Howdenshire History

The family of Henry Silvester White of Goole

Goole History > Goole People & Families > Henry Silvester White

 

When Henry Silvester White died in 1943 he had outlived his wife and his four sons, all of whom had themselves led very interesting lives. The following article outlines their achievements, which are gleaned mostly from the archives of the Goole Times.

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In 1915, some years after he had retired from business, Mr H. S. White was quoted as saying that "during the 36 years I have resided in Goole I have seen some drastic changes, for the town has progressed by leaps and bounds. I have seen the Aldam and West Docks built and the town grow in all directions, and I am proud of the town's achievements."


This was stated during an interview by a representative of the Goole Times, which also reported that Mr and Mrs White had four sons and a daughter: "The eldest son is in London, holding a good appointment; the second son is chief engineer on the Goole ship Spen; the third son is well known as a photographer, and the fourth holds an important position in the Bombay Bank."


While the representative was interviewing Mr White, a telegram was brought to the house announcing that his son would arrive from India that evening for a six months' holiday. He had been absent for the last five years. "Naturally Mr and Mrs White were delighted at the home-coming of their son." Also, it was stated that "their daughter was married a few weeks ago to Mr Cottingham, headmaster of Wistow National Schools."


The family is nicely summarised in the Census for 1891 (Sunday, 5th April), when they were living at 59 and 61 Stanley Street, Goole, which they named Mansfield House.


The entry shows:

Henry S. White Head M 37 Draper b. Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
Jane Wife M 42   b. Cold Hanworth, Lincolnshire
Henry K. Son   10   b. Goole, Yorkshire
Charles E. Son   8   ditto
Eleanor E. Dau   6   ditto
George W. Son   4   ditto
Frank S. Son   2   ditto

The obituaries for the majority of these White family members are collected below.

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Frank Silvester White, d. 1923

It was the youngest son, Frank, who died first. His reason for being in India, mentioned above, is explained in his obituary in the Goole Times, Friday, 23rd February, 1923. This states:

"We regret to record the death which occurred at Bombay, India, on Saturday, and news of which was received by cablegram the same day, of Mr Frank Silvester White. The deceased, who was only 33, was stricken down with appendicitis, and his death, which was due to resultant complications, has come as a sudden blow to his relatives and friends in both continents. This event was particularly sad since the late Mr White was married as recently as November last year, his bride, formerly Miss Nellie Duckels, of Bridge Farm, Old Goole, going out to India for the happy event. The deceased was formerly in the banking establishment of Messrs Leatham and Tew (now Barclay's Bank), under Mr H. Chapman, and went out to India about twelve years ago, and at the time of his death was deputy manager of the Bank of India at Bombay. Previously he had established a branch of the bank at Ahmedabad, and was presented with a handsome illuminated address from the staff there on being promoted to organise Stock Exchange work for the bank at Bombay. He was a member of the Yacht Club of Bombay.


"The deceased, who was very well known in the Goole district, returned from his last leave in the country in February of last year. Great sympathy in their sad loss is felt for the young widow, the deceased's parents (Mr H.S. White, of Mansfield House, Stanley Street, well known as a churchwarden of Goole Parish Church, and Mrs White), and the late Mr White's three brothers and sister."

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Charles Edward White, d. 1927

Just over four years later the second son, Charles, died and his death was reported in the Goole Times, Friday, 23rd September 1927, under the heading


CHIEF ENGINEER'S DEATH


"The death occurred at midnight on Sunday of Mr Charles Edward White (44), of 15a Salisbury Avenue, Goole. The deceased was the son of Mr H. S. White, late probation officer, and had followed a seafaring career, having worked himself up to the position of chief engineer, and was up to a short time ago employed by the L.M.S. (Goole Steam Shipping). He was taken seriously ill three weeks ago and never rallied. Death was due to heart trouble. The deceased leaves a widow [Edith], one son and one daughter. The deceased was a member of the Aire and Calder Lodge of Freemasons.


"The interment took place at Goole Cemetery yesterday afternoon, when Bishop Iliff, who officiated, referred to the high character of Mr White and expressed regret at his death at an early age.


