It must be stressed that this is only an initial gathering of names. All the church records in the vicinity of Darwen should be studied as well as further afield before you could with any certainty say that all these names belonged to your family.
Joseph Cooper we know from the census was born in Darwen and we have an approximate date of birth so the Joseph baptised in 1809 at the Wesleyan Chapel in Over Darwen seems a good bet. However we do not know where his father Richard was born. The other records of Coopers at the Wesleyan have given us approximate dates for Joseph's parents and two brothers.
There is a second Richard Cooper about Darwen at the same time as your possible Richard. This Richard Cooper was married to Ann and so far two children have been found. Richard Cooper baptized 23 Oct 1785 (abode O. Darwen) and Tho's Cooper Sep 1788 (abode Pickup Bank). These are from Darwen Chapel (St James). From the burial records an Anne Cooper age 78 was buried 29 Nov 1817 and a Richard Cooper was buried age 76 on 29 Aug 1818 giving him a birthyear about 1742.
I had hopes of a Richard Cooper christened 25 Aug 1764 at Saint Peter, Bolton le Moors parents Joseph and Betty. (batch P007153 familysearch site). But that was based on thinking Richard's first son being called Joseph. Now Richard's first son could have been Thurston. However the Bolton family should also be studied in more detail to find out what happened to them.
It is possible that Richard's baptism and marriage details may be amongst those records which are unreadable, damaged or lost.
*********************************************************
One possible scenario.
Richard Cooper born about 1765 (from burial 63 years old in 1828 Wesleyan Darwen)
Betty born about 1763 (from burial age 48 in 1811 Wesleyan Darwen)
children
Thurston Cooper c. 16 Mar 1783 son of Rich. Cooper + Betty
William Cooper c. 23 Jan 1785 son of Rich. Cooper + Betty
{Darwen St. James, this makes Betty about 20 when Thurston was born. Looking for a marriage before 1783, Joseph's brother James called his first son Thurston}
Betty Cooper c. 29 April 1787 Richard Cooper + Betty Duxbury born 12 March 1787 living at Drummer Stoops
Joseph Cooper c. 28 June 1789 Richard Cooper + Betty Duxbury born 11 June 1789 living at Sough - Twin to Benjamin (St. James burial 1 July 1789 Joseph Cooper son of Rich'd + Betty)
Benjamin Cooper c. 28 June 1789 Richard Cooper + Betty Duxbury born 11 June 1789 living at Sough - Twin to Joseph
{This information extracted from a transcript at Darwen Library, many thanks to the person who did this. Baptisms at Lower Darwen Chapel compiled using Chapel records and Rev. Smalley's private records}
Betty Cooper c. 18 Jul 1790 Richard Cooper + Betty (see batch 7607623 and 7515013, submitted details no church given)
Richard Cooper c. 2 Jan 1793 Richard Cooper + Betty (see batch 7516130 Wesleyan Chapel, Blackburn. There is a burial at St James Darwen 20 Feb 1822 Richard Cooper age 30)
James Cooper c. 6 Jul 1798 b. 15 May 1798
George Cooper c. 13 Nov 1804 b. 3 Aug 1804
Joseph Cooper c. 15 Oct 1809 b. 18 Jun 1809
{Wesleyan Chapel, Darwen - you have copies of these also -
burial March 30 1811 Betty wife of Richard Cooper died March 28 age 48 of Natural causes
burial Oct 2 1828 Richard Cooper age 63
also 25 June 1815 Mary daughter of Richard Cooper age 16}
Joseph was not yet 2 then when his mother died.
Monday, 7 January 2008
Sunday, 6 January 2008
A new puzzle.
Happy new year to everyone.
Jimmy, I have been looking at the Directory sheets that I passed on to you. These have thrown up a new puzzle.
Your father, age 4 in 1901 census living at 64 London Terrace.
1903 Richard Cooper shopman 64 London Terrace. (your grandfather)
But in 1900 James Cooper Grocer, 8 Market street, 1 Grimshaw st, 21 Duckworth st, and 64 London terrace. Tel 125
1903 James Cooper, grocer, 8 Market Street, 21 Duckworth street, and 1 Grimshaw street, Tel 125
It looks like your father was not born at 64 London Terrace.
I do not know if there was a time lag between gathering information and publishing a directory. And why has James more than one address? did he own a string of Grocers ? The photo of 64 London Terrace does not look like it was a shop.
Also Cooper Bros. corn millers and hay and straw dealers, Shorey bank tel 125a was not in 1891 directory so was it founded some time between 1891 and 1900 ?
I am looking at Richard's (your grandfathers) brothers. They would have been your fathers uncles.
JOSEPH COOPER born about 1859, he would have been about 12 when Richard was born. He seems a likely candidate for founding or co-founding the Corn business. From the census in 1891 he was employed as a paper finisher but by 1901 census he was an EMPLOYER described as ?? corn dealer. BUT he was in BLACKPOOL!!! The directories tell us that (1891) Joseph was an agent 31 Anyon street (1900) Joseph Cooper (Cooper Bros.) h. 31 Anyon street and (1903) Jph. Cooper (Cooper Bros.) h. Blackpool. (I think a h indicated home address rather than business address.)
The census information for Joseph Cooper.
1891
RG12,3414,88,14
Blackburn Darwen 16
31 Anyon St.
Jos. Cooper 32 Paper finisher employed born Darwen
Mary 33
Annie 9
Ellen 1 day
Phylise Kay 40 sick nurse born Lancs. Rothersall ?
1901
RG13,3974,95,49
Fylde Blackpool 32
62 St. Heliers?? Rd.
Joseph Cooper 42 ??? corn dealer Employer born Darwen
Mary Ann 43
Annie 19
Ellen Adelaide 9
George Leech 3
Which of his brothers were co-founders ?
