Walter K Bucknall

Notes:

Census Listings:
1900 Manhatton, New York. USA son. age 9.
1905 Manhattan, New York. USA son. age 14. at home

Notes:

Census Listings;
1861 Laburnam Place, Bellis Street, Edgbaston, son. age 5. (61-383)
1871 269 Ladywood Lane. Edgbaston, Birmingham. son. age 15. Scholar. (71-326)
1881 9 Dawlish Place. Monument Road, Ladywood. Birmingham Head married, age 25. Bricklayer
1900 Manhattan, New York. USA Head married age 44, City Building Inspector
1905 Manhattan, New York. USA Head married age 49. Building Inspector
1910 Manhattan, New York. USA. Head married age 54. City Building Inspector,
1920 Manhattan, New York. USA Head married, age 63 Masons Builder
1930 Bronx, New York, USA. Head married age 74, Bricklayer.
1940 Bronx, New York, USA. Father in Law, Widowed, age 74.

In 1881 Walter and Lucy, but with yet no children, were living at 9 Dawlish Place, Monument Road, Ladywood. Walter and Lucy later had two sons before emigrating, Charles William (b.1883 4qtr) and Hyla Edward (b.1886 4qtr). Lucy, Charles and Hyla were identified sailing on SS Wyoming for New York in September 1888. Hyla married Mae Alma Ramsden 11 Apr 1907 in Manhattan, NY.

Walter married Lucy Hobday on 30 May 1880 in Kings Norton, Birmingham, Warwickshire.. Lucy (daughter of Thomas Edward Hobday and Maria Peace) was born on 6 Jan 1856 in Edgbaston, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England; died on 6 Dec 1938 in Bronx, New York, USA [3435 Knox Place]; was buried on 9 Dec 1938 in Woodlawn Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Census Listings:
1861 Harbourne Hill, Edgbaston, Warwickshire, daughter. age 5.
1881 9 Dawlish Place. Monument Road, Ladywood. Birmingham. wife, age 25,
1900 Manhatton, New York. USA wife, age 44.
1905 Manhattan, New York. USA wife. age 49.
1910 Manhatten, New York USA wife, age 54,
1920 Manhatten, New York USA wife. age 63.
1930 Bronx, New York, USA wife, age 74

Notes:

Married:
Marriage 30 May 1880 The Parish Church, Edgbaston, Warwickshire,
Walter William Bucknall, age 24, Bachrlor and Bricklayer of Edgbaston
Lucy Hobday age 24, spinster of Edgbaston
were amrried by Banns by W D Hathaway.
in the presence of Henry Hobday & Mary Hobday
Grooms Father: Theophilus Bucknall, Gardener
Brides Father Thomas Hobday, Potato Salesman

Notes:

Census Listings;
1841 Nether Street, Beeston, Nottinghamshire. age 25. Frame Work Knitter. (41-218)
1851 Clarkes Buildings, Monument Lane, Edgbaston. Head (m). age 39. Gardener. (51-278)
1861 Laburnam Place, Bellis Street, Edgbaston, Head (m). age 49. Gardener. (61-383)
1871 269 Ladywood Lane. Edgbaston, Birmingham. Head (m). age 53. Gardener. (71-326)

