Person Page - 25

     Robina was born at Richmond, Victoria, Australia, in 1894.¹ Robina died in 1895 at Richmond, Victoria, Australia.²

     Ronald was born at North Carlton, Victoria, Australia, on 28 January 1925.^1,2 He began military service in the Australian Army on 11 December 1941 at Royal Park, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, He had been living in North Carlton and gave his next of Kin as Arthur Whitaker.³ He ended military service on 15 August 1942 His rank on discharge was a Private and he had been posted to 7 BN A M F.³ He began military service on 7 December 1943 at Royal Park, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, He had been living at North Carlton and gave his Next of Kin as Arthur Whitaker.¹ He ended military service on 15 July 1946 He was a      Private and had been posted to 2/14 AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BATTALION.¹ Ron had worked for "Containers" before the war and after his discharge he returned to this employment. He was particularly gifted in Public Relations and joined the management.

Joan also recounted that Ron had a very good voice and loved both singing and dancing.⁴ He married Victoria Joan Fisher. Ronald died on 15 December 1981 at age 56.⁴

     Sarah was born at Manchester, Lancashire, England, on 23 April 1858.¹ She was baptized at Cathedral, Manchester, Lancashire, England, on 23 May 1858. Her parents were noted as Henry and Mary Ann Whittaker and her father's occupation was Inspector of paviors. There were 200 baptisms celebrated at the Cathedral on this day..² They was listed as a resident in the census report at 9 Tuer Street, Chorlton on Medlock, Lancashire, England, on 7 April 1861.³ They was listed as a resident in the census report at Manchester, Lancashire, England, in 1871.⁴ Anne was living with her brother Arthur and his first wife Elizabeth in Hulme.⁴ She married an unknown person in 1875; Possible marriage to Daniel McCann at Manchester Cathedral. She died.

     William was born at Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia, on 14 March 1913.^1,2 He died on 16 January 1914.²

     Mary was born in 1847. She married Benjamin Joseph Hill at Knox Presbyterian, George St., Dunedin, New Zealand, on 4 September 1883. Mary died in 1933.

     Lily Whittaker Ross was born in January 1881 at Chorlton on Medlock, Lancashire, England, She was noted in the 1881 census taken on 2 April as being 2 months old.¹ She died in 1886 at Chorlton on Medlock, Lancashire, England, A death was found for a Lily Whittaker in Chorlton but the age does not agree.
Deaths Dec 1886 (>99%)
Whittaker     Lily     0     Chorlton     8c     469.

     Alice Whittaker was born in 1836 at Manchester, Lancashire, England.¹ She appeared on the census of 6 June 1841 in the household of George Whittaker sen. at Little Loom Street, Manchester, Lancashire, England.¹ They was listed as a resident in the census report at Manchester, Lancashire, England, on 30 March 1851.² Alice Whittaker died.

     Alice Frances Whittaker was born on 2 February 1839 at Manchester, Lancashire, England, at George Leigh Street Ancoats.¹ She was baptized at Cathedral, Manchester, Lancashire, England, on 28 April 1839. .² Alice died in March 1840 at Manchester, Lancashire, England, at age 1.³

     Allie Whittaker was born in 1858 This birth has not been checked but is assumed from the information given in the 1871 census that she was 13 years old.¹ They was listed as a resident in the census report at Batley, Yorkshire, England, in 1871.¹ She died.

     Ann was born at Manchester, Lancashire, England, before 25 June 1815. She was baptized at Manchester, Lancashire, England, on 25 June 1815. .¹ She died.

     Arthur was born at 4 Woollam's Court, Long Millgate at Manchester, Lancashire, England, on 26 March 1844. His birth was registered as Henry Arthur Whittaker on 18 April 1844 by his mother who gave her former name as Mary Ann Rawson. However her maiden name as given for the other children and on her marriage to Henry Whitaker some three years later was Mary Ann Saul. Was a mistake made in the information given to or entered by the Registrar or had she been previously married..¹ He was baptized in the Cathedral Church at Manchester, Lancashire, England, on 15 May 1844. His name was entered in the register as Henry..²

They was listed as a resident in the census report at 19 Irk Street, Manchester, Lancashire, England, on 30 March 1851.He was living at 19 Irk St., with his parents and three siblings.³ They was listed as a resident in the census report at 9 Tuer Street, Chorlton on Medlock, Lancashire, England, on 7 April 1861. He was living at 9 Tuer St., Chorlton on Medlock with his parents and three younger siblings. It was this entry which confirmed his actual age and the relationship to his brother Henry, some 10 years younger.⁴

