Diglake Colliery - Names M-R

Men of Diglake - Names M - R

Henry Maddock, died aged 47/49

Henry was working as a crutter on the East 7-foot seam when he died.

1871 census Red St Audley
James Johnson 54 wid coal miner Audley
Henry Maddock son in law 29 coal miner Newley Cheshire
Ann Maddock 22 dau Red St
Emma Bosfine boarder 7 Sandbach Cheshire

1881 census Red St Audley
Henry MADDOCK Head M Male 39 Newley, Cheshire, England Collier
Ann MADDOCK Wife M Female 32 Red Street Wife
James Henry MADDOCK Son U Male 1 Red Street
James JOHNSON Father In Law W Male 64 Audley Collier

1891 census Red St Audley
Henry Maddock 43 coal miner Mosley Cheshire
Ann 42 Red St
James Henry 11 Red St
William 7 Red St
Arthur 4 Red St

Henry married to Ann Johnson (born 1849) in 1868 (civil marriage). Ann died on 24th January 1916. They had two children under 13 at the time of the disaster: William (26/10/1883) and Arthur (1/6/1886). Their son James Henry also died that day at Diglake (see below).

James Henry Maddock, died aged 15

James was working as a driver on the East 7-foot seam when he died.

Son of Henry Maddock (see above). As James was under 16 when he died his family received £10 in compensation.

George Mayer, died aged 17

George was working as a jigger on the East 7-foot seam when he died.

1861 census Audley
Joshua Washam abt 1832 Audley, Staffordshire, England Head
Eliza Mages abt 1852 Audley, Staffordshire, England Niece
George Mages abt 1831 Audley, Staffordshire, England Brother-in-law
Julia Mages abt 1833 Audley, Staffordshire, England Sister
Thomas Mages abt 1854 Audley, Staffordshire, England Nephew
Herbert Mayer abt 1857 Audley, Staffordshire, England Nephew
Amelia Washam abt 1859 Audley, Staffordshire, England Daughter

1871 census Sladderhill, Audley
Julia Mayer wid 38 Audley
Eliza W dau 19 Audley
Thomas 17 miner Audley
Herbert 14 Audley
Joseph 9 Audley

1881 census Sladderhill, Audley
Julia MAYER Head W Female 48 Audley, Stafford, England
Thomas MAYER Son M Male 28 Audley, Stafford, England Coal Miner
Hannah MAYER Sons Wife M Female 30 Audley, Stafford, England
Joseph MAYER Son U Male 19 Audley, Stafford, England Colliery Lamp Cleaner
Melinda MAYER Daur Female 10 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar
George MAYER Grandson Male 3 Audley, Stafford, England
Florence MAYER Gran Daur Female 1 Audley, Stafford, England

As George was unmarried when he died, his family received a payment of £20 in compensation from the Disaster Relief Fund.

George Mayer senior (George's grandfather) married Julia Wareham at Wolstanton St Margaret in 1852. George's parents were Thomas Mayer and Hannah Riley, who were married in 1877 (civil marriage).

George Mayer was the cousin of Ralph Mayer (see below).

Ralph Mayer, died aged 14/15, of Megacre Lane.

Ralph was a jigger working on the East 7-foot seam.

1861 census Audley
Joshua Washam abt 1832 Audley, Staffordshire, England Head
Eliza Mages abt 1852 Audley, Staffordshire, England Niece
George Mages abt 1831 Audley, Staffordshire, England Brother-in-law
Julia Mages abt 1833 Audley, Staffordshire, England Sister
Thomas Mages abt 1854 Audley, Staffordshire, England Nephew
Herbert Mayer abt 1857 Audley, Staffordshire, England Nephew
Amelia Washam abt 1859 Audley, Staffordshire, England Daughter

1871 census Sladderhill, Audley
Julia Mayer wid 38 Audley
Eliza W dau 19 Audley
Thomas 17 miner Audley
Herbert 14 Audley
Joseph 9 Audley

1881 census Wood Lane, Audley
Herbert MAYER Head M Male 24 Audley, Stafford, England Coal Miner
Rhoda MAYER Wife M Female 29 Audley, Stafford, England
Sarah MAYER Daur Female 3 Audley, Stafford, England
Ralph MAYER Son Male 1 Hanley, Stafford, England

As Ralph was just 15 when he died, his family received £10 in compensation from the Disaster Relief Fund.
Herbert Mayer married Rhoda Proctor in 1877 (civil marriage).

Inscription from the churchyard of the Central Methodist Cemetery, Chapel Street, Bignall End:
Ilmo Herbert Mayer of 4 Boon Hill, Bignall End died 6th April 1931 aged 74 years. Also Rhoda his beloved wife died 12th April 1935 aged 83 years.

Ralph Mayer was the cousin of George Mayer (see below).

Samuel Mayer, died aged 16/18, of Chapel St.

Samuel was working as a driver on the West 8-foot seam when he died.

