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Generation 4

SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF JOHN & ELIZABETH (Marsden)  MAKINSON OF BLACKBURN

On a piece of paper given to me by a former sister-in-law to my Uncle Harold J. Makinson (died 1950), there was a roughly drawn family tree, but without any names beyond his parents. In the generation of the sons of John Makinson of Blackburn was  written only the occupations, no names mentioned, and that is of Barrister, Pirate, and Preacher, and with other slots left unnamed. It is possible  there were all three occupations.

 

JAMES MAKINSON

 James  married  Jane Chapman in 1831. This James may be the grandfather of a Joseph Makinson of Blackburn who wrote a letter to my grandfather in 1895 telling about the family. Joseph's father was a James Makinson; a Congregationalist by religion who had children named George, James, Henry, John, Florence and Joseph. It may be that this James is the grandfather of Joseph and the one who ran off to America in 1862 probably with one of John's sons. See "Charles Makinson of Manchester" for more details of this story.

 

JOSEPH MAKINSON- THE LETTER WRITER (a grandson of above James Makinson)

Joseph wrote a letter to my grandfather written in 1895. Further information on Joseph indicates the family was then living in Queens Park Terrace, Blackburn in 1896 and that Joseph enlisted in the army at Preston on 12 Dec. 1892 at age 24 years and 2 mos. and his record of military service is in a file WO97/3411. Besides listing his father's name as James and brothers as George, James, Henry, and John, and sister named Florence, it says he was discharged 22 Apr 1896 having been convicted by the civil power of felony. His religion was given as Congregationalist.

Joseph's letter to my grandfather

The following is an old letter that was written to my grandfather L.A. Makinson from a cousin in England. The letter is incomplete, as about four pages are missing.

11/5/1895 Royal North Lancashire Regiment

Mullingar Ireland

Dear Cousin

I cannot express in words how glad I am, to receive a letter from my dear American cousin of whom I have heard but never seen. I asked Dr. Makinson, (at least I wrote) for your address, & he gave me the address of your father had he known rightly as to who asked him. He would not have sent it, when my Grandfather, my father's father ,that was Dr. Makinson's uncle, came to American & then I think to Australia, about 1862, that was long before I was born, he was worth about 20000 pounds in property it would have worth 4 times that today, he mortgaged the lot for about 200 pounds & set sail for America, my father as tried to recover the deeds but he cannot come to them he as lost a lot of money trying to get them, but he cannot-succeed. My grandfather returned in 1876 as near as I can tell, but my father could get no information from him, he had been drinking that he was nearly mad, I remember the day he came to our house after coming home, he died very shortly afterwards, my father has had to work hard ever since, & that is the reason the Makinson's in Manchester & my father are not on very friendly terms, they scarcely recognize us now, sometimes I get a letter from Mrs.. Makinson at Roundthorne Sale, as for the others we are not good enough for them. Dr. Makinson came for the first time in his life when you came over in 1892 asking us for full particulars concerning the Makinson family when he got to know all he asked for he told us that cousin of ours had come over making inquiries about his relations, he then left for home & my father sent at once to see if you would see him personally but they sent word you had gone. If you had only reached my home in Blackburn you would have got a far different reception than you got in Manchester. Dr.Wm, Charles & Joseph are brothers, my father was the----? jumps to page nine--

Cousin, I am also glad to inform you, that I am well again & in the best of health & the letter & photograph is more welcome than anything I have ever received. I heartily thank you for them & for the paper you promised to send me, & I must inform you that Makinson family are the first & oldest inhabitants of Blackburn, & our present family is the only Makinson in the town, the Makinson's were the first iron founders in Blackburn & I think the first Lawyer's you can see the name of Makinson solicitor on a post in King St. Blackburn that was erected over 100 years back. I expect to hear from you again soon. I will now bring my short epistle to a close with best wishes for your future well-fare & I have no doubt you will get a letter from father soon so good bye for the present with (with) best wishes for your father & mother & accept these  yourself from your affectionate cousin.

Jos Makinson

Leroy A. Makinson esq.

p.s.

