Sarah DEAKIN (1843 – 1931)

Sarah DEAKIN was the daughter of Robert DEAKIN and Martha POWNALL. Sarah was born in 1843, Stockport, Cheshire.

In the 1861 census, Sarah is recored as living with her grandfather, George Deakin, in the Market Place, Buxton:

• George Deakin, 69 years, Fruiterer
• Harriett Deakin (daughter), 35 years, Superintendent of Baths
• Sarah Deakin (daughter of Robert Deakin), 17 years, House Servant

Sarah moved to Dewsbury where she served an apprenticeship as a mantle maker and milliner – the first mantle Sarah ever made was for Shirley¹ of Charlotte Brontë fame². Sarah eventually set up her own business but in 1892 it was reported that her dress and mantle making business was in trouble financially:

The Affairs of a Dress and Mantle Maker – In respect to the failure of Sarah Deakin, dress and mantle maker, of Westgate, Dewsbury, the liabilities of the debtor are set down at £559, while the assets are estimated to realise £40 10s., showing a deficiency of £466. The Official Receiver in his observations says: “The receiving order has been made on the debtor’s own petition. She commenced business about 12 years ago with £200 borrowed capital, at Manor Place, Wakefield-road, Dewsbury, but about twelve months after removed to her present address. She states she did not find out her insolvent condition until last month, but considering her present large deficiency, her position must, I think, have been known to her for some time previous. She attributes here insolvency to severe competition, bad debts and bad trade. The debtor states she took stock last Christmas, and estimated it then at cost price to amount to £500. She has only kept a record of good sold on credit. Of her unsecured liabilities £559 2s. 3d., £356 15s. 6d. is for money lent. She does not intend making any offer.

The Chronicle, October 15, 1892

However, in the 1901 census, Sarah is recorded as still working as a mantle maker at 40 Halifax Road, Dewsbury, joined by her 15 year old niece, Sarah Beatrice DEAKIN (daughter of George DEAKIN). Sarah employed one servant (Francis Jones) and had a lodger, H. Bryan, living with them. Her niece, continued as a dress maker and mantle maker in Dewsbury after Sarah retired until she married.

Sarah was involved in St Mark’s Church, Dewsbury, and worked as a Sunday School Teacher. On her retirement from the Sunday School in 1888, she was presented with a marble clock.

After nearly 40 years of living in Dewsbury, Sarah moved to The Lodge, Bradford Place, Wigan where she attended St Thomas’s Church, Caroline Street, Wigan.

Sarah died, aged 87, in March 1931 at her nephew’s home at 3 Parliament Street, Upholland. Her interment took place at Upholland Parish Church, conducted by her nephew Rev. G.A. Deakin, Vicar of Holy Trinity Church, Bolton.

The mourners were

• George Deakin (brother) & Mrs George Deakin
• Mrs Cowling representing Mr & Mrs John Taylor
• Mr Edwin Large
• Mr & Mrs William Foster
• Mr Robert F. Alstead JP, Mrs Sarah A. Alstead and Miss Muriel Alstead
• Miss Eliza Parkinson
• Mr A. Parkinson
• Mr & Mrs John H. Parkinson
• Mr Cecil Johnson representing Mr & Mrs J.J. Johnson
• Mr & Mrs G.E. Johnson
• Mrs Wearne
• Mr & Mrs H Johnson
• Miss Evelyn Johnson, Miss Edna Johnson and Master G Johnson
• Mr Ainsworth
• Mr Carr

Wreaths and floral tributes were received from:

• Mr & Mrs George Deakin (Stockport)
• Nieces and nephews: Lizzie, Georgia, John and Tom
• Mr & Mrs R.F. Alstead
• Minnie, Emma, Majorie, Willie and Ted
• Mr & Mrs Webster, George and Minnie
• Eliza, Arthur, Jack & Mattie
• Mr & Mrs T.W. Johnson, Richard and Florrie
• Mr & Mrs J.J. Johnson and family
• Mr & Mrs G.E. Johnson and family
• Nephew and nieces: Robert and Clara, Joe and Molly
• Nieces and nephew: Mary, Lucy, Milly, George and Mary
• Her niece and nephew in law: Beatrice (Sarah) and Jack James (Desborough)
• Mr Ainsworth, Annie, Ethel and Steve

Mr & Mrs William R. Deakin, Mr George Deakin and Mr & Mrs Liptrot (Southport) were unable to attend.

Notes:

1. The B&W silent film Shirley, adapted from Charlottë Bronte’s novel, directed by A.V. Bramble, was released in 1922.
2. Source: Wigan Observer, 21st March 1931.