Generation 3 Ancestor Family 1 Sibling Family B
1880 To 1931
Son Of Author’s 3 x Great Grandparents
Descendant Of Barton Ancestor Family #4 & Mawdsley Ancestor Family #1
Overview
John Barton was born in 1843 to a spinster Weaver from Skelmersdale. He later took his mother’s husband’s surname and became John Mawdsley. Mary Wood was born in 1851 to a Watch Maker from St Helens. John and Mary were married in 1880 at St Thomas Wallgate Wigan. John established Mawdsley’s Jam Manufacturers in Wallgate Wigan and they had seven children eventually settling in Southport. John died in 1919 and Mary died in 1931.
Family
Parents
John: Henry Mawdsley (1805-1862) and Ellen Barton (1812-1894). Provision Dealer from Wallgate Wigan. Ancestor Family
Mary: Thomas Wood and Sarah Littler. Watch Maker from St Helens. Inlaw Family
Heads
John Barton (1843-1919)
Mary Jane Wood (1851-1931)
Children
Henry Mawdsley (1880-1944) married Lily Whittaker (1887-1976). Jam Manufacturer from Southport. Sibling Family
Thomas Mawdsley (1882-1955) married Florence Edith Blackburn (1884-1968). Jam Manufacturer from Southport. Sibling Family
Richard Charles Mawdsley (1884-1972) married Sarah Beatrice Butterworth (1884-1966). Clerk from Southport. Sibling Family
Sarah Mawdsley (1886-1961). Lived on private means in Southport. Spinster
John Mawdsley (1889-1959) married Mary Emma Stewart (1886-1939). Bank Manager in Essex. Sibling Family
James Mawdsley (1891-1964) married Elsie May Kellett (1891-1972). Engineering Turner from Southport. Sibling Family
Evan Mawdsley (1893-1960). Electrical Engineer in Southport. Bachelor
Timeline
9th January 1843 John born at Grimshaw Delph Upholland (according to his obituary). No certificate can be found, date of birth is from gravestone and obituary.
5th February 1843 John baptised at St Thomas The Martyr Upholland. Mother is Ellen Barton from Skelmersdale but no father is given.
3rd November 1843 John’s mother Ellen marries Henry Mawdsley at Wigan Parish Church. John is aged 9 months.
1847 to 1848 John’s parents become Provision Dealers in Princess Street Wallgate Wigan.
2nd March 1851 Mary born at Tontine Street St Helens, father is Thomas Wood a Watch Maker and mother is Sarah Littler. When Mary is baptised almost 2 months later her father’s occupation is given as Grocer.
30th March 1851 Census. John is aged 7 living at Spencers Skelmersdale with his mother Ellen’s father John Barton and 4 cousins aged in range 16 to 36. John’s parents and most of his siblings are living in Princess Street Wallgate Wigan but his brother Thomas is living in Martains House Dalton with his father’s father Evan Mawdsley.
7th April 1861 Census. John is aged 18 living at Orrell House Farm Orrell working as a servant for Alice Gorse who is John’s mother Ellen’s husband Henry’s sister, John is recorded as John Barton on the census. John’s brother Thomas is also living and working there aged 25. John’s parents are siblings are living in Princess Street Wallgate Wigan.
20th October 1862 John’s father Henry dies at 43 Princess Street Wallgate Wigan aged 57.
1862 John aged 19 moves to Princess Street Wallgate Wigan (presumably from Orrell House Farm Gathurst) to take over running of the Grocery business (according to John’s obituary in the Wigan Examiner). This is possibly the point at which John starts calling himself John Mawdsley. This from John’s obituary “He came to Wigan on the death of his father and took charge of the provision business in Princess Street for his mother, and here he gained a wide reputation as a bread baker. In conjunction with the late Councillor James Gerrard he was one of the first to import the Cheshire new potatoes, this being a big trade before the importation of Jersey potatoes”.
2nd April 1871 Census. John is aged 28 living with mother Ellen at 43 Princess Street Wallgate Wigan, both described as Grocer, but Ellen is the Head on the census. John is recorded as John Mawdsley on the census. Two of John’s sisters are also living there.
