Another Walk Around Sugar Lane – James Whitham

Many headstones hold secrets. When and where a person was born? Who were their parents and siblings? Who was their wife or husband? Or did they remain single? Did they or their family decide to tell the passer-by just enough information on the headstone? But that ‘just enough information’ sets the future relative or researcher on a journey of curiosity – Who were you?

James was a Solicitor and Town Clerk of the Borough of Wakefield who died on the 22nd of April 1867, according to his headstone. The headstone is three rather solid squares of stone set on a solid base with a splendid four-cornered spire. It looks quite impressive as most of the headstones around are of a more standard size and shape.

The other name on the memorial is that of James’ wife Maria, who he married in St John’s Church, Wakefield in 1837. Maria nee Kelshaw was born in the Thornes area of Wakefield in 1810 and died in 1877. Sadly, the year information on the headstone has been damaged, but other documents confirm the 1877 date.

Going back to James, according to his census entries, he was born in Bangalore, India. The Ancestry website has a collection of transcripts entitled ‘India select births and baptisms 1786-1947’ in which James is recorded as having a father named Richard and a mother Lucy. The transcript continues with a date of birth, 30 November 1812 and baptism on 3 February 1813 in Mount, Madras, India – could this be James? Don’t you get a good feeling of satisfaction when a little bit of extra ‘digging’ pays off? FindMyPast has on microfilm the baptism of James – it reads, ‘This is to certify that James son of Robert Whitham, Sergeant Major H.M. 84(?) Regt and of Lucy his wife. Born 30th Novr 1812, was baptised according to the form of *** his baptism outlined in the service of the Church of England this 3rd day of February 1813 by me, W Thomas, Chaplain. Sponsors George Boothroyd, Winsor Hazny (sic), Ann Reid. The two male sponsors were both from the 84th Regiment.

In 1851 James and Maria were living on King Street with a servant named Elizabeth Hall, who had been born in Stanley 36 years earlier. Ten years later, Cliff Parade was the home to the Whithams. Elizabeth Waterworth, a married sister aged 53 and two servants were also in the house. Now another question. Was Elizabeth James’ sister or his wife?

The Leeds Mercury 2 May 1867 – …. Mr Mander then moved a resolution to the effect that the Council testifies its sympathy and condolence with the widow of the late Mr James Whitham,
town Clerk, on the recent bereavement she has sustained by his death; and its regret at being deprived of the services of a gentleman, who since the incorporation of the borough, had filled with such marked ability and efficiency the important office of Town Clerk. The motion was seconded by Mr Lamb, supported by Ald Wainwright, and carried unanimously. The gentleman who spoke, and also the Mayor in putting the motion, gave their testimony as to the value of the services performed for the borough by the late Town Clerk’.

Huddersfield Chronicle 27 April 1867 – On Monday, Mr James Whitham, solicitor, Wakefield and Town Clerk of that borough, died at his residence at St. John’s, Wakefield. The deceased gentleman, who was highly respected, was 54 years of age. He had been in practice as a solicitor for 34 years, and as Town Clerk of Wakefield since its incorporation in 1848. For some time past his health had been giving way, and, the Town Council had granted him six months’ leave of absence, he had been in the South of England for about three months. Mr Whitham was a gentleman of acknowledged ability and was well known and much esteemed in the profession.

Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, Tuesday 1 October 1867 –Lot 1 All that Detached Messuage of Dwelling House, situate at Cliffe Parade, in Wakefield aforesaid, containing on the ground floor, entrance hall, dining-room, drawing-room, breakfast-room, store-room, and large kitchen. On the first floor, five bedrooms, a water closet, and a housemaid’s closet, and the basement, large kitchen, laundry, larder, and beer, wine and coal cellars, and possessing a well-yielding abundant and invariable supply of pure water. Together with the plantation garden, shrubbery, yard and outbuildings thereto belonging and containing an area (including the road at the north-east end thereof), of 2256 square yards or thereabouts, formerly in the possession of the late James Whitham, Esq., and now Mrs Whitham.

A portion of the purchase money of this lot may remain on a mortgage if required.
Lot 2 – All that Seat or Pew numbered 1, containing eight sittings, situated in the centre aisle of St John’s Church, Wakefield, aforesaid.
To view Lot 1, apply on the premises between the hours of Two and Six o’clock in the Afternoon, and for further particulars and information, apply to the Auctioneer, at his office, in Southgate, Wakefield, or at the offices of W H B Tomlinson, Esq., Solicitor, Wakefield or of Messrs Wright and Waterworth, Solicitors, Keighley. 14 Sept 1867.

Another Waterworth connection, and yet another when James’ Probate entry shows he left less than £5000, and John James Waterworth gets a mention as a solicitor in Keighley and also James’ nephew. This information still does not answer whose sibling John James’ mother was.
After the sale of the property at St John’s, Maria moved to Thornhill Terrace, where she lived as an Annuant with one servant

Wakefield Free Press Saturday 26th of May 1877 – Deaths – Whitham. On the 23rd inst, aged 67 years, Maria, widow of James Whitham and Town Clerk of this Borough (No Cards). Maria’s Probe is quite disappointing as she left under £450. This raises an age-old question ‘Where did the money go’?

Note: There is an entry in the Uk, Regimental Registers of Service, 1756-1900 for Robert Whitham aged 14 Attested on 23rd of June 1794.  If this is the correct Robert he had been born in Whaley, Lancaster.  Robert was 5′ 2½.  He had a fair complexion, brown hair and grey eyes.

An entry slightly higher up the page if for a young man named David Willis,  David was 17 years old and slightly taller than Robert, at 5′ 6¾”.  He had a light complexion, light hair and grey eyes – what is the connection, I hear you ask?  David was born in Wakefield.  Does he belong in anyone’s family tree?