Richard Cross or Boocock
Landlord of the Harbour Hotel
The stone attracted my attention because it had two surnames: Cross & Boocock. Cross was the name of Richard’s stepfather (see 1881 Census below). In the 1881 Census his name is spelt “Bulcock”
ERECTED BY FRIENDS
IN
MEMORY
OF
RICHARD W. BOOCOCK
(R. W. CROSS)
DIED MARCH 16TH 1903
AGED 46 YEARS
The Barrow News reported on Saturday 21 March 1903:
DEATH OF MR. RICHARD CROSS
It is with sincere regret we chronicle the death of Mr. Richard Cross, which sad event took place on Monday night. Mr. Cross, who was landlord of the Harbour Hotel, was well-known in Barrow Rugby Football circles, and was an energetic member of the Barrow Committee for a considerable number of years. At the time of his death he was chairman of the Ground Committee. The deceased gentleman had been in failing health for some time past, and about a week ago he went to Egremont, his family and friends hoping that a change of air would restore him to health. However, it was not to be. He gradually grew worse, and passed away, as stated, on Monday night. He leaves a widow and large family to mourn his loss, and we sincerely sympathise with them in their sad bereavement. On Thursday afternoon the remains were removed from the Harbour Hotel, for interment in the Barrow Cemetery. The funeral cortege was both large and representative, testifying in a marked manner to the esteem in which the deceased gentleman was held. The coffin was covered with beautiful floral tokens from his numerous friends. About twenty mourning coaches followed the hearse, and on the arrival of the sad procession at the cemetery gates a number of the deceased’s friends carried the coffin to the church, and from there it was carried to the graveside by five members of the committee of the Barrow Rugby Football Club and five of the players. The chief mourners were: - Mrs. Cross (widow), Mr. Wm. Cross (brother), Masters Robert, Richard, Thomas, Walter, William, and Ishmael Cross (sons), and Miss Bessie Cross (daughter). Amongst the wreaths was one from the Barrow Rugby Club. Messrs. Ormandy and Sons had charge of the funeral arrangements.
National Probate Calendar
From Ancestry the National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations) 1903 has BOOCOCK Richard of the “Harbour” Hotel Barrow-in-Furness Lancashire licensed-victualler died 16 March 1903 at Egremont Cumberland Administration LANCASTER 3 April to Margaret Jane Boocock widow Effects £99.
1901 Census
In the 1901 Census the family address is 1, The Strand (The Harbour Hotel). Richard Cross (45), Hotel Manager, born Lothersdale, Yorkshire; Margaret Cross (41), wife, born Lawton, Cumberland; Sarah B. Cross (18), daughter, born Coulderton, Cumberland; Robert H. Cross (16), son, Contractor’s Clerk, born Barrow, Lancs; Richard W. Cross (15), son, ship’s carpenter’s apprentice, born Caulderton, Cumberland; Tom Cross (14), son, born Barrow; Walter Cross (13), son, born Barrow; Margaret J. Cross (11), born Barrow; William Cross (9), born Barrow; Ishmael B. Cross (3), born Barrow; William Henry Cross (41), brother, soldier 1st King’s Own, born Lothersdale, Yorks; Frederick Wildman (26), lodger, engineer fitter, born Kendal, Westmorland; Joseph McGowan (24) lodger, Marine Engineer fitter, born Birkinhead (sic), Cheshire; Betsy Birkitt (30), General Domestic servant, born India under British Flag.
1891 Census
By the 1891 Census Richard Cross (35) was married and living at 1 Strand, Harbour Hotel, where he was the beer house manager. Wife Margaret J. Cross (32), born Aspatria, Cumberland, had 6 children already: Sarah Betsy (7); Robert (5); Richard (3); Thomas (2); Walter (1), Margaret Jane (5 months); the eldest born in Aspatria, the rest in Barrow. There were 2 servants: Matilda Moss (19), general domestic servant, and Jane Aldridge (14), nurse-girl, and a lodger, Maurice Sexton (25), riveter, born Middlesex, London.
Richard Bulcock married Margaret Jane Mattinson in Barrow in Furness in 2nd quarter 1882.
1881 Census
At the time of the 1881 Census, Richard was living with his mother and stepfather at 1 Smeaton Street. Henry Cross (37), carter – labourer, born Pilling Lancashire; Betsy Cross (43), wife, born Lothersdale, Yorks; Richard Bulcock (sic) (24) unmarried, stepson, carter – labourer, born Lothersdale; William H. Bulcock (20), unmarried, stepson, Smith’s labourer, born Lothersdale; Ishmael B. Cross (12), son, scholar, born Liverpool, Lancs.