1841 census Audley
Joseph Mayer 25 coal miner Born Staffs
Dinah Mayer 25 Born Staffs
Harriett Mayer 6 Born Staffs
Elijah Mayer 5 Born Staffs
James Mayer 3 Born Staffs
Joseph Mayer 9m Born Staffs

Joseph Mayer married Dinah Billington on 29th March 1834 at St James, Audley.

1861 census Audley
Joseph Mayer abt 1814 Biddulph, Staffordshire, England Head Audley Staffordshire
Dinah Mayer abt 1810 Barthomley, Cheshire, England Wife Audley Staffordshire
Dinah Mayer abt 1853 Audley, Staffordshire, England Daughter Audley Staffordshire
Elisha Mayer abt 1845 Audley, Staffordshire, England Son Audley Staffordshire
James Mayer abt 1856 Audley, Staffordshire, England Son Audley Staffordshire
Mary Mayer abt 1848 Audley, Staffordshire, England Daughter Audley Staffordshire
William Mayer abt 1843 Audley, Staffordshire, England Son Audley Staffordshire

Joseph Mayer died on 24th December 1874 at Bignall Hill Colliery.

1871 census Chapel St, Audley
Elisha Mayer 23 coal miner Audley
Elizabeth 26 Audley
Charles 6 Audley
Jane 3 Audley
Isaac 1 Audley

Elisha Mayer married Elizabeth Billington on 7th August 1865 at Wolstanton.

1881 census Chapel St, Audley
Elisha MAYER Head M Male 35 Audley, Stafford, England Coal Miner
Elizabeth MAYER Wife M Female 36 Audley, Stafford, England
Charles MAYER Son U Male 16 Audley, Stafford, England Coal Miner
Jane MAYER Daur Female 13 Audley, Stafford, England
Elisha MAYER Son Male 9 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar
Wilmot MAYER Son Male 5 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar
Livinia MAYER Daur Female 5 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar
Samuel MAYER Son Male 2 Audley, Stafford, England

1891 census Chapel St, Audley
Elisha Mayer 45 collier Audley
Elizabeth 46 Audley
Elisha 19 collier Audley
Wilmot 17 collier Audley
Lavinia 15 Audley
Samuel 12 Audley
Alfred 4 Audley
Ernest 1 Audley

As he was just 17, Samuel's family received a payment of £20 from the Disaster Relief Fund. Samuel's brother, Alfred, was disabled from birth and in 1911 he became a beneficiary of the Diglake Disaster Relief Fund.

Samuel's descendent Robert M says that miners were in the cage at the bottom of the shaft catching as many men as possible as they were swept by in the in rushing water. Samuel Mayer was grabbed by the hair, but the force of the current pulled a hand full of hair from his scalp and he was lost. It is believed that the hair was kept by his parents.

Benjamin Sunderland Mitchell, died aged 39/40

Benjamin was working as a collier on the east 7-foot seam when he died.

1851 census Burslem
Joseph Mitchell abt 1822 Homsled, Yorkshire, England Head
Eliz Mitchell abt 1826 Leeds, Yorkshire, England Wife
Elleanor Mitchell abt 1847 Burslem, Staffordshire, England Daughter
Emma Mitchell abt 1849 Burslem, Staffordshire, England Daughter
William Mitchell abt 1850 Burslem, Staffordshire, England Son

1861 census Burslem
Joseph Mitchell abt 1822 Leeds, Yorkshire, England Head
Elizebeth Mitchell abt 1826 Leeds, Yorkshire, England Wife
Eleanor Mitchell abt 1847 Burslem, Staffordshire, England Daughter
Emma Mitchell abt 1849 Burslem, Staffordshire, England Daughter
William Mitchell abt 1851 Burslem, Staffordshire, England Son
Benjamin S Mitchell abt 1855 Burslem, Staffordshire, England Son
James Mitchell abt 1858 Burslem, Staffordshire, England Son
Mary A Mitchell abt 1860 Burslem, Staffordshire, England Daughter

1871 61 Peel St, Burslem
Elizabeth Mitchell wid 45 annuitant Leeds, Yorkshire
William Mitchell 20 potter Burslem
Benjamin Mitchell 16 potter Burslem
James Mitchell 13 potter Burslem
Mary Ann 11 Burslem
Elizabeth 4 Burslem

1881 census
Tibbs Croft, Audley
Benjamin MITCHELL Head M Male 26 Burslem, Stafford, England Coal Miner
Rebecca MITCHELL Wife M Female 26 Audley, Stafford, England
Hannah MITCHELL Daur U Female 2 Audley, Stafford, England
Ann E. MITCHELL Daur U Female 4 m Audley, Stafford, England
Barnabas RHODES Boarder U Male 40 Wolstanton, Stafford, England Coal Miner
(Barnabas was the son of Daniel and Elizabeth Rhodes).

1891 census
54 Peel St, Burslem
Benjamin Mitchell 36 miner Burslem
Rebecca 36 Audley
Hannah 13 scholar Audley
Elizabeth 10 scholar Audley
Joseph 4 Audley
Frederick 1 Audley

Benjamin Mitchell was the son of Joseph Mitchell and Elizabeth Burdett, and the older brother of James Mitchell (see below). He married Rebecca Rhodes in 1877 at Audley. Rebecca remarried on 27th December 1902. At the time of the disaster, the couple had two children under the age of 13: Joseph Burdett (6/2/1887) and Frederick Benjamin (24/9/1889).

