Benjamin was born in 1861 in Birtle, Lancashire. His parents were Richard Magnall (HM028 / GM079?) and Elizabeth Bilsbury (GM020).

The 1861 Census shows Benjamin as being 3 years old but I think it should have shown that he was 3 months old! He was with his family at Birtle Moor.

By the time of the 1871 Census, Benjamin was a 10 year old Cotton Operative living with his parents in Old Birtle.

The 1881 Census shows that the family had moved to 142 Pits O’th’ Moor. Benjamin was now 20 years old and working as a Cotton Weaver.

Benjamin married Alice Ann Hayes in 1887 at St Paul’s Church in Bury. They had the following children:-

  • Mary Elizabeth (EM247), born 1887 in Bury;
  • Richard (EM311), born 1894 in Bury;
  • Joe (DM072), born 1900 in Bury.

Benjamin’s father also died in 1897. We don’t know if that was before or after his marriage but the 1891 Census shows that Benjamin’s widowed mother Elizabeth (GM020) went to live with Benjamin and his family at 32 Peers’ Street in Bury. His older sister Hannah was also living with them. Benjamin was now 30 years old and still working as a Cotton Weaver.

In the 1901 Census Benjamin and his family are shown to be living at 24 Peers Street, whether this was a different house or the houses had been renumbered, we don’t know. His sister Hannah (FM036) was still living with them. Benjamin was now working as a Paper Mill Warehouseman.

Benjamin died in 1946 aged 85 (Bury 1946 Q3 10b 605 age 85).


[Last updated 19 Aug 2006]