Joseph Dyson Lister the Independent Zionist, census lookup

[Valda]

09 September 05

A collection of Benn references in Halifax and Bradford were gathered together and sent to me in 1987 by a Bradford genealogist. I will recreate the information here exactly as it was sent to me. Some of it might be relevant to Dave and one day some of it might be relevant to me, in the meantime if I post it all here it will one day be accessible on GOOGLE and might help some other enthusiast.1870 Whites clothing directory Benjamin Benn, furniture remover, Greens Yard, Foundry Street, Halifax John Benn, furniture and wool remover, Portland Street Mrs Matilda Benn, shopkeeper, Stone Street, Halifax No Benns in Shelf directory “Shelf is a pleasant village and township 3.5miles NNE of Halifax and contains 1350 acres and 3312 inhabitants. The church St Michael built in 1850. Three chapels – Wesleyans, Wesleyan Reformers and Primitive Methodists. ”1866 Directory No Benns in Halifax or Shelf lists Northowram (in Clayton parish, Bradford)Mary Benn, beerhouse1853 Directory Joseph Benn, beerhouse, Upper Wichfield, Shelf 1837 Directory No Benns in Shelf 1903 Bradford Directory includes John Benn, grocer, 487 Little Horton Lane, Listerhills John Benn, warehouseman, 1 Hollings Mount, Manningham John Benn, dyer, 45 Runswick Terrace, West Bowling 1909 Bradford Directory includes John Benn, grocer, 487 Little Horton Lane John Benn, warehouseman, 1 Hollins Mount Walter Benn, telegraphist, 22 Nearcliffe Road, Toller Lane, Heaton 1912 Bradford Directory includes John Benn, grocer as above John Benn warehouseman as above Neither of the above John Benns in the 1921 directory



09 September 05

Blackburn Register no 86 Shelf Parish Church(I do not know what the Blackburn Register is, but these all look like graves or internment records? The names that appear unrelated to Benns are obviously relatives through marriage – daughter and sons in law LB)108 Samuel son of Benjamin and Mary Benn of Buttershaw died 5th October 1857 aged 26Benjamin (above) died 7th January 1864 aged 67Mary (wife of above) died 9th July 1894 aged 9227 Mary Ann Benn of Beck Hill died 4th January 1906 aged 79104 Levi Benn of Buttershaw died 12th October 1873 aged 28 Emily, his wife, died 23rd January 1874 aged 23Annie Louise, beloved wife of Edward Richard Brett Binns who died at Grimsthorpe 19th February aged 40Blackburn Register no 79 Ambler Thorn Chapel, Queensbury87 Benjamin Benn of Ford Hill died 4th September 1887 aged 41Jane, widow of the above, died 30th April 1909 aged 71Blackburn Register no 78 Queensbury Parish Church Nancy, wife of William Benn of Lidgett Green formerly of Queensbury, born 5th February 1816 died 6th December 1887Mary Elizabeth daughter of John and Eliza Lancaster died 26th March 1899 in her 19th year William Benn, above died 12th January 1900 in his 88th year John Lancaster, above, of Lidgett Green died 15th August 1912 aged 57Sarah Jane Benn daughter of Thomas and Sarah Benn of Queensbury died 12th March 1981 aged 52Thomas Benn, above, died 12th June 1913 aged 75Clara, daughter of the above died 8th June 1917 aged 47Blackburn Register no 99 Kipping Cemetery Thornton66. Ann wife of John Benn of Thornton died 18 December 1894 in her 73rd year Rebecca daughter of Craven and Sarah Benn of Idle died 28 Feb 1903 in her 34th year Mary (their daughter) died 4th February 1884 in her 8th year67. John Craven Benn of Idle who died 13th may 1922 aged 73.Blackburn Register no 87 Shelf Bethel Chapel6. John Benn – owner186. Tom beloved son of John and Mary Ann Benn died 16th August 1880 aged 6 years216. Isaac Ben of Shelf died….Grace wife of the above died ….Ruth daughter of William and Selina Terry died 4th April 1862 aged 1

[Valda]