WAITING AT SUNSET (Wednesday evening, 16th January 1895, The Sentinel)
Mrs Mitchell was among the group in this room. She said she was waiting for her husband, Benjamin Mitchell, who left her and her four children at six o'clock on Monday morning to go to work. "How long had he been employed in this colliery?" asked a Sentinel reporter. "Twenty years" said Mrs Mitchell. "And has he ever been in any danger before?", was the next question. "No", answered Mrs Mitchell, "he might have had a slight knock some time or other, but nothing to speak of. I never had any fear, as he always said there was no danger at all. It was as safe a mine as anyone could work in. So he said. And I think he must be safe somewhere now." Mrs Mitchell, in reply to other questions, said she had done nothing but walk about in wonder and fear and hope since Monday afternoon, unable to work or sleep. Nor could she sleep until he returned.

The next entry is from Friday morning that same week.

AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TASK
The weather is bright and cold, with the sun shining. Mrs Mitchell, wife of one of the entombed men, was at her post at eight o'clock this morning. The crowd at the pit head is growing.

James Mitchell, died aged 33/37

James was working as a collier on the East 10-foot seam when he died.

1881 census
61 Peel St, Burslem
Elizabeth MITCHELL Head W Female 56 Leeds, York, England Widow
James MITCHELL Son U Male 23 Burslem, Stafford, England Potter
Elizabeth MITCHELL Daur Female 14 Burslem, Stafford, England Potter

1891 census
Peel St, Burslem
Annie Mitchell 30 m Hanley
Florence dau 6 Burslem
James 5 Burslem
Annie E 3 Burslem

James was the younger brother of Benjamin Mitchell, above, and married Annie M Stanier (born 1861) in 1882 at Cobridge. He is absent from their home in Peel St in 1891, and seems to have switched from working as a potter to being a miner sometime after 1881. Annie also worked as a potter, but in 1881 her brother Charles Stanier was a miner.

1891 census
Boon Hill, Audley
Daniel Rhodes 62 greengrocer Audley
Amy 63 Audley
Frederick 25 miner Audley
Samuel 19 miner Audley
James Mitchell (age illegible) miner Audley

This 1891 census entry may show James staying with his brother's in-laws, perhaps because he had recently started work as a miner?

James and Annie had six children under the age of 13 when he died: Florence Burdett (11/8/1884), James Frederick (6/1/1886), Annie Elizabeth (13/12/1887), Arthur Henry (15/4/1891), Alfred (14/4/1893) and Leonard (3/3/1895). Annie did not remarry and remained on the Disaster Relief Fund until her death on 11th March 1929.

Below is a photgraph of James Mitchell's son, James Frederick Mitchell, aged around 21, followed by information supplied by his granddaughter Lynda, for which I am very grateful:

James Frederick(born 6/1/1886) was my mother's father. His occupation on my mother's birth certificate is 'Coal Miner' and on my mother's marriage certificate his occupation is given as 'Engineer's fitter in coal mine'. He worked at Hanley Deep Pit for a time and also Florence Colliery, Longton, Stoke on Trent until retirement. He died in about 1952 of cancer of the back.
I have a vague memory of sitting on his knee one teatime and being fed bits of his kippers and bread and butter and drinking his 'Camp' coffee, made with milk. I remember him being very amused that I'd eaten most of it! He was a kind, gentle man, who loved gardening, but I believe working down the pit told on his health. He was very small and slight, only about 5' 5" tall and he became very deaf in later life. I have a lovely photograph of him taken in 1907 when he was 21 and very handsome. Later snapshots of him show him looking quite gaunt in the face. My mother was unhappy that her father had had to go down the pit. She told of the miners' strike and how hard it was. Fortunately, she was able to earn 'good money on piecework' at Grays Pottery as a bander and gilder. She used to say 'if it was left to me, folks would have to go and get their own coal'.

Below is a photograph believed to be of James Mitchell's wife, Annie Mitchell (nee Stanier), the mother of James Frederick (above).
This photograph was taken at the studio of Horace H Dudley, 46 Liverpool Road, Stoke. This photographer operated between around 1912 and 1932. If this photograph is of Annie, it looks as though it was taken late in her life - she was 68 when she died in 1929. Thanks again to Lynda for this image.

William Mottram, died aged 30/33

William was working as a collier on the East 7-foot seam when he died.

