Nicholas Lidstone was born on 2 December 1849 in Dodbrooke, Devon, the third of the eleven children of Henry Grant Lidstone (1821-1892) and Mary Honor Lidstone née Sinkins (1824-1902). His birth was registered in the 4th quarter of 1849 in the Kingsbridge Registration District, Devon and he was baptised on 25 December 1849 in Dodbrooke, Devon.
His ten siblings were: Henry Sinkins Lidstone (1846-1906); Elizabeth Marshall Lidstone (1848-1939); Thomas Sinkins Lidstone (1851-1852); Thomas Marshall Lidstone (1853-1940); Eli Sinkins Lidstone (1856-1939); Helen Lidstone (1857-1934); Mary Lidstone (1860-1921); William John Lidstone (1865-1951); twins Clara Lidstone (1866-1951) and Louisa Lidstone (1866-1917);
In the 1851 census he is shown as Nicholas Lidstone, aged 1 year and living at Ebrington Street, Dodbrooke, with his parents, his two siblings: Henry Sinkins Lidstone and Elizabeth Marshall Lidstone who were both listed as scholars, a paternal uncle, John Lidstone, aged 52 years and on parish relief, his paternal grandmother, Rachel Lidstone, aged 69 years who was also on parish relief, together with a maternal uncle, Eli Sinkins, aged 35 years and a painter and glazier. His father was recorded as a butcher.
When the 1861 census was undertaken he was recorded as Nichols Lidstone, aged 11 years and a scholar, still residing in Ebrington Road, Dodbrooke, with his parents, his six surviving siblings: Henry S. Lidstone, a scholar; Elizabeth M. Lidstone, a scholar; Thomas M. Lidstone, a scholar; Eli S. Lidstone, a scholar; Helen Lidstone and Mary Lidstone. His father was still described as a butcher.
He was shown as aged 21 years, a carpenter and joiner, boarding at 21 Canterbury Place, Lambeth, the home of a William Thomas Sawyer and his wife in the 1871 census. He married Eliza Ann Wells (1848-1940) in the 4th quarter of 1875 in the Lambeth Registration District, Surrey (now Greater London).
He was described in the the 1881 census as aged 30 years, a carpenter and builder employing 3 men and a boy, living at 82 Romilly Road, Highbury, Islington, Middlesex (now Greater London), with his wife, their two children: Ada Mary Lidstone (1877-1967) - a scholar and Henry Nix Lidstone (1878-1940), together with his brother Eli S. Lidstone who was shown as a provision merchant.
The 1891 census shows him as aged 40 years and a builder residing at 94 Blackstock Road, Islington, London, with his wife, their five children: Ada M. Lidstone; Henry N. Lidstone; Alice Honor Lidstone (1885-1977); Florence Lidstone (1886-1970) and Allan Lidstone (1888-1978), together with his niece Elsie Lidstone and his sister-in-law Elizabeth Wells.
He had moved to 96 Blackstock Road, Islington, when the 1901 census was taken and he was described as aged 50 years and both a builder and an employer. Also living at the address were his wife, three of their children: Henry N. Lidstone, a builder's assistant; Florence Lidstone and Allan Lidstone, together with a female general servant.
When he completed his 1911 census return form he showed himself as a Nicholas Lidstone, aged 60 years and a builder, living at 96 Blackstock Road, Finsbury Park, London, with his wife, his married daughter Ada M. Fairhall, his son-in-law Edwin Jesse Fairhall (1879-1961) - a chemist and his unmarried daughter Florence Lidstone. The census form also confirms that his wife had given birth to five children, all of whom were still alive.
Electoral registers show him and his wife listed at 96 Blackstock Road, Highbury, Islington, until 1929 but from 1930 whilst he was still listed to vote there in local elections, their abode was given as Stoke Common, Slough, Buckinghamshire (now in Berkshire).
His death, aged 84 years, was registered in the 4th quarter of 1934 in the Eton Registration District, Buckinghamshire. Probate records confirm that his address had been Stoke Common, Stoke Poges, Slough and that he died on 6 October 1934. Probate was granted on 11 December 1934 jointly to his son Henry Nix Lidstone, a builder and to his daughter Florence Dixon, the wife of Percival St. John Dixon. His effects totalled £29,616-19s-7d.
He is shown as 'N.LIDSTONE. BUILDER' on the foundation stone at the Westminster Coroner's Court, 65 Horseferry Road, London, SW1.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
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