Parents

We found very little information about Samuel’s parents. His father was Isaac Hall, born about 1822 in Oldham. His wife, Jane, was born in Withington about 1842. We believe her maiden name was Worthington. In1881 they lived on Wilmslow Rd. Isaac was a retired builder and there were 2 servants, Martha Worthington, sister of Jane, and Sarah Chorlton, a cousin of Jane. By 1891 Isaac had died and Jane lived at 196 Wilmslow Rd where she lived until at least 1901. Samuel was with Jane in 1891 and 1901, along with Martha Worthington. Sarah Chorlton was with them in 1891. In these later censuses Jane was living on her own means.

Nellie Muriel File

Nellie became Samuel’s wife in 1909. Nellie’s grandparents were Joseph and Ann File, who were from the Derringstone area of Kent. (The family later had a house named Derringstone in West Didsbury.) Joseph was a butcher. Their third child, Rowland, married Jane Mellor in Stockport in 1888. Joseph and Ann had moved to Oldham by 1881, living at 73 Manchester Old Rd. By this time Rowland was an assistant to a draper. In the 1891 census Rowland and Jane were in a lodging house at 16 Victoria St, Southport, and Rowland was a commercial traveller. In 1901 they lived at 30 Moorfield Rd, West Didsbury, and Rowland was a woollen buyer. In 1911 they lived at 155 Barlow Moor Rd.

Rowland and Jane had 3 children, Nellie Muriel, born about 1890 in Crumpsall, Rowland Mellor, born about 1896 in Newcastle upon Tyne, and George Mellor, born about 1900 in West Didsbury. Rowland Snr died on 9 March 1925. His address was 31 Beech Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy and he left £10069 12s 10d.

Samuel

Samuel was born on 28 February 1885 at Oak House, Withington. He was baptised at Christ Church on 22 March 1885. In the 1891 and 1901 censuses he was living with his mother at 196 Wilmslow Rd. He married Nellie Muriel File at Christ Church on 9 June 1909. At that time he was described as an architect and his address was Oak House, Withington. Nellie’s address was Derringstone, Barlow Moor Rd, West Didsbury. The wedding was clearly a grand affair and was described at length in the Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser two days running on 10 and 11 June 1909. They describe a full choral ceremony conducted by Rev Walter Thompson, then rector of Crowle, Worcester, with Rev William Muzzell, rector of St Paul’s, Withington, and Rev John Bamber, rector of Christ Church. There were 4 adult bridesmaids and 2 children, a best man and 3 groomsmen. The reception was held in the Public Hall, Didsbury, and about 200 guests attended. In the evening there was dancing and a whist drive. The couple honeymooned in London and on the continent. In 1911 Samuel and Nellie were now living at 196 Wilmslow Rd with Martha Worthington and 2 servants. Samuel was described as a builder.

Samuel went on to serve with the 8th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment at Gallipoli, where he died on 4 June 1915. His death and details of his will were reported in the Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser on 18 January 1916. His address was given as Cleveleys Hydro, Cleveleys, Blackpool, and he left property of £22000 with net personalty of £2885. Probate was granted to Nellie, whose address was given as 155 Barlow Moor Rd. His aunt, Martha Worthington, was given an annuity of £150.

Samuel is commemorated on the Helles memorial, Turkey, Panel 159 to 171. Nellie subsequently married Albert Edward Pierson on 9 March 1920 at Christ Church.