John Pix Weston (1810 - 1877)

Born 19 May 1810 in Tenterden, Kent, England

Ancestors

Husband of Jane Elizabeth (Wightwick) Weston — married 2 Aug 1831 in Tenterden, Kent, England

Descendants

Died 6 Jul 1877 at age 67 in Harborne, Staffordshire, England

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Chris Weston [send private message]

Biography

Professional collector of rates, premiums and other sums of money, Registrar of Births and Deaths in Harborne, Assistant Overseer of the Poor, Surveyor of Highways, agent of the Birmingham Fire and Life Assurance Company and Inspector of Nuisances.^[1]

19 May 1810: Born Tenterden, Kent, England.

31 Oct 1810: Christened at Tenterden, Kent, England.^[2]

2 Aug 1831: Married Jane Elizabeth Wightwick at Tenterden, Kent, England.^[3] Notes from deposits in Kent Archaeological Society state that John Tempest Weston did not approve of his son's marriage so sent him away from Tenterden.^[4]

17 Jun 1832: Described as a "Labourer" in the christening record of his son John Pix at Woodchurch, Kent, England.^[5]

1838-9: Moved to Cofton Hackett, Worcestershire, England. 30 Dec 1839: TO FARMERS, AND OTHERS. SALE AT GROVELY FARM. In the parish of Cofton Hackett, about seven miles from Birmingham, near to West Heath, on the Redditch Road. To be SOLD by AUCTION, by JOHN RODWAY, upon the Farm as above, this day (Monday), December 30, all the very superior LIVE and DEAD FARMING STOCK. Implements in Husbandry, and other effects - comprising two very useful draught horses, useful half-bred horse, four capital in-calf cows, waggons, carts, ploughs, harrows, scuffle, winnowing machine, land-roll, horse tackle, rakes, forks, rick cloth, and a variety of other property belonging to Mr. J. P. Weston, who is leaving the Farm. the sale to commence at half past ten o'clock in the morning, subject to the usual conditions.^[6]

1841: Resident at New House Farm, Northfield, Worcestershire, England.^[7] The farm is described in sale particulars dated 22 Apr 1834. WORCESTERSHIRE. Valuable FREEHOLD ESTATES and MANORS, advantageously situate within 3 miles of the flourishing Town Birmingham, and a picturesque and beautiful part of the County.
MR. W. W. SIMPSON has received directions to SELL BY AUCTION, at the Mart, London, Tuesday, on 22nd April, 1834, at 12 o'clock, in 5 Lots, by order of the Mortgagees, under a Power of Sale;— The MANORS of NORTHFIELD and WEOLEY, extending over 5,000 ACRES of Land, and producing, in Quit Rents, Fines, and Heriots, about £73 per annum; together with valuable FREEHOLD and TITHE-FREE ESTATES, connected therewith, containing together nearly 540 ACRES of superior LAND, comprehending the LODGE FARM, the NEWHOUSE FARM, and the SHENDLEY COURT FABM, the whole lying within ring fence, and delightfully situated in the parish of NORTHFIELD, within three miles of the great manufacturing town of Birmingham The proximity of the Property to this densely populated town will always ensure good tenants, remunerating rents. This exceedingly valuable Estate has the additional advantage of abutting upon the great Worcester and Bristol Turnpike-road, and water carriage is close at hand.
The entire Estate Freehold and Tithe-free, and for the most part occupied by excellent Tenants, at Rents varying from 55s. to 60s. per Acre.
Printed Particulars and Plans are in preparation, and may shortly be had of Messrs. Simcox, Solicitors. Birmingham; of Mr. Rutter, Solicitor, 4, Ely-place, Holburn; of Messrs. Hall, Thompson, and Sewell, Solicitors, Salters' Hall; and of Mr. W. W. Simpson, 18,Bucklersbury.^[8] The NEWHOUSE FARM, comprising two excellent Farming Residences, pleasantly situated on a commanding eminence, with numerous well arranged Agricultural Buildings, and Acres of fertile Arable, Pasture, and Meadow Land, in the occupation of Mr. Joseph Cotterell and Mr. Joseph Gaskins, at rents amounting together to £500 per annum, except about 27 acres which is in hand. LOT 111.^[9]

