So it was William Fitzwilliam's son,George, along with George William's oldest son---Henry (Harry) George Kershaw and another son, Edwin, that broke the family ties to England and set sail for America. George arrived after his son, Edwin. George sailed out of Liverpool, England on the SS LACONIA on August 6, 1912 and arrived in the Port of Boston on August 14, 1912. Edwin Kershaw was living at 185 Bowell St. in Methuen, MA. He claims he arrived in 1909. Other records show it might have been 1912 with his father. George was described on the ship's manifest as 5' 4 1/2" with a light complexion, light hair, and brown eyes. He had been a textile maker up in Longsight, England. Then Jemima sailed out of Liverpool on October 15, 1912 on the SS FRANCONIA. Traveling with her was her son, John Kershaw, age 18 years and a child, named Clara, age 5 years. John had worked as a laborer in Manchester. Jemima was described as 5' 2" tall with fair complexion, light brown hair and blue eyes. John was 5' 3" with a dark complexion, brown hair and eyes. They arrived at the Port of Boston on October 23, 1912.  Next sent for was their son, Henry and son-in-law, George Green Prophet. Henry would later have alongside him his wife, Ethel Briggs.  She was born January 28, 1884, in Manchester, the daughter of Isaac Briggs and Frances Annie (Dubberley)Briggs of England. Isaac was a bricklayer, born between 1852 in Pilkington, Lancashire, England, the son of Isaac Briggs, Sr. and Susannah Ramsbottom. The Briggs family were well known bricklayers for many generations. Frances was born between March - June 1857 at Church Stretton in England. Her parents were George Dubberley of Herefordshire Co. (born 1829) and Elizabeth Jewkes, born 1827 in Wistanstow, Shropshire. George and Elizabeth had six children. Frances and Isaac Briggs, Jr. married in January 16, 1881 in Saint James, Higher Broughton, Salford, Lancashire, England. They had eight children (Ethel, Mabel A., Euncie, Maud, Reginald, Annie, Eleanor, & Sydney). Frances died between Dec. 3, 1903 (about age 46)in Cheetham,Prestwich and Isaac after 1904.   Ethel and Henry were married December 26, 1904 in Manchester (NOTE -- Marriage in the District of Chorlton in the counties of Manchester and Lancaster in Great Britain. Witnesses were: John Stanley and Elizabeth Prophet Elizabeth Prophet's sister, Emma Prophet, would later become Harry's second wife after Ethel's death.)**** December 26, 2004 (Sunday) **** Marks the 100th Anniversary since their marriage. They had a son, named HARRY KERSHAW, JR., born September 23, 1905 in Gorton,Manchester, England. A daughter, named ETHEL, was born January 28, 1909 (same day as her mother's birthdate). Then a second son, named EDWIN KERSHAW, was born September 6, 1910 in Openshaw,Manchester. Henry, Sr. worked as an oyster dealer, barman and salesman, at different times, each time trying to improve his family's lifestyle. Over the years they also lived in several different rental homes. A few years later the family was ready for a new life in America. After George and Jemima were settled they paid the passage for Henry, Sr. and their son-in-law, George Prophet. They sailed out of Liverpool on one of the many passenger ships headed for the United States. They traveled on the maiden voyage of the newest Cunard ship of 1913, named SS ALAUNIA, leaving November 27, 1913. They landed at the Port of Boston on December 6, 1913.     Four months later Henry sent for his wife, Ethel. She came with their three children. It was the Cunard Line, SS CARMANIA that carried the family to Boston. They left Liverpool on April 14, 1914 and arrived on April 23, 1914. Ethel was described as 5' 4", fresh complexion, brown hair and grey eyes. Harry was listed as age 9 years (for April 1914, he was really 8 years old), Ethel - age 5 years, and Edward (Edwin) as 3 years old. Ethel and their children made their way to Henry's parent's home at 173 Hilldale Ave. in Haverhill in Essex County.

 PHOTOS OF THE BRITISH SHIPS - Click Here        

   The young immigrant family later settled in at 453 Hilldale Avenue in this peaceful New England town just north of Boston.  Henry felt he must start a job immediately.  Haverhill had several factories employing many workers who manufactured shoes.  He got a job at E. W. Bailey Shoe Factory at 48 Grande Street.  Yes, Henry would be starting in a line of work similar to what his father and grandfather had done in Manchester but there still was the hope of opportunity in the years ahead in his new homeland.  Plus earning money ($1.00 to $2.00 a day) was a great necessary for a growing family.

        Harry Kershaw.     
          
