First Families - The Porters - 25

Edwin Porter – 1871 – 1950

Edwin was the fourth son and youngest child of John Porter and Lucy Worsley. Born in Fleetwood in 1871 he was baptised on the 23^rd April.

He was living with his mother in 1881, at 65 Preston Street. 1891 saw him still living with his mother at 48 Upper Preston Street and he was working as a Dock Labourer.

He married Sarah Ellen Colligan at the age of 30 in 1901 in Fleetwood. He was working as a Dock Labourer at the time. Sarah was 28 years old and born in Fleetwood. She was the daughter of Agricultural Labourer John Colligan from Dungannon and his wife Mary McCall.

They made their home at 77 Upper Adelaide Street and Edwin was working as a Dock Labourer in 1901.

Son Richard was born in Fleetwood in 1901; Daughter Margaret was born in 1903; Son Fred was born in 1907 and Son Edwin was born in 1909.

They were still living at 77 Adelaide Street in 1911 and Edwin hadn't changed his job as a Dock Labourer.

His wife Sara Ellen died in Fleetwood in 1915. She was 42 years old.

Edwin was 46 years old when he married his second wife, Jane Wilding Salthouse in 1917 in Fleetwood.

Jane was the daughter of Fisherman Joseph Salthouse and his wife Mary Wilson. At the time of the marriage, she was 38 years old and born in Fleetwood. Jane herself had been widowed the previous year and her late husband was Pierhead Man, Thomas William Cumpsty.

Edwin was 79 years old when he died in 1950 in Fleetwood.

Jane went on to live until 1958 when, at the age of 79, she too died in Fleetwood.

First Families - The Porters - 24

William Porter – 1868 – 1916

William was the third son and sixth child of John Porter and Lucy Worsley. He was born in Fleetwood in 1868 and baptised on the 26^th April the same year.

In 1871 he was living with his parents at 23 Walmsley Street.

He was 13 years old when he was living with his mother at 65 Preston Street in 1881, and like his sisters, he was working at the India Rubber Works.

At the age of 20, he married Sarah Richardson in Fleetwood in 1888. Sarah was 25 years old and was born in Newton Heath, Manchester.

In 1889, Daughter Sarah was born in Fleetwood, and in 1891, he was working as a Dock Labourer and living at 3 Blakiston Street West. Lodging with the family was mother in law Jane Francis, and boarder John Singleton, who was a General Labourer.

Son Robert was born in Fleetwood in 1891, Daughter Ellen Jane was born in 1894 and daughter Margaret was born in 1898.

By the time of the 1901 census, they were living at 38 Back Preston Street, and William was working as a Dock Labourer.

Sarah died in Fleetwood in 1906, she was 43 years old.

The 1911 census shows that William was lodging at 3 Lower Dock Street, and he does not have his children with him. He was working as a Dock Labourer, and his marital status was described as single, and not widowed. There were over 50 people living in this property. Could this have been the Seaman’s Mission or something similar?

William died at the age of 48 in 1916 in Fleetwood.

Lucy Porter – 1889

Lucy was the first child of William and Sara. She was born in Fleetwood in 1889 and baptised on the 14^th April in the year of her birth.

By 1891 she was living with her parents at 3 Blakiston Street West and by the time of the 1901 census, they had moved to 38 Back Preston Street, and Lucy had moved with them.

She was working as a Domestic Servant at 117 Carr Road for George Porter Leech and his family. He was a Clerk at a ship broker’s office, and the son of Margaret Porter (1829-1913) who we met in the first family of Porter’s who I wrote about earlier.

Robert Porter – 1891 – 1948

Robert was the second child and first son of William and Sarah. He was born in Fleetwood in 1891, and in the same year he was baptised on the 17^th May.

He was living with his parents at 38 Back Preston Street in 1901.

By 1911, he was living at 84 Dock Street. According to the census, he was married to Alice Ball and working as a Fisherman. I think that Alice was pregnant at the time as son Frederick’s birth was registered around the middle of the same year. The census says that they were married in 1910. However …

Robert was 22 years old when he married Alice Ball in 1913 in Fleetwood. Alice was 20 years old at the time. She was the daughter of Blacksmith’s Labourer, Stephen Ball and his wife Isabella Haslam.

I don’t know yet when Alice died, but Richard died in 1948 in Fleetwood at the age of 57.

Ellen Jane Porter – 1894

Ellen was the second daughter and third child of William and Sarah. She was baptised in the year that she was born on the 11^th February 1894.

According to the 1901 census, she was living with her parents at 38 Back Preston Street.

Her mother died when she was 13 years old, and she was 17 years old in 1911 when she was a patient at Stepping Hill Poor Law Hospital at Hazel Grove in Cheshire. There’s a lot of information about this hospital on the internet. It was a former workhouse, and it does appear that people who went into it were so sick that they weren't expected to survive. It also seems that it was the kind of place where people went when they had nobody able to look after them, or had a mental health condition. I have not however, been able to trace a death record for her yet, so I’m hoping that she had a happy outcome.

Margaret Porter – 1898

Margaret was the third daughter and fourth child of William and Sarah. She was born in Fleetwood in 1898 and baptised on the 12^th June.

This is a bit of a strange one because I can only find her on the 1901 census, living with her parents at 38 Back Preston Street, and that’s it for her. If she went to the workhouse, I can’t find it; if she went to live with her family, again, no trace, and I can’t find a death record. So at the moment, I’m stumped.

First Families - The Porters - 22

Ann Porter – 1863

Ann was the second daughter and fourth child of John Porter and Lucy Worsley. Born in 1863 in Fleetwood, she was baptised on the 20^th December the same year.

In 1873 she was living with her parents at 23 Walmsley Street. Like her sister Alice, she was also living with their mother at 65 Preston Street and working at the India Rubber Works.

She was 20 years old when she married James McAvoy in Fleetwood in 1883. James was a 27 years old Boiler Maker. Born in Fleetwood, he was the son of Time Keeper James McAvoy and his wife Catherine Flynn, both born in Ireland.

Ann’s story will continue with her husband James.

First Families - The Porters - 21

Alice Gaskell Porter – 1861 – 1934

Alice was the third child and first daughter of John Porter and Lucy Worsley. She was born in Fleetwood in 1861 and baptised on the 29^th December the same year.

In 1871, she was living with her parents at 23 Walmsley Street, and in 1881 she was living with her mother at 65 Preston Street. She was working at the India Rubber Works.

She was 25 years old when she married William Swarbrick in Fleetwood in 1886. William was 26 years old, born in Hambleton, and worked as a Farm Labourer.

Alice’s story continues with that of William Swarbrick.

First Families - The Porters - 20

John James Porter – 1859 – 1929

John was the second son and second child of John Porter and Lucy Worsley. He was born in Fleetwood in 1859 and baptised on the 7^th August in the same year.

He was 2 years old when he was living with his Parents at 14 Cop Lane in 1861 and ten years later, at the age of 12, by which time the family had moved to 23 Walmsley Street, he was working as a Railway Porter.

When he was 20 he married Mary Trainer in Fleetwood. Mary was also 20 years old and was born in Scotland.

Son Edwin was born in 1880 in Fleetwood and in 1881 the young family was living at 30 Lower Dock Street. John was working as a Brick Setter’s Labourer, and his father John was staying with them. It does rather look like his parents had separated.

Their son John James was born in 1881; Daughter Louisa was born in 1883; Daughter Elizabeth Alice was born in 1885 and Son Richard was born in 1889.

They were still at 30 Lower Dock Street in 1891 and John was now working as a Dock Labourer. Lodging with them was 33 years old Iron Turner, Henry Hewitt from Fleetwood.