Was the business so successful it allowed Joseph to go and live in Blackpool whilst keeping his business in Darwen? or did he have another business in Blackpool ? or did they move to Blackpool for the sea air and health reasons ? Note large age gaps between children.
*****************************************************
JOHN COOPER born about 1860, one possibility for John is that he left Darwen before 1891 to live in Preston.
1891
RG12,3433,93,37
Preston Trinity 29
111 ?????
John Cooper 31 Cotton tape sizer born Darwen
Nancy 31
Joseph 3m born Preston
1901
RG13,3946,155,31
212 Fletcher Rd
John Cooper 41 Cotton tape sizer born Darwen
Nancy 41
Joseph 10 born Preston
Mary E 6 born Preston
**************************************************
ALFRED COOPER born about 1862, one possibility or Alfred is that he was a cotton loomer.
1891
RG12,3415,146,24
Blackburn Darwen 25
24 Kilker St?? 5 Starkie st ??
Alfred Cooper 29 Loomer in cotton mill born Darwen
Jane E 28 Grocer
Clara 7
Richard 4
1901
RG13,3921,115,8
Blackburn Darwen 14
50 Perry St ?
Alfred Cooper 39 Cotton loomer born Darwen
Betsy 38
Clara 17 cotton winder
Richard 14 Clerk paper worker
*****************************************************
JAMES COOPER born about 1866, could he have been a partner in the business? There are more than one James Cooper so this would need more research. But one possibility :-
1891
RG12,3414,137,25
Blackburn Darwen 18
2 Marsh Ter.
James W Cooper 25 Provisions Dealer + Sub Postmaster born Darwen
Sarah A 25
Sarah E 4
Esther A 2m
Same street as father Richard Cooper
19 Marsh Ter.
Richd Cooper 53 Millwright employed born Darwen
Ellen 52
William 20 Millwright
Richard 18 Papermaker
Mary 15 Cotton winder
Ellen 13
Mary sister to Richard 40 living on own means
1901
RG13,3973,144,35
Fylde Blackpool 28
South Shore Holy Trinity
164 Lytham Rd
James Cooper 35 Grocer, shopkeeper Employer born Darwen
Sarah Ann 35
Sarah E 14 Pupil Teacher
Esther A 10
Annie Bohiem? 20 Domestic servant born Germany
Was this the same James as in 1891 Directory :-
James Cooper grocer (Sub-post office) 73 Lomax street
1900
James Cooper grocer 8 Market street, 1 Grimshaw st, 21 Duckworth st, and 64 London terrace. Tel. 125
1903
James Cooper grocer 8 Market street, 21 Duckworth street and 1 Grimshaw street. Tel 125
Could James have been living at 64 London terrace then moved to Blackpool, brother Richard taking over the house? Or is this another James? Will have to keep an eye out for these addresses in the 1901 census to see if they are on. Unfortunately on Ancestry.co.uk you cannot search the census by address.
Jimmy, I have been looking at the Directory sheets that I passed on to you. These have thrown up a new puzzle.
Your father, age 4 in 1901 census living at 64 London Terrace.
1903 Richard Cooper shopman 64 London Terrace. (your grandfather)
But in 1900 James Cooper Grocer, 8 Market street, 1 Grimshaw st, 21 Duckworth st, and 64 London terrace. Tel 125
1903 James Cooper, grocer, 8 Market Street, 21 Duckworth street, and 1 Grimshaw street, Tel 125
It looks like your father was not born at 64 London Terrace.
I do not know if there was a time lag between gathering information and publishing a directory. And why has James more than one address? did he own a string of Grocers ? The photo of 64 London Terrace does not look like it was a shop.
Also Cooper Bros. corn millers and hay and straw dealers, Shorey bank tel 125a was not in 1891 directory so was it founded some time between 1891 and 1900 ?
I am looking at Richard's (your grandfathers) brothers. They would have been your fathers uncles.
JOSEPH COOPER born about 1859, he would have been about 12 when Richard was born. He seems a likely candidate for founding or co-founding the Corn business. From the census in 1891 he was employed as a paper finisher but by 1901 census he was an EMPLOYER described as ?? corn dealer. BUT he was in BLACKPOOL!!! The directories tell us that (1891) Joseph was an agent 31 Anyon street (1900) Joseph Cooper (Cooper Bros.) h. 31 Anyon street and (1903) Jph. Cooper (Cooper Bros.) h. Blackpool. (I think a h indicated home address rather than business address.)
The census information for Joseph Cooper.
1891
RG12,3414,88,14
Blackburn Darwen 16
31 Anyon St.
Jos. Cooper 32 Paper finisher employed born Darwen
Mary 33
Annie 9
Ellen 1 day
Phylise Kay 40 sick nurse born Lancs. Rothersall ?
1901
RG13,3974,95,49
Fylde Blackpool 32
62 St. Heliers?? Rd.
Joseph Cooper 42 ??? corn dealer Employer born Darwen
Mary Ann 43
Annie 19
Ellen Adelaide 9
George Leech 3
Which of his brothers were co-founders ?
Was the business so successful it allowed Joseph to go and live in Blackpool whilst keeping his business in Darwen? or did he have another business in Blackpool ? or did they move to Blackpool for the sea air and health reasons ? Note large age gaps between children.
*****************************************************
JOHN COOPER born about 1860, one possibility for John is that he left Darwen before 1891 to live in Preston.
1891
RG12,3433,93,37
Preston Trinity 29
111 ?????
John Cooper 31 Cotton tape sizer born Darwen
Nancy 31
Joseph 3m born Preston
1901
RG13,3946,155,31
212 Fletcher Rd
John Cooper 41 Cotton tape sizer born Darwen
Nancy 41
Joseph 10 born Preston
Mary E 6 born Preston
**************************************************
ALFRED COOPER born about 1862, one possibility or Alfred is that he was a cotton loomer.
