John Cartwright

John Cartwright was born at Harrogate, Yorkshire, in 1814.

He was the jockey of Beeswing in virtually all of her races and won the Doncaster Gold Cup on her in 1837,40, 41 & 42.

They also won the 1842 Ascot Gold Cup.

John retired from the saddle and, in 1856, took the Ram Inn at Nottingham.

It was here he died just four years later on March 20, 1860. He was 46.

John was buried at Middleham.

John Cartwright was listed as a jockey at Catterick, Yorkshire, in White's Directory of 1840.

 The marriage record of John Cartwright and Helen Dawson appeared as follows in the 'Old Parish Register 705/4 Dirleton, County of Haddington - Marriage 1843 January 9th - John Cartwright and Helen Dawson both in this parish gave their names for proclamation 7th Jany. 1843 and were duly proclaimed and married 9th Jany. 1843.'

 John Cartwright was a jockey at Catterick, Yorkshire, when his daughter, Jane (late Janie) was baptised there in April 1844 (North Yorkshire County Record Office, Northallerton). By the time two of his subsequent children, George Dawson Cartwright and John Cartwright, were baptised, in December 1845 and June 1849 respectively, he was described as a trainer at (probably Tupgill) Coverham, Yorkshire, but he was once again described as a jockey, 'of Tupgill in the parish of Coverham', when his daughter Mary Sarah Cartwright was baptised at Middleham, Yorkshire, in October 1847. The baptism of his youngest son, Thomas William Cartwright, apparently born at Middleham in about 1851 (1851 Census) is yet to be found.

The burial register of Middleham, Yorkshire, records that John Cartwright was aged 46 when he died (North Yorkshire County Record Office, Northallerton).

John Cartwright lived at Market Place, Middleham, Yorkshire, with his wife, Helen (nee Dawson), his children, Jane, aged 7 born at Catterick, Yorkshire, George, aged 5 born at Coverham, Yorkshire, John, aged 1 born at Coverham, Mary S., aged 3 born at Coverham, and Thomas, aged 2 months, born at Middleham, Yorkshire, as well as two boarding servants, Jonathan Lambert, aged 15 born at Middleham, and Elizabeth Thorpe, aged 19 also born at Middleham (1851 Census).

Newspaper Cutting (Malton Messenger) 24/3/1860:

'Deaths. Same day (20th inst.), at Nottingham, Mr John Cartwright, the well-known jockey, late of the Ram Hotel, in that town, and formerly of Middleham, aged 46.'

 The following is inscribed on the Cartwright memorial at Middleham, Yorkshire: 'In Memory of John Cartwright who died at Nottingham March 20th 1860 aged 46 years. Also Helen widow of the above who died December 16th 1886 aged 73 years interred at Newmarket Cambridge. Also Thomas William Cartwright youngest son of John and Helen Cartwright who died at Nottingham June 2nd 1859 aged 8 years 4 months. Sacred to the Memory of George Dawson Cartwright who died April 19th 1854 aged 8 years 5 months. O may your happy portion be, To join in the Realm above, And glory of our God to see, And sing His everlasting love.'

 'The late John Cartwright' was 'of Middleham' according to the marriage announcement of his daughter, Mary Sarah Cartwright, to Thomas O'Connor Davis (The Bury Post & Suffolk Herald - 8/6/1880)

Newspaper Cutting (Darlington & Stockton Times) 29/9/1888:

'Death Of Mr Wm. Cartwright, of Catterick. - Mr William Cartwright, of the "Three Horse Shoes," Catterick, has died of a complication of diseases. He was 74 years of age and was a brother of the once-famous jockey, John Cartwright. The remains of the deceased will be interred in Catterick Churchyard on Sunday.'

John's biggest wins:

1837:  Doncaster Gold Cup - Beeswing

1837:  Ayr Gold Cup - Despot

1838:  Ayr Gold Cup - Inheritor

1839:  Manchester Cup - Gasperoni

1839:  Ayr Gold Cup - Lanercost 

1840:  Doncaster Gold Cup - Beeswing

1841:  Manchester Cup - Galaor

1841:  Doncaster Gold Cup - Beeswing

1842:  Doncaster Gold Cup - Beeswing

1842:  Ascot Gold Cup - Beeswing

1849:  Ayr Gold Cup - Glen Saddel

1850:  Northumberland Plate - Elthiron