Samuel Wilkinson 1871 Census.

[Tall Al]

Hi Lynn,

Sorry to confuse you - I feel a bit confused myself getting Samuels mixed up.

Yes, James in 1891 at the workhouse is shown as "imbecile from childhood" - I suppose was protected by his parents until they died in the 1880's. The line above shows Samuel Cooper - do you think perhaps he was Martha's father?

I will look at the censuses to see if I can see Mary Ellen and/or Martha

Alan

[Tall Al]

Hi Lynn,

Drawn a blank on the censuses for Martha/Mary Ellen in 1871 apart from the one in Weaverham, which doesn't tie in with Mary Ellen's place of birth as Coppenhall - incidentally, my suspicion is this is Monks Coppenhall (just outside of Nantwich).

I am inclined to think they were missed/away when the census took place, which doesn't help to identify the right family.

I feel certain Mary Ellen was born out of wedlock and would assume it was a bit of a scandal at the time.

My inclination is towards the Acton/Baddington lot but without any real certainty.

Alan

[Redrose 59]

Many thanks Alan for your time and effort. Don't worry about confusing me.............I manage to do that to myself with no help needed lol. In trying to keep my brain active I think I'm killing off what few cells I have left!

I'm starting to think that this is where this particular branch ends unless you have any other ideas of what I should/could be doing?
If I have the right Martha Cooper then I think her father Samuel was born c1814 in Wrenbury. She also had a brother called Samuel born c1859. The poor house Samuel would have been born c1823 if the record is correct.

 I was born in Warrington but left there some 33 years ago and am not familiar with the Nantwich and Cheshire areas where my ancestors appear to come from. Some place names I recognise but others I've never heard of, Coppenhall for example.

Once again many thanks for all your patience and help.

Lynn

[Tall Al]

Hi Lynn,

An idea for your consideration - tracking Martha Cooper. This shows - 

The 1881 census for Samuel Wilkinson shows 2 children Harriet A and Mary E with him being a widower. His wife Martha (nee Cooper) died in 1880. The findagrave.com web site shows the death of Martha Cooper Wilkinson at Stapeley on 9 May 1880 (Buried at St Chad, 12 May 1880)  - I assume this is her.

Stapeley is just south of Nantwich and the details show her birth as 11 Feb 1847 at Bunbury, Cheshire. She was baptised 17 Mar 1847 the daughter of Samuel and Ann (nee Vickers) Cooper. Samuel being from Wrenbury.

At home with Samuel (age 58) in 1871 (living in Coppenhall) is his wife Ann, and John 18, Samuel 12, Ann 10 and Mary 8. Whilst they are described as children, I wondered if the Mary (who is the only one whose birth place is shown as Coppenhall) could have been Martha's child/his granddaughter born 1867 and possibly mistranscribed or described by them as a daughter for the benefit of the census?

I can see Martha in 1851 at home and think in 1861 as a servant with her sister Alice with the Horton family (her place of birth is shown as Harlington but it appears to be her age 13 with Alice being 19). 

Maybe a long shot but does this help to tie thing down to the Nantwich area? Martha's whereabouts in 1871 is still a mystery, but the family details all point to the Wrenbury/Nantwich/Coppenhall corridor and show no signs of going anywhere near Weaverham.

Alan



   

[Tall Al]

Hi Lynn,

I have just trawled the 1871 census for Coppenhall and found a Martha Cooper as a servant to James Whittaker (age 53) and his wife Mary (age 42). Her age is shown as 17 and her birthplace as Church Minshull (this is within the Bunbury/Nantwich area).

Whilst it is not accurate in terms of her age, perhaps it is the solution, with her daughter placed with her grandparents (again age not quite accurate) and Martha continuing working as a servant in the area.

When Martha married Samuel Wilkinson in 1874 did it have her address on the marriage certificate - does it tie in with any of the census details?

Alan   

[Redrose 59]

Hi Alan,

Many thanks for all your hard work. I've been away for a few days so haven't had time to look at all your info. I shall have a good look tomorrow.

I really can't thank you enough, you really are a star.

Lynn

[Redrose 59]

Hi Alan,

regarding the marriage certificate: Married on September 19th 1874 at The Parish Church, Acton.

Samuel Wilkinsons address is given as Coole Pilate.
Martha Cooper address is "Edlerton"........this is what it looks like but I can't find this on a map?

The witnesses were a Joseph Lawton and a Harriet Cooper.
 
Lynn

[Tall Al]

Hello Lynn,

"Edlerton" is most likely Edleston, (south west of Nantwich) a couple of miles from Acton.

Coole Pilate - this is about 2 miles south of Baddington where Samuel was in 1871.

Hope this helps

Alan