Profile: Rawcliffe Family

The Rawcliffe Family of Blackburn: A Legacy Woven Through Lancashire’s Cotton Mills

The Rawcliffe family story unfolds in the heart of industrial Lancashire, where weaving looms, cobbled streets, and a tightly knit community defined the rhythms of life. At its center stands Martha Alice Rothwell, born on 25 April 1840 in Blackburn, to Henry Rothwell and Alice Hacking. Although her birth year fluctuates across records—from 1837 to 1841—what remains constant is her enduring presence in Blackburn’s working-class fabric, quite literally: she was a cotton weaver her entire adult life.

In 1864, Martha married Samuel Rawcliffe at St. Michael’s Church in Blackburn. Samuel, likely born around 1839, also in Blackburn, worked variously as a labourer, carter, and general haulier. The pair shared a life that saw them move through multiple addresses—Alker Street, Swarbrick Street, Cob Street—places which map the flow of Lancashire’s industrial heartbeat. They remained in Blackburn throughout their lives and were residing on Birley Street when Martha passed away on 22 July 1899, following a cerebral apoplexy. Samuel, still living and working at the same address as a carter at the time, faded from official records not long afterward.

Together, Martha and Samuel had one biological daughter, Mary Alice Rawcliffe Rothwell, born 1 May 1861 at Union Buildings, Blackburn. Her middle name, Rothwell, perhaps signifies the importance of her maternal lineage. Like her mother, Mary Alice entered the weaving trade, working half-time by the age of ten. Over the years, she lived mostly on Alker Street and Cook Street before her death on 15 February 1916 due to a cerebral hemorrhage. She married John Bass in 1882 at the Furthergate Congregational Church. Their seven children included Aquila, Martha, Alice, Samuel, Harry, William, and Elizabeth—a testament to a thriving family legacy rooted firmly in Blackburn.


The Rawcliffe family profile—built from scattered census entries, occupational listings, church records, and burial sites—forms a poignant and richly textured tapestry of working-class resilience. Their story, while deeply local to Blackburn, echoes the larger narrative of 19th-century English industrial life: anchored by hard labour, uplifted by family, and quietly heroic in its constancy.

X00377 Who are Richard Rothwell's Parents

In last week's post about Alice Rothwell's date of death, you may have noticed that the witness on the death certificate was an "R. Rothwell, grandson"

The question is, who is this R. Rothwell and where does he fall in the tree?

There is a Richard Rothwell who appears in both the 1861 and 1871 census records, living with Henry Rothwell and Alice Rothwell and listed as their grandson.

From the census records, what we know about Richard Rothwell is that he was born about 1855 in Blackburn, Lancashire and is the grandson of Henry Rothwell and Alice Hacking Rothwell. But the question is, who are his parents?

The most likely candidate would be James H.R. Rothwell and Margaret Airey, who were married in 1856. James Rothwell is the only Rothwell son that I am aware of that would have been alive in 1855. But there are some problems with that; the first being that the birth would have been before the marriage. But also, Richard does not appear in the later census records with either of his parents.

As for other possibilities, there could be an additional child of Henry and Alice Rothwell that I haven't yet discovered. Or Richard could be the child of an unmarried Rothwell daughter. To this point, I have not been able to find a birth record that fits the possible scenarios.

Next Steps:

• Look for birth/baptism record
• Investigate James H.R. Rothwell and Margaret Airey after 1856 [X00376]
• Look for Richard Rothwell in later census records
• Look for Richard Rothwell in later marriage or death records
• Trace daughters of Henry and Alice Rothwell to see if they may have been the parent

X00373 Alice Rothwell Date of Death

Similarly to my research on the death date for Henry Rothwell, I had a similar issue for finding the death date of his wife, Alice. She appeared in the 1881 census, but I could not find her in any later census records, so presumably she died between 1881 and 1891. I had found a death certificate that looked to fit:

The location of Blackburn and the address of Alker street are consistent with my Alice Rothwell. The year of birth is a little off (about 1810 vs about 1807) but still close. She is listed as the husband of a Henry Rothwell, although as established previously, there were more than one Henry and Alice Rothwell couples living in the area at the time.

I managed to find her in a burial record for Blackburn Cemetary:

Then I checked the other names in the same plot. This is the same burial location as the Henry Rothwell that I have recently determined is the correct one, which would also suggest that this Alice Rothwell is also the right one.

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Sources:
[D01347] 1881 census of England, Blackburn, Lancashire, folio 24, page 41; digital images, Ancestry.ca, Ancestry.ca (accessed 15 Feb 2025); citing PRO RG 11/4189.