1851 census Acton, Cheshire HO107/2169
Samuel Mottram abt 1803 Bunbury, Cheshire, England Head Acton Cheshire
Elizabeth Mottram abt 1805 Wrenbury, Cheshire, England Wife Acton Cheshire
Ann Mottram abt 1849 Acton, Cheshire, England Daughter Acton Cheshire
James Mottram abt 1840 Acton, Cheshire, England Son Acton Cheshire
Joseph Mottram abt 1842 Acton, Cheshire, England Son Acton Cheshire

1871 census Haslington Village, Cheshire
Joseph Mottram 29 collier Cheshire Acton
Emma 30 Staffordshire
William 6 Cheshire
Annie 5 Cheshire
Henry 3 Cheshire
Elizabeth 9m Haslington

1881 census Park Lane, Audley
Joseph MOTTRAM Head M Male 39 Acton, Cheshire, England Coal Miner
Emma MOTTRAM Wife M Female 40 Tunstall, Stafford, England
William MOTTRAM Son Male 16 Barthomley, Cheshire, England Boot Maker
Elizabeth MOTTRAM Daur Female 10 Haslington, Cheshire, England Scholar
James MOTTRAM Son Male 2 m Audley, Stafford, England

William married Emily Johnson (born 1872) at Barthomley, St Bertoline, Cheshire in 1891. She remarried on 21st September 1897. They had two children under 13 at the time of his death: Henry (16/9/1892) and Florence (23rd August 1893).

Inscription from the churchyard of St James, Audley:
Joseph Mottram of Dean Hollow, Audley dtl 5/1/1911 aged 68 years. Also Emma beloved wife of the above died 25/5/1921 aged 81 years.

George Morrey, died aged 14, of Megacre Lane.

George was a driver on the East 7-foot seam when he died.

1861 census Audley, Hollow
John Morray abt 1821 Audlem, Cheshire, England Head agricultural labourer
Mary Morray abt 1829 Whitchurch, Shropshire, England Wife
John James Morray abt 1861 Audley, Staffordshire, England Son
Louisa Morray abt 1859 Audley, Staffordshire, England Daughter
Mary Ann Morray abt 1857 Audley, Staffordshire, England Daughter
Sarah Morray abt 1855 Audlem, Cheshire, England Daughter

1871 census Church Stile, Audley
John Morrey 48 mine labourer Cheshire Buerton
Mary 42 Shrops Priest
Louisa 11 Audley
Samuel 8 Audley
Martha 6 Audley
John 4 Audley
Thomas 2m Audley

1881 census
Church Style, Audley
John MORREY Head M Male 59 Audley, Stafford, England Coal Miner
Mary MORREY Wife M Female 50 Audley, Stafford, England
Samuel MORREY Son U Male 18 Audley, Stafford, England Coal Miner
John MORREY Son U Male 14 Audley, Stafford, England Coal Miner
Annie MORREY Daur U Female 12 Audley, Stafford, England
Elizabeth MORREY Daur U Female 8 Audley, Stafford, England
Thomas MORREY Son U Male 10 Audley, Stafford, England
Emma J. MORREY Daur Female 4 Audley, Stafford, England
George MORREY Son Male 4 m Audley, Stafford, England

1891 census Meare? Lane, Wood Lane
Mary Morrey 61 widow Shropshire
Samuel 25 miner Audley
Thomas 20 miner Audley
George 10 Audley
Mary daughter in law Wigan 25
Mary 8 grandaughter Audley
John 6 grandson Audley
Annie 1m grandaughter Audley

As George was 14 when he died his family received a payment of £10 from the Disaster Relief Fund.

This photo is of George's brother, Thomas, with his wife Florrie (nee Oakden) and their children George (1896/7), Wilfred (1901) and Amy Case (1899). The photo is from 1946, their 25th wedding anniversary. They married in Chesterton in September 1896 and may have named their first child after Thomas's brother, George, who died at Diglake. The 1901 census has them at 12 Colcloud Street, Talk Pitts and Thomas was a coal hewer.
Thanks to CarolineD for this photo.

James Platt, died aged 17

James was working as a waggoner on the East 10-foot seam when he died.

1861 census Chesterton
William Platt abt 1829 Wolstanton, Staffordshire, England Head
Ann Platt abt 1830 Wolstanton, Staffordshire, England Wife
Aaron Platt abt 1849 Wolstanton, Staffordshire, England Son
Hannah Platt abt 1852 Wolstanton, Staffordshire, England Daughter
Samuel Platt abt 1860 Wolstanton, Staffordshire, England Son
William J Platt abt 1857 Wolstanton, Staffordshire, England Son

1871 census Wood Lane Audley
William Platt 42 coal miner Wolstanton
Ann 41 Wolstanton
Aaron 22 coal miner Wolstanton
Hannah 19 general servant Wolstanton
William J 14 coal miner Wolstanton
Samuel 11 Wolstanton
Frank 1 Audley

1881 census
Wood Lane, Audley
Aaron PLATT M Male 32 Wolstanton, Stafford, England Coal Miner
Elizabeth A. PLATT M Female 33 Audley, Stafford, England
Arthur W. PLATT Male 8 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar
John E. PLATT Male 6 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar
James PLATT Male 4 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar
Mary Ann PLATT Female 1 Audley, Stafford, England
Harriet W. SPROSON U Female 14 Audley, Stafford, England General Servant Domestic

John and James Platt were the sons of Aaron Platt and Elizabeth A Tomkinson, who were married in 1872 at St James Audley. They were also the nephews of Hannah Platt, wife of William Sproson.
The family of James and John received two payments of £20 for each son from the Disaster Relief Fund.

