John Grant was born in Scotland about 1821, his parents were Alexander Grant and Mary Fraser. By 1845 he had left Scotland and on 28 November 1845 he married Jane Humphreys in St John`s Church, Chester. Jane had been born in Gresford about 1827 and was the daughter of John Humphreys.
By 1851 they were living in 10 Kenrick Street and stayed there for many years. Later the name was changed to Bank Street, but they were still at No 10.
At first John was a tea dealer, but by 1861 he was hotel waiter. Apart from John, his wife and their 4 children, they also had a Hughes family of 5 lodging with them, so it was quite a big place. He was also a lime agent for Lester`s Lime Works in Minera.
Their son John jnr was working as a printer composter and was still living at home.
On 29 May 1882 John jnr got married, the event was announced in the local newspaper.
Married. May 29th at the Parish Church, Wrexham by the Rev. W. Lees, John Grant, compositor. Wrexham to Miss Mary Woodfin, eldest daughter of Mr. William Woodfin, Tetchhill Moor, near Ellesmere. John was employed at the “Advertiser Office” which was in Bank Street, so he didn`t have far to travel to work.
Early in 1883 they had a daughter named Florence. This was their only child, as late in December 1884 John died.
Wrexham Advertiser 3 January 1885.
MILITARY FUNERAL.—we have to record the death of Mr. John Grant, of Bank-street, at the early age of 27. The deceased was for some years a compositor at the Advertiser Office, but had not worked, owing to ill-health, tor some time. The funeral took place on Monday, when the cortege consisted of the band of the Volunteers, of which corps the deceased was a member; firing party under Lieut. Sisson members of the Order of Shepherds, and friends. The body was interred in the New Cemetery, the Rev. E. Jerman officiating. The deceased leaves a widow to mourn his loss.
Just a few weeks later another of John and Jane’s children died. In 1875 Mary Jane had married William Rider. The couple had 5 children.
Wrexham Advertiser,
1885. Jan. 31st, at Hightown-road, Wrexham, aged 39, Mary Jane, wife of William Rider, and eldest daughter of John Grant, Bank Street, Wrexham.
It was a very sad year for Jane as in June 1885 her husband John died at his home.
THE LATE MR JOHN GRANT.
Death has this week removed from our midst the presence of a known personage in Mr. John Grant, who died on the 15th inst., at his residence, Bank Street, at the age of sixty-five. Mr. Grant, who was a native of Grantown, Strathspey, Invernesshire been resident in the town for about forty seven years, and during that period he travelled soliciting orders for tea, and we believe subsequently as a Scotch draper He was formerly in in Bank-street in the shop now occupied by Gomer Jones as a tobacco store. Subsequently infirmities of age pressed upon him and he relinquished his business, and was the custodian of the Liberal Reading Rooms for many years. He took an active interest in bowling, and was a playing member of the Penybryn Club for many years.
Jane lived until she was 84 and died in Lambpit Street in April 1911, she was buried with her husband and son John.
Researched by Annette Edwards. September 2019.
Grave ref: Wrexham Cemetery M-03743
