St Wilfrid's Catholic Cemetery, Preston

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Alice JACKSON:

Alice Jackson was the wife of William Jackson, a bricklayer.

William Jackson, a bachelor, and Alice Dickenson, a spinster, both of Preston, were married on 4 Dec 1830 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married after Banns by Thomas Clark, Curate, and the witnesses were Thomas Whiteside and Susannah Howard. The bride, groom and both witnesses signed the register with an X.

William and Alice had at least three children, all baptized at St Wilfrid's Catholic Chapel, beginning with Jane, who was baptized on 26 Sep 1831, with sponsors John Diccison (sic) and Margaret Parkinson, followed by Mary, who was baptized on 11 May 1834, with sponsors Joseph and Margaret Dickinson, and William Jr, who was born on 24 Jan 1837, and baptized on 27 Feb 1837, with sponsors Edward Bamber and Margaret Dicconson (sic).

Alice (Dickenson) Jackson died in July 1839 and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 17 Jul 1839, aged 30 years. At the time of the 1841 census William Jackson, a bricklayer, aged c. 35, was living alone in Park Lane, Preston, while his children were staying with other relatives. George Jackson, a labourer, aged c. 70, was living in Chews Yard, Preston with Mary, aged c. 60; John, a shoemaker, aged c. 20; Dorothy, a line reeler, aged c. 20; William, aged 3 months; Mary Dickenson, aged c. 45; Margaret Mercer, aged c. 25; and William's daughters Jane Jackson, aged 9; Mary Jackson, aged 6. William Harrison, a coal merchant, aged c. 40, was living in Mount Street with his wife and Mary, aged c. 40, and three children, John, an apprentice moulder, aged c. 20; Thomas, aged 10; and Herbert, aged 8. Also staying with them was their nephew, William Jackson Jr, aged 3.

By the night of the 1851 census William Jackson, widower, a bricklayer, aged 49, and his son William Jr., a bricklayer, aged 15, were visiting at 26 Milton Street, the home of Margaret Clarkson. William Sr was listed as having been born in Newby, Yorkshire, and his son was born in Preston.

After 1851 I lose track of William Jackson Sr, and the only other information I have found on his family is that his daughter Jane married James Hammond at St John's Parish Church in Preston on 29 Aug 1852, with her younger sister Mary standing as one of the witnesses. William Jr married Catherine Brown at St John's Parish Church in Preston on 19 Oct 1857, with his sister Jane Hammond standing as one of the witnesses. In both register entries, they gave their father's name and occupation as William Jackson, bricklayer.

Note: The couple who were looking after William Jr in 1841 were William Harrison and Mary Jackson, who were married at St John's Church on 2 Sep 1820.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The Family of William and Elizabeth JACKSON:

William Jackson, a widower, and Elizabeth Postlethwaite, a widow, both of Preston, were married on 11 Jul 1805 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married, by licence, by John Harrison, Officiating Minister, and the witnesses were James Bleasdale and Betty Valentine.

Wedding Announcement:

"A few days ago, at Preston, Mr. Jackson, tallow-chandler, to Mrs. Postlewhite, relict of Mr. John Postlewhite."

Published in the Lancaster Gazette, Sat., 27 Jul 1805

William Jackson had been previously married to Allenson (Alison?) Smith on 23 Apr 1803, also at St John's Church and also by licence, but his wife died less than a year later and was buried in the churchyard at St George's Parish Church in Preston on 3 Feb 1804, aged 33 years. William and Allenson may have also had a Catholic ceremony in St Wilfrid's Chapel, but there is a gap in the records from 22 Feb 1803 to 17 Jan 1813. Due to these missing records, there is no way to know if they had any children during their brief marriage.

Elizabeth Postlethwaite was the former Elizabeth Roper, widow of John Postlethwaite, who she married in 1795. He died aged 34 years, and was buried in the churchyard at St John Parish Church on 20 Apr 1804.

Due to the missing St Wilfrid's baptism records, it is impossible to know how many children William and Elizabeth Jackson had together, but at the time of the 1810 Catholic census of Preston William and Elizabeth were living in St John Street with two children, Nancy, aged 3; and John, aged 1. Also living with them were Elizabeth's children by her first marriage, William Postlethwaite, aged 14; and George Postlethwaite, aged 11. The census spells the two boys' surname Postlethwaith. They went on to have at least two more children born during the period for which the records are missing, and one for whom the records survive. At the time of the 1820 Catholic census William Jackson, aged 40, was living at 119 Church Street with Betty, aged 45, Ann, aged 13, John, aged 11, Mary, aged 8 and William, aged 4. William Sr died at their Church Street address seven years later, after an altercation in a pub.

William JACKSON:

William Jackson, who was born in about 1781, had been a tallow chandler in Preston for many years, and a year after his death was still listed in the 1828 Pigot's Directory of Preston, under Tallow Chandlers, at 115 Church Street. He died on Tuesday, 14 Aug 1827 and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery, aged 46 years.

Newspaper Reports:

"Fatal Affray. - In the night of Friday week, between the hours of 10 and 11, a public-house broil occurred in Molineux-square, Preston, from which has resulted the untimely death of one of the parties, and the committal of another under the charge of Manslaughter. The person whose life has been lost was a respectable inhabitant, of the name of Jackson, a tallow-chandler, in a considerable line of business, and who had realised some property. The person charged as the chief actor in the melancholy business is a man named John Pilling, a Serjeant on the staff of the 3d Regiment of Royal Lancashire Militia. Pilling, although a married man, has been in the habit of spending much of his time at the Bull-and-Butcher pub public-house, in Molineux-square, kept by a widow woman named Dorothy Howard; and the acquaintance, by common report, was of a more intimate nature than it ought to have been. At the time we have mentioned, Mr. Jackson went into the house, and it would seem, a quarrel commenced, which was afterwards removed to the street, when Jackson was thrown down and had his leg broken. He was carried home, where the broken limb was set by Mr. Gilbertson, but owing either to the unskillful treatment bestowed by another person, who was afterwards called in, or the natural consequences of the fracture upon an unfavourable habit of body, the unfortunate man died on Tuesday last. A coroner’s jury was summoned to attend the Mayor, at the Town-Hall, on Wednesday. After hearing the evidence, the jury retired to consider their verdict, and returned in about a quarter of an hour, finding that the death of the deceased was occasioned by the blows he had received from John Pilling, who they therefore charged with manslaughter. Before the verdict was received, some points of law were stated to the foreman by Mr. Palmer, who assisted the Mayor in the inquest, upon which the jury again withdrew, but returned almost immediately, with the same verdict they had given before. - the Jury assembled again on Thursday, to record their verdict, and Pilling was committed on the coroner's warrant, for trial at the coming assizes."

and:

"Committed to the Castle, since our last:...John Pilling, charged with killing and slaying William Jackson, at Preston."

Both published in the Lancaster Gazette, Sat., 18 Aug 1827

The Family of John and Ellen JACKSON:

William and Elizabeth's son John Jackson, a bachelor, and Ellen Booth, a spinster, both of Preston, were married on 13 Jan 1830 at St John's Parish Church in Preston, they were married, by licence, by Robert Harris, Officiating Minister, and the witnesses were John and Ann Collier. Ellen Booth signed the marriage register with an X, and, as she was under the age of 21 years, she needed her mother Hannah Booth's consent. The witnesses at their wedding were John's sister and brother-in-law. Anne Jackson married John Collyer (sic), a widower, at St James' Parish Church in Brindle on 18 Sep 1825.

John and Ellen Jackson baptized two children at St Wilfrid's Chapel, William, who was baptized on 26 Aug 1832, with sponsors Richard Crook and Mary Ann Booth; and Ann Elizabeth, who was born on 13 Apr 1835 and was baptized three days later, with sponsors William Jackson and Ann Collier. John Jackson died when their daughter was a little more than 16 months old.

John JACKSON:

John Jackson, who was born in about 1809, died on 27 Aug 1836. He was buried on 31 Aug 1836 in St Wilfrid's Cemetery, aged 27 years.