Daughter Mary was born in 1891; Daughter Jessie was born in 1894, and in 1896, Daughter Jane Sandwell Porter was born.

They had moved to 37 Preston Street by 1901 and John was working as a Bricklayer’s Labourer. Boarding with them was 23 years old Barber, William Rigby from Fleetwood, and 28 years old Fisherman, Elisha Allen from Hull.

They were will living at 37 Preston Street in 1911 and John was now working as a Dock Labourer.

Mary died at the age of 56 in 1915 in Fleetwood.

John James was 70 years old when he died in Fleetwood in 1929.

Edwin Porter – 1880 – 1924

Edwin was the first child of John James and Mary. Born in Fleetwood in 1880, he was baptised on the 4^th April the same year.

He was living with his parents at 30 Lower Dock Street in 1881, and in 1891 he was staying at his Grandma Lucy’s house at 48 Upper Preston Street. He was still staying with her in 1901 in the same house, but by now he was working as a Bricklayer.

He was 28 years old when he married Mary Gray in 1908 at the Congregational Church in Poulton. Mary was known as Minnie, and 25 years old at the time of the marriage. Born in Ireland, she was the daughter of General Labourer Hugh Gray and his wife Rose Govan.

Daughter Mary was born in Fleetwood in 1909 in Fleetwood. The family were living in Walton le Dale in 1911 and very sadly daughter Mary died when she was just 3 years old in 1912 in Fleetwood.

They had a second daughter on the 20^th October 1915, who they also named Mary, and a son, John James, who was born on the 13^th August 1919 in Fleetwood.

Edwin died at the age of 44 in 1924 in Fleetwood. Minnie did not marry again, and in 1949, she died in Fleetwood at the age of 66.

John James Porter – 1881

The second child of John James and Mary. He was born in Fleetwood in 1881 and baptised on the 18^th September 1881. I can find very little information about him.

He was living with his parents at 30 Lower Dock Street in 1891. In 1901 he was boarding with the Minns family at 51 Preston Street and working as a Bread Baker.

I can’t find anything more about him.

Louisa Porter – 1883 – 1951

Louisa was the first daughter and third child of John James and Mary. She was born in Fleetwood in 1883 and baptised on the 5^th August of the same year.

She was living with her parents in 1891 at 30 Lower Dock Street, and by 1901, along with her family, she had moved to 33 Preston Street.

At the age of 20, in 1903, she married Benjamin Wallbank. Benjamin was a 20 years old Fisherman from Preston.

Louisa’s story continues with that of her husband.

Elizabeth Alice Porter - 1885

Elizabeth Alice was the second daughter and fourth child of John James and Mary. She was born in Fleetwood in 1885 and baptised on the 7^th June of the same year.

She was living with her parents in 1891 at 30 Lower Dock Street and again in 1901 at 33 Preston Street.

The trail for her goes cold after that and it’s difficult at the moment to know which records relate to her.

Richard Porter – 1889 – 1956

Richard was the third son and fifth child of John James and Mary. He was born in Fleetwood in 1889 and baptised on the 15^th December, the same year.

30 Lower Dock Street was his address in 1891, where he was living with his parents, and he had moved with his family to 33 Preston Street by 1901. By 1911, he was still living with his family in the same house, or a couple of doors away, depending on whether or not the houses had been re-numbered, as their address then was 37 Preston Street. He was working as a Dock Labourer.

I haven’t identified a marriage record that I can be sure belongs to him but I think that he died in Fleetwood in 1956 at the age of 67.

Mary Porter – 1891

Better known as Polly, she was the third daughter and sixth child of John James and Mary. Born in Fleetwood in 1891, she was baptised on the 6^th December the same year.

She was living with her parents in 1901 and 1911 at 33 Preston Street and 37 Preston Street respectively. It looks like by 1911 that she had a 2 years old illegitimate daughter, Florence Vera. There is no baptism record for the child so I can’t be sure that she was her mother. However, I believe that this child married a William Collinson in Fleetwood in 1928, but I have no details of him yet.

I have no further details of her yet, but it’s outside the time-scale that I’m looking at, so it’s not a priority for me.

Jessie Porter – 1984 – 1963

Jessie was the seventh child and fourth daughter of John James and Mary. She was born in Fleetwood in 1894 and baptised on the 23^rd February the same year.

In 1901 she was living with her parents at 33 Preston Street and assuming that the houses were not re-numbered, they had moved a couple of doors away to No 37. She was 17 years old at the time and working as a Fish Curer.

She was 21 years old when she married James Irvin in 1915 in Fleetwood. James was 22 years old, born in Widnes in Lancashire, and the son of Labourer, James Irvin from Ireland, and his wife Kate.

Jessie was 69 years old when she died in 1963 in Fleetwood.

Jane Sandwell Porter – 1896

Jane was the fifth daughter and eighth and youngest child of John James and Mary. Born in Fleetwood in 1890, she was baptised on the 6^th September the same year.

I can find her in 1901 when he was living with her family at 33 Preston Street, and again in 1911 at 37 Preston Street. Like her sister Jessie, she too was working as a Fish Curer. I can’t find anything else about her.

That’s all for John James and Mary’s children.

First Families - The Porters - 19

Richard Porter - 1857 – 1915

Richard was the first child of John Porter and Lucy Worsley. Born in Fleetwood in 1857, he was baptised on the 27^th September the same year.

In 1871 he was living at 23 Walmsley Street with his parents. He was 14 years old and working as a Railway Labourer.

By 1881, he was living with his mother, who had by now moved to 65 Preston Street, and he was working as a Dock Labourer.

He was 25 years old when he married Margaret McCall on the 3^rd September 1882. Richard’s occupation on marriage record was given as a Labourer. The two witnesses were Richard Bannister and Richard’s sister Alice Porter. They were all able to sign the marriage register. Margaret was 23 years old when they got married, and she was the oldest daughter of Railway Goods Labourer, William McCall from Ireland and his wife Mary.

It looks like Margaret may have been a tiny bit pregnant at the time, because seven months later, on the 29^th April, 1883 daughter Sarah Jane was baptised.

Son William was born the following year in 1884 and daughter Lucy was born in 1886.

By 1891, they had moved to 12 Blakiston Street West, and Richard was still working as a Dock Labourer.

On the 1901 census, it shows that they were living at 74 London Street, and his occupation was being described as a Dock Stevedore.

Richard died at the age of 60 in 1917 in Fleetwood.

Sarah Jane Porter – 1883

Sarah Jane was the first child of Richard and Margaret. Born in Fleetwood in 1883 and baptised on the 29^th April the same year. She was known as Janey.

She was living with her parents at 12 Blakiston Street West in 1891 and he was still living with her parents in 1901 at 74 London Street. She then disappears, and I can’t find her anywhere.

William Porter – 1884 –

William was the second child and first son of Richard and Margaret. William was born in Fleetwood in 1884 and baptised on the 14^th September the same year.

In 1891 he was living with his parents at 12 Blakiston Street West and will living with them in 1901 at 74 London Street, when, at the age of 17, he was working as an Apprentice Boiler Maker.

He was 25 years old when, in 1909, he married Laura Beatrice Bailey in Fleetwood. Laura was 24 years old and born in Grimsby.

By 1911, they were living at 2 Chaucer Road, and he must have stuck out his apprenticeship as he was by then a fully qualified Boiler Maker.

Lucy Porter – 1886

Lucy was the second daughter, and the third and youngest child of Richard and Margaret. She was born in Fleetwood in 1886 and baptised on the 4^th April the same year.