        As the years moved on Henry, Sr. rose to the position of foreman at the shoe factory.  The family was not rich but had all their needs provided.
        Young Harry Jr. started school at Wingate Grammar School in Haverhill in 1914.  He excelled in his academics and made friends very easily.  Reading and comprehension  came very quickly to Harry and he surpassed many of his fellow classmates.
 

ADDITIONAL FAMILIES ARRIVE FROM ENGLAND

        Henry, Sr. and Ethel encouraged their families back in England to move to America.  They were happy in their new adopted homeland and wanted the rest of the family to share in their life in Massachusetts.  Henry's father and mother, George William and Jemima Kershaw, had came earlier to America in 1912.  They had a place to live just down the street from Henry.  It was located at 173 Hilldale Avenue in Haverhill.  Not only did Henry's parents come but also Henry's two sisters (Elizabeth and Margaret) and three of his brothers (John, Edwin (Edward), and Frederick).  One brother, George Kershaw, Jr., remained in England as a soldier in the British Army. His Military career - about 1915 - 1919 - with the Seaforth Highlanders (regiment dates back to 1778). A private in rank but aide to an officer (who won the military cross). In a letter to his mother in January 29, 1918: "He has been made an officer's servant and where his officer goes he goes. The last time we went over the top, he won the military cross, he is a brave chap. I am hanging on, keep going into action and out again. We were in the trenches for Christmas dinner (Dec. 25, 1917). I have been among a lot of USA soldiers in France. They are a fine lot of fellows. It will be a blessing when this war is over. This is my third winter now doing my bit. We are having lots of snow and frost and us kiltles feel it." (From: Haverhill newspaper (draft board - January 1918). George was wound several times, each time taking weeks to recover in a hospital in England. The Seaforth Highlanders Reg. # 23506 - George was a private. Labour Corp Reg. # 634600 - George was a private. But on April 18, 1922, he too joined the Kershaw family in Essex County. He came first by himself on the SS SCYTHIA arriving at Ellis Island, NY. His family followed later leaving their home at 2 Brown Street, Blackrod, Lancashire, England. George later did return to England permanently, dying about 1963 in Bolton, Eng.   George William Kershaw's two other brothers remained in England.
        Along with the immediate family came the wives, husbands and children of George William's sons and daughters.  All had left Manchester to try and start fresh in America.  One family from Manchester that had intermarried with the Kershaw family in England was the Prophet family.  George Green Prophet, Sr. (born July 8, 1880) married Elizabeth Kershaw (George William's daughter and Henry, Sr.'s sister) in early 1902 in Manchester.  After four children (George Green, Jr., Margaret Ellen, Wilfred, and Harry Prophet) were born to the family, they all crossed the Atlantic in between 1913 - 1914 (George arrived December 1913) bound for Massachusetts.  They settled in Haverhill, living at 247 Hilldale Avenue.  A few years later two more sons, Stanley (June 17, 1916) and Kenneth Carl Prophet (December 20, 1920), were born to George and Elizabeth Kershaw Prophet in Haverhill.

        After arrival in Massachusetts and setting in, George William Kershaw found employment at the Pentucket Mills in Haverhill.  It was a thread and textile factory, very much what he was familiar with back in Manchester.
        But George William Kershaw's time in America was short.  He passed away at about age 60 years in Haverhill on Sunday, February 25, 1917.  Jemima, his widow, did have her family around her to help during this difficult time.  George was buried in Haverhill.

        As the decade of the 1910's moved on the United States had its male citizen's register for the U.S. military draft.  War was raging in Europe and the U.S. had to be prepared.    So Henry, Sr. also registered for the military draft, ready to serve if he was needed.
 

THE YOUNG FAMILY GROWS

        When the United States entered the Great War of 1918, Henry, Sr. was not drafted but better served the nation by continuing his work as foreman at the show factory.  His sons were too young, only 13 and 8 years old. 
        Young Harry Jr. completed his schooling at the Wingate Grammar School in 1919.  He then went on to Haverhill High School in the fall of 1919. By January of 1920 the family moved to the small town of Plaistow in Rockingham Co., NH. They lived on Main Street. Henry worked as a finisher at Wood Heal Factory and the oldest son, Harry was an errand boy at Bow Manufacturer Co. Henry and Ethel had a third son, "unnamed" because he died at birth on April 21, 1920. The rest of the family remained in Haverhill.   Harry had skipped a couple grades along the way as he was so advanced beyond the regular students.
        On April 9, 1923, a fifth child was born in Merrimac, Essex Co. (where the family moved to next) to Henry, Sr. and Ethel.  The fourth son, named Robert Howard Kershaw, became the darling of the family.  His nickname became Bobby and he was well looked after by his older two brothers and one sister.
        Before Merrimac, the family returned to Haverhill briefly. Harry, Jr. at age 15 years and 9 months felt the Haverhill High School had nothing else to offer him.  He saw a greater need in helping provide additional income to his family.  So without graduating from high school, Harry left school and found employment at the Haverhill Last Works in June 1921.  He stayed there for three years before being hired at the H. C. Leschke Heel Company, making wooden heels,in Haverhill, where his father was now foreman.  He did break his left heel when he was 17 years old. Harry continued to live at home and financially helped his family. Harry Kershaw, Jr. - born Sept. 23, 1905 in England ----- on September 23rd in 2005 ---- marks the 100th Anniversary of this birth.
 

HARRY, JR. AND THE MILITARY         In June 1927, Harry was restless and wanted a change from the factory work.  He saw a career in the U.S. Army as a great opportunity.  He would travel, learn new things, and meet different people.  So at age 21 years and 9 months he enlisted in the Army at the recruitment office in Boston.  Without a birth certificate, his mother, Ethel, had to sign his military papers stating Harry was over 21 years old. She also stated Harry was born in Haverhill, MA, USA. Why she did this may never be known. Also whether Harry ever knew he was really born in England will go in the files of the unsolved. For every document he ever filled out over the next five decades, he stated he was an USA citizen and born in Haverhill. (The same was true for his brother, Edwin, whose nickname was TED.)  PHOTOS OF MID-1920'S - Click Here  MARKING HARRY'S 100TH BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY - Click Here         Now Harry was set to begin his great adventure.  His Army serial number was A0477970.   After basic training, Harry was stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii (a territory of the United States in the 1920s) with the U.S. Army Signal Corps.  He quickly rose to rank of sergeant.  After his first 3-year enlistment he signed up for another 3 years.  He saw his greatest strengths in the administrative field.  He was good at organization and completing the details on any project.
        During Harry's time away from home he wrote letters and sent photos to his family.  The family had moved to Lynn, Massachusetts (just outside the Boston city limits) to a house at 8th Broad Street.  Many other members of the Kershaw and Prophet families remained in Haverhill but the town of Lynn offered Henry, Sr. and Ethel  job opportunities in the shoe factories there. The family moved to many different houses over the years.
They later moved to a house at 10 Norcross Terrace in Lynn. 
 
        In the time frame between 1929 and 1932,  Harry's only  sister,  Ethel  had married  (her husband was Robert Leschke, born 1905 in Germany, coming to America in 1911).  They lived at 380 Greenwood St. in Millbury, MA. She also had a child, named Mildred P. Leschke - born on March 8, 1933. Some records, like the Worcester City Directory 1934, show a listing and property for Ethel and a separate listing of residence for Robert Leschke. Whether there were any personal problems between the couple is unknown as of this date. But events soon changed totally. Ethel died of Pulmonary Tuberculosis at the Tewksbury State Hospital. She had been treated from June 1, to July 28, 1935 and died at 4:25 p.m. on July 28th. She was only 26 years old. She was buried at Elmwood Cemetery in Haverhill, MA on July 31, 1935.   Robert Leschke, who was born Dec. 17, 1905, remarried Nov. 1935 to Josephine Kristolaitis and they later had two children. Mildred was raised by her step-mother. Her father never spoke much of Mildred's mother over the years. Mildred went on to marry and had two of her own children and continued to live in Worcester, MA. Her father died on April 16, 1981, in Worcester, Worcester Co., MA. Josephine lived until March 1992. It would be 2002 when Mildred would learn more of her Kershaw Roots from her Cousin Alice. That empty feeling over the loss of her mother at such a young age was now mended just a little.
                                                       Photo:  Two men in back are unknown,
                                                                                     Ethel, Henry, & Bobbie - abt 1927
        The family was struck with heartache earlier with the sudden death of George Green Prophet, Jr., who had married Elizabeth Kershaw in 1902.  George had worked as a (bricklayer in England) and brick mason in Haverhill and was very fit.  In the 1930 census he and his family lived at 247 Hilldale Ave. in Haverhill. He owned his home ($4,000 value)and had his six children at home. But he died of malignant endocardities on May 9, 1931, at age 50 years old.  This left his widow, Elizabeth, with six children ranging from ages 27 to 10 years.  PHOTOS OF KERSHAW FAMILY MEMBERS - Click Here         By mid-1933, it was time to decide about reenlistment for Harry.  But this was also a time in America of high employment which began in late 1929 and was referred to as America's Great Depression.  If Harry had wanted to be a regular civilian, there was little chance of steady employment.  So there was no second thoughts, Harry reenlisted for another 3 years serving as a sergeant in the U.S. Army Infantry and was stationed at Ft. Hamilton in New York City. Being in New York allowed him the opportunity to experience NY nightlife and see boxing events, like the match with Mickey Walker (from whom he got the boxer's autograph) in the mid-1930's.   He also was issued in 1937 his Social Security number as that new federal program began in the nation in the mid-1930's.  His S. S. number was 020-16-9664.
  FAMILY GRIEF