1891
RG12,3415,146,24
Blackburn Darwen 25
24 Kilker St?? 5 Starkie st ??
Alfred Cooper 29 Loomer in cotton mill born Darwen
Jane E 28 Grocer
Clara 7
Richard 4
1901
RG13,3921,115,8
Blackburn Darwen 14
50 Perry St ?
Alfred Cooper 39 Cotton loomer born Darwen
Betsy 38
Clara 17 cotton winder
Richard 14 Clerk paper worker
*****************************************************
JAMES COOPER born about 1866, could he have been a partner in the business? There are more than one James Cooper so this would need more research. But one possibility :-
1891
RG12,3414,137,25
Blackburn Darwen 18
2 Marsh Ter.
James W Cooper 25 Provisions Dealer + Sub Postmaster born Darwen
Sarah A 25
Sarah E 4
Esther A 2m
Same street as father Richard Cooper
19 Marsh Ter.
Richd Cooper 53 Millwright employed born Darwen
Ellen 52
William 20 Millwright
Richard 18 Papermaker
Mary 15 Cotton winder
Ellen 13
Mary sister to Richard 40 living on own means
1901
RG13,3973,144,35
Fylde Blackpool 28
South Shore Holy Trinity
164 Lytham Rd
James Cooper 35 Grocer, shopkeeper Employer born Darwen
Sarah Ann 35
Sarah E 14 Pupil Teacher
Esther A 10
Annie Bohiem? 20 Domestic servant born Germany
Was this the same James as in 1891 Directory :-
James Cooper grocer (Sub-post office) 73 Lomax street
1900
James Cooper grocer 8 Market street, 1 Grimshaw st, 21 Duckworth st, and 64 London terrace. Tel. 125
1903
James Cooper grocer 8 Market street, 21 Duckworth street and 1 Grimshaw street. Tel 125
Could James have been living at 64 London terrace then moved to Blackpool, brother Richard taking over the house? Or is this another James? Will have to keep an eye out for these addresses in the 1901 census to see if they are on. Unfortunately on Ancestry.co.uk you cannot search the census by address.
Monday, 17 December 2007
Cycle of Poverty.
Taken from "A Social History of Britain. The nineteenth century by Robin Nonhebel"
The food on which most labourers depended was bread, and wheat prices which had averaged well below 50s a quarter before 1790, reached 126s by 1812. This inflation was caused by wheat shortages which occurred for two reasons. First, harvests in Britain were poor between 1793 and 1815, and secondly the wars with France made it more difficult to import wheat from Europe when these bad harvests took place. With population rising and less bread available, prices inevitably soared.
In the growing industrial towns of northern England, there was also extreme poverty. This was caused by fluctuations in the trade cycle. The cotton and iron industries were increasingly relying on foreign countries to buy their goods. Huge orders were placed for British goods by Europeans and Americans whose own countries had as yet no large industries. But foreign demand was never constant; a bad harvest would reduce the income of an agricultural country and so she would be unable to afford to buy so many British manufactures.
Large cotton firms therefore in towns like Manchester and Bolton would employ thousands of workers when demand was high; but when there was a slump in demand employers would reduce production thus dismissing workers or placing them on short-time. The industrial working-class were at the mercy of such fluctuations. They might be in work for a few months but then unemployed for a similar period, and their wages were so poor that they found it impossible to save for hard times. When a slump occurred over a long period, their misery became acute as was the case in the years after the end of the Napoleonic wars and between 1836-42.
Unemployment and low wages undoubtedly caused much poverty in both town and country. It should be remembered though that sickness, injury, old-age and bereavements also caused great distress. What might be called a "poverty cycle" affected many families. A worker and his wife might obtain jobs in a factory town and for a time as long as they remained in employment, manage to live fairly comfortably. Then with the birth of children, their living standards would decline since more food and clothing had to be purchased. As their children grew up they might be able to add to the family income if fortunate enough to find menial jobs and so prosperity would return. But when the children left home to start their own lives and when the wife grew too old or perhaps too ill towork, the worker would find it increasingly difficult to make ends meet. Destitution would be the inevitable result of old age and failing health.
The food on which most labourers depended was bread, and wheat prices which had averaged well below 50s a quarter before 1790, reached 126s by 1812. This inflation was caused by wheat shortages which occurred for two reasons. First, harvests in Britain were poor between 1793 and 1815, and secondly the wars with France made it more difficult to import wheat from Europe when these bad harvests took place. With population rising and less bread available, prices inevitably soared.
In the growing industrial towns of northern England, there was also extreme poverty. This was caused by fluctuations in the trade cycle. The cotton and iron industries were increasingly relying on foreign countries to buy their goods. Huge orders were placed for British goods by Europeans and Americans whose own countries had as yet no large industries. But foreign demand was never constant; a bad harvest would reduce the income of an agricultural country and so she would be unable to afford to buy so many British manufactures.
Large cotton firms therefore in towns like Manchester and Bolton would employ thousands of workers when demand was high; but when there was a slump in demand employers would reduce production thus dismissing workers or placing them on short-time. The industrial working-class were at the mercy of such fluctuations. They might be in work for a few months but then unemployed for a similar period, and their wages were so poor that they found it impossible to save for hard times. When a slump occurred over a long period, their misery became acute as was the case in the years after the end of the Napoleonic wars and between 1836-42.
