Hannah Letitia Stansfeld (née Johnston)

Given in the Parliamentary Papers as Hannah Letitia Stansfield but the usual spelling of this branch of the family is Stansfeld. Daughter of Lewis Farley Clogstoun Johnston (q.v.), and with her husband Robert awarded the compensation for ten enslaved people in S. Naparaima Trinidad. Hannah Letitia Johnson had been born in Trinidad c. 1808 and the 'slave property' was presumably hers. The couple moved to Britain some time between c. 1836 and 1842.

1. In 1851 Robert Stansfeld 45 Lieut army born Sowerby and Hannah L. Stansfeld 42 born Trinidad were living with their daughters also Hannah L. aged 9 and Louisa both born Sowerby in Sowerby Yorkshire. The Robert Stansfeld farmer given immediately before their entry was presumably father of Robert and father-in-law of Hannah Letitia. In 1861 the couple were still at Sowerby and had living with them among others a daughter Lydia aged 25 born Trinidad.

2. Memorial inscription at St Peter's, Sowerby: "In Affectionate Remembrance of Hannah Letitia, The Beloved Wife of Robert Stansfeld, Esq, of Field House, who died Nov 17th 1864, Aged 56 Years AND of the above named Robert Stansfeld, Esq, who died Oct 19th 1885, Aged 79 Years."

1. 1851 and 1861 censuses online.

2. Photograph and transcription available at Malcolm Bull's Calderdale Companion, http://www.calderdalecompanion.co.uk/ph5223.html [accessed 16/12/2020].

We are grateful to David Cant for his assistance with compiling this entry.