Weaste Cemetery

Biographies of people buried between 1900 & 09

WILLIAM RITCHIE (Carter) (1864 - 1902)


 

William Ritchie was a (horse-drawn) Carter employed by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company. Whilst taking his horse to the stables, it broke free and kicked William in the stomach. He died the next day.

 

He was born in the 2nd quarter of 1864 in Newchurch, Rawtenstall, Lancashire. His father was Daniel Ritchie (born 1834 in Ireland) who was a Weaver. His mother was Bridget (nee Turner) Ritchie (born 1834 in Blackburn, Lancashire) who was a Power Loom Weaver. They were married in 1853 at Manchester Cathedral. William had an older sister, Elizabeth (born 1860 at Newchurch, Rawtenstall), and an older brother John (born 1862 in Newchurch, Rawtenstall). In 1865, when William was 1 year old, his mother Bridget Ritchie, tragically died in Salford aged 31. In 1867 William's father Daniel married again to Ellen Greeney at St George's Church, Pendleton. She was aged 30 and the daughter of Hugh Greeney, who was a Porter. In 1881 the family lived at 1, Slater Street, Pendleton, where William was aged 16 and a Turner on a Rope Walk.

 

On 23rd April 1887 William Ritchie married Blanche Gwynne Philips at St Matthew's Church, Liverpool Road, Manchester. Blanche was born in 1866, the daughter of Owen Gwynne Philips. Sadly, Blanche died in 1890 at Chorlton, Manchester, aged 24. In 1891 William, widower, was living with his aunt Mary Ritchie at 4 Grafton Street, Pendleton.

 

On Sunday 8th July 1888, William's father Daniel was badly injured on an Orange Lodge march through Ancoats, Manchester, when set upon by a group of Irish Roman Catholics wielding hatchets, knives and pokers. Two years later, in March 1890. Daniel Ritchie died, aged 52 and was interred in a common grave at Weaste Cemetery.

 

On 10th October 1892, William Ritchie married again to Emily Sophia Samwell at St Mary the Virgin Parish Church, Eccles, Lancashire. Emily (born 1868 in Brixton, London), was the daughter of George William Samwell, who was a Butcher. In 1901, they lived at 26 Western Street, Pendleton with their children John Edward (born 1894 in Salford), Emily (born 1896 in Salford) and Albert (born 1898 in Salford).

 

On 12th April 1902 William died aged 37. The Manchester Evening News of 15th April reports, "Kicked to Death by a Horse. Mr Holmes, the Salford Coroner, held an Inquest relating to the death of William Ritchie, 37 year of age, of Shrewsbury St, Pendleton. Ritchie was a Carter in the employ the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company and on Friday last he was taking his horse into the Irwell Street Stables when it shied at a lurry. The animal began to plunge about and Ritchie lost his hold of it. As it passed him the horse kicked him full in the stomach causing such injuries that he died the next day."  William was buried in a common grave at Weaste Cemetery on 15th April 1902.

 

In 1911, William's widow Emily, aged 44, lived at 15 Shrewsbury St, Pendleton with her children John Edward aged 17 who was an Apprentice Iron Turner, and young Emily aged 15. No sign of Albert. On 9th June 1915 John Edward Ritchie, Stoker 1st class died on board HMS Dublin and is commemorated at Bari War Cemetery, Italy. On 19th May 1917 William's widow Emily Sophia Ritchie, died at Salford Royal Hospital, aged 49 and was interred at Weaste Cemetery grave J/NC/2828 on 22nd May 1917.