Kirkby, John Henry

Birth Name Kirkby, John Henry
Gramps ID I0009
Gender male
Age at Death 75 years, 1 month, 14 days

Narrative

Born in 1834 to Rev John H Kirkby & Nancy Fayrer at Naval Terrace, HM Dockyard, Sheerness, England.
John Henry Kirkby was the youngest of six children (William(1828), Nancy F(1829), twins Mary Jane & Jane Mary(1831), Francis(1832)).
He was likely away being educated in 1851 at aged 17 (missing from father's 1851 Census).
It is also likely he was waiting to inherit the 103 acre farm at High Cragg, Underbarrow (though seemingly spends no time on a farm beforehand).
By 1861 he is age 27, still living with his father, though now at the 3 Westbourne Road, Islington address.
There is still no mention of an occupation.
He is there with his sister Mary Jane until their father's death in 1862 when John inherits High Cragg, aged 28.
A likely part of the deal for High Cragg is that he marries his cousin Elizabeth (age 23) which happens in 1865 (the daughter of his uncle Henry who was at High Cragg from at least 1841 to 1861).
John and Elizabeth’s mutually inherited farming career lasts from about 1864 until 1881.
In 1881 they sell the High Cragg "intack" land (as per the Will info) to local land owner George D Atkinson and William Willison (pawnbroker).
Though John & Elizabeth are listed in the 1881 census as living at High Cragg, it is likely they sold the property too and moved soon after.
By 1891 Census John is a “retired farmer” aged 55 and living at 58 Talbot Road, Stretford, Manchester with his wife Elizabeth and their three daughters, Nancy, Ida E, and Mary A.
By 1901 he has moved to Rivers Hill, Ashton upon Mersey, Bucklow, Cheshire with Elizabeth, son George (age 24, a "shipping agent clerk") and daughter Mary A (age 18).
In the 1901 census John is aged 66 and puts “living on own means” as his occupation.
(At his son William Cape's wedding to Matilda in 1909 he puts his occupation as "Gentleman").
In 1910 John dies in Bucklow aged 76.
Elizabeth dies sometime after the 1901 census, but it is unknown where or when.

Narrative

In 1881 did John and Elizabeth find farming their inherited 103 acres at High Cragg too expensive, too hard, or did they just want a change in lifestyle? It is known that farming was negatively impacted in the area with the completion of the Kendal canal around 1850.

In the years before selling they had taken out a number of additional mortgages:

1865 - A mortgage in name of JH Kirkby to Mary Jane GBP1000 @ 5% (did she buy a place on money borrowed against High Cragg promising to pay JH Kirkby back?).
1870 - A transfer of mortgage to Miss Helen Lodge from MJ Kirkby pays off her GBP1000 mortgage and keeps GBP800. (name might help locate the place she had, check 1871 census)
1877 - JH Kirkby gets a mortgage of GBP 3000 from E. Brainthwaite (brokers) et al.
1879 - Another GBP1500 mortgage against "82 acres, 2 roods and 63 perches", same brokers, presumably JH again.

John and Elizabeth sold, and seemingly spent, their inheritance of High Cragg after selling it on or after 1881. They were increasing their mortgage on the property in 1877 and again in 1879. It is uncertain if they found it unaffordable, or were up to something else.

March 1881 entry in the Will shows John and Elizabeth sell "the conveyance of intack" with a picture of the layout beside High Cragg and a comment "Geo Kirkby Trustee" (which is yet to be understood but may refer to the area of Strickland Ketel). High Cragg was sold to George Dixon Atkinson (later listed as owner in census for High Cragg property) and William Willison who was a local pawnbroker and silversmith. The mention of Isabella is a little confusing in the Will notes but likely refers to his John's Uncle Henry Kirkby's wife who was previous owner, or part owner, of High Cragg with John's father, Rev John H Kirkby.

Narrative

Why did John recieve High Cragg farm in his father's Will of 1862 and not his older brother Rev William (It seems William was doing well for himself living in London as a Chaplain in Wandsworth). Though two sisters, Nancy F and Jane Mary, as well as his mother were dead by 1862, Mary Jane - his older sister - was still living, but she only received money and "household furniture and linen" (from where? given the Will was made before 1862, probably 8 Westbourne Road, Islington or from Naval Terrace in Sheerness, but probably not from High Cragg).

1865 - A mortgage in the name of JH Kirkby is taken out for Mary Jane GBP1000 @ 5% (did she buy a place on money borrowed against High Cragg promising to pay JH Kirkby back?).

