Eliza Iron 1859-1940

Parents: George Iron and Sophia Spicer(1)
Born: 7th February 1859 in High Street, Haverhill. (1,8)
Baptised: 21st February 1859 at St Mary's Parish Church, Haverhill.(1)
Married: Henry Whiting, 20, batchelor of Burton End, Haverhill, son of Henry Whiting, labourer, on 29th September 1877 at St Mary's Parish Church, Haverhill.(3,4)
Children: Emma Whiting b.1878 died in infancy, Frank Whiting b.1879, Celia Whiting b.1886, Stanley Whiting b.1890 died in infancy, Harry Whiting b.1895 and Alfred Edward Whiting b.1898 died in infancy
Died: 29th August 1940. Buried at Haverhill Cemetery on 31st August 1940.(5,6)

Bio: Eliza's parents George Iron and Sophia Spicer married in 1856.(7) Eliza first appears on the 1861 census, where she is living with her parents and older sisters Emma (who it turns out would marry Eliza's future husband's cousin Frank Whiting) and Mary Ann as a lodger with John and Mary Whiting in Clements Lane, Haverhill.

Eliza's mother Sophia died in 1871 and the The Ipswich Journal describes it thus: 'IRON - 18th inst., (February) at Haverhill, after a long illness, Sophia, the wife of George Iron, of this place, aged 37 years.'(2) On the census shortly after George appears as a widow, and Eliza is the oldest of the children, the others being Harriet, George William, and Priscilla. Eliza's grandmother on her fathers side, Sarah Iron, 69, is also staying with them in Clements Lane. Eliza is working as a cotton weaver.

Eliza married Henry Whiting in 1877 and they he moved out of Haverhill. On the 1881 census we find them living at Great Wilsea, Little Wratting. Henry is an agricultural labourer living with Eliza and a son, Frank who was born at Great Wilsey two years earlier.

Eliza and Frank moved back into Haverhill, and Celia, their second child, was born at 17 Mill Road in 1886 and baptised at the Independent Church. They had another son, Stanley, in 1890, and we find them at 10 Chauntry Row, Haverhill, on the 1891 census. Henry's occupation is unclear, but Eliza is working as a weaver.

Ten years on they are still at 10 Chauntry Row, and both Henry and Eliza are working at a clothing factory (most likely Gurteen's) along with daughter Celia. Henry is a carman. They have a son, Harry, 5, also living with them.

On the 1911 census, Henry and Eliza are living at 18 Mill Road, Haverhill. Henry is a carman in the 'readymade clothing' industry. Daughter Celia and son Harry are living with them. The census also shows that Henry and Eliza had 3 children that died in infancy as well as the 3 that survived.

Henry died in February 1935, and was buried at Haverhill Cemetery. Eliza survived him by 5 years and died on 29th August 1940. She was also buried at Haverhill Cemetery.

For image of gravestone see Henry Whiting

Sources:

(1) Suffolk Baptism Index, SFHS, Clare Deanery 1813-1900
(2) The Ipswich Journal, Saturday, 25th February 1871, issue 6880, Birth, Death and Marriage Notices.
(3) Suffolk Records Office, Bury St Edmunds, Parish Registers of St Mary's Church, Haverhill. Fiche 578/4/p28 of 37
(4) Marriage Register. 3rd Quarter 1877, Risbridge District, Volume 4a Page 638
(5) Death Register. 3rd Quarter 1940, Newmarket District, Volume 4a Page 1951
(6) Haverhill Cemetery, Ref.5357. http://www.haverhill-uk.com/pages/burial-records-137.html
(7) Marriage Register. 3rd Quarter 1856, Risbridge District, Volume 4a Page 523
(8) Birth Register. 1st Quarter 1859, Risbridge District, Volume 4a Page 411 (surname given as IRONS)