James John Whittaker

Life events

1. 1822

   Birth^1–3

   Ruscombe, Stroud, Gloucestershire, England

2. 1 Sep 1822

   Baptism³

   Stroud, Gloucestershire, EnglandSt Laurence Parish Church

   James Whittaker was baptized on 1 September 1822 in Stroud, Gloucestershire, to parents James and Martha Whitacre of Ruscombe. This document serves as the primary evidence for his birth and provides the vital link to the Stroud origin he maintained throughout his later life and aliases.

   J. Williams, minister

   Baptism Record

   Baptisms solemnized in the Parish of Stroud in the County of Gloucester in the Year 1822.

   Baptised 1822 September 1, James son of James & Martha Whitacre, residence Ruscomb, fathers occupation Labourer, service preformed by J. Williams D.D. Off. Mins.

3. 1844

   Military service¹

   Hounslow, Hounslow, Greater London, England

   James served in the 17th Lancers.

4. 1 Apr 1844

   Occupation⁴

   Birmingham, Warwickshire, England

   a farrier

5. 1 Apr 1844

   Residence⁴

   Birmingham, Warwickshire, EnglandNew John Street

6. 1 Apr 1844

   Marriage⁴⁵

   Birmingham, Warwickshire, EnglandSt. George

   with Maria Sarah Homer 1824–1900

   On 1 April 1844, James Whittaker, a farrier, and Maria Homer were married at St. George’s Church in Birmingham, with Maria's sister, Ann Homer, and Thos Rooke serving as witnesses. Both the bride and groom resided at New John Street and signed with their marks, establishing the family’s presence in Birmingham shortly before James's military desertion and the adoption of the Barter surname.

   Marriage Record

   Marriage Record

   Marriage solemnized at St. Georges Church in the Parish of St. George Birmingham in the County of Warwick.
   No. 78
   Married April 7th 1844
   James Whittaker, full age, bachelor, occupation farrier, residence New John Street, father's name Jame Whittaker, father's occupation coach man.
   Maria Homer, full age, spinster, residence New John Street, father's name John Homer, father's occupation stamper.
   Married in the Parish Church according to the Rites and ceremonies of the Established Church, After Bannes by me Edward Sabett Carole.

   This marriage was solemnized between us, X the mark of James Whittaker and X the mark of Maria Homer in the Presence of us, Thomas Rooke and Ann Homer.

7. 4 Jul 1844

   Residence⁶

   Aston, Birmingham, Warwickshire, EnglandCourt 3 House 10 Legge St.

8. 4 Jul 1844

   Occupation⁶

   James was a soldier.

9. Aug 1844

   Occupation¹

   He was a blacksmith.

10. 23 Aug 1844

    Newspaper mention¹

    Listed in the Police Gazette as deserting the military on 5 August 1844.

    Full Name Whittaker, James
    Year 1844
    Date Of Gazette 23 August 1844
    Page Of Gazette 3392
    Office Number 35176
    Regiment 17th Lancers
    Address Stroud, Gloucestershire, England
    Trade Blacksmith
    Age 19 3/4
    Height 5 7
    Hair Colour Brown
    Eye Colour Hazel
    Face Description Sallow
    Coat Trousers Blue
    Date Of Desertion 5 Aug
    Place Of Desertion Hounslow
    Remarks Deserted off Pass At Birmingham.
    Conflict Period Other Service
    Served For United Kingdom

11. 11 Feb 1846

    Residence⁷

    Birdlip, Cotswold District, Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom

12. 11 Feb 1846

    Occupation⁷

    Birdlip, Cotswold District, Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom

    James was a blacksmith

13. 23 Aug 1847

    Residence⁸

    Bishops Cleeve, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, England

14. 23 Aug 1847

    Occupation⁸

    Bishops Cleeve, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, England

    James worked as a blacksmith.

15. from 1849 to 1853

    Residence^29–12

    Eldersfield, Malvern Hills District, Worcestershire, EnglandWad Lane

16. from 1850 to 1855

    Occupation^29–13

    Eldersfield, Malvern Hills District, Worcestershire, England

    blacksmith

17. 1851

    Census²

    Eldersfield, Malvern Hills District, Worcestershire, EnglandWad Lane

    In 1851, James Whittaker (living as John Barter) was residing at Mad Lane in Eldersfield, Worcestershire, working as a blacksmith. The census captures the family's migration from Birmingham to Birdlip and Bishops Cleeve before settling in Eldersfield, and it crucially identifies John's birthplace as Stroud, matching the origins of James Whittaker.

    1851 England Census

    1851 England Census

    Eldersfield, Worcestershire
    Household 89, Wad Lane

    John Barter, head, married, male, age 27, occupation Blacksmith, born Stroud Glo.
    Meraha Barter, wife, married, female, age 26, born in Birmingham.
    William Barter, son, male, age 6, occupation scholor, born in Birmingham.
    Liza Barter, daughter, female, age 5, occupation scholor, born in Birlip.
    Meriah Barter, daughter, female, age 3, occupation at home, born in Bishops Cleve.
    John Barter, son, male, age 2, born in Eldersfield Worcestershire.
    Catriline Barter, daughter, female, age 5 months, born in Eldersfield Worcestershire.

18. 21 Sep 1855

    Residence¹³

    Eldersfield, Malvern Hills District, Worcestershire, EnglandThe Lawn

19. about 1860

    Death

    England