        In early 1935, Harry's mother, Ethel Briggs Kershaw, was very ill.  She had been suffering from breast cancer since 1933 and there was very little medicine could do in the 1930's for such a disease.  On April 18, 1935, Ethel died and was later buried at Pine Grove Cemetery in Lynn, Massachusetts at the age of 53 years. There was never a tombstone or headstone placed at her grave. This could have been to the economic times, the middle of the Great Depression and the family didn't have enough money for a headstone.   It was very hard on the family and especially the youngest of Ethel's children, Bobby, who was only about 15 years old.
        But just over a year later, more suffering for the family.  Henry, Sr.'s mother, (Harry's grandmother) Jemima Smith Kershaw died on September 26, 1936 in Haverhill, Massachusetts of adeno-carcinoma of omentum.  She was just a few days short of her 79th birthday.  Jemima lived at 118 South Main Street in Haverhill.  She was buried next to her husband, George William, at the Hilldale Cemetery in Haverhill. Jemima had claimed a daughter, Clara Kershaw, as her own. There was a question if she was Jemima's daughter or really a grandchild.(Proof found in 2003 with Clara Kershaw's birth record from England, her father was Jemima's son, George. Clara's mother died in childbirth. Jemima did raise Clara as her "daughter".) Clara did marry Percy Sullivan in the late 1930's. Photo-below, right  
        The Prophet family in nearby Haverhill was of great comfort to the Kershaw family in Lynn.  One member of the Prophet family became very close to Henry, Sr. over the next two years.  She was Emma P. Prophet, the sister of George Green Prophet, Jr., who had never married.  Emma was born September 4, 1884 in England and had come to America in 1924, years after her brother and his family arrived.  So it came to be that on Thursday, June 24, 1937, that the Kershaw  and  Prophet families  were joined  again by marriage.  Emma and Henry, Sr. were married in Lynn, Massachusetts.

        Henry was not as able as he had been years earlier to serve as foreman in the shoe factory, so he left that job.  To go at a slower pace and still bring some money home, he worked as a custodian at a bank in Lynn. Henry started his paper work to gain his US citizenship in 1935 and it became official in December 1939, twenty-six years after arriving. NOTE: Henry, Sr. - on his papers for naturalization - he stated his sons, Harry, Jr. and Edwin were born in England.
        Harry, Jr. continued during the 1930's in the U.S. Army.  By 1938, with the establishment of a separate U. S. Air Force, he saw this as an opportunity to advance in a new military branch.  In 1938, Harry joined the regular Air Force as a corporal.  He still served in the administrative fields but did enjoy learning how to fly a plane as a hobby.
 

        Having been in the service over ten years, Harry had traveled a great deal and seen many things.  He had also dated many ladies but never had settled on one special person.  That changed with Gertrude E. Hanson, who was born on August 9, 1905 in Rhode Island.  They decided to marry on January 14, 1939 in Lynn, MA.   But it would mean Gertrude remaining in Lynn and then living at 40 Kingstown Road in Peace Dale, Rhode Island as Harry was stationed at his different assignments.  Harry would try to be at their home in Peace Dale whenever possible between the years 1939 and 1946 but those years also saw the world at war for a second time during the 20th century.

