George was born about 1847 in Eardisley in Herefordshire to Thomas Bigglestone. By the time of the 1871 Census he was living in Chapel Allerton as a lodger at 2 Ch: School Row and working as a “Stone Sawyer”.
George married Jane Whittaker Tinsdale on 8 January 1878 at St Peter’s Church in Leeds. The marriage record shows that he was working as a Bricklayer and living at Henbury Street which is just off Benson Street in the Sheepscar area of Leeds.
George and Jane had at least two children:
- Ethel Maria (c.1878-1931)
- Mary (1880-1972)
The 1881 census records that the family were living at “Claremont House” on Well Lane. George was still working as a brick layer, Jane was housewife with her two children and they had a lodger called William Bigglestone aged 29 who was a labourer and came from Eardisley in Herefordshire – I assume he was George’s brother.
In 1891 the family had moved to 12 Northbrook Street, George still working as a bricklayer, the children were both at school.
The family were still at 12 Northbrook Street at the time of the 1901 Census. George still worked as a brick layer. Ethel worked as a shop assistant and Mary was working as a dressmaker.
In 1911 George and Jane still lived at 12 Northbrook Street but George was now working as Caretaker at the National School – what is now Chapel Allerton Primary School. Their daughter, Mary, had married and been widowed. She was now Mary Corner and was living at no.12 with her daughter Edna jane. They also had a visitor – 71 year old Lucy Cameron from Scotland.
George’s wife, Jane, died on 30 September 1928. They were still living at 12 Northbrook Street. When George died on 10 April 1931 he was living at 28 Northbrook Street. He was buried in the graveyard at St matthew’s on 13 April.
Probate for George reads:
BIGGLESTONE George of 28 Northbrook-street Chapel Allerton Leeds died 10 April Probate London 21 May to William Henry McEllroy solicitor’s clerk. Effects £863 2s. 10d.
In Ever Loving Memory of
JANE
BELOVED WIFE OF GEORGE BIGGLESTONE
WHO DIED SEP. 30TH 1928
AGED 75 YEARS
AT REST
ALSO OF THE ABOVE NAMED
GEORGE BIGGLESTONE
WHO DIED APRIL 10TH 1931
AGED 85 YEARS
IN GOD’S KEEPING