1835-1899, Sheffield, England

Sheffield Daily Telegraph - 13 October 1860.

Cawton Staniforth was baptised December 17, 1835 to Samuel Staniforth, a Grocer, and his wife Elizabeth Cawton. His baptism states that he was born June 15, 1815. His father Samuel was the son of William Staniforth of Eckington, a man whose headstone is still prescent in the Churchyard of St. Peter & St. Paul's, Eckington.

Prior to Cawtons birth, his father Samuel was in partnership with his brother Joseph Staniforth (husband of Elizabeth Ball), it should also be noted that Ann Staniforth, wife of Elijah Naboth Staniforth of Mosborough Hill House was another brother. On the 1833 Sheffield Trades Directory, we see Samuel and Joseph listed as 'Grocers and flour dealrs and maltsters' at Broad Lane. Earlier directories dated 1787 and 1797 list their father William Staniforth as a Grocer at 63 Broad Street, Park, Sheffield.

Samuel Staniforth passes away shortly after Cawtons birth, and Elizabeth Staniforth carried on the family business on Broad Lane, with her sons Cawton and Joseph.

On the 1841 Census, the family resides at Broad Lane Court, Sheffield, Elizabeth is the head with her sons Cawton and Samuel, and two daughters Elizabeth and Ann Staniforth.

An Advertisement from 1860 describes Cawton Staniforth as a Grocer and Tea Dealer based at 123 Broad Lane, Sheffield.

On the 1861 Census, the family is residing at 123 Broad Lane, Elizabeth is still the head with Cawton being described as 'Grocer Employing 2 men and 2 boys'. His brother Samuel is a Clerk, and brother Joseph is a Grocers Apprentice. Another brother Joshua is also in the household.

Notice of Cawton Leaving Sheffield.

On May 5 1864 Cawton marries Emma Wigfield at Tickhill. By this time he had formed a partnership with his brother Joseph, trading as Staniforth Brothers, Grocers and Tea Dealers at 73 & 75 West Street, Sheffield

Based on Sheffield Trade Directories and the 1871 Census, Cawton abandons the Grocert trade and joins his younger brother Joshua, forming C and J Staniforth, Corn Millers at Hillfoot Corn Mill, Penistone Road, and at the Corn Exchange Buildings. The 1871 Census shows Cawton and Emma living at Cornmill Yard on Penistone Road. The couple have a couple of children by this stage, including 2 month old Cawton Staniforth, who would pass away only a few months later.

Ny the time of the 1871 Census, Cawton is described as 'Master Miller employing seven men'. His brother Joseph continued to run the family Grocer on West Street.

By 1886, we find reports in the newspaper that Cawton Staniforth is looking to sell his land, as he is intending to leave Sheffield. Although it is never stated which city, or country he is intending to move, on the 1891 Census we find him in Jersey, Channel Islands.

One such notice reads:

Freehold and Leasehold Properties in Sheffield

Mr Isaac Ellis has received instructions from Mr. Cawton Staniforth who is leaving Sheffield to OFFER for SALE at Auction Mart in George Street, Sheffield, on TUESDAY the 31st August instant, at Four o'Clock in the Afternoon, subject to the General Conditions or the Sheffield District Incorporated Law Society and to special conditions to be then produced.

The 1891 Census shows the family at St. Mark's Road, St Hellier, Jersey, Cawton is now 56 and described as a Retired Miller, His wife is 47 and two daughters are in the household, Annie Elizabeth Staniforth (Born April 10, 1866), and Mary Staniforth (born April 10 1868).

La Rocque, Jersey

Cawton Staniforth passes away on January 21, 1899 at his home in Jersey. His wife lived until December 6, 1930, her death was reported in Sheffield Newspapers:

Staniforth- On December 6th at her residence Rockleaze, La Rocque, Jersey, C.I, Emma, widow of the late Cawton Staniforth of Sheffield.

Cawtons two daughters are still residing, unmarried, at Jersey by the time of the German Occupation during World War II. On German Identity Cards issued on January 21, 1941, the two are residing at Broomfield, St. Celement, Jersey at the same address.

Although Cawton retired to Jersey, his family back in Sheffield are residing together in 1891, Joseph, Joshua and their sisters continuing on the business. By 1911 Joshua is a Retired Miller, now a widower after his wife Catherine Gilson passes away. Joshua had a son Charles Gilson Staniforth who went onto marry Blanche Thornley, they had three children, Kathleen Staniforth born 1905, Dorothy Staniforth born 1908 and Charles Cawton Staniforth born 21 Apr 1911. By the time of the 1939 Register Charles Cawton Staniforth is still working as a Flour Mill Manager, living at Stumperlowe Mansion, Sheffield. In 1941 he married Jean McCallum at Bakewell. He lived till 1996. Joshua Staniforth remarried in 1913 to widow Edith Pauline Newton, the couple resided at 10 Summerfield, which was Edith's home following the death of her first husband Thomas Elliott Newton, the grandson of Francis Newton, founder of Newton & Sons Cutlery of Portobello Works, Sheffield.

Cawton and Joshua's two sisters were renowned for their charity work over the years at St. Mark's Broomhill, Elizabeth passed away on August 16, 1823 aged 87, the two sisters are buried at St Anne's Parish church in Baslow, Derbyshire. Joshua remained at 268 Fulwood Road until his death on August 16 1924. He passed away on Derwent View, Baslow, exactly twelve months after his sister Elizabeth. Mary died May 19, 1927, aged 85.