Calvert, John Procter (1810-1881)

John Procter Calvert was born on the 27 April 1810, son of John Calvert and Jane (nee Procter). He was baptised at St Peter’s Church on 9 July 1810 and the baptism register tells us that the family were living on Briggate in Leeds.

John was educated at Leeds Grammar School, he is recorded in the school archives for December 1825 along with Christopher Calvert, son of William Calvert (I think he was brother to John).

John married Jane Butterworth at St Peter’s Church on 17 September 1845. The register shows that he was a Gun Maker living at Butt’s Court and that his father, John, was also a gun maker. Jane’s father was an engraver and so the parents may have worked together. John’s father died in April 1848 and I assume that John then took over running the business.

John and Jane had the following children:

• Ellen Sophia (1848-1925)

The 1851 Census shows that John, Jane and their daughter were living at 3 Butt’s Court in the centre of Leeds. John was 40 years old and working as a “Gunmaker & Dealer in fishing tackle”. Next door, at 2 Butt’s Court, lived his unmarried sisters Margaret (44) and Jane (42) who were both also described as “Gunmaker & Dealer in fishing tackle”. It appears that they each had a third part in running the business. The electoral registers show that John had “One-third Share of Four Free-hold Shops” on “Commercial street and Land’s lane”.

Jane died in 1851 not long after the 1851 Census.

At the time of the 1861 Census John was living at 2 Butt’s Court with his daughter Ellen, now aged 12 and a “scholar”, along with his sisters, Margaret and Jane. John was described as a “Gunsmith, Dealer in Fishing Tackle & archery Goods also Gold and Silver”. No occupation was listed for Margaret and Jane but I think they were probably still had a joint share in the business.

Jane died on 7 November 1870.

In 1871, at the time of the Census, John had moved to 6 Springfield Place along with his sister, Margaret. John’s occupation was recorded as “Gun Maker & Dealer in Fishing Tackle”. Margaret was recorded as “Partner in the above business”.

Margaret died on 27 October 1871.

By 1878 John had moved to Bank View Terrace in Chapel Allerton and he was still living there at the time of the 1881 Census when he was described as a “Retired Gunmaker” aged 70.

John died on 4 May 1881, not long after his 71st birthday, and he was buried on 7 May in the churchyard at St Matthew’s.

Probate reads:

CALVERT John Procter
31 May. The Will with a Codicil of John Procter Calvert formerly of Leeds but late of Chapel Allerton both in the County of York Gentleman who died 4 May 1881 at Chapel Allerton was proved at Wakefield by Joseph Chadwick of Normanby-villas Chapel Allerton Iron Merchant one of the Executors.
Personal Estate under £5,000.