Folk @ Acton Bridge, The Leigh Arms & The Bowers.
George Henry Bower (1861-1930)
caution !! this is an initial draft ... these notes are on my server for safe keeping !!
Mick
Bower tells the story of George Henry Bower
(1861-1930)
George H Bower's dad was another George Bower (1816-87) the son of Nicholas & Mary, the eldest of 11 children that were born and lived in Little Leigh and Acton Bridge. Most of this family are buried in the local church, St Michael & All Angels Church, Little Leigh.
At about the age of 21, George married Ann Jane Coates (1818-82) of Barton, but his career as a customs officer took him to West Derby, Liverpool. He spent the next 25 years or so in Liverpool, as all his children were born there, including George H, my g-grandfather, who was the 2nd youngest of 9.
In November 1862 a family tragedy occurred, the 3 youngest daughters (marked X on the family tree) all died in the same week of scarlatina. After this happened it appears (1871 census) that Ann Jane Bower moved back to Acton Bridge with her next 3 youngest, including George H Bower who would have been 4 years old at the time. The decision to move back was probably to start breathing some clean Cheshire air and to get away from the smog and disease of Liverpool.
In 1881 George H Bower was living in Willow Green, Little Leigh. He was working as a general labourer. (the photo was taken about 1880)
In 1882 George H Bower, married Lydia Brocklehurst (1862-1943) and thus became embroiled in an interesting local clan the Brocklehursts. At the time George H was working as a labourer at the chemical works in Acton Bridge. This I believe could well have been Thomas Astles' mill as they later became family related.
In 1883 when my Grandfather Joseph Thomas Bower was born, George H Bower was working as a stationary engine driver, at the Acton Bridge mill.
In about 1888 George H Bower started a career with Brunner Mond, a position
he held for the next 35 years until his retirement in about 1923 when he was
presented with a magnificent gold watch.
George Henry ran the Little Leigh post office at one time, about 1900.
A fine wedding in Little Leigh, Jim Ryder married Mary Withenshaw in 1919 ...
A wonderful photo of a family outing from around 1925 provides a telling vision of Cheshire rural life at that time ...
George H Bower died in 1930 aged 72, his obituary was in the local paper. His wife Lydia died in 1943, they are both buried in Little Leigh Baptist chapel as are many of Lydia's Brocklehurst family.
The Brocklehurst family tree shows the links through to the Hindley family and to the Weaver Refining Company which occupied the old mill site at Acton Bridge from 1900.
The Bower / Astles family tree shows the links to Tommy Astles' bone grinding mill at Acton Bridge.
Nicholas Bower (1796-1846)
George H Bower's granddad was Nicholas an Innkeeper. Not any old pub but The Bridge Inn, Acton Bridge, a steam packet inn, serving the Northwich Liverpool run which flourished in the 1820s. Formerly, The Bridge Inn, later named The Leigh Arms was also, of course, a major source of sustenance for the gangs that worked at the forge site just across the river. And a great spot for auctions and sales in the locality ... and meetings on important matters enclosures and tithes ... Nicholas was a worthy contributor to local life ...
The
Leigh Arms is situated wan the village of Little Leigh in the heart of rural
Cheshire. There has been an inn there since 17?? and the original road went
past the front of the pub just after crossing the River Weaver via the old
stone bridge. A propitious position.
Nicholas married Mary Fryer in 1814. The Fryer family were big farmers in Little Leigh.
Nicolas owned land and land adjacent to the mill site at Acton Bridge.
1841 census -
Nicholas Bower, born 1796, living at Oakmere, Delamere, with wife Mary (1796-) and William (1821-), Mary (1826-), Sarah (1828-) & Nicholas (1831-)
1851 census -
Thomas Fryer was 77 he farmed 111 acres in Lowton/Crowton and employed 4 labourers.
Mary Bower, age 56, was a widow at this time, Nicholas died in 1846, and continued as the publican and farmed 70 acres & employed 4 labourers. Lawton, Acton Bridge.
Thomas Bower, son aged 34. Publican & Farmer’s Son
Mary Bower, daughter in law, 25.
Joseph Bower, son, 28, joiner.
Henry Bower, son, 24, painter.
In 1864 Thomas Bower (1816-) sold up, the year his Mum Mary Fryer (1795-1864) died.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Folk @ Acton Bridge & The Weaver Refining Co Ltd
Hugh
Dyer (1794-1879)
In 1952 the local WI wrote about some of the folk living in Acton Bridge and there was a fascinating reference to 'Hugh Dyer's brewery'. What was that all about? Did The Bridge Inn have competition?
In 2000 The Milner Estate in Acton Bridge was referenced in 'Snapshots in Time' -
The Milner Family Estate - The ancient inheritance of the
Duttons in Acton was sold in 1640 and became part of the Milner
Estate. The Milner family owned land and property, not only in Acton but
also in Weaverham, Stretton and Moore.
We know from parish records that a
child was born to Daniel Milner in 1698, also called Daniel. His will, in
1779, makes bequests to 26 nieces, nephews and cousins, obviously a large
and prosperous family. They continued to farm in Acton for at least 200
years, and were the largest landowners with an estate extending to an area
of about 1,100 acres, until it was sold in 1918. Many of the most imposing
houses in the area such as Hall Green and Lower Green, as well as Long
Orchard (once known as The Hollies) and Wall Hill Farm, were built for the Milners.
In the manner of many large landowners, they had their moments
of munificence when they gave the land for the Parish Room, in 1909.
Significantly Daniel Milner left a sum of £30 in his will of 1778, to be
invested at 4% interest, this to be distributed to the poor 'on St Johns day
for ever'. In 1916 Mary Milner four
generations later made a similar
bequest, but stipulated that bags of coal were to be distributed to the poor
of the parish. In 1990 the parish council changed the details of the trust
and reverted to paying cash.
Lower Green
was built around 1790 by the Milner Estate, and over the years was tenanted
by numerous members of the family. Later the Priests and then the Edgerleys
occupied it. During the Second World War it was home to an American Colonel,
and was purchased in 1958 by Clifford and Mamie Hunt who opened their house
and gardens for coffee mornings and garden parties.
Now the home of Ann
and Martin Hunt, it remains largely a typical Georgian three storey house,
with the sitting room on the first floor. The kitchen
scullery is Victorian.
Wall Hill Cottage
was built in approximately 1780 by the Thomas family.
Hugh Dyer a
nephew of Mary Milner, occupied the house in 1847. He
was described as a shopkeeper, a gardener of four acres, and an Ale and
Porter merchant.
