Agnes Casson
A very simple gravestone, with large lettering, made from sandstone(?) unusual for this churchyard.
IN MEMORY
OF
AGNES CASSON
RELICT OF THE LATE
J. D. CASSON,
OF LIVERPOOL
DIED AT BARDSEA
MAY 15TH 1878
AGED 54 YEARS
1871 Census
In the 1871 Census on Ancestry Agness (sic) is living at 151 Wellington Road, Toxteth Park, Liverpool. She is a widow (47), but born in Aldingham, which explains the presence of her grave here.
The only other person in the household is her son, James Casson (22), architect and surveyor, born Liverpool.
1861 Census
In the 1861 Census living at 149 Wellington Road, Toxteth Park, next to the National School, are James Dixon Casson (35), bookeeper (sic) in Iron Works, born Liverpool; Agnes Casson (36), wife, born Liverpool (sic); and James Casson (12), son, scholar, born Liverpool.
Wellington Road, Toxteth Park, still exists, but apart from the odd building (notably “The Florrie” on the corner with Mill St.), it has been redeveloped.
1851 Census
An interesting family connection is revealed by the 1851 Census. Living at 30 Carter Street, Toxteth Park, Liverpool, are James Dixson (sic) Casson (26), widower, Bookeeper (sic) in Shipbuilder Office, born Liverpool; James Casson (2½), son, at home, born Liverpool; Agnes Ashburner (27), unmarried, cousin, Farmers Daughter, born Aldingham; Elizabeth Sanky (18), house servant, born Winnick, Lancs.
National Register of England and Wales 1878
In the National Register of England and Wales (Index of Wills and Administrations) 1878 we read: CASSON Agnes 19 October. The Will of Agnes Casson formerly of Grange in the Parish of Cartmel but late of Bardsea in the Parish of Urswick both in the County of Lancaster Widow who died 15 May 1878 at Bardsea was proved at the Principal Registry by James Casson of Burlington-street in Ulverston in the said County Architect the sole Executor. Personal Estate £70 1s.
Agnes Ashburner was baptised on 3 August 1823, parents John & Agnes Ashburner. She married James Dixon Casson in Ulverston in the 3rd quarter of 1852.
1901 Census
Following up James Casson, in the 1901 Census, he was living at 2, The Poplars, (Brogden St) Ulverston. He was 52, an architect (own account) working at home, born Liverpool. His wife was Isabella Casson (41), born Ulverston, and they had a child still at home, James Christopher Casson (22), Professor of Music, born Ulverston. The family had been there in the 1891 Census, but in the 1881 Census they had been at 7 Ainsworth Street, Ulverston, and James (snr) was a draughtsman (shipbuilding). His mother-in-law, Isabella Jarvis (58) lived with them.
National Register of England and Wales 1910
The National Register of England and Wales (Index of Wills and Administrations) 1910 records his death as a retired architect on 14 March 1910. He left £1872 2s 1d to his widow, Isabella.
1911 Census
Isabella and James Christopher Casson were still living at 2 The Poplars at the 1911 Census. He is still a Professor of music, own account, at home, which suggests that he was a teacher. By the time of the 1939 Register he was still there, now a retired music teacher of 78 yrs (DoB 9 July 1878), with a housekeeper, Sarah E. Rowe (DoB 28 Jan 1886), a widow. He died in Ulverston on 24 September 1949. The National Register of England and Wales (Index of Wills and Administrations) 1949 tells us that he was still living at 2, the Poplars, and left £4671 2s 8d to Annie Jane Knowles, widow; Edith Coward, spinster; and William Clayton Jarvis, bank clerk. The latter, at least, is likely to be a cousin or nephew. Notice that the women are defined by their marital status, the man by his job.
