Ancestor Profile: Henry Rothwell (1811–1875)
Birth & Early Life
Henry Rothwell was born on 1 August 1811 in the market town of Haslingden, nestled in the rolling hills of Lancashire, England. He was baptized just a few months later on 20 October 1811 at the local parish church, marking the beginning of a life deeply rooted in the industrial heart of northern England. He was the son of Richard and Mary Rothwell, whose own stories remain elusive in the historical record.
Marriage & Family
On 22 July 1833, Henry married Alice Hacking in Blackburn, Lancashire. Their union spanned over four decades and produced nine children:
- Nancy Rothwell (b. 1828)
- Richard Rothwell (c.1834–1844)
- James Hacking Ratcliffe Rothwell (b. 1835)
- Mary Rothwell (c.1836–1903)
- Henry Rothwell (c.1838–1840)
- Martha Alice Rothwell (1840–1899)
- Ellen Rothwell (1842–1844)
- Alice Ann Rothwell (1844–1872)
- Elizabeth Rothwell (b. 1846)
Their family life was marked by both joy and sorrow, with several children passing away young—a common tragedy in Victorian England.
Occupational Journey
Henry’s working life paints a vivid picture of the laboring class in 19th-century Lancashire. He held a variety of roles, each reflecting the gritty resilience of a man who adapted to the demands of a rapidly industrializing society:
- Horsekeeper & Ostler (1833–1836): Early records show Henry working with horses, a vital role in transportation and trade.
- Porter & Carter (1840s–1870s): He transitioned into roles involving the movement of goods, often recorded as a carter or porter in Blackburn.
- Labourer & Foundry Worker: By the 1860s, Henry was employed in a foundry, contributing to the industrial backbone of the region.
His residences—High Street, Back Lane, Salford, Ewood Bridge, Swarbrick Street, and Peter Street—map a life spent in the bustling neighborhoods of Blackburn.
Final Years & Death
Henry in a hotel in Blackpool, Lancashire on 25 July 1875 while vacationing there. The cause was broncho-pneumonia, a respiratory illness that claimed many lives in the era before antibiotics.
He was laid to rest on 28 July 1875 at Blackburn Cemetery, a final return to the town that had shaped his life.
Legacy
Henry Rothwell’s story is one of perseverance, family, and quiet strength. Through decades of hard labor and personal loss, he helped build the foundations of modern Blackburn. His descendants carry forward the legacy of a man who lived humbly but left a lasting mark.