She was living with her family at 12 Blakiston Street West in 1890 and still with them in 1901 when they had moved to 74 London Street.

First Families - The Porters - 18

John Porter – 1826 – 1905

John was the second son of William Porter and Alice Gaskell. He was born in 1826 in Whittle le Woods near Chorley and baptised on the 1^st December the same year at St Laurence’s in Chorley.

By 1841 he had moved with his family to Fleetwood and was living with his parents at Lower Dock Street. By that time, he was working as a Labourer.

In 1851, he was working at the Fleetwood Arms on Preston Street, and he was employed as a Boots.

At the age of 30, on the 29^th November, 1856 he married Lucy Worsley at St Peters in Fleetwood. John’s occupation on the marriage record was shown as a cook. Both Lucy and John could sign the marriage register, as could their witnesses, William Warbrick, and John’s sister Elizabeth. Lucy was born in Chorley in 1830. She was the daughter of George Worsley and his wife Lucy. She was 26 years old at the time of their marriage.

Son Richard was born in 1858 in Fleetwood, and in 1860, son John James was born.

In 1861 they were living at 14 Cop Lane and John was working as a Paver.

Daughter Alice Gaskell Porter was born in 1861 followed by another daughter, Ann in 1863 and a third daughter Louisa, who was born in 1866. Son William was born in 1868 and finally, son Edwin was born in 1871.

By 1871, they were living at 23 Walmsley Street and John was still working as a Paver.

He was living with his son John James by the time of the 1881 census. This was separate from his wife Lucy who was living at 65 Preston Street. He doesn't appear on the 1891 nor the 191 census with his family. He may have been working away from home, but it does look like they were estranged, as on these census’s Lucy is described as the Head. In the two aforementioned census’s she was living at 48 Preston Street, and in 1891 she was working as a Grocer.

John died at the age of 79, in 1905 in Fleetwood.

I’ll be taking a look at John’s children next before moving back to his siblings.

First Families - The Porters - 17

Ralph Dewhurst Poster – 1860 – 1936

He was the seventh and youngest child and fifth son of William Porter and Catherine Cowell. Born in Fleetwood in 1860 baptised on the 12^th August 1860.

By 1861, he was living with his family at 5 Cop Lane and they had moved to 5 Upper Dock Street by 1871. In 1881, when the family had moved to 2 Kemp Street, he was working as a Bricklayer.

At the age of 21, he married Grace Poole Thompson in Fleetwood in 1881. Grace was 22 years old and was born in Hambleton.

Grace had an illegitimate daughter, Elizabeth, who may have been Ralph’s child. When she was 2 years old, she was staying with the Porter’s at 12 Kemp Street while Grace was working at a house in Poulton Street at the time. Elizabeth was described as their granddaughter.

In 1882, first (or second depending on whether or not Elizabeth was Ralph’s child, but for the purpose of this exercise, I’m going to caller her the first) daughter, Catherine Cowell Porter was born.

In 1884, son Thomas Gaskell Porter was born in Fleetwood. In 1887, son James Thompson Victor Porter was born in Fleetwood. Daughter Margaret Florence was also born in Fleetwood in 1890.

In 1891, they were living at 12 North Street and Ralph was still working as a Bricklayer.

In 1892, daughter Grace Alice was born and in 1899 son John Aughton Smith Porter was born.

In 1901 and 1911, they were still living at 12 North Street and Ralph was still working as a Bricklayer.

Ralph died on the 14^th January 1936 in Fleetwood. He was 76 years old. He left £90 to his widow Grace. Today it would be worth about £4,450.

Grace died 2 years later at the age of 79 in 1938 in Fleetwood.

Elizabeth Thompson – 1879 – 1966

I’m putting Elizabeth in with this first family because, whiles I’m not one hundred per-cent convinced that she was Ralph Porter’s daughter, there is compelling information that she may have been. She seems to have been born in 1879 in Hambleton, 2 years before Ralph and Grace were married.

The problem here is that I can’t find a birth record, nor can I find a baptism record which would have cleared the matter up.

However, in 1881, she was not with Grace but with Ralph’s family, she was being called Thompson, but as I have previously said, we was being called their Granddaughter.

She was still being called Thompson when she was living with her parents at 12 North Street in 1891

.

At the age of 21 on the 28^th March 1900, she married Nicholas Abram. The marriage register now has her using the name Porter, and Ralph is described as her father. Both Nicholas and Elizabeth were able to sign their names, as were their witnesses, William Wright, and her sister Catherine Cowell Porter. Nicholas was 25 years old and a Fisherman from Fleetwood. He was the son of Fisherman James Abram from North Meols and his wife Ellen Wright, also from North Meols.

Elizabeth’s story will continue with that of her husband.

Catherine Cowell Porter – 1882 – 1954

I think that I said that for the purpose of this exercise I will call her the first child. Catherine was the daughter of Ralph and Grace. Born in Fleetwood in 1882, she was baptised on the 9^th May 1882.

She lived with her parents at 12 North Street until her marriage at the age of 22 to Oliver George Beardoe. Oliver was an Engine Tenter at the Ice House. He was the son of John Beardoe and his wife Mary. He was also 22 years old and born in Ceylon.

I can only find one child, and that was Sydney Thompson Beardoe, born 1908 in Fleetwood.

Catherine died at the age of 74 in Liverpool.

Thomas Gaskell Porter – 1884 – 1972

The first son of Ralph and Grace, born in Fleetwood in 1884 and baptised on the 9^th November 1884.

He lived with his parents at 12 North Street, and in 1901 he was working as a Grocer’s Assistant, and in 1911, he was working as a Seaman, I think that it was probably a Fisherman. I don’t think that he ever married, but I could be wrong. At the age of 88, he died in Fleetwood in 1972.

James Thompson Victor Porter – 1887 –

James was the second son and third child of Ralph and Grace, born in Fleetwood in 1887, he was baptised on the 3^rd April of the same year.

He lived with his family at 12 North Street and at the age of 14 in 1901, he was working as a Newsboy.

In 1911, his occupation was given as a Railway Clerk.

He had moved to Canada by 1915, where he married Hazel H Barnes on the 17^th July in Thunder Bay, Ontario. He was 28 years old at the time. She was the daughter of Joseph Barnes and Henrietta Newbatt.

Margaret Florence Porter – 1890

Margaret was the second daughter and fourth child of Ralph and Grace. She was born in 1890 in Fleetwood and baptised on the 13^th April the same year.

She lived with her parents at 12 North Street, and I can’t find anything about her after 1911 yet. If anybody has any information to add to this, I would be extremely grateful.

Grace Alice Porter – 1892 – 1977

Grace was the third daughter and fifth child of Ralph and Grace. She was born on the 8^th October 1892 and baptised on the 27^th November the same year.

She lived with her parents at 12 North Street.

At the age of 34 in 1926, she married Jonah Zacharias Jellyman in Fleetwood. Jonah was 26 years old and born in Bootle, Lancashire.

John Aughton Snape Porter – 1899 – 1918

John was the third son and youngest child of Ralph and Grace. Born in Fleetwood in 1899, he was baptised on the 7^th May that year.

He lived with his family at 12 North Street.

At the age of 19 on the 1^st October 1918. He lost his life in France and Flanders, serving his country.

Next I will move back to William Porter and Alice Gaskell’s children

First Families - The Porters - 16

James Porter – 1858

James was the sixth child and fourth son of William Porter and Catherine Cowell. He was born in Fleetwood in 1858 and baptised on the 5^th August 1858.

He was living with his family at 5 Cop Lane in 1861, but I can’t find him anywhere in 1871.