Unemployment and low wages undoubtedly caused much poverty in both town and country. It should be remembered though that sickness, injury, old-age and bereavements also caused great distress. What might be called a "poverty cycle" affected many families. A worker and his wife might obtain jobs in a factory town and for a time as long as they remained in employment, manage to live fairly comfortably. Then with the birth of children, their living standards would decline since more food and clothing had to be purchased. As their children grew up they might be able to add to the family income if fortunate enough to find menial jobs and so prosperity would return. But when the children left home to start their own lives and when the wife grew too old or perhaps too ill towork, the worker would find it increasingly difficult to make ends meet. Destitution would be the inevitable result of old age and failing health.
Michael Clapham
There is another Clapham family in Darwen. I think he is Thomas's older brother but we need Thomas's christening to prove the link : same parents. Two of Thomas's children have names which would suggest possible family link - Joshua and Michael.
1841 census
HO107,503,4,1
Blackburn Darwen 34
Water Street
Michael Claphan 35 Carter
Alice 35
Catherine 15 worker C. factory
Ann 10 worker C. factory
Alice 9
Joshua 7
Betsey 1
Jane 1
From Parish Online Clerk site
christening for Michael
St.James - Darwen Chapel
1 Jan 1807 Michael Clapham son of Joshua Clapham + Alice (abode - Pickop Bank)
marriages at St. Mary Blackburn
12 Dec 1805 Joshua Clapham + Alice Becket
*Alice was a widow
18 Aug 1832 Michael Clapham (weaver) + Alice Bibby
Catherine and Ann probably from before the marriage to Alice. Could they be sisters to Michael? children from previous marriage? Alice Bibby's child?
1851 census
HO107,2261,138,15
Blackburn Darwen 2d
Michael Clapham 35 coal dealer born Yates Bank
Alice 49 born Blackburn
Alice 19 weaver by p? born Blackburn
Betty ? born O. Darwen
Jane 12 born O. Darwen
Mary 8 born O. Darwen
James Bibby father 83 or 85
Birth 1840 Betty Clapham Darwen Blackburn D/3/51
Birth 1840 Jane Clapham Darwen Blackburn D/3/51
It looks like Betty and Jane were twins!
Birth 1842 Mary Clapham Darwen Blackburn D/6/50
Death 1844 Joshua Clapham age 9 Darwen Blackburn D/5/39
1861 census
RG9,3108,24,42
Blackburn Darwen 1
2 Wood St.
Alice Clapham 57 born Chadworth
Betty 21 cotton weaver born O. Darwen
Mary 19 cotton weaver born O. Darwen
Richant (female) 9(m) born O. Darwen
Robert Haslaw boarder 27 cotton weaver born Longworth
Jane 21 cotton weaver born O. Darwen
Death 1860 Michael Clapham age 54 Darwen Blackburn D/19/51
Birth 1860 Rachel Ann Clapham Darwen Blackburn D/32/55
Death 1862 Rachel Ann Clapham age 1 Darwen Blackburn D/21/8
marriage 1860 Jane Clapham + Robert Haslam Darwen St Peter Blackburn CE27/1/322
1841 census
HO107,503,4,1
Blackburn Darwen 34
Water Street
Michael Claphan 35 Carter
Alice 35
Catherine 15 worker C. factory
Ann 10 worker C. factory
Alice 9
Joshua 7
Betsey 1
Jane 1
From Parish Online Clerk site
christening for Michael
St.James - Darwen Chapel
1 Jan 1807 Michael Clapham son of Joshua Clapham + Alice (abode - Pickop Bank)
marriages at St. Mary Blackburn
12 Dec 1805 Joshua Clapham + Alice Becket
*Alice was a widow
18 Aug 1832 Michael Clapham (weaver) + Alice Bibby
Catherine and Ann probably from before the marriage to Alice. Could they be sisters to Michael? children from previous marriage? Alice Bibby's child?
1851 census
HO107,2261,138,15
Blackburn Darwen 2d
Michael Clapham 35 coal dealer born Yates Bank
Alice 49 born Blackburn
Alice 19 weaver by p? born Blackburn
Betty ? born O. Darwen
Jane 12 born O. Darwen
Mary 8 born O. Darwen
James Bibby father 83 or 85
Birth 1840 Betty Clapham Darwen Blackburn D/3/51
Birth 1840 Jane Clapham Darwen Blackburn D/3/51
It looks like Betty and Jane were twins!
Birth 1842 Mary Clapham Darwen Blackburn D/6/50
Death 1844 Joshua Clapham age 9 Darwen Blackburn D/5/39
1861 census
RG9,3108,24,42
Blackburn Darwen 1
2 Wood St.
Alice Clapham 57 born Chadworth
Betty 21 cotton weaver born O. Darwen
Mary 19 cotton weaver born O. Darwen
Richant (female) 9(m) born O. Darwen
Robert Haslaw boarder 27 cotton weaver born Longworth
Jane 21 cotton weaver born O. Darwen
Death 1860 Michael Clapham age 54 Darwen Blackburn D/19/51
Birth 1860 Rachel Ann Clapham Darwen Blackburn D/32/55
Death 1862 Rachel Ann Clapham age 1 Darwen Blackburn D/21/8
marriage 1860 Jane Clapham + Robert Haslam Darwen St Peter Blackburn CE27/1/322
Sunday, 16 December 2007
Thomas Clapham
Looking at Ada's grandfather - your great great grandfather Thomas Clapham.
I have not found his christening yet.
Born about 1809.
From the census - born either Pickup Bank or Tockholes.
Possible marriage.
4 Sep 1828 Thomas Clapham weaver + Betty Feilden
St. Mary's Blackburn
possible witness James Harwood.
possible death for wife
1862 Betty Clapham age 56 Darwen Blackburn D/21/12
possible death
1881 Thomas Clapham age 72 Darwen Blackburn D/47/42
The family of Thomas Clapham + Betty
using Online Parish Clerk
Lanc BMD
census info.