09 September 05

Blackburn Register no 47 Great Horton Wesleyan Cemetery151. Leah Shepherd died 30 May 1859 Rachel Benn (sister of the above) died 4 Feb 1860 aged 70. Martha widow the late John Benn of Great Horton died 25 December 1873 in 73rd year. John Benn of Great Horton died 15 January 1864 in 61st year Ellen Benn wife of the above died 8 August 1871 in 60th year Blackburn Register no 25 Coley Parish Church. Martha wife of William Sutcliffe of Northowram and daughter of Samuel Benn of Shelf died 14 June 1832 aged 28 Frances Benn daughter of above Samuel died 23 October 1846 aged 20 Samuel Benn above died 5 Feb 1847 age 68 Samuel Benn son of the above died 5 August 1848 aged 27 Blackburn Register Great Horton Wesleyan Chapel. John Benn of Horton Bank Top schoolmaster, died 29 March 1842 aged 46 David Holdsworth Benn son of the above John and Martha Benn died 30th April 1842 aged 15 years and 10 months Samuel Benn son of John and Martha (above) died 27 November 1837 age 8 and was buried at Dolphin Chapel but at the request of his late father was removed to this place Hannah Holdsworth Wade daughter of John and Martha Benn and wife of Aaron Wade died 10th Feb 1854 age 19 and a stillborn infant Blackburn Register Queensbury Baptist Chapel. Emma wife of Jeptha H Benn died 11 Feb 1923 aged 71 Frederick their son died in infancy Jeptha Henry Benn (above) died 18 June 1928 aged 76. The next two are particularly sad. Isabella daughter of Asa and Fanny Benn of Queensbury died 19 January 1861 aged 6 months. Sam their son died 22 April 1869 aged 2 years 4 months William their son died 15 January 1874 aged 16 Ernest their son died 12 February 1878 aged 14 Alice their daughter died 8 July 1916 aged 52 Asa Benn (above) died 22 Feb 1915 aged 78 Fanny Benn (above) died 16 September 1902 aged 64. Emma Benn daughter of John and Ann Benn of Wyke formerly of Queensbury died 15 November 1843 age 7 Sarah their daughter died 7 June 1850 aged 7 Joseph their son died 5 February 1855 aged 20 Eliza Ann their daughter died 15 September 1865 aged 14 and three children who died in infancy Ann Benn (above) died 22 October 1889 age 73 John Benn (above) born 7 June 1814 died 2 April 1893

[Valda]

