William Whiteley (aka William Whiteley Ltd.):  History

 

The Company[1]

The business known as William Whiteley was established in 1863 by a man with the same name. It started as a small shop in London at 31 Westbourne Grove in Bayswater, just a few blocks north of Kensington Palace.  At first the shop was a typical drapery which meant they sold clothing and textiles.  Over the next 15 years additional shops were opened next to it, as seen in the photograph on the left here,[2] and it became one of the biggest shopping complexes in the London area selling a vast array of merchandise.  Mr. Whiteley was very focused and expanded the product line so that by 1877 he employed 1,000 workers.  In addition to all of his shops on Westbourne Grove, he had another store built in the same neighborhood at Queen’s Road, (now Queensway) which opened in 1881, see the drawing on the right[3].  The success of all of these stores was remarkable partially because Mr. Whiteley was very focused and established very strict rules for his employees, many of whom lived in male or female dormitories which he supplied for them.  He also sold merchandise at fixed prices without the haggling that was necessary in most stores at the time and, because his prices were lower than others, he did not feel a need to advertise.  Once people discovered they could purchase items for less at Whiteley’s they passed that information on to their friends who in turn started to shop there.  Although the profit per item was less than competitors, Whiteley’s was able to earn more because they sold more items.  At one point the business expanded by the purchase of farmland and food processing centers in order to provide produce for the stores and staff.  Mr. Whiteley became known as the “Universal Provider” because his stores supplied middle and upper class clientele with all the things they wanted.  Other businesses in the area became envious of Whiteley’s success and did not want to make things easier for Mr. Whiteley to expand his business.  Numerous lawsuits were filed against him and on several occasions, fires were even started in his shops.  Fortunately, because of Mr. Whiteley’s business knowledge and work ethic, he was able to rebuild and became even more successful.  The biggest fire was in 1887 when the entire store on Queen’s Road (pictured here[4] on the right) was destroyed in what became known as one of the biggest fires in the London area during the Victorian Era.  Again, Mr. Whiteley rebuilt and continued to be successful.  In 1889 his two sons, William Jr. and Frank Ernest Whiteley joined their father in the business and by 1890 the firm employed 6,000 people.

 

In 1899 William became convinced that it was best to form a limited liability company.  Shares were sold and the business became known as William Whiteley Ltd. with William as the chairman of the board, William Jr. the financial manager and Frank the commercial manger.  Eight years later in 1907, while William was in his office at the 43 Westbourne Grove store, he was shot and killed by a man who claimed to be his illegitimate son.  After his death, William Jr. became the chairman and Frank became the head of finance.  In 1911 the firm moved its entire operations to their newly built Queen’s Road facility (pictured here[5]) which at the time was an elaborate shopping center, one of the biggest in the London area.  The business was sold in 1927 to Harold Gordon Selfridge, an American entrepreneur known for having worked with the first American department stores which originated in Chicago, Illinois.  The Whiteley store was damaged during World War II and was sold to another firm which later rebuilt and remodeled it into the shopping mall known as Whiteleys which closed in 1981. 

 

Mr. Whiteley’s life story is one of interest to many because he was a self-made man, rising from humble beginnings to the status of millionaire.  Several detailed books have been written about him and his business which provide excellent additional information about this man and his company. They are: 1) The Universal Provider by Richard S. Lambert published in 1938 and 2) Whiteley’s Folly The Life and Death of a Salesman by Linda Stratmann published in 2004.  Both were professionally written and provide the sources of their information based on what was available to them at the time they wrote their books. 

 

During the Victorian Era there were at least fourteen Avery style needle cases with the name W. Whiteley Westbourne Grove stamped on them[6].  Eleven of these were patented or registered by William Avery of Redditch including the Bee Case, the Hedgehog Needle and Pin Case and the Wishing Well pictured here.  The other three were registered by Buncher & Haseler of Birmingham.  All of these were most likely actually manufactured in Birmingham, the city known for stamped brass work.  Avery presumably made arrangements with Whiteley’s because he knew these stores in London were popular and reached a wide audience.  Fancy brass needle cases were the perfect addition to Whiteley’s shops because they had the right clientele to purchase them, middle and upper class woman who had free time and liked to stitch.  This way Avery could place his needles inside and as a result sell more needles.

 

The Whiteley Owners[7]

William Whiteley was originally from Yorkshire.  He was the eldest son of Joseph Whiteley and Elizbeth Rowlandson.  Joseph and Elizabeth were married in Featherstone, a town near Wakefield in northern Yorkshire, in 1830.  Joseph held a variety of jobs during his lifetime including that of a mealman (a person who deals meal or flour) and a maltster in the early to mid-1830’s, as a shopkeeper in the mid to late 1830’s, as a corn dealer or corn porter in the early to mid-1840’s and as a railway porter by the early 1850’s.  Joseph and Elizabeth had eight children between 1831 and 1846: William, Mary, Sarah, Thomas Rowlandson, Maria, Benjamin, an unnamed son who died five minutes after being born and John.  The family lived in the Wakefield area, at first in Agbrigg and later in neighboring Thornes.  Elizabeth died there in 1853 after being ill for nine months at the age of 43 and Joseph died three years later in 1856 of liver disease at age 56.  Both were buried at the St. James Church in Thornes.  Three years after his death, Joseph’s estate, valued at less than £20, was proven by his daughter Sarah.

 

Before moving on to William Whiteley, a review of his six siblings, starting with the sisters, will provide interesting information to compare with his success.  William’s eldest sister Mary was born in 1833 and died of pulmonary tuberculosis[8] in 1852 at age eighteen.  His second sister Sarah was born in 1836.  At age thirty-one in 1868 Sarah married Henry Mason, a law clerk eight years younger than her, in Featherstone.  They had four children: Rowland who died shortly after birth, Edith Maria, Margaret Elizabeth and Lucy and lived in Wakefield and neighboring Stanley until at least 1876.  By 1881 they moved to Henry’s hometown of Godmanchester, Huntingdonshire, 128 miles southeast of Wakefield where they remained for the rest of their lives.  Henry worked as a lawyer (solicitor) for his entire life.  Sarah died there in 1920 at age 82 and Henry died there twenty-two years later in 1932.  William’s youngest sister Maria was born in 1840 and at some point followed her brother William to the London area where she assisted him in his business[9].  By 1901 she was living in the Hampstead area of the London, which was 181 miles south of Wakefield.  When she died there in 1910 at age 70 she left an estate of £1,540 to her two nephews: William’s eldest son William Jr, and to her other brother Thomas Rowlandson Whiteley’s only son, George Herbert Whiteley.

 

William Whiteley had three younger brothers.  The eldest was six years younger than William, born Thomas Rowlandson Whiteley in 1837.  Thomas married Ann Smith in 1863 in Wakefield and they had three children: Annie, Ada and George Herbert.  Thomas worked as a civil servant most of his life as a clerk in the prison system, at first in Wakefield and later in the London area.  Sometime between 1875 and 1881 Thomas and his family moved to the Islington area of north London where they remained for a few years before moving to Finchley in Middlesex, 177 miles south of Wakefield.  He died there in 1914 at age 77 and left an estate of £8,216.  William’s middle brother, Benjamin Whiteley, was born in 1842.  He married Mary Wood in 1868 in Rippon, Yorkshire and they had two children: Florence L. and Albert Ernest.   Benjamin became a reporter for the Wakefield newspaper and remained in the Wakefield area most of his life.  He died in 1903 at age 60 of cancer in Bournemouth, where he lived for his last two years.  Benjamin left an estate valued at £4,349 to his brother, Thomas Rowlandson Whiteley, his brother-in-law Henry Mason and his nephew, George Herbert Whiteley.  William’s youngest brother was John Whiteley who was born in 1846.  John married Jane Hannah Harnew in 1870 in Thorne, Yorkshire and they had three children: Edith Louise, Walter and Maria.  His wife died in 1879 of pulmonary tuberculosis and he married his second wife Annie Louise Lodge in 1880 in Wakefield and they had two children: Percy who died at age one and Harry.  John also remained in the Wakefield area and worked for some time as a toy dealer, warehouseman and parcel agent.  He had a shop called “The Lounge” in the Westgate section of Wakefield where he was a dealer of fancy goods.  John died in 1898 at age 52 of peripheral neuritis phthisis and pulmonary tuberculosis and left an estate of £3,044 to his daughter Edith and son Walter.  Below are the obituaries/funeral announcements of these three brothers which include references to their older brother William.

 

Wakefield and West Riding Herald newspaper dated December 17, 1898 page 7, column 3[10]

DEATH OF MR. JOHN WHITELEY. – After a long and painful illness, Mr. John Whiteley died at his residence, Southgate, Wakefield, on Wednesday.  The deceased, who was 52 years of age, was the youngest son of the late Mr. Joseph Whiteley, of Wakefield.  He was elected president of the Tradesmen’s Association in 1881, and re-elected the following year.  In that year he took a very prominent part in the foundation of the Wakefield Tradesmen’s Benevolent Institution, and for four years filled the post of president of the organization.  The deceased was a Churchman, a Freemason, and a Conservative.  Some time ago he unsuccessfully contested the Kirkgate Ward for the City Council.  He had for about 30 years carried on business as a powder and fuse merchant.  He was also the proprietor of a fancy emporium at the Corn Exchange, known as “Whiteley’s Lounge.”  Mr. Whiteley leaves a widow, one daughter, and two sons.

 

Wakefield Express newspaper date December 24, 1898 page 8, column 2[11]

FUNERAL OF MR. JOHN WHITELEY – Last Saturday noon the remains of Mr. John Whiteley, of Southgate, were interred at the Cemetery . . .  The coffin, which was of pitch-pine with brass mountings, was covered with wreaths and other floral devices. Two large and magnificent specimens were sent by Miss Whiteley (Beechroyd, West Hampstead) and Mr. William Whiteley (Hyde Park, London) respectively . . .

 

Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer newspaper dated November 19, 1903 page 8, column 4[12]

OBITUARY.

MR. BENJAMIN WHITELEY, OF WAKEFIELD.

