Lloyd Johnson b. 1875 Lancashire England, d. 1953 Medford, Mass, married Elizabeth Pearson

I'm veering off in a different direction today...writing about my Mother's side of the family, who came to America in the late 19th century.

My Mother has vivid memories of her paternal grandfather, Lloyd, as he spent a lot of time teaching her to draw when she was sick with rheumatic fever as a child. He was an artistic man and a great storyteller as well. He told her stories about working for the English government in the Belgian Congo of Africa and how one of his co-workers died of a horrible illness there. It sounded like he lived a very interesting life in England, but for some reason he immigrated to the US where he worked as a hatter.

Lloyd is often listed as an electrician or electrical engineer in records, so I’m not sure why he did not continue that more lucrative line of work in the US. Perhaps it was not possible until someone became a naturalized citizen and had the proper training and licensing. He did not become a citizen until he was 45 years of age.

Lloyd was born 27 May 1875 in Crumpsall, Lancashire, one of nine children of William Johnson and Mary Bowstead. According to census records, William was a pattern designer for a calico printer.

William Johnson

Lloyd is listed in the 1881 census with his parents William and Mary at 3 Watt Street, Harphurhey, Manchester, England, age 5, scholar, born Crumpsall, Lancashire, England.

In the 1891 census he is again with his parents, 49 Mary Street, Harphurhey, Manchester, age 15, hand, warehouseman.

On 31 October 1898 Lloyd married Elizabeth Pearson in Rhodes, England. He was 23 years old and their wedding day was on Elizabeth’s 22^nd birthday. One of my mother’s cousins gave us a copy of the wedding invitation.

Elizabeth was one of the eight children of Richard Pearson and Sarah Bowker. She was born 31 October 31 1876 in Chorlton, Lancashire. Richard was a foreman at a calico dying operation.

Elizabeth Pearson Johnson

In the 1881 census, Elizabeth is living with her parents at 8 Queens Terrace, Handforth, Cheshire, age 6, scholar, born Levenshulme, Lancashire.

In the 1891 census, she is 17, living with her parents, calico plater, cotton dyer (likely same place her father worked).  

Just a few weeks after their wedding, Lloyd was in the United States.

From Philadelphia Passenger Lists: Lloyd Johnson arrived 13 Nov 1898, Philadelphia, age 24 years, left from Liverpool, England, electrician, on board SS Russia, in the second cabin, destination Dale, Reed and Cooley, 57 and 59 North Street, NY, $200 prepaid.

Perhaps Lloyd came before Elizabeth to get settled. She soon followed him there as their first child, Irene, was born in Nashville in 1900. I’d be very curious to know what brought them to Nashville.

Irene Johnson

Lloyd and Elizabeth, both age 25, are listed in the 1900 Nashville, Tennessee, census, with infant daughter Irene. I believe his occupation is listed as electrician, but the copy is faint and hard to read.

They then returned to England as they are listed in the 1901 census, Middleton, England, living with Elizabeth’s sister Alice Wild’s family. Lloyd’s listed as an electrician.

Their second child, my grandfather Frederick, was born in 1902 in Middleton, Lancashire. Lloyd is called an electrical engineer in the birth record.

Lloyd and Elizabeth’s third child, Hector, was born in 1904 in Manchester, England. But again they did not stay in one place for long. Philadelphia Passenger Lists: Lloyd Johnson arrived 10 Feb 1904, age 28 years, English, left Liverpool England 27 Jan 1904, on board Haverford, electrician, last residence Manchester, final destination Providence, joining Mrs. Johnson, 84 Moulon (?) Ave., Providence.

Port of Boston Arrivals, 8 Oct 1905: From Liverpool, ship Cymric that left from Liverpool, England. Elizabeth Johnson, 29, English, last residence Manchester England, in Nashville TN four years ago, going to husband Lloyd Johnson at 11 Beacon Street, Haverhill, with children: Irene Johnson, 4, Fred Johnson, 2, Hector Johnson, 6 mos.(?). I can’t imagine traveling on a long voyage alone with four young children.

Their youngest child, Stanley, was born in 1907 in Haverhill, Mass.

Lloyd with sons Stanley, Hector and Frederick in Haverhill

Elizabeth died 16 February 1910 in Haverhill, Mass., at age 33. She’s buried at the Linwood Cemetery. When I visited this large cemetery, I was unable to find her stone. I met Hector's son at my grandmother’s 2005 funeral, and he said she is buried near her son Hector and  her stone had fallen over but that he had propped it up again.

The Johnson family is listed in the 1910 census, after Elizabeth’s death, living on Boston Street in Haverhill, Mass.: Lloyd, age 34, widower, a hatter, alien, in the country since 1898, with children Irene age 10, Frederick age 7, Hector, 6 and Stanley age 2.

Lloyd’s naturalization papers list his address as 1127 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, born 25 or 26 May 1875 at Manchester, England. He immigrated to the US from Liverpool, England, 1 January 1904, and arrived at Philadelphia, PA on 10 Jan 1904 on the vessel Haverford. He declared intentions to become a citizen 29 Nov 1920 at Boston. His wife Anna was born Brookline, MA.

On his Declaration of Intention he is listed as 45 years old, a hatter, light complexion, 5 feet 7 inches, 155 pounds, light hair, gray eyes, scars on nose. Born in Manchester, England, 26 May 1875, now resides at 172 Huron Avenue, Cambridge. Rest of document is affidavit of witnesses: Charles O'Neill foreman of E Boston, known to him since 1915. Dated 1 May 1925.

Lloyd married second Anna Burke, although my mother remembers her name as Peg. They had one daughter together, Pauline.

Lloyd died 18 June 1953, in Medford, at age 78. His death record says he died of a heart attack and was found dead at his home and was age 74. He is buried at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford. I do not know anything further on Anna/Peg and Pauline.