Nellie (Rennie) Taylor (1881 - 1967)

Born 30 Apr 1881 in Oldham, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom

Wife of Herbert Taylor — married 30 Nov 1907 in Werneth, Lancashire, England

Died 26 May 1967 at age 86 in Shelley, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom

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Biography

Nellie Rennie was born on 30 April 1881 at Oldham, Lancashire, the daughter of Andrew Rennie and Ann Bottomley. ^[1]

Nellie’s father was working as a journalist and sub editor in the 1881 census. Andrew Rennie died in 1885 aged 37 years when Nellie was aged about 4 years. ^[2]

In the 1891 census Nellie was living with her widowed mother and five siblings at 3 St. Thomas St North, Oldham. She was aged 10 years. ^[3]

Her mother Ann Rennie remarried to William Senior in 1893. ^[4]

In the 1901 census Nellie was living with her mother Ann Senior and two siblings at 36 St. Thomas St North. Nellie, aged 19, was working as a cotton reeler. ^[5]

Nellie Rennie married Herbert Taylor on 30 November 1907 at St. Thomas’ Church, Werneth, Lancashire. Their marriage certificate recorded Herbert was a bachelor aged 27 and a teacher. His father was named as Joseph Taylor (deceased), a core maker. Nellie as a spinster aged 26 and a winder. Her father was named as Andrew Rennie (deceased), a newspaper reporter. At the time of their marriage Herbert was living at 43 String Hey Rd, Liscard and Nellie at 5 St. Thomas St North, Oldham. Their witnesses were Fred Taylor, Herbert's brother, and Jane Giles. ^[6]

In the 1911 census Herbert and Nellie were living at 19 Longview Ave, Liscard, Cheshire. Aged 30, Herbert was an elementary school teacher for the Borough Council. Nellie was aged 29. Herbert's mother Mary was also living with them. She was aged 62 years. ^[7]

This couple then had two daughters named Kathleen Lilian Taylor born 29 April 1911 and Joan Mary Taylor born 11 September 1917, both born at Wallasey, Cheshire.

Hannah Taylor, Herbert’s paternal aunt, died on 17 February 1912. He and his siblings were beneficiaries of her will, written on 25 March 1908, which read in part - Unto my deceased brothers children Elizabeth Norcross of St. Petersburg Russia Fred Taylor of 12 Queens Road Chadderton near Oldham George Taylor of 240 Denton Lane Hollinwood Oldham and Herbert Taylor of 19 Longview Avenue Liscard Cheshire one third of such monies to be equally divided. ^[8]

In the 1921 census the family was living at 4 Vale Drive, New Brighton, Wallasey with Herbert's sister Elizabeth Norcoss and her two sons. Elizabeth Norcross was aged 47. Harry Norcross, aged 19, was an apprentice insurance clerk at London & Lancashire Insurance Co. Ltd, at 45 Dale St, Liverpool. Edgar Norcross, aged 18, was an apprentice engineer at Higginson & Co., at 7 Hurst St, Liverpool. Herbert, aged 41, was a school master at Manor Road Council School. Nellie was aged 40. Kathleen Lilian Taylor was aged 10 and Joan Mary Taylor was aged 3. ^[9]

The 1939 Register, taken on 29 September 1939, has been described as a snapshot of the civilian population of England and Wales just after the outbreak of the Second World War. The Register recorded each person's address, date of birth and occupation.
At that time Herbert and Nellie were living at 61 Queensway, Wallasey, Cheshire. Herbert, born 24 May 1880, was aged 59. He was a secondary schoolmaster. Nellie was aged 58. Her date of birth was recorded as 30 April 1881. Daughter Joan, born 11 September 1917, was aged 22. She was a schoolmistress. Her surname was later amended to her married surname of Mercer. ^[10]

Family recall Herbert was a woodwork teacher, and he had made all their own furniture. He loved wood, and always impressed on family that “every job has the right tool.” Herbert was a very kind, gentle man, pedantic and meticulous. But he was a real pessimist about everything.
Nellie is remembered as fat and funny and kind. She was very bright and humorous, and probably very pretty when she was young. Nellie had been a mill-girl in Oldham, and had probably had a difficult life before she married. The little back-to-back terrace houses in that part of the world would have been pretty grim. She had a lovely voice, and would sing to her grandchildren when they were little. ^[11]

Herbert Taylor died on 27 July 1955 at 49 Queensway, Wallasey aged 75 years of a coronary thrombosis [certified by Coroner after post mortem, without inquest]. His death certificate further recorded Herbert was a retired grammar schoolmaster. The informant of his death was his daughter K. L. Rhead, of 54 Thorpe Park Rd, Peterborough, who was present at the death. ^[12]

From 1955 Index of Wills and Administrations – TAYLOR Herbert of 49 Queensway Wallasey Cheshire, formerly of 49 Queensway aforesaid, died 27 July 1955 Probate Peterborough 31 October to Frederick Arthur Rhead of 54 Thorpe Park Rd Peterborough Northamptonshire chartered gas engineer. Effects £497 8s. 2d. ^[13]
Frederick Rhead was Herbert's son in law, married to daughter Kathleen.