The Milner family owned the property until 1880 when
William Phipps arrived with his family from London. It is believed that he
was employed as a metal worker at the zinc works situated at the foot of the
hill on the River Weaver, but by 1881 he is described as a painter. This was
a fortunate change of profession as the zinc works appears to have closed
down a few years later. The census of 1881 describes William as a Master
Painter, assisted by two sons of his eight children. Three generations of
this family lived and worked at Wall Hill Cottage until 1955. Older
residents remember the shop selling wallpaper and paint.
Extensive
changes were made in 1956 when electric light was installed and the stables
were converted to a garage. The land adjoining the property, measuring three
and a quarter acres, was sold in 1961 and the houses in Wall Hill Way were
built. The present owner, Malcolm Timms has lived there since 1966.
In 1847 Hugh Dyer, a nephew of Mary Milner, occupied Wall Hill Cottage, Acton. Built in 1780 by the Thomas family.
Father Hugh Dyer senior of Whitley married Martha Warburton 10 Nov 1790 Budworth ... (1656844) ... and 4 years later they had son Hugh junior.
Martha Warburton (1765-) daughter of Richard & Mary baptised 24 March 1765 Lymm ... (1656844) ...
Richard Warburton (1735-1816) buried 27 Jun 1816 St Mary's
Churchyard, Lymm, Warrington ... 30 June 1816, Lymm (1656844)
... of the
Partington Clan ...
married Mary
Taylor (1739-1810) was Hugh Dyer's father-in-law ...
MI - Here resteth the body of Richard Warburton late of Wet Gate who departed this life June 27th 1816 in the 83rd year of his age, Mary wife of Richard Warburton of Wet Gate who departed this life July 16, 1810 in the 71 year of her age
Hugh and Martha had children -
Hugh Dyer (1794-1879)
Peter Dyer (1796-1868) son of Hugh & Martha
baptised 27 Sept 1796 Lower Whitley
...
married Mary Worral (1795-1834) 6 July 1815 Lymm
Peter & Mary
had two children Thomas Dyer (-) and Mary Dyer (-)
Peter
died 8 Aug 1868
Lymm
1841 census - at Horse Market, Warrington Inn Keeper Peter dyer (1796-) aged 40, Mary (1796-) aged 40, Hugh (1820-) aged 20, Martha (1830-) aged 11, Ann (1831-) aged 9, Elizabeth (1833-) aged 7, Margaret (1835-) aged 5 and baby John (1840-) 11 months.
Hugh Dyer (1794-1879) son of Hugh & Martha baptised 8 Oct 1794 Lower Whitley ... original ... Lower Whitley to Crowley Brook 5 miles ... to Lymm 8 miles ... to Budworth 4 miles ... to Moore 5 miles ...
In 1816 Hugh Dyer
married Catherine Smith (-) 20 Feb 1816 Warrington ...
(1468986) ...
this one works if Catherine Dyer died before 1821?
Catherine Smith (1794-) daughter of John & Ann
baptised 14 Sept
1794 Budworth ...
Hugh & Catherine had a daughter Alice (1818-)
... confusingly there was a Catherine Dyer with family going strong in Marple
in 1841? In 1951 Catherine was married to James Hyde and Mary Dyer
a 'visitor' was from Mellor, Derbyshire ... looks like not our Hugh?
In 1821 Hugh Dyer
married
Nancy Thomas (1795-) 13 Feb 1821 Weaverham ... (1736164)
... Hugh was 26 years old, Nancy 25.
Witnesses at
Hugh & Nancy's wedding 13 Feb
1821 were John Banks and Martha (Margaret?) Horton ...
brother James Thomas (-)
married
Margaret Horton 26 Nov 1811 Great Budworth ... (1655825)
...
They were to have been married 7 Feb 1821 by
license sworn by
Hugh Dyer of Acton Farmer and James Thomas of Northwich Grocer.
The splice
of Hugh Dyer and Ann Thomas on the 13 Feb
1821 was reported in the
Chester Courant?
Or Hugh Dyer married
Nancy Thomas 28 Dec 1820 Weaverham. Did they have 2 ceremonies?
Hugh of Whitley was farming at the time of the wedding ...
Hugh Dyer died 6 March 1879 Northwich aged 84.
Nancy Thomas (1795-1879) daughter of John & Elizabeth baptised 15 May 1795 ...
Nancy Dyer (1795-1879) died June 1879 Northwich aged 84 ....
Confusingly there were TWO girls named Nancy Thomas born in 1795 and both had brothers James Thomas (1787-) and James Thomas (1793-) ... how to unravel family names?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Enter the Thomases
John Thomas (-) baptised
married Elizabeth
John & Elizabeth had
7 children -
Mary Thomas (1781-) baptised 2 Oct 1781
George Thomas (1783-) baptised 7 Sept 1783
Sarah Thomas (1786-) baptised 4 Jan 1786
Elizabeth Thomas (1788-) baptised 15 May 1788
Ann Thomas (1790-) baptised 12 Aug 1790
James Thomas (1793-) baptised 14 Feb 1793
married
Margaret Horton 26 Nov 1811 Great Budworth ... (1655825)
...
--
James Thomas (1820-) son of James & Margaret
baptised 2
April 1820 Witton-cum-Twambrooks Northwich ... (1850183)
...
--
John Thomas (1824-) son of James & Margaret
baptised 9 May 1824
Witton-cum-Twambrooks Northwich ... (1850183)
...
--
Robert Thomas (1824-) son of James & Margaret baptised 9 May 1832 Witton-cum-Twambrooks
Northwich ... (1850183) ...
James Thomas (-) son of John Farmer of Acton
married
Elizabeth Pickering (-) 24 May 1847 Weaverham, daughter of Thomas Pickering
Farmer of Acton ... witnesses Ann Thomas sister? and Thomas Okell
Nancy Thomas (1794-) baptised 15 May1794
Nancy Thomas was probably NOT the daughter of James Thomas & Betty, a grocer in Northwich baptised 6 April 1783 Davenham ... making her 11 years older than Hugh?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joseph Thomas (-) baptised
married Ann
Joseph & Ann had 6 children -
John Thomas (1781-) baptised 25 Aug 1781
James Thomas (1787-) baptised 9 Jan 1787
Peter Thomas (1789-) baptised 6 Oct 1789
Betty Thomas (1792-) baptised 23 March 1792
Nancy Thomas (1795-) baptised 13 Feb 1795
George Thomas (1804-) baptised 1 April 1804
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joseph Thomas (1818-) son of James Northwich grocer baptised
married Fanny
Bebbington (1816-) 4 Oct 1843 of Nantwich Tea Dealer ...
original ... Joseph
aged 25 Fanny aged 27 ... father James Thomas Grocer, father Thomas Bebbington Butcher ... witnesses George Barker and James Thomas
junior
Joseph & Fanny had children -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joseph Thomas (-) baptised
married Elizabeth (1780-)
Joseph &
Elizabeth had children -
George Thomas (1828-) son of Joseph & Elizabeth
baptised 21
Dec 1828 Weaverham ... (1850240) ...
married
died 3 July
1852 Weaverham ... (1736165)
...
