Tuesday October 02, 2007

Joseph and Ellen are my Great-Grandparents.

Joseph Mather

Joseph in 1895

Joseph was born in Bolton, Lancashire on 7th February 1840 and was living with his parents, John and Ellen Mather at Blackburn Street, Little Bolton in 1841. His maternal mother, Ellen died in 1842, when he was 2, and his father John remarried Elizabeth Kay in 1843, who then brought him up. He was living with parents at 58 Chorley St., Bolton, Lancashire in 1851, aged 11. The family had moved 114 Chorley by 1861. Joseph married Ellen Tomlinson on 30 July 1865 in Bolton and moved to Birkenhead shortly after. They were living at 45 Brassey St, Birkenhead in 1871 and at 304 Beckwith St, Birkenhead at 1881 Census. Joseph, Ellen and family (John, Richard, Mary and Elizabeth) were at 342 Beckwith St., Claughton, Birkenhead in 1891. Both Brassey Street and Beckwith Street are close to Birkenhead Park on the North Side.

Joseph Mather was an old member of the Iron Founders’ Society.

Joseph must have joined the Oddfellows association whilst living in Bolton.  He claimed 63 of continuous membership as an Oddfellow, so was most probably a member since the age of 15, which is probably when he left school and started work.

They were living at 282 & 284 St. Anne St., Birkenhead in 1901, where he died, aged 79, on 6th September 1918. He was buried at Flaybrick Hill cemetery on a Tuesday, 4 days later.

Prior to the interment, a service was held at Laird-street Baptist Church, the Rev. Mr. Evans and Mr. J Holland (nephew of the deceased) conducting the service both at the church and graveside. The chief mourners present where Mrs. Mather (widow), John and Richard (sons), Mrs. Hopwood, Mrs. Robinson, Mrs. Nugent, and Miss Mather (daughters), Mr John Mather (brother), Mr. E Hopwood, Mr. J Robinson, Mr. J Nugent (sons-in-law), Mrs. John Mather, Mrs. Richard Mather (sisters-in-law), Hilda and Tom Robinson, Edie and Flo Hopwood, Joe, Albert, Jack, and Nellie Mather, Willie and Marge Nugent (grand-children), Mrs. Henderson, Mrs. Murray, Mrs. Blair, Mrs J S Jones, Mr. T Horsfall. The four bearers – Messrs. H Oxley, A Kendrick, W Roberts, and F Monks – were old workmates of deceased and also represented the Iron-founders Society. Among the many general mourners were Alderman A Godwin, Messer's G P Snape, J.P. W Malley, J Johnson, J R Lownes, G White, W Skyrme (representing the North End Liberal Club), Mr. and Mrs. D Evans, Mr. E H Smith, Mr. W Johnson, Mr F Faragher, Mr. and Mrs. Woodhouse, Mr Nelson and daughters Mrs. G Molley, Mrs. J Molley, Mrs. Daniels, Mrs. Dickenson, Mrs. B James etc. Many beautiful floral tributes were sent.

As a member of the North End Liberal Club he took an active part in that organisation, and he held the office of vice-president for several years. Indeed, he was an ardent Radical. In sporting circles, Joseph was a keen supporter of Birkenhead Park Rugby football, and he was a bowler of considerable merit. His son John Mather, will be recognised as a prominent member of the Birkenhead and Wirral Bowling Association.

 

Ellen Tomlinson

Ellen in 1895

Ellen's parents were Richard Tomlinson and Ann Bolton. Ellen was born in Great Bolton, Lancashire on 23rd July 1842 and was living there in 1851 (aged 8).  She was living at 19 Shaw Street, Great Bolton in 1861 with mother and siblings. Ellen married Joseph on 30-July-1865 and they then moved to live in Birkenhead soon after.  There were at 45 Brassey Street in 1871 and at 304 Beckwith St, Birkenhead during the 1881 Census. Joseph and Ellen had 7 children (2 boys and 5 girls), although the first Elizabeth died early, aged only 7. Ellen died in early May of 1921 and was interned on the 11-May at Flaybrick Hill cemetery.  Joseph and Ellen Mather, and Alfred James and Mary Nugent are buried together in the same grave.

Click here to see picture of Joseph, Ellen and Family in 1895

Birkenhead Oddfellows Association

Joseph was Born in Bolton, but spent most of his adult life in Birkenhead.  He most probably joined the society whilst still in Bolton at the age of 15.

He moved to Birkenhead between 1865 and 1871.  There were two lodges in Birkenhead and one in Tranmere at that time.  Most probably, judging from where he was living, he was a member of one of the Birkenhead lodges.

The lodges in Birkenhead were called the Perseverance which ceased as a lodge in 1938, and the Star of Providence which ceased in 1941.  Both these lodges met at the Borough Hotel, No. 1 Borough Road, Birkenhead, on the corner of Thomas Street.  This was a Higgins Pub, and had a meeting room upstairs, which presumably they utilised.

The Tranmere lodge was called Britons Pride Lodge which is still active today.  They originally met in a public house, but now meet at the Council Hall in Bebington.