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1817	1818	1819	1820	1821	1822	1823	1824	1825	1826	1827	1828	1829	1830	1831	1832	1833	1834	1835
1836	1837	1838	1839	1840	1841	1842	1843	1844	1845	1846	1847	1848	1849	1850	1851	1852	1853	1854

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The Family of Thomas and Mary ABBOTT: Thomas Abbott, a bachelor, and Mary Chambers, a widow, both of Preston, were married on 11 Feb 1836 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married, by licence, by Roger Carus Wilson, Vicar, and the witnesses were John and Elizabeth Duckett. The groom and Elizabeth Duckett signed the register with an X. It appears that Thomas and Mary's first child was born on 10 Jan 1837, but the problem is that this child was baptized Thomas, when I suspect it may have actually been the daughter they called Elizabeth. There is no record of the birth or baptism of Elizabeth, and no further record of a son called Thomas. It is possible that the priest confused the father's name with the child's name and, as strange as that may sound, I have seen it happen on several occasions. In 1841 Thomas and Mary were living at 4 Rose Street, Preston with one child, Elizabeth, aged 4. Also staying with them was Robert Duncan, aged 20, who, like Thomas, was a shoemaker. Their daughter Margaret was born the following year, followed by their first known son the year after that. John Jackson ABBOTT: John Jackson Abbott was born on 27 Nov 1843 and was baptized on 30 Nov 1843 at St Augustine's Catholic Church, Preston. His Godparents were Lawrence Stephenson and Elizabeth Worthington. Thomas and Mary had one more child while living in Preston. Ellen ABBOTT: Ellen Abbott was born on 18 Jul 1846 and was baptized on 2 Aug 1846 at St Augustine's Catholic Church, Preston. Her Godparents were John Lynch and Elizabeth A Waddington. John and Ellen died within weeks of each other, with John being buried on 17 Oct 1847, aged 3 years, and Ellen on 7 Nov 1847, aged 15 months. Sometime between late 1847 and 1849 the family moved to Manchester, where their son John Jackson Abbott, the second son to be given that name, was born in 1849. I can find no record of the family in the 1851 census, but by the time of the 1861 census Thomas was listed as a widower, and he and his children, Margaret, aged 19; and John, aged 11 were living at 9 Olgilvie Street, Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester. Note 1: At the time of her marriage to Thomas Abbott, Mary Duckett was a widow. She married James Chambers at St John's Church, Preston on 3 Dec 1833, but he died the following year and was buried on 11 Apr 1834 in the churchyard of St John's Parish Church. Note 2: The 1836 marriage bond does not appear to have survived.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The Family of William and Jane ABBOTT: At the time of the 1810 Catholic census of Preston, William Abbot was living in Canal Street, apparently on his own. I believe that he is the same William Abbott who was married the following year. William Abbot (sic) and Jane Cragg, both of the Chapelry of Samlesbury, were married on 22 Aug 1811 at St Leonard the Less Chapel, in Samlesbury. They were married after Banns by James Barnes, Minister, and the witnesses were Richard Wamsley (sic) and Helen Woods. The bride and groom both signed the register with an X. Their first child, William, was born later that year or early the next, followed by their first daughter, Mary, in about 1813. Both of these children being born during the period for which the St Wilfrid's baptism records are missing. The first child that we do have records for is their third child, Alice, who was baptized on 21 Jul 1814, followed by Peter, baptized on 4 Aug 1816, and Margaret, on 24 Jan 1819, all baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel. At the time of the 1820 Catholic census William Abbot, aged 50 was still living in Canal Street, now with his wife Jane, aged 37, and their five children, William, aged 9; Mary, aged 7; Alice, aged 5; Peter, aged 3; and Margaret, aged 1. William and Jane went on to have another five children, with Ann baptized on 18 Feb 1821, followed the first of three daughters to be called Bridget. Bridget ABBOTT (1): Bridget Abbot (sic), was baptized on 23 Feb 1823 at St Wilfrid's Chapel. The sponsors were Richard and Catherine Murphy. We know that this child did not survive infancy as William and Jane baptized another daughter Bridget in 1824. I suspect that this first daughter Bridget is the infant that was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery in May 1823 without a first name recorded. The second child to be called Bridget, who was baptized on 2 May 1824, also died in infancy but was apparently not buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery and I can find no other record of her death or burial. We only know that she died some time before 1829, and probably after the birth of her sister Jane, who was baptized on 11 Dec 1825. William and Jane baptized their tenth child, and third to be called Bridget, on 21 Jun 1829. At least two of William and Jane's daughters gave birth to children before being married. Jane ABBOTT: Jane Abbott was born on 10 May 1838, and was baptized on 13 May 1838 at St Wilfrid's Chapel. She was the daughter of Mary Abbott, and the sponsors were Peter Abbott and Ann Dilworth. She lived 16 months, and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 5 Sep 1838, by which time the family had relocated to Walton-le-Dale. William and Jane's daughter Alice gave birth to a daughter she called Mary, who was born on 20 Aug 1838, and was baptized on 26 Aug 1838 at St Wilfrid's Chapel. At the time of the 1841 census William Abbott, a cotton weaver, aged 72, was living in the village of Walton-le-Dale with his wife Jane, aged 52, and eight children, Mary, a cotton rover, aged c. 25; Alice, a cotton rover, aged c. 25; Peter, a cotton carder, aged c. 20; Margaret, a cotton carder, aged c. 20; Ann, a cotton carder, aged c. 20; Jane, a cotton carder, aged c. 15; Bridget, aged 12; and their granddaughter Mary, aged 2. They were all listed as having been born in the county. William died four years later. William ABBOTT: William Abbot (sic) died in the Penwortham Workhouse on 11 Dec 1845 and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 14 Dec 1845. The burial transcript records his abode as Penwortham, and his age as 70, but the death register records his age as 74, which is probably more accurate. William's wife survived him by less than a year, dying on 11 Sep 1846. Death Notice: "Yesterday week, Jane Abbott, Sidney-street, aged 56." Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 19 Sep 1846 Note: All of the baptism transcripts for the children of William and Jane Abbott spelled their surname Abbot.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Martha ABBOTT: Martha Lowe Abbott was baptized on 30 May 1830 at St Wilfrid's Chapel. She was the daughter of Jane Abbott and Roger Woods, and the sponsors were John Perkin and Martha Lowe Abbott. Martha lived only four years, and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 22 Sep 1834. Some time after the birth of Martha, Jane's relationship with Roger Woods ended and she eventually got married. John Beswick, of full age, widower, tailor, of Walton-le-Dale, the son of John Beswick Sr., a tailor, and Jane Abbott, of full age, spinster, frame tenter, the daughter of John Abbott, a spinning master(?), were married on 29 Feb 1840 at St Leonard's Parish Church in Walton-le-Dale. They were married after Banns by Robert Hornby, and the witnesses were John Whittle and James Tomlison. The bride, groom and John Whittle signed the register with an X. At the time of the 1841 census Margaret Abbott, aged 48, was living in Newton Street, Preston with Agnes, a cotton carder, aged 18; Jane, a cotton carder, aged 15; Ellen, a cotton carder, aged 13; and Sarah, a cotton carder, aged 20. Also staying with them was her married sister Jane Beswick, a rover, aged 44. They were all listed as having been born in Lancashire. It is not known where Jane's husband was on the night of the census, but he hadn't gone far. On the night of the 1851 census, John Beswick, a tailor and Chelsea Pensioner, aged 66, was living at 18 Hopwood Street, Preston with his wife Jane, aged 57, and his married daughters, Isabella Thompson, a factory hand, aged 28; and Jane Smith, a cotton weaver, aged 26; his grandchildren, Reuben Smith, a scholar, aged 5; Ruth Smith, a scholar, aged 2, and Charles Smith, aged 1 month. Also staying with them were two unmarried lodgers, Elizabeth Quinn, a weaver, aged 23; and Catherine Quinn, a weaver, aged 18. John Beswick was listed as having been born in Kirkham, Jane Beswick was born in Goosnargh, Isabella Thompson and Jane Smith were born in Dover, Kent, Reuben Smith was born in Portsmith, Hampshire, and the rest of the household were born in Preston. John Beswick died on 16 Aug 1851 while in Fleetwood. His body was brought back to Preston and he was buried on 19 Aug 1851 in the churchyard at St John's Parish Church in Preston, aged 68 years. Death Notice: "On Saturday last, awfully suddenly, at Fleetwood, Mr. John Beswick, tailor, of this town, aged 68 years." Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 23 Aug 1851 By the time of the 1861 census Jane Beswick, a widow, aged 60, a cotton frame tenter, was living at 6 Back Newton Street, Preston with her unmarried niece Jane Abbott, a sweeper in a cotton mill, aged 31, her niece's daughter Margaret Abbott, aged 1; and a boarder, Mary Eldridge, a charwoman, aged 56. Other than Jane Beswick, who was born in Goosnargh, they were all born in Preston. Jane Beswick, of Back Newton Street, aged 70, was buried on 10 May 1863 in a public grave, J-140, in a Catholic section of Preston Cemetery. Death Notice: "Deaths...Since our last:...Jane Beswick, Newton-street, aged 70;" Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 16 May 1863 Note: The GRO death index, the burial register, and the death notice all record Jane Beswick's age incorrectly as 70. She was actually only 66.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

William ABRAHAM: The only William Abraham listed in the 1820 Catholic census of Preston was aged 58, so of roughly the right age. He was living at 35 Bridge Street with Joseph Abraham, presumably his son, aged 15. Abraham, sometimes spelled Abram, was not a common surname in the Preston area during this period and there were no Abraham or Abram baptisms in the available records for St Wilfrid's Chapel.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Ellen ABRAM / ABRAHAM: At the time of her death in late November 1839, Ellen Abraham was described as the wife of John Abraham, but I have been unable to find any record of her husband in the Preston area at around this time and he does not appear in the 1841 census or the burial records from the period. I suspect that Ellen was actually a widow, and that her husband died before she came to Preston. Her daughter, Margaret Harrison, was with her when she died. Richard and Margaret (Abraham) Harrison had at least one child, John Elias Harrison, buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The Family of Reuben and Mary AKERS: Reuben Ackers (sic), a bachelor, weaver, aged 21, of Preston and Mary Horrabin, a spinster, aged 22, of Fishwick, were married on 13 Apr 1829 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married, by licence, by Roger Carus Wilson, Vicar, and the witnesses were Peter Barker and Nancy Caup. The bride, groom and Nancy Caup signed the register with an X. The first of Reuben and Mary's children to be baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel was Martha, who was born in 1830. According to the 1832 Preston electoral rolls, Reuben Akers, a weaver, was living at 4 York Street, Preston, where their first son was born later that year. James AKERS (1): James Acres (sic), the first of two to be given that name, was baptized on 30 Dec 1832 at St Wilfrid's Chapel. The sponsors were Charles Leach and Ellen Suddel. He was buried on 9 Nov 1834, and although the burial record did not record his age, he would have been just under two years old. Earlier in 1834, Reuben and Mary had a daughter, the first of two to be called Catherine. She was baptized on 30 Mar 1834 at St Wilfrid's Chapel. The sponsors were Thomas Culshaw and Martha Higginson. She did not survive infancy but was not buried at St Wilfrid's Cemetery and I cannot find any record of her burial. The only thing we know for certain is that she died some time before the birth of her sister. Catherine was followed in 1836 by George, who survived infancy, but their next child was not as lucky. Catherine AKERS (2): The second Catherine Akers was born on 18 Apr 1838 and was baptized on 27 Apr 1838 at St Wilfrid's Chapel. The sponsors were James and Martha Higginson. This child also died in infancy and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 21 Jul 1839, aged 17 months. Reuben and Mary's sixth known child was Richard, who was born in 1840 and died later that same year. His death was registered in Preston, but he was not buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery or the churchyards of either St Ignatius Catholic Church or St John's Parish Church. At the time of the 1841 census Rubins (sic) Akers, a cotton weaver, aged c. 35, was living in Queen Street, Preston with his wife Mary, aged c. 35; and three children, Ann, aged c. 15; Martha, aged 10; and George, aged 5. They were all listed as having been born in Lancashire, but it is unclear how the eldest child, Ann, was related to the family. Her age would seem to indicate that she was born before Reuben and Mary were married, so she may have been an illegitimate child or some other relation. I can find no record of her baptism. The 1841 census was taken on the night of 6 Jun 1841, so Mary Akers would have been heavily pregnant at the time. Their daughter Eliza was born three weeks later, on 27 Jun 1841. Strangely, her birth was never registered. Eliza was followed by John in 1844, Mary in 1845, and another son they called James in 1851. At the time of the 1851 census Reuben Akers, a hand weaver, aged 45, was living at 17 Park Street, Preston with his wife Mary, also a hand weaver, aged 43, and six surviving children, Martha, a hand weaver, aged 21; George, a piecer, aged 16; Eliza, at home, aged 9; John, a scholar, aged 6; Mary, a scholar, aged 5; and James, aged 2 months. Reuben was listed as having been born in Houghton, while the rest of the family were born in Preston. It appears that Reuben and Mary's marriage was not an entirely happy one. In May of 1842 he was brought up before the Magistrates charged that he had, "on various occasions, beaten and otherwise ill-treated his wife." He was found guilty and ordered to pay bail or be committed to the House of Correction for fourteen days. Whatever their problems were, it seems that they separated after 1851, and Reuben was living in Oswaldtwistle when he died in 1854. He was buried in the churchyard of Immanuel Church, Oswaldtwistle on 2 Apr 1854, aged 48. Mary and the children remained in Preston and at the time of the 1861 census Mary Acres (sic), a housekeeper, aged 52, was living at 31 Malt Street, Preston with four children, Eliza, a cotton weaver, aged 20; John, a cotton piecer, aged 18; Mary, a cotton weaver, aged 16, and James, a cotton creeler, aged 9. There is another child listed as Mary's daughter, Martha, aged 8 months, but this was actually her granddaughter, the illegitimate daughter of Eliza Akers, who went on to marry William Slater in 1867 and have ten more children, most of whom died in infancy. Mary (Horribin) Akers lived to a good age and died in Preston in 1889, aged 81 years. Death Notice: "Burials since our last:...Mary Akers, Albyn-street East, 81." Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 21 Dec 1889 Note: Reuben Akers was born on 13 Sep 1804, and was baptized on 14 Sep 1804 at St Joseph's Catholic Church in Brindle, He was the son of James and Martha Akers.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Peter and Agnes ACKERS: Peter Acres (sic) and Agnes Holliwell (sic) were married on 2 March 1783 at St Wilfrid's Chapel, and were married two days later in Walton-le-Dale. Peter Acres, a crofter, and Agnes Halliwell, a spinster, both of the Chapelry of Walton-le-Dale, were married on 4 March 1783 in St Leonard's Parish Chapel. They were married after Banns by J. Atkinson, Curate, and the witnesses were Richard Acres and Mary Halliwell. The bride, groom and both witnesses signed the register with an X. They baptized two children at St Joseph's Catholic Chapel in Brindle, the first being Catherine Akers, who was born on 10 Feb 1784 and baptized two days later, then Thomas Akers, who was born on 29 Mar 1787 and baptized the same day. Catherine must have died in infancy before the family settled in Preston where they baptized three children at St Wilfrid's Chapel. Their son John Acres was baptized on 3 March 1790, and the sponsors were William Holiday and Peggy Bamber. He died in infancy and was buried on 15 Feb 1791, aged 1, at St John's Parish Church in Preston. Their daughter Catherine was baptized on 26 Nov 1791, and the sponsors were John Singleton and Margaret Clayton. Their daughter Margaret was baptized on 20 Jul 1794, and the sponsors were Richard Holding and Mary Suddall. She too died in infancy and was buried on 5 Dec 1794, aged 1, at St John's Parish Church. At the time of the 1810 Catholic census of Preston Peter Ackers, F (father); Agnes, M (mother); Thomas; and Catherine were living in Friergate (sic). The census did not record their ages, but the 1820 census did. By that time Peter Accors (sic) was aged 59, Agnes was aged 62, and Catherine was aged 29. They were living at 11 Hardman's Yard, Preston. Note: The spelling of their surname varied from one record to another but the most common modern spelling is Ackers.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The Family of James and Ann AKERS: After a Catholic marriage ceremony at St Wilfrid's Chapel the day before, James Akers, a bachelor, and Ann Almond a spinster, both of Preston, were "officially" married on 30 Nov 1826 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married, by licence, by Ralph Barker, Officiating Minister, and the witnesses were Richard Forrest and Mary Almond. The bride signed the marriage register with an X. The Marriage Bond gives the additional information that James was aged 31 and a husbandman, of Broughton; and Ann was aged 25, of Ashton. James and Ann settled in Preston and started what should have been a large family. Mary AKERS (1): Mary Akers, the first of two daughters to be given that name, was baptized on 22 Sep 1827 at St Wilfrid's Chapel. The sponsors were William Forrest and Sarah Halmand (Almond). This child did not survive infancy and died some time before the birth of the second child to be called Mary in 1833. She may have been the infant buried on 1 Aug 1830, with no first name or address recorded. Their next two children also died in infancy. William AKERS (1): William Acres (sic), the first of two to be called William, was baptized on 23 Aug 1829 at St Wilfrid's Chapel. The sponsors were William and Agnes Harrison. He lived a little more than 3 years and was buried on 29 Mar 1833, three days after his younger brother. George AKERS: George Acres (sic) was baptized on 8 Dec 1831 at St Wilfrid's Chapel. The sponsors were Thomas Swarbrick and Sarah Almond. George lived about 15 months, and was buried on 26 Mar 1833. At around this time, according to the 1832 Preston electoral rolls, James Akers was the landlord of The Barley Mow pub, at the corner of Cable Street and Lower Pitt Street. He later moved to The Prime Jug, Back Lane, Starch Houses. James and Ann's next two children, Mary (2) and Alice, survived infancy. Mary was born in 1833 and Alice was born in 1836. Their sixth child did not survive. William AKERS (2): William Akers, the second of their children to be given that name, was born in about 1837, but before the start of civil registration, which began on 1 July of that year. I can find no record of his baptism in Preston, which is unusual given that he lived 10 months. He died on 2 May 1838 and was buried two days later in St Wilfrid's Cemetery. William was followed by two more daughters, both of whom survived. Catherine was born on 17 Jan 1839 and Phillis was born on 28 Jun 1840. At the time of the 1841 census James Akers, a retail brewer, aged c. 45, was living and working at The Prime Jug public house in the Starch Houses, with his wife Ann, aged c. 35, and two of their four surviving children, Catherine, aged 2; and Phillis, aged 11 months. Also staying with them was a servant Ellen Wilcock, aged 14. Their other two daughters, Mary, aged 7 and Alice, aged 5, were staying with their aunt Catherine Akers in Broughton on the night of the census. The following year, James and Ann had their ninth and last child. James AKERS Jr: James Akres (sic) was born on 23 Sep 1842 and baptized the same day at St Augustine's Catholic Church in Preston. His Godparents were James Steziker and Mary Swarbrick. He lived only 7 months, and was buried at St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 1 May 1843. After losing five of his nine children James Akers lost his wife. Ann AKERS: Ann (Almond) Akers died on 7 Aug 1844, and was buried three days later in St Wilfrid's Cemetery. Death Notice: "On Wednesday last, Mrs. Ann Akers, wife of Mr. James Akers, beer-seller, Starch-houses, aged 43." Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 10 Aug 1844 Some time after his wife's death, James gave up the pub but carried on working as a brewer. On the night of the 1851 census he was a brewer, aged 55, living as a lodger with James Spencer and his family at 27 Walker Street, Preston. Although James Spencer is listed as a cotton spinner, he may have also been running the Victoria Tavern, which was variously listed as being at 24 and 34 Walker Street, and a James Spencer was apparently listed at the Victoria Tavern in other records. If he was running the Victoria Tavern in 1851, his lodger, James Akers may have been working for him as his brewer. By 1861 James Akers, aged 65, was working as an outdoor general labourer, and was staying with his married daughter Alice, the wife of Thomas Turner, at 11 Aberdeen Street, Preston. He died on 22 Aug 1866, aged 70, but was not buried in Preston Cemetery and I have been unable to find his burial record. There does not appear to have been a death notice published. Note 1: According to both the 1851 and 1861 censuses, James Akers was born in Ingol, near Preston, and he may have been the Jacobus (James) Akers who was born on 23 Aug 1795 and baptized two days later at St Mary's Catholic Chapel in Fernyhalgh, which is about 4 miles from Ingol. His parents were Gulielmo (William) and Alica (Alice) Akers. William Akers and Alice Richmond were married on 28 Jul 1776 at St Mary's Parish Church in Lancaster. Note 2: Thomas Swarbrick and Sarah Almond, Godparents to George Akers in 1831, were married on 6 May 1833 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. Note 3: The 'Prime Jug' pub was at 71 Back Lane, now Market Street West.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Richard and Catherine AKERS: The 1820 Catholic census of Preston lists a Richard and Catherine Akers living at 28 Singleton's Row. There were no children listed with them and their ages were not recorded. They were not listed in the 1810 Catholic census, so may have only settled in Preston after that date. It is by no means certain, but they may have been the couple who were married in Upholland, near Wigan. Richard Acres (sic), a bachelor, and Catherine Holmes, a spinster, both of the Parish of Upholland, were married on 26 Jul 1785 at St Thomas the Martyr Chapel in Upholland. They were married after Banns by Richard Prescott, and the witnesses were Henry Ascroft and William Smith. Both Richard and Catherine signed the marriage register with an X. Catherine AKERS: Catherine Akers died at Singleton's Row in August 1828, aged 73 years, and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on the 31st of that month. Richard Akers outlived Catherine by 25 years, and apparently never remarried. At the time of the 1841 census he was living, presumably as a lodger, in the home of James and Ann Duckett in North Street, Preston. He was listed as being aged c. 75, had no occupation, and was born in Lancashire. By 1851 he was lodging at 29 Brougham Street, the home of James Livsey, a 60 year old widower. Richard was listed as Richard Haykers, an 89 year old widower with no occupation. Strangely, he is listed as having been born in Winchester. Richard AKERS: Richard Akers died tragically on 28 Dec 1853 at the age of 93 years. He had been hit by a horse drawn cart while crossing the road, and an inquest into his death was held in Preston on 28 Dec 1853. "A Man of Ninety Three Killed by Being Run Over - On Wednesday, Mr. Myers held an inquest at Preston Workhouse, over the body of Richard Akers, whose protracted life was brought to a close by an accident, described in evidence as follows. Thomas Woods, factory operative, deposed: About five weeks since, I was passing the end of North-street, Preston, when I saw the deceased crossing the street. Just as he was stepping upon the footpath after he had got across the street, a man came up with a cart, which caught the deceased on the back. He immediately called out "Oh! Stop! Stop!" and then fell, the cart wheel passing over his arms. The driver was on the left hand side of the horse and had hold of the animal's head. Deceased was on the opposite side of the cart to the driver. The cart was just turning the corner of North-street. The driver might have seen the deceased crossing the street if he had been looking and might have prevented deceased from being run over. The horse was not going too fast: it might be travelling at the rate of 3 1/2 miles per hour. The driver was sober and on his right side of the road. I don't think he saw the deceased until the accident occurred. After assisting the old man up, the driver went on, telling him he would be no worse. A person named Nelly Vickers took him to her house. Susannah Salisbury, nurse at the Workhouse, stated that the deceased was received at that establishment on the 24th November. He had a broken arm. The bone was set by Dr. Haldan, but it never united, and the old man died on Wednesday morning. As already stated, he had attained the patriarchal age of 93. Verdict, 'Accidentally killed by being run over.' The jury, however, were of the opinion that the cart driver had been guilty of neglect, though not sufficient to justify a verdict of manslaughter." Published in the Preston Guardian, Sat., 31 Dec 1853

FURTHER INFORMATION:

George and Thomas AKERS: Twins George and Thomas Akers were the sons of Robert and Margaret Akers of Preston. There does not appear to be any record of the boys' baptisms and it may be that they were not expected to survive and were baptized privately at home. As it happens, they lived only one day and were buried on 21 May 1838. Robert Akers, a bachelor and weaver, and Margaret Alston, a spinster, both of Leyland, were married on 13 May 1819 at St Andrew's Parish Church in Leyland. They were married after Banns by James Cooper, Curate, and the witnesses were George Cocker and Richard Bibby. The bride and groom signed the marriage register with an X. At the time of the 1841 census Robert Akers, a cotton weaver, aged 44 was living in Spring Street, Preston with his wife Margaret, aged 42, and four children, William, a cotton weaver, aged 18; Peter, a cotton weaver, aged 17; Catherine, aged 11; and James, aged 8. They were all listed as having been born in Lancashire. Robert Akers, of 24 Spring Street, died on 16 Jan 1842, aged 45, and his widow and children seem to have left the area after his death. I can find no record of them in Lancashire in 1851 or any subsequent census.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Henry AKERS: A Henry Akers was baptized on 26 Jul 1829 at St Wilfrid's Chapel. He was the son of Henry and Ann Akers, and the sponsors were Robert Prescott and Ann Marsh It is difficult to be sure if this is the right Henry Akers as his parents don't appear in the 1841 census of Preston and there was no one called Akers living in Higginson Street in 1841. It would appear that this was the only child Henry and Ann baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel, and it may be that they left the area before 1841.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Jane AKERS: Jane Akers, of Chapel Street, a domestic servant, died on 26 Apr 1838, aged 30 years. A man called John Akers was with her when she died. The only adult called John Akers living in Preston at the time of the 1841 census was a butcher, aged c. 25, living in Avenham Lane with his wife Mary, aged c. 25, and their three children, Jane, aged 4; Alice, aged 2; and John, aged 10 months. The 1851 census adds the further information that John Akers, then aged 38 years, was born in Claughton-on-Brock. As Jane was working as a domestic servant it is likely that she was unmarried, and based on her age at death, it would appear that she was born in about 1807. A Jane Akers, the daughter of John and Jane Akers, was baptized on 28 Nov 1807 at St Thomas' Catholic Church in Claughton-on-Brock. Her parents were John Akers and Jane Cuerdale, who were married at St John's Parish Church in Preston on 2 Feb 1807. John and Jane baptized nine children at St Thomas' Church between 1807 and 1824. The first, Jane, was baptized with the surname Akers, the second, William, was baptized Akars, and the following seven were baptized with the surname Acres. Their third child, John, who was born in 1812, is the butcher who was living in Preston in 1841. It is possible that he was the John Akers that registered Jane's death in 1838. Note: In many of the baptism records for their children, the mother's maiden name was spelled Cuerden. The surnames Cuerdale and Cuerden seem to have been almost interchangeable at that time.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

ACKROYD, (unknown): This one is a real puzzle. There was no one listed in either the 1810 or 1820 Catholic censuses of Preston and I cannot find any baptisms, marriages or other burials recorded at either St Mary's or St Wilfrid's Catholic chapels for anyone called Ackroyd. A James and Walter Akeroyd (sic), book sellers, were listed at 6 Market Place in the 1832 Preston electoral rolls, but they appear to have been non-Catholics and did not marry or baptize their children in the Catholic church. There does not seem to have been a death notice published for this person, and as the burial register did not record a first name, age, or abode, it is impossible to identify him or her.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The Family of George and Elizabeth ADAMSON: George Adamson and Elizabeth Holden were married in Preston on 8 Jul 1840. Wedding Announcement: "On Wednesday last, at the Catholic Chapel of St. Wilfrid, Mr. George Adamson, to Miss Elizabeth Holden, both of Marsh End, Ashton." Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 11 Jul 1840 Their first child was born early the next year. Ann ADAMSON: Ann Adamson was born on 23 May 1841, and was baptized on 30 May 1841 at St Wilfrid's Chapel. The sponsors were Richard Fairclough and Mary Holden. At the time of the 1841 census George and Elizabeth Adamson, both aged c. 20, were living in Fylde Road, Preston, with Ann, aged 2 weeks. They were living with George's parents, Henry and Alice Adamson and their younger children. Their daughter Ann lived only 7 months and was buried on 6 Jan 1842 in St Wilfrid's cemetery. George and Elizabeth went on to have ten more children, including Henry, their fourth child. Henry ADAMSON: Henry Adamson was born on 6 Jul 1847, and was baptized on 11 Jul 1847 at St Ignatius' Catholic Church in Preston. The sponsors were Robert Holden and Anna Poulton. By the time of the 1851 census George, aged 33, and Elizabeth, aged 32, were living at 131 Victoria Street, Preston with three children, Mary, aged 8; Alice, aged 5; and Elizabeth, aged 2. Also living with them were four lodgers, Leonard Walker, a 38 year old widower, and his three children, Jane, aged 10; Elizabeth, aged 6; and Richard, aged 5. George was a labourer, born in Eccleston. Elizabeth was born in Goosnargh, and the children were all born in Preston. By 1861 the family had grown by the addition of five more children. George Adamson, a labourer, aged 44, was living at 45 Victoria Street with his wife Elizabeth, aged 43, and eight children, Mary Ann, by then aged 19; Alice, aged 16; Elizabeth, aged 12; Margaret, aged 10; George, aged 9; Harriet Ellen, aged 5; Jane, aged 3, and Sarah, aged 1. They had one further child, Thomas, who was born in 1862, but lost young Sarah, who died in 1865 and was buried at Preston Cemetery, aged 5 years. Elizabeth (Holden) Adamson, of Victoria Street, was buried on 25 Sep 1864 in a public grave, H-179, in a Catholic section of Preston Cemetery, aged 46. At the time of the 1871 census George Adamson, a widower, aged 52, was a labourer living a 5 Barlow Street, Preston with six of his children, Elizabeth, a linen weaver, aged 21; Margaret, a cotton rover, aged 19; George, a cloth looker, aged 17; Jane, a linen weaver, aged 14, Harriet E., a scholar, aged 12; and Thomas, a scholar, aged 8. By 1881 George had become a gardener working on Preston's Moor Park. He was living in one of the park lodges with four of his children, Margaret, a housekeeper, aged 29; Jane, a cotton weaver, aged 24; Harriet E., a cotton weaver, aged 22, and Thomas, a groom, aged 19. George died at the park lodge in 1889. George Adamson, of North Lodge, Moor Park, was buried on 19 Dec 1889 in a private grave, O-450, in a Catholic section of Preston Cemetery. His was the first of four interments in a family grave purchased by his daughter Margaret. The other three burials were that of his unmarried daughters, Margaret, who was buried on 13 Oct 1910, aged 57; Harriet Ellen, who was buried on 3 Sep 1914, aged 53; and Jane, who was buried on 17 Jan 1934, aged 77. At the time of their burials, Margaret and Harriet lived at 194 Kent Street and Jane lived at Lodge Cottage, Church Brow, Walton-le-Dale. Note: The 1851 census records George's birthplace as Eccleston, but all census returns after that record his birthplace as Salwick.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The Family of Henry and Alice ADAMSON: Henry Adamson, aged 22, of Salwick, and Alice Gregson, aged 25, of Great Plumpton, both in the Parish of Kirkham, were married on 24 Jan 1814 at St Michael's Parish Church in Kirkham. They were married, by licence, by James Fox, Curate of Warton, and the witnesses were Thomas Gregson and Elizabeth Adamson. Unusually for the period, they all signed their own names in the register. I have been unable to find records for all of their children, but know that they had at least six. Their first child was their daughter Elizabeth. Elizabeth ADAMSON: Elizabeth Adamson was born in Salwick and was baptized on 7 Sep 1815 at The Willows Catholic Chapel in Kirkham. The sponsors were Thomas and Margaret Gregson. Their son George was born c. 1818; their daughter Mary Ann was born c. 1820; their son William was born on 17 Dec 1822; their daughter Margaret was born on 29 Feb 1828, and their daughter Alice was born c. 1827. At the time of the 1841 census Henry, aged c. 50; and Alice, aged c. 55; were living in Fylde Road, Preston with three children, William, aged c. 20; Alice, aged c. 15; and Nathan, aged 5. They were sharing the house with their married son George and his young family. Alice (Gregson) Adamson died later that year. Alice ADAMSON: Alice (Gregson) Adamson was born in Great Plumpton, near Kirkham and was baptized at St Anne's Catholic Chapel in Westby (now known as Westby-with-Plumptons) on 14 March 1787. She was the daughter of William and Ann Gregson, and the sponsors were Ralph and Alice Hall. She died aged 55 years and was buried on 18 Oct 1841 in St Wilfrid's Cemetery. In 1851 Henry Adamson, a widower, aged 60, was living at Ridings Factory, Walton-le-Dale. He was an agricultural labourer and was born in Thistleton, Lancashire. Staying with him was his nephew, William Adamson, aged 14, a cotton creeler, born in Preston. Living in the same place were his married daughters, Mary Ann (Adamson) Laraway, aged 31, and her husband Moses, who she married in Preston in 1841, and Alice (Adamson) Sebert, aged 24, and her husband William, who she married in Preston in 1846. Henry Adamson, of Ribble Bank, Preston, was buried on 31 May 1857 in a public grave, G-231, in a Catholic section of Preston Cemetery, aged 67. Note: Nathan Adamson's relationship to the family is unclear and I can find no record of him after the 1841 census.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The Family of John and Margaret ADAMSON: John Adamson, a bachelor, of the parish of Preston, and Margaret Parke, of the Parish of Garstang, were married on 25 Nov 1824 at St Helen's Parish Church, Churchtown, Garstang. They were married, by licence, by James Pedder, Officiating Minister, and the witnesses were Grace Parke and Richard Chorley. All four signed their own names. Perhaps because of their ages (John Adamson would have been about 49 years old, and Margaret Parke would have been about 26 at the time of their marriage) John and Margaret did not have a large family. The first of their four children was James, who was born on 18 Jul 1825 and baptized on 19 Jul 1825 at St Wilfrid's Chapel. James was followed by their only daughter. Elizabeth ADAMSON: Elizabeth Adamson was baptized on 24 Apr 1827 at St Wilfrid's Chapel, and the sponsors were William and Ann Park. Their next child was Thomas, who was baptized on 12 Feb 1830 at St Wilfrid's Chapel. Although I cannot find any record of his death or burial, I believe Thomas died in Infancy as he was not mentioned in his father's Will dated 1 March 1836 and was not living with his mother at the time of the 1841 census, when he would have been 11 years old. The 1832 Preston electoral rolls list John Adamson, a corn dealer/shopkeeper, living at 8 St John Street, Preston. His forth and last child, a son they called John, was born the following year but was not baptized at St Wilfrid's. He was only about 3 years old when his father died. John ADAMSON Sr: John Adamson died on 23 Apr 1836, aged 60 years, and was buried on 27 Apr 1836 in St Wilfrid's Cemetery. Death Notice: "On Saturday last, Mr. John Adamson, of Wilfrid-street, aged 60, formerly corn merchant of this town." Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 30 Apr 1836 Perhaps suffering from illness, or sensing his impending death, John Adamson wrote his will on the first of March 1836. He had been a successful business man and appears to have invested his money in property. He had purchased a plot of land and, at the time of writing his will, was having a number of houses built on it. He also owned several houses in Higginson Street, Preston. He left houses at both locations to each of his three surviving children, and made provision for his wife Margaret during her life as his widow. She was also to maintain, provide for, and educate his minor children, the oldest of whom, James, would have been 11 years old. At the time of the 1841 census Margaret Adamson, listed as "Ind." meaning of independent means, was aged 48, and living in London Road, Preston with her younger two children, Elizabeth, aged 13; and John, aged 8. They were all listed as having been born in Lancashire. I cannot find her eldest son James, who would have been 16. Three years later, Margaret lost her only daughter. Elizabeth ADAMSON: Elizabeth Adamson died on 10 Dec 1844, aged 17, and was buried five days later in St Wilfrid's Cemetery. Death Notice: "On the 10th inst., Miss Elizabeth Adamson, London-road, aged 17." Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 21 Dec 1844 Margaret ADAMSON: Margaret (Parke) Adamson died on 8 Jan 1851 and was buried on 10 Jan 1851 in St Wilfrid's Cemetery, the last member of her family to be interred there. Death Notice: "On Wednesday last, Margaret Adamson, widow of the late Jno. Adamson, corn dealer, Avenham-lane, aged 52." Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 11 Jan 1851 Margaret died shortly before the date of the 1851 census, and on that date her youngest child, John Adamson, a grocer's apprentice, aged 18, was living at 52 Avenham Lane, Preston with his unmarried cousin Mary Duckett, a milliner, aged 37. They were both born in Preston. By 1861 John Adamson, a fund holder, aged 28, was still living with his cousin Mary Duckett, by then a beer seller, at the Palatine Hotel pub, 47 Great Avenham Street. The following year he moved to Liverpool where he was married on 29 May 1862 to Ellen Arkwright, the daughter of William Arkwright, Gentleman, at St Andrew's Parish Church, Liverpool. After living for a time in Dalton-in-Furness, where they were at the time of the 1871 census, by 1881 they were settled back in Preston, where John died in 1915, aged 82. Note: The Palatine Hotel pub was at 47 Great Avenham Street, (corner of Great Avenham Street and Avenham Lane) Preston. The building stills stands but is no longer a public house.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