19th January 1880 John marries Mary Jane Wood at St Thomas Wallgate Wigan. John is a Provision Dealer aged 37 and Mary is aged 28 the daughter of a Clerk living in Caroline Street Wallgate Wigan (the next street to Princess Street Wallgate Wigan). According to John’s obituary in the Wigan Examiner Mary is head mistress at St Thomas’s infant school and organist at the church. John and Mary live in 43 Princess Street Wallgate Wigan which is presumably the location of the business as well as their home. Also from John’s obituary “Soon afterwards [his marriage] he founded the business of jam and marmalade manufacturer, with which he was best known, later taking over the factory in the same street owing to the growth of the business”.
1880 John’s mother Ellen moves out of 43 Princess Street Wallgate Wigan to live with a daughter.
8th November 1880 Son Henry born at 43 Princess Street Wallgate Wigan, John is a Provision Dealer.
1st December 1880 Son Henry baptised at St Thomas Wallgate Wigan.
3rd April 1881 Census. Family living at 43 Princess Street Wallgate Wigan, John is a Shopkeeper aged 37, Mary is aged 29 and son Henry is aged 5 months.
13th June 1882 Son Thomas born at 43 Princess Street Wallgate Wigan, John is a Grocer.
20th August 1882 Son Thomas baptised at St Thomas Wallgate Wigan.
1882 to 1884 John establishes a Jam Manufacturing business in Princess Street Wallgate Wigan. The secretary of the company is a Charles John Wood who is the brother of John’s wife Mary. John’s obituary states the jam business was founded “soon afterwards” his marriage in 1880.
4th August 1884 Son Richard Charles born at 43 Princess Street Wallgate Wigan, John is a Jam Manufacturer.
14th September 1884 Son Richard Charles baptised at St Thomas Wallgate Wigan. John occupation is given as Grocer.
1884 to 1891 Family moves to “Mill Yard Princess Street” which is location of Mawdsleys Jam Factory.
13th November 1886 Daughter Sarah born at Princess Street Wallgate Wigan, John is a Jam Manufacturer.
5th January 1887 Daughter Sarah baptised at St Thomas Wallgate Wigan.
4th April 1889 Son John born at Princess Street Wallgate Wigan, John is a Preserve Manufacturer.
2nd June 1889 Son John baptised at St Thomas Wallgate Wigan.
7th March 1891 Son James born at Princess Street Wallgate Wigan, John is a Preserve Manufacturer.
5th April 1891 Census. Family living at Mill Yard Princess Street Wallgate which is location of Mawdsleys Jam Factory. John is aged 47 a Marmalade Preserver, Mary is aged 40, son Henry is aged 10, son Thomas is aged 8, son Richard is aged 6, daughter Sarah is aged 4, son John is aged 2 and son James is aged 10 months. No servants are recorded.
1891 to 1893 Family move from Princess Street Wallgate Wigan to Southport.
7th January 1893 Son Evan is born at 27 Ash Street Southport, John is a Preserve Manufacturer.
27th July 1894 Wigan Observer reports following freehold was to be sold at auction “The FREEHOLD MILL and premises known as ‘Princess-street Mill’ Wigan” “now used as a Preserve and Marmalade Manufactory, and together with the Cottage or Dwelling-house in the yard, all which premises are now let to Mr. John Mawdsley, as yearly tenant”. No record can be found for the outcome of the auction.
1897 John’s obituary states “In 1897 was carried out the first extension [of the jam factory], when the fine front wing was constructed, Mr James Scott being the contractor”.
1900 This photo was in the collection of Norman Barton the grandson of John’s brother Thomas and the grandfather of the author of this web site. The youngest son (Evan) looks to be about 7 years old so the photo is likely to have been taken around 1900. Judging by the ages of the people in the photo they would be (from left to right): son John, son James, son Evan, John, son Henry, Mary, son Thomas, daughter Sarah, son Richard.
19th January 1901 Wigan Examiner reports that John and Mary attend the funeral of Tryphena Mawdsley the daughter of John’s brother Evan whose body was found in the canal at Top Lock.
31st March 1901 Census. Family living at 27 Ash Street Southport. John is aged 58 a Jam Manufacturer, Mary is aged 49, son Henry is aged 20 an Assistant Jam Manufacturer, son Thomas is aged 18 an Assistant Jam Manufacturer, son Richard is aged 16, daughter Sarah is aged 14, son John is aged 11, son James is aged 10 and son Evan is aged 8. They have a live in “Lady Help” called Helen Callister aged 30.
1907 John’s obituary states “Ten years later [after 1897] the expansion of his trade had progressed to an extent necessitating further extension, and the back wing was constructed with a length of 170 feet on four floors, giving & total floor space for storage of some 50,000 square feet. To provide room for this latter improvement the old mill and factory building and the cottages in what was known as Potter’s Square, were demolished, also those fronting on Princess Street, which were rebuilt on modern lines”.