These are the only two that I have, not much choice, send the other as early as possible.

Sincerely yours,

Joe

 

THOMAS MAKINSON

 

Information received from Lincoln's Inn Library in London, the fraternal library of Lawyers, show a Thomas Makinson, a Country Attorney, practiced law in Blackburn from 1815-1823 and his London agent was a lawyer named William Makinson. The only other evidence we have is his will.. His brother, Joseph, practiced law with Thomas on King St. in Blackburn at Sudell Court. He died at age 41 and apparently left a wife and no children. There are two burial records in the Blackburn St Marys church as follows:

Feb 12,1814- An abortive child of Thomas and Betty Makinson

Nov, 20th, 1814- John son of Thomas and Betty Makinson, 4 days old

 

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF THOMAS MAKINSON-BLACKBURN

In the name of God Amen, I Thomas Makinson of Blackburn in the county of Lancaster, Attorney at Law, make publish and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner following (that is to say) I desire that my body may be buried at the direction of my Executors herein after named and I direct that all my just debts funeral expences and the charges of the probate of this my Will be paid and discharged forth and out of my personal estate such as my book debts. And I do hereby give and bequeath unto my loving wife during her life all those cottage houses situate at Bamber Bridge near the town of Preston together with other property thereunto belonging as well all that right of commoning at Orrage Moor together with all my other property there which said property situate at Bamber Bridge and Orrage Moor was the property of my loving wife before her intermarriage with me. I also give and bequeath unto my said loving wife all that cottage house which now lets as two situate at Blakely Street within Blackburn aforesaid formerly the property of my father John Makinson. I also give and bequeath unto my loving wife (after she and my executors has paid my just debts) all my household furniture, wearing apparel, book debts, and money which is out at mortgage upon interest. I also order and direct that my brother Joseph who is owing unto me the sum of seventy pounds, that he shall pay the same unto my loving wife in manner following that is to say the sum of ten pounds each and every year but if my wife shall happen to die before the said sum of seventy pounds is paid off then so much as may remain unpaid shall sink and be void as if no such debt had ever been contracted. And I do hereby give devise and bequeath unto my Brother Joseph Makinson all my law library which I am now or hereafter may be possessed of together with all drafts copies of Presidents Forum of Law and all other papers within my said office as well as the desks, chairs, book cases bookshelves, together with all and every other article of what nature so ever within my said office. I also give and bequeath unto my said Brother Joseph the Match Gold Scales, gold chain, and gold key which I am now possessed of. I further order and direct that after the death of my said wife that all my freehold and leasehold property of what nature so ever shall go to my Brother Joseph Makinson his heirs executors administrators or assigns forever And Lastly I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my Brother John Makinson and John Holland Innkeeper Preston Executors of this my Will and I do further order that if the said John Holland shall refuse or neglect to act as Executor the I order that my said Brother John Makinson shall act as sole Executor of this my Will hereby revoking and making void all former and other Will or Wills by me at any time heretofore made and declare this to be my last Will and Testament In witness whereof I the said Testator Thomas Makinson have hereunto set my hand and seal the eighteenth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty two.

The seventeenth day of February 1823--

John Makinson one of the executors in this will named was sworn in common form (Power being reserved to John Holland the other Executor) therein also named to take upon him the Execution of the said Will when he shall lawfully request ----------- further made oath that the personal estate and effects of the testator therein in the diocese of Chester were under the value of four hundred and fifty pounds. ---------- before me

William Marsden Surrogate

The Testator died the ninth day of January 1823.

Probate issued dated Feb.9, 1823

 

TITUS MAKINSON

Titus Makinson married Catherine Briggs in Blackburn in 1829. A newspaper article dated 8, August 1846 says," On the 2 August 1846 Samuel Joseph son of Mr. Titus Makinson, solicitor of Blackburn, aged 4 years died. Titus died not long after on Mar 14,1847 at age 42. When he was buried at Blackburn St Mary's cemetery, he was listed as from Manchester.

