Person Page - 175

     John Greathead was born in 1757.¹ He was the son of John Greathead and Mary Rainsden. He was baptised on 27 January 1757 in Richmond, Yorkshire, England, John and his brother Henry were baptised together.^2,1 John died in 1759. John was buried on 26 November 1759 in St Andrew, Weston on Trent, Staffordshire, England.³

     Henry (Francis) Greathead was baptised on 27 January 1757 Henry and his brother John were baptised together.¹ He was the son of John Greathead and Mary Rainsden. Henry, started as an apprentice shipbuilder. He went to sea as a ship’s carpenter, was shipwrecked and pressganged, but eventually made it home from America and set himself up as a boatbuilder in Shields.⁴ He married Catherine Wood, daughter of John Wood, on 25 March 1786 in St Hilda, South Shields, Durham, England.^1,2,5 Henry built the first purpose-built lifeboat in 1789. By 1800 he had made thirty more and did much to propagate lifeboat use.¹ In March 1789, the Adventure, a Newcastle ship, was wrecked in heavy seas on a notorious sandbank off Tynemouth. The people of Shields could see that as the ship sank, the desperate sailors climbed the rigging to escape the death cold waters only to topple off and drowned. The townspeople couldn’t reach the victims because they didn’t have a boat capable of braving the towering seas.

After the disaster, Shields held a competition to design a lifeboat that could withstand heavy seas. Many people entered, including Henry and the parish clerk, William Wouldhave.
There was no overall winner, but Henry was commissioned to build a lifeboat based on his design and incorporating some of the best features of the other entrants.

Henry’s lifeboat – he called it “Original” – looked like a Greenland whaling boat he had encountered on his travels. It was 28ft long, flat bottomed with room for 20 people, and the seats of the 10 oarsmen were reversible so they could row either forward or back without having to turn the boat round.

Original was lined inside and out with cork, to protect it from damage from rocks and also to provide buoyancy.

It made its first rescue in January 1790 and was such a success that the Duke of Northumberland paid for Henry to build a second lifeboat which the duke presented to North Shields. The two lifeboats acted in tandem and saved many lives until the original Original was broken up on rocks in January 1830.⁴


Various humane societies gave Henry awards, culminating in 1802 with Parliament giving him £1,200 (worth £90,000 in today’s values, according to the Bank of England Inflation Calculator) in recognition of his brainwave – much to the disgust of Mr Wouldhave who felt he should have won for his copper and cork boat.
In all, Henry made 31 Originals, most of which went to UK coastal towns but some went to Portugal, Germany, Denmark and Russia. Henry didn’t patent his design, which allowed other people to build their own lifeboats.



The 11th Original was paid for by the people of Redcar who named it “the Zetland”. In its 78 years service from 1802, the Zetland saved more than 500 souls from the sea, and it is now the prize exhibit in the Redcar lifeboat museum – it is the oldest lifeboat in the world.⁴ In the Hull Packet of 11 September 1804 and Carlisle Journal, 22 September1804 it is reported that Henry received from the King of Prussia a very elegant gold chain and medal, accompanied with a letter from that Monarch stating his high sense of value of his invention of the lifeboat. A lifeboat was sent some time ago by Mr Greathead to Swinemunde by order of the King of Prussia.⁶ His wife Catherine died on 1814 in Limehouse, London, England.^1,7 Sadly, Henry himself ran into heavy financial seas and, despite his windfall from the government, he died in a debtors’ prison in London in 1818.^8,4 Henry was buried on 21 November 1818 in St Anne's, Limehouse, London, England, Henry is simply ‘Henry Greathead’ in the parish registers recording his marriage and baptisms of his children, in the contemporary publications detailing his life and/or lifeboat and in Parliamentary papers relating to grants of money in recognition of the invention. However the second name, Francis only appears in the burial register of St Anne’s, Limehouse. From the date of the burial, the fact that his wife Catherine was buried there and the association of both Henry (senior) and Henry (junior) with the area it must be the right burial, but why the addition of the name Francis?^1,9,8

     Catherine Wood was born about 1756.³ She was the daughter of John Wood. She married Henry (Francis) Greathead, son of John Greathead and Mary Rainsden, on 25 March 1786 in St Hilda, South Shields, Durham, England.^1,2,4 Catherine died in 1814 in Limehouse, London, England.^1,3 Catherine was buried on 12 March 1814 in East London, London, England.^1,3

     John Wood was an Excise Collector of Norwich.

