IN LOVING MEMORY
OF
HARPER GAYTHORPE
BORN 13TH MARCH 1850
DIED 27TH DECEMBER 1909
IN ME MEA SPES OMNIS?
 
AND OF ANN ELIZABETH HIS WIFE
BORN 9TH SEPTEMBER 1847
DIED 22ND FEBRUARY 1940

If correct (it’s difficult to read), the Latin inscription means “all my hopes rest in me”.

A remarkable man. Harper Gaythorpe was an engraver, but more importantly, a polymath with numerous and varied interests. The titles of his publications – books, articles, reports, etc. – demonstrate an intriguing mix, e.g. William Close - surgeon, apothecary, historian, musician of Dalton-in-Furness; Wigan Bell Foundry; Walney Place names; Furness Folk Lore.

Harper was educated at St. Mary's School in Handbridge, Chester, to where the family had moved when he was a child. He became apprenticed to an engraver and illustrator. At the age of 21, his apprenticeship fulfilled, he moved to Barrow-in-Furness to take up a job with Joseph Richardson, a local antiquarian and proprietor of the Barrow Times, who was writing Furness: Past and Present, as illuminator and engraver. When that commission ended, he set up in business on his own account, and worked as an engraver in Barrow for the rest of his life.

On 9th September 1873, Harper married Anne Elizabeth Richardson at the Congregational Chapel at Barrow-in-Furness. (NB This may not be accurate. The marriage was registered in Ulverston, and does not appear on the Cumbria BMD website, which covers Barrow) Anne was the daughter of Joseph Richardson, his former employer.

Harper's work for Joseph Richardson had stimulated his interest in history and antiquities, as well as natural history and wildlife. He joined the Cumberland & Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society and the Barrow Naturalists' Field Club, and contributed a large number of articles to the Transactions of the Cumberland & Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society and the Proceedings of the Barrow Naturalists' Field Club. He was also a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.

whitingsociety.org.uk

The Carte de Visite is by H J Taphouse, courtesy of Barrow Archives. It is dated 1872.

1871 Census

In the 1871 Census the address is more specific: 144 Handbridge, next door to the Feather’s Inn. The family is as above, plus ten years, and has been joined by Herbert William Gaythorpe (7), Scholar, born Chester. Harper (21) is a Copper Plate Engraver, and Frederick (19) is an Engine Turner. There is a lodger: William Nixon (18) Unmarried, Sapper (Royal Engineers/Ordnance Survey), born Lambeth, Surrey.
 
The marriage of Harper Gaythorpe, of 26 Paradise Street, and Ann Elizabeth Richardson, of 79 Duke Street, Barrow on 9th September 1873 took place at the Congregational Chapel, Barrow.

1881 Census

By the 1881 Census, Harper Gaythorpe is married and has moved to Barrow. Living at 12 Harrison Street are Harper Gaythorpe (31), Head, Engraver and Illuminator, born Tarporley; Ann E. Gaythorpe (33) Wife, born Middlesbrough, Yorks; Sidney B. Gaythorpe (1) Son, born Barrow; and Florence N. Richardson (20) Unmarried, Sister (of Ann), Draper’s Saleswoman, Unemployed, born Middlesbrough, Yorks.

1891 Census

The household is exactly the same in the 1891 Census, plus 10 years. Harper is now described as a General Engraver on Metal, Illuminator, House and Estate Agent; Sidney is a Scholar, and Sister-in-Law Florence is a Confectioners’ Shopwoman.

From the London Gazette 22 April 1910.

1911 Census

Living at 3 Prospect Road, Barrow in the 1911 Census are Ann Elizabeth Gaythorpe (63) Head, Widow, Living on Private Means, born Middlesbrough, Yorkshire; Sidney Bertram Gaythorpe (31) Single, Gold, Silver & Brass Engraver, (Own Account) born Barrow; and Florence Nightingale Richardson (50) Single, Sister, born Middlesbrough, Yorks.
 
Sidney’s marriage to Edith Postlethwaite was registered in the Whitehaven district of Cumberland in the third quarter of 1914.

1939 Directory

In the 1939 Directory the Gaythorpes are still at 3 Prospect Road. Sidney Bertram Gaythorpe (DoB 5 February 1880) is now a General engraver (transcribed as Engineer) and Draughtsman (Own Account); his wife Edith Gaythorpe (DoB 15 February 1881) is occupied with Unpaid Domestic Duties, which may include looking after mother-in-law Ann E. Gaythorpe (DoB 9 September 1847), who is living on Private Means.

The Barrow News 1st January 1910 wrote:

DEATH OF MR. HARPER GAYTHORPE

We regret to learn of the painfully sudden death of Mr. Harper Gaythorpe, R.S.A. Scot., who expired on Monday morning at his residence, Claverton, Prospect-road, Barrow.

The deceased gentleman was an old resident of Barrow, having come here 38 years ago from his native city of Chester. He married the eldest daughter of the late Mr. J. Richardson, who was proprietor of the “Barrow Vulcan”, and at one time proprietor of the “Barrow Times”. He had only one child, a son, who was with his father in business as an engraver. As an engraver an illuminator Mr. Gaythorpe had few equals.

In public life Mr. Gaythorpe was chiefly known for his interest in archaeological and antiquarian matters. He was one of the founders of the Barrow Field Naturalists’ Society, and he was for years a prominent member of the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian Society. It was only a few weeks ago that he was practically the guide to this society when it paid its visit to Piel, Dalton and Coniston.
He was a past President of the Barrow Naturalists’ Field Club, and his earnestness in the work of the society and in those duties of his office. Unfortunately, the lengthy tribute that continues is barely readable.

