from the Lancashire Historical Town Survey Program:
"In 1801 Haslingden was considered a ‘thriving manufacturing and market town’ (Halstead 1916, 1). Its prosperity was attributed to both the increase in woollen manufacture and to the ‘lately introduced’ cotton trade (Aiken 1795, 276; Halstead 1916, 1), although wool continued to be the main industry. In the early nineteenth century, Haslingden’s reliance on wool was considered to have saved the town from the worst excesses of industrial development that were manifest in ‘cotton towns’ such as Blackburn (Corry 1825, 333).
This greater reliance on wool resulted in a slower growth in population compared to other east Lancashire towns, suggesting that the mechanisation of the textile industry and cotton in particular was never as important a factor in the growth of Haslingden (Tupling 1927,215). Its earlier roots as a market town and a centre for the woollen industry were more significant in establishing Haslingden as an important urban settlement, of sufficient significance to warrant its own entry in trade directories (Baines 1824). "
John's father Rawstron is listed on the 1881 census as being involved in the wool trade but John eschewed the family trade to become an architect. This is noted on the 1881 census when he was 21.
The Whitakers seem a notable name of Haslingden as there is more than one Whitaker family mentioned on the 1861 census. At this time Rawston aged 29 is living with his father in law also of the wool trade. Whitakers can be found in Haslingden as far back as the beginning of the 1800s. (1)
Marriage records seem to suggest John's wife Alice Jane was also a Whitaker by birth. (3)
Whitaker is a variant of the name Whittaker and means "white field". The origin of the name is believed to be Whitacre. The first instance of this name is Johias Whitacre who died in the battle of hastings on the side of King Harold. (2)
Family Tree of John Whitaker:
By 1911 John's family is split up. For some unknown reason he and his wife are no longer living together, neither in their 1901 residence.
Wife Alice Jane aged 46 is a border in Blackpool of a 60yr old hawker of cockles named William Omerod Read. She's listed as married not widowed or divorced.
Phyllis in 1911 is a visitor of her sister known as Margaret, married at this time to Samuel Harding, and living with his parents in Middlewich, Cheshire.
William and John are borders in Blackpool of commercial traveller Samuel Hulme. Both are listed as working at home in the Architectural business.
In the Bury Times - Saturday 13 June 1863, Petty Sessions report (these are records of court cases)
"Felony - Henry Ashworth, labourer, Haslingden, was charged with stealing a pocket book belonging to Mr. Rawstron Whitaker, cotton manufacturer, Marsden Square, Haslingden."
Whitaker was drunk and his version of events was not corroborated by witnesses. The case was dismissed. A reward of £5 was offered for the return of the book.
Listed in this family tree
Rawstron Whittaker born 1834
Jane Haworth born 1837
May Whittaker born 1877
Jenny Whittaker born 1875
Maria Whittaker born 1874
Annie Whittaker born 1867
John Whittaker born 1860
Samuel David Harding born 1882
Constance Eva Margaret Isabel Whitaker (known as Margaret) born 1886
William Rothwell Whitaker born 1887
Phyllis J Whitaker born 1890
Questions arisen
-is there a family connection for the name 'Rothwell'
-how did John become an architect in the middle of wool manufacturing county
-what happened to the family between 1901 and 1911
-What part did John play in the construction of St. Annes.
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