Sarah Elizabeth Cowen

Gran Bletcher

The summer of 1899 was the hottest since 1868, along with a drought it was also the driest summer on record at the time.  On June 2, at 12 Jones Street, Sarah Elizabeth was born to parents James and Sarah Alice.  James was 23 and Sarah was 20 years old; they had married on June 10, 1897, at St Andrews Church, Ancoats.

Sarah Elizabeth was christened in St Silas Church, Ancoats on 31 January 1900

Sarah’s father, James, worked as a ‘scavenger’ – likely a street cleaner.  By 1901, the young family lived in 2 rooms in Peter Street, Manchester (just off Deansgate and near to Central Station), James was still listed as a ‘scavenger – corporation’.

Before his marriage, James lived with his family on Primrose Street, Ancoats. He worked as a cotton dyer in one of the local mills. Notably, he was also a member of the Bengal Tigers, one of the gangs that held influence in Manchester at the time. _{(This story can be found on the pages ‘when worlds collide’)}

Sarah was baptized for a second time on 16 June 1910, at the age of 11, into the Catholic Church. This was unusual, particularly as she had already been baptized as an infant in the Church of England. Several factors could explain this delayed Catholic baptism — it may reflect a family conversion to Catholicism, a retrospective decision to formalize her religious affiliation, or other personal or religious circumstances unique to the family at the time.

Sarah’s parents, James Cowen and Sara Redford, were not married in a Catholic Church, and there is no immediate evidence of their active involvement in the Catholic faith. However, James himself had been baptised into the Catholic Church and is buried in the Catholic section of Southern Cemetery.

The reasons behind Sarah’s later baptism into Catholicism will likely remain unknown. What we do know is that she idolised her father, who died just four years later. He suffered from peripheral neuritis — a painful condition that affected many aspects of his life. It is possible that his illness, and the bond she shared with him, played a role in the decision to baptize Sarah into the Catholic faith during her later childhood.

Key Information from the Record:

• Date of Birth: 2nd June 1899
• Date of Baptism: 16th June 1910
• Name of Baptized Child: Sara Cowen
• Parents:
  • Father: Jacob (Latinized form of James)
  • Mother: Sara Cowen, née Redford (listed as “olim Redford,” which means “formerly Redford”)
• Officiating Priest: H. F. Roche
• Godparents (Patrinus and Matrina):
  • Godfather: [not filled in]
  • Godmother: Clara White

The document is in Latin, consistent with Catholic Church practices in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Latin forms of names are used (e.g., Jacobus for James, Junii for June).

By 1911, the family had moved just off Hyde road, now occupying 3 rooms.  Sarah, then 12 years old, was recorded as an only child, which was unusual for the time.

A New Chapter

Sarah’s father passed away in 1914, with his death certificate listing his place of death as 309 Great Ancoats Street. His cause of death was peripheral neuritis, this is where the nerves in the extremities of the body are damaged. Symptoms James would have suffered from were numbness and tingling; burning, stabbing or shooting pains; loss of balance and co-ordination. Diagnosis and treatment were not as refined as today, with most treatment being palliative. Common causes likely included exposure to toxins. This exposure might have occurred when he worked as a dyer’s labourer during the 1890’s. During this time, he may have worked with toxic materials and these materials could have been the cause of the trauma to his nerves.

Just four months later, her mother remarried, and the couple continued living at the same address. The 1921 census records them both as beer retailers, working for Chesters brewery.

Family stories tell us that Sarah had idolised her father James and she struggled to get along with her mother and stepfather – their relationship was strained.

In January 1919, just two months after the end of World War I, Sarah Elizabeth Cowen married Harry Moores Bletcher at St. Andrew’s Church, Ancoats—the same church where her parents had wed 20 years earlier.

Sarah’s uncle, Louis Redford—her mothers youngest brother—was married on the same day and in the same church as Sarah. This raises the strong possibility that the two weddings were part of a joint ceremony. Such traditions were not uncommon in the early 20th century when families often shared significant life events. Louis married Lily Alberta Cowan, which adds an intriguing twist to the family story.

The coincidence of surnames is particularly interesting given that Sarah’s maternal line also includes the surname Cowen. Despite this apparent connection, my research so far has not uncovered a familial link between Lily Alberta Cowan and Sarah’s Cowen ancestors. The spelling variation (Cowan vs Cowen) could suggest a divergence in family lines or simply reflect the inconsistencies typical in historical record-keeping.

It’s possible that Lily’s branch of the Cowan family came from a different region or were unrelated despite the shared surname. Alternatively, the link may exist further back in the family tree or may have been obscured through changes in spelling, migration, or incomplete records. Further research into parish records, census returns, and marriage certificates from both families might eventually reveal a connection—or confirm that the similarity in names is purely coincidental.

Regardless, the idea of a double wedding between Sarah and Louis would have been a memorable event. It would unite both couples in the same ceremony and would mark a significant day in their shared history.

Harry’s Story

Harry was born in 1898. He joined the Territorial Force in 1915, claiming to be 19 years old. This was a common practice for young men eager to enlist. Interestingly, the enlistment form only required an “apparent age” and did not ask for a date of birth.

Harry was soon found “unlikely to become an efficient soldier.” This was due to extreme flat feet and what was described as “defective intellect.” This vague term at the time could have referred to anything from exhaustion to learning difficulties. He was discharged after just four months in August 1915.

Dating this particular photograph of Sarah and Harry hasn’t been possible. It may have been taken around their wedding. It could even be their wedding photograph. The exact uniform Harry is wearing remains unconfirmed.

Family Life

Their first child, a son, was born on December 19, 1920, nearly two years after their marriage. At the time, they were living at 7 Tutbury Street.

By 1921, they had moved again, and census records show them residing at 26 Gatley Street, Ancoats.
Olive, their daughter, was born on March 10, 1922. At that time, they were living at 309 Great Ancoats Street with Sarah’s mother and stepfather.

Their third child, Margaret Ann, was born on August 26, 1926. Heartbreakingly, she passed away nine months later. She succumbed to convulsions caused by teething and exhaustion. Margaret was buried on June 8, 1927, in Southern Cemetery, resting with her grandparents Joseph and Ann Bletcher.

At this time, the family had moved back to 26 Gatley Street, where they remained for several years.

Harry & Olive, studio shot probably taken late 1922/early 1923 whilst living at 26 Gatley Street

Growing Family

Ivy, Lillian and Robert were all born whilst the family were living at 26 Gatley Street.

Lillian, Olive, Robert and Ivy – probably around 1937 (based on the possible age of Robert who was born in March 1935)

By 1939, the family had moved to 2 Dantall Avenue, where they lived for many years.

Harry and Sarah with Ivy, Robert and Lillian – probably around 1939

Harry, Ivy, Sarah, Olive and Robert (Bob) in the garden at Dantall Avenue

Later Years

In March 1965, Harry underwent a lower leg amputation due to an untreated infection that had turned gangrenous. Sadly, he passed away a week later, on March 26, 1965, at the age of 67.

Sarah remained at Dantall Avenue until the late 1970s, when she moved in with her son Robert.

She passed away on April 10, 1982, at the age of 82, after suffering a stroke.

A Legacy of Love

Sarah Elizabeth and Harry Moores had six children. Though they were never wealthy in terms of money, they were rich in love. ❤️