Johnson travelling showmen

[lesleyhannah]

My son in law's g-g-grandmother Annie Burnam Shaw had an illegitimate son, born in the workhouse. Later Annie married Richard Johnson in Salford in 1882. The 1891 census shows Annie and Richard and 2 children (aged 13 and 11, both born Salford) and gives Richard's occupation as travelling showman. I have since been trying to find out more about Richard, as the traveller connection intrigues me. However, I have had no success.

On the marriage cert Richard aged 27 is shown as a widower, and a hawker. His father Richard (deceased) is also a hawker. I'd like to find anything about Richard's previous marriage, or even the births of the children on the census (also called Annie and Richard). If I could find Richard living with his parents that would be a bonus. My head is spinning with the reams of Richard Johnsons I've printed out but of course if he's a traveller he could be found anywhere. Incidentally my son in law's DNA came back from ancestry with a surprisingly large amount of Irish ancestry, so that may be a clue.

Hopefully someone reading this may know something about the travelling Johnsons - or just a new pair of eyes may do the trick.Thanks in advance.
Lesley

[JJen]

Hi Lesley,

On the 1891 what place of birth is given for Richard?

It would help if you could post the details on the 1891 please.

JJ

[lesleyhannah]

his birthplace is shown as Manchester, though as many of our ancestors couldn't read I've found some of the information which has been added by someone else may be unreliable.

The ref is RG12/3220

Thanks for your replyJJ

[BashLad]

RG12; Piece: 3220; Folio: 116; Page: 46.

Haha, that's brilliant.

[BashLad]

There's a newspaper article from 1891 re him being assaulted. I'll send you a PM.

Address at the time is given as 14 welbeck st, hulme.

[heywood]

This is worth consideration

1861 2952/84/21

Thornley Brow, Manchester

Richard Johnson 6 yrs b Manchester with parents
Richard Johnson   50 yrs Hawker b Yorkshire
Mary Johnson 42 yrs
plus children
And
Thomas Chapman son in law Showman.

Heywood

[BashLad]

Class: RG10; Piece: 4046; Folio: 152; Page: 14
This could be richard johnson the elder - hawker of vegetables - in the workhouse in 1871.

[heatherjulie]

This is worth consideration

1861 2952/84/21

Thornley Brow, Manchester

Richard Johnson 6 yrs b Manchester with parents
Richard Johnson   50 yrs Hawker b Yorkshire
Mary Johnson 42 yrs
plus children
And
Thomas Chapman son in law Showman.

Heywood

The children in this family seem to have mmn Matthews

One possible marriage

Birmingham St Martin Warwickshire
13th August 1837
Richard Johnson Traveller,  father Thomas Johnson Fruitier
Mary Matthews Traveller,  father Alexander Matthews  Tailor

[heywood]

Marriage St Matthews Manchester

May 1875
Richard Johnson 20 yrs Traveller father Richard - confectioner
Elizabeth Ely 20 yrs
Both living 12 Robert Street

GRO Index
Richard Johnson mmn Ely March 1878 but I can't see Annie.

Still nothing to confirm.