Private Robert Brier Brownrigg and others. · Private Robert Brier Brownrigg and others. ... Private Robert Brier Brownrigg was ... first husband James Lupton Lochhead. Mother Ellen

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Private Robert Brier Brownrigg

and others.

The memorial inscription on plot G58 in St Matthew’s Churchyard, Lightcliffe

Private Robert Brier Brownrigg was buried, on 11th March 1919, in St Matthew’s

Churchyard as he died after the cessation of hostilities in WW1. This was not only

where his father George Brownrigg had been buried but also a James Lipton [should

be Lupton] Lochhead.

Robert Brier Brownrigg was born on 1st February 1896. He was the only son of

George and Sarah Ann Brownrigg who lived in East View, Lightcliffe. George who

was a “Timekeeper” and Sarah Ann baptised two children in St Matthew’s Church on

3rd July 1898. The children were Robert and his baby sister Ellen (Nellie) Brownrigg

who was born on 20th May 1898. But also baptised on the same day was 8 year old

Annie McNair Lupton Lochhead who was born on 17th February 1890. Annie

Lochhead’s parents were given as James Lupton and Sarah Ann Lochhead. Their

abode was “Green House” Lightcliffe and he was a “Telegraph Engineer”. This is the

story of how these three men were related.

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James Lupton Lochhead

(1858 - 17th November 1889)

James Lupton Lochhead was the son of William and Elizabeth Lochhead nee Lupton

who were married on 17th July 1842 at the High Church, Paisley, Scotland. Both

Willliam and Elizabeth were obviously from Scotland and this was where at least four

of their children were born. But then the family moved to Halifax where five more

children were born including James Lupton Lochhead in 1858 and then to Lightcliffe.

1861 census

William Lockhead Head 38 Carpet

Designer

Elizabeth Lockhead Wife 36

Mary A ditto Dau 18 Sewer of Dregs of

Carpets

William M ditto Son 14 Carpet Designer

John L Lockhead Son 12 Errand Boy

Robert ditto Son 10 Scholar

Elizabeth Lockhead Dau 7

Janet Lockhead Dau 5

James Lockhead Son 3

Andrew Lockhead Son 1

Address 32 Bright Street, Halifax

Note Lochhead was often misspelt as Lockhead or variations on ?oc?head on the various census forms

1871 census

William Lockhead Head 49 Designer

Elizabeth Lockhead Wife 46

John Lockhead Son 22 Designer

Elizabeth Lockhead Dau 17 Designer

Janet Lockhead Dau 15

James Lockhead Son 13 Oiler at Mills

Andrew Lockhead Son 11

Walter Lockhead Son 6

Address 10 Swine Market, Halifax

1881 census

William Lochhead Head 59 Designer

Elizabeth Lochhead Wife 56

James Lochhead Son 25 Telegraph

Engineer

Andrew ditto Son 21 Designer Mary Ann Lupton Wife’s Mother 77 Widow

Address Rose Cottage, Lightcliffe

By 1883 it seems likely that James Lupton Lochhead had meet Sarah Ann Brier as

they were both witnesses at the marriage of Sarah’s sister Annie Brier to a widower

Henry William Rhoads who was a “Telegraph Engineer”. This was also James

Lupton Lochhead’s occupation when he married Sarah Ann Brier on 28th January

1885. This marriage took place in Halifax. 27 year old James Lupton Lochhead was

the son of Willliam Lochhead another “Engineer”. The bride Sarah Ann Brier was the

22 year old daughter of “Innkeeper” Robert Brier. She was born on 27th August 1861,

the daughter of Robert Brier and Amelia Knowles who married in 1855.

1871 census

Robert Brier Head 40 Waiter Spirit Vaults?

Amelia ditto Wife 35

Walter ditto Son 14 Errand Boy Boot Maker

Annie ditto Dau 11Boot Sewer

Sarah A ditto Dau 9 Scholar

Address 10 Temple St., Halifax

1881 census

Robert Brier Head 52 Bar Man

Hannah A Brier Wife 45

Annie ditto Dau 21 Boot Fitter

Sarah Ann ditto Dau 19 Brush Maker

Address 7 Colbeck St., Halifax

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James Lupton and Sarah Ann Lochhead had a daughter Marion Elizabeth Lochhead

in 1886 but she died on 11th March 1887 aged just five months old. She was buried

in plot G57 in St Matthew’s Churchyard on 15th March 1887. This was the same plot

that her great grandmother Mary Ann Lupton had been buried in on 16th April 1881.

On census night, 3rd April, 1881 this Scottish born lady had been with the Lochhead

family in Lightcliffe. She died just a few days later on 14th April 1881 presumably still

aged 77 years although her age was given as 70 years when her death was

registered and on the parish register so perhaps the census age was wrong.

