Liverpool & South West Lancashire FHS - Forum

I've just got a very old battered copy of 'The Streets of Liverpool' by James Stonehouse which is fascinating. It was printed in 1879 and is a third edition. Does anyone know anything about Mr Stonehouse?
Thanks
Barbara

Iwas just reading this topic & decided to google the title. I came across this book in Google books
Liverpool As It Was: 1775 to 1800

Dont know if its been posted before but it looks interesting reading.


http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=Nq0D ... &q&f=false

I recently bought a new reproduction of this book, I think the Record Office were trying to offload some of their stock in preparation for their temporary relocation.

Maybe you don't have the dustcover which gives a little information

"James Stonehouse came to Liverpool in 1832 and lived in the area until his death in 1890. He was renowned as a local oracle, gladly giving reminiscences of old Liverpool. As well as being a keen antiquarian, he also wrote stories, plays and operas."

Thanks Mary - no I don't have the dust jacket, in fact I hardly have the back and front covers my copy is so dilapidated! I wonder where James Stonehouse came from. He was obviously a gentleman of 'independant means', I can't see him making a living writing plays and poetry.
Cheers
Barbara

I think he was in a good position to know a lot about the streets of Liverpool.

He would appear to have been born about 1809 in Wandsworth Road, (Vauxhall) Surrey and married Ellen Cotton (maybe Colton), in St Peters, Chester in 1839. She was born approximately 1812 in Chester.

He had one son James born approximately 1850 in Liverpool when they were living in Christian Street, Everton. His occupation then was Superintendant of St Martins, Liverpool, Pownall Square, Hog and Pig Market.

Later he became Manager of St John's Market and then Manager of Liverpool Central Markets, so he must have worked his way up the ladder.

His mother in law, also born in Cheshire, Shotwick, Chester, appears to have been of independent means, owning property.

His son James became a clerk in the N & S Wales Bank.

Even at age 71 he seems to be still working, although they have moved to Mill Street, Neston, Cheshire by this time, he is Superintendent in the Office of the Liverpool Corporation.

Son James, still working in a Bank as a Cashier, married Martha Agnes Lloyd at St. Pauls, Toxteth Park in 1874 and who died in 1882, James then married Emma (or Emily) Anning (born Wellington, Somerset) in St Thomas, Seaforth in 1888.

James Senior died on the Wirral in 1890 aged 81, his wife continued to live in Neston with her sister Eliza Holland who died in 1895, while Ellen died in 1902 aged 89.

James Junior died in Liverpool, 1900 aged 49, his wife Emily went to live in Birkenhead afterwards, dying in 1901 in Tranmere, age 52.

I don't see any evidence of descendants. I don't see any signs that any of them left a Will, I would have expected one.

James Senior's mother in law -
Probate Index of Mary Colton, died 24 January, 1873, Probate 21 April 1873.

The Will with a codicil of Mary Colton, formerly of Flookersbrook in the County of Chester but late of Phythian Street, Liverpool in the County of Lancaster, Widow who died 24 January 1873 at Phythian Street was proved at Liverpool by George Colton of Great George Road, Waterloo in the County of Lancaster Accountant and Joseph Bennett Colton of Phythian Street Accountant the sons the Executors. Effects under £1,500.

Phythian Street was where she was living with James and Ellen Stonehouse before she died.

Wow, Mary, what can I say! That must be the most comprehensive answer to a question I've ever had. Thank you very much.
Barbara

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