He married Elizabeth Bloomer at Cathedral Parish Church, Manchester, Lancashire, England, on 3 October 1861.^5,6

From 1869 the directory entries were changed to the name of Arthur Whitaker, paver. These were all in the Chorlton on Medlock area.⁷ Arthur Henry Whittaker appeared on the census of 1871 at Manchester, Lancashire, England. Arthur was 27 and working as a foreman pavior. He was living at 6 Bark Row in Hulme, the district next to Chorlton on Medlock with his wife Elizabeth age 27 and his sister Ann age 13. They were lodging with Alice Donnely.⁸ He was listed in the directory in 1871 as living at 27 Jenkinson Street, Chorlton on Medlock but by the date of the census, this address was apparently out-of-date and he ha moved.⁹ He resided at Chorlton on Medlock, Lancashire, England, in 1874, at 9 Welbeck Street. It is noted that his brother Henry junior was living at 27 Welbeck Street in the 1871 census..¹⁰ It was about this time that Arthur began a relationship with Annie Ross. Doubtful if they actually married.

A census listed Arthur as head of household at 10 Greaves Street at Chorlton on Medlock, Lancashire, England, on 3 April 1881. He was a master paviour employing 9 men. Annie Ross who was listed as his housekeeper had a two month old daughter Lillie Ross. There were two visitors in the household, Mary E McCall age 36, born in Sorbuy, Scoltland, and Margaret Rourke 38, born in Manchester. Both were employed as domestic servants. It is clear that circumstances had changed for Arthur. He had taken over his father's business and although his wife Elizabeth Bloomer was also living in Chorlton on Medlock, they were no longer together..¹¹

Arthur and Annie continued to live together but there would have been no easy way for them to have married. Life would have been very sad for Annie who had lost three children as infants. Divorce was very expensive and usually only used by upper classes and they were obviously not willing to risk contracting a bigamous marriage. Emigration to somewhere where they were not known would have been an attractive alternative.

Arthur and Annie emigrated to Australia on 30 July 1887 in the Hesperus. The assisted immigration schemes sponsored by the Australian Government had finished so it would have been necessary for Arthur and Annie to pay their own fares. CHECK PROVSIONS and methods of providing. They found a passage available on the "Hesperus" which was registered as leaving from the Port of London and was provisioned for an expected voyage of 140 days. Mr A Whitaker was a clerk aged 25 and is listed as leaving from Port of Embarkation 4. Mrs A Ross age 38 was the following entry. It is likely that either Arthur underestimated his age in order to obtain work or perhaps the ages of both were interchanged..¹² Arthur arrived in Melbourne on 21 October 1887.

He allegedly married Annie Ross (Whitaker) say 1888. They were evidently not married when they left England and I have found no record of a marriage in Victoria.. He resided 31 Lithgow Street Abbotsford, Victoria, Australia in 1889, His brother Henry was listed at 27 Lithgow Street..¹³ He witnessed Annie Ross (Whitaker)'s death at 215 Pelham Street, Carlton, Victoria, Australia, on 23 August 1889. He registered her death as his wife..¹⁴

He resided at Carlton, Victoria, Australia, in 1890, 213 Pelham St..¹⁵

He married Elizabeth Bain McDonell at Auburn, Victoria, Australia, on 22 August 1891. Arthur had given the information that he had been a widower since 1889 and had 4 children all dead. It is likely that the mother of three of these children was Annie Ross but there may have been an earlier child to Elizabeth Bloomer. Arthur stated his age as 38 and Bessie was only 21. We now know that he was actually 47, some 26 years older than Bessie. Bessie obviously never knew his real age because when he died on 15 February 1907, she gave his age as 52 years and 11 months. He had apparently continued to celebrate his birthday in the correct month of March but dropped 9 years..¹⁶ At age 53 Arthur became the father of George Alexander Whitaker at Richmond, Victoria, Australia, on 12 May 1897 at 15 Berry St Richmond.¹⁷ He resided at Richmond, Victoria, Australia, in 1899, 10 Henty Street.¹⁸ A census listed Arthur as head of household at Richmond, Victoria, Australia, in 1903.¹⁹

Arthur died on 15 February 1907 at St Vincents Hospital, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia, at age 62. Influenza Pheumonia and Heart Failure..²⁰ His body was interred on 18 February 1907 at Kew, Victoria, Australia, at Booroondarra. There is no headstone on the grave..²¹

     Charles was born at 38 Irk Street, Manchester, Lancashire, England, on 22 October 1852.¹ He was baptized at Cathedral, Manchester, Lancashire, England, on 5 December 1852. .² Charles died before 16 December 1853 at Manchester, Lancashire, England.³ He was buried on 16 December 1853 at Chorlton on Medlock, Lancashire, England.³

     Elizabeth Whittaker was born on 2 January 1824 at Manchester, Lancashire, England. Her birthdate was noted on her baptism entry in the Parish registers for Manchester Cathedral.² She was listed as a resident in the census report at Little Loom Street, Manchester, Lancashire, England, on 6 June 1841.² She was baptized on 8 August 1841 at Manchester, Lancashire, England.^3,4 She died.

