James Thomas Highley and the Robinson family

This is the next post in our series on Hileys/Highleys buried at Christ Church, Todmorden.

Alice Finch, the daughter of James and Alice, was born in Heywood near Rochdale in 1863. She was one of nine children and her father was a Whitesmith, or Tinsmith - someone who makes articles out of metal, especially tin. The family moved to Knowlwood near Todmorden soon after Alice was born. In 1881 they were living in Inchfield Buildings in Walsden and Alice was working as a Throstle Spinner.

In  1886 Alice married William Henry Robinson, a Wheelwright, in St Peter's Church in Walsden. The couple had 3 children, Edith, Annie and William Henry. William Henry junior was born in 1891, three months after his father had died.

In 1905 Alice married again, this time to James Thomas Highley, a Carter living in Rochdale Road in Walsden. He was the son of James and Ellen (nee Harrison). In 1911 James Thomas and Alice were living in Maitland Street in Walsden, along with Alice's three children. Alice died in 1940 and James Thomas in 1945.

Gravestone in Christ Church
William Henry (snr), William Henry (jnr), Alice and James Thomas Highley

William Henry (jnr) grew up in Walsden, working as a Picker Maker at Inchfield Works. He enlisted in September 1916 in the 207th Battalion Machine Gun Corps and served on the Western Front from March 1917. He was killed in action at Messines, aged 25, on 11th July 1917 and buried at Messines Ridge British Cemetery, Belgium, but his name is inscribed on the gravestone at Christ Church along with those of his parents.

William Henry's grave at Messines Ridge, Belgium

William Henry's name in the  Todmorden Garden of Remembrance

William and Betsy Highley

This post continues the series on Hiley/Highley graves at Christ Church, Todmorden.

William Highley was born in 1846 in Northowram, Halifax. His parents were John, a Cordwainer, and Mary (nee Eastwood). William was the youngest of 8 children. His brother John (Jack) Highley was the subject of a post on 7th December 2021.

Jack and William moved to Todmorden and followed in their father's footsteps by working as Boot, Shoe and Clog Makers.

William married Betsy North in 1869 and the couple had 6 children - Arthur, Fred, Thomas Edward and Mary Emily, Hannah Maria and Sarah.

The 1881 Census described William as a Master Clogger.

In loving memory of William Highley, Garden Street Todmorden, born July 23rd 1846 died August 27th 1888. “Thy Will Be Done.” Also of Betsy, his wife born August 30th 1846, died March 25th 1911.

Charles Joseph Hiley and his family

This post continues the series on Hiley/Highley graves at Christ Church, Todmorden.

Charles Hiley died in 1922, aged 79, and was buried on the 20th November that year. In the family grave are buried Charles, his wife Sarah, and children William Campbell, Emily, Mary Jane, John Walter, Mabel and Amy Elizabeth (wife of Sam Baldwin).

In affectionate remembrance of Emily, daughter of Charles and Sarah Hiley of Crescent, Todmorden, who died September 15th 1878 aged 2 years and 7 months. Also of William Campbell, their son, who died November 8th 1878 aged 9 months. Also of Mary Jane, their daughter, who died May 15th 1887 aged 5 years and 11 months. Also of John Walter, their son, born January 16th 1874, died December 10th 1904. Also of the above named Sarah Hiley. Born May 9th 1842, died February 17th 1909. Also of the above named Charles Hiley. Born March 14th 1843, died November 16th 1922. Also of Mabel, their dearly loved daughter, who entered into rest February 13th 1945 aged 73 years. Also of Amy Elizabeth, their daughter and the dearly beloved wife of Sam Baldwin, who died May 5th 1952 aged 72 years.

There have already been posts in this Blog about Charles, a musician and noted figure in Todmorden for many years:
Professor C.J. Hiley -19th August 2020.
Professor Hiley (part 2) - 2nd September 2020.

His son John Walter was the subject of a post on 13th January 2021. Type 'Professor' into the Search This Blog box to read these posts.