Transcript of manuscript pedigree in the family's possession

The Cheshire Family

The first of whom we have any traces is Henry Cheshire of Barton Wood, Lancashire. He died in 1735 and was buried at Barton Wood. He married Catherine, daughter of William Marshall of Halow House in Burton Wood. She died in 1744 and was buried at Walton on the Hill. Their only daughter Elizabeth was married July 21st 1760 at Walton on the Hill, to John Widdowson of Liverpool. Who died Aug 8th 1788. He was the only son of Thomas Widdowson of Everton, Lancashire who died 24th March 1773, and of Margaret his wife, daughter of J. Fletcher of West Derby Lancashire, who died Oct 7th 1789. Both were buried at Walton on the Hill. John Cheshire Esq. Of Hartford hall, Northwich, only son of Henry & Catherine Cheshire, died unmarried 3rd March 1814 and was buried at Witton, Northwich. His will is dated Feb 27th 1814. A Sir Thomas Cheshire of Runcorn is mentioned in Ormerod who was probably [an ancestor ……?]

John & Elizabeth (nee Cheshire) Widdowson had three children: Mary, Henry and John. The two elder died unmarried, their graves are in Witton Churchyard. John the younger was born March 26th 1764. He wass married on July 30th 1795 at Witton Church to Mary daughter of John Barker Esq. Of Northwich. She died 18th October 1795 [sic] aged 33 years. Both she and her husband, who died on March 29th 1803, are buried at Witton. They had 3 children.

John Widdowson Esq. Of Northwich - a Gentleman Pensioner of Peter House College, Cambridge, born June 22nd 1796, baptised at Witton Church. He took the surname and arms of Cheshire only by Royal Sign Manual, dated 16th December 1817, in compliance with an injunction contained in the will of his maternal great uncle John Cheshire of Hartford Hall, who left him the sum of £45,000. He was married 26th August 1818 to Sarah, only child of Christopher Suttle of Northwich, who left her £12,000.

Mary Widdowson, born 9th September 1797, baptised at Witton. She married first, Robert Chappell of Liverpool; secondly, Joseph Wood of Burslem, Staffordshire.

Elizabeth Widdowson, born 12th July 1799, baptised at Witton Church. She married Enoch Wood, of Porthill, Burslem, brother of Joseph Wood.

The children of John & Sarah Cheshire:

Christopher, born June 21st, 1819 at 8pm., baptised at Witton Church, by the Rev. Robert Okell. Thomas, born May 16th 1820 at 3.30 p.m. Mary, born May 16th 1820 at 4.30 p.m. Anne, born 29th August 1821 at 3 a.m., baptised at St Paul's Church, Liverpool, by the Rev. R. Littler John, born 25th March 1825 at 2p.m. Ellen, born 28th June 1828 at 3 a.m. baptised July 3rd Sarah, born 22nd October 1831 at 4 a.m. John and Sarah Cheshire resided for a few years in Liverpool, afterwards they lived at The Grange, Hartford, near Northwich, Cheshire.

Mary Widdowson, sister of John Cheshire, wife of Mr, Chappell and after his death of Mr Joseph Wood, died childless.

Elizabeth Widdowson, Mrs. Enoch Wood, lived at Burslem and was the mother of a large family.

Christopher, the eldest son of John & Sarah Cheshire, was educated at Runcorn, and studied law in London. He was articled to Mr. Hostage, then a leading solicitor at Northwich. He was admitted a solicitor in 1842 and practised at Northwich for over 40 years, at first with Mr. Thomas Richard Barker, his brother in law, but the partnership ended on the retirement of the latter through ill health. Mr. Cheshire had a very extensive practice; he was Perpetual Commissioner for Cheshire, Clerk to the Board of Guardians, Assessment Committee and Rural Sanitary Authority, Superintendent Registrar, Registrar of the Northwich County Court (Circuit No 7), Clerk to the County Magistrates, and Clerk to the East Eddisbury Highway Board. Among his clients were Lord Delamere, Mr. G.F. Wilbraham, Col. France-Hayhurst and other leading men of the neighbourhood, whose trusted adviser and friend he was for many years. He had a large and lucrative practice, and his great success in business was due to his indomitable energy, unflagging perseverance and stainless character: he was looked upon as a most sound lawyer, and was deservedly held in the highest estimation by a very large circle of professional and private friends. At the age of 24, when visiting his Uncle & Aunt Enoch Wood, at Porthill, Burslem, he met his future wife, who was also a guest at the same house, Frances, the second daughter of Mr. Jonathan Phillips, of Gardnor House, Hampstead, and the following year when she stayed with Mr. & Mrs. Hostage at Northwich he became engaged to her. They were married at Hampstead Parish Church on May 20th 1846. Their children were born at Beechfield, Hartford, and baptised at Hartford Church

Frances Elizabeth born August 24th 1847 Walter Christopher May 21st 1849 Edith March 23rd 1856 Thomas, the second son of John & Sarah Cheshire was not brought up to any profession; he was of a somewhat unsteady and idle character, never settled down to any work and was a source of anxiety to his family. When about 30 he went off to Australia, and after a few unsuccessful years he died there.

