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1934 – SUTCLIFFE James Henry of 54 Halifax Road, Briercliffe near Burnley was last seen alive 22 August 1934 and his dead body was found 26 August 1934, near Reedyford Bridge, Nelson, Lancashire. Probate London, 6 September to Ethel Crabtree (wife of John Henry Crabtree) and the said John Henry Crabtree, labourer. Effects £293 12s. 6d

1947 – SUTCLIFFE Ada of 46 Halifax Road, Briercliffe, Lancashire, widow, died 20 March 1947 at the Thaw House Farm, Nelson, Lancashire. Administration Manchester, 26 April to Bertha Taylor, married woman. Effects £1,186 5s. 8d.

I have ordered the death certificate for James Henry Kris. According to the death index, he was aged 62 when he died so should be on the census though I didn't see him when I did a quick check this morning.

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Mel

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Nelson Leader, August 31, 1934
Mr. James Henry Sutcliffe
The funeral of the late Mr. James Henry Sutcliffe, of 54 Halifax Road, Briercliffe, who died on Sunday at the age of 62 years, took place at the Inghamite Chapel, Wheatley Lane, on Tuesday. The Rev. John Lund conducted the service at the house and graveside.
List of mourners were: - Mr. and Mrs. Crabtree and Master Jas. V. Crabtree, Mr. and Mrs. Veevers, Mrs. Lund, Mrs. Tattersall, Rev. John Lund, Mr. and Mrs. Sutcliffe, Miss Kendall and Joe, Mr. and Mrs. Young, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. and Mrs. Farnworth and representatives from the Rous Club.
Floral tributes were received from: - Ethel, John and little Jim: Tom and Annie; all at 176 Chapel House Road; Mr. and Mrs. H. Veevers; the directors and employees of Sagar and Co’s, Marsden Mill; Minnie and Jos.; Mr. and Mrs. Blackburn; Mr. and Mrs. Farnworth; Mrs. Frank Edmondson; Mr. and Mrs. J. Horne; the members of the Rous Club; Auntie Eleanor and Ena; Auntie Selina, Arthur and Annie.
Mr. Willie Walton, Raglan street Joinery Works, Nelson, carried out the funeral arrangement.

Nelson Leader, August 31, 1934
DEATHS.
HEAPS.- On the 27th inst., Willie Heaps, aged 67 years. Internment, Emmanuel Church, Oswaldtwistle, to-day, Friday.-7 Berry street, Brierfield.
Enquiries: 11, Heap, Undertaker, Brierfield
Brierfield.- August 26th, aged 62; James Henry Sutcliffe, Halifax Road.
Nelson-August, aged 66; Sophia Cunningham, 33 Carleton street.
Nelson-August 21st, aged 72; Maria Webster, 9 Rutland.
Nelson-August 24th, aged 41; Agnes Cash, 15 Carfield street.
Nelson-August 24th, aged 60; Esther Ann Heap, 146 Brunswick street.
Nelson-August, 23rd, aged 66; Lavinia Naneerrow, 3 Ruskin Place.
Nelson-August 21st; Margaret Harker, 14 Pilgrim Street.
Nelson-August 23rd, aged 79; Ann Reid, 115 Pine Street.
Nelson-August 25th, aged 70; Frinilda Hargreaves, 34 Pendle street.
Briercliffe- August 26th, aged 62; James Henry Sutcliffe, 54 Halifax Road.
Barrowford-August 27th, aged 53; Margaret Smith, “Airedale”
Nelson-August 29th, aged 67; James Samuel Jackson, 10 Southfield street.
Colne-August 26th, aged 70; Thomas Henry Wearden, 16 Lancaster Street.
Colne-August 23rd, infant; Mary Duckett, Spruce street.
Colne-August 26th, aged 60; Eliza Thompson, Cottontree Lane.
Colne-August 20th, aged 72, Ada Annie Townson, Cottontree Lane

Judging by what I can't find on the census, I don't think that James Henry was born locally. There is a possibility from Todmorden and one from Blackburn. I could be completely wrong of course.

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Mel

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I think you might be right. Maybe his grave stone at Inghamite Chapel, Wheatley Lane will give us some clues. Anyone interested in a trip to the chapel??

Marriages June 1903
SUTCLIFFE James Henry – Burnley, 8e, 448
VEEVERS May – Burnley, 8e, 448
Church – St. Mary, Nelson

Marriages June 1919
CRABTREE John H. – Burnley, 8e 547
VEEVERS Ethel – Burnley, 8e 547

Births, March 1921
CRABTREE, James V (Mum’s maiden name is Veevers) – Burnley, 8e, 256

I have a file that shows that a May Sutcliffe was buried 2 years earlier (30 December 1932) in the same grave as James Henry.

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Mel

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Burnley Express, 29th August 1934

WEAVER FOUND IN CANAL.
DEPRESSED THROUGH LOSS OF WIFE.
The East Lancashire Coroner (Mr. F. Rowland) conducted an inquest last Monday on James Henry Sutcliffe (62), cotton weaver, 54, Halifax road, Briercliffe, whose body was found in the Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Nelson last Sunday.
John Henry Crabtree, road labourer, 56, Halifax road, Briercliffe, said deceased was his brother in law and had been unemployed for about twelve months. He was a healthy man up to 1932 when he suffered from blood poisoning. Since he had lost his employment he had worked occasionally. Sutcliffe’s wife died in December, 1932, and since then he had been very depressed, but had never threatened to take his life. Last Wednesday morning he left home to sign on at the Labour Exchange and witness did not see him alive again.
P.C. Barnes said that last Sunday evening he received information that there was a body in the canal on the Colne side of Reedyford bridge. He went to the place and P.C. Waugh swam to the body and brought it to the side. Deceased had a gold watch, 2s. and a key in his possession.
Returning a verdict of “Suicide whilst not of sound mind,” the coroner said that it was apparent deceased’s mind had become unhinged through depression at the loss of his wife.

Thats 2 Sutcliffes that have committed suicide in the same way.

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Mel

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Certificate has arrived. I have added it to the deaths topic too.

When- Dead body found 26 August 1934
Where - Leeds and Liverpool Canal near Reedyford Bridge Nelson
Name - James Henry Sutcliffe
Sex - Male
Age - About 62 years
Occupation - of 54 Halifax Road Briercliffe. Widower. Cotton weaver.
Cause - Drowned himself in the water of the Canal while not of sound mind. No PM
Informant - Certificate received from Frank Rowland Coroner for County of Lancaster Inquest held 27th August 1934.
Registered - 28 August 1934
Registrar - J W Stevens

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Mel

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Would this inquest be available to the public?

I'm not sure. I think inquests come under the 100 year disclosure rule though I'm not certain.

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Mel

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Preston Records office could answer that one Kris.

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.

Thanks. I might contact PRO to see if they have anything.

Where is Reedyford Road Bridge? Is it on the Nelson side or the Barrowford side of the M65?

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Mel

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