Unfortunately, the grave of Samuel and his family is now covered by a tree which has grown to a considerable size over a number of years. Samuel was a highly thought of man in the Free Methodist Chapel, Victoria Road (now demolished). He was born in Birkenshaw in 1832 to James and Elizabeth nee Murgatroyd – one of eleven boys and two girls in the family.
Samuel moved to Eccleshill in the late 1850's, where he met and married Mary Hannah Bakes in 1861. She was the daughter of James and Mary nee Barraclough. From working in the mill as a ‘slubber’, Samuel worked hard and eventually opened a drapers shop in Killinghall Road. He and Mary had five children, losing four children in infancy but one son, James, survived.
Whilst researching Samuel, I corresponded with a descendent of his and she kindly sent me some extra information:
“Samuel worshipped at the Free Methodist Chapel and was described as one of the stalwarts of the church, along with his four friends - Ben Hollings, Joe Lambert, Jonas Wilson and C.H Overend. All of them were born of poor families, with only basic education. He often entertained the Ministers of the Circuit at his home. He loved cricket and listening to tales of W.G Grace”.
When he passed away in 1890 at the age of 58, he was buried with his children in Chapel Street cemetery. Mary went on to marry Ben Hollings in 1899 and when she passed away in 1912, she was buried with Samuel and their children.
James, their only surviving son did well for himself. He started off in his father's drapery shop but eventually went into the wool industry, working his way up to become Managing Director of a wool scouring company. He married Annie Pratt, and they had four children and lived in 'Park Field', Park Road, Eccleshill until his early death in 1919 aged 54.
Section 3 A21