Eliza (Yates) Gadd (1830 - 1908)

Born 1830 in Chaddesley Corbet, Worcestershire, England

Wife of Joseph Gadd — married 6 Feb 1848 in Dudley, Worcestershire, England

Died 7 Apr 1908 at about age 78 in Rowley Regis, Staffordshire, England

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Helen Gadd [send private message]

Biography

Eliza Yates was born in about 1830 at Chaddesley Corbet, Worcestershire.

Eliza Yates married Joseph Gadd on 6 February 1848 at St. Thomas' Church in Dudley. Details from their marriage certificate show Joseph was a bachelor and a minor. He was employed as a rivet maker. His father was named as Thomas Gadd, also a rivet maker. Eliza was a spinster and a minor. Her father was named as James Yates, a labourer. Their witnesses were Henry Gadd, Joseph’s uncle, and Joseph Hill. Henry signed with his mark.

In the 1851 census this couple were living at New Ross, Rowley Regis. Joseph, aged 22, and Eliza, aged 21, were both working as nailers. [HO 107/2028 144 Pg 22]

Known children of this couple were Hannah Gadd born 1853, Sarah Ann Gadd born 1855, Dinah Ellen Gadd born 1857, Joseph Gadd born 1861 and Issachar Gadd born 1866, all born in the parish of Rowley Regis.

Four of their children were baptised at St. Giles Church, Rowley Regis. Hannah was baptised on 30 October 1853; Sarah Ann on 16 September 1855; Joseph on 15 September 1861 and Issachar on 20 May 1866. At each baptism their parents were named as Joseph Gadd, a rivet maker, and Eliza Gadd. Their address was given as New Ross, Ross and then Blackheath for both sons.

Daughter Hannah died aged 4 months of inflamation of the lungs. She was buried on 8 January 1854.

Then daughter Sarah died aged 10 months of teething. She was buried on 20 April 1856.

In 1861 the family was living at Blackheath. Joseph, aged 32, was a rivet maker. Eliza was aged 31 and working as a nailer. Daughter Dinah was aged 3 years. [RG9/2037 104 Pg 12]

In 1871 the family's address was still shown simply as Blackheath. Joseph, aged 42, was still a rivet maker. Eliza was aged 41. Dinah was aged 13, Joseph aged 9 and Issachar aged 5. Also living with them was boarder John Rowe, aged 24, employed as a rivet maker and apprentice rivet maker George James, aged 18. [RG10/2992, 122 Pg 31]

It is clear from the following newspaper article that Joseph had his own business and employed men as rivet makers.

From The Birmingham Post dated 16 October 1871, Pg 8 - THE WAGES AGITATION IN THE RIVET AND STUD TRADE. From enquires made at Black Heath, Rowley Regis, and neighbourhood, on Saturday evening, it appears that a number of employers of labour in the above trade are willing to give the men the list price asked for a fortnight ago. The men, under the circumstances, have agreed not to strike yet, but to wait and see the result of this concession upon the other masters, some of whom have asked for another week’s consideration of the matter. The men have called a meeting for this afternoon, in order that the general sense of the rivet and stud makers may be taken upon this point. The leaders seem determined that the men shall leave work, if at the end of that time the advance is not given; and a second meeting is arranged for Saturday night, to learn what other firms are favourable to the men’s wishes. The following is a list of firms who have agrred to give the list price:- Mr. Joseph Taylor, Mr. James Slin [sic], Mr. John Clay, Mr. Thomas Gadd, Mr. Joseph Gadd, Mr. James Gadd, and Mr. Thomas Smith. These firms represent Rowley. In Old Hill the firms are Mr. David Willetts and Mr. Benjamin Priest.

Thomas Gadd was Joseph's brother and James Gadd his uncle. They each had their own businesses.

Joseph Gadd died on 28 February 1876 aged 47 years.

The Will of Joseph Gadd late of Blackheath, Rowley Regis in the County of Stafford, Rivet Maker who died 28 February 1876 at Blackheath, Rowley Regis in the county of Stafford, Rivet Maker was proved at Lichfield on 10 May 1876 by Eliza Gadd of Tump road, Rowley Regis, Widow, the relict the sole executrix. Effects under £200.