The Farm was called Kingsuch Grange in Tudor times: Kingsuch Grange Within the royal manor of Kings Norton, Kingsuch Grange was originally one of twenty granges belonging to Bordesley Abbey in Redditch. Deriving from Latin granum meaning ‘grain’, a medieval grange was an outlying farming estate belonging to a monastery (or sometimes a feudal lord) and run by lay rather than by religious brothers.
Kingsuch was sold by the Crown in 1544 after the dissolution of the monasteries and passed through many different hands. Located off Westhill Road where Kingshill Drive is now, it was first recorded in 1270 and was still a residence in 1865 belonging to Robert Mynors, a Birmingham surgeon. It is shown on the 1831 Ordnance Survey map and is named on 1895 edition as Newhouse Farm. The name Kingsuch is no longer in use. No visible evidence. BSMR.^[10]

24 Mar 1843: NORTHFIELD, FOUR MILES FROM BIRMINGHAM, SALE OF FARMING STOCK, IMPLEMENTS OF HUSBANDRY, STRONG GIG, FOUR-WHEEL PHAETON, HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, BARRELS, BREWING AND DAIRY UTENSILS, &c. AT THE NEWHOUSE FARM, NORTHFIELD
To be SOLD by AUCTION by Mr. FALLOWS on Friday the 24th of March, 1843, on the premises above, in the occupation of Mr. Gaskin, who is leaving Farm - the whole of the valuable Live and Dead FARMING STOCK. IMPLEMENTS of HUSBANDRY, HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, and other Effects.
The"'Farming Stock consists of four in-calf cows four iron moulding ploughs, two broad-wheel waggons iron arms, patent winnowing machine by Langley superior weighing machine and turnip-cutter, heel-rakes, a variety of hay and other forks and rakes, an extensive assortment of labourers' tools, two four-wheel phaetons gig and harness, saddles, bridles, dairy utensils, and other effects
The' Household Furniture comprises four-post and tent bedsteads and hangings, stump bedsteads, feather beds, bed clothes chests of drawers, oak chests and hanging presses, mahogany and oak dining and Pembroke tables mahogany chiffoneer, mahogany chairs, eight-day clock in oak case, large oak dresser and strong laundry and kitchen tables, patent mangle, large and small barrels, brewing vessels, and other effects; particulars of which will appear in catalogues, to be had at the place of sale, the Public Houses in the neighbourhood, and at the Auctioneer's offices, Northfield, and Temple-row, Birmingham.^[11]

30: Jan 1847: Harborne: We understand that the Registrar General has appointed Mr. John Pix Weston, the collector of poor rates for the parish, to be Registrar of Births and Marriages for the district, comprising the parish of Harborne and the chapelry of Smethwick, in the room of Mr. Samuel Dugmore, who has resigned.^[12]

1849: Purchased a house in Harborne.^[1]

7 Dec 1850: Secretary to a farmers club for killing sparrows: HARBORNE SPARROW CLUB. OWING to the very great Depredations committed by SPARROWS, and other small Destructive BIRDS, it has been thought advisable to establish a CLUB for the purpose of DESTROYING THEM ; and in consequence of an announcement this effect, which was promptly responded to, the following Farmers and others have enrolled their names as Members; Mr. John Thorneycroft, Chairman. Mr. J. P. Weston, Hon. Secretary. Mr. Thos. Bramich. Mr. James Smart. Mr. Tbos. Millington. Mr. John Wright. Mr. John Rutter. Mr. Thos. Ricot. Mr. James Harrison. Mr. Charles Hemus. Mr. Wm. Lea. Mr. James Newey. Mr. Chas. Carpenter. Mr. John Harlow. Mr. Hugh Green. Mr. John Newey. Mr. Saml. Newey. RULES OF THE CLUB. 1.—That Meeting be held on the first Tuesday in every month, and that each Member produce (in person) twelve heads, or forfeit 6d. 2.—That any Member not producing 200 heads in the twelve months, forfeit 2s. 6d. 3.—That a Premium be allowed to the Member producing the largest number of heads, according to the funds of the Society. S675 J. P. WESTON, Hon. Secretary.^[13]

