Elizabeth Stainsby was the seventh child of Robert Stainsby & Elizabeth Brewer born Jan-March 1854 & christened August 3rd, 1855 at Appleton-le-Street, Yorks.
In 1861 & 1871 Elizabeth was living at home with her parents at the Gate House, Fryton, Yorks.
By 1881 Elizabeth was a domestic servant in Mirfield, Yorks for Charles H Firth, described as a knight & lieutenant colonel (army officer). He was a 45 year old widower & living at Belle Grove with his ward Emily Jane Robson (29).
Elizabeth was still employed by Charles Firth in 1891 as his housekeeper. They were now living in Ilkley at Arundel Lodge with a 15 year old servant & a visitor, Elizabeth Stead (30), a weaver of blankets. Charles Firth was now described as ‘architect of Fire Brigade protection’!
By 1901 Elizabeth had moved again – this time to The Choristry, Arthington, nr Otley, Yorks where she was still a housekeeper for Charles Firth. His occupation was now described as ‘knight, deputy Lieutenant & colonel retired list also Inspector of fires, fire plant & fire brigades’. Living with them were Alice Mary Campkin (32) whose occupation was ‘amanuensis’ i.e. a person who writes from dictation or copies manuscripts, & a 16 year old maid, Ida Rumfitt.
In 1911 Elizabeth was employed as cook/housekeeper for the Rev Samuel Collard Harris, vicar of St Stephens, Kirkstall, Leeds. They & a housemaid were living at the 10 room Vicarage.
Elizabeth died on April 2nd, 1917 at 4 Trelawn Terrace, Headingley, Leeds, where she had been living with her sister Margaret. Probate was granted in London on May 12th, 1917 to her older brother William Stainsby of Hovingham, a butler. Her effects were £338.4s.10d.