One Place Study, 20 St. John's Square - Edmund Murray
This blog from St. John's Square, Wakefield looks into the life of Edmund Murray who was a resident of St. John's Square in April 1891. From the records examined he was living in Wakefield by November 1878 but was not living at 20 St. John's Square until after March 1881 and he possibly left around 1894.
Edmund was baptised at Holy Trinity Hull, now Hull Minster on the 27th July 1844. His parents were Edmund and Susanna Murray. Their abode was in Myton which was part of Hull. Edmund was described as a gentleman (1).
Edmund Murray Parish Baptism, 1843 © East Riding Archives, Beverley & Ancestry (1)
Edmund and Susanna had married by banns less than six months prior to Edmund's baptism on 2nd February 1843 at St. James Church in the Parish of Sutton-on-Hull. This was on the east side of the River Hull. James was described as a widower and his occupation was a gentleman. He was living at Pemberton Street which is on the east side of the River Hull. The witnesses were George Retalic and Lucy Isable Retalic (2).
Edmund Murray & Susanna Rowland Parish Marriage, 1843 © East Riding Archives, Beverley & Ancestry (2)
The 1851 Census gave more insight into the Murray family. It showed a twenty six year age gap between Edmund Snr and Susanna. He was listed as aged 67, born in Dublin, Ireland and his occupation was described as a retired innkeeper and she was aged 41, born in Hull. The family were living at 19 Bowen Street, have another two children, Eleanor age 6 and Frances Ann, age 3, both born in Hull. They also have a house servant living with them, though finances may have become more of a challenge with Edmund Snr retired with a young family (3).
Edmund Murray 1851 England Census © The National Archives & Ancestry (3)
There were changes in the family circumstances by 1861 with Susanna being described as a widow with her occupation recorded as a property holder. Edmund Snr's death was registered in the Sculcoates District, Hull in the October-December quarter, 1857, aged 72. Edmund now age 17, was working as a seed merchants clerk. Youngest daughter Frances Anne was not listed because her death was registered in the Sculcoates District, Hull in the October-December quarter, 1852. The family were living at 17 Silvester Street, Hull which still exists and is behind the Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church and close to Hull New Theatre and Kingston Square (4, 5 & 6).
Edmund Murray 1861 England Census © The National Archives & Ancestry (4)
A notice in the Perry's Bankrupt Gazette from 21st January 1865 confirmed that Edmund had been in a partnership with John Mason Jnr working as hop and seed merchants, ship brokers and commission agents and this partnership was being dissolved with Edmund responsible for the debts. Edmund was about 22 years old when this partnership ended, so it was probably a fairly short lived venture (7).
Perry's Bankrupt Gazette 21st January 1865. © British Newspaper Archive & Find My Past (7)
By 1871 Susanna and Edmund were living at 49 Derringham Street, Hull which is on the west side of the city near Hull General Cemetery. Susanna, now 59 has an occupation described of Interest Money which may be funds left and continuing to be paid as a result of Edmund Snr's death. Edmund was working as a clerk for a corn merchant. An additional resident of the house is John Mason, a grandson, aged 7, born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne (8).
The grandson, John Mason was the son of Edmund's sister, Eleanor Winifred Murray and her husband John Mason who marriage was registered in the October-December 1862 quarter at Sculcoates District. This is the John Mason whose partnership with Edmund was dissolved in 1865 (9)
Edmund Murray 1871 England Census © The National Archives & Ancestry (8)
In the 19th Century Hull outgrew the medieval centre, which was known as the Old Town as spacious middle class suburbs developed to the east and west of the town. Susanna and Edmund's location of Derringham Street in 1871 was a good example of this. The port expanded during the 19th century as industries took advantage of raw materials being imported through the port. The local economy was boosted by industries such as seed crushing and corn milling which Edmund was involved in 1861 and 1871 respectively as a clerk (10).
LIfe changed for Edmund on the 8th November 1871 when aged 28 he married Frances Ann Clarkson, aged 22, by licence at Holy Trinity, Hull. His occupation was a merchants clerk and residence at Bank Street and Frances Ann at Queen Street. Edmund's father's profession was recorded as a land proprietor and Frances's father's profession was recorded as builder. The witnesses were Thomas Clarkson and Annie Smith (11).
