The Roles of William and John Henry Royle in the Development of ...

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30 Whatcroft; Windbutts; and Further Whatcroft, detailed in ‘Part Three,’ which would prove to be valuable assets in the coming years. Pool Plat was eventually sold to John Royle Junior on the 8 th May 1876 for £75 (E/18/25) with his death taking place on the 29 th April 1894, aged 70 and probate of his will granted on the 11 th June 1894 (E/18/27) There now follows the detail of a series of land conveyances, which took place in 1897, involving the trustees of John Royle Junior’s will, who were William Royle and John Henry Royle. Three involved Samuel Heywood, on the 2 nd August 1897 (E/18/30) “land at Flixton;” 21 st September 1897 (E/18/31) “2 plots of land at Flixton;” and the 27 th September 1897 (E/18/32) “land in Flixton commonly called Pool Plat, and adjoining land,” for a consideration of £100. A fourth conveyed the land back to William Royle via Samuel Heywood, again for £100, on the 28 th September 1897 (E/18/33) describing it as “land in Flixton commonly called Pool Plat, and adjoining land.” These show that land adjoining Pool Plat, at Carrington Road, also belonged to the Royles, namely Nearer and Further Whatcroft and Windbutts. The Heywood family are also discussed in ‘Part Seven,’ as they were an influential factor in the local property market. Another conveyance involved John Beckwith, on the 10 th July 1897 (E/18/29) describing the transaction as “land in Flixton,” at a cost of £100. There is a record of the marriage of John Beckwith to Annetta Royle, which took place in Salford, in the December quarter of 1891. Annetta is recorded on the 1881 Census as Annette (sic) with her father being Peter Royle, aged 64 and a farmer of 15 acres. His wife is Mary Ann Royle, aged 58. They are living with their son -in- law, James Irlam, aged 28 and a farm bailiff and his wife Annie Irlam, aged 28. Annette (sic) aged 21, is a certified teacher. All are born in Urmston. The birth of Anetta (sic) Royle is recorded in 1859, which would confirm her age as 21 at the time of the 1881 Census. They are all living at Higher Road in Urmston (RG11 3889/48 No.31) It would now be relevant to detail a brief outline discussion of the influential Royle - Higginson family of Urmston and their Flixton connections to the Royles. Peter Royle was baptised on the 13 th April 1817, the son of Thomas Royle and Ann Pinnington, who were married on the 15 th July 1787, at Flixton. Peter Royle’s memorial inscription can be found on the east side of the old churchyard, close to the middle entrance gate, at St. Michael’s Parish Church and reads thus, “In loving memory of Peter Royle Who Departed This Life July 26 th 1887 Aged 70 Years. Also Mary Ann His Wife Who Departed This Life June 16 th 1889 Aged 66 Years.” Peter Royle’s father, Thomas Royle, was the son of James Royle and Elizabeth Shaw, who were married on the 17 th April 1744, at Flixton. There are records at Flixton showing the baptism of a James Royle on the 10 th June 1714, who unfortunately died two days later on the 12 th June (Perkins. 1998 p. 258) and Joseph, who died on the 16 th October 1717 (Perkins. 1998 p. 260) both are the sons of Thomas ‘Roile,’ a landlord, of Carrington, according to the Parish Registers. This entry is an example of the frequent usage of these particular names. However, the names James and Joseph remain
significant when we remember that both John Royle Senior and Junior’s brothers were named James and Joseph and that their father and grandfather were named Job, which meant that John Royle Junior’s and Peter Royle’s common ancestors were their grandparents, James and Elizabeth Royle, making them cousins. This example shows the strength of the family link to business in a small rural community. Crossland (1983) gives some interesting detail on this branch of the family, naming their residence as Smithy Brow Farm, on Higher Road and opposite St. Clements Church of England School, which from 1994 became a modern housing estate around St. Clements Fold and Sumner Avenue. The farm at one time was called Coupe’s Farm and was also occupied by Thomas Royle, a Chief Constable of Urmston and a relative of Thomas Coupe, the owner. Peter’s occupation of Smithy Brow Farm by the time of the 1881 Census shows that the farm had passed to him from his father, Thomas. The Royles of Urmston have been resident in the area for hundreds of years. Another Thomas Royle married Ellen Higginson of Greenfield House and they obtained, in 1867, a Royal Licence, meaning they could use the name Royle - Higginson. Their monumental inscription can also be found on the east side of the old churchyard, close to the middle entrance gate, at St. Michael’s Parish Church. There is also some detail on their place of residence at the time of their death. It reads thus, “In Memory. Thomas Royle, Hollin Pit Farm, Urmston, Yeoman, Who Died October 2 nd 1892, Aged 60 Years. At Rest. Also Ellen Royle Higginson Wife Of The Above Who Died September17 th 1908, Aged 75 Years.” The burial of Urmston residents at Flixton, before 1868 and the consecration of St. Clements church, prompted Lawson (1898 pp.94 - 95) to write that frequent changes of pall bearers were a necessity at funerals, due to the walking distance covered from Urmston to St. Michael’s churchyard, at Flixton. Although the Royle - Higginson family would doubtless have been able to utilise their own transport for such an event. Lawson mentions other Lancashire funeral rituals, such as the ‘capping’ of the Passing or Soul Bell at the death of a resident, signifying the departure of the soul. Often sprigs of Rosemary were worn by mourners, to be thrown into the grave, or retained and planted in the owner’s garden, signifying remembrance. Robert Langton (see also ‘Part Seven’ ) the father of local historian D. H. Langton, in his memorial letter, written by John Mortimer (Manchester Literary Club Transactions. Vol. 27 1901 pp. 2 - 12) had written on his death that, “…a spray of rosemary laid upon a grave, have been set down in memory of that delightful fragrance which was once from his mild manners quietly exhaled.” Bread was also specially baked at such occasions, to be distributed to heads of visiting households, as a mark of respect. It is likely that the Royle Higginsons were aware of these rituals. There is also a headstone dedicated to the children of Thomas and Ellen Royle Higginson, which is again on the east side of the old churchyard, close to the middle entrance gate and reads thus, 31
Page 1 and 2: The Roles of William and John Henry
Page 3 and 4: Carrington Road, Flixton (Pool Plat
Page 5 and 6: 9; Fanny, aged 7; and John Henry, a
Page 7 and 8: The Role of William and John Henry
Page 9 and 10: family at Holly Bank, a neighbourin
Page 11 and 12: 1755; Thomas was born on the 18 th
Page 13 and 14: engage in land and property conveya
Page 15 and 16: for process and sale to the local c
Page 17 and 18: In short, irrespective of the allot
Page 19 and 20: “Also seeing that my three childr
Page 23 and 24: Corporation’s increased desire to
Page 25 and 26: There is a reference to Pool Plat i
Page 27 and 28: Lancashire Record Office, Bow Lane,
Page 29: as a consequence. A pavement in fro
Page 33 and 34: “Here resteth the body of John Ro
Page 35 and 36: (E/18/1 - E/18/63) The Papers of Wi
Page 37 and 38: manifested through the ownership of
Page 39 and 40: gardener; Ann is single, aged 14 an
Page 41 and 42: Royle(s). Their rental payments con
Page 45 and 46: Royle and others re the purchase of
Page 47 and 48: much reduced and their acreage conc
Page 49 and 50: Bibliography. Bayliss, Don. Histori
Page 51 and 52: gardens. Mr. and Mrs. Duckworth cou
Page 53 and 54: George Royle and the occupation of
Page 55 and 56: contribution to the history of Flix

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