George Holroyd
George Holroyd was baptised in Bradford in 1787. He married Jane Hant at Wakefield All Saints Church on the 15th June 1818. The 1841 census shows George 55 and Jane 45, living at Lidgate Gate, Horbury. George is a hairdresser as stated on the gravestone.
They have children: William 22, Martha 20, Mary 20, George 15, Helen 9 and John 6. Their daughter Helen, mentioned at the top of the gravestone, died on the 20th October 1826. The Helen in this census would only have been born in 1832, so I assume they re-used the name, as was common practice when children died. The 1851 census reveals William is also a hairdresser like his father.
The inscription reads:
"In memory of Helen, daughter of George and Jane Holroyd, hairdresser of this town, who died October 20th 1826 in the 4th year of her age.
Also George, son of the above who died Jan ?th 1846 in the 21st year of his age.
Dear mother you see my days are past
Your love to me so long did last
From you now no sorrows take
But love my sisters for my sake
Mourn nor for me my sisters dear
Thy time will come you must sleep here
Prepare for death for die you must
And with your brother sleep in dust.
Also Jane, wife of George Holroyd and mother of the above who died July 29th 1866 aged 68 years.
Also the above named George Holroyd who died September 18th 1869 aged 83 years."
Helen Bickerdike June 2017