Edmund Murray & Frances Ann Clarkson Parish Marriage, 1871 © East Riding Archives, Beverley & Ancestry (11)
On the 3rd August 1872 Edmund and Frances's first child Edmund was born. The birth was registered in Wandsworth, Surrey and he was baptised at Holy Trinity, Hull on the 11th September 1872. The family were living at 20 Bank Street with Edward's profession recorded as a merchants clerk (12 &13).
Edmund Murray Parish Baptism, 1872 © East Riding Archives, Beverley & Ancestry (13)
A second child, Thomas was born 22nd December 1873 and baptised at Holy Trinity, Hull on the 17th September 1874. The family were now living in Hessle a village where the Humber Bridge is now located. Edmund's occupation was recorded as a merchant's clerk (14).
Thomas Murray Parish Baptism, 1874 © East Riding Archives, Beverley & Ancestry (14)
A third child, Richard was born 10th May 1875 and baptised at Holy Trinity, Hull on the 8th March 1876. The family were still living at Hessle. Edmund's career appeared to be progressing as his occupation was recorded as a corn salesman, whereas previously he had been a clerk (15).
Richard Murray Parish Baptism, 1876 © East Riding Archives, Beverley & Ancestry (15)
A fourth child, Alfred was born 22nd July 1876 and baptised at Holy Trinity, Hull on the 30th August 1876. The family were still living at Hessle. Edmund's occupation was recorded as a corn salesman (16).
Alfred Murray Parish Baptism, 1876 © East Riding Archives, Beverley & Ancestry (16)
By the time a fifth child, Frances Annie was born 14th November Edmund and Frances were living in Sandal, Wakefield. Frances Annie was baptised at All Saints, now Wakefield Cathedral on 11th December 1878. Edmund's occupation was recorded as a corn salesman (17).
Frances Annie Murray Parish Baptism, 1878 © West Yorkshire Archives, Wakefield & Ancestry (17)
Edmund's move to Wakefield may have been prompted by more opportunities with the corn trade. In the 19th century Wakefield had the largest corn market in the north of England. The Corn Exchange opened in 1838 between Market Street and Queen Street, Wakefield and was enlarged in 1863-64, though there was a short window of opportunity as trade declined at the end of the 19th century (18). Farmers went to the corn exchange taking sample trays with samples of corn. The corn merchants had desks and business transactions took place between the corn farmers and corn factors (known as a corn merchant). Delivery of the corn would take place separately by railway or canal. The corn exchanges often had plenty of windows to let light in to help the traders see the quality of the produce more clearly (19) A photo of the Wakefield Corn Exchange can be found at Charles Dickens in Wakefield - Wakefield Historical Society
Edmund's and Frances's sixth and final child John was born on the 26th June 1880 and was baptised at All Saints, Wakefield on the 21st July 1880. The family were living at Sandal, Wakefield and Edmund's occupation was recorded as a General Manager, so this was possibly another promotion (20).
John Murray Parish Baptism, 1880 © West Yorkshire Archives, Wakefield & Ancestry (20)
The 1881 Census shows Edmund and Frances living at Manygates Terrace, Sandal, Wakefield with Edmund's occupation recorded as a manger in the corn trade (21)
Edmund Murray 1881 England Census © The National Archives & Ancestry (21)
A death notice in the Wakefield and West Riding Herald from 21st July 1883 confirmed the death of Edmund's mother, Susanna Murray with the address given as St. John's Place, Wakefield which is what St. John's Square was called then. It was around this time that Edmund and his family moved to St. John's Square (22).
Wakefield & West Riding Herald, 21st July 1883. © British Newspaper Archive & Find My Past (22)
A lengthy article in the Wakefield Free Press on the 27th June 1885 revealed why Edmund had moved to Wakefield. His name appeared as a partner in the firm of Messrs Mackie and Sons. The article was about the funeral of Wakefield MP Robert Bownas Mackie who was interred at Wakefield Cemetery after his sudden death in London on the 18th June 1885. Edmund was in attendance with hundreds of other mourners. Edmund had progressed from a seed merchants clerk in 1861 to a partner in a corn merchants firm by 1885 (23).
Wakefield Free Press, 27th June 1885. © British Newspaper Archive & Find My Past (23)
By April 1891 Edmund and his family were living at 20 St. John's Square. Edmund's occupation was recorded as an East India wheat merchant. This was not the East India Company which was dissolved in 1874. Frances Anne had a birth place recorded as Malton, Yorkshire rather than Hull as recorded in the 1881 Census. The three eldest children had occupations recorded; Edmund, aged 18 was a merchant's son; Thomas, aged 17 was an engine machinist's apprentice and Richard, aged 15 was an analytical pupil. They had sufficient income to employ a housemaid and domestic (24 & 25).