        Emma Prophet Kershaw (Harry's step mother) worked at Magrane Dept. C. on Market Street in Lynn for many years after Henry's death in 1940.  She continued to live in Lynn near other Prophet family members. She died in August 21,1983, (living in Sarasota, FL) almost reaching the age of 99 years. She was buried in Sarasota, FL.
        Harry's uncle, Edward (Edwin)Kershaw had married Margaret Dolan and they had a son, Russell E. Kershaw, born about 1916 and a son, named Arthur W. Kershaw, born about 1918 in Mass. Edwin worked as a foreman for the Wood Heal Shop in the 1920's. He passed away on December 9, 1955 in Haverhill and Margaret on November 1979 in Haverhill.  Uncle John Kershaw died in Haverhill in March of 1963.  Uncle Frederick Kershaw (who was born August 28, 1884) lived during the 1950's at 420 Groveland Street in Haverhill and had been self-employed most of his life as a plumber, owning his own business.  He was married to Isabelle H. Taylor (1888-1941) They had a daughter, Elsie Taylor Kershaw on Aug. 9, 1921. She married James Carideo and they had six children. Elsie died Dec. 2, 1998 in NH.   Frederick had remarried to Helen F. Marchback (1914 - 1996). Frederick died on February 15, 1963 in Haverhill.    Harry's aunt, Margaret (Maggie) married Joseph Wilman and they had 2 sons.  But over the years Harry had little or no contract with his Massachusetts family and they were not aware what was happening with him.
 

        Harry's own marriage to Gertrude no longer existed by the late 1940's.  While his divorce was in its processing stage, his life was about to change.  By September 1948, he was stationed in Panama City, Florida on recruiting duty.  From October 22 to December 8, 1948, he was at the Adjutant General's School for special training in Ft. Lee, Virginia.  It was on the presidential Election Day of that November 9th morning in 1948 that Harry was introduced to U.S. (WAC) Army Lt. Nan M. Everhart by mutual friends.  During their breakfast meeting they talked and even continued to see each other for the remainder of the weeks that Harry was at Ft. Lee.  Even after returning to Panama City after December 8th, Harry and Nan continued to correspond and meet in different locations whenever both had some leave time.  They became very close in a few short months and each knew they wanted to be together forever.  Harry's divorce from Gertrude in Bay County, FL, would not be final until April 14, 1949.  But Nan made plans to resign from the military service in March and gather her things for the move to Florida.  On Wednesday, April 27, 1949, Harry and Nan were married by the Justice of the Peace in Bonifay, Holmes County, Florida.  By July, 1949, Harry retired from the military after 22 years.
 

        As the new 20th century dawned nearly a hundred years ago, a branch of the Kershaw family took that first step to a new homeland, led by George and Jemima, Henry George and Ethel Briggs Kershaw.  The first United States citizen born within the family, was Robert Howard Kershaw.  There would be more family members to come from England in those first twenty years.  More children, grandchildren and great grandchildren would be the many descendants of the Kershaws moving to America.

        The Harry Kershaw branch continues into the 21st century with his children, grandchildren and great grandsons named Tyler Anthony Kershaw (born March 18, 1995), Joshua Dylan Kershaw (born January 9, 2001)and Nicholas Allen Kershaw (born Aug. 9, 2001 - birthday anniversary of his gr, grandmother, Nan E. Kershaw).  Now a great granddaughter (daughter of Elizabeth Kershaw) was born March 28, 2002. She was named Fayth Amber Kershaw. The newest great grandchild - born to Dawn Teepe Knightly and her husband, Shannon Knightly is Madison Ann Knightly - born April 21, 2004. Dawn and Shannon's second child, Makayla Lee, born February 2006. There are even more great grandchildren, those born to Howard F. Kershaw's daughter. In mid-2002, the first family and the second family of Harry's have now come together for the first time. A reunion of Kershaws was held in Orlando in mid-July, with Alice, Carol, Robert and Gordon Kershaw in attendence along with spouses and a couple children. The first grandchild of Henry & Ethel Kershaw, Mildred P. Leschke Bilbilian (Ethel's only child)and her family has also learned of her Kershaw family history through the efforts of Alice (the author of this site). The first Kershaws in America may not have been rich or famous but they did set the stage to allow future generations to achieve their own goals and set their own standards.  Long hours of work in a factory did not have to continue.  There were other avenues open to each including a college education.  Some descendants would  achieve a four-year college degrees and  many other descendants would also make their mark in America.

        The sources for the family history of the Kershaws are quite varied.  They include an early family history in note form written by Nan Kershaw based on verbal information given her by Harry Kershaw.  Old photos of Harry's with dates and names on them provide data.  Copies of Naturalization records (1935-1939) for Henry G. Kershaw and Social Security along with military records were excellent sources.  Birth, marriage and death certificates along with information from internet ancestral databases (such as census records from England) were helpful.  Even information was secured from Manchester, England using Church records. Newest information is from Robert Howard Kershaw (April 1923-Oct. 2002), Jeff Kershaw, Gordon F. Kershaw, Susan Kershaw, Debbie Kershaw Ebbert and Mildred Leschke Bilbilian.