   Mr. Benjamin Whiteley, a well-know West Riding journalist, died yesterday morning at Bournemouth where he had been residing with his son for the past two years.  He was one of the most highly esteemed journalists in Yorkshire.  While his time was chiefly devoted to the “Wakefield Express,” which he loyally served for between 30-40 years, he was for almost an equally long period the accredited correspondent of most of the daily papers receiving news from Wakefield.  In both capacities he displayed an energy that secured the confidence of the newspapers to which he was attached, and a scrupulous care that earned for him the respect of the public bodies of the city in which he worked.  For some years he fulfilled the duties of hon. treasurer of the West Riding District of the Institute of Journalists, and the conference of the Institute recently held at Bristol paid him the compliment of election to the position of an Honorary Fellow.  Of the Newspaper Press Fund, too, he was a life member.  “The Universal Provider,” Mr. William Whiteley, is his brother, and another brother, Mr. T. R. Whiteley, was Commissioner of Prisons.  In addition to his ordinary duties, Mr. Whiteley took a deep interest in building society and other work in Wakefield, where news of his death will be received with sincere and general regret.

 

Hendon & Finchley Times newspaper dated October 9, 1914, page 8, column 1[13]

DEATH OF MR. T. R. WHITELEY.

   We regret to have to record the death of Mr. Thomas Rowlandson Whiteley, which took place at his residence, Kirkthorpe, Torrington Park, North Finchley, on Wednesday week.  The deceased gentleman, who was a brother of the late William Whiteley, the universal provider, of Westbourne Grove fame, was attached to the Home Office during the greater part of his life, and had lived in Finchley many years, where he enjoyed a wide circle of friends.  He had been in failing health for some time and passed away at the age of 77 years.  The funeral took place on Tuesday.  

 

William Whiteley was born in 1831 in Agbrigg, Yorkshire near Wakefield, fifteen months after his parents, Joseph and Elizabeth (nee Rowlandson) were married.  Shortly after his birth he was adopted by his maternal uncle John Rowlandson who was a farmer in neighboring Featherstone. He lived with his uncle and the uncle’s wife Mary, who had no children, until at least 1841.  In 1848 when William was around sixteen and a half years old he was apprenticed to the Wakefield drapers Narnew and Glover and was living with one of the owners in 1851.  Also, that year he had the opportunity to travel to London to visit the 1851 Crystal Palace Exhibition[14] also known at the Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations. This was the first world’s fair and attracted on average 42,831 people each day it was open.  The exhibition was organized by Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband, to show the world that Britain was a world leader and the producer of many important items and processes.  William was impressed with all of the things he saw at the exhibition and in the city of London.  After he returned to Wakefield, he decided he would move to the London area after his apprenticeship in Wakefield came to an end.  

 

Sometime around 1854/1855 William moved to London[15].  At first he worked as a shopman for the draper Willey and Co. at Ludgate Hill near St. Paul’s Cathedral for 15 months.  Then he accepted a position in the wholesale trade of Morrison, Dillion and Co. at Fore Street where he remained for at least two and a half years.  Afterwards William worked for Mr. Green and Mr. Graham as a silk buyer and was listed in 1861 as a ribbon warehouseman living in Islington, a section of north London.  Later in 1861 he accepted a position as a commercial traveler for Messrs. Bradbury, Greatorex and Co. for a year.  During his tenure with these firms, William learned a lot from them and others in the area about how to run a business and he lived a very frugal life, saving all of his earnings.  As a result, he accumulated £700 by 1863 and was therefore able to open his own shop as a draper that year at 31 Westbourne Grove.  He then moved into the rooms above the shop so he could be close to his work which occupied most of his time.  William’s sister Maria moved to the London area at some point in order to assist him[16] although she did not live with him.  One of his first female employees was Harriet Sarah Hill who was born in Winterslow, Wiltshire, the daughter of a draper.  They became romantically involved and were married in 1867 at St. John’s in Islington when William was 35 and Harriet was 21.  Less than two months later Harriet gave birth to their first child, Walter, who died less than two months after being born.  Although the birth may have been premature, the fact that the child survived for a couple months meant it was conceived before William and Harriet’s marriage, meaning she was pregnant before the wedding. 

Within two years of their marriage William and Harriet were living at Kildare Terrace in the Paddington section of London, not far from his shop, and William was listed in 1871 as a silk mercer.  They continued to live there until at least 1881 and had four additional children between 1868 and 1872: Ada Florence, Clara Louise, William Jr. and Frank Ernest.  By 1881 William, pictured here[17], had achieve an exceptionally high degree of business success and was now listed as the “Universal Provider” because his shops provided their customers with almost everything they wanted in one place.  At some point before 1881, William and Harriet had a falling out probably because William was having an affair with a woman named Alice Allingham in Tunbridge Wells and in Hastings.  After Harriet learned of the affair she moved out of the house and filed a petition for divorce in 1881 alleging cruelty and adultery.  While William confirmed some of the allegations, court proceedings continued throughout 1881 and 1882 and then in 1883 were dismissed because William and Harriet amicably agreed to a separation instead of a divorce.  As a result, William was required to provide financial support to Harriet for the remainder of her life.

 

Sometime during 1882 a twenty-five year old woman named Louisa Ellen Turner became a clerk at one of the Whiteley stores and not long afterwards became William’s mistress[18].  During their rendezvous, William became acquainted with the stockbroker named George Edward Rayner, the partner of Louisa’s younger sister Emily Mary Turner.  The four often spent considerable time together and became good friends for several years.  Both women were known for their beauty and the sister Emily also had a habit of high alcoholic consumption.  Although Emily and George never married, they had three children together between 1879-1885: Horace George, Emily Eveline and Gordon.  All three were registered with the surname Rayner which Emily adopted for herself.  William and Louisa’s relationship flourished during the early to mid-1880’s and William even arranged housing for her but registered it in George’s name.  In late 1885 Louisa gave birth to their child, the illegitimate son of William, who was registered as Herbert Cecil Whiteley Turner.  Several years passed and in 1888 William had a falling out with Louisa, George and Emily and their relationship and friendships ended.

 

By 1891 William was living with his two sons at Porchester Terrace in Paddington, again not far from his stores, where he resided for the remainder of his life.  His degree of wealth can be seen in the number of staff living in his household that year: 1 housekeeper, 1 butler, 1 groom, 1 cook and 2 housemaids.  His two daughters lived with their mother Harriet in Worthing, Sussex, a town 62 miles south of London along the coast just west of Brighton.  By 1901 William was listed as the chairman of the public company of the universal provider.  In May 1904 he prepared his last will and testament which mentioned the following family members: his two son’s William and Frank Ernest Whiteley, his brother Thomas Rowlandson Whiteley, his brother-in-law Henry Mason, his sister Maria Whiteley of Finchley, his daughters Ada Florence and Clara Louise Whiteley and his wife Harriet Sarah Whiteley[19].

 

Roughly two and a half years later in 1907, while at work at his 43 Westbourne Grove store, Horace George Rayner, the child of William’s former mistress’s sister and George Edward Rayner, arrived at the store asking to speak to William.  At the time Horace was having financial difficulties and mental issues based on several bad experiences he had with his parents over the years.  He was under the impression he was the illegitimate son of William Whiteley and he wanted William to acknowledge that and give him some money.  During their meeting when William refused, Horace pulled out a gun and shot William twice in the head and then turned the gun on himself and fired one additional shot in an attempted suicide.  William died instantly and Horace was taken to the hospital where he survived.  After William’s funeral and burial at the Kensal Green Cemetery in London, his will was probated and its contents became public knowledge.  He was truly a multi-millionaire leaving an estate valued at £1,452,825 (£114,147,734 today) with specific sums left to the family members mentioned in his will and with £1,00,000 to be used to build a village for poor elderly people to be named Whiteley Village. 

 

Following his death, the murder trial of Horace George Rayner caught the attention of everyone in London and elsewhere because of Whiteley’s status and the sensational nature of the possible connection between the two men.  Articles about the trial appeared in literally hundreds of newspapers in the UK detailing everything that happened and was said throughout the trial.  Unfortunately, DNA testing was not available back then, so the true father of Horace was never uncovered.  Several individuals testified that Horace was born three years before William ever met the Turner sisters or George Edward Rayner.  Horace was convicted of murder and originally was sentenced to death.  However, because so many people had sympathy for him because of his history and mental health, his sentence was reduced.  After William’s death, his wife Harriett Whiteley continued to live in Worthing, Sussex until her death thirty-three years later in 1940 at age 95.  She left an estate of £33,702.  Below is a story William wrote in 1906 about how he became successful which was published in a local newspaper.  It provides interesting information about the man in his own words.

 

Weekly Dispatch newspaper dated February 4, 1906, page 1, column 1[20]

How to Make a Fortune.

MILLONAIRE’S ADVICE

   Mr. William Whiteley, the “Universal Provider,” started in business as a draper’s apprentice.  In fifteen years he saved £700 and then opened a shop for himself.

   To-day he is a millionaire and head of an immense organization, which has shown a profit of over £100,000 in one year.  His name is a household word wherever English is spoken, and he boasts that he can supply anything – a pint of living fleas or a white elephant, even a husband or a wife.

   The man who owes this extraordinary success entirely to his own exertions, describes in the following article what he would do if he had to live his life over again.

   He says he has enjoyed making his fortune, and enjoys the possession of it, and if he had a second life on earth he would employ himself much as he has already done.  He believes he would again make a great fortune, and gives, for the guidance of others, the rules he would observe to secure it.

 

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER AGAIN - William Whiteley

 

   You ask me what I should do if I had to live my life over again? Why, I should live much the same life as I have lived.

   I have enjoyed and still enjoy hard work, and I enjoy the success which I am convinced will always follow hard work intelligently done.

   And I believe that work brings happiness.  Although I have made some money I have seen to it that my sons have had to work.

   I do not believe that riches are a curse.  Money may be a power for good or evil – it depends upon how it is used.  Remember that as a rule a rich man, while making his fortune, finds employment for thousands.

   Therefore, though I hope I should be a better man if I lived my life again, I should observe the same principles that have already led me to success, and I think a second life would find me following the occupation I have already been engaged in.

   First and foremost, since it may encourage young and ambitious workers, let me say I think there are as many openings today as there were when I was young.  But they have to be made now, as they had to be then.  Do not believe that “everything comes to him who waits.”  “Everything comes to him who works” is to my mind much more truthful.  To succeed a man must make openings for himself.  But the world is still full of opportunities, and I should face life again confident of success.

