Rainford - Farmer and Locksmith?

[MaryA]

Opinions please.

The Latham family lived in Mosbrough Moss/Mosbro Road, Rainford, throughout the 1841, 1851 until father Thomas died in December 1960 (and later but I'm interested in earlier).

I am able to confirm that the children baptised in All Saints, Rainford do belong to my Thomas and Ann, but the father's occupation I notice on the first four children is that of "Locksmith", after 1837 it becomes "Farmer", as it is in the 1841 and 1851 censuses.
James Born: 28 Oct 1829
Ellen Born: 5 Aug 1831
Mary Born: 29 Apr 1833
Thomas Born: 28 Sep 1834

Having looked at a current map https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@53.49626 ... 880252,16z I see that they would have been living close to Rainford Brook.

I'm interested in finding out whether anybody has any historical information about the area to help me decide whether Thomas tended to locks on waterways, or doorlocks?

[Bertieone]

Hi Mary,

The person who looked after waterways locks were known and still are known as Lock Keepers. Locksmiths are associated with door locks, etc.

Hope this helps.

[MaryA]

Thanks Bert, I must look more into the history of locks, if I'm correct Thomas's father William was also noted as being a Locksmith too.

[Hilary]

Try this for history of Rainford

Back
www.rainfordhistory.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/
History of Rainford Village with details of local industry, agriculture, churches and schools.

I had to giggle about the thought of a lock on Rainford Brook as it is just literally a brook. Phot on above site. My grandparents lived in Rainford.

My Glover ancestors were living in Rainford at the same time as your Latham's but they farmed off Bushey Lane maybe they bought locks from your ancestors.

[MaryA]

I had to giggle about the thought of a lock on Rainford Brook as it is just literally a brook.

Well I had wondered if it had diminished over the years!

Now I got a problem! Came across a Thomas and Ann in 1851, similar ages and birthplaces, similar address and his occupation was locksmith. Problem was the two children he had didn't match those in the baptisms - who are actually living with who I think are my Thomas and Ann whose occupation is Farmer!!

Oh what a tangled web we weave.

[Hilary]

Please can you post the 2 Thomas and Ann entries in 1851. Which child of the couple are you interested in?

[Hilary]

Is this the family?

1851 census Mosboro Rd Rainford

Thomas Lathom 41 ag lab
Ann wife 42
Mary 17, Ann 13, Joseph 9, William 6, Catherine 4, Abraham 2
All born Rainford

[MaryA]

That is the one I have in 1851, together with 1841
Census UK 1841 HO107; Piece: 517; Book: 1; Civil Parish: Prescot; County: Lancashire; Enumeration District: 1; Folio: 7; Page: 7
Mosbrough Moss, Rainford, Lancashire
Thomas Latham M 35 Farmer Y
Anne Latham F 30 Y
James Latham M 12 Y
Ellen Latham F 9 Y
Mary Latham F 8 Y
Thomas Latham M 6 Y
Ann Latham F 3 Y
William Latham M 2 Y

The baptisms do confirm that there were two Williams, both with father's occupation as Farmer.

The direct line is Ann born 1837 - marriage 1857, Marriage solemnized at St Mary the Virgin, Prescot, Lancashire in the Parish of Prescot in the County of
Marriage No: Marriage Henry Valentine & Ann Latham
When Married: 11 May 1857
Name and Surname: Henry Valentine and Ann Latham
Age: No age given and 19
Condition: Bachelor and Spinster
Rank or Profession: Labourer and -
Residence at the time of Marriage: Rainford, Lancashire and Rainford, Lancashire
Father's Name and Surname: Henry Valentine and Thomas Latham
Rank or Profession of Father: Labourer and Labourer
Married in the church according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Established Church, By Banns by me, Francis L Horsham.
This Marriage was solemnized between us, Henry Valentine and Ann Latham
in the Presence of us, Witnesses: John Porter, Mary Latham

So all follows, the children match from one census to the next and the occupation of farmer coincides with the change in the childrens baptisms, but the children whose father's occupation was locksmith are also with them and ties in with Mary still being there in 1851.

Now the one that has thrown me is 1841 HO107; Piece: 517; Book: 1; Civil Parish: Prescot; County: Lancashire; Enumeration District: 1; Page: 3
Mosbrough Road, Rainford, Lancashire
Thos Latham 37 Locksmith Y
Ann 40 Y
Mary 1 Y
N.K. 6 hours (female) Y