His father died when he was just 3 years old, and his mother took her children to live at the "Sportsman's Arms" in Tunstall. He boarded at "Calverts School"(?), Catterick Bridge, as did his brothers before him. He was still there at the time of the 1871 Census, but his mother later relocated the family to Middlesbrough where she thought there would be more opportunities for the children.
At the 1881 Census he was recorded as simply "Charles" Ellerton, an unmarried "boarder" with butcher Samuel Dawes and family at 20 Duke of York Street, Middlesbrough.
Under the provisions of the Will of his grandfather Edward Ellerton the income from his estate was divided equally between Robert and his siblings when, as the youngest child of the family, he attained the age of 21 in December 1882. Click here for a transcription of his grandfather's will.
According to his marriage certificate by 1883 he had moved to 44 Victoria Road, but then moved to 1 Baxter Street, Linthorpe, near Middlesbrough (next door to his wife's parents).
The family moved to Stockton-On-Tees, Co.Durham around 1888 where their third daughter was born, and where their daughter Margaret died in 1891. At the time of the 1891 Census they were living at The Grove, Norton, but later moved to 5 Salisbury Terrace, Norton - where their daughter Hilda died and son Charles was born in 1896. One of these Norton addresses was on the village green, where Charles played cricket for the local team. Whelan's 1894 History, Topography and Directory of Durham described Norton as "...about two miles north of Stockton. At the north end is a spacious green, surrounded by houses, and an avenue of fine trees runs the length of the village... The iron works, situated close by the station, established in 1855 by the West Hartlepool Iron Company, and affording employment to nearly 1500 hands, were laid out in 1877".
Charles was a manager at Stockton Forge for many years, but around 1900 there were many changes in staff at the company. Fearing for his job, the family moved to Lancashire (91 Clare Road, Bootle) when he became cashier at a timber merchants (Joseph Owens & Sons Ltd., Kirkdale), where his brother William was a "director". The 1901 Census shows Robert, his wife and their three surviving children living in 45 Downing Street, Bootle cum Linacre.
He died at just 48 due to "General Paralysis of the Insane. Exhaustion" (per his death certificate). G.P.I. was a fairly common statement on death certificates at that time, and is characterised by dementia, delusions of grandeur and sometimes epilepsy: all caused by "a shrinking of the brain".
His will of October 1907, three years prior to his death, bequeathed all of his estate and effects to his wife Elizabeth. Witnesses to the will were Robert Luton (69 Norton Street, Bootle - bookkeeper) and C.Hughes (317 Aigburth Road, Liverpool - clerk), possibly two of his work colleagues. The FRC Wills Index showed : "Ellerton, Robert Charles of 91 Clare Road, Bootle, Lancs. died 11/10/1910. Probate Liverpool 28/10 to Elizabeth Ellerton, widow. Effects £257 5s. 6d."
Transcript of newspaper obituary:
"MR. R. C. ELLERTON. On Saturday
last, at Kirkdale Cemetery, the interment of the late Mr Robert Charles Ellerton, of
Clare-road, Bootle, took place. Mr Ellerton was for many years identified with the
firm of Joseph Owens and Sons, Ltd., timber merchants, Kirkdale, and was held in high
esteem. The service was conducted by the Rev. J L Broad, MA The mourners
were Mrs Ellerton (widow), Charles Ellerton (son), Mr and Mrs J L Crawford and Mr and Mrs
A Critchley (daughters and sons-in-law), Mr John Ellerton, Master E Ellerton, W Wray, Mrs
Haggerston, Mrs Ellerton, Mr and Mrs Sharpe, Mrs and Mrs Matthews, Mrs Hawke, Mr G E
Blyde, Mr R Luton [a witness to his will - see above], and Mr E V Davies.
Floral tributes were sent by the widow, son, Mr and Mrs Crawford, Mr and Mrs Critchley, Mr
W Ellerton, Mr and Mrs J Ellerton, Mrs Robertson, Mrs and Mrs Sharp, Mr and Mrs Matthews,
Mrs Walker, James and Arthur, Joseph Owens and Sons, Ltd. and Mr and Mrs Grierson and
family. Messrs John Waugh and Sons, Scotland-road, Liverpool, had charge of the
arrangements".
Click here for a large picture of Charles with his son Charles William, circa 1905.
Page last updated:
June 2008
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