Notes
The family, other than Elizabeth, was living at Arthur Street, Beeston in 1841. There is a record of an Elizabeth Bucknall marrying John Howitt at Clifton on 6 May
1832. This may be Elizabeth above but there is some uncertainty. The family were all framework knitters and Henry and Edward were unmarried. Eric's commentaries mention a possibility of Theophilus (4) marrying in Nottingham but no record of such a marriage has been found.
Theophilus moved to Birmingham in the mid-1840s almost certainly because of depression in the framework knitting industry. Before their marriage in 1849 both Theophilus and Mary Anne Bassett were living in Smallbrook Street, Birmingham. The marriage certificate and the 1851 census state Theophilus's occupation as a gardener. He remained a gardener for the rest of his working life and was employed by the Bache family of Edgbaston. The Bache family in 1851 lived at Fairview House, Hagley Road and later at 44 Frederick Street where the head of the family, Samuel Bache, was a Unitarian minister.
It is likely Theophilus came into contact with a neighbouring Martineau family, also Unitarians, as his brother, Henry, subsequently worked for a member of that family. Also, one of Theophilus's sons was called John Kentish and there was a Martineau son called Edward Kentish, both believed named after a renowned Birmingham Unitarian minister, John Kentish (1768-1853), who lived in Park Vale, Edgbaston and was related by marriage to the Martineau family.
By 1851 Theophilus (his father born 1777) had died and his widow, Martha, aged 72, Edward and Henry, still unmarried, were now living at 44 Nether Street, Beeston, as neighbours of Theophilus's brother, George, and his family. Henry continued as a framework knitter of cotton hose but Edward had become a gardener. Around the time of the death of their mother in 1859, Henry and Edward both married and moved away from Beeston. Henry became a gardener and farmhand working for Harriet Martineau, the Victorian author, journalist and political economist who lived in the Lake District. Edward worked as a gardener and groom in West Bromwich but his employer is not known. He moved to Edgbaston around 1862 but again his employer is not known. In the 1881 census Edward's occupation was Gardener (ND). This means "non-domestic", ie he may have been a gardener for a local authority. A check revealed he was not employed at the nearby Botanical Gardens.
Although the Martineaus were a Norwich family the third son, Robert, became a brassfounder in Dudley. By the 1840s he was living on the Bristol Road, Birmingham, with his family of six children and later at 32 Highfield Road, Edgbaston. By then he had also become a magistrate. His eldest son, Thomas, who became a lawyer and magistrate, became related by marriage to the Chamberlain* family and was three times mayor of the then borough. He lived with his family at 26 Calthorpe Road, Edgbaston. His son and grandson became benefactors of the City and Lord Mayors. Edward Kentish also became a brassfounder and in 1871 was living in Portland Road, Edgbaston.
It seems probable Henry obtained his post with Harriet Martineau, who until 1855 had been an occasional visitor to her Birmingham relatives, through Theophilus's employer's friendship with the Martineau family. Eric's commentaries mention that Theophilus worked for the Bache family and Henry worked for Harriet Martineau but there was no family information about Edward.

* Joseph Chamberlain (1836-1914) former Mayor of Birmingham and MP.
* Austen Chamberlain (1863-1937) former Chancellor of the Exchequer
* Neville Chamberlain (1869-1940) former Prime Minister

