The Ashworth enigmas

David George Ashworth (1867-1947)

Genealogical appendix

Digital images downloaded from the General Register Office.

Click images to enlarge!

Born 2 June 1967, Layton-with-Warbreck, son of William Ashworth, joiner, and Maria, daughter of Mathew Parr, fishmonger, who married Blackpool 23 July 1866. Witness Mary Ashworth his sister. DGA was baptized 30 June in St Nicholas, Newchurch in Rossendale, son of William, a joiner, of Blackpool

DGA’s father, William, was a publican at the birth of his second child, Elizabeth, in 1869. DGA had four other siblings, all born in Blackpool – William, John Henry, Sarah and Maria. The elder William was a publican on Market St., Blackpool in 1881. Baby Maria died later in 1881, which might have contributed to the family’s split up, William moving to Bolton taking Elizabeth, John Henry and Sarah with him, and returning to his original trade of joinery. Meanwhile his wife Maria stayed in Blackpool, with her mother, in the house of her brother-in-law Francis Lewtas in 1891, but was widowed by 1901. She was then lodging in Blackpool, employed as a hotel cook.

DGA, now a slipper maker, aged 24, of 7 Old Street, Haslingden married Annie Whittaker at Haslingden, 31 May 1891.  Annie aged 23 (born 23 Feb 1868 at Waterfoot, Haslingden, baptised Newchurch)  was the daughter of William Walker Whittaker, mechanic (one witness was  Walker Whittaker, her brother).

David and Annie Ashworth’s first child, William, registered June quarter 1892; died 1893, buried Newchurch 13 Dec., 1893 aged 19 months.

Their second child, Edgar, reg’d March quarter 1903, died 1907 buried 11 January 1907 aged 4.

Their third child, Nellie, born Waterfoot in Haslingden, reg’d June quarter 1906. 

Nellie Shoesmith died 1958, born about 1906 (aged 52). Aunt Hannah Mary Whittaker died 11 March 1950, 8 Spring-gardens, Boothfold, Waterfoot leaving a will naming her as an executor. Proved Manchester 6 April. Applied, but no documents found.

Family together in 1911 census at 45 Mitchell Street, Oldham, DGA as a ‘Football Club Secretary & Manager’. None was identified as ‘blind, deaf of imbecile’.

Family together in 1921 census dated 19 June at 177 Castle Street, Stockport, very close to the Stockport County ground. DGA ‘Football Club Manager employed by Liverpool FC, Anfield’. Nellie was a confectioner’s shop assistant, employed by F. Armitage, 110 Castle Street, Stockport.

Family apart in 1939 register:

DGA a ‘clerk and scout in the employ of a football club’, living 242 Central Drive, Blackpool; given ID number  NCNM 97/4

His wife Annie (NWXN 72/2) was at 8, Spring Gardens, Waterfoot , with her younger sister Hannah May, their birthplace.

Marriage of daughter Nellie not identified – possibly the Nellice Ashworth who married in Oldham 1932 to William H. Shoesmith?

Nellie Shoesmith died in July 1958 at Littleborough aged 52 (so born ‘about’ 1906). Not buried in Littleborough or in Newchurch.

Annie Ashworth died 17 July 1942, then of 968 Oldham Road, Rochdale, Buried Newchurch, Old Ground, grave number 906, 907.

DGA himself:

DGA died 22 March 1947, buried at Carleton Cemetery and Crematorium, Blackpool, Blackpool.

Unmarked Grave Number 0294 in Section A. This grave is designated for a single full-body burial; therefore, no additional interments have occurred in this plot.

There are no headstones or memorials on the grave or within the surrounding grounds for Mr. Ashworth. This was not a public grave.

There is no probate for his estate.

Written for lfchistory.net by Dr. Colin D. Rogers - Copyright LFChistory.net