Death Notice:

"On Saturday last, after a lingering illness, borne with Christian patience and resignation, John, the eldest son of the late Mr. William Jackson, tallow chandler, of this town, aged 27."

Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 3 Sep 1836

At the time of the 1841 census Ellen Jackson, aged c. 30, was living in Frenchwood Street, with her daughter Ann, aged 6. They were staying at the home of her widowed mother Hannah Booth, a spindle maker, aged c. 55 and her children, William, a spindle maker, aged c. 25; John, a spindle maker, aged c. 20; and George, a solicitor's clerk, aged c. 20. Also staying with them was a female servant, Betsy Brown, aged 12. They were all listed as having been born in Lancashire. John and Ellen's son William, aged 8, was staying with his grandmother Elizabeth Jackson in Chaddock Street. By the time of the 1871 census, Ellen was a 61 year old widow, living with her married daughter Anne Elizabeth and her husband William Taylor at Fairfield Farm in Hardhorn with Newton. She died at Fairfield on 8 Nov 1880, aged 71, and her Will was proved at Lancaster on 16 Dec 1880.

William Augustus JACKSON:

William and Elizabeth's youngest child, William Augustus, was baptized on 26 Sep 1815, the only one of their children for whom baptism records survive. He was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel, and the sponsors were Thomas Crook and Agnes Yates.

William became a veterinary surgeon, but his life was short, and he died on 2 Feb 1840 in Burnley, aged just 24 years. His body was brought back to Preston for burial in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 6 Feb 1840.

Death Notice:

"On Sunday last, at Burnley, aged 24 years, Mr. William Jackson, veterinary surgeon. He was the youngest and only surviving son of the late Mr. William Jackson, tallow chandler, of this town."

Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 8 Feb 1840

Elizabeth JACKSON:

By the time of the 1841 census Elizabeth (Roper) Postlethwaite-Jackson had lost her husband and both of their sons. She was aged 68, and was living in Chaddock Street, Preston with her grandson, William Jackson, aged 8. They were both listed as having been born in Lancashire. Also staying with them was a female servant, Mary Swindlehurst, aged c. 25, also born in Lancashire. She died at her Chaddock Street address two years later, on 20 Oct 1843, and was buried on 24 Oct 1843 in St Wilfrid's Cemetery, aged 70.

Death Notice:

Yesterday week, in her 71st year, Mrs. Elizabeth Jackson, Chaddock-street, relict of the late Mr. Wm. Jackson, many years tallow chandler in this town."

Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 28 Oct 1843

Elizabeth Jackson left a Will, which was written on 16 Mar 1840, and proved 5 Dec 1843, with a personal estate valued at under £12,000. In the Will she makes provision for her daughter-in-law Ellen, widow of her late son John, and their two children (not named, but were William and Ann), and also makes provision for her daughter Ann, the wife of William Crookall; and Mary, the wife of Thomas Holden.

Note 1: The burial transcripts record William Jackson's burial date as 10 Aug 1827, but this is incorrect. He received his injuries on that date, a Friday, but died the following Tuesday, the 14th.

Note 2: Anne Jackson first married John Collier at St James Church in Brindle on 18 Sep 1825, but was widowed young, and married William Crookall at St John's Church in Preston on 7 Jun 1836. Her sister Mary Jackson married Thomas Holden at St John's Church on 10 Nov 1831.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Joseph JACKSON:

Joseph Jackson was born on 6 May 1840, and was baptized on 8 May 1840 at St Wilfrid's Chapel. He was the son of Robert and Agnes Jackson, and the sponsor was another Agnes Jackson.

Robert Corney Jackson, son of Joseph and Agnes Jackson, and Agnes Higham, daughter of Mary Higham, all of Preston, were married at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 2 Apr 1839. The witnesses were Thomas Lund and Mary Barnes, both of Preston.

Marriage Announcement:

"...at the Catholic Chapel of St. Wilfrid,...on Tuesday, Mr. Robert Jackson, to Miss Agnes Higham, all of this town."

Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 6 Apr 1839

Joseph was their first child, but they went on to have at least seven more, beginning with Marianne (Mary Ann) Jackson, who was born on 19 May 1842; Robert Corney Jackson, born on 19 Oct 1844; John Jackson, born c. 1845; and another Robert Corney Jackson, born on 20 Apr 1847.

By the time of the 1851 census, Robert Jackson, a master boiler maker, aged 38, was living at 16 Hope Street, Preston with his wife Agnes, aged 38, and three children, Mary Ann, a scholar, aged 9; Robert, aged 3; and John, aged 6 months. Robert Sr was listed as born in Lancaster, Agnes and the children were born in Preston. After 1851 Robert and Agnes had their last three children. Agnes Jackson was born on 20 Apr 1854 and died the following year, but I have been unable to locate her burial record. Another child they called Agnes was born on 1 Jan 1857 but lived only 3 years, and was buried on 8 Jan 1860 in grave A-479, in a Catholic section of Preston Cemetery. Hers was the first burial in a private family grave purchased by her father, and she was buried 20 feet deep. Finally, Elizabeth Jackson, was born on 2 Jun 1859 and was buried on 25 Mar 1860, aged 8 months. Hers was the second burial in the family grave, and she was buried 18 feet deep. In both instances, the family's address was recorded as Canal Street.

On the night of the 1861 census Robert Jackson, a boiler maker employing 20 men, aged 47, was living at The Three Crowns pub in Canal Street, Preston, with his wife Agnes, a beershop keeper, aged 46, and one child, Mary Ann, a dressmaker, aged 19. Also staying with them was a servant, Harriet Manucall, a house servant and waiter, aged 18. Robert Sr was born in Lancaster, Agnes and Mary Ann were born in Preston, and the servant was born in Kent. Robert Jr, a boiler maker, aged 14, and was working in Dalton-in-Furness at the time of the census.

Robert Corney Jackson Sr., of Canal Street, died on 26 Dec 1862, and was buried three days later in the private family grave at Preston Cemetery. His was the third interment.

Death Notice:

"DEATHS...On the 26th ult., very suddenly, Mr. Robert C. Jackson, of the Pottery Hill Steam Boiler Works, aged 49."

Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 3 Jan 1863

Robert didn't make a Will, so Agnes had to apply for Letters of Administration: "Robert Corney Jackson, effects under £600, 10 January 1863, Letters of Administration of the Personal estate and effects of Robert Corney Jackson late of Preston in the County of Lancaster Boiler Maker deceased who died 26 December 1862 at Preston aforesaid were granted at Lancaster to Agnes Jackson of Preston aforesaid Widow the Relict of the said Deceased she having been first sworn."

Three years after the death of her husband, Agnes Jackson was remarried to James Daggers, and at the time of the 1871 census James Daggers, an unemployed bookkeeper, aged 47, was living at 3 Springfield Place, Preston with his wife Agnes, aged 55. James died aged only 55 years in 1877, and by the night of the 1881 census Agnes Daggers, a widow, aged 62 (sic), was an inmate at the Preston Workhouse in Fulwood. She died in the workhouse four years later, and was buried in the Jackson family grave at Preston Cemetery on 1 Jul 1885, aged 68 years. Hers was the fourth burial, buried 15 feet deep.

Death Notice:

"PRESTON _ Burials since our last...Agnes Daggers, 68;"

Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 4 Jul 1885

Note 1: When the second Agnes was baptized in 1857 her mother's maiden name was recorded as Proctor, the same maiden surname Agnes Sr used when she married James Daggers in 1865. Stranger still, when Elizabeth was baptized in 1859 her mother's maiden name was recorded as Hoskinson.

Note 2: Agnes (Higham) Jackson was the illegitimate daughter of Mary Higham. She was born on 27 Sep 1816, and was baptized Agnes Hyam on 27 Oct 1816 at St John's Parish Church in Preston.