One assumes as Theophilus, Henry and Edward had been framework knitters that in order to take up full-time gardening in mid-life they must have had some experience of horticulture or agriculture while living at Beeston.
Harriet Martineau (b.1802), a younger sister of Robert, had moved from Norwich to London in 1832 to further her writing career. She became a complete invalid between 1839 and 1844 and went to live at Tynemouth to be near her physician brother-in-law until, as Eric's commentaries and her autobiography states, she was cured by mesmerism. In 1845 she had a house built at Ambleside, Westmorland (The Knoll). She had travelled in USA, Europe and the Middle East but in 1855 she again became ill and was never to leave home until her death twenty years later.
Her niece, Maria, who is believed to have had some nursing training and was the third child of Robert Martineau, went to live with her. She became Harriet Martineau's devoted companion and secretary until her own untimely death from typhoid fever in March 1864 aged 37. Her sister, Jane, then took over.
In early 1859 Henry went to work at The Knoll as gardener and farmer of her model farm of two acres. This farm had been started some years earlier to provide a measure of self-sufficiency in food for Harriet's household. After the opening of the railway to Windermere in 1847 the summer influx of tourists to the Lake District periodically caused food retailers to run short of supplies. Harriet's innovative farming resulted in some national publicity, the interest of a Parliamentary Committee examining The Smallholdings Question and the publication of a book on the subject.
It seems likely that Maria Martineau with her Birmingham connections had a role in the recruitment of Henry after Harriet's previous gardener and farmworker, Robert Fulcher, had left her employment following a dispute.
A letter from Harriet Martineau to Sarah Martineau, 23 March 1859, states - We are so comfortable with the new man and his bride. She is a nice active body, very sensible and her husband adores her. They are desperately happy, to be sure.
It should be noted that at the time of their marriage in 1859 Henry was aged 43 and Elizabeth 34. These ages suggest a possible long courtship, marriage perhaps not being possible until Henry had found permanent employment. Also, there had been Henry's widowed mother to consider. She died around the time of the marriage in early 1859.
Henry Bucknall and his wife lived in an adjacent cottage (Knoll Cottage) and were identified living there up to 1881, although Harriet Martineau had died in 1876 and is buried in Birmingham. The Knoll remained in the possession of the Martineau family until the 1920s and Henry worked for the new tenant until his death in 1889.
Reports suggest Harriet Martineau treated her servants very well, educated them and even provided them with a library. Knoll Cottage evidently had a commodious laundry room which enabled Elizabeth Bucknall to become a laundress there. Henry and Elizabeth had two daughters, the first being named after Henry's employer.

Theophilus married Mary Ann Bassett on 19 Aug 1849 in St Martin, Birmingham, Warwickshire.. Mary (daughter of William Bassett and Sarah) was born in 1820 in Hurley, Warwickshire, England; died in 1884. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Baptism: 9 Jan 1820, Kingsbury, Warwickshire [families abode: Hurley.]

Notes:

Census Listings;
1851 Clarkes Buildings, Monument Lane, Edgbaston. wife. age 31. (51-278)
1861 Laburnam Place, Bellis Street, Edgbaston, wife. age 41. (61-383)
1871 269 Ladywood Lane. Edgbaston, Birmingham. wife. age 51. (71-326)
1881 269 Ladywood Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham. widow, age 61, Housekeeper [born Kingsbury, Warwickshire]

Birth:
Brian Bucknall gives place of birth as Water Orton.

Notes:

Married:
marriage: 19 August 1849, St Martins Parish Church, Birmingham.
Theophilus Bucknall, age 38, Bachelor & Gardener of Smallbrook Street,
Mary Ann Bassett, age 38, Spinster of Smallbrook Street,
were married by Banns by J R Rathbone, Curate.
In the presence of William Barber & Catherine Heap.
Grooms father: Theophilus Bucknall, Frame Knitter.
Brides Father: William Bassett, Farmer.
[found at Ancestry.co.uk]

Other Events:

• Baptism: 15 Oct 1821, St Philip. Birmingham, Warwickshire.

Notes:

Census Listings:
1841 Mitchley Lane, Edgbaston age 15.
1851 Harbourn Road, Edgbaston. Head married, age 29 Labourer
1861 Harbourne Hill, Edgbaston, Warwickshire, Head married age 39.

Thomas married Maria Peace on 27 Nov 1842 in St Philip, Birmingham Warwickshire.. Maria (daughter of John Peace and Mary Standley) was born in 1818 in Edgbaston, Warwickshire, England; died in 1905; was buried on 17 Apr 1905 in Harbourne,. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Census Listings:
1841 Harbourne Road, Edgbaston, Waraickshire, age 20. Fancy Cabinate liner.
1851 Harbourn Road, Edgbaston. wife. age 32. Domestic.
1861 Harbourne Hill, Edgbaston, Warwickshire, wife, age 42.
1871 Harbourne Hill, Edgbaston, Warwickshire. Head, Widow, age 52. Laundress
1881 216 Harbourne Road, Edgbaston. Head widow. age 62, Laundress
1891 216 Harbourne Road, Edgbaston. Head widow. age 72. Laundress