James ADAMSON: James Adamson was the illegitimate son of Alice Adamson of Patten Street, Preston. He would have been born in about June of 1836, but was not baptized at either St Wilfrid's Chapel or St Ignatius' Church. He died on 4 May 1838, aged 23 months, and was buried two days later in St Wilfrid's Cemetery. I cannot find any trace of Alice Adamson in the 1841 census and there was no one called Adamson living in Patten Street in 1841. It is possible that she left Preston after the death of her infant son.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The Family of John and Agnes ADAMSON: John Adamson and Agnes Lancaster, both of Preston, were married on 26 Dec 1796 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married after Banns by John Nicholson, Curate, and the witnesses were Miles Strickland and John Nicholson. The bride signed the register with an X. It would appear that Agnes Lancaster was "in a family way" when they were married, as their first child was born four months later. Richard ADAMSON: Richard Adamson was baptized on 28 Apr 1797 at St Wilfrid's Chapel, and the sponsors were John Taylor and Elizabeth Carter. The 1832 Preston electoral rolls list him as a weaver living at 11 Primrose Hill, and he was living at 8 Primrose Hill at the time of his death. He was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 8 May 1836, aged 39. Richard was followed by the first of two daughters. Jane ADAMSON: Jane Adamson was baptized on 15 Feb 1801 at St Wilfrid's Chapel, and the sponsors were Henry Cuerden and Elizabeth Carter. She never married, and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 1 Oct 1834, aged 34 years. Their next child was a second daughter, Mary Adamson, who was baptized on 4 Nov 1802 at St Wilfrid's Chapel, and the sponsors were Robert Adamson and Elizabeth Carter. Mary was followed by Elizabeth, who was born c. 1806, and John Jr, born c. 1809, both born during the period for which the St Wilfrid's baptism records are missing. The 1810 Catholic census of Preston lists John Adamson, f (father); Agnes, m (mother); Richard, s (son), aged 13; Jane, aged 10; Mary, aged 7; Eliz, aged 4; and John, aged 1, living in Canal Street, Preston. They are not listed in the 1820 Catholic census, so may have been living outside of the parish boundaries at the time. John ADAMSON Sr: John Adamson Sr was born c. 1775 but was not baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel, and his birthplace is not known. He was buried on 24 April 1828 in St Wilfrid's Cemetery, aged 52 years. I can find no record of the death or remarriage of Agnes (Lancaster) Adamson and she does not appear in the 1841 census. She may have left the area after the death of her husband.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Ann AINSWORTH: Death Notice: Ann Ainsworth died on 10 Apr 1832, aged 40 years. Death Notice: "On Tuesday last, to the great grief of her disconsolate husband and family, Ann, the wife of Mr. John Ainsworth, of the Spread Eagle, in this town, aged 40" Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 14 Apr 1832 John Ainsworth and Ann Billington, both of Preston, were married on 30 Jan 1812 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married after Banns by Thomas Brocklebank, Curate, and the witnesses were Joseph Postlethwaite and Mary Bott. Their first child was Elizabeth - sometimes called Eliza - who was baptized on 31 Mar 1813; followed by Jane, baptized on 22 Jan 1815; and Mary Ann, baptized on 11 Dec 1818. The 1820 Catholic census of Preston lists John and Ann "Nancy" Ainsworth living in Lune Street, Preston with Elizabeth, aged 7; Jane, aged 5; and Mary Ann, aged 1. Although some records seem to indicate that John took over running the Spread Eagle pub in around 1824, the 1820 census seems to show that he was there at that time, although it is possible he was at another address in the same street. John and Ann went on to have another five children, beginning with John, baptized on 27 Jan 1821; Alice, baptized on 10 Feb 1823; William, baptized on 10 Jan 1825; Joseph, baptized on 17 Feb 1828; and Rose Catherine, baptized on 29 Aug 1830 - all at St Wilfrid's Chapel. The 1832 Preston electoral rolls list John Ainsworth, an Innkeeper, living at 28 Lune Street, where his wife died on 10 April of that year. By the date of the 1841 census John Ainsworth, a publican, aged c. 55, was still living in Lune Street, with his daughters Mary, aged 22; Alice, aged 17; and William, aged 15. His daughter Jane was by then married, having married Thomas Clarkson on 9 Apr 1839, and his daughter Eliza had married Richard Ward on 28 Jan 1840, both at St Wilfrid's Chapel. It is not known where his younger children, Joseph and Rose, were staying on the night of the census. John Ainsworth was the landlord of the Spread Eagle pub from at least 1824 to about 1843, and later became a maltster. He was remarried in 1845 to Alice Gillett in the registration district known as Old Fylde, and by the night of the 1851 census John Ainsworth, aged 65, a maltster employing 1 man, was living at 4 Chaddock Street, Preston with his second wife Alice, aged 63, and his unmarried children, Joseph, aged 23, an upholsterer; and Rose, aged 20. Also staying with them was John's grandson, William Clarkson, aged 10, a scholar; and Alice's unmarried cousin, Ellen Gillett, aged 63, who was working as their servant. John was listed as having been born in Leyland, Alice was born in Clifton, his children were both born in Preston, his grandson was born in Garstang, and Alice's cousin was born in Kirkham. Alice (Gillett) Ainsworth, of Chaddock Street, Preston, died on 19 Nov 1854, and was buried on 22 Nov 1854 in the churchyard at St Ignatius' Catholic Church in Preston, aged 65. John Ainsworth died on 28 Jul 1855, aged 69. Death Notice: "On Saturday last, Mr. John Ainsworth, maltster, Cliff-road, formerly and for many years of the Spread Eagle Inn, in this town." Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 4 Aug 1855 John Ainsworth, of Preston, maltster, wrote his will on 2 May 1855. In it he mentions his daughters Jane, Mary, Alice and Rose, his sons John, William and Joseph, and his grandsons John and Thomas, the sons of his late daughter Eliza Ward. His will was proved on 20 Nov 1855 valued at about £800. The Probate note states that he died "on or about" 28 July 1855. Although she died the year before him, due to stipulations in her will, Alice's will wasn't proved until 9 Feb 1856, a little more than six months after John Ainsworth's death. Alice Ainsworth, of Preston, wife of John Ainsworth, maltster, (formerly Alice Gillett, spinster) wrote her will on 6 Aug 1846, the year after she married John Ainsworth. She was apparently a fairly wealthy woman, so before they were married a Deed of Settlement, similar to what today we would call a prenuptial agreement, was drawn up between them. The agreement itself does not appear to have survived so it is difficult to say what the terms were, but it is clear that Alice wanted to protect her interests, and we have to assume that John Ainsworth was agreeable to that. In her will Alice mentions her late father, George Gillett and her late mother Ann Nickson, her uncles John, Cuthbert, Francis and Richard Nickson, as well as several first and second cousins on both the Gillett and Nickson sides of her family. She made special provision for her cousin Ellen Gillett, who was living with her on her farm in 1841 and continued to live with her after she married John Ainsworth. She left nothing to any of her step-children. All of the provisions of her will were to be carried out only after the death of her husband, if she were to die before him. According to the probate note in her will, Alice died "on or about" 19 November 1854, but as her husband was still living, her will was not proved until after his death. Her estate was valued at about £1500, a huge sum in 1854. Note: Alice (Gillett) Ainsworth was the daughter of George and Ann Gillett of Clifton. George Gillett of Clifton (signed Gillat in the marriage register) and Ann Nickson of Westby, were married of 27 Feb 1786 at Kirkham Parish Church. They were married after Banns by Joshua Southward, Curate, and the witnesses were Thomas Parkinson and John Swan. The bride signed the register with an X. Alice was baptized on 26 Nov 1786 at St Mary's Catholic Chapel in Lea, but her name was entered as Else in the baptism register. At the time of the 1841 census Alice Gillett, aged c. 50, was a farmer in Westby with Plumptons, in the Parish of Kirkham. Living with her was her cousin Ellen Gillett, aged c. 50, a female servant, and William Morris, aged c. 25, an agricultural labourer. They were all listed as having been born in Lancashire.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The Family of Robert and Ann AINSWORTH: Robert Ainsworth, a bachelor, and Ann Higginson, a spinster, both of Preston, were married on 26 Dec 1833 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married after Banns by Thomas Clark, Curate, and the witnesses were Stephen and Elizabeth Moss. The bride and Elizabeth Moss signed the marriage register with an X. 38 days after they married, they baptized their first child. Edward AINSWORTH: Edward Ainsworth was baptized on 2 Feb 1834 at St Wilfrid's Chapel. The sponsors were Edward Higginson and Alice Standing. He lived only 18 months, and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 5 Jul 1835. Their next child was Isabella, who was born on 11 Nov 1837, and was baptized on 19 Nov 1837 at St Wilfrid's Chapel. The sponsors were Edward Higgison (sic) and Ann Slater. Sadly, Robert was to lose both his wife and newborn daughter. Mrs Ann AINSWORTH: Ann (Higginson) Ainsworth died 10 days after giving birth to Isabella, aged just 23 years. She was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery in November 1837, but the burial transcript does not record the exact date. She died on the 21st, so would have been buried within a few days of that date. The burial transcript also records her age as 25, while the civil death certificate records her age as 23. The infant Isabella lived almost exactly one month, and was buried on 10 Dec 1837 in the churchyard of St Paul's Church, Preston. She died in the workhouse, and the burial register records her age simply as "infant". It would appear that, after the deaths of his wife and infant children, Robert Ainsworth left the Preston area. I can find no further record of him.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

John AINSWORTH: As John Ainsworth only lived 5 minutes, there is no record of his baptism. He would almost certainly have been given an emergency baptism and these were rarely entered into the baptism registers. He was the son of Joseph and Mary Ann Ainsworth. Joseph Ainsworth, a bachelor, and Mary Ann Grundy, a spinster, both of Preston, were married on 25 Jan 1836 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married after Banns by Thomas Clark, Curate, and the witnesses were John Ainsworth and Alice Grundy. Mary Ann and Alice Grundy signed the marriage register with an X. Their first child, Margaret, was born on 27 Feb 1837, and was baptized on 5 Mar 1837 at St Wilfrid's Chapel, with the sponsors being Peter Ainsworth and Alice Grundy. Margaret was followed by John in September 1838, then Elizabeth, who was baptized on 6 Jan 1839, with sponsors James Walsh and Sarah Collett. At the time of the 1841 census, Joseph Ainsworth, a warehouseman, aged c. 30, was living in Bow Lane, Preston, with his wife Mary Ann, aged c. 25, and their two surviving children, Margaret, aged 4; and Elizabeth, aged 1. They were all listed as having been born in the county. They were living at the same address as Thomas and Catherine Grundy, who may have been relations of Mary Ann's. There fourth child, Mary Ann, was born on 19 Sep 1843, and was baptized on 24 Sep 1843, with sponsors Henry and Isabella Grundy. Sadly, Joseph's wife died on 16 Mar 1844 at the young age of 27. Death Notice: "On Saturday last, in the 27th year of her age, Mary Ann, wife of Mr. Joseph Ainsworth, of this town, warehouseman." Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 23 Mar 1844 Just short of four years after his wife's death, Joseph remarried. Joseph Ainsworth, aged 37, a widower, warehouse-man, of Lady Place, son of Matthew and Mary Ainsworth, of Hoghton Lane, married Jane Bickerstaff, aged 33, a spinster, weaver, of Spring Street, daughter of Robert and Mary Bickerstaff, deceased, at St Augustine's Catholic Church on 5 Feb 1848. The witnesses were Henry Ainsworth of Hoghton Lane, and Ellen Smithson, of Seed Street. Joseph and his second wife went on to have five children together, the first being Ellen, who was born on 19 Mar 1849, and was baptized on 25 Mar 1849 at St Augustine's Catholic Church. At the time of the 1851 census, Joseph Ainsworth, a book keeper in a cotton mill, aged 40, was living at 6 Lady Place, Preston with his wife Jane, aged 34, and four children, Margaret, a stitcher in a cotton mill, aged 14; Elizabeth, a scholar, aged 10; Mary Ann, a scholar, aged 7; and Ellen, aged 2. Joseph was listed as born in Houghton, Jane was born in Kirkham, and the children were all born in Preston. They had four more children in Preston, with Matthew Ainsworth, who was born on 5 Apr 1851 and baptized the following day at St Wilfrid's Chapel; Joseph Ainsworth, who was born 30 Aug 1855, and baptized on 4 Sep 1855 at St Augustine's Church; then Ann, the first of two to be given that name, who was born and baptized on 22 May 1856 at St Augustine's Church, and finally another daughter they called Ann, who was born on 24 Sep 1859, and baptized on 25 Sep 1859 - the first Ann having died the year before, aged 2. At some point after 1859 Joseph and Jane left Preston, and were living in the Newton Heath area of Manchester by 1881. It appears that Joseph Ainsworth died in Prestwich in 1884. Note 1: Joseph may have been the child baptized at St Joseph's Catholic Church in Brindle on 24 Jul 1810. That child, who was born on the same day, was the son of Matthew and Peggy Ainsworth. When Joseph married his second wife his parents were listed as Matthew and Mary - although the writing was difficult to read and his mother's name may have actually been Margaret abbreviated. Note 2: In the 1841 census, due to the style of handwriting, Ancestry has indexed the family under the name Worth, as in Joseph Ains Worth.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Margaret ALLAN: Margaret Allan, the widow of Patrick Allen, a labourer, was not living in Preston at the time of the 1841 census and I can find no record of the death or burial of Patrick Allan in Preston, so Margaret may have only moved to Preston after her husband's death. At the time of her death Margaret was living at 31 Hope Street, Preston, the home of Patrick and Mary Gavan, who were both born in Ireland. It is not known how - or if - Margaret was related to the Gavan family, and it is possible that she was a lodger. Note: A Patrick Allen was buried in the churchyard of Manchester Cathedral on 3 Oct 1821, aged 64 years, so would have been born in about 1757.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Margaret ALLANSON / ALLISON: Margaret Allanson was born on 24 Feb 1842 and was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 6 Mar 1842. She was the daughter of William and Margaret Allanson, and the sponsors were William Melling and Mary Harrison. I can find no record of the marriage of William Allanson and Margaret Parker or the baptisms of their older children. On the night of the 1841 census William Allanson, a labourer, aged c. 35, was living in Mount Street, Preston with Margaret, aged c. 35, and five children, Jane, aged 16; Ewan, aged 10; Ann, aged 8; Mary, aged 5; and John, aged 2. They were all listed as born in Lancashire. William and Margaret had one last child, Sarah Allanson, who was born on 21 Aug 1846 and was baptized two days later at St Wilfrid's Chapel, with sponsors James Wilcock and Catherine Bonney. At the time of the 1851 census William Allanson, agricultural labourer, aged 45, was living at 18 Mount Street with his wife Margaret, aged 46, and four children, Ann, a weaver, aged 17; Mary, a weaver, aged 15; John, an apprentice, aged 12; and Sarah, aged 3. William and Ann were listed as born in Walton-le-Dale, Margaret was born in Woodplumpton, Mary was born in Penwortham, and John and Sarah were born in Preston. There were two letters added after the word weaver which may have been to indicate that they were steam loom weavers, and it was not recorded what apprenticeship John was doing. Ann Allanson married Richard Battersby on 1 Jun 1860 at St John's Parish Church and on the night of the 1861 census William Allenson, a labourer, aged 58, was living at 36 Mount Street, Preston with Margaret, aged 59, and their two youngest children, John, a spindle maker, aged 21; and Sarah, a cotton weaver, aged 14. Living with them was their married daughter Ann, a cotton weaver, aged 27, and her husband Richard Battersby, a plumber, aged 22. Also staying with them was Hugh Harrison, aged 5. Hugh Harrison may have actually been Ewan Harrison, the son of William and Margaret's daughter Mary and her husband James Harrison, who were married on 4 Feb 1855 at St John's Parish Church. Ewan was born on 20 Nov 1866 and baptized Hugh Harrison at St Wilfrid's Chapel five days later, with sponsors John and Ann Allanson. Mary's husband James Harrison died young and she married William Chapman in 1866. At the time of the 1871 census William Allanson, a gardener, aged 74, and Margaret, aged 74, were living with their daughter and son-in-law. William Chapman, a brushmaker, aged 56, was living at 36 Mount Street with Mary, a cotton weaver, aged 35, and three children, Robert A, a scholar, aged 7; Francis, a scholar, aged 5; and William H, aged 2; as well as Mary's children, Ewan, a cotton spinner (piecer), aged 15; William, a cotton carder, aged 13; and Margaret J, a cotton weaver, aged 11. William Allanson was listed as born in Walton-le-Dale, Margaret was born in Woodplumpton, William Chapman was born in Lynn, Norfolk, and the rest of the family were born in Preston. Margaret Allanson, of 36 Mount Street, died aged 75 years and was buried on 14 Aug 1871 in a public grave, D-108, in a Catholic section of Preston Cemetery. Death Notice: "DEATHS...Since our last:...Margaret Allanson, Mount-street, 75;" Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 26 Aug 1871 William Allanson, of Mount Street, died aged 87 years and was buried on 14 Nov 1884 in a public grave, C-513, in a Catholic section of Preston Cemetery. Death Notice: "DEATHS...Burials since our last:...William Allanson, Mount-street, 87;" Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 22 Nov 1884

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Richard ALLANSON / ALLISON: Richard Allanson was born on 8 Jul 1850 and was baptized Richard Alison (sic) at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 14 Jul 1850. He was the son of Elizabeth, and the sponsors were William Alison (sic) and Mary Ann Shaw. Elizabeth was the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Allanson. She was born on 22 Apr 1824 and was baptized at St Mary's Brownedge Catholic Church in Bamber Bridge on 7 May 1824, with sponsors James Wilson and Margaret Allanson. On the night of the 1841 census Thomas Allinson (sic), an agricultural labourer, aged c. 50, was living in Penwortham Lane, Penwortham with Elizabeth, aged c. 45, and seven children, Hugh, aged c. 25; Mary, aged c. 20; Alice, aged c. 20; Elizabeth, aged c. 15; Margaret, aged 14; William, aged 12; and John, aged 10. They were all listed as born in Lancashire. By the time of the 1851 census Thomas Allanson, a hand loom weaver, aged 61, was living at 19 Croft Street, Preston with his wife Elizabeth, and five unmarried children, Alice, aged 29; Elizabeth, aged 27; William, aged 22; John, aged 19; and Thomas, aged 10. Also living with them were two grandchildren, Elizabeth aged 5; and Richard, aged 9 months. The four oldest children were power loom weavers. Thomas Sr was listed as born in Euxton, Elizabeth Sr was born in Leyland, Alice and Elizabeth Jr were born in Walton-le-Dale, William, John and Thomas Jr were born in Penwortham, and the grandchildren were born in Preston. In 1853 Elizabeth gave birth to another child and, although she was not yet married, her child was baptized with the father's surname. Mary Ann Woods was born on 13 Mar 1853 and was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 20 Mar 1853. The baptism entry records that she was the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Woods, and the sponsors were William Ellison and Bridget Tyrrel. Elizabeth was married the following year. Henry Wood, a bachelor, aged 25, a labourer, of Gildow Street, the son of the late Richard Wood, a sizer; and Elizabeth Allinson (sic), a spinster, aged 30, a weaver, of Croft Street, the daughter of Thomas Allinson, a weaver, were married on 29 Jul 1854 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married after Banns by S. Hastings, Curate, and the witnesses were Robert and Elizabeth Carter. The bride and both witnesses signed the marriage register with an X. Henry and Elizabeth's daughter died in infancy. Mary Ann Woods, of 19 Croft Street, was buried on 9 Nov 1856 in a private grave, C-117, in a Catholic section of Preston Cemetery, aged 3 years. Hers was the first burial in a grave purchased by her father at the time of her death, and she was buried 20 feet deep. Henry and Elizabeth's second child was Margaret, who was born on 5 Aug 1856 and was baptized five days later at St Walburge's Catholic Church in Preston, with sponsors Richard Fairclough and Mary Walker. The baptism entry recorded her mother's maiden name as Allenson. She died in 1860, and was buried in the private family grave at Preston Cemetery on 12 Nov 1860, aged 4 years. Her's was the second burial, buried 18 feet deep, and her address was recorded as Priory Street. Their third child was Richard, who was born on 29 Sep 1859 and was baptized at St Walburge's Church on 2 Oct 1859, with sponsors James Allanson and Margaret Walker. His mother's maiden name was spelled Allanson in the baptism register. At the time of the 1861 census Henry Wood, an engine driver, aged 34, was living at 8 Priory Street, Preston with Elizabeth, aged 36, and their son Richard, aged 1. Living with them were Elizabeth's parents, Thomas Allinson (sic), aged 70; and Elizabeth, aged 69, their son Thomas, a cotton weaver, aged 19; and Elizabeth, a cotton weaver, aged 14, who was listed as a daughter but was actually Thomas and Elizabeth's granddaughter. Henry Wood was listed as born in Chorley, Elizabeth and her parents were listed as born in Walton-le-Dale, Richard was born in Preston, and Thomas and the younger Elizabeth were born in Penwortham. Elizabeth may have been pregnant at the time of the census as their fourth child was born later that year. Henry Woods was born on 2 Sep 1861 and was baptized six days later at St Walburge's Church, with sponsors George and Mary Hunt. His mother's maiden name was spelled Alison in the baptism register. Henry and Elizabeth's last known child was Thomas, who was born in about March of 1864 but died aged 1 day. I can find no record of his baptism and it is probable that he was given an emergency baptism at the bedside, which were rarely recorded in baptism registers. He was buried in the family grave at Preston Cemetery on 5 Mar 1864, aged 1 day. His was the third interment, and his address was recorded as Priory Street. Thomas Allanson died sometime between 1861 and 1871, but I have been unable to find any record of his death or burial. I only know that his wife was a widow by 1871. At the time of the 1871 census Henry Woods, a railway engine driver, aged 43, was living at 20 Abbey Street, Preston with his wife Elizabeth, aged 46, and two sons, Richard, a scholar, aged 11; and Henry, a scholar, aged 9. Living with them was Elizabeth's widowed mother, Elizabeth Allison (sic), aged 78. She died two years later. Elizabeth Allison, of 20 Abbey Street, was buried on 10 Mar 1873 in the private family grave at Preston Cemetery, aged 80 years. Death Notice: "DEATHS...PRESTON - Since our last:...Elizabeth Allison, Abbey-street, 80;" Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 15 Mar 1873 Three years after losing her mother, Elizabeth lost her husband. Henry Woods, of 20 Abbey Street, was buried on 8 Feb 1876 in the private family grave at Preston Cemetery, aged 47 years. His was the fifth, and apparently last, interment, buried 12 feet deep. At the time of the 1881 census Elizabeth Woods, widow, a shopkeeper, aged 56, was living at 20 Abbey Street with her two sons, Richard, an iron turner, aged 21; and Henry, an iron fitter's apprentice, aged 19. On the night of the 1891 census Elizabeth Wood, widow, a housekeeper, aged 66, was still living at 20 Abbey Street but her sons had moved away and she had taken in an unmarried lodger, Rachel Hickey, a cotton winder, aged 34, from Wigan. In this census Elizabeth's birthplace is listed as Penwortham. This is the last record I can find of Elizabeth. She is not listed in Preston in the 1901 census and I can find no record of her death or burial. Note 1: Richard's birth was registered under the surname Allinson (mother's maiden name Allinson), and his death was registered under the name Allanson. Note 2: Elizabeth's parents may have been the Thomas Allenson and Elizabeth Cowling who were married on 14 Nov 1814 at St Leonard's Chapel in Walton-le-Dale.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The Family of Richard and Elizabeth ALLEN: Richard Allen, a bachelor, and Elizabeth Higginson, a spinster, both of Preston, were married on 27 Nov 1819 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married after Banns by Matthew Mark, Curate, and the witnesses were John Gregson and Mary Furnaby. The bride, groom and both witnesses signed the marriage register with an X. They also had a Catholic ceremony at St Wilfrid's Chapel on the same day, where Elizabeth's surname was spelled Higgison and the second witness was recorded as M. Furnifield. The 1820 Catholic census of Preston lists Richard Allan, aged 20, living at 9 Snow Hill with Elizabeth, aged 18. If these ages are correct, they both would have needed their parents' permission to marry. Elizabeth may have been pregnant at the time of the census as their first child was born later that year. Margaret ALLEN (1): Richard and Elizabeth's first child was Margaret, who was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 17 Sep 1820, with sponsors John Gregson and Margaret Allen. It is known that she died in infancy, and she may have been the child buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 13 May 1822, aged 2 years, but no first name was recorded in the burial transcript. Richard and Elizabeth's second child was William, who was baptized on 18 Aug 1822, with sponsors William Higginson and Ann Hall. He was followed by another child that did not survive infancy. John Allen was baptized on 8 Feb 1824, with sponsors William and Sarah Higginson. He died in infancy but I can find no record of his burial. The only evidence I have of his death is the fact that they baptized another son called John a year later, with the same sponsors. The second John Allen was baptized on 26 Jun 1825, with sponsors William and Sarah Higginson. He was followed by Eleanor, who was baptized on 3 Dec 1826, with sponsors John and Margaret Howarth; then another who died in infancy. Margaret ALLEN (2): Margaret Allen was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 9 Aug 1829, with sponsors Richard and Sarah Higginson. She died in infancy and may be the child buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery under the name Margery Allen on 9 Mar 1831, whose age was recorded simply as "infant". Ten weeks after this child was buried Richard and Elizabeth baptized another daughter. Margery Allen was baptized on 22 May 1831, with sponsors Richard and Sarah Higginson, the same pair that were sponsors to Margaret's baptism in 1829. The 1832 Preston electoral rolls list Richard Allen, a spinner, living at 17 Vicker Street, where they were apparently living when their eighth child was born. Robert Allen was baptized on 30 Jun 1833, with sponsors Richard Higginson and Sarah Sharp; followed by another that died in infancy. Ann ALLEN: Ann Allen was born on 28 Mar 1835, and was baptized Ann Allan (sic) at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 29 Mar 1835, with sponsors Richard Higginson and Margaret Allan. She was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 30 Nov 1835, aged 8 months. Richard and Elizabeth's tenth child was Richard, who was born on 28 Sep 1836, and was baptized on 2 Oct 1836, with sponsors John Moxham and Mary Smith. He was the last of their children to be baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel. Their eleventh child also died in infancy. Sarah Ann ALLEN: Sarah Ann Allen was born on 24 May 1839, and was baptized Sarah Ann Allan (sic) on 20 Jun 1839 St Ignatius Catholic Church in Preston, with sponsors William and Alice Higginson. She was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 1 Dec 1839, aged 6 months. Richard and Elizabeth's twelfth child was Henry, who was baptized on 28 Mar 1841 at St Ignatius Church, with sponsors Joseph Sendell and Mary Thomson. On the night of the 1841 census Richard Hallan (sic), a cotton spinner, aged 40, was living in Bedford Street, Preston with Elizabeth, aged c. 40, and seven children, William aged c. 15; John, aged c. 15; Ellen, aged c. 15, all cotton piecers; Margery, aged 10; Robert, aged 8; Richard, aged 5; and Henry, aged 1 month. They were all listed as born in Lancashire. Sadly, young Henry died at around the end of that year. Henry ALLEN: Henry Allen, who was born in March 1841, was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 2 Jan 1842, aged 9 months. His older brother died five months later. Robert ALLEN: Robert Allen, who was born in 1833, died aged 9 years and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 23 May 1842. Richard and Elizabeth's thirteenth child was another daughter that died in infancy. Margaret ALLEN (3): The third daughter to be called Margaret Allen was born on 18 Feb 1843 and was baptized Margaret Hallen (sic) the following day at St Ignatius Church, with sponsors John and Ellen Smith. She was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 27 Jun 1843, aged 4 months. Richard and Elizabeth's fourteenth child was Elizabeth, who was born on 9 Nov 1844 and was baptized Elizabeth Ollin (sic) the following day at St Ignatius Church, with sponsors John Livesey and Ellen Ollin (sic). Her older brother died seven months later. John ALLEN: John Allen, who was born in 1825, died on 29 May 1845 and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 1 Jun 1845, aged 20 years. Death Notice: "DEATHS...On Thursday week, John Allen, Mill-street, aged 20." Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 7 Jun 1845. Richard and Elizabeth's fifteenth and last child was James, who was born on 15 May 1848. He was baptized on 21 May 1848 at St Ignatius Church, with sponsors William and Eleanor Higginson, and at the time of the 1851 census Richard Allen, an agricultural labourer, aged 51, was living at 110 Park Lane, Preston with his wife Elizabeth, aged 48, and three children, Richard, a cotton piecer, aged 14; Elizabeth, a scholar, aged 6; and James, aged 2. Also staying with them was their married daughter Elinor, a cotton piecer, aged 24; her husband Thomas Beck, a cotton spinner, aged 31; their daughter Margaret Ann Beck, a scholar, aged 4; and a lodger, James Beck, widower, a hand loom cotton weaver, aged 64. They were all listed as born in Preston with the exception of James Beck, who was born in Cork. Richard Sr died the following year. Richard ALLEN Sr: Richard Allen, who was born in Preston in about 1799, died aged 52 years and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 22 Jan 1852. He was the last known member of the family to be buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery. On the night of the 1861 census Elizabeth Allen, widow, a charwoman, aged 59, was living at 109 North Road, Preston with two children, Elizabeth, a power loom cotton weaver, aged 16; and James, a piecer, card room of a mill, aged 12. Also staying with them were two lodgers, Margaret Caton, unmarried, a power loom cotton weaver, aged 22; and Jane Slater, widow, a throstle spinner, aged 40. Elizabeth and her children were listed as born in Preston, Margaret Caton was born in Ireland, and Jane Slater was born in Catforth. Elizabeth's married daughter Eleanor (Ellen in the census) was living nearby at 106 North Road with her husband Thomas Beck and their four children. This is the last confirmed record I can find of Elizabeth (Higginson) Allen. Note: The burial transcript and death register index do not record Sarah Ann's middle name, but the birth register index does.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Ann ALLEN: Ann Allen, the wife of John Allen, died on 2 May 1851, and was buried nine days later in St Wilfrid's Cemetery, aged 31 years. Death Notice: "DEATHS...Yesterday week, Ann Allen, Whalley-square, aged 31." Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 10 May 1851 Ann Woodruffe and John Allen were married in the Preston Registry Office on Sunday, 13 Apr 1844. Marriage Notice: "MARRIAGES...On Sunday last, at the Register Office, in this town, Mr. John Allan to Miss Ann Woodruffe, both of this town." Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 13 Apr 1844 At the time of their marriage Ann already had a young son, John Woodruffe, and she went on to have two more children, Jane, who was born in 1845, and Stephen, who was born on 28 Feb 1847 and was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 7 Mar 1847, with sponsors Henry Simpson and Margaret Margison. On the night of the 1851 census John Allen, a power loom cotton weaver, aged 38, was living at 14 Whalley Square, Preston with his wife Ann, a power loom cotton weaver, aged 34, and three children, Ann's son John Woodruffe, a cotton creeler, aged 11; and their two children Jane, aged 5; and Stephen, aged 4. John Allen was listed as born in Whitehaven, Cumberland, Ann and her son John were born in Plumpton, and the two younger children were born in Preston. Ann (Woodruffe) Allen died shortly after the census was taken, and seven months after her death John Allen remarried. John Allan, widower, a weaver, aged 35, of Back Salter Street, the son of the late Stephen Allan, a mariner; and Eliza Brown, spinster, a weaver, aged 30, of Kirkham Street, the daughter of the late William Brown, a labourer, were married on 21 Dec 1851 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married by William Walling, and the witnesses were Thomas and Esther Kirkdale. The bride and both witnesses signed the marriage register with an X. John and Eliza had one child together, a daughter Esther, who was born in 1853, and at the time of the 1861 census John Allan, aged 45, was living at 32 Spring Street, Preston with Eliza, aged 41, and four children, Maria, aged 16; Jane, aged 15; Stephen, aged 14, and Esther, a scholar, aged 8. With the exception of Esther, they were all working as cotton weavers. John Allen was listed as born in Whitehaven, Eliza was born in Taunton, Somerset, Maria was born in Bamber Bridge, and the rest of the family were born in Preston. By the time of the 1871 census the family had moved to 9 Tuson Street, Preston, where John died five years later, in 1876. He was buried on 4 May 1876 in a private grave, K-456, in a Non-Conformist section of Preston Cemetery, aged 65 years. His was the first interment, buried 20 feet deep. Death Notice: "DEATHS...PRESTON - Since our last:...John Allen, Tuson-street, 65;" Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 6 May 1876 On the night of the 1881 census Eliza Allan, widow, a housekeeper, aged 60, was still living at 9 Tuson Street, with her unmarried daughters Maria, a cotton weaver, aged 35; and Esther, a cotton weaver, aged 27. Esther and Maria both married in 1890, with Esther marrying James Thomas, and Maria marrying William Wills. At the time of Maria's marriage on 26 Nov 1890 her father was described as John Allen, a confectioner, and her sister Esther Thomas was one of her witnesses. At the time of the 1891 census William Wills, a joiner, aged 34, was now the head of household at 9 Tuson Street, with his wife Maria, a cotton weaver, aged 41, and his mother-in-law Eliza Allan, a widow, aged 70. William was listed as born in Crick, Northamptonshire, Maria was born in Bamber Bridge, and Eliza was born in Taunton, Somersetshire. Eliza (Brown) Allen died in the winter of 1899 and was buried on 15 Nov 1899 in the private grave, K-456, where her husband had been buried 23 years before. Hers was the fourth interment, buried 14 feet deep. Note 1: The spelling of this family's surname varied from one record to another, with Allen being the more common spelling. Likewise, Ann Woodruffe's surname was often spelled Woodruff. Note 2: I can find no record of the baptism of Jane Allan - unless she was the child born on 30 May 1845 and baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 1 Jun 1845 under the name Jane Annace. She was the daughter of John and Ann Annace and the sponsors were William Robinson and Alice Gradwell. There was no birth registered in Preston for a child called Jane Annace, and I suspect that this is actually Jane Allen. Note 3: Although all of the records I have seen record Maria's surname as Allen or Allan, I suspect that she was Eliza's daughter, born before Eliza married John Allen. Furthermore, although her maiden surname was Brown, when their daughter Esther was born in 1853 Eliza's maiden name was recorded as Elman.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

