives in Kildare in Ireland which seems ironic that the Black Swan is now called Whelans of Asselby (Irish pub). His grandfather was the pub landlord many years ago.

Posted by Elizabeth on 02/07/2013

I am pleased that the shoe was found. I wore it while I crossed the Atlantic on the Queen Mary II. Our intent was to find Rose Cottage in Asselby where our mother's father's family lived from 1792 to 1880. We did find the cottage. We were sorry that the pub was closed. We left the shoe to mark the return journey back to Asselby.

Posted by Wendy on 18/05/2013

1892 -- ASSELBY is a township in this parish containing 925 acres of land, and 25 of water. The rateable value is £1,678, and the population in 1891 was 239. The soil is rich and loamy, and the subsoil clay; wheat, oats, barley, potatoes, and turnips, are the chief crops. The principal landowners are T.S. Clarke, Esq., J.P., of Knedlington Manor; Lord Leconfield, Rev. Thomas Brooke, J.W. Shaw, Asselby; and Messrs. Hammond. The first-named gentleman is lord of the manor. The Hull and Barnsley railway passes through the township.

ASCHILEBI, as it is called in the Domesday Book, belonged, at the time of the Norman Conquest, to the Bishop of Durham and Earl Moreton, and Nigel Fossard held lands under the latter, and two extensive fisheries which yielded, on an average, 2,400 eels annually. When Howden church was made collegiate, the reputed manor, the greater part of the land, and the tithes were granted to the prebendary of Barmby, and were held by the successive prebendaries until the dissolution of the college.

The village stands two miles west of Howden. There are chapels belonging to the Wesleyans and Primitive Methodists. The former was built in 1868, and the latter in 1850. Asselby is included in the Barmby-on-the-Marsh United School Board district. A Board school was erected in 1878. On the site now occupied by Mr J.W. Shaw's house, formerly stood Asselby Hall, across the gable of which was an oak beam with a number of eels carved thereon, having probably some reference to the fisheries above mentioned. This beam is now built in the attic of the present house. The open fields were enclosed in 1837. The works and buildings of the Howden Water Co. are situated in this township, but are at present idle. Mr T.S. Clarke is impropriator of the tithe, amounting to £125. Asselby Island, in the river Ouse, belongs to the parish of Drax, in the West Riding.

1892 -- ASSELBY TOWNSHIP --

Letters via Howden. Letter Box cleared at 5-20 p.m.

MISCELLANY OF TRADES:-

Everatt Thomas Richard, joiner, &c.
Gilling Miss Jane, schoolmistress
Lumby John, land agent to T. S. Clarke, Esq.
Palmer William, grocer
Plaster Sydney, joiner
Sarginson John, fellmonger & vict., Black Swan
Scott Thomas, market gardener
Scott Walter, joiner and fruit buyer
Shaw John William, builder and contractor
Storr Charles, shoemaker
Taylor Geo., wheelwright, &c., Nursery house
Taylor James, gardener, Mount Pleasant
Taylor Mrs Mary

FARMERS:-

Barker Richard, also Old hall, Knedlington
Brabbs George
Chantry William Joseph (and overseer)
Clark Matthew & William
Dennis George
Everatt Henry, Asselby house
Everatt John (and miller, wind)
Everatt John, junior
Everatt Richard
Farrah George
Lapish John Henry
Lapish William
Levitt James
Mitchell John (and overseer)
Palmer John Smith land market gardener)
Shaw John William
Winter William

ASSELBY in Baines's Directory of 1823 --

MISCELLANY OF TRADES:-

Cook Thomas, farmer & vict. Board
Levitt John, blacksmith
Midgley Francis, carpenter
Morritt Wm. corn miller
Singleton Isaac, shopkeeper
Singleton Wm. yeoman
Taylor Geo. tailor
Wood Wm. schoolmaster

FARMERS:-

Birkett Josiah
Boldan Robert
Dalby Elizabeth
Dales John
Greaves John
Humphrey Mthw.
Shoemakers,
Pears James
Underwood John

Posted by Corby on 19/05/2013

Your posting is for me a light at the end of a very long tunnel. My research on my family goes back much further. On the Singleton side to Williams marriage to Hannah Hoop. Producing William and Isaac, who are both mentioned in your Baines directory, although that William may have been William Jnr. 1766

On the Cooks side a Thomas Cook married Ann Thompson 1784, witnesses William Singleton and George Easingwood, producing John (b. 1786) (my great(x4)- grandfather) Thomas (b. 1788), Mary (b. 1791) and Hannah (b. 1793). I have been unable to find out what happened to John's siblings, but John married Mary Singleton, daughter of William and Mary Fletcher. I was given a cutting of this wedding announced in a Leeds Newspaper in which it gave John's profession as a banker.

Posted by Jane on 02/01/2017

Rose Cottage, Asselby, is where my late mother-in-law was born in 1922. She was Grace MICKLEBOROUGH, her mother was Ada Turner. Both farm labourers we believe. When her dad died, the family eventually moved to Hessle near Hull. Any info on the Mickleboroughs would be great? Thanks

Posted by Keith on 24/01/2018

I have just seen your post about Rose Cottage Asselby. I was interested as my grandmother was born there, Beatrice Lillian Turner, and she was the sister of Ada. I have a photo of William Turner, Francis Turner (nee Watson) with their children outside Rose Cottage.

Further names for the children of William and Francis. William Turner, Rhoda Turner, Jessie Turner, Beatrice Lillian Turner, Mable Turner, Arthur Turner, George Turner, Aida (believe that is correct spelling) Turner, Fred Turner and Hetty Turner.

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