Harry Stokes
| Harry Stokes | |
|---|---|
| Born | circa 1799 Doncaster |
| Died | 15 October 1859 Salford |
| Nationality | British |
| Other names | Harriett Stokes, Henry Stokes |
| Occupation | builder, beerhouse manager, Special constable |
| Known for | Gender variance |
| Partner(s) | Francis Collins |
Harry Stokes (c1799 – 15 October 1859) was a master bricklayer, beerhouse manager and special constable in Manchester. He was assigned a female gender at birth but lived as a man. Harry had two long term relationships with women, both of which lasted over 20 years. In 1838 and 1859 his gender variance became the subject of local and national newspaper articles in which he was described as a 'man-woman’ and a ‘female husband’.
Today Harry Stokes’s life can be seen in the framework of LGBT history - he can be viewed as a trans man, or as a cross dressing lesbian. "
Born in Doncaster around 1799, Harry Stokes was assigned a female gender at birth. He assumed a male identity at a young age, and undertook a builder’s apprenticeship in Bawtry. Newspaper articles published in 1838 report that Harry married his first wife in Sheffield in about 1816. There is a record of a Henry Stoake marrying an Ann Hants at Sheffield Cathedral in January 1817.
In the 1820s and 30s Harry Stokes built up a successful bricklaying firm in Manchester. At its peak he employed eight men and an apprentice, with his wife keeping the company accounts. He was a well respected tradesman specialising in chimney and flue construction.
From 1824 he is listed in Manchester trade directories as a bricklayer. The 1824 Pigot & Dean's Manchester and Salford Directory lists Henry Stokes living at 13 Potter Street. From 1828 to 1830 he lived at 11 Cumberland Street, and from 1832 to 1838 at 21 Cumberland Street. The area where Harry and his wife lived is now Spinningfields– Cumberland Street was on the site where The Avenue is today.
In the late 1820s and early 1830s Harry worked shifts as a special constable policing events where there were large gatherings of people with the potential for trouble, such as protest marches and demonstrations.
In the Public Officials section of the 1829 Pigot’s trade directory Harry is listed as a Special Constable for the 13th District of Manchester, the Old Quay District. Then in the 1832 Pigot’s Manchester Directory, he is registered as a Special Constable for the 11th District, St. Peter’s District.
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