John ALLEN: If John Allen was 4 years old when he was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 9 May 1822, he would have been born in about 1817. A John Allan (sic) was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 16 Feb 1817, the son of Margaret Allan, and the sponsors were Richard Proctor and Helen Allen. I can find no further information on this child, or any confirmed record of his mother. A Margaret Allen married John Booth on 26 Dec 1822 at St John's Parish Church in Preston, and they went on to have a large family, but baptized their children in the Church of England.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

John ALLEN: There is very little information to go on for this child but at the time of his burial in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 14 Aug 1831 his address was recorded as Marsh Lane, and the 1832 Preston electoral rolls list John Allen, a weaver, living at 26 Marsh Lane.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Margaret ALLENSON / ALLISON: Margaret Allenson was the daughter of Ann Allenson, an unmarried weaver. She died on 25 Aug 1843 and was buried two days later in St Wilfrid's Cemetery, aged 3 years. Margaret, daughter of Ann Alanson (sic), was born on 18 Jun 1840 and was baptized on 5 Jul 1840 at St Mary and St John Catholic Church in Samlesbury, with Godparents Joseph Billington and Jane Carter. The baptism register does not record Ann's abode, but she may have been living in the Walton-le-Dale area. There is no civil record of Margaret's birth in Lancashire in 1840 but there was the birth of a Margaret Allison registered in the Walton-le-Dale registration district in 1840, whose mother's name was also Allison, indicating that she was probably unmarried. Frustratingly, I cannot find Margaret or Ann Allenson (or Allison) in the 1841 census.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Hugh ALLENSON / ALLISON: This is a rather odd one. Hugh Allison was the son of Elizabeth Allison, an unmarried lady, but he appears to have been baptized Evan rather than Hugh. To make matters more confusing, no parents names were recorded in the baptism register. Hugh Allison was born on 20 Feb 1846 and was baptized Evan Allison at St Wilfrid's Chapel two days later, with sponsors Robert Dolphin and Isabella Haskey. As noted, the space for his parents' names was left blank. He died on 9 Mar 1846 and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery a week later, on 16 Mar 1846, aged 3 weeks. There is no civil birth record for an Evan Allison but there is both a birth and death record for Hugh. The birth registration gives his mother's surname as Allison, indicating that she was unmarried. There was an Elizabeth Allenson, aged 27 and unmarried, living in Croft Street, but I cannont confirm that this was the mother of Hugh Allison. She did have at least one son before she married. Richard Alison was born on 8 Jul 1850 and was baptized five days later at St Wilfrid's Chapel. He was the son of Elizabeth Alison, and the sponsors were William Alison and Mary Ann Shaw. On the night of the 1851 census Elizabeth and her 9 month old son were living with her parents. Note: Elizabeth Allinson, a spinster, aged 30, a weaver, of Croft Street, the daughter of Thomas Allinson, a weaver, married Henry Wood, a bachelor, aged 25, a labourer, of Gildow Street, the son of the late Richard Wood, a sizer, on 29 Jul 1854 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married after Banns by S. Hastings, Curate, and the witnesses were Robert and Elizabeth Carter.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Richard ALLENSON / ALLISON: Richard Allison was born on 12 Aug 1852 and was baptized Richard Ellesay (sic) at St Wilfrid's Chapel three days later. He was the son of John and Ellen, and the sponsors were Thomas Whittle and Mary Tyrrell. The year before John Allison married Ellen Wrigley he was living with his parents in Croft Street. On the night of the 1851 census Thomas Allanson, a hand loom weaver, aged 61, was living at 19 Croft Street, Preston with his wife Elizabeth, aged 59, and five children, Alice, unmarried, a power loom weaver, aged 29; Elizabeth, unmarried, a power loom weaver, aged 27; William, unmarried, a power loom weaver, aged 22; John, unmarried, a power loom weaver, aged 19; and Thomas, aged 10. Also living with them were two grandchildren, Elizabeth, aged 5; and Richard, aged 9 months. Thomas Sr was listed as born in Euxton, Elizabeth Sr was born in Leyland, Alice and Elizabeth Jr were born in Walton-le-Dale, William, John and Thomas Jr were born in Penwortham, and the two grandchildren were born in Preston. Richard was the son of the 27 year old Elizabeth, but I cannot determine who the young Elizabeth's parents were. I can find no record of her baptism, but her birth registration seems to indicate that her mother was unmarried. Elizabeth may also have been the mother of the Hugh Allison who was buried in St Wilfrid's cemetery on 16 Mar 1846, aged 3 weeks, but I cannot yet confirm this. John Allison, a bachelor, aged 21, a weaver, of Croft Street, the son of Thomas Allison, a weaver, and Ellen Wrigley, a spinster, aged 21, a weaver, also of Croft Street, the daughter of Henry Wrigley, a painter, were married on 24 Jul 1852 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married after Banns by James R Thackeray, Officiating Minister, and the witnesses were Thomas Knowles and Mary Billington. The bride, groom and both witnesses signed the marriage register with an X. Richard was John and Ellen's first child, and they went on to have another five, with only three surviving infancy. Their son Thomas was born on 27 Sep 1855 and was baptized Thomas Allanson three days later at St Walburge's Catholic Church in Preston, with sponsors Peter Lambert and Mary Hodson. He died within a few weeks and may be the child buried under the name Thomas Ellison, of Parker Street, who was buried in the churchyard at St Ignatius Catholic Church on 11 Nov 1855, aged 6 weeks. They next had a set of twins, Elizabeth and Mary Ann, who were born on 21 Mar 1857 and were baptized the following day at St Walburge's Church with the surname Allanson. Elizabeth's sponsors were James Garstang and Mary Hodson, and Mary Ann's sponsors were Henry Charnock and Elizabeth Woods. They were followed by John, who was baptized John Allison at St Walburge's Church on 11 Dec 1859, with sponsors Thomas Allison and Mary Hunt. His date of birth was not recorded, but in each of the St Walburge's baptism records their mothers maiden name was recorded as Wrigley. John's older sister Alice Allison had married James Fawcett at St John's Parish Church on 6 Sep 1851, and on the night of the 1861 census John and Ellen were living with his sister and brother-in-law. James Fawcett, a cotton winder, aged 39, was living at 6 Bold Street Preston with his wife Alice, aged 40, his brother-in-law, John Allinson, a cotton weaver, aged 29, John's wife Ellen, a cotton weaver, aged 30; and their three children, Mary Ann and Elizabeth, both aged 4; and John, aged 1. James was listed as born in New England, Alice and John Sr were listed as born in Penwortham, and the rest of the family were born in Preston. John and Ellen's sixth and last child was Henry James Allinson, who was born in 1863 but was not baptized at St Walburge's Church. He did not survive infancy and was buried on 19 Jun 1864 in a public grave, D-689, in a Catholic section of Preston Cemetery, aged 7 months. His abode was recorded in the burial register as Willow Street. For a time, John and Ellen appear to have separated and at the time of the 1871 census Ellen Allinson, a cotton weaver, aged 39, was living at 280 Union Road in Oswaldthwistle with three children, Mary A. and Elizabeth, both cotton weavers, aged 14; and John, a short timer for a cotton weaver, aged 11. They were all listed as born in Preston. Staying with them was Ellen's brother's son, Thomas Riddley (actually Wrigley), a scholar, aged 9, who was born in Sheffield, Yorkshire. It is not certain where John was staying on the night of the census. There was a John Allinson, a power loom cotton weaver, aged 40, living as a boarder in the home of William and Elizabeth Parker at 12 Brierfield Road, Preston, but he was listed as a widower. This may have been an error, or - if John and Ellen had separated - he may have been calling himself a widower. John Allison, of 17 Croft Street, died in 1872 and was buried on 25 Oct 1872 in a public grave, D-158, in a Catholic section of Preston Cemetery, aged 41 years. Five years after John's death Ellen was remarried. James Hunt, a widower, aged 44, an overlooker, of Walton-le-Dale, the son of the late George Hunt, a labourer; and Ellen Allinson, a widow, aged 43, a weaver, of Aqueduct Street West, the daughter of the late Henry Wrigley, a painter, were married on 7 Jul 1877 at Emmanuel Church in Preston. They were married, by licence, by E S Murdock, Vicar, and the witnesses were George Wignall and Mary Taylor. The two ladies signed the marriage register with an X. John and Ellen's daughter Mary Ann married James Skillen at Emmanuel Church in Preston on 5 Jun 1879, witnessed by her brother John and her twin sister Elizabeth. On the night of the 1881 census Ellen Hunt, married, a cotton weaver, aged 48, was living at 97 Hammond Street, Preston with her son John, a dobbie tackler, aged 21; her married daughter Mary A Skillen, a cotton weaver, aged 24; and three grandsons, James Skillen, aged 4 months; Herbert Allenson, aged 2; and John Allenson, aged 2 months. They were all listed as born in Preston. Ellen's second husband, James Hunt, a cotton overlooker, aged 48, was living at Brownedge Terrace with his four children, Moses, a cotton weaver, aged 15; Dorothy, a half-time cotton weaver, aged 11; Mary J, a scholar, aged 8; and Miriam, a scholar, aged 6. James was listed as born in Yate and Pickup Bank, Moses and Dorothy were born in Lower Darwen, and Mary Jane and Miriam were born in Walton-le-Dale. Ellen's son John Allinson was married the following year, on 23 Dec 1882, to Margaret Alice Atkinson at Emmanuel Church in Preston. His sister Mary Ann Skillen was one of the witnesses. James and Ellen's separation was not a permanent, and by the time of the 1891 census James Hunt, an overlooker of cotton weavers, aged 58, was living at 47 St Mary's Road in Bamber Bridge with Ellen, aged 56, and three of his children by his first marriage, Dorothy, aged 21; Mary Jane, aged 17; and Miriam, aged 16. His daughters were all cotton weavers, and in this census James' birthplace is listed as Oswaldtwistle. James Hunt died in Walton-le-Dale in 1899, aged 66 years and on the night of the 1901 census Ellen Hunt, a widow, aged 67, was staying with her married son John Allinson, a cotton weaving overlooker, aged 41, and his wife Margaret A, aged 40, with their seven children, Frederick, aged 18; Emily, aged 16; Elizabeth, aged 12; Herbert, aged 10; Maggie, aged 7; John, aged 6; and Ellen, aged 4. The three oldest children were cotton workers. John Sr, his mother, and his four oldest children were listed as born in Preston, Margaret was born in Wigan, and the three youngest children were born in Bolton. Ellen Hunt was listed as John's mother-in-law in error. John and Ellen's daughter Mary Ann Skillen died in Bolton on 12 Apr 1908, aged 50, and at the time of the 1911 census Ellen was staying with her widowed son-in-law. James Skillen, widower, a pipe fitter, aged 52, was living at 11 Caledonia Street, Bolton with his unmarried children, Herbert, a jacquard tackler, aged 24; Elizabeth, aged 21; and Fred, a weaver, aged 19. Ellen Hunt, a widow, was aged 82. With the exception of Fred, who was listed as born in Blackburn, they were all listed as born in Ashton Parish, Preston. This is the last record I can find of Ellen (Wrigley) Allinson-Hunt, but some online sources record that she died in or near Bolton on 7 May 1913.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

William ALLISON / ALLINSON: William Alison (sic), a bachelor, and Margaret Marshall, a spinster, both of the Parish of Leyland, were married on 30 Oct 1836 at St Andrew's Parish Church in Leyland. They were married after Banns by Gardner Baldwin, Vicar, and the witnesses were Alice Wiggans and Catherine Marcsel. William and Margaret signed the marriage register with an X, while their witnesses signed their own names. The second witness appears to have spelled her surname Marcsel but it may have actually been Marshall. It's difficult to know if William and Margaret were of different faiths, but at least three of their six children were baptized in Church of England churches. Their first child was John, who was baptized on 27 Jul 1838 at St Leonard's Chapel in Walton-le-Dale; followed by Nancy, who was baptized in the same chapel on 10 Nov 1839. On the night of the 1841 William Allison, an agricultural labourer, aged c. 25, was living at Watering Pool in Walton-le-Dale with Margaret, aged c. 25, and two children, John, aged 2; and Nancy, aged 1. They were all listed as born in Lancashire. William and Margaret's third child was Edward, who was apparently born in Penwortham in about 1842, but his birth does not appear to have been registered and I can find no record of his baptism. He was followed by Hugh, who was baptized on 26 Dec 1844 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. He did not survive infancy and was buried in the churchyard at St Peter's Church in Preston on 13 Feb 1845. In both instances his abode was recorded as Red Cross Street. William and Margaret had two further children, Mary, born in about 1846, and William, born in 1848. I have been unable to find the baptism records for these children, but when their births were registered their surname was spelled Allinson. William's birth was registered in the second quarter of 1848, April to June, so it is possible that he was born after his father's death. William Allison Sr died on 23 Feb 1848 and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery four days later, aged 34 years. At the time of the 1851 census Margaret Allinson, widow, a card room hand, aged 36, was living at 22 Albion Street West with five children, John, a piecer, aged 12; Ann, a servant, aged 11; Edward, a scholar, aged 8; Mary, a scholar, aged 6; and William, aged 2. Staying with them was Edward Marshall, a labourer, aged 66, and his wife Nancy, a charwoman, aged 66. Margaret, John, Mary and William were all listed as born in Preston, Ann was born in Walton (Walton-le-Dale), and Edward was born in Penwortham. The lodgers, who may have been related to Margaret, were both born in Kirkham. I suspect that Edward and Nancy Marshall were Margaret's parents. On the night of the 1861 census Margaret Allinson, widow, a cotton scutcher, aged 47, was living at 14 Lower Pitt Street with her five children, John, a cotton self minder, aged 22; Nancy, a cotton frame minder, aged 21; Edward, a labourer in a saw mill, aged 19; Mary, a cotton frame minder, aged 15; and William, a cotton creeler, aged 12. In this census John Allinson is listed as born in Walton-le-Dale. By 1871 Margaret Allanson, a widow, aged 57, and her daughter Mary, a rover in a cotton mill, aged 25, were living as lodgers at 109 Ashmore Street, Preston, the home of John and Betty Brandwood. One of their seven children was William Brandwood, a hatter apprentice, aged 18. Three years later, on 8 Oct 1874, William Brandwood and Mary Allinson were married at St Thomas' Church in Preston. At that time William was still living at 109 Ashmore Street, but Mary was living at 24 Villiers Street. At the time of the 1881 census William Brandwood, a cotton weaver, aged 28, was living at 35 Havelock Street, Preston with his wife Mary, aged 35, and three children, Margaret, a scholar, aged 5; John, aged 4; and Emily, aged 1. Living with them was Mary's widowed mother Margaret Allinson, of no occupation, aged 67. They were all listed as born in Preston. They were still living at 35 Havelock Street in 1891, by which time their family had grown with the addition of two more children, Edward, a scholar, aged 9; and William, a scholar, aged 7. Mary's mother Margaret, aged 77, was still living with them. Margaret (Marshall) Allinson died in the summer of 1895, aged 81 years. When her death was registered her surname was spelled Allinson. Note: The spelling of William Allison's surname varied from one record to another, with Allison being more common in early records and Allinson being more common in later records. It's impossible to determine what the correct spelling was.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

David ALLSWORTH: David Alsworth (sic) was born on 9 Dec 1834, and was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 14 Dec 1834. He was the son of Joseph (actually Joshua) and Alice Alsworth, and the sponsors were John Sharrock and Mary Noblet. This is another case where the surname is spelled in so many different ways it is difficult to know which is the correct spelling. It has also made it difficult to research this family. Joshua Hallsworth, bachelor, a shoemaker, and Alice Terney, spinster, both of Manchester, were married at Manchester Cathedral on 22 Oct 1827. They were married after Banns by Moses Randall, Clerk in Orders, and the witnesses were Robert Hilton and Peter Eaton. Alice signed the marriage register with an X. The witness Robert Hilton was a witness to many weddings and may have been a church official. It is not known how many children Joshua and Alice had. A son Edward was born in Manchester in about 1830, and they baptized a child in Preston in 1831. Hannah was baptized Hannah Holdsworth at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 28 Aug 1831, with sponsors Dennis Sweeny and Winifrid Gillow. Another daughter, Charlotte was born on 12 May 1840 and was baptized Charlotte Allsworth on 24 May 1840 at St Ignatius Catholic Church, with sponsors John and Ellen Smith. Joshua died some time before 30 March 1851, but I can find no record of his death or burial. On the night of the 1851 Alice Hallsworth, widow, a pauper (shoe binder), aged 45, was living at 33 Hopwood Street, Preston with two children, Edward, a cotton spinner, aged 20; and Charlotte, a scholar, aged 10. Alice and Charlotte were listed as born in Preston, and Edward was born in Manchester. Alice Allsworth died a few weeks after the census was taken. The civil death index records her age as 43 years, but when she was buried under the name Alice Houldsworth, of Brook Street, in the churchyard at St Ignatius Catholic Church on 13 May 1851, her age was recorded as 46 years, which appears to be more accurate. I can find no further confirmed record of Joshua and Alice's children.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The Family of George ALMOND: George Almond, bachelor, a joiner, and Margaret Laytham, a spinster, both of Brindle, were married on 21 Nov 1825 at St James Parish Church in Brindle. They were married after Banns by James Stanley, Minister, and the only witness was Charles Henrich (or Kendric). After marrying in Brindle George and Margaret settled in Preston, where their first child was born. William Almond was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 14 Mar 1826, with sponsors Charles Kendric and Mary Hool. He was followed by Mary Ann, who was baptized Marianne Almond at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 14 Oct 1827, with sponsors James Gardner and Ann Hoole; then Elizabeth, who was baptized Elizabeth Almand at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 1 Mar 1829, with sponsors Francis Gardner and Mary Almand; and Agnes, who was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 7 Nov 1830, with sponsors Thomas and Agnes Cuerden. The 1832 Preston electoral rolls list George Almond, a joiner, living at both 5 Marsh Lane and 5 Bridge Lane, which were actually the same street. George and Margaret's fifth child was George, who was born on 16 Sep 1836 and was baptized the next day at St Wilfrid's Chapel, with sponsors William Horrocks and Elizabeth Postlethwaite. The following year they lost one of their children. Elizabeth ALMOND: Elizabeth Almond, who was born in 1829, was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 16 Jun 1837, aged 8 years. George and Margaret's sixth child was Robert, who was born on 7 Dec 1838 and was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel two days later, with sponsors Hugh Martin and Alice Latham. Six months later, they lost their eldest child. William ALMOND: William Almond, who was born in 1826, died on 4 Jul 1839 and was buried three days later in St Wilfrid's Cemetery, aged 13 years. On the night of the 1841 census George Almand (sic), a wood turner, aged c. 40, was living in Avenham Street, Preston with Margaret, aged c. 40, and four children, Mary, aged 12; Agness, aged 9; George, aged 4; and Robert, aged 2. They were all listed as born in Lancashire. At the time of the 1851 census George Almond, a bobbin turner employing 3 men, aged 51, was living at 18 Avenham Street, Preston with his wife Margaret, aged 53, and four children, Mary Ann, aged 23; Agnes, aged 20; George, aged 14; and Robert, a scholar, aged 12. George Sr was listed as born in Claughton, Margaret was born in Westby, and their children were born in Preston. Margaret died three months later. Margaret (Laytham) Almond died on 22 Jun 1851. It is likely that she was buried in the churchyard at the nearby St Augustine's Catholic Church, but the burial register is apparently missing. Death Notice: "DEATHS...On Sunday last, Margaret Almond, Avenham-street, aged 53." Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 28 Jun 1851 A little over a year after his wife's death, George married again. George Almond, widower, a wood turner, aged 52, of Avenham Street, the son of the late George Almond, a joiner; and Margaret Allen, widow, aged 40, of St Paul's Square, the daughter of Richard Thornber, an overlooker, were married on 17 Aug 1852 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married, by licence, by S. Hastings, Curate, and the witnesses were Richard Thornber Jr and Ann Harrison. Marriage Notice: "MARRIAGES...at the Parish Church of this town...On Tuesday last, Mr. George Almond, wood turner, to Mrs Margaret Allen." Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 21 Aug 1852 Sadly, George's second marriage was short-lived, as Margaret (Thornber-Allen) Almond died on 10 Feb 1859, aged 46 years. Death Notice: "DEATHS...On Thursday week, Margaret, wife of Mr. George Almond, turner, Avenham-street, aged 46." Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 19 Feb 1859 On the night of the 1861 census George Almond, widower, a wood turner, aged 61, was living at 26 Avenham Street with two of his children, Mary Ann, a housekeeper, aged 34; Robert, a wood turner, aged 22; and Margaret, aged 4. Although Margaret was listed as George's daughter, she was actually his granddaughter. George died three years later. Death Notice: "DEATHS...Since our last:...George Almond, Oxford-street, aged 63;" Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 9 Jan 1864

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Elizabeth ALMOND: Although listed in the burial transcripts as Elizabeth Almond, this may have actually bee Esther Almond, twin daughter of Cuthbert and Margaret Almond. Esther and her brother John were baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 25 Nov 1827. Esther's sponsors were James and Mary Parkinson, and John's were Robert Robinson Cooke and Esther Millington. Esther did not survive infancy but I can find no record of her death or burial. Cuthbert Joseph Almond, a bachelor, and Margaret Millington, a spinster, both of the Parish of Samlesbury, were married on 14 Aug 1826 at the Parish Church of St Leonard the Less in Samlesbury. They were married, by licence, by James Barnes, and the witnesses were William Walker and Esther Millington. After marrying in Samlesbury the couple settled in Preston and baptized six children at St Wilfrid's Chapel. The twins, John and Esther, were their first children. They were followed by James, who was baptized on 8 May 1829, with sponsors William Henry Lynass and Louisa Megraw; then Ann, who was baptized on 29 Aug 1831, with sponsors Richard and Ann Hoole. The 1832 Preston electoral rolls list Cuthbert Almond, a porter dealer, living at 22 Great Avenham Street. Cuthbert and Margaret's fifth child was Edward, who was baptized on 2 May 1834, with sponsors Peter Askens and Elizabeth Laynus; followed by Elizabeth, who was born on 18 Dec 1836 and was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel three days later, with sponsors Roger Adamson and Ann Haskayne. On the night of the 1841 census Cuthbert Almond, an agent, aged c. 35, was living in St Paul's Square, Preston with Margaret, aged c. 35, and four children, John, aged 12; James, aged 10; Ann, aged 8; Edward, aged 6; and Elizabeth, aged 4. They were all listed as born in Lancashire. Their seventh and last child was born later that year. Louisa Margaret Almond, was born on 31 Aug 1841 and was baptized at St Ignatius Catholic Church on 6 Sep 1841, with sponsors Edward Lynass and Esther Millington. Cuthbert later moved his family back to his native Liverpool and at the time of the 1851 census he was an ale and porter agent, aged 48, living at 38 Roscoe Street, Liverpool with his wife Margaret, aged 45, and four children, John, a clerk, aged 23; James, an optician, aged 21; Edward, a mariner, aged 16; and Louisa, a scholar, aged 9. They were living as lodgers in a lodging house run by Mary Jones. Cuthbert's birthplace was listed as Liverpool, Margaret's was illegible, and their children were born in Preston. On the night of the 1861 census Cuthbert Almond, a commission agent, aged 58, was living at 24 Little Woolton Street in the West Derby area of Liverpool with Margaret, aged 55, and four unmarried children, James, an optician, aged 30; Ann, aged 28; Elizabeth, aged 24; and Louisa, aged 19, all three dress makers. Cuthbert Almond died on 1 May 1862, and was buried two days later in the churchyard at St Oswald's Catholic Church in Liverpool, aged 59 years. His widow and children continued to live in West Derby, Liverpool and at the time of the 1881 census Margaret Almond, a widow, aged 76, was living at 8 Highgate Street, West Derby with her three unmarried daughters, Ann, aged 49; Elizabeth, aged 44; and Louisa, aged 39. All three ladies were dressmakers, and were listed as born in Preston. Again, Margaret's birthplace was illegible, but was in Lancashire. Margaret (Millington) Almond, of St Mary's Place, Highgate Street, died on 6 May 1887 and was buried three days later in a private grave in section 1, number 863 in a Catholic section at Anfield Cemetery in Liverpool, aged 84 years. Death Notice: "DEATHS...ALMOND - May 6, at St Mary's-place, Edgehill, Margaret, widow of the late Cuthbert Almond, of this town, aged 84 years" Published in the Liverpool Mercury, Mon., 9 May 1887