     George Whittaker was born on 20 September 1821 at Manchester, Lancashire, England, The actual date of birth as 20 September 1821 was added to the reguster entry when he was baptised in 1833. He was baptized at Cathedral, Manchester, Lancashire, England, on 17 November 1833His father was a Paviour living in Manchester.² George was not listed with his parents in the 1841 census. He would have been 20 years old and was probably out working. Further research for George in 1841 and 1851 is needed. He appeared on the census of 3 April 1881 at Manchester, Lancashire, England, NOTE; Have no provenance that this is the correct George- however the year of birth would be correct. Need to look at earlier census entries.
George WHITTAKER Male      
Birth Year 1821, Birthplace -Manchester, Lancashire, England. Age 60, Occupation Labourer, Married,
Head of Household      Ann JONES, Relation     Boarder .
Dwelling     6 Edge St
Census Place      Hulme, Lancashire, England
Family History Library Film     1341937
Public Records Office Reference     RG11
Piece / Folio 3925 / 42 Page Number 33. He died.

     George Whittaker was born in May 1854 at Manchester, Lancashire, England.^1,2 George died on 29 July 1854 at 30 Higham St, Manchester, Lancashire, England. He was two months old. His mother Sarah Whittaker appears to have been the informant and was in attendance at the death. Cause of death was diaorrhea..¹ His body was interred on 1 August 1854 at Manchester, Lancashire, England, at the Manchester General cemetery. There is no record of a burial service at the Cathedral for George but a George Whittaker was buried on 01/08/1854 in the Unknown Section 20 of the Manchester General Cemetery..³

     George Alfred Whittaker was born on 6 August 1863 at Manchester, Lancashire, England.¹ He was baptized on 1 November 1863 at Manchester, Lancashire, England. This child was named after his grandfather George but also after the older brother George who had died in 1860.¹ He died.

     George gave his birthplace at the time of the 1851 census as Wally (Whalley) and his age as 57 indicating a birth year of 1794. His burial record gives his age as 69 which would indicate a birth year of 1792. A baptism record for George in Whalley or nearby villages within this time frame has not been found.     Evidence indicates that George was the son of a Henry Whittaker, paviour. It is significant that known members of this Whittaker family have been noted as paviours over a very long time, not only in directories and census returns, but also on marriage certificates, baptism and death entries.
     The only baptism found is a George Whittaker, son of Henry Whittaker of Simonstone who was baptised on 22 July 1787 at Padiham, Lancashire, England.The name of the mother was not included in the baptism but the burial of an Ellen Whittaker wife of Henry Whittaker of Simondstone just two months after this baptism was most likely his mother. Simonstone had no church at this time and such events were celebrated at either Padiham or Whalley. The Padiham parish registers for this period noted at least three men named Henry: Henry Whittaker of Simonstone had a wife named Ellen, Henry Whitaker of Padiham also had a wife named Ellen and there was a Henry Whitaker sen..^1,2
           The ancient Lancashire parish of Whalley was a large and fractured parish situated on the western flank of the Pennines. There was a village and a township of Whalley as well as the parish of the same name which extended partly into Blackburn, Haslingden and Burnley districts. The village itself is on the river Calder and is served by the Clitheroe railway, 3¾ miles S by W of Clitheroe. From 1600 there were seventeen chapelries in addition to the parochial church, eleven of which had full parochial rights of baptism and burial.
     Whitakers had been in the parish since at least 1340, at which time Richard de Whitacre, came to live in Cliviger at Padiham, Lancashire. He had been recorded in the Book of Whalley Abbey in 1336. During the last third of the eighteenth-century the population of the parish was decreasing, as poverty forced ordinary people to look elsewhere for work.
     It is significant that known members of this Whittaker family have been noted as paviours over a very long time, not only in directories and census returns, but also on marriage certificates, baptism and death entries. There were certainly three and possibly four generations of paviours in the family.