Edmund Murray 1891 England Census © The National Archives & Ancestry (24)
Edmund lived on the opposite side of St. John's Square to the Mackie family. Edward Bownas Mackie lived at St. John's Square in 1881 when he was MP for Wakefield and his daughter Edith Grace lived here in 1881 and 1891 (26 & 27).
A list of Hull Trades and Professions from Hull shows that Robert Mackie and Sons, corn merchants were operating out of 32 High Street, Hull, so Edmund may have worked for them in Hull or was likely known to them (28)
Robert Mackie and Sons was set up by Robert Jefferson Mackie the father of Robert Bownas Mackie and had existed since at least 1852. This was just after the Corn Laws, which had placed tariffs and trade restriction on wheat, oat and barley, were repealed in 1846 and led to a huge increase in the number of corn exchange buildings being constructed which coincided with the expansion of the railway network making transportation quicker. An article from the Leeds Mercury from the 6th May 1891, when another son, John Mackie J.P. died confirmed that John Mackie J.P. and Robert Bownas Mackie had retired from the firm in 1874 (29 & 30).
A newspaper article from 3rd February 1894 published a notice of dissolution of the partnership between Edmund Murray and Edward Alexander Mackie who carried out the business of corn factors, at Wakefield and Hull under the firm of Robert Mackie and Sons which had been dissolved by mutual consent from the 1st February 1894. Edmund had retired from the firm. Edward Alexander Mackie was another son of Robert Jefferson Mackie (31).
Leeds Mercury 3rd February 1894. © British Newspaper Archive & Find My Past (31)
Edmund and Frances had left St. John's Square by 1901 as Frances Anne death was registered in the January-March quarter in the registration district of Leeds at aged 52. She died on the 17th March 1901 and was buried in the General cemetery, Hull (32 & 33).
The 1901 Census taken just fourteen days after Frances Anne's death shows Edmund and five of his adult children living at Laurel Bank, Potternewton Lane, Leeds. Edmund, now aged 57 is working as a grain corn merchant on his own account. Thomas, aged 27 is working as a flour traveller; Richard, aged 25 is working as an ammonia works chemist; Alfred; age 24 is working as a grain merchant's clerk and John, aged 20 is working as an engineer's fitter (34).
Edmund Murray 1901 England Census © The National Archives & Ancestry (34)
Edmund died on the 15th March at Grove House, Barwick-in-Elmet, which is north east of Leeds, near Aberford, aged 63. His cause of death was cardiac disease and gangrene. His son Alfred Murray was present at the death. By the time of his death Edward had retired. He was buried at the General cemetery, Hull in the same plot as his wife Frances Anne (35 & 36).
Edmund Murray Death, Tadcaster District © General Register Office (35)
The national probate calendar index of wills for Edmund Murray showed that probate was proved in London on the 27th April 1905 by two of his sons, Richard Murray, works chemist and Alfred Murray, merchant's clerk with effects of £212 2s. 2d. (37).
Edmund Murray, Probate Calendar, 1905 © Principal Probate Registry and Ancestry (37)
Edmund was clearly an individual whose family were better off than many other, despite the death of his father when he was about fourteen. He was able to obtain a job as a clerk rather than doing a manual job; therefore it is likely that his family had some connections in Hull through running a public house or owning property. Edmund grasped the opportunity in the corn industry which was still busy and took opportunities to gain promotion to progress his career, which resulted in his arrival at St. John's Square.