1)ALICE CLAPHAM
born 5 July 1829, christened 4 Oct 1829 Over Darwen Lower Chapel Independent
parents Thomas Clapham and Betty Fielding
possible death 1847 Alice Clapham age 17 Darwen Blackburn D/7/75
2)JOSHUA CLAPHAM
born 3 Dec 1830, christened 26 Jan 1831 Over Darwen Lower Chapel Independent
parents Thomas Clapham and Betty Fielding
married 1850 Joshua Clapham + Esther Harwood St Mary Blackburn CE12/13/1
death 1883 Joshua Clapham age 52 Darwen Blackburn D/49/90
death 1886 Esther Clapham age 58 Darwen Blackburn D/53/80
children
Thomas Clapham he married Abigail Ann Smith
Betsy Clapham she was still alive in 1901
Janet Clapham she married James Fielding- children Betsy Fielding and Doris Fielding
1881 census
RG11,4203,6,8
Blackburn Darwen 1
3 Radford St
Joshua Clapham 50 cotton weaver born Darwen
Esther 51
Thomas 29 musician
Betsey 21 cotton weaver
Janet 10 cotton weaver
3)JOHN CLAPHAM
born 19 Jul 1832 Christened 5 Sep 1832 Over Darwen Lower Chapel Independent
parents Thomas Clapham and Betty Fielding
married 1859 John Clapham + Ellen Beckett Darwen St Peter Blackburn CE27/1/214
death 1900 John Clapham age 67 Darwen Blackburn D/74/41
children
John Thomas Clapham he married Eliza Fish.
Thomas Clapham - missing in the 1901 census
1881 census
RG11,4204,60,47
Blackburn Darwen 6
12 Peel St.
John Clapham 47 cotton weaver born Pickup Bank
Ellen 45 cotton rover
John T. 8 born Darwen
4)FIELDEN CLAPHAM
born 22 Sep 1834 christened 17 Nov 1834 Over Darwen Lower Chapel Independent
parents Thomas Clapham and Betty Fielden
wife no. 1
1853 Feilden Clapham + Mary Townsend St Mary Blackburn CE12/17/104
Death 1854 Mary Clapham age 18 Darwen Blackburn D/13/44
wife no. 2
1856 Fielden Clapham + Mary Leach St Mary Blackburn CE12/20/90
death 1885 Feilden Clapham age 51 Darwen Blackburn D/52/79
death 1895 Mary Clapham age 63 Darwen Blackburn D/66/74
children
Betsy Clapham missing on 1901 census
Ada Clapham
5)THOMAS CLAPHAM
born 11 Nov 1836 christened 4 Jan 1837 Over Darwen Lower Chapel Independent
parents Thomas and Betty Fielding.
married 1856 Thomas Clapham + Sarah Harwood St Mary Blackburn CE12/19/498
death 1884 Thomas Clapham age 48 Darwen Blackburn D/51/55
1881 census
RG11,4204,7,8
Blackburn Darwen 5
253 Bolton Road
SPINNERS ARMS BEER HOUSE
Thomas Clapham 43 Beer seller born Pickup Bank
Sarah 49 born Pickup Bank
James 21 Inn Assistant born Darwen
Betsy 18 cotton winder born Darwen
Thomas 73 father widow no occupation born Pickup Bank
children
Thomas Clapham married Sarah Marsden had two children, Sarah was widowed and remarried Edwin Askew. Miranda Clapham and Elsie Clapham.
James Clapham died age 21
Betsy Clapham married Robert Shorrock but was widowed.
1881 census
RG11,4203,23,40
Blackburn Darwen 1
252 Bolton Rd.
Thomas Clapham 24 Grocer born Darwen
Sarah 25 cotton weaver born Darwen
6)JAMES BRIGGS CLAPHAM
registered 1839 Darwen Blackburn D/3/19
death 1860?
7)MICHAEL CLAPHAM
registered 1841 Darwen Blackburn D/5/20
married 1860 Michael Clapham + Jane Kirkham Registrar Blackburn RM/25/77
death 1879 Michael Clapham age 38 Darwen D/44/81
widow Jane remarries
1880 Jane Clapham + John Kay Registrar Blackburn RM/75/15
children
Fielding Clapham married Jane wood. children Florence, Sarah and Jane
John Thomas Clapham married Nancy Alice Holmes children Arthur, Bessie Louisa and Alice?
Betty Clapham married Ernest Smith
Alice Clapham
1881 census
RG11,4204,9,12
Blackburn Darwen 5
327 Bolton Rd.
Jane Kay 39 cotton weaver born Darwen
Fielding Clapham 16 cotton weaver
John S. Clapham 14 cotton weaver
Betty Clapham 5
Alice Clapham 3
8)ROBERT CLAPHAM
registered 1844 Darwen Blackburn D/18/94
death 1852 Robert Clapham age 7 Darwen Blackburn D/11/46
9)BETTY CLAPHAM
registered 1847 Darwen Blackburn D/12/26
10)ALICE CLAPHAM
registered 1853 Darwen Blackburn D/20/95
marriage 1872 Alice Clapham + James Ainsworth Darwen St Peter CE27/2/458
There are two couples
1881 census
RG11,4195,83,2
Blackburn Blackburn 76
19 Salford
James Ainsworth 32 Grocer + Tea Dealer born Over Darwen
Alice 28 born Yale + Pickup Bank
Thomas 8
Betsy 2
OR
RG11,4186,6,8
Blackburn Blackburn 30
63 Audley Lane
James Ainsworth 29 cotton weaver born Over Darwen
Alice 28 cotton weaver born Pickup Bank
I have not found his christening yet.
Born about 1809.
From the census - born either Pickup Bank or Tockholes.
Possible marriage.