     Sometime before 1808, George Whitaker moved with his parents from Whalley to Manchester probably in search of work. There had been several Whitakers holding prominent positions in Manchester, but prior to this time the surname was much more common in Northern Lancashire bordering on Yorkshire. It was a period when the population and industry in Manchester exploded and thousands of families migrated in search of employment. From 1750 the town of Manchester had become the centre of a growing cotton industry whose main product was the manufacture of fustian cloth. This was produced in people’s homes but the finishing processes of bleaching, dyeing and printing were carried out in the town. The population of Manchester in 1770 was around 17,000, a relatively small number by national standards. The figure for Norwich was over 50,000, Bristol had 100,000 whilst London had well over half a million. Communications had begun to improve with the setting up of turnpike roads and the expansion of navigation along the Irwell and Mersey rivers right into the heart of Manchester. By 1835 the open space separating Manchester from the surrounding towns was shrinking rapidly and Manchester had become not only the largest urban region in Britain, but the largest manufacturing center in the world. Although cotton was central to the economy, there was parallel growth in associated industries. Engineers, carpenters, millwrights and other engineering craftsmen were needed in the manufacture of textile machinery and steam engines. The influx of workers urgently required housing, opening the way for the services of builders and other ancilliary trades. Banking and shopkeeping facilities grew and many thousands of people were employed as domestic servants working in the middle class areas.
     George was probably living with his father in Fetter's Lane prior to his marriage.³
     George Whittaker married Sarah Chorlton at the Cathedral, Manchester, Lancashire, England, on 23 November 1812. Banns had been published on 20 and 27 September and 4 October 1812. George was listed as a pavior and both he and Sarah belonged to the parish of Manchester. The bride and groom both signed with a mark and the vicar spelled the surname as Whittaker. Unfortunately the names of their parents were not required to be noted..⁴
     We don’t know exactly where George and Sarah set up home but at first it was probably in the vicinity of Fennels Lane, one of the many old and narrow lanes and yards near Manchester Cathedral. The pattern of directory listings for this family suggests that the business was advertised in the name of the oldest working male and this was where Henry Whitaker operated his business as a paviour from at least 1812 to about 1828. Living conditions for the poor were extremely harsh. Although imposing public buildings and cultural facilities were beginning to appear, there were no proper building regulations or adequate provision of public services and waste disposal. Remaining in Manchester was for most people a matter of neccesity more than choice.
     As Ann Whittaker's father, George presented her at her baptism at Manchester, Lancashire, England, on 25 June 1815. This is the first child to be found for George and Sarah. A birth date was not noted, indicating an infant baptism..⁵
     In 1832 George was listed in the Manchester directory for the first time. He was a paviour and living in 20 Back Irk Street. Irk Street was one of a grid of lanes which had been hurriedly developed on Ashley Field and the area by the river Irk. This had originally been a well to do area where once had stood a" magnificant house and grounds from which one of the most beautiful views of Vale and river, hill and woodland could be had. During the 18th century the area further along the river had already been industrialised and by 1762 there were over 300 mills along its banks including a paper mill, dye works and a foundry. Ashley Field was one of the isolated patches which were privately owned and although buildings went up all around it, it was untouched until the 1820's. By 1830 some 138 houses and the the town's No. 2 Gas Works had been built on the area which was to become known as Irk Town. The houses were built back to back having only one outlet, no yard, no privy, and no receptacle of refuse. The streets were narrow and unpaved and often low damp cellars were underneath. The streets were generally unsewered and the low lying area was vulnerable to the filth which washed down from above.⁶ George was again listed in a directory at Manchester, Lancashire, England, in 1833. He continued to live at 20 Back Irk Street and was working as a pavier.⁷
     George and Sarah Whittaker appear to have had three children baptised in 1833, Henry in August and George and James both on 17 November. This must have been a special day because there were several pages of baptisms, many of older children. In each case George's occupation was noted as a paviour and the entry for James also confirmed the family as living in Irk St. Unfortunately the only entry to include the actual birth date was that of the son George. The birth year for the other children has been estimated from census returns.
     As Henry Whittaker's father, George presented him at his baptism at Manchester, Lancashire, England, on 18 August 1833. In the cathedral church..⁸ As George Whittaker's father, George presented him at his baptism at Cathedral, Manchester, Lancashire, England, on 17 November 1833.⁹ As James Whitaker's father, George presented him at his baptism at Manchester, Lancashire, England, on 17 November 1833.¹⁰
     This was close to the Cathedral and the family remained there until at least 1840. Although it was an older area and conditions would have been crowded, at least they were away from the flood and drainage problems of the Back Irk St. area.³      George was listed in the Manchester directory at Manchester, Lancashire, England, in 1836. As a pavier living at 13 Bakehouse Court, Long Millgate..³ George was listed in a directory at Manchester, Lancashire, England, in 1840. He was living at 13 Bakehouse Court, Long Millgate..³
     In the 1841 Manchester Directory published at the beginning of the year George Whittaker was listed at 33 Back Irk Street but he didn't stay there very long. It was not unusual for poor families to move house fairly frequently and this family had several moves about this time. Sometimes as in this case housing conditions were so bad that a family would attempt to find something better although the move was often because they were unable to pay the rent and simply did a "flit".¹¹
     In the census taken on 6 June 1841 the enumerator listed George as head of household living at Little Loom Street. For the purpose of this census the age for adults was rounded down to the nearest multiple of five years. George gave his age as 45 and his wife Sarah was also 45 indicating both claimed to be between 45 and 50. His eldest son Henry Whittaker aged 20 + and his partner Mary 20+ were living with the parents and there were three younger siblings, Elizabeth 15, Walter 10 and Alice 6. Both George and Henry were employed as paviors. The eldest daughter Ann and sons George and James were not listed as living with the parents. Little Loom St was in Ancoats, near Oldham Rd.¹² George William Whittaker was named after George say 23 June 1841 at Little Loom Street, Ancoats, Lancashire, England. George William was born at his grandparent's home in Little Loom St Manchester. His birth was registered officially as 23 July which would have been after his baptism as recorded in the church register..¹³
     On 23 July,a grandson was born at the home in Little Loom Street. He was named George William after his grandfather.
     He was a witness at Henry Whittaker and Mary Ann Saul's wedding at Prestwich, Lancashire, England, on 25 December 1847.¹⁴
     George Whittaker sen. appeared on the census of 30 March 1851 at Manchester, Lancashire, England, The family were sharing a house at 10 Irk Street, just a few houses along from their son Henry and his wife Mary Ann. The enumerator had spelled the name as Whiticar and George had given his age as 57 and his birthplace as Wally (Whalley) Lancashire. George was a Street Pavier, Sarah age 57 minded the house and Alice age 15 was a Cotton Winder.¹⁵
     George was listed in a directory at Manchester, Lancashire, England, in 1853. He was a pavier living in 12 Irk St. Manchester..¹⁶ He moved in 1854; to Chorlton on Medlock where their eldest son Henry was living. He witnessed Sarah Chorlton's death at Chorlton on Medlock, Lancashire, England, before 30 July 1854.¹⁷
     George died before 27 April 1861 at Chorlton on Medlock, Lancashire, England. It seems that George and Sarah have moved to the Chorlton district with Henry..
     George Whittaker sen. was buried on 27 April 1861 at Chorlton on Medlock, Lancashire, England, His age was given as 69 indicating a possible birth in 1792. Unfortunately the entry does not give an occupation or any further information which might confirm his identity.¹⁸

