The mysterious Mr Marsden

[PatLac]

Have you (or the genealogist) followed up on Arthur FARMER, born Apr-May-Jun 1861 at Wolverhampton and listed as a nursechild, 0, in the 1861 Census at Stretton Village, Stretton, Staffs, registration district Penkridge, with Jane FYKE, 63, widowed (head), Harried FOWLER, 20, widowed (daughter), and Jane FOWBEK, 1, single (granddaughter). I'm not sure the surnames are correct (info on FamilySearch https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M7C6-9PK).

A bit of info about the other household members has been discussed https://www.GenesReunited.com.au/boards/board/genealogy_chat/thread/1257647

[ciderdrinker]

Hi
This mat be him but his surname is Smith.
Arthur Smith born Wolverhampton  24.7.1877 on ship Altcar
First ship boy Till 1st July 1879 FW Harvey Lemon and co
Sailing ship
Registered Liverpool
But that doesn't help with his parents.


Ciderdrinker

[PatLac]

Hi
This mat be him but his surname is Smith.
Arthur Smith born Wolverhampton  24.7.1877 on ship Altcar
First ship boy Till 1st July 1879 FW Harvey Lemon and co
Sailing ship
Registered Liverpool
But that doesn't help with his parents.


Ciderdrinker

Hi,

I don't understand. Are you saying Arthur MARSDEN was born SMITH, and that he was born on board of a ship? Or born at Wolverhampton? This date of birth (1877) is not consistent with Arthur MARSDEN's age given at his marriage (34 on 30 March 1896) and death (41 on 4 June 1902) records, i.e. 1861.

I have been looking for his father, John MARSDEN...

I have built the tree of a John Marsden on FamilySearch
https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/KDSK-L7G

John MARSDEN married Appeline HINDMARSH in 1845 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. They had 2 daughters, Appeline born in 1852 and died in 1853, and Jane Ann, b. 1854, married James Harrison in 1882. His wife died in March 1861 in Durham (her birthplace).

John was living with his daughter Jane Ann, aged 6, as boarders at Melbourne st, All Saints, Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1861 wich makes me think his wife was ill and died at her parents' place.

He married Ann Layton in Nov 1861 and died in 1893 (Newcastle-upon-Tyne).
 
Occupation:

1881: Foreman Goods Station Ne On Railway
1891: N E R Goods Station

John MARSDEN's name, date of death (1893), and occupation (Railway Foreman) are consistent with the information given by Arthur on his marriage record.

Maybe John's fist wife, Appeline, died after giving birth to Arthur? Maybe he had an affair? Maybe he had a son with his soon-to-be wife, Ann Layton, before marriage?

[ciderdrinker]

Hi
Sorry for the confusion
There is an Arthur Smith born in 1861 at Wolverhampton who signs up for the merchant Navy.
His first ship is in 1877 and he is on it for 2 years until 1879.
The Ship is the Altcar out of Liverpool.

Given Arthur Marsden was born 1861 in Wolverhampton and should have had a seamans ticket ,who does there not seem to be one for an Arthur Marsden?
Arthur Smith is the nearest I can find.

Ciderdrinker

[PatLac]

Okay, thanks for the explanation. Are you referring to Arthur Joseph SMITH? Have you tried to track him down? Would a sailmaker need to have a 'seamans ticket'?

[PatLac]

I wonder if there was an inquest after his death (5 May 1902) given that he was buried one month later (4 June 1902)? Where could I find this information?

[PatLac]

IF on 4 April 1895 Arthur's age was given as 33 ... http://marinersandships.com.au/1895/04/018riv.htm

AND on the 9 April 1895 newspaper clipping his age is given as 34...  https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/108088397


his birthday would have been between 5 and 9 April! 

And that would explain why he can't be found on the 1861 census (at least) because it happened on 7 April.

[Dave Francis]

In case you don't have this info already...

Liverpool Weekly Courier, 10 May 1902
Sad Affair At The Mersey Bar
"A deck hand named Arthur Marsden, who was employed on board the hopper Mountjoy, chartered by Messrs. Pearson, dock contractors, Queen's Dock, has met his death under very sad circumstances. He was working on board the hopper, which was operating at the bar, when he was knocked down by a heavy sea, and before aid could be rendered he was washed overboard and drowned. The deceased, who was a native of Wolverhampton, leaves a young widow and child. He had been engaged on this hopper since January."

[Dave Francis]

Death registration:

Arthur Marsden (age 41) Apr-Jun 1902, Liverpool vol 8b p 30