1907 John’s obituary states “being elected a director of the Vulcan Motor Company about ten or twelve years since [before his death in 1919], and he had assisted in the renaissance of that company from a lean period to its recent and present commanding position in the industrial world. During his directorate the fine works at Crossens [Southport] have been enlarged to several times their former proportions, and much useful work for the Government has been done since 1914”. See Wikipedia.
2nd April 1911 Census. Family living at 18 Ash Street Southport. John is aged 68 a Jam Manufacturer, Mary is aged 60, son Henry is aged 30 an Assistant At Jam Works, son Thomas is aged 28 a Commercial Traveller at a Jam Manufacturer, son Richard is aged 26 a Commercial Traveller at a Jam Manufacturer, son John is aged 21 an Engineer Fitter, son James is aged 20 a Motor Engineer Apprentice and son Evan is aged 18 an Engineer Turner Apprentice. They have a Domestic Servant Janet Fairclough aged 28. Presumably sons Henry, Thomas and Richard are working for their father. Daughter Sarah is aged 24 and can be found visiting the Taylor family at Gathurst Lane Shevington, possibly seeing daughter Ethel Taylor who is aged 25.
1912 Wigan Observer records John as being a Director of Anglo-Californian Vineyards, based in Fresno California.
February 1913 John’s obituary states “In February, 1913, the business was registered s a private limited company, under the style of John Mawdsley, Ltd., since when much of the management and control has been delegated to the three elder sons, who were directors. Mr. Tom Mawdsley becoming chairman and general manager. Under the new regime the business has continued to thrive and grow owing to the excellent character of the firm’s productions, which are well-known over Lancashire, Yorkshire, and the Midlands, and North and Central Wales”.
15th October 1913 Son Henry marries Lily Whittaker at St Athanasius Walton Liverpool. Henry is aged 32 a Jam Manufacturer from Southport and Lily is aged 26 from Liverpool. Daughter Sarah is a witness.
29th April 1914 Son Richard marries Sarah Beatrice Butterworth at Holy Trinity Southport. Richard is aged 29 an Agent from Southport and Sarah is aged 29 from Southport. An “M Mawdsley” is likely best man.
Before December 1917 Son Thomas is probably serving in the Royal Navy.
3rd December 1917 Son Thomas transfers to Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) as a mechanic and then the RAF when that is formed on 1st April 1918.
10th January 1919 John found dead at St Lukes Station Southport on train from Wigan, of Heart Failure aged 76. Informant was son John. Wigan Examiner reported his death a few days later stating “Deceased had been at the works at Wigan on Friday, and left to catch the 4.38 train to Southport. Going up Wallgate he felt unwell, and called in Mr. Hurst’s grocer’s shop to telephone to his son to accompany him to Southport, as he intended to proceed to Chapel Street Station instead of alighting at St. Luke’s. The son hurried to the Station, and caught the same train, but travelled in another compartment. The train was due to arrive in Southport about five o’clock, but while travelling deceased had a seizure, and on reaching St. Luke’s Station he was carried from the carriage by the railway officials. An examination however, showed that death had already taken place, and the body was removed on an ambulance stretcher to his home.” going on to say “The deceased gentleman, who was well known and much respected in Wigan commercial circles, spent his early days with his grandfather at Dalton. He commenced business in a modest way as a jam maker, and met with great success, and for many years he, with other members of the family, carried on business as jam manufacturers under the style of Messrs. Mawdsley Ltd. He was also a director at the Vulcan Motor Works, Southport”.
15th or 22nd January 1919 John buried at Duke Street Cemetery Southport. Later reported by Wigan Examiner as “Evidence of the high esteem in which the deceased gentleman was held in business and private life was abundantly testified in the attendance of friends, in the beautiful floral tributes sent, and in the many letters and telegrams of sympathy from all over the country received by the widow and family”. Attendees included sons Henry, John, James and Evan; Councillor Edward Hall from Buxton (probably husband of John’s dead sister Ellen); Charles Wood secretary of John Mawdsley Ltd (Mary Jane’s brother); Councillor H Barton (son of John’s dead brother Thomas).
