Rev. Charles Robert Graham
Almost hidden away in the foliage, the Rev. Graham was the Vicar of Kirkby for forty six years.
IN MEMORY OF
THE
REV. CHARLES ROBERT GRAHAM
LATE VICAR OF
KIRKBY IRELETH FOR 46 YEARS
WHO DIED ON THE 14TH JANUARY
1879 AGED 77 YEARS
IN HUMBLE AND SINCERE FAITH IN JESUS,
MY REDEEMER, I REST AND TRUST IN THE MERCY OF GOD
The Barrow Times 18 January 1879 carried a brief report. This early newspaper, predating the Barrow News, tended to have briefer news pieces, and more national and international stories. It read:
DEATH OF THE REV. C. R. GRAHAM. – The oldest and most respected of our district clergymen, the Rev. Charles R. Graham, J.P., of Kirkby Ireleth, died at the vicarage on Tuesday last, aged 77 years. Mr. Graham had been vicar of the parish of Kirkby Ireleth upwards of 46 years. He was also a surrogate*, and Justice of the Peace for the County of Lancaster. His health had been declining for the past few months, and he gradually sank, until death intervened on Tuesday last. The funeral will take place today at two o’clock.
* A Surrogate is the deputy of a bishop or an ecclesiastical judge. (Wikipedia)
Reverend Graham was born in Wales, joining a number of other Welshmen and women in Kirkby e.g. Johns and Jones.
1851 Census
From Ancestry we know that in the 1851 Census he was living as a Lodger with Ellen Cartmell (60) Widow, Head, Occupied in Domestic Duties, born Beverley, Yorkshire; Ann Russell (28) Daughter, Unmarried, Dressmaker, born Ulverston, Lancs, and Charles R. Graham (47) Unmarried, Vicar of Kirkby Ireleth, Magistrate, born St. Athan, Glamorganshire. He had shared their house in the 1841 Census too.
1861 Census
In the 1861 Census he was living in Beckside Parsonage, Kirkby Ireleth. Sharing the house was Mary Smithurst or Smethurst (25) Unmarried, Housekeeper, born Bolton, Lancs.
1871 Census
In the 1871 Census he was living in the Vicarage, Beckside, Kirkby Ireleth. Sharing the house were Mary Agnes Slater (35) Widow, Housekeeper, born Liverpool, Lancashire, and her 11 yr. old daughter, also Mary Agnes Slater, born Liverpool.
The National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations) 1879 has the following entry:
GRAHAM The Reverend Charles Robert 11 February The Will of the Reverend Charles Robert Graham late of the Vicarage Beckside in the Parish of Kirkby Ireleth in the County of Lancaster Clerk who died 14 January 1879 at the said Vicarage was proved at Lancaster by Thomas Butler of Broughton-in-Furness in the said County Gentleman the sole Executor. Effects not more than £200.
This is a relatively small amount for a Vicar of this time.
