Wilkinson’s Pontefract Cakes

[BridgetM]

I’m trying to find out some information about William Roberts Wilkinson, who started the company in 1884.

I assume WRW started the liquorice business with his inheritance from his father in 1884. He sold the liquorice business in 1894, 10 years after starting it. In 1901 he’s a retired liquorice refiner. BUT, in 1911 he’s selling vacuum cleaners door-to-door. In 1921 he’s an accounting clerk at his son-in-law’s furnishing business, Wards. He died 15 February 1927.

My question: what happened to all his money?! He was retired in 1901 but selling vacuum cleaners in 1911?

Thanks!
Bridget

[CaroleW]

Unless there are any newspaper articles about him - how would anybody know?

Have you checked for newspaper items?

Did he leave a will?

[heywood]

I read it as ‘Canvasser, Sewing Machines’ rather than selling vacuum cleaners.

[BumbleB]

Not quite sure why you think that William inherited money. 

1891 - yes, William is a "Licorice Refiner".  But his wife is also working as an "Accountant Estate Agent", there are 5 children, plus mother-in-law "Housekeeper".

[BridgetM]

William Robert Wilkinson’s father was William Wilkinson, a cut nail manufacturer. He committed suicide in 1884, leaving an estate of more than £11,000–a lot of money in 1884! The money was divided amongst his children, each inheriting 1/9th. William Roberts started the liquorice business in 1884, so I’m assuming he used his inheritance to start the business? Before that, he’d been an accounting clerk. (Unfortunately, William Roberts did not leave a will.)

[BumbleB]

I'm assuming you have seen the tree on Ancestry 

[BridgetM]

Yes, I have. But there’s no information that I haven’t already found.

[heywood]

On the records I have seen re baptisms/marriages of his children, he is described as an accountant.
Was the company sold for a substantial amount of money?
He had a large family to support.

[BumbleB]

Have you tried contacting West Yorkshire Archives?  They have lots of information other than parish records.