Sources:
Edmund Murray, Parish Baptism Register, Holy Trinity, Kingston-upon-Hull, 1842-1846, page 109. Reference PE158/11. East Riding, England, Church of England Baptism, 1813-1935, digital image, Ancestry. Original held by East Riding Archives; Beverley, East Riding, England. East Riding, Yorkshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, 1813-1925 - Ancestry.co.uk
Edmund Murray & Susanna Rowland Parish Marriage Register, St. James, Sutton, 1837-1847, page 179. Reference PE120/19. East Riding, England, Church of England Marriages & Banns, 1754-1950, digital image, Ancestry. Original held by East Riding Archives; Beverley, East Riding, England. East Riding, Yorkshire, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1950 - Ancestry.co.uk
Edmund Murray 1851, England Census. Archive reference: HO107; Piece No. 2361; Folio 46; Page 34, digital image, Ancestry, England, Wales & Scotland Census. Original held by The National Archives, Kew, London. 1851 England Census - Ancestry.co.uk
Edmund Murray 1861, England Census. Archive reference: RG09; RD Sculcoates; Sub Registration District West Sculcoates; ED5; Household Schedule No. 102; Piece No. 3583; Folio 106; Page 19, digital image, Ancestry, England, Wales & Scotland Census. Original held by The National Archives, Kew, London. 1861 England Census - Ancestry.co.uk
Edmund (recorded as Edward) Murray Death, Oct-Dec 1857. General Register Office. Sculcoates, Vol 9d, Page 122. www.gro.gov.uk
Frances Anne Murray Death, Oct-Dec 1852. General Register Office. Sculcoates, Vol 9d, Page 103. www.gro.gov.uk
Perry's Bankrupt Gazette, 21st January 1865, page 7. British Newspaper Archive, digital image, Find My Past. Originals at British Library National Newspaper Building at Boston Spa, West Yorkshire. Perry's Bankrupt Gazette Saturday, 21 January 1865 Page 7 | findmypast.co.uk
Edmund Murray 1871, England Census. Archive reference: RG10; RD Hull; Sub Registration District Myton; ED23; Household Schedule No. 42; Piece No. 4791; Folio 105; Page 9, digital image, Ancestry, England, Wales & Scotland Census. Original held by The National Archives, Kew, London. 1871 England Census - Ancestry.co.uk
John Mason & Eleanor Winifred Murray Marriage Oct-Dec 1862, FreeBMD, Sculcoates 9d, Page 316. FreeBMD - Search
A Brief History of Hull, Growth of the port. A Brief History of Hull | Hull History Centre
Edmund Murray & Frances Ann Parish Marriage Register, Holy Trinity, Hull 1870-1872, page 198. Reference PE158/60. East Riding, England, Church of England Marriages & Banns, 1754-1950, digital image, Ancestry. Original held by East Riding Archives; Beverley, East Riding, England. East Riding, Yorkshire, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1950 - Ancestry.co.uk
Edmund Murray Birth Jul-Sep 1872. General Register Office. Wandsworth, Vol 01d, Page 605. www.gro.gov.uk
Edmund Murray, Parish Baptism Register, Holy Trinity, Kingston-upon-Hull, 1868-1877, page 243. Reference PE158/15. East Riding, England, Church of England Baptism, 1813-1935, digital image, Ancestry. Original held by East Riding Archives; Beverley, East Riding, England. East Riding, Yorkshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, 1813-1925 - Ancestry.co.uk
Thomas Murray, Parish Baptism Register, Holy Trinity, Kingston-upon-Hull, 1868-1877, page 366. Reference PE158/15. East Riding, England, Church of England Baptism, 1813-1935, digital image, Ancestry. Original held by East Riding Archives; Beverley, East Riding, England. East Riding, Yorkshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, 1813-1925 - Ancestry.co.uk
Richard Murray, Parish Baptism Register, Holy Trinity, Kingston-upon-Hull, 1868-1877, page 436. Reference PE158/15. East Riding, England, Church of England Baptism, 1813-1935, digital image, Ancestry. Original held by East Riding Archives; Beverley, East Riding, England. East Riding, Yorkshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, 1813-1925 - Ancestry.co.uk
Alfred Murray, Parish Baptism Register, Holy Trinity, Kingston-upon-Hull, 1868-1877, page 458. Reference PE158/15. East Riding, England, Church of England Baptism, 1813-1935, digital image, Ancestry. Original held by East Riding Archives; Beverley, East Riding, England. East Riding, Yorkshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, 1813-1925 - Ancestry.co.uk