21st January 1919 John’s obituary appears in Wigan Examiner commenting “(he) was accustomed to travel daily to the Wigan Works, had been attending business as usual at the office of the Wigan works until noon, and he spent the remainder of the day with friends in town” then boarded a train to Southport “travelling in a first-class compartment in company with several gentlemen” then “Soon after leaving Wigan he laid his head back and gently breathed his last. The gentlemen with him used every restorative effort without avail, and on arrival at St Luke’s he was removed to a waiting room, medical aid being immediately forthcoming, but the doctors announced that life was extinct. His son Harry was on the same train, and under his supervision the deceased gentleman was removed to his home”. It also states “[John] had been a member of the Wigan Conservative Club since its foundation” and “His geniality and bon-homie made him popular and welcome with all classes of people and shades of opinion” and “His retiring disposition restrained him from seeking office or position of any kind, he being more disposed for attention to home and business” and “An able raconteur he was always ready with a good story, and in his earlier years was a billiard player above the ordinary. In later years he ‘took the palms’ at bowls at which he was an adept, possessing exceptional judgement for finding the ‘jack’. His wonderful memory gave him always a commanding position at the card table.” Regarding his sons “Jack and Evan who are in the Naval service, happened to be at home when the sad event occurred, but two others, Tom and Dick, who are in France, failed to return for their father’s obsequies” (Tom was serving in the RAF at the time). Also “Mr. Mawdsley has been an almost life-long sufferer from bronchial catarrh and asthma, and spent several winters in the Riviera at Nice with Mrs Mawdsley, obtaining great relief by evading the rigours of the English winter and spring”.
13th May 1919 John’s probate granted, leaving £1.6 million in today’s money to sons Henry, Thomas and Richard all given as Jam Manufacturers.
25th June 1919 Son James marries Elsie May Kellett at Holy Trinity Southport. James is aged 28 an Engineer from 34 Manchester Road Southport and Elsie is aged 27 from Southport.
1920 According to Wigan Examiner the Mawdsley family donates Choir Stalls to St Thomas Wallgate Wigan in memory of John.
30th June 1920 Son Thomas marries Florence Edith Blackburn at St James Birkdale Southport. Thomas is aged 38 a Jam Manufacturer living at The Palace Hotel Birkdale Southport and Florence is aged 35 from Birkdale Southport, her father Edward is a “Gentleman”. Probable best man is son Evan.
17th July 1920 Son John marries Mary Emma Stewart at St Philip Southport. John is aged 31 a 2nd Engineer in “R M M” which could be some division of British Armed Forces and Mary is aged 34 from Southport. Daughter Sarah is a witness.
19th June 1921 Census. Mary living at 18 Ash Street Southport aged 70 with daughter Sarah aged 34 doing “Home Duties” and son Evan aged 28 an Electrical Engineer for Wigan Corporation at Wigan Power Station. A House Maid Janet Fairclough aged 38 also lives there.
10th October 1931 Mary dies aged 80 at 18 Ash Street Southport of Liver Cancer. Informant was son Henry.
1931 Mary buried at Duke Street Cemetery Southport in same grave as John.
29th September 1939 Register. Daughter Sarah cannot be found. Son Evan is at No 2 The Wilfred Lawson Hotel Wanstead London working as an Electrical Power Station Shift Charge Engineer. He could be living in London or maybe visiting or training in London.
2nd June 1944 Son Henry dies aged 63. He is still a working Jam Manufacturer and informant was his brother “J Mawdsley” (either James or John) who was also present at the death. Son Thomas is presumably solely in charge of Mawdsleys Jam from this point forwards.
7th February 1955 Son Thomas dies aged 72. He is still a working Jam Manufacturer. Informant was his brother Evan of 29 Cowdray Road Southport.
12th May 1959 Son John dies aged 70 in Southport.
30th May 1960 Son Evan dies aged 67 at 25 Park Road Southport (maybe a nursing home) of Coronary Thrombosis a Retired Electrical Engineer. His residence is 29 Coudray Road Southport. Informant is brother James of 28 Rectory Road Southport.
1960 Son Evan buried at Duke Street Cemetery Southport in same grave as John and Mary.
3rd August 1961 Daughter Sarah dies aged 74 at 25 Park Road Southport (maybe a nursing home) of Hypertension. Her residence is 29 Coudray Road Southport so Sarah and Evan could have been living together there. Informant is brother James of 28 Rectory Road Southport.
1961 Daughter Sarah buried at Duke Street Cemetery Southport in same grave as John, Mary and brother Evan. Grave record has a note “known as Sadie”.
