The Roles of William and John Henry Royle in the Development of ...

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There are other Bent families in Flixton at this time. Most notably the family of
Henry Bent whose contemporaries share some naming similarities with the Prescott
Bent family. Henry’s gravestone can be found in the old section of St. Michael’s
churchyard, on the east side of the church and reads,
“In Memory of Henry Bent who died July 17 th 1908 Aged 68 Years. To Dwell With
Christ is Better Life. Also Hannah wife of Henry Bent, Born August 1 st 1841, Died
November 17 th 1915. Her Children Rise Up And Call Her Blessed. John, son of Henry
& Hannah Bent, Who died Sepr 23 rd 1870 aged 7 Years and 10 Months. Also Sarah
their Only Daughter who died November 24 th 1900 Aged 22 Years. Also James Bent
who died January 19 th 1885 Aged 65 Years. His end was Peace.”
The birth of Henry Bent was registered at Barton - Upon - Irwell in the March
quarter of 1840, with the birth of James Bent, of Flixton, on the 29 th December 1820.
James baptism was recorded at Davyhulme Wesleyan Chapel on the 14 th February
1821, his parents being Noah and Betty Bent. Noah’s baptism was recorded at Flixton
on the 16 th March 1788, his parents being William and Betty Bent. The family of
Samuel Bent is also included here because they have a memorial inscription on the east
side of St. Michael’s churchyard, which is not to be confused with that of the Prescott
Bent family. It reads,
“ In memory of Samuel Bent of Flixton who departed this life January 27 th 1894,
aged 85 years. Also of Martha his wife who departed this life on May 21 st 1902 in her
89 th year. “Her end was peace.” Also Ann Collier, eldest daughter of the above, who
departed this life on January 8 th 1933 aged 88 years.”
They are also noted on the 1881 Census (RG11 3889/84 No.11) at Mossfield,
Flixton Road, Flixton, close to Flixton Mill, their probable place of employment.
Samuel Bent is the head of household, aged 72 and a cotton weaver. His wife is Martha
Bent, aged 68 and their children are Henry, who is single, aged 34 and a cotton dyer;
Alice, who is single, aged 28 and a cotton weaver; Margaret, who is single, aged 24
and a cotton weaver; James, who is single, aged 22 and a cotton warehouseman; Ann
Collier, who is married, aged 37 and a cotton weaver; and her daughter Martha Collier,
who is single, aged 10 and a scholar. They are all born in Flixton. There are two
possible Samuel Bent baptisms, although admittedly neither matches precisely to
Samuel’s age. They are on the 9 th June 1805, at Flixton, to James and Priscilla Bent and
the 26 th May 1815, with his birth on the 10 th April 1815, at Davyhulme Wesleyan
Chapel, to Henry and Sarah Bent, of Flixton. However, it remains a possibility that
Samuel Bent’s family were independent of these two baptisms, although there does
appear to be a mutual link to Davyhulme Wesleyan Chapel. There is also the mention
of a Samuel Bent in relation to Wood’s Charity of 1779 and Shawe Town School,
which also includes John Royle (Lawson.1898 p.125) However, it is likely that this
family did not have any subsequent influence on the development of Pool Plat.