Died
Jane: 3 September 1912
Wilson: 14 April 1943
Born
Wilson: 5 April 1851
Sources
The Kendal Mercury
Cumbria BMD
Census
Cumbria Archives
Sankey Family Photographic Collection
National Probate Calendar
Place
Walks
Themes
Jane & Wilson Cooper
The historic photograph of the grave is from the Sankey Family Photographic Collection, courtesy of Cumbria Archives.
This is not one of Sankey’s best photos. The stone itself is too bright, and the words are barely legible, apart from those for daughter Edith at the bottom. A blemish on the postcard makes it look as though a fairy with an umbrella has perched on the back of the stone (No alcohol has been involved in the writing of this sheet!).
The 2023 image has a legible gravestone, but a further stone is leaning against it at the back.
In Loving Memory of
JANE,
THE BELOVED WIFE OF
WILSON COOPER,
WHO ENTERED INTO REST
SEP. 4TH 1912.
AGED 58 YEARS.
“EARTH HOLDS ONE GENTLE SOUL THE
LESS AND HEAVEN ONE ANGEL MORE”
ALSO OF THE ABOVE
WILSON COOPER,
WHO ENTERED INTO REST
APR. 14TH 1943,
AGED 92 YEARS
ALSO EDITH JANE,
DAUGHTER OF THE ABOVE
AGED 1 YEAR AND 3 MONTHS
RESTING
I found Wilson Cooper firstly with his birth record: 5 April 1851. He was baptised the following day, at Selside, Kendal.
In the 1861 Census living in “Cottage” near Garnett Bridge in Strickland Roger, near Burneside, Kendal, were Timothy Cooper (37) Shoemaker, employing 1 man, born Kendal; his wife Mary Cooper (47) born Kendal; and Timothy W. Cooper (10) Scholar, born Kendal.
By the 1871 Census he is living in Queen Street, Kendal. He is listed as Wilson Cooper (19) Draper, and is living with his mother, Mary Cooper (59). Father Timothy is still alive, but he is a lodger at Indigo Cottage, Hillbeck (now Helbeck), north of Brough. (Advert from the Kendal Mercury 17 October 1874 and, re: bankruptcy, 3 August 1878)
Timothy Wilson Cooper married Jane Peill in Q1 1876, in Kendal. Jane was the daughter of Isaac (Boot & Shoe Maker) and Ann Peill, and in the 1861 Census was living at Staveley Gate, next door to the Wesleyan Chapel in Staveley. In the 1871 Census she was living with her brother John Peill at 73 Highgate, Kendal. John (33) is the Independent Minister of New Street Chapel, while Jane (16) is a Milliner.
The Edinburgh Evening News 16 November 1878 reported:
Edinburgh Evening NewsALLEGED FRAUD OF DEBTORS
Yesterday, at the Manchester City Police Court, Timothy Wilson Cooper, draper, lately carrying on business at Kendal, was charged with fraudulently obtaining property on credit within four months of the presentation of his petition for liquidation, and also with fraudulently obtaining credit. The goods were obtained from Messrs s. and J. Watts and Messrs J. and G. Cooper, of Manchester. The alleged fraud charged was that he had made false representations as to the value of his stock to obtain the renewal of bills and a supply of goods. The prisoner was committed for trial.
Timothy Wilson Cooper appeared at the General Quarter Sessions in Manchester on 11 December 1878, where he was sentenced to 9 calendar months imprisonment with hard labour for the crime of “Fraud under the Bankruptcy Act, 1869”.
The Kendal Mercury 5 September 1879 death notices had “On the 3rd inst. on Far Cross Bank, Kendal, Albert, son of Mr. Wilson Cooper, aged 15 months”.
1881 Census
In the 1881 Census, Wilson has moved to Barrow and changed careers again. He is married, and a father. The family is living at 12 Cheltenham Street, Barrow, and consists of Wilson Cooper (29) Coal Agent, born Kendal, Westmorland; Jane Cooper (25) born Kendal; Arthur Cooper (5) born Kendal;, Jeremiah Cooper (3) born Kendal, and Emily Cooper (7 months) born Barrow. There are two servants: George Thompson (20) General Domestic Servant, born Bentham, Yorks.; and Agnes Cater (18?) General Domestic Servant, born Birkenhead, Cheshire.
1885 Electoral Register for Barrow
In the 1885 Electoral Register for Barrow, Wilson Cooper qualifies being the owner of 12 Cheltenham Street.
