James parents were Thomas Cowen, who was born in 1842, and Alice Conduit, born in 1844. These are our 3xgreat grandparents.
Thomas and Alice were married on Monday 31 January 1870 in the Cathedral Parish Church in Manchester. They both gave the same address as their place of abode on the marriage certificate, this saved having to pay two fees; a small but telling glimpse into their financial situation at that time.
Thomas and Alice are both illiterate, as can be seen by them making their mark (a cross) against their names.
Thomas Cowen was born on 28 April 1842, the first of six children born between 1842 and 1855, to parents John Cowen/Cowan and Ellen Coveny. Ellen died on 4 February 1865, suffering from bronchitis, heart disease and dropsy, suggesting she endured prolonged health conditions, which wouldnt be uncommon given the poor living and working conditions of the time.
Thomas married for a second time, to Elizabeth Dunn and went on to have a further 6 children with his second wife.
Early Years
Thomas makes his first appearance in the census return of 1851; he is living with his parents John and Ellen and his younger brothers John, Peter and James. They are living in the cellar of 111 Shudehill, Manchester, suggesting the family faced tough conditions. Shudehill was a bustling but overcrowded area of Manchester, with many working class families crammed into small, damp dwellings. John is working as a tailor, which is a skilled trade. However, it may not have provided much financial stability, especially with a rapidly growing family.
1861 sees the family living at 24 German Street, possibly a step up from living in the cellar at Shudehill and possibly improved living conditions. With Joseph and Margaret Jane joining the family, that would make 6 children in total.
When carrying out the research, the primary documents are birth, marriage and death certificates and the census records. Looking on the 1861 census record for Thomas, I found he is living with his family – however his parents ages don’t look correct. Thomas’s age is registered as 18, his father John’s age is registered as 28 – which would suggest that John became a father at the age of 10.
The census documents were completed by the enumerator; a person who went round to the house and interviewed the householder. It is possible the enumerator misheard or misrecorded the age, or that John misstated it for some reason. Mistakes like this are fairly common, especially as literacy levels varied and many people weren’t certain when their birthday was.
Family Life
Thomas and Alice married in the Cathedral Church, Manchester on Monday 31 January 1870. Their first child, William Thomas, was born on 28 January 1871 followed by his 6 brothers and sisters.
Child mortality was high and unfortunately Thomas and Alice lost two sons in infancy, John and Joseph.
John was born on 7 February 1879 and died on 12 August 1880. His cause of death was marasmus, as wasting disease caused by malnutrition.
Joseph was born on 29 August 1887 and died on 24 December 1888, suffering from bronchitis and congestion of the lungs. That John and Joseph died so young highlights the poor living conditions many faced, with overcrowded, damp homes and poor nutrition.
| 28 April 1842 | Cable Street | Great great grandad was the eldest child born to parents Ellen and Thomas. |
| 1851 | Cellar of 111 Shudehill | Thomas was 9 years old in 1851, he lived with his parents John and Ellen, and his brothers John, Peter & James. Father John is a tailor and notes his birthplace as Ireland. |
| 1861 | 24 German St | Thomas is 18 and is a tailor. He is still living with his parents John and Ellen. There are now 6 children in the family. |
| 31 Jan 1870 | Cathedral Parish Church, Manchester | Thomas Cowen, age 26 and a tailor married Alice Conduit, age 25. Both are illiterate |
| 1871 | 75 Loom St | Thomas is lodging at this address with his wife Alice and new son – also Thomas. Thomas gives his age as 30 years, Alice (registered as Eliza) is 24 and their son is 3 months. Thomas is a tailor and Alice is a weaver |
| 1881 | 3 Taylor Court | Thomas and Alice are living with their children Thomas, James (our great grandad) and Ellen. The issue with age seems to have followed through to this generation also. Thomas and Alice both give their age as 30. In 1870 Thomas was 26 on his marriage certificate, meaning he should be 36 in the 1881 census ……… |
| 1891 | 66 Primrose St | Thomas is missing in the 1891 census, his name could have been mis spelt or he could just not have been enumerated/recorded in the census. Alice records her age as 46 and is head of the family, living with 4 of her sons |
| 1901 | Crumpsall workhouse 6 Higgins Bldgs | Thomas is shown as age 61 and is an inmate in Manchester Workhouse, Crumpsall. His occupation is tailor and his marital status recorded as ‘married’. He is also recorded as a ‘worker’ so it is possible he was in the infirmary rather than the workhouse. Alice is living with 2 of her sons, she is 58. |
| 1911 | Crumpsall workhouse | Thomas is now 70, shown as a former tailor and married. I am still looking for Alice, there is a possible Alice Cowen but I need to do further research to confirm this is the right Alice. |
| 1928 | 6 Jan 1928 123 Crescent Rd, Crumpsall | Alice Cowen died at the age of 82, the widow of Thomas Cowen (Tailor Journeyman) Cause of death was senile Dementia. 123 Crescent Road is the address noted on certification for Crumpsall Hospital, now known as North Manchester General Hospital. |
The later years
It has been difficult to find Thomas and Alice in later census records, Thomas’s later years are still a mystery as he does not appear in the census records alongside Alice.
Alice died on 6 January 1928 at the age of 82, suffering from senile dementia. She died in hospital, 123 Crescent Road is the address noted for the hospital now called North Manchester General Hospital.
Living to the age of 82 (or 83 if her birth date is to be believed) is remarkable given the hardships she endured, the living conditions and losing children so young.
Family 