Robert Rigg.
When Robert Rigg was born in 1815, (yet to be confirmed as no records can be found of a birth or baptism), but on his death certificate in 18 it stated he was 60 years old, his father, James Rigg, was 26 and his mother, Susan (nee Binns), was 24.
He had two sisters Sarah born in 1831 and Susan born on 26th December 1836 in Buckley, a small village just outside Rochdale.
In the 1841 Census, Robert was listed as living at Heybrook, in the district of Weurdle and Wardle, a small area about 3 -4 miles from the centre of Rochdale. He was aged 20 with two other young ladies called Betty Renshaw, age 20 and Mary Unsworth, also aged 20. Robert’s occupation was a Warehouseman and the two young ladies were both listed as “F S” (Female Servant).
He married Elizabeth Milne on 9 August 1842 at St Stephens Church in Rochdale. The witnesses were Letitia Davis and Selina Swallow.
Robert was a Warehouseman and Elizabeth a Dressmaker.
On 24th January 1847 they had a son, Thomas Robert and they were living at Ann St, Rochdale at the time of the birth registration.
At the 1851 Census, Robert was living with his wife Elizabeth, son Thomas his sister Sarah and also a visitor Sarah Booth. Robert was a Draper, Elizabeth a Dressmaker and Sarah was also a Dressmaker. They were all living at 105 Drake St, Rochdale, Lancashire.
On 26th March 1852 Robert appears to have been ruled as Insolvent according to the article below from the
- “LANCASTER. INSOLVENT COURT, LANCASTER. Insolvent Debtors heard at Lancaster, Friday and Saturday, the 26th and 27th days of March, 1852, before John Addison, Esquire, Judge of the said Court. Discharged Forthwith. Robert Rigg, draper, &c., Rochdale.”
At the 1861 Census the family were still residing at 105 Drake St, but he was now working as a “R…. Labourer”, – presumably as a result of being made insolvent – Elizabeth was a Dressmaker and also again his sister Sarah as an apprentice dressmaker along with a Janet Dinwiddie aged 21 also an apprentice Dressmaker. Their son Thomas was aged 14 and a Scholar.
An interesting newspaper article from the Rochdale Observer of 4th January 1868, where one of Elizabeth’s apprentices was robbed. News article
By the 1871 Census they had moved to Glebeland Terrace, Vicars Walk, Rochdale – this appears to be just around the corner from Drake St, and presumably larger premises as Robert was again now listed as a Draper, his wife Elizabeth and his two sisters, Sarah and Susan all as Dressmakers and then 3 additional girls aged 16, 18 and 22 as Apprentice Dressmakers and then additionally a servant girl.
In 1872 it appears that Robert was also becoming a landlord as we found two newspaper adverts for properties to rent as below.
- “Rochdale Observer 24th Feb 1872 TO LET, two good Dwelling-houses, one, now occupied by Mr. Wood, Surgeon, Drake Street, with Immediate possession , the other No. 138, Drake St, for May next.—For farther particulars apply Robert Rigg, Glebeland Terrace. Vicar’s Walk”
- Rochdale Observer 25th April 1874 TO LET. one handsome Dwelling-house, containing breakfast, dining, and drawing rooms • four bedrooms, dressing and bathrooms, two kitchens, cellars and butler’s pantry—For view and for particulars apply to Robert Rigg, Glebeland Terr. Vicars Walk. (Visit page of Newspaper)
He died on 15 January 1875 in Rochdale, Lancashire, at the age of 60, whilst living at Vicars Walk. He was a Draper at his death and it was notified by his sister Sarah Rigg, and in probate on 17th September 1875 he left “no more than £800″ (£93,000 at 2020 rates) to his wife Elizabeth.