1891 Census
The 1891 Census has the Coopers at 35 Windsor Street, Barrow. Timothy W. Cooper (40) is now a Milk Dealer, born Kendal, Westmorland; wife Jane Cooper (36) is listed as born Staveley, Westmorland; the children are Arthur W. Cooper (14) Scholar, born Kendal; Jeremiah P. Cooper (12) Telephonist Clerk, born Kendal; Herbert Cooper (8) Scholar, born Barrow; William J. Cooper (6) Scholar, born Barrow; Mary E. Cooper (3) born Barrow; and Lillian A. Cooper (1), born Barrow. The servant is Mary A. Baythorpe (14) Domestic Servant, born Browedge, Lancs.
1901 Census
Another move before the 1901 Census has them at 2, Ainslie Street, Barrow. Wilson Cooper (49) Draper Dealer (Own Account) shares the household with Jane Cooper (45); Jeremiah P. Cooper (22) Clerk Electricity Works; Isaac H. Cooper (18) Printer’s Apprentice; William J. Cooper (16) Apprentice Ship Joiner; Mary E. Cooper (13) no occupation recorded; and Lillian A. Cooper (11) no occupation recorded. Annie Mangins? (21) Domestic Servant, born Dalton, completes the household.
1905 and 1910 Electoral Registers
In the 1905 and 1910 Electoral Registers for Barrow, Wilson Cooper qualifies being the owner of 18 Warwick Street, although living at 2 Ainslie Street.
1911 Census
The 1911 Census is written in a strange hand, and Ancestry searches do not pick up the Cooper family. However, they are still at 2 Ainslie Street, Barrow. (320 Section 29, 1911 Census for Barrow)
I think that the occupation of both daughters is “assistant”, but cannot decipher Wilson’s occupation. It is probably Draper again.
It is possible that, after Jane died in 1912, Wilson remarried twice, firstly to Annie Robinson (formerly Airey) in 1915, and after she died in 1931, to Mary Hodgson (formerly Horton) in 1936, both in Barrow. A Mary Cooper died in Barrow in 1946. (Cumbria BMD) This is corroborated by a Family Tree (jennydward) on Ancestry. Photo of Wilson Cooper courtesy of Jenny Ward.
1939 Register
In the 1939 Register, created to judge who was eligible for Ration Books, and for serving in the Armed Forces, Wilson Cooper (DoB 5 April 1851) Retiree, was living at 74 Victoria Avenue, along with wife Mary Cooper (DoB 17 December 1882) Household Duties.
The National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations) 1943 had:
COOPER Timothy Wilson of 74 Victoria-avenue Barrow-in-Furness Lancashire died 14 April 1943 Probate Carlisle 7 June to Arthur Wilson Cooper and Alexander Wilson Cooper master joiners. Effects £1694.
No-one is certain why Edward Sankey took photographs of graves in the period 1910-1920ff. Were they advertising the skills of his friend William Hull, or later Hull and Fairbairn? Were they to be made into postcards that the bereaved family could send to members who were not able to attend the funeral?
Another photo from Jenny Ward shows Wilson Cooper, with daughters Lilian, (Mary) Evelyn and wife Jane. This picture was reproduced in a local newspaper, probably the Barrow News, around 1970, with caption as follows:
“This picture, taken in 1910, belongs to Mr. W. W. Lee, of 29 Grantley Road, Barrow. It shows Mr. Wilson Cooper, mineral water manufacturer, with his own horse and trap in which he has just returned from a drive to Bardsea with his wife and two daughters. They lived in Pretoria Road, Barrow. This picture was taken on Abbey Road, near St. Paul’s Church. Mr. Lee, now 82, has a special interest in the picture. He married the girl with the umbrella and they enjoyed 52 years together until Mrs. Lee died two years ago. One of their daughters is Mrs. Ward, wife of Ald. Cedric Ward, head of the Barrow painting firm, of Pennington House, Pennington."
Thanks to Geoff Holme for sending the cutting to me.
There are two mysteries about the caption: when did Mr. Cooper become a mineral water manufacturer, if indeed he did? And was there ever a Pretoria Road? Is it a mishearing of Victoria Road? Or more likely, Victoria Avenue, since he was living there at the 1939 Register and when he died.
In the 1939 Register Wilfred W Lee (DoB 23 December 1888) Master Dairyman, is living at 29 Grantley Road along with Lilian A. Lee (DoB 24 July 1889) Unpaid Domestic Duties, and Joan P. Lee (DoB 17 July 1920) Solicitor’s Clerk. The next two records are redacted.
Wilfred Lee died 29 November 1972. His address is given as Pennington House, Pennington. Lilian Ann Lee died on 2 May 1968 while living at 29 Grantley Road.
My best guess is that this photograph was taken at the entrance to Arndene (now in 2024 Happy Tots), Drumard and Armadale mansions. The latter two have been demolished, with Drumard replaced by the Church of Jesus Christ and the Latter Day Saints, and the other site being empty. I suspect that the distinctive gate-posts behind the trap are from Armadale.
