(LUKE) James Kirkman

{This is one of four posts about my children's ancestors named James--one James from each grandparent's ancestral line.}
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James Kirkman was born October 8, 1823 at Breightmet Fold, Lancashire, England, the son of John Kirkman and Ellen Lomax. His baptism into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on November 21, 1843 makes him our children's only "James" ancestor who was also Mormon. He attended the Bolton, Manchester, England Conference and was branch president for years. 

James married Mary Haslam on October 29, 1843 in Middleton Parish, Ainsworth, Lancashire, England. They had 12 children. The Kirkmans lived in a rowhouse in the village of Darcy Lever, near Bolton. According to James's granddaughter, peace, joy, and love abounded in his home. Their family were the only Mormons in the village of about 1,000 people. 

James was a miner--presumably a coal miner. His children worked in a nearby mill (almost certainly a cotton mill) from an early age. James died on February 27, 1874 at Darcy Lever, Lancashire, England. Many of his children later emigrated to the United States. 

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Line of descent:

James Kirkman, born 1823

Ann Kirkman, born 1850

Sarah Jane Howarth, born 1882

Russell Victor Luke, born 1905

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Sources:

- ancestry.com, Membership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-1848

- "Utah Pioneer Ann Kirkman," www.oocities.org/iluv_familyhistory/annkhowarth.htm

-Darcy Lever population from www.mancuniensis.info/DarcyLeverFP.htm