James (Jim) Abbott was unfortunately someone I never met, even though he was my Nan's younger brother. One reason could be simply that he lived in Newcastle, even though there were contacts between the different parts of the Abbott family in Farnworth, Newcastle and Oldham. See Famiy Connections.
So I have learnt about Jim Abbott from documents, but mainly from his granddaughter Norma McNab, who has provided much of the material which tells the story of Jim Abbott and family here.
1880-81
Jim Abbott was born in 1880 and baptised on November 23rd at St Wilfrid's Church in Farnworth by Jos Holden, curate. (In fact the record gives PB, ewhich means baptised at home). The record also states that hge is the son of Mary Ellen Abbott - no father is given.
In the 1881 census James lived with mother Mary Ellen, sister Annie and grandparents John and Martha Abbott at 33 Church Street, Farnworth.
1891
In 1891 James age 10 yrs and Annie age 12 were still living with their grandparents, John and Martha, at 74 Farnworth Street, but mother Mary Ellen was now married to Bentley Henderson, Mrs Henderson, and living in Newcastle. She left James behind in Farnworth when he was about five years old and sister Annie seven years.
1901
In the 1901 census James age 20 years was living with his aunt Martha Abbott, Mary Ellen's younger sister, and family (Alfred Walker, engine driver) at 31 Luton Street Widnes and working as a general labourer.
His wife to be Elizabeth Weddell was 16 years old, single and living at 76 Stepney Lane, All Saints, Newcastle with mother (widow) Clarinda Weddell, sisters Ellen and Clarinda and brothers William, John and James. Elizabeth was working as a "tobacco stripper". She was born in Morpeth, a small town about 15 miles north of Newcastle, as were brothers John and James.
1901-1907
Jim moved to Newcastle between 1901 and 1907, which means he was there while his mother Mary Ellen still lived there with the six children and husband Bentley Henderson. Bentley died in 1906 and Mary Ellen moved back to Lancashire in 1909.
Jim remained in Newcastle with Elizabeth (Lizzie) and their three daughters for the remainder of his life.
Jim Abbott
Photo Courtesy Norma McNab
James (Jim) Abbott
1907
On Saturday September 7th 1907 James (Jim) Abbott married Elizabeth (Lizzie) Weddle at St. Ann’s Parish Church, Newcastle.
Marriage certificate details: James age 27, lived at 41 Howard Street, occupation labourer, father given as John Abbott (deceased), labourer. (John Abbott was his grandfather and a watchmaker/market gardener, not a labourer.) Elizabeth Weddle, age 23, spinster, lived at 21 Richmond Street. Her father was James Weddle (deceased), french polisher.
Photo courtesy Norma McNab
Jim, granddaughter Norma and Lizzie about 1950
1911
In the 1911 census James (Jim) Abbott, wife Elizabeth and two daughters were recorded living at 11 Union Street Newcastle upon Tyne:
James Abbott, head, age 30, carpenters labourer shipyard, born Widnes Elizabeth Abbott, wife, age 26, tobacco spinner, born Morpeth, Northumberland Annie Abbott (Anne), daughter, age 3, born Newcastle upon Tyne. Alice Abbott, daughter, age 1, born Newcastle upon Tyne
Third daughter Elizabeth Abbott (Betty) was born in 1922,
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In official records the family name was sometimes spellt Weddell, other times Weddle.
