15 May 2011
Robert Burrell Donkin 1842-1907
Robert Burrell Donkin was born at Sewerby, Yorkshire at 2a.m on the 30th of January 1842, the son of John Donkin, a horse-jockey and his wife Jane, formerly Frankish.
The IGI shows the christening of Robert Burrell Donkin on 2 Feb 1842 at Bridlington, Yorkshire, England, parents John Donkin and Jane.
1851 census for Sewerby cum Marton, Yks folio 276 shows-
John Donkin, head, married, 39, groom, born Reeth, Yks
Jane Donkin, wife, married, 37, grooms wife, born Bridlington
Sarah Ann Donkin, daughter, 15, scholar, born Sewerby
Mary Jane Donkin, daughter, 11, scholar, born Sewerby
Robert Donkin, son, 9, scholar, born Sewerby
Henry Donkin, son, 5, scholar, born Sewerby
The 1861 census shows Robert Donkin 19 as a lodger, unmarried, gardener at Rokeby Park, Rokeby, Yks, born Bowes, Yks!
The marriage took place, at Teesdale Registry Office, on the 19th of August 1863, of Robert Donkin, 21 year old gardener, living Rokeby, father John Donkin, a groom and
Jane Stanley, 20 years old, living Greta Bridge, father William Stanley, a groom. Witnesses were Jane Brown and Geo. C Lee.
Robert and Jane were living at Rokeby when daughter Jane was christened in 1863.
1871 census for Egglescliffe shows -
Robert Donkin, head, married, 29, gardener, born Sewerby, Yorkshire
Jane Donkin, wife, married, 27, born Egglescliffe, Durham
Jane A Donkin, daughter, 7, scholar, born Egglescliffe, Durham
Robert W Donkin, son, 5, scholar, born Egglescliffe, Durham
Mary H Donkin, daughter, 4, scholar, born Egglescliffe, Durham
1881 census for Egglescliffe shows-
Robert Donkin, 39, gardener born Sowerby, Yks
Jane Donkin, 37, born Egglescliffe, Durham
Robert Donkin, son, 15, born Egglescliffe, Durham
Elizabeth Donkin, daughter, 8, born Egglescliffe, Durham
Florence Donkin, daughter 6, born Egglescliffe, Durham
Alice Maud Donkin, daughter, 6, born Egglescliffe, Durham
Edith Donkin, daughter, 4, born Egglescliffe, Durham
Ada Margaret Donkin, daughter 2, born Egglescliffe, Durham
1891 census for Eaglescliffe shows -
Robert Donkin, head, married, 49 platelayer, born Sowerby, Yks
Jane Donkin, wife, 48, born Eaglescliffe, Durham
Alice M Donkin, daughter, 16, born Eaglescliffe, Durham
Ada M Donkin, daughter12, scholar, born Eaglescliffe, Durham
Alfred S Donkin, son, 8, scholar, born Eaglescliffe, Durham
1901 census for Eaglescliffe shows -
Robert Donkin 59 railway platelayer born Sowerby, Yks
Jane Donkin wife 57 born Eaglescliffe Durham
Alice M Donkin daughter 26 worker at home born Eaglescliffe Durham
Alfred S Donkin son 17 gardener (domestic) born Eaglescliffe Durham
Robert and Jane had at least 11 children-
 |
Jane Ann b 1863. Click for more. |
|
Robert W c1866. Click for more. |
| Mary Hannah c1866. Click for more. |
| John Henry c1867. Baptised at Eaglescliffe Parish Church on the 19 March 1867, the son of Robert Donkin, gardener, and Jane, of Eaglescliffe. John Henry Donkin, 1 year, of Eaglescliffe was buried at Eaglescliffe Parish Church on the 26 April 1869. |
| Sarah
Elizabeth
c1872.Click for more. |
|
Florence c1874 - Click for more. |
|
Alice
Maud c1875.Eaglescliffe Parish Church shows the private baptisms of Thomas Donkin and Alice Maude Donkin, son and daughter of Robert Donkin, platelayer, and Jane, of Eaglescliffe on the 6th of February 1875.
Died in 1943. |
|
Thomas
c1875.Eaglescliffe Parish Church shows the private baptisms of Thomas Donkin and Alice Maude Donkin, son and daughter of Robert Donkin, platelayer, and Jane, of Eaglescliffe on the 6th of February 1875. |
|
Edith c1877. Click for more. |
|
Ada Margaret c1879. Click for more. |
|
Alfred Stanley c1883. Click for more. |
Robert died as the result of a fall through a portion of the old Stockton and Darlington Railway Lime Depot. He died on the 19th of June 1907, an Inquest being held the next day by J H Bell, Coroner for Stockton.
A small article in the North Eastern Daily Gazette, dated Thursday 20 June 1907 read:
FATAL FALL AT EAGLESCLIFFE
Great regret is felt at Eaglescliffe at the death of Mr Robert Donkin, the Old Depots, late yesterday afternoon, as result of a fall from the top of the depots on Saturday last. Mr Donkin, who was 65 years of age, was an old and respected employee of the North Eastern Railway Company and an enthusiastic gardener and was well known in local horticultural circles. His genial temperament made him universally liked. He leaves a widow and grown up family.
An announcement in the Deaths column of the North Eastern Daily Gazette, dated Friday June 21st 1907 read:
DONKIN - On Wednesday, June 19th at Eaglescliffe, Robert Burrell, beloved husband off Jane Donkin. Internment on Saturday June 22nd at 3.15. Friends please accept this
( the only) intimation.
Robert was buried at St John the Baptist Church, Eaglescliffe, Durham
The Monumental Inscription read-
In Loving Memory of
ROBERT BURRELL DONKIN
who died June 19th 1907
aged 65 years
also of JANE
beloved wife of the above
who died Decr. 25th 1922
aged 79 years
also ALICE MAUD
dear daughter of the above
who died January 31st 1943
Aged 68 years
Wills and
Probate shows-
Donkin, Robert Burrell of Eaglescliffe county Durham died 19 June 1907. Probate
Durham 6 August to Robert William Donkin nurseryman and Alfred Stanley Donkin
gardener. Effects £327 6s 5d.