James Lupton Lochhead and his wife Sarah Ann named their next child, a son born

in 1889, Robert Brier Lochhead after his maternal grandfather. But this little boy only

survived 4 months dying on 1st April 1889. When he was buried on 4th April 1889 in

St Matthew’s Churchyard it was in plot G58 next to where his baby sister and great

grandmother were buried in plot G57. As well as the memorial inscription shown

above the side of the headstone has the inscription:-

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Unfortunately these two children’s deaths were soon followed by the death of their

father. James Lupton Lochhead died aged just 31 years of age on 17th November

1889. He was buried on 20th November 1889 in plot G58 with the inscription pictured

above. Both plots G57 and G58 were owned by William Lochhead, the father of

James Lupton Lochhead. William was born on 14th June 1822 in Paisley,

Renfrewshire, Scotland, the son of Robert Lochhead and Ann Lochhead nee McNair.

The widow Sarah Ann Lochhead was pregnant when her husband died. On 17th

February 1890 she gave birth to another baby girl. This little girl was subsequently

baptised Annie McNair Lupton Lochhead, after both her deceased father’s

grandmothers, on 3rd July 1898 with her two Brownrigg half siblings.

The 1891 census shows two Lochhead households close to one another.

1891 census

William Lochhead Head 68 Carpet Designer

Elizabeth ditto Wife 65

Address

2 Green Houses, Cliff Hill, Lightcliffe

1891 census

Sarah A Lochhead Head Widow 29 Living

on own Means

Annie McNair Lupton ditto Dau 1

Address

5 Green Houses, Cliff Hill, Lightcliffe

The parents of Sarah Ann Lochhead were still in Colbeck Street, Halifax.

1891 census

Robert Brier Head 62 Bar Man Inn

Amelia ditto Wife 57

Walter ditto Son 32 Boiler Maker

Annie Rhoads Dau 31 Boot Fitter Married but husband not in household Ada A Rhoads Granddau 6 Scholar

Address 7 Colbeck St., Halifax

In fact this was the address that her father died at on 20th May 1895.

BRIER Robert of 7 Colbeck-street Halifax barman died 20 May 1895 Probate

London 30 May to Sarah Ann Brownrigg (wife of George Brownrigg) and

Annie Rhoads (wife or Henry William Rhoads) Effects £836 2s 8d

1901 census

William Lochhead Head 78 Retired Carpet Designer

Elizabeth ditto Wife 76

Address Green Houses, Lightcliffe

Although the Lochheads lived in Lightcliffe and William owned two plots in St Matthew’s Churchyard neither he nor his wife appear to have been buried there after they passed away; Elizabeth died in 1903 and William on 12th June 1905.

LOCHHEAD William of 10 Greenhouses Lightcliffe Halifax died 12 June

1905 Probate London 5 September to Andrew Lochhead designer William

Findley manufacturer and Charles Edward Law grocer, Effects £907 14s 8d

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George Brownrigg

(1855 – 13th July 1905)

As Robert Brier’s probate suggests the widow Sarah Ann Lochhead nee Brier had

married George Brownrigg early in 1895. George Brownrigg, the son of John Heavey

Brownrigg and Ellen Brownrigg nee Robinson was born in the district of Askrigg in

the North Riding of Yorkshire in 1855. These parents were married in the Askrigg

district in the same year although John Heavey Brownrigg was originally from

London. His parents George and Margaret nee Heavey had him baptised on 24th

June 1827 at St George Hanover Sq, Middlesex. They lived in Chapel Street where

grandfather George was a “Butcher”. He was still a “Butcher” in London at the time of

the 1841 census when young John Heavey Brownrigg was an “Apprentice Butcher”.

By 1851 John H Brownrigg was a “Royal Sapper & Miner (on Survey)” lodging with

the Holdenby family at Riplingham Grange, Rowley, Beverley, Yorkshire.

In 1861 George Brownrigg was with his parents and sister in Berkshire.

1861 census

John H Brownrigg Head 33 Surveyor Land born Middlesex St George Hanover Sq

Ellen ditto Wife 30 born Hawes, Wensleydale, NRY

George ditto Son 5 born Askrigg

Margaret Brownrigg Dau 2 born Brough, Westmorland

Address Broadleases, Faringdon, Berkshire

But after that father John Heavey Brownrigg does not appear with his family. He has

not been found in either the 1871 or 1881 censuses.

1871 census

Ellen Brownrigg Head 40 born Hawes Married husband not present

Margaret Brownrigg Dau 12 Scholar born Brough

John Brownrigg Son 2 born Hexham

Address Reeth, NRY

With George Brownrigg a few doors away…

George Brownrigg Grandson 15 Student born Askrigg with his Robinson grandparents

Address Hill House, Reeth , NRY

All three Brownrigg brothers appear to have been in the British Army which may

explain their absence in subsequent censuses. The name George Brownrigg - born

Askrigg in 1855 – appears on a “GRO Regimental Birth Indices” list with the initials

“R.E.” (volume 664 page 11). Brother John (service no.10001) was a Corporal in

the “55 (Northumberland) Company 14 Battalion Imperial Yeomanry”. He died of

meningitis on 2nd July 1900 at Bloemfontien, South Africa. A younger brother, James

Robinson Brownrigg (service no. 2994), was a “Lancer 9th (Queen’s Royals)”.

