Weaste Cemetery

Biographies of people buried between 1900 & 09

FREDERICK JOHNSON (1849 - 1903)


 

 

Fred Johnson was a Railway Locomotive Driver and completed 40 years working for the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company, based at Newton Heath, Manchester.

 

He was born in 1849 in Newton Heath, Manchester. His father was Richard Henry Johnson (born 1819 in Manchester) who was a Railway Engineer. His mother was Martha (nee Taylor) Johnson (born 1823 in Manchester). They were married in 1842 at St John's Church, Deansgate, Manchester. Fred's siblings were: Thomas Henry Houldsworth (born 1843 in Newton), Leonard (born 1845 in Newton), John Houldsworth (born 1847 in Newton), Mary Ann (born 1850 in Newton), Martha Elizabeth (born 1852 in Newton), Henry (born 1853 in Newton), James Summerskill (born 1855 in Salford) and William (born 1857 in Salford). In 1851 the family lived at Brown Buildings, Oldham Road, Newton, Manchester. In 1861 they lived at 11 Walter Street, Salford and in 1871 the family lived at Hodge Lane, Salford.

 

On 12th November 1872, Frederick Johnson married Alice Barnes at the Church of St John, Deansgate, Manchester. Alice was aged 24 and the daughter of Thomas Barnes, who was a Bookkeeper and his wife Eleanor of Salford. Fred and Alice's children were Martha Ann (born 1873 in Salford), Thomas Henry (born 1875 in Salford) and Frederick jnr (born 1878 in Salford). It would appear that after having three children together Fred and Alice parted company. The 1881 census shows Fred at his brother Thomas Henry's house 75 Vine Street, Newton with his son Thomas Henry aged 6. Alice is at her parent's house with daughter Martha Ann aged 8. Young Frederick is at the house of his mother's sister Mary J Hargeaves of 21 West George Street, Salford.

 

In 1891 Fred and his three children were boarders at the home of John Smith at 736 Oldham Road, Newton Heath, Manchester. Martha was aged 18 and a Cotton Winder, Thomas Henry was aged 16 and was an Apprentice Steam Engine Maker/Fitter, and Frederick jnr was aged 13 and a Scholar. Whereas Alice was at 36 Claremont Road, Pendleton, the home of her brother Thomas Barnes.

 

In 1901 Fred was Head of the house at 4 Adrian Street, North Manchester, and was aged 52. His son Thomas Henry was aged 25 and was a Gas Engineer's Fitter, his wife Maria (nee Wilson) was aged 23 and a Domestic Servant and their son Frederick (born 1901 in Manchester) was aged 0. Frederick jnr was aged 23 and a Plumber. Also in the house were Maria's three Wilson siblings. Fred's wife Alice now resided with her widowed sister-in-law Georgina Barnes, who was a Sweet Shopkeeper at 20 Heath Street, Broughton, Salford.

 

On 22nd March 1903 Fred Johnson died at his home in Adrian Street, off Lightbowne Road, Newton Heath, Manchester, aged 53. He was buried at Weaste Cemetery grave number AA10/CE/2228 on 26th March. His workmates and friends clubbed together to buy an inscribed plaque made of red granite. Inside a laurel wreath is inscribed "Fred Johnson, Newton Heath L & Y Railway, Locomotive Driver." And below the wreath are two crossed laurel sprigs and the words "From a Few Friends."