 

WILLIAM MAKINSON

In the Blackburn directory of 1834, a William Makinson of Soho Foundry is listed. A probate record of a William Makinson of Houghton (Houghton is in Leyland Parish between Blackburn and Preston, a few miles away) granted in 1854 says he died on the 16th July 1854 and his wife's name was Margaret, and he mentions "my brother John Makinson of Manchester" and his nephew Thomas Makinson of Manchester (who were father and son and both Attorney's). There is record of his marriage to a Margaret Beardwood on April 2,1820. The parish record says he was a carpenter.

In the 1851 census of Blackburn-western part on page 298 the following entries to census of who was in the house on the night of March 30,1851. William Makinson age 67, proprietor of houses, born Blackburn, Margaret, wife age 50 born Salisick, John, brother, age 59,attorney born Blackburn, Charles, age 19, nephew, cotton merchant apprentice, born Salford, William, age 19, nephew, linen draper apprentice, born Broughton.

Both of the last are sons of John born Jan 12 1832 and Nov 4,1834 respectively. This fact was obtained from records of the Manchester Cathedral where they were christened.. Apparently they just happened to be in the house the day the census was taken and by this without question we know that William was a brother to John Makinson and both were sons of  John and Elizabeth Makinson of Blackburn

 

JOSEPH MAKINSON

 Joseph Makinson married Sarah Brooks in 1825 in Blackburn. This same Joseph became a practicing attorney and took over his brother Thomas's practice, after Thomas died in January 1823, and Joseph was still practicing until 1841. Joseph was one of participants in the setting up of ceremonies for the Coronation of Queen Victoria as mention in the Blackburn Mail newspaper on June 13,1838. It was also reported in the Blackburn Standard for 1841 that Joseph Makinson died at his residence on King St at age 46 and that he was a solicitor. This would definitely be one of our Makinson's. In the Blackburn directory of 1834, he is listed under the heading of Attorney Joseph Makinson of 9 King St.

 

JOHN MAKINSON - THE MAKINSON'S OF MANCHESTER

One of my 2nd great grandfather's brothers, John of Manchester Lancashire, had a large family. Much has been learned about this family during the course of the research. Its members were active in sports, law, and politics. Because of these activities, there are more records remaining concerning them than most other family members.  

John was born in Blackburn on the 4th of April 1792 and christened at Blackburn in St Mary's Church on the 25th of April of that same year. We know nothing more of him until he married Mary Jones Crowther, daughter of the Reverend Jonathan and Mary Jones Crowther. They married at Warrington, Lancashire on the 15th of June 1825, by license, and the witnesses were Betty Crowther and Mary Makinson. Betty Crowther was a daughter of Jonathan and Mary Crowther; Mary Makinson has not yet been placed on the family tree. This Mary may be Margery, a sister of John Makinson, who was his elder by 7 years. Mary Crowther was a sister of my 2nd great grandmother, Sarah Crowther. The sisters married Makinson brothers.

John was an attorney in Manchester. I have found no record of his education in the Law society in London. A family tree given to me by John Makinson , formerly of New York, and now living in England, shows that John Makinson received his articles of Clerkship for the Law in 1812. This must be when he started his training, as he would have been only twenty years old. The Law List in London shows that he was listed from 1819 until 1871, the year that he died. His London agent until 1830 was William Makinson, a man who hasn't been identified on the family tree. According to a family tree of John Crowther Makinson (a descendent of John and Mary,), and prepared for his father, Kenneth Makinson of Derby England in 1951, John Makinson is shown as the son of a William Makinson of Great Bolton, Lancashire. This was found to be in  error since John Makinson senior of Blackburn and Thomas Makinson, his son, both list him in their wills as their executor and refer to him as son and attorney in Manchester or as brother. John lists his birthplace as Blackburn in the 1861 census while he was living at 5 Wilton Place Broughton, Salford. This data can be found in RE 9/2909 E.D.11. Folio 74 a. in the 1871 census RG 10/4014 E.D. 12 FOLIO 89, he lists his birthplace as Blackburn.. 

 

. John and Mary had eight children as shown in the table below.

