Johann Jacob Westhoff (abt.1831-1908)

Johann Jacob Westhoff is Dermot's 2nd great grandfather. He was born in Hanover, Germany in approximately 1831 to Johann Gustav Westhoff, his mother's name is unknown. We know that at some point before 1851 he moved to from Germany to England, as he is shown on the 1851 census.

Johann Jacob and family moved from London to Liverpool sometime between 1860 and 1861. Their 2nd son (Martin) died in London in 1860 and the 1861 census shows the family living in Liverpool. They were living at the same address as Martin Westhoff and his family, it is not known if there was a family connection with Martin, possibly cousins. They may have moved to Liverpool with the intention of going to the United States. Martin and his family left Liverpool in 1870 and sailed to the USA. Records show that Martin settled in Boston, Massachusetts.

Marriage and Children
1855 
22 April 1855, married Mary Ann Mooney at St John’s in Wapping, Middlesex.
1856 
21 January 1856, birth of son John Michael (1856-1859)
1858 
14 June 1858, birth of son Martin (1858-1860)
1859 
5 August 1859, birth of son Joannes Augustinus (John) (1859-1924)
abt. November 1859, death of son John Michael, age 3
1860 
abt. October 1860, death of son Martin, age 2
1862 
abt. Feb 1862, birth of son Frederick William (1862-1920)
1864 
8 July 1864, birth of daughter Henrietta (1864-1866)
1866 
6 April 1866, death of daughter Henrietta, age 2
1867 
27 March 1867, birth of son Edward James (1867-1921)
1869 
5 February 1869, birth of son Henry (1869-1920)

Census
1851
John Jacob was living in Sugar House, Gowers Walk, Whitechapel, Middlesex with many other sugar house workers, his occupation is given as labourer.

1861
The Westhoff family were living at 63 Portland Street, Liverpool and sharing the accommodation with several others as can be seen from the census record.

1861 census for 63 Portland Street, Liverpool

• Martin Westhoff - age 34, labourer in sugar house, born in Hanover (naturalised)
• Julia Westhoff - age 33, born in Ireland
• Martin Westhoff - age 7, scholar, born in London, Chelsea
• Mary J Westhoff - age 5, born in Liverpool, Lancashire
• Antoinette Westhoff - age 3, born in Liverpool, Lancashire
• Cornelius A Westhoff - age 1, born in Liverpool, Lancashire
• Martin Coyne - age 20, cooper, born in Ireland
• Joseph Terending - age 24, labourer in sugar house, born in Kingdom of Prussia
• John Sennon - age 21, dock labourer, born in Ireland
• Sarah McLennand - age 14, servant, born in Liverpool, Lancashire
• John J Westhoff – age 30, labourer in sugar house, born in Hanover
• Mary Westhoff – age 34, born in Stepney, London
• John Westhoff – age1, born in Stepney, London
• Patrick Power - age 21, labourer in sugar house, born in Ireland
• Mary Power - age 19, born in Ireland
• Margaret Power - age 2 months, born in Liverpool, Lancashire

1871
The Westhoff family lived at Raymond Street Court House. This was in the Scotland Road area, one of the most overcrowded and neglected parts of Liverpool. The small houses were built off dark, narrow courtyards and provided cheap housing for the huge numbers of people moving to the city at this time.

• John Westhoff – age 40, fireman at sugar house, born in Germany
• Mary Westhoff – age 45, born in Middlesex
• John Westhoff – age 12, born in Lancashire
• Frederick Westhoff – age 10, born in Lancashire
• Edward Westhoff – age 4, born in Lancashire
• Henry Westhoff – age 2, born in Lancashire

1881
The family were now living at 3 Hedley Street, Liverpool.

• John Westhoff – age 49, fireman, born in Germany
• Mary Westhoff – age 52, born in London, Middlesex
• John Westhoff – age 21, labourer, born in London, Middlesex
• Frederick Westhoff – age 19, labourer, born in Liverpool, Lancashire
• Edward Westhoff – age 14, at school, born in Liverpool, Lancashire
• Henry Westhoff – age 12, at school, born in Liverpool, Lancashire

1891
The family were now at 26 Skirving Street, Liverpool.

• John Westhoff – age 60, marine stoker, born in Hanover
• Mary Westhoff – age 65, born in London
• John Westhoff – age 32, marine stoker, born in London
• Frederick Westhoff – age 29, dock labourer, born in Liverpool
• Henry Westhoff – age 22, marine stoker, born in Liverpool

1901
They were still living at 26 Skirving Street, Liverpool, all their sons apart from Frederick had left home.

• John Westhoff – age 70, marine fireman, born in Germany
• Mary Weshtoff – age 74, born in London, Middlesex
• Frederick Weshtoff – age 39, dock labourer, born in Liverpool, Lancashire

1908
John Jacob died aged 76 at home, 26 Skirving Street, Liverpool on 19 August 1908. The cause of his death is given as pneumonia and exhaustion. The informant of his death is given as Fred Westhoff (son), also living at the same address.