   The principles which guided me and upon which I should again rely would, I believe, ensure any one securing at least a measure of success.  They may be summarized as follows: -

 

·       Add your conscience to your capital.  Fair trading means successful trading.

·       Be honest in all your dealings. Honesty is the best policy in the long run.

·       Be punctual and orderly.  Strictly kept rules are essential in business.

·       Work to live and make your business your hobby.  There is a good deal of fun to be got out of business.

·       Think for yourself and rely upon yourself.  Self-help is the best help.

·       Watch the waste.

·       Avoid extravagance and needless expenditure.

·       Never despise little things; drops of water make the ocean.

·       Keep cool and never lose your temper.

 

   These may seem very obvious aphorisms, but remember they have helped me, starting with a capital of £700, to build up an organization that has shown a profit of over £100,000 in one year.  I opened my one small shop in Westbourne-grove in 1863.  To-day the London premises of this business occupy fourteen acres of ground, and there are also two large farms in the country.  Most people may have heard of these business principles of mine before.  But I do not know of any newer ones, and I do not want to.  These have been good enough for me, and if I had to live my life over again I have no doubt they would bring me success again.

   There are other rules of life which I should observe with nearly equal care.  As a young man I should not stop in one situation, but move on and keep moving on.  I should stay with one firm for a year or so and learn all I could there.  Then I should go to another and pick up more knowledge.  I should make this a practice until I had a thorough all-round knowledge of my business.

 

“Think for Yourself”

 

   This I know, sounds like a contradiction of accepted ideas.  We are told that “a rolling stone gathers no moss,” and “not to throw away dirty water until you get clean.”  Well copy-book maxims are all very well in their way, but, as I said, I believe in a man thinking for himself.  And you can always find one proverb to contradict another.  Are we not assured that a sword may hang till it rusts?

   So I should move around again as I did when I was young.  In the fifteen years that elapsed between my entering my apprenticeship and the time I sent up in business for myself, I changed my position seven times, and learnt something useful in each situation.

   I started with a drapery firm in Wakefield when I was sixteen and a half.  After nearly four years of incessant toil I came up to London to see the Great Exhibition in 1851.  That decided me to seek my fortune in London.  I went to Messrs. Willey and Co., Ludgate-hill, where I remained fifteen months.  Then I got a situation with Messrs. Morrison, Dillon, and Co., of Fore-street. A very good offer from my original employers tempted me back to Wakefield.  But I found I could not settle in the country after London, and I returned to the Fore-street firm.  After that I served successively Messrs. Graham and Green, Messrs. Borras and Co., and Messrs. Bradbury, Greatorex, Beall, and Co.  Then I started on my own account. 

   I was learning all the time.  That brings me to another rule I should observe if I had my life again.  To watch and study the methods of everyone who has technical knowledge.  The details you pick up in this way may seem trifling.  But success in commercial life largely depends upon knowledge of details.

   Men want knowing as well as methods.  Many a “little man” starting in business on his own behalf has been ruined by trusting a dishonest partner or assistant.  I should study men carefully, so that I should be able, as I am now, to almost intuitively pick out those I can trust.

   Another rule I should make a point of observing would be “Always pay as you go.  If you can’t pay don’t go.”  I have never run into debt, and by paying cash I have got the best terms.  I should endeavor to be discreet in all my transactions, and take no risk I could not meet without inconvenience.

   To keep all promises at whatever cost would be one of my aims.  Even if you lose for a time by doing so it pays in the long run. Customers never forgive you if you disappoint them.  The confidence of others is a valuable business asset, though not so valuable as your own confidence in yourself.

   To be just to all, I should consider essential.  Fair trading means successful trading, and makes for joy in life.  A clear conscience and a good digestion are the two chief aids to happiness.

   Do as you would be done by is another rule to be observed.  Studying the convenience of the people you are dealing with pays.  They deal with you again and recommend their friends.  I have found the best recommendation is a satisfied customer or employer.

   As an illustration of this I may repeat the story of two extraordinary orders I received.   On one occasion some young men, to decide a bet, ordered a second-hand coffin.  Another time an ingenious joker ordered a pint of live fleas.  Both were supplied.  The second-hand coffin could not very well be dug up, but I sent one that a man had had made for him while he was alive and then discarded at the request of the second wife.  The fleas were found by combing through beasts at the Zoological Gardens and in Mr. Jamrach’s menagerie.  The execution of these two strange orders did much toward substantiating my claim to be the “Universal Provider.”

“Velvet Glove and Iron Hand”

 

   Civility costs nothing, and is a most important item in business. Experience has shown me this, and I should bear it in mind if I were starting again.  If your customers like you it will make them inclined to like your goods.  Be respectful to all, but be firm when necessary.  Never be afraid to say “No!”

   I have never given things away or sold them at a loss.  I have never pretended that I was doing so, and I never should.   I have offered bargains and should do so.  But that can be done by manufacturing your own goods and selling them at a very small profit.  Small profits pay. A thousand shillings is better than forty pounds.

   I should never allow myself to forget that nothing in business must be considered as an insurmountable difficulty.  My definition of a difficulty is that it is a thing to be overcome. The man that thinks otherwise is the man that is going to fail.

   And the motto I would always bear in mind is “Never, never, NEVER say die.”  A strong man can rise superior to all difficulties.  I have had five fires, and I believe each of them was caused by an incendiary.  The last one cost me £250,000, but each time, Phoenix-like, the destroyed businesses rose again from the ashes.

   These are the principles and rules I should be guided by if I had to live my life over again and I believe, faithfully followed, they are bound to lead a man to success.

 

The children of William Whiteley spent most of their adult lives in the same places as their parents.   The two daughters remained in Worthing living off the funds provided by their father.  Neither Ada Florence, who was born in 1868, nor Clara Louise, who was born in 1870, ever married.  Clara Louise died in 1946 at age 76 leaving an estate of £73,158 and Ada died in 1951 at age 84 leaving an estate of £42,498.  The son William Jr., who was born in 1871, became the chairman of William Whiteley Ltd. after his father’s death and continued to live in Paddington until he retired in 1927.  He never married and at some point after his retirement, moved to Michelham, a town 23 miles southwest of London where he died in 1937 at age 65 of heart failure.  His estate was valued at £237,365.  The youngest child of William and Harriet Whiteley, Frank Ernest, was born in 1872.  In 1904 he married Australia-born Ethel Annie Rostron in Kensington.  They lived in Paddington where Frank worked as the store director for William Whiteley Ltd.  Frank and Ethel had two children between 1905 and 1907: Ethel Norah and Frank Rostron.  In early 1914 Frank filed a divorce petition against Ethel alleging she committed adultery with Captain Lancelot Fane Gladwin and was currently pregnant by Gladwin.  The divorce was granted by the end of the year.  Frank died in Paddington at age 57 of bronchitis in 1929 and left an estate of £114,364. 

 

Not much is known about Herbert Cecil Whiteley Turner, the illegitimate son of William Whiteley and Louise Ellen Turner.  His life was less successful, presumable because his father did not support him.  However, he lived a much longer life then his half-brothers.  Born in 1885, Herbert enlisted in the Royal Navy at age 18 and became a paymaster.  In 1925 while working as a paymaster commander he married Edith Grudrad Wandworth Jones in Weymouth, Dorset, 137 miles southwest of London, just west of Bournemouth.  It is unknown whether they had any children and where they lived for most of their lives.  Herbert became a Captain in the Royal Navy and retired sometime before his death.  He died in Brighton, Sussex in 1964 at age 78 of prostate cancer leaving an estate valued at £8,739.  What follows are the obituaries of William’s sons that have been uncovered to date.

 

Marylebone Mercury newspaper dated November 23, 1929, page 5, column 4[21]

MR. FRANK ERNEST WHITELEY

   Mr. Frank Ernest Whiteley, younger son of the late Mr. William Whiteley, founder of the firm of William Whiteleys Ltd., died on Tuesday at his home at Palace Court, Bayswater. 

   He was 57 years of age and joined the directorship of Whiteley’s in 1889, and became vice-chairman.  He retired on the absorption of Whiteleys by Selfridges in 1927.

 

Daily News (London) newspaper dated March 13, 1937, page 5 column 5[22]

FORMER HEAD OF WHITELEY’S DEAD

   Mr. William Whiteley, eldest son of the founder of Whiteley’s the Bayswater store, died at his home, Mickleham, Dorking, on Thursday night, after a short illness. He was 65.

   For many years Mr. Whiteley had been chairman of the store which he joined in 1889, retiring in 1924 after a riding accident.  In 1927 Whiteley’s was taken over by Selfridge’s.

   Mr. Whiteley’s death recalls the murder of his father, Mr. William Whiteley (senior) in 1907.  He was shot by Horace G. Rayner (27), a clerk who visited Mr. Whiteley’s office in Westbourne Grove with the intention of blackmailing him.

 

 

Horace George Rayner[23]

Horace George Rayner was born in 1879 in Teddington, Middlesex, a suburb of southwest London. His mother was Emily Mary Turner and his father was probably George Edward Rayner.  In 1881 Horace was vacationing at a boarding house in Eastbourne, Sussex, a resort town along the southern coast of the England, with his mother, a boy named Ewin, possibly an older brother, and his aunt Louisa Turner.  His parents never married but lived together for a number of years in the 1880’s in the Teddington area where they had two additional children: Emily Eveline in 1881 and Gordon in 1885.  From 1882 until sometime around 1888 they were friends with William Whiteley and his mistress, Emily’s sister Louisa Ellen Turner (Horace’s aunt).  During their friendship Emily was known for her excessive drinking and on several occasions, Horace was introduced to William Whiteley.  Then in 1888 when the friendship between the two couples ended, Emily and George separated as well.  Some say that early in their relationship Emily adopted a boy named Ewin and claimed he was their son in order to convince George that they should stay together.  Then during one of their arguments at a later date Emily admitted to George that Ewin was not their child and Ewin was returned to his real parents.  Because of this experience George began to doubt that Horace was actually his son as well.  After Emily and George’s breakup there were times when Emily told her son to go and see Mr. Whiteley if he needed any money as she knew William Whiteley was a wealthy man.  Then when Horace was living with his father, George told Horace he could be the son of William Whiteley.  These conversations with his parents certainly caused him to wonder about his paternity.  In 1893 his mother Emily married Ernest Dudding at St. George in Hanover Square, London where she claimed to be Emily Mary Rayner formerly Emily Mary Turner an unmarried spinster.  She died in Southampton of nephritis (kidney failure[24]) five years later in 1898 at age 37. 

