John Grimshaw (1790 – 1876)

Father of Thomas Grimshaw

John Grimshaw was born in Staverton, Northamptonshire in 1790 and baptized on 10th August 1790 at Staverton C of E. His parents were John Grimshaw and Amy Dennett; who were married on 8th October 1789 in Daventry, Northamptonshire.

John married Sarah (Louisa) Jackson on 19th December 1813 at Northampton. Sarah Jackson was  born  1797 in Hitchin, Hertfordshire and baptized at Offley, Hertfordshire in 11th November 1798.

John and Sarah had the following five children:

• John Samuel Grimshaw born 1814 in Kilsby and baptized on 30th October
• Thomas William Grimshaw born 1817 in Northampton, baptized on 20th December 1817 at Northampton All Saints.
• Elizabeth Jackson Grimshaw born 1819 Northampton, baptized on 28th December 1819 at Northampton All Saints.
• Samuel Jackson Grimshaw born 1821 Northampton, baptized on 7th November 1821 at Northampton All Saints.
• Louisa Sarah Grimshaw born 1823 in Northampton, baptized on 5th February 1823 at Northampton All Saints.

John Grimshaw was an Innkeeper by trade and resided at the following three inns at Northampton from information taken from Electoral Registers and newspaper articles:

1. George Hotel, George Row – listed as Innkeeper in 1820.
   On 22 May 1822 an article in Northampton Mercury informs us that he has moved to
2. Crown and Anchor Inn, Bridge Street.
   On 26th August 1826 an article in the Northampton Mercury declared John bankrupt and the premises and contents were to be sold by private contract.
3. Flying Horse Inn, Market Square.
   Article in the Northampton Mercury on 9th January 1830 informs us that he has taken on the lease of this inn. However, a riot takes place at the inn over the celebration of an election victory in December 1832 and the premises were ransacked. He was unable to pay for the repairs needed and on 3rd December 1833 the household furniture and effects were sold at auction “under a distress to pay rent“.

Northampton Mercury June 1834 lists an announcement: “Mr J Grimshaw formerly of the Flying Horse Inn in this town has taken the Chalybeate Marble Baths, Clemens Street, Leamington”.

The Grimshaw family do not stay long in this new venture, as records show by 1837 they have moved to the West Riding of Yorkshire and now reside at the Wool Pack Inn, Dewsbury Moor. An article in the Leeds Intelligence dated 28th October at St John’s Church, Dewsbury Moor, the eldest son of Mr John Grimshaw (John Samuel Grimshaw) of The Wool Pack Inn ,Dewsbury Moor, married  Elizabeth only daughter of Mr Thomas Dyson, perfumer, Dewsbury.

The reason for the move to Dewsbury may have come as a result of information and support from his brother James Grimshaw, an innkeeper already moved into the Dewsbury area from Northamptonshire, and knowing that the Woolpack was available.

At a meeting of the Bradford Poor Law Union on 10th February 1838 listed in the Leeds Times, John Grimshaw and his wife were elected as the master and matron for Calverley workhouse, and gave security for the performance of their office.

On 21st November 1840 the Yorshire Gazette informs us that Mr and Mrs Grimshaw are duly elected master and Matron of the York Union Workhouse. The 1841 census list John and Sarah Grimshaw as resident at York Union workhouse and daughter Elizabeth Jackson Grimshaw on a visit.

John and Sarah Grimshaw worked at the York Union Workhouse until March 1849 when he resigned over a dispute with the accounts. The dispute over the accounts continued and was only settled in April 1851 enabling John Grimshaw to apply for another job.

The 1851 census lists John and Sarah Grimshaw living at Micklegate York together with his son Thomas Grimshaw and daughter Louisa Sarah Grimshaw.

The Poll Book and Electoral Register for 1852 for York lists John Grimshaw, Sheffield workhouse master. Confirmation of his new position is confirmed by an article in the Sheffield and Rotherham Independent newspaper “regards to contracts to be submitted for provisions and clothing for the Wortley Union, details to be sent to Mr Grimshaw, Union Workhouse, Grenoside. On 8th December 1855 an article in the Sheffield and Rotherham Independent informs us of a meeting of Wortley Union to elect a new Master and Matron in the place of Mr and Mrs Grimshaw, who have resigned.

An article in the York Herald of 18th October 1856  informs us that John and Sarah Grimshaw have returned to the York area with their daughter Louisa Sarah. “Suicide near York”, an inquest on the body of Louisa Sarah Machen, a married woman aged 33. The deceased resided with her father, Mr J Grimshaw, landlord of the Fox and Hounds Inn, Askham Bryon.

The census of 1861 lists John and Sarah Grimshaw living at 18 Nunnington Terrace, York with their son Thomas Grimshaw. When John and Sarah leave York is not known but the 1871 census finds them residing at The Green, Mickleover, Derbyshire with their daughter Elizabeth Jackson Shaw.

Sarah Grimshaw dies 13th February 1874 at Mickleover and John on 23rd February 1876 at Mickleover.