Robert Slack

Robert was the son of Robert and Sarah Slack (née Cockayne).

His father Robert was born in Staveley, Derbyshire, in 1852, the son of William Slack, a miller. His mother Sarah was born in Kirkby in Ashfield in 1853 (reg. AMJ Basford, mother's maiden name Riggett) and was baptised at Kirkby in Ashfield Anglican church in August the same year.

Robert (23), an engine man, living in Renishaw, Eckington, and Sarah were married at Brackenfield Holy Trinity church, Derbyshire, on 8 November 1875; their two witnesses were Tom Harvey and Eliza Ann Riggott.

The couple had ten children, three of whom died in infancy or early childhood. Eight children, including a daughter who died young, have been traced on birth registrations and census returns: George Henry b. Brackenfield birth reg. 1876 (JFM Chesterfield), Elizabeth b. Renishaw birth reg. 1878 (JFM Chesterfield), William Edward b. 1881 (AMJ), Joseph b. 1883 (JAS), Ernest birth reg. 1886 (JFM), Dallas Bentinck S (female) b. 1899 (JAS) d. 1892 (JAS), Robert b. 1892 (AMJ) and Ada born about 1895 who were all born in Hucknall under Huthwaite (births reg. Mansfield).

In 1881 Robert, an engine stoker (colliery), Sarah and their three children, George, Elizabeth and William, were living in Peacock Yard, Hucknall. Also in the household was a boarder, a colliery engine man.

By 1891 Robert was a locomotive engine driver (colliery) and he and his wife were living on Bainbridge Terrace, Hucknall, with five of their six children: George, a hosiery hand, William, Joseph and Ernest who were school age and their youngest daughter Dallas (2). The couple again had a boarder, a coke loader (colliery). Their eldest daughter, Elizabeth (13), a general domestic servant, was employed in the household of Thomas Birkhead, a woollen merchant 'and local preacher', at Orchards Yard, Market Place, Hucknall under Huthwaite.

Robert and Sarah's son Robert was born the following year; their daughter Dallas died shortly after her brother's birth.

Robert and Sarah had moved to Sutton Road, Hucknall, by 1901. In the home on the night of the census were their four younger sons William, a coal miner hewer, Joseph, a clothier's assistant, Ernest and Robert, who were school age, and their youngest daughter Ada (6). Elizabeth was a cook domestic in the household of Richard Sands, chartered accountant, who lived on Baker Street, Nottingham.

The eldest son, George, had married Elizabeth Purseglove in 1899 and their daughter Gladys was born three years later in 1902; she died aged five in 1907. In 1911 George, a railway ganger, and his wife were living on Blackwell Road, Huthwaite. George and his wife were living at 39 George Street, Huthwaite, when the 1939 England & Wales Register was compiled. The entry is unclear, but George may have been working in the hosiery trade. He died in 1947 aged 71; his wife survived him.

Robert and Sarah were recorded on the 1911 Census at 18 Mill Cottages, Hillside, Hucknall under Huthwaite, with three of their sons William, a coal miner hewer, Joseph a shot firer (coal mine) and Robert a clothier's shop assistant, and their daughter Ada, a domestic servant. Robert and Sarah were still living at 18 Mill Cottages in February 1917 when their son Robert was reported 'missing in action'.

The eldest daughter Elizabeth had married Benjamin Hardy in 1902. In 1911 Benjamin, a stock keeper (hosiery manufacturer), Elizabeth and their four children, Ivy Thirza, Herbert Robert, Evelyn Jessie and George Leslie, who were all under six years old, were living off North Street, Huthwaite. Elizabeth died in 1915 (reg. JFM Mansfield) age 37. Benjamin and his children were living at 33 North Street in 1921; also in the home was his unmarried aunt, Mary Buckle, who was probably assisting with household duties.

The fourth son, Ernest, a coal miner/hewer, had married Priscilla Smith in 1909 (AMJ) and in 1911 they and their two children, Donald Smith (b. 1909) and Edna (b. 1910), were living on North Street, Huthwaite. By 1921 Ernest, who was still working as a coal miner/hewer, Priscilla and their four children, Donald S., Edna, Norah (8) and Celia (5), had moved to 2 Station Road, Sutton in Ashfield. Priscilla (married/head) was recorded on the 1939 England & Wales Register in Sutton in Ashfield with her daughters Celia, a cake confectioners' assistant, Norah (Hill m. 1936) and her husband Ernest, a coal miner, and Donald B Slack (b. 1933). Ernest has not yet been traced after 1921.

The second son, William, married Mary Ellen Tyler in 1915; they had two sons, Leslie (1917) and Wiliam Reginald (1923). In 1939 the family was living on Oxford Street, Sutton in Ashfield; William was now a colliery weigh clerk with additional responsibility as a Works ARP. He died in November 1948. His widow probably died in 1972.

The third son, Joseph, married Alice Maud Normington at Hucknall under Huthwaite All Saints in July 1918; Alice died aged 28 in December the same year and was buried in Huthwaite Cemetery.

Robert and Sarah were living alone at 118 Sutton Road, Huthwaite, in 1921; he was now employed by Huthwaite Council as the caretaker of Huthwaite Free Library. Sarah died in 1922 aged 69.

Robert, described as a retired librarian, was still living at the same address in 1939. Also in the home was his widowed son, Joseph, who was a clerk in the Civil Service. Robert died in 1941 aged 89 and Joseph continued to live at the same address until his death in December 1968; he was buried in Huthwaite Cemetery.