Joseph Thomas (1830-) baptised 1830 Weaverham ...
married Margaret ?? Whitegate
1871 census - at Chapel Road, Little Leigh Joseph (1830-) born Acton aged 39, Margaret (1831-) born Whitegate aged 40, Amelia (1855-) born Whitegate aged 16, Mary E (1863-) born Acton aged 8, Herbert (1865-) born Acton aged 6, Ruth (1868-) born Little Leigh aged 3, Margaret (1871-) born Little Leigh aged 1 month
John Thomas (1833-) son of Joseph & Elizabeth baptised 1833 Weaverham ... (1736165) ... ... Nephew John!
1841 census - @ Wall Hill, Acton Elizabeth Thomas (1801-) Grocer aged 60 with George (1828-) aged 13 Joseph (1830) aged 11 and John (1833-) aged 8
1851 census - @ High Street, Nantwich Grocer Tea Dealer Joseph Thomas (-) born Northwich aged 32 wife Fanny Bebbington (1817-) born Nantwich aged 34, sister Betsey Bebbington (1819-) born Nantwich aged 36 and Apprentice John Thomas (1833-) aged 17 born in Acton
1861 census - @ 18 Acton Village nephew John Thomas (1833-) Grocer aged 27 with Hugh Dyer aged 66 & Nancy aged 66
1871 census - @ Wall Hill Acton nephew John Thomas (1833-) Grocer aged 37 with Hugh Dyer aged 76 & Nancy aged 76
Joseph (1797-1836) died 28 July 1836 Acton aged 39
Joseph Thomas (-) married Elizabeth Walker (1776-) 21 Aug 1824 Chester?
1851 (or 1881) census - @ Swanlow Lane, Weaver, Northwich John Thomas (1819-) born Over, Green Grocer aged 62 wife Ann ?? (1849-) born Oakmere aged 32 & son Joseph Thomas (1880-) born Weaver aged 1
Ellen Thomas (-) youngest daughter of James Grocer, Northwich married Cyrus Gittins (-) Iron Founder Shrewsbury 1849
James Thomas (-) Northwich Grocer married Bancroft (-) only daughter of John Bancroft of Northwich in 1811.
Mary Ann Thomas (-) eldest daughter of James Thomas (-) Grocer Northwich married W Cotterile (-) Druggist & Grocer son of Isaac Cotterile Ellesmere 1848.
Joseph Thomas (-) 3rd son of Joseph of Acton married Margurette Hignitt (-) eldest daughter of Richard 14 May 1862 Weaverham.
1851 census - @ Audlem Joseph Thomas (-) of Hartford
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In 1822 after the wedding Hugh Dyer moved to Acton, see the Land Tax Assessment 1822 ... as well as the big boys the Ashtons and Leicesters some familiar names were there - Denis Milner, Joseph Thomas and Mrs Milner ... and next door was Hugh Dyer ...
The Cheshire Tithe Maps of 1836-51 clearly pinpoint Hugh Dyer's house and garden which he rented from Nicholas Bower ... just up the river next door to John Budd's yard.
1841 census - @ Weaverham Road were two 46 year olds Hugh Dyer (1795-) Porter Dealer and his wife Nancy née Thomas (1795-) ... and nearby recorded was the Victoria Brewery the pride and joy of 60 year old Peter Manifold! ... was Hugh connected to the brewery?
1841 census - @ Wall Hill Cottage built by the Thomas family in 1780 - Elizabeth Thomas
(1800-) aged 40 Grocer, George (1828-) aged 13, Joseph (1830-) aged 11, John
(1833-) aged 8.
In the village just across were Hugh and Mary Hault
(1780-) 60
year old Farmers ... ??
1841 census - in Acton Village John Thomas (1785-) aged 55 Farmer, James (1820-) aged 20, Ann (1825-) aged 15, Elizabeth (1827-) aged 13, Jane (1833-) aged 7 ... who were this lot?
1841 census - @ Apple Market Northwich - James Thomas (1791-) aged 50, James Thomas (1820-) aged 20, Mary Ann Thomas (1818-) aged 23, John Thomas (1824-) aged 17, Margaret Thomas (1829-) aged 12, Ellen Thomas (1830-) aged 11, Robert Thomas (1832-) aged 9 ... and Mary Shallcross (1828-) aged 13?
1851 census - @ No 79 Wall Hill, Acton, living next to '2 houses not inhabited' ... Hugh Dyer (1795-) aged 56 born in Crowley was a Gardener, with Nancy Housewife from Acton aged 56 ... with a servant and significantly his widowed Aunt Mary Holt (née Warburton) (1769-) aged 82 born in Lymm was living with them.
Mary Warburton (1769-1853) married Hugh Holt (1781-1844) 30 Jan 1803 Lymm ... (1656844) ...
1861 census - Hugh was now in the village and described as an Ale & Porter Dealer. Hugh & Nancy's nephew, 37 year old John Thomas (1824-) a Grocer was living with them ... was this little household supplying victuals and essentials to the locals?
Also in the 1861 census at Acton Bridge, Acton, next door to Thomas Gresty who worked at the Zinc Works, and close by was a note No 89 'Uninhabitable Beer House' ... was this the relic of The Victoria Brewery?
1871 census - Hugh was at 'Wall Hill', still with Nancy and still with nephew John Thomas who was still unmarried, but now they were gardening a 4 acre smallholding ... no mention of the brewery?
In 1845 Hugh Dyer was intriguingly at Acton Forge when involved in the sale of the farm of the late Hugh Hoult in Acton. The Chester Chronicle reported the details and the contacts - Hugh Warburton, Swan Street, Manchester, Grocer, and Thomas Warburton, Winwick, Farmer and Brownell, Solicitor Lymm.
NB Hugh Dyer's mum was Martha Warburton (1765-1818) and significantly his widowed Aunt Mary Holt (née Warburton) (1769-1853) aged 82 born in Lymm was living with them in the 1851 census.
