Albert was born in Ampthill, Bedfordshire on 19th May 1844 to James and Caroline Bates.
The 1851 census shows Albert living with his parents and older siblings, Caroline and James (my great great grandfather) in Dunstable Street, Ampthill, Beds. His father was Police Superintendent at the time. His mother had died in 1849.
By the time of the 1861 census his father had remarried and had 3 further children. The family now lived in the Police Office on Hog Hill, Ampthill.
Albert married Maria Hamblet on 10th October 1865. Maria was the daughter of Joseph Hamblet who was a brickmaker.
The 1871 census shows Albert, Maria, 2 children and his father, James, living at the Hamblet Brickworks in West Bromwich. Albert's occupation is given as brick manufacturer. Hamblet's was one of the largest producers of Staffordshire blue bricks.
By 1881 the family had moved to Cornwall where Albert was manager of the Plymouth Fireclay Co. which made Fire bricks.
On 30th March 1885 Albert was initiated into the Loyal Victoria Lodge, Callington as a Freemason. He was also on the board of Calstock School.
Albert's wife Maria died in 1888.
Kelly's directory for 1889 gives his address as Gunnislake, Cornwall. He is living at 24, Dimson, Calstock, Tavistock, Cornwall with a housekeeper and a servant according to the 1891 census. He is listed as a Brickworks Manager.
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