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Elizabeth ALMOND: Elizabeth Almond was born on 2 Aug 1842, and was baptized on 9 Aug 1842 at St Wilfrid's Chapel. She was the daughter of John and Mary Almond, and the sponsors were Joseph and Elizabeth Holden. John Almond, a bachelor, and Mary Holden, a spinster, both of Preston, were married on 23 Jul 1835 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married after Banns by Thomas Clark, Curate, and the witnesses were Joseph Counsell and Margaret Townley. John and Mary's first known child was Mary, who was born in Preston in 1838 but does not appear to have been baptized in any of Preston's Catholic Churches. On the night of the 1841 census Mary Almond, Ind. (of independent means), aged c. 30, and her daughter Mary, aged 3, were staying in Friargate, Preston at the home of Richard Hothersall, a butcher, aged c. 25. Also staying there was Mary Holden, a bonnet maker, aged c. 15, who may have been a relative of Mary (Holden) Almond's. I cannot find John Almond in Preston in 1841, and it may be that his work caused him to be away from home. At the time of the 1851 census Robert Holden, aged 72, widower, a farmer of five acres and a bobbin manufacturer employing five men, was living at Bobbin Mill in Nether Wyersdale. Staying with him was his married daughter Mary Almond, a housekeeper, aged 40; his granddaughter Mary Almond, a scholar, aged 13; his grandson Robert Richardson, a scholar, aged 13, and a boarder, James Arkwright, an apprentice bobbin turner, aged 19. With the exception of the boarder, who was born in Cabus, they were all listed as born in Nether Wyresdale. Although Mary is described as married - not a widow, her husband is not with her. Ten years later, she was being described as a widow. On the night of the 1861 census Robert Holden, a widower, aged 82 years, was still living at Bobbin Mill in Nether Wyersdale, where he employed five men and one boy. Living with him were his widowed son William, a bobbin turner, aged 59; his widowed daughter Mary Almond, a housekeeper, aged 50; his grandson Robert Richardson, a bobbin turner, aged 23; and his grandson Lawrence Holden, a bobbin turner, aged 16. Robert, his daughter Mary and his grandson Lawrence were listed as born in Wyersdale, William was born in Ellel, and Robert Richardson was born in Preston. Robert Holden died later that year, on 7 Dec 1861. His Will was proved at Lancaster on 17 Jan 1862 to his sons Richard and Robert Holden. After her father's death Mary remained in Nether Wyersdale, and at the time of the 1871 census she was a grocer, aged 60, living in Street, Nether Wyersdale with her unmarried daughter Mary, a grocer's assistant, aged 33. Mary was listed as born in Nether Wyersdale, and her daughter was born in Preston. At the time of the 1881 census, Mary was a 70 year old widow working as a seamstress in Warton with Lindeth, Lancashire. Living with her was her unmarried daughter Mary, a domestic servant, aged 43, and her unmarried nephew, Joseph Smith, a railway engine driver, aged 33. Mary and her nephew were listed as born in Garstang, and her daughter was born in Preston. On the night of the 1891 census Mary Almond, aged 80, was living at 8 Jackson Terrace in Warton with Lindeth with her unmarried daughter Mary, a domestic servant, aged 53. Mary died in Warton three years later, and her death was registered in Lancaster in the fourth quarter of 1893, aged 83 years.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Isabella ALMOND: Isabella Almond's baptism was recorded in the register at St Wilfrid's Chapel but only one date was entered, 26 Apr 1838. Her twin brother William's baptism was also recorded with just one date, 20 Apr 1838. It may be that they were born on the 20th and baptized on the 26th, but the entry in the register does not make this clear. Isabella and William were the children of William and Elizabeth Almond. Isabella's sponsors were James Almond and Ann Margeson, and William's were George Almond and Ann Gray. William Almond, a weaver, and Betty Brindle, a spinster, both of the Chapelry of Walton-le-Dale, were married on 27 Aug 1821 at St Leonard's Chapel in Walton-le-Dale. They were married after Banns by Edmund Stregfellow Radcliffe, Curate, and the witnesses were William Wilson and John Tomlison. Elizabeth signed the marriage register with an X. They also had a Catholic ceremony at St Mary's Brownedge Catholic Church in Bamber Bridge on the same day, where William's surname was spelled Almand and Elizabeth's first name was recorded as Eliza. William and Elizabeth settled initially in the area around Bamber Bridge, and baptized their first four children at St Mary's Brownedge Church, beginning with Henry, who was baptized on 12 Oct 1822, with sponsors John Almond and Isabella Brindle. He was followed by Ellen, who was born on 3 Oct 1824 and was baptized Ellen Aman that same day, with sponsors George Wilson and Jane Aman (sic); then the first of two children to be called Alice, who was born on 1 Mar 1827 and was baptized Alice Aman the following day, with sponsors Richard Aman and Ellen Whittle; and finally Ann, who was born on 13 Dec 1829 and was baptized Ann Aman that same day, with sponsors James and Mary Brindle. It's not clear when William and Elizabeth moved to Preston or where and when the first child called Alice died or was buried. The second child to be called Alice was born in about 1832, and may be the child who was baptized under the name Alice Eamor at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 15 Jul 1832. That child was the daughter of William and Elizabeth, and the sponsors were Peter and Rose Chapman. The first confirmed record of William and Elizabeth in Preston was the baptism of the above mentioned twins in 1838, and on the night of the 1841 census, William Almond, a journeyman tanner, aged c. 40, was living in Vauxhall Road, Preston with Elizabeth, aged c. 40, and five children, Henry, an apprentice mechanic, aged c. 15; Ellen, a cotton winder, aged c. 15; Ann, aged 11; Alice, aged 9; and William, aged 3. They were all listed as born in Lancashire. The following year their eighth and last known child was born. Elizabeth Almond was born on 23 Mar 1842 and was baptized Elizabeth Helman (sic) at St Augustine's Catholic Church on 27 Mar 1842, with sponsors Richard Helman and Margaret Moon. The baptism register records her parents as William Helman and Eliz. Brindle. Although the baptism register entry spells her name Helman, when her birth was registered it was spelled correctly, and her mother's maiden name was recorded as Brindle. Elizabeth (Brindle) Almond died on 25 Feb 1849, aged 52, but I can find no record of her burial. It may be that she was buried in the churchyard at St Augustine's Church, but the burial register appears to be missing. Death Notice: "DEATHS...On Sunday last,...Elizabeth Almond, Marsh-lane, aged 52;" Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 3 Mar 1849 On the night of the 1851 census William Almond, widower, a tanner, aged 51, was living at Tanyard Cottage in Marsh Lane, Preston with four children, Ann, a housekeeper, aged 21; Alice, a weaver, aged 18; William, a scholar, aged 12; and Elizabeth, aged 9. William Sr and Ann were listed as born in Brownedge, and the rest of the children were born in Preston. This is the last confirmed record I can find of William Almond. There was a William Almond who died in 1858, but his age was recorded as 53 years, and his death was registered in the Alston sub-district, rather than Preston. I can find no record of this man's burial, there was no death notice published, and he did not leave a Will.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Agnes ALSTON: If Agnes Alston was 63 when she died in 1834 it would mean that she was born in about 1770, and would have been about 50 years old in 1820. The 1820 Catholic census lists an Agnes Horston, aged 50, living at 39 Bridge Street, Preston. It is not beyond the realms of possibility that Horston was a poor phonetic spelling of Alston.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Ann ANDERSON: Ann Anderson was the widow of Richard Anderson Jr. Richard Anderson and Ann Fellows, both of Preston, were married on 6 Feb 1796 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married, by licence, by Humphrey Shuttleworth, Vicar, and the witnesses were Gregory Blackburn and William Hodgkinson. The bride signed the marriage register with an X. Richard and Ann's first known child was William, who was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 28 Jan 1803, with sponsors Peter Holderness and Catherine Fellows. Their second known child, Richard, was born in about 1807, during the period when the St Wilfrid's records are missing. The 1810 Catholic census of Preston lists Nancy Anderson, M (mother), living in Fishergate with William, aged 6 years; and Richard, aged 3 years. The fact that Richard Sr was not listed may mean that he was away from home when the census was taken, or that he was not a Catholic. Ann's husband Richard died on 21 Jan 1812 and was buried three days later in the churchyard at St John's Parish Church, aged 37 years. Death Notice: "DIED...On Tuesday last,...Mr. Richard Anderson, jun., formerly of the Legs-of-Man public-house, in Preston." Published in the Lancaster Gazette, Sat., 25 Jan 1812 Richard Anderson the younger, an innkeeper, wrote a Will appointing his brother Robert Anderson, an upholsterer; his brother-in-law Thomas Lythgoe, an attorney's clerk; and his wife's brother-in-law, Benjamin Paley, an innkeeper, as his Executors. He first ordered that his just debts, funeral and testamentary expenses be paid out of his personal estate. His wife Nancy was to be allowed to take such furniture and plate out of the house they now occupy for the purpose of furnishing a house to use and occupy. His Executors were to take all of his other household goods and chattels, plate and furniture, as well as his properties, that being two dwellinghouses in Friargate in the possession of Miss Baron and Mr Dearden as tenants, four vacant cottages or dwellinghouses in Fishergate, the stable at the top of the yard adjoining his property in Fishergate, and the stable, lands and premises in New Cock Yard in the possession of Joseph Croft. They were also to have the interest and benefit from two leases, one on his own house and the other on a farm in Grimsargh in the possession of James Glover. His "beloved wife Nancy" was to receive all of the rents, issues and profits from the properties and leases until his two sons William and Richard reached the age of 21 years - providing she did not remarry or change her name, in which case she would be completely cut off. Nancy was to apply the rents and profits earned from the properties and investments towards the maintenance, education, and bringing up of their two sons, including putting them into apprenticeships in a trade or profession that the Executors thought most suitable - with his sons able to consent to and choose their own professions. When William and Richard reached the age of 21 years they were to inherit all of the above mentioned properties, share and share alike, but if either of them died before reaching the age of 21 the survivor of the two would inherit everything. If both sons died before reaching the age of 21 years, Nancy - as long as she remained a widow - was to receive £30 annually for the remainder of her natural life, paid quarterly in four equal shares. His properties were to be divided between his sister Jane Lythgoe, the wife of Thomas Lythgoe; his brother Robert Anderson; the heirs of (his wife's) brother-in-law Benjamin Paley; and the heirs of his brother-in-law John Welde of Preston, a joiner, share and share alike. The Executors had the power to sell any and all properties necessary to maintain his sons during their infancy (i.e. aged under 21 years) and the money raised was to be invested to their best advantage. Richard signed and sealed his Will on 12 Jan 1812, which was witnessed by Thomas Sudell, Arthur Seddon and Thomas Warden, all of Preston.   The Will was proved to the three Executors on 15 Jul 1812 at Preston, who valued the estate at under £450. The Probate statement records that Richard "departed this life on the twenty first day of January 1812". The 1820 Catholic census of Preston lists Nancy Anderson at 46 Fishergate with William, aged 17, and the 1822 Pigot's Directory of Preston lists, under Taverns and Public Houses, Nancy Anderson, at the Theatre Tavern, Fishergate. She died there three years later. Ann ANDERSON: Ann "Nancy" (Fellows) Anderson, a widow, of the Theatre Tavern, who was born in about 1774, died on 4 Dec 1825 and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery three days later, aged 51 years. Death Notice: "DIED...at Preston...and on Sunday, Mrs. Anderson, of the Theatre Tavern." Published in the Lancaster Gazette, Sat., 10 Dec 1825 Ann Anderson wrote a Will appointing Thomas Tipping of Preston, flour dealer, and Samuel Redmayne of Preston, shopkeeper, as her Executors. She first directed that all of her just debts, funeral and probate expenses be paid out of her personal estate. She left all of her household furniture, stock in trade, brewing utensils, plate, linen, securities for money and cash in the house at the time of her death, as well as any money owed to her - particularly the £350 and 6 shillings owed to her by John Welch of Preston, machine maker, which was to be paid to the Executors immediately or securities for that amount give to the satisfaction of the Executors. "My good will and interest in the public house known as the Theatre Tavern in which I now live and all other my personal estate..." to her Executors Upon Trust - to sell, dispose of, and convert to money, and pay one equal half to her dear son William. The other half share was to be invested and the interest on the investments was to be held in trust for her son Richard until he reached the age of 21 years. However, the Executors had the power to pay part of the moneys raised to Richard during his minority "for his maintenance, preferment or advancement in the world." Ann gave her Executors the eleven cottages or dwellinghouses in Hardman's Yard, Preston, which she had recently purchased from the estate of the late James Helms. These cottages were to be rented until they could be sold at private sale or public auction for the best price possible, and from the rents and proceeds of the sale £60 was to be invested with the proceeds going to her son Richard when he reached the age of 21 years, and the remainder was to be divided into two equal shares with one share being paid to her son William and the other share invested for her son Richard during his minority. If Richard died before reaching the age of 21 years, his share was to be paid to William. Lastly, Ann left her son Richard her pianoforte "in her home and used by him." Ann Anderson signed and sealed her Will on 2 Nov 1825, witnessed by Thomas Lythgoe, Attorney, Ralph Higinson and Jane Lythgoe, all of Preston.   The Will was proved at Preston to Thomas Tipping and Samuel Redmayne on 9 Feb 1826, sworn under the value of £1500. The probate statement records that Ann "departed this life on the fifth day of December 1825." Note 1: The death notice published at Ann's death indicated a date of death as the 4th of December but the Will recorded that she died on the 5th. It is impossible to be sure which was correct. Note 2: At the time of her marriage in 1796 Ann's surname was spelled Fallows on the Marriage Bond. Note 3: Richard's sister Jane Anderson married Thomas Lythgoe at St John's Parish Church in Preston on 9 Jun 1811, and Ann's sister Catherine Fellows married Benjamin Paley at the same church on 5 May 1804. Note 3: Benjamin Paley was landlord at the Waterloo Tavern in Friargate.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The Family of William and Ann ANDERSON: William Anderson, a bachelor, and Ann Parkinson, a spinster, both of Preston, were married on 2 Aug 1823 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married after Banns by Anthony Hammond, and the witnesses were James Murphy and Elizabeth Bradley. The bride, groom and Elizabeth Bradley signed the marriage register with an X. They also had a Catholic ceremony at St Wilfrid's Chapel on the same day, where the witnesses were Robert Barton and Mary Bradley. William and Ann settled in Preston, and baptized twelve children at St Wilfrid's Chapel, beginning with Mary, who was baptized on 28 Dec 1823, with sponsors Robert Barton and Elizabeth Bradley. She was followed by William, who was baptized William Anderton on 7 May 1826, with sponsors Peter Diccinson and Ellen Bradley; then Jane, who was baptized Jane Anderton on 7 Sep 1828, with sponsors Joseph Townsend and Alice Nixon; followed by John, who was baptized on 15 Aug 1830, with sponsors Joseph and Elizabeth Townsend. The 1832 Preston electoral rolls list William Anderson twice, as a carter, and as a labourer, in both cases living at 6 Red Cross Street. He was living in Red Cross Street when his fifth child was born. Ann "Hannah" ANDERSON: Hannah Anderson was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 25 Nov 1832, with sponsors Thomas Holden and Mary Cross. She was the first of the family to be buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery, on 19 Apr 1835, aged 2 years. William and Ann's sixth child was Alice, who was born on 12 Jan 1835 and was baptized on 18 Jan 1835, with sponsors Thomas Pritt and Mary Cross. She was followed by the first of two sons to be called Thomas. Thomas ANDERSON (1): Thomas Anderson was born on 25 Oct 1836 and was baptized Thomas Anderton at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 6 Nov 1836, with sponsors Thomas and Eleanor Holden. He died in infancy and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 13 Feb 1839, aged 2 years. His surname was spelled Anderton in the burial transcript and when his death was registered. Five months after burying their son, William and Ann's eighth child, another boy they called Thomas, was born. He was born on 16 Jul 1839 and was baptized on 20 Aug 1839, with one sponsor, Alice Bradley. William and Ann's eldest child died two years later. Mary ANDERSON: Mary Anderson, who was born in 1823, was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 10 Jan 1841, aged 17 years. On the night of the 1841 census William Anderson, a labourer, aged c. 35, was living in Red Cross Street, Preston with Ann, aged c. 35, and four children, William, a flax weaver, aged c. 15; John, aged 10; Alice, aged 6; and Thomas, aged 1. William Sr appears to have been born in either Ireland or Foreign Parts, as there is either an I or an F in the "Where born" space. The rest of the family were listed as born in Lancashire. William and Mary's ninth child was Edward, who was born on 11 Sep 1842 and was baptized 18 Sep 1842, with sponsors William Parkinson and Catherine Ribchester. Two years after his birth the second child they called Thomas also died in infancy. Thomas ANDERSON (2): Thomas Anderson, who was born in 1839, was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 4 Aug 1844, aged 5 years. His surname was spelled Anderton in the burial transcripts, but was spelled Anderson when his death was registered. Two months after burying Thomas, William and Ann's tenth child was born. Ann Anderson was born on 11 Oct 1844 and was baptized on 27 Oct 1844, with one sponsor, Elizabeth Rogers. Five months after her birth another child was lost. Edward ANDERSON: Edward Anderson, who was born in 1842, was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 25 Mar 1845, aged 2 years. His younger sister followed him to the grave just five months later. Ann ANDERSON: Ann Anderson, who was born in 1844, was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 31 Aug 1845, aged 11 months. Her surname was spelled Anderton in the burial transcript, and Anderson when her death was registered. Eight months later, William and Ann lost another daughter. Jane ANDERSON: Jane Anderson, who was born in 1828, died on 5 Apr 1846 and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 10 Apr 1846, aged 17 years. Death Notice: "DEATHS...On Sunday last, Jane Anderson, Foster-square, aged 17." Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 11 Apr 1846 William and Ann's eleventh child was Mary Ann, who was born on 16 Sep 1847 and was baptized on 24 Sep 1847, with one sponsor, Elizabeth Rogers. She was followed by their twelfth and last child, another daughter they called Jane, who was born on 1 Oct 1849 and was baptized on 7 Oct 1849, with sponsors William Coop and Ellen Shorrock. By the time of the 1851 census William and Ann had lost seven of their twelve children and the older three children had left home. William Anderson, a labourer in an iron foundry, aged 47, was living at 3 Chew's Yard, Preston, with Jane (sic), aged 46, and their youngest two surviving children, Mary Ann, at home, aged 4; and Jane, at home, aged 1. They were all listed as born in Preston. This is the last record I can find of this family, who appear to have left Preston after 1851. Note: The names Jane and Ann seem to have been confused often.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Mary ANDERSON: Mary Anderson, who was born in about 1740, was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 16 Aug 1826, aged 86 years. At the time of her burial her abode was recorded as Pope Street, but I suspect that this was an error. I can find no record of there ever having been a Pope Street in Preston, but there was a Hope Street. The 1820 Catholic census of Preston lists a Francis Anderson, aged 80 years, living at 15 Hope Street with Mary, aged 80 years. They were not listed in the 1810 Catholic census, and I can find no record of their marriage in Lancashire, so it is possible that they only came to Preston later in life.

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William ANDERSON: William Anderson, an out pensioner, formerly of the 6th regiment of Carabiniers (6th Dragoon Guards), who was born in about 1776, died on 15 Oct 1842. He was buried two days later in St Wilfrid's Cemetery, aged 66 years. At the time of his death William was apparently staying at the home of Thomas Waite or Whaites in South Meadow Lane, Preston, but he was not staying there on the night of the 1841 census and I can find no record of him elsewhere in that census. Note 1: William's name in the death entry was originally spelled Anderton, but this was crossed out and corrected to Anderson. Note 2: Another former member of the 6th Dragoon Guards, John Kay, was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery with military honours on 11 Feb 1854, aged 47 years.

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The Family of John and Elizabeth ANDERTON: John Anderton, a bachelor, and Betty Worthington, a spinster, both of the Parish Preston, were married on 23 Aug 1820 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married after Banns by Matthew Mark, Curate, and the witnesses were John Gregson and Alice Slater. The bride, groom and both witnesses signed the marriage register with an X. They also had a Catholic ceremony at St Wilfrid's Chapel on the same day and with the same witnesses. Marriage Notice: "MARRIED...On Tuesday last,...Mr John Anderton, to Miss Betty Worthington, both of Preston." Published in the Lancaster Gazette, Sat., 26 Aug 1820 Later records indicate that Elizabeth and her children were born in Ashton, and some researchers have made the assumption that this was Ashton-in-Makerfield. However, it is highly unlikely that John and Elizabeth would have had their children in Ashton-in-Makerfield, twenty-two miles south of Preston, and brought them to St Wilfrid's Chapel for baptism. It is more likely that the Ashton referred to was Ashton-upon-Ribble, on the outskirts of Preston, less than two miles from the town centre. The 1820 Catholic census of Preston lists a John Anderton, aged 34, living at Cheanhouses (sic) in Marshend, with Mary, aged 24. Marsh End was an area of what is now Ashton-on-Ribble, and "Cheanhouses" may have been what was described as "Chain in Ashton" in the burial transcripts. Chain House was situated on the edge of Ashton Marsh. Whether they lived in Preston or in Ashton-on-Ribble, John and Elizabeth baptized their four children at St Wilfrid's Chapel, the first of whom died in infancy. Christopher ANDERTON: Christopher Anderton was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 21 Apr 1822. He was the son of John and Elizabeth Anderton, and the sponsors were Joseph Anderton and Elizabeth Wilcock. He is almost certainly the Christopher Anderton who was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery in Sep 1822, but his age and the exact date of burial was not recorded. John and Elizabeth went on to have three further children, Rachel, who was baptized on 28 Mar 1824, with sponsors John Gregson and Margaret Furnival; Ann, who was baptized on 17 Jun 1827, with sponsors John Moore and Janet Walker; and John Jr, who was baptized on 31 May 1829, with sponsors John Gregson and Elizabeth Newsham. John Jr was only 5 years old when his father died. John ANDERTON Sr: John Anderton, who was born in about 1784, was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 22 Aug 1834, aged 50 years. A little more than a year after her husband's death Elizabeth remarried. Joseph Wilcockson, a widower, and Elizabeth Anderton, a widow, both of the Parish of Preston, were married on 5 Dec 1835 at St John's Parish Church. They were married after Banns by Joseph Rigg, and the witnesses were Richard and Jane Boardman. Elizabeth signed the marriage register with an X. Marriage Notice: "Marriages...On Saturday last,...Mr. Joseph Wilcockson to Miss (sic) Elizabeth Anderton;" Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 12 Dec 1835 Although both the marriage register entry and the newspaper announcement recorded Joseph's surname was Wilcockson, it may have actually been Wilcock. On the night of the 1841 census Joseph Wilcock, an ostler, aged c. 40, was living in Singleton Row, Preston with Elizabeth, aged c. 40, and her three children, Rachel Anderton, aged c. 15; Ann Anderton, aged 14; and John Anderton, aged 12. Also staying with them was Elizabeth Hosbeldeston, a cotton weaver, aged c. 20, and Alice Hosbeldeston, aged c. 15. They were all listed as born in Lancashire. Rachael Anderton married John Rigby on 26 Aug 1843 at St Ignatius Catholic Church. Three years later her unmarried sister Ann had a daughter, Rachael (sic) Anderton, who was born on 2 Dec 1846 and was baptized four days later at St Ignatius Catholic Church, with sponsors John Rigby and Alice Sherrington. Four years later Ann married Robert Hindle at St John's Parish Church. Ann was described as a spinster, aged 22, a weaver, of Sedgwick Street, the daughter of the late John Anderton, a gardener. Robert Hindle was a bachelor, aged 23, a soldier, of Fulwood (possibly Fulwood Barracks), the son of the late James Hindle, a carter. They were married after Banns on 17 Feb 1850 by John Owen Parr, Vicar, and the witnesses were John Anderton and Mary Holmes. The bride, groom and both witnesses signed the marriage register with an X. At the time of the 1851 census Elizabeth Wilcock, married, a housekeeper, aged 52, was living at 19 Sedgwick Street, Preston with her married daughter Ann Hindle, a power loom cotton weaver, aged 23; her unmarried son John Anderton, a factory labourer, aged 22; and her granddaughter Rachel Anderton, a scholar, aged 5. Also staying with them were three unmarried lodgers, Elizabeth Osboldeston, a power loom cotton weaver, aged 38; James Osboldeston, a scholar, aged 5; and James Leach, a striker, aged 22. Elizabeth and her two children were listed as born in Ashton, Rachel was born in Preston, Elizabeth Osboldeston was born in Brindle, and the other two lodgers were born in Preston. Elizabeth's husband was not staying with her on the night of the census and may have been the Joseph Wilcock, married, a coachman, aged 51, who was an inmate at the Walton-le-Dale Workhouse. His birthplace was recorded as Ashton upon Ribble. John Anderton Jr married Alice Cooper in Preston in 1853 and on the night of the 1861 census John Anderton, an engine man, aged 30, was living at 55 Sedgwick Street with his wife Alice, a cotton weaver, aged 28, and two children, William, a scholar, aged 7; and Mary, a scholar, aged 5. Also staying with them was his mother Elizabeth Wilcock, a house keeper, aged 62; his sister Ann Hindle, a cotton weaver, aged 32; and Ann's four children, Elizabeth Hindle, a scholar, aged 8; James Hindle, a scholar, aged 6; John Hindle, aged 1; and Rachel Anderton, a cotton weaver, aged 14. John, his mother, and his sister were all listed as born in Ashton, the rest of the household was born in Preston. Although Elizabeth and Ann were both listed as married, their husbands were not listed. A Joseph Wilcock, married, a hostler (ostler), aged 63, was an inmate at the Preston Workhouse. His birthplace was recorded as Ashton. Elizabeth (Worthington) Anderton-Wilcock, of 55 Sedgwick Street, died in 1867 and was buried on 12 Jun 1867 in a public grave, D-324, in a Catholic section of Preston Cemetery, aged 68 years. Death Notice: "DEATHS...Since our last:...Elizabeth Wilcock, Sedgwick-street, aged 68." Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 15 Jun 1867 Note: John Anderton appears to have been related to Joseph Anderton and Richard Anderton, as all three named sons Christopher, they were Godfathers to each others children, and some of the same people were Godparents to their respective children.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The Family of Richard and Ann ANDERTON: Richard Anderton, a bachelor, and Ann Bonney, a spinster, both of Preston, were married on 2 Nov 1818 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married after Banns by Matthew Mark, Curate, and the witnesses were John Noble and Lawrence Tomlison. Richard signed the marriage register with an X. They also had a Catholic ceremony at St Wilfrid's Chapel the same day, where the witnesses were John and Mary Gregson. Ann's surname was spelled Bonny in the Catholic register. Richard and Ann settled in Preston and baptized nine children at St Wilfrid's Chapel, beginning with Christopher, who was baptized on 1 Aug 1819 with sponsors Joseph Liman and Margaret Werden. He was followed by James, who was baptized on 13 Jan 1822 with sponsors John Hoole and Margaret Wilcock; Robert, who was baptized on 7 Dec 1823 with sponsors John and Jane Walker; William, who was baptized on 12 Feb 1826 with sponsors John Anderton and Jane Walker; Edward, who was baptized on 28 Sep 1828 with sponsors James Bonney and Elizabeth Eaves; then Ann, who was baptized on 10 Jul 1831 with sponsors Roger and Jane Woodcock; Ellen, who was baptized on 9 Mar 1834 with sponsors Charles Leach and Alice Hoskinson; Francis, who was born on 18 Jun 1837 and was baptized Francis Anderson on 25 Jun 1837 with sponsors James Cross and Jane Spencer. March 1840 brought unimaginable heartache to the family, which began with the death of their seventh child. Ellen ANDERTON (1): Ellen Anderton, who was born in 1834, died in childhood and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 11 Mar 1840, aged 6 years. On the very day that they buried their daughter, Ann gave birth to their ninth and last child. Ellen ANDERTON (2): Ellen Anderton was born on 11 Mar 1840 and was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel four days later, with sponsors Joseph Woodcock and Mary Draper. She died a shocking death on 17 Mar 1840, and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 22 Mar 1840, aged 5 days. Newspaper Report: "Charge of Manslaughter against a Quack Doctor - On Thursday last, an inquiry took place at the Town-hall, before Richard Palmer, Esq., coroner, and a respectable jury, touching the death of an infant of about a week old, named Ellen Anderton, who was stated to have died in consequence of a dose of opium, injudiciously and imprudently administered to it by Richard Worsley, a weaver, of Friday-street, an empirical practitioner in medicine. The first witness examined was Mr. Wm. Howitt, a surgeon. He deposed as follows: I yesterday made a post mortem examination of the body of the deceased. The surface of the brain was considerably congested with blood and fluid in the ventricles of the brain. The lungs and heart were natural. The blood throughout the body was in a state of fluidity. The bowels were healthy. The stomach was healthy, except the inner coat, which had softened. The whole surface of the body presented an exceedingly livid appearance. The substance of the brain itself did not show any external marks of inflamation. I have partially analyzed the contents of the stomach, and also of the bottle from which it is alleged the fluid was given. The contents of the stomach produced, by one of the tests used for the contents of the phial, the same result. A precipitate was thrown down from both. On Tuesday night last, I received from Mr. Bernard Halden a phial containing a fluid, which, on analyzation, I have no doubt is a solution of opium and water. This corresponds with my examination of the contents of the stomach, so far as that examination has gone. The child was seven days old. judging from the symptoms I perceived, on Tuesday night, before the child died, and from subsequent examination, I have no hesitation in saying that death was caused by the administration of the solution of opium. When I saw the child it was slightly convulsed, and died in about twenty minutes afterwards. A very small quantity of opium would be sufficient to cause death in a child of that age. Mr. John Armstrong, solicitor, appeared on behalf of the accused; he cross-examined the witness, and the following answers were elicited: When persons die by violent means, and in particular by taking arsenic, the stomach is inflamed. In the present instance the stomach was in a healthy state, except the inner coat. The heart and lungs were healthy, but the heart contained fluid blood. I never examined an infant that died of opium before. So far as the infant under consideration is concerned, the evidence I give to-day is founded more upon my general knowledge than my practical experience. - It is usual to give medicine, in which opium is intermixed, to children. The effect of opium on infants is immediate, I mean in a quarter or half an hour. After an over dose of opium a child would not generally live more than twelve hours. Presuming that the opium, in the present instance, was administered at nine o'clock in the morning, I do not think it impossible that it should have lingered until 12 o'clock at night. I consider any dose of opium to a child of such tender age, an over dose. I detected a drop or two of castor oil floating on the stomach, but did not observe any other medicine. Mr. Bernard Haldan, house surgeon to the Dispensary, examined. - On Tuesday night last, about ten o'clock, I was called to see the deceased. I found her in a state of strong convulsions, principally in the face and hands. The pupils of the eyes were alternately diluted and contracted. There was no perceptible pulsation at the wrist. From the appearances I felt perfectly convinced that the child could not survive above an hour or two at the utmost. A woman in the house gave me a bottle containing some fluid, from which she stated she had given the child a tea-spoon full. I handed the bottle to Mr. Howitt. I was present at the post mortem examination, and can confirm Mr. Howitt's observations. Cross examined, by Mr. Armstrong: The convulsions of the child might have been produced by several causes. Before I saw the child, some sulfate of zinc, had, I was told, been administered to her, to act as an emetic. I gave her about five grains more zinc, but I do not think she was able to swallow it. I gave her the zinc more for form's sake than anything else, for I felt convinced that she could not recover. I tried to induce vomiting, by tickling the glotis with a feather, but did not succeed. The dose I gave the infant was regulated both from the information I received, and its then present symptoms. If I had not entertained the opinion that the child had taken poison, I would not have administered zinc at all. Sulphate of zinc is a mineral poison; an over dose of sulphate of zinc, if it failed to produce vomiting, might produce inflamation, which of course might produce death. Ann Anderton, the wife of Richard Anderton, labourer, of Friday-street, examined: - I am the mother of the deceased. It was born a healthy child; and remained well until Monday night last. It did not sleep all Monday night. On Tuesday morning Richard Worsley came into the house, and asked how the child was. I told him it was restless, and he said he could give me some stuff to ease its bowels, and help it to rest. He then fetched some medicine in a bottle, which he gave to a little girl in the house. He told me to give the child a tea-spoonful in a little tea. After a few minutes Ellen Draper came in, and I asked her to mix it; she did so, and I fed the child with it. Shortly afterwards, it fell asleep, and was put to bed: it slept until between four and five o'clock, and becoming alarmed, I told Ellen to fetch the child down; she took it on her knee, and it appeared to be in a fit; it continued in that way until we thought it was dead, but it recovered again. About seven o'clock I again sent for Worsley; he came soon after, and said I was not to be alarmed; it was not the stuff the child had taken but convulsive fits; he then went away and the child continued the same. Worsley afterwards came in again, and I told him he had murdered my baby with landanum; he said, "no, no, it is not my stuff, it is convulsive fits; I don't care who examines the bottle." I said I would keep the bottle for some responsible man to examine. I sent the bottle to Mr. Bateson's, the druggist, to ask if it was fit to give to a child. Mr. Bateson came and sent my son to the dispensary, and in about half an hour he came back with Mr. Haldan. I gave the bottle containing the stuff, either to Mr. Haldan or Mr. Bateson. Cross-examined by Mr. Armstrong: The child had taken a small portion of castor oil. I have known Worsley for about a month; I had heard that he had done children good. I did not send for Worsley before the child was in fits. Ellen Draper examined: - I gave the stuff to the child as described by the last witness, between ten and eleven o'clock on Tuesday morning. I took the child up in the afternoon, and it seemed to be in a kind of fit. In a short time afterwards it appeared to be dead. In the morning the child took a spoonful of the mixture out of the bottle. Cross-examined by Mr. Armstrong: I have heard it stated that Worsley has been useful among children, and has performed some cures. James Anderton, the brother of the deceased, examined: About half-past nine o'clock on Tuesday night last, my mother gave me a bottle out of her pocket, containing some medicine, to take to Mr. Bateson's to examine. Mr. Bateson accompanied me back home, and I took the bottle, which was never out of my sight. Mr. Bateson, druggist, Friargate, corroborated the testimony of the last witness. When he arrived at the house, he administered to the deceased three grains of sulphate of zinc, but it had not effect. William Gardner, police constable, deposed that he took the prisoner into custody on Wednesday morning. Witness told him he was charged with poisoning a child, on which he said that if the child was dead, it had died from fits. He gave me a bottle, which I now produce, and said that was the bottle from which he had supplied the stuff to Anderton's. He said he had ordered a tea-spoonful to be given to the child. This being the whole of the evidence, the learned coroner carefully stated the case to the jury, who, after a short consultation, returned a verdict of "Accidental Death"." Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 21 Mar 1840 Just three days after burying their infant daughter, Richard and Ann lost their youngest son. Francis ANDERTON: Francis Anderton, who was born in 1837, died on 25 Mar 1840 and was buried four days later in St Wilfrid's Cemetery, aged 2 years. On the night of the 1841 census Ann Anderton, a female servant, aged c. 40, was living in Back Bolton Street, Preston with five children, James, aged c. 15; Robert, aged c. 15; William, aged c. 15; Edward, aged 12; and Ann, aged 9. All of the boys were working in a cotton factory, and all but their mother were listed as born in Lancashire. Richard was not at home on the night of the census. Richard and Ann seem to have avoided the census takers in 1851 and Ann died a few years later. Ann "Nancy" Anderton, wife of Richard Anderton, a labourer, of Heatley Street, was buried on 1 Feb 1859 in grave C-113 in a Catholic section of Preston Cemetery, aged 63 years. I can find no further confirmed record of Richard Anderton after the death of his wife. Note: Richard Anderton appears to have been related to John Anderton and Joseph Anderton, as all three named sons Christopher, they were Godfathers to each others children, and some of the same people were Godparents to their respective children.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The Family of John and Mary ANDERTON: I can find no record of the marriage of John and Mary Anderton in the Preston area and they were not listed in the 1810 Catholic census of Preston, so they may have only settled in Preston after 1810. The first record I can find of the family in Preston is the baptism of their son Joseph, who was baptized Joseph Anderson at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 8 May 1814, with sponsors William and Ann Banks. He was followed by James, who was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 4 Aug 1816, with sponsors William and Ann Banks; then Richard, who was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 6 Jun 1819, with sponsors William and Ann Banks. The 1820 Catholic census lists Mary Anderton living in "Craggs" with John, but their ages were not recorded. Entered separately was an entry for Mary Anderton living in Craggs Row with Betty, aged 15; Joseph, aged 5; James, aged 3; and Richard, aged 1. They were still living in Craggs Row (or Square) when John died ten years later. John ANDERTON: John Anderton, who was born in about 1774, was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 28 Oct 1830, aged 56 years. Mary survived her husband by eleven years, and on the night of the 1841 census Mary Anderton, aged 70, was living in Crown Street, Preston with James, aged 25; and Richard, aged 23, both cotton spinners. Also staying with them were Ellen Hamson, a cotton weaver, aged 60; Peter Hamson, a cotton piecer, aged 17; Abraham Hamson, aged 14; George Smith, a cotton piecer, aged 19; Ann Philipthrop, a cotton weaver, aged 30; and Ellen Bolton, a cotton carder, aged 13. They were all listed as born in Lancashire. Mary died later that year. Mrs Mary ANDERTON: Mary Anderton, who was born in about 1771, was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 9 Dec 1841, aged 70 years. John and Mary's son James apparently never married and lived the rest of his life in Crown Street, where he died seven years after his mother. James ANDERTON: James Anderton, who was born in Preston in 1816, died on 15 Oct 1848 and was buried three days later in St Wilfrid's Cemetery, aged 33 years. Death Notice: "DEATHS...on Sunday last, James Anderton, Crown-street, aged 33;" Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 21 Oct 1848 Note 1: The Betty Anderton listed with the family in 1820 may have been born in Preston but the St Wilfrid's baptism records covering the year of her birth (about 1805) are missing. Note 2: Although the burial transcript for James Anderton records his abode as Higginson Street, he was in fact living at 77 Crown Street at the time of his death.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

