Edward Weddall was born in March 1844 to Eliza and Charles Weddall of Pocklington, Yorkshire. His was from a farming background, not unlike Emily on her paternal side. The Weddall’s like the Burkes, owned a significant amount of land and prospered from it.
Charles Weddall and Eliza Scaife were married on 5th September 1832, in Pocklington Church, Charles was 27 and Eliza had just turned 21. The couple went on to have at least six children, Edward was about their fourth, although they could have had more who did not survive, not unusual for the time.
Charles Weddall, let his some of his land to tenant farmers, and was also a coal merchant. The Weddalls were by the standard of the times quite well off. Young Edward and his siblings would have had enjoyed a relatively comfortable childhood. As well as being financially secure, they were respected members of the community, Charles sat on the North Yorkshire Grand Jury.
Sources
http://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=gbprs/or/york/m/00…
02 July 1842 – York Herald – York, North Yorkshire, England
19 December 1846 – Yorkshire Gazette – York, North Yorkshire, England
Special thanks to Andrew Sefton, Archivist
Image of Pocklington Church 1844 courtesy of http://www.pocklingtonhistory.com