Welcome to the Worldwide Greathead family my One-Name Study - James Frederick Greethead
James Frederick Greethead #12411 - The story of rags to riches. Otherwise known as Leotard Bosco
James Frederick Greethead # 12411                     c 1851 - 24 July 1895
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James Frederick and Mary (née Ralph) Greethead used the stage names was Leotard and Mary Bosco.
Leotard Bosco otherwise James Greethead 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 Middlesbrough, 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, and those of George and Louisa Minishull, Charles Burleigh, Edward Hewitson or the Empire Music Hall.