Frances Annie Murray, Parish Baptism Register, All Saints, Wakefield, 1878, page 136. Reference WDP3/2/10. West Yorkshire, England, Church of England Baptism, 1813-1910, digital image, Ancestry. Original held by West Yorkshire Archive Service; Wakefield, Yorkshire, England; Yorkshire Parish Records. West Yorkshire, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1910 - Ancestry.co.uk
Wakefield Historical Society, Brief history of Upper Westgate. A Brief History of Westgate - Wakefield Historical Society
Markets-Corn Exchange Markets – Corn Exchange – Discovering Leeds
John Murray, Parish Baptism Register, All Saints, Wakefield, 1880, page 184. Reference WDP3/2/10. West Yorkshire, England, Church of England Baptism, 1813-1910, digital image, Ancestry. Original held by West Yorkshire Archive Service; Wakefield, Yorkshire, England; Yorkshire Parish Records. West Yorkshire, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1910 - Ancestry.co.uk
Edmund Murray 1881, England Census. Archive reference: RG11; RD Wakefield; ED4; Household Schedule No. 42; Piece No. 4571; Folio 74; Page 1, digital image, Ancestry, England, Wales & Scotland Census. Original held by The National Archives, Kew, London. 1881 England Census - Ancestry.co.uk
Wakefield & West Riding Herald, 21st July 1883, page 8. British Newspaper Archive, digital image, Find My Past. Originals at British Library National Newspaper Building at Boston Spa, West Yorkshire. Wakefield and West Riding Herald Saturday, 21 July 1883 Page 8 | findmypast.co.uk
Wakefield Free Press, 27th June 1885, page 6. British Newspaper Archive, digital image, Find My Past. Originals at British Library National Newspaper Building at Boston Spa, West Yorkshire. Wakefield Free Press Saturday, 27 June 1885 Page 6 | findmypast.co.uk
Edmund Murray 1891, England Census. Archive reference: RG12; RD Wakefield; Sub Registration District Wakefield; ED1; Piece: 3748; Folio: 17; Page: 28; GSU roll: 6098858, digital image, Ancestry, England, Wales & Scotland Census. Original held by The National Archives, Kew, London. 1891 England Census - Ancestry.co.uk
Wikipedia, East India Company. East India Company - Wikipedia
Edward Bownas Mackie 1881, England Census. Archive reference: RG11; RD Wakefield; ED1; Piece No. 4576; Folio 25; Page 44, digital image, Ancestry, England, Wales & Scotland Census. Original held by The National Archives, Kew, London. 1881 England Census - Ancestry.co.uk
Edith Grace Mackie 1891, England Census. Archive reference: RG12; RD Wakefield; Sub Registration District Wakefield; ED1; Piece: 3748; Folio: 12; Page: 17; GSU roll: 6098858, digital image, Ancestry, England, Wales & Scotland Census. Original held by The National Archives, Kew, London. 1891 England Census - Ancestry.co.uk
Genuki, Hull Trades and Professions by Alphabetical Surname (1892), Letter M. GENUKI: Hull Trades and Professions by Alphabetical Surname (1892), Letter M, Yorkshire (East Riding)
Leeds Mercury, 6th May 1891, page 5. British Newspaper Archive, digital image, Find My Past. Originals at British Library National Newspaper Building at Boston Spa, West Yorkshire. Leeds Mercury Wednesday, 6 May 1891 Page 5 | findmypast.co.uk
Wikipedia, Corn Laws Corn Laws - Wikipedia
Leeds Mercury, 3rd February 1894, page 2. British Newspaper Archive, digital image, Find My Past. Originals at British Library National Newspaper Building at Boston Spa, West Yorkshire. Leeds Mercury Saturday, 3 February 1894 Page 2 | findmypast.co.uk
Frances Anne Murray Death, Jan-Mar 1901. General Register Office. Leeds, Vol 9b, Page 382. www.gro.gov.uk
Frances Anne Murray, 1901. Find A Grave, Memorial ID 282732711, Plot 92, 11818. Frances Anne Murray (1849-1901) - Find a Grave Memorial
Edmund Murray 1901, England Census. Archive reference: RG13; RD Leeds; Sub Registration District Chapeltown; ED5; Piece: 4248; Folio: 101; Page: 12; Household schedule no. 83, digital image, Ancestry, England, Wales & Scotland Census. Original held by The National Archives, Kew, London. 1901 England Census - Ancestry.co.uk
Edmund Murray Death Jan-Mar 1905 General Register Office. Tadcaster, Vol 9c, Page 959. www.gro.gov.uk
Edmund Murray, 1905. Find A Grave, Memorial ID 282734754, Plot 92, 11818. Edmund Murray (1844-1905) - Find a Grave Memorial
Edmund Murray 1905. England & Wales National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills & Administrations), 1858-1998. Original data: Principal Probate Registry. Digital image, Ancestry. Ancestry.co.uk - England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995
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