     George William was born at his grandparent's home in Little Loom St Manchester. His birth was registered officially as 23 July which would have been after his baptism as recorded in the church register..¹ He was baptized at Cathedral, Manchester, Lancashire, England, on 11 July 1841. This date is actually prior to the date given when the actual birth was registered with the civil authorities by his grandmother Sarah. Perhaps Henry and Mary had not notified the birth within the required 6 weeks period and they were avoiding a fine..² The birth was registered on 13 Aug 1841 by grandmother Sarah Whittaker.³ They was listed as a resident in the census report at 19 Irk Street, Manchester, Lancashire, England, on 30 March 1851.⁴ George William Whittaker died before 7 July 1860 at Chorlton on Medlock, Lancashire, England.⁵ He was buried on 7 July 1860 at All Saint's Church, Chorlton on Medlock, Lancashire, England, George was 19 years old.⁵

     Henry was born in Manchester about 1817. He was not consistant in giving his age, but this estimation is based on his age as recorded in the census returns of 1841, 1851 and 1861.
     He was baptized as the son of George and Sarah Whitaker in the cathedral church. at Manchester, Lancashire, England, on 18 August 1833. George's occupation was a Paviour. The large number of entries for baptisms throughout 1833 suggests that the church was making a big outreach in the community and certainly there were many older children baptised as well as the more normal infant baptisms. Although a date of birth was not included, I believe Henry would have been about 16..¹

