Dawn's Family History Journey

  CHARLES H. PORTER was born about 1813, likely in Philadelphia, definitely in Pennsylvania to unknown parents. [1] There is no information on his early life, with records not starting until 1837 at the birth of his first children (twins) with his wife MARGARET (DUNFEE/DUNPHY) PORTER. A marriage record has not been found, but it is estimated they were married by 1836. Charles and Margaret had twins James and Elizabeth Porter on 11 January 1837 in Philadelphia. They were baptized at Old St. George Methodist Episcopal Church, located at 235 N. 4 th Street. [2]   Another child, Charles F. Porter, was born sometime in 1838. [3] In 1840, the family lived in Philadelphia in the “Lower Delaware Ward,” which was located between Arch and Race Streets by the Delaware River (east side of the city). [4]  Source: Philadelphia Maps, 1682-1982: Townships-Districts-Wards (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, 1996), p. 61.   Son Charles F. P...

  Signature from marriage certificate, 1881, to 2 nd wife Ann RICHARD OLDHAM was born on 24 May 1833 in Dukinfield, Cheshire County, England to parents Thomas Oldham, a cotton spinner, and Mary (Haigh) Oldham. He was baptized on 4 July 1833 at the Methodist New Connexion Church in Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire County, England, which is located just across the River Tame from Dukinfield. [1]   The family lived in Ashton-under-Lyne as Richard grew up; in 1841 at the Walk Mill Estate, and in 1851 at 151 Bollington Street (also in the Walk Mill Estate). [2]     Ashton-under-Lyne and Stalybridge, Lancashire, 1849 [3]   red x is Bollington Street; the “Walk Mill” is underlined The entire family worked in the mills, probably Walk Mill as it was the closest.   In the 1841 census, father Thomas, mother Mary, and children David (15), Sarah (15) and Hannah (14) all identified their occupations as cotton spinner, reeler, piecer or winder. [4]   Richard was t...