Robert‘s story is extremely poignant and illustrates something of the precarious nature of life in mid Victorian England. He was born 25 October 1848 in to a large family of 8 brothers and sisters from his father Henry’s two marriages.
In the 1851 Census Robert is living with his father at North Lane, Headingley-cum-Burley – this may have been in Headingley or further south in Burley. These were the outer suburbs of Leeds favoured by the newly prosperous moving away from the city’s industrial centre. Henry in a small way might have been part of this journey: he was in business (plumber and glazier) and the family had a maid, on arrival in Leeds during the early 1830s he lived in Bank, an area notorious for its poor housing and sanitation wedged between various manufacturers.
Henry lost his first wife, Anne in July 1845 and married Frances Roebuck in February 1846. Martha, Robert’s older sister was born in March 1847 followed by Robert some 18 months later. Unfortunately, Frances died in 1850 from acute hepatitis when he was 14 months old. Henry at 50 once more found himself a widower and managing a house with five children, Mary Ann (17), William Henry ( 15), Elizabeth (8), stepbrother John Roebuck (6), Martha (3), Robert (18 months). It seems likely, as there is no housekeeper in 1851, that Robert’s stepsister, the eighteen year old Mary Jane, is picking up the childcare and domestic duties.
School of hard knocks
By the 1861 Census Robert’s family are no longer on North Lane and appear to have been scattered to the winds. Henry had taken up lodgings on Grove Street, Leeds. Robert’s sisters Mary Jane, Eilzabeth and Martha are all in domestic service. His brothers William Henry is in trade in Stocksbridge but John has died in 1854. Twelve year old Robert is to be found lodging in Gomersal with Robert and Sarah Burnett. Burnett is a Coal Miner and Robert shown as a “Hurrier in Coal Mine” – hauling coal trucks underground. It is likely give the Mines Act 1842 had set the legal working age at 10 that Robert had already been at work for 2 years.
There were several collieries and many “coal pits” in Gomersal. These were the archetypal grim coal mines of Victorian England. This was also, undoubtedly a rude awakening for the young lad who had spent his formative years in Headingley and might have looked to enter in to his fathers trade of Plumber and Glazier.
Marriage
Robert does not make another appearance in records until his marriage on March 16, 1872 to Harriet Parkin Farrar. The respective fathers are shown as Henry Thorp – “Dead” and Henry Farrar. – “Miner”. Residence is given as Great Preston a few miles north of Allerton Bywater. The 23 year old Robert signs his name whilst 18 year old Harriet makes her mark.
1881 51 Duke Street, Castleford
Colliers didn’t stay in one place for very long it would seem and appeared to travel to where the work was. Great Preston, Castleford, Allerton Bywater. In 1881 the census shows Robert and Harriet living at 51 Duke Street, Castleford but no record of which pit was working at.
1891 7 Lock Lane Allerton Byewater
In 1891 the census shows Robert and Harriet have 7 children living at home from the eldest 18 William Henry to 1 month old Walter, followed by Edith in 1894.
- 1873 William Henry
- 1875 James
- 1877 Clara
- 1879 Martha A
- 1881 John
- 1883 Elizabeth
- 1885 Thomas
- 1887 Peter
- 1891 Walter
- 1894 Edith
William Henry and James both followed Robert in to the pit as Coal Miners. Harriet has no occupation other than the unrecorded work of looking after a large and busy household.
1911 Unemployed
The 1911 census contains much more information than previously collected but bears bad news. Robert is listed as “unemployed” the Infirmity Column records “lost one eye” which might be the explanation. At this point Robert and Harriet had 11 children born alive, 9 were still alive and 2 reported as died. Living in 86 Hollinhurst Village, near Woodlesford – Allerton Bywater. Robert had most likely been employed at either Allerton Main or Lowther Colliery.
Two years after the 1911 Census on 12 October 1913 Robert passes at the age of 62 at 86 Hollinghurst Village . Harriet outlived Robert by nearly 20 years, passing at age 78 on 6 February 1932. Harriet lived on in Hollinghurst but now at number 52.
Genealogical Jigsaw 