Bad news, another unfruitful graveyard search today. I have some distant relatives of Square occupants but no-one close enough to mention, except perhaps one of the MacFie family. I'll keep you posted.
Good news is that I've confirmed that both Wellwoods did die at roughly the same time ( good news for my research, less good news for the Wellwoods). The Wellwood Maxwell who lived in the square and was the son of George passed away July 12th 1866, leaving 'under £80,000' in his will.
Bad news, another unfruitful graveyard search today. I have some distant relatives of Square occupants but no-one close enough to mention, except perhaps one of the MacFie family. I'll keep you posted.
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Well that took less time than I expected. Wrong Mary Maxwell (this one lived on Parr street). Listed in Obits of Liverpool Mercury Dec 31st 1863.
I came across this on my travels today as well. There's no guarantee it is a related Maxwell of course, but the dates, grave location and common family name for those in the Square (and their relations who lived nearby) make it worth investigating. This is where some of the fun detective work come into play!
While I was at a different meeting today, the question of number 14 Abercromby square came up, and as its a name I haven't covered here before I thought I'd give it a brief mention.
Number 14 is unique in the Square in having the same family own and live there throughout the nineteenth century. And they're a very interesting family. Wellwood Maxwell came down from Dumfries in Scotland, and went into business initially with James Maury, the first U.S. Consul to Liverpool ( sewing the seeds for a lot of future transatlantic connections). Soon after he set up in business with his brother Alexander, and shortly after that was joined by younger brother George, who became the first ever recorded occupant of 14 Abercromby Square in the couple of years before 1832. It isn't the easiest thing to trace exactly who was who in this family in Liverpool, as, like many others, they had an annoying habit of naming sons after fathers, grandfathers, uncles etc, and all being involved in similar trades, but W.A & G Maxwell became very successful and rich, partly due to their early interest in the cabal that set up the Liverpool to Manchester Railway, and subsequent investment in the technology across the UK and abroad. George's second son took after his father not only in trade, but in taking a house on the square ( number 1 Bedford Street), and his eldest, Wellwood, inherited number 14 but also worked his way into a very senior position as President of Liverpool's American Chamber of Commerce, signing the letter of condolence and sympathy at the assassination of Lincoln. It should be noted this doesn't necessarily betray any political leanings, the Vice President and fellow signatory was Confederate supporter James Spence. This is where I have to note a very strong 'I think', as the censuses and similar names confuse the hell out of matters, and I need to do some detailed digging before I can be certain. Here's the problem. The president named could have been any one of three merchants named 'Wellwood Maxwell'... George's father (Wellwood) died in 1867, apparently in Scotland. A Wellwood Maxwell ( I think George's son) also died in 1867, in Liverpool, leaving behind sons named, naturally, Wellwood and George. George also had a brother called Wellwood. Anyway... by 1871 the family was still thriving, with George's daughter-in-law Elizabeth the main householder at 14 Abercromby Square, with six young children and nine servants. Thomas and his wife Margaret were still at number 1 Bedford Street South. Goes to prove just how tricky it is to accurately trace people, even those who are rich and have seemingly unusual names. I haven't got to a detailed study of the Maxwell's yet, this is just an overview, but its coming... ps I should note that this is twice I've posted unverified details recently. But this is deliberate as that's what a blog is for... the process. I want to be able to hold my hands up and show you where I go wrong as well as where I'm right from the beginning. Rest assured nothing will appear in the final written version without being properly confirmed! My Sunday morning stroll today took my past the new student flats at St Andrew's on Rodney Street. Unfortunately it isn't open to get access and check the names on the other tombs, but this lovely memorial is worthy of note, as Charles MacIver ( I'm assuming it would be the same one as eminent Charles MacIvers of the time would be limited in numbers, though I hold my hand up and say I'm posting this before checking dates, fool that I am, and therefore holding myself open to being wrong and looking foolish) spent a number of years living at number 8 Abercromby Square.
Sorry no posts this week, I've been busy getting ready for the book launch and last day of the Life and Limb exhibition tomorrow at 23 Abercromby square, 10am-3pm. I'll no doubt be writing after wherever my Sunday morning constitutional this weekend, wherever it takes me, but feel free to drop in and say hello tomorrow. I won't even make you buy a book if you don't want to ;-)
Between the two bushes, at the Parliament Street end of the Lost Boys garden there's rather a forgotten tombstone, looking quite derelict and unimportant. This is the family grave of the Culshaws, naming William and Alfred amongst others. William Culshaw was the architect who designed and built 19 Abercromby Square for Charles Prioleau in 1862, and the firm of Culshaw and Summers were a well known name in the Town during the nineteenth century. I'm gradually checking through the tombstones there for details on occupants and links to the Square, its just such a shame you have to battle through nettles to get at some of them, as many of the grand figures of Liverpool's history lie there. |
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