Manchester Ship Canal workers

The Adams family originally from Somerset moved to Lymm to work on the canal.  Father Francis James Adams born 1842,  stands proudly in the cog wheel with four of his sons around him.  The youngest, wearing the bowler hat on far right is Charles, born 1875.   Next, standing holding an iron bar, is Alfred John born 1870.   To his right with a hammer on his shoulder, is Edward Richard b 1867 and next to him with the iron bars, William Frederick born 1872.

Three of the sons eventually married Lymm girls.  Alfred married fustian cutter, Lucy Bradburn. Their son's birth certificate states that he was born at THE HUTS Statham, presumably one of the temporary shanty dwellings  put up for the navvies working on the canal.