 

Sometime during the late 1890’s Horace made the acquaintance of Alice Mary Knowles.  Alice and her two aunts were visiting with him at his residence on Powis Square in Notting Hill, Kensington when the 1901 census was taken.  Horace and Alice were married later that year.  At the time his occupation was listed as a secretary.  They had two children from 1903 to 1905: Etheldreda Alice and Eric.  Horace’s mental state deteriorated over the years possibly because of his difficulties finding a steady job which led to financial problems or he may have inherited a tendency to drink too much from his mother since alcoholism was common in several of his Turner ancestors.  This combined with the experiences he had with his parents during his youth led him to believe William Whiteley was his father and should be willing to provide him with some financial support.  In January 1907 Horace decided to confront Mr. Whiteley which resulted in William’s death and Horace’s imprisonment for murder.  During the trial, his wife gave birth to their third child: Christen.  In 1911 Horace was living in prison in Carisbrooke, Hampshire which was known as Parkhurst Prison on the Isle of Wight.  After serving 12 years in penal servitude, he was released in 1919 on the grounds of ill-health[25].  Little else is known about the Horace and his family.

 

 

 

William Whiteley (aka William Whiteley Ltd.):  Images

 

Bottom of the Bee Case needle case stamped with the Whiteley name (S=eBay).

 

Easel needle case.

 

Horseshoe needle case.

 

Hedgehog Needle and Pin case stamped with the Whiteley name (S=eBay).

 

Easel needle case stamped with the Whiteley name (S=eBay).

 

Horseshoe needle case stamped with the Whiteley name (S=eBay).

 

Louise - Square needle case.

 

Picnic Basket needle case.

 

Postal Weight needle case.

 

Louise - Square needle case stamped with the Whiteley name (S=eBay).

 

Scallop Shell needle case.

 

Postal Weight needle case stamped with the Whiteley name (S=eBay).

 

Pyramid needle case.

 

Quadruple Golden Casket - Fleur di Lis needle case.

 

Queen’s Footstool needle case.

 

Pyramid needle case stamped with the Whiteley name (S=eBay).

 

Quadruple Golden Casket - Fleur de Lis needle case stamped with the Whiteley name.

 

Queen’s Footstool needle case stamped with the Whiteley name (S=eBay).

 

Royal with Vase needle case.

 

Bottom of the Wishing Well needle case stamped with the Whiteley name (S=eBay).

 

Work and Game Table needle case.

 

Royal with Vase needle case stamped with the Whiteley name (S=eBay).

 

Work and Game Table needle case stamped with the Whiteley name (S=eBay).

 

.

South side of Westbourne Grove looking west which is currently under renovation, 2023.

 

South side of Westbourne Grove looking east where the first William Whiteley shop at 31 Westbourne Grove was originally located, 2023.

 

The south side of Westbourne Grove just east of the renovation area which shows what the shops in that area may have originally looked like, 2023.

 

Westbourne Grove Street sign, 2023.

 

Whiteleys Shopping Center exterior c1981.

 

Intersection of Westbourne Grove and Queensway Street, 2023.

 

Whiteleys Shopping Center interior c1981.

 

The Whiteley shopping mall building at 149 Queensway Street is currently being redeveloped, 2023.   According to the firm’s website it is described as follows:

 

“At the heart of the Whiteley will be 139 unique residences and the UK’s first Six Senses hotel and spa, a brand renowned for its dedication to wellness and sustainability, that will provide residents with exclusive spaces, services and experiences. Every apartment at The Whiteley is utterly unique, offering the opportunity for both exceptional privacy, and engagement in the vibrant community on your doorstep.”  (S=https://www.thewhiteleylondon.

com/).

 

The following signs are currently posted on the building’s entranceway at the intersection of Queensway Street and Porchester Gardens Street, 2023.

 

 

 

 

View of the Whiteley building looking north on Queensway Street, 2023.

 

Queensway Street looking south from Westbourne Grove with the Whiteley building in the center on the right, 2023.

 

Postcard of the William Whiteley Ltd. building on Westbourne Grove (S=eBay).

 

Building at 28 Westbourne Grove that is very similar to the

 one with the Whiteley name in the post card above, 2023.

 

 

 

William Whiteley (aka William Whiteley Ltd.):  Genealogy

 

Generation 1:  Joseph Whiteley (c1800/01-1856) and Elizabeth Rowlandson (1810-1853)

·       Born: c1801 (S4), 1800 (S5d).

·       Baptized: not found.  (Note: there were several people baptized in this area with the name Joseph Whitley who were born around 1800 and currently no way to know which one is the correct one).

·       Marriage:  June 1, 1830 All Saints, Featherstone, Yorkshire (S3).  Listed as Joseph Whitely of Warmfield Agbrigg and Elizabeth Rowlandson. (Note: according to ancestry.com there were 35 records of individuals named Joseph Whiteley born around 1800 marrying a woman named Elizabeth in Yorkshire.  The marriage listed here is the only one in the Wakefield/Agbrigg/ Featherstone area). 

·       Wife’s Birth and Baptism:  Born October 8, 1810 and baptized November 8 1810, Featherstone, Yorkshire (S1c), listed as Elizabeth Rowlandson with parents Thomas and Mary Rowlandson. Born: 1811 (S4) and 1810 (S5d).

·       Wife’s Brother’s Baptism: July 13, 1806 Featherstone, Yorkshire (S1c).  Listed as John Rowlandson with parents Thomas and Mary Rowlandson.

·       1841 Census: not found.

·       1851 Census: 67 Commercial Street, Alverthrope with Thornes, Thornes, Wakefield (S4).  Listed as Joseph Whiteley age 50 a railway porter born in Wakefield with wife Elizabeth age 40 born in Penston and 5 children: Mary, Thomas R., Maria, Benjamin and John.

·       Wife’s Death: June 24, 1853 Wakefield, Wakefield Union, York (S8d).  Listed as Elizabeth Whiteley age 43 the wife of Joseph Whiteley a goods carrier who died of a chronic undecipherably illness for 9 months at Brunswick Street, Wakefield with Joseph Whiteley present at her death.

·       Wife’s Probate: not found.

·       Wife’s Burial: June 26, 1853 St. James, Thornes, Yorkshire (S7).  Listed as Elizabeth Whitely  age 43 of Wakefield.

·       Death:  February 2, 1856 Wakefield, Wakefield Union, York (S8d).  Listed as Joseph Whiteley age 56 a railway labourer who died of sarihowe disease of the liver at Park Street with Benjamin Martin present at his death.  February 3, 1856 at Wakefield (S6).

·       Burial: February 6, 1856 St. James, Thornes, Yorkshire.  Listed as Joseph Whiteley age 56 of Wakefield. 

·       Probate:  November 23, 1859 Wakefield (S6).  Listed as Joseph Whiteley late of Wakefield a drayman with effects of less than £20 proved by the oath of Sarah Whiteley of Wakefield spinster the daughter. (Note: this Joseph Whiteley’s probate does not appear to be listed in the ancestry.com probate index but it is on the same page as the probate for another man named Joseph Whiteley Esq. who died at Halifax on March 5, 1859 and was probated in Wakefield on June 6, 1859).

·       Children:

1.     William Whiteley (1831-1907) – See Generation 2

2.     Mary Whiteley (c1833-1852). 

·       Baptism: September 22, 1833 St. Peter, Warmfield, Yorkshire (S1c), listed as Mary Whiteley with parents Joseph and Elizabeth Whiteley of Agbrigg with the father listed as a maltster. 

·       1841 Census: not found.

·       1851 Census: with parents (S4), listed as Mary Whiteley age 17 born in Warmfield. 

·       Death: February 17, 1852 Alverthorpe, Wakefield Union, York (S8d).   Listed as Mary Whiteley age 18 the daughter of Joseph Whiteley a labourer who died of phthisis at Thornes Lane, Thornes with Mary Lee present at her death.

3.     Sarah Whiteley (1836-1920). 

·       Baptism: May 22, 1836 St. Peter, Warmfield, Yorkshire (S1c), listed as Sarah Whiteley with parents Joseph and Elizabeth Whiteley of Agbrigg with the father listed as a maltster. 

·       1841 Census: not found.

·       1851 Census: 1 Love Lane, Wakefield, Yorkshire (S4).  Listed as Sarah Whiteley age 15 a general servant born in Wakefield living in the household of William Cannon a warehouseman (Note: according to ancestry.com there were two people with the name Sarah Whiteley born in Wakefield in 1836 in the 1851 census, however the other one was living with parents Henry and Sarah, therefore the one employed as a general servant must be the correct one).

·       1861 Census: living with brother Thomas Rowlandson Whiteley (S4).  Listed as Sarah Whiteley age 25 a housekeeper born in Wakefield, Yorkshire living with her brothers Thomas, Benjamin and John.

·       Marriage: August 15, 1868 All Saints, Featherstone, Yorkshire (S3), listed as Sarah Whiteley age 31 a spinster who lived in Purston whose father was Joseph Whiteley a corn factor and Henry Mason age 23 a law clerk in the presence of James Rowlandson and Matilda Mason. 

·       1871 Census: 193 Northgate Wakefield, Yorkshire (S4).  Listed as Henry Mason age 26 a solicitor’s general clerk born in Godmanchester, Huntingdonshire with wife Sarah age 32 born in Heath W, Yorks.

·       1881 Census:  No. 2 Sycamore Villa, Eastmoor Road, Stanley cum Wrenthorpe, Yorkshire (S4).  Listed as Henry Mason age 35 a solicitor born in Godmanchester, Hunts with wife Sarah age 44 born in Heath Wakefield, Yorks and 3 children: Edith M., Margaret E. and Lucy. (Note: the census index incorrectly lists Sarah’s age as 46).

·       1891 Census: not found.

·       1901 Census: 39 West Street, Godmanchester, Huntingdonshire (4).  Listed as Henry Mason age 55 a retired solicitor born in Godmanchster, Hunts with wife Sarah age 62 born in Warmfield Heath, Yorks, 2 children: Edith and Margaret both born in Wakefield, 1 granddaughter Dorothy Banks and 1 servant. (Note: the census index incorrectly lists the surname as Nason).

