Here are my notes from some years ago:
William was the oldest child of Thomas and Betsey Rayner. His parents baptized two Williams, one in 1857 and again in 1859. This may indicate that a first child died as an infant.
In 1871, William was already working as a tailor with his father at age 13 in their home in Great Budworth.
He married Eliza Ann Grant on 26th April 1880 at St. Mary’s church in Beswick, Lancashire, Prestwich district. Beswick being just north of Gorton on the east side of Manchester. (Historically Manchester was divided into 2 large registration districts, Chorlton and Prestwich hence the confusion now with the current area of Prestwich). The witnesses to the marriage were his wife’s sister and her husband who were also her neighbors. Eliza and her sister were from Staffordshire.
In 1881 William “Raynor” the tailor from Budworth is married to “Elisa” with his 2-week old daughter Amy. He gave his age as 27, while Eliza was 28. (Other records suggest he was only 23). They lived at #25 Lloyd Street, Warrington. Perhaps he wanted to appear older because Eliza was 6 years older than he was?
His son Bill’s birth certificate in 1884 shows his mother to be “Eliza Rayner formerly Grant.” Eliza died during child-birth in 1887, and Bill married Hannah Pass only a few months later. They were married at St Elphin church. With two young children to be cared for at home, it was not uncommon for a widower to marry again quickly. Hannah was a domestic servant who used to work in the household of a solicitor. It is possible that William met both his spouses while they were employed by his clients.
In the 1891 Census, William Rayner lived at 10 Catherine Street, Warrington with his 2nd wife wife Hannah, 3 children and his brother was also present that day. Young seven year old Bill had an older sister called Amy. There was 7 years between the birth of Bill and his new-born half-brother Bertie in 1891.
William’s younger brother John Rayner was also a tailor who was living with his brother that year. Hannah was from Staffordshire, and many of their neighbors on Catherine Street were also originally from Staffordshire. They were labourers, forgemen, puddlers, or grocers and other trades. Perhaps they moved north to Warrington because of poor economic opportunities in the Midlands at the time.
Something happened in the early 1890’s to cause William Rayner to move to Stafforshire, and for the family to change their last name to Smith. He continued to work as a tailor. Hannah died September 16th, 1872 in Pleck, Walsall at the age of 31. His third wife was Helen Callow, who was perhaps a widow. Helen was also a “tailoress”.
Note, poor Hannah died on today’s date, rest her soul
Author
Topic: Rayner family in 1901 (Read 1188 times)