HM023 Walter Mangnall

Walter Mangnall was born about 1812 in Bolton. He was the eldest son of John Mangnall (JM094) and Ellen Fowler. We know from “Historical Gleanings of Bolton and District” that Walter was residing at Howell Croft in 1822 and was attending Bolton Grammar School. Walter married Hannah Warr (HM024), presumably about 1837 and they had at least seven children:-

• Ellen (GM232), born in 1839 in Bolton;
• John (GM233), born in 1840 in Bolton
• Wilbraham (GM234), born in 1842 in Bolton
• Lavinia (GM232), born about 1844 in Bolton
• Sarah Matilda (GM011), born in 1847 in Bolton;
• Walter (GM237), born in 1849 in Bolton;
• Arthur (FM184), born in 1852 in Bolton.

The 1836 Pigot and Son’s Directory for Bolton has a “Mangnall John, paper manufacturer, Springfield mills; house St. George’s road, Little Bolton”. In 1834 Pigot’s Directory of Lancashire records “Livesy John & Co. Springfield mills” so presumably John purchased the mills between 1834 and 1836. He eventually ran them with his two sons Walter and Wilbraham (HM160). John is also to be shown in the 1843 Slater’s Directory for Bolton at Springfield Mills. The 1843 Slater’s Directory for Bolton also lists “Mangnall Walter, paper manufacturer, Bridgeman place”. The 1841 Census also confirms that Walter was living at Bridgeman Place with Hannah, Ellen and John plus a family servant.

The paper industry was important in bringing prosperity to the town of Bolton, Thomas Bonsor Crompton patented a method of continuously drying paper in 1820 which was a significant breakthrough for the industry.

Slater’s Directory of 1846 for Lancashire lists “Mangnall Walter & Wilbraham, paper manufacturers, 79 Cannon st” in Manchester. In the same directory there are also references to “Mangnall W. & W. paper manufacturers, 18 South John street” in Liverpool and “Mangnall Walter and Wilbraham, Springfield, Haulgh” in Bolton. It looks as if business was good!

Slater’s Directory 1848 for Manchester lists “Magnall Walter & Wilbraham Paper maker Cannon st”

The 1851 Census shows that Walter was still living at Bridgeman Place with his wife and children and that he was a Paper Manufacturer.

Whellan and Co’s Directory 1852 Manchester & District Directory lists “Mangnall Walter & Wilbraham, paper manufacturers, 35 Cannon st” with “works” at Springfield Mills in Bolton.

Under Paper Makers the Whellan and Co’s Directory 1853 for Bolton lists “Mangnall Walter & Wilbraham, Springfield, Haulgh” and the Slater’s Directory 1855 Northern Counties Directory lists “Mangnall Walter & Wilbraham, Paper manufacturers, 35 Cannon st” in Manchester.

Something went wrong though because by 1864 Walter and Wilbraham had gone bankrupt. The Edinburgh Gazzette of 26th August 1864 carried the following notice in the bankruptcy section:

Walter Mangnall and Wilbraham Mangnall, both of Bolton, Lancaster, paper manufacturers, trading under the style or firm of W. & W. Mangnall.

By the time of the 1871 Census Walter had moved to 50 Hampden Street in Little Bolton with his wife Hannah, and children Wilbraham, Lavinia, Sarah and Arthur. Walter was described as a “Retired Paper Manufacturer”.

Walter, Hannah, Lavinia and Sarah had moved to 10 Westbrook Street, Great Bolton by the time of the 1881 Census and Walter is now described as an “Accountant” aged 69.

We think that Walter died in 1889 but this is to be confirmed.

Hannah, Lavinia and Sarah were still living at 10 Westbrook Street at the time of the 1891 Census. Kelly’s 1895 Directory for Lancashire shows that a “Mrs Magnall” was still living at the same address. Hannah died in 1902 aged 92 (RoD Q3 8c 256).

“Mangnall Walter & Wilbraham, paper Manufactures, 79 Canon Street” continues to be listed in the Slater’s Manchester and Salford 1898 Trade Directory.

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