"The coffin was covered by the Red Ensign and six engineers acted as bearers. Floral tributes were sent by the Master, officers and crew of the SS Don (his last ship)"

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Jane White (mother), d. 1929

The death of the youngest son in 1923 at Bombay is mentioned again at the death of his mother, when the Goole Times, Friday, 11th January 1929, reported:

"Passed away Jan. 7th 1929, Jane White, the beloved wife of H. S. White, Mansfield House, Goole, aged 80 years. Mrs White had been an invalid since her son died in Bombay nearly six years ago, but she was not confined to her bed until Friday, and her death came as somewhat of a shock. She was 80 years of age and was the daughter of a Lincolnshire farmer. After her marriage to Mr White, at Eagle, Lincs., in 1880, the couple came to Goole and resided for a time in Marshfield Road, but afterwards they went to live at Mansfield House.


"The interment took place at Goole Cemetery yesterday, following a service at Goole Parish Church, conducted by the vicar, the Rev. H. E. Wall, M.A., and assisted by the Rev. H. Herring and the Rev. M. Canby. The service was fully choral and the hymn "Jesu, Lover of My Soul," and the 90th Psalm were given. At the conclusion of the service the Nunc Dimittis was sung, and the organist, Mr Brearley, played the "Dead March in Saul." Mr L. Paver, the verger, preceded the cortège."

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George William White, d. 1940

Further searches will be needed in order to find more information about the third son, George William, who worked as a photographer in Goole, before moving [when?] to Hull. In Kelly's Directory of Hull 1927 he is not listed by name, nor under "Photographers," nor under Westcott Street, where he was living at the time of his death.


His death was reported, but with no obituary, in the Hull Daily Mail, Monday, 16th September 1940, as follows:

"White - September 14th at 15 Westcott Street, Hull, George William (photographer, late of Goole), aged 53, dearly loved husband of Nora. Cortège leaves house 11 o'clock Tuesday; service Crematorium 11-30 a.m."


His ashes were interred at Goole cemetery 29th November 1940 (no service) according to the cemetery register.

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Henry Knowles White, d. 1941

The eldest son, Henry Knowles, was the last son to die, this being just over two years before his father's death. The Goole Times, Friday, 9th May 1941 stated that the death had occurred "on 5th May suddenly, in London, of Henry Knowles, eldest and only surviving son of Henry Silvester White, of the School House, Wistow, Selby, and late of Mansfield House, Goole."


This was followed on Friday, 16th May 1941 with an obituary, which explained his presence in London, stating:


"The death occurred suddenly at his home in Kentish Town, London, on Monday week, of Mr Henry Knowles White, formerly of Goole. Aged 60, he was the last surviving son of Mr H.S. White, formerly of Mansfield House, Goole, and now living with his daughter, Mrs J. R. Cottingham, of the School House, Wistow.


"On leaving school he entered the office of Mr G. England, solicitor, of Goole, and from there joined the staff of Messrs Major Brothers, produce merchants of King's Cross and Covent Garden, with whom he served for 44 years until his death. He leaves a widow and four sons, three of whom are in the Army and the fourth with the Imperial Bank of India at Calcutta.


"The interment took place at Finchley Cemetery on Friday, after a service at St Luke's Church, West Holloway, of which church his four sons were members of the choir at the same time."

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Henry Silvester White (father), d. 1943

Finally, the long life of Mr Henry Silvester White came to an end. The Goole Times, Friday, 28th May 1943, reported that "the funeral took place at Goole on Thursday afternoon week of Mr H.S. White, formerly a well-known Goole figure, there being a service at the Parish Church conducted by the Rev. E. Beabey, Vicar of Wistow, assisted by the Vicar of Goole, Canon L. L. Knightall, M.A., prior to the interment at Goole Cemetery. The mourners present included Mr and Mrs Cottingham (son-in-law and daughter), and Mrs E. White and Mrs W. White (daughters-in-law)."


This was followed by: "At Wistow parish church on Sunday evening a memorial service was held for the late Mr Henry Silvester White, who was a zealous worker for the church whilst living at Wistow."

Read more about Henry Silvester White's life.

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