     George Greathead was baptised on 9 May 1763 in St Hilda, South Shields, Durham, England.¹ He was born on 9 May 1763.¹ He was the son of John Greathead and Mary Rainsden.

     Catherine Ann/e Greathead was born in 1787.¹ She was the daughter of Henry (Francis) Greathead and Catherine Wood. She was baptised in October 1787 in South Shields, Durham, England.^1,2 Catherine died on 13 April 1795.¹ She was buried in St Hilda, South Shields, Durham, England, There is a plaque in the church to her memory dying at eighteen years old.¹

     Henry Greathead was born in 1788.¹ He was the son of Henry (Francis) Greathead and Catherine Wood. He was baptised in December 1788 in South Shields, Durham, England.² Henry died before March 1790.¹

     Henry Greathead was born in 1790.¹ He was the son of Henry (Francis) Greathead and Catherine Wood. He was baptised on 15 March 1790 in South Shields, Durham, England.² He married Jane Margaret Elliot, daughter of ... Elliot and Ann ..., on 23 March 1816 in St Dunstan and All Saints, Stepney, London, England, after a licence had been issued on 20 Mar 1816 . The ceremony was witnessed by Robert John Elliot and Elizabeth Yellowly. Henry was a Mariner, Chapman and Merchant.^3,1,4 Henry was declared bankrupt in the London Gazette in November 1822. He was described as a master mariner of Stepney Causeway.^5,6 Henry died on 21 September 1824 in Halnby Hall, Croft-on-Tees, Yorkshire, England, He was living with relatives.^1,7 Henry was buried in St Peter, Croft on Tees, Yorkshire, England, His gravestone reads: In memory of Henry Greathead who departed this life on 21st of Sept 1824 aged 34 years. Son of Henry and Catherine Greathead of South Shields, Durham, the Inventor and Builder of the Life Boat Patronized by the Duke of Northumberland.^1,8,9

     Jane Margaret Elliot was born about 1789 in Shadwell, London, England.² She was the daughter of ... Elliot and Ann ...² She married Henry Greathead, son of Henry (Francis) Greathead and Catherine Wood, on 23 March 1816 in St Dunstan and All Saints, Stepney, London, England, after a licence had been issued on 20 Mar 1816 . The ceremony was witnessed by Robert John Elliot and Elizabeth Yellowly. Henry was a Mariner, Chapman and Merchant.^3,1,4 Her husband Henry died on 21 September 1824 in Halnby Hall, Croft-on-Tees, Yorkshire, England, He was living with relatives.^1,5 She married Charles Hibbert on 26 August 1826 in St Dunstans and All Saints, Stepney, London, England, after a licence had been issued. Margaret was listed as a widow. The ceremony was witnessed by Robert Elliot and Catherine Hammer. Interesting that she changed the order of her forenames!!^1,6,7,8 Her husband Charles died on before 1851.² Margaret was listed as head of household in the census of 30 March 1851 at 3 Harleyford Street, Lambeth, London, England, Margaret was described as a Gentlewoman living with her son, mother and a servant.⁹ Margaret died in 1865 in Islington, London, England.¹⁰

     William Grey Pearson married Mary Ann Greathead, daughter of Henry (Francis) Greathead and Catherine Wood, on 11 September 1810 in St Paul, Jarrow, Durham, England, No known children.^1,2,3

     William Greathead Lewis was born about 1790.¹ He married Mary Ann ...² Thomas Wooler was the Editor of "The Black Dwarf", a London weekly pubication at 2 Sura Street, Bishopsgate. He also wrote in Wooler's British Gazette. George Edmonds was an inhabitant of Birmingham and Proprietor and Publisher of the weekly paper entitled Edmonds Weekly Recorder. A paper notorious of its Revolutionary principles. Charles Maddocks was a Pawnbroker of Birmingham. William Greathead Lewis was a schoolmaster at Coventry of the lowest description and later became the Propietor and Editor of the inflammatory weekly publication entitled "Lewis's Coventry Recorder" for which he was under Prosecution by information supplied to the Attorney General.

