http://bcconnections.tribalpages.com/tr ... =607630184
Although he wasn't born until 1867 and the American Civil War was a 4 year conflict from 1861 - 1865 legend has it that Edward was a slave given his liberty after the war.Possibly from one of the Alston family plantations in the Charleston, NC area.
His son Edward Alston Irons was born 1894 in Bridgnorth,Shropshire.
1911 census has the family living in Brades Village Oldbury.1901 they were living in Elton Green,Chester.
Where was he in 1871,1881 and 1891?