Henry followed his father's occupation and began to work as a paver. At this time he was living at 14 Irk St, Ashley Lane.² He lived in 1839 By 1839 he had established what was to be a permanent relationship with Mary Saul. This was some 8 years before they were actually married. For some of this time they lived with Henry’s parents George and Sarah, and they were to have four children before their marriage. They seemed to have lived as a married couple because they attended the Cathedral parish church for the baptisms of all their children and the births were also registered as born to Henry and Mary Ann Whittaker. A further mystery is that Mary stated her former name as Saul with one exception - the birth registration of the third child Henry Arthur in 1844 on which occasion she gave her former name as Rawson. This conflicting evidence may simply have been a mistake on the part of the registrar for that entry. Was her former maiden name Rawson or had she perhaps been married previously? A search for a Saul - Rawson connection has so far found only one marriage -between a Mary Saul and John Rawstorn in Lancaster 11 Nov 1802. at Manchester, Lancashire, England.³ As Alice Frances Whittaker's father, Henry presented her at her baptism at Cathedral, Manchester, Lancashire, England, on 28 April 1839.⁴ He lived in 1841 Little Loom St. Ancoats, at Manchester, Lancashire, England.⁵

They was listed as a resident in the census report at Little Loom Street, Manchester, Lancashire, England, on 6 June 1841. He and Mary were living in Little Loom St Ancoats with Henry's parents.⁶ As George William Whittaker's father, Henry presented him at his baptism at Cathedral, Manchester, Lancashire, England, on 11 July 1841.⁷ He lived in 1844 4 Woollam's Court, Long Millgate, at Manchester, Lancashire, England. He advertised his business as operating from this address.⁸ As Arthur Henry Whittaker's father, Henry presented him at his baptism at Manchester, Lancashire, England, on 15 May 1844. His name was entered in the register as Henry..⁹ Henry became the father of Isabella Whitaker at Manchester, Lancashire, England, before 4 April 1847.¹⁰ As Isabella Whitaker's father, Henry presented her at her baptism at Cathedral, Manchester, Lancashire, England, on 4 April 1847.¹¹

He married Mary Ann Saul in the Parish Church of Prestwich on 25 December 1847 following the calling of banns. It was Christmas Day and a Saturday. Henry and Mary were both "of full age", meaning over 21, and gave their place of residence as Oldham. The decision to be married in Prestwich instead of the church in Manchester where they had their children baptized raises some questions. Although they changed address fairly frequently it is unlikely they were actually living in Oldham but were merely near Oldham Road, Manchester and this may well have been a cover-up. Were they simply not making public the fact that they had been living together unmarried for some years? Judging by the number of marriages from Manchester which were noted in the Prestwich parish register, it does seem to have been a popular alternative to the Manchester Cathedral.¹² Henry became the father of Emma Whitaker at Manchester, Lancashire, England, before 2 April 1850.¹³ As Emma Whitaker's father, Henry presented her at her baptism at Cathedral, Manchester, Lancashire, England, on 2 April 1850.¹⁴

When the census was taken on 30 March 1851 Henry was listed as head of household living at 19 Irk St. At 19 Irk Street, Manchester, Lancashire, England. He stated his age as 34 and his wife Mary Ann was 30. Alice Frances had died but the four children living with them were George 9. Arthur 7, Isabella 4 and Emma 1. Mary Whitaker a neice age 15 was also with the household. At this time Henry was employed as a street pavier.¹⁵ Queen Victoria visits Manchester. He lived in 1852 38 Irk St, St George, Manchester at Manchester, Lancashire, England. As Charles Whittaker's father, Henry presented him at his baptism at Cathedral, Manchester, Lancashire, England, on 5 December 1852.¹⁶ Sometime before before 1854Henry Whittaker moved at Chorlton on Medlock, Lancashire, England.¹⁷ As Henry jnr Whitaker's father, Henry presented him at his baptism at the Cathedral church, Manchester, Lancashire, England, on 24 December 1854.¹⁸ He lived in 1855 9 Tuer St Chorlton on Medlock at Manchester, Lancashire, England. As Sarah A Whitaker's father, Henry presented her at her baptism at Cathedral, Manchester, Lancashire, England, on 23 May 1858.¹⁹

A census listed Henry as head of household living at 9 Tuer Street at 9 Tuer Street, Chorlton on Medlock, Lancashire, England, on 7 April 1861. The enumerator spelled the surname as Whitaker and Henry gave his age as 40 and his wife Mary Ann as 39. In fact Henry was probably 44. He was working as an Assistant surveyor. Four children were living at home - Arthur Henry a pavior age 17, Emma scholar age 11, Henry scholar age 6 and Sarah A age 3. Victoria Thompson an Artificial Florist age 21(unmarried), born London was with the family.²⁰ He witnessed the baptism of George Alfred Whittaker on 1 November 1863 at Manchester, Lancashire, England; This child was named after his grandfather George but also after the older brother George who had died in 1860.²¹