There was a meeting on New Hall Hill in Birmingham on Monday 12 July 1819. Cartwright, Edmonds and Lewis rode to the meeting in a carriage drawn by two horses preceeded by two flags on which was inscribed Major Cartwrights the Bil of Rights and on the reverse The Soverienty of the People. The other flag was inscribed Sir Charles Wolseley and no Corn Law and on the reverse Thomas Jonathan Wooler and the liberty of the Prefs.

A warrent from the Sherriff of Warwick summoned them to appear on Saturday 29 July 1820.³ At the Warwickshire Spring Assizes on 3 August 1820 William appeared with George Edmonds, Charles Maddocks, Major John Cartwright and Thomas Jonathan Wooler. William Greathead Lewis, the late proprietor of the Coventry Recorder, was taken into custody by the principal tipstaff of the Court of King's Bench, in consequence of another criminal information filed against him by his Majesty's Attorey General. He was at the house of Major Cartwright, in company with Mr Wooler, at the time the officer arrested him. Mr Lewis was accompanied by Major Cartwright and Mr Wooler to the house of Chief Justice Abbot, and tendered themselves as his bail, which being accepted, Mr Lewis was set at liberty. Wooler and Lewis defended themselves against the charges of unlawfully and maliciously devising and intending to encite discontent and disaffection in the minds of 20,000 leige subjects of the King and unlawfully causing a change in the Commons House of Parliament.^4,3 An article in the Bell's Weekly Messenger read: The KING v WILLIAM GREATHEAD LEWIS.
The Solicitor-General proved the judgment the Court upon this defendant, of Coventry, who was convicted the last Assizes for the county of Warwick, before Mr. Justice Best, for publishing seditious libel concerning the transactions at Manchester, in August, 1819.
The Court, after deliberating for a few minutes, passed their judgment upon the defendant, that he should pay a fine to the King of 50/- imprisoned in Warwick gaol for two years, and the expiration that time, enter into security for his good behaviour for five years, himself in 200/- and two sureties in 100/- each.⁵ William died on 6 November 1842 in 30 Guildford Place, Clerkenwell, London, England, The Illustrated London News of 12 November 1842 recorded his death, saying, After a short illness, Mr William Greathead Lewis aged 52, who for many years was connected with the London press.^6,7 William was buried in Kensington and Chelsea, London, England.⁸

     Charles Hibbert married Margaret Jane Greathead, daughter of ... Elliot and Ann ..., on 26 August 1826 in St Dunstans and All Saints, Stepney, London, England, after a licence had been issued. Margaret was listed as a widow. The ceremony was witnessed by Robert Elliot and Catherine Hammer. Interesting that she changed the order of her forenames!!^1,2,3,4 Charles died before 1851.⁵

     Margaret Greathead was born about 1826.¹ She married Thomas Catron in 1901 in Auckland, Durham, England.² Margaret died in 1909 in Auckland, Durham, England.³

     Thomas Catron was born about 1839 in Earston, Northumberland, England. He married Sarah Downing in 1874 in Auckland, Durham, England.¹ In the census of 5 April 1891 in West End, Sedgefield, Durham, England, he was listed as a visitor staying with Mary Gear. Thomas was listed as living on his own means.² His wife Sarah died on 1898 in Auckland, Durham, England.³ He married Margaret Greathead in 1901 in Auckland, Durham, England.⁴ Thomas was listed as head of household in the census of 31 March 1901 in Cold Knott House, Crook, Durham, England, Thomas was listed as a retired hotel proprietor living with his sister Jane Jolly and three of her children.⁵ His wife Margaret died on 1909 in Auckland, Durham, England.⁶ Thomas was listed as head of household in the census of 2 April 1911 in Crook, Darlington, Durham, England, Thomas was listed as a retired farmer with Ann Mawson as his visitor together with her son. Ann was a widow and worked as a dressmaker, her son was a labourer. They all lived in his eight roomed home.⁷ Thomas died in 1914 in Auckland, Durham, England.⁸

