John Geldart
Retired Ballast Master
IN LOVING MEMORY OF JOHN GELDART RETIRED BALLAST MASTER WHO DIED APRIL 26TH 1900 AGED 76 YEARS ALSO ELIZABETH HIS WIFE WHO DIED JANY 12TH 1881 AGED 53 YEARS
NB This has been significantly updated (Jan 2023) from the first version, thanks to a helpful correspondent.
Definition of ballast master: a harbor (sic) official who sees that ships take on and discharge ballast according to regulations. [Source]
John Geldart came from the family that ran the Walney Lighthouse for several generations. There are other Geldarts in the Walney Churchyard, and some in Dalton & Barrow Cemeteries, though they are not necessarily the same family.
The gravestone has a beautifully carved ship, in nearly full sail. Note that Mr. Geldart worked until he was 75 yrs old.
Barrow News, 28 April 1900The Barrow News 28 April 1900 reported: DEATH OF MR. JOHN GELDART
We deeply regret to record the death of Mr. Jno. Geldart, of the Strand, Barrow, which occurred at his residence of Thursday at the advanced age of 77 (sic) years. The deceased gentleman was one of the oldest employees of the Furness Railway Company, having served them for close on fifty years. For the greater part of that period he filled the important post of ballast master at the Barrow Docks, and while acting in that capacity he gained the high esteem and respect of all who came into contact with him. He was the son of the late lighthouse-keeper on Walney Island. In June last year he retired from the service of the company on a pension, but has only experienced indifferent health since that time. A week or two ago he took to his bed, and died as above stated. Out of respect to the memory of the departed, flags were floated half-mast over the various business premises connected with the railway and docks. Flags were also floated half-mast on the vessels in port, and on various buildings in the town. The interment will take place today.
John Geldart was christened on 29 Feb 1824 at Walney Chapel, the son of Joseph Geldart (1787-1871) and his wife Margaret (Peggy) nee Sherwin (1790-1871), who were the Walney light keepers for decades. Joseph and Margaret had married on 20 April, 1811 in Dalton Parish Church. They had 12 children, of which John was the 7th:
Baptism dates as follows (Lancashire Online Parish Clerk):
William Geldart 1 September 1811
Margaret Geldart 7 November 1813
Deborah Geldart 14 January 1816
Alice Geldart 24 August 1817
Sarah Geldart 2 April 1820
Mary Geldart 14 July 1822
John Geldart 29 February 1824
Joseph Geldart 19 March 1826
Thomas Geldart 23 March 1828
Eleanor Geldart 4 October 1829
Bridget Geldart 20 March 1831
James Geldart 17 April 1834
If I have the right couple, John Geldart married Elizabeth Jackson in the Ulverston registration district in Q3 1850.
In the 1851 Census John Geldart (27), Labourer, born Walney, was living in the small village of Barrow with wife Elizabeth (23) Dressmaker, born Harbarrow (near Urswick), and baby Mary Geldart (3 months) born Barrow.
The family had grown by the 1861 Census: still living in Barrow were John Geldart (37) Railway Labourer, born Dalton; Elizabeth Geldart (33) Dressmaker, born Urswick; Mary Geldart (10) Scholar, born Barrow; Elizabeth Geldart (8) Scholar, born Barrow; Margaret Geldart (5) Scholar, born Barrow; Isabella Geldart (5) Scholar, born Barrow; and Nellie A. Geldart (2) born Barrow.
By the 1871 Census the Geldarts address was 3 Strand (The definite article is omitted). John Geldart (47) Wharf Foreman shares the house with wife Elizabeth Geldart (43), daughter Elizabeth Geldart (18) Housemaid; Alice A. Geldart (11) Scholar; Eleanor Geldart (7) Scholar; Joseph J. Geldart (5) Scholar; and Bridget Geldart (1).
In the 1881 Census John Geldart (57) Widower, Wharf Foreman, born Walney, Lancs, was living at Strand, Barrow in Furness. The family at home was Alice A. Geldart (21) Daughter, Single, Housekeeper, born Barrow; Eleanor Geldart (17) Daughter, Single, Milliner’s Assistant, born Barrow; Joseph J. Geldart, Son, Fitter’s Apprentice, born Barrow; and Bridget Geldart (11) Daughter, Scholar, born Barrow. Next door lived George H. Schutz, Retired Harbour Master, born Danzig, Germany (See Dalton graves on this website).
In the Electoral Registers for 1889-91 John Geldart, of Strand, Barrow in Furness, qualified through ownership of 19 & 32 Greengate (now Greengate Street).
In the 1891 Census, still at Strand, lived John Geldart (67) Widower, Dock Wharf Foreman; Bridget Geldart (21) Domestic Housekeeper; and Joseph John Geldart (25) Son, Marine Engineer. Next door lived the Sankey family, whose son Edward Sankey, then 16, became a well-known local photographer. A website will be made available this year (2023) but some can be viewed at here
The National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations) 1900 has:
GELDART John of the Strand Barrow-in-Furness Lancashire ballast-master died 26 April 1900 Probate Lancaster 23 July to Bridget Dewhurst (wife of John Dewhurst) and Samuel Horton grocer Effects £1484 18s.