1870 - A transfer of mortgage to Miss Helen Lodge from MJ Kirkby pays off her GBP1000 mortgage and MJ keeps GBP800. (name might help locate the place she had, check the 1871 census)

John's twin sisters, Mary Jane and Jane Mary, recieved the lions share of money in the Will (GBP2500 each) in 1862 but Jane Mary was likely dead by then, so it was split between the others (also noted in the 1862 Will). An inclusion mentions what should happen if Jane Mary died early, suggesting their father Rev John knew she might not survive.

Jane Mary had been married off to a cousin George, son of Uncle George, in the same way John had married his Uncle Henry's niece. This was almost certainly done to keep Tullythwaite House in the Kirkby family along with High Cragg. Given the parents went to such efforts to secure the properties for the Kirkbys, one wonders whether John and Elizabeth's decision to sell High Cragg would have displeased parents Henry and Rev John had they lived. It seemed to mark the end of High Cragg and any inheritance in this Kirkby line. Though Tullythwaite House and whatever was at the mysterious "Geo Kirkby Trustee" location, may have remained in another Kirkby line (tbc).

Narrative

An interesting connection is John's mother Nancy Fayrer. Her father was the infamous maritime Captain Joseph Fayrer (1743 - 1801), and her nephew, via her brother Commander Robert John Fayrer (1788-1869), was the famous Sir Joseph Fayrer (1824 – 1907).

Her other nephew, George Fayrer (1811 - 1868) the surgeon, was either the son of Nancy's other brother Rev Joseph (of St Treath, Cornwall who married Sarah Clay) or of her brother Commander Robert (conflicting links being researched). Either way, this George seems to the one to become executor of Rev John Kirkby's Will on at least two occasions.

(more details of the Fayrer's are provided in Rev John Kirkby's notes).

 

 

 

 

Events

Event Date Place Description Sources
Birth 18 Nov 1834 Naval Terrace, Minster, Sheppey, Sheerness, Kent, England, UK John is born in Sheerness confirmed by his census records 1a 2a
Baptism 14 Jan 1835 Minster in Sheppey, Ss Mary & Sexburga, Sheerness, Kent, England, UK John is baptised locally, parents names confirmed. 1a
Residence before 1851 Naval Terrace, Minster, Sheppey, Sheerness, Kent, England, UK John is living at Naval Terrace until he goes to school or education (not on father's census record 1851) 3a
Residence 1861 3 Westbourne Road, Barnsbury, Islington, London, England, UK John is living at Westbourne road with father Rev John and sister Mary Jane (census 1861) 4a
Will 3 Feb 1862 High Cragg, Underbarrow, Westmorland, England, UK John inherits High Cragg "a small farm with house and buildings annual value rent GBP60". It also has 103 acres 5a
Property 27 Jan 1865 High Cragg, Underbarrow, Westmorland, England, UK John and Elizabeth make collective indenture for a Mortgage together (amount not specified) 5b
Residence between 1871 and 1881 High Cragg, Underbarrow, Westmorland, England, UK John and wife Elizabeth in 1871 now farming at High Cragg. He enters occupation as “farmer of 104 acres, employing 2 men and 2 boys” (census 1871) 6a 7a
Property 2 Jul 1877 High Cragg, Underbarrow, Westmorland, England, UK John takes out a mortgage of GBP3000 (no reason why is provided, though previous month a conveyance was done) 5b
Property 30 Jun 1877 High Cragg, Underbarrow, Westmorland, England, UK John has conveyance done of property costs GBP1800 (presumably High Cragg) 5b
Property 30 Aug 1879 High Cragg, Underbarrow, Westmorland, England, UK "82 acres, 2 roods, 26 perches additional mortgage GBP1800" presumably John, and he uses same brokers 5b
Property 2 Mar 1881 High Cragg, Underbarrow, Westmorland, England, UK John and Elizabeth sell "Intack" land of High Cragg and possibly the buildings to George D Atkinson 5c
Residence 1891 58 Talbot Road, Stretford, Manchester, Lancashire, England, UK John and family living at 58 Talbot Road, Manchester probably moved after selling High Cragg in 1881 8a
Residence 1901 Rivers Hill, Manchester, Lancashire, England, UK John and family living at Rivers Hill, Ashton upon Mersey, Bucklow, Cheshire in 1901 9a
Death 1910 Rivers Hill, Manchester, Lancashire, England, UK John dies in 1910 in Bucklow Cheshire (likely at Rivershill) 10a

