John Cunningham (abt. 1815 - 1887)

Born about 1815 in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom

Died 1887 at about age 72 in Loughborough, Leicestershire, England, United Kingdom [uncertain]

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Biography

John Cunningham was born in Staffordshire, England.

John Cunningham was born about 1815 in Burton on Trent, Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom. ^[1]

There was a non-conformist baptism of a John Cunningham, son of William and Ann, on 12 Jul 1818, in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom. ^[2]

A fortnight later, on 26 Jul 1818, there was a baptism of a John Cunningham, son of William and Ann at Holy Trinity Church, Burton upon Trent. ^[3][4]

There was also a John Cunningham, the son of James and Hannah, baptised on 29 Aug 1819 at Holy Trinity Church, Burton upon Trent. ^[5]

John Cunningham married Ellen Parkinson on 09 Sep 1837 at All Saints, Loughborough, Leicestershire, England, United Kingdom. ^[6]

John was a spar ornament (aka bauble/bawble) maker in Loughborough, Leicestershire. ^[7]

In 1841, John Cunningham (25, spar manufacturer) and his son, Frederick (1) were living in Barrow Street, Loughborough. ^[8]

In 1846 John's spar and marble ornament manufacturing business was in High Street, Loughborough. ^[9]

In 1851, John and his son Frederick were employed in this work. John's wife, Ellen was described as spar ornament wife (the wives were usually employed in the painting and polishing of the wares produced by spar ornament makers). The family were living at 119 Ashby Place, Loughborough, Leicestershire at this time. ^[10]

In 1861 John Cunningham (48, born in Burton On Trent, Staffordshire) was a spar manufacturer employing two men (son Charles, a maker and son Edwin, a hawker of spar ornaments) at this work. The family were now living at 84 Churchgate, Loughborough, Leicestershire. ^[11]

In 1871, he was still described as a spar ornament maker, along with his son, Walter. The family were living at 7, Court G, Churchgate, Loughborough, Leicestershire. ^[12]

In 1881, John was still described as a spar ornament maker. He was living with his wife, Ellen at 68 Warners Yard, Loughborough, Leicestershire. ^[13]

John Cunningham died in Loughborough, Leicestershire, England in the fourth quarter of 1887. ^[14]

In 1891, John's wife Ellen was a widow, living with son Henry, a stonemason, and his wife and children at 31 King Street, Loughborough.

Note: Spar ornament making was a niche occupation of the area around south Derbyshire and north Leicestershire. Spar ornament makers produced decorative items such as candlesticks, spill holders, vases, chessboards and novelties for the tourist trade from alabaster, known locally as spar. Most of this work was for the tourist trade in fashionable resorts and therefore most of it was not sold locally. Some of it was exported.

Sources

1. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1851," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SGNW-2G8 : 9 November 2019), John Cunningham, Loughborough, Leicestershire, England; citing Loughborough, Leicestershire, England, p. 36, from "1851 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.
2. ↑ "England and Wales Non-Conformist Record Indexes (RG4-8), 1588-1977," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F75C-3WY : 11 December 2014), John Cunningham, 12 Jul 1818, Baptism; citing p. 17, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, record group RG4, Public Record Office, London.
3. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NY2X-14V : 20 March 2020), John Cunningham, 1818.
4. ↑ "England, Staffordshire, Church Records, 1538-1944," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QL3K-75WR : 8 July 2020), John Cunningham, 26 Jul 1818; citing Baptism, Burton upon Trent Holy Trinity, Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom, Staffordshire & Stoke on Trent Archive Service, Stafford; FHL microfilm 7,566,308.
5. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J7D9-4D7 : 20 September 2020), John Cunningham, 1819.
6. ↑ "England Marriages, 1538–1973 ," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N26L-B3D : 10 December 2014), John Cunningham and Ellen Parkinson, 09 Sep 1837; citing All Saints,Loughborough,Leicester,England, reference , index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 592,570, 592,571.
7. ↑ 1841 census image, Findmypast
8. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1841," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MQYV-R7B : 24 May 2019), John Cunningham in household of Ann Parkinson, Loughborough, Leicestershire, England, United Kingdom; from "1841 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey. 1841 Census image, Ancestry.co.uk
9. ↑ History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Leicestershire, and the Small County of Rutland
10. ↑ 1851 census image, Findmypast
11. ↑ 1861 census image, Findmypast
12. ↑ 1871 census image, Findmypast
13. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1881," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q27J-31QL : 18 August 2016), John Cunningham, Loughborough, Leicestershire, England; from "1881 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing p. 14, Piece/Folio 3145/57, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey; FHL microfilm 101,774,880. 1881 census image, Findmypast
14. ↑ "England and Wales Death Registration Index 1837-2007," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2JT1-VV1 : 31 December 2014), John Cunningham, 1887; from "England & Wales Deaths, 1837-2006," database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Death, Loughborough, Leicestershire, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.