George Bickerdike was born on 5 March 1839 in the Bramley area of Leeds to Matthew Bickerdike and Mary (nee Smith). He was baptised at St Peter’s Church in Bramley on 31 March 1839.
His father was farming at Lofthouse near Harewood in 1841 at the time of the census but by 1851 the family had moved to a farm in Low Gipton, George was a scholar aged 12.
The 1861 Census shows George working as a “Farmer’s son” for his father at Oak Tree Farm in Low Gipton. He married Emma Abbey on the 26 September 1863 at St Matthew’s Church. George is recorded as a 25 year old farmer in Gipton, Emma as the 25 year old daughter of Inn Keeper Edward Abbey of Gipton.
George seems to have changed occupation and according to the 1871 Census was working as a Grocer living at 40 Markham Place in Leeds. George and Emma hadn’t any children but did have a servant.
George’s mother died in 1878 and his father seems to have retired moving to Boston Spa. George appears to have taken over Low Gipton Farm and possibly a second farm – a total of 79 Acres – by the time of the 1881 Census.
The 1891 Census shows George and Emma still farming at Low Gipton with three farm servants.
George was 62 years old at the time of the 1901 Census, he had retired from farming and was “living on own means” on Main Street, Thorner with Emma.
George died on 28 October 1902 aged 63 years and was buried on 1 November in St Matthew’s Churchyard. Probate suggests that George and Emma had moved to 16 Gipton Mount, Gathorne Terrace, on Roundhay Road and that he died in the Leeds Infirmary.
IN MEMORY OF
MATTHEW, SON OF
MATTHEW AND MARY BICKERDIKE
OF GIPTON WHO DIED APRIL 9TH 1844
AGED 11 MONTHS
ALSO SARAH DAUGHTER OF THE ABOVE
WHO DIED SEPTEMBER 21ST 1853
AGED 9 MONTHS
ALSO MARY THE BELOVED WIFE OF
MATTHEW BICKERDIKE
AND MOTHER OF THE ABOVE CHILDREN
WHO DIED DECEMBER 27TH 1878
AGED 65 YEARS
Heaven rejoices but nature weeps
ALSO THE ABOVE MATTHEW BICKERDIKE
FATHER OF THE ABOVE CHILDREN
WHO DIED JUNE 22ND 1886
IN THE 75TH YEAR OF HIS AGE
ALSO GEORGE SON OF THE ABOVE
MATTHEW BICKERDIKE WHO DIED
OCTOBER 28TH 1902 AGED 63 YEARS
Probate reads:
BICKERDIKE George of 16 Gipton-mount Gathorne-terrrace Roundhay-road Leeds died 28 October 1902 at the infirmary Leeds Probate Wakefield 15 December to Emma Bickerdike widow Effects £1069 5s. 4d.