He was baptized at Nantwich on 16 October 1822, the son of Samuel Pedley 1793 - 1831 and Elizabeth Davies 1784 - 1855. He married Ann Hipkiss 1818 - 1890 at St John Chester on 1 September 1853. He was my wife's 2 x Great Grandfather on her mother's side.
Occupation 1: 1841, Cordwainer Journeyman.
Occupation 2: 1851, Shoemaker (Journeyman).
Occupation 3: 1853, At time of marriage, Cordwainer.
Occupation 4: 1861, Shoemaker employing 50 men, 10 boys, 40 women and 10 girls.
Occupation 5: 1871, Shoe Manufacturer.
Occupation 6: 1874, Boot and Shoemaker, of Beam Street, Nantwich: home Willaston (Morris's Directory).
Residence 1: 1841, Beam Street, Nantwich
Residence 2: 1851, Beam Street, Nantwich.
Residence 3: 1853, At time of marriage, Newgate Street, Chester
Residence 4: 1861, Beam Street, Nantwich.
Residence 5: 1871, Oak Bank Villa, Station Road, Nantwich
Residence 6: 1874, Willaston, Nantwich: Farmer (Morris's Directory).
In both 1841 and 1851 John Pedley is living with his mother Elizabeth in Beam Street with no other relatives and no servants. He is described simply as a cordwainer/shoemaker journeyman. So it seems pretty clear that he built up his business single handed. He had amassed a considerable fortune by the time he died. One of the witnesses at his marriage to Ann Hipkiss is a Henry Davies. He might or might not be related to John whose mother's maiden name was Davies. Peggy had a silver plate claret jug made in Sheffield and dated 1852 which was almost certainly a wedding present for John and Ann's marriage in 1853. That and another glass claret jug with a silver top with no hallmark (which may be earlier) were according to Thomas William Pedley junior the only things of any value that he ever got from his father's estate!
It is interesting that a 1874 Directory has John Pedley as a Farmer in Willaston. He may by then have retired from the shoemaking business. He was clearly a respected and trusted businessman. The London Gazette has a report of him being appointed as a trustee for the creditors in the bankruptcy of a Lancashire shoe manufacturer on 5 March 1868, naming him as: " John Pedley, of Nantwich, in the County of Chester, Shoe Manufacturer"
He competed at local agricultural shows. The Birmingham Daily Post reports on 10 February that Mr John Pedley of Nantwich gained a first prize at the Great Poultry & Bird Show Nantwich. And the Manchester Times on 12 December 1874 reports that John Pedley of Beam Street got a first prize at the Hyde poultry, Pigeon and Dog Show.
The Nantwich Guardian of 11 September 1880 carried the following account of his death:
JOHN PEDLEY, NANTWICH
We have to announce the death of Mr. John Pedley, late boot and shoe manufacturer, Nantwich, but who since his retirement from business four years ago, had been living in the neighbourhood of Willaston. He was born in Nantwich in 1822, and commenced business in a very humble way some 30 years ago. By diligent cultivation, and making a good class of work, he could always command a market for his goods, and short time seldom if ever fell to the lot of his workpeople, however great the depression of trade generally. He was connected with the Friendly Knot Society for upwards of 40 years and served all the offices with the exception of Secretary, remaining a trustee down to the time of his death. He was a member of the Beam Heath Trust several years until his removal from Nantwich, and represented that township as Guardian until the last election, when he retired. About four years ago he transferred his business to Messrs. Coward and Gilbert, and took up his residence at Willaston, two miles from Nantwich. His illness was relatively short, and ended fatally a fortnight from the time he was first seized. He died on Friday morning, and his remains were interred in the Nantwich Cemetery on Sunday. The members of the Friendly Knot Society, to the number of 40, proceeded to the residence of the deceased gentleman, and preceded the hearse to the cemetery.
There were two mourning coaches containing the immediate relatives and friends of the deceased, namely, Mr Thomas Pedley, his son, and Mrs Pedley, Messrs. J. Hipkiss, and John Davies, Messrs. Ashley, Coventry and Bott. There were four other vehicles, the occupants of which were:- Messrs. Marshall, Summer, Preston, Irish, Coventry, Jas. Hockenhull, W. Blizzard, Hamer, J.W. Houldon.
On arriving at the cemetery gates the members of the Friendly Knot Society opened out, and allowed the hearse and mourning coaches to pass between and draw up at the entrance. The coffin was carried from the hearse by six bearers, former employees, and old friends, viz, Messrs. Bazzard, Chas. Hassell, T. Billington, T. Hammer, S. Irish and Coventry (Chester). The burial was conducted by the Rector. The funeral arrangements were entrusted to Mr. J. W. Houlding, and the coffin of polished oak was supplied by Mr. Hockenhull. A brass plate on the lid gