James Gallagher, Sr. & Amelia Walmsley

James Gallagher, Sr. & Amelia Walmsley Gallagher are my 3rd great-grandparents.

Both were born circa 1810

James, Sr. died between 1851 & 1861

Amelia died after 1881

There is very little information on James Jr's parents and siblings, so I have included what I know here.

James, Jr.'s mother's name was Amelia Walmsley. She was born in Manchester, England, circa 1810. Her parentage is unknown to me.

His father was James also. He, too, was born in Manchester around 1810. His parents are also unknown to me. 

James, Sr. was a carter. A carter was analogous to a modern day truck driver. Before trucks were invented there were horse drawn carts that carried goods to various locations. James, Sr. was the driver.

Manchester Cathedral

James, Sr. and Amelia were married at Manchester Cathedral, on April 26th, 1835. James signed his name to the marriage certificate, which meant he could read and write. Amelia, on the other hand, marked her "X" mark, because she could not. When they married they were about 25 years of age and James was listed as a "bachelor" on the certificate, while she was considered a "spinster."

To say that I was annoyed when I read the word "spinster" on a legal document is an understatement. So, I decided to look up its etymology. The word originated in the 14th century. A spinster was used for a woman who spun wool. Since these women tended to be unmarried, the word morphed by the  late 17th century to mean a woman who was unmarried and well past the age of marriage and who unlikely would ever be married. The word implied that she was unattractive, prudish and unworthy of marriage. Even though it has a derogatory meaning, in the early 18th century, it was adopted in England as a legal term that the church used for all women on their marriage documents. Whereas its male counterpart bachelor connotes virility and certainly doesn't hold the same negative connotations as spinster, it seems to me, spinster was a word used to help keep women in their place.



Regardless of these legal terms, James, Sr. and Amelia married and proceeded to have at least five children: James, Jr. was the eldest of his siblings and he was our direct-line ancestor. Thomas was two years younger than he was, born circa 1839, but he died in childhood. Four daughters joined the family: Elizabeth, Mary, Eliza Jane, and Amelia Ann.

James, Sr. died somewhere between 1851 and 1861 and Amelia became head of household. 

Amelia didn't always work while she was married. However, she held a position as a silk winder at some point after his death. This meant she wound silk onto spools or bobbins prior to the silk being twisted. (1) 

Her daughters, Mary and Elizabeth worked when they were teenagers, as well. Elizabeth was a braid lapper. She worked with machinery to create braided fabrics. Mary made purses. They both lived with their mother in 1861.

In 1871, Amelia lived with her daughter Eliza and son-in-law, Frederick Grotton. Her daughter Elizabeth lived with the Grottons, as well.

In 1881, Amelia was head of household again and Eliza, who was by now widowed, lived with her mother. Amelia was a weaver at this time frame. 

Amelia passed away some time after 1881.

SUPPOSITION:

I do not have enough records to know with 100% certainty that these are our relations. I feel reasonably confident they are the correct people with the records I do have, and we are a DNA match for Walmsleys and Gallaghers on Ancestry. However, at some point if I find out more information, I may have to change this story.

THE MEANING OF HER NAMES:

Personal Name Meaning: Amelia ~ In Latin it means "industrious" and "striving." Its Teutonic meaning is "defender."

Surname Meaning: Walmsley ~ Habitational name from Walmersley in Greater Manchester, which according to Eckwall, is old English for "forest,"  "lake," "boundary," or "woodland clearing." The earliest recorded Walmsley I could find was from 1570 in Lancashire, which is the county that Manchester is in. This name was also taken from an earlier name in the area, "Walmeresley" from the 13th century. So, the Walmsleys were around this part of England for a long time.

THE MEANING OF HIS NAMES:

Personal Name Meaning: James ~ A classic boys' name derived from the Hebrew name Jacob. It means "supplanter," or one who takes over. In the 17th century the Scottish king, James VI,  inherited the English throne and became known as James I in England. He was the first monarch who ruled all of Britain, and the name was much more popular after that.

Surname Meaning: Gallagher ~ (Old Irish: Ó Gallchobhair, Ó Gallchobhoir; Modern Irish: Ó Gallachóir) is an Irish Gaelic clan based most prominently in what is today County Donegal. The clan name originated in the 10th century as a derivative of its founder Gallchobhair mac Rorcan.

(1) Old Occupations Glossary
Walmsley surname information & Ancestry