09 September 05

Sam Benn born 15 Feb 1843 died 27 July 1921 Hannah (wife of above) born 16 April 1843 died 16 April 1920 Edgar son of the above born 24 February 1869 died 25 September 1872. Grace wife of Samuel  Benn of Queensbury died 11 February 1885 aged 73 Samuel Benn above died 6 July 1886 age 76 Mary their daughter died 7 March 1843 age 3 Hannah their daughter died 24 Jan 1846 age 11 Mary their daughter died 30 Jan 1862 aged 17 Martha Ann and Maria daughters who died in infancy. David son of Jonathan and Hannah Benn of Queensbury died in infancy Jonathan Benn above died….Jonas their son died….Jonathan their son died….Hannah (above) died 27 December 1861 age 78140. Lee grave includes Martha Benn daughter of Smith and Mary Lee of Queensbury born 1 June 1826 died 19 Sept 1884 Mercy daughter of Martha Benn born 2 October 1865 died 7 June 1886. Drake grave includes Ellen wife of John Benn and daughter of Joshua Drake of Queensbury died 20 May 1822 age 25 Northowram Registers contain various non-conformist registers for Northowram and Coley chapels. 1644-1752 Christenings August 1644 John son of Jo Benn 19th Nov 1647 John Benn 28th Nov 1675 John son of John Benne, Shelf 4th Dec 1678 Joshua son of John Bend, Northowram Marriages 13th May 1721 John Benn and Deborah Denton of Northowram 24th Nov 1735 Johnathan Benn of Northowram and Susan Hemingway Burials John Benn in Shelf died 13th July 1706 John Ben of High Bentley buried at Coley 5th Jan 1706/7 Mary Benn of Shelf died 7th April 1709 poor Benjamin Benn of Shelf buried 20th September 1712 Joshua Benn of Northourum died 25th May 1714 aged about 60 Widow Martha Benn of Northouram Green died 9 April buried 11 April 1719 Squire Benn of Northouram Green died  5 November 1727 Mary Benn of Northourum died 26 March 1732 Ephraim Benn of High Bentley buried 7 November 1736 Halifax Parish Church Baptisms 1538-1593 Sibella filia bastida Rici Benne de Hypom* et Margrete Sowood de Northo bapt fuit XXV die mens eiusdm 1538/9 Johana fil bastd Rici Bene and Alicee Bentley de Hypo viij 1539 Johana fil Rici Benne de Schelff viij January 1542 Ysabella fil Rici Benne, Schelff  xiiij January 1545/6Ric (crossed out) Willm fili Richardi Ben de Shelff April 1550 Marye fil  Willm Benne and Margaret Longbotho xxvj October 1578Robt fili Richard Benn de Hypor xxx August 1579 Willm fili Rici Benn de Northour  xxviij May 1581 Agnes fil Willm Benn de Shelff  xxvj August 1582 Susa fil Willm Benn de Shelff  vj December 1584 Samuell  fil Willm Benn de Shelffe  xxvij November 1586 Johne fil Willm Benn de Shelffe xv February 1589Agnes fil Robert Benne de Northour 13 August 1592* I am assuming this is Hipperholme in Halifax Marriages 1538 – 1593 Ricus Benne and Johane Rayn June 1542 Itm Robtus Beuley and margarete Benne xxiii ? 1545 Richarde Barowcloughe and Genet Bene ix July 1549 Robert Sharppe and Sibbella Bene iiii May 1561William Myler and Isabel Benne 20th June 1568 Johanes Crowedre de Eland and Jeneta Benne 9th April 1570 Richard Benn et Sebell  Sawood xxx May 1579 Ric Sowde et Agnes Bene xxvi July 1585 Richard Benne et Jane Mortimer 21 May 1592 Burials 1538 – 1593 Johana fil bastd  Rici Bene de Shelffe sext die October 1541 Jane wife Ric Ben de North vlti die June 1548 Richard Benn de Shelff  oedem die April 1582 Vx Richard Benne de Shelff xvii June 1584 Jennet Benne de Hiporu xiiii August 1587 Vx Richi Benn de Shelf 28 February 1590/1

[Valda]

10 September 05

Harbour, North Bierley (I cannot think what the Harbour is )Folio 4 116 242 7
Benn Abraham Head Mar M 43 Iron Miner Yorks., Wibse y
Benn Ruth Wife Mar F 42 - Yorks., WibseyBenn Samuel Son Unm M 20 Labourer Yorks., Wibsey - born circa 1831
Benn Martha Dau - F 11 Worsted Spinner Yorks., Wibsey
Benn Joshua Son - M 9 Iron Miner Yorks., Wibsey
Benn Sarah Dau - F 8 - Yorks., Wibsey
Benn George Son - M 4 - Yorks., Wibsey

The above Samuel looks to be #6 - Samuel the coalminer b ca 1831 in Wibsey, who was in Farnley in 1861 with wife and 3 children (names? - did they have a Ruth?).But remember #5 - Samuel the worsted weaver b ca 1836 Shelf who married Elizabeth and had Ruth, Margaret and Ann. The family was in the 1861 but not the 1871. We had wondered whether Ruth (6 in 1861, b North Bierley) was the 16yo Ruth (b North Bierley) with grandparents Abram and Ruth BENN in 1871 in North Bierley. (And we wondered whether Elizabeth might have died, Ruth gone to the grandparents in North Bierley, and Margaret and Ann perhaps have been 'adopted' by Benjamin and Mary in North Bierley - as they had daughters Margaret and Ann of appropriate age and birthplace in 1871. And #5 missed in the census.)But Ruth going to the grandparents doesn't fit if Abram and Ruth in 1871 in North Bierley are the same as Abram and Ruth listed above in 1851 in North Bierley with son Samuel b Wibsey in 1831 i.e. not Samuel #5 who was b ca 1836 in Shelf. The 1871 lot who had a granddaughter Ruth were in North Bierley and all born there
BENN Abram, Head, 63, Coal Miner Do
Ruth, Wife, 62 Do
Joshua, Son, unm, 29, Dyer Wool Do Ellen, Daur, unm, 29(?), Weaver Worsted Do
Ruth, Granddaughter, unm, 16, Spinner Worsted
Very puzzling. Are they the same Abram and Ruth? Lots of similarities but also discrepancies. All are born North Bierley with no mention of Wibsey. Abram - Iron Miner Coal Miner. Joshua - Iron Miner Dyer Wool. No daughter Ellen in 1851. All too puzzling. If only #5 could be found in 1871. In 1861 in North Bierley, the #5 family was Samuel the Worsted Weaver b ca 1836 Shelf, Elizabeth the wife b ca 1832 Horton, and daughters Ruth b ca 1855 North Bierley, Margaret b ca 1857 Horton, and Ann b ca 1859 Horton.

