John Dewhurst of Blackburn, Lancashire ~ 1786

researched by James Robert Dewhurst, direct descendant of Robert Dewhurst, grandson of John and Margaret

Family of John Dewhurst and Margaret ?

[1] 1841 census enumerates this family living on Kirkham Lane on the same page as the family of John and Mary shown below - names and ages suggest a relationship. John Sr. works as a Weaver, while John Jr. works as a Reed Maker. Margaret was b. abt. 1788, Blackburn, Lancashire, England.

Family of John Dewhurst and Mary ?

[1] In 1851, John and Mary still live at 22 Kirkham Lane and John continues to work as a Reed Maker. In 1861, John and Mary have moved to 8 Randle Street, Blackburn, Lancashire and John is enumerated as a Reed Maker.

[2] John Dewhurst and Jane must have married abt. 1870, as their daughter, Emily is age 1 in the 1871 census where the family lives at 15 Fort Street. John works as a Cotton Self Winder and Jane is a Cotton Winder. In 1881, the family is enumerated living in Barton Upon Irwell, Lancashire, England at 171 Liverpool Rd. John works as a Cotton Spinner and the children are listed as follows: Emily Dewhurst, age 11; Frederick Dewhurst, age 8; Mary A. Dewhurst, age 6; Albert Dewhurst, age 4; and Thos. Dewhurst, age 2.

3] William Oldham first shows up living with John and Mary in the 1871 census. He is listed as "son" of John in 1871, and as "step-son" in 1881, suggesting Mary, was either born an Oldham or the widow of a man named Oldham.

Family of Robert Dewhurst and Susannah ?

[1] In 1871 and 1881, John and Mary, parents of Robert, live at 19 Tontine Street, where John works as a Reed Maker. In these two censuses, Robert and Susannah live at 11 Tontine Street and Robert works as a Flagger and Slater . Susannah is apparently abt. 3 years older than Robert.

[2] Use of the middle name "Oldham" is a puzzle as it seems related only to the "step-son" of John and Mary - was Mary an Oldham or did she have an affair that produced a son that John raised but did not agree to give his surname?