At the age of 22, on the 18^th October 1880, he married Emily Manners in Fleetwood. The witnesses were William Rawcliffe and Mary Iveson. They could all sign the marriage register. James was working as a Joiner at the time. Emily was the illegitimate daughter of Mary Manners and was born in Westwood, Wiltshire.

In 1881, they were living at 50 Poulton Street and James was working as a Joiner.

By 1891 they had moved to Somerset, and then they later moved to Bristol.

They had no children. I have no details of when or where they died.

I have placed them in the Leavers category.

The First Families - The Porters - 15

John Porter – 1856 – 1922

John was the fifth child and third son of William Porter and Catherine Cowell. He was born in Fleetwood and baptised on the 17^th February 1856.

He was living at 5 Cop Lane with his family in 1861 and in 1871 he was working for Farmer James Armistead at Larkholme Farm as a Farm Labourer.

At the age of 20, on the 27^th July 1876, he married 27 years old Mary Salisbury at Thornton. Their witnesses were James Chesterton and Susannah Edmondson. All of them were able to sign the register. John was working as a Labourer. Mary was the daughter of Farmer William Salisbury and his wife Mary Sanderson. She was born in Fleetwood.

They did not make their home in Fleetwood and it looks like they took over Mary’s father’s farm after his death in 1866.

John was 66 years old when he died in Thornton Cleveleys on the 28^th September 1922. He left £873 in his will, which today would be worth about £34,685, the beneficiary being his son William Salisbury Porter.

I have however, placed John in the Leavers category because he and his family did not make their home in Fleetwood and were therefore not Fleetwood Victorians.

First Families - The Porters - 14

Thomas Gaskell Porter – 1854 – 1884

He was the fourth child and second son of William Porter and Catherine Cowell. Born in Fleetwood in 1854, he was baptised on the 12^th February 1854.

He was living with his family at 5 Cop Lane in 1861, and by 1871 he was working in Forton at the farm of William Swarbrick as a Farm Servant.

In 1881, he was living with his parents at 12 Kemp Street, and working as a Bricklayer.

In 1884, at the age of 30, Thomas died in Fleetwood. He had never married.

First Families - The Porters - 13

Mary Porter – 1852 – 1931

Mary was the second daughter and third child of William Porter and Catherine Cowell. She was born in Fleetwood in 1852 and was baptised on the 11^th April, 1852.

In 1861, she was living with her parents at 5 Cop Lane, and by 1871, the family was living at 5 Upper Dock Street, Her occupation was shown as a servant, but this could have meant anything from domestic duties to working in a shop.

She was 22 years old when she married Richard Whiteside on the 20^th January 1874. Her brother Thomas Gaskell Porter and her sister Alice Porter were the witnesses to the marriage. All of them were able to sign the marriage register. Richard was 26 years old at the time of the marriage and working as a Sailor. He was the son of Sailor Thomas Whiteside and his wife Nancy Thompson.

Mary’s story continues with that of her husband, Richard.

First Families - The Porters - 23

Louisa Porter – 1866 

Louisa was the fourth child and third daughter of John Porter and Lucy Worsley. She was born in Fleetwood in 1866 and baptised on the 6^th February the same year.

At the age of 5, she was living with her parents at 23 Walmsley Street, and she was 15 years old when she was living with her mother at 65 Preston Street, and just like her sisters, she was working at the India Rubber Works.

She was 19 years old when, on the 5^th November 1885, she married William Gamble in Fleetwood. William was 22 years old and a Crane Driver. He was the son of General Labourer, William Gamble and Mary Stevenson from Ireland. The witnesses were Richard Porter and Ellen Heys. They were all able to sign the marriage register.

Louisa’s story continues with that of William Gamble.

First Families - The Porters - 12

Alice Porter – 1850 – 1828

Alice was the first daughter and second child of William Porter and Catherine Cowell. She was born in 1850 in Fleetwood, and baptised on the 24^th February, 1850.

She was living with her parents in Upper Dock Street in 1851, and by the time that she was 11 years old, the family had moved to 5 Cop Lane.

The 1871 census shows that the family had moved back to Upper Dock Street and were living at No 5. Alice was working as a Dressmaker.

At the age of 25 on the 14^th August 1875, she married Richard Richmond in Fleetwood. Richard was 23 years old. Born in Great Eccleston, he was the son of Labourer Richard Sparling Richmond and his wife Jane Mason. Richard was a Joiner. They were both able to sign the marriage record, as could witnesses, her brother John, and James Fell.

Alice’s story continues with that of her husband.

First Families - The Porters 11

William Porter – 1848 – 1924

Born in Fleetwood in 1848. He was the first son of William Porter and his wife Catherine Cowell. He was baptised on the 27^th May the same year.

At the age of 3 he was living with his parents in Upper Dock Street in 1851.

By the time he was 13, the family had moved to 5 Cop Lane, and young William was working as an Errand Boy.

He was 22 years old when he married Jane (nee Powell) in Preston, Lancashire. Jane was 21 years and born in Willoughby in Warwickshire.

I cannot trace this couple anywhere in 1871.

Son Alfred John was born in 1872 in Fleetwood, as was daughter Minnie in 1874. Son William George was born in 1878 at Over Darwen.

In 1881, the family was living at Over Darwen, and William was working as a Plumber and Glazier, and later in that year, daughter Catherine Ann was born in Darwen.

They were back in Fleetwood in 1884 when son Frederick was born, and William was working as a Painter.

In 1887, they had to cope with the loss of their son, William George, aged just 9.

In 1891 they were living at 46 West Street and William was working as a Painter. By 1901 they had moved to 20 Poulton Street, and William was still working as a Painter. They were still in this house in 1911 and William was still painting away. Also in the house was daughters Minnie and Catherine Ann, who by now had both married, and 5 years old granddaughter, Doris Minnie Roach.

William died at the age of 76 in 1924 in Fleetwood, and 2 years later, at the age of 77, his widow Jane joined him.

Alfred John Porter – 1872 – 1955

First son of William and Jane, born in Fleetwood, he was baptised on the 8^th September 1872. He moved to Darwen with his parents between 1874 and 1878.

The family remained in Darwen until about 1884 when they returned to Fleetwood.

He was still living with his family at 46 West Street in 1891, and he was working as a General Labourer.

By 1901, while still living with his parents at 20 Poulton Street, he was working as a Soda Ash Process worker. He hadn't moved by 1911, but by how he was working as a Dock Labourer.

As far as I can tell, Alfred never married, and he died at the age of 83 in 1955 in Fleetwood.

Minnie Porter – 1874 – 1923

She was the first daughter and second child of William and Jane, born in Fleetwood in 1874 and baptised on the 20^th September the same year. With her family, she had moved to Darwen by 1878.

The family remained in Darwen until about 1884 when they returned to Fleetwood. She was living in her parent’s home in 1891 at 46 West Street.

At the age of 26, on the 5^th June 1900, she married Ernest Roach in Fleetwood. They were both able to sign the marriage register, as could their witnesses, William Porter, who I assume was her father, and her sister, Catherine Ann Porter. Ernest’s occupation on the marriage register was given as Engine Driver. Ernest was 22 years old.

In 1901 they were living in Thornton, but by 1911, there was some conflicting information. She may have been visiting her parents or she may have been living with them, but she and her daughter Doris Minnie, were at 20 Poulton Street. Doris Minnie, according to this census, was born in Fleetwood. Ernest was on his own in Bispham.

Now, according to her entry, they had only ever had one child and that child was still living, but Ernest’s entry tells a different story. He said that they had three children, and only one was still living.