 

Name

Born-Baptized

Died

Comments

Thomas

Jun 30,1826

Oct 27,1876

Attorney

John Henry

Oct 23,1829

 

 

Charles

Jan 12,1832

Jun 12,1895

Attorney,  Mayor, Cricket-player

William

Nov 4,1834

 

Medical Doctor

Joseph

Aug 25,1836

Mar 14,1914

Attorney, Judge, Cricket Player

Mary

May 1839

May 16,1839

lived 2 weeks

Mary Elizabeth

June 15,1840

 

 

Jane May

May 19,1840

 

 

 

Some family members are buried in grave #3821 in the Cheetham hill Wesleyan Cemetery near Salford. John bought the grave on Oct 16, 1833. He buried his infant daughter of 2 weeks there on the 16th of May 1839 (cause of death reported as inflammation). Sarah Boothroyd, aged 24 buried there on Aug 10,1852 (consumption). I believe this is a daughter of a possible cousin named William, who lived on the next street to him in Broughton at this time. John was buried there on Apr 21, 1871, aged 79 (paralysis). His wife Mary Jones Crowther Makinson of 5 Wilton Place, Broughton, aged 70, was buried there on Jun 21,1873 (disease of the heart). Also a Jane Makinson of Salford who was buried there on 8th May 1901. Because of the age of this Jane, it doesn't appear that she is the daughter of John and Mary Makinson unless there is an error in the information I received, and she was really 60 years old instead of 84 years as reported?

THOMAS MAKINSON

 

Thomas was admitted to the law society in 1850. He graduated from Cambridge with an M.A. (Trinity College). He took out his first practicing certificate on July 29,1856. For some reason he had his name stricken from the roll on June 26,1852 and restored on June 12,1856. He was admitted to Lincoln's Inn (a law society) Jan 27,1862. He lived at 37 Blackfriars St, Manchester, & 49 Wilton Place, also in Manchester. He died at age 50 on Oct 27,1876.

 

CHARLES MAKINSON

Little is known about Charles. Here are two newspaper stories about him. He was obviously a public figure. He was known for his travels to Australia in the early 1800's, a lecturer, and mayor of the city of Salford.

Charles Makinson.jpg (320864 bytes)

(Click on thumbnail of sketch to see full page size)

OBITUARY

ALDERMAN MAKINSON-15 JUNE 1895

Another well known figure in the public life of Salford, the third in the space of a few weeks, passed away on Wednesday in the person of Alderman Charles Makinson. Mr. Makinson was on a fortnights visit to his Aunt, Mrs.. Woodruffe, at Rugeley, Staffordshire, and had been there a week when seized with paralysis, which resulted in his death.

Mr. Makinson was the son of John Makinson, solicitor, Manchester, and was born in Greengate Salford in 1831. His elder brother, Joseph, is at the present time the stipendiary of Salford. He was educated at Manchester Grammar School and at Huddersfield, served his articles of law with his father, and was admitted a solicitor in 1857. Whilst a young man, Mr Makinson was a well known cricketer, playing with the first eleven of the Broughton Cricket Club. His elder brother was considered one of the most brilliant all-round amateur players of his day. After being admitted a solicitor, Mr. Charles paid a visit to Australia, and practiced as a solicitor in Castlemaine district. He was appointed Town Clerk and borough treasurer of Taradale, and government curator of intestate estates for the whole of the Castlemaine district. His cricketing skill also stood him in good stead. He played with the first eleven of the Melbourne Club and appeared in the matches against the first two English teams that visited Australia. He was captain of a team of twenty-two players from New South Wales and Victoria on the Melbourne ground against Mr. Stephenson's English eleven. Mr. Makinson remained in Australia seven years marrying the daughter of a local magistrate in 1864.

