Died
Edward: 1881
Esther: 1925
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Edward & Esther Wilcock
The gravestone is relatively unchanged, except for a change in colour, and the fact that the kerbs have become full of earth/grass. This prevents reading the writing on the right-hand kerb. Sankey had not started taking photos in 1881, so this photograph may be when a headstone was added later, when Esther died, or possibly when the writing on the kerb was written.
In
Loving Memory
of
EDWARD WILCOCK
WHO DIED 5TH DECEMBER 1881,
AGED 33 YEARS.
To which has been added:
ALSO ESTHER WILCOCK,
WIDOW OF THE ABOVE,
WHO DIED 4TH MARCH 1925,
AGED 83 YEARS.
ALSO ALSO ESTHER WILCOCK,
WIDOW OF THE ABOVE,
WHO DIED 4TH MARCH 1925,
AGED 83 YEARS.
ALSO ELIZA HENRY
WHO DIED xx DEC. 1937
WHO DIED xx DEC. 1937
The Barrow Herald and Furness Advertiser 17 January 1880, had a death notice for Sarah Ellen, aged 2 years, daughter of Edward Wilcock, joiner, of Barrow, who died on 10th January.
1881 Census
In the 1881 Census, Edward Wilcock and family are living at 36 York Street Barrow. In the house are Edward Wilcock (32?) Joiner, born Holme, Westmorland; Esther Wilcock (38) born Whitehaven, Cumberland; F. W. Wilcock (6) Scholar, born Barrow; Ernest E. Wilcock (1) born Barrow; and William Wilcock (41) Boarder, Unmarried, Blacksmith, born High Bentham, Yorks.
According to a report in the Barrow Herald and Furness Advertiser 12 August 1890, appearing before the Mayor, Mr. A. H. Strongitharm, and Mr. J. W. Little, with Mr. G. B. Wansbrough.
“Esther Wilcock was summoned for allowing her chimney in Back Hartington Street North, to get on fire. After hearing the evidence of the police-constable, the Bench imposed the usual penalty of 1s. and costs.
1891 Census
After Edward’s death, widow Esther had to support herself. In the 1891 Census she is at 62 Back Hartington Street (later Wordsworth Street), where the household is Hester (sic) Wilcock (49) Widow, Beerseller, born Whitehaven, Cumb; Frederick Wilcock (16) Son, Outfitter (Shop), born Barrow; Ernest Ed. Wilcock (11) Son, Scholar, born Barrow; Thomas A. Wilcock (9) Son, Scholar, born Barrow; George C. Johnston (21) Nephew, Hammerman?, born Whitehaven, Cumb; Hester J. Johnston (23) Niece, General Servant (Domestic), born Whitehaven, Cumb; Harrison Farrer (25) Boarder, Boiler-maker, born Whitehaven; Hugh Flinn (23) Boarder, Hammerman, born Barrow; and William Carter (23) Boarder, Ship Carpenter, born Whitehaven.
1901 Census
By the 1901 Census she was no longer in the beer trade. Living at 14 Keith Street were Esther Wilcock (59) Widow, no occupation recorded, born Whitehaven; Frederick W. Wilcock (26) Clothier’s Assistant, born Barrow; Ernest E. Wilcock (21) Coach Wheelwright, born Barrow; Thomas A. Wilcock (19) Carriage Painter (coaches), born Barrow.
1911 Census
She was still at 14 Keith Street for the 1911 Census. Esther Wilcock (69) Widow, no occupation, born Whitehaven, is living with sons Ernest Edward Wilcock (31) Single, Wheelwright for Coachbuilder, born Barrow, and Thomas Alfred Wilcock (29) Single, Coach Painter for Coach Builder, born Barrow.
1921 Census
In her last Census entry, in the 1921 Census, Esther Wilcock (79) Widow, born Whitehaven, Cumberland, is living at 88 Scott Street, Barrow, with another son, Frederick W. Wilcock (46) Clothing Salesman employed by A. B. McDowell, Clothier and Outfitter. Other members of the household are Margaret Wilcock (46) Wife, Home Duties, born Barrow; Wilfred E. Wilcock (18) Apprentice Engineer, employed by Vickers Ltd, born Barrow; Harold J. Wilcock (14) Message Boy, employed by Vickers Ltd, born Barrow; Lilian M. Wilcock (10) Scholar, born Barrow; and Edward Roberts (43) Single, Boarder, Engineering Clerk, employed by Vickers Ltd, born Manchester, Lancs.
In a marriage notice in the Barrow Herald and Furness Advertiser 19 August 1911, Ernest Edward Wilcock married Rose Mather of Barrow on 7 August 1911, at St. James’, Barrow.
1871 and 1861 Census
Earlier in her life, in the 1871 Census, Esther Wilcock, Edward’s wife, had lived in Cleator, Cumberland, where she was cook in the household of Alfred Harwood (27) Surgeon, and his wife Elizabeth Harwood (26). She is listed as Ester Johnstone, born Whitehaven. In the previous, 1861, Census she was Housemaid (aged 19) at Wasdale Hall, Nether Wasdale, in the employ of Benjamin Hutchinson, Vicar of St. Michael and All Angels.
No-one is certain why Edward Sankey took photographs of graves in the period 1910-1920 or later. 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?
The historic photograph is from the Sankey Family Photographic Collection, courtesy of Cumbria Archives.
