51 - The Faulkner Family

The Head of the Faulkner family in 1871 was 58 year old Sarah Faulkner, nee Brazendale. Born in Lymm, Cheshire, she married a mechanic named William Faulkner in August 1835. They initially settled in Lymm where they had 3 children, but moved to Manchester, then Romiley, followed by Congleton and then back to Romiley. They had 8 children in total.

I wasn't able to find a death record for William in Cheshire but he must have died between 1861 and 1871 as Sarah is listed as a widow in the 1871 census.

Living with her are her daughters Ruth, a 24 year old dressmaker and Mary, an 18 year old machine sewer, along with her 13 year old son John, who was in school. Also living with the family were Sarah's daughter Sarah, a machinist, and her husband Thomas Hall, an engine fitter. A lodger also resided at the property, Charles William Harrison, who worked as an engine fitter.

The youngest child, John, went on to become a draper's assistant and married Hannah Turner. They lived in Lancashire, had 6 children, and John sadly died aged around 50.

Ruth Faulkner married the lodger Charles William Harrison just a year after the census. Charles was a Railway Clerk and the son of a Station master. Sister Mary Faulkner was a witness at the wedding. Tragically, just months after the wedding on the 15th July 1872, Ruth passed away.