FUNERAL OF MR. HARPER GAYTHORPE

The funeral of the late Mr. Harper Gaythorpe took place this afternoon at the Barrow Cemetery, and was attended by a large number of relatives and people representing public bodies in the town and district. The cortege left the house shortly after 2.15 p.m., the solemn procession being headed by numerous public officials, who were followed by members of the Corporation wearing their robes of office. Then followed the hearse bearing the remains of the deceased gentleman and a large number of wreaths. In this order the procession arrived at St. Paul’s Church, where the first portion of the funeral service was held. This part of the ceremony over, the funeral became of a more private nature. The principal mourners present included Mrs. Gaythorpe (widow), Mr. Sydney B. Gaythorpe (son), Miss Florence Richardson (sister-in-law), Messrs. Herbert and Fred Gaythorpe (brothers), Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Richardson (brother-in-law and sister-in-law).

Amongst the members of the Corporation present were :- The Mayor (Councillor T. F. Butler), who was accompanied by the Town Clerk (Mr. L. Hewlett) and Mr. S. Hooper (Mace bearer), the ex-Mayor, Councillor G. S. Heath, J. P., Alderman R. B. D. Bradshaw; Alderman William Gradwell; Alderman J. P. Smith; Alderman Alf. Barrow; and a long list of councillors, businessmen (no women are named), and other prominent townsmen

OVER 70 YEARS IN BARROW

DEATH OF MRS. GAYTHORPE
IN HER 93rd YEAR

The remains of Mrs. Gaythorpe, widow of Mr. Harper Gaythorpe, engraver and antiquary, of 3, Prospect-road, Barrow, who died on Thursday week, were interred at the Barrow Cemetery on Tuesday.

Mrs. Gaythorpe, who was fortunate in retaining her faculties practically to the end, was one of the oldest residents of the town. She came to Barrow over 70 years ago, and was the eldest daughter of the late Mr. Joseph Richardson, printer and publisher of “Furness: Past and Present,” and other works.

The service at St. Paul’s Church was conducted by the Rev. C. Whitaker.

Amongst the mourners present were Mr. and Mrs. S. B. Gaythorpe, son and daughter-in-law; Mr. and Mrs. F. J. M. Richardson, nephew and niece; Mrs. Lamb (Hensingham, Whitehaven), Miss Atkinson and a number of friends.

Much sympathy will be felt for Mrs. Gaythorpe’s sister, Miss F. N. Richardson, now the only surviving member of that generation of her family, who has been much an invalid for the past few years and was unable to be present.

BIOGRAPHY

Gaythorpe, Harper (1850-1909), FSA (Scot), engraver and illuminator, born at Tarporley, Cheshire in 1850, moved to Barrow-in-Furness in 1871, living at 12 Harrison Street (1882), then at Claverton, Prospect Road, gained interest in local history through his work (engraved plates of facsimiles and colour illustrated coats of arms) on Joseph Richardson’s Furness: Past and Present (1880), elected member of CWAAS in 1895, member of Council 1905-1909 and contributed papers to Transactions on variety of Furness characters and antiquities, eg The Crankes of Urswick 1906, CW2 6 128-42 (qv), also energetic founder member and supporter of Barrow Naturalists’ Field Club, editor of its Transactions and President 1902-1904, compiled and edited Furness Lore (BNFC Transactions for 1879-1882, published in 1900) interested in natural history (esp protection of wild birds), promoted foundation of Barrow Museum, co-opted member of Municipal Library and Museum Cttee, member of Viking Club, died unm, 27 December 1909, obit CWAAS 1910 (CW2, x, 513-14; CRO(B)); other articles CWAAS, notebooks and Barrow CRO; J. Sullivan (qv)

cumbrianlives.org.uk

Photo courtesy of Cumbria Archives/Records Office

His Son

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• Born February 5, 1880, Barrow-in-Furness
• Died November 25, 1964, Barrow-in-Furness
• Educated: Higher Grade School (now Barrow Grammar School)
• Military Service: Stretcher-bearer in the First World War; Draughtsman for the Air Force. Member:
• British Astronomical Association, Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society
• Publications: Gaythorpe published papers in the Journal of the British Astronomical Association and the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

Gaythorpe, Sidney Bertram (1880-1964), engraver, astronomer and ‘independent scholar of wide interests’, born Barrow, the son of Harper Gaythorpe FSA (Scot) (qv) and his wife Ann, his father was an engraver and antiquary (qv), educ Higher Grade School (later the GS), contemporary of R.O. Gross the sculptor and Lord Birkett (qqv), marr Edith Postlethwaite in 1914, stretcher bearer in 1st WW, made numerous visits to Oxford, Cambridge and London libraries, papers appeared in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomy Society, he wrote on ‘Astronomy in Virgil’ in Nature 1931, his main interest was the precocious Jeremiah Horrocks (1619-1641; ODNB) who observed the 1639 transit of Venus (J of Brit Astron Assoc 1936 and 1954), also worked on Crabtree and Gascoigne, all three northern astronomers, his house in Barrow at 3, Prospect Rd was blitzed in 1941 and he lost much of his library; his letters and papers are at Barrow CRO and the university of Illinois.

cumbrianlives.org.uk
 
Sidney Gaythorpe lived at 17 Coniston Road (1942) and 3 Litchmead Grove (1945. (Envelopes in RO)