Parents

Relation to main person Name Birth date Death date Relation within this family (if not by birth)
Father Kirkby, John Henry [I0012]20 Dec 17803 Feb 1862
Mother Fayrer, Nancy [I0022]2 Dec 17941837
         Kirkby, John Henry 18 Nov 1834 1910
    Sister     Kirkby, Nancy Fayrer [I0025] 27 Jul 1829 28 Oct 1843
    Sister     Kirkby, Mary Jane [I0026] 2 Jul 1831
    Sister     Kirkby, Jane Mary [I0027] 2 Jul 1831 estimated before 1861
    Sister     Kirkby, Frances [I0028] 7 Sep 1832 1847
    Brother     Kirkby, William [I0030] 1828 1880

Families

Family of Kirkby, John Henry and Kirkby, Elizabeth [F0004]
Married Wife Kirkby, Elizabeth [I0010] ( * 4 Apr 1840 + ... )
   
Event Date Place Description Sources
Marriage 25 Jul 1865 Underbarrow, Westmorland, England, UK John is married to Elizabeth Kirkby his cousin (daughter of Henry) in Underbarrow 11a 5d
  Children
Name Birth Date Death Date
Kirkby, Nancy Fayrer [I0033]1873
Kirkby, William Cape [I0006]187629 Jul 1919
Kirkby, George F [I0034]1877
Kirkby, Ida E [I0035]1881
Kirkby, Mary A [I0036]1883

Source References

  1. Minster baptisms 1569-1911 [S0016]
      • Date: 14 Jan 1835
      • Page: Kent Baptisms;Minster in Sheppey, Ss Mary & Sexburga;John Henry Kirkby
      • Citation:

        https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript?id=GBPRS%2FB%2F82351510%2F1

      • General:

        John Henry Kirkby born 18 Nov 1834 & baptised 14 Jan 1835 in Minster in Sheppey. Parents names shown.

  2. 1841 England, Wales & Scotland Census [S0019]
      • Date: 1841
      • Page: Naval Terrace, Minster, Sheppey, Kent, England;John Kirkby in 1841
      • Rev John Kirkby Census 1841 1
      • Rev John Kirkby Census 1841 2
      • Citation:

        https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript?id=GBC%2F1841%2F0014037607

      • General:

        First name(s) Last name Sex Age Birth year Birth place
        John Kirkby Male 55 1786 -
        John Kirkby Male 6 1835 Kent, England
        Frances Kirkby Female 8 1833 Kent, England
        Elizabeth Garrett Female 20 1821 Kent, England
        Caroline Garrett Female 20 1821 Kent, England

        Note: image shows his occupation as "clergyman"

  3. 1851 England, Wales & Scotland Census [S0020]
      • Date: 1851
      • Page: Naval Terrace, Minster, Sheppey, Kent, England;John Kirkby in 1851
      • 1851 census Rev John Kirkby photo
      • Citation:

        https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript?id=GBC/1851/0005867254

      • General:

        First name(s) Last name Relationship Marital status Sex Age Birth year Occupation Birth place
        John Kirkby Head Widower Male 69 1782 Chaplain of h m dock Cumberland, England
        Mary Jane Kirkby Daughter Unmarried Female 19 1832 Yard at sharness Sheerness, Kent, England
        Jane Mary Kirkby Daughter Unmarried Female 19 1832 At home Sheerness, Kent, England
        Elizabeth A Mackett Servant Unmarried Female 34 1817 House servant Kent, England
        Jane Mary Munding Servant Unmarried Female 18 1833 House servant Devonport, Devon, England

  4. 1861 England, Wales & Scotland Census [S0021]
      • Date: 1861
      • Page: 3, Westbourne Road, St Mary Islington, Islington, London & Middlesex, England;John Kirkby
      • Citation:

        https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript?id=GBC/1861/0000875954&expand=true

      • General:

        First name(s) Last name Relationship Marital status Sex Age Birth year Occupation Birth place
        John Kirkley Head Widower Male 80 1781 Retired caption rlt late of... Ulverston, Cumberland, England
        John Hy Kirkley Son Unmarried Male 26 1835 - Sheerness, Kent, England
        Mary Jane Kirkley Daughter Unmarried Female 29 1832 - Sheerness, Kent, England
        Elizabeth Sainsbury Servant Unmarried Female 40 1821 Nurse Werrington, Somerset, England
        Eliza Sharpe Servant Unmarried Female 24 1837 House servant Maidstone, Kent, England
        Rebecca Worron Servant Unmarried Female 18 1843 House servant Buckinghamshire, England.

