Weaste Cemetery

Biographies of people buried between 1857 & 1869

William Rymer (1822 - 1865)


 William Rymer was a Commission Agent in Textiles. He died quite young at 42-years-old and was buried in a prominent position in A3 plot, near Joseph Brotherton.


He was born on 22nd December 1822 in Manchester and baptised on 17th January 1823 at Grosvenor Street Independent Chapel, Manchester. His father was William Rymer Snr (1796 – 1827) and his mother was Leah (nee Ashton) Rymer. They were married on 15th August 1821 at St John's Church, Deansgate, Manchester.


William's two siblings were Thomas (born 14th October 1824) and Ellen (born 27th August 1826). Twelve months after Ellen was born, William Snr died leaving Leah with three children under 5-years-old to bring up. William was only 4-years-old. Probate referred to his occupation as Gentleman. In 1841 they lived at Grosvenor Street, Manchester where Leah was aged 45, William was 18, Thomas was 15 and Ellen was 14. There was another person in the house, Mary Roydes aged 15, who was possibly a servant. In 1847, a Manchester Guardian article referred to William Rymer of the firm Rymer and Todd. And an advert in the Guardian on 19th November 1851 under "To be Let" read " George Street, possession at Christmas, that excellent Cellar Warehouse in the possession of Mr William Rymer. Offices No.80 George Street, well adapted for a professional gentleman."


On 12th July 1849, William married Mary Harrison at the Parish Church, Kendal, Westmorland. Mary was born in 1822 and was the third daughter of Thomas Harrison Esq of Kendal. Their children, all born in Cheetham, Manchester were: Leah Ann (born 1851, did not marry and died April 1919 aged 68); Thomas Harrison (born 1852, married Amy Elizabeth Falkner of Kersal, Salford in 1859 and died April 1911 aged 59); Mary Ellen (born 1854 and married Frank Alfred Roberts in 1878); Arabella Louisa (born 1856, did not marry and died 1929 in Bournemouth aged 72); and Margaret Emily (born 1858, did not marry and died in 1938 in Bournemouth aged 79).


In 1851 the census shows that the family lived at New York Street, Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester. In 1861 they lived at 18, Fern Acre Terrace, Cheetham. But sadly on 28th April 1865, at his residence Melbourne Terrace, Cheetham Hill, Manchester, William Rymer died, aged only 42-years-old. He was interred in a vault in A3 plot (Dissenters) at Weaste Cemetery on 3rd May 1865.


The 1871 census shows the family staying at Newlands Lodge, Natland. Kendal, Westmorland, close to where Mary was brought up. In 1881, at Earlston House, Upper Park Road, Broughton, Salford, Mary is 58 of Private income, Leah Ann is 30 of Private income and Thomas Harrison is 28 and a Commission Agent of Cotton Goods. In 1891, still at Earlston House, Mary is 68, Leah is 40, Arabella is 34 and Margaret is 33 and there are 3 servants and 2 nurses. Later in 1891 on 10th May, Mary died in her 69th year and was interred with her husband William at Weaste Cemetery. In 1901 Leah Ann is with her sister Mary Ellen Roberts in Kendal, and Arabella and Margaret are living in Bournemouth. Brother Thomas Harrison aged 48 and a Cotton Manufacturer is living at Upper Park Road in Broughton with his wife Amy and 2 daughters.