Weaste Cemetery

Biographies of people buried between 1890 & 99

WILLIAM WALKER (1843 - 1891)

William Walker was a Fruiterer in Manchester, like his father William Walker (senior) and his son William Henry Walker.

He was born in 1834 in Manchester. His father was William Walker (born 1805 in Newton Heath, Manchester) who was a Fruiterer and who actually died at *Smithfield Market in 1863 aged 58. His mother was Ann (nee Jones) Walker (born 1806 in Manchester) who died in 1867 aged 61. Their other children all born in Manchester were: Thomas (born 1839 and died in 1838), Edward (born 1841), Ann (born 1845) and Margaret (born 1849). In 1841 the family lived at Baker Street, Manchester, and in 1851 they lived at 127 Great Ancoats Street, Manchester.

On 2nd December 1855, William married Elizabeth Timbrell at Manchester Cathedral. Elizabeth (born 1830 in Manchester) was the daughter of Henry Timbrell (born 1785 in Bath, Somerset) and his wife Mary Timbrell (born 1794 in Manchester), William and Elizabeth's children were: Sarah Jane (born 1859 in Deansgate Manchester and died in 1860 aged 0), William Henry (born 1860 in Deansgate, Manchester), Edward (born 1862 in Deansgate, Manchester), Margaret (born 1865 in Deansgate, Manchester), Sarah (born 1868 in Market Street, Manchester and died in 1868 aged 0), Mary Ann (born 1870 in Market Street, Manchester) and George (born 1872 in Market Street, Manchester).

In 1881 the family lived at Greengrocer's Shop, 193 Rochdale Road, Manchester. William was aged 47 and a Fruiterer, Elizabeth was aged 49, William Henry was aged 21 and a Fruiterer's Assistant, Edward was aged 19 and a Carter, Margaret was aged 16 and had no occupation.

On 11th January 1887, William's wife Elizabeth died in Manchester aged 55 and was buried in the family grave B18/CE/358 at Weaste Cemetery on 15th January. The 1891 census shows that William Walker was a widower, aged 56 and a Fruit Dealer. Also in the house, at 3 Higher Oswald Street, Manchester was his son William Henry aged 32 who was a Fruit Salesman. A few weeks later, on 25th May 1891, William died at home aged 57. He was buried in the family grave at Weaste Cemetery on 29th May.

Five years later, in January 1896, William's son William Henry died in the St. George area of Manchester, aged 35. In August 1898, William's son Edward died in Ancoats, Manchester, aged 56 and was also buried in the family grave B18/CE/358 at Weaste Cemetery.

*Old Smithfield Market was located in what is now known as the Northern Quarter in Manchester city centre. Originally the potato market moved to this location in 1820. As it became popular more land was acquired in 1850 and buildings constructed which housed wholesale and retail butchers, fishmongers, fruit and vegetables and flowers. At its peak in 1897 the market place covered four and a half acres and was bounded by Swan Street in the north, Shudehill to the east, Oak Street to the west and Thomas Street to the south. It closed in 1973 and moved to Openshaw, Manchester.