Rachel Magnall was born on 29 July 1881 to to John (GM151/GM007) and Sarah (nee Hargreaves – FM020), probably at 45 Cog Lane, Habergham Eaves – The Peeping Tom Inn. She was baptised at Holy Trinity Church in Habergham Eaves on 7 September of the same year. Their address was recorded as Cog Lane and John’s occupation was recorded as a miner. I wonder if the minister or whoever filled in the register knew John from before he took over the pub and automatically put him down as a miner?

The 1891 census shows the family living at the Shepherd’s Arms public house at 69-71 Cog Lane. Rachel was recorded as 9 years old and at school.

In the 1901 Census Rachel was recorded as 19 years old and working a a cotton weaver though “weaver ” is crossed out and winder written above. The family was still living at the Shepherd’s Arms which was described as a “beer house”.

Rachel married Thomas Winskill Foster on 7 July 1903 at St John the Baptist Church in Burnley. Thomas was a 26 year old tripe dresser living at 42 Waterloo Road. His father, James, was an insurance agent. Rachel was 21 and still living at 71 Cog Lane but no occupation appears on the register.

Rachel and Thomas had the following children:

  • George (1905-1906)
  • Eric (1907-1970)
  • Sarah (1914-1993)
  • Alice (1919- )

At the time of the 1911 Census, Rachel, Thomas and Eric were visiting Rachel’s older sister, Florence, who was living at 31 Eliza Street in Burnley. Thomas was now working as a cotton weaver, as was Rachel. The register shows that they had been married for 8 years and had two children, one of whom had died (George). Eric had been born in Heywood and a 1905 Electoral Register records Thomas as having a workshop at 72 Bradshaw Street in Heywood.

Thomas died aged 56 in June 1933 in the Victoria Hospital in Burnley and was buried in grave A3247 at Burnley Cemetery.

Rachel survived Thomas and the 1939 Register shows her living at 49 Springfield Road, Burnley where she is a “Shopkeeper Off Licence”. Living with her were Sarah, a “Teacher Elementary School”, and Alice “Shopkeeper Mixed Business”.

Rachel died in August 1962 aged 81 at the Victoria Hospital, she was buried on 29 August  in Burnley Cemetery in grave number 14287

[Last updated 07 Jan 2024]