Benjamin Stone was the fourth child of William Stone & Ann christened February 27th, 1825 at Tipton, Staffs.
Benjamin married Sarah Duffell in Oct-December 1846 at Christ Church, West Bromwich, Staffs. Sarah was christened June 17th, 1827 at All Saints, West Bromwich, the daughter of Hannah & Thomas Duffell, a cordwainer.
In 1851 Benjamin & Sarah were living at Guns Lane, West Bromwich & Benjamin was an iron puddler. They had 2 children – Miranda (2) & Benjamin (3 weeks) at home, & their 3 year old son Isaiah was visiting his grandmother Hannah Duffell at Moor St, West Bromwich at the time of the census. Living nearby in Guns Lane were Benjamin’s brother Joseph & sister Mary Ann & their families.
By 1861 Benjamin & Sarah had moved to Monks Coppenhall, Cheshire & were living at 20 New St with their 6 children – Isaiah (13), Miranda (11), Benjamin (listed as aged 7 on census but should be 10 years old), Robert (5), Sarah (2) & William who had just been born. Benjamin was still an iron puddler.
By 1871 Benjamin & Sarah had returned to Staffordshire & were living at Birks’s Row, Knutton, Wolstanton. Benjamin & sons Isaiah & Robert were all puddlers at the iron works. Also at home were Sarah, William, Joseph (8), Mary A (6), Charles (3) & Catherine (7 months). Son Benjamin, a shingler, was visiting his uncle John Stone & family who were living at Pendleton, Lancs at the time of the census.
Benjamin & Sarah were still at Birks Row, number 4, in 1881 & Benjamin was described as an iron worker. Also at home were Sarah, William, an engine driver, Joseph, an ironworks labourer, Mary A, Charles & Catherine. Also with them was son Benjamin who had married Susannah Whitehouse in 1874. Sadly Susannah, aged 24, died in 1875 soon after giving birth to a son Alfred. Grandson Alfred, now 5, was living with Benjamin & Sarah at the time of the census. Oldest son Isaiah, an iron worker, was boarding with Arthur & Miranda Ford at number 7 Birks Row - Miranda was Isaiah's sister.
Benjamin was still working as a puddler in 1891 & he & Sarah were still living at the same address. There was only son Charles left at home who was a general labourer & grandson Alfred was still living with them. Daughter Miranda & husband Arthur Ford & their family were living next door at 6 Birks Row.
Benjamin died in April-June 1899, aged 74, the death being registered at Wolstanton.
In 1901 widowed Sarah was living at 4 Arthur St, Knutton & with her was grandson Alfred Stone, now a steam hammer driver (at the forge).
The children of Benjamin Stone & Sarah Duffell were:
st.1.4.1 Isaiah Stone born c1847 at West Bromwich, Staffs
st.1.4.2 Miranda Stone born c1849 at West Bromwich, Staffs
st.1.4.3 Benjamin Stone born April-June 1851 at West Bromwich, Staffs
st.1.4.4 Robert Stone born April-June 1855 at West Bromwich, Staffs
st.1.4.5 Sarah Stone born Jan-March 1859 at Monks Coppenhall, Cheshire
st.1.4.6 William Stone born April-June 1861 at Monks Coppenhall, Cheshire
st.1.4.7 Joseph Stone born April-June 1863 at Wolstanton, Staffs
st.1.4.8 Mary Ann Stone born April-June 1865 at Wolstanton, Staffs
st.1.4.9 Charles Stone born April-June 1868 at Wolstanton, Staffs
st.1.4.10 Catherine Stone born July-September 1870 at Wolstanton, Staffs