Charles Horton [h.1.9]

Charles Horton was the ninth child of Henry Horton & Esther Lines christened November 19th, 1820 at All Saints, West Bromwich. Staffs.

In 1841 Charles was still at home with his parents at Walsall St, West Bromwich. There were 4 other brothers at home as well as 2 sisters & a visiting sister-in-law. Charles was a miner.

Charles married Sarah Holloway on May 15th, 1842 in the Parish Church of Handsworth, Staffs. Sarah was born c1822, at West Bromwich, the daughter of Samuel Holloway, a blacksmith.

Charles & Sarah's marriage certificate

At the time of the birth of their first child, Mary Ann in 1842 Charles & Sarah were living at Mount Pleasant, West Bromwich & Charles was still a miner.

In 1845 & 1847, the dates the next 2 children were born, the family were living at Lyng, West Bromwich. Sadly son Enoch died in infancy in 1847, aged just 6 weeks.

Tragically Charles died on February 9th, 1848 whilst working as a miner at the Heathfield Colliery, West Bromwich. A report in the Derbyshire Advertiser & Journal of February 18th, 1848 tells of a violent explosion of sulphuric gas having taken place at the coal mine with the loss of at least 7 lives, including Charles Horton. There was a suggestion by the lessees of the colliery that Charles, whose body was the last to be recovered from under a pile of fallen coal, had been the cause of the explosion by holding a lighted candle too near inflammable material.

The Mining Journal of February 12th, 1848 states the following: The body of Charles Horton, the man who first fixed up his lighted candle against the coal, and caused the explosion of the hydrogen gas, was not discovered until eight o’clock last evening, having been buried beneath an enormous mass of coal, which had fallen at the time the gas ignited. - His body, when found, presented a frightful appearance, being crushed to pieces – so much so, that it was with great difficulty removed to where he formerly resided. The Wolverhampton Chronicle & Staffordshire Advertiser (February 16th, 1848) reported that Charles, 27, left a widow & 2 children.

Charles, of Lyng, was buried on February 13th, 1848 at Christ Church, West Bromwich.

The inquest was held before Coroner G. Hinchcliffe at the Dartmouth Hotel when the jury returned the verdict:- “That it had been caused through the negligence of John Meek, the doggy, that the men lost their lives and therefore we return a verdict of manslaughter against him.” Meek, aged between 30 and 40 years, was bound over to appear at the next Staffordshire assizes. (‘Doggy’ is a Midlands term for the man responsible for the safety of a group of miners & their working area.)

The children of Charles Horton & Sarah Holloway were:

h.1.9.1. Mary Ann Horton born November 18th, 1842 & christened February 12th, 1843 at Christchurch, West Bromwich

h.1.9.2 Esther Horton born July 26th, 1845 & christened August 17th, 1845 at Christ Church, West Bromwich

h.1.9.3 Enoch Horton born September 9th, 1847 & christened October 17th, 1847 at Christ Church, West Bromwich; buried November 5th, 1847 at Christ Church, West Bromwich

Widowed Sarah & her 2 daughters have not been found in the 1851 census.

Sarah remarried in Jan-March 1855 at West Bromwich Register Office. Her new husband was Joseph Daniels, born c1824 at West Bromwich.

In 1861 Sarah & Joseph were living at Pleasant St, West Bromwich & Joseph was described as an iron puddler. With them was Sarah’s daughter Esther Horton & Sarah & Joseph’s children Ruth (5), Samuel (2) & Thomas (1). Living with the family was Sarah’s widowed father (listed as grandfather), Samuel Holloway (74) who was described as an invalid. Sarah’s daughter Mary Ann was living in Walsall Rd, Birchfield, Handsworth, at this time where she was working as a domestic servant for Jane & William Corbett.

Daughter Esther married Edwin Priest in April-June 1862 at All Saints, West Bromwich. In 1871 Esther & Edwin were living at Littleton St, West Bromwich & Edwin was a shingle in the iron works. They had 3 children at this time – Emma (8), Charles (4) & Frederick (2).

On June 4th, 1863 Sarah's daughter Mary Ann married Henry James Walters, a shingler, at Trinity Church, West Bromwich. One of the witnesses at the wedding was Joseph Daniels, Mary Ann's step-father.

By 1871 Sarah & Joseph had moved to Cumberland & were living at Northside, Seaton. Joseph was an iron worker & with them were children Ruth, Samuel, Rachel (7) & Leah (4). They also had 2 lodgers, both iron workers.

The 1881 census shows that Sarah & Joseph had returned to Staffordshire & were living at 58 St George St, Harborne, Smethwick. Joseph was now a watchman. Daughter Rachel was still at home & visiting was Emma Priest (18), daughter of Sarah’s daughter Esther.

Sarah & Joseph were still at St George St, now 64a, in 1891 & Joseph was still a night watchman.

In 1901 they were still at the same address but Joseph was now described as ‘invalid, retired’.

There is a death for Sarah Daniels in Jan-March 1903 at Smethwick.

There is a death for Joseph Daniels in Oct-December 1909 at Smethwick.