Inscription from the churchyard of St James, Audley:
Ilmo Arthur William son of Aaron and Elizabeth Platt of Wood Lane Audley died 19/2/1891 aged 18 years. Not gone from memory nor from love/But passed to our father's home above. Also John Edmund aged 19 years and James aged 17 years sons of Aaron and E A Platt who lost their lives in the Diglake disaster 14/1/1895. Until the day breaks. Also Albert Edward son of Aaron and E A Platt died 24/11/1919 aged 26 years. Love and remembrance cling. Also Aaron husband of Elizabeth A Platt who died 31/1/1920 aged 71 years. Peace Perfect Peace. Also the above Elizabeth Ann Platt who died 5/4/1925 aged 77 years. To fall asleep is not to die.

The above grave lies next to the grave of Thomas and Hannah Sproston. Thomas Sproston also died at Diglake and was the brother of William Sproston (see above), also a victim.

From the official report into the disaster, page 11:
"On the day of the inundation the only places which were being driven in the diretcion of the old workings were those marked 'brake dip' and 'air dip' on the plan, and those places were known as the 'top end'. Thomas Atkins, a miner, who worked in the air dip on the 12th January, stated at the inquest that he had a conversation that day with a fireman named Aaron Platt. He said that Platt came into his place just after he had fired a shot in the brake dip and observed "its getting wet yonder". Atkins replied, "It is rather; I think it's time boreholes were started," and Platt replied "Yes it is, lad". Atkins had been in the brake dip the day before and said it was wetter than it had been."

John Edmund Platt, died aged 19

John was working as a jigger on the East 10-foot seam when he died.

Brother of James Platt (see above).

George Pover, died aged 13, of Chapel St.

George was working as a hooker-on on the East 7-foot seam when he died.

1871 census Hollins Green, Newhall, Audlem Cheshire
George Poves 15 farm servant Hankelow, Cheshire

1881 census, Sound Heath, Sound Cheshire
George POVER Head M Male 26 Audlem, Cheshire, England Ag. Lab.
Harriet POVER Wife M Female 24 Wrenbury, Cheshire, England
Herbert POVER Son Male 6 Wrenbury, Cheshire, England Scholar
Elizabeth POVER Daur Female 3 Wrenbury, Cheshire, England
James POVER Son Male 1 Wrenbury, Cheshire, England

1891 census Chapel St, Audley
George Pover 35 coal miner Cheshire Audlem
Harriet 33 Cheshire Wrenbury
Herbert 17 coal miner Cheshire Wrenbury
James 11 Cheshire Wrenbury
Frances 9 Cheshire Wrenbury
George 7 Cheshire Wrenbury
Thomas 5 Cheshire Wrenbury
Alice 2 Cheshire Wrenbury
John 1 Audley

George Pover Junior was 13 when he died and so his family received a payment of £10 from the Diglake Disaster Relief Fund. George's brother James (see below) also died at Diglake.

George Pover married Harriet Young at Acton St Mary in 1876.

James Pover, died aged 15/17 , of Chapel St.

James was working as a jigger on the East 7-foot seam when he died.

James Pover was the brother of George (see above entry). James was 15 when he died and so his family received a payment of £10 from the Diglake Disaster Relief Fund.

William Pugh, died aged 16

William was working as a driver on the East 7-foot seam when he died.

1871 census RG10/2732 16 Aslerton, Norbury, Clun, Shropshire
Roger Home 38 Bishops Castle, Shropshire, England Head
Martha Home 36 Kerry, Montgomeryshire, Wales Wife
John W Home 5 Norbury, Shropshire, England Son
Martha A Home 3 Norbury, Shropshire, England Daughter
Sarah Jane Home 1 Norbury, Shropshire, England Daughter
Elizabeth Jones 16 Longnor, Shropshire, England Servant
Thomas Pugh 16 Stokesay, Shropshire, England Servant

1881 census Railway Cottage, Stokesay, Shropshire
Thomas PUGH Head M Male 26 Stokesay, Shropshire, England Railway Servant
Emma PUGH Wife M Female 25 Madeley Heath, Stafford, England Railway Servant Wife
Alice PUGH Daughter U Female 4 Audley, Stafford, England
William PUGH Son U Male 2 Audley, Stafford, England
Thomas Moses PUGH Son U Male 5 m Stokesay, Stafford, England

1891 census Chester Rd, Audley
Thomas Pugh 35 gas stoker Shropshire Stokesay
Emma 35 Madeley
William 12 Audley
Bertha M 8 Salop Stokesay
John 5 Audley
Ethel M 11m Audley

William's family received a payment of £20 from the Diglake Disaster Relief Fund.
Thomas Pugh married Emma Bosson at Audley St James in 1876.

H Rhodes, died aged 17, of Church St (listed in the Disaster Fund account book as Alfred G Rhodes)

Alfred was working as a waggoner on the East 10-foot seam when he died.

