|
Last updated 29 July 2007 |
|
James Frederick Greethead #
12411
c 1850 - 24 July 1895
|
| . |
|
| James
Frederick and Mary
(née Ralph) Greethead used the stage names was Leotard and Mary Bosco. |
 |
James
was born c 1850 in Bristol, living in the workhouse in his early years.
He married Mary
Ralph in Bristol in 1869. She was born c 1850 Middlesborough,
Yorkshire.
|
|
They had moved to 65 Bath Road,
Birmingham by 1871 and were listed as a ventriloquist and a singer.
|
| In
1881 they are found under their stage names lodging in 15 Arundel Street,
Sheffield in a house owned by Edward Packard. They were listed as
performing magicians. Also lodging in the house were another husband and
wife, George and Louisa Minishull a comedian and costumier. A further
comedian lodging there was Charles Burleigh. |
| By 1891 I found Leotard listed
as a Music Hall Proprietor. His sister in law Emma
and three of her children were visiting him and his wife. They were
listed as living in Hull Road, Cottingham, Yorkshire.
|
| In the Alphabetical Directory of Trades
and Professions for Hull, from Bulmer's Gazetteer he was listed the proprietor
of the Empire Music Hall, Grimston Street; his home address was given as 257
Beverley Road, Hull in 1892. They also lived in 257 Grove Street, Hull.
|
| He died 24 July 1895 in Lavenham House,
Birchfield Road, Perry Barr, Staffordshire. In his will he was declared a
Theatrical proprietor of Legerdemain. His effects were valued as £1,566
and were willed to his wife.
|
Mary
died
29 December 1897 at the same address and her effects were valued at £2072
9s 0d and was resworn in December 1898 as £2149 19s 0d. Edward Hewitson
who was a Theatrical Manager received her effects. Edward
was her nephew, her sister Emma's
son.
|
|
I would love to find out more about
this couple. James seems to have gone from rags to riches. My
guess is he took good advantage of the schooling he would have received in the
workhouse. Maybe he was a cheeky lad and that is where he learned to use
his voice as a ventriloquist.
|
| I would appreciate any help on
their lives, George and Louisa Minishull, Charles Burleigh, Edward Hewitson or the
Empire Music Hall. |
