Ordinary Lives

 Part one DEATH OF MR. FAIRFAX KELLEY, OF HECKMONDWIKE Mr. Fairfax Kelley, the founder of the well-known firm of Fairfax Kelley and Sons, carpet and woollen manufacturers and yarn spinners, Heckmondwike, died at his residence, Crystal Grove, Millbridge, Liversedge, on Friday, at the ripe age of 79 years. The funeral took place at the Heckmondwike Cemetery on Tuesday. About 18 months ago, in consequence of failing health, he went to Harrogate, hoping that the change might work an improvement, but while worshipping at one of the Non-conformist chapels he had an apoplectic seizure, and a second attack following immediately, proved the commencement of a period in which he was quite an invalid, and which terminated as above stated. Practically Mr. Kelley had been out of business about two years, and during that time the management of the firm’s affairs devolved upon his sons, Messrs. George, John, and Rawson Kelley. His career had been a somwhat remarkable one, and is a striking example...

 James Kerr is my great-great-great grandfather.  He was born in 1829 in Ayrshire. For some reason, on the census returns he made as an adult, he always claimed to be from Aberdeen, and the family always understood him to be from Glasgow. He was actually born in Ayr to David Kerr and Flora Campbell, and he was one of nine children. David Kerr was a weaver and in 1841 his oldest sons, John, David and James, are apprentice weavers. By the time of the 1851 census, James was probably living in Glasgow and it is from there that he makes his way to Durham where he settles down.  He married Ann Heaviside in 1858. Ann Heaviside’s brother set up one of the first commercial photography shops in Durham and his photographs can still be found in archives today.  James Kerr worked as a carpet weaver and worked for a long time for Henderson’s factory in Durham.  Radical politics From my grandma’s notes: “James took a keen interest in politics. He was the first secretary of the...