William Stainsby was the tenth child of Thomas Stainsby & Elizabeth Sunley christened June 17th, 1821 at St Peter’s, Pickering, Yorks.
In 1841 William was working as an apprentice linen weaver at Brompton, Nr Scarbrough,Yorks. His future wife Adah was living at a nearby village, Hutton Bushell, at this time.
William married Adah Stephenson on December 19th, 1846 at Brompton by Sawdon, Yorks. Adah was the daughter of Thomas & Zilla Stephenson christened January 11th, 1824 at Brompton by Sawdon.
In 1851 William & Adah were living at Westgate, Pickering & William was a cartwright. They had 2 children – Zillah (4) & Thomas (1). Head of the household was William’s mother Elizabeth, aged 77, described as a pauper. Also living with them was William's nephew, John Stainsby (19), an agricultural labourer,
William & Ada were living at Price St, St Mary Bishopshill Senior, York in 1861 & William was still a cartwright. Children at home were Zillah, Thomas, Henry (8), Joseph (5) & Elizabeth H (1).
Adah died in Oct-December 1864 at York.
The children of William Stainsby & Adah Stephenson were:
sb.10.1 Zillah Stainsby christened
October 3rd, 1847 at Brompton by Sawdon, Yorks; died July 7th, 1920 at 5 Claremont Terr, York
sb.10.2 Thomas Stainsby born Ruston,
Yorks & christened April 3rd, 1850 at Wykeham, Yorks, died July-September
1887 at York
sb.10.3 Henry Stainsby born christened November 28th,
1852 at Bromptonby Sawdon, Yorks, died April-June 1878 at York
sb.10.4 Joseph Stainsby christened
March 23rd, 1856 at St Mary Bishophill Junior, York, Yorks, died January 18th 1883 at 47 Victoria St, York
sb.10.5 Elizabeth Hannah
Stainsby christened September 11th, 1859 at St Mary Bishophill Junior,
York, Yorks, died Jan-March 1889 at York
In 1871 widowed William was still living at Price St, no. 59, York, & he was now a house carpenter. Daughter Zillah was acting as house keeper, son Thomas was a carriage builder, Henry was an apprentice carriage painter, Joseph was a smith & Elizabeth was a scholar. Living with them was William’s 92 year old mother Elizabeth who died there later that year.
William married Esther Edson at St Cuthbert’s, York on June 11th, 1876. Witnesses at the wedding were Robert Lofthouse & Emily Wheatley. This was Esther’s third marriage. She was born Esther Barker on March 13th, 1812 & christened March 15th, 1812 at St Michael le Belfry, York, the daughter of George & Ann Barker. Esther first married John Skilbeck, a cabinet maker, on July 7th, 1834 at St Denis, York. They had a number of children & John died in 1867. Esther next married William Edson, an artist in china repairing, in Jan-March 1869 at York. At the time of the 1871 census she was described as an upholsterer. William Edson died in July-September 1873, the death being registered at Scarbrough.
In 1881 William & his wife Esther (Hester in census) were living at Price St, York & William was now described as a joiner. Living with them was son Joseph, an engine cleaner.
Esther died in Jan-March 1885, aged 71, at York.
William, aged 64, married for the third time on October 22nd, 1885 in York. His new wife was Mary Ann Harrison, a 60 year old widow, the daughter of Robert Eyre. Mary Ann had previously married Elias Harrison, a joiner, in 1845 in Rotherham & after living in York for most of their married life Elias died in 1880.
William died, aged 72, on December 21st, 1890 at 11 Victoria Terrace, Bishophill, York & was buried on December 23rd at York Cemetery. Administration of his will was granted on January 6th, 1891 to widow Mary Ann. His effects were £251.12s.
There is a death for Mary Ann Stainsby, aged 80, in York in January 1906.