John ANDERTON: John Anderton was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 8 Apr 1832. He was the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Anderton, and the sponsors were William and Esther Tarnworth (Farnworth). He died in infancy and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 3 Feb 1833. Joseph Anderton, a bachelor, and Elizabeth Furnival, a spinster, both of Preston, were married on 25 Oct 1823 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married after Banns by Anthony Hammond, and the witnesses were John Gregson and Margaret Furnival. The bride, groom and Margaret Furnival signed the marriage register with an X. They also had a Catholic ceremony at St Wilfrid's Chapel on the same day and with the same witnesses, but Elizabeth and Margaret's surname was spelled Furnifield. Joseph and Elizabeth baptized the first six of their eight children at St Wilfrid's Chapel, beginning with Christopher, who was baptized on 29 Feb 1824 with sponsors John Anderton and Margaret Furnivill (sic). He was followed by Ann, who was baptized on 20 Nov 1825 with sponsors John and Jane Walker; then Margaret, baptized on 20 Jan 1828 with sponsors John Gregson and Mary Townson; and William, who was baptized on 20 May 1830 with sponsors John Bradley and Letitia Meehan. Joseph and Elizabeth's fourth child was the above mentioned John, who died in infancy in 1833, and their fifth child, another son they called John, was born later that year. He was baptized on 1 Dec 1833 with sponsors Thomas and Agnes Robinson. As Preston's Catholic community grew it became necessary to build a new church, and St Ignatius Catholic Church was opened in Preston in 1836. Joseph and Elizabeth baptized the last two of their children in this new church. Ellen Anderton, who was born on 29 Mar 1836, was baptized the same day at St Ignatius Church with sponsors William and Esther Farnworth (the same people who were sponsors to their late son John). She was followed by Jane, who was born on 23 Sep 1838, and was baptized at St Ignatius Church on 30 Sep 1838 with sponsors John Hall and Jane Furnival. On the night of the 1841 census Joseph Anderton, a labourer, aged c. 40, was living in Victoria Street, Preston with Margaret (sic), aged c. 35, and seven children, Christopher, a cotton piecer, aged c. 15; Ann, a cotton weaver, aged c. 15; Margaret, a cotton drawer, aged 13; William, aged 11; John, aged 8; Ellen, aged 4; and Jane, aged 2. They were all listed as born in Lancashire. At the time of the 1851 census Joseph Anderton, a fireman, aged 49, was living at 13 St Paul's Road, Preston with his wife Elizabeth, aged 49, and six unmarried children, Christopher, a labourer, aged 27; Ann, aged 25; Margaret, aged 23; John, aged 17; Ellen, aged 15 - all steam loom weavers; and Jane, a scholar, aged 12. Joseph was listed as born in Clifton, and the rest of the family were born in Preston. By 1861 most of their children had left home and on the night of the 1861 census Joseph Anderton, a cotton mill labourer, aged 59, was living at 16 St Paul's Road with Elizabeth, a housekeeper, aged 51 (sic), and their two unmarried daughters, Ann, a cotton weaver, aged 35; and Margaret, a cotton weaver, aged 33. At the time of the 1871 census Joseph Anderton, an outdoor labourer, aged 70, was living at 23 Sedgwick Street with Elizabeth, a housekeeper, aged 71, and their daughters, Ann, a cotton weaver, aged 45; and Margaret, a cotton weaver, aged 43. Elizabeth (Furnival) Anderton, of 23 Sedgwick Street, was buried on 4 Jan 1873 in a private grave, B-401, in a Catholic section of Preston Cemetery, aged 71 years. Hers was the second interment, buried 18 feet deep. Her husband died five months later. Joseph Anderton, of Gillett Street, Preston was buried on 4 Jun 1873 in the same grave, B-401, at Preston Cemetery, aged 72 years. His was the third interment, buried 16 feet deep. Death Notice: "DEATHS...PRESTON - Since our last:...Joseph Anderton, Gillet-street, 72;" Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 7 Jun 1873 Joseph and Elizabeth's daughters Ann and Margaret never married and continued to live together for the rest of their lives. Note 1: The Private grave at Preston Cemetery was purchased in 1859 for the burial of Elizabeth's mother, Ellen Furnival, of Trinity Square, who was buried on 23 Jun 1859, aged 81 years. She was buried at a depth of 20 feet. Note 2: Joseph Anderton appears to have been related to John Anderton and Richard Anderton, as all three named sons Christopher, they were Godfathers to each others children, and some of the same people were Godparents to their respective children.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Ellen APPLETON: There were two women called Ellen Appleton living in Preston at about the same time, but one appears to have been too old and the other too young. The first was Ellen Woodacre, who married Joseph Appleton at St John's Parish Church on 4 Nov 1798, after having had a Catholic ceremony the previous day at St Wilfrid's Chapel. Her age was not recorded in the marriage records, but the age given in the 1820 Catholic census would mean that she was born in about 1772. The other woman was Ellen Woods, who married William Appleton at St John's Parish Church on 18 Jan 1809. The 1810 Catholic census of Preston lists William and Ellen Apleton (sic) living in Canal Street, but their ages were not recorded and I can find no record of Ellen's age or approximate year of birth. A William Appleton, a Catholic, was buried in the churchyard at St John's Parish Church on 16 Feb 1814, where his age was recorded as 69 years. However, his death notice, which was published on two consecutive Saturdays, gave his age as 76. Death Notice: "DIED...On Monday last, Mr. William Appleton, thread-manufacturer, of Preston, aged 76" Published in the Lancaster Gazette, Sat., 19 Feb 1814 If this William was the husband of the Ellen Appleton buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 24 Sep 1834, aged 71 years, it would mean that he was either 19 or 26 years older than Ellen, depending on how old he actually was at the time of his death. It would also mean that he was in his mid 60s or early 70s when he married Ellen Woods. If this was the right Ellen, it would mean that she was about 46 years old at the time of her marriage to William, and may explain why they apparently had no children. Without further information we may never be sure about the identity of Ellen Appleton.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Mary ARKWRIGHT: Mary Arkwright was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 17 Jun 1834. She was the daughter of Richard and Sarah Arkwright, and the sponsors were John Swift and Margaret Davis. Richard Arkwright and Sarah Holiday, both of Preston, were married on Christmas Day 1822 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married after Banns by Roger Carus Wilson, Vicar, and the witnesses were William Lee and James John Warren. Sarah signed the marriage register with an X. Richard and Sarah's first child was John Anthony, who was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 6 Jul 1823 with sponsors Miles and Alice Morley. He died in infancy but I have been unable to find any record of his death or burial. Their second child was Margaret, who was baptized on 27 Mar 1825 with sponsors William and Margaret Lee. She was followed by another son they called John Anthony, who was baptized on 22 Jul 1827 with sponsors Henry Arkwright and Elizabeth Hall; then Elizabeth, who was baptized on 24 May 1829 with sponsors Robert Forsters and Elizabeth Kitchen. On the night of the 1841 census Richard Arkwright, a cotton warper, aged c. 35, was living in Albert Street, Preston with Sarah, aged c. 45, and two children, John, a cotton carder, aged c 15; and Elizabeth, aged 13. They were all listed as born in Lancashire. At the time of the 1851 census Richard Arkwright, a warper, aged 47, was living at 30 Pump Street, Preston with his wife Sarah, a washerwoman, aged 62, and their two unmarried children, John, a machine maker, aged 22; and Elizabeth, a power loom weaver, aged 21. Also staying with them was a lodger, George Rose, a cotton piecer, aged 18. They were all listed as born in Preston. Later that same year their daughter Elizabeth married Thomas Shepherd, and the following year their son John Anthony married Sarah Barlow, but she died in 1854, aged 34 years. He then married Ann Ashcroft in 1855. On the night of the 1861 census Richard Arkwright, a cotton warper, aged 59, was still living at 30 Pump Street, with Sarah, a housekeeper, aged 73. Staying with them was Richard's widowed brother Henry Arkwright, a rent collector, aged 52, and his two sons Richard, a cotton spinner, aged 19; and Henry, a school boy, aged 9. They were all listed as born in Preston. Richard died the following year, on 8 Feb 1862, and was buried four days later in a public grave, H-24, in a Catholic section of Preston Cemetery, aged 59 years. Death Notice: "DEATHS...On the 8th inst.,...Richard Arkwright, Pump-street, aged 59;" Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 12 Feb 1862 At the time of the 1871 census Richard and Sarah's widowed daughter Elizabeth Shepherd, a fruitier, aged 41, was living at 36 Upper Walker Street, Preston with two children, Sarah Jane, a servant, aged 18; and Alice, a cotton weaver, aged 16. Staying with her was her widowed mother Sarah Arkwright, aged 85; her widowed brother John, an engineer, aged 43; and her nephew Thomas, a scholar, aged 14. They were all listed as born in Preston. Sarah died later that year but I have been unable to find the record of her burial. She was not buried in a Catholic section of Preston Cemetery. There was no death notice published, and she did not leave a Will.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Robert ARKWRIGHT: If Robert Arkwright was 57 years old when he was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 8 Jul 1832 it would mean that he was born in about 1775. A Robert Arkwright, son of Richard and Margaret Arkwright, was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 18 Jun 1775, with sponsors Thomas Arkwright and Mary Valentine. Richard Arkwright, a saddler, aged 26, and Margaret Assheton, a widow, aged 30, both of Preston, were married on 20 Feb 1773 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married, by licence, by Randal Andrews, Vicar, and the witnesses were Henry Barns and Henry Derbyshire. Margaret signed the marriage register with an X. They also had a Catholic ceremony the previous day at St Wilfrid's Chapel, where Richard's surname was spelled Adrick, and Margaret's was spelled Ashton. In addition to Robert, Richard and Margaret had twin sons, John and Henry, who were baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 23 Jul 1773. John's sponsors were John Harrison and M. Walmsley, and Henry's were Henry Wilson and Margaret Cooper. Like the marriage record a few months earlier, their surname was spelled Adrick. NOTE: The church marriage register did not record their ages, but that information was included on the Marriage Bond, which was issued on 19 Feb 1773.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The Family of James and Mary ARMRIDING: James Armriding and Mary Wareing, both of Preston, were married on 4 Jul 1785 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married after Banns by John Nicholson, Curate, and the witnesses were Joseph Carr and Thomas Roper. James and Mary both signed the marriage register with an X. James and Mary settled in Preston and had a large number of children, but only four survived infancy. Their first child was Elizabeth, who was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 2 Oct 1785 with sponsors Richard Wardleworth and Ann Connal. She was followed by Ann, who was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 25 Nov 1787 with sponsors William Whittle and Agnes Armriding. She was buried on 19 Sep 1788 in the churchyard at St John's Parish Church under the name Nanny Armryding, daughter of James, aged 1. Their third known child was William, who was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 30 Aug 1789 with sponsors Lawrence Shakeshaft and Agnes Armriding. He was buried in the churchyard at St John's Church on 4 Oct 1790 under the name William Armatryding, son of James, aged 1. James and Mary's fourth child was Silvester, who was born in about 1791, but was not baptized in Preston and I can find no other record of his baptism. Their fifth child was Agnes, who was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 15 Jun 1794 with sponsors John Brindle and Agnes Armriding. She was followed by Jane, who was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 7 Aug 1796 with sponsors Patrick McClister and Jane Armriding. She was buried in the churchyard at St John's Church on 12 Mar 1800 aged 3. Their seventh child was James, who was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 15 Jul 1798 with sponsors Thomas Noblet and Jane Armriding. He was buried in the churchyard at St John's Church on 14 Nov 1802, aged 4. Their eighth child was Mary, who was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 14 Dec 1800 with sponsors Edward Collison and Ann Armriding. She was buried in the churchyard at St John's Church on 5 Mar 1802, aged 1. They then had another daughter they called Mary, who was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 8 Jan 1803 with sponsors George Turner and Mary Johnson. She too died in infancy and was buried in the churchyard at St John's Church on 20 Oct 1803, aged 1. The last of James and Mary's children to appear in the St Wilfrid's baptism transcripts was Helen, who was baptized on 8 Jan 1803 with sponsors William Helm and Mary Lambert. She was buried in the churchyard at St John's Church on 6 Aug 1803, aged 1. James and Mary had at least two more children, who were probably baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel, but the baptisms records from 1803 to 1812 are missing. They apparently had another son they called James, who was born in about 1804 and was buried on 18 Aug 1805 in the churchyard at St John's Church, aged 1; and a daughter Maria, who was born in about 1807 and survived infancy. The 1810 Catholic census of Preston lists James Armriding, F (father) living in Holden Square with Mary, M (mother) and Betty, aged 23; Sylvester, aged 19; and Agnes, aged 14. Betty would have actually been about 25 and Agnes would have been about 16. Silvester's age may also have been off by a year or two. At the time of the 1820 Catholic census James Armriding, aged 56, living in Moorside with Mary, age 5_ and Agnes, aged 24; and Maria, aged 13. Again their ages seem to be inaccurate as James would have been closer to 65 years old, Agnes would have been about 26, and, as she was not listed in the 1810 census, Maria may have been 10 years old or under. Mary's age appears to have been illegible as the transcriber recorded it as "5_?". If the age recorded when she was buried is correct, Mary would have been about 63 in 1820. The Family of Silvester and Jane ARMRIDING: Sylvester Harmriding (sic) and Jane Cook, both of Preston, were married on 26 Jan 1811 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married after Banns by John Harrison, Curate, and the witnesses were Richard Worthington and Agnes Harmriding. The bride, groom and both witnesses signed the marriage register with an X. Silvester and Jane were married during the period for which the St Wilfrid's records are missing, so there is way to know if they also had a Catholic wedding ceremony. These missing records also mean that we do not know if they baptized any children at St Wilfrid's Chapel between the date of their marriage and 1813, when their son William was born. William Armriding was baptized on 18 Apr 1813 with sponsors John McClue and Nancy Gerard. He was followed by Henry, who was baptized on 18 Jun 1815 with sponsors Nicholas Rainforth and Ann Osbeldeston; then Elizabeth, who was baptized on 15 Jun 1817 with sponsors John McClure and Ann Osbaldeston; and Silvester, who was baptized on 23 Oct 1819 with sponsors Peter and Ann Livesay. After a gap of eight years Silvester and Jane's son James was born. He was born on 12 Aug 1827, and was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 26 Aug 1827 with sponsors Thomas and Margaret Marsh. The missing St Wilfrid's records create more than a few problems, but one is particularly troublesome. Did they have a daughter called Mary born in the period of the missing records? More importantly, were Silvester and Jane grandparents? Elizabeth "Betty" ARMRIDING: Elizabeth Armriding was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 18 Sep 1831. She was the daughter of Mary Armriding, and the sponsors were Peter and Ellen Livsey. Betty Armriding, an infant, of Dale Street, was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 21 Apr 1833. The 1832 Preston electoral rolls list Silvester Armriding, a brickmaker, living at 12 Dale Street, and it was from an address in Dale Street that the infant Betty was buried, as well as one of Silvester and Jane's children just eight days later. Elizabeth ARMRIDING: Elizabeth Armriding, who was born in 1817, was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 29 Apr 1833, aged 16 years. Although they were baptizing children at St Wilfrid's Chapel during the period, Silvester and Jane may not have lived in the parish, and were not listed in the 1820 Catholic census of Preston. On the night of the 1841 census Jane Amriding (sic), aged c. 60, was living in Black Lane, Walton-le-Dale with one child, Silvester, a labourer, aged c. 20. Also staying with them was James Cliff, a cotton carder, aged c. 15. They were all listed as born in Lancashire. Her husband was not at home on census night and may have been away working. A Silvester Hamriding, aged c. 50, and James Hamriding, aged 13, both agricultural labourers, were staying at Near Mill in the village of Thornton, near Poulton-le-Fylde. They appear to have been staying with and working for William and Jane Ormmand, and were both listed as born in Lancashire. Jane Armriding died in either late December 1847 or the early part of 1848, aged 66 years. Her death was registered in Preston in the first quarter of 1848 but she was not buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery and I have been unable to locate her burial information. There was no death notice published. At the time of the 1851 census Silvester Armriding, a bricklayer's labourer, aged 50, was one of four lodgers at 14 George Street, Preston, the home of Elizabeth Duckworth. The space for Silvester's marital status was left blank, and his age is probably incorrect. He was more likely to have been about 60 years old at the time. He died eight years later. Silvester Hamriding (sic), a labourer, of High Street, Preston, was buried on 23 Nov 1859 in plot D-468 in a Catholic section of Preston Cemetery, aged 71 years. Death Notice: "DEATHS...Since our last:...Silvester Hamriding, High-street, 71;" Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 26 Nov 1859 Note 1: Mary, James, Betty and Elizabeth Armriding all died within about a 16 month period, and the newspapers of the day were filled with stories about the cholera outbreak in Preston and the area. Note 2: In 1841 Ancestry.com has indexed Silvester's surname as Hauriling, and in 1851 they have indexed it as Gameriding.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The Family of Richard and Mary ARROWSMITH: Richard Arrowsmith, a merchant, of Preston and Mary Roskell, a spinster, of Liverpool, were married on 14 Oct 1805 at St John's Parish Church in Liverpool. They were married, by licence, by Richard Loxham, and the witnesses were John Roskell, Frances Tarleton, and Ann Roskell. Marriage Notice: "MARRIED...On Monday last, Mr. Arrowsmith, of Preston, to Miss Roskell, of Liverpool." Published in the Lancaster Gazette, Sat., 19 Oct 1805 After marrying in Liverpool Richard and Mary settled in Preston, and the first of their children were born during the period for which the St Wilfrid's records are missing. Other sources show that they had at least two children during that period, Jane, who was born in about 1807; and Richard Jr, who was born in about 1811. The first of their children to appear in the surviving St Wilfrid's records was John, who was baptized on 23 May 1813 with sponsors George and Mary Ann Roskell. It may be a transcription error, but his mother's name was recorded as Marg. John was followed by Robert, who was baptized Robert Roscall Arrowsmith on 4 Aug 1814 with sponsors Robert and Ann Roscall; then George, who was baptized on 1 Sep 1816 with sponsors Charles and Ellen Kusack. Richard and Mary's last two known children were not baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel, and I have been unable to find their baptism records. Nicholas was born in about 1818, and Eliza was born in about 1820. The 1820 Catholic census of Preston lists Richard Arrowsmith, aged 38, living at 42 Market Place with Mary, aged 36, and Jane, aged 13; Richard, aged 9; John, aged 7; Robert, aged 5; George, aged 3; Nicholas, aged 2; and Eliza, aged 8 (months). The 1822 Pigot's Directory lists, under Woollen Drapers, "Arrowsmith, Richard and Co., 32 Market-place." and Arrowsmith, Richard (and silk mercer) Market-place". 1822 was a Guild Year in Preston and Richard's sons Richard Joseph, John Roskell, Robert Roskell, George, and Nicholas were all made Guild Burgesses. Three years later, Richard branched out into banking. "Messrs. Lawe, Roskell, Arrowsmith and Co's. Bank, Fishergate, was first opened in July, 1825. In 1833, the partnership was dissolved, after which, the new firm, Messrs. Lawe and Hudson, continued the business in Fishergate." "...Messrs. Roskell and Arrowsmith opened, at the time of the dissolution, a new bank, next to the Castle-inn, Market-place, but afterwards removed to the premises at present occupied by them in Fishergate." Published in the History of the Borough of Preston and its Environs in the County of Lancaster by Charles Hardwick, published in Preston in 1862. Just three months after opening their first bank, Richard was widowed. Mary ARROWSMITH: Mary (Roskell) Arrowsmith, who ws born in about 1784, died in Preston on 6 Oct 1825, and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery, aged 41 years. The exact date of her burial was not recorded. Death Notice: "DIED...On the 6th inst., Mrs. Arrowsmith, wife of Mr. Arrowsmith, of Preston, aged 41." Published in the Lancaster Gazette, Sat., 15 Oct 1825 Richard and his sons carried on their business as woollen drapers as well as running the bank, and the 1828 Pigot's Directory lists, under Bankers, "Lawe, Roskell, Arrowsmith & Co. Fishergate (draw on Jones, Loyd and Co., London); and "Savings Bank, Chapel st. Lawe, Roskell and Co. Treasurers.". Under Woollen Drapers was listed, "Arrowsmith, Ricd. 32 Market st." In the 1832 Preston electoral rolls Richard Arrowsmith Sr, Richard Arrowsmith Jr, and Edmund Arrowsmith, all drapers, were listed at 32 Market-place. In another part of the rolls Edmund is recorded as Edward. Edmund/Edward was almost certainly not one of Richard's sons, and may be the Edward Arrowsmith who was baptized at St Francis' Catholic Chapel, also known as Hill Chapel, in Goosnargh on 31 Dec 1809, the son of John and Jane Arrowsmith. His sponsors were Richard and Mary Arrowsmith. In 1833 Edmund was described as a foreman for Richard. A Quarter Sessions Recognizance document dated 13 Feb 1833 is described as an "Order for Edmund Arrowsmith, foreman to Richard Arrowsmith of the Market Place Preston, Woollen Draper, to prefer a Bill of Indictment and give evidence against Richard Fidler, James Eastham and John Savage for felony. George Holt of Preston, Police Officer, William Rigby of 15 Markham Street Preston, under age, Alice, wife of Charles Taylor of Back Lane Preston, Labourer, all to give evidence. Sureties: None, Justices of the Peace and other Court Officials: Jas Dixon." The 1834 Pigot's Directory of Preston lists, under Bankers, "Roskell, Arrowsmith & Co. Market place - (draw on Jones, Loyd [and] Co. London)"; and also under Woollen Drapers, "Arrowsmith, Richard, 32 Market pl." Richard Sr died the following year. Richard ARROWSMITH Sr: Richard Arrowsmith, who was born in about 1775, died in Preston on 10 Nov 1835, and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery six days later, aged 60 years. Death Notice: "DEATHS...On Tuesday last, aged 60 years, Richard Arrowsmith, Esq., of this town, banker." Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 14 Nov 1835 Richard Arrowsmith of Preston, banker and merchant, wrote a very long and complicated Will, but the basic details are that he left his messuages, tenements etc., in Preston, Woodplumpton, Barton and Broughton to his brother-in-law John Roskell and his sons, Richard Arrowsmith, John Roskell Arrowsmith and Robert Arrowsmith, their heirs and assigns as Executors, Upon Trust - that his children were to have the choice of purchasing his estates according to seniority, except the property used as a bank in Market Place, Preston, which was to be offered first to his third son Robert. His eldest son Richard was to have £400, and then each of his children were to receive £2,000. If any of his sons were to be ordained a Catholic Priest they would receive £200 and any further sum up to £1,000. His brother-in-law John Roskell, his sons Richard, John and Robert and his daughter Jennett (Jane) Arrowsmith were to be the Guardians of his infant children. Richard signed his Will on 17 Feb 1835, witnessed by John Turner, attorney, Samuel Holliday, tea dealer, and Robert Broxup, draper, all of Preston.   After Richard Sr's death his sons carried on the banking business with their uncle John Roskell and others, as well as the woollen draper business. On the night of the 1841 census Richard Arrowsmith (Jr), a merchant, aged c. 30, was living in Market Place, Preston with Eliza, aged c. 25; and Nicholas, aged c. 25, both listed as "Ind.", of independent means. Also staying with them were two servants, Ann Ratcliff, aged c. 20; and Ellen Parker, aged c. 15. They were all listed as born in Lancashire. The 1841 census did not record the relationships between people in a household, but it is fairly certain that Eliza and Nicholas were Richard's siblings. Their brother George, also listed as "Ind.", aged c. 20, was staying in Fernyhalgh, in Broughton, at the home of Richard Gillow, the Catholic priest at Fernyhalgh, aged 45. He died nine years later. George ARROWSMITH: George Arrowsmith, who was born in 1816, died in Preston on 12 Nov 1850, and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery three days later, aged 34 years. Death Notice: "DEATHS...On Tuesday last, at Lytham, George Arrowsmith, Esq., of the firm of Messrs. Roskell, Arrowsmith, and Co., bankers, of this town." Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 16 Nov 1850 George didn't make a Will, so on 3 Dec 1850 an Administration Bond was issued to Robert Arrowsmith, Banker; John Turner, Gentleman; and John Turner the younger, Gentleman, all of Preston. Robert, referred to as George's "natural and lawful brother and one of the next of kin", was to administer "all and singular the goods, chattels and credits of George Arrowsmith, late of Preston in the County of Lancaster, Banker, a Bachelor, deceased without parent living at the time of his death." On the reverse of the Bond it was written that "on the third day of December 1850 Robert Arrowsmith within named took the usual oath of an Administrator in common form, and also made oath that the personal estate and effects of the intestate within the Diocese of Chester and Manchester were under the value of £100.". It was also recorded that George Arrowsmith died on "the eleventh day of November 1850." This initial Bond was apparently under valued, and a second, almost identical, Bond was issued on 12 Sep 1852, increasing the value of the personal estate to under £1000. At the time of the 1851 census Robert Arrowsmith, unmarried, a banker, aged 36, was living at 107 Fishergate, Preston with his sister, described simply as Miss Arrowsmith, a lady, aged 39; and his brother Nicholas, a banker's clerk, aged 33. Living with them was their uncle (and business partner) John Roskell, a banker, aged 71; and his wife Ann Roskell, aged 71. John Roskell was listed as born in Garstang, his wife was born in Inglewhite, and the siblings were born in Preston. Also staying with them were two servants, Margaret Cottam, a house servant, aged 25; and Alice Edmundson, a house servant, aged 35. Roskell, Arrowsmith and Co.'s bank seems to have always been a small business and after Richard Sr's death in 1835 and the death of his brother-in-law, John Roskell, in 1859 the business began to faulter. Bad investments eventually lead to the bank's downfall, and it failed on 3 May 1868.   After Richard and Mary's youngest son Nicholas died in the Workhouse in Fulwood on 29 Sep 1885, a rather unflattering article was published in The Bankers' Magazine, Journal of the Money Market and Commercial Digest, Vol. XLV, 1885, page 1060: "There has just died in the Preston workhouse Nicholas Arrowsmith, a member of one of the oldest Lancashire families, and the son of Mr. Arrowsmith, formerly the Preston banker. Deceased resided with his family in a fashionable part of the town some years ago, and had a high position. The bank, that of Arrowsmith and Roskell, was chiefly used by the Roman Catholics. Owing to a run upon it twenty years ago the bank failed, and the family and many Catholic families were utterly ruined. The deceased went to Australia and lost money in sheep farming. He came back, but misfortune followed misfortune. At last he took to drink, and his friends found it necessary to withdraw the support they had given him. He then went to the workhouse, when an attack of paralysis caused his death." He was aged 67 years.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Thomas ARROWSMITH: Thomas Arrowsmith was baptized at St Francis' Catholic Chapel, also known as Hill Chapel, in Goosnargh on 2 Dec 1813. He was the son of John and Jane Arrowsmith, and the sponsors were Richard and Margarite Lund. Although I cannot be certain, I believe that John Arrowsmith was related to Richard Arrowsmith, the Preston Banker. When John and Jane's son Edward was born Richard and Mary Arrowsmith were sponsors at his baptism. Edward, also known as Edmund, was baptized at Hill Chapel on 31 Dec 1809. Years later Edmund worked as a foreman for Richard Arrowsmith at his woollen drapers business at Market Place in Preston, and it was from an address in Market Place that Thomas Arrowsmith was buried St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 4 May 1834, aged 20 years. It is possible that Thomas also worked for Richard Arrowsmith.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