·       1911 Census: West Street, Godmanchester, Huntingdonshire (S4), listed as Henry Mason age 65 a retired solicitor who was born in Godmanchester, Huntingdonshire with his wife Sarah age 73 who was born in Warmfield Heath, Yorkshire, 1 child Edith Maria Mason, 1 granddaughter Dorothy Margaret Banks and 1 servant; indicated Sarah had been married 42 years and had 4 children of which 3 were still living.  

·       Death: 1st QTR 1920 Huntingdon (S5d), listed as Sarah Mason age 82.

·       Husband’s Death: 1st QTR 1932 Huntingdon (S5), listed as Henry Mason age 86. March 30, 1932 (S6).

·       Husband’s Probate: May 23, 1932 London (S6).  Listed as Henry Mason of the Priory Godmanchester, Huntingdonshire with effects £14,669 resworn £14,812 to Joseph Beaumont gentleman, Philip Arthur Banks farmer and Alfred Ernest Greaves solicitor.

·       Children:

a)     Rowland Mason (1870-1870).  Born: 2nd QTR 1870 Wakefield (S=GRO online index), listed as Rowland Mason with mother’s maiden name Whiteley.  Death: 2^nd QTR 1870 Wakefield (S=GRO online index), listed as Rowland Mason age 0.

b)     Edith Maria Mason (1871-??).  Born: 2nd QTR 1871 Wakefield (S=GRO online index), listed as Edith Maria Mason with mother’s maiden name Whiteley.  1881. 1901 and 1911 Censuses: with parents (S4).

c)     Margaret Elizabeth Mason (1873-??).  Born: 3rd QTR 1873 Wakefield (S=GRO online index), listed as Margaret Elizabeth Mason with mother’s maiden name Whiteley.  1881 and 1901 Censuses: with parents (S4).

d)     Lucy Mason (1876-??).  Born: 1st QTR 1876 Wakefield (S=GRO online index), listed as Lucy Mason with mother’s maiden name Whiteley.  1881 Census: with parents (S4).

4.     Thomas Rowlandson Whiteley (1837-1914).  

·       Born: 4th QTR 1837 Wakefield (S=GRO online index), listed as Thomas Rowlandson Whiteley with mother’s maiden name Rowlandson. 

·       Baptized: October 8, 1837 St. Peter, Warmfield, Yorkshire (S1c), listed as Thomas Rowlandson Whiteley with parents Joseph and Elizabeth Whiteley of Agbrigg with the father listed as a shopkeeper. (Note: the baptism index incorrectly lists his middle name as Rouland). 

·       1841 Census: not found.

·       1851 Census: with parents (S4), listed as Thomas R. Whiteley age 13 a railway messenger born in Health. 

·       1861 Census: 125 Back Garden Street, South Westgate, Wakefield, Yorkshire (S4).  Listed as Thomas Rowlandson Whiteley age 23 a clerk at Wakefield Prison born in Wakefield, Yorkshire with 1 sister Sarah age 25 and 2 brothers Benjamin and John, all born in Wakefield.

·       Marriage:  September 2, 1863 St. John the Baptist, Wakefield, Yorkshire (S3), listed as Thomas Rowlandson Whitely age 21 a bachelor and manufacturer who resided at Garden Str. whose father was Joseph Whitely a labour and Ann Smith age 21 a spinster. 

·       1871 Census: 78 Cliff Place, Burton St., Wakefield, Yorkshire (S4).  Listed as Thomas R. Whiteley age 33 an agent for W. R. prisoner’s manufacturers born in Wakefield with wife Anne age 32 born in Snydale and 2 children: Annie and Ada and 1 servant.

·       1881 Census: 55 Drayton Park, Islington, London (S4).  Listed as Thomas R. Whiteley age 43 a widow with occupation home office prison commission born in Wakefield, Yorks with 3 children: Annie, Ada and George H, 1 servant and 1 visitor.

·       1891 Census: 90 Florenceville, Finchely, Middlesex (S4).  Listed as Thomas Rowlandson Whiteley a widower age 53 a civil service Riseris Dept born in Wakefield, Yorks with 3 children: Annie, Ada and George Herbert and 1 servant.

·       1901 Census: 141 Florenceville, Finchley, Middlesex (S4), listed as Thomas R. Whiteley a widower age 63 a clerk C. S. Prison Dept born in Wakefield with 3 children: Annie, Ada and George H., 1 visitor and 1 servant.

·       1911 Census: 41 Torrington Park, North Finchley (S4).  Listed as Thomas Rowlandson Whiteley age 73 a widower and retired civil service born in Wakefield, Yorkshire with 2 children: Annie and Ada and 1 servant. 

·       Death:  September 30, 1914 (S6). 

·       Probate: December 29, 1914 London (S6), listed as Thomas Rowlandson Whiteley of Kirkthorpe 41 Torrington-road, North Finchley, Middlesex with effects £8,216 to Archibald Ernest Harrison manufacturer and Annie Whiteley spinster. 

·       Children:

a)     Annie Whiteley (1864-??).  Born: 3rd QTR 1864 Wakefield (S=GRO online index), listed as Annie Whiteley whose mother’s maiden name was Smith.  1871, 1881, 1891, 1901  and 1911 Censuses: with parents (S4).

b)     Ada Whiteley (1866 -??).  Born: 4th QTR 1866 Wakefield (S=GRO online index), listed as Ada Whiteley whose mother’s maiden name was Smith.  1871, 1881, 1891, 1901 and 1911 Censuses: with parents (S4).

c)     George Herbert Whiteley (1875-??) Born: 3rd QTR 1875 Wakefield (S=GRO online index), listed as George Herbert Whiteley whose mother’s maiden name was Smith.  1881, 1891 and 1901 Censuses: with parents (S4). 1911 Census: Bengeo, Granville Rd, Finchley N (S4), listed as George Herbert Whiteley age 35 a secretary to coal company worker born in Wakefield, Yorkshire with wife Sarah Ann age 39 and 1 servant, George and Sarah Ann had been married 9 years and had no children.

5.     Maria Whiteley (1840-1910). 

·       Born: 1st QTR 1840 Wakefield (S=GRO online index), listed as Maria Whiteley with mother’s maiden name Rowlandson. 

·       Baptized: August 16, 1840 St. Peter. Warmfield (S1c), listed as Maria Whiteley with parents Joseph and Elizabeth of Wakefield and with father’s occupation listed as shopkeeker.

·       1841 Census: not found.

·       1851 Census: with parents (S4), listed as Maria Whiteley age 11 a scholar born in Thornes. 

·       1861-1891 Censuses: not found (Note: currently there is not enough evidence to determine which Maria Whiteley in these censuses is the correct one).

·       1901 Census: 191 Beechroyd, Finchley-road, Hampstead (S4).  Listed as Maria Whiteley single age 60 living on own means born in Wakefield, Yorkshire with 1 cook and 1 housemaid.

·       Death: July 11, 1910 (S6). 

·       Probate: October 13, 1910 London (S6), listed as Maria Whiteley of Beechroyd 318 Finchley-road, Hampstead, Middlesex a spinster with effects of £1,540 to William Whiteley director of William Whiteley Ltd and George Herbert Whiteley company’s secretary.

6.     Benjamin Whiteley (1842-1903). 

·       Born: 2nd QTR 1842 Wakefield Union (S=GRO online index), listed as Benjamin Whiteley with his mother’s maiden name as Rowlandson. 

·       Baptism:  May 29, 1842 St. Peter. Warmfield (S1c), listed as Benjamin Whiteley with parents Joseph and Elizabeth of Wakefield and with father’s occupation listed as corn dealer. 

·       1851 Census: with parents (S4), listed as Benjamin Whiteley age 8 a scholar born in Thornes. 

·       1861 Census: living with brother Thomas Rowlandson Whiteley (S4).  Listed as Benjamin Whiteley age 18 a printer compositor born in Wakefield, Yorkshire living with his brothers Thomas and John and his sister Sarah.

·       Marriage: July 14, 1868 Rippon, Yorkshire (S8m).  Listed as Benjamin Whiteley age 26 a bachelor and reporter who lived in Wakefield whose father was Joseph Whiteley a corn factor and Mary Wood age 22 a spinster. 

·       1871 Census:  171 Back Garden Street, South Westgate, Wakefield, Yorkshire (S4).  Listed as Benjamin Whiteley age 28 a newspaper reporter born in Wakefield, Yorks with wife Mary age 25 born in Etwall, Derbyshire and 1 child Florence L. and 1 servant.

·       1881 Census:  48 Cliff Terrace, Wakefield, Yorkshire (S4).  Listed as Benjamin Whiteley age 39 a newspaper reporter born in Wakefield, Yorks with wife Mary age 35 born in Etwall, Derbyshire and 2 children: Florence L., Albert E. and 1 servant.

·       1891 Census: 101 Carter House, Kirkgate, Wakefield, Yorkshire (S4).  Listed as Benjamin Whiteley age 48 a journalist worker born in Wakefield, Yorkshire with wife Mary age 45 born in Etwell, Derbyshire, 2 children: Florence Louisa and Albert Ernest, and 1 servant.

·       1901 Census: 42 Southgate, Wakefield, Yorkshire (S4), listed as Benjamin Whiteley age 58 a newspaper reporter worker born in Thornes, Wakefield, Yorks with wife Mary age 55 born in Etwall, Derbyshire and 1 daughter Florence L. and 1 servant. 

·       Death: November 18, 1903 Bournemouth, Christchurch, (S8d), listed as Benjamin Whiteley age 61 a retired journalist who died of carcinoma of the rectum at 24 Somerset Road, Boscombe with his daughter Florence Whiteley present at his death.  November 18, 1903 (S6). 

·       Probate: December 17, 1903 London (S6), listed as Benjamin Whiteley of 24 Somerset-road, Boscombe, Bournemouth with effects of £4,349 to Thomas Rowlandson Whiteley a retired civil-servant, Henry Mason a solicitor and George Herbert Whiteley an ironmonger.

·       Children:

a)     Florence Louisa Whiteley (1869-??).  Born: 3rd QTR 1869 Wakefield (S=GRO online index), listed as Florence Louisa Whiteley with mother’s maiden name Wood.  1871, 1881, 1891 and 1901 Censuses: with parents (S4).

b)     Albert Ernest Whiteley (1871-??).  Born: 3rd QTR 1871 Wakefield (S=GRO online index), listed as Albert Ernest Whiteley with mother’s maiden name Wood.  1881 and 1891 Censuses with parents (S4). 

