Background and history as related to Carl E. and Velda H. Johnson by Edith Norris, 656 Tonge Moor Road, Bolton, England, August 18, 1968. Mrs. Norris stated substantially as follows:

"I can recall very vividly a story I heard repeated many times, when I was a little girl, of a local girl named Betsy Haslam, who was in service to the Duke of Bridgewater of Worsley and gave birth to an illegitimate son, whom she named John. This John was reared in Bolton and when he became of age he served in the British Navy for a while. A few years later he left for America, never to return to England. However, his relatives, the Hardmans and the Openshaws corresponded with him frequently. This story was told and retold, in great detail, for many years and I can recall how fascinated I was with it, but how mother would send me out of the room when discussions concerning this matter took place. Mother thought my ears too tender for such delicate matters. However, this story was common knowledge in the town of Bolton for many years.

Betsy Haslam, mother of John S. Haslam was born in Bolton, Lancashire, England about 1794. She is a descendant of the Haslams who came from the outskirts of Bolton called Ainsworth, Harwood, Turton, Affetside, and Bradshaw, all little village north of Bolton. The old estate of the Haslams was located at Haslam Hey at Ainsworth. There are more Haslams than any other family in Bolton. Also in Ainsworth the Openshaws were a family of substance and fine repute.

Prior to the Industrial Revolution (1790), the Haslams were engaged in farming, but also were skilled spinners and weavers, having no doubt obtained their training and knowledge from the Flemish weavers who migrated to England generations before. Haslam spun goods enjoyed a fine reputation and for many years the Haslams prospered.

With the coming of the Industrial Revolution and unable to compete with the machines of the modern factory they were forced to seek employment in the coal mines in order to support their families and to hold their farms. The Haslams were a proud people and could not reconcile themselves to work in the factories producing what they felt was an inferior product. In order to survive, whole families would work in the coal mines and young children especially of about eight years of age were highly prized because they could crawl into the narrow coal seams to pluck out those extra few pounds that meant survival rather than extinction. Never in history had Bolton suffered such a devastating blow as the introduction of modern machinery to its economy.

It was during times like these, and perhaps they were a contributing factor, that caused Elizabeth (Betsy) Haslam to go into service at the estate of the Duke of Bridgewater located at Worsley near Bolton. It was not uncommon for the mistress of the estate to select girls from the staff to work and reside in the main house. Betsy was one of those girls.

The Duke of Bridgewater enjoyed an excellent relationship with the Royal family at Windsor Castle near London and was held in high regard because of his engineering skill in canal and bridge construction. The Duke of Bridgewater visited Windsor Castle on many occasions and likewise Prince William was the guest of the Duke and it was not uncommon for royalty to include their servants and staff on these occasions. It is reasonable certain that Betsy accompanied the Bridgewater party during their visits to Windsor Castle. During the period of service she bore an illegitimate son, whom she named John.

This event was greatly talked about by the people of Bolton and they were convinced Prince William had fathered the child. Whether this allegation was justified or not there was ample evidence that several years before Prince William had sired a number of illegitimate children by an actress with whom he lived openly for many years. There was no attempt to keep these events a secret, and on his eldest illegitimate son he openly conferred the title of the Duke of Clarence. Settlements were also made upon his other illegitimate children and their welfare was openly acknowledged.
 

On June 11, 1818, Prince William (later to become King William IV) married Adelaide, daughter of the Duke of Sax-Meiningen, with whom he lived happily for many years. Two daughters were born of this union, but both died during their childhood.

John S. Haslam was born March 3, 1823, but no acknowledgment of an open settlement was ever forthcoming from the prince because of this marriage. However, I believe Elizabeth (Betsy) Haslam died and John Haslam was adopted and reared by the Hardmans. Jane Haslam Hardman was Betsy's sister. This would lend support to the fact that there seemed to be substance and means behind the Hardman family. The local people assumed this support came from the Royal family since the Hardmans appeared to prosper even during economically depressed times. There is no doubt in my mind but that this John Haslam and your grandfather are one and the same person. For the story that I have heard all my life and the facts that you have told me are more than a mere coincidence."