Minnie died at the age of 49 in 1923 in Fleetwood, and Ernest lived on until 1957 when he died at the age of 79, somewhere in the Fylde. He does not appear to have married again.

William George Porter – 1878 – 1887

William was the second son and third child of William and Jane. He was born in Darwen in 1878 and baptised on the 29^th September the same year. Along with his family, he had moved to Fleetwood by 1884, and at the age of 9, he died in Fleetwood in 1887.

Catherine Ann Porter – 1881

Catherine Ann was the second daughter and fourth child of William and Jane. She was born in Darwen in 1881 and baptised on the 26^th June the same year.

She had moved to Fleetwood with her family by 1884, and in 1891 she was living with her parents at 46 West Street.

By the time she was 20, she was still living with her parents in 1901 at 20 Poulton Street, and she was working as a dressmaker.

At the age of 28, she married Thomas Samuel Croft in 1909 in Fleetwood. Thomas was 24 years old and working as a Ship’s Engineer. He was the son of Blacksmith Robert Croft and his wife Frances Antcliff.

I can’t find out much more about this couple, except that she was staying with her parents in 1911 at 20 Poulton Street, and at the same time, he was working in Cardiff.

Frederick Porter – 1884 – 1901

Frederick was the third son, and fifth and youngest child of William and Jane. He was born in Fleetwood in 1884 and baptised on the 6^th January the same year.

He was living with his parents in 1891 at 46 West Street.

When he was just 17 years old, he died in Fleetwood in 1901.

First Families - The Porters - 10

William Porter 1824 – 1900

William was born in Whittle le Woods near Chorley and was baptised on the 8^th February 1824. He was the oldest son of Labourer and sometimes Farmer, William Porter from Bispham and his wife Alice Gaskell from Thornton.

In 1871 he was living with his parents in Lower Dock Street and working as a Labourer.

At the age of 23, he married his wife Catherine (nee Cowell) on the 18^th August 1847 in Fleetwood. William was working as a Labourer at the time. Neither William nor Catherine were able to sign the register. Their witnesses were Mary Railton, and William’s brother John. John was able to sign his name, but Mary couldn't.

Catherine was the daughter of Tailor George Cowell and his wife Mary Ann and 27 years old at the time of the marriage. She already had a child, (George Cowell born 1843) when she married William.

First child, son William was born in 1848 in Fleetwood and second child and first daughter Alice, also born in Fleetwood in 1850. In 1851 the young family was living in Upper Dock Street and William was working as a Paver.

The family continued to grow as daughter Mary was born in Fleetwood in 1852 and in 1854, son Thomas Gaskell Porter saw born. Son John was born in 1856; son James was born in 1858, and finally, son Ralph Dewhurst Porter was born in 1860.

In 1861 he was living at 5 Cop Lane and still working as a Paver.

By 1871 they had moved to 5 Upper Dock Street and his job was listed as Town Surveyor. William was 47 years old at the time.

In 1881, they were living at 12 Kemp Street. Staying with them was granddaughter Elizabeth Thompson, and they appear to have a Servant, 17 years old Ellen Stofkirk from Holland. William was working as a Labourer.

Wife Catherine died in Fleetwood in 1890. Catherine was 70 years old.

In 1891, William was living with his youngest son Ralph, at 12 North Street. At this point, he was again working as a Paver,

By the time of the 1901 census, he was living at Carr House Farm in Cleveleys with his son John, who was now the Farmer on this farm. William’s occupation was listed as a Retired Surveyor.

At the age of 79, William died in 1903 in Cleveleys.

I’m going to take a look at William’s children and their families next, before I move back to his siblings.

First Families - The Porters - 9

William Porter 1796 – 1872

William was born in 1796 in Bispham.

At the age of 26 he married his wife Alice (nee Gaskell) on the 22^nd April 1822. William’s occupation at the time was a Husbandman. From the marriage register, it appears that William could not sign his name, but Alice could. The witnesses to the marriage were Ann Cardwell and William Crane, who were both able to sign the register. Alice was 25 years old and born in Thornton. She was the daughter of Husbandman Nicholas Gaskell and his wife Nanny from Poulton.

Son William was born in Whittle le Woods in 1824, and he was no longer operating his own farm but was now working as a Labourer. Son John was born in 1826, also in Whittle le Woods, and he was still working as a Labourer. By the time that daughter Ann came along in 1828, they had moved to nearby Chorley.

They then moved to Hothersall near Preston and son Edward was born on the 10^th May 1832. He was baptised on the day that he was born, so it sounds like they didn't expect him to live. William’s occupation wasn't Labourer at this time, and it looks like he was trying his hand at being a Farmer again.

When daughter Alice was born in 1836, they were living in Longridge, and William was back working as a Labourer again. They were in Fleetwood by 1840 when daughter Mary was born.

In 1841 they were living in Lower Dock Street and William was working as a Labourer. Lodging with then was 20 years old Labourer John Hodgson. Later on that year, daughter Mary died at just 14 months old. Round about the time of young Mary’s death, Alice was expecting again with daughter Alice, who was born in 1842.

By 1851, they had moved to 9 Upper Dock Street and William was working as a Paver.

In 1861, they were living in Pharos Street and William was still working as a Paver. His sister, Margaret was staying with them, and lodging with them was Willoughby Gulliewigg (that’s what the census say, but really?).

Alice died at the age of 73 in in 1870 in Fleetwood.

In 1871 William was living with his daughter Ann and her husband William Bradshaw.

At the age of 76, William died in 1872 in Fleetwood. 

First Families - The Porters - 8

Edmund Porter 1820 – 1903

Born on the 28^th February 1820 in Layton. I have no idea if he was related to the previous family of Porter’s. He was the son of John Porter and his wife Alice (nee Cowell) from Blackpool. His parents never lived in Fleetwood. His father John was an Ostler. Edmund was baptised in Bispham on the 2^nd April 1820.

At the age of 20, on the 1^st December 1840, he married 22 years old Jane Tinkler at the Parish Church in Bispham. Jane was the daughter of Farmer Edward Tinkler and his wife Ellen. Jane was born in Kirkham. Edmund was working as a Labourer. Witnesses to the marriage were John France and Elizabeth Tinkler. Both men could sign the register, but the girls could not and made their marks. 

They moved to Fleetwood where they made their home and in 1841 they were boarding in Dock Street with the Archer family, the head of which was Richard Archer who was working as an Agricultural Labourer.

Daughter Alice was born in 1848 in Fleetwood.

In 1851 they were living at 12 Upper Warren Street and Joiner William Gill was boarding with them. Edmund was now working as a Coal Merchant.

Daughter Jane Elizabeth was born in 1855 in Fleetwood, and on the 16^th April 1860, daughter Margaret Ann was also born in Fleetwood.

By the time of the 1861 census, they were living at 10 Warren Street and Edmund was working as a Commission Agent.

1871 saw a move for the family to 10 Church Street, and he was working as a Ships Agent. They had moved to 4 Queens Terrace by 1881 and Edmund's occupation was described as a Ship Broker.

At the time of the 1891 census, Edmund had retired, and they were still living at 4 Lower Queens Terrace. His sister Margaret was by now staying with them.

His wife Jane died in 1895 in Fleetwood. Jane was 77 years old at the time of her death.

Edmund was still living at 4 Queens Terrace by the time of the 1901 census. Living with him was his daughter Alice, who was by now widowed. Granddaughter, 9 years old Lizzie Richmond was visiting them.

Edmund died on the 23^rd May 1903 in Fleetwood. The beneficiaries of his will were his daughters Alice and Margaret Ann. His estate was worth £13, 349, which today would equate to £1,134,808.

Now, let’s take a look at his children.