Note 3: Robert Corney Jackson Jr married Rosannah O'Neil in Cleator, near Whitehaven, Cumberland (now Cumbria). Mary Ann Jackson married John Roscoe at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 16 Apr 1864, and was buried in the Jackson family grave on 10 Apr 1886, aged 46 years The last three burials in the grave were her infant grandchildren.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The Family of William JACQUES:

There are three people buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery with variations of the surname Jacques. I believe that they were all members of the same family, the family of William Jacques, a currier.

William Jaques, a currier, of Yorkshire Street, Rochdale, married Mary Joynson, a spinster, of Church Lane, Rochdale, on 6 Dec 1824 at St Chad's Parish Church in Rochdale. They were married after Banns by James Aspinall, Curate, and the witnesses were D. Nield Jr. and Thomas Fletcher, who witnessed several weddings and may have been church officials. The bride and groom signed the marriage register with an X.

Mary JACQUES:

The burial transcripts don't give much information about Mary, but I suspect she was William Jacques' first wife. An Elizabeth Jaikes (sic) was baptized on 8 Jun 1825, the daughter of William, but no mother was listed in the baptism record. If Mary was the wife of William and mother of Elizabeth, and she died in childbirth, it may explain why no mother's name was recorded in the baptism register. Elizabeth was born in June 1825, Mary died in June 1825, and William remarried in 1826.

(unnamed) JACQUES:

Again, the burial transcripts give almost no information about this infant, other than the surname Jakes (sic) and the burial date, 18 Sep 1825, three months after the burial of Mary Jacques.

William Jaques (sic), a widower, and Alice Cooper, a spinster, both of Preston, were married on 3 Jul 1826 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married after Banns by W. Cresswell, and the witnesses were Joseph Lupton and Isabella Rock.

William and Alice had six children together, beginning with Alice, who was born on 12 Apr 1827 and was baptized Alice Jakes three days later, then Beatrice, who was baptized Beatrix Jaques on 8 Feb 1829, both at St Wilfrid's Chapel.

The 1832 Preston electoral rolls list William Jaques (sic), a currier, at 4 Shambles, and it was in that year that William and Alice's first son died.

William JACQUES:

William Jacques, the first of two sons to be given that name, was baptized William Jaques (sic) on 23 Jan 1831 at St Wilfrid's Chapel, and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 14 Jul 1832. The burial transcript records his age simply as "infant", but he would have been about 18 months old.

Although I can find no record of their daughter Alice's death or burial, she must have died before 1833, as they had another daughter they called Alice in that year. Alice Philips Jaiques (sic) was baptized on 27 Jan 1833 at St Wilfrid's Chapel, followed by a son they called Thomas, who was baptized Thomas Jakes (sic) on 9 Nov 1834.

In 1836 St Ignatius' Catholic Church opened, with the first baptism taking place on 14 May of that year. Perhaps because it was closer to home, William and Alice seem to have started attending this new church, and baptized their last child there. William, the second of their sons to be given that name, was born on 2 Dec 1836 and was baptized William Jakes (sic) at St Ignatius' Church two days later.

St Ignatius' Church had its own small burial ground, with the first burial taking place on 20 Jul 1836, and almost a year after their sixth child's birth, Alice (Cooper) Jacques died. The burial register records that Alice Jakes (sic) of the Shambles, was buried on 26 Nov 1837, aged 32 years.

After the death of his second wife, William appears to have left Preston, taking his youngest children with him.

At the time of the 1841 census William's two older children, Elizabeth, aged c. 15; and her sister Beatrice, aged 12, were female servants living in the Shambles, Preston at the home of William Ellithorne, a butcher, aged 70. While searching the 1841 census I could find no trace of William, but I did find his three youngest children in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland. Alice Jacques, aged 9, Thomas Jacques, aged 6; and William Jacques, aged 4, were all living as inmates in the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Workhouse. I wondered why the children would have been in the workhouse, but a check of the death records may provide the answer. A William Jaques (sic) died in Newcastle-upon-Tyne on 25 Feb 1840, aged 47. If William took his young children to Newcastle and then died unexpectedly, the orphaned children may have been taken to the workhouse until family could be contacted. It is clear from later records that they did return to Preston.

Elizabeth Jaques (sic) married Joseph Frankland on 1 Feb 1848 at St Wilfrid's Chapel, with her sister Beatrix Jaques standing as one of the witnesses, and at the time of the 1851 census Joseph Frankland, a butcher, aged 26, was living in Anchor Wiend, Preston with his wife Elizabeth, aged 23, and their two children Joseph, aged 2; and William, aged 2 months. As mentioned above, the three youngest children did eventually return to Preston and Elizabeth's sister Alice Jaques, a house servant, aged 17, was visiting with them on the night of the census. Meanwhile Elizabeth and Alice's sister Beatrice Jacques, a house servant, aged 22, was living at 13 Fishergate, the home of Martha Gibson, widow, a china and glass dealer. Beatrice, of the Shambles, died unmarried two years later and was buried on 20 Mar 1853 in the churchyard at St John's Parish Church, aged 24 years.

Note: Alice Jacques married John Cook on 14 Jan 1856, and Thomas Jacques married Alice Livesey on 16 Jul 1866, both at St John's Parish Church. William Jacques, the youngest child of William and Alice (Cooper) Jacques, was buried in Preston Cemetery on 12 Sep 1873, aged 37 years.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Nancy JAMIESON:

Edward Jammison (sic), a blacksmith, and Nancy Worden, a spinster, both of the Chapelry of Walton-le-Dale, were married on 14 Apr 1812 at St Leonard's Chapel in Walton-le-Dale. They were married, by licence, by Edward Radcliffe, Minister, and the witnesses were (illegible) and John Tomlison. Nancy Worden signed the register with an X.

On the same day, Edward and Nancy also had a Catholic ceremony at Brownedge St Mary's Catholic Church in Bamber Bridge, where their names were entered as Ed. Gunnison and Ann Werden.

It is not known when Edward and Nancy came to Preston. They were not listed in the 1820 Catholic census of Preston and did not baptize any children at St Wilfrid's Chapel.

Nancy Jamieson died in Preston on 10 Aug 1838 and was buried under the name Nancy Jameson four days later in St Wilfrid's Cemetery, aged 56 years.

At the time of the 1841 census Edward Jemison (sic), a blacksmith, aged 67, was living in Sleddon Street, Preston with William, a blacksmith, aged 37, Ellen, a cotton weaver, aged 35, and Catherine, a dress maker, aged 18. They were all listed as having been born in Lancashire. Although the 1841 census does not record the relationships between people, it appears that William and Ellen were a married couple.

Catherine Jamieson and John O'Bryan (sic) were married on 14 Feb 1847 at St Wilfrid's Chapel, witnessed by John and Jane Gardner, and at the time of the 1851 census John O'Brian, a cotton spinner, aged 24, was living in the cellar of 1 Duke Street, Preston with his wife Catherine, aged 28. Visiting with them was Catherine's father, Edward Jammison (sic), a blacksmith, aged 77. John O'Brian was listed as born in Preston, Catherine in Walton (Walton-le-Dale) and Edward was born in Crosby. Meanwhile William Jameson (sic), a blacksmith, aged 48, and his wife Ellen, a housekeeper, aged 44, were lodgers at 19 Back Charlotte Street, Preston, the home of John and Margaret Whittingham. William's birthplace was recorded as Preston, and Ellen's was Samlesbury.

Edward Jamieson died on 10 Feb 1855, aged 81 years.

Death Notice:

"DEATHS...Yesterday week, Edward Jamieson, Haydock-street, aged 81."

Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 17 Feb 1855

Note: The spelling of this family's surname varied from one record to another, with Jameson and Jamieson being the more common spellings. When Nancy's death was registered in 1838 her surname was spelled Jemeson but was spelled Jameson in the burial transcript. When Edward died in 1855 his death was registered as Edward Jamison, but the death notice spelled his name Jamieson. He himself seems to have signed his name Jammison.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The Family of John JEMSON:

John Jemson, son of William and Elizabeth Jemson of Preston, and Catherine Simson (sic), daughter of Richard and Isabella Simson of Preston, were married on 19 Sep 1840 at St Wilfrid's Chapel. The witnesses were William Noblet and Mary Blackburn, both of Preston.

