Croft History
  • Home
  • Places of Worship
  • Local Families
    • The Yates Family
    • The Clare, Warburton and Daintith Family
  • World War Two
  • Gallery
  • Public Houses
  • News
  • Burial Grounds

The Story of Richard Yates - Part One

​When Richard Yates was born in 1817 in Croft, Lancashire, his father, Samuel, was 34 and his mother, Ellen, was 39.
He was baptised at Risley Chapel on 11th July 1817.
In 1840 he married Mary Green.
In 1841 he is living at Stone Platt in Croft with his wife Mary and their daughter Ann, who is 1 week old. Richard is listed as a silk weaver.
His son John was born in 1843.
Richard’s wife Mary passed away on 28th October 1844 and was buried at Croft Unitarian Chapel in Grave C7.
In 1851 Richard is living on lady lane with his two children and is listed as a Butcher.

On 28th April 1851, Richard marries Ellen Harrison at St. John’s Church in Liverpool.
Their son James was born in 1852 followed by Joseph in 1854. Daughter Fanny was born in 1857 and they had another son, Robert, in 1860.

In 1861 they are living at The Row, Culcheth. Richard is listed as a ‘Farmer of 14 acres and Butcher employing 2 labourers’. Ellen is listed as ‘Farmer’s Wife’. John is ‘Farmer’s Son’, and the other two children are scholars. Richard’s brother Joseph Yates is also there, listed as a carter and a female servant, Ann Waywell aged 19.

Robert Yates, son of Richard and Ellen, sadly died aged 3 in 1863. He was buried at Croft Unitarian Chapel in Grave C7.

​In 1871 their address is 26 Market Street, Leigh (see image). Richard and his son John are shown as pork butchers. Ellen’s occupation is blank. Fanny is still a scholar. There are two servants listed as well.
Picture
Market Street, Leigh. Number 26 is on the far right near the man with a wheelbarrow. This row was demolished around 1899. Picture courtesy of Wigan and Leigh Archives.
Richard’s second wife Ellen passed away on 1st August 1878 and was buried at Croft Unitarian Chapel in Grave C7.
She had been suffering since early June when a household accident led to her clothes catching fire and severely burning various parts of her body.

In 1881 he is living back at The Row, Culcheth as a ‘Farmer and Butcher of 15 acres employing 3 labourers’. With him is his granddaughter Mary, aged 15. She is shown as a domestic servant.

In 1883, John, the son of Richard and Mary died. He was buried at Croft Unitarian Chapel in Grave C2.

Richard marries for a third time in January 1884 at Warrington. His wife is Margaret Lawton.
​
Ann, daughter of Richard and Mary, died in August 1884 and was buried at Croft Unitarian Chapel in Grave B4.
His third wife Margaret died in January 1887 and was buried at Croft Unitarian Chapel in Grave C7.
​
Richard passed away on 14th October 1890, aged 73. He was buried with his three wives and his son, Robert in Grave C7.
There must have been some debate over his will as probate wasn’t granted until 17th April 1891. It states:
YATES Richard
Personal Estate £896 19s. 9d.
​
The Will with a Codicil of Richard Yates formerly of Culcheth but late of Market- street Leigh both in the County of Lancaster who died 14 October 1890 at Market- street was proved at Liverpool by James Yates of 26 Market- street Pork Butcher the Son and Enoch Sankey of Rowe Farm Culcheth Farmer the Executors.
Picture
Grave C2 at Croft Unitarian Chapel, unfortunately laid flat on it's front by Warrington Borough Council.
Picture
Grave B4 at Croft Unitarian Chapel.
Picture
Grave C7 at Croft Unitarian Chapel, unfortunately laid flat on it's front by Warrington Borough Council.

Read Part 2

Picture
© Cheyvonne Bower 2024
  • Home
  • Places of Worship
  • Local Families
    • The Yates Family
    • The Clare, Warburton and Daintith Family
  • World War Two
  • Gallery
  • Public Houses
  • News
  • Burial Grounds