1851: Collector of rates and registrar resident at Albert Road, Harborne, Staffordshire, England.^[14]

1852: Either he or his son John Pix is advertised in the Paisley Directory as agent for 'District' fire insurance in Harborne.

4 Sep 1858: Harbourne: New Highway Rate - At the Public Office, West Bromwich, on Saturday Last, before J.T. Chance and Thomas Bagnall, Esqrs., Mr. J. P. Weston, Assistant Surveyor of Highways, attended the court to procure the signature of the Magistrates to a New Highway Rate. This, at 10d. in the pound, will produce a sum of £414. Mr. Weston said the arrears of the previous rate were trifling, and the Magistrates at once signed the rate.^[15]

1860s and 1870s: Numerous prizes, e.g. fruit, veg fuchsias etc. at the Harborne Flower Show reported in local press.^[16]

1861: Collector of Rates and Registrar of Births and Deaths resident at Albert Road, Harborne, Worcestershire, England.^[17]

25 Nov 1863: Made a public request to the churchwardens, in conjunction with 6 other ratepayers, for a meeting to discuss a proposed Highway District Act.^[18]

17 Dec 1863: Made a public request to the churchwardens, in conjunction with 19 other ratepayers, for a meeting to discuss the Local Government Act, 1858.^[19]

1 Apr 1864: Appointed as Collector of Rates and Inspector of Nuisances^[1] to the Harborne Local Board of Health. Harborne's own Local Board of Health was formed on 1 April 1864. The first meeting was in the National School in what is now Old church Road. The dominant personality on the board was John Pix Weston, who had been a rate collector as early as 1848. By 1851 he had become Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages, and later Surveyor of the Highways. After the first meeting the Local Board met at Weston's house in Albert road (now number 39). Weston was appointed Collector to the Board, being paid three per cent commission on the rates he collected. He was also secretary to the Harborne Penny Bank and the Literary Institution. He died in July 1877, by which time the Board was well established.^[20]

23 Jul 1864: Made a public request to the churchwardens, in conjunction with 11 other parishioners, for a meeting to discuss a proposed railway to Harborne.^[21]

14 Feb 1867: Member of the Birmingham Banking Company Limited.^[22]

22 Jul 1867: Will of John Pix Weston of Harborne, Staffordshire, Collector:-

• William Lloyd Webb tin plate worker and Thomas Siviter Smith solicitor appointed as executors and trustees;
• wife Jane Elizabeth receives £20, household items and estate income; and
• terms of the trust for distribution amongst unnamed descendants.^[23]

16 Apr 1869: THE SANITARY STATE OF HARBORNE: To the Editor of Aris's Gazette. Sir - Referring to a letter, signed "A Voice from Harborne", which appeared in your number of the 13th inst., I shall be glad if you will allow me through the medium of your columns to state that a presentment book lies at my house, where information as to any nuisances existing within the district may be recorded. When so recorded, they are promptly dealt with. I shall always be glad to attend to the complaints of either " A Voice from Harborne" or any other parishioner. I am, Sir, yours obediently, John P. Weston, Inspector, Harborne, 16th April 1869.^[24]

1871: Registrar & Inspector Of Nuisances resident in Harborne, Worcestershire, England.^[25]

8 Oct 1874: Codicil added to the will replacing William Lloyd Webb with the testator's son John Pix Weston as an executor and trustee.^[23]

