John Gatiss (1824-1911) - Find a Grave Memorial

John Gatiss

Birth

1824

Eighton Banks, Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England

Death

28 Sep 1911 (aged 86–87)

Brancepeth, Durham Unitary Authority, County Durham, England

Burial

Willington Cemetery

Willington, Durham Unitary Authority, County Durham, England Add to Map

Plot

Sect 2: A36/37/38/39 (4 grave spaces) One Headstone

Memorial ID

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John Gatiss was born at Pasture House, Eighton Banks, County Durham, the 3rd son/4th child of Thomas Gatiss (1793-1834) & Dorothy Gatiss nee Stodart (1798-1841). He was brother to Thomas Henry (1819-1891); Henry (1820-1901); Margaret (1821-1877); Ann (1827-??); Luke (1829-1871); Richard (1832-1843); George Moore (1834-1869):

John married firstly on 29.08.1857 to Sarah Bell (1836-1863) & had three children with her; Thomas William (1858-1862); Dorothy Jane (1860-1884); Richard (1862-1947):

John married secondly on 10.12.1864 to Jessie Arnot (1841-1909) & had nine children with her; Margaret Ann (1865-1891); Thomas William (1866-1896); George (1868-1868); Isabel (1869-1944); Phyllis (1871-1872); George Luke (1873-1950); David (1874-1951); Edwin (1876-1876); Phyllis (1877-1968):

John Gatiss was a practicing Primitive Methodist. Had been a Coal Miner/Hewer & worked his way up to be an Engine Driver/Engineman at Brancepeth Colliery & known as "Little Jacky the Weight lifter". He is also reputed to have been the first to invent the Siphon to drain mines? & worked until his 84th Birthday & thought to be the richest man in Willington. Was very good at sewing and in his younger days was said to be the Champion Sword Dancer of the North. He owned his own shop in his later life which he & Jessie ran together. I have in my possession the 'Shop bell' which hung above the shop door.

He outlived both wives and seven of his 12 children. He died at 30 Park Street, Brancepeth Colliery. He was buried on 01 Oct 1911 & interred alongside his second wife Jessie and their son Thomas William. (Biography by Suzy-in-the-Skye)

Please note: This is the Grave of John & Jessie Gatiss & their second child Thomas William Gatiss only! And although John & Jessie are buried here, the actual gravestone does not mention them.
Now whilst their eldest child Margaret Ann Cook nee Gatiss is 'remembered' on this headstone, she is actually buried in another plot in the same graveyard. Plot no. Sect 1 Row S Number 12. Her grave has no headstone. (Suzy-in-the-Skye).

Inscription

In loving Memory of Thomas William beloved son of JOHN & JESSIE GATISS of Brancepeth Colliery, who died Aug 10th 1896 aged 29 years.
Also Margaret Ann their daughter & wife of Hedley Cook, who died May 29th 1891 aged 26 years. Not my will but thine be done. I cling to thee.

Gravesite Details

Go through the main cemetery entrance where the old Red brick Cemetery Building is, and it can be found just behind this building, the second stone from the back of the building up against the hedge.