4 Sep 1828 Thomas Clapham weaver + Betty Feilden
St. Mary's Blackburn
possible witness James Harwood.
possible death for wife
1862 Betty Clapham age 56 Darwen Blackburn D/21/12
possible death
1881 Thomas Clapham age 72 Darwen Blackburn D/47/42
The family of Thomas Clapham + Betty
using Online Parish Clerk
Lanc BMD
census info.
1)ALICE CLAPHAM
born 5 July 1829, christened 4 Oct 1829 Over Darwen Lower Chapel Independent
parents Thomas Clapham and Betty Fielding
possible death 1847 Alice Clapham age 17 Darwen Blackburn D/7/75
2)JOSHUA CLAPHAM
born 3 Dec 1830, christened 26 Jan 1831 Over Darwen Lower Chapel Independent
parents Thomas Clapham and Betty Fielding
married 1850 Joshua Clapham + Esther Harwood St Mary Blackburn CE12/13/1
death 1883 Joshua Clapham age 52 Darwen Blackburn D/49/90
death 1886 Esther Clapham age 58 Darwen Blackburn D/53/80
children
Thomas Clapham he married Abigail Ann Smith
Betsy Clapham she was still alive in 1901
Janet Clapham she married James Fielding- children Betsy Fielding and Doris Fielding
1881 census
RG11,4203,6,8
Blackburn Darwen 1
3 Radford St
Joshua Clapham 50 cotton weaver born Darwen
Esther 51
Thomas 29 musician
Betsey 21 cotton weaver
Janet 10 cotton weaver
3)JOHN CLAPHAM
born 19 Jul 1832 Christened 5 Sep 1832 Over Darwen Lower Chapel Independent
parents Thomas Clapham and Betty Fielding
married 1859 John Clapham + Ellen Beckett Darwen St Peter Blackburn CE27/1/214
death 1900 John Clapham age 67 Darwen Blackburn D/74/41
children
John Thomas Clapham he married Eliza Fish.
Thomas Clapham - missing in the 1901 census
1881 census
RG11,4204,60,47
Blackburn Darwen 6
12 Peel St.
John Clapham 47 cotton weaver born Pickup Bank
Ellen 45 cotton rover
John T. 8 born Darwen
4)FIELDEN CLAPHAM
born 22 Sep 1834 christened 17 Nov 1834 Over Darwen Lower Chapel Independent
parents Thomas Clapham and Betty Fielden
wife no. 1
1853 Feilden Clapham + Mary Townsend St Mary Blackburn CE12/17/104
Death 1854 Mary Clapham age 18 Darwen Blackburn D/13/44
wife no. 2
1856 Fielden Clapham + Mary Leach St Mary Blackburn CE12/20/90
death 1885 Feilden Clapham age 51 Darwen Blackburn D/52/79
death 1895 Mary Clapham age 63 Darwen Blackburn D/66/74
children
Betsy Clapham missing on 1901 census
Ada Clapham
5)THOMAS CLAPHAM
born 11 Nov 1836 christened 4 Jan 1837 Over Darwen Lower Chapel Independent
parents Thomas and Betty Fielding.
married 1856 Thomas Clapham + Sarah Harwood St Mary Blackburn CE12/19/498
death 1884 Thomas Clapham age 48 Darwen Blackburn D/51/55
1881 census
RG11,4204,7,8
Blackburn Darwen 5
253 Bolton Road
SPINNERS ARMS BEER HOUSE
Thomas Clapham 43 Beer seller born Pickup Bank
Sarah 49 born Pickup Bank
James 21 Inn Assistant born Darwen
Betsy 18 cotton winder born Darwen
Thomas 73 father widow no occupation born Pickup Bank
children
Thomas Clapham married Sarah Marsden had two children, Sarah was widowed and remarried Edwin Askew. Miranda Clapham and Elsie Clapham.
James Clapham died age 21
Betsy Clapham married Robert Shorrock but was widowed.
1881 census
RG11,4203,23,40
Blackburn Darwen 1
252 Bolton Rd.
Thomas Clapham 24 Grocer born Darwen
Sarah 25 cotton weaver born Darwen
6)JAMES BRIGGS CLAPHAM
registered 1839 Darwen Blackburn D/3/19
death 1860?
7)MICHAEL CLAPHAM
registered 1841 Darwen Blackburn D/5/20
married 1860 Michael Clapham + Jane Kirkham Registrar Blackburn RM/25/77
death 1879 Michael Clapham age 38 Darwen D/44/81
widow Jane remarries
1880 Jane Clapham + John Kay Registrar Blackburn RM/75/15
children
Fielding Clapham married Jane wood. children Florence, Sarah and Jane
John Thomas Clapham married Nancy Alice Holmes children Arthur, Bessie Louisa and Alice?
Betty Clapham married Ernest Smith
Alice Clapham
1881 census
RG11,4204,9,12
Blackburn Darwen 5
327 Bolton Rd.
Jane Kay 39 cotton weaver born Darwen
Fielding Clapham 16 cotton weaver
John S. Clapham 14 cotton weaver
Betty Clapham 5
Alice Clapham 3
8)ROBERT CLAPHAM
registered 1844 Darwen Blackburn D/18/94
death 1852 Robert Clapham age 7 Darwen Blackburn D/11/46
9)BETTY CLAPHAM
registered 1847 Darwen Blackburn D/12/26
10)ALICE CLAPHAM
registered 1853 Darwen Blackburn D/20/95
marriage 1872 Alice Clapham + James Ainsworth Darwen St Peter CE27/2/458
There are two couples
1881 census
RG11,4195,83,2
Blackburn Blackburn 76
19 Salford
James Ainsworth 32 Grocer + Tea Dealer born Over Darwen
Alice 28 born Yale + Pickup Bank
Thomas 8
Betsy 2
OR
RG11,4186,6,8
Blackburn Blackburn 30
63 Audley Lane
James Ainsworth 29 cotton weaver born Over Darwen
Alice 28 cotton weaver born Pickup Bank
Thursday, 13 December 2007
Seeking your great grandmother??