6 Jul 1877: Died at Harborne, Staffordshire, England.^[26]

11 Jul 1877: Buried at Harborne, Stafford, England.^[27] Memorial inscription:-

26 July 1877: WESTON, John Pix. The Will with a Codicil of John Pix Weston late of Harborne in the County of Stafford, Collector, who died 6 July 1877 at Harborne was proved at Lichfield by Thomas Siviter Smith of 59 Waterloo Street, Birmingham in the County of Warwick, Solicitor and John Pix Weston of High Street, Harborne, Collector, the Son, the Executors. Effects under £4,000.^[26]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} "Local History, John Pix Weston". Gallery News, Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery, May/June 1983, p6. Chris Weston has a copy of it. Note that the image erroneously featured in the article is of Sir Rowland Hill (1795-1879), whilst the correct portrait is pictured on this profile.
2. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J7GM-ZYM : 30 December 2014, John Pix Weston, ); citing Tenterden, Kent, England, index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 1,737,094.
3. ↑ "England, Kent, Parish Registers, 1538-1911," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJDL-MRCN : 18 July 2017), John Pix Weston and Jane Elizabeth Wightwick, 02 Aug 1831; citing Marriage, Tenterden, Kent, England, Kent Archives Office, Maidstone; FHL microfilm 1,473,772.
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} Research of Barbara Samples reported in a letter to Jack and Ivy Weston dated 4 Feb 1986.
5. ↑ Woodchurch baptisms
6. ↑ Aris's Birmingham Gazette, Monday 30 December 1839, p. 2
7. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1841," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MQ5L-YZS : 4 September 2017), John Weston, Northfield, Worcestershire, England; from "1841 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
8. ↑ Worcester Herald - Saturday 29 March 1834
9. ↑ Aris's Birmingham Gazette - Monday 21 April 1834, p. 4
10. ↑ History of Birmingham on your doorstep, William Dargue, March 2008, Birmingham Grid for Learning, Birmingham, 5th Edition, Version 31
11. ↑ Aris's Birmingham Gazette - Monday 06 March 1843, p. 2
12. ↑ Birmingham Town and District Almanack, Saturday, January 30, 1847, p. 8
13. ↑ Birmingham Journal - Saturday 07 December 1850, p. 4
14. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1851," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SGC2-MNH : 29 July 2017), John P Weston, Harborne, Worcestershire, England; citing Harborne, Worcestershire, England, p. 31, from "1851 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.
15. ↑ Birmingham Journal, 3 Sep 1858, p. 3
16. ↑ Birmingham Daily Post, 5 Aug 1873, p 6
17. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1861," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M7JM-F5X : 28 September 2016), John P Werton, Harborne, Worcestershire, England; from "1861 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 9, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
18. ↑ Birmingham Daily Post - Monday 30 November 1863, p. 1
19. ↑ Birmingham Daily Gazette - Thursday 24 December 1863, p. 1
20. ↑ 'Harborne, A Local History' by Edward Chitham, 2004, Phillimore & Co Ltd, Chichester, pp75-77
21. ↑ Birmingham Daily Post - Saturday 23 July 1864, p. 1
22. ↑ Birmingham Daily Gazette, Thursday 14 February 1867, Vol IX, No. 1238, p.1
23. ↑ ^{23.0 23.1} Photocopy provided by Barbara Samples in a letter to Jack and Ivy Weston dated 3 May 1986.
24. ↑ Aris's Birmingham Gazette, Saturday, 17 April 1869, p.6
25. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1871", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V5RR-828 : 23 June 2017), M John P Weston, 1871.
26. ↑ ^{26.0 26.1} Probate Service calendar, 1877, p. 295
27. ↑ "England Deaths and Burials, 1538-1991," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JCRH-JJH : 24 December 2014), John Pix Weston, burial 11 Jul 1877; citing Harborne, Stafford, England, index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 1,520,003.