Weaste Cemetery

Biographies of people buried between 1880 & 89

THEODORE DRAYTON GRIMKE (1817 - 1888)


 

 

Theodore Drayton Grimke was a Physician from a prominent family in Charleston, South Carolina, USA, and became the Proprietor and Managing Director of Clifton and Kearsley Coal Company Ltd. He generously supported his wife's charity work.

 

He was born on 7th September 1817 in Charleston, South Carolina, USA. His father was Thomas Smith Grimke (born 1786 in Charleston) who was a Barrister, and his mother was Sarah Daniel (nee Drayton) Grimke (born 1786 in Charleston). On 13th January 1848, Theodore married Emma Evans at St Thomas's Church, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Lancashire. Emma, (born 2nd February 1927 in Lingfield, Surrey) was the daughter of Richard Evans, a Coal Merchant, and his wife Ann.

 

Theodore and Emma moved to Charleston soon after their wedding and lived with Theodore's mother, where their first child, Ruth Drayton was born in 1849. They returned to England in 1850 wher Thomas Dayton was born at West Derby, Liverpool, then back to USA for Emma Josephine (born 1852) and Theodore Drayton jnr (born 1854). They returned to England for Edith DeVere (born 1854 in Newton-le-willows, Lancashire), John Drayton (born 1858 in Seedley, Pendleton), Sarah Henrietta (born 1859 in Pendleton and died in 1862 aged 3) and Henry (born and died 1865 in Salford aged 17 days). The latter two children were buried at Weaste Cemetery.

 

The electoral register of 1857 shows that Theodore lived at Seedley Hill, Pendleton, and by the 1971 census the family lived at Thorndale House, Prestwich, Manchester. This shows Theodore's occupation as "MD not practising, In charge of Colliery," and his age was 53. Emma was aged 44, Ruth D was aged 22, Emma J was aged 19, Theodore jnr was aged 17 and a Scholar and John D was aged 13 and also a Scholar. In 1873, Ruth married Rev. Herbert C Smith at Manchester Cathedral., and in 1875, Emma Josephine married Robert Harvey at St Mary's Church, Prestwich. In 1881 Theodore's address was Hilton Park, Prestwich, Manchester. He was now aged 63 and of Independent Means and Emma was aged 53. There were no children present.

 

The Manchester Courier of 7th August 1885 referred to the re-structure of The Clifton and Kersley Coal Company with seven shareholders, (Theodore and six members of the Pilkington family) carrying on the business of colliery owners, coal distillers, coal merchants, ironstone dealers, brick, tile and sanitary pipe makers, and farmers etc.

 

On 5th March 1888 Theodore Drayton Grimke died at home, Thorn Dale, Hilton Park Prestwich, aged 70 years. His body was "placed in a shell of the thinnest possible nature and was enclosed in an outer coffin of perishable wood, and covered with white cloth." On 9th March, the open hearse drawn by two grey horses and funeral procession passed by the Home for Fallen Women on Great Cheetham Street, an institution conducted by his wife Emma. Theodore was laid to rest with his two infant children in grave B19/CE/1848 at Weaste Cemetery.

 

In 1891, Emma lived at 66 Rigby Street, Broughton. On 15th May 1905 she died at home, 34 Leinster Square, London, age 78, and was buried at Kensington Cemetery.