Charles Colley

1797 - 1868

Charles Colley, my G-G-G-G-Grandfather,  was born in Sheffield in 1797 to James Colley.

His first wife, that I know of, was called Jane. They were married around 1822 and they had at least four children, John (1824-1853), James (1825-1879), Sarah (1826-1829) and Charles (1828-1886).

Between 1825 and 1831 they were living in Castle Green, Sheffield.

In 1831, Jane died, aged 37, leaving Charles, then 34, with the three boys aged 7, 6 and 3.

She is buried at St. Peter & St. Paul's, Sheffield.

By 1835, widower Charles was living in Charles Street, Sheffield, presumably with sons James and Charles. I believe his other son John may have remained in Castle Green, as an apprentice perhaps and then married. John and his wife Alice had a daughter, Sarah, who died in Castle Green in August 1846.

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

I assume Charles moved from Charles street into Hawley Croft with his new wife because their first child, 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 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.

Their daughter Sarah Ann's birth certificate dated 2nd May 1844, shows their address as 26 Bower Street, Sheffield. It's likely that this was their address in 1841.

Charles and Elizabeth had six children of their own, five of whom died in infancy. Such was the infant mortality rate in the 1800's. All the children were 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' son Charles now had his own family home further up Bower Street, at no. 44.

At census time 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 (?). Charles and his wife were both scissor grinders, with daughter Sarah being a scissor dresser and burnisher.

More bad times followed for Charles when on 17th November 1863 daughter Sarah Ann died, in Wilson Street, Sheffield, aged just 19.

Then on the 1st March 1864, his wife Elizabeth, aged 58, died of Apoplexy. Their address then was 3ct Marcus Street, Sheffield.

And 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 deluge flooded the Loxley valley, through Hillsborough, down the course of the River Don, towards town, killing nearly three hundred people and damaging or destroying over 800 homes and businesses. The worst disaster in peacetime Britain and it's hardly ever been mentioned since. I bet it wouldn't even have been mentioned on Look Leeds!!

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

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

Charles moved yet again because at the time of his death, 12th Jan 1868, he  was residing at 183 Tudor Street, Ecclesall Bierlow. 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.