James Whitaker Tinsdale was born on 9 December 1826 to John Tinsdale and Mary, possibly in the Woodhouse area of Leeds. He married Maria Richardson on 25 January 1851 at St Peter’s Church in Leeds though the marriage register records his name as James Tinsdale Whitaker and his father as John Whitaker. It would appear that James was illiterate as he put his mark to the register. James was a labourer and lived in Woodhouse Carr, Maria lived in Chapeltown.
The 1851 Census shows James and Maria living with Maria’s parents, William and Mary. James was an agricultural labourer (or ag.lab.) The census doesn’t give any addresses but they appear to have lived on or near the Harrogate Road in Chapel Allerton.
James and Maria had the following children:
- Mary (1852-1854)
- Jane (1855-1928)
- Sarah Ann (1859-1938)
- Frank (1868-1921)
The 1861 Census records the family living on “Old High Road”. James is shown to be working as a labourer in a skinhouse.
By 1871 the family were living on Regent Street, possibly at the British Workmen Memorial Hall? The Census records the family surname as Whitaker rather than Tinsdale. James was working as a leather dresser.
In the 1881 Census James, Maria, Sarah Ann and Frank were still living on Regent Street at the “British Workman”. James was still a leather dress.
Maria died on 27 October 1886.
The 1891 Census shows James as a widower and leather dresser living at 4 Well Lane. Sarah Ann was still at home living as a housekeeper and James’ sister-in-law, Jane Richardson, was also living with them. She was 78 years old, single and “living on her own means”.
In 1901 James, Sarah Ann along with Jane Richardson were still at 4 Well Lane and James was the “Caretaker British Workman”.
James died on 9 July 1909. He was now living at 32 Hawthorn Mount, just round the corner from his previous home. He was buried on 12 July in St Matthew’s churchyard.
In Loving Memory of
MARIA
THE BELOVED WIFE OF
JAMES WHITAKER TINSDALE
WHO DIED OCT 27TH 1886 IN HER 56TH YEAR
ALSO THE ABOVE JAMES WHITAKER
WHO DIED JULY 9TH 1909 AGED 82 YEARS
THY WILL BE DONE
Probate reads:
TINSDALE James Whitaker of 32 Hawthorn Mount Chapel Allerton Leeds leather dresser died 9 July 1909 Probate Wakefield 11 August to William James Cousins gentleman and George Bigglestone bricklayer.
Effects £504 11s. 3d.