His will read -
THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me Herbert Taylor of 61 Queensway, Wallasey, Cheshire in the County of Cheshire made on 15th day of March in the year of our Lord, One Thousand Nine Hundred and 42.
I HEREBY revoke all Wills by me heretofore made.
I APPOINT Frederick Arthur Rhead of Wychbury, Hill Barton Rd, Exeter in the County of Devon to be Executor of this my Will.
I DIRECT that all my just Debts and Funeral and Testamentary Expenses shall be paid as soon as conveniently may be after my decease.
I GIVE, DEVISE and BEQUEATH unto my wife Nellie Taylor of 61, Queensway, Wallasy, Cheshire, all that I possess, if she is still alive (7) seven days after my death, failing this all my possessions be equally divided between my two daughters, Kathleen Lilian Rhead, of Wychbury, Hill Barton Rd, Exeter, Devon and Joan Mary Taylor of 61, Queensway, Wallasey, Cheshire. Herbert Taylor
SIGNED by the said Testator as and for his Last Will and Testament, in the presence of us both present at the same time who at his request, in his presence and in the presence of each other, have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses: Walter G Plant, Danum, Hill Barton Rd, Exeter, Devon and Eva Plant, Danum, Hill Barton Rd, Exeter, Devon. ^[14]
The witnesses were neighbours of the Rheads.

Herbert’s death was an awful shock for Nellie. She had gone out shopping, leaving him lying down for a rest, only to return and find that he had died in his sleep. Thereafter Nellie lived between the homes of her two daughters and their families. She was living with the Rhead family at the time of her death. ^[15]

Nellie Taylor died on 26 May 1967 at 43 Near Bank, Shelley, Yorkshire aged 86 years of congestive cardiac failure and arterio sclerosis. Her death certificate further recorded Nellie was the widow of Herbert Taylor, a schoolmaster. Her usual address at that time was 44 Broad Lane, Haslingfield, Cambridgeshire. The informant of her death was son in law Ian E. Mercer of 43 Near Bank, Shelley. ^[16]

From the 1967 Index of Wills and Administrations – TAYLOR Nellie of 44 Broad Lane Haslingfield Cambridgeshire died 26 May 1967 at Fairfield Near Bank Shelley near Huddesfield Probate Peterborough 27 September to Frederick Arthur Rhead chartered gas engineer. £368. ^[17]

Of interest on the probate document the address Nellie died at was recorded as "Fairfield" Near Bank [street name], Shelley. Son in law Frederick Arthur Rhead, a chartered gas engineer, of 44 Broad Lane, Haslingfield was the executor of her will. Nellie left her entire estate to her two daughters in equal shares. ^[18]

Sources

1. ↑ https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/indexes_search.asp
   GRO Birth Index
   RENNIE, NELLIE Mother's maiden name BOTTOMLEY
   GRO Reference: 1881 J Quarter in OLDHAM Volume 08D Page 615
2. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1881," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q27P-BLJB : 13 December 2017)
   Burial (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2QX-7S6F : 25 August 2016)
3. ↑ 1891 census RG12/3306 30 Pg 53
4. ↑ Marriage Index – Jun Qtr 1893/Oldham 8d 1006
5. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1901," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X92V-NT8 : 8 April 2016)
6. ↑ "England, Manchester, Parish Registers, 1603-1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F9M3-B11 : 8 December 2017)
7. ↑ 1911 census RG14PN22071 RG78PN1310A RD452 SD3 ED19 SN283
8. ↑ The Will of Hannah Taylor
9. ↑ 1921 census Registration District 452 [Birkenhead], Sub District 3 [Wallasey], Enumeration District 7, Schedule No. 245
10. ↑ 1939 Register RG101/3968B/007/23 Letter Code: LDDC
11. ↑ Memories of a grandchild
12. ↑ Death certificate - in family hands
    ://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/indexes_search.asp
    Death Index
    TAYLOR, HERBERT Age at death 75
    GRO Reference: 1955 S Quarter in WALLASEY Volume 10A Page 494
13. ↑ https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/#wills
14. ↑ The will of Herbert Taylor obtained from https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/#wills
15. ↑ Memories of a grandchild
16. ↑ Death certificate in family hands
17. ↑ https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/#wills
18. ↑ Grant and Will of Nellie Taylor