James was born about 1822, possibly in Bolton, Lancashire. He was the son of Ralph (JM060) and Sarah Mangnall (JM061). The 1841 Census has him living with his mother and siblings at Golborne Cottage in Golborne, Lancashire. He was about 15 years old and described as an Engineer. He married Jane Dalton at St Paul’s CE Church, Deptford, Lewisham on 17th August 1845. His father, Ralph (JM060) is described as a Cotton Manufacturer. Jane’s father was a brick layer and Jane did not write her name on the register, she just made her mark.

In 1851, the census shows that he was living in Snargate Street in Dover (St Marys) with his wife Jane and their children:-

  • Mary Ann Francis Emma (GM090) born 1846 in Croydon, Surrey (RoB Croydon 1846 Q3 4 98)
  • James Thomas (FM274) born 1851 in Deptford, Kent (RoB Greenwich 1851 5 240)

James is described as being an “Engineer Royal Navy”. In 1853, “James Mangnall, Assistant Engineer 2nd Regiment Class, Styx (Royal Navy)” was awarded the South Africa Medal 1834-53 for serving on HMS Styx. Approximately 830 of these medals were awarded to the Royal Navy, 183 to those who served on HMS Styx. Presumably the medals were awarded for the involvement of HMS Styx during the Kaffir and Burmese Wars of 1852-53.

The 1861 Census shows that James was a Chief Engineer aboard HMS Cumberland which was stationed at Sheerness at midnight, April 7th, 1861. James was “on shore” and so his other details were not recorded other than that he was a widower. I have not been able to find him on shore at the time of the census. His two children, Emma and James, were at 26 Brook Street in Lambeth with their Grandmother, Jane Dalton.

James Mangnall died in East Stonehouse in 1866 (RoD 1866 Q2 5b 230 age 45). East Stonehouse is between Devonport and Plymouth and presumably had connections with the Royal Navy. The 1861 Census also shows that there was a Harriet Magnell who was a servant at 10 Caroline Place in East Stonehouse. She was a widow and worked in the household of Captain Alfred Davis. Alfred may have been away during the census but the return still shows him. It is difficult to read his occupation but it looks like “J & P of JP co Cork”.


[Last updated 22 Nov 2009]