Henry died on 30 November 1864 at 50 Abbott Street at Manchester, Lancashire, England. Henry was listed as a journeyman Pavour and the cause of death was Phrenitis (3 days) and Bronchitis (3 weeks). The informant Mary Ann Bradley gave his age as 44 years although he would have been 47.
Phrenitis was an ancient term diagnosed into many pathologic features. Phrenitis is no longer in scientific use. However it means an inflamation of the brain caused by a virus. Nowadays meningitis or encephalitis are diagnosed for this disorder.²² He was buried on 4 December 1864 at Chorlton on Medlock, Lancashire, England; Age given in church register- 44 years.²³

     Margaret Whittaker was born before 15 May 1785 at Padiham, Lancashire, England.¹

     Walter Whittaker was born say 1831 at Manchester, Lancashire, England, The year of birth is estimated from the age given in the 1841 census. Despite extensive searches, including the registers of Manchester Cathedral registers a baptism has not been found for Walter. NOTE there was a Walter Whittaker married in Manchester Cathedral in 1828 who would need to be discounted as a possible relation.¹
     He was listed as a resident in the census report at Little Loom Street, Manchester, Lancashire, England, on 6 June 1841. He was 10 years old.¹ Walter has not been located on the 1851 census but it seems likely that he had remained in Manchester at least until 1854 when his son was born. He married Sarah Smith on 26 December 1852 at the Cathedral Parish church, Manchester, Lancashire, England; The document was witnessed by his sister Alice.²
     Walter had a son about May 1854. He was living at 30 Higham Street Manchester when this son died but it was his wife Sarah who was present at the death and was the informant. She also gave Walter's occupation as a paviour.³ They witnessed George Whittaker's death at 30 Higham St, Manchester, Lancashire, England, on 29 July 1854.⁴ He witnessed George Whittaker's burial at the Manchester General cemetery, Manchester, Lancashire, England, on 1 August 1854. There is no record of a burial service at the Cathedral for George but a George Whittaker was buried on 01/08/1854 in the Unknown Section 20 of the Manchester General Cemetery..⁵
     Walter Whittaker appeared on the census of 7 April 1861 at Manchester, Lancashire, England, Walter was a Paver age 30 and was lodging with the family of George Hyde at 182 Butler Street.⁶
     Sometime in the next decade Walter appears to have moved to Yorkshire where he met Mary. Although a marriage has not been found, they began to live together.There is a daughter Allie age 13 living with them but ishe may well be the daughter of Mary by an earlier relationship.
     Walter Whittaker appeared on the census of 1871 at Batley, Yorkshire, England. He was living in the village of Staincliffe with his wife Mary and a daughter (Allie) age 13.⁷
     When the 1881 census was taken, Walter had moved again. Walter Whittaker Paver age 50 was a boarder at 12 School Rd., Blackburn Lancashire. His wife Mary Whittaker 47 born Dewesbury YKS was a woollen operator.The age, birth place and occupation indicate this was the son of George and Sarah. There was also a 5 year old Mary Elizabeth Clark born Dewsbury boarder with them but no indication of her relationship. They were living with Thomas Aspin 57 and his wife Eliza 50. Also boarding- John Moss 50 and John Curry 58.⁸ He died.

