Charles Dearden was a Fustian Cutter, and then became a Police Constable in the Salford Borough Police Force for 24 years.
He was born in 1803 in Halifax, Yorkshire and baptised on 17th April 1803 at St John's Church, Halifax, where his father's name was given as Wilkinson Dearden, who was a Card Maker. There is no information about his early life.
On 28th July 1834 Charles married Ann Humphreys (or Humphries), at Manchester Collegiate Church (later to become Manchester Cathedral). Charles was a Fustian Cutter and bachelor of this parish. Ann was a spinster of this parish (who was born in 1903 in Kendal, Westmorland according to the 1871 census).
On 13th March 1841, the Manchester Times newspaper printed an appeal to the Mayor of Manchester to petition the House of Commons for the immediate abolition on the Corn and Provisions Laws. This notice displayed over 200 signatures, and one of them was Charles Dearden. On 31st October 1846 the Northern Star newspaper reported a special delegate meeting of Manchester Fustian Cutters making several resolutions on wages to keep up with the cost of living; a petition to Parliament for a Bill to ban work for children under 13 at fustian cutting; a levy on members in order to promote the Bill; and a proposal of thanks to Lord John Mathers for his offer to present their petition and his support for Fustian Cutters. One of the resolutions was seconded by Charles Dearden.
The 1851 Census shows that Charles and Ann lived at Robert Street, Salford with three children who were born in Kendal, Westmorland. It would seem that the family lived in Manchester and perhaps Ann went to her parent's house to have her children. They were: Mary (born 1837 at Kendal); Richard (born 1840 in Kendal and baptised there on 9th August); and Elizabeth (born 1842 in Kendal and baptised there 19th August).
There is no 1861 census record, but in 1871 Charles's wife Ann is missing, and there is a death record for an Ann Dearden in 1863. On 29th November 1866, Charles's son Richard married Mary Tunnercliff (or Tunnicliff) at St Mark's Church, Cheetham, Manchester. He was aged 27, a Mechanic and bachelor of Broughton Road, Salford. Mary (born 1841 in Lostock, Cheshire) was aged 27, a Servant and spinster, living at Strangeways, Manchester, the daughter of John Tunnercliff, Millwright. In 1871 Charles lived at Preston Place, Salford aged 68 and was a Police Constable. Mary was aged 34 and a Sewing Machinist and Elizabeth was aged 28 and the Housekeeper. Also in 1871 son Richard and family lived at Heath Street, Newton Heath, Manchester where he was aged 30 and a Millwright, (like his father-in-law). His wife Mary was also aged 30 and their children were Harriet (born 1868) and Frank (born 1871).
Charles Dearden died on 27th April 1889. The Salford Reporter records "On Monday the funeral of the remains of Charles Dearden, aged 86 of Pendleton, who was from 1855 to 1879 a constable of the borough police force, took place at Salford Cemetery, (grave 32/DISS/1588). There were present two constables from each division in the borough, and a wreath was sent by members of the Pendleton Division."