Routledge Family

Sacred to the Memory of Elizabeth Routledge who died June 21^st 1841 aged 67 years also William Routledge husband of the above who died February 22^nd 1848 aged 75 years 

“The Tale of the Mutton Chops” 

William was a cordwainer (shoemaker) who married Elizabeth Gray here on 23 Oct 1803.  Their first son William was baptised here in 1804, their first daughter Ann in 1806 and another son Henry in 1814. 

1830 York Trade Directory lists, at 67 Goodramgate, William (senior) a shoemaker and Ann, a dressmaker.  Due to renumbering of the street this is now 60 Goodramgate (at the end of Lady Row).

1841 Census shows William (senior), Elizabeth and Henry (an apprentice butcher) living on Goodramgate.

By 1851, William and Elizabeth have both died and are buried here at Holy Trinity.  Their son, Henry, is married with two sons and lives and works as a butcher at 10 Shambles.  

On 15 April 1854, the “York Herald” reported “Henry Routledge, butcher of the Shambles charged having assaulted Mrs Susannah Turnbull, wife of Mr Turnbull of Victoria Hotel, Railway Street.  She had gone into the butchers and asked for chops from the loin of mutton in the window. He butchered the meat but wouldn’t “consent to have the meat shorn from the tail”, customer refused to have it.  As he had accommodated her request, he followed her out of the shop and allegedly struck her with the mutton. The magistrate wasn’t convinced and dismissed the case.”