Peter Purdy was the son of Charles Purdy (1823) and Sarah and was born in Little Walsingham in 1850. In 1861 he was working as a cotton tosser and living in Stacksteads, Newchurch. In 1871 he was living in Cemetery Terrace, Newchurch and working as a cotton operative. In 1891 he was working as a railway shunter and living at 3 Holne Terrace, Haslingden. He married Sarah Alice Cunliffe, neé Phoenix - who was possibly the widow of Lazarus Cunliffe, and who had a daughter called Margaret A. - in 1884. In 1901 he was still a railway shunter and living at 3 Newhalley, Rawtenstall.

Sources
• 1. 1861 Census. Stacksteads, Newchurch. Peter Purdy. Son. Age 11. Cotton Tosser. Born Walsingham. • 2. 1871 Census. Cemetery Terr., Newchurch. Peter Purdy. Son. Age 21. Cotton Operative. Born Walsingham. • 3. 1901 Census. 3 Newhalley, Rawtenstall. Peter Purdy. Head. Age 49. Railway Shunter. Born Walsingham. • 4. 1891 Census. 3 Holne Terr, Haslingden. Peter Purdy. Head. Age 40. Railway Shunter. Born Walsingham. • 5. Marriage Registers. Purdy, Peter & Cunliffe, Sarah Alice. Jun. 1884. 8e. 257. Haslingden.