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Brief profile of James Lillywhite, jun

by Don Ambrose

LILLYWHITE, James (jun)
Professional.
Born at Westhampnett, near Chichester, Sussex, 23rd February 1842.
Died at Westerton, Chichester, Sussex, 25th October 1929.
He was the son of John Lillywhite, a bricklayer. He was the nephew of F.W. who played in 237 first-class matches between 1825 and 1853, 70 of them for Sussex, and a cousin of James senior who played 20 matches for Sussex and Middlesex 1850-60 and John who played 185 first-class matches 1848-73, including 100 for Sussex. James senior’s son Fred was the editor of the Lillywhite Cricketers’ Annual. He learned his cricket at Goodwood Park and played for the local club there and for Chichester Priory Park coming to the notice of the County club in 1862 when he made his debut in first-class cricket. Between then and 1885 he played in 256 first-class matches, 157 of them for Sussex and including two Test Matches. He captained England in the first two Tests. He toured North America 1868, and Australia 1873/4, 1876/7, 1881/2, 1884/5, and 1886/7, but did not play in first-class matches on the last three tours.
He undertook a number of engagement early in his career: Oxford 1863-64, Harrow 1864, Cheltenham College 1865-68, Trinity College Dublin 1869 and with Lord Stamford at Enville. Described as a professional cricketer in the 1871 Census he became the secretary of the United South of England Eleven in 1872 until 1879. He was a first-class umpire 1883-1901 and stood in six Test Matches. In 1879 he took over the family firm which then became John & James Lillywhite & Co., in 1882 it became James Lillywhite & Co and in 1885 it was absorbed by Lillywhite, Frowd & Co. He was the landlord of the Wheatsheaf, North Street, Chichester 1895-1901. He was an active freemason. He was buried in Westhampnett churchyard.
In the 1881 Census he shows living at Westerton, Westhampnett, Sussex, aged 39 a cricketer, with his wife Ada Mary, aged 36, daughter Clara Maud aged 5 and sons John aged 3 and James aged 1. There is one domestic servant.

(Article: Copyright © 2003 Don Ambrose)

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