[D02680] Deceased Online, "Deceased Online," database, Deceased Online (Deceasedonline.com : accessed 25 May 2025), 1492.

[D02683] England and Wales, death certificate for Alice Rothwell, died 4 November 1889; citing 08e/292/476, Q4 quarter 1889, Blackburn registration district, Blackburn Southern sub-district; General Register Office, Southport.

The Bass Family: A Story of Strength and Legacy in Blackburn

The Bass family of Blackburn, Lancashire, represents a rich historical narrative woven into the fabric of England’s industrial past. Their story is one of hard work, resilience, and deep family connections, spanning generations and shifting through the changing landscape of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

John Bass & Mary Alice Rawcliffe Bass: A Union of Two Legacies
John Bass married Mary Alice Rawcliffe Rothwell on March 2, 1882, in Blackburn, Lancashire, as recorded in official marriage documents [D02686].

Mary Alice was born on May 1, 1861, and baptized in Blackburn, England [D09287, D09294]. Her life was deeply connected to the working-class realities of Blackburn, a town shaped by the demands of the textile industry and evolving urban development.

The couple resided in multiple locations throughout Blackburn, as documented in the 1891, 1901, and 1911 censuses [D09289, D09290, D09291]. They established a home at 30 Cook Street, where their lives intertwined with the growing industrial presence of the town.

The Children of John and Mary Alice Bass
The Bass family was blessed with children who grew up amidst the bustling streets of Blackburn, each contributing to the family’s legacy in unique ways:

• Aquilla Bass (circa 1881-1890)
• Martha Bass (1885-1885)
• Alice Bass (circa 1887 - ?)
• Samuel Bass (circa 1888 - ?)
• Harry Bass (circa 1895 - 1899)
• William Bass (circa 1897 - ?)
• Elizabeth Bass (circa 1899 - ?)

The presence of the Bass children in the household is noted in various census documents, tracing their journey from childhood to adulthood within the industrial town.

A Life of Transition: Mary Alice’s Final Years
Mary Alice passed away on February 15, 1916, in Blackburn. Her death certificate confirms the event, reflecting the closing chapter of her enduring journey [D09292]. She was later laid to rest in Blackburn, as documented in burial records [D09293].

A Family’s Mark on Blackburn
The Bass family’s historical footprint is preserved through various records, from marriage certificates to census data. Their journey—from the union of John and Mary Alice to their evolving residence in Blackburn—paints a vivid picture of working-class life in England during a time of change and development.

Their experiences reflect the hardships and triumphs of a family navigating an industrializing world, securing their place within the fabric of Blackburn’s rich history.

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Sources:
[D02686] England and Wales, marriage certificate for John Bass and Mary Alice Rawcliffe Rothwell, married 2 March 1882; citing 08e/546/147, Q1 quarter 1882, Blackburn registration district, Blackburn sub-district; General Register Office, Southport.

[D09287] (Blackburn, Lancashire, England), Lancashire, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1911, "Baptism Record - Mary Alice Rothwell," 3069; digital images, ancestry.ca, ancestry.ca

[D09289] 1891 census of England, Blackburn, Lancashire, England, folio 137, page 14, 87; digital images, Ancestry, Ancestry.ca (accessed 19 May 2025); citing PRO RG 12/3405.

[D09290] 1901 census of England, Blackburn, Lancashire, England, folio 94, page 18, 120; digital images, Ancestry.com (accessed 19 May 2025); citing PRO RG 13/3912.

[D09291] 1911 census of England, 30 Cook Street; digital images, Ancestry.com (accessed 19 May 2025); citing RG 78 PN 25048, RG 14, registration district (RD) Blackburn, sub district (SD) Blackburn Northern, enumeration district (ED) 22, schedule number (SN) 187.

[D09292] England and Wales, death certificate for Mary Alice Rawcliffe Bass, died 15 February 1916; citing 8e/475/29, Q1 quarter 1916, Blackburn registration district, Blackburn sub-district; General Register Office, Southport.

[D09293] (Blackburn, Lancashire, England), "Burial Record - Mary Alice Bass," 46; digital images, Deceased Online, Deceasedonline.com

[D09294] England and Wales, birth certificate for Mary Alice Rothwell, born 1 May 1861; citing 8e/345/214, Q2 quarter 1861, Blackburn registration district, Blackburn sub-district; General Register Office, Southport.