JAP

[Valda]

10 September 05
 
Part 1 According to my original list there are 9 potential Samuel's around at the time of the relevant events and censuses (more probably born at the right time) - the ninth being the first candidate I gave not included in the list of 8.The 1851 census index for Bradford is an incomplete list of these 9 Samuels since it is only an index of Bradford not Yorkshire (and anyway one of the 9 was born in Ireland).Louise has listed every Samuel in 1851 of whatever age. So from the Samuels found in 1851 who fall into the potential age group I think number 6 is probably at Harbour North Bierley, son of Abraham and Ruth. This Samuel in 1861 in Farnley had a daughter Ruth born circa 1855 in Wibsey who would be the right age for the granddaughter staying with her grandparents in 1871. The 1871 and 1851 entries seem consistent with Abraham and Ruth as far as I can see with their entry in 1861 in North Bierley, accepting of course that it seems standard that different places of birth are given (and not just by this one family)Abraham Benn abt 1807 Horton, Yorkshire, Head Ruth Benn abt 1809 North Bierley, Yorkshire, Wife Martha Benn abt 1840 North Bierley, Yorkshire, Daughter Joshua Benn abt 1841 North Bierley, Yorkshire, Son Sarah Benn abt 1843 North Bierley, Yorkshire, Daughter George Benn abt 1847 North Bierley, Yorkshire, Son  Ellen Benn abt 1852 North Bierley, Yorkshire, Daughter and Farnley Yorkshire Samuel Benn abt 1831 Wibsey, Yorkshire, Head Mary Benn abt 1833 Wibsey, Yorkshire, Wife Ruth Benn abt 1855 Wibsey, Yorkshire, Daughter  John Benn abt 1859 Farnley, Yorkshire, Son   Leah Benn abt 1861 Farnley, Yorkshire, Daughter I had thought this man disappeared after the 1861 census but on checking again I think he is actually candidate number 8 who appears for the first time on the 1871 census and has a complete run of censuses there after in Bowling including giving Wibsey as his place of birth in 18911871 census North Bierley Yorkshire Samuel Benn abt 1831 North Bierley, Yorkshire, Head Susannah Benn abt 1836 North Bierley, Yorkshire, Wife John Benn abt 1859 North Bierley, Yorkshire, Son Leah Benn abt 1861 North Bierley, Yorkshire, Daughter Joshua Benn abt 1852 North Bierley, Yorkshire, Boarder (plus brother)So the list collapses back down to 8 candidates with 6 and 8 amalgamating-sorry for the confusion but it’s a bit tricky. From the 1851 census Samuels of the right age I think candidate number 1 the Bradford plumber at Field Head Cottages Horton. Right age and he does give a birthplace of Horton on subsequent censuses. That leaves you the Bowling Samuel Benn who is given as aged 6 (birth circa 1845) but having looked at the 1861 census where his birth is circa 1850 I think his age on the 1851 census was 6 months not 6 years (also consistent with his age in 1871) so not a candidate. So to reiterate I think there are now 8 known potential candidates of Samuel Benns around at the right time and in the right area, two of whom are found on the 1851 census for Bradford and still only one fitting the possible profile.