MI Lymm - Sacred to the memory of Hugh Hoult of Acton in the Parish of Weaverham who departed this life the 29th day of September 1844 aged 63 years also Mary his wife who departed this life February 14th 1853 aged 80 years
In 1850 Bagshaws Directory of Cheshire Hugh Dyer was listed as an ale and porter dealer.
The Post Office Directory of 1857 lists Hugh Dyer again ... still dealing in ale & porter ...
In 1873 Hugh Dyer appeared on the electoral roll as occupied of a house & garden in the village of Acton with a Ratable Value above £12. The Roll also included John E Harrison at Acton Bridge; William E Maude of New Brighton with a freehold warehouse; Nathaniel Dennis Milner of Moor at Hall Green and Cawley; William Milner of Acton at Lower Green; Henry Shallcross all familiar names.
We can only speculate about Hugh Dyer and The Victoria Brewery on Weaverham Lane, but for sure the carter & loaders from Wilbraham Quay, and the zinc rollers & moulders from Acton Mill would be regularly enjoying the delights of local beer. For certain quality beer came from Nicholas Bower at The Bridge Inn but also, perhaps, supplies came from one of the many off-licences like The Vitoria Brewery with Ale and Porter peddled by Hugh Dyer?
The Cheshire beer drinking culture was like many others; a social lubricants. The traditions of beer drinking included drinking games, and other associated entertainment, like dominoes, cards, darts or other pub games; attending beer festivals; pub crawling; and even beer-oriented travel & beer rating were also popular.
Beer was the world's most widely consumed, and perhaps the oldest, of the fermented alcoholic beverages; it was the third most popular drink, after water and tea.
Beer was produced by enzymes which hydrolysed starch into sugars which were then fermented producing alcohol. The starch and enzymes were derived from 'malted' barley. The malting process involved germinating the barley grains by soaking in water, and then the germination was stopped by drying with hot air.
The beer was flavoured with hops, which added a distinctive bitter taste and acted as a preservative.
Beer produced before the Industrial Revolution was made and sold on a domestic scale. The development of thermometers (1760) and hydrometers (1780) changed brewing by allowing the brewer better control of larger scale production of a variety of different beers -
Pale ale was a beer which used a top-fermenting yeast and pale malt.
Stout & Porter were dark beers made using roasted malts, and typically
brewed with slow fermenting yeast.
The name Porter was first used in 1721 to describe a dark brown beer popular
with the street & river porters of London. This same beer later became known
as Stout, which originally reflected a beguiling alcoholic strength. Porter
was a London style that turned the brewing industry upside down early in the
18th century. Porter was the first beer to be aged at the brewery and
dispatched in a condition fit to be drunk immediately. It was the first beer
that could be made on any large scale. Arthur Guinness decided to fashion
his own interpretation of the style.
Mild ale had malty palate. It was dark coloured with around 3% to 3.5% alcohol, although there were every varieties to suit every taste.
Lager was the English name for cool fermented beers of Central European origin. The name lager came from the German word for 'to store', as Bavarian brewers discovered when they stored beer in cool cellars during the warm summer months, the beers continued to ferment, and also cleared of sediment.
After 1860, the popularity of Porter and its aged taste began to wane and it was increasingly sold 'mild'. In the final decades of the century, many breweries discontinued their Porter, though continued to brew Stouts.
Interestingly tastes, fashion and approval of different beers seemed to follow the futile attempts of the powers that be to discriminate and tax the popular brews to enhance revenue. But just like windows the taxed subjects unsurprisingly became unpopular as the price went up!
Wikipedia told the tale -
increased taxation during the Napoleonic Wars pushed the alcohol content down.
a malt tax was introduced to help to pay for the Napoleonic Wars and gave brewers an incentive to use less malt; and unfortunately for the dark Porters, pale malts produced higher yields of goodies. Thus pale malt was used and colour added to produce the traditional delectable vision.
in 1816 the cynical response was to stipulate that only malt and hops were to be used in the production of beer. A vain attempt to stop this enterprising tax avoidance racket.
in 1817 this clamp down on added colour spurred the invention of the black patent malt which made it possible to brew Porter from 95% pale malt and 5% patent malt.
Was this an example of scientific endeavour being channeled into tax
avoidance rather than more useful
services for the poor beer drinking folk in Acton Bridge?
Hugh Dyer knew that for those who understand, no explanation was needed. For those who did not understand, no explanation was possible. Hugh Dyer got on with his job; others, he thought, should mind their own business. Hugh was a beer drinker.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jack Barker
One of the employees at The Weaver Refining Co Ltd was 17378 Lance-Sergeant
'Jack' Barker of The 8th East Lancashire Regiment who spent much of the
early part of 1917 in the Loos sector of The Hindenburg Line. A grim part of
the line in an industrial landscape, dotted with slag heaps and mine
workings. Jack was the last man to die, before his battalion left the Loos
area for a prolonged period of training. He was from Barnton in Cheshire and
at the outbreak of war he was employed in the production of glue at the
Weaver Refining Company. In mid November 1914 the East Lancashires were once
again recruiting in nearby Northwich, Jack went with his friend Fred Norrey
to join up. Fred, who lived four doors away from the Barkers, was also
twenty three. He had attended the same school and worked as a farm labourer.
When the harvest was gathered in, the two hoped that they were going to join
their many Barnton friends who had been recruited for the 7th East Lancs.
Almost two platoons were formed from the local Brunner Mond chemical works
in early September 1914. But it was not to be.
Jack Barker was promoted to Lance-Corporal in early 1916, full corporal soon
after the attack at Pozières and Lance-Sergeant after the assault on the
REdan Ridge. He went on leave early in 1917, bathing in the tin bath in the
back yard on his arrival home, while his mother removed his lousy and filthy
kit. His commanding officer took up the story in a letter to his parents -
'It was on the night of February 27th that I took your son to erect wire
entanglements. We had just reached the place where we were to do the work,
when a machine gun opened fire, and most unfortunately a bullet struck your
son just below the heart. The stretcher bearers were on the spot, but could
do little for him.'
He is buried in the Maroc British Cemetery, at Grenay, the last in a row of
8th Battalion soldiers ...
I wonder if Jack met Emilienne Moreau, the lady of Loos ... ?
Who was Bernard the factory chemist at The Weaver Refining Company or as somebody said was he the factory manager?
Thomas Pickering (1764-) married Christiana Frith (-) 1784 Weaverham.
Bernard Pickering (1836-) was born on the farm of James his father, on the Weaver near Frodsham.