Notes:

Married:
Marriage: 27 November 1842 St Philip, Birmingham Warwickshire
Thomas Edward Hobday, of full age Bachelor & Potato Dealer of Edgbaston
Maria Peace of full age Spinster of Edgbaston
were amrried by Banns
in the presence of Caroline Walker "X" (her mark) & Edward Peace
Grooms Father: Thomas Hobday Potato Dealer
Brides Father: John Peace, Labourer

Other Events:

• Baptism: 11 Jan 1777, Breaston, Derbyshire, England

Notes:

Theo served as in the Derbyshire Militia untill the age of 27. Aged 73 he was found dead by his wife and there was an inquest.

Inquest Report (Nottingham Review 27 September 1850 - page 4)
On Monday last, an inquest was held at the White Lion Tavern, Beeston, before Mr C. Swann, Coroner, to ascertain the death of Theophilus Bucknall, aged 72, a Framework Knitter, residing in the same place. On Saturday last, deceased was engaged in making some repairs to his stocking frame. He ate a hearty dinner of meat and potatoes and his wife left him shortly afterwards to go to Nottingham Market. On her return however at six o'clock, she found him stretched lifeless on the floor. It seems that the deceased had been for the last three weeks under the care of Messrs. Orton & Butler, surgeons, for water on the chest, and the jury returned a verdict of "found dead from natural causes."

Census Listings;
1841 Nether Street, Beeston, Nottinghamshire. age 60. Frame Work Knitter. (41-218)

Baptism:
Parish Register states son of Theophilus & Sarah, so may not belong to this family, BT's need to be researched.

Theophilus married Martha Potter on 11 Feb 1811 in St Marys Parish Church, Nottingham. Martha was born in 1786 in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, England; died in 1859 in Nottinghamshire.. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Census Listings;
1841 Nether Street, Beeston, Nottinghamshire. age 55. (41-218)
1851 Nether Street, Beeston, Nottinghamshire. wid age 72, (N 88)

William married Sarah. Sarah was born about 1800 in Warwickshire, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Baptism: 1 Nov 1795, Exhall, Warwickshire, England

Notes:

Residence:
1821 Bristol Street, occupation Labourer.
1829 Sun Street.
1831 Mitchley Lane, Edgbaston

Census Listings:
1841 Mitchley Lane, Edgbaston age 45, Potato Badger **
1851 Mitchley Lane, Edgbaston. Head married age 55, Potato Dealer

** Badger - an itinerant trader usually dealing in food

Thomas married Lucy Allen on 21 Apr 1816 in St Edburgha, Yardley, Worcestershire.. Lucy (daughter of Eleanor Allen) was born in 1795 in Harborne, Staffordshire, England; died in 1866; was buried on 16 Oct 1866. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Baptism: 21 Jun 1795, St Peter, Harborne, Staffordshire

Notes:

Census Listings:
1841 Mitchley Lane, Edgbaston age 45
1851 Mitchley Lane, Edgbaston. wife, age 55.
1861 Mitchley Lane, Edgbaston, Head widow age 65. Proprieter of Houses.

Birth:
Parish Register 28 June 1795
Lucy daughter of Minor Allen Illigitimate [ Eleanor Allen was just 15. ]

Notes:

Married:
Marriage: 21 April 1816 St Edburgha, Yardley, Worcestershire.
Thomas Hobday "X" (his Mark) of this parish
Lucy Allen of this Parish
were married by J Palmer, Curate
in the presence of James ??? and Ann Thompson "X" (her mark)

John married Mary Standley on 5 Oct 1809 in St Philip. Birmingham, Warwickshire,.. Mary (daughter of Joseph Standley and Mary) was born in 1791 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Baptism: 8 Mar 1791, St Philip, Birmingham

Notes:

Census Listings:
1841 Harbourne Road, Edgbaston, Warwickshire, age 50 House Keeping