William AIRTON

Daughter:  AIRTON, Mary (1814-1832)

William Airton - A Rather Colourful Character

William was born in Yorkshire, further up the River Aire, possibly Gargrave, which is close to the village of Airton, the source of the Aire.  We find him marrying in Bradford, at St James’s Church.  His bride is Mary Smith, and they both declare themselves of full age. Their children are also baptised there, young Mary in 1814, her older sister Sarah in 1813, followed by Susannah, William S, Ann, and William H in 1823. 

In 1826, the Gazette announces that John Horsfall is leaving the partnership of himself, William Airton and S.M. Cousen, known as “William Airton & Co”, but the company is continuing to trade. I can’t track down a later mention of William also leaving. 

William père is still listed in the Pigot’s Trade Directory of 1829 as a spirit merchant of Manor Place.  Bradford at the time was a rapidly expanding town with a brand new canal, with warehouses, depots, factories and pungent chemical works. Definitely more Engels than Austen! Naturally the town was well supplied with breweries and pubs, but there was a burgeoning temperance movement, which may have led William to seek out a  thirstier customer base.  Because ...

By 1828, he’s running the hotel side of the business at the Banks’ Arms, Goole, later the Lowther. How did this happen? This is the social and business hub of the new port of Goole, meeting rooms, dinners, concerts, prayer gatherings, auctions, even a school. And William and his family are at the heart of everything. 

Occasionally, news gets into the papers. In 1834, (2 years after William's daughter, Mary, died), there’s a story in the Yorkshire Gazette about a grand Dinner for the Port of Goole, where “the entertainment was such as did honour to Mr Airton…every dainty of the season being abundantly supplied ".

In 1836, however, there’s an extraordinary report in the same newspaper, which I’ll transcribe in full. 

"Airton v. Gold. 

Mr. Alexander and Mr. Knowles were for the plaintiff 'a respectable innkeeper at Goole', and Mr. Cresswell for the defendant, a clerk to Mr. Spratt, broker, of Hull, but who has also an establishment at the former place. The action was brought to recover damages for an assault. It appears that the plaintiff and defendant had lived on the most friendly terms until the 10th of November, last year; on the afternoon of that day they had met together at the house of a friend, named Mr. Briggs, and after passing a considerable time there, Mr. Gold proposed that the party should adjourn to Mr Airton’s, that they might have a match at billiards. A small stake was decided for the winner of two games out of the three ; but the defendant having lost the first game, when he got to the middle of the second, he declared that he would play no longer. Mr. Airton said that if he had lost one, he yet might win, but Mr. Gold persisted in throwing up the game. A good deal of harsh language was then used on both sides, and the defendant at last struck the plaintiff over the eye with his fist, and in a struggle which ensued he was thrown down. The plaintiff had offered to compromise the matter on payment of costs, which the defendant had declined. After the assault had been proved, his lordship suggested that both parties should shake hands, and that a juror should be withdrawn. Mr Alexander regretted that his client was not present to hear the suggestion, and the Jury, under his Lordship's direction, gave a verdict for the plaintiff damages of one farthing, which (there being a plea of justification) carries costs."

Also in 1836, William is listed as one of the Committee members for the projected Leeds, Manchester and Goole Railway, where his occupation is given as wine merchant.

Susan Butler’s Howdenshire History website relates that William sells up in March 1838, and she has an image of the auction notice, including cow, pony and the infamous billiard table. 

William dies in 1840, aged only 53.  A sign of the esteem within which William Senior was held may be seen in the death notice published in the Penzance Gazette on 3rd June 1840 - hardly a local newspaper! - in which he is described as  "Deeply lamented by all who knew him".

The following notice appeared in the Leeds Mercury on Saturday, 30th May 1840:

"NOTICE -- All Persons having Claims or Demands against the Estate and Effects of the late WILLIAM AIRTON, Wine and Spirit Merchange, of Goole, deceased, are requested to transmit the Particulars thereof to Mr. W.H. Airton, on the Premises.

The Public are also respectfully informed, that the Business will be continued by Mr. W.H. Airton, under the Direction of the Executors.

JOHN McINNES, Wakefield, FRANCIS LISTER, Goole, Executors.  Goole May 28, 1840."

So, young William Henry, at the precocious age of 14, has taken on the business of spirit merchant, and in the 1841 census, is listed with his older brother-in-law as spirit merchant. 

Mary passes away in early 1861 at the age of 73. A brief obituary notice says that she was living in East Parade and  was buried at St John’s.  Probate was later granted to her son William in 1865. 

William Henry Airton died on 15th May 1893, aged 69 years.  According to the death notice in the York Herald on Tuesday 23rd May 1893, William was the last remaining child of William and Mary.

(Grateful thanks to J.I. for this brilliant research!)