James Pickering (1787- ) son of Samuel & Martha,
baptised 25 Feb
1787 Frodsham ...
married Margaret
Pickering (1791-) 27 Dec 1814, Frodsham ...
licence ...
cousins? ... both of Norley ... Witnesses were Martha Neild and Thomas Wright.
Peggy ... diminutive of Margaret Pickering (1791-) Daughter of Thomas &
Christian,
baptised 27 Feb 1791 Norley.
James & Margaret had 7 children -
Samuel (1821-)
Elizabeth (1824-)
Thomas (1826-)
John (1829-)
Martha (1831-)
William (1833-)
Bernard (1836-1910) Norley
Bernard (1836-1910) the youngest of seven children, was born on the farm of James, his father, on the Weaver near Frodsham. He was apprenticed as Chemist & Druggist. He married Alice Rawland from Acton, and thus cementing his links to the Weaver. In 1881 he was still a practicing chemist in London and living in Kensington with his wife and daughter, Ada. He moved back to Action Bridge in 1891 (age 57). They were still in Acton Lodge in 1901, about 15 minutes from nearby towns of Tarporley, Northwich and Frodsham. Acton Lodge is within 2 miles of Pickerings ‘O the Boat. Ada lived there alone in 1911, so we assume her parents, Bernard and Acice, had between 1901 and 1911. Possibly Bernard kept his hand in and did some chemistry work for the Weaver Refining Company.
married Alice Rawland (-) 13 Sep 1866 Weaverham ... Alice Rawland, a farmer's daughter from Acton, and thus cementing his links to the Weaver.
Bernard & Alice had 1 child - Ada (1868-) Daughter of Bernard & Alice baptised 1 Nov 1868, Chelsea Holy Trinity, Kensington
1841 Census - at 8 Norley Lane, Frodsham, Runcorn, Farmer of 50 Acres, age 50
1851 census - Bernard was apprenticed to William Facer, Chemist & Druggist in the Northwich High Street. He was the youngest of the kids on the farm, after Samuel, Elizabeth, Thomas, John & Martha, so it was not surprising that he left the land to try his hand at chemistry.
1861 census - Bernard was an assistant to William Pritchard a chemist in Charring Cross, London.
1881 census - still a practising chemist in London, now with a daughter Ada and living in Kensington. He had a Chemistry Assistant and a Domestic Servant in the household
1891 census - Bernard described himself as a retired chemist and at 57 he had moved back to Acton Bridge with Alice and Ada. They were still there at Acton Lodge in 1901, with Bernard suffering from paralysis. Ada was on her own there in 1911, Bernard died in 1910? Was this the period during which Bernard kept his hand in and did some chemistry work for the Weaver Refining Company?
Bernard died about 1910.
Skipper George Foster & his wife Hester, with his mate Thomas Allman, were on the barge 'Annie' delivering coal to the Weaver Refining Company's wharf at Acton Bridge on April 3rd 1911, the day of the census.
There was tough competition transporting coal on the Weaver; the local Clarke Brothers had a thriving business next door to Edward Hindleyat Acton Quay, merchanting coal, they also made ropes at Barnton.
But
'Annie' was owned by 'Simpson, Davies & Co' merchants from Runcorn who were
advertising in Worrall's Directory of Warrington in 1876. Coal came up
the Weaver as salt went down ... not only barges but also
wagons Simpson's
were in railway transportation ... and salt ... and insurance ... it appears
John Simpson was into
everything!
Many of the Northwich & Winsford salt merchants made money out of carrying,
at one time Simpsons
owned 64 boats ...
Interestingly Simpson's were also boat builders. The National Historic Ships
website reported, 'In 1914 the Runcorn boatyard of Simpson Davies built a
distinctive style of narrow boat for the Salt Union Company. She was named
'Mull' and was used for cargo carrying on the Bridgewater and connected
canals and was originally towed by a horse. In 1929 the boat was sold to
Agnes Beech and renamed 'Hazel'. She plied between Leigh and Northwich
carrying coal, pulled by a mule. By 1948 this work was finished and 'Hazel'
was used for passenger trips. In 1951 she was fitted with a full length
cabin and an engine and began a new career as a residential craft and her
owners at that time campaigned to save the canals from closure.
In 1988 'Hazel' was donated to the Wooden Canal Craft Trust. Since then a
fund for her restoration has been steadily growing. Restoration of this boat
is now a high priority for the Wooden Canal Boat Society'.
It seems in some strange way that in 1911 George Foster and his barge connected Edward Hindley's manufactory at Acton Bridge with his g-g-grandfather, George Hindley of Farnworth, who in 1743 was living on top of the coal (perhaps even digging it out of the ground?) and who was excited to hear of the Duke of Bridgewater's great plans (perhaps even helping with the implementation?) ... the coal was floated out of the mines at Farnworth through the tunnels of the Worsley Navigable levels and down the Bridgewater Canal to Runcorn ... and thence up the Weaver to the wharf of the Weaver Refining Company ...
Private
Hargreaves (1895-)Cheshire Regiment and The Weaver Refining Company!
1911 Census
... from the 1911 Acton Bridge census we can uncover more snippets ... many were still working on the farms, the railway was a significant player but clearly The Weaver Refining Company was a major employer of labour in Acton Bridge ...
Schedule 32 - Percy Clarke, 24, with his wife
Clara, 23, both from Acton Bridge, was a Clerk at the Chemical Works.
33 - Joseph Taylor, 50, from Antrobus, wife Sarah,
47, from Acton Bridge, with Harry, 21, Stanley, 13, Carrie, 11, & Jessie,
10, was a Tailor Maker with young Harry Taylor a
Chemical Labourer at the Chemical Works.
34 - Sydney Clarke, 29, from Rose Cottage, Acton,
with wife Lillie, 27, from Barnton, was a Chemical Labourer at the Chemical
Works.
41 - William Wilkinson, 54, from Acton, wife
Martha Ann, 52, from Barnton, with John, 23, Harry, 17, Hannah, 13, William,
12, & Alfred, 9, William & John Wilkinson were
both Chemical Labourers in Chemicals but Harry worked for a Timber Merchant.
43 - Joseph Curbishly, 28, from Little Leigh, with
wife Elizabeth, 30, from Norley, was a Chemical Labourer at the Chemical
Works.
50 - Abraham Lightfoot, 49, with wife Elizabeth,
51, both from Weaverham, and Clifford, 13, plus Thomas Wilkinson a boarder,
was a Chemical Labourer in the Chemical Lab.