Regards
Valda

[Valda]

September 05
 
Part 2 The Dysons being in two separate households for one night in 1881 does not mean necessarily they were living apart, all it means is they were in two separate households for that night. I could just as easily surmise that their son William was not well and Elizabeth had gone to look after him and consequently was on the door for the census enumerator giving the information and the said enumerator decided she was the head of household. Or she had gone to visit William (out working) and again the mix up on who precisely was head of household. You need more proof than a census entry to find anything unusual or even mysterious in the couples' housing arrangements. I have found people giving married as their status on censuses when I know they are widowed. Admittedly this is much more common for women then men (widowhood perhaps being seen as a lesser status than married woman and only just up from being a spinster?) It might also be that as far as these people were concerned marriage was not just for the life of either partner. If the status mix up only occurs on one census you can't tell whether it was the enumerator's mistake, but I have found examples where it occurs on each subsequent census long after the death of the other partner. So I would not take the evidence of marital status from either census (including whether the 1861 census is the same man - it looks a good match) as evidence that Elizabeth's mother was still living and somewhere else. On the 1861 census I can find a potential match to two of Joseph Dyson Lister's siblings, William Lister 52 (born circa 1809) Wakefield in Bradford a wool sorter and Thomas Lister 58 (born circa 1803) born Wakefield in Bowling a wool sorter (with a son and grandson called Horatio). So it may be worth looking on the 1851 census to see if either of these are in the Bradford area (with an elderly parent - always the optimist). Or whether any potential candidates are there for Joseph's parents Richard and Betty, living either on their own or with a married daughter for instance. Both men are in the same place in 1871 with Thomas listing himself as Thomas D. Lister. William has disappeared by 1881 but Thomas D. is still in Bowling. From FreeBMD LISTER, Thomas Dyson Record Type  Deaths Age at death  80 Quarter  September Year  1883 District  Bradford County  West Riding of Yorkshire Volume  9b Page  20 There are 3 other Thomas Dyson Lister vital events on FreeBMD including a birth and death in Wakefield in 1859. Horatio Dyson Lister also figures. In all there are 23 Dyson Lister vital events on FreeBMD.

Regards
Valda

[Valda]

September 05

Referring to the 1851 census entry for the household of Abram and Ruth BENN, I said The above Samuel looks to be #6 - Samuel the coalminer b ca 1831 in Wibsey, who was in Farnley in 1861 with wife and 3 children (names? - did they have a Ruth. So, the answer (noting that Samuel #6 and Samuel #8 are now combined) is 'yes', they did have a daughter Ruth. And she is of the right age (b ca 1855) - though birthplace varies (but this seems to be a commonplace) - to be the 16yo granddaughter who is with Abram and Ruth in 1871. So that puts paid to earlier thoughts that the Ruth with Abram &amp Ruth might be the daughter of Samuel #5 - and it leaves us still looking for this Ruth. A couple of other things - (a) Abram &amp Ruth's daughter Ellen's age in 1871 apparently should be 19, and (b) Abram &amp Ruth's son Joshua was an Iron Miner in 1851 but a Dyer Wool in 1871.Seeing that career change made me take another look at Samuel #0 (i.e. the unnumbered one, living in Northowram, a coal miner, husband of Ruth GREEN and father of Sharp, William and Grace) given that we didn't like his occupation. We also didn't like his age in 1861 (31 b Shelf) though his age in 1871 (35 b Shelf) was OK (well, as good as that of Samuel #5). However, as mentioned earlier, there is on FreeBMD the death of a Samuel BENN, age 51, in Halifax, Mar qtr 1880 - and Northowram was in Halifax. This death would be appropriate for Samuel #0 if we take his 1861 age - 31. And, given that Ruth describes herself as a widow in 1881, I think Samuel #0 is pretty thoroughly disposed of. So that would just leave Samuel #5 who appeared in 1861 as follows
1861 census RG9 3310 folio 15 North Bierley Yorkshire
Samuel Benn 25 Shelf, Yorkshire, Head Married Worsted weaver
Elizabeth Benn 29 Horton, Yorkshire, Wife Married Worsted weaver
Ruth Benn 6 North Bierley, Yorkshire, Daughter
Margaret Benn 4 Horton, Yorkshire, Daughter
Ann Benn 2 Horton, Yorkshire, Daughter

The main trouble with Samuel #5 seems to me to be that the whole family disappears after 1861 (now that we know that this Ruth is not the one with grandparents Abram and Ruth).Perhaps they emigrated '(Or are they just hiding under a very creative transcription in 1871?

