Benjamin Arnfield 1853-1824 linking mother and father

[TrevorW]

is this the correct forum?
I have come to a dilemma with my Greatgrand father - Benjamin Arnfield. He married Eliza Wood on 17 Aug 1874 in the Parish Church of Portwood (near Stockport UK). On the marriage certificate his father was Robert Arnfield, both Benjamin and Robert were hatters. In the 1881 census he lived in Romiley and was born in New Mills in 1854. On supposition there was a Benjamin Arnfield born to Martha Arnfield in 1853 and baptised in Mellor, the father was not named on the birth record or baptism. In the 1851 Census there was a Martha Arnfield age 20 living in New Mills with her Aunty - Alice Arnfield a "pauper of this parish" age 55.
In the 1861 Census Benjamin was an inmate at the workhouse in New Mills.
In the 1871 Census Benjamin was working as a hatter and lodging in Romiley.
I was born in this area and they are all close together.
Is Martha the mother of the Benjamin that was married to Eliza? How can Robert and Martha share the same surname?

[rosie99]

Birth registration
ARNFIELD, BENJAMIN    (No mothers maiden surname listed)
GRO Reference: 1853  Dec Quarter in HAYFIELD AND GLOSSOP  Volume 07B  Page 514

I suspect that he invented 'Robert' when he married
 

[brigidmac]

His birth father may have been called Robert but a different surname .

You could try looking for evidence of a court record affiliation order or bastardy bonds but not many exist .

Also clues may be found in baptism records.
Mothers often named children after the putative birth father ..

Do workhouse records exist in that area
I wonder if he was in a school section where he learnt to become a hatter.
That would be quite unusual.

[trish1120]

So extra info you may already have;

Marriage;
Martha BRADDOCK/Benjamin ARMFIELD 25 Feb 1794 Glossop

Alices Parents

1841 Census

Martha Arnfield   67
Alen Arnfield   37 (Alice)
Benjn Arnfield   25
Alive Bradock   63
George Arnfield   13
Jane Arnfield   12
Matha Arnfield   10****
Ann Arnfield   8