51 - John Lightfoot, 40, from Weaverham, wife Ann,
33, from Little Leigh, with family, Wilfred, 11, John , 8, & Albert, 5,
was a Chemical Labourer at the Chemical Works.
52 - Lot Sumner, 37, from Crowton, with sisters
Leah, 39, from Weaverham & Ruth, 29, from Crowton & nephew Herbert, 8, from
Acton Bridge, was a Chemical Labourer at the Chemical Works.
58 - Robert Stewart, 43, from Londonderry, wife
Emma, 48, from Levenshulme with son Thomas, 19, a Cycle Mechanic, & lodger
Richard Manning, 22, a Plumber, was a Labourer in the Bone Works.
59 - Alfred Lightfoot, 50, wife Hannah, 42, both
from Acton with Harry, 17, Arthur, 16, Ambrose, 15, Thomas, 13, William, 11,
Harriet, 9, Florence, 7, Alfred, 7, & Hilda, 6, was a Chemical Labourer at
the Chemical Works.
61 - John William Ward, 32, wife Annie, 31, both
from Acton Bridge with Phyllis, 6, was a Clerk in a Chemical Manufactory.
69 - James Woods, 45, from Crowton, wife Margaret, 41, from Stockton Heath,
with Samuel, 21, and boarder William Henry Roberts, 28, from Chester. James
was a Farm Labourer but William Henry Roberts
worked as a Labourer at the Refinery (Bone).
76 - Thomas Allen, 35, from Barnton, with wife
Emma, 41, from Onston, was a General Labourer at the Bone Works.
78 - Halford Richardson, 68, from Weaverham, wife Ellen, 64, from Dutton
with George, 33, & Martha, 23, and lodger Charles Harry Davy, 30, from
Worcestershire. Halford was a Farm Labourer but Charles
Harry Davy was a Clerk at the Chemical Manufacturers.
89 - George Bean, 56, from Dutton, wife Emmie, 52, from Sutton Weaver, with
Fred, 23, Percy, 14, & Hettey, 11. George was a Carter but son
Fred Bean was a Labourer at the Bone Works.
94 - William Edward Stocks, 29, from Little Leigh,
wife Hannah, 30, from Antrobus, with Lucy, 9, Janie,6, Ethel, 3, & Nellie,
1, was a General Labourer at the Chemical Works.
96 - Arthur Joinson, 38, from Crewe, wife
Elizabeth,38, from Winsford, with Francis, 11, Gerty, 8, Mabel, 5, & Mary, 1
month, was a Chemical Worker at the Chemical Works.
98 - Frank Dutton, 28, from Chester, wife
Margaret, 30, from Clunton, Salop, with Mary, 4, Sydney, 2, & Richard, 1,
was a General Labourer for the Weaver Refining Company at the Refinery
Company, Bone Works.
99 - Samuel Clarke, 49, widower with family John,
26, Mary, 24, George, 21, Eliza Alice, 19, Bessie, 17, Florence, 12, William
Hiram, 11, Elsie, 8, & Evelyn May, 7, was a Chemical Labourer in the
Chemical Manufactory. Eliza Alice Clarke was a
Powder Siever in Glue & Powder Manufacture.
101 - J H Wilkinson, 34, from Acton Bridge, with
wife M A, 36, from Kingsley, was a Chemical Labourer at the Chemical Works.
104 - Sarah Hannah Sumner, 60, from Lancaster, with son-in-law Percy
England, 28, from Addingham, daughter Gertrude Hannah, 25, & grand son John,
4 months. Sarah Hannah was a Shopkeeper but Percy England
was a Carpenter in the Mill, the Bone Works.
105 - John Harrison, 53, from Newton le Willows,
wife Annie, 47, from Stone & son Thomas, 20, was a Chemical Labourer with
the Chemical Manufacturer. Thomas Harrison was a
Chemical Carter with the Chemical Manufacturer.
106 - William Burrows, 24, from Little Leigh, wife
Gladys, 22, from Croton, with Phylis, 1, was a Chemical Labourer in the
Chemical Works.
107 - Francis Wilkinson, 32, from Acton Bridge,
wife Jessie, 32, from Holmes Chapel, with William, 9, Jessie, 7, Emily, 5,
Sydney, 3, & Gladys, 1, was a General Labourer at the Chemical Works.
110 - James Johnson, 43, from Wincham, wife
Martha, 37, from Crowton, with John, 16, Florence, 8, Ada, 5, Elsie May, 1,
and boarder William Burgess, 73, a widower from Gorstage, was a Stoker at
the Weaver Refining Company, Bone Works.
111 - Albert Edward Hind, 41, from Liverpool, wife Mary Ann, 44, with John,
19, Emily, 16, Albert Edward, 15, and boarder William Haddock, 38, from
Acton Bridge, was a Milk Dealer but both Albert Edward
Hind junior & William Haddock worked as a
Labourers in the Chemical Works.
113 - James Belcher, 45, from Wednesbury, Staffs,
wife Rose, 31, from Acton Bridge, with Eva, 6, & Doris, 3, was a General
Labourer in the Bone Works.
114 - Arthur Jones, 44, from Weaverham, wife
Maria, 44, from Crowton, with Emily, 14, Arthur, 11, Samuel, 6, & John, 2,
was a Chemical Labourer in the Chemical Works.
117 - Joseph Vaughan, 48, from Tipton, wife
Susannah, 44, from Wednesbury, with Elizabeth, 18, Joseph Henry, 12,
Florence May, 10, Bert, 2, and brother/sister in law George, 34, & Elizabeth
Belcher, 30, was a Chemical Worker in the Chemical Works.
119 - Walter Anderson, 38, from Northwich, wife
Mary Arabella, 35, from Acton Bridge, with Arabella Jessie, 13, John James,
12, Agnes, 10, Walter, 9, Philip, 8, Dorothy, 4, & Percy, 3, was a Chemical
Labourer in the Chemical Works.
120 - Martin McHugh, 49, from Galway, wife
Elizabeth, 50, from Acton Bridge with boarder Thomas
Baker, 29, from Lostock, both men were Labourers General in the Bone
Works.
1901 Census
... in 1901 The Weaver Refining Company was a dream for Edward Hindley and Joseph Neill ... was William Edward Maude's old bone grinding business still slowly steaming on? Certainly Tommy Astles had left for Tasmania and The Lowwood Company had retrenched into Ulverston ... but what was left at Acton Bridge? ... In 1902 we know from Kelly's Directory that The Weaver Refining Company was up & running and employing ...
schedule 6 - Railway Houses - George W Lightfoot,
18, from Acton, was living with his Mum & Dad and a Teamsman at the Mill.