1861 census Audley
Joshua Rhodes abt 1818 Audley, Staffordshire, England Head
David Rhodes abt 1850 Audley, Staffordshire, England Son
Elizah Rhodes abt 1841 Audley, Staffordshire, England Son
Fredk Rhodes abt 1856 Audley, Staffordshire, England Son
Geo Rhodes abt 1853 Audley, Staffordshire, England Son
Hannah Rhodes abt 1848 Audley, Staffordshire, England Daughter
Sarah Anne Rhodes abt 1845 Audley, Staffordshire, England Daughter

1871 census Wood Lane
Joshua Rhodes 53 coal miner Audley
Ann 54 Audley
George 18 coal miner Audley
Frederick 15 coal miner Audley

1881 census Wood Lane
Fredrick RHODES Head M Male 24 Audley, Stafford, England Coal Miner
Hannah RHODES Wife M Female 24 Audley, Stafford, England
Alfred RHODES Son Male 2 Audley, Stafford, England

1891 census Church St, Wood Lane
Frederick Rhodes 34 coal miner Audley
Hannah 34 Audley
Alfred 12 Audley
Eveline 7 Audley

His family received a payment of £20 from the Disaster Relief Fund.

Henry Rhodes, died aged 15, of Boon Hill.

Henry was working as a waggoner on the East 10-foot seam when he died.

1841 census Audley HO107/986/6
Harriott Rhoda abt 1811 Staffordshire, England Audley Staffordshire
Joshua Rhoda abt 1840 Staffordshire, England Audley Staffordshire
Oliver Rhoda abt 1838 Staffordshire, England Audley Staffordshire
Simon Rhoda abt 1833 Staffordshire, England Audley Staffordshire
Simon Rhoda abt 1836 Staffordshire, England Audley Staffordshire

1851 census Audley
Sampson Rhodes abt 1809 Audley, Staffordshire, England Head Audley Staffordshire
Harriet Rhodes abt 1808 Audley, Staffordshire, England Wife Audley Staffordshire
Femcon Rhodes abt 1834 Audley, Staffordshire, England Son Audley Staffordshire
Fina Rhodes abt 1836 Audley, Staffordshire, England Son Audley Staffordshire
Joshua Rhodes abt 1842 Audley, Staffordshire, England Son Audley Staffordshire
Nathaniel Rhodes abt 1846 Audley, Staffordshire, England Son Audley Staffordshire
Oliver Rhodes abt 1838 Audley, Staffordshire, England Son Audley Staffordshire

1861 census Audley
Samson Rhodes abt 1808 Audley, Staffordshire, England Head Audley Staffordshire
Harriet Rhodes abt 1807 Audley, Staffordshire, England Wife Audley Staffordshire
Joshua Rhodes abt 1841 Audley, Staffordshire, England Son Audley Staffordshire
Nathaniel Rhodes abt 1845 Audley, Staffordshire, England Son Audley Staffordshire

1871 census Boon Hill Audley
Nathaniel Rhodes 26 coal miner Audley
Amy 23 Audley
Nathaniel 3 Audley

1881 census Boon Hill, Audley
Nathaniel RHODES Head M Male 36 Audley, Stafford, England Coal Miner
Amy RHODES Wife M Female 34 Audley, Stafford, England
Nathaniel RHODES Son U Male 13 Audley, Stafford, England Coal Miner
Simon RHODES Son Male 8 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar
Mary RHODES Daur Female 10 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar
Elijah RHODES Son Male 6 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar
Samson RHODES Son Male 4 Audley, Stafford, England
Henry RHODES Son Male 2 Audley, Stafford, England
Hannah RHODES Daur Female 4 m Audley, Stafford, England
(living next door to Daniel and Amy Rhodes - see James Mitchell, above).

1891 census Boon Hill
Nathaniel Rhodes 45 coal miner Audley
Amy 43 Audley
Oliver 23 coal miner Audley
Mary 20 domestic servant Audley
Simon 18 coal miner Audley
Elijah 16 coal miner Audley
Samson 14 coal miner Audley
Henry 12 Audley
Hannah 10 Audley
Harriet 7 Audley
Ellen 5 Audley
John 1 Audley

Henry's family received a payment of £10 from the Disaster Relief Fund.

Henry's body was one of two recovered on Tuesday 15th January 1895. He was buried in Audley churchyard. His body was identified at the inquest on Wednesday 16th January 1895 by his father, Nathaniel Rhodes of Boon Hill.

Henry Riley, died aged 20

Henry was working as a loader on the East 10-foot seam when he died.