JAP


11 September 05

Part 1The other potential Ruth Benn on the 1871 census with her grandparents isis in Horton Yorkshire with her Jowlett grandparents Ruth Benn 15 Wibsey, Yorkshire, Granddaughter Mill hand  That Ruth leads you on the 1861 census to a Ruth Benn with her grandparents again (though naturally born not Wibsey but Horton and the Wibsey born Ruth with her parents in Farnley and then in 1871 with her grandfather Abraham but born North Bierley - good luck to anyone still trying to follow this - perhaps it's just a West Yorkshire thing that everyone never seems to put the same birthplace on any census).There are two other potentials on the 1871 census neither quite the right age Ruth Benn abt 1853 Wibsey, Yorkshire, Niece Horton Yorkshire  Ruth Ann Benn abt 1858 North Bierley, Yorkshire, Granddaughter North Bierley Yorkshire The only candidate for the second on the 1861 census seems to be Ruth A. born circa 1860 and therefore a move in age of two years. The first I think is Ruth Benns on 1861 with her family in North Bierley. So now no candidates for Ruth on the 1871 census. Ruth could of course be misenumerated or just a missed a singleton somewhere, or potentially married very young, or possibly dead, and before I agree with JAP that the family could have emigrated (which of course they could have and is the easy way out of this maze of Benns and the brain ache it causes) can I ask the question - who was Benjamin?

Regards
Valda

[Valda]

11 September 05

Part 2 The Benjamin who may or may not have adopted Margaret and Ann, but certainly had children of the right age and was in North Bierley in 1871 with a birthplace of Shelf circa 1837. The 1851 census does not place him as a son of Abraham and Ruth (though at age 14 he could be working away though Samuel their son aged 20 is at home) so at this point he doesn't seem (or is at least proven by the 1851 census) to be connected to the Samuel candidate 6 + 8 who also had a daughter Ruth of the same age and now seems to be the son of Abraham and Ruth. The 1861 census has no Benjamin married with two daughters (in fact it doesn't give you a Benjamin, just as the 1871 census doesn't give you Samuel).Now as I type that statement it suddenly occurs to me both men were of roughly the same age and both born Shelf. Benjamin's wife on the 1871 census was Elizabeth born circa 1832 Braceland Yorkshire (wherever that is, but may be Bursland misread wherever that is, see later census) and Samuel's wife on the 1861 census was Elizabeth born circa 1832 Horton. Perhaps I should have seen the similarities sooner but I had a lot of Samuels to juggle let alone Samuels who might change their name or get misenumerated in another name not even close to Samuel. To remind you this was Benjamin Benn's family in 1871 at Revy Hall North Bierley Yorkshire. Definitely Benjamin on the census page a worsted weaver. Benjamen Benn abt 1837 Shelf, Yorkshire, Head Elizabeth Benn abt 1832 Braceland, Yorkshire, Wife Margret Benn abt 1858 Horton, Yorkshire, Daughter Ann Benn abt 1860 Horton, Yorkshire, Daughter Zillah Benn abt 1862 North Bierley, Yorkshire, Daughter William Benn abt 1864 North Bierley, Yorkshire, Son Mary Benn abt 1868 North Bierley, Yorkshire, Daughter Martha Benn abt 1869 North Bierley, Yorkshire, Daughter and this was Samuel's in 1861Revey Hall North Bierley Yorkshire - Samuel was a worsted weaver Samuel Benn abt 1836 Shelf, Yorkshire, Head  Elizabeth Benn abt 1832 Horton, Yorkshire, Wife Ruth Benn abt 1855 North Bierley, Yorkshire, Daughter  Margaret Benn abt 1857 Horton, Yorkshire, Daughter  Ann Benn abt 1859 Horton, Yorkshire, Daughter 

Regards
Valda

[Valda]