Upon his return to Salford he began to take an interest in municipal affairs. As a Liberal he was elected to the Salford Town council for Kersal ward in 1872. He became an Alderman in 1881, and in 1883-84 his colleagues in Council elected him Mayor of the borough. He served at various times upon many of the most important committees. Twelve years ago he was made a justice of the peace for the borough. In religion, he was a Wesleyan, worshipping at the Higher Broughton Wesleyan Chapel, of which his father was one of the founders. As a layman he held most of the offices open to him in the Wesleyan body. For many years he worked for the Queen Street Ragged School; he was treasurer of the Manchester-Salford Ragged School Union and of the Night Asylum for the Destitute and Homeless Poor in St. John's Parade, Manchester. He had seen a good deal of the world, having, in addition to his travels whilst a young man, made the grand tour. For nine years he was the guardian of the poor for Salford and at one time he was the vice-chairman of the Salford Board of Guardians. In the Salford Town Council he was greatly respected. He was an able debater, and his opinions carried much weight with his colleagues.

Thus within a few weeks of the Salford Council had been bereft of three of its ablest members- Mr Harrison, Mr. Keevney and now Mr. Makinson.

 

MANCHESTER LEADER JUNE 17,1895

 

The late Mr. Alderman Makinson. The funeral of the late Mr. Alderman Charles Makinson took place on Saturday at St. John's Parish Church, Higher Broughton. The remains of the deceased alderman were conveyed by train from Rugeley, Staffordshire, to London Road Station, where the funeral procession was formed. At the city boundary the procession was met by a detachment of the Salford police, which escorted it thence to the burial ground. The occupants of the four mourning coaches were Dr. W. Makinson, Mr. Joseph Makinson, Mr. L. Makinson, and Mr. C. Makinson; Mr. J. G. Farrer Morgan, Mr. Henry Bowman, (author note: This Henry Bowman was married to Jane Crowther and in this family is where Jonathan's widow, Mary, lived until her death in 1869) Mr. M. Bowman, Mr. Buckley, Mr. Wilkinson, Mr. Wolstenholme, Mr. Taylor, Mr. J. R. Tomlinson, Mr. G. Fuller, Mr. F. Rainer, and Mr. H. L. Rainer. (Fuller and Rainer were Law Partners of his)

Deputation's attended from the Manchester and Salford Ragged School Union and the Queen ST Ragged School (with which the deceased was closely connected for many years). There were also in attendance Mr. W. H. Holland, Member of Parliament, the Rev A. Parkinson, Chevalier Frochlich, Italian Consul and Mr. F.W. Rycroft. The service was conducted by Rev. Stanley Swinburne, rector of St. John's. At the close of service yesterday morning in the Higher Broughton Wesleyan Chapel, the "Dead March" from "Saul" was given on the organ. Mr. Makinson having long been one of the principal supporters of that chapel.

 

"Finally a resolution was passed by the Salford Water Committee pertaining to Mr. Makinson and offering sympathy and condolences to his family"--my notes.

 

Several other articles and two engravings of his likeness have been received from the Manchester Library. Nothing is known of his family.

From the 1871 Census rg10/4014 e.d.12 folio 105

2 MANSFIELD TERRACE

Name age occupation born

Charles Makinson h m 39 solicitor Salford

Mary w m 25 Jersey Channel Isles

Hannah Thompson u 24 servant Ireland

 

DR. WILLIAM MAKINSON

Dr Makinson lived at 76 Sussex St in Lower Broughton, Salford. He was a M.D. and was the executor of his brother Thomas's will, who died in 1876. Joseph Makinson, of Blackburn and also a cousin of my Grandfather, mentions Dr. Makinson in his letter to my Grandfather in 1895. Grandfather was living in Shenandoah Iowa with his parents at the time.

JOSEPH MAKINSON- of Roundthorne Sale, Co. Chester.& 96 Deansgate in Manchester  

Joseph was born on august 25,1826 at Manchester. He received a BA from Cambridge (Clare College) in 1859. Admitted to Lincoln's Inn on Nov 13,1861 and as a Barrister at Law in 1864. He was Stipendiary Magistrate from 1878-1911 of Salford. Buried at St John's Salford on March 14,1914. He married Florence Pickering daughter of Thomas Pickering, merchant of Manchester. They were married Dec. 2, 1875 at St. John's Broughton. Florence was his second wife; the first wife had died. I do not know her name. His second wife died shortly before he retired from the bench in 1911 and it was said that he never fully recovered from her death.