     Merv Wilson died; Was killed in a car accident.¹

     Harriet Elizabeth Wright was born on 6 November 1853 at Manchester, Lancashire, England. Although Harriet was living in Cheshire at the time of her marriage, the information on the census indicates that she was born in Manchester. Two possibilities for her family have been found although she was probably the Harriet Wright born on 6 Nov 1853 and baptised on 28 Sep 1870 at Saint James, Manchester, Lancashire, England. Her father was William Wright, a tailor and her mother was Ann. The family were living at 6 Cross Street Manchester.
Also found in the census was a William Wright, stone merchant and magistrate for Lancashire, deceased whose wife was Mary.^1,2 She appeared on the census of 1861 at Chorlton on Medlock, Lancashire, England, She was aged 7 and living with her mother and brothers. She was baptized on 28 September 1870 at Manchester, Lancashire, England. She was the daughter of William Wright a tailor and the famly were living at 6 Cross St. Manchester. The entry gave her birth date as 28 Sept. 1853. She would have been 17.³ She appeared on the census of 1871 at Chorlton on Medlock, Lancashire, England. She was living at 13 Jones St. with her mother Ann Wright, widow, three brothers and a married sister and two grandchildren who had come from Crewe in Cheshire. Ann was the head of the house. Harriett was a sewing machinist age 17.⁴
     Harriet Elizabeth Wright married Henry jnr Whitaker, son of Henry Whittaker and Mary Ann Saul, at Christ Church on 25 December 1875 at Crewe, Cheshire, England, Henry was noted as a steel worker, son of a Henry Whittaker deceased and at the time of his marriage he lived in Manchester. Harriet (Elizabeth) was the daughter of William Wright and her home at the time of marriage was Crewe. Henry was apparently temporarily away from Manchester at this date, perhaps looking for work. However following the marriage he and Harriet returned to Chorlton in Manchester where their first daughter was born.


It is believed that in 1871 Harriett was living in Chorlton with her widowed mother Ann, three brothers, a married sister and two grandchildren who had been born in Crewe, Cheshire. Her father William, who was a tailor, had apparently died in the previous year. Harriet had begun to work as a sewing machinist, but eventually she was to follow in her father’s footsteps and become a tailoress.
When they decided to get married, Harriet was in Crewe in Cheshire, probably with the relatives she had there and Henry appears to have joined her.ii The 1871 census records show two grandchildren who had been born in Crewe, Cheshire living with Harriet’s family in Manchester. Banns proclaiming their proposed marriage were read in Christ Church, Crewe and the wedding took place on Saturday 25 December 1875. ^{iiii England, Marriage Certificate, Certified copy of an entry in a Marriage Register, Henry Whitaker and Harriet Wright, Nantwich, Vol. 8a Fol.513} Henry had again changed trades and was noted as a steel worker, son of Henry Whittaker, deceased and he gave his address as Manchester. Harriet was the daughter of William Wright also deceased. Her name was written initially as Elizabeth but this was corrected and Harriet added above. Harriet was the name she usually used. One of the witnesses was a Thomas Wright (possibly her brother).



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ⁱ The 1871 census records show two grandchildren who had been born in Crewe, Cheshire living with Harriet’s family in Manchester.
ⁱⁱ England, Marriage Certificate, Certified copy of an entry in a Marriage Register, Henry Whitaker and Harriet Wright, Nantwich, Vol. 8a Fol.513.⁵ Her married name was Whitaker. They was listed as a resident in the census report at 22 Welbeck Street, Chorlton on Medlock, Lancashire, England, on 3 April 1881.⁶ Harriet Elizabeth Wright immigrated to Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. She would have left England with her children sometime after the birth of Jessie in Chorlton in 1885 and before the birth of Emily Victoria in Melbourne in 1887. A record has not been found. She emigrated from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, The Victorian unassisted immigration files list Elizabeth Whittaker 24 and daughter Annie 5 on the "Garonne" arriving 3 April 1885. There are no further identification details on the passenger list.⁷ Annie, Charles, Henry and Harriet registered to vote at Abbotsford, Victoria, Australia, in 1909. Henry and Harriet (Elizabeth) had moved and were living at 37 Park St. Abbotsford with son Henry and Charles Leonard, and daughter Annie. The three men worked as mechanics and the two women did home duties.⁸ Harriet, Harriet, Henry, Arthur, Annie and Charles registered to vote at Moonee Ponds, Victoria, Australia, in 1914. Henry and his wife Harriet were living at 29 Primrose Street. Henry and his eldest son Henry were rubber workers, Charles Leonard was a mechanic, Arthur George was an engineer, Harriet Elizabeth was a tailoress snd Annie Nathaniel was engaged in home duties.⁹ Harriet Elizabeth Wright died in 1925 at Ivanhoe, Victoria, Australia. Her age was noted as 72. Her father was William Wright but the mother's name was unknown.¹⁰

     William Wright died in 1870 at Manchester, Lancashire, England. He was age 48. This death has not been researched.¹

     Elizabeth was born. Elizabeth died. She married Archibald McEachern at Christchurch, New Zealand, on 3 April 1873. Possible marriage to Martha Margaret Willison 1886 Reg. No. 4668.
Also 1896 a death of Archibald son of Hugh McEachern and Mary Stewart age 76 at Dartmoor (born 1820)
Also an Archibald married to Elizabeth Young- son Archibald b Wang in 1884 Reg. No. 21328. As of 3 April 1873,her married name was McEachern.