1841 census Wood Lane
Edward Riley 30 ag lab Born Staffs
Elizabeth Riley 35 Not Born Staffs
William Riley 13 Born Staffs
Samuel Riley 7 Born Staffs
Ann Riley 4 Born Staffs

1851 census Audley, Halmer End
Edward Riley abt 1812 Audley, Staffordshire, England Head Halmer End Staffordshire
Elizabeth Riley abt 1814 Wybunbury, Cheshire, England Wife Halmer End Staffordshire
Henry Riley abt 1834 Wybunbury, Cheshire, England Son Halmer End Staffordshire
John Riley abt 1849 Audley, Staffordshire, England Son Halmer End Staffordshire
Peter Riley abt 1839 Audley, Staffordshire, England Son Halmer End Staffordshire

1861 census Audley
Elizabeth Riley abt 1813 Wybunbury, Cheshire, England Head
John Riley abt 1849 Audley, Staffordshire, England Son

1871 census Tutill St, Audley
Elizabeth Riley wid 56 dressmaker Audley
John Riley 22 colly labourer Audley
Eliza 21 Audley
Edward 2 gson Audley
George 9m gson Audley

1881 census
Church St, Audley
John RILEY Head M Male 32 Audley, Stafford, England Coal Miner
Eliza RILEY Wife M Female 31 Audley, Stafford, England
Edward RILEY Son U Male 12 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar
George RILEY Son U Male 10 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar
Elizabeth RILEY Daur Female 8 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar
Henry RILEY Son Male 6 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar
Annie RILEY Daur Female 2 Audley, Stafford, England
Elizabeth RILEY Mother W Female 66 Cheshire, England Annuitant

1891 census Church St, Audley
John Riley 42 coal miner Audley
Eliza 41 Audley
Edward 22 coal miner Audley
Elizabeth 18 domestic servant Audley
Henry 16 coal miner Audley
Annie 14 Audley
Fred 7 Audley
Hannah 4 Audley

John Riley married Eliza Clarke in 1868 at Audley St James.
Henry's family received a payment of £20 from the Disaster Relief Fund. Henry's father, John, is listed as a 'dependent' of his son, Henry Riley (see above). The notes state: At the date of the disaster, Riley was in ill health and partly dependent on his son who was lost in the Diglake pit. The Commitee decided to grant 5/ per week from 26th February for each period as may be thought desirable. Pay raised to 7/ per week April 1917'. John Riley died on 25th April 1930. His approximate age in 1913 was 65.

John Riley, died aged 46/49, of Tomfields.

John was working as a collier on the East 7-foot seam.

1861 census Megacre Lane, Bignall End
William Riley abt 1825 Audley, Staffordshire, England Head Bignall End Staffordshire coal miner
Elizabeth Riley abt 1830 Audley, Staffordshire, England Wife Bignall End Staffordshire
Amelia Riley abt 1858 Audley, Staffordshire, England Daughter Bignall End Staffordshire
Daniel Riley abt 1853 Audley, Staffordshire, England Son Bignall End Staffordshire
Hannah Riley abt 1851 Audley, Staffordshire, England Daughter Bignall End Staffordshire
Jacob Riley abt 1860 Audley, Staffordshire, England Son Bignall End Staffordshire
John Riley abt 1848 Audley, Staffordshire, England Son Bignall End Staffordshire coal miner

1871 Wood Lane, Audley
William Riley 46 coal miner Audley
Elizabeth 41 Audley
John 20 coal miner Audley
Hannah 20 Audley
Daniel 18 coal miner Audley
Eleanor 6 Audley
Edmund 3 Audley
Frank 10m Audley

1881 Wood Lane Audley
William RILEY Head M Male 56 Audley, Stafford, England Coal Miner
Elizabeth RILEY Wife M Female 51 Audley, Stafford, England
John RILEY Son U Male 32 Audley, Stafford, England Coal Miner
Eleanor RILEY Daur U Female 16 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar
Edmund RILEY Son Male 13 Audley, Stafford, England Coal Miner
Frank RILEY Son Male 10 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar
Lydia RILEY Daur Female 9 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar

1891 Tomfields Audley
William Riley 66 coal miner Audley
Elizabeth 61 Audley
John 43 coal miner Audley
Eleanor 26 domestic duties Audley
Edmund 22 colliery clerk Audley
Frank 20 colliery engine man Audley
Lydia 19 dressmaker Audley

John is listed as unmarried in the account book of the Diglake diaster relief fund. His family received a payment of £20.

The following is an inscription from the churchyard of St James the Great, Audley:

William RILEY,
Of Wood Lane, 5 Jan 1897, 72
Elizabeth, w, 15 Sept 1896, 66
Lydia, d, 12 Dec 1893, 21
John s, who lost his life in the
Diglake Disaster, 14 Jan 1895, 46
Eleanor, d/o William RILEY,
2 Sept 1937, 72

Many thanks to John L for the above image.

William Roberts, died aged 35/42, of Chapel St.

William was working as a loader on the East 7-foot seam when he died.

