James was born in Eccleshill in 1854, the son of John and Martha Wood. He married Mary Hannah Jowett 3rd August 1885 at St James' Church, Bolton. He took the role of Chapel Keeper and graveyard Sexton for Chapel Street Cemetery and held this position for 40 years. He remarkedly never missed a single service in all that time! He also officiated at 1,500 interments as sexton.
James and Mary had 3 children:
William Arthur was born in 1886 and married Hannah Kitson in 1911 at St Luke’s Church, Eccleshill
James jnr was born in 1892 but was killed in action during WW1 on 26th June 1916 aged 24. He is buried in Ville-Sur-Ancre, France
Selina was born in 1896 and died at the early age of 13 on 12th July 1909. She is buried with her parents.
James died 17th November 1925 aged 71, and his wife Mary 22nd March 1932 aged 78.
Location: section 5 R16