Where's he appeared from? John Occleston, Leyland, 1823-

[Aulus]

I noticed recently that I'd not got a date of death for my great x3 grandmother Hannah Marsden (b. 1813, Sykes, Bowland and married John Noble 2 Dec 1833 at Whitewell).

Couldn't find it anywhere, but had a brainwave that she might have remarried (as did her daughter, Isabella Noble, my great great grandmother).

Lo and behold Lancashirebmd turned up a marriage at Leyland in 1851 to a John Occleston.  Subsequently, I found that on the GRO indexes and have sent for the marriage certificate, just to be sure.  Though I am: Hannah and her first husband moved to Leyland c. 1838, where they ran the Railway Bridge Inn.

Having a new surname for Hannah, I then quickly found a likely death Q1, 1881, Preston.

Then I found Hannah & John Occleston on the 1861 census at 48 Mount Street in Preston (RG9/3129; Folio: 99; Page: 30).  John is an engine driver, and presumably didn't want to give that up to run a pub instead.  Nice dilemna for every big boy: train driver or pub landlord?   

Hannah had continued to run the Railway Bridge Inn in Leyland after the death of her first husband, John Noble, 28/4/1849.  Presumably John Occleston used to pop in for a pint or several after work and that's how they met.

But the odd thing is that I can't find John Occleston (b. c. 1823, Leyland according to the 1861 census) before his marriage to Hannah.  He seems to pop into history on only the two occasions: his marriage and the 1861 census.

Obviously he's really only incidental to my tree, so don't waste too much of your time on him.  It'd just be interesting to know a bit more about him.

Can anyone see Hannah and/or John on the 1871 census?

[Barbara.H]

Hi Aulus,

I think this might be them as boarders at 8 High St,  Preston: Ref RG10/4211  Folio 102 page 1

John Eccleston , born 1826 in Leyland, with Ann Eccleston (Hannah?) who is 10 years older, born in "Yorkshire, Sykes with Bolland"

I think we've comiserated before about these pesky enumerators! (takes one to know one...)

If it is your man though, its a bit sad as he's now only a railway porter, not an engine driver     

Barbara

[Barbara.H]

sorry, that should be 9 high St - like I said, takes one to know one 

Barbara

[SandraC]

Hi Aulus & Barbara

Looks like John died Q1 1875 Preston Reg district b abt 1823

Found a possible for him in 1851:

1851 census, Preston  10 Ladyman St
HO 107/2266 folio 89 pg 16

James Whittam; head; mar; 50?; Longridge
Alice do; wife; mar; Farrington
John Occleston; step-son; u; 28; railway guard; Leyland
David do; step-son; 26; u; Walton le Dale
Mary do; step-dau; u; 16; Penwortham

Good find Barbara - I was still distracted by Lancashire & didn't think of Yorkshire 

Regards
SandraC

[Aulus]

Thanks Barbara - yes - that looks very much like them.

Eccleston's a transcription error by Mr AN Cestry - it's definitely an O, not an E (but an easy mistake to make).

The fact that they're boarding now, rather than having a house to themselves (as on the 1861) would presumably reflect the drop in status and income from engine driver to porter.

He's further to walk to work too.  Mount St (1861) is very near the station.  High St (if I've found the right one) doesn't really seem to exist any more, but is out near the present-day bus station.

Ah, just seen Sandra's reply.  Thanks for the death and the 1851.  Guard in 1851.  Driver in 1861.  Porter in 1871.  I wonder what happened!

One of those where you can't help but think there's a story and you wish you knew it ...

Oh, and yes, Sykes is just over the border in the West Riding, and of course Bowland is still pronounced Bolland by the locals.  Sykes is right in the middle of the Trough of Bowland and consists of  four or five houses today.  It was (may well still be for all I know!) in the parish of Slaidburn, but if you read the Whitewell registers, you get the impression that once the Whitewell chapel opened, they much preferred to go there.  Understandably when you look at the terrain.

[Barbara.H]

Thanks for the death and the 1851....

My son's just walked past, read this over my shoulder and said "Do you know how weird that makes you look Mum?"

I've told him we're all Goths. 

Barbara

[SandraC]

I've told him we're all Goths

Barbara 

If my daughter sees that quote I'll be barred from using the PC again 

SandraC

[Aulus]

My son's just walked past, read this over my shoulder and said "Do you know how weird that makes you look Mum?"

Give him 30/40 years, and he'll understand 

[Barbara.H]

I suppose it might be a bit unnerving when your mother cheerfully shouts  "Yes! I knew it was cholera!" or something like that.
Can't understand Daughter's attitude Sandra - anyone would think she was embarrassed by her rellies 

Barbara