Alice Porter 1848 – 1917

Alice was born in Fleetwood in 1848. I cannot trace any baptism record for her.

In 1851 she was living with her parents at 12 Upper Warren Street, and the 1861 census shows her still living with her family at 10 Warren Street. Now, either they moved to the house next-door or the houses had been re-numbered.

In 1871, she was living with her family at 10 Church Street. She doesn't appear to have been working.

On the 25^th December 1875 she married Thomas Davies at the Parish Church in Fleetwood. Thomas was 35 years old, and a Master Mariner. He was born in Runcorn in Cheshire. Witnesses to the marriage were Edmund Porter and her sister Jane Elizabeth. They were all able to sign their names in the marriage register.

They made their home at 42 Kent Street, where they were living in 1881. Thomas had changed his job by this time and was working as a Mercantile Clerk. Master Mariner Francis Wendel from Sweden and his wife Emily from the Isle of Man were boarding with them.

Later on they moved to 9 St Peters Place, and were will living there when Thomas died on the 5^th September 1890. They had no children so Alice was the sole beneficiary of his estate which was worth £254.8s.3d, which today would be worth about £22,820.

In 1891 she was still living at St Peter’s Place. She wasn't living alone though, because lodging with her was retired Engineer Alfred Jackson from Bolton and his wife Emily from Manchester.

By 1901 her mum had died and her father was 81 years old. She had moved into her dad’s house at 4 Queens Terrace, probably to look after him. Her dad died in 1903.

The following year she married the man next-door, William Wilkes.

Now if you remember the first Porter’s that I posted about, we had Rebecca Porter who married Joseph Briggs. Joseph had a daughter with his first wife Martha (nee Calverly) and she was Mary Briggs. Rebecca was like a mother to her, and I’ve come to the conclusion that that was how she saw her, because she named her youngest daughter Rebecca. Well, Mary was the first wife of William Wilkes. (More about them at a later time, but not right now).

So they were both widowed and they married in 1904 in Fleetwood.

By 1911, they were living at 19 Balmoral Terrace. Having moved in to take care of her father after her mother had died, Alice must have decided to get some help about the house and take things a little bit easier. They employed Mary Leadbetter as a Domestic Servant; Margaret Bennet as the Cook, and Annie Dutton as the Housemaid. I googled the difference between a Domestic Servant and a Housemaid and the simplest answer that I could come up with was the age.

William died at the age of 65 on the 25^th June 1913. At the time of his death they were still living at 19 Balmoral Terrace. Alice was the beneficiary to his estate which was worth £686.1s.0d, and the value of that today would be about £55,350.

Alice died at the age of 67 on the 4^th November at Wharfdale in Yorkshire. Her home at the time of her death was in Norbreck. She left £6,784.5s.4d to her niece Lizzie Porter Laurence (nee Richmond) and James Henry Kean, solicitor. The value of her estate today would be approximately £280,542

.

Jane Elizabeth Porter – 1854 – 1888

Born in 1854 in Fleetwood, the second daughter of Edward Porter and Mary Tinkler.

In 1861 she was staying with her grandparents (Edmund’s parents) in Layton, Blackpool.

I cannot find an entry for her in 1871, but in 1881 she was living with her parents at 4 Queens Terrace. Her occupation was described as Assistant.

She was 29 years old when she married Frederick Gibson in Fleetwood in 1883. Frederick was 28 years old and the son of John Gibson and Mary Hughes. John was a Chemist.

Jane died in Fleetwood at the age of 34 in 1888.

Margaret Ann Porter – 1860 – 1936

The youngest daughter of Edmund Porter and Jane Tinkler, she was born in Fleetwood in 1860.

In 1861 she was living with her family at 10 Warren Street.

Like her sister Jane Elizabeth, I cannot find her in the 1871 census, so I’m wondering if they were away at boarding school.

In 1881, she was living with her parents at 4 Queens Terrace. She’s described on the census as a Domestic, but I assume that she was doing household duties.

At the age of 31 in 1890, she married 32 years old Joiner, John Richmond. John was born in Great Eccleston, the son of Richard Sparling Richmond and Jane Mason. Margaret Ann’s story continues with that of her husband.

That’s the lot for this family of Porter’s.

Coming next, William Porter and his family.

First Families - The Porters 7

Mary Porter 1840 –

The youngest of John Porter and Sarah Cartmell’s children, born in 1840 in Fleetwood.

She lived with her family in Upper Dock Street in 1841 and was still with them in 1851 at 43 Upper Dock Street, and there the trail ends. I cannot find a marriage or death record for her. However, if you know otherwise, I would be really happy to hear from you.

So that concludes this family of Porter’s. Next family of Porter’s are headed up by Edmund Porter.

First Families - The Porters 6

William Porter 1836 – 1859

The fifth child and third son of John Porter and Sarah Cartmell. William was born in 1836 in Marton, Lancashire.

He was 5 years old when he was living with his family in Upper Dock Street, and they were still in Upper Dock Street 10 years later.

When he was 19 years old, he married Alice Leadbetter on the 1^st December 1855. His occupation was listed as Mariner. Witnesses to the marriage were his brother John and her sister Agnes. William could sign the register as could the witnesses, but Alice made her mark. Alice was 20 years old and born in North Meols. She was the daughter of Fisherman Thomas Leadbetter and his wife Margaret from North Meols.

Son William was born in 1859, and at the age of 23, William died shortly after the birth of their son.

Their son William died in 1862

His widow Alice married again in 1862. Her second husband was Fisherman Peter Leadbetter from North Meols. He was the son of Fisherman Peter and Mary Leadbetter from North Meols.

Alice died at the age of 30 in 1965 in Fleetwood.

First Families - The Porters 5

James Porter 1833 – 1886

James was born in Marton. He was 8 years old at the time of the 1841 census when they lived in Upper Dock Street.

In 1851 he was working as a Labourer on a farm that was being run by his Mother’s brothers and sisters. This was a different farm to the one that Sarah’s father had left to her brother George. This one was in the village of Mythop, which is near Weeton.

He was 23 years old when he married Sarah Wilson on the 16^th August 1856. James described his occupation as a Mariner. He was able to sign his name, but Sarah couldn't. He had the same two witnesses as his older sister Margaret had when she got married, who were his sister, Rebecca, who was now Briggs and cousin, Richard Cartmel. I wonder if Richard was his best man. Did they have best men in those days?

Sarah was the oldest daughter of Fisherman William Wilson and his wife Ann from North Meols. Sarah was 21 years old and like her parents, was from North Meols.

Daughter Elizabeth Ann was born in Dalton in 1858, so they must have moved there quite soon after they got married. They were back in Fleetwood by 1860 when son William was born.

In 1861 they were still in Fleetwood and living at 29 Upper Dock Street, and James was working as a Tide Waiter. I'm wondering if this was due to any nepotistic influence of his brother John's father in law, Robert Roskell, who by now was Superintendent of the Customs Office.

They were still in Fleetwood in 1862 when daughter Rebecca was born, but they were back in Barrow in 1864 when son John was born, so it didn't look like being a Tide Waiter suited him. In 1867, son George was born in Barrow, and in 1868, whilst still in Barrow, daughter Sarah was born. Likewise, daughter Mary was born in 1870 in Barrow.

The 1871 census shows that they were in Newbarns, Dalton where James was working as a Labourer and they were still there in 1874 when daughter Margaret Ann was born.

They were back in Fleetwood by 1876 when son James was born. Youngest son Joseph Briggs Porter was born in Fleetwood in 1880. I'm assuming that he was named for James’s brother-in-law, Joseph Briggs who had died that year.