But this may have been James Gandy's Corn Mill?
9 - Station Hill - Thomas Allen, 24, from Barnton,
with his wife Emma, 34, from Onston, was described as a Chemical Labourer,
but, as with many others, the enumerator qualified the occupation with 'alk',
suggesting in 1901 most 'Chemical Labourers' would be working at Brunner
Mond making soda ash? Some like Alfred Lightfoot, 41, from, 26 - Acton
Village, specifically described himself as an 'Alkali Worker'.
23 - Post Office - John W Ward, 21, from Acton,
living with his Mum, Sarah H W Ward, was a Clerk at the Chemical Works.
Abraham Lightfoot, 39, & Lot
Sumner, 27, now 10 years younger, were established as Chemical
Labourers.
41 - the Village - George Ashley, 35, a boarder,
from Lostock, was a Chemical Labourer.
45 - the Village - William Wilkinson & Martha were
there, William as a Chemical Labourer.
91 - Bridge Lane - Walter Anderson & Mary were
there, Walter as a Chemical Labourer.
93 - Acton Bridge - Emmanuel Wilkinson, 29, from
Little Leigh, living with his father in law, James Tweedle, 69, from Acton,
with his wife Ruth, 28. Emmanuel was a Chemical Labourer.
96 - Acton Bridge - Joseph Vaughan & Susannah were
there, Joseph as a Chemical Labourer. Brother in law, James Belcher was
living with them but working as a General Agricultural Labouer.
98 - Acton Bridge - Herbert Charlton, 30, from
Weaverham, wife Emma, 31, from Earlston, with his step family, the Leighs,
was a Chemical Labourer.
104 - Acton Bridge - Noah Crook, 23, single, from
Crowton was a Chemical Labourer.
109 - Acton Bridge - John H Wilkinson, 29, from
Little Leigh, with wife Mary, 33, from Kingsley, was a Chemical Labourer.
110 - Acton Bridge - Ralf Wilkinson, 44, from
Stretton, with wife Caroline, 46, from Antrobus, specifically described
himself as an Alkali Worker.
111 - Acton Bridge - John Harrison & Annie were
there but John called himself a General Labourer. Son John H, 17, was
working on the land as an Agricultural Labourer.
112 - Acton Bridge - Enoch Blatt, 25, from
Winsford, wife Mary, 27, from Allostock, with Lizzie, 4, & Maggie, 1, was a
Chemical Labourer.
117 - Acton Bridge - John Lightfoot & Ann were
there, John as a Chemical Labourer.
1891 Census
References to General Labourers may indicate some activity at William Edward Maude's Mill Site, and some names are familiar ... but ...?
20 - Nr The Maypole Inn - James Ward, 32, wife Sarah, 33, with young John W,
11, but at this time James was alive & kicking and an Engine Driver on a
Steam Flat.
86 - Acton Mill - James Gandy, 58, wife Elizabeth, 52, was a Corn Miller,
employing an Articled Clerk, a Banker's Clerk & a Miller's Clerk. But this
was not the mill by the river.
88 - Acton Bridge - John Kerfoot, 59, was a General Labourer.
89 - Acton Bridge - Martin McHugh, 36, & Elizabeth, 38, were there, Martin
was a General Labourer.
96 - Acton Bridge - Harry Haddock, 21, living with his mum, was a General
Labourer.
96 - Acton Bridge - Thomas Walton, 53, from Peover, was a General Labourer.
98 - Acton Bridge - William Ferguson, 25, was an Engine Fitter from Scotland
living with his father in law Joseph Price.
107 - Acton Bridge - John Harrison, 32, & Annie,
28, were there, John was a General Labourer.
109 - Acton Bridge - John Wilkinson, 57, wife
Jane, 49, & Emmanuel, 20. John was a General
Labourer and Emmanuel was a Bricklayer's Labourer, not yet with the chemical
company.
111 - Acton Bridge - Henry Clarke, 71, a widow,
was a Retired Zinc & Copper Moulder.
112 - Acton Bridge - Abraham Lightfoot, 29, was
there as a General Labourer.
1881 Census
The manure works and the salt petre works were going strong ...
94 - Mill House Acton Mill - James Gandy, 49, was there at the Corn Mill.
96 - Bridge Road Cottage - John Sumner, 54, wife Sarah, 53, with son Samuel,
19, & step children, Joseph Moores, 18, & Sarah Ann Moores, 11. John was a
Navigation Labourer but Samuel Sumner, worked in
the Chemical Lab as a Manufacturing Chemist.
97 - Bridge Road Cottage - Martin McHugh, 25, was working as a Navigation
Labourer.
98 - Bridge Lane Cottage - James Tweedle, 46, wife
Ann, 47, with Edward, 26, Arthur, 18, Alfred, 12, & Ruth, 8. James was a
Carter at the Corn Mill. Edward Tweedle was a Corn
Mill Labourer.
99 - Acton Bridge Mill House - Thomas Astles, 48,
from Winnington, wife Harriet, 50, from Warwick, with Mary A Astles, 17, &
step daughter, Mary E Reader, 33, was a Corn & Bone Miller & brine Pumper.
Mary E Reader was a Clerk in the Mill.
105 - Bridge Lane Cottage - Henry Clarke, 58, from
Berkshire, wife Sarah, 54, from Buckingham, was the Salt Petre Works Lab
Manager.
106 - Bridge Lane Cottage - Sarah Tweedle, 68, from Crowton, with sons
George, 40, & Henry, 29. George was unemployed but Henry
Tweedle worked in the Lab at the Salt Petre Works. Sarah died in
1884, buried at St Mary's, Weaverham.
116 - Bridge Lane Cottage - William Barlow, 35,
wife Mary, 32, with George R, 11. William was the Mate of Steamer 'Leven'.
120 - Salt Petre Works House - James E Harrison,
55, wife Mary, 53, with granddaughter Jessie E H Youd, 2, & nephew
William Wakefield, 23, Engine Driver at Salt Petre
Works, plus servant. James E was the Manager at the Salt Petre Works.
121 - Bridge Lane Cottage - James Ward, 28, from
Acton Bridge, wife Sarah H, 23, from Stretford, with 3 month old Mary J.
James was a Engine Tenter at Salt Peter Works.
123 - Bridge Lane Cottage - John Wilkinson, 40,
wife Jane, 38, were there, John was a Boiler at the Salt Petre Works.
