Robert was born in Manchester, Lancs. 1825, The youngest child of Thomas Baxendell (1792-1851) and Mary (nee Shepley). He spent his early years on his father’s farm at Smedley, then then at Crumpsall while apprenticed as a Corn Dealer, and by the age of 21, when he married Eliza Hannah Hughes,(the daughter of his neighbouring farmer Daniel Hughes), he had embarked on a career as a Corn Factor. In this enterprise, he was no doubt assisted by his Uncle James Baxendell (1794-1840), who had experience as a corn and flour dealer, and his mother-in-law Elizabeth Hughes, who, on the death of her husband, became a provision dealer and baker, living with her grown, unmarried children, close by in Cheetham Hill.
 
 

Robert and Eliza had four children:

Ada b. 1847, Christened: 7 Nov. 1847, St. Thomas, Ardwick, Manchester, Lancs.

Martha b. 1850, Manchester, Lancs.

Walter b. 1854, Salford, Lancs.

Mary Hughes b.1856, Manchester, Lancs.
 
 

In 1880, Robert inherited £1000 plus ¼ of the residuary estate of his Uncle Joseph Baxendell (1797- 1869), hatter and cotton spinner of Denton. By this time he was a Corn Merchant, employing 30 men and 5 boys, and shortly afterwards he set up his own flour-mill which prospered. He took in his son Walter as a partner, who eventually inherited the mill.
 
 

He died 3 Aug. 1895 in Salford, Lancs. Leaving an estate of £19,874 18s 8d
 
 

 Marriage Certificate of Robert Baxendell and Eliza Hannah Hughes:

From Calendar of English Probates and Admimistrations, 1895:
 

Baxendell, Robert of 44 Crescent, Salford, corn miller, died 3 August 1895, probate London 23 September to Eliza Hannah Baxendell widow, Ada Baxendell spinster, Walter Baxendell corn miller and Alfred Coleman telephone agent.

Effects: £19,874 18s 8d
 
 

 
 

1841 Census (HO 107\581 E.D.15 pg.28) Cheetham Street,Crumpsall,Lancs
Forename	Surname	Marit.	Age (rounded down to nearest 5)	Occupation
Thomas	Baxendell		45	Land & Building Agent
Robert	Baxendell		15	Corn Dealer Apprentice

 
 

1851 Census (pg.326) 133 Cheetham Hill, Manchester, Lancs.
Forename	Surname	Relationship to Head	Marit.	Age	Occupation	Birthplace
Robert	Baxendale	Head	M	26	Cashier	Lan	Manchester
Eliza H.	Baxendale	Wife	M	34	Cashier’s Wife	Lan	Manchester
Ada	Baxendale	Dau.	U	3		Lan	Manchester
Martha	Baxendale	Dau.	U	1		Lan	Manchester
Mary Jane	Anderson	Serv.	U	17	Domestic Servant	Lan	Manchester
Harriett	Roberts	Serv.	U	34	Nurse	Lan	Manchester

 
 

1851 Census (pg.331) 168 Cheetham Hill, Manchester, Lancs.
Forename	Surname	Relationship to Head	Marit.	Age	Occup.	Birthplace
Elizabeth	Hughes	Head	Widw.	69	Provision Dealer	Lan	Barton
Daniel	Hughes	Son	U	37	Provision Dealer	Lan	Broughton
Christiana	Hughes	Dau.	U	35	Provision Dealer	Lan	Broughton
Daniel	Hughes	Grndson.	U	14	Provision Dealer	Lan	Widnes

(Elizabeth Hughes was Eliza Hannah Baxendell’s mother)
 
 
 

1881 Census (3966,39,7 ) 39, Crescent, Salford, Lancs.
Robert	Baxendell	Head	M	56	Corn Merchant employing 30men and boys	Lan	Manchester
Mary H.	Baxendell	Dau.	U	25		Lan	Manchester

 
 

1881 Census (4252,87,8) 7 Central Beach, Layton with Warbreck, Lancs. (Seaside Lodging House)
Eliza H.	Baxendell	Visitor	M	64	Housekeeper	Lan	Broughton
Ada	Baxendell	Visitor	U	33	Housekeeper	Lan	Cheetham
Christiana	Hughes	Visitor	U	65	Housekeeper	Lan	Broughton

(Christiana Hughes was Eliza Hannah Baxendell’s sister)