Johnson travelling showmen

[Maiden Stone]

Possible births of children of Richard Johnson household at Thornley Brow on 1861 census. all with maiden name Matthews.
Mary Ann 1839   Sub district London Rd.
Margaret 1840                     Market St.
Emma      1841                    Hulme
Mary Ann 1844                     Market St.
Martha     1847                    Market St.
Ann         1850                    Holcombe
Elizabeth  1852                   Market St.
Richard     1854                   Market St.
Alexander  1857                  Market St.
I'm doubtful about Ann, 1850, unless she was born when her mother was hawking there or at a local fair.  Apart from that, the family seems to have stayed in Manchester for 20 years.

Neighbours on 1861 census was Robert Johnson (28), a tailor, b. Sligo + Mary Ann Johnson, who lodged at no. 15. Other Irish neighbours were hawkers and tailors.

[Maiden Stone]

Marriage of Margaret Johnson to Thomas Chapman at St. Peter, Bolton, 1859.
Thomas Chapman, Traveller, Great Bolton, father, Henry Chapman, Traveller,
Margaret Chapman, minor, spinster, Great Bolton, father, Richard Johnson, Fruiter.

[Maiden Stone]

1871 census. A Richard Johnson born about 1852 was a prisoner in Salford.

[heywood]

1871 census. A Richard Johnson born about 1852 was a prisoner in Salford.

I can't see that one - is there an occupation shown?

[heywood]

Found him, sorry - he is in Cheetham and is a labourer.
The age is out though but it is on other censuses.

[Maiden Stone]

Richard, senior +  Mary + baby Margaret were at Thornley Brow in 1841. Richard was a hawker. There were at least 2 other Johnson households there. One was next to Richard. Thomas Johnson (60), fish dealer + Ann. Richard, Thomas + Ann not born in county. A lot of Irish neighbours.

[BashLad]

These Johnsons were really bad with censuses.

Anyway, I had a look at that Thomas chapman, son-in-law in 1861.

He was actually a Londoner.

I think this is prob the marriage.

Marriage: 26 Jan 1859 St Peter, Bolton, Lancashire, England
Thomas Chapman - (X), full, Traveller, Bachelor, Great Bolton
Margaret Johnson - minor, Spinster, Great Bolton
    Groom's Father: Henry Chapman, Traveller
    Bride's Father: Richard Johnson, Fruiter
    Witness: John Dutton; Joseph Westby, (X)

1851 -Class: HO107; Piece: 2503; Folio: 475; Page: 5
1861 -Class: RG 9; Piece: 2952; Folio: 84; Page: 21
1881 -Class: RG11; Piece: 3231; Folio: 25; Page: 44

By 1881 he's "proprietor of exhibition".

There was a chapman's circus. I'm starting to think this might be them.

[heywood]

Not sure about the circus but 1881 looks like a gathering for a fairground- very interesting occupations and you can imagine the excitement brought to the town.

[heywood]

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

Hi Lesley,
Where was the illegitimate son in 1891?
If we have the right family, the child Richard may be the child of Richard snr and Elizabeth Ely.
I wonder if child Annie might be Annie snr's daughter?
Do you have Annie Burnham Shaw in later censuses or her death?

Heywood