Born 1849
John Bagnall was my Great, Great Grandfather. He was born in 1849 (We know this from the 1881 census, the 1891 census, the 1901 census and from his marriage certificate).
John Bagnall
Childhood censuses, 1851 & 1861
In the 1851 census, John is listed aged 2 with his parents Thomas and Hannah and brother William at Bridge Street, Wakefield (ref 2327/folio517). By the 1861 census he is aged 12, still with his parents and brother William, now at Rawling Yard, Stanley cum Wrenthorpe (ref 3420/folio31).
1871 census
Shortly before his marriage, the 1871 census (taken 2 April 1871) records John, aged 22, a bricklayer, still living with his parents Thomas and Hannah at Stanley Cum Wrenthorpe (ref 4618/folio22).
Marriage 9 September 1871
John marries Mary Ann Wilby 9 September 1871 at West Parade Chapel, aged 22, Mary Ann is also 22. West Parade Chapel, sadly, has since been demolished.
With this marriage certificate, I was able to determine Mary Ann's maiden name and confirm both Mary Ann and John's ages (matching the ages on the 1901 census).
John's profession was bricklayer and Mary Ann's was domestic servant. Both John and Mary Ann lived in "Eastmoor near Wakefield".
This certificate was also the first clue to be able to step back yet another generation, since I discovered John and Mary Ann's Fathers' names - Thomas Bagnall - a labourer and Joseph Wilby - a cloth presser.
Since Thomas was a labourer, his son, John a bricklayer and his son's - bricklayers and stonemasons, it seems that generation by generation, the Wakefield Bagnall's were making better lives for themselves and ensuring that their children might have better skills and education than they had access to themselves.
Family
Edith
Louisa
Harry
John
George
Milton
Hannah
Mary AnnWilby William
It looks to me like John, his wife Mary Ann and my Great Grandfather William were guests at this as yet unknown wedding.
John?
Mary AnnWilby? William? Milton? Harry? George? Annie?
John is mentioned as father of the bride in this newspaper report of the wedding of "Annie Bagnall", who could be the person listed in the Census as "Ann E. Bagnall?". Mention is made in the exhaustive wedding gift list of Mr. and Mrs. W. Bagnall which could be William and Harriet, George Bagnall, Master Harry and Miss E. Bagnall (Edith?), Mabel Bagnall, Miss L Bagnall - also a bridesmaid (Louisa).
1877 Trade Directory Entry
John is listed in a trade directory in 1877 as 'Bagnall John, builder, Stanley Road'
1881 census
From the 1881 census, we know that John was 32, a builder living at Stanley Road, married to Mary A Bagnall who was 31. Their childen (so far) at this time were:
| Hannah Bagnall | Scholar | Age 8 | Born 1873 |
|---|---|---|---|
| William Bagnall | Scholar | Age 6 | Born 1875 |
| Ann E Bagnall | Scholar | Age 3 | Born 1880 |
| George Bagnall | Scholar | Age 1 | Born 1878 |
1882 John and Mary Ann Accident
As reported in the Leeds Mercury on 26th September 1882:
1882 Bagnall Street plans
Dave Russ very kindly sent me some plans with the name John Bagnall on them and they are for the area enclosed by Greenhill road, including the yet to be built Bagnall Street.
1885 December 19th John mentioned in the Wakefield and West Riding Herald
1890, John Acts as an Executor for Henry Watson
This excerpt from the London Gazette of October 28th 1890 lists John Bagnall (of Eastmoor) as one of two executors for Henry Watson
1891 census
From the 1891 census, we know that John was 42, a builder & contractor, living at 78 Stanley Road, married to Mary A Bagnall who was 41. Their childen (so far) at this time were:
| NAME and Surname of each Person | RELATION to Head of Family | AGE last birthday | PROFESSION or OCCUPATION | Where Born |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hannah Bagnall | Daughter | 18 | Wakefield, Yorkshire | |
| William Bagnall | Son | 16 | Wakefield, Yorkshire | Bricklayer |
| Ann E. Bagnall | Daughter | 13 | Wakefield, Yorkshire | Scholar |
| George Bagnall | Son | 11 | Wakefield, Yorkshire | Scholar |
| Louisa Bagnall | Daughter | 9 | Wakefield, Yorkshire | Scholar |
| Edith Bagnall | Daughter | 7 | Wakefield, Yorkshire | Scholar |
| Harry Bagnall | Son | 5 | Wakefield, Yorkshire | Scholar |
| Mabel Bagnall | Daughter | 3 | Wakefield, Yorkshire |
1901 census
From the 1901 census, we know that in 1901, John lived on Stanley Road, perhaps still at 78 or maybe the house we think he may have built - 174 Aberford Road? (Aberford Road today extends from Stanley Road). The ecclesiastical Parish was the parish of St. Andrew.
John was a bricklayer and an employer, aged 52. His wife, Mary is listed as being 57, though the marriage certificate (See above) shows them as being the same age. The 1881 census gives their ages as 32 and 31 and the 1891 census gives their ages as 42 and 41. I believe the 1901 census is in error and that their ages were very close.
John and Mary had the following children living with them by 1901:
| George Bagnall | Bricklayer | Age 21 |
|---|---|---|
| Louisa Bagnall | Milliner | Age 19 |
| Edith Bagnall | Dressmaker | Age 17 |
| Harry Bagnall | Stonemason | Age 15 |
| John M Bagnall | Age 4 |
These in addition to those listed in the 1881 census who by 1901 had left home or perhaps died.
We know William had his own house by now since there is also an entry in the 1901 census for William and Harriett's family.
Hannah, John and Mary Ann's eldest child, married Marshall Grainge in 1897.
1910 Died
This excerpt from the London Gazette of March 29th 1910 includes notice from the executors of John Bagnall's will and informs us that he died on 10th January 1910.