124 - Bridge Lane Cottage - Joseph Little, 37,
from Crowton, wife Alice, 31, from Davenham, with Sarah Ann, 10, & John, 8,
was in the Salt Petre Works Lab.
127 - Acton Lodge - James Longshaw, 32, from
Warrington, wife Sarah A, 30, from Denbigh, with Mary, 9, William, 7,
Hannah, 4, Bertha, 2, plus servant. James was an Analytical Chemist.
1871 Census
4 - Acton Bridge - Joseph Wilkinson, 29, from
Little Leigh, wife Sarah, 26, from Daresbury, with Samuel, 5, & George, 3,
was a Labourer at the Salt Petre Works.
9 - Acton Bridge - Joseph Harrison,36, from
Winnington, wife Mary, 36, from Northwich, with George H, 14, Martha Ann,
10, Joseph, 6, & Mary, 5, was a Foreman at the Salt Petre Works.
10 - Acton Bridge - John E Harrison, 46, from
Winnington, wife Mary, 46, from Northwich, with father in law, Robert M Youd,
34, Eliza Yould, 22, grandson John E H Youd, 1, nephew William Wakefield,
12, brother in law Thomas Wakefield, 56, was the Manager of the Salt Petre
Works. Robert M Youd &
Thomas Wakefield were Labourers at the Salt Petre
Works.
11 - Acton Bridge - George Wilkinson, 37, from
Little Leigh, wife Sarah, 39, from Crowton, with Mary E, 12, Sarah E, 10, &
Annie, 7, plus a boarder, was a Labourer at the Manure Works.
20 - Acton Bridge - Henry Twedale, 36, living with
Sarah, 58, his widowed mum & brother George, 22, was a Labourer at the Salt
Petre Works.
26 - Acton Bridge - John Astles, 26, from
Winnington, wife Mary, 25, from Barnton, with Maria, 4, & Mary Beatrice, 4,
plus servant, was a Foreman at the Manure Works employing 4 men & 3 boys.
29 - Acton Bridge - Henry Clarke, 45, wife Sarah,
42, both from London, was a Labourer at the Manure Works.
1861 Census
88 - Acton Bridge - John Gresty, 41, wife Ann, 41, John worked on the
railways but son Thomas Gresty, 24, was a Labourer
at the Zinc Works.
(NB next door 89 - was an 'Uninhabitable Beer House')
94 - Acton Bridge - Henry Phipps, 57, was a Zinc
Roller from Surrey, wife Margaret, 48, from Ashton, son John, 23, a printer.
101 - Acton Bridge - Thomas Priestley, 44, from
Dartford, wife Jemima, 42, from Surrey, with Eliza Ann, 22, & Susanna, 18,
was a Zinc Roller.
102 - Acton Bridge - James Twedale, 29, from
Acton, wife Ann, 31, from Wapping, and 10 other Twedales, was a Carter at
the Zinc Mill.
104 - Acton Bridge - Henry Clark, 39, from
Berkshire, wife Sarah,
36, from Buckingham, was a Zinc Roller. And Charles Ford, 67, a boarder was a Labourer at the
Zinc Mill.
1851 Census
61 Bridge - John Beecroft, 67, from Halton, with his wife Sarah, from
Weaverham was a Smith ...
62 - Bridge Works - Edward P Morris, 40, with his
daughter, Ann, 23, was a Millwright, from Dartford in Kent..
63 - Bridge Works - Thomas Priestley, 34, wife
Jemima, 32, with Eliza, 11, Jemima, 9, & Thomas, 7, plus lodger, was a Zinc
Roller. Also from Dartford. Young Thomas died at 18 years in 1862, buried at St Mary's,
Weaverham.
67 - Bridge Works - Hugh Wilkinson, 22, wife
Ellen, 20, was a Zinc Labourer, from Little Leigh.
69 - Bridge Works - George Phipps, 35, from
Morton, Surrey, wife
Charlotte, 32, from Dartford, was a Zinc Roller.
72 - Weaverham Lane - Thomas Wilkinson, 54, wife
Sarah, 55, with John, 32, Joseph, 18, & Betsy, 11, and Mary Stringer,
24, daughter. Thomas and the 2 boys were Labourers at the Saw Mills. They
were from Hollaway Head, Cheshire.
73 - Weaverham Lane - Peter Wilkinson, 40, wife
Ann, 40, both from Little Leigh, with George, 13, Joseph, 8, Mary, 4, & Ann,
2, was a Labourer at the Zinc Works.
74 - Weaverham Lane - William Whitely, 41, wife
Ann, 38, both from Weaverham, with Alice, 12, Thomas, 8, John, 6, & William,
4, was a Labourer at the Saw Mills.
75 - Weaverham Lane - George Tweedle, 48, wife Sarah, 42, with sons
Thomas Tweedle, 22, James
Tweedle, 20, & George Tweedle, 17, were all
Zinc Labourers. Ann, 14, Sarah, 12, William, 10, & Henry, 7, made up a large
family, from Crowton.
84 - the Village - William Jameson, 39, from
Dutton, with wife Hannah, 37, from Acton, was a Zinc Works Labourer.
1841 Census
Lots of farmers, lots of servants, lots of labourers and the railway ... but little detail ...
Acton Mill - George Joynson, 57, wife Nancy, 54, was at the Mill by The
Maypole, with young Thomas, 29, the Miller. Nancy died in 1847, buried at St
Mary's, Weaverham.
Weaverham Lane - George Woodward, 24, Joiner - Hugh Dyer, 46, Porter
Dealer - John Turner, 48, Labourer - Thomas Wilkinson, 45, Labourer - Peter
Manifold, 60, Victoria Grocery, boarder - Hannah Winfield, 60, Independent -
George Winfield, 25, Plumber - James Ogden, 55, Draper - George Roscoe, 25,
Tailor.
Quere Street - William Burgess, 30, Surgeon, lodger - Samuel Smith, 30,
Surgeon - William Barker, 35, Coal Dealer - Henry Phipps,
30, Zinc Roller - Jonathan Dening, 25, Grocer.
Acton Bridge - Peter Hiemason, 60, Shoe Maker - John Beechcroft, 60,
blacksmith - George Tweedle, 35, Agricultural Labourer.
Blenheim House - George Phipps, 26, Zinc Roller.
Blenheim House was
clearly shown on Bryants's Map of 1831 ...
Fuge - Isaac Ashton, 35, Shoemaker - Peter Leigh, 30, Agricultural Labourer
- Joseph Sheppard, 30, Cordwainer.
back to weaver refining company