7.     Unnamed Son Whiteley (1844-1844). 

·       Born: December 17, 1844 Alverthrope, Wakefield (S8b).  Listed as no forename Whiteley a boy who was born at Thornes Lane with parents Joseph Whiteley and Elizabeth Whiteley formerly Rowlandson with father’s occupation listed as corn porter. 

·       Death: December 17, 1844 Alverthrope, Wakefield (S8d).  Listed as the male infant of Joseph and Elizabeth Whiteley who died of debility at Thornes Lane five minutes after birth with father’s occupation listed as a corn porter and with Joseph Whiteley of Thornes Lane present at the death.

8.     John Whiteley (1846-1898).

·       Born: 3rd QTR 1846 Wakefield (S=GRO online index), listed as John Whiteley with his mother’s maiden name as Rowlandson. 

·       Baptism:  August 23, 1846 St. James, Thornes, Yorkshire (S1c), listed as John Whiteley with parents Joseph and Elizabeth Whiteley of Thornes Lane with father’s occupation listed as corn porter. 

·       1851 Census: with parents (S4), listed as John Whiteley age 4 a scholar born in Thornes.

·       1861 Census: living with brother Thomas Rowlandson Whiteley (S4).  Listed as John Whiteley age 14 and errand boy born in Wakefield, Yorkshire living with his brothers Thomas and Benjamin and his sister Sarah.

·       Marriage #1: June 4, 1870 Thorne, Yorkshire (S8m).  Listed as John Whiteley age 23 a bachelor and stationer who resided in Wakefield whose father was Joseph Whiteley a corn factor and Jane Hannah Harnew age 26 a spinster.

·       1871 Census: 88 Fair Ground Westgate, Wakefield, Yorkshire (4).   Listed as John Whiteley age 24 a stationer and toy dealer employing one shop boy born in Thorne, Wakefield with wife Jane Hannah age 27 born in Thorne, Doncaster and 1 sister-in-law Eliza Harnew age 25 a dressmaker born in Thorne, Doncaster.

·       Death of Wife #1: January 24, 1879 Wakefield, Wakefield Union, York (S8d).  Listed as Jane Hannah Whiteley age 34 the wife of John Whiteley a general warehouseman who died of phthisis pulmonalis at 58 Westgate with John Whiteley the widow of the deceased present at her death.

·       Marriage #2: August 10, 1880 St. John the Baptist, Wakefield, Yorkshire (S3), listed as John Whiteley age 33 a widower and warehouseman who resided at Westgate whose father was Joseph Whiteley a corn merchant and Annie Louisa Lodge age 21 a spinster. 

·       1881 Census: 77 Queen Street, Westgate, Wakefield, Yorkshire (S4).  Listed as John Whiteley age 33 a merchant and toy dealer born in Wakefield with wife Annie L. age 21 born in Wakefield, 3 children: Edith L., Walter and Maria, 1 shop assistant named Mary A. Rowlandson age 20 born in Stanley and 1 servant.

·       1891 Census:  24 Southgate, Wakefield, Yorkshire (S4), listed as John Whiteley age 44 a parcel agent and general dealer employer born in Wakefield with wife Annie Louisa age 31 born in Wakefield and 4 children: Edith Louisa, Walter, Maria and Harry and 1 servant. 

·       Death: December 14, 1898 Wakefield, York (S8d), listed as John Whiteley age 52 a fancy dealer and gunpowder merchant who died of peripheral neuritis phthisis at 24 Southgate with Mary Whiteley his sister-in-law present at his death.  December 14, 1898 at Southgate (S6). 

·       Probate: January 4, 1899 Wakefield (S6), listed as John Whiteley of Southgate and the “Lounge” Westgate both in Wakefield dealer of fancy-goods with effects of £3,044 to Edith Louisa Whiteley spinster and Walter Whiteley a dealer of fancy goods.

·       Children with Wife #1:

a)     Edith Louisa Whiteley (1871-??).  Born: 3rd QTR 1871 Wakefield (S=GRO online index), listed as Edith Louisa Whiteley with mother’s maiden name Harnew.  1881 and 1891 Censuses: with parents (S4).

b)     Walter Whiteley (1874-??).  Born: 1st QTR 1871 Wakefield (S=GRO online index), listed as Walter Whiteley with mother’s maiden name Barnew.  1881 and 1891 Censuses: with parents (S4).

c)     Maria Whiteley (1876-??).  Born: 1st QTR 1876 Wakefield (S=GRO online index), listed as Maria Whiteley with mother’s maiden name Harnew. 1881 and 1891 Censuses: with parents (S4).

·       Children with Wife #2:

a)     Percy Whiteley (1882-1883).  Born: 1st QTR 1882 Wakefield (S=GRO online index), listed as Percy Whiteley with mother’s maiden name Lodge.  Death: 1st QTR 1883 Wakefield (S=GRO online index).  Listed as Percy Whiteley age 1.

b)     Harry Whiteley (1884-??).  Born: 3rd QTR 1884 Wakefield (S=GRO online index).  Listed as Harry Whiteley with mother’s maiden name Lodge. 1891 Census: with parents (S4).

 

Generation 2:  William Whiteley (1831-1907) and Harriet Sarah Hill (c1845-1940)

·       Born:  September 29, 1831 (S7).

·       Baptized:  December 25, 1831 All Saints, Featherstone, Yorkshire (S1c).  Listed as Wm Whitely with parents Joseph and Elizabeth Whitely of Agbrigg with the father’s occupation listed as mealman. (Note: the baptism index incorrectly lists the surname as Whiteley).

·       1841 Census: Featherstone Cottage, Featherstone, Yorkshire (S4).  Listed as William Whiteley age 5 born in the county living with John Rowlandson age 30 a farmer born in the county and Mary Rowlandson age 30 born in the county. (Note: the ages in the 1841 census are often misleading because most were usually rounded up or down. This appears to be the correct William Whiteley based on stories written about him during his life that say he lived on an uncle’s farm in his early years.  John Rowlandson was Whiteley’s mother’s brother.)

·       1851 Census: 5 Northgate, Wakefield, Yorkshire (S4).  Listed as William Whiteley age 19 unmarried working as a draper’s apprentice born in Agbrigg who was living with Matthew Glover Jr. age 33 a linen draper and silk mercer employing 9 men and 5 females who was born in Alverthorpe and the Glover family which included a wife, 2 children, 2 servants, 1 drapers assistant and 2 drapers apprentices. (Note: this appears to be the correct William Whiteley because the age and birthplace match with other records and, according to stories written about him during his life say he was an apprentice for the firm Harnew and Glover in Wakefield starting in 1848).

·       1861 Census: 47 Huntingdon Street, Islington, Finsbury, Middlesex (S4).  Listed as William Whiteley age 29 an unmarried boarder who worked as a ribbon warehouseman who was born in Agbrigg, Yorkshire living with Lovell Taylor age 30 a woolen warehouseman born in Gr Relk, Yorkshire and Taylor’s wife Maria age 32 and 1 servant.

·       Marriage:  February 23, 1867 St. John the Evangelist, Upper Holloway, Islington, Middlesex (S3).  Listed as William Whiteley a bachelor and draper who lived at 31 Westbourne Grove whose father was Joseph Whiteley a corn factor and Harriett Sarah Hill a spinster whose father was Thomas Hill a draper.

·       1871 Census: 2 Kildare Ter, Paddington, Marylebone, London (S4).  Listed as William Whiteley age 39 a silk mercer born in Kirkthorpe, Yorkshire with wife Harriett S. age 25 born in Winterslow, Wiltshire, 2 children: Ada F. and Clara L., 7 boarders working as drapers assistants ages 15-27, 1 nurse and 1 servant.

·       1881 Census:  2 Kildare Ter., Paddington, Marylebone, London (S4).  Listed as William Whiteley age 49 with occupation as universal provider who was born in Wakefield, Yorkshire with wife Harriet age 36 born in Winterslow, Wilts., 4 children: Ada F., Clara L., William and Frank C, and 3 servants.

·       Divorce/Separation: Harriet Sarah Whiteley vs William Whiteley 29 pages of Court Minutes regarding a Petition for Divorce filed August 13, 1881 with the Petition being dismissed October 19, 1883 (S=England & Wales, Civil Divorce Records, 1858-1918 available at ancestry.com).  Harriet filed the petition alleging cruelty to her and adultery by her husband with Alice Allingham at Tunbridge Wells and Hasting.  William agreed with the allegations and rather than divorcing they came to an agreement to live separately and William was to pay for her support.

·       1891 Census: 31 Porchester Ter, Paddington, London (S4).  Listed as William Whiteley age 59 married and working as a universal provider employer born in Agbrigg, Yorkshire with 2 sons: William and Frank Ernest, 1 housekeeper, 1 butler, 1 groom, 1 cook and 2 housemaids.

·       1891 Census Wife: 101 Marine Parade, Broadwater, Worthing, West Sussex (S4).  Listed as Harriett S. Whiteley married age 46 living on own means who was born in Winterslow, Salisbury with 2 daughters Ada F. and Clara L., both born in Bayswater.

·       1901 Census: 31 Porchester Ter, Paddington, London (S4).  Listed as William Whiteley age 69 married and working as the chairman of a public company of universal provider employer born in Agbrigg, Yorkshire with 2 sons: William and Frank E., 1 housekeeper, 1 butler, 1 cook, 2 housemaids and 1 coachman.

·       1901 Census Wife: No 1 Victoria Keur., Heene, St. Botolphs, Worthing, Sussex (S4).  Listed as Harriett Sarah Whiteley married age 56 living on own means born in Winterslow, Salisbury with 2 daughters: Ada W. and Clara Louise, both born in Bayswater.

·       1904 Will: May 20, 1904 Will of William Whiteley transcription (S=Wigton Advertiser newspaper dated February 9, 1907, page 3 column 2 available at www.britishnewspaper archive.co.uk).  Lists his sons William Whiteley and Frank Ernest Whiteley, his daughters Ada Florence Whiteley and Clara Louise Whiteley, his wife Harriet Sarah Whiteley, his brother Thomas Rowlandson Whiteley, his brother-in-law Henry Mason and his sister Maria Whiteley of Beechroyd in Finchley.

