William Fairless in 1891 & 1901 pls COMPLETED WITH THANKS

[patrexjax]

Hello Rootschatters!  I am hoping you can help me fill in part of a puzzle. I am seeking William Fairless who was b. 27 Sept. 1863 in Long Benton.  In 1881 he is still living with his parents, William and Mary Ann Watson (nee: Grieg). William, I am fairly certain would have been employed as a stonemason and, from oral family history, I believe he and his unknown spouse had at least 4 children possibly in this order: William, Thomas, Elizabeth and Barbara. No, I do not know their birth years, but I am fairly certain that his daughter, Elizabeth, married in 1916 in Newcastle.  Can anyone find this William Fairless in 1891 or 1901, please?  Thank you kindly!     Pat

[MatthewJ]

Hi Pat,

At a quick glance, I have found the following in the 1901 census:

37 Amble Grove, Jesmond, Newcaste On Tyne (RG13/4781, Folio 105, Page 18)

William Fairless - Head - M - 37 - Fireman Mason - Newcastle
Barbara Fairless - Wife - M - 33 -                           Newcastle
Elizabeth Wilson Fairless - Daughter - 12  -           Newcastle
William Wilson Fairless - Son - 10 -                        Newcastle
Robert Lough Fairless - Son - 8 -                           Newcastle
Barbara May Fairless - Daughter - 3 -                    Newcastle

I've also found a marriage in the GRO indexes between a William Fairless and a Barbara Wilson in the 4th quarter of 1887 registered in Newcastle On Tyne, which is most likely the couple named above.

It's a pretty good match, what do you think?

Matthew

[patrexjax]

Hello Matthew!  YESSSSSS!  You are 100% spot on!   That's the family I was seeking and now I know his elusive wife's name thanks to you!!!!  Absolutely brilliant. Again, sincerest thanks!  Pat

[MatthewJ]

Hi Pat,

Not a problem, I'm pleased that I could help. I've also found the family on the 1891 census, but it's incredibly difficult to read. Here's my interpretation:

RG12/4211, Folio 98, Page 16.

William Fairless - Head - M - 27 - Stone Mason - Long Burton
Barbara Fairless - Wife - M - 23 - Newcastle On Tyne
Elizabeth Fairless - Daughter - 2 - Newcastle On Tyne
William Fairless - Son - (?) - Newcastle On Tyne

Perhaps someone wouldn't mind taking a look at that entry to confirm what I've written above. Also it would be good if someone could double-check William's occupation on the 1901 census, it looks like "fireman mason" to me, but I've never heard of one of those before.

Matthew

[nort]

Matthew
the 91 is difficult to read as you say.William's birthplace is probably Long Benton.The 1901 does look like fireman but i suppose it could be foreman mason.

Steve

[MatthewJ]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the second opinion. I agree, it probably is Long Benton, how silly of me, Pat already said that William was from there! Foreman mason is a good suggestion too.

Matthew

[patrexjax]

Hello MatthewJ and Steve,  Hey! thanks for the extra input.....as far as the occupation is concerned, literally all of the Fairless men of several generations were stone masons and they were involved in building many structures in and around Newcastle. So, probably foreman mason would be his occupation at that time.  Thanks so much for finding the family in 1891, also.    Sincerely, Pat

[meadbh]

Pat,

I was interested in your comments on the Fairless family as my gt-gt-aunt, Margaret Johnson,  married James Fairless, a quarryman and stone merchant, in 1877. James' father was John Fairless, also a stonemason, who died 5 Oct 1896 at Brunton Quarry. His obituary in the Evening Chronicle said that for 40 years he was foreman for the firm of Robert Robson. I hadn't taken much notice of this but after seeing your posting I looked up Robert Robson and found he was a builder and quarryman based in Wideopen and, as you say, involved in major building projects in Newcastle.

John Fairless was the son of another John Fairless, also a mason, b 1798 in Newburn, who was in turn the son of William Fairless and Ann Bell. Are you descended from this family?

Kath

[patrexjax]

Hello Kath! YES, the William Fairless who married Ann Bell is my 3rd great grandfather.    Please send me a PM and we can have a wonderful time exchanging information.  I have the Fairless family much further back.  Pat