"Oh Mary Mary quite contrary....
Well, Jimmy yesterdays research was a salutary lesson in the pitfalls to be found in assumptions. I have joined this wonderful group on the Internet who all help each other out researching family history in the Darwen area. So with many thanks to Charlotte, Anne and Glenn the following mystery has a 'suitable' explanation :- note it is not absolutely proven and when the relevant church records have been chased up may be incorrect. But it is nice to at least have a theory before diving into the parish records.
I was looking for Ada's mother (your great grandmother) we have seen from the census returns that Fielding (or Fielden) Clapham was married to a Mary, born about 1832 at Pickup Bank.
Using Lanc. BMD we find there are two marriages
1853 Feilden Clapham + Mary Townsend St Mary's Blackburn CE12/17/104
and 1856 Fielden Clapham + Mary Leach St Mary's Blackburn CE12/20/90.
On the 1851 census there was a Mary Townsend born 1836 at Pickup Bank daughter of John Townsend + Alice (HO107,2261,9,16 Darwen 1a) and I was trying to convince myself that a Mary Leach born 1836 also at Pickup Bank daughter of Thomas Leach and Nanny might also be a contender (HO107,2261,7,11 Darwen 1a).
With such an unusual forename as Fielding it was highly likely to be the same person (hehe assumption here.... I just can't help myself) so looking for the demise of the first wife again on Lanc. BMD
Death 1854 Mary Clapham age 18 Darwen Blackburn D/13/44.
This tied in very nicely with Mary Townsend born 1836. Poor wife number 1 Mary.
Now we were left with Mary Leach. Going back to the census in 1871 a William Yates FATHER IN LAW was living with Fielding and Mary. Here began my manic search for MARY YATES. First I searched high and low for a marriage between a Yates and a Leach thinking Mary Yates could have married a Leach before she married Fielding. Then I convinced myself that perhaps the Leach had been a mistake. I WAS going to find Mary Yates in the 1841 census as a child in the Pickup Bank area.
Now I had not been able to find Thomas Clapham and his family in the Pickup Bank area, I had even searched for his neighbours from the 1851 census in the 1841 census. Now I could not find a Mary Yates in Pickup Bank. In fact I could not find PICKUP BANK I was convinced it had disappeared. In fact I was making an elementary mistake. I was searching for it in the Blackburn Parish when all the time in the 1841 census it was hiding in the Whalley Parish. And I was sending off SOS's saying I could not find any of the people that others were so kindly finding and I was sat Poe faced before my unhelpful computer getting more and more frustrated. Grrrrrrrrrr.....
Anyways I sheepishly acknowledged my own shortcomings and eventually found all the people I had thought vanished forever. Particular thanks to Charlotte for finding the family of Thomas Clapham.
Mary Yates aged 19 born Pickup Bank had been located in 1851. Living at Oswaldtwisle with a William Yates age 41. Details below :-
*note it was a particularly difficult very faint to read page
************************************************
1851
HO107,2260,242,11
Blackburn Oswaldtwisle 2h
John Yates 51 Stone Dresser born Yate Bank
Nancy 50 born Eccles Hill
Peggy Lee 18 sister? born Pickup Bank
William Yates widow 41 handloom weaver born O?
Mary Yates 19 power loom weaver born Pickup Bank
Anne ? 14 power loom weaver born Oswaldtwisle
Jane ? 12 loom tenter born Oswaldtwisle
But Mary Yates on the 1841 census was still proving to be elusive. Where was she? In desperation I gave up seeking a Mary or a William, I thought lets look at John. So in went John Yates born 1800 in Lancashire and guess who popped up MARY LEACH !!!!!!!! that will teach me (no it won't).
*********************************************
1841
HO107,509,27,10
Blackburn Oswaldtwistle 10
Jackson Height.
William Yates 35 silk weaver
Alice 30 calico weaver
Ann 4
Jane 2
Betty 4m
(single line)
John Leach 12
Mary Leach 9
(single line)
John Yates 40 quarryman
Nancy 40
*******************************************
From this information then using familysearch site.
marriage William Yates + Alice Leach 6 Dec 1835
St Mary's Blackburn
Batch No. M007086
and submitted entries with no church details
John Leach 28 Jul 1828 Pickup mother Alice Leach
film no. 0453802
Mary Leach 2 Dec 1832 Pickup mother Alice Leach
film no. 0453803
*********************************************
So in conclusion Jimmy it looks like your Great grandmother was Mary Leach and your Great great grandmother Alice Leach.
(Big exhaled breathe)
Well, Jimmy yesterdays research was a salutary lesson in the pitfalls to be found in assumptions. I have joined this wonderful group on the Internet who all help each other out researching family history in the Darwen area. So with many thanks to Charlotte, Anne and Glenn the following mystery has a 'suitable' explanation :- note it is not absolutely proven and when the relevant church records have been chased up may be incorrect. But it is nice to at least have a theory before diving into the parish records.
I was looking for Ada's mother (your great grandmother) we have seen from the census returns that Fielding (or Fielden) Clapham was married to a Mary, born about 1832 at Pickup Bank.
Using Lanc. BMD we find there are two marriages
1853 Feilden Clapham + Mary Townsend St Mary's Blackburn CE12/17/104
and 1856 Fielden Clapham + Mary Leach St Mary's Blackburn CE12/20/90.
On the 1851 census there was a Mary Townsend born 1836 at Pickup Bank daughter of John Townsend + Alice (HO107,2261,9,16 Darwen 1a) and I was trying to convince myself that a Mary Leach born 1836 also at Pickup Bank daughter of Thomas Leach and Nanny might also be a contender (HO107,2261,7,11 Darwen 1a).
