Hello there, I am not expecting to resolve this brick wall however before I stop at the wall, I thought that I would throw the net out one more time.
Joseph Waterworth b.9 Apr 1850, Parr Flat Parr, illegitimate, Lancashire, to Sarah Waterworth single mother. Sarah goes back with Joseph,to live with her parents ( see 1851 census Parr) James and Mary (nee Mercer) at Parr Flat.
By 1853 she has married Thomas Peak and went on to have 5 children:
Catherine Peak b. 1853,
Mary Jane b. 1855
Thomas b. abt 1858
Samuel b. abt 1869
Isaac b. abt 1871
In 1855, recorded in the Baptisms Parish Records of Burtonwood, Sarah (Waterworth) Peak has daughter Mary Jane baptised. Parents name Thomas & Sarah Peak AND ALSO Joseph Waterworth illegitimate, parents Sarah Waterworth and John Robinson. I have tried to trace John Robinson however no luck and so I am wondering if Sarah has found someone to give his name, so that she could have Joseph baptized. At this point I must add that Joseph never lived with the Peak family. He stayed with his grandparents and thought his uncle & aunts were his brothers and sisters, until such time that all was revealed to him.
Now to oral family history, no hoo hooing as we have all heard this one before. "Sarah was working as a servant in an aristocratic family and fell pregnant to the ...take your pick,...squire, man of the house, the brother,the son etc." It is someone of great wealth. Having said that there are quite a few Manor Houses around the Parr area. If anyone out there can actually find a John Robinson with an attachment to Sarah and son Joseph I would be thrilled. I know that it is more likely to be the footman, stable boy etc. however I have come to realise that there is always "some" truth in oral family history. Joseph began his life as a boy in the mines, advanced himself to underlooker and ended up being manger of 2-3 coal mines in West Leigh, he also stood for local council.
The fact that Joseph rose up through the ranks while all his uncle and aunts's children stayed in the mines together with the Peak children, does perhaps gives sway to him having different genes?? I have a great deal of information regarding his later life however I am trying to crack who his father was.
Yours in hope
Jenny