At the time of the 1841 census John Jemson, a shoemaker, aged 24, was living in Bridge Lane, Preston with his wife Catherine, aged 22. Also staying with them was Thomas Simpson, a cotton weaver, aged 30; his wife Elizabeth, aged 25; and their 4 year old daughter Mary. John and Catherine had no children at that time, but Catherine would have been pregnant with Sarah, who was born nine months after their wedding.

Sarah JEMSON:

Sarah Jemson was born on 18 Jun 1841, and was baptized Sarah Jamieson two days later at St Wilfrid's Chapel, with sponsors Thomas and Emma Simpson. Although the burial transcript, under the name Sarah Gemson, records her age as 4 years, she was actually only 4 months old when she died on 31 Oct 1841. She was buried on 2 Nov 1841 in St Wilfrid's Cemetery.

A little more than a year after their first child's death, their second child was born. Elizabeth Jemson was born on 17 Nov 1842, and was baptized Elizabeth Jameson on 20 Nov 1842 at St Wilfrid's Chapel, with sponsors Thomas and Ann Simpson. It appears that Elizabeth also died in infancy as she is not listed with her family in 1851 or any later census records, and I can find no further trace of her. However, I have not been able to find any record of her death or burial.

John and Catherine's third child was William, who was born on 24 Nov 1845. When his birth was registered his surname was recorded as Jamson, and he was baptized William Jamieson on 30 Nov 1845, with sponsors William Tunstill and Ann Simpson. William was only 2 years old when his mother died.

Catherine JEMSON:

Catherine (Simpson) Jemson was born in about 1819 and died on 30 Jan 1848 at 21 Park Street, aged 28 years. Catherine was pregnant with their fourth child at the time of her death and she, and her unborn baby, were buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 1 Feb 1848.

Death Notice:

"DEATHS...;on Sunday last, Catherine Jemson, Park-street, aged 28;"

Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 5 Feb 1848

John Jemson was remarried the following year to Ellen Mullineux (Molyneux) at St Mary's Parish Church in Penwortham, and their first child together was Sarah, who was baptized on 28 Apr 1850. On the night of the 1851 census John Gemson (sic), a shoemaker, aged 34, was living at 41 Savoy Street, Preston with his second wife Ellen, aged 34, and three children, John, aged 6; William, aged 5; and Sarah, aged 1. The 6 year old John was actually John Molyneux, who was born to Ellen Molyneux before she was married, and was baptized on 7 Jul 1844 at at St John's Parish Church in Preston. John Jemson was listed as born in Barnacre, Ellen and John Molyneux were born in Penwortham, and William and Sarah were born in Preston.

John and Ellen went on to have another four children, beginning with Alice, baptized on 19 Oct 1851; followed by Joseph, who was baptized on 14 Jan 1853 and was buried on 17 Jan 1853; Henry, who was baptized on 3 Oct 1854 and was buried on 1 Apr 1855; and Mary, who was baptized on 27 Oct 1857. All of John and Ellen's children were baptized at St John's Parish Church, so it would appear that Ellen was non-Catholic and John had no further connection with the Catholic church.

Ellen (Molyneux) Jemson died in about 1874. From about that time the spelling of the family surname seems to have changed to Gemson, although as John was illiterate this may have been more by accident than by design. Ellen's death may have been the Ellen Gemson whose death was registered in Preston in the first quarter of 1874, aged 50. In any event, John "Gemson" was married for the third time later that year.

John Gemson, aged 57, widower, a shoemaker of Egbert Street, the son of the late William Gemson, a labourer, and Elizabeth Thompson, aged 52, widow, a charwoman, of Kirkham Street, the daughter of Thomas Allanson, a chair maker, were married on 28 Sep 1874 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married after Banns by John Homer Killick, Curate, and the witnesses were John Wallace Anderton and Jane Whalley. The bride, groom and Jane Whalley signed the marriage register with an X.

Marriage Announcement:

"On the 28th ult., at the Parish Church, Preston,...Mr. John Gemson to Mrs Elizabeth Thompson,"

Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 3 Oct 1874

Although the marriage register gave Elizabeth's address as Kirkham Street, I think that it was actually the town of Kirkham, where she was born. By the night of the 1881 census John Gemson, a shoemaker, aged 63, was living at 84 Marsden Street, Kirkham, with his wife Elizabeth, aged 59. John died in Freckleton, a few miles from Kirkham, on 20 Nov 1885.

Death Notice:

"On the 20th inst., at Freckleton, John Jemson, aged 68."

Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 28 Nov 1885

Elizabeth carried on living in Kirkham and in 1891 was living with her married daughter Jane, the wife of Paul Brown, a grocer, at 14 Clegg Street, Kirkham, a grocer's shop. She was listed as Elizabeth Jemson, a widow, aged 69. She died in Kirkham two years later and was buried in the churchyard of St Michael's Parish Church on 18 Sep 1893, aged 71 years.

Note: Elizabeth Allanson was baptized at St Michael's Parish Church in Kirkham on 26 Jan 1822, the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Allanson. Her father was a chair maker. At age 54 she was married for the first time to John Thompson on 21 Dec 1867 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. Elizabeth had a daughter Jane in about 1842 and when Jane married Paul Brown at St Michael's Church in Kirkham on 25 Sep 1880 she gave her grandfather's details in place of her father's.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The Family of James JENKINSON:

A James Jenkinson, a bachelor, and Mary Fryer, a spinster, both of Preston, were married on 5 Dec 1831 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married after Banns by Thomas Clark, Curate, and the witnesses were William Margison and Ann Clayton. The bride, groom and both witnesses signed the register with an X.

John JENKINSON:

Although recorded in the burial transcripts as John Jenkinson, I suspect that this was actually Jane Jenkinson. This child's age at the time of burial was 14 months, which would mean an approximate birthdate of February 1834. Jane Grace Jenkinson, daughter of James and Mary Jenkinson, was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 2 Feb 1834, with sponsors Thomas Clarkson and Elizabeth Askeene. There were no other children of a James and Mary Jenkinson baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel, and I can find no further record of their daughter Jane.

Mary JENKINSON:

Mary Jenkinson was born in about 1813 and was only 24 years old when she was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 11 Jun 1837. Although there is little information to go on, I believe this was Mary (Fryer) Jenkinson, and that her husband James remarried two years later.

James Jenkinson, widower, of full age, a spinner, of Walton-le-Dale, the son of Thomas Jenkinson, a labourer, and Mary Stuart (sic), spinster, of full age, a piecer, of Walton-le-Dale, the daughter of John Stuart, a cabinet maker, were married on 29 Apr 1839 at St Leonard's Parish Church in Walton-le-Dale. They were married after Banns by Robert Hornby, and the witnesses were James Tomlison and Andrew Fox. The bride, groom and Andrew Fox signed the register with an X.

James and his new wife started their family quite quickly, with the first child born just three months later. Mary Jenkinson was baptized on 7 Jul 1839 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. The baptism register recorded that she was the daughter of James and Mary Jenkinson of Clarence Street, Preston, and that her father was a spinner. The civil birth index records her mother's maiden name as Stewart.

At the time of the 1841 census James Jenkinson, a cotton spinner, aged 32, was living in Clarence Street, Preston with Mary, aged c. 30, and their daughter Mary, aged 2. Also staying with them was Edward Stewart, a labourer, aged c. 15, who may have been a relative of Mary (Stewart) Jenkinson's. They were living in the home of Thomas Jenkinson, a labourer, aged c. 55, and his wife Alice, aged c. 50, who were almost certainly James' parents. James and Mary's second child was born later that same year.