Bass Family missing children

A few weeks ago, I had talked about the surname Bass that I came across in researching the Rothwell family of Blackburn. I ddecided to have a further look into the family.

One thing that I like about the 1911 Census of England is that it asks the questions not only of how many living children the family has, but also how many children that have deceased. It's a great way to check your research, but it sometimes opens up mysteries.

I managed to find the Bass familiy in the 1911 census:

In the census return, it gives numbers of four living children and three deceased children. The four living children - Alice, Samuel, William and Elizabeth were all living at home at the time of the 1911 census and so are easy to verify. But who were the three deceased children?

Well, we know of at least one of them, Martha Bass (1885-1885) from previous investigaions.

I did some digging and I managed to find a burial record for Mary Alice Rothwell Bass for Blackburn Cemetery

I then looked to see if there were other individuals buried in the same plot and found a Harry Bass who died in 1899, aged 4 and an Aquilla Bass who died in 1890, aged 8.

So, it looks like the mystery has been solved. The three missing children are:

• Aquilla Bass (Circa 1882 - 1990)
• Martha Bass (1885-1885)
• Harry Bass (Circa 1895-19890)

None of the three lived long enough to appear on any census records, which is why I hadn't found out about them until the 1911 census.

With the three missing children found, it's now on to writing up a family profile for the Bass family.

The Slater Family: A Legacy Woven Through Time

In the heart of Blackburn, Lancashire, the Slater family carved out a life defined by resilience, hard work, and an unbreakable bond. Their story spans decades, intertwining with the region’s historic textile industry and the challenges of an evolving world.

Mary Rothwell Slater (1836–1903): A Life of Determination
Born in the bustling town of Blackburn in circa 1836, Mary Rothwell was baptized on September 3, 1836. Like many women of her time, she dedicated her life to weaving—a craft that sustained her from her early years into late adulthood. She worked as a cotton weaver through multiple decades, adjusting to the demands of industry while raising her family.

Mary married George Slater on December 19, 1854, marking the beginning of a partnership that would shape their family’s trajectory. They resided in various homes across Blackburn, moving between Turner Lane, Barnes Street, and Alker Street, each location serving as a backdrop to their growing household.

Later in life, Mary found herself in the Blackburn Union Workhouse, a solemn reality for many elderly individuals during that era. She passed away on November 29, 1903, from senile decay, and was laid to rest in Blackburn Cemetery on December 5, 1903.

George Slater (Born circa 1834): The Weaver’s Journey
George Slater, whose birth records vary between 1832 and 1837, was a lifelong weaver and laborer. His journey reflects the shifting economic landscape of 19th-century Blackburn. Like Mary, he contributed to the cotton industry, working as a weaver in 1854 and continuing this trade for decades.

His family life revolved around Mary and their four children—William Henry, Alma, Margaret Alice, and Rothwell Slater—each of whom carried forward the family’s legacy in their own ways.

The Slater Children: A Generation of Tradesmen and Women
The children of George and Mary Slater grew up surrounded by the sights and sounds of Blackburn’s industrial landscape. They each contributed to the weaving industry at some point in their lives:

• William Henry Slater (Born circa 1856) – From a young age, he worked as a scholar before transitioning into cotton weaving like his parents.
• Alma Slater (Born circa 1858) – Followed in his father’s footsteps, working as a cotton weaver in Blackburn.
• Margaret Alice Slater (Born circa 1859) – A weaver from her youth, she later married John Riches in Feathergate Congregational Church in 1879.
• Rothwell Slater (Born circa 1863) – Like his siblings, Rothwell took up cotton weaving, marking the family’s enduring connection to the textile industry.

A Story of Perseverance
The Slater family’s tale is one of steadfast perseverance, navigating the challenges of industrial Lancashire while ensuring their trade sustained future generations. From the looms of Blackburn’s bustling mills to the hardships of the Union Workhouse, their experiences reflect the larger narrative of working-class life in 19th-century England.

Their legacy—woven into the very fabric of Blackburn’s history—remains a testament to the resilience and strength of families who shaped the world one thread at a time.

Ancestor Profile: Mary Rothwell – A Life Woven Through the Mills of Blackburn

Mary Rothwell was born around 1836 in Blackburn, Lancashire, a town at the heart of the Industrial Revolution’s textile boom. Her baptism on 3 September 1836 at Blackburn’s parish church marks the earliest confirmed record of her life. While multiple documents list varying birth years—from 1833 to 1840—her baptism suggests a birth in mid to late 1836¹.

