The mysterious Mr Marsden

[effagee]

Hello,

I'm posting to try and progress one of my ancestral dead ends.

Arthur MARSDEN b.1861 possibly Wolverhampton
I had a genealogist attempt to find him 20 years ago but found nothing then.
I have never found a birth record, census, or any record for that matter, for him prior to his marriage record to Hannah THOMAS in Liverpool in 1896.
Arthur was listed as a sailmaker, but at the time of his death (1902 Liverpool), a mariner, working on ships out of Liverpool (he drowned in the Mersey).
His marriage and death cert seem to verify the birth year.
On the marriage cert, his father is listed as John Marsden (deceased) - Railway foreman.
They had one child, Elizabeth, b.1900 Liverpool.

You may be wondering why I am posting on the Staffs page? - well, after many attempts at finding ships crew lists for him, one has appeared recently on Ancestry.
It is for 1901 (probably explains why he is missing from the 1901 census), and lists his place of birth as W'hampton.  I am hoping this means Wolverhampton, although I still cannot find any other records to collaborate this.

There aren't many Marsdens in that area so I am hoping someone might be able to help -  I really don't know how to move forward with this new information.

[BumbleB]

I notice that the 1896 marriage was by Licence.  Have you attempted to track down the Bond and/or Allegation associated with this?  They may or may not be helpful. 

[ThrelfallYorky]

There's at least one tree featuring him and Hannah, on Ancestry. "Marsden" is a pretty common surname in parts of Lancashire.
TY

[ColC]

No GRO index for Arthur in Staffordshire but many elsewhere.

Colin

[jonw65]

Welcome to Rootschat.
For general info
Marriage 30 March 1896 in Liverpool
Arthur was 34, Sailmaker, residence 34 Strand Street
Image
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L93N-X9KQ-N

Baptism of daughter Elizabeth Maud, 22 Oct 1900
Abode Denison St. Arthur still a Sailmaker
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9YL-GQDP-F

The Liverpool crew list may be the Lisbonense in 1901
A Marsden, 40, born W'hampton, home address 41 Denison St. Last ship Bernard. Capacity AB.

You would think his occupation would help.
Another crew list on Ancestry. NSW Unassisted
"River Falloch", arriving Sydney in April 1895, from Liverpool
Arthur Marsden, Station Sails, 33, of what nation America

Could it be him?

[jonw65]

Sydney Morning Herald, 3 April 1895
The River Falloch - An Apprenticed Drowned
The ship River Falloch, from Liverpool 27th November,
arrived in Watson's Bay last night. She had fine weather
and fair winds for three days, and on the 8th December
encountered a terrific S.E. gale in lat. 40.38
north, and 20.23 west, in which storm the vessel
was on her beam ends. Several sails were split.
An apprentice named Croysdale was washed overboard
and drowned. Everything was done to save him, but all
to no effect.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/14001829

[jonw65]

Arthur Marsden was in the newspapers as well!

The Australian Star, 9 April 1895
AT THE WATER.
Arthur Marsden.
A sailmaker employed on the ship River
Falloch pleaded guilty to having used
threatening language towards the second
officer. The trouble arose from an order
issued to a ship's boy to go ashore
and purchase bread for breakfast. The
officer refused to allow the boy to
leave the ship, and Marsden, in brilliant
language, questioned his authority to interfere
with the lad except when on deck. At
the same time he brandished a knife, with
which he had been sewing a sail. The accused
made a lengthy statement to prove his
officer's aggressive tactics, and the provocation
which, led to the threat. He was
bound over to keep the peace for six months
in sureties of £20 and £10, in default, six
weeks.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/227120446

An eventful voyage.

[jonw65]

Another one
Sydney Evening News, 9 April 1895
Water Police Court.
Arthur Marsden, 34, seaman, charged
with having used threatening language to
Gillespie Edwards, the second officer of
the ship Reinerfalloch (sic), now in port.
Prosecutor stated accused had threatened to
"rip him up with a knife." Accused did
not deny having used the threatening
language, but pleaded that he had received
great provocation. Accused was ordered
to find sureties of £20 to keep the peace
for a period of six months, or go to gaol
for six weeks.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/108088397

[jonw65]

Arthur has an entry in the Darlinghurst Gaol Entrance book, 9 April 1895
Threatening language.