Thread: Wm. Radcliffe, improver of power loom

I am trying to fill in some missing information to prove lineage from William Radcliffe (1760-1841) through my great-great grandmother, Lydia Radcliffe who was born in 1835. Lydia was the daughter of Alice Barton and Samuel Radcliffe and she is born in the Hays Buildings in Stockport which were owned by William Radcliffe. And although the websites I have read said that Wm. Radcliffe died penniless, Lydia, his granddaughter, received money from the British government (according to her grandson) until her death.

William Radcliffe (1760 – 1841) was born at Mellor. He was an industrialist who was the major improver of the power loom and mayor of Stockport. He married Sarah Jackson in 1786 and they had 17 children (15 listed below.) Sarah died in 1812 as a result of injuries she suffered when the Luddites attacked the factory and later their home.

According to the IGI it would appear that William and Sarah were married at Glossop Parish Church on 8th February, 1785. .

· James – Christened in 1785

· Samuel - Christened 1st May, 1787 Mellor

· Anne - Christened 10th August, 1788 Mellor

· Mary - Christened 1st November, 1789 - Death 17th April, 17971 Mellor

· Joseph - Christened 16th January, 1791 -Death 6th August, 1801 Mellor

· Sarah - Christened 8th September, 1793 - Death 18th August, 1802

· William - Christened 10th May, 1795 - Death 20th December, 1795

· Lucy - Christened 13th August, 1797 -Death 16th June, 1798 Mellor

· Frances - Christened 26th May, 1799 Mellor

· John - Christened 25th April, 1800 Mellor

· Eliza - Christened 14th June, 1801 Mellor

· Henry - Christened 5th September, 1803 - Death 10th September, 1803 Mellor

· Katherine - Christened 7th April, 1808 - Death 29th April, 1813 Mellor

· Margaret - Christened 15th August, 1802 -Death 18th August, 1802



It would appear that they were all christened in Mellor so that would be St Thomas' which was the Parish Church.

(Information provided by the Local Heritage Library in Stockport, Lancashire.)



I am trying to prove that the Samuel listed as being born in 1787 is the same one who married Alice Barton. Any assistance in resolving this would be very appreciated. Thank you.

Alyce

found some syuff you may be interested in...

http://interactive.stockport.gov.uk/...t/00000156.pdf

http://interactive.stockport.gov.uk/...t/00000157.pdf


the first page is stuff you have mentioned but the 2nd page says:
william tried to get a govt grant and he was awarded £150 three days before his death(most people were only gettingat most 120 shillings a week. also..photo hung in patent office where he was regarded as one of the twelve inventers who were of service to the maunfacturers of the world.

there are more pages - have you seen them all?

http://interactive.stockport.gov.uk/...t/00000158.pdf

http://interactive.stockport.gov.uk/...t/00000159.pdf

http://interactive.stockport.gov.uk/...t/00000160.pdf

have you tried contacting the UK Patent office? they may have a hostorical section or have transfered files to somewhere else... but maybe worth a try, the articles suggest the sum of money was because the patent register was incorrect or something.

good luck

Hello

Looks like a couple of us have wiled the evening away looking at the life of William RATCLIFFE!

An inventor at the time of Arkwright / Oldknow / Hargreaves and his Spinning Jenny
William was bp 17/10/1761 at Mellor Church he married aged 24 in ( he says 1785) patented the 'Dandy Loom' in 1802 was declared bankrupt in 1807, discharged from bankruptcy in 1817lived in 'straightened circumstances in the 27 years up to his death in his 81st year at Mill Gate Hall Stockport and is buried in Mellor Churchyard 18/05/1842

My info from books.google 'william ratcliffe stockport'

He is shown on the 1841 census at H107 114 3 with other family members

Have you looked for a will?

Have you looked at the PR/BT entries as opposed to the IGI?

Have you looked at the 'life' of Samuel & John Ratcliffe or obtained there wills?

Elsabels

Interesting that son Alfred b 1840 appears in the 1851 census at Cheetham's School Manchester....fee paying?