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1881 census

Ellen Brownrigg Wife 50 born

Hawes Married but husband not

present

John Brownrigg Son 12 Scholar

born Hexham

James R Brownrigg Son 8 born

Darlington

Address 8 P?owlet St, Darlington,

DUR

John Heavey Brownrigg died in 1887 in London.

1891 census

Ellen Brownrigg Head 59 Widow

Margaret Brownrigg Dau 32 Manager of

Cooperative Society Draper Department

Address 16 Stephenson St., Darlington,

DUR

After marrying in 1895 George and Sarah Ann Brownrigg had a son on 1st February

1896. Again he was named Robert Brier Brownrigg after his maternal grandfather.

Daughter Ellen (Nellie) was born on 20th May 1898 before she, Robert and their half-

sister were baptised on 3rd July 1898. For the 1901 census the family comprised:-

1901 census

George Brownrigg Head 45 Time Keeper at Carpet Works

Sarah A Brownrigg Wife 39

Robert ditto Son 5

Ellen ditto Dau 2

Annie Lochhead Dau (step) 11

Address East View, Lightcliffe

Margaret Brownrigg was born 25th November 1904 and then baptised on New Year’s

Day 1905 at St Matthew’s Church. Again George Brownrigg was a “Timekeeper”

and the family’s address was 5 East View, Lightcliffe. But he had little time to get to

know this baby daughter as he died on 13th July 1905 aged 49 years. He was buried

on 17th July 1905 in plot G58 with his wife’s first husband James Lupton Lochhead.

Mother Ellen Brownrigg nee Robinson died aged 71 in the Tynemouth district in

1902. This was probably at the home of her son James Robinson Brownrigg and his

wife. Private James Robinson Brownrigg was wounded on 25th March 1900 at Glen

Bridge, South Africa. After leaving the British Army he became a Police Constable in

the Northumberland Constabulary. He married Sarah Ann Mather in 1901 after

census night 31st March 1901. They had four children by the 1911 census when the

family lived at the Police Station in Ashington, Northumberland.

BROWNRIGG James Robinson of 19 Langwell-crescent Ashington

Northumberland died 20 August 1940 Probate Newcastle-upon-Tyne 10

September to George Brownrigg [his son] fitter. Effects £402 12s 10d

James Robinson Brownrigg, George Brownrigg’s brother, was buried on 22nd August

1940 at Ashington, Northumberland.

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Private Robert Brier Brownrigg

(1st February 1896 – 7th March 1919)

On census night 1911 Robert Brier Brownrigg was with his widowed mother and sisters.

1911 census

Sarah Ann Brownrigg Head 48 Widow

Annie McNair Lochhead Dau 21 Tapestry Carpet Fitter

Robert Brownrigg Son 15 Clerk at a Carpet Mill

Ellen Brownrigg Dau 12

Margaret Brownrigg Dau 6

Address 5 East View, Lightcliffe

The census form recorded that Sarah Ann Brownrigg had been married for 24 years and had

had six children but two had died. However this information has a line through it presumably

because by 2nd April 1911 she was a widow.

When WW1 broke out Robert Brier Brownrigg joined the Army Service Corps (A.S.C) which

received the Royal prefix – so R.A.S.C – in late 1918. Note: The wrong death date below …

……. but then correct on this form.

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The Brighouse Echo of Friday, 14th March 1919 gave details of his military career as

well as announcing his death.

ANOTHER “FLU.” VICTIM

PRT. R.B.BROWNRIGG,

LIGHTCLIFFE

The death took place on Friday last week,

at East View, Lightcliffe, of Pte. R. B.

Brownrigg, who only recently returned

home after more than four years’ service

with the Motor Transport section of the

Army Service Corps. Pte. Brownrigg

arrived home on fourteen days leave on

Christmas Eve, and returned to Folkestone

at the expiration of his furlough. He was at

that port when the notorious

demobilisation demonstration took place,

and after his case was enquired into he was

given an extension of leave and returned

home.

Pte. Brownrigg, who was 23 years of age,

was educated at Crossley Orphanage, and

afterwards employed by Messrs. Farrar &

Co., motor engineers, Halifax. He joined

the A.S.C. Motor Transport on November

9th 1914, and after training at Southport,

Sevenoaks and Reading, he was drafted to

France on October 1st, 1915. Since then he

had been home on leave three times. He

passed through the whole period of the war

without wounds. He was demobilised at

Clipstone on February 25th. He had not

been of robust health for some time, and

on his return home he contracted

influenza, and bronchial pneumonia

supervened, and, after severe suffering, he

died on Friday last. He was well known

and very highly respected in the district by

a large circle of friends, who deeply mourn

his loss.