     Barry Stuart Greathead was born on 25 August 1947 in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, England, It is recorded that Barry's mothers surname was Preston.^1,2 He was the son of Sidney George Greathead and Eva Florence Preston. He married Lorraine M Corr in 1975 in Claro, Yorkshire, England.^3,4 Barry died in 1981 in Claro, Yorkshire, England.⁵

     John Elliot Hibbert was born on 24 June 1828.¹ He was the son of Charles Hibbert and Jane Margaret Elliot. He was baptised on 24 July 1828 in St Botolphs, Aldgate, London, England, His godparents were Mr and Mrs Yellowby and Mr John Potts.¹ In the census of 7 June 1841 in Christs Hospital, Newgate Street, Christchurch, London, England, he was listed as a scholar.² In the census of 30 March 1851 at 3 Harleyford Street, Lambeth, London, England, he was listed as the son of Margaret Jane Hibbert John is described as a Commercial clerk.³ He married Eliza Carman Bannister in 1853 in Bermondsey, London, England.^4,5 John was listed as head of household in the census of 2 April 1871 in 9 Totill Street, Westminster, London, England, John was an ironmonger living with his wife and children and two servants.⁶ His wife Eliza died on 1876 in Mile End, London, England.^7,8 John was listed as the head of the family on the census of 31 March 1881 in 9 Tothill Street, Westminster, London, England, John was a hardwareman living with his three children.⁹ John died in 1902 in Croydon, Surrey, England.¹⁰

     Eliza Carman Bannister was born in 1826 in Suffolk, England.^1,2 She married John Elliot Hibbert, son of Charles Hibbert and Jane Margaret Elliot, in 1853 in Bermondsey, London, England.^3,4 In the census of 2 April 1871 in 9 Totill Street, Westminster, London, England, she was listed as the wife of John Elliot Hibbert.⁵ Eliza died in 1876 in Mile End, London, England.^6,7

     Mary Margaret Emily Hibbert was born in 1869 in Westminster, London, England.¹ She was the daughter of John Elliot Hibbert and Eliza Carman Bannister. In the census of 2 April 1871 in 9 Totill Street, Westminster, London, England, she was listed as the daughter of John Elliot Hibbert.² In the census of 31 March 1881 in 9 Tothill Street, Westminster, London, England, she was listed as the daughter of John Elliot Hibbert Mary was at school.³ She married Thomas Ely in 1893 in St George Hanover Square, London, England.^4,5 In the census of 31 March 1901 in 21 West Parade Mews, Scarborough, Yorkshire, England, she was listed as the wife of Thomas Ely.⁶ In the census of 2 April 1911 in 2 Princess Royal Terrace, Scarborough, Yorkshire, England, she was listed as the wife of Thomas Ely.⁷ Mary died in 1956 in Luton, Bedfordshire, England.^4,8

     Thomas Ely was born in 1870 in St George Hanover Square, London, England.^1,2 Dr Thomas Ely moved to Belfast and then Scarborough.¹ He married Mary Margaret Emily Hibbert, daughter of John Elliot Hibbert and Eliza Carman Bannister, in 1893 in St George Hanover Square, London, England.^1,3 He was a musician in 1893 in Scarborough, Yorkshire, England. Thomas was listed as head of household in the census of 31 March 1901 in 21 West Parade Mews, Scarborough, Yorkshire, England, Thomas was a Master of Music living with his family.⁴ Thomas was listed as head of household in the census of 2 April 1911 in 2 Princess Royal Terrace, Scarborough, Yorkshire, England, Thomas was a Professor of Music living with his wife, four children, a cook domestic servant and visitor called Ernest Roland Hopewell a Cambridge Undergraduate in his nine roomed home.⁵ His wife Mary died on 1956 in Luton, Bedfordshire, England.^1,6

     John Wilson Hibbert was born in 1860 in Westminster, London, England.¹ He was the son of John Elliot Hibbert and Eliza Carman Bannister. John died in 1862 in Westminster, London, England.²