Weaste Cemetery

Biographies of people buried between 1900 & 09

Susan Walmsley (1827 - 1901)


 BURIED AT WEASTE CEMETERY

SUSAN WALMSLEY (1827 – 1901)


This is an unusual story that begins with a postcard of the front gates of Weaste Cemetery. It was sent on 13th September 1904 to Miss E Latham, 21 Mossfield Hill, Douglas, Isle of Man. It reads "Dear E., Do you know this place? It is where your dear Grandma is laid. With love, yours Mum."


The 1901 census for the Isle of Man shows the only Miss E Latham was Esther Elizabeth Latham, (born 1890 in Douglas) aged 11 who lived at 9, Pretoria Terrace, German, Isle of Man. Her mother was Eliza Alice (nee Walmsley) Latham (born 1851 in Blackburn, Lancashire) and her father was William Albert Walmsley (born 1851 in the City of Worcester) who was a Cabinet Maker. They were married on 20th December 1871 at St Clement's Church, Urmston, Lancashire. Eliza Alice died in 1907 in Douglas, Isle of Man, and William Albert remarried in 1910 and died in 1926 in German, Isle of Man.


Esther's mother, Eliza Alice nee Walmsley, was born in 1851 in Blackburn. Her father was William Walmsley (born 1820 in Blackburn) who was a Manager of a Cotton Mill and her mother was Ann Jane (nee Richardson) Walmsley (born 1829 in Withnell, Lancashire). Just before Eliza Alice was born, the 1851 census shows the family lived at Grimshaw Bridge, Yate and Pickup Bank, Blackburn. It showed that there were four siblings; Ann Jane's mother Jane Richardson (born in 1794 in Wigan); and William's unmarried cousin, Susan Walmsley (born 1827 in Blackburn) aged 24, who was a Frame Tenter in a Cotton Mill.


In 1854, the Blackburn Standard newspaper reported a "paternity" court case where Susan Walmsley had two children (one born in 1850 who died after 17 hours and one born in 1853) both to a married man "occupying a respectable position in society" and would not reveal his name. It is not recorded when William's wife Ann Jane Walmsley died, but in the 4th quarter of 1858, William married his cousin Susan Walmsley at Burnley by Registrar. There is no census record for 1861.


The 1871 census shows the family lived at the corner of Oldfield Road and Cow Lane, Salford. William was aged 52 (occupation not given), Susan was aged 44, Eliza Alice (Esther's mum) was aged 20, and Susan's children were: Arthur William (born 1861 in Salford) aged 9, Walter Joseph (born 1863 in Salford) aged 7, and Margaret E (born 1866 in Salford) aged 5.


In 1891 the family lived at 72 West Clowes Street, Salford. William was 63 and a Hay, Straw and Corn Dealer, Susan was aged 53, Arthur was aged 19 and a Shopman (Corn Store), Walter was aged 17 and a Shopman (Corn Store) and Margaret was aged 15 and a Milliner and Shopwoman. In 1891, at 66 West High Street, Salford, William was aged 73 and a Retired Corn Dealer and Susan was aged 63. Walter was aged 27 and a Salesman Corn Merchant, and Margaret was aged 25 and a Milliner's Assistant.


William Walmsley died in September 1900 aged 83 and Susan Walmsley died in December 1901 aged 73. Both were buried at Weaste Cemetery, grave B1/DISS/984.