John Frederick Cobb

Note – on some census returns the name is spelt Cobbe but the data does correspond.

Grandparents

John Cobb was born about 1831. He appears in 1871 census, living in Salford with his wife, Jane, also born about 1831 in the City of London. In 1871 his occupation is shown as “Lives on income from property (homes)”. In 1871 they had 7 children, including Richard aged 1, who does not appear in 1881. At the time of son John’s marriage in 1888, John Snr is shown as deceased but his occupation is given as cabinet maker.

Parents

John Cobb was born Salford about 1860. In 1871 he was living in Salford with his parents. In 1881 the census showed him living with 7 siblings at 123 Broomfield Lane, Hale. He was recorded as head of the family. His occupation was estate agent. A John Cobb died in Manchester in 1937 but we cannot be sure this is him.

John’s mother, Elizabeth Cobb, nee Southern, was born about 1858 in Burnley. Her parents were John Southern, born about 1825, and Ellen, born about 1823, in Burnley. In 1861 Elizabeth was 3 and lived with her parents and 5 siblings. Her father was a solicitor’s articled clerk. In 1871 the family lived at 68 Wood Nook, Burnley Wood Gardens, Habergham Eaves. The 6 children were still at home. Frederick, aged 21 was a solicitor’s articled clerk and Walter, 17 was a solicitor’s general clerk. Elizabeth was 12. John Southern died before 1888. There are 2 deaths of an Elizabeth Cobb recorded in Manchester in 1926 and 1941.

John Cobb and Elizabeth Southern were married on 7 June 1888 at Albert Park Wesleyan Chapel, Didsbury. Elizabeth lived in Burton Road at the time.

John Frederick

John appeared in the 1891 census at 96 Burton Road, aged 5 months. The head of the household was Esther Vickers, born in Eskdale, aged 61, a confectioner. His father John and mother Elizabeth were resident along with John Frederick and 2 servants. John Snr was now a business partner/confectioner and Elizabeth a confectioner. In 1901, the Cobbs were living at 110 Burton Road. John Snr was now 41 and a confectioner/baker (employer). They now had 2 sons, John Frederick, 10, and Harry Gilbert, 6. They had 3 employees, 2 confectioners and a general servant.

In 1911 the family was living at 2 Derwent Avenue. John Snr and Elizabeth were listed as confectioners and John Frederick was 20 and an insurance clerk, as was Harry. John Frederick was a lance serjeant in the 20th Battalion, London Regiment, Royal Fusiliers, number PS/4693. He died on 6 November 1916 in “France and Flanders”, whilst on actual military service. He is buried in A I F burial ground, Grass Lane, Flers, IV. K. 3.

Harry Gilbert Cobb

We found a war record under this name but cannot be sure it related to John’s brother. He served from 13 January 1915 until 27 April 1917, when he was no longer physically fit for war service. He was a private in the 69th Training Reserve Battalion, service number TR/3/25779. There is a War Office record number H935.

We can find no later records of this family or of a confectioner’s business in Burton Road.