Asher was born in 1866 at Kippax, and was Baptised at St Mary’s Church Kippax on the 1st April 1866.
1871 Census :- Asher age 5 is living at home with his parents Paul age 44 occupation Coal Miner and his mother Mary Ann and sisters Sarah Hannah age 15 – Scholar, Isabella age 13 – Scholar, Rhoda age 10 Scholar and brother Walter age 2.
1881 Census:- Asher now age 15 occupation Grocer’s apprentice is living at Hopewell Terrace, Kippax with his parents Paul age 56 whose occupation is now Coal Miner & Newspaper Agent, mother Mary Ann age 46 whose occupation is Dress Maker?, sister Rhoda age 20 – no occupation, brother Walter age 12 – Scholar, sister Alice age 9 Scholar, also on the Census is Leemein (Leeman) Smales (Sarah Hannah’s daughter) Charles Webster age 27 Coal Miner and his wife Bella age 23 who are lodging with the Firth family.
1891 Census:- Asher age 25 occupation Coal Miner is still living with his parents Paul who is now a Newsagent & Furniture Dealer, their address is shown as High Street, Kippax. Also living there Asher’s brother Walter age 22 – occupation Coal Miner, sister Alice age 19 – no occupation, Thomas Dickenson age 23 – Coal Miner who is the Son in Law of Paul Firth, Granddaughter Isabella Dickenson age 3, Grandson William age 1 and Granddaughter Eliza Ada Smales (Sarah Hannah’s daughter) age 11 – Scholar and Thomas A Lowe Smith age 9 who is described as a visitor.
On the 12th March 1892 Asher was involved in an accident at Allerton Bywater Colliery when he was struck by wagons that were being moved by an engine as he was crossing some railway lines, he was taken to Leeds General Infirmary where he died a short time later. An inquest was held at Leeds Town Hall by the Borough Coroner Mr Malcolm and the jury returned a verdict of accidental death. Asher was buried at St Mary’s Church Kippax on the 15th March 1892. The Probate record shows that he left effects to the value of £181 9shillings to his father Paul Firth, Newsagent.
1871 census
1881 census
1891 census
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