Jane Shaw (Bibby)

JANE BIBBY
Jane was born on Saturday 23 July 1842 at Meanwood, Leeds, Yorkshire; the daughter of Timothy and Mary Bibby. Her birth was registered by her mother, who could not write.

When the UK Census was taken on 30 March 1851, Jane was living in Chapel Allerton, Yorkshire with her parents and four siblings. She was then aged 8.

When the UK Census was taken on 7 April 1861, Jane was living in Albert Place, Chapeltown, Leeds. She was then aged 18 and employed as a domestic servant for Francis Abe and his family.

When the UK Census was taken on 2 April 1871, Jane was living at Regent Villas, Cumberland Road, Headingley, Leeds. She was then aged 28 and employed as a cook for John Whiting and his family. John, a merchant draper, was married with 9 children so employed a housekeeper and two other servants to support his household. There were also three visitors staying in the house at the time of the Census.

Jane was married on Monday 25 November 1872 at Headingley Church, Leeds to Gideon Shaw, a widower. She was then aged 30, had no declared profession despite her previous employment in service and was living in Headingley.

On the birth of her son, Tom, in 1874 she was living in Carlton Street, Castleford, Yorkshire.

When the UK Census was taken on 5 April 1881, Jane was living at 83 Carlton Street, Castleford with Gideon and their five children. She was then aged 38. The children were Louisa (7 and a scholar), Tom (6 and a scholar), Charles (3), Allen (2) and Henrietta (5 months).

When the UK Census was taken on 5 April 1891, Jane was living at 111 Carlton Street, Castleford (a 3-roomed house) with Gideon and their six children. She was then aged 48. The children were Louisa (17), Tom (16 and employed as a shoemaker), Charles (13 and employed as a bottle maker), Allen (12 and a scholar), Henrietta (10 and a scholar) and Gideon (4). Also living in the house at the time of the Census was Allen Taylor, a boarder aged 53 and employed as a coal miner.

Jane was widowed on Sunday 10 June 1900 when Gideon died of diabetes and septicaemia at the Leeds Infirmary.

When the UK Census was taken on 31 March 1901, Jane was still living at 111 Carlton Street, Castleford with four of her children. She was then aged 58 and running a business as a boot dealer from her home. The children were Charles (23 and employed by his mother as a boot repairer), Allen (22 and employed as a boot repairer, probably by his mother), Henrietta (20 and employed at home as a domestic) and Gideon (14 and employed as a printer in stationery).

When the UK Census was taken on 2 April 1911, Jane was still living at 111 Carlton Street, Castleford with two of her children. She was then aged 68 and still running a business as a boot dealer from her home. The children were Henrietta (30, still single and assisting her mother with the business) and Gideon (24, still single and self-employed as a printer).

Jane died, aged 72 on Thursday 31 December 1914 at 111 Carlton Street, Castleford. It had been her home for 40 years. The cause of death was senile decay. Her death was registered by her son, Allan, who lived at 40 Beancroft Road, Castleford. Jane had survived her husband by 14 years.

The documentary evidence suggests that Jane was a remarkable woman. Although she started work in her teens as a domestic servant, she had six children with her husband then continued to run Gideon’s boot business following his death.