The Henry Harold Harrison Family

Biography

Ellen Barton was born in 1812 in Skelmersdale. She was the daughter of John Barton, a delphman from Upholland and his wife, who was probably named Ann. Ellen was baptized on 14 June 1812 at St. Thomas the Martyr Anglican Church in Upholland.

Ellen lived in Skelmersdale with her parents until she was about age 33. For at least part of that time, she was employed as a weaver. She had three children out of wedlock: Thomas in 1835, Ann in 1840, and John in 1843. The children may have been fathered by neighbour Henry Mawdsley, but there is no way to be certain (see “Are We Really Related to Henry Mawdsley?”).

The 1841 census contains a snapshot of Ellen living with her widowed father, John Barton, in Skelmersdale along with her children Thomas and Ann. The preceding page of the same census shows Henry Mawdsley living with his father Evan and other family members at a neighbouring house, Sefton’s Hall.

Henry Mawdsley and Ellen Barton probably married in 1843 or 1844. No record of their marriage has been found. However, Ellen’s son John, born at the beginning of 1843, was baptized “John Barton son of Ellen Barton.” Ellen’s son Evan, born in May 1845, was baptized “Evan Mawdsley son of Henry Mawdsley and Ellen.”

Circa 1846, Henry and Ellen moved to Wigan. Ann moved to Wigan with her mother. It is not clear whether Thomas, age 11, and John, age 3, initially moved with the rest of the family or stayed behind in Skelmersdale. However in 1851, Thomas, age 15, was working on the farm of Evan Mawdsley, Henry’s father, in Skelmersdale. John, age 7, was living with Ellen’s father John in Skelmersdale.

Henry and Ellen settled at 43 Princess Street in Wigan where they and their family became fixtures for the rest of the 19th century. Henry initially raised cows and later ran a grocery shop from 43 Princess Street. Ellen gave birth to four more children between 1846 and 1856. At the time of the 1851 census, Henry and Ellen were enumerated on Princess Street (also called Ecclesham Yard) with their five children. Ann was listed as Ann Mawdsley (not Ann Barton). Henry was employed as a cow keeper. In the 1861 census, Henry and Ellen were again enumerated at 43 Princess Street; daughters Alice and Margaret were not listed on the census. Alice, who would have been age 11, may have died before 1851. Margaret, who would have been age 4 and was enumerated in the 1871 census, must have simply been forgotten. Henry had by then opened his grocery shop at 43 Princess Street and was listed as a provision dealer. His wife and children no doubt helped out in the shop. Later that year, daughter Ann Barton got married and moved in with her new husband.

Henry Mawdsley died of heart disease in 1862, leaving Ellen with five children ranging ages 6 to 17. Ellen took over Henry’s grocery business at 43 Princess Street. Her son John moved into his mother’s home. In October 1863, her daughter Ann Barton came to Princess Street to give birth to her first child, Alice. Ellen registered the birth. At the time of the 1871 census, Ellen was still living at 43 Princess Street, employed as a grocer, and living with her son John and two youngest daughters. John was enumerated as John Mawdsley, not John Barton.

Ellen Barton died sometime between 1871 and 1881; she was not enumerated in the 1881 census. At that time, her son John, still calling himself John Mawdsley, was living at 43 Princess Street with his wife and child. He was working as a shopkeeper, suggesting that he probably took over the family business.

Source Documents

• Baptism Record of Ellen Barton (1812–?)

Details

• Christening: 1812-06-14, St. Thomas the Martyr Anglican Church, Upholland;
• Occupation: 1835-12-20, Skelmersdale; Weaver.

  Per Thomas Barton’s Baptism Record.

• Residence: 1850-09-02, Princess Street, Wigan; Henry & Ellen family home.

  Per Ellen Mawdsley’s Birth Certificate.

• Residence: 1851-03-30, Princess Street, Wigan; Henry & Ellen family home.

  Per 1851 Census.

• Residence: 1861-04-07, 43 Princess Street, Wigan; Henry & Ellen family home.

  Per 1861 Census.

• Residence: 1863-10-20, 43 Princess Street, Wigan;

  Per Alice Barton’s Birth Registration. Ellen Mawdsley registered the birth of her granddaughter, Alice Barton

• Occupation: 1871-04-02 ; Grocer.

  Per 1871 Census.

• Residence: 1871-04-02, 43 Princess Street, Wigan; Ellen Mawdsley family home.

  Per 1871 Census.