Thomas’ father John had an interesting life; according to the census records he was born in Ireland around 1821.
By 1841, 34,000 Irish people had moved to the Manchester area and accepted poor pay and conditions because the worst in England was better than the best in Ireland.
Manchester was the heart of the cotton zone and society in early industrial Manchester was centred around the cotton industry; indeed Manchester owed its existence to cotton.
Living conditions for the working classes in Manchester was extremely poor, many streets were unpaved and without sewers; many houses were poorly built and almost all had a cellar. Families would live in one room, disease and illness was rife.
Our 3 x great grandfather John Cowen was living on Back Foundry Street in 1841. Unfortunately the census provides no more information on the dwelling he lived in but it is likely he shared a room with other workers. He records his occupation/trade as tailor.
| 1841 | Back foundry st | John Cowen, age 20, Tailor |
| 1841 | 15 August | John Cowen married Ellen Coveney in St Patricks Chapel, Manchester. John was of ‘full age’, Ellen was a ‘minor’ – so under the age of 21 at the time of the marriage John gives his address as St Georges Road and Ellen’s address is just Shudehill Given the marriage and birth date of first child it is likely Ellen was expecting when the couple married. |
| 1842 | 28 April Cable Street | Thomas (2xgt grandad) was born |
| 1851 | Cellar 111 Shudehill | John and Ellen are living with their sons Thomas, John, Peter and James. John is a tailor John and Ellen record their ages as 30 |
| 1861 | 24 German Street | John and Ellen are living with their children, Thomas, John, Peter James, Joseph and Margaret Jane. John is a tailor John is now 28 and Ellen is 26 |
| 1865 | 4 February 30 German Street | Ellen dies, age 38. Cause of death Bronchitis, heart disease and dropsy. |
| 1871 | 67 Loom Street | John is 45 and has remarried, his wife Elizabeth is 30. Children living with the couple are Joseph, age 15 from his first marriage. Robert is age 7 and Mary E is age 1. It isn’t clear from the census whether Robert is Ellen’s son or Elizabeth’s son. |
| 1881 | 67 Loom Street | John is 50 and Eliza is 36 Robert (14), Mary Ellen (12), Eliza (9), Bella (3), Owen (2) Given that John was born around 1821 his age should be 60 |
| 1891 | 67 Loom Street | John is 60 and a night watchman. Eliza is 47. Robert (24), Mary Ellen (21), Isabella (14), Owen (12) John (7) |
| 1892 | 67 Loom Street | John (3xgt grandad) dies from Haematuria (blood in urine), Asthenia (physical weakness). His death certificate said he was 62……..he must have been at least 10 years older than this. His son Robert registered the death. Given that his eldest son (our 2xgt grandad) was born in 1842 this age at death would not be possible. John would have been 12 when his eldest son was born. |
John had a total of 12 children, John was his youngest and was born when John was 63!! The family lived at the same address, 67 Loom Street, for 20 years or more.
I am still searching for the second marriage details, the couple will have married quite soon after the death of Ellen – his first wife. I have ordered the birth certificate for Robert, as he is likely the first child from the second marriage. I can then find the maiden name of his mother.
Family 