A few years ago, on a visit back to Fleetwood, which I had taken leave for, I got a call from our Ops Manager. Normally this wouldn't bother me, but I was in Fleetwood cemetery photographing family gravestones at that moment. I answered the call, told her off for calling me while I was on leave and after much cajoling from her, listened to her question. She just wanted to know how to do something on an Excel database. Now at the risk of sounding like I'm tooting my own horn, I'm good with software (especially Excel) and I do deliver training on software, but as I was explaining to her how to do conditional formatting, I was stood in front of a gravestone that I probably would have missed, and that gravestone was the last resting place of Joseph Briggs Porter. I left flowers.

In 1881 James and his family were living at 43 Upper Dock Street and he was working as a General Labourer.

Sarah died at the age of 47 on the 16^th August 1882.

James died on the 4^th May 1886 at 46 Upper Dock Street. He was 51 years old. He died of “disease of liver for some months”. That sounds to me like he drank too much – another family gene/trait I’ve inherited. The death was registered by his son in law, Benjamin Wilding who was married to his oldest daughter, Elizabeth.

He left £80.9s.9d in his will, which today would have been worth about £7,300.

James was buried with Sarah in Fleetwood cemetery.

I'm going to continue with James’s family before I move back to his siblings.

Elizabeth Ann Porter 1858 – 1923

Sarah was the first child of James and Sarah. The reason that she was born in Dalton was because that was where her mother was at the time. Born in 1858, she was living in Fleetwood in 1861 by the time of the census, at 29 Upper Dock Street. In 1871, while the rest of the family was living in Dalton, she was living with her Aunt, James’s sister Rebecca (by now Briggs) in Poulton Street.

On the 27^th February 1881 at the age of 23, she married Fisherman Benjamin Wilding. Benjamin was 28 years old and was born in St Osyth, Essex. Elizabeth could not sign her name on the marriage registration, but Benjamin could and so could both of their witnesses, Richard Nicholson and Elizabeth Gradwell. Surely somebody could have taught her to write her name!

The rest of Elizabeth’s story will be as that of Benjamin.

William Porter 1860 – 1884

William was the second child and first son of James and Sarah. William was born in 1860 in Fleetwood. By the time of the 1861 census when they were living at 29 Upper Dock Street, he was the youngest in the house.

In 1871, he was living with his Aunt Rebecca at 19 Poulton Street, along with his sister Elizabeth. I did wonder if William remained in Fleetwood because of school but, as Elizabeth could not write, I'm beginning to doubt it.

Although he had not moved to Barrow with his family, by 1881, after the death of Joseph Briggs, William’s Aunt Rebecca and William had moved to Barrow where William was working as a Municipal Clerk.

At the age of 22 he married Mary Ann Jones in Barrow-in-Furness. I don’t know if Rebecca continued to live with them, I do know that the house in which she was the head of in 1881 was the marital home for the remainder of his married life.

Unfortunately, that married life did not last for much longer and 2 years later, he very sadly died at the age of 24 on the 25^th October 1884. What does throw up questions however, was that at that time, he was now working as a Mercantile Clerk, and he died at 42 London Street in Fleetwood though his home address was still in Barrow. The other sad thing was that if he had lived until the next census, I would have been able to get more information about his wife!

I'm about to start speculating now. His family lived in Upper Dock Street in 1881. However, 42 London Street was the home of the Leech family, and as his Aunt Margaret had married the William Leech, the head of this family, I am assuming that he was either visiting them or living with them at the time of his death.

I don’t know if William and Mary Ann had any children during the 2 years that they were married and I know nothing at all about Mary Ann. His will however shows that he left everything to Mary Ann. He left £292, the value of which today would be about £25.500, which wasn't bad for a young man of 24.

Rebecca Porter 1862 – 1930

Rebecca was the second daughter and third child of James and Sarah. She was born in Fleetwood on the 15^th April 1862. She moved with the family to Dalton about 1863/4. She was still living there in 1871 and by 1876 she had moved back to Fleetwood, along with the rest of her family.

At the age of 17, she married Fisherman John Ball in Fleetwood on the 19^th May 1879. John was 18 years old, born in Fleetwood and the son of Fisherman Robert Ball and his wife Elizabeth from North Meols. Neither of them could sign the marriage register, John’s sister Mary Ellen was witness to the marriage, and she also made her mark, but the other witness, James Rimmer, did sign his name.

Rebecca’s story continues with that of John.

John Porter 1864 – 1944

John was born on the 13^th July 1864 in Barrow. The Second son and fourth child of James and Sarah Porter. He was still living in Dalton in 1871 and along with the rest of his family, he moved to Fleetwood between 1874 and 1876.

He was 17 years old at the time of the 1881 census, living at 43 Upper Dock Street, but there was no occupation listed for him so it looks like he was not working.

By 1891 he was living with his sister Elizabeth and her husband Benjamin Wilding at 37 Upper Preston Street. He was now working as a General Labourer.

At the age of 27 he married 20 years old Emma Upton on the 6th February 1872 in Stafford. Emma was born in Stafford, the daughter of a coal miner.

They made their home in Fleetwood where daughter Hannah was born in 1894. Son John was born on the 12^th February 1896.

Sadly, Emma died at the age of 26 on the 12^th February 1898 in Fleetwood.

The widowed John married again at the age of 35 in 1899, just a year after Emma died. His new wife was 21 years old Mary Rawlinson from Fleetwood. Mary was the youngest daughter of Mariner Thomas Rawlinson from Lytham and his wife Emily.

On the 8^th February 1900 daughter Emily was born in Fleetwood

In 1901 they were living in Pharos Street and John was working as a Life Assurance Agent.

Daughter Elizabeth was born in 1902 in Fleetwood. She was just 6 months old when she died on the 12^th December 1902 and was buried in Fleetwood cemetery.

Daughter Isabella was born on the 16^th June 1903, and son William on the 6^th August 1905. 

Daughter Mary was born on the 22^nd November 1909.

By 1911 they were living at 56 Alfred Terrace. John had been promoted by the life assurance company that he worked for to the position of Superintendent. Again I'm speculating, but I suspect that it was the Prudential Assurance Company that he worked for, they were the largest in the country at the time, and the positions that they had in the 1970’s reflected that of Superintendent being the Manager whereas the Pearl Assurance Co called their Manager the Chief.

In 1920, 11 years after the birth of their son William, another son, Rawlinson was born on the 17^th April. I wonder if this came as something of a surprise as John was 56 years old at the time. I suppose that this is something that was likely to happen having a wife much younger than himself. I really hope that this was a happy surprise.

John died on the 4^th November 1944 at the age of 80 in Fleetwood. Mary died 9 years later at the age of 75 on the 11^th December.

John left £907.4s.6d in his will which today would be worth just over £27,000.

John was buried with his first wife Emma and his 6 month old baby Elizabeth, and when Mary died in 1970, she too was buried with them. Mary never married again.

George Porter 1867 – 1914

George was born on the 12^th April 1867 in Barrow. He was the third son and fifth child of James and Sarah Porter. He moved to Fleetwood between 1874 and 1876 and he was living in his parent’s home at 43 Upper Dock Street in 1881. He was 14 years old and not working.

He was 22 years old when, in 1889, he married Mary Maguire in Fleetwood. Mary was just 19 years old and born in Chorley. Her father James Maguire was from Ireland, and her mother Mary (nee Murphy) was also born in Ireland. The Maguire’s were in Dalton at the same times and the Porter’s and moved to Fleetwood about the same time. The families may have known each other in Dalton, and the two James's may have even worked together.