With such an unusual forename as Fielding it was highly likely to be the same person (hehe assumption here.... I just can't help myself) so looking for the demise of the first wife again on Lanc. BMD
Death 1854 Mary Clapham age 18 Darwen Blackburn D/13/44.
This tied in very nicely with Mary Townsend born 1836. Poor wife number 1 Mary.
Now we were left with Mary Leach. Going back to the census in 1871 a William Yates FATHER IN LAW was living with Fielding and Mary. Here began my manic search for MARY YATES. First I searched high and low for a marriage between a Yates and a Leach thinking Mary Yates could have married a Leach before she married Fielding. Then I convinced myself that perhaps the Leach had been a mistake. I WAS going to find Mary Yates in the 1841 census as a child in the Pickup Bank area.
Now I had not been able to find Thomas Clapham and his family in the Pickup Bank area, I had even searched for his neighbours from the 1851 census in the 1841 census. Now I could not find a Mary Yates in Pickup Bank. In fact I could not find PICKUP BANK I was convinced it had disappeared. In fact I was making an elementary mistake. I was searching for it in the Blackburn Parish when all the time in the 1841 census it was hiding in the Whalley Parish. And I was sending off SOS's saying I could not find any of the people that others were so kindly finding and I was sat Poe faced before my unhelpful computer getting more and more frustrated. Grrrrrrrrrr.....
Anyways I sheepishly acknowledged my own shortcomings and eventually found all the people I had thought vanished forever. Particular thanks to Charlotte for finding the family of Thomas Clapham.
Mary Yates aged 19 born Pickup Bank had been located in 1851. Living at Oswaldtwisle with a William Yates age 41. Details below :-
*note it was a particularly difficult very faint to read page
************************************************
1851
HO107,2260,242,11
Blackburn Oswaldtwisle 2h
John Yates 51 Stone Dresser born Yate Bank
Nancy 50 born Eccles Hill
Peggy Lee 18 sister? born Pickup Bank
William Yates widow 41 handloom weaver born O?
Mary Yates 19 power loom weaver born Pickup Bank
Anne ? 14 power loom weaver born Oswaldtwisle
Jane ? 12 loom tenter born Oswaldtwisle
But Mary Yates on the 1841 census was still proving to be elusive. Where was she? In desperation I gave up seeking a Mary or a William, I thought lets look at John. So in went John Yates born 1800 in Lancashire and guess who popped up MARY LEACH !!!!!!!! that will teach me (no it won't).
*********************************************
1841
HO107,509,27,10
Blackburn Oswaldtwistle 10
Jackson Height.
William Yates 35 silk weaver
Alice 30 calico weaver
Ann 4
Jane 2
Betty 4m
(single line)
John Leach 12
Mary Leach 9
(single line)
John Yates 40 quarryman
Nancy 40
*******************************************
From this information then using familysearch site.
marriage William Yates + Alice Leach 6 Dec 1835
St Mary's Blackburn
Batch No. M007086
and submitted entries with no church details
John Leach 28 Jul 1828 Pickup mother Alice Leach
film no. 0453802
Mary Leach 2 Dec 1832 Pickup mother Alice Leach
film no. 0453803
*********************************************
So in conclusion Jimmy it looks like your Great grandmother was Mary Leach and your Great great grandmother Alice Leach.
(Big exhaled breathe)
Fielden, Fielding, Feilding ????
What is in the spelling of a name?
I asked the advise of this wonderful group on the internet, as Feilden/Feilding was a particular interest in the Clapham line. This lovely reply seems to explain it. Another instance where local knowledge can be so so important in the study of local history.
***************************************************
Re: Fielden or Fielding
I think it was a peculiarity of the Lancashire dialect which felt compelled to turn any word ending in "EN" into "ING". My Holdens were routinely recorded as Holding and at school I was called Holding, even though my name was Holden! I also remember my dear old aunties talking about going out into the "garding" to do some weeding, and how very impressed they were at the Coronation when the Queen rode in a Golding coach! In short, I never dismiss any particular variation of spelling and I never expect consistency even within the same family.
Marjorie
(Marjorie also wrote that there were 18 different spellings in one name she is researching, as well as the initial letter being replaced M for an H)
Thank you Marjorie.
***************************************************
Other people in the group also sent useful answers too.
So, I am still unsure which is the correct name for Ada's father - Fielden or Fielding. If you are lucky there will be a signature on his marriage certificate, that will tell us what he called himself.
Another problem with this Clapham line is the Betty/Betsy confusion.
I asked the advise of this wonderful group on the internet, as Feilden/Feilding was a particular interest in the Clapham line. This lovely reply seems to explain it. Another instance where local knowledge can be so so important in the study of local history.
***************************************************
Re: Fielden or Fielding
I think it was a peculiarity of the Lancashire dialect which felt compelled to turn any word ending in "EN" into "ING". My Holdens were routinely recorded as Holding and at school I was called Holding, even though my name was Holden! I also remember my dear old aunties talking about going out into the "garding" to do some weeding, and how very impressed they were at the Coronation when the Queen rode in a Golding coach! In short, I never dismiss any particular variation of spelling and I never expect consistency even within the same family.
Marjorie
(Marjorie also wrote that there were 18 different spellings in one name she is researching, as well as the initial letter being replaced M for an H)
Thank you Marjorie.
***************************************************
Other people in the group also sent useful answers too.
So, I am still unsure which is the correct name for Ada's father - Fielden or Fielding. If you are lucky there will be a signature on his marriage certificate, that will tell us what he called himself.
Another problem with this Clapham line is the Betty/Betsy confusion.
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