        Note: current spelling errors in surname confirmed by image. also occupation misread.

         

         

  5. Kirkby Mortage & Will Info papers - copies [S0004]
      • Date: 1862
      • Page: Page 2 of Mortgage & Will copies
      • IMG-20221007-WA0002
      • Citation:

        1866 note: extract from Will of William of Little Tullythwaite. “exclusive of enclosure of ‘Intack’ but inclusive commonage of High Cragg” x3 dates of changes made to son John Kirkby. Amends to make 3 sons executors: John, George, Henry.

      • Date: 22 Sep 1880
      • Page: Page 3 of Mortgage & Will copies
      • IMG-20221007-WA0003
      • Citation:

        Will of Rev John Kirkby to son John Kirkby High Cragg for ever.
        other items and money to children. Executors listed.

         

         

         

      • Page: Page 4 of Mortgage & Will copies
      • IMG-20221007-WA0004
      • Page: Page 5 - Kirkby family tree from Mortgage and Will copies
      • Kirkby Family Tree
  6. 1871 England, Wales & Scotland Census [S0030]
      • Date: 1871
      • Page: Cragg, High, Underbarrow & Bradleyfield, Kendal, Westmorland, England;John Henry Kirkby
      • 1871 census John Henry Kirkby
      • Citation:

        https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript?id=GBC%2F1871%2F0021589415

      • General:

        First name(s) Last name Relationship Marital status Sex Age Birth year Occupation Birth place
        John Henry Kirkby Head - Male 36 1835 - Kent, England
        Elizabeth Kirkby Wife - Female 29 1842 - Westmorland, England
        Jane Gaskill Servant - Female 18 1853 - Westmorland, England
        Elizabeth Gaskill Servant - Female 14 1857 - Westmorland, England
        Thomas Coward Servant - Male 18 1853 - Westmorland, England

        First name(s) John Henry
        Last name Kirkby
        Relationship Head
        Marital status -
        Sex Male
        Age 36
        Birth year 1835
        Birth town -
        Birth county Kent
        Birth county as transcribed KENT
        Birth place England
        Occupation “farmer of 104 acres, employing 2 men and 2 boys”
        Full address Cragg, High, Underbarrow & Bradleyfield, Kendal, Westmorland, England
        House name -
        Street Cragg, High
        Hamlet Underbarrow
        Parish Underbarrow & Bradleyfield
        County Westmorland
        Country England
        Registration district Kendal
        Sub district Milnthorpe
        Enumeration district 9
        Archive reference RG10
        Piece number 5290
        Folio 52
        Page 6
        Schedule 23
        Record set 1871 England, Wales & Scotland Census
        Category Census, land & surveys
        Subcategory Census
        Collections from Great Britain, England

  7. 1881 England, Wales & Scotland Census [S0025]
      • Date: 1881
      • Page: High Cragg, Underbarrow and Bradley Field, Kendal, Westmorland, England;John H Kirkby
      • 1881 census John Henry Kirkby High Cragg
      • Citation:

        https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript?id=GBC/1881/0024379252

      • General:

        First name(s) Last name Relationship Marital status Sex Age Birth year Occupation Birth place
        John H Kirkby Head Married Male 46 1835 Farmer of 103 acres Sheerness, Kent, England
        Elizabeth Kirkby Wife Married Female 41 1840 - Underbarrow, Westmorland, England
        Nanny F Kirkby Daughter Single Female 8 1873 Scholar Underbarrow, Westmorland, England
        William C Kirkby Son daughter Single Male 5 1876 - Underbarrow, Westmorland, England
        George F Kirkby Son Single Male 4 1877 - Underbarrow, Westmorland, England
        Ida E Kirkby Daughter Single Female 0 1881 - Underbarrow, Westmorland, England
        John H Buxton Visitor Married Male 40 1841 Newspaper manager (agent) Salford, Lancashire, England
        Isabella Buxton Visitor Married Female 41 1840 - Manchester, Lancashire, England
        Mary Milburn Servant Single Female 19 1862 Domestic servant Crosthwaite, Westmorland, England
        Dinah Ingall Servant Single Female 15 1866 Domestic servant Kendal, Westmorland, England

  8. 1891 England, Wales & Scotland Census [S0026]
      • Date: 1891
      • Page: Talbot Road, Stretford, Barton upon Irwell, Lancashire, England; John Henry Kirkby
      • 1891 census John Henry Kirkby Talbot Road
      • Citation:

        https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript?id=GBC%2F1891%2F0021725192