John ASHCROFT: John Ashcroft was baptized on 12 Jan 1840 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. He was the son of Thomas and Mary Ashcroft of Duke Street East, and his father was a weaver. Although baptized in Preston, John's birth was registered in Manchester, with his mother's maiden name recorded as Pickering. Thomas Ashcroft and Mary Pickering, both of Oldham, were married on 4 Nov 1832 at St Mary the Virgin Parish Church in Prestwich, about four miles north of Manchester. They were married after Banns by Thomas Stone, and the witnesses were Thomas Guest and Abrm. Kay. Mary signed the marriage register with an X. At the time of their marriage it was a legal requirement for Catholics to marry in a Church of England church, but there was no requirement to baptize your children in a Church of England church. Yet Thomas and Mary baptized two children at St John's Church in Preston, the first being their son Reuben, who was baptized on 27 Aug 1837. The baptism register entry described Thomas as a weaver and recorded their abode was Manchester. If they were living in Manchester at the time of both of their sons' births, why did they travel to Preston to baptize them? Thomas and Mary did eventually settle in Preston where their daughter Ellen was born on 17 Dec 1840. She was baptized at St Augustine's Catholic Church on 17 Jan 1841, with sponsors Thomas and Elizabeth Commaleach. On the night of the 1841 census Thomas Ashcroft, a cotton weaver, aged c. 25, was living in Riley Street, Fishwick, Preston with Mary, aged c. 25, and two children, Reuben, aged 4; and Ellen, aged 5 months. They were all listed as born in Lancashire. Thomas and Mary went on to baptize three further children at St Augustine's Church, the first of those was baptized Thomas Ashcroft but this was an error in the register as his birth was registered under the name John Ashcroft. He was born on 1 Nov 1843 and was baptized four days later, with sponsors Thomas Commeleach and Maria Pickering. He was followed by Elizabeth, who was born on 20 May 1846 and was baptized four days later, with sponsors James and Isabella Turner. She died in infancy but was not buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery and I have been unable to find her burial record. It's possible that she was buried in the churchyard at St Augustine's Church, but their early burial register appears to be missing. Thomas and Mary's last known child was James, who was born on 29 Jun 1848 and was baptized at St Augustine's Church on 2 Jul 1848, with sponsors James and Isabella Turner. At the time of the 1851 census Thomas Ashcroft, a power loom weaver, aged 38, was living at 20 Back Cotton Court, Preston with his wife Mary, a power loom weaver, aged 33, and four children, Reuben, a power loom weaver, aged 14; Ellen, at home, aged 10; John, a scholar, aged 7; and James, aged 2. Also staying with them was a lodger, James Leeming, a power loom weaver, aged 13. Thomas and Mary were listed as born in Manchester, their children were born in Preston, and the lodger was born in Carlisle. On the night of the 1861 census Thomas Ashcroft, a cotton weaver, aged 47, was living at 23 Brewery Street, Preston with Mary, a cotton weaver, aged 46, and three children, Ellen, a cotton weaver, aged 20; John, a cotton weaver, aged 18; and James, a labourer in a tobacco shop, aged 12. In this census Thomas was listed as born in St Helens, Mary was born in Manchester, and their children were born in Preston. Thomas and Mary's son James married Elizabeth Bradley on 27 Oct 1866, and their daughter Ellen married Evan Thompson on 27 Mar 1869. Both couples were married at St John's Parish Church in Preston. Ellen's husband apparently died young and at the time of the 1871 census Thomas Ashcroft, a cotton weaver, aged 58, was living at 87 Campbell Street, Fishwick, Preston with Mary, a cotton weaver, aged 57. Also staying with them was their married son James, a cotton weaver, aged 22; his wife Elizabeth, a cotton weaver, aged 21; and their two children, Thomas, aged 5; and Mary E, aged 2. Their widowed daughter Ellen Thomson (sic), a cotton weaver, aged 31, and her two children, Abraham J Thomson, aged 6; and Eleanor, aged 1, were also staying with them. In this census the entire household is listed as born in Preston. Abraham Thomson or Thompson is a bit of a mystery as, according to his age in 1871, he was born four years before Ellen married Evan Thompson and I can find no record of his birth. On the night of the 1881 census Mary Ashcroft, married, a housekeeper, aged 70, was living at 60 Shakespeare Road, Preston with three children, Reuben, married, a cotton weaver, aged 43; Ellen Thompson, widow, a cotton weaver, aged 41; James Ashcroft, married, a cotton weaver, aged 33; and six grandchildren Joseph Thompson, a twine spinner, aged 17; Thomas Bradley, a twine spinner, aged 15; Margaret Ellen Ashcroft, a cotton weaver, aged 12; Robert Ashcroft, a scholar, aged 9; Sarah Jane Ashcroft, a scholar, aged 5; and Alexander Jackson, a scholar, aged 10. Mary was listed as born in Manchester and the rest of the family were born in Preston. Although Mary, Reuben and James were listed as married, none of their spouses were with them on the night of the census. This is the last confirmed record I can find of this family.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The Family of James and Jane ASHTON: James Ashton and Jane Crook, both of the Chapelry of Ewood Bridge, near Haslingden, were married on 17 Oct 1831 at St James' Chapel in Haslingden. They were married after Banns, and with the consent of their parents, by William Gray, Minister, and the witnesses were John Sellers and James Wilding. The bride and groom, who were both under 21 years old, signed the marriage register with an X. It appears that James and Jane initially settled in the village of Edenfield, near Ramsbottom, and baptized their first five children at the nearest Catholic church, St Marie's Church in Bury. Their first child was born about three months after their marriage, which may explain why they were allowed to marry under the legal age. John Ashton was baptized on 29 Jan 1832, with sponsors William Kiely and Ellen Ashton. In this entry, Jane's maiden name was spelled Crooke. John was followed by Margaret, who was baptized on 9 Feb 1834, with sponsors Thomas Smallwood and Mary Ashton; then Antony (sic), who was baptised on or about 15 Feb 1835, with sponsors Antony and Mary Crook; Thomas, who was born on 16 Feb 1836 and baptized on 13 Mar 1836, with sponsors John and Mary Thompson; and Abraham, who was born on 10 Jul 1837 and was baptized on 6 Aug 1837, with sponsors James Booth and Jane Snape. Some of the pages of the baptism register were apparently damaged and the surname of John's Godfather and the exact date of Anthony's baptism are not clear. James and Jane's sixth known child, Betsy Alice, was born on 19 Apr 1839 and her birth was registered in Edenfield, but her family appear to have been relocating to Preston, as she was baptized at St Ignatius Catholic Church in Preston on 14 Jul 1839. Although her birth was registered as Betsy Alice, her name was recorded in the baptism register as Alice Ashton. The following year, James and Jane lost one of their children. Thomas ASHTON: Thomas Ashton, who was born in Edenfield in 1836, died in Preston and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 11 Oct 1840, aged 4 years. James and Jane's seventh known child, Elizabeth, was born in Preston in 1841 but I have been unable to find the record of her baptism, unless she was the Elizabeth Ashton who was born on 19 Apr 1841 and baptized at St Ignatius Church on 9 May 1841, with sponsors James Snape and Mary Cuerden. The problem being that her parent's names were recorded as Henry and Jane, and no mother's maiden name was recorded. The name of her father may have been an error, and I have seen many examples of this type of error in the various church records. On the night of the 1841 census James Ashton, a cotton spinner, aged c. 25, was living in Chatham Street, Preston with Jane, aged c. 25, and six children, John, aged 10; Margaret, aged 8; Anthony, aged 6; Abraham, aged 4; Alice, aged 2; and Elizabeth, aged 1 month. They were all listed as born in Lancashire. James and Jane's family continued to grow - and grow, with the births of: Ellen, who was born on 3 Mar 1843 and was baptized on 19 Mar 1843 with sponsors Thomas and Ann Prescott; Adam, born on 27 Apr 1844 and baptized on 12 May 1844 with sponsors William Barley and Mary Sharrock - all baptized St Ignatius Catholic Church. Three months after Adam's birth James and Jane lost another of their children. Alice ASHTON: Alice Ashton, who was born in Edenfield in 1839, died in Preston and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 27 Jul 1844, aged 5 years. Like her baptism record, her burial was under the name Betty Alice Ashton. James and Jane's tenth child was Jane, who was born on 10 Mar 1846 and was baptized on 22 Mar 1846 with sponsors Edward Simpson and Alice Waring. She was followed by Mary, born on 8 Sep 1847 and baptized on 12 Sep 1847 with sponsors John Sharrock and Isabella Latus; and Edward, who was born on 25 Jan 1849 and was baptized on 28 Jan 1849 with sponsors John Prescot and Ellen Shaw. Not long after Edward's birth James and Jane lost third child, their son Abraham, whose death was registered in Preston in the third quarter of 1849, but he was not buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery and I cannot find any record of his burial elsewhere. He was 12 years old. James and Jane's thirteenth child was William, who was born on 28 Aug 1850 and was baptized William Sagar Ashton at St Ignatius Church on 8 Sep 1850, with sponsors Adam and Ann Sagar. Early in the next year another child was lost. Edward Ashton's death was registered in the first quarter of 1851 but, like his brother Abraham, I can find no record of his burial. At the time of the 1851 census James Ashton, a cotton spinner, aged 39, was living at 3 Hudson Street, Preston with his wife Jane, aged 36, and nine children, John, a shoe maker, aged 19; Margaret, a cotton frame tenter, aged 17; Ireton (actually Anthony), a cotton piecer, aged 15; Elizabeth, a domestic, aged 10; Ellen, a scholar, aged 8; Adam, a scholar, aged 7; Jane, a scholar, aged 5; Mary, a scholar, aged 3; and William, aged 1 month. They were all listed as born in Preston. Also staying with them was Edward Ashton, a bread baker, aged 22, who was listed as their son, but this was an error as he was not listed with the family in 1841 and they would not have named their twelfth child Edward if they already had an older child called Edward. Although by 1851 James and Jane had had at least thirteen children they were not finished yet. Their fourteenth child, Lucy, was born on 25 Oct 1853 and was baptized at St Ignatius Church on 30 Oct 1853, with one sponsor, Mary Ann Hayes. She was followed by Martha, who was born on 2 Sep 1855 and was baptized at St Augustine's Catholic Church on 7 Sep 1855, with sponsors John and Betsey Crook; then Isabella, who was born on 18 Apr 1857 and was baptized two days later at St Augustine's Church, with sponsors Joseph Walmsley and Ellen Ford; and finally Phoebe, their seventeenth and last known child, who was born on 2 Nov 1858 and was baptized at St Ignatius Church on 7 Nov 1858, with sponsors Michael Cawfield and Mary Ann Lynch. The day after Phoebe was born James and Jane buried their son William, who was buried on 3 Nov 1858 in a public grave, G-971, in a Catholic section of Preston Cemetery, aged 8 months. On the night of the 1861 census James Ashton, a cotton spinner in a factory, aged 47, was living at 51 Egan Street, Preston with Jane, a housekeeper, aged 46, and ten children, Margaret, a cotton carder, aged 27; Elizabeth, a cotton weaver, aged 20; Ellen, a linen weaver, aged 18; Adam, a cotton piecer, aged 16; Jane, a cotton weaver, aged 15; Mary, a cotton weaver, aged 13; Lucy, aged 8; Martha, aged 5; Isabella, aged 4; and Phebe (sic), aged 2. The four youngest children were scholars. With the exception of Margaret, who was listed as born in Haslingden, they were all listed as born in Preston. Three years later, after having given birth to seventeen children over a twenty six year period, Jane (Crook) Ashton died. Jane Ashton, of Egan Street, was buried on 1 Jul 1864 in a public grave, H-189, in a Catholic section of Preston Cemetery, aged 49 years. Death Notice: "DEATHS...Since our last: - James (sic) Ashton, Egan-street, aged 49;" Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 9 Jul 1864 A year after losing his wife, James lost another of his children when Martha died in 1865. Martha Ashton, of Egan Street, was buried on 17 Dec 1863, aged 10 years. Death Notice: "DEATHS...Since our last:...Martha Ashton, Egan-street, aged 19 (sic);" Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 23 Dec 1865 By the time of the 1871 census James Ashton, widower, an agricultural labourer, aged 59, was still living at 51 Egan Street with four children, Jane, aged 25; Ann, aged 19; Isabella, aged 13; and Phebe (sic), aged 12 - all cotton weavers. They were all listed as born in Preston. James' daughter Lucy, a cotton weaver, aged 18, was living as a lodger at 12 Caton Street, Preston, where she was living when she married John Grantham on 23 Sep 1871 at St John's Church. James died two years later. James Ashton, of 51 Egan Street, was buried on 19 Feb 1873 in a public grave, D-171, in a Catholic section of Preston Cemetery, aged 59 years. Death Notice: "DEATHS...PRESTON - Since our last:...James Ashton, Egan-street, 59;" Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 22 Feb 1873 Jane Ashton married Christopher Prescott in Preston in 1878 and at the time of the 1881 census Christopher Prescott, a draper, aged 31, was living at 72 Meadow Street, Preston with Jane, aged 34; and one child, Joseph Leo, aged 1. Also staying with them as boarders were Jane's sisters Isabella Ashton, aged 23; and Phoebe Ashton, aged 22, both cotton weavers. They were all listed as born in Preston.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Fanny ASHTON: Fanny Ashton, a farmer, of Ashton's farm, Higher Brockholes, died on 10 Jan 1839 and was buried three days later in St Wilfrid's Cemetery, aged 86 years. Her death was registered by Elizabeth Cross of Brockholes. On the night of the 1841 census Ellen Helme, a farmer, aged 51, was living at Ashtons Farm, Higher Brockholes, with Elizabeth Cross, a female servant, aged 27, and two lodgers, Alice Ashton, aged 79, and Ann Barton, aged 12. They were all listed as born in Lancashire. Ten years later, at the time of the 1851 census, Ellen Helme, an unmarried farmer, aged 60, was living at Moor Side in the village of Brockholes, in the Chapelry of Grimsargh, with an unmarried servant, Dorothy E Cross, aged 34; and an unmarried lodger, Alice Ashton, a pauper, aged 89. Ellen and Alice were both listed as born in Brockholes, and Dorothy was born in Ribbleton. Alice Ashton died later that year and was buried on 2 Sep 1851 in the churchyard at St Ignatius Catholic Church in Preston. The death register index records her age as 89, and the burial register records it as 91. Although Alice Ashton, and presumably Fanny Ashton, were said to have been born in Brockholes, neither were baptized at the nearest Catholic church, St Mary and St John Southworth's Catholic Church in Samlesbury.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The Family of Peter and Mary ASHTON: Peter Ashton, a bachelor, and Mary Whitaker, a spinster, both of Preston, were married on 4 Nov 1822 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married after Banns by Matthew Mark, Curate, and the witnesses were John and Hannah Green. The bride, groom and both witnesses signed the marriage register with an X. They also had a Catholic ceremony the same day and with the same witnesses, but Mary's surname was recorded as Waddacre. Peter and Mary's first child was William, who was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 15 Sep 1823, with sponsors John Green and Margaret Hoghton. He was followed by the first of two children to be called Ann, who was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 13 Feb 1825, with sponsors William Green and Ellen Banks. She died in infancy, but was not buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery and I have been unable to find any record of her burial elsewhere. We know that Ann did not survive as Peter and Mary gave their third child the same name. Ann ASHTON: The second child to be called Ann was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 10 Aug 1826, with sponsors Thomas Green and Margaret Houghton. The baptism transcript recorded her parents as Pri and Mary Ashton, but this may have been a transcription error. She was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 29 Oct 1827, where her age was recorded simply as "infant". Peter and Mary's fourth child was Elizabeth, who was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 7 Oct 1827, with sponsors John Green and Bella Caton. She was followed by Peter Jr, who was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 1 Nov 1829, with sponsors William and Mary Green. The 1832 Preston electoral rolls listed Peter Ashton, a weaver, living at 9 Walker Street, and it was in that year that their fifth and last child was born. Thomas Vincent Ashton was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 25 Mar 1832, with sponsors John Bamber and Jane Prescot. 9 Walker Street was also where the family were living when Peter lost his wife. Mary ASHTON: Mary (Whitaker) Ashton, who was born in about 1793, died in Preston in 1834 and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 19 Nov 1834, aged 41 years. Some time after his wife's death Peter and his three younger children left Preston, and on the night of the 1841 census Peter Ashton, a labourer, aged c. 40, was living in Bridge Street, in the hamlet of Hardshaw, Windle, near St Helens, with three children, Elizabeth, aged c. 10; Peter, aged c. 10; and Thomas, aged c. 5. They were all listed as born in Lancashire. The ages of the children are all off by a year or two and it appears that the enumerator rounded down all of their ages to the nearest multiple of five. That was only supposed to be done for persons 15 years old or older. Peter and Mary's eldest son, William, a shoemaker, aged 17, was living, presumably as a lodger, in Walker Street, Preston, the home of Richard Charnock, a shoemaker, aged c. 60, and his wife Elizabeth, aged c. 65. They were all listed as born in Lancashire. William died the following year. William ASHTON: William Ashton, who was born in 1823, died in Preston on 23 December 1842 and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on Christmas Day 1842, aged 19 years. At the time of the 1851 census Peter Ashton, a labourer, aged 48, was still living in Bridge Street, Windle, with three children, Peter, a coal miner, aged 19; Thomas, a coal miner, aged 17; and Elizabeth, a housekeeper, aged 17. Also staying with them was a servant, Mary Ward, aged 17, and eleven lodgers. Again the ages are off, this time by a few years. Elizabeth would have actually been 23, Peter Jr would have been 21; and Thomas would have been 19. Peter Sr was listed as born in Winwick, and his children were all listed as born in Preston. Peter Ashton Sr died later in 1851 and his death was registered in Prescot, which included the town of Windle, in the third quarter of 1851, aged 54 years.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The Family of Peter ASHTON: Peter Asheton (sic) of the Chapelry of Walton-le-Dale, servant, and Isabella Parker, of the Parish of Preston, spinster, were married on 15 Apr 1806 at St Leonard's Chapel in Walton-le-Dale. They were married, by licence, by Edmund Radcliffe, Minister, and the witnesses were Ann Parker and Richard Duckett. Peter signed the marriage register with an X. They also had a Catholic ceremony the previous day at St Joseph's Chapel in Brindle, where Isabella's name was recorded as Bella Parker and Peter's surname was spelled correctly. The witnesses were Richard Whittle and Ann Parker. Peter and Bella baptized four children at St Joseph's Chapel in Brindle, beginning with Thomas, who was born on 30 Jan 1808 and was baptized the following day, with sponsors Peter Sharrock and Betty Bonney acting as proxies for Harry and Betty Cooper. Thomas was followed by John, who was born and baptized on 18 Jul 1809, with sponsors Harry Walker and Ann Parker; then Richard, who was born on 16 Nov 1810 and was baptized two days later, with sponsors Thomas Barrow and Betty Cayton; and finally George, who was born on 23 Feb 1813 and was baptized the next day, with sponsors Thomas Melling and Catherine Woodacre. A little more than a year after George's birth Isabella died and was buried in the churchyard at St Joseph's Chapel in Brindle on 9 May 1814. Her age was not recorded in the burial register. Eight years later, Peter remarried. Peter Ashton, widower, of Haighton in the Chapelry of Broughton, and Sarah Catterall, spinster, of Bartle in the Chapelry of Woodplumpton, were married on 24 Sep 1822 at St John the Baptist Church in Broughton, near Preston. They were married after Banns by William Dixon, Incumbent Minister, and the witnesses were William Sherington and Elizabeth Cottom. The bride, groom and both witnesses signed the marriage register with an X. Peter and Sarah baptized two children at St Wilfrid's Chapel, beginning with Jane, who was baptized on 10 Sep 1826, with sponsors George Raucliffe and Nancy Ashton. Their second child did not survive infancy. Peter ASHTON Jr: Peter Ashton was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 13 Sep 1829. He was the son of Peter and Sarah Ashton, and the sponsors were George Rockliffe and Ann Ashton. He lived less than two years and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 21 Aug 1831, where his age was recorded simply as "infant". The 1832 Preston electoral rolls list Peter Ashton, a labourer, living at 41 Singleton Row, and on the night of the 1841 census Peter Aston (sic), an agricultural labourer, aged c. 60, was living in Singleton Row, Preston with Sarah, aged c. 45, and two children, John, a worker in a cotton mill, aged c. 20; and Jane, aged c. 15. They were all listed as born in Lancashire. John's age may have been a transcription error, as he would have been about 31 at the time of the census, so his age should have been rounded down to 30. Sarah's age also seems to be incorrect. Some time after 1841 the family moved to 124 Fylde Road, where Peter died. Peter ASHTON Sr: Peter Ashton, who was born in about 1775, died in Preston on 14 Dec 1847, and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery three days later, aged 72 years. Death Notice: "DEATHS...On Tuesday last,...Peter Ashton, Fylde-road, aged 72." Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 18 Dec 1847 At the time of the 1851 census John Ashton, an overlooker, aged 40, was living at 124 Fylde Road, Preston with his widowed step-mother Sarah Ashton, aged 55; and his unmarried half-sister Jane, a power loom cotton weaver, aged 24. John Ashton was listed as born in Walton-le-Dale, Sarah was born in Penwortham, and Jane was born in Preston. The family later moved to 64 Senior Street Preston, where they were living at the time of the 1861 census. John Ashton, a cotton weaver, aged 50, was the head of the household. Living with him was his widowed step-mother Sarah, a house servant, aged 73; and his half-sister Jane, a cotton weaver, aged 34. Also living with them was a married boarder, Eliza Whitham, a cotton weaver, aged 30. Strangely, in this census Sarah's birthplace was listed as Brough, Scotland. She died two years later. Sarah Ashton, of Senior Street, was buried on 22 Feb 1863 in a public grave, E-297, in a Catholic section of Preston Cemetery, aged 75 years. Death Notice: "DEATHS...Since our last:...Sarah Ashton, Senior-street, aged 75;" Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 28 Feb 1863 Peter and Sarah's daughter Jane died unmarried in 1865 and was buried on Christmas Day 1865 in a public grave, J-650, in a Catholic section of Preston Cemetery, aged 39 years. Death Notice: "DEATHS...Since our last:...Jane Ashton, Senior-street, aged 39;" Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 30 Dec 1865

