JOSEPH WATERWORTH

Born: Bubwith 1821 (Christened 1st July 1821)
Died: 27th August 1900
Buried: York Cemetery

Spouse: Mary Pickard (1825-1917)
Married: Howden 1852

The earliest record for Joseph Waterworth is the 1841 census listing him as an agricultural labourer aged 20, living in the township of Skelton, near Howden.

The 1851 census shows Joseph living with other agricultural labourers at Goole Moor Farm, Old Goole. Joseph married Mary Pickard in Howden in 1852 and had their first child Elizabeth in 1854. They had four more children before moving to Bubwith where the 1861 census records them living at 83 Main Street. This house number no longer exists although the census page shows this house as being near the White Swan Pub and Staithe Street which is at the wrong end of Main Street as the numbers run presently. It is possible than Main Street was re-numbered at some point and the house listed as no. 83 does still exist. All four children are listed as being born in Bubwith, but the 1871 census shows the three youngest children being born in Heworth. We can assume that the family moved to York sometime between 1861-1864. In 1871 Joseph's occupation is now Groom & Gardener and the family is living on Heslington Road, York. The address is actually Belle Vue Lodge, a house owned by The Retreat Mental Hospital, which was run by the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). Judging from Joseph's appearance in the above photograph is can be assumed that he was also a Quaker as the beard and shaved top lip are a characteristic of that religion.

Belle Vue Lodge no longer exists, having been demolished to make way for the building of Fairfax House, part of the University of York campus. An 1851 map of the location shows where the Lodge stood and matches the 1881 census which lists Joseph and Wife Mary with their three daughters and youngest son Joseph (then aged 11).

Belle Vue Lodge stood on the main road between the entrance to Belle Vue Terrace and The Retreat estate further up the hill. Belle Vue House is where Fairfax House now stands. All that remains of The Lodge is a piece of stone which is probably the base of the steps to the front door, which can be seen on the map just above the letter 'e' of Lodge.

The 1891 census shows Joseph was still employed as a Gardener at the age of 69. He still resided at Belle Vue Lodge which he shared with his wife Mary, daughters Polly (listed as Mary), Emma and son Joseph, who is now aged 21 and employed as an engineer. Joseph's daughter Annie married Henry Nicholson and died in 1886 aged 27.

Joseph Waterworth died on 27th August 1900 aged 78 and is buried in York Cemetery (to the rear of Belle Vue Terrace) along with his wife Mary, Daughter Annie plus Grandsons Charles (who drowned in 1912) and Leslie Thomas, who died aged 7 months in 1914.

The plot was originally purchased for Annie by her Father in 1886. The grave cost 5 pounds, 5 shillings and sixpence with a digging fee of 20 shillings.

Joseph's Sons Tom and William are buried close by. The 1901 census shows Tom still living at Belle Vue Lodge with his Mother after the death of Joseph.