His will read as follows - This is the last Will and Testament of me Joseph Gadd of Blackheath in the parish of Rowley Regis in the county of Stafford Rivet Maker

I give devise and bequeath all my messuages lands tenements and hereditaments and all my household furniture ready money goods and chattels and all other my real and personal estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever unto my dear wife Eliza Gadd her heirs executors administrators and assigns to and for her and their own absolute use and benefit according to the nature and quality thereof respectively subject only to the payment of my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses and the charges of proving and registering this my will and I appoint my said wife Executor of this my Will and hereby revoke all other Wills

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this twenty fourth day of February one thousand eight hundred and seventy six: Joseph Gadd. Signed by the said Testator as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us present at the same time who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses: Shadrach Hadley [Joseph's brother in law, husband of his sister Jael] of Blackheath, Rivet Maker and Ezra Hadley, Wheelwright of Blackheath.

In the 1881 census the family was living at 21 Tump Rd, Blackheath. Eliza, aged 51, and sons Joseph, aged 19, and Issachar, aged 15, were all described as rivet manufacturers, clearing continuing the business Joseph started. Grandson John Southall, son of Dinah, aged 4 was also staying with them. [RG11/2859 6 Pg 6]

In 1891 Eliza and son Issachar and his family were still at 21 Tump Rd. Eliza, aged 60, was stated to have been living on her own means. Issachar, aged 25, was still working as a rivet maker, perhaps running a reduced business. His wife Rebecca was aged 24 and their children Maud, Annie and Lillian were aged 5, 3 and 1 years respectively. [RG12/2279 119 Pg 7]

In 1901 Eliza, aged 71, was shown as living at 46 Tump Road. Living with her were two of her grandchildren Ann[ie] aged 13 and Issachar aged 7, both children of son Issachar. [RG 13/2730 138 Pg 23]

Eliza Gadd died on 7 April 1908 aged 77 years.

From the Index of Wills and Administrations - GADD Eliza of 46 Beeches road, Blackheath, Staffordshire, widow, died 7 April 1908 Probate Lichfield 28 April 1908 to Dinah Ellen Southall (wife of John Southall) of 51 Forbes Street in the City of Manchester the Daughter and Joseph Gadd of 40 Beeches Road blacksmith the Son of the deceased the Executors. Effects £483 17s 8d

The name Tump Road was changed to Beeches Road, as it is still called today.

Eliza's will read as follows - This is the last Will and Testament of me Eliza Gadd of Tump Road Blackheath in the County of Stafford Widow

I revoke all former wills by me at any time heretofore made and I appoint my children Dinah Ellen Southall and Joseph Gadd to be Executors and Trustees hereof

I direct that all my just debts and funeral and testamentary expenses shall be paid as soon as conveniently may be after my decease

I give and bequeath my bed and my wearing apparel to my said daughter Dinah Southall and I give and bequeath my policy of Assurance and the moneys payable thereunder (amounting to twenty two pounds) to my said daughter and my said son Joseph Gadd in equal shares and I give and bequeath all the residue of my personal estate to my three children the said Dinah Southall and Joseph Gadd and Issachar Gadd in equal shares

I devise unto my said Trustees all the real estate of which I shall die possessed upon trust to sell the same wither by public auction or private contract and to divide the proceeds between my said three children Dinah Southall Joseph Gadd and Issachar Gadd in equal shares

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of April one thousand eight hundred and ninety six: Eliza Gadd. Signed and acknowledged by the said Eliza Gadd the Testator as her Will in the presence of us present at the same time who in her presence at her request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses: J. Sutton Shayer, Solicitor of West Bromwich and Chas. Hy. Darby, his Articled Clerk.

Joseph and Eliza were buried together at St. Giles Church Graveyard, Rowley Regis [Front of church, Hawes Lane Row 1: 1]. Their headstone reads - In affectionate remembrance of Joseph Gadd late of this parish who departed this life February 28 1876 age 47. Also of Hannah and Sarah Ann daughters of the above who died in infancy. Also of Eliza beloved … who passed to rest April 7th 1908 aged 77.