John Makinson, solicitor, occupied and office at 75 Market Street, His son Joseph became famous in the early days of Lancashire county cricket. Upon his impending retirement the Manchester paper said on Jan 25, 1911, "In the cricket world he held a high place. While at Cambridge he captained the University Eleven, and he made frequent appearances in All-England matches. He was a valued member of the Broughton Cricket Club, and has reputation as a fast bowler, a great batsman and one of the best fielders, particularly at cover point."  

excerpts--Manchester Streets and Manchester Men, Vol. 2 by Swindells

Page 238-239

John Makinson, solicitor, occupied an office at 75 Market Street, His son Joseph became famous in the early days of Lancashire county cricket as a punishing batsman. His first great performance as a cricketeer was achieved at Lord's in 1856, when in addition to securing eight wickets at a cost of 40 runs, he scored 31 and 64 runs, thus being largely responsible for Cambridge's three wicket victory over Oxford. When Lancashire count cricket was commenced, Mr. Makinson threw in his lot with the team and made a number of useful scores for the County Palantine. The totals do not appear to be high in light of modern scores, but when we consider the conditions under which the game was then played we realize their true value to his side. He played on several occasions in the Gentlemen v. Players' match, and in the match in 1864 scored 64 runs in the first innings. His last great innings was played in the last important match that he took part. It was in one of those matches well remembered by many of my readers, when the members of the Grace family made their annual appearances at Broughton. In that Occasion, playing for his club against the visitors he made a not out innings of 104. To the present generation of players the prowess of Makinson, Hornby, Barloe, and others is only a tradition; to those of us who saw exhibitions of it is a pleasant memory. Mr. Makinson, like many another promising Lancashire player found in early life that the serious side of life demanded his thought and energy, and was compelled to devote his time to the profession of his adoption, that of the law. His success as a private practitioner was crowned by his appointment of the position of Stipendiary Magistrate for Salford, For more than a generation he has dealt out justice with an even hand, and all who know will wish him many more years of such service, in addition to the tenure of the position of chairman of the committee of the Lancashire County Cricket Club.

 

excerpts--Manchester Streets and Manchester Men, Vol. 2 by Swindells

Page 238-239

John Makinson, solicitor, occupied an office at 75 Market Street, His son Joseph became famous in the early days of Lancashire county cricket as a punishing batsman. His first great performance as a cricketeer was achieved at Lord's in 1856, when in addition to securing eight wickets at a cost of 40 runs, he scored 31 and 64 runs, thus being largely responsible for Cambridge's three wicket victory over Oxford. When Lancashire count cricket was commenced, Mr. Makinson threw in his lot with the team and made a number of useful scores for the County Palantine. The totals do not appear to be high in light of modern scores, but when we consider the conditions under which the game was then played we realize their true value to his side. He played on several occasions in the Gentlemen v. Players' match, and in the match in 1864 scored 64 runs in the first innings. His last great innings was played in the last important match that he took part. It was in one of those matches well remembered by many of my readers, when the members of the Grace family made their annual appearances at Broughton. In that Occasion, playing for his club against the visitors he made a not out innings of 104. To the present generation of players the prowess of Makinson, Hornby, Barloe, and others is only a tradition; to those of us who saw exhibitions of it is a pleasant memory. Mr. Makinson, like many another promising Lancashire player found in early life that the serious side of life demanded his thought and energy, and was compelled to devote his time to the profession of his adoption, that of the law. His success as a private practitioner was crowned by his appointment of the position of Stipendiary Magistrate for Salford, For more than a generation he has dealt out justice with an even hand, and all who know will wish him many more years of such service, in addition to the tenure of the position of chairman of the committee of the Lancashire County Cricket Club.

Upon his retirement from public life this news article appeared in the Manchester England newspaper. (Click on the thumbnail of article to read the newspaper.)Joseph Makinson news article.jpg (591942 bytes)

 

 

 

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