37 - The Smith Family (John and Mary)

We have another Smith family at Household 37. John Smith, a 50 year old hatter, and his wife Mary aged 48, along with their 7 children aged 6 years to 25 years. 5 of the children were working, Ralph in the hatting industry, Elizabeth, Sarah and Annie as machinists and Joshua (listed as John) as an errand boy.

Mary's father was Charles Oldham who had run the Rising Sun Inn in Bredbury until 1842.

Ralph Smith was a member of the Lily of the Valley Lodge of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, a friendly society. The group often met at the Duke of York for meetings and would sometimes visit other lodges. In September 1870 a group, including Ralph, walked to Hazel Grove where the Royal Fox Lodge met, and in March 1871 Ralph was present for a trip to the Good Shepherd Lodge in Compstall. Ralph must have had a good voice as he sang at many of the meetings.

Ralph was also a fan of bowling and took part in many tournaments. In July 1876 he came 4th in a competition at the Stock Dove, winning 10 shillings. In July 1881 he won first place at a competition at the Friendship Inn against 25 other players.

Ralph built his own house at 11 Berrycroft and worked as a hat planker until he died of heart failure in 1907 aged 61. He left a wife, Alice Oldham, and 4 daughters.

Joshua Smith also worked as a hat planker and he married Mary Rowbotham. They had 6 children together. Joshua was a great athlete as a younger man, winning many quarter mile races, and was a member of the choir at Hatherlow Church. Around 1885 they moved to Hazel Grove and Joshua joined the choir at Norbury Church.

In January 1912 54 year old Joshua began to complain of chest pain when hurrying but he didn't think it was bad enough to see a doctor. He assumed it was indigestion causing the pain. Joshua rushed to catch a tram to Norbury church and found a seat. During the journey the driver noticed his feet shooting forwards and his head resting on his arms. He stopped the car and laid Joshua flat. Water was sent for from a house nearby and Dr Moore was called. When the doctor arrived he said that Joshua was dead from heart failure like his brother.