Genealogy Data Page 2 (Notes Pages)

For privacy reasons, Date of Birth and Date of Marriage for persons believed to still be living are not shown.

Mercer John [Male] b. ABT 1821 St Helens, Lancashire - d. BET JAN AND MAR 1893 Preston

Unable to find John Mercer or wife or daughter Ellen in the 1861 census records

Alston Hall, designed by the architect Alfred Darbyshire, was built c.1876 for John Mercer, a Newton-le-Willows colliery owner.
It passed down to his granddaughter, who was a nun, and was then sold to the Eccles cotton manufacturing family who sold it in turn to William Birtwistle, another wealthy cotton industrialist.
In 1949 the Birtwistles sold most of the land to the Church Commissioners and the Hall itself, together with the remaining three acres of land, to Preston Borough Council as a Day Continuation College.
In 1974 it was purchased by Lancashire County Council and converted to an residential training centre. [1][2]

Alston Hall is still owned and operated by Lancashire Adult Learning (part of Lancashire County Council) as an adult residential college and corporate event venue.

BBC News Thursday16 March 2017
A 19th Century Grade II-listed house has been badly damaged in a fire.
More than 70 firefighters tackled the blaze, which broke out at Alston Hall, near Preston, at about 22:40 GMT on Wednesday.
The three-storey mansion, which was under renovation, was "well-alight" and most of the house had been damaged, Lancashire Fire and Rescue said.
Crews in 10 fire engines fought the fire using water from a nearby pond. The cause is being investigated.
A fire service spokesman said parts of the roof had collapsed at the Gothic-style mansion, and one person had suffered a "minor ankle injury".
Alston Hall, designed by architect Alfred Darbyshire, was built between 1874 and 1876 for colliery owner John Mercer.
It remained a family home until 1949 when the hall was sold to Preston Borough Council. In 1974 it was bought by Lancashire County Council, which sold it last year.
Four fire engines remained at the scene on Thursday morning, but the site was made secure by 11:00 GMT.
The fire service spokesman said: "At least 60-70% of the roof has been destroyed and that's obviously then affected the third and second floors of the building and some parts of the first floor.
"We have managed to save the chapel, which is attached to the building, and the fire hadn't spread to that."

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In 1911 living on own means in Lytham with cousin, lady's companion and five staff.

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Ages at death given as 55 hence birth in 1835 (or possibly 1834)

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Birth date and death date from gravestone. 1858 1895
Death record confirms died in Preston aged 37
Single in 1891 and hence can be assumed had no children

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Not found in 1910 and 1911 Census records.
Did be emigrate as a missionary?

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Roman Catholic Priest in Prestion in 1911

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Not with familiy in 1871 but with family in 1881 (after father had died).
In 1881 noted as Mary H (presumably H for Helen as opposed Ellen)

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Inmate in the Fylde Union Workhouse in Wesham in 1911
Deaths of Wlliam Taylor in Flyde in 1945 and 1951
Several in WW1

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Possible entry in Stalybridge in the1901 Census

1939 Records give birth 11 Nov 1874, but birth recoded in 4th qtr of 1873.

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Not married in 1911 - with sister Mary Josephine
Buried in Kirkham - Not married

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Not found in 1881

Rev. Thomas Taylor, for many years priest at Gillmoss, contributed to the Catholic Annual Directory for 1913 a most interesting account of this Mission. Namely THE HAMLET OF GILLMOSS, LANCASHIRE, WHERE THE LAMP OF FAITH WAS KEPT BURNING THROUGHOUT THE TIMES OF PERSECUTION OF CATHOLIC CHRISTIANS.

Possible death in West Derby 3/1918 aged 56

William Carr appears to be the parish priest in 1921, suggesting that Thomas had died.

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Not found in 1891 or subsequent Censuses
No obvious death record - Did he emigrate?

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1861 recorded as Coup not Coupe

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Buried in the Willows Kirkham - The Rev'd Roger Taylor
Curate at The Willows, St John The Evalgelist, Kirkham, from 1870 - 1874

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1901 Census Records him as a Brick Manufacturer - Chestnuts Ribbleton Preston
Death records suggest either 1940, London St Pancras or 1958 Westmorland South; latter more likely

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Marriage bond of 1761 gives an age of 27 hence birth in 1734
Details of Family from LDS Records Search for George Taylor Marriage 1761

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Note that marriage was at Park Street Chaple, Eccles

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9th child of Henry and Ann

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Copyright 2025 Ronald Taylor