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Yorkshire Chess History |
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William James Woolhouse Day |
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Non-Chess Life
Though strictly he had the third forename “Woolhouse”, that name was rarely used except for formal purposes like the documentation of birth, marriage and death.
The parents of William James Woolhouse Day were John Day (born 1842/43, in Ireland [?]) and Mary Ann Day (born 1844, Ecclesfield, to the north of Sheffield). This couple had at least the following four children:
The birth of William James Woolhouse Day was registered the third quarter of 1861, at Rotherham.
The 1871 census found parents John and Mary living with the first three children at 81 Wilton Gardens, Kimberworth, Rotherham. Father John was a “roller”, which probably meant he was an iron-roller.
From 1871 to 1881 the Day family experienced two setbacks. The first was that at the age of 10 (according to the 1911 census), which would be in latter part of 1871, or in 1872, William James Woolhouse Day went totally blind. The second was that father John Day died.
The 1881 census found widowed Mary Ann Day living with William, Ann, Frank and two lodgers at 54 Frederick Street, Rotherham. Mother Ann was a shopkeeper. Eldest son William was named in the census as “Walter”; 20-year-old Masbrough-born “Walter J. Day” was specified as being blind, and as being by occupation a basket maker.
The 1891 census found mother Mary living with William, “Annie”, Frank and two lodgers at 63 Midland Road, Rotherham. Mother Mary was still a shopkeeper. 29-year-old, blind, Masborough-born “William J. W. Day” was still a basket maker. Annie was a domestic servant. Frank was a forgeman.
Despite being blind, William in time made a better life for himself (albeit with help from others), becoming a broker and dealer rather than a basket-maker, getting married, and starting a family.
The marriage of William James W. Day to Clara Simmonite was registered in the second quarter of 1894, at Rotherham. The couple had at least the following three children, all born in Rotherham:
The 1901 census found William and Clara living with Christine and Lottie at 129 Eastwood Lane, Rotherham. 39-year-old blind Masbrough-born “William J. W. Day” was now a metal broker, working on his own account, at home.
White's Directory of Sheffield & Rotherham, 1901, listed Mrs. Mary A. Day, shopkeeper, at 63 Midland Road, Masbrough, Rotherham
White's Directory of Sheffield & Rotherham, 1905, listed William J. Day, metal broker, at 154 Nottingham Street, Rotherham, and also Mrs. Mary A. Day, shopkeeper, at 63 Midland Road, Masbrough, Rotherham. A Robert White, fruiterer, was listed as residing at 152 Nottingham Street, though William seems to have move into 152 in the next six years.
The 1911 census, completed on his father’s behalf by Maurice, listed William and the three children living at 152 Nottingham Street. William was still married as opposed to widowed, so presumably Clara was away, visiting. William was now a metal broker and fruit dealer, a somewhat strange combination. Maurice was a brass finisher. Christine was a domestic servant. Lottie was still at school.
White's Directory of Sheffield & Rotherham, 1911, listed William J. Day, metal broker, at 152 Nottingham Street, Rotherham, and also his brother, Frank Day, shopkeeper, at 63 Midland Road, Rotherham, suggesting mother Mary have died in the past ten years.
Death
The death of William J. W. Day, at age 67, was registered in the second quarter of 1929, at Rotherham.
Chess
He played in the 1922 Capablanca simultaneous displey in Rotherham, losing, of course.
He played in the 1922 Kostich simultaneous display in Rotherham, securing a draw.
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Created 18/12/2013 |
Copyright © 2013 Stephen John Mann Census information is copyright of The National Archive, see UK Census Information |
Last Updated 18/12/2013 |