1871 census Lower Pool, Welshpool, Montgomeryshire RG10/5624 9
William Roberts 64 Welshpool, Montgomeryshire, Wales Head
Catherine Roberts 65 Meifod, Montgomeryshire, Wales Wife
William Roberts 11 Welshpool, Montgomeryshire, Wales Grandson

1871 census Welshpool, Montgomeryshire RG10/5624 38
Frederick Roberts 40 Welshpool, Montgomeryshire, Wales Head
Dinah Roberts 39 Burslem, Staffordshire, England Wife
Catherine Roberts 13 Welshpool, Montgomeryshire, Wales Daughter
Frederick Roberts 9 Welshpool, Montgomeryshire, Wales Son
Reese Roberts 6 Welshpool, Montgomeryshire, Wales Son
Martha Roberts 2 Welshpool, Montgomeryshire, Wales Daughter
Mary Jones 62 Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England Lodger

1881 census Ravens Lane, Audley
Frederick ROBERTS Head M Male 49 Welshpool, Montgomery, Wales Joiner (Out Of Employment)
Dinah ROBERTS Wife M Female 49 Burslem, Stafford, England
William ROBERTS Son U Male 21 Welshpool, Montgomery, Wales Coal Miner
Frederick ROBERTS Son U Male 18 Welshpool, Montgomery, Wales Coal Miner
Reese ROBERTS Son Male 15 Welshpool, Montgomery, Wales Coal Miner
Martha ROBERTS Daur Female 12 Welshpool, Montgomery, Wales Scholar
John ROBERTS Son Male 8 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar

1891 census Chapel St, Audley
William Roberts 34 miner Welshpool
Sarah 26 Audley
Emily 6 Audley
John W 3 Audley
Dinah 1 Audley
Next door
Frederick Roberts 60 carpenter Welshpool
Frederick 28 collier Welshpool
John 18 collier Welshpool
Ann Blakemore wid 68 visitor

William Roberts was married to Annie (born 1865). She was put into an asylum following his death and died on 6th July 1895, just 5 months after her husband. Following Annie's death, the children's aunt, Hannah Eardley, was made guardian of their three young children: Emily (6/4/1885), John William (4/6/1887) and Dinah (28/6/1889). Hannah received payments from the Disaster Relief Fund until Dinah turned thirteen.
William Roberts married Sarah Johnson at Audley St James in 1884. Hannah Johnson married George Eardley in 1883.
William's sister Martha (born 1869) married Joseph Bateman in 1888. Joseph was a member of the rescue team in 1895.

Dan Rowley, died aged 25

Dan was working as a crutter on the East 10-foot seam when he died.

1841 census Audley HO107/986/7
Samuel Rowley abt 1811 Staffordshire, England Audley Staffordshire
Hannah Rowley abt 1816 Audley Staffordshire
Daniel Rowley abt 1838 Staffordshire, England Audley Staffordshire
Halap Rowley abt 1840 Staffordshire, England Audley Staffordshire
Harriott Rowley abt 1834 Staffordshire, England Audley Staffordshire
Mary Rowley abt 1836 Staffordshire, England Audley Staffordshire

1851 census Bignall End
Samuel Rowley abt 1811 Audley, Staffordshire, England Head
Hannah Rowley abt 1812 Checkley, Cheshire, England Wife
Ann Rowley abt 1850 Audley, Staffordshire, England Daughter
Caleb Rowley abt 1840 Audley, Staffordshire, England Son
Daniel Rowley abt 1838 Audley, Staffordshire, England Son
Elizabeth Rowley abt 1848 Audley, Staffordshire, England Daughter
Hannah Rowley abt 1848 Audley, Staffordshire, England Daughter
Love Rowley abt 1842 Audley, Staffordshire, England Son
Mary Rowley abt 1836 Audley, Staffordshire, England Daughter

1861 census Bignall End
Caleb Rowley abt 1840 Audley, Staffordshire, England Head
Elizabeth Rowley abt 1841 Audley, Staffordshire, England Wife
Cornielius Rowley abt 1860 Audley, Staffordshire, England Son

1871 census Briery Lane
Martha Warburton widow 75 annuitant Audley
Caleb Rowley lodger 32 coal miner Audley
Elizabeth 31 Audley
Cornelius 11 Audley
Edwin 8 Audley
George 4 Audley
Dan 1 Audley

1881 census
Briery Lane, Audley
Caleb ROWLEY Head M Male 41 Audley, Stafford, England Ironstone Miner
Elizabeth ROWLEY Wife M Female 39 Audley, Stafford, England
Edwin ROWLEY Son U Male 18 Audley, Stafford, England Coal Miner
George ROWLEY Son U Male 13 Audley, Stafford, England Coal Miner
Dan ROWLEY Son U Male 11 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar
Maryann ROWLEY Daur U Female 8 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar
Wilmot ROWLEY Son U Male 5 Audley, Stafford, England
Olive ROWLEY Daur U Female 2 Audley, Stafford, England

1891 census Boon Hill, Audley
Caleb Rowley 51 coal miner Audley
Elizabeth Rowley 51 Audley
George 24 coal miner Audley
Dan Rowley 22 coal miner Audley
Mary Ann 19 Audley
Wilmot 14 coal miner Audley
Olive 13 Audley
Hannah 7 Audley
Annie L Rowley granddaughter 7months Audley

Dan was the son of Caleb Rowley and Elizabeth Johnson, who were married in 1859 at St Matthew, Etruria. He was unmarried at the time of the disaster and so his family received £20 from the Disaster Relief Fund.