John Fox Jenkinson was baptized on 19 Nov 1841 at St John's Parish Church, the son of James and Mary, of Clarence Street, spinner. When his birth was registered he was called John Fox Jenkinson, but his baptism entry did not record a middle name. He died about two months later and was buried on 23 Jan 1842, but not in St Wilfrid's Cemetery or the churchyard of either St Ignatius Catholic Church or St John's Parish Church.

James and Mary went on to have a least six more children, losing some of those in infancy. Andrew Fox Jenkinson was baptized at St John's Church on 3 Jan 1844, but died later that year. Edward Stewart Jenkinson was baptized at St John's Church on 8 Mar 1846, and Richard Jenkinson was born in 1848 but I have not found his baptism record.

At the time of the 1851 census James Jenkinson, a cotton spinner, aged 40, was lodging at 23 Back Bolton Street, Preston with his wife Mary, a cotton piecer, aged 33, and three children, Mary, a scholar, aged 12; Edward, aged 4; and Richard, aged 3. They were lodging with John and Elizabeth Stewart, both aged 31, who may have been relations of Mary (Stewart) Jenkinson's. They were all listed as born in Preston.

They had three more children while living in Preston, Sarah, who was born in 1852 but died the following year; Andrew, who was baptized at St John's Church on 2 Sep 1854; and Jemima, who was born in 1857.

Some time after Jemima's birth the family left Preston, and at the time of the 1861 census James Jenkinson, a cotton spinner, aged 52, was living in Padiham with his wife Mary, aged 45, and three children, Edward, aged 16; and Richard, aged 13, both cotton spinners assistants, and Jimmima (sic), a scholar, aged 4. In this census, James is listed as born in Lancaster and the rest of the family were born in Preston. Their son Andrew, a scholar, aged 6, was visiting with relatives, John and Elizabeth Stewart, at 19 Nelson Street, Preston.

The Jenkinson family do not seem to have stayed in Padiham long, and I can find no confirmed trace of them after 1861.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Bridget JENNINGS:

Bridget Jennings, the wife of Michael Jennings, a labourer, died on 4 Feb 1839 at 13 Canal Street, aged 30 years. She apparently died in childbirth, but there does not appear to be any record of the child's birth or death. No child's birth was registered, no child by that surname was baptized at either St Wilfrid's Chapel or St Ignatius' Church between late Dec 1838 and May 1839.

Michael Jennings does not appear in the 1841 census, but he may be the same Michael Jennings who remarried in 1841.

Michael Jennings, of full age, widower, a labourer, of Kirkham, the son of Martin Jennings, a labourer; and Ann Boyle, a spinster, aged 16 years, of Kirkham, the daughter of James Boyle, an ironfounder, were married on 10 Dec 1841 at St Michael's Parish Church in Kirkham. They were married by T.H. Dundas, and the witnesses were Martin and Mary Lawson. The bride, groom and both witnesses signed the register with an X.

Michael and Ann started their married lives in Kirkham, where their first two children were born. Elizabeth Jennings was born c. 1843, followed by John, the first of two to be given that name, in 1846. Possibly due to Michael's occupation, the family moved around fairly frequently. Their son Michael Jr was born in Kirkham c. 1848, James was born in Loughborough, Leicestershire c. 1850, Winifred was born in Rochdale c. 1853, Mary was born in Skipton, Yorkshire c. 1856, and Joseph was also born in Skipton, c. 1860.

At the time of the 1861 census Michael Jennings, an out door pot hawker, aged 48, was living in Union Square, Skipton, Yorkshire with his wife Ann, aged 39, and six children, Elizabeth, a power loom cotton weaver, aged 18; Michael, a rover in a cotton factory, aged 12; James, a rover in a cotton factory, aged 11; Winifred, a scholar, aged 8; Mary, a scholar, aged 5; and Joseph, aged 1. Michael Sr was listed as having been born in London, Middlesex, and Ann was born in Ireland.

By the following year the family had moved to Preston, where their son Patrick was born on 14 Jan 1862. He was baptized on 19 Jan 1862 at St Walburge's Catholic Church in Preston, with just one sponsor, Mary Costello. Their last known child was born five years later, on 15 Jan 1867, and was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel in Preston on 3 Feb 1867, with sponsors John Ryan and Mary Croft.

Due to their transient lifestyle, it has been difficult to trace this family and the 1861 census is the only census I have been able to find them in, and the baptism of their son John in 1867 is the last confirmed record I can find of them.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Elizabeth JOHNSON:

Death Notice:

"On Tuesday last, in her 93rd year, Mrs. Elizabeth Johnson, relict of the late Mr. Richard Johnson, Malt Kilns, Lea."

Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 2 Oct 1841

Richard Johnson, of Lea in the Parish of Preston, and Elizabeth Barrow, of Westby in the Parish of Kirkham, were married on 11 Apr 1774 at St Michael's Parish Church in Kirkham. They were married, by licence, by Thomas Shuttleworth, Vicar, and the witnesses were Thomas Daniel and John Jones. Unusually for this date, all four signed their own names in the marriage register.

Although Richard and Elizabeth had at least five children, I can only find baptism records for three of them. Although the various records refer to Richard as being "of Lea", they did not baptize any children in the Catholic chapel at Lea, or in Westby, where Elizabeth was from, Kirkham, where they were married, or any of the Catholic churches and chapels in the area. I suspect that the two that I can not find baptism records for, Thomas and Richard Jr, were their older children. The first child I have found a record of was John James, who was born and baptized on 3 Oct 1784 at St Andrew's Catholic Church in Cottam, with Godparents Mr James Maudesley and Ann Adamson. He was followed by Mary, who was born on 13 Jun 1787, and baptized on 14 Jun 1787 also at St Andrew's Church, with Godparents the Reverend Will. Fisher and Mary Johnson. Their last known child was Ann, who was born and baptized on 14 Apr 1789 at St Andrew's Church, with Godparents: Frac. (Francis?) Blundall and Eliz. Hodgon.

Richard Johnson Sr was buried on 27 May 1798 at St John's Parish Church in Preston, aged 52 years. His Will, dated 30 Apr 1798, mentions wife Elizabeth, sons Thomas, Richard and John (all under 21), and daughters Mary and Ann. He also mentions his brother John, and his brother-in-law Thomas Barrow who, along with his wife, were Executors. The Will was proved on 15 Nov 1798 at Preston.

By the time of her death at age 92 years, Elizabeth (Barrow) Johnson had been a widow for 43 years. She died on 28 Sep 1841, and was buried two days later in St Wilfrid's Cemetery.

Note 1: Elizabeth Barrow may have been related to the Barrow family of Westby Hall, but her birth predates the surviving records for Catholic churches in that area. According to Richard's Will, they had entered into some kind of contract before marriage, which leads me to think that Elizabeth was either independently wealthy or from a wealthy family.

Note 2: Reverend Fisher, Godfather to their daughter Mary, was of Showley Hall, the seat of the Walmesley family.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The Family of Isaiah and Mary JOHNSON:

Isaiah Johnson, a bachelor, and Mary Mawdsley (sic), a spinster, both of the Parish of Bolton, were married on 6 Dec 1819 at St Peter's Parish Church in Bolton. They were married, by licence, by J Slade, Vicar, and the witnesses were Martha Horrobin and Jeremiah Alldred.

After marrying in Bolton, Isaiah and Mary settled in or near Chorley, where they baptized their first seven children. These children, beginning with Ellen, who was born on 26 Nov 1820, were baptized at St Gregory's Catholic Church Weld Bank, Chorley. Ellen was followed by James, who was born on 19 Feb 1824; Isabella, born on 19 Feb 1826; Margaret, born on 14 Dec 1827; and Mary Ann, born on 14 Sep 1829. Their sixth child did not survive infancy.

George JOHNSON:

George Johnson was born on 23 Oct 1830, and was baptized the following day at St Gregory's Catholic Church, Weld Bank, Chorley, with Godparents Jacobus (James) Johnson and Anna Fairhurst.

George lived about 10 months, and, although the family were living in Chorley, he was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 28 Dec 1831.