She was the daughter of Henry Rothwell (c.1812–1875) and Alice Hacking (c.1807–1889), part of a working-class family that endured the trials and transformations of Victorian England.

The Weaver’s World
Mary spent her entire life in Blackburn, where from a young age she worked as a cotton weaver—a common but demanding job for women in Lancashire’s textile mills. In 1851, she was living at Ewood Bridge and already employed in the cotton trade³. Her trade would remain consistent throughout her life, recorded as her occupation in the 1851, 1871, and 1881 censuses³⁵⁸.

On 19 December 1854, Mary married George Slater, another cotton worker, at Blackburn⁴. The couple was living on Turner Lane at the time and both listed weaving as their profession. Their lives were emblematic of the many families who navigated marriage, work, and child-rearing within the constraints of factory schedules and industrial housing.

Home and Family
Mary and George had at least four children:

• William Henry Slater, born around 1856⁹
• Alma Slater, born around 1858⁵
• Margaret Alice Slater, born around 1859⁵
• Rothwell Slater, born around 1863⁸

Their homes shifted over the decades but remained within Blackburn. In 1861, they were living at 9 Barnes Street, and by 1871, they had moved to 85 Alker Street, where they remained at least through 1881⁹⁵⁸.

Decline and the Workhouse
The 1901 census paints a somber picture of Mary’s final years. She was listed as a "chairwoman"—possibly a home-based job or informal labor—and living in the Blackburn Union Workhouse¹⁰. Notably, she was described as a “lunatic”, a label commonly (and often inaccurately) applied in Victorian records to those with mental illness, dementia, or other cognitive challenges.

Mary died on 29 November 1903 at the workhouse (then located at 24 Copperfield Street) from senile decay, an outdated term often referring to age-related mental decline⁶⁷. She was buried in Blackburn Cemetery on 5 December 1903⁶.

George Slater – Husband and Mill Worker
Born around 1834, George Slater shared Mary’s life of weaving and resilience. The son of Lawrence Slater, George also experienced uncertain birth dates ranging from 1832 to 1837²³⁴. Like Mary, his occupation was listed as a cotton weaver across several census decades²³⁴, and he lived with her at their various Blackburn addresses.

Records after the 1881 census grow quiet about George, and it’s unknown whether he passed before Mary or simply left fewer records behind.

Legacy
Mary Rothwell’s life is a vivid example of a 19th-century working-class woman in industrial Britain. From the cotton mills of Blackburn to the workhouse in her later years, Mary endured hardship with persistence typical of many women in her era. Her story, pieced together through historical records, offers a glimpse into the life of a Lancashire cotton weaver and the unspoken struggles of the Victorian poor.

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Sources
1. (Blackburn, Lancashire, England), Lancashire England, Church of England Births and Baptisms 1813-1911, "Baptism Record - Mary Rothwell,"; digital images, ancestry.ca, ancestry.ca [D09244].

2. 1841 census of England, Blackburn, Lancashire, folio 4, page 1, 24; digital images; citing PRO HO 107/502/14. [D01529].

3. 1851 census of England, Haslingden, Lancashire, folio 244, page 14; digital images; citing PRO HO 107/2250. [D01628].

4. England and Wales, marriage certificate for George Slater and Mary Rothwell, married 19 December 1854; citing 08e/503/9, Q4 quarter 1854, Blackburn registration district, Blackburn sub-district; General Register Office, Southport. [D09270].

5. 1871 census of England, Blackburn, Lancashire, England, folio 45, page 27, 134; digital images, Ancestry.ca, Ancestra.ca; citing PRO RG 10/4176. [D09276].

6. England and Wales, death certificate for Mary Slater, died 29 November 1903; citing 08e/292/294, Q4 quarter 1903, Blackburn registration district, Blackburn sub-district; General Register Office, Southport. [D09269].

7. Blackburn Cemetery (Blackburn, Lancashire), order for interment of Mary Slater, 5 December 1903; digital images, Deceased Online, Deceased Online. [D09284].

8. 1881 census of England, Blackburn, Lancashire, England, folio 92, page 34, 128; digital images, Ancestry.ca, Ancestry.ca; citing PRO RG 11/4186. [D09277].

9. 1861 census of England, Blackburn, Lancashire, England, folio 100, page 40, 222; digital images; citing PRO RG 9/3103. [D09275].

10. 1901 census of England, Blackburn, Lancashire, England, folio 131, page 34, 1; digital images, Ancestry.com; citing PRO RG 13/3916. [D09279].