11 September 05

Part 3 The hypothesis that both these census entries are of the same man and his family, opens up further possibilities. Looking for the 1871 census family (just in case you don't accept the 1861 census is the same family) in 1881 here they are.
RG10 4457 folio 5677 Kingswood St, Horton In Bradford, Yorkshire
Elizabeth Benn 49 Bursland, Yorkshire, Head Married
Zilliah Benn 19 North Birley, Yorkshire, Daughter Worsted weaver
William Benn 17 North Birley, Yorkshire, Son jobber in spinning room
Mary Benn 15 North Birley, Yorkshire, Daughter worsted spinner
Martha Benn 12 North Birley, Yorkshire, Daughter worsted spinner
Joshua Benn 10 North Birley, Yorkshire, Son Ellen Benn 8 Bradford, Yorkshire, Daughter
Martha A. Sugden 4 Bradford, Yorkshire, grandaughter and 1891RG12 36 39 folio 2910 Watmough Street Horton Yorkshire

Benn, Elizabeth 59 North Bierley, Yorkshire, Head Married
 Benn, Martha 22 North Bierley, Yorkshire, Daughter Worsted drawer
Benn, Ellen 18 Bradford, Yorkshire, Daughter Worsted drawer

and in 1901 widowhood!
RG13 4166 folio 11710 Watmough Street Bradford Yorkshire
 Thomas Henry Wood 28 Bradford, Yorkshire, Head Married ? Dyers labourer
Ellen Wood 28 Bradford, Yorkshire, Wife Married
Lily Wood 6 Bradford, Yorkshire, Daughter
Gladys Wood 5 Bradford, Yorkshire, Daughter
Eveline Wood 2 Bradford, Yorkshire, Daughter
Percy Llewlyn Wood 1 month Bradford, Yorkshire, Son
Elizabeth Benn 69 Halifax, Yorkshire, Mother-in-law Widow

Now that doesn't stop the possibility that sometime between the birth of the last child Joshua circa 1871 and the 1881 census that Elizabeth's husband Benjamin (or Samuel) died, but she clung to the idea of her married status, which she might do if she really was married but living apart from her husband. It also doesn't completely prove the Elizabeth of 1861 is the Elizabeth of 1871 but a later child's birth certificate or the baptisms of the children in North Bierley would prove it one way or the other, because those records would give the father's name which I think is probably Samuel, proving the census entry of 1871 is a mistake or Samuel was sometimes known as Benjamin (perhaps his father was a Benjamin - there is one in North Bierley in 1861 with a wife called Mary)From the IGISAMUEL BENN Christening 01 JUN 1836 Bradford Father BENJAMIN BENN Mother MARY There are no potential Samuel deaths on the incomplete FreeBMD between 1871 and 1881There is one Benjamin death Benn, Benjamin Record Type  Deaths Age at death  41 Quarter  September Year  1877 District  Halifax County  West Riding of Yorkshire West Yorkshire Volume  9a Page  330 Besides Benjamin born Shelf circa 1837 on the 1871 census there are two other Benjamins of the same age in the area Benjamin Benn abt 1838 Northowram Halifax Head Halifax  Benjamin Benn abt 1836 Northowram, Yorkshire, Head Northowram On the 1881 census there is only one Benjamin Benn abt 1838 Halifax, Yorkshire, Head 2 Lister St, Halifax, Yorkshire I cannot see a potential Samuel or Benjamin Benn husband to Elizabeth on the 1881 or 1891 censuses or a potential death between 1891 and 1901 from the incomplete FreeBMD index. So at this point I think Samuel candidate number 5 still remains the front runner with the added bonus of the problem of the missing 1871 census potentially resolved. And as a final addition I'm returning to Ruth from FreeBMD Marriages Sep 1873 Benn Ruth  Bradford, Y. 9b 42 one of the men was SUGDEN Adam  Bradford Y. 9b 42 On the 1881 census Adam is a widower of 26 living alone in Horton (remember there is a Martha A. Sugden aged 4 born Bradford living with her grandmother Elizabeth on the same census)On the 1891 census Adam still a widower is in Horton with his 14 year old daughter Martha E. born Horton. It doesn't completely prove anything - I can't find Ruth Sugden's death registration on FreeBMD to help with an age and help prove it was Ruth Benn who probably married Adam Sugden, but on the 1871 census Adam Sugden was in North Bierley staying with his grandparents, so even though Ruth Benn can't be found on the 1871 census, which is where I came in, Adam is in the right place at the right time to be her potential spouse in 1873.Regards
Valda