It is possible that Mary Johnson wanted her son buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery because her father had been buried there five years earlier. George Mawdesley died on 21 Nov 1826 and was buried on 24 Nov 1826, aged 73 years. Mary's mother Ellen died on 21 Sep 1835 and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 24 Sep 1835, aged 83.

About a year after their son's death, Isaiah and Mary had another son that they also called George, who was born on 31 Dec 1832, and baptized on 6 Jan 1833 at St Gregory's Catholic Church, Weld Bank. Some time after this seventh child's birth the family moved to Bolton, where their last two children were born. Mary Jane was born on 24 Mar 1835, followed by Martha, their ninth and last known child, who was born 20 Nov 1836. Both of these girls were baptized at St Peter and St Paul Catholic Church, in Bolton.

The family's stay in Bolton was not a long one and by the date of the 1841 census Isaiah Johnson, a publican, aged c. 40, was living on Scotland Road, Kirkdale, Liverpool with his wife Mary, aged c. 45, and nine children, Hellen, aged c. 20; John, aged c. 15; James, aged c. 15; Isabella, aged c. 15; Margaret, aged 13; Mary, aged 11; George, aged 7; Mary J., aged 5; and Martha, aged 4. They were all listed as having been born in Lancashire. Also staying with them were three servants, and seven lodgers.

At some point Isaiah and Mary's marriage broke down, apparently due to Isaiah's drinking problem and violent temper, and she left him in April 1843.

Margaret JOHNSON:

Margaret Johnson was born on 14 Dec 1827 and was baptized two days later at St Gregory's Catholic Church, Weld Bank, Chorley. She was described as the daughter of Isaia (sic) and Maria Johnson (olim Mawdesley), and the Godparents were Henry and Margaret Mawdesley. Margaret died in Chorley on 13 Feb 1844, aged 16 years, and her body was brought to Preston for burial in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 18 Feb 1844.

Later that same year Isaiah, who was living in either Wigan or Chorley, came to Preston where, in October 1844, his life came to a sad end.

Isaiah JOHNSON:

Isaiah Johnson was born in about 1799, apparently in Lancashire, but I have not been able to locate his birth or baptism record. It seems that, in later years at least, his life and his mind were troubled, and on 2 November 1844 he took his own life.

Newspaper Report:

"Suicide by Hanging -- An inquisition was taken in this town, on Monday last, before R. Palmer, Esq., on view of the body of Josiah (sic) Johnson. Margaret Gerrard, of Walton-le-Dale, said she was on a visit at the house of Mr. Thomas Pickering, the Swan Inn, in New Street, wither the deceased came on Wednesday night, and asked for a bed. He staid there that night, and on Thursday and Friday also. He had a few glasses of liquor, but was not drunk. On Saturday morning last, witness went to him; he was then in bed. He said he would get up by and bye, and go off by the train after dinner. He complained of being ill, and light in his head, and said he was always so when he was taking up after he had had drink. He had a glass of gin at that time. Witness went up to him repeatedly during the morning, and about twelve o'clock took him a glass of whiskey. On going up at quarter to one, he told her to come up again and let him know when the train started, when he would get up and go off by it. He did not appear at that time to be in his senses. He kept telling witness that he could see strange things in the room, and that he could not rest in his bed. Witness again went up at half-past one o'clock and knocked at the door, but deceased did not speak. On opening the door, witness saw his bare legs and retired. She then looked through the door, and the deceased appeared to be standing up by the side of the bed, at the bed-post, with his hand hanging down. Went down stairs and told Mr. Pickering to go up as there was something wrong. The deceased lived at Wigan. - Henry Aspden, the brewer at the Swan Inn, went up stairs, about half-past one, to the room in which the deceased slept. He was hanging by the neck, with the bed curtain twisted around it, and tied in a knot. The landlord, who was present, loosened the curtain from his neck, and witness got him down. On laying him on the bed, he made a slight gurgling noise in his throat, and then died. A surgeon (Mr. Pilkington) tried to bleed him instantly, but only a few drops came. - Mary Johnson, of Tardy Gate Lane, stated that the deceased was her husband. He was about 45 years of age, and was not lately in any business. He had not been in his right mind for some time past. He was so violent at times that she dared not live with him, and consequently left him in April last. He often drank to excess, and went away drinking at different places, and stopping from home. The jury returned a verdict of "temporary insanity."

Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 9 Nov 1844

By the time of the 1851 census, Mary Johnson, widow, a publican, aged 58, was running the Golden Lion pub in Ward's End, Preston with her unmarried daughters, Isabella, an assistant, aged 28; Mary Ann, an assistant, aged 22; Mary Jane, an assistant, aged 16, and Martha, aged 14. Also staying with them was a servant, James Wright, aged 48. Mary was listed as having been born in Penwortham, Isabella and Mary Ann were born in Chorley, and Mary Jane and Martha were born in Bolton.

Mary didn't keep the pub long, and by 1861 Mary Johnson, widow, a house keeper, aged 67, and her youngest daughter Martha, a servant, aged 24, were living at 165 Moor Lane, Preston, where Mary died the following year. She died on 18 Apr 1862 but was not buried in Preston Cemetery. It may be that her body was taken back to St Gregory's Catholic Church in Weld Bank, Chorley for burial, but those records are not yet accessible.

Note: Mary's address at the time of the 1861 census was 165 Moor Lane but was recorded as 25 Moor Lane when she died in 1862. It may be that they moved to another house on the same street, or it may be that the houses were re-numbered in the interim.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

John JOHNSON:

John Johnson was born on 24 July 1838 but I can find no record of his baptism. As he only lived one day, it may be that he was given an emergency baptism at the bedside and this was never entered in the baptism register. He was the son of Josiah and Ann Johnson.

Josiah Johnson, a bachelor, and Ann Hool, a spinster, both of Preston, were married on 13 Jul 1836 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married after Banns by Thomas Clark, Curate, and the witnesses were Richard Hool and Ann Orrell.

At the time of their child's birth 31 would have been considered old to become a mother for the first time and, sadly, John was their only child. On the night of the 1841 census Josiah Johnson, aged c. 30, was living in Heatley Street, Preston with his wife Ann, aged 30. Josiah, whose occupation was abbreviated M.S., which usually meant male servant, was not born in Lancashire, but Ann was. Also staying with them, presumably as a lodger, was Alice Jackson, a dress maker, aged 23.

By 1851 Josiah had followed in his father's footsteps - quite literally - by becoming a letter carrier. On the night of the 1851 census he was aged 36, and was living at 52 Friergate (sic), Preston with his wife Ann, a dress maker, aged 44. Also staying with them were two unmarried assistants, Jane Wells, a dressmaker, aged 26; and Ellen Evans, a dressmaker, aged 26. Josiah was listed as having been born on the Isle of Jersey, Ann was born in Preston, Jane Wells was born in Salford, and Ellen Evans was born in Ireland.

By 1861 Josiah Johnson, a letter carrier, aged 46, was living at 17 Mount Street, Preston with his wife Ann, a housekeeper, aged 52. Also staying with them were Josiah's parents, John, an annuitant, aged 74; and Mary, aged 74. John Johnson was born in Middleton, and his wife Mary was born in Blackburn.

By the night of the 1871 census Josiah and Ann were still living at 17 Mount Street, with his widowed mother Mary, aged 82. In this census, Ann's birthplace was listed as Cottam.

Two months after the date of the census Josiah's mother was featured in an article in the local newspaper:

"LOCAL OCTOGENARIANS - Last week we gave the names of several local octogenarians. Here are some more:...Mrs Johnson, the widow of Mr Johnson, who was the only postman in Preston at one time, and whose son, Josiah Johnson, is at present the oldest letter-carrier in the local service, is in her 82nd year. Madame Lemmens-Sherrington is her granddaughter."

Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 24 Jun 1871

Not to be outdone, Josiah was featured in a lengthy article upon his retirement from the Post Office in 1873:

"RETIREMENT OF AN OLD PRESTON LETTER CARRIER: THE PAST AND PRESENT - Probably no public department has undergone greater change than the Post Office of this country; and the personal career and associations of the man whom we are about to mention will afford a striking illustration of this, so far as Preston is concerned. Recently there retired from active service in this town one who had been connected with the Post Office for nearly half a century, and who had held a direct appointment in the department, as a letter carrier, for about forty years. We refer to Mr. Josiah Johnson, who family name has become proverbial in respect to letter carrying..."

Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 27 Sep 1873

Ann (Hool) Johnson, of 17 Mount Street, died on 27 March 1878, and was buried three days later in a private grave, C-255, in a Catholic section of Preston Cemetery, aged 72 years. Hers was the 4th burial, buried 12 feet deep, in a grave purchased upon the death of her father-in-law John Johnson in 1861.

Death Notice:

"Preston - Since our last...Ann Johnson, Mount-street, 72;"

Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 6 Apr 1878

After Ann's death Josiah moved to Church Bottoms, Samlesbury, where he was living in 1881, aged 68. Also staying with him was his widowed aunt, Mary Smith, a general domestic servant, aged 72. He later returned to Preston where he died in St Joseph's Hospital and Orphanage on 21 Dec 1889, aged 75 years. He was buried on 23 Dec 1889 in the private family grave at Preston Cemetery with his late father, mother, and wife. His was the 6th and last burial, and he was buried 7 feet deep.

Death Notice:

"DEATH OF AN OLD PRESTON POSTMAN - On Tuesday afternoon the remains of Josiah Johnson were interred at the Cemetery. The deceased on Saturday died in the Roman Catholic Hospital, Mount-street, in his 77th year. Johnson, up to ten years ago - when he retire on a pension - was in the postal service, and was well-known and respected for his bluff, cheerful manners, and honest upright conduct."

Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 28 Dec 1889

Josiah's Will was proved at Lancaster on 14 Jan 1890. He directed that his estate, after payment of his debts etc., be divided into three equal shares, with one share going to his brother John, one to his sister Eleanor Lund, and the final share to his sister Eliza Otley. If any of his siblings were to die before him, that sibling's share would be divided amongst his or her children. He signed his Will on 2 Jun 1883, making his nephews Thomas and William (sons of his brother John) Executors.

Note 1: A copy of the lengthy and detailed news article regarding Josiah's retirement is available on request.

Note 2: The granddaughter mentioned in the article about Josiah's mother Mary was Madame Lemmens-Sherrington, who was born Helen Sherrington in Preston on 4 Oct 1834 and was baptized at St Wilfrid's Chapel on 5 Oct 1834, the daughter of John and Grace Sherrington. The sponsors were Rev. William Lomax and Mary Holmes.

Note 3: There were a total of six people buried in the family grave at Preston Cemetery, the first being Josiah's father John, who was buried on 15 Jun 1861, aged 72, followed by William Smith, buried on 31 Aug 1863, aged 71; Josiah's mother Mary Johnson, buried 6 Jul 1875, aged 85; Then Ann as mentioned above; followed by Mary Smith, who was buried on 3 Aug 1889, aged 80; and finally Josiah, as mentioned above.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

William JOHNSON:

William Johnson was born on 17 Jan 1845, the son of John and Mary Ann Johnson, but I have been unable to find any record of his baptism. He died on 6 Mar 1845, and was buried three days later in St Wilfrid's Cemetery, aged 6 weeks.

John Johnson, bachelor, aged 21, a farmer, of Penwortham, the son of Isaiah Johnson, Inn keeper; and Mary Ann Wallis, spinster, aged 26, a housekeeper, of Higginson Street, Preston, the daughter of the late John Wallis, joiner, were married on 30 Aug 1842 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married, by certificate, by C. Richson, Curate, and the witnesses were Thomas Wallis and Mary Dobson. Mary Ann Wallis signed the marriage register with an X.

John and Mary Ann were married about two months after the birth of their first child, Thomas, who was born on 18 Jun 1842 and was baptized Thomas Wallis on 29 Jul 1842 at St John's Parish Church, with only his mother's name recorded in the baptism register. His father's name was included when his birth was registered, and Thomas is listed under both Wallis and Johnson in the General Register Office birth indexes.

There is something rather odd about this family in that there are very few records of them to be found. As mentioned above, I have not been able to find a baptism record for their son William, the first of two to be given that name, and their other children have been equally elusive. Their son George was born in Preston in 1843 and I have found the baptism record of a George Johnson who was born on 1 Oct 1843 and baptized on 22 Oct 1843 at St Ignatius' Catholic Church, but the baptism register records his parents as William and Mary, rather than John and Mary Ann. Unfortunately, the baptism register doesn't include his mother's maiden name, however, there is only one George Johnson listed in the birth indexes for Preston in 1843 and this must be the son of John and Mary Ann.

Almost two years after the death of their son William, John and Mary Ann, who by this time were living in Penwortham, had twin sons, William and Henry, who were born in Penwortham on 25 Feb 1847. I cannot find any record of their baptism and no record of the burial of William, who died on 14 Mar 1847, aged 17 days.

By the time of the 1851 census Mary Ann Johnson, married, head of family, aged 35, was living at 16 Carlisle Street, Preston with her three surviving children, Thomas, aged 8; George, aged 7; and Henry, aged 4 - all scholars. Mary and her two oldest boys were listed as born in Preston, while Henry was born in Penwortham. It is not clear where John Johnson was on the night of the census, but he may have been the man listed as John Johnson, married, a labourer in a waterworks, aged 52, born in Chorley, who was one of three lodgers at Daisy Bank, in Edgeworth, Lancashire.

Mary Ann (Wallis) Johnson died two years later, and was buried on 1 May 1853 in the churchyard at St Paul's Parish Church in Preston. The burial, which was entered in the register at St John's Church, records that she was of Carlisle Street, and aged 36 years.

At the time of the 1861 census John and Mary Ann's son George, a carder of cotton, aged 17, was living at 49 Everton Gardens, Preston, the home of his brother Thomas Wallace (sic), a cotton weaver, aged 19, and his wife Rose Ellen, a cotton weaver, aged 23. John and Mary Ann's youngest son may have been the Henry Johnson, aged 15, born in Preston, who was living in Ribchester, where he was apprenticed to a bobbin turner, John Pinder. I can find no further confirmed record of John Johnson.

Note 1: John Johnson was almost certainly the son of the Isaiah who was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 5 Nov 1844.

Note 2: Thomas Wallis, aged 19, married Rose Ellen Parker, aged 22, on 23 Dec 1860 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. The space for his father's name was left blank in the marriage register.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Helen JONES:

Helen - or more likely Ellen - Jones was the wife of Edward Jones, landlord of the Rifleman Inn pub in Water Street. She died on 21 Jan 1824 and was buried the same day in St Wilfrid's Cemetery. The burial transcript and death notice do not record her age, but if she was of a similar age to her husband, she would have been in her early to mid 30s.

Death Notice:

"On Wednesday last, Mrs. Jones, wife of Mr. Edward Jones, of the Rifleman public-house, Preston."

Published in the Lancaster Gazette, Sat., 24 Jan 1824

Edward Jones wasted no time in taking a new wife, remarrying two months later.

Edward Jones, a widower, and Mary Jones, a spinster, both of Preston, were married on 24 Mar 1824 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married, by licence, by Roger Carus Wilson, Vicar, and the witnesses were John Gambles and Betty Croswhite. The marriage bond, dated 23 Mar 1824, provides the additional information that Edward was an Innkeeper and aged 34 years. Mary Jones was also aged 34 years.

Just days before Helen Jones' death, Edward Jones was up before the magistrates indicted for assault:

"Recognizance for Edward Jones, housekeeper at the Rifleman in Water St, Preston, innkeeper, to answer an indictment found against him at the sessions on 15 Jan 1824 for assault on Richard Newsham. Sureties: William Brade housekeeper at 43 Church St, Preston, spirit merchant. Thomas Sumner, housekeeper at 6 Churchyard, Preston, reedmaker. Justices of the Peace and court officials: E R Travers JP"

An Edward Jones was landlord of the Kings Arms pub in Church Street in about 1818 but seems to have left that pub, possibly to run The Black Swan pub, which was across the road from the Rifleman Inn. By Oct 1827 he had returned to the Kings Arms but later, by about 1829, he apparently returned to the Black Swan. At some point after 1829 he appears to have left Preston, and I can find no further information on him.