Mary, twin sister of above, eldest daughter of J & S Cheshire: married when she was 20 Mr. Thomas Richard Barker, her second cousin, solicitor of Northwich. They lived at a picturesque black & white house, situate at the foot of Castle Hill, with a large garden in terraces on the slope of the hill. At that period the surroundings were very attractive (though now it is difficult to realise this) and they lived in good style for some years. They had 4 children: *Sarah Mary Anne born Oct 1841 *Margaret born Jan 1843 *William born April 1851 *Mary who died in infancy. Unfortunately, Mr. Barker lived beyond his means and did not attend sufficiently to his business, till at last a crisis came and everything had to be sold to satisfy his creditors. His health broke down and he retired from practice, his brother in law C. Cheshire buying his share of the partnership. The Barker family then went to live in the Isle of Man, where he died, leaving his widow with very little to support her and her 3 young children. Her brother Christopher then made her an allowance and educated the children. William was articled to him when he was old enough and all his expenses paid till he was duly qualified as a solicitor; the girls sent to a good school till they could support themselves by teaching. The allowance to Mary Barker was continued until she became the wife of Rev. Daniel Waller, a widower with 4 children, Vicar of St. Paul's Church, Leftwich. She died in 1871. Anne barker married in 1877 Rev. Herbert P. Waller, by whom she had 3 children, Bertram, Margaret & Robin. Margaret died in 1909.

William married Florence, daughter of Col. Foster. He died in 1914. They had no children.

Rev. D. Waller survived his wife many years: he died in 1897.

Anne, second daughter of John & Sarah Cheshire married in 1847 Dr. John Stevens Lee, a clever young doctor, who had a large practice in Northwich and the country round. He was highly valued by his many patients, and was considered likely to make a great name in his profession, to which he was devoted. Unfortunately after only a few happy and prosperous year, he was seized with sudden and serious illness, and in spite of all that skill could do, he succumbed, leaving his young wife with 3 children and another expected. In such a short career though it had begun so well, he had not been able to make much provision for his family and once more Christopher had to come for ward with his ready and generous help. His father's misfortunes had begun at this time, nothing could be looked for from that quarter, but happily Dr Lee's family had fairly good means, so that the burden could be shared and did not all fall upon one. The children were:

Caroline Mary, married Rev. Edwin Castle Donald McPhee, married to Mary Kay. He died in 1894. Elizabeth andEmily Stevens, born after her father's death. She died in 1912.

John, third son of John & Sarah Cheshire. A handsome clever young man, adored by his parents, who spoilt him and did not think it necessary in the days of their prosperity to bring him up to any profession, and though he had plenty of energy and ability he preferred hunting and other sports to any useful work. He persuaded his father who had no business knowledge whatever and ample means, to embark in speculative undertakings and to invest a large part of his fortune in salt mines - against the strongest advice of his elder son, who foresaw disaster, and did all he could to prevent it, but without success: the old man was dazzled at the prospect held out to him by John, who promised that his fortune would be quickly doubled; he shut his ears to his elder son's grave warnings. The result of course was disastrous: all was lost, and he who had lived in such comfort and prosperity was faced with ruin. The charming home at Hartford had to be given up, and all its treasures sold: the creditors could not be fully paid, and debt was a heavy burden for years. His sons and daughters, brought up to expect comfortable provision could no longer look for what should have been theirs at his death. Bitterly did he repent his folly and grieved for their lost prospects, though from none of them did he hear a word of reproach. John Cheshire married in 1853 Ellen daughter of Major Dewes of Buckingham and they had six children:

Harry Dewes, born in 1855 - twice married & the father of 3 sons Catherine Cordelia Dewes Cheshire Lawra Fanny Dewes Cheshire Florence Alice married Dr Quin. He died early. Ellen Dewes Cheshire Edward Dewes Cheshire Ellen, third daughter of John & Sarah Cheshire, was born June 28th 1828. Died unmarried, aged 72.

Sarah, youngest child of John & Sarah Cheshire was born October 22nd 1831. Died at the age of 20.

Mr. & Mrs. Cheshire were buried at Hartford, Cheshire: in the same grave lie their children, John, Ellen & Sarah. In a separate grave lie Christopher and his wife.

Pedigree

See image.

Copy of entry in Family Bible

John Widdowson born march 26th 1764. Mary Widdowson born Dec 24th 1768 Their children.

Mary Widdowson mother of the above John, Mary & Elizabeth, died Oct 18th 1801, aged 33 years. John Widdowson, their father, died March 29th 1803, aged 39 years.

The above John Widdowson, born in the year 1796 took the name of Cheshire in the year 1817 and on 26th August 1818 married Miss Sarah Suttle, daughter of Christopher Suttle of Northwich. Their children:

The above Thomas, Mary & Ann were christened at St. Paul's Church Liverpool by the Rev. Robert Litler. Christopher was christened by the Rev. Geo. Okell at Witton Church. </pre> NB There are several graves of members of the Widdowson family in the churchyard of Witton Church Northwich and one of John Cheshire of Hartford Hall.

Northwich

"And what the famous Flood far more than all enriches, The bracky Fountains are those two renowned Wyches - The North Wych and the Nant, whose either brynic well Full store and stock of salt makes Weaver to excel." Drayton 1613 Winnington Hall, an old Tudor house, was the property of a family of that name in the reign of Henry VIII. The Widdowson family resided at Winnington Hall during part of the eighteenth century.