Their first child James was born in 1889 in Fleetwood. In 1881 they were living at 2 Back Walmsley Street and George was working as a Dock Labourer. Mary’s Uncle Martin (Murphy) was lodging with them. He was just 6 years older than Mary and 2 years older than George.

On the 27^th April 1892, second child and first daughter Sarah Elizabeth was born. She was better known as Lizzie and she could neither read nor write.

On the 13^th December 1894, third child and second son Frederick George was born in Preston, and in 1896, fourth child and third son Benjamin Michael was born in Fleetwood. In 1898, fifth child and fourth son Joseph was born in Fleetwood.

In 1901 the family was living at 14 Back Preston Street. George was working as a Dock Labourer. Joseph & Thomas Newsham, and James McVych were lodging with them.

18^th January 1904 saw the birth of second daughter and sixth child Catherine Ann in Fleetwood. She was better known as Annie.

The seventh and youngest child, a third daughter was born on the 20^th May and they baptised her Mary Rebecca, but she was better known as Becca. She was a real bingo fan.

By 1911 they were living at 16 Upper Dock Street. Daughter Lizzie had married Thomas Cross the previous year, and the day before the census was taken she gave birth to first son Frederick James. Boarding with them was Harriet Hollingsworth and Annie Forrest. George was still working as a Dock Labourer.

George died at the age of 47 in 1914 in Fleetwood. His widow Mary married again 4 years later in 1918. She was 48 at the time. She married 36 years old Joseph H Chadwick. My Aunty told me that Mary insisted that her grandchildren called her Aunty rather than Nana because she lied about her age. 

She died at the age of 69 in Fleetwood just a year before I was born. Bit of a shame, as I would really have loved to have known her.

Sarah Porter 1868 – 1936

The third daughter and sixth child of James and Sarah. Born in 1868 in Barrow she was 3 years old by the time of the 1871 census when she was living with her family in Dalton. She moved to Fleetwood between 1874 and 1876 and at the time of the 1881 census, she was living with her family at 43 Upper Dock Street, she was 13 years old at the time.

When she was 22, she married 21 years old Joseph Kiggins from Skelmersdale. He was the oldest son of Fish Dealer Joseph Kiggins from Scarisbrick and his wife Mary. Joseph was a Blacksmith’s Striker at the time that they married. I’ve looked up this old occupation and it sounds like he was the ‘muscle’. Joseph could sign the register, but Sarah could not. Witnesses to the wedding were Sarah’s sister Elizabeth and her husband Benjamin Wilding. What I find a little baffling was at the time of Elizabeth and Benjamin’s wedding, he could sign his name, but when he was witness to this marriage, he made his mark. Perhaps somebody taught him how to sign his name for when he got married, and then he forgot how to do it!

Mary Porter 1870 –

The fourth daughter and seventh child of James and Sarah, she was born in Barrow in 1870 and moved to Fleetwood between 1874 and 1876. In 1881 she was living with her family at 43 Upper Dock Street. She was 11 years old at the time.

At the age of 20 she married Henry Nealen on the 28^th June 1890 and then she totally disappears. I cannot find any trace of her. Henry was 24 years old and son of the late Patrick Nealen, who was a skipper.

I'm hoping that somebody out there has more information than I do.

Margaret Ann Porter 1874 – 1922

The fifth daughter and eighth child of James and Sarah, she was born in Barrow in 1874, and by the time she was 2 years old she had moved to Fleetwood. She was the last of the children to be born in Barrow.

She was living with her family at 43 Upper Dock Street in 1881 when she was 7 years old.

In 1891 she was working in Lytham as a Domestic Servant to Thomas and Louise Middleton, who was a retired Cotton Waste Dealer.

She was 20 years old when she married Edward Greaves on the 24^th February 1894. Edward was 21 years old, the son of James and Mary Greaves and he was a Sailor. She was living at 49 Preston Street at the time of her marriage. The two witnesses to the wedding were Nimrod J Stonestreet and his daughter Sophia Elizabeth Stonestreet. Everybody could sign their own names on the certificate. I'm wondering if Nimrod had been the person who gave her away as her own father had died.

Her story will continue with that of her husband.

James Porter 1875 – 1925

The ninth child and fourth son of James and Mary. Born in Fleetwood in 1875.

In 1881, when he was 5 years old, he was living with his family at 43 Upper Dock Street.

Ten years later he was living with his sister Elizabeth and her husband Benjamin Wilding at 37 Upper Preston Street. He was working as a Saw Mill Sawyer.

He was still living with the Wildings in 1901 but by this time they had moved to 24 Warren Street and he was working as a Life Assurance Agent. His brother John was living in this house as well and he too was working as a Life assurance Agent, so I’m assuming that they were working together.

He was 26 years old when he married Elizabeth Houseman on the 19^th November 1902 at Christ Church, Blackpool. She was 21 years old when they got married. She was the daughter of the late James Houseman, who was a Bricksetter from Blackpool. Their witnesses were Joseph Briggs Porter, who was James’s younger brother and Isabella Graham who was either a relative of Elizabeth’s or her friend. Everyone was able to sign the marriage register.

Daughter Margaret May was born in 1907 in Fleetwood.

The family was living at 53 Preston Street in 1911. James was still working as a Life Assurance Agent, though his brother John was by now promoted to Superintendent, so he was probably his boss. Coal Carter Edwin Forrest was lodging with them.

On the 17^th October 1925 at the age of 50, James died in Fleetwood. He was buried in Fleetwood cemetery. I don’t know what happened to Elizabeth. I can’t find a death record for her and she doesn't appear to be buried with James. She could have died before him, but as I said, I can’t find a death record for her. She may have re-married after his death. However, the headstone does show that buried with him was a Mary Ann Danson who died on the 27^th February 1936. She was 77 years old. I found her on the census and she was married to Thomas Danson from Treales, so there’s a bit of a mystery here, which given time, I hope to uncover.

Joseph Briggs Porter 1880 – 1952

The youngest of ten children and the fifth son, it looks like he was named after his father’s sister, Rebecca’s husband Joseph Briggs who had died a couple of months earlier. Born in Fleetwood, he was living with his family at 42 Upper Dock Street in 1881. He was just 2 years old when his mother Sarah died in 1882, and 6 years old when his father James died.

He was raised, along with his brothers, by his sister Elizabeth and her husband Benjamin Wilding.

In 1891, he was 11 years old and living with the Wilding’s at 37 Upper Preston Street.

Along with the Wilding’s he had moved to 24 Warren Street by 1901 and was working as a Fitter’s Assistant.

Early in 1903, when he was 23 years old, he married Isabella Brade in Fleetwood. She was the daughter of Horse Breaker James Brade and his wife Ellen. Isabella was also 23 and born in Fleetwood.

It looks as though Isabella was pregnant at the time of the marriage as a few months later, son James was born in the early part of 1903. Calling him James was a good call as he could have been named after either of his grandfather’s as they were both called James.

Second son, Benjamin Wilding Porter was born on the 27^th October 1905. They named him after his brother in law and the man who raised him. He must have been a really nice man to have taken on his wife’s younger brothers.

In 1910, daughter Josephine Isabel was born in Fleetwood.

The family were living at Belle Vue Bungalow on Poulton Road by 1911. Joseph was working as a General Labourer.

Joseph died at the age of 72 on the 26^th April 1952. He left £800 in his will, which the value of today is about £16,000. The beneficiary was his widow Isabella. His address at the time of his death was 5 Poulton Road.

Isabella did not remarry and died on the 30^th May 1969 in Fleetwood, she was 88 years old at the time.

Having dealt with James Porter and Sarah Cartmell’s children, we will move back to his siblings in the next post.