Note 1: The Rifleman Inn was located on Water Street, which is now called Manchester Road. The pub was pulled down many years ago and the site is now vacant and used as parking for other buildings in the area.

Note 2: The Recognizance document is reference QSB/1/1824/APR/pt 2/35, available to view on microfilm at the Lancashire Archives.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The Family of Vincent JUSTICE:

At the time of the 1810 Catholic census of Preston Vincent Juste (sic) was living in Friargate with two children, apparently twins, John Justy and Ann Justi, both aged 3. There is no mother listed, and I suspect that Vincent was a widower. A Mary Justie (sic), aged 23, had been buried on 6 Jul 1809 in the churchyard at St John's Parish Church in Preston, and I suspect that she was Vincent's wife. Two little girls, also apparently twins, had been buried in the churchyard earlier that same year. Lucy Justice was buried on 15 Jan 1809 and Ellen Justice was buried on 8 Mar 1809, both aged 1 year.

Due to the missing St Wilfrid's baptism records, we don't know when the two sets of twins were born or baptized. John and Ann would have been born in about 1806 and Lucy and Ellen would have been born in about 1808. I can find no record of Vincent's first marriage, but he was married again later in 1810.

Vincent Justie (sic) and Mary Woodruff, both of Preston, were married on 13 Aug 1810 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married after Banns by John Harrison, Curate. In the space for the witnesses names, the name of the bride and groom were entered again, so there is no way to know who witnessed the wedding. The bride and groom signed the register with an X.

Vincent and Mary's daughter Lucy was born in about 1811, during the period for which the baptism records are missing. Their first (and only) child that appears in the St Wilfrid's baptism transcripts was Charles Justice, who was baptized on 14 Feb 1813, with sponsors Joseph Gradwell and Margaret Watson. He lived just three years, and was buried in the churchyard at St John's Church on 12 Apr 1816. The burial register records that he was a Papist (Catholic).

I can find no record of the death or burial of Mary (Woodruff) Justice, or the remarriage of Vincent Justice to someone called Alice, but by the time of the 1820 Catholic census Vincent Just (sic), aged 40, was living at 7 Hill Street with Alice, aged 45; Ann, aged 14; and Lucy, aged 9. If Vincent was married to someone called Alice the marriage was short lived.

Alice JUSTICE:

With so little information to go on it is difficult to be certain, but I suspect that the woman buried under the name Alice Justi was another wife of Vincent Justice. She was buried on 8 Jan 1823 in St Wilfrid's Cemetery, aged 53 years.

In the 1828 Pigot's Directory of Preston, Vincent Justice is listed at 38 Friargate, under Bakers & Flour Dealers, and it was in that year that he married for what may have been the fourth time.

Vincent Justice, a widower, and Betsey Jackson, a spinster, both of Preston, were married on 19 Jan 1828 at St John's Parish Church in Preston. They were married after Banns by Roger Carus Wilson, Vicar, and the witnesses were William and Ann Parker. The bride and groom signed the register with an X.

Wedding Announcement:

"MARRIED...At Preston, Mr. Vincent Justice, to Miss Betsey Jackson;"

Published in the Lancaster Gazette, Sat., 2 Feb 1828

Unfortunately, this marriage was painfully brief as Elizabeth died before the year was out.

Elizabeth JUSTICE and her twins:

Elizabeth (Jackson) Justice was born in about 1790, so was about 38 years old when she gave birth to twins in August of 1828. Both infants died, probably very soon after birth as there is no record of their baptism and it is likely that they were given an emergency baptism at the bedside. Both infants were buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 4 Aug 1828. The birth was undoubtedly a difficult one, and their mother Elizabeth did not survive. She was buried 14 days later, on 18 Aug 1828, aged 38 years.

Four years after Elizabeth's death, Vincent Justice married again, probably for the fifth - and definitely for the last - time.

Vincent Justice, of the Parish of Preston, and Margaret Carter, of the Chapelry of Walton-le-Dale, were married on both the 26th and 27th of November 1832, with their official wedding taking place at St Leonard's Chapel in Walton-le-Dale. They were married, by licence, by Henry W McGrath, and the witnesses were Robert and Mary Carter.

Wedding Announcement:

"MARRIAGES...On Monday last, at the Catholic Chapel in this town, by the Rev. John Rogerson, and on the following day at Walton-le-dale by the Rev H.W. McGrath, A.M., Mr. Vincent Justice, of this town, to Miss Margaret Carter, of Walton-le-dale."

Published in the Preston Chronicle, Sat., 1 Dec 1832

Although the marriage announcement states that the couple were married in the Catholic Chapel in Preston, the St Wilfrid's marriage records for this period are amongst the missing records, so I cannot verify the details of that ceremony.

In the 1834 Pigot's Directory of Preston, Vincent Justice was listed at 138 Friargate under Shopkeepers & Dealers in Groceries & Sundries, and it was in that year that his ninth, and last, known child was born.

Vincent JUSTICE Jr:

Vincent, the son of Vincent and Margaret Justice, was baptized on 15 Jan 1834 at St Wilfrid's Chapel. The sponsors were Dominic Lewete and Elizabeth Blisdell (probably Bleasdale). Vincent lived 19 months, and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery on 24 Aug 1835.

Five years after the death of his young son, Vincent became a widower again. Margaret (Carter) Justice was buried in the churchyard of St Helen's Parish Church in Churchtown, Garstang on 3 Oct 1840, aged 46 years. The burial register records that she was the wife of Vincent Justice, and was of Preston.

At the time of the 1841 census Vincent Justris (sic), aged c. 60, was living in Meadow Street, Preston, the home of William Warden, a plasterer, aged 38, and his wife Elizabeth, aged 38. Vincent was listed as "Ind.", meaning of independent means, and was born in foreign parts. He was one of four people lodging at that address, the others being George Swarbrick, aged c. 15; James Charnley, aged c. 15, both apprentice plasterers; and Mary Dixon, aged 4. Vincent died at the Meadow Street address later that year.

Vincent JUSTICE Sr:

Vincent Justice was born "in foreign parts" in about 1781. His surname may have been an Anglicized version of another name, and this may account for some of the earlier variations in the spelling. He died on 7 Aug 1841 and was buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery three days later, aged 60 years.

Vincent Justice's Will was proved on 27 Dec 1841. He appointed Joseph Gradwell of Preston, thread manufacturer; and his daughter Lucy Pedrone, the wife of Louis Pedrone of Liverpool, jeweller, as Executors of his estate and directed that his just debts and funeral expences were to be paid. He left £300 to his daughter Lucy Pedrone, and directed that £200 be invested and the interest paid to his daughter Ann Sudell, the wife of Thomas Sudell of Preston. After Ann's death the money and any interest accrued was to be divided equally between all of her children upon reaching the age of 21 years. If all of her children died before her the money was to be paid to his daughter Lucy. The residue of his estate, after the payment of his debts, funeral and testamentary expenses, was to be paid to Lucy Padrone absolutely and forever. Vincent signed the Will with his X on 5 Jun 1841, which was witnessed by Thomas Houlker, attorney's clerk, and William Wearden, plasterer.

Note 1: Vincent's daughter Ann married Thomas Sudell on 2 Oct 1827 and at least four of their children were buried in St Wilfrid's Cemetery. Lucy Justice married Ludovico "Louis" Pedrone on 16 May 1832 and raised their children in Liverpool.

Note 2: Almost eleven years after the death of Vincent's wife Elizabeth, he took out Letters of Administration of her estate. The Admistration Bond incorrectly records the date of her death as 15 August 1838.