Hello I wonder if anyone can help me solve a puzzle about a James Sayer of Whitby. James was born in about 1815 in Whitby, the son of James Sayer and Charlotte (nee Williamson) By 1841 James would appear to have been married and living in Haggersgate, Whitby, and according to the census, working as a house carpenter. The 1851 census lists a James born at East Row, Whitby, living with wife Isabella and a niece, Isabella Cook ( Isabella, aged 15, has not been identified as yet). James was apparently working as a jet factor in Ruswarp, Whitby, quite a different occupation from Carpenter. Then the 1855 Slaters director has a James Sayer listed as a ship owner living at Wellington Place. In 1861 census a James and Isabella and their niece Isabella Cook are listed at Wellington Terrace, Whitby. (is this the same as Wellington Place or a different address?) Again is this the same James- his place of birth is now given as Newholme cum Dunsley, not Whitby. (There is a Newholm, Whitby but the census clearly states Newholme cum Dunsley). James does not appear on the 1871 census so perhaps he died - there is a death of a James Sayers in qtr ending June 1862 in Whitby. So, why the variety of occupations - do we have one James here or two? The birth date of 1815/16 seems consistent but the birth place varies and so do the occupations. of course, it is possible that he started work as a carpenter, made the boat which he leased out, and worked himself as a worker of jet until his death in the early 1860s. I've checked Ancestry.co.uk for any obvious answers, but nothing. Would any lister have the answer? I dont have his marriage record and have not had sight of any original birth or death records. Are there some local records that might help? Fingers crossed Laurel Sayer Surrey (researching all instances of Sayer and varients in Yorkshire and Durham)

Hi Laurel . A James was bapt 13 June 1815 , son of James and Charlotte . A James married Isabella Hutchinson at Whitby on 18 Feb1837 A James, Master Mariner , is recorded as Owner or part Ownerof several ships from1838-1857 . In addition a Capt James Sayers ship left Alexandria on 11 Feb 1871 .On 17 March the ship was becalmed and an , unsuccessful , attempt on the ship was made by pirates .This may account for his absence from the general 1871 Census returns . The James who died 1862 could be the elder . Dunsley and Newholm are small villages about 1 mile apart . This combining of names where small populations are involved is not uncommon in Yorkshire . cheers , Harry Sayer Who has similar interests to Laurel . ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2006 2:06 PM Subject: [NYorks] James Sayer of Whitby > Hello > > I wonder if anyone can help me solve a puzzle about a James Sayer of Whitby. > > James was born in about 1815 in Whitby, the son of James Sayer and Charlotte > (nee Williamson) > > By 1841 James would appear to have been married and living in Haggersgate, > Whitby, and according to the census, working as a house carpenter. > > The 1851 census lists a James born at East Row, Whitby, living with wife > Isabella and a niece, Isabella Cook ( Isabella, aged 15, has not been > identified as yet). James was apparently working as a jet factor in > Ruswarp, Whitby, quite a different occupation from Carpenter. > > Then the 1855 Slaters director has a James Sayer listed as a ship owner > living at Wellington Place. > > In 1861 census a James and Isabella and their niece Isabella Cook are listed > at Wellington Terrace, Whitby. (is this the same as Wellington Place or a > different address?) Again is this the same James- his place of birth is now > given as Newholme cum Dunsley, not Whitby. (There is a Newholm, Whitby but > the census clearly states Newholme cum Dunsley). > > James does not appear on the 1871 census so perhaps he died - there is a > death of a James Sayers in qtr ending June 1862 in Whitby. > > So, why the variety of occupations - do we have one James here or two? The > birth date of 1815/16 seems consistent but the birth place varies and so do > the occupations. of course, it is possible that he started work as a > carpenter, made the boat which he leased out, and worked himself as a worker > of jet until his death in the early 1860s. I've checked Ancestry.co.uk for > any obvious answers, but nothing. > > Would any lister have the answer? I dont have his marriage record and have > not had sight of any original birth or death records. Are there some local > records that might help? >