Author: Oliver, William
Biography:
OLIVER, William (1800-48: findmypast.com)
The primary source of information about William Oliver of Newcastle is Allan’s Illustrated Edition of Tyneside Songs and Readings (1872, rev. ed 1891)—and Allans’s primary source was Oliver’s brother Timothy. Their parents were Dissenters (Congregationalists), Jane Tyzack and William Oliver, who had married at St. Mary’s, Haworth, Durham, on 13 Apr. 1791. The eldest son, Timothy, was born on 23 Jan. 1792 and baptised at the Postern Chapel, Newcastle, on 19 Feb. 1792; William was born on 5 Feb. 1800 and baptised on 10 Nov. William Senior was in business as a cheesemonger in Newcastle; Timothy became a grocer; and William was bred to the trade of a draper and hatter by a Mr. Bowes in Gateshead. Many of his songs date from the Gateshead years. When he left Bowes and attempted to set up as a hatter closer to his family, William failed, however, and instead joined his brother Timothy as a grocer. Neither brother married. William’s social life centred on tradesmen’s clubs in Newcastle where working men gathered to drink and sing--particularly the Corinthian Society celebrated in some of his songs. He died on 29 or 30 Oct. 1848 and was buried at the Westgate Cemetery, “much respected” and “well known for his attainments as a local poet” (Newcastle Guardian). (findmypast.com 21 Mar. 2024; Allan’s Illustrated Edition of Tyneside Songs and Readings [rev. ed 1891], 228-44; Newcastle Guardian and Tyne Mercury 4 Nov. 1848) HJ