The funeral took place on Wednesday

afternoon at Lightcliffe Church. Prior to

the cortege leaving East View a short

service was conducted by the Rev. H.L.

Taylor (vicar) who also officiated at the

church and graveside. The principal

mourners were :- Mrs G. Brownrigg

(mother), Miss A. Lockhead, Miss N.

Brownrigg and Miss M. Brownrigg

(sisiters), Miss C Harrison, Mr. W.Holt,

Mr. C. Knowles and Miss C. Knowles,

Misses A. and J. Lockhead, Mr. A. and

Miss E. Walker, Mr. A. Berry and Mr. and

Mrs. Booth. The coffin was of pitch-pine

with brass fittings and bore the inscription:

“Robert. B. Brownrigg, died 7th March

1919, aged 23 years.”

The bearers were: Messrs. J. Park, L.

Greaves, C. Berry, H. Renshaw, B. Naylor

and F. Harrison all friends of the deceased.

Beautiful floral tributes were sent by:--

Mother, Nellie and Maggie, Cissie, Ada

and Ernest, Mrs. Walker, Arthur, Edith and

Ida, Frank, Florrie, Alfred and Annie, Mrs.

Knowles and Cissie, Mrs. Tom Knowles,

Mr. and Mrs. Berry, Mr. and Mrs. Pickles

and family and Miss Wood, Mrs Crowther

and family, Mr. and Mrs. Wadsworth, Mr.

and Mrs, Shaw, Mr. and Mrs. Greaves and

family, Mr. Harrison and family, Ruth and

Marian, Mr. and Mrs. Booth and family,

Leslie and John, Miss Dale and the

Christian Endeavour Society, Bailiffe

Bridge.

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DEATHS

BROWNRIGG –March 7th, aged 23 years,

Pte Robert B.Brownrigg, M.T., A.S.C., 5,

East View, Lightcliffe

It is poignant to note that Mr and Mrs Booth attended the funeral and sent a floral

tribute. They were next door neighbours of the Brownriggs at 6 East View. Sadly

they had already lost a son Corporal Fred Booth in 1916. Also one of the bearers J.

Park is probably the John H Park who would later marry Robert’s sister Ellen (Nellie)

Brownrigg.

Private Robert B Brownrigg’s grave in St Matthew’s Churchyard is recorded on a

“GRAVES REGISTRATION REPORT FORM” and the CWGC list says:-

He is also remembered on the splendid Bailiff Bridge War Memorial where his name

appears just below that of Fred Booth, his next door neighbour in East View,

Lightcliffe.

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Not long after Private Robert Brier Brownrigg died his half-sister Annie McNair

Lupton Lochhead married John Allen on 11th April 1919. Then in 1923 sister Ellen

(Nellie) married John H Park. They had two sons George B and John A Allen born in

1925 and 1927 respectively both in the Stoke on Trent district. Sister Margaret

Brownrigg married Sam E Jones in 1938. They were living at 3 Grange Terrace,

Brighouse at the time the 1939 register was taken. Husband Sam was a

“Commercial Traveller” with his wife Margaret doing “Unpaid Domestic Duties” most

probably looking after their new born son Edward A Jones.

By 1939 the Park family were living at the Plough Inn, Crewe Road, Alsager,

Cheshire. John H Park was a “Quarry Manager” and Ellen was in “Attendance in

Public House” as well as doing “Unpaid Domestic Duties”. These duties most likely

included looking after her 78 year old “Incapacitated” widowed mother Sarah Ann

Brownrigg who lived with them. Mother Sarah Ann Brownrigg nee Brier lived another

18 years dying in 1957 aged 95 in the Crewe registration district most probably in

Alsager, Cheshire. No probate record has been found for Sarah Ann Brownrigg but

there is one for her daughter.

PARK Ellen of 71 Coronation Av Alsager Cheshire died 28 May 1970

Administration (with Will) Sheffield 6 August. Effects £1727.

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Understandably Sarah Ann Brownrigg does not seem to have been returned to

Lightcliffe to be buried with her two infant children (Marion Elizabeth Lochhead and

Robert Brier Lochhead), her two husbands (James Lupton Lochhead and George

Brownrigg) and her soldier son (Private Robert Brier Brownrigg) in St Matthew’s

Churchyard.

This headstone’s dislodged cross, which is visible on the photograph showing the

memorial inscription about the infant children, is due to be restored in the near future

as part of the work of The Friends of St Matthew’s Churchyard with help from the

Heritage Lottery Fund.

D. M. Barker

May 2016