·       Death:  January 24, 1907 St. John, Paddington, London (S8d).  Listed as William Whiteley age 75 the universal provider of 31 Porchester Terrace who died of shock injury to brain, wound of head caused by bullet from revolver, willful murder against Horace George Raynor at 43 Westbourne Grove.   January 24, 1907 (S6), (S7).

·       Burial:  Kensal Green Cemetery, London (S7).  Listed as William Whiteley who was born September 29, 183 and died January 24, 1907.

·       Probate: April 16, 1907 London (S6).  Listed as William Whiteley of Westbourne-grove, Bayswater and of 31 Porchester-terrace, Hyde Park both in Middlesex with effects £1,452,825 to William Whiteley, Frank Ernest Whiteley, Thomas Rowlandson Whiteley, Henry Mason and Charles St. John Kellett Roche esquires. (Note: William Whiteley and Frank Ernest Whiteley were his sons, Thomas Rowlandson Whiteley was a brother and Henry Mason was a brother-in-law, the wife of Sarah nee Whiteley).

·       1911 Census Wife:  Annandale Downview Rd, W. Worthing (S4).  Listed as Harriett Sarah Whiteley age 65 a widow living on private means born in Winterslow, Wilts. who was married 40 years and had 5 children of which 4 were still living, with 2 daughters: Ada Florence and Clara Louise, both born in London, 1 cook and 1 servant.

·       1939 Register: 2 Shakespeare Rd., Worthing, Sussex (S9).  Listed as Harriet S. Whiteley an incapacitated widow who was born February 7, 1845 living with 6 elderly woman and 1 elderly man.

·       Wife’s Death: November 20, 1940 Worthing, West Sussex (S8d).  Listed as Sarah Harriett Whiteley age 95 of 35 Downview Road, Worthing, widow of William Whiteley  a general store proprietor who die of carcinoma of the rectum at Amatole nursing home Shakespeare Road, Worthing with her daughter C. L. Whitley the informant.  November 20, 1940 at Ametola Nursing Home 2 Shakespeare-road, Worthing (S6).

·       Wife’s Burial: not found.

·       Wife’s Probate: February 8, 1941 Llandudno (S6).  Listed as Harriett Sarah Whiteley of Annandale Downview-road West Worthing a widow with effects £33,483 resworn £33,702 to Arthur Temple Cummings solicitor.

·        Children with Wife:

1.     Walter Herbert Whiteley (1867-1867). 

·       Born: April 13, 1867 St. John Paddington, Kensington, Middlesex (S8b), listed as Walter Herbert Whiteley with parents William Whiteley and Harriett Sarah Whiteley formerly Hill who was born at 41 Westbourne Grove with father’s occupation listed as a draper. 

·       Death: June 9, 1867 St. John Paddington, Kensington (S8d), listed as Walter Herbert Whiteley age 41 days the son of William Whiteley draper who died of marasmus at 41 Westbourne Grove with Elizabeth Knight present at his death.

2.     Ada Florence Whiteley (1868-1951). 

·       Born: 2nd QTR Kensington 1868 (S=GRO online index), listed as Ada Florence Whiteley with mother’s maiden name Hill, April 11, 1868 (S1c). 

·       Baptized: August 13, 1869 St. Stephens, Paddington (S1c), listed as Ada Florence Whiteley with parents William and Harriet Sarah Whiteley of 2 Kildare Terrace with the father’s occupation as draper. 

·       1871, 1881, 1891, 1901 and 1911 Censuses: with parents or mother after parent’s separation. 

·       Death: 4th QTR 1951 Worthing, Sussex (S5d), listed as Ada F. Whiteley age 84; October 2, 1951 at Hopedine Wordsworth-road, Worthing (S6). 

·       Probate: November 21, 1951 London (S6), listed as Ada Florence Whiteley of 17 Winchester-road, Worthing a spinster with effects of £42,498 to Samuel Russell Hill solicitor and Connie Georgie Bell-Syer (wife of Frederick Bell-Syer).

3.     Clara Louise Whiteley (1870-1946). 

·       Born: August 24, 1870 St. Mary Paddington, Kensington, Middlesex (S8b), listed as Clara Louise Whiteley with parents William Whiteley and Harriett Sarah Whiteley formerly Hill who was born at 2 Kildare Terrace with her father’s occupation listed as linen draper; August 24, 1870 (S1c). 

·       Baptized: November 27, 1872 St. Stephen’s, Paddington (S1c), listed as Clara Louise Whiteley with parents William and Harriet Sarah Whiteley of 2 Kildare Terrace with the father’s occupation as draper. 

·       1871, 1881, 1891, 1901 and 1911 Censuses: with parents or mother after parent’s separation. 

·       Death: 4th QTR 1946 Worthing, Sussex (S5d), listed as Clara L. Whiteley age 76; November 15, 1946 (S6). 

·       Probate: February 10, 1847 London (S6), listed as Clara Louisa Whiteley of Amatola 2 Shakespeare-road, Worthing spinster with £73,158 to Arthur Temple Cummings solicitor and Connie Georgie Bell-Syer (wife of Frederick Bell Syer).

4.     William Whiteley Junior (1871-1937) - See Generation 3.

5.     Frank Ernest Whiteley (1872-1929) - See Generation 3.

·       Children with Mistress Louisa Ellen Turner - See Turner Genealogy below.

1.     Herbert Cecil Whiteley Turner (1885-1964) - See Herbert Cecil Whiteley Turner section below.

 

Generation 3: William Whiteley Junior (1871-1937)   

·       Born:  4th QTR 1871 Kensington (S=GRO online index), listed as William with mother’s maiden name Hill.  October 23, 1871 (S1c).

·       Baptized:  November 27, 1872 St. Stephen’s, Paddington (S1c), listed as William Whiteley with parents William and Harriet Sarah Whiteley of 2 Kildare Terrace with the father’s occupation as draper.

·       1881 Census: with parents (S4).  Listed as William Whiteley age 9 a scholar born in London

·       1891 Census: with father (S4).  Listed as William Whiteley Junior age 19 an assistant to his father employed born in Paddington.

·       Marriage:  never married.

·       1901 Census: with father (S4).  Listed as William Whiteley single age 29 a financial manger worker born in Paddington. 

·       1911 Census:  9 Craven Hill W, Paddington (S4).  Listed William Whiteley age 39 single the chairman of William Whiteley Ltd who was born in Paddington with 1 butler, 1 cook and 2 housemaids.

·       Death:  March 11, 1937 Dorking, Surrey South Eastern, Surrey (S8d), listed as William Whiteley age 65 living on independent means who died of heart failure at Bencomb, Mickleham with J. H. C. Bishop present at his death.  March 11, 1937 (S6).

·       Burial: St. Michael and All Angels, Mickleham, Surrey (S7).  Listed as William Whiteley age 66, born 1871 and buried 1937.

·       Probate: May 3, 1937 London (S6).  Listed as William Whiteley of Bencomb, Mickleham, Dorking, Surrey with effects £151,464 resworn £237,365 to Percy Stanley Sykes chartered accountant, Samuel Russell Hill and William Alan Gillett solicitors.

 

Generation 3: Frank Ernest Whiteley (1872-1929) and Ethel Annie Rostron (c1885-??)

·       Born:  4th QTR 1872 Kensington (S=GRO online index), listed as Frank Ernest Whiteley with mother’s maiden name Hill.  October 29, 1872 (S1c).

·       Baptized:  November 27, 1872 St. Stephen’s, Paddington (S1c), listed as Frank Ernest Whiteley with parents William and Harriet Sarah Whiteley of 2 Kildare Terrace with the father’s occupation as draper.

·       1881 Census: with parents (S4).  Listed as Frank C. Whiteley age 8 a scholar born in London.

·       1891 Census: with father (S4).  Listed as Frank Ernest Whiteley age 18 an assistant to his father employed born in Paddington.

·       1901 Census: with father (S4).  Listed as Frank E. Whiteley single age 28 a commercial manger worker born in Paddington. 

·       Marriage:  2nd QTR 1904 Kensington (S5m), listed as Frank Ernest Whiteley and Ethel Annie Rostron. April 16, 1904 Parish Church in Kensington (S=copy available in the divorce court records source listed below), listed as Frank Ernest Whiteley age 31 a bachelor and company director who resided at 31 Porchester Terrace, Hyde Park whose father was William Whiteley the universal provider and Ethel Annie Rostron age 23 a spinster.

·       1911 Census:  4 Inverness Terrace, Paddington W (S4).   Listed as Frank E. Whiteley age 37 a company director stores employer born in London with wife Ethel age 26 born in Australia, 2 children: Nora and Frank, 1 housemaid, 1 cook, 1 butler, 1 footman and 1 children’s maid.  Frank and Ethel were married 6 years and had 2 children who were both still living.

·       1914 Divorce: Court Minutes. Petition filed February 2, 1914.  Final Decree issued December 2, 1914  (S=England & Wales, Civil Divorce Records, 1858-1918 available at ancestry.com).   Frank Ernest Whiteley alleging his wife Ethel Annie Whiteley committed adultery with Captain Lancelot Fane Gladwin and was pregnant by him.

·       Death:  November 19, 1929 Paddington South, Paddington, London (S8d).  Listed as Frank Ernest Whiteley age 57 a retired company director who died of bronchitis at 58 Palace Court with his sister A. F. Whiteley present at his death.  November 19, 1929 (S6).

·       Burial: November 22, 1929 Kensington and Chelsea, London (S7).  Listed as Frank Ernest Whiteley.

·       Probate: December 27, 1929 London (S6).  Listed as Frank Ernest Whiteley of 58 Palace Court Bayswater, Middlesex with effects £114,364 to the Public Trust.

·       Children:

1.     Ethel Norah Whiteley (1905-??).  Born: January 20, 1905 (S=father’s divorce statement).

2.     Frank Rostron Whiteley (1907-??).  Born: March 6, 1907 (S=father’s divorce statement).

 

Turner Genealogy: Daughters of Thomas Turner and Emma Louisa Solloway

·       Louisa Ellen Turner (1856-after 1911)

·       Born: July 21, 1856 Plumstead Charlton, Lewisham Union, Kent (S8b).  Listed as Louisa Ellen Turner with parents Thomas Turner and Emma Louisa Turner formerly Solloway who was born at Lower Woolwich Road, Charlton with father’s occupation listed as plasterer foreman.

