Daniel Marsh, 1795-1868

Sheffield Cathedral

Daniel Marsh is thought to have been baptised in Sheffield Cathedral in March 1795, the son of George and Rachel Marsh. We know nothing of his early life until he emerges again in 1830's Liverpool as a butcher. Daniel ran a butchers stall in St Martins Market, known locally as Paddy's Market. In 1841 he appears in Skidaw Place, Ennerdale Road. He is 45 and living with Mary Marsh. Unfortunately the 1841 census does not tell us his marital status or relationship to Mary. It could be assumed that Mary was his wife, or possibly his sister. The 1844 directory shows Daniel still living in Ennerdale Road with stalls at 24 and 25 St Martins Market. St Martins Market was known locally as 'Paddy's Market' and was a feature of Scotland Road. What happens next is unclear, but by 1847 Daniel has moved to Manchester and has fathered a child, Alfred, by Maria Floyd. They are living at 31 Wooton Street, Chorlton and the birth registration records Daniel and Maria as married, however a marriage registration cannot be found. It may be possible that the Mary in the 1841 census was Daniel's wife and that he may have left her for Maria, but at this stage there is no evidence for this. Certainly in the directories of 1848-50 Mary Marsh is now listed as the butcher at 24 and 25 St Martins Market.

Whilst in Manchester Maria gives birth to their first child Alfred Marsh. Their stay in Manchester was short and they appear again Kingston upon Hull in 1848. Again, Daniel appears in the local directories as a butcher of Great Passage Street, Myton, Hull. By 1849 their second child, Charles Marsh, is born. Although we have found a record of Charles Marsh's baptism we are unable to trace his birth registration. The 1851 Census shows the family living at 5 Great Passage Street, and along with the family is servant Harriet Floyd, described as a servant, but actually Maria's sister.

Great Passage Street, Myton, Hull

1851 Census

But the family were on the move again before 1858 and by the time of the 1861 Census they had arrived in Nottingham. They appear in Martins Yard, a court in the notorious Narrow Marsh area of Nottingham. The area was one of extreme poverty and therefore a indication that the family had fallen on hard times. Between 1847 and 1858 Daniel and Maria had five children. As well as Alfred and Charles, there was also Arthur, George and Sarah.

Daniel Marsh died in October 1868 and was buried at St Stephens, Sneinton.

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December 28, 2006