Charles Colley

1797 - 1868

Charles Colley, my G-G-G-G-Grandfather,  was born in Sheffield in 1797 to James Colley (Scissors Smith).

His first wife, that I know of, was called Jane. They were married around 1823 and they had at least three children, James (1825-1879), Sarah (1826-1829) and Charles (1828-1886).

Between 1825 and 1831 home was in Castle Green, Sheffield. Daughter Sarah died there in 1829. She is buried at St. Peter & St. Paul's, Sheffield

In 1831, wife Jane died, aged 37, leaving Charles, then 34, with the boys aged  6 and 3. Jane is also buried at St. Peter & St. Paul's, Sheffield.

By 1835, widower Charles was living in Charles Street, Sheffield, with sons James and Charles.

On 18 Nov 1837 Charles married 32 year old widow Elizabeth Pemberton (nee Markham) from Hawley Croft, Sheffield, who also had two sons from her previous marriage, Samuel, 7 and William, 3.

I assume Charles moved into Hawley Croft with his new wife because their first child together , Henry, died at Hawley Croft in June 1840, aged 1.

Whether the death of Henry prompted it or not, within  the year Charles and Elizabeth had moved down the hill to Bower Street, Sheffield.

According to the 1841 census, taken on 6th June, their household consisted of Charles, Elizabeth, Charles' son Charles (12) and  Elizabeth's' sons Samuel (11) and William (7) Pemberton. Charles other son James (15) was now living in Heeley, at the house of  an Edge Tool Grinder called John Pearson, as his apprentice.

On 2nd May 1844 their daughter Sarah Ann was born at 26 Bower Street, Sheffield. It's likely that this was their address in 1841.

Charles and Elizabeth had five more children, all of whom died in infancy. Such was the infant mortality rate in the 1800's. All the children are buried at the church of St. Peter and St. Paul, Sheffield.

Henry (Sept 1838 – 22 Jun 1840) age 3

Jane (Dec 1842 – 5 Nov 1843) age 11 mo

Harriet (1843 – 11 Oct 1846) age 3

Joseph Markham (Sept 1847 – 24 Oct 1847) age 5wks 

Edward (Dec 1848 – 15 Jun 1852) age 3

The 1851 census, taken on 30th March, shows them still living at 26 Bower Street.  Charles junior now had his own family home further up Bower Street, at no. 44.

Ten years later, on 7th April 1861, Charles, Elizabeth and Sarah Ann were living on the other side of the River Don, at 20 Marshall Street. Lodging with them was a 19 year old Elizabeth Howson, a Hair Drawer (?).

On 17th November 1863 daughter Sarah Ann died at home in Wilson Street, Sheffield, aged just 19.

Less than four months later, on the 1st March 1864, his wife Elizabeth, aged 58, died of Apoplexy. Their address then was 3ct Marcus Street, Sheffield. A few streets up the hill from Marshall Street. More importantly above the river, because....................

If that wasn't enough, just ten days later, in the early hours of  March 11th the banks of the Dyke Dale Dam in Bradfield burst.

The worst disaster in peacetime Britain and it rarely gets a mention. The deluge flooded the Loxley valley, through Hillsborough, down the course of the River Don, towards town and onwards to Rotherham, killing nearly three hundred people and damaging or destroying over 800 homes and businesses.  

Amongst the flood insurance claims is one made by Charles for £2, for eight days loss of earnings at Marsden Brothers' Wheel, 51 Bridge Street Works.*1

Claim for loss of property #2591 | Sheffield Flood Claims Archive

At the time of his death, on 12th Jan 1868, Charles was residing at 183 Tudor Street, in the middle of town. His son Charles was present at his death.

*1 From Whites Directory of Sheffield 1852:  Marsden Brothers and Silverwood, merchants, skate manufacturers to Prince Albert, and edge and joiners tool, brace, bit, file, saw, cutlery.