·       1861 Census: not researched.

·       1871 Census: 16 Hoddesdonke, Lessness Heath, Dartford, Kent (S4).  Listed as Louisa Turner age 14 a scholar born in Charlton, Kent living with her parents Thomas Turner age 46 an unemployed plasterer born in Ireland with wife Emma age 34 born in Lambeth, Surrey and 5 children: Louisa, Emily, Thomas H. Catherine L. and Charles G.

·       1881 Census: with sister Emily Mary Turner (S4).  Listed as Louisa age 23 unmarried with no occupation born in Carlton, Kent.

·       1891 Census: not found.

·       1901 Census: not found.

·       1911 Census: 93 St. Johns Park, Blackheath SE, Greenwich East (S4).  Listed as Louisa Ellen Turner age 50 or 53 (hard to read) single with no occupation born in Charlton, Kent living with her mother Emma Louisa Turner a 73 year old widow born in Charlton, Kent.  This census indicated Louis a had 1 child who was still living.

·       Death: not found but after 1911.

·       Illegitimate Child with William Whiteley

·       Herbert Cecil Whiteley Turner (1885-1964) – See Herbert Cecil Whiteley Turner section below.

·       Emily Mary Turner (1858-1898)

·       Born: December 7, 1858 Plumstead Charlton, Lewisham Union, Kent (S8b). Listed as Emily Mary Turner with parents Thomas Turner and Emma Louisa Turner formerly Solloway who was born at 3 Paradise Row, Charlton with father’s occupation listed as plasterer journeyman.

·       1861 Census: not researched.

·       1871 Census: 16 Hoddesdonke, Lessness Heath, Dartford, Kent (S4).  Listed as Emily Turner age 11 a scholar born in Charlton, Kent living with her parents Thomas Turner age 46 an unemployed plasterer born in Ireland with wife Emma age 34 born in Lambeth, Surrey and 5 children: Louisa, Emily, Thomas H. Catherine L. and Charles G.

·       1881 Census: 16 Lacelies Terrace, Eastbourne, Sussex (S4).  Listed as Emily Rayner age 21 a visitor with no occupation born in Charlton, Kent with Ewen Rayner age 3 and Horace age 2 both born in Teddington, Middlesex living in the John Dullton age 40 a lodge house keeper household.

·       1891 Census:

·       Marriage: January 30, 1893 St. George, Hanover Square, London (S3).  Listed as Emily Mary Rayner (formerly Emily Mary Turner) spinster age 26 single unmarried of 8 Duchets Str. Portland Place with father listed as Thomas Turner a deceased sculpture and Ernest Dudding.  Louise Ellen Turner and Percy W. Rogers were present at the wedding.

·       Death: January 11, 1898 Southampton, Hampshire (S8d).  Listed as Emily Mary Dudding age 37 the wife of Dudding a brewer who died of nephritis coma at 11 Park Road, Bellevue with E. L. Atkins present at her death.  

·       Children with George Edward Rayner

1.     Ewen (c1878-??).  Born: c1878 (S4).  1881 Census: with mother (S4), listed as Ewen Rayner age 3.  (Note: no birth record was found for this individual in the GRO online index where several years and different forenames were searched).

2.     Horace George Rayner (1879-??) - See Horace George Rayner section below. 

3.     Emily Eveline Rayner (1881-??).  Born: 1st QTR 1881 Kingston on Thames (S=GRO online index), listed as Emily Eveline Rayner with mother’s maiden name Turner. 1881 Census: with mother (S4).

4.     Gordon Rayner (1885-??). 1st QTR 1885 Thame (S=GRO online index), listed as Gordon Rayner with mother’s maiden name Turner.  1881 Census: with mother (S4).

 

Herbert Cecil Whiteley Turner (1885-1964) and Edith G. W. Jones (??-??)

·       Born:  September 15, 1885 St. Peter, Brighton, Sussex (S8b), listed as Herbert Cecil Whiteley Turner who was born at 4 Park Crescent with parents Herbert Whiteley Turner and Louisa Ellen Turner formerly Turner with father’s occupation listed as tea merchant.  September 15, 1885 (S=Service Enrollment documents with source listed below).

·       1891 Census: not found.

·       1901 Census:  not found.

·       Service Enrollment: July 15, 1903 (S=UK, Royal Navel Officers’ Service Records Index, 1756-1931 available on ancestry.com).  Listed as Herbert Cecil Whiteley Turner who was born September 15, 1885 and held the rank of Paymaster Captain Retired.

·       1911 Census: Royal Naval Barracks, Keyham, Devonport (S4).  Listed as Herbert Cecil Whiteley Turner age 25 single an assistant paymaster born in Brighton.

·       Marriage:  December 17, 1925 Weymouth, Dorset (S8m).  Listed as Herbert Cecil Whiteley Turner age 40 a bachelor and paymaster comander R. N. who lived at 28 Lennox Street, Weymouth whose father was William Whiteley Turner deceased a merchant and Edith Grudrad Wandworth Jones age 21 a spinster..

·       1935 Awarded: King George V Silver Jubilee Medal was awarded to Herbert Cecil Whiteley Turner (S=UK, Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 available at ancestry.com)

·       1939 Register: not found.

·       Death: April 3, 1964 Brighton, Sussex (S8d), listed as Herbert Cecil Whiteley Turner age 78 a retired Captain in the Royal Navy who died of carcinoma of the prostate at his home at 4 Marks Street in Brighton with his wife G. Turner present at his death.  April 3, 1964 (S6).

·       Probate: April 28, 1964 Lewes (S6).  Listed as Herbert Cecil Whiteley Turner of 4 St. Marks Street, Brighton with effects £8,739 to Edith Gundrad Turner widow.

·       Children: unknown.

 

Horace George Rayner (1879-after 1911) and Alice May Knowles (c1878-??)    

·       Born: April 10, 1879 Kingston on Thames, Hampton, Middlesex (S8b).  Listed as Horace George Rayner with parents George Rayner and Emily Rayner formerly Turner who was born at Stanley Road, Teddington with father’s occupation listed as stock broker.

·       1881 Census: with mother (S4).  Listed as Horace Rayner age 2 a scholar born in Teddington, Middlesex.

·       1891 Census: not found.

·       1901 Census: 43 Powis Squ, Notting Hill, Kensington (S4).  Listed as Horace G. Raynor age 22 single a private secretary worker born in Teddington, Middlesex and 3 visitors: Sarah Knowles age 60, Annie Knowles age 58 and Alice M. Knowles age 21. 

·       Marriage:  November 23, 1901 All Saints, Notting Hill, Kensington (S3).  Listed as George Horace Rayner age 23 a bachelor and secretary living at 43 Powis Square whose father was George Edward Rayner a stockbroker and Alice May Knowles age 21 a spinster who also lived at 43 Powis Square.

·       Murder Conviction: March 18, 1907.  Listed as Horace George Rayner also known as Horace George Turner age 28.

·       1911 Census:  Prison, Carisbrooke Hampshire (S4).  Listed as Horace Geo Rayner age 21 a married convict formerly a clerk born in Teddington, Middlesex.

·       Released from Prison: March 1919 (S=Weekly Dispatch newspaper dated March 30, 1919, page 1, column 5, article entitled “Horace Rayner Freed.  Man Who Murdered William Whiteley” (S=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk).

·       Death:  not found but after 1919.

·       Children:

1.     Etheldreda Alice Rayner (1903-??).  Born: 3rd QTR 1903 Fulham (S=GRO online index).  Listed as Etheldreda Alice Rayner with mother’s maiden name Knowles).

2.     Christine Rayner (1907-??).  Born: 2nd QTR 1907 St. Pancras (S=GRO online index).  Listed as Christine Rayner with mother’s maiden name Knowles).

 

 

 

Avery style needle cases with the William Whiteley name stamped on them:

1.        Bee Case - Ornamental design #263785 registered June 27, 1872 by W. Avery & Son, Redditch, UK (S=TNA, Kew).  

2.        Easel-Floral - Ornamental design #292979 registered July 19, 1875 by Buncher & Haseler, Birmingham, UK (S=TNA, Kew).  

3.        Hedgehog Needle and Pin Case - Ornamental design # 263784 registered June 27, 1872 by W. Avery & Son, Redditch, UK (S=TNA, Kew).    

4.        Horseshoe - Ornamental design # 283264 registered June 25, 1874 by Buncher & Haseler, Birmingham, UK (S=TNA, Kew).    

5.        Louise-Square - Mechanical patent # 1473 registered May 21, 1870 by William Avery needle manufacturer, Redditch, UK (S=British Library - Business and Intellectual Property Centre, London).  

6.        Picnic Basket - Ornamental design # 290854 registered April 23, 1875 by Buncher & Haseler, Birmingham, UK(S=TNA, Kew), (signed per Horowitz and Mann).

7.        Postal Weight - Ornamental design # 299244 registered March 18, 1876 by W. Avery & Son, Redditch, UK (S=TNA, Kew).    

8.        Pyramid Needle Case - Non-Ornamental Useful design #5367 registered June 28, 1872 by W. Avery & Son, Redditch, UK (S=TNA, Kew).  

9.        Quad-Golden Casket - Fleur-di-Lis - Mechanical patent #3517 registered November 19, 1868 by William Avery, needle manufacturer and Albert Fenton, machinist, from Redditch, UK (S=British Library - Business and Intellectual Property Centre, London). 

10.     Queen’s Footstool - Ornamental design # 292318 registered June 23, 1875 by W. Avery & Son, Redditch, UK (S=TNA, Kew).    

11.    Royal with Vase - Mechanical patent #2998 registered October 14, 1869 by William Avery, needle manufacturer and Albert Fenton, machinist, from Redditch, UK (S=British Library - Business and Intellectual Property Centre, London).  

12.     Scallop Shell - Ornamental design # 257721 registered November 14, 1871 by W. Avery & Son, Redditch, UK (S=TNA, Kew), (signed per Horowitz and Mann).

13.     Wishing Well - Ornamental design #300679 registered May 22, 1876 by W. Avery & Son, Redditch, UK (S=TNA, Kew).    

14.     Work and Game Table - Ornamental design #302243 registered August 2, 1876 by W. Avery & Son, Redditch, UK (S=TNA, Kew).     

 

 

 

 

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