William Middleton was born on 22 September 1807 to John Middleton and Anne in the Wakefield area. He was described as a “Gentlean Farmer” in 1834 but he also founded “Messrs Middleton & Sons – Solicitors” in the same year.

William married Mary Ward on 7 February 1838 at St Peter’s Church in Leeds. William was of full age and described as a solicitor living on Grove Terrace, his father was John Middleton, a joiner and cabinet maker. Mary was a spinster of full age living on Briggate, her father was John Ward, a hatter.

William and Mary had the following children:

The 1841 Census shows that William, Mary, John and Edwin were living on St George’s Terrace and that William was working as a solicitor and attorney at law.

The 1851 Census shows that the family were living at 12 St Georges Terrace. William was recorded as 42 years old and an “Attorney & Solicitor”. The family employed 3 servants, a cook, a nurse maid and a monthly nurse – Margaret was under 1 month old.

William and mary’s youngest son, Frank, was born about 1853 and he was baptised at St George’s Church. Frank died on 4 May 1857 and was buried in the churchyard of the church in Chapel Allerton suggesting that the family had moved to the area. William was also a church warden at the church from 1858 to 1874.

Mary died on 15 June 1859 aged 48 and was buried in the Chapel Allerton churchyard on 18 June. The burial record shows that the family were living at Gledhow Grange.

Shortly after, William remarried to Mary’s younger sister, Sarah Ward. The 1861 Census shows that William, Sarah and the surviving children were living on Gledhow Lane (possibly at Hawkhills). Both William and John William were working as Attorney at law, Edwin was a Cloth Merchant.

The 1871 Census shows William (63) and Sarah (51) living on Gledhow Lane with Anne (28), Arthur (25 – Articled Clerk), Robert (23 – Millwright), Charles (21 – Iron Master) and Margaret (20). It looks like Leonard had moved to New Zealand and he died there on 7 July 1879.

The 1881 Census clarifies that William was living at Hawk Hills on Gledhow Lane with Sarah and their widowed daughter, Annie. The census record also records that Sarah was the “Deceased Wife’s Sister”.

William died at Hawk Hills on 21 December 1884 and was buried in the Chapel Allerton churchyard on 21 December.

BENEATH ARE THE REMAINS OF FRANK
THE YOUNGEST CHILD OF WILLIAM AND
MARY MIDDLETON OF GLEHOW GRANGE.
HE DIED ON THE 4TH MAY 1857, AGED 4 YEARS
AND 5 MONTHS.
“OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN”

ALSO THE REMAINS OF THE ABOVE NAMED
MARY MIDDLETON WHO DIED ON THE 15TH
JUNE 1859, AGED 48 YEARS.
“THE MEMORY OF THE JUST IS BLESSED”

ALSO OF THE ABOVE NAMED WILLIAM
MIDDLETON, WHO DIED ON THE 21ST DECEMBER
1884 AGED 77 YEARS.
“SO HE BRINGETH THEM UNTO THEIR DESIFRED HAVEN”

Probate reads:

MIDDLETON William. 8 July. The Will of William Middleton late of Hawk-hills Chapel Allerton in the Parish of Leeds and of Leeds both in the County of York Solicitor who died 21 December 1884 at Hawkhills was proved at Wakefield by Edwin Middleton of Inagh Mount Ramshill-road Scarborough in the said County Gentleman and Robert Middleton of Gledhow Lodge Gledhow in the said Parish Engineer the Sons the surviving Executors.
Personal Estate £17.946 13s. 10d.