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Jane ASPINWALL: The only record of Jane Aspinwall that I can find is an entry in the 1820 Catholic census of Preston. Jane Agpdenwall (sic), aged 53, was living at 11 Buxtons Yard. She was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 18 Dec 1828, aged 63 years. There was no death notice published and she apparently did not leave a Will.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The ASTLEY Family of Preston: As early as 1810 the Astley family were living in Preston. With the possible exception of Edward Astley Jr, none of the family were born in Preston. Edward Astley Sr was already a widower by 1810, and it may be that his wife died before he settled in Preston. He and his first wife, whose name is unknown, had at least five children, being James, who was born in about 1784; John, who was born in about 1788; William, who was born in about 1790; Winifred, who was born in about 1794; and Edward Jr, who was born in about 1803. Edward's eldest known son, James, was married in Walton-le-Dale in 1807 (see below), and at the time of the 1810 Catholic census of Preston Edward Astley was living in Taylors Gardens, Preston with John, aged 22; William, aged 20; Winifred, aged 16; and Edward, aged 6. Edward's son John married a woman called Ann some time before about 1814 (see below), and his son William married a woman called Alice some time before 1816 (see below), but I have been unable to find the record of their marriages. By the time of the 1820 Catholic census Edward Sr had moved to Duke Street. He was living at Top of Duke Street with John, Edward, aged 16; and Winifred. Only Edward Jr's age was recorded in the census. I'm not sure why Edward's son John was staying with his father when the census was taken. His wife and children are not listed in the census. Edward Astley (Sr), a widower, and Isabel (Isabella) Slater, a widow, both of Preston were married on 5 Feb 1822 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married after Banns by Matthew Mark, Curate, and the witnesses were Betty Crossthwaite and Richard Lawson. Both ladies signed the marriage register with an X, and Edward signed his name Edwd. Astley. They also had a Catholic ceremony the following day at St Wilfrid's Chapel, where the witnesses were Robert Seed and Jane Cottam. The 1832 Preston electoral rolls list Edward Astley, a sawyer, living at 16 King Street where he died that same year. Edward ASTLEY Sr: Edward Astley, of King Street, who was born in about 1753, died in Preston and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 24 Mar 1832, aged 78 years. He was the fourth member of his family to be buried there. Edward's daughter Winifred married John Parkin on 9 Aug 1829 at St Mary's Parish Church in Penwortham, and on the night of the 1841 census John Parkins (sic), a cotton weaver, aged c. 45; was living in King Street with Winifred, aged c. 45; Mary, aged 8; and Mary, aged c. 65. Also staying with them was Isabella Astley, a cotton weaver, aged 68, Catherine Finney, aged c. 25; Thomas Bentham, a cotton weaver, aged c. 60; John Craven, a cotton weaver, aged 38; and Cicily Craven, aged 4 months. John Parkin was born outside of the county, Catherine Finney was born in Ireland, and the rest of the household were listed as born in Lancashire. Winifred's step-mother, died on 7 Nov 1844 and may have been buried in the churchyard at St Augustine's Catholic Church in Preston, but the early burial register appears to be missing. Death Notice: "DEATHS...On Thursday last, Isabella Ashley (sic), widow of Edward Ashley, sawyer, King-street, aged 68." Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 9 Nov 1844 The Family of William and Alice ASTLEY: Edward's son William married a woman called Alice some time before about 1816, but, like his brother John, I have been unable to find a record of his marriage. They may have been the William Astley and Alice Mills who were married at St Mary the Virgin Church in Eccles, on 3 Jun 1811, five weeks after John Astley married Ann Leicester in the same church. William Astley and his wife Alice baptized three children, Mary Winifred, Sarah and Margaret at St Wilfrid's Chapel on the same day, 14 Oct 1816. Mary Winifred's sponsors were John Perkin and Margaret Holderness, Sarah's sponsors were John Coupe and Winifred Astley, and Margaret's sponsors were George Holderness and Mary Atkinson. William and Alice seem to have left Preston after 1816 and were not listed in the 1820 Catholic census. They were not living in the town at the time of the 1841 census and I can find no further record of them. The Family of James and Margaret ASTLEY: Edward Astley's son James Astley, a sawyer, of the Chapelry of Walton-le-Dale, and Margaret Tootle, a spinster, of the Chapelry of Samlesbury, were married on 18 May 1807 at St Leonard's Chapel in Walton-le-Dale. They were married after Banns by Edmund Radcliffe, Minister, and the witnesses were John Tomlison and John Burkett. James and Margaret both signed the marriage register with an X. James and Margaret were married during the period for which the St Wilfrid's records are missing, so there is no way to know what children they may have baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel between the date of their marriage and the end of 1812, but they did have a daughter, Margaret, during that time, who was born in about 1808. The 1810 Catholic census of Preston lists James Astly (sic), F (father) living in Tythe Barn Street with Margaret, M (mother); and Margaret, D (daughter), aged 1. James and Margaret's second known child, William, was born later that year, followed by Betty, who was born in about 1812. The first of their children to appear in the surviving St Wilfrid's records was Mary Ann, baptized Marianne on 8 Dec 1816 with sponsors John Coupe and Marg. Holderness; followed by Eliza, who was baptized on 18 Dec 1818 with sponsors James Talbot and Ann Tootle. The 1820 Catholic census lists James Astley living at 18 Duke Street with Margaret, and five children, Margaret, aged 12; William, aged 10; Betty, aged 8; Mary, aged 3; and Eliza, aged 1. Their sixth known child did not survive infancy. Agnes ASTLEY: Agnes Astley, the daughter of James and Margaret Astley, was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 29 Apr 1821 with sponsors Richard Geldart and Helen Green. She lived about six months, and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 22 Oct 1821. The burial transcript did not record her age or abode. A little less than a year after burying their infant daughter, James and Margaret baptized another child they called Agnes, who was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 29 Sep 1822 with sponsors James and Alice Smith. She was followed by Sarah, who was baptized on 20 Feb 1825 with sponsors Edward and Isabel Astley; and James Edward, who was baptized on 17 May 1829 with sponsors Edward and Jane Astley. The 1832 Preston electoral rolls list John Astley, a sawyer, living at 36 Duke Street, but the family either left Preston temporarily or somehow managed to avoid the census takers in 1841, as they do not appear in that census. On the night of the 1851 census James Astley, a sawyer, aged 66, was living at 3 Cuerden Street, Preston with Margaret, aged 63, and two children, Agnes, unmarried, aged 28; and James, married, a cabinet maker, aged 21. Also living with them was their granddaughter Catherine, aged 1. James Sr was listed as born in Chorley, Margaret was born in Hoghton, and the rest of the family were born in Preston. James Astley Sr died the following year, on 14 Sep 1852. At the time of his death James was living in Gilbert Street, which no longer exists but was a short distance from St Augustine's Catholic Church, where James was probably buried. Unfortunately the burial register is apparently missing. Death Notice: "DEATHS...On Tuesday last,...James Astley, sawyer, Gilbert-street, aged 68." Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 18 Sep 1852 James and Margaret's daughter Eliza married William Cooper on 16 May 1841 at at St John's Church in Preston, and at the time of the 1861 census William Cooper, an overlooker of cotton weavers, aged 44, was living at 64 Ribbleton Lane with Eliza, a cotton weaver, aged 41, and their daughter Nancy, a cotton weaver, aged 17. Living with them was Eliza's widowed mother Margaret Astley (spelled Ashley in the census), a housekeeper, aged 73. Margaret is listed as a grandmother, but this would have been to Nancy, not Eliza. William was listed as born in Wigan and the rest of the family were born in Preston. Margaret (Tootle) Astley died three years later. Margaret Astley, of the Workhouse, was buried on 2 Oct 1864 in a public grave, H-172, in a Catholic section of Preston Cemetery, aged 76 years. The Family of John and Ann ASTLEY: Edward Astley's son John Astley, a sawyer, married a woman called Ann some time before about 1814, but I have been unable to find a record of their marriage. Some researchers believe that they were the John Astley and Ann Leicester who were married at St Mary the Virgin Church in Eccles, near Manchester on 28 Apr 1811. Wherever they were married, they settled in Preston and baptized eight children at St Wilfrid's Chapel, beginning with Margaret, who was baptized on 5 Jun 1814 with sponsors James Norris and Ann Astley. She was followed by John, who was baptized on 29 Jun 1817 with sponsors Henry Cunningham and Margaret Holderness; Edward, who was baptized on 21 Sep 1819 with sponsors John Coupe and Ann Jolly; and Samuel, who was baptized on 15 Sep 1821 with sponsors James Talbot and Ann Jolly. About a year after Samuel's birth they lost their eldest son. John ASTLEY Jr: John Astley, who was born in 1817, was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 4 Oct 1822. The burial transcript does not record his abode and recorded his age simply as "infant". John and Ann's fifth child was Joseph, who was baptized on 1 Feb 1824 with sponsors Robert Morley and Alice Smith; followed by Mary Ann, who was baptized Marianne Astley on 8 Apr 1827 with sponsors William and Jane Astley; then William, who was baptized William Astly on 22 Nov 1829 with sponsors Edward Astly and Jane Hartly. Two years later, John and Ann lost another child. Samuel ASTLEY: Samuel Astley, of Duke Street, who was born in 1821, was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 7 Aug 1831, aged 11 years. Five months after burying their young son, John and Mary baptized another boy they called Samuel. He was baptized on 22 Jan 1832 with sponsors John Perkins and Elizabeth Astley. It was in that year that the 1832 Preston electoral rolls listed John Astley, a sawyer, living at 36 Duke Street. Probably due to the nature of his work, John Astley was away from home on the night of the 1841 census and his wife Margaret, a dress maker, aged c. 25, was living in Duke Street, Preston with Joseph, aged c. 15; Mary, aged 14; William, aged 12; and Samuel, aged 9. They were all listed as born in Lancashire. By the time of the 1851 census John Astley, a sawyer, aged 64, was living at 5 Duke Street with Ann, aged 58, and two unmarried sons, Joseph, a sawyer, aged 26; and Samuel, a sawyer, aged 19. Also staying with them was their married son William, a sawyer, aged 21; his wife Alice, a frame tenter, aged 21; and their son John, aged 9 months. Ann was listed as born in Ashton under Line (sic), Alice was born in Catterall, and the rest of the family were born in Preston. By 1861 all of their children had left home and John and Ann had moved house. On the night of the 1861 census John Astley, a wood sawyer, aged 75, was living at 8 Back Pleasant Street, Preston with Ann, aged 70. They were both listed as born in Preston. Ann died five years later. Ann Astley, wife of John Astley, a sawyer, died of bronchitis on 9 Nov 1866 at 8 Pleasant Street, aged 73 years. Her death was registered by William Astley, in attendance, of 69 Pleasant Street. She was buried on 13 Nov 1866 in a public grave, D-9, in a Catholic section of Preston Cemetery, aged 73 years. Death Notice: "DEATHS...Since our last:...Ann Astley, Pleasant-street, aged 73;" Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 24 Nov 1866 John Astley, a sawyer, died of old age on 18 Jul 1870 at 14 William Street, aged 86 years. His death was registered by Mary Milner, of 14 William Street, who was present at the death. He was buried on 20 Jul 1870 in a public grave, N-315, in a Catholic section of Preston Cemetery, aged 86 years. The Family of Edward and Jane ASTLEY: Edward Astley's son Edward Jr, a bachelor, married Jane Slater, a spinster, on 1 Sep 1823 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married after Banns by Thomas Raven, Curate, and the witnesses were Richard and Winifrid Astley. The bride, groom and both witnesses signed the marriage register with an X. They also had a Catholic ceremony the same day, where the witnesses were Richard Astley, Winifred Astley and William Marland. Marriage Notice: "MARRIED...On Monday last,...Mr. Edward Astley, to Miss Jane Slater; - all of Preston." Published in the Lancaster Gazette, Sat., 6 Sep 1823 Edward and Jane settled in Preston and had a large family of eleven children, not all of whom survived. Their first child was Mary Ann, who was baptized on 14 Mar 1824 with sponsors Richard Hollinghurst and Elizabeth Anderson. She was followed by Sarah, who was baptized on 21 Jan 1827 with sponsors Henry Gardner and Mary Astley; George, who was baptized George Astler on 27 Dec 1829 with sponsors Richard Smith and Mary Slater; and Edward, who was baptized on 22 Jan 1832 with sponsors William and Elizabeth Astley. It was in that year that the 1832 Preston electoral rolls listed Edward Astley, a sawyer, living at 53 Duke Street. Edward and Jane's fifth child was the first of three daughters they called Winifrid, who was baptized on 30 Mar 1834 with sponsors Michael Speakman and Alice Slater. Their first five children were baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel, but their sixth child was baptized at Preston's newest Catholic church. John Astley, who was born on 6 Jun 1836, was baptized four days later at St Ignatius Catholic Church with sponsors John Astley and Mary Smith. The following year saw tragedy strike three times in less than seven months. Winifred ASTLEY: Winifred Astley, of Duke Street, who was born in 1834, was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 1 Dec 1836, aged 2 years. John ASTLEY: John Astley, of Duke Street, who was born in 1836, was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 23 Apr 1837, aged 9 months. Mary Ann ASTLEY: Mary Ann Astley, of Duke Street, who was born in 1824, was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 25 Jun 1837. The burial transcript recorded her age as 14 years, but she would have actually been 13 years old at the time of her death. A little less than a year after their eldest daughter's death Edward and Jane baptized another child they called Mary Ann. She was born on 2 Apr 1838, and was baptized Marianne Astley at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 8 Apr 1838 with sponsors John Astley and Alice Slater. On the night of the 1841 census Edward Astley, a journeyman sawyer, aged c. 35, was living in Duke Street with Jane, aged c. 35, and four children, Sarah, aged 10; George, aged 10; Edward, aged 5; and Mary, aged 3. With the exception of Edward Sr, they were all listed as born in Lancashire. Also staying with them was Matthew Holmes, a journeyman sawyer, aged c. 30; Betty Slater, aged 10; and Elizabeth Stanley, a cotton weaver, aged c. 25. Edward and Jane's eighth child was a second daughter they called Winifred, who was born on 16 Jul 1841 and was baptized at St Augustine's Catholic Church on 16 Aug 1841 with sponsors William Slater and Ann Worthington. She died in 1843, aged 1 year, and was probably buried in the churchyard at St Augustine's Church, but the burial register appears to be missing. Their ninth child was the third to be called Winifred, who was born on 27 Feb 1844 and was baptized at St Augustine's Church on 3 Mar 1844 with sponsors James and Sarah Astley. She was followed by Jane, who was born on 12 Dec 1846 and was baptized at St Augustine's Church the next day, with sponsors Thomas Comolege (sic) and Jane Worthington. The following year Edward and Jane's daughter Winifred died, aged 3 years, and was also probably buried in the churchyard at St Augustine's Church. Three years later, their eleventh and last child was born. Susanna Astley was born on 3 Jun 1850 and was baptized at St Augustine's Church the same day with sponsors Joseph Comelege (sic) and Margaret Worthington. At the time of the 1851 census Edward Astley, a sawyer, aged 48, was living at 54 Duke Street, Preston with Jane, aged 49, and four children, Edward, a sawyer, aged 19; Mary, a steam loom cotton weaver, aged 12; Jane, aged 4; and Susanna, aged 9 Months. Living with them was their married son George, a joiner, aged 21; and his wife Ellen, a steam loom cotton weaver, aged 21. Edward Sr was listed as born in Congleton, Lancashire (sic), Jane Sr was born in Fernyhalgh, and the rest of the family were born in Preston. On the night of the 1861 census Edward Astley, a sawyer, aged 58, was living at 55 Duke Street, Preston with Jane, a weaver, aged 58, and three children Edward, a sawyer, aged 29; Jane, a weaver, aged 14; and Susannah, a weaver, aged 11. Edward Sr was listed as born in Congleton, Cheshire, Jane Sr was born in Fleetwood, and their children were born in Preston. Jane (Slater) Astley died five years later. Jane Astley, wife of Edward Astley, a sawyer, died of Dysentery on 28 Jul 1866 at 12 Princess Street, aged 62 years. Her death was registered by Jane Astley, present at the death, of 12 Princess Street. She was buried on 31 Jul 1866 in a public grave, H-186, in a Catholic section of Preston Cemetery, aged 62 years. Edward Astley survived his wife by less than four months. Edward, a sawyer, died of Morbus Cardis (heart disease) on 8 Nov 1866 at 12 Princess Street, aged 63 years. His death was registered by his daughter Jane Astley, in attendance, of 12 Princess Street. He was buried on 12 Nov 1866 in a public grave, D-9, in a Catholic section of Preston Cemetery, aged 63 years. Death Notice: "DEATHS...Since our last:...Edward Astley, Princess-street, aged 63;" Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 24 Nov 1866 Note: By a strange coincidence, Edward's sister-in-law Ann, the wife of his brother John, was buried the following day in the same grave (see above).

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Ellen ATHERTON: Ellen Atherton was the daughter of James and Mary Atherton, and was born in about 1834. I have been unable to find her baptism record - unless she was the child baptized Helen Anderton on 2 Nov 1834 at St Wilfrid's Chapel. That child was the daughter of James and Mary Anderton, and the sponsors were William and Alice Higginson. I have seen a number of examples of the names Anderton and Atherton being confused, so this might very well be Ellen Atherton. It is not known where or when John and Mary Atherton were married. Their first known child, John, was baptized at St Francis' Catholic Chapel, also known as Hill Chapel, in Goosnargh on 5 Feb 1829, with sponsors John and Margarite Forrest. Their daughter Margaret was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel in Preston on 15 Jan 1832, with sponsors Roger Marsh and Helen Smith. Ellen was James and Mary's third known child, and she was followed by Henry, who was born in about 1839, but I can find no record of his baptism and, to complicate things further, his birth does not appear to have been registered. On the night of the 1841 census James Atherton, a cotton weaver, aged c. 30, was living in Fiddlers Yard, Alfred Street, Preston with Mary, aged c. 35, and three children, John, a cotton bobbin putter in, aged 12; Margaret, aged 9; and Henry, aged 2. They were all listed as born in Lancashire. James Atherton died sometime between the dates of the 1841 and 1851 censuses, but his death was not registered in Preston and it is unclear where and when he died. At the time of the 1851 census Nancy Graystock, a widow, aged 72, was living at 2 Vernon Street, Preston with her widowed daughter Mary Atherton, a willow feeder, aged 45; her widowed daughter Agnes Sanderson, a weaver, aged 33; her niece Margaret Atherton, a throstle spinner, aged 19; her nephew Henry Atherton, a bobbin putter in, aged 12; and her niece Jane Sanderson, aged 13. Nancy was listed as born in Kellet, Mary was born in Longridge, and the rest of the household were born in Preston. If Nancy was the mother of Mary and Agnes the children would have been her grandchildren, not her nieces and nephew. James and Mary's daughter Margaret married Thomas Mills at St Leonard's Church in Walton-le-Dale in 1852 and on the night of the 1861 census Mary Atherton, a housekeeper, aged 59, was living at 23 Mill Street, Preston with her unmarried son Henry, a piecer, aged 23. Also living with them was her married daughter Margaret Mills, a house keeper, aged 27; her husband Thomas, a cotton spinner, aged 30; and their three children, Ellen, a scholar, aged 8; Francis, aged 3; and James, aged 2 months. Mary was listed as born in Longridge, and the rest of the family were born in Preston. On the night of the 1871 census Thomas Mills, a cotton self acting minder, aged 40, was now the head of household at 23 Mill Street, with his wife Margaret, a cotton rover, aged 30, and two children, Francis, an apprentice, aged 14; and Ellen, a cotton weaver, aged 19. Also living with them was Margaret's widowed mother Mary Atherton, a housekeeper, aged 66; and an unmarried lodger, John Brindle, a night watchman, aged 30. They were all listed as born in Preston. At the time of the 1881 census Mary Atherton, a widow, aged 79, was living at 108 Ashmoor Street, Preston with four lodgers, John Cowel, a labourer, aged 30; his wife Margaret, a cotton weaver, aged 21; John Brown, a moulder, aged 24; and his wife Ellen, a cotton weaver, aged 27. Ellen Brown was Mary's granddaughter, the youngest daughter of Thomas and Margaret Mills. She married John Brown on 19 Aug 1877 at St Thomas' Church in Preston. Mary Atherton later went to stay with her daughter Margaret Mills in Lady Street, where she died the following year. Mrs Mary Atherton, of 29 Lady Street, was buried on 2 Feb 1882 in a public grave, G-73, in a Catholic section of Preston Cemetery, aged 73 years. Death Notice: "DEATHS...PRESTON, Burials since our last:...Mary Atherton, Lady-street, 73;" Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 4 Feb 1882 Note 1: James Atherton was related to Henry Atherton, also of Goosnargh. Note 2: Mary Atherton's occupation in 1851 was very difficult to read and may have been woollen feeder. Note 3: The ages given for most of the members of this family varied from one record to another and it is not clear when Mary Atherton was born or what her actual age was at the time of her death.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The Family of Henry and Margaret ATHERTON: Henry Atherton and Margaret "Peggy" Smith, both of Goosnargh, were married on 28 Nov 1803 at St Mary the Virgin Church in Goosnargh. They were married after Banns by Joshua Southward, Minister, and the witnesses were Richard Murton and Henry Grimbalston. The bride, groom and Richard Murton signed the marriage register with an X. They also had a Catholic ceremony at St Francis' Catholic Chapel, also known as Hill Chapel, in Goosnargh on the same day and with the same witnesses. Henry and Margaret began their married life in Goosnargh, and their first child, William, was baptized at St Mary and St Michael's Catholic Chapel, Alston Lane on 26 Dec 1803, with sponsors R. Atherton and Elizabeth Hothersall. They went on to baptize another twelve children at St Francis' Catholic Chapel, beginning with Helen, who was baptized on 28 Jan 1805 with sponsors John Singleton and Elizabeth Smith. She was followed by James, who was baptized on 27 Dec 1807 with sponsors John Smith and Bridget Hothersall; then the first of two boys to be called George, who was baptized on 23 Dec 1809 with sponsors Richard Singleton and Elizabeth Whittingham; then the first of two girls to be called Jane, who was baptized on 23 Dec 1811 with sponsors Robert Smith and Betty March. Jane and George died within days of each other in 1813, with Jane being buried on 4 Apr 1813, aged 3 years, and George being buried on 7 Apr 1813, aged 4 years, both buried in the churchyard at St Mary the Virgin Church in Goosnargh. Henry and Margaret's fifth child was another girl they called Jane, who was baptized on 5 Jan 1814 with sponsors Robert Smith and Betty March. She was followed by Elizabeth, who was baptized on 23 Jan 1816 with sponsors Roger March and Mary Cayton; then the second son they called George, who was baptized on 8 Dec 1817 with sponsors John and Mary Miller; and Edward, who was baptized on 1 Dec 1819 with sponsors Christopher and Helen Slater; Isabella, who was baptized on 17 Oct 1821 with sponsors Edward Slater and Helen Smith; John, who was baptized on 21 Nov 1822 with sponsors Thomas Poolton and Alice Higgison; Henry, who was baptized on 11 Apr 1824 with sponsors Thomas Myerscough and Margaret Craven; and finally Margarite, who was baptized on 23 Sep 1825 with sponsors James and Ann Whittle. Henry and Margaret's daughter Elizabeth married William Davis at St Mary the Virgin Church in Goosnargh on 13 Oct 1834; their daughter Jane married Christopher Wilcock at St John's Parish Church in Preston on 19 Sep 1836, but the year before they were married Jane gave birth to a daughter. Margaret ATHERTON: Margaret Atherton was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 26 Apr 1835. She was the daughter of Jane Atherton, and the sponsors were George Atherton and Eliza Davis. She died in infancy and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 30 Aug 1835, with her age being recorded simply as "infant". Eliza Davis may have been Jane's sister Elizabeth (Atherton) Davis. Henry and Margaret's daughter Isabella married James Towers at St Leonard's Chapel in Walton-le-Dale on 16 Aug 1840, and their youngest son died the following year. Henry ATHERTON Jr: Henry Atherton, who was born in Goosnargh in 1824, died in Preston and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 7 Mar 1841, aged 17 years. On the night of the 1841 census Henry Atherton, a cotton weaver, aged c. 55; was living in Spring Gardens, Preston with Margaret, aged c. 50, and three children, Edward, a cotton weaver, aged c. 20; John, a cotton weaver, aged c. 15; and Margaret, a cotton carder, aged c. 15. Living with them was their married daughter Elizabeth Davis, a cotton weaver, aged c. 25; her husband William, a cotton weaver, aged c. 25; their granddaughter Mary Davis, aged 2; their married daughter Bella Towers, a cotton weaver, aged c. 20; her husband James, a cotton weaver, aged c. 20; and their granddaughter Margaret Towers, aged 2 months. Also staying with them was Edward Walmsley, a cotton weaver, aged 13, who may have been their grandson, the son of their daughter Ellen, who married Richard Walmsley at St Mary the Virgin Church in Goosnargh on 16 Jul 1828. They were all listed as born in Lancashire. Their granddaughter Margaret Towers died shortly after the census was taken and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 20 Jun 1841, aged 10 weeks. Henry and Margaret's youngest daughter, Margaret, an unmarried factory worker, gave birth to a baby boy in 1845. Henry ATHERTON: Henry Atherton was born on 13 Apr 1845 and was baptized the same day at St Ignatius Catholic Church in Preston. He was the son of Margaret Atherton, and there were no sponsors. Written in the margin in Latin was "sine ceremonium", which translates to "without ceremony". He died in infancy and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 7 Dec 1845, aged 7 months. His grandmother followed him to the grave almost exactly one year later. Mrs Margaret ATHERTON: Margaret (Smith) Atherton, who was born in about 1786, died in Preston on 12 Dec 1846 and was buried two days later in St Wilfrid's Cemetery, aged 60 years. Death Notice: "DEATHS...Saturday last,...Margaret Atherton, Egan-street, aged 60." Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 19 Dec 1846 At the time of the 1851 census Henry Atherton, widower, a hand loom weaver, aged 68, was living at 19 Egan Street, with his married daughter Elizabeth Davis, a hand loom weaver, aged 35; her husband William, a scavenger, aged 37, and their four children, Mary, at home, aged 11; William, a rover, aged 9; Margaret, a scholar, aged 7; and Elizabeth, aged 3. Henry Atherton and William Davis were listed as born in Alston, Elizabeth was born in Whittingham, and the children were born in Preston. Henry Atherton Sr, of Ribbleton Lane, was buried on 19 Nov 1857 in a public grave, C-481, in a Catholic section of Preston Cemetery, aged 78 years. Note: Henry Atherton was related to James Atherton, also of Goosnargh. The Family of Margaret ATHERTON-DIXON: About a year after losing her infant son, Henry and Margaret's daughter Margaret Atherton married James Dixon and went on to have eleven more children. They were married on 30 Nov 1846 at St Wilfrid's Chapel, witnessed by James Moss and Jane Dixon, and their first child, James, was born on 21 Sep 1847. He was baptized on 26 Sep 1847, with sponsors William Davis and Margaret Atherton. He was followed by George, who was born on 19 Jan 1849 and was baptized on 28 Jan 1849, with sponsors John Atherton and Elizabeth Davis; and Margaret, who was born on 8 Jan 1851 and was baptized on 19 Jan 1851, with sponsors John and Ellen Atherton. All three were baptized at St Ignatius Catholic Church in Preston. On the night of the 1851 census James Dixon, a hand loom cotton weaver, aged 31, was living at 33 Crown Street, Preston with Margaret, aged 23, and three children, James, aged 3; George, aged 2; and Margaret, aged 4 months. Staying with them was Margaret's brother-in-law Christopher Wilcock, a scavenger, aged 38, and his son William, a scholar, aged 10. James Sr was listed as born in Chipping, Margaret Sr was born in Goosnargh, Christopher Wilcock was born in Kirkham, and his son was born in Preston. The birthplaces of James and Margaret's children were recorded as Lancashire, Lancashire. Their son George died later that year and was buried in the churchyard at St Ignatius Church on 25 Nov 1851, aged 2 years. James and Margaret's fourth child was Mary, who was born on 1 Nov 1852 and was baptized at St Ignatius Church on 7 Nov 1852, with sponsors James and Isabella Towers. She was followed by William, who was born on 4 Nov 1854 and was baptized at St Ignatius Church on 12 Nov 1854, with sponsors James and Charlotte Melling; then Isabella, who was born on 21 Dec 1856 and was baptized seven days later at St Walburge's Catholic Church, with sponsors Henry Hatherton (sic) and Sara Oldham. James and Margaret's seventh child was a second son they called George, who was born on 27 Jan 1859 and was baptized at St Walburge's Church three days later, with sponsors William and Mary Davis. He was followed by John Henry, who was born on 6 Nov 1860 and was baptized at St Ignatius Church on 12 Nov 1860, with sponsors William and Margaret Noblet. At the time of the 1861 census James Dixon, a hand loom cotton weaver, aged 43, was living at 72 Crown Street, Preston with Margaret, aged 36, and six children, James, a power loom cotton tenter, aged 13; Margaret, a power loom cotton tenter, aged 10; Mary, a scholar, aged 8; Isabella, a scholar, aged 6; George, aged 4; and John H, aged 5 months. In this census James Sr was listed as born in Goosnargh, Margaret Sr was born in Whittingham, and their children were born in Preston. James and Margaret's ninth child was Thomas, who was born on 5 Sep 1862 and was baptized Thomas Dickson at St Ignatius Church two days later, with sponsors James Broadbent and Margaret Davies. He was followed by Elizabeth Jane, who was born on 29 Aug 1864 and was baptized at St Ignatius Church on 4 Sep 1864, with sponsors John Rigby and Elizabeth Davies; and lastly Joseph, their eleventh child, who was born on 10 Mar 1867 and was baptized Joseph Dickson at St Ignatius Church on 17 Mar 1867, with sponsors R. Mairscough and Anna McLarrin. The handwriting in the baptism register was very difficult to read and I am not certain of the names of the sponsors. On the night of the 1871 census James Dixon, a cotton weaver, aged 52, was living at 50 North Street, Preston with Margaret, aged 46, and ten children, James, a biscuit maker, aged 23; Margaret, a cotton weaver, aged 20; Mary, a cotton weaver, aged 18; William, a cotton weaver, aged 16; Isabella, a biscuit baker, aged 14; George, a cotton weaver, aged 12; John, a cotton weaver, aged 10; Thomas, a cotton creeler, aged 8; Jane, a scholar, aged 6; and Joseph, a scholar, aged 4. On the night of the 1881 census James Dixon, unemployed, aged 62, was living at 52 Ripon Street, Preston with Margaret, a housekeeper, aged 55, and five children, Isabella, a cotton weaver, aged 24; George, a cotton weaver, aged 22; Thomas, a cotton drawer, aged 18; Jane, a cotton weaver, aged 16; and Joseph, a cotton reacher, aged 14. Also staying with them was a granddaughter, Mary Dixon, aged 4. In this census Margaret is listed as born in Goosnargh and the rest of the family are listed as born in Preston. Margaret (Atherton) Dixon, of 159a Ellen Street, died in 1888 and was buried on 29 Dec 1888 in a private grave, A-42, in a Catholic section of Preston Cemetery, aged 63 years. At the time of the 1891 census James Dixon, widower, a retired fish monger, aged 72, was living at 34 Elliott Street, Preston with three granddaughters, Margaret, aged 18; Kate, aged 17; and Mary, aged 14 - all cotton weavers. James was listed as born in Goosnargh and his granddaughters were born in Preston. James died five years later. James Dixon, of 63 St George's Road, was buried on 25 Feb 1896 in the private grave at Preston Cemetery where his wife had been buried eight years earlier. He was 77 years old. Note: When Margaret's son Henry died on 2 Dec 1845 his address was recorded as Egan Street, Preston, and at the time of the 1851 census her father Henry, widower, a hand loom weaver, aged 68, was living at 19 Egan Street with his daughter and son-in-law, William and Elizabeth Davis. The Family of John and Ann ATHERTON: Henry and Margaret's son John, who was born in Goosnargh in 1822, was married in 1843. John Atherton, a bachelor, of full age, a power loom weaver, of Walton-le-Dale, the son of Henry Atherton, a hand loom weaver, and Ann Hall, a spinster, of full age, a carder, of Walton-le-Dale, the daughter of Ann Hall, a carder, were married on 30 Apr 1843 at St Leonard's Chapel in Walton-le-Dale. They were married by Thomas Hugo, and the witnesses were James Towers and Alice Breakell. The bride, groom and both witnesses signed the marriage register with an X. Their first child died in infancy. Ellen ATHERTON: Ellen Atherton was born on 28 Jan 1845 and was baptized at St Ignatius Catholic Church on 2 Feb 1845, with sponsors James Towers and Margaret Atherton. She was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 2 Mar 1845, aged 1 month. John and Ann's second child was George, who was born on 20 Mar 1847 and was baptized at St Ignatius Church the following day, with sponsors James and Margaret Dixon. Their third child also died in infancy. William Henry ATHERTON: William Henry Atherton was born on 9 May 1850 and was baptized three days later at St Augustine's Catholic Church, with sponsors William and Elizabeth Davis. He was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 15 Oct 1850, aged 5 months. On the night of the 1851 census John Atherton, a weaver, aged 30, was living at 24 Willow Street Yard with Ann, a weaver, aged 29, and their only surviving child, George, aged 4. John was listed as born in Whittingham, and his wife and son were born in Preston. After a gap of seven years, John and Ann's fourth child, another son they called William Henry, was born. He was born on 14 Dec 1857 and was baptized at St Augustine's Church on Christmas Day 1857, with sponsors James Smith and Alice Talbot. William Henry Atherton, the son of John Atherton, a soldier, of Pole Street, Preston was buried on 26 Sep 1858 in a public grave, F-332, in a Catholic section of Preston Cemetery, aged 9 months. This is the last confirmed record I can find of this family. If John Atherton did become a soldier he may have been sent anywhere in the world. Note: When George Atherton's birth was registered in 1847 his mother's maiden name was recorded as Hartley. When William Henry Atherton's birth was registered in 1850 his mother's maiden name was recorded as Hall, but the baptism register entry recorded it as Hartley. The Family of William ATHERTON: Henry and Margaret's eldest son William, who was born in Goosnargh in 1803, was married there in 1825. William Atherton and Margaret Craven, both of the Parish of Goosnargh, were married on 31 Jan 1825 at St Mary the Virgin Parish Church. They were married after Banns by Robert Studholme, Curate, and the witnesses were Alexander Craven and Ellen Atherton. The bride, groom and both witnesses signed the marriage register with an X. William and Margaret settled initially in the neighbourhood of Whittingham and baptized the first of their children at St Francis' Catholic Chapel in Goosnargh, beginning with Mary, who was baptized on 3 Jun 1825 with sponsors Alexander Craven and Helen Atherton. She was followed by Helen, who was baptized on 16 Dec 1827 with sponsors James Atherton and Mary Elmn, and their abode was recorded as "of Whittingham". Their third child was Margaret, who was baptized on 13 Sep 1829 with sponsors John and Ann Forrest; followed by Jane, who was baptized on 23 Oct 1831 with sponsors Thomas Keighley and Jane Atherton. William and Margaret had another five children, William in about 1834, Henry in about 1835, Francis in about 1836; John in about 1838, and George in about 1840, but the baptism records for Francis' Catholic Chapel may still be held at the church and are not readily available. On the night of the 1841 census William Atherton, an agricultural labourer, aged c. 35, was living in the village of Whittingham with Margaret, aged c. 35, and eight children, Mary, aged 14; Ellen, aged 12; Jane, aged 9; William, aged 6; Henry, aged 5; Francis, aged 4; John, aged 3; and George, aged 6 months. They were all listed as born in Lancashire. William and Margaret had one more child while living in Whittingham, Edward, who was born in about 1843. Some time after Edward's birth the family moved to Preston, where their eleventh child was born. Thomas Atherton was born on 6 Feb 1845 and was baptized at St Ignatius Catholic Church in Preston on 9 Feb 1845, with sponsors James and Isabella Towers. By early 1851 the family were living in Queen Street, Preston, where their daughter died. Jane ATHERTON: Jane Atherton, who was born in Whittingham in 1831, died in Preston on 11 Feb 1851 and was buried five days later in St Wilfrid's Cemetery, aged 17 years. At the time of the 1851 census William Atherton, a street sweeper, aged 49, was living at 146 Duke Street East, Preston with Margaret, aged 46, and eight children, Ellen, aged 18; William, aged 15; Henry, aged 14, all steam loom cotton weavers; Frank, aged 12; John, aged 11; George, aged 10; Richard (actually Edward), aged 9; and Thomas, aged 3. Margaret was listed as born in Chipping, Thomas was born in Preston, and the rest of the family were born in Goosnargh. Margaret died two years later. Mrs Margaret ATHERTON: Margaret (Craven) Atherton, who was born in about 1802, died at their home in Brewery Street, Preston on 21 May 1853 and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery three days later, aged 50 years. Two years after his wife's death, William remarried. William Atherton, a widower, aged 50, a labourer, of Brewery Street, son of Henry Atherton, a hand loom cotton weaver, and Catherine Dunn, a spinster, aged 38, a char woman, of Main Sprit Wiend, the daughter of John Dunn, a labourer, were married on 13 Oct 1855 at St Augustine's Catholic Church, Preston. They were married by Thomas Cookson, and the witnesses were Thomas and Rachel Ingram. The bride, groom and Rachel Ingram signed the marriage register with an X. William Atherton Jr married Ann "Nancy" Kirkham on 11 Apr 1857 at St John's Parish Church, Preston, and on the night of the 1861 census William Atherton, a day labourer, aged 57, was living at 37 Lark Hill Street, Preston with his wife Catherine, aged 42, and his son Thomas, a cotton weaver, aged 16. Also staying with him was his married son William, a cotton weaver, aged 27; his wife Ann, a cotton weaver, aged 23; and their son Richard, aged 3. William Sr was listed as born in Alston, Catherine was born in Ireland, William Jr was born in Whittingham, Thomas and Richard were born in Preston, and William Jr's wife Ann was born in Big Marton, Lancashire. William Atherton Sr died in 1870 and was buried on 18 Jun 1870 in a public grave, N-314, in a Catholic section of Preston Cemetery, aged 67 years. On the night of the 1871 census Catherine Atherton, widow, a washerwoman, aged 45, was living at 1 Syke Street, Preston with Ann, a cotton weaver, aged 33. Ann was described as Catherine's step-daughter, but was actually her step-son's wife. She was listed as married, but her husband was not listed with her. Ann's sons Richard, a brickmaker, aged 13, and Edward, aged 9, were staying with their aunt and uncle, Richard and Bessy Kirkham, in Ingleton Falls. Although I cannot find Catherine in the 1881 census, she appears to have been living in the town at the time, and died there the following year. Catherine (Dunn) Atherton, of 88 Brunswick Street, was buried on 12 Feb 1882 in a public grave, G-73, in a Catholic section of Preston Cemetery, aged 60 years. Death Notice: "DEATHS...PRESTON - Burials since our last:...Catherine Atherton, Brunswick-street, aged 60 years;" Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 18 Feb 1882 Note: In 1871 Richard and Edward's surname was indexed as Asherton on Ancestry.com.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Alise (Alice) ATKINSON: Alice Atkinson died on 14 Sep 1824 and was buried three days later in St Wilfrid's Cemetery aged either 70 or 80 years. Death Notice: "DEATHS...On Tuesday last, aged 70, Mrs. Alice Atkinson, of Preston." Published in the Lancaster Gazette, Sat., 18 Sep 1824 As the burial transcripts recorded Alice's age as 80 and the death notice recorded it as 70 there is no way to be certain how old Alice actually was or what her approximate year of birth was. An Alice Atkinson was listed in the 1810 Catholic census of Preston living in Fishergate with Mary, a daughter, aged 25; and James, a son, but Alice and James' aged were not recorded. The 1820 Catholic census of Preston listed Alice Atkinson, aged 66, living at 28 Fishergate with James, aged 28. If this is the same Alice Atkinson, she was born in about 1754, so would have been about 70 years old in 1824.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Ann ATKINSON: Ann Atkinson, the wife of Jonathan Atkinson, was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 27 Feb 1831, aged 41 years. Jonathan Atkinson and Ann Wareing, both of Preston, were married on 30 Jan 1815 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married after Banns by William Towne, Curate, and the witnesses were Agnes Wareing and George Riley. The two ladies signed the marriage register with an X. They also had a Catholic ceremony at St Wilfrid's Chapel on the same day, where Ann's surname was spelled Waring. The witnesses were John and Agatha Waring. Jonathan and Ann settled in the Ribbleton area of Preston and baptized five children at St Wilfrid's Chapel, beginning with Mary, who was baptized on 17 Jul 1815 with sponsors Richard Atkinson and Agatha Waring; followed by John, who was baptized on 27 Apr 1817 with sponsors John Catheral and Elizabeth Parkinson; and William, who was baptized on 14 Nov 1819 with sponsors Thomas and Jane Smith. The 1820 Catholic census of Preston lists Jonas (sic) Atkinson, aged 32, living at 5 Stanley Street with Ann, aged 32, and three children, Mary, aged 5; John, aged 3; and William, aged 1. Jonathan and Ann's fourth child was Elizabeth, who was baptized on 25 Apr 1822 with sponsors William Blackburn and Elizabeth Waring; followed by Dorothy, who was baptized on 19 Dec 1824 with sponsors Richard Rigby and Ann Cowell. The year following Ann's death Jonathan and John Atkinson, both weavers, were listed in the 1832 Preston electoral rolls living at 13 Ribbleton Lane, where they were still living on the night of the 1841 census, when Jonathan Atkinson, a hand loom cotton weaver, aged c. 50, was living with three children, John, aged c. 20; William, aged c. 20; and Dorothy, aged c. 15. Also staying with them was John Atkinson, aged c. 60; and Thomas, aged c. 20. They were all hand loom cotton weavers, and were all listed as born in Lancashire. Jonathan and Ann's daughter Dorothy married John Whittle, the son of William and Jane Whittle, on 2 Sep 1849 at St Ignatius Catholic Church in Preston, witnessed by Edward Robinson and Elizabeth Atkinson, and they ran the Sir Charles Napier pub in Edward Street for many years. At the time of the 1851 census Jonathan Atkinson, widower, a hand loom weaver, aged 62, was living at 304 Ribbleton Lane, Preston with his unmarried son William, also a hand loom weaver, aged 31. They were both listed as born in Preston. Staying with them was a lodger, John Howarth, widower, a hand loom weaver, aged 58, from Blackburn. According to a headstone in Preston Cemetery, Jonathan Atkinson died on 22 Jul 1868 and was buried in a private grave, C-448, in a Catholic section of Preston Cemetery. There is just one problem: He was not buried in that grave and I can find no record of his death or burial anywhere in Lancashire in 1868. Grave C-448 was purchased by Jonathan's son-in-law John Whittle for the burial of his son John Whittle Jr, who died on 31 Jul 1865 and was buried on 3 Aug 1865, aged 6 years. His was the first internment, buried 18 feet deep. While Jonathan is listed second on the headstone, the second burial in the grave was actually his daughter Dorothy (Atkinson) Whittle, who died on 25 Oct 1882, and was buried on 30 Oct 1882, aged 57 years. The burial register clearly shows that Dorothy was the second person buried in the grave, buried 14 feet deep. The third burial was Dorothy's husband John Whittle, who died on 28 Jan 1890, and was buried on 3 Feb 1890, aged 65 years. Jonathan Atkinson was not buried in this family grave, there was no death certificate issued anywhere in Lancashire, there was no death notice published, and I cannot find him in any census or other record after the 1851 census. Therefore I can only conclude that he left the country and died elsewhere. It may be that the inscription on the headstone was meant as a memorial, rather than a record of his place of burial. Note: Jonathan Atkinson, who was born in about 1789, may have been the son of John and Dorothy Atkinson, of Ribbleton, whose son Jonathan was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 4 Feb 1789. The fact that Jonathan named his eldest son John and his youngest daughter Dorothy may be a clue to that relationship.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The Family of Thomas and Susannah ATKINSON: Thomas Atkinson, a bachelor, and Susannah Moore, a spinster, both of Preston, were married at St John's Parish Church in Preston on Christmas Day 1828. They were married after Banns by James Gratrix, Curate, and the witnesses were John Thompson and Sarah Salter. Thomas and Susannah settled in Preston and had eleven children, the first of whom did not survive infancy. Simon ATKINSON: Simon Atkinson was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 8 Nov 1829. He was the son of Thomas and Susan Atkinson, and the sponsors were Peter and Jane Sharrock. He was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 14 Dec 1829, where his age was recorded simply as "infant", and his abode as High Street. Thomas and Susannah's second child was Mary, who was baptized on 3 Apr 1831 with sponsors Richard and Margaret Valentine. She was followed by Thomas, who was born on 13 Oct 1833 and was baptized on 12 Nov 1834 with sponsors Henry Stanley and Helen Browne; then Joseph, who was born on 15 Jan 1836 and was baptized on 17 Jan 1836, with sponsors John Sharrock and Mary Browne; and Margaret, who was born on 6 Dec 1838 and was baptized on 9 Dec 1838 with sponsors William Higgison and Mar. Smithson - all baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel. Thomas and Susannah's sixth child was Elizabeth, who was born on 6 Mar 1841 and was baptized at St Ignatius Catholic Church on 14 Mar 1841 with sponsors William Higginson and Mary Smithson. On the night of the 1841 census Thomas Atkinson, a whitesmith, aged c. 30, was living in High Street with Susannah, aged c. 30, and five children, Mary, aged 10; Thomas, aged 7; Joseph, aged 5; Margaret, aged 2; and Elizabeth, aged 3 months. They were all listed as born in Lancashire. Thomas and Susannah's family continued to grow with the births of Emma, who was born on 22 Apr 1843 and was baptized the following day at St Ignatius Church with sponsors William Higginson and Ellen Shepherd; William, who was born on 4 Aug 1845 and was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 13 Aug 1845 with sponsors William Brown and Elizabeth Crumbleholme; and Frederick, who was born on 29 Dec 1847 and was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 9 Jan 1948 with sponsors William Higginson and Ann Cave. Their tenth child also died in infancy. Ann Teresa ATKINSON: Ann Teresa Atkinson was born on 2 Oct 1850, and was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel four days later, with sponsors Andrew and Elizabeth Kay. She was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 13 Feb 1851, aged 4 months. At the time of the 1851 census Thomas Atkinson, a whitesmith, aged 41, was living at 54 Church Street, Preston with his wife Susannah, a draper, aged 40, and seven children, Mary, a draper, aged 20; Joseph, a manufacturer, aged 15; Margaret, aged 12; Elizabeth, aged 10; Emma, aged 8; William, aged 6; and Frederick, aged 4. They were all listed as born in Preston. Their eleventh and last child was born the following year. Martin Francis Atkinson was born on 28 Nov 1852 and was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 3 Dec 1852 with sponsors William Higginson and Ann Sharrock. On the night of the 1861 census Thomas Atkinson, a draper, aged 50, was living at 55-56 Church Street with Susannah, aged 49, and eight unmarried children, Mary, a milliner, aged 30; Thomas, a draper, aged 27; Margaret, a milliner, aged 22; Joseph, a draper, aged 25; Emma, a milliner, aged 17; William, a scholar, aged 15; Frederick, a scholar, aged 13; and Martin, a scholar, aged 8. Also staying with them was an unmarried servant, Margaret Costello, a general servant, aged 23, who was born in Ireland. Thomas and Susannah's youngest child, Martin died in 1866, aged 13, and at the time of the 1871 census Thomas Atkinson, a linen draper, aged 61, was living at 55-56 Church Street with Susannah and four of their unmarried children, Thomas, an engineer, aged 37; Joseph, a linen draper, aged 35; Margaret, a milliner, aged 32; and Emma, a milliner, aged 25. By the time of the 1881 census Thomas, aged 72, had reverted back to his previous trade as a whitesmith. He and Susannah, a draper, aged 71, were still living at 55-56 Church Street, but by then only their son Joseph, a draper, aged 45, was still living at home. Also staying with them was a servant, Margaret Wallbank, a general domestic servant, aged 35, from Thornley. This is the last census record for Thomas and Susannah, who both died before 1891. Thomas Atkinson died on 12 Mar 1887. Death Notice: "DEATHS...On the 12th inst., at 56 Church-street, Preston, Thomas Atkinson, aged 67 (sic) years." Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 19 Mar 1887 Susannah (Moore) Atkinson died on 3 Apr 1889, aged 78, and her Will was proved in September of that year. Probate Notice: ATKINSON Susannah - 3 September. The Will of Susannah Atkinson late of Preston in the County of Lancaster widow who died 3 April 1889 at Preston was proved at Lancaster by Margaret Wharton of 10 Alma-road Birkdale Southport in the said County widow the daughter one of the Executors. Personal Estate £437 6s 11d. Note 1: Thomas Atkinson was almost certainly the son of Bryan and Mary Atkinson. Note 2: The date of death for Susannah is taken from the Probate index but her death was registered in the first quarter (Jan to Mar) of 1889. They could not have registered her death while she was still living, therefore the date given in the Probate index must be incorrect. Note 3: In the St Wilfrid's baptism records Susannah's name was always written as Susan, while in the St Ignatius baptism records it was written as either Susanna or Susannah. Her maiden surname was sometimes spelled without the final E. Note: I have checked the burial registers for Preston Cemetery's Catholic, Church of England and Non-Conformist sections and there is no record of the burials of Martin, Thomas or Susannah Atkinson.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Ann ATKINSON: Ann Atkinson, the widow of John Atkinson, a boiler maker, died on 31 Jan 1848 and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 3 Feb 1848, aged 61 years. Death Notice: "DEATHS...on Monday last,...Ann Atkinson, Edward-street, aged 61;" Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 5 Feb 1848 Ann Atkinson was not listed in Preston in the 1841 census and may have only moved to Preston after that date.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Bryan and Mary ATKINSON: Bryan and Mary Atkinson, both of High Street, Preston, died within about five months of each other, with Bryan being buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 22 Dec 1834, and Mary being buried in the same place on 19 May 1835. Because they both died before the start of civil registration and before the date of the 1841 census, and there were no death notices published, there is very little information available about them, and it is difficult to be certain, but they may have been the couple married in Lancaster in 1805. Bryan Atkinson, a husbandman, aged 26, and Mary Myerscough, a spinster, aged 23, both of Skerton, were married on 4 Mar 1805 at St Mary's Parish Church in Lancaster. They were married, by licence, by Richard W Thomas, Officiating Minister, and the witnesses were Mary Bryer and Simon Myerscough. The marriage register did not record Bryan and Mary's ages, but that information was included on the Marriage Bond, dated 4 Mar 1805. Bryan signed his own name to the bond and spelled his first name Brian.   However, he also signed his own name in the marriage register, where he spelled it Bryan.   It is not known when Bryan and Mary settled in Preston. They were not listed in the 1810 Catholic census of Preston but the 1820 Catholic census lists a Mary Atkinson, aged 38, living at 96 High Street with Thomas, aged 12. If her son was born in Preston it was during the period for which the St Wilfrid's baptism records are missing. The fact that Bryan was not listed with them may mean that he was away from home when the census was taken, or he was not a Catholic. Although I cannot be certain, it may be that the Thomas listed in the 1820 census living in High Street was the same Thomas Atkinson, of about the right age, who married Susannah Moore at St John's Parish Church in Preston on Christmas Day 1828. I find it curious that one of the witnesses at Bryan and Mary's wedding was Simon Myerscough, and Thomas and Susannah named their first child Simon. When that child died in Dec 1829 the family were living in High Street.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Dorothy ATKINSON: When Dorothy Atkinson was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 24 Aug 1825, aged 69 years, her abode was not recorded, and there was no death notice published. With so little information to go on it is difficult to be certain, but I believe that she was the wife of John Atkinson, of Ribbleton. John Atkinson, a weaver, and Dorothy Marginson, a spinster, both of the township of Ribbleton, were married on 13 Aug 1781 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married after Banns by Joshua Southward, Curate, and the witnesses were John Noblet and Robert Barlow. Dorothy signed the marriage register with an X. They had been married the day before in a Catholic ceremony at St Wilfrid's Chapel, where John's surname was spelled Atkison and Dorothy's was spelled Margison. John and Dorothy baptized six children at St Wilfrid's Chapel, beginning with Mary, who was baptized on 24 Oct 1781 with sponsors Thomas Standing and Mary Worthington. She was followed by William, who was baptized on 15 Feb 1783 with sponsors Ed. Worthington and Helen Whittle; then Jane, who was baptized on 7 Jul 1785 with sponsors Thomas Obin and Jane Smith; Alice, who was baptized on 12 Sep 1786 with sponsors Ralph Easton and Jane Smith; Jonathan, who was baptized on 4 Feb 1789 with sponsors John Waring and Mary Hartley; and Elizabeth, who baptized on 20 Jan 1793 with sponsors John Wilcock and Jane Vose. She died in infancy and was buried on 7 Feb 1793 at St John's Church. The burial entry records that she was the daughter of John Atkinson, and was aged 1 (month). The family were not recorded in the 1810 Catholic census of Preston, perhaps because Ribbleton was outside of the scope of the census, but the 1820 Catholic census lists John Atkinson, aged 75, living at 7 Ribbleton Lane with Dorothy, aged 66, and Laws (Lawrence), aged 21. It is not known how Lawrence was related to the John and Dorothy, as he was not baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel. He died later that year and was buried at St John's Church on 12 Sep 1820, aged 20 years. The burial register records that he was of Queen Street, and was a Papist (Catholic). The 1832 Preston electoral rolls list John and Jonathan Atkinson, both weavers, living at 13 Ribbleton Lane. This is the last record I can find of John Atkinson, who was not buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery or in the churchyards at St Ignatius Catholic Church or St John's Parish Church. Note: John and Dorothy's son Jonathan may be the Jonathan Atkinson, of Ribbleton Lane, who married Ann Wareing on 30 Jan 1815.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Elizabeth ATKINSON: Elizabeth "Betsy" Atkinson, a cotton mill worker, who was born in about 1812, died in Preston on 12 Sep 1838 and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery four days later, aged 26 years. Death Notice: "DEATHS...On Wednesday last, Betsy Atkinson, Saul-street, aged 26 years." Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 15 Sep 1838 It is unknown whether Elizabeth was a married woman or a spinster, or where she was born. If she was born in Preston in about 1812 she may have been baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel, but the records for that period are missing.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The Family of Jonathan and Ann ATKINSON: Jonathan Atkinson, bachelor, and Ann Worden, a spinster, both of Preston, were married on 14 Feb 1833 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married after Banns by Thomas Clark, Curate, and the witnesses were James and Mary Hays. The bride, groom and Mary Hays signed the marriage register with an X. Jonathan and Ann were expecting their first child at the time of their wedding. Ellen ATKINSON: Helen (Ellen) Atkinson was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 7 Apr 1833, with sponsors Roger and Elizabeth Daniel. She was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 2 Apr 1835, aged 2 years. Jonathan and Ann's second child was Mary, who was born on 12 Mar 1835, and was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 22 Mar 1835 with sponsors John Atkinson and Mar. (probably Margaret) Mercey. Her parents were recorded as Jonathan and Alice Atkinson in the baptism transcripts. Their third child also died in infancy. Joseph ATKINSON: Joseph Atkinson was born on 26 Jun 1837 and was baptized St Ignatius Catholic Church, with sponsors John Smith and Elizabeth Duckett. His parents were recorded as John and Ann Atkinson and the date of baptism is unclear. It was originally written as 26 Jun, then the 26 was crossed out and July was written in, however, it appears in the register between 19 and 26 Nov 1837. Joseph was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 6 May 1838, aged 10 months. Jonathan and Ann's fourth child was another daughter they called Ellen, who was born in 1839 but I have been unable to find the record of her baptism. She was not baptized at either of the three Catholic churches that existed in Preston at that time. She was followed by Peter, who was born on 1 Jun 1841, and baptized on 26 Jun 1841 at St Wilfrid's Chapel, with one sponsor, Mary Houghton. When his birth was registered his mother's maiden name was entered as Wareing. On the night of the 1841 census Jonathan Atkinson, a weaver, aged c. 40, was living in High Street, Preston with Ann, aged c. 25; and four children, Mary, aged 6; Joseph, aged 4; Ellen, aged 2; and Peter, aged 2 weeks. They were all listed as born in Lancashire. Jonathan and Ann's sixth child was John, who was born on 14 Aug 1843 and was baptized on 20 Aug 1843 at St Augustine's Catholic Church, with sponsors William and Elizabeth Shorrock. His mother's name was originally written as Mary, but this was crossed out and corrected to Ann. When his birth was registered his mother's maiden name was entered as Wareing. Two years later, Jonathan and Ann lost another child. Peter ATKINSON: Peter Atkinson, who was born in 1841, was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 28 Dec 1845, aged 4 years. Jonathan and Ann's seventh child was James, who was born in 1846 but, like his sister Ellen, he was not baptized in any of Preston's Catholic churches. Like his brothers Peter and John, when his birth was registered his mother's maiden name was entered as Wareing. James was followed by Jonathan, who was born on 5 Sep 1850, and was baptized John Atkinson on 3 Nov 1850 at St Wilfrid's Chapel, with sponsors Vincent and Marianne Smith. At the time of the 1851 census Jonathan Atkinson, a hand loom weaver, aged 41, was living at 3 Kirkham's Yard, Preston with Ann, a power loom weaver, aged 36, and five children, Mary, a frame tenter, aged 16; Ellen, at home, aged 12; John, at home, aged 7; James, at home, aged 4; and Jonathan, at home, aged 6 months. It was noted that Ellen was blind. They were all listed as born in Samlesbury, but this appears to have been an error, as I believe that only their father was born in Samlesbury and the rest of the family were born in Preston. A little less than a year after the census was taken Jonathan and Ann lost their youngest child. Jonathan ATKINSON Jr: Jonathan Atkinson, who was born in 1850, was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery in Feb 1852, aged 1 year. The exact date of his burial was not recorded in the burial transcripts, which recorded his abode as Ashton, but this may have been Ashton Street in Preston rather than the town of Ashton upon Ribble. Jonathan and Ann's ninth child was Ann, who was born in 1852 but, like Ellen and James before her, she was not baptized in any of Preston's Catholic Churches. She died early in 1853 but was not buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery or in the churchyards of St Ignatius or St John's Churches. It is possible that she was buried in the churchyard at St Augustine's Church, but those burial records are apparently missing. Jonathan and Ann's tenth and last child was Jane Ann, who was born on 15 Oct 1854, and was baptized on 1 Nov 1854 at St Augustine's Church with one sponsor, Rose Ann Leeming. Although baptized Jane Ann, when her birth was registered her name was entered as Ann Atkinson, mother's maiden name Worden. On the night of the 1861 census Jonathan Atkinson, a cotton weaver, aged 50, was living at 11A Fox Street, Preston with Ann, aged 46, and two children, Ellen, aged 22; and Jane Ann, a scholar, aged 6. In this census they were all listed as born in Preston, and it was noted that Ellen was born blind. At the time of the 1871 census Jonathan Atkinson, a cotton weaver, aged 60, and his unmarried son James, a labourer, aged 24, were lodgers at 36 Canal Street, Preston, the home of Mary Simpson. Jonathan was listed as born in Salmsbury (sic) and James was born in Preston. Although Jonathan was listed as married he may have been a widower. An Ann Atkinson, of Brook Street, was buried on 25 Aug 1864 in a public grave, H-177, in a Catholic section of Preston Cemetery, aged 51 years. If this was not Jonathan's wife I cannot find her anywhere in Lancashire in the 1871 census. However, there seems to have been another Ann Atkinson of about the same age who died in Preston later in 1871. That Ann Atkinson, of 53 Leeming Street, was buried on 4 Sep 1871 in a public grave, D-112, in a Catholic section of Preston Cemetery, aged 57 years. Death Notice: "DEATHS...Since our last:...Ann Atkinson, Leeming-street, aged 57;" Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 9 Sep 1871 By the time of the 1881 census Jonathan Atkinson, widower, a cotton weaver, aged 70, was an inmate at the Preston Workhouse in Fulwood. His birthplace was recorded as Samlesbury. Jonathan died six years later and was buried on 18 Nov 1877 in a public grave, F-553, in a Catholic section of Preston Cemetery, aged 77 years. Death Notice: "DEATHS...PRESTON - Since our last:...Jonathan Atkinson, Allen-street, 77;" Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 26 Nov 1887