      • General:

        First name(s) Last name Relationship Marital status Sex Age Birth year Occupation Birth place
        John H Kirkby Head Married Male 55 1836 Retired farmer Sheerness, Kent, England
        Elizabeth Kirkby Wife Married Female 51 1840 - Underbarrow, Westmorland, England
        Nancy F Kirkby Daughter Single Female 18 1873 School mistress kindergarten Underbarrow, Lancashire, England
        Ida E Kirkby Daughter - Female 10 1881 Scholar Underbarrow, Lancashire, England
        Mary A Kirkby Daughter - Female 8 1883 Scholar Poynton, Cheshire, England
        Clotilde Berge Visitor Single Female 25 1866 Student -

        First name(s) John H
        Last name Kirkby
        Relationship Head
        Marital status Married
        Sex Male
        Age 55
        Birth year 1836
        Birth town Sheerness
        Birth county Kent
        Birth county as transcribed KENT
        Birth place England
        Birth place other as transcribed H M BOCKYARD
        Occupation Retired farmer
        Full address Talbot Road, Stretford, Barton upon Irwell, Lancashire, England
        Street Talbot Road
        Town Stretford
        Parish Stretford
        County Lancashire
        Country England
        Registration district Barton upon Irwell
        Sub district Stretford
        Enumeration district 17
        Parliamentary borough or division Stretford
        Ecclesiastical parish or district St Matthews
        Archive reference RG12
        Piece number 3159
        Folio 103
        Page 7
        Schedule 38
        Record set 1891 England, Wales & Scotland Census
        Category Census, land & surveys
        Subcategory Census
        Collections from Great Britain, England

  9. 1901 England, Wales & Scotland Census [S0031]
      • Date: 1901
      • Page: Rivershill, Ashton upon Mersey, Bucklow, Cheshire, England;John Henry Kirkby
      • Citation:

        https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript?id=GBC/1901/0022297256&_gl=1*1ppmc3g*_ga*MTUwOTg4MTQxNy4xNjY1NTAyNDM5*_ga_QBML133ZT0*MTY2NTkzMzUxNS4xMi4xLjE2NjU5MzUzNTkuMC4wLjA.

      • General:

        First name(s) Last name Relationship Marital status Sex Age Birth year Occupation Birth place
        John H Kirkby Head Married Male 66 1835 Living on own means Kent, England
        Elizabeth Kirkby Wife Married Female 60 1841 - Westmorland, England
        George F Kirkby Son Single Male 24 1877 Shipping agents clerk Westmorland, England
        Mary A Kirkby Daughter Single Female 18 1883 - Poynton, Cheshire, England

        First name(s) John H
        Last name Kirkby
        Relationship Head
        Marital status Married
        Sex Male
        Age 66
        Birth year 1835
        Birth town -
        Birth town as transcribed H M DOCKYARD SHEERNESS
        Birth place England
        Birth county Kent
        Birth county as transcribed KENT
        Occupation Living on own means
        Full address Rivershill, Ashton upon Mersey, Bucklow, Cheshire, England
        Street Rivershill
        Parish Ashton upon Mersey
        County Cheshire
        Country England
        Registration district Bucklow
        Sub-district Altrincham
        Enumeration district 18
        Parliamentary borough or division Altrincham
        Municipal borough or ward Mersey
        Ecclesiastical parish or district Ashton upon Mersey St Mary Magdalene
        Other household member first name(s) Elizabeth, George, Mary
        Other household member last name Kirkby
        Archive reference RG13
        Piece number 3323
        Folio 58
        Page 35
        Schedule 241
        Record set 1901 England, Wales & Scotland Census
        Category Census, land & surveys
        Subcategory Census
        Collections from Great Britain, England

  10. England & Wales Deaths 1837-2007 [S0029]
      • Date: 1910
      • Page: Birth, Marriage, Death & Parish Records;Civil Deaths & Burials;John Henry Kirkby
      • Citation:

        https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript?id=BMD%2FD%2F1910%2F1%2FAZ%2F000213%2F264

  11. England, Cumbria Parish Registers, 1538-1990 [S0007]
      • Date: 25 Jul 1865
      • Page: John Henry Kirkby, 1865.
      • Citation:

        "England, Cumbria Parish Registers, 1538-1990", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HV3S-1Q6Z : 6 April 2022), John Henry Kirkby, 1865.