John was born in 1851 in Birtle, Lancashire. His parents were Richard Magnall (HM028 / GM079?) and Elizabeth Bilsbury (GM020). So far I have been unable to find the family on the 1851 Census.
The 1861 Census shows that John was an 11 year old scholar living with his family at Birtle Moor.
By the time of the 1871 Census, John was working as a Cotton Loom Jobber and was living with his parents in Old Birtle.
By the time of the 1881 Census John had married Esther Howarth and they were living at 41 Lark Street in Farnworth. He was now aged 30 and still working as a Loom Jobber. Esther was a Cotton Weaver and they don’t appear to have had any children.
John and Esther were living at 81 Bolton Road in Worsley for the 1891 Census. John was now a Cotton Mill Overlooker and Esther was a weaver.
In the 1901 Census John and Esther are shown to be living at 4 Booth Street, Farnworth. John is now a Cotton Loom Overlooker.
John died on the 25th November 1917 and is buried at St Paul’s Church in Walkden. His wife Esther died in Brooklyn, USA on the 19th June 1923 aged 72 years.
[Last updated 22 Jan 2011]