FURTHER INFORMATION:

James ATKINSON: James Atkinson, a cotton piecer, who was born in about 1826, died in Spring Row, Water Lane Ends on 25 Mar 1845. He was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery that same day, aged 18 years. Death Notice: "DEATHS...On Tuesday last, James Atkinson, Spring-row, aged 18." Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 29 Mar 1845 I have been unable to find James Atkinson in the 1841 census and he was not baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel, so it may be that he only came to Preston after 1841.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

John ATKINSON: John Atkinson lived only 1 hour, and I can find no record of his baptism. As he lived such a short time it is likely that he was given an emergency baptism at the bedside, and these were rarely recorded in baptism registers. He was born shortly before the start of Civil Registration in England, so there will be no birth certificate. At the time of his burial in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 26 Apr 1837, John Atkinson's abode was recorded as Great Shaw Street, and although it is impossible to be certain, he was probably the son of James and Ellen Atkinson, who had been living in Great Shaw Street for many years. James Atkinson, a bachelor, and Ellen Harrison, a spinster, both of Preston, were married on 24 Dec 1827 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married after Banns by the Vicar, Roger Carus Wilson, and the witness was Thomas Walmsley. James and Ellen's first child was Elizabeth, who was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 23 Mar 1828 with sponsors James Atkinson and Jane Westrey. She was followed by Alice, who was baptized on 18 Apr 1830 with sponsors James Osbalderton and Sarah Hoghton, also at St Wilfrid's Chapel. The 1832 Preston electoral rolls list James Atkinson, a bricklayer, living at 2 Great Shaw Place, and it was in that year that their third child was born. Mary Atkinson was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 17 Jun 1832 with sponsors Joseph Gradwell and Sarah Foy. She was followed by Jane, who was born on 8 Nov 1834 and was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 16 Nov 1834 with sponsors Lawrence Gradwell and Alice Kelly. If my suspicions are correct, their next child was the above mentioned John Atkinson, and he was followed by James, who was born on 3 Apr 1838 and was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 22 Apr 1838 with sponsors John Grime and Mary Parkinson; then another son they called John, who was born on 2 Apr 1841 and was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 11 Apr 1841 with sponsors Patrick Pallett and Sarah Collett. On the night of the 1841 census James Atkinson, a bricklayer, aged c. 30, was living in Great Shaw Street, Preston with Ellen, aged c. 30, and four children, Betsy, aged 14; Jane, aged 6; James aged 4; and John, aged 3 months. Also staying with them was John Harrison, an agricultural labourer, aged 68, who may have been a relative of Ellen's. They were all listed as born in Lancashire. Three years after the date of the census another child was born. William H Atkinson was born on 4 May 1844 and was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 12 May 1844 with sponsors John and Julia Hodson. While his baptism entry recorded a middle initial, there was no middle name recorded when his birth was registered. James and Ellen's last child together was Joseph, who was born in about June of 1848 but was not baptized at either of the three Catholic churches in Preston at that time. About a year and a half after Joseph's birth his mother died. Ellen (Harrison) Atkinson, of Walker Street, died on 17 Dec 1849 and was buried on 23 Dec 1849 in the churchyard at St Ignatius Catholic Church, aged 43 years. Death Notice: "DEATHS...on Monday last,...Ellen Atkinson, Walker-street; - all of this town." Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 22 Dec 1849 Six months after his wife's death James was remarried - to another woman called Ellen. James Atkinson, widower, aged 37, a bricklayer, of Walker Street, the son of the late John Atkinson, a bricklayer; and Ellen Fisher, spinster, aged 27; a weaver, of Parker Street, the daughter of George Fisher, a brickmaker, were married on 23 Jun 1850 at St John's Parish Church. They were married after Banns by John Kitton, Curate, and the witnesses were Joseph Woodruff and Jane Ward. The two ladies signed the marriage register with an X. Marriage Notice: "MARRIAGES...at the Parish Church,...On Sunday last,...Mr. James Atkinson to Miss Ellen Fisher." Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 29 Jun 1850 James and Ellen's first child was Ellen, who was born on 11 Mar 1851 and was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 16 Mar 1851 with sponsors William Clarkson and Jane Richardson, and on the night of the 1851 census James Atkinson, a bricklayer, aged 41, was living at 15 Walker Street, Preston with his second wife Ellen, aged 26, and five children: his sons James, a bricklayer, aged 12; John, a scholar, aged 9; William, a scholar, aged 6; and Joseph, a scholar, aged 4; and the first child they had together, Ellen, aged under 1 month. They were all listed as born in Preston. Also staying with them was Ellen's unmarried brother James Fisher, a bricklayer's labourer, aged 18, who was born in Rawcliffe. James and Ellen went on to have three more children: Isabella, who was born on 2 Feb 1853 and was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 6 Feb 1853 with sponsors Henry Cooper and Jane Richardson; and George, who was born on 5 Aug 1855 and was baptized at St Walburge's Catholic Church on 12 Aug 1855, with sponsors Henry and Elizabeth Hull. George died on 4 Dec 1855 and his tragic death was reported in the local newspaper.   "A Mother's Drunkenness - Child Suffocated in a Mug of Dough": "A shocking occurrence took place in this town early on Tuesday morning last - the suffocation of an infant, about four months old, in a mug of dough, which circumstance is clearly attributable to the drunkenness of the mother. At an inquest held upon the body of the child on Wednesday last, before Mr. Myres, coroner, at the Town-hall, James Atkinson, the father, who is a bricklayer residing in Sidney-street, Moor Lane, stated that he and his wife had been quarrelling on Monday night, and that he went to bed about eleven o'clock, leaving his wife and child in the house, and a neighbour named Mrs. Bennett. About four o'clock in the morning of Tuesday his wife came to bed, bringing the child with her. As he could not hear it breathe, he put his hand upon it, and Immediately exclaimed "Oh! my God, my child's dead!" His wife said it was not dead, and commenced undressing herself. He, however, hastened out of the house, and fetched in Mrs. Bennett and another neighbour, the former of whom found the child dead, with its nostrils filled with paste, and its head covered with flour. The mother of the child stated that she went home two or three times on Monday night before her husband would let her in; he was vexed with her because she was out when he came home, and quarrelled with her. She had been at Newton's public-house, and had had a gill of ale and share of two bowls of punch. About one o'clock, Mrs. Bennett came to the house, after her (witness's) husband had gone to bed, and at that time she had her child upon her knee. After Mrs. Bennett left her she fell asleep, and when she awoke she found that the child had fallen off her knee and was lying with its head in a mug of flour and barm that had been put to sponge for bread, and his legs over the edge of the mug. When she lifted the child from the mug he was warm. She then took him up stairs, but did not know he was dead. Jane Heaps deposed that Ellen Atkinson, the last witness, was in her company at Newton's public-house on Monday night, and that when she (Atkinson) left she was drunk. - The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death, caused by the intemperance of the mother". Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 8 Dec 1855 George was buried on 7 Dec 1855 in the churchyard at St Ignatius Catholic Church, on the orders of the coroner, and his age was recorded as "aged about 15 months", when he was actually only about 4 months old. James and Ellen stayed together and their last child, Thomas, was born in 1857, but was not baptized in any of Preston's Catholic churches. Before Thomas reached his second birthday his father died. James Atkinson, a bricklayer, of Haydock Street, was buried on 28 Nov 1858 in a public grave, C-35, in a Catholic section of Preston Cemetery, aged 49 years. Death Notice: "DEATHS...Since our last:...James Atkinson, Haydock-street, aged 49;" Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 4 Dec 1858 It appears that after James' death Ellen went to stay with her parents in Oswaldtwistle, where she died less than a year later. Ellen Atkinson, of Baron Stile, Oswaldtwistle, was buried in the churchyard at Immanuel Church in Oswaldtwistle on 7 Oct 1859. The burial register appears to have recorded her age as 3, when she was actually 36, as shown when her death was registered in Oswaldtwistle in the fourth quarter of 1859. It is unclear what happened to the older children after their father's death, and the younger children after Ellen's death, but at the time of the 1861 census their daughter Ellen, aged 12 (sic), was staying with her grandparents, George and Agnes Fisher at 7 Baron Stile, Oswaldthwistle, where she was working as a creeler in a cotton mill. An Isabella Atkinson, a scholar, aged 8, was an inmate in the Penwortham Workhouse; and a Thomas Atkinson, a scholar, aged 4, was an inmate in the Preston Workhouse. Note 1: James Atkinson may have been related to Jonathan Atkinson, of Great Shaw Street, who was buried on 1 Jan 1841 at St George's Church, Preston, aged 74 years. Note 2: At the time of Thomas Atkinson's birth in 1857 there were four Catholic churches in Preston, St Wilfrid's, St Ignatius', St Augustine's, and St Walburge's. I have checked the baptism records for each church and cannot find any record of Thomas' baptism.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Richard ATKINSON: Richard Atkinson was baptized at St Mary's Catholic Chapel, Preston on 21 Nov 1834. He was the son of Mary Atkinson, and the sponsors were Thomas Dewhurst and Ann Williamson. Mary Atkinson was the second of seven children born to Richard and Alice (Cowel) Atkinson, who were married at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 16 Nov 1813, and then officially the following day at St John's Parish Church in Preston. Mary was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 28 Sep 1817, with sponsors William and Ann Cowel. Three months after her infant son was born and died, Mary was married to Thomas Pool (or Poole) on 2 Mar 1835 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married after Banns by Thomas Clark, Curate, and the witnesses were Joseph Lang and Mary Latus. The bride and both witnesses signed the marriage register with an X. Thomas and Mary Poole went on to have ten children, four of whom died in infancy and were buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery. More information on this family will be included under the surname Poole.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Margaret AUCHTERLONIE: Margaret Auchterlonie, who was born in Scotland in about 1767, died in Preston on 27 Jan 1844 and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery four days later, aged 76 years. It seems that Margaret's unusual Scottish surname was not easy for the folks of Preston to get to grips with. The 1810 Catholic census of Preston lists Margt. Artholony living in Holden Square, but her age was not recorded. At the time of the 1841 census, Margaret Auchterlong was living in Heatley Street, Preston. She was the head of the household, her age was recorded as 50, and her birthplace Scotland. Staying with her was Thomas Hall, aged c. 80, an overlooker; and John Mitchell, aged c. 30, a hair dresser. The 1841 census does not record marital status or relationships, but it would seem that these men, both born in Lancashire, were lodgers. When Margaret died her surname was again the cause of confusion. It was spelled Auchterlownie on her death certificate, is listed under both Auchterlownie and Auchterlaunie in the death indexes on the FreeBMD website, and was spelled Atherlong in the St Wilfrid's Cemetery burial transcripts.

Updated: 1 Jul 2021 © Copyright 2015-2024 Glenn Swarbrick, All Rights Reserved