Robert Whitaker (1855 - 1907)

Born 1 Dec 1855 in Over Wyresdale, Lancashire, England

Ancestors

Died 8 Jun 1907 at age 51 in Wood End Farm, Dunsop Bridge, Clitheroe, Lancashire, England

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Biography

Robert was born on 1 December 1855 in Over Wrysedale, Lancs. He was the son of Robert Whitaker and Dorothy (Pye) Whitaker. Robert Whitaker's birth was registered in the Oct-Nov-Dec quarter of 1855 in the Lancaster district.^[1]

Robert died at the age of 51 on 8 June 1907 in Wood End Farm, Dunsop Bridge, Clitheroe.

Notes

Sketch of Life of John Whitaker states: "Robert was born on December 1st, 1855. When Joseph left home, Robert in his turn took over the management of the farm at Abbeystead, which about this time was made a good deal larger by the addition of John Pye's farm. We moved into J. Pye's house after it was re-modelled, and our old house from that time became a cottage...Robert married Margaret Place, daughter of Thomas and Ann (nee Wood) Place, of Dunkinshaw Over-Wyresdale, and they went to a farm in Fulwood, near Preston, where he had the misfortune to lose his wife. The little daughter that was born to them, named Ann, was given to her sister at Dunkinshaw, where she still resides...

During this time I was managing the farm for mother at Abbeystead, and as Robert was coming home, I obtained the position of Bailiff of the Abbeystead Estate...So Robert came home again and took up his old position. In about seven years Robert again married, this time Isabella Simpson, daughter of John and Jennet (nee Pye) Simpson, of Broughton, near Preston, and she came to Abbeystead. Again he had the misfortune to lose his wife, who left a little daughter, Jennet Isabella, a boy having previously died in infancy...

"In a few years Robert married again, this time to Fanny Drinkall second daughter of John and Betty (nee Pye) Drinkall, of Marshaw, Over-Wyresdale. In 1906 Robert removed from Abbeystead to Wood End Farm, Dunsop Bridge, Bowland. I think his reason for leaving Abbeystead was the great loss he had in his cattle.

"Robert died June 8th, 1907, aged 51 years, twelve days before William Thomas was born. He was a sterling man and thoroughly respected. He was a Chorister in Wyresdale Church Choir from a boy, and wasSunday School teacher until he left Abbeystead. Then he became Rector Garnett's right hand man at Bishop's House, and at times had to take the services. He was Parish Councillor from the time the Actcame into force in Wyresdale. At one time he was Highway Surveyor, and a Governor and Manager of Abbeystead School for a number of years. He was one of the originators of the cattle and sheep sales at Abbeystead.

"A short, vigorous, and noble life."

Sources

1. ↑ Birth Registration: "England & Wales General Register Office", GRO Online Indexes - Birth (accessed 21 January 2023), Whitaker, Robert (Mother's maiden name: Pye). GRO Reference: 1855 Oct-Nov-Dec in Lancaster Volume 08E Page 479.

Acknowledgments

• Profile Whitaker-1905 was created through the import of Whitakers-other.ged on Jan 9, 2015 by Graham Whitaker.