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John Brown - No Hands

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Philip

Philip Report 5 Nov 2007 20:48

I'm trying to find whatever information I can about a John Brown (tricky name, I know !) who was born in Madeley, Shropshire in 1803.

I already know quite a lot, but I'd like to trace his family back further. He was notable in that he had no hands, having lost them both at the age of 9 in an accident with an office fire at Anstices Colliery in the Madeley area. Despite this, he lived to a ripe old age (he appears in the 1871 census), fathered 6 children with his wife Elizabeth, was a skilled woodturner, a lay-preacher, and a pillar of the community. Quite a remarkable man ! I have an actual notebook of his containing poetry that he wrote (artificial hands?).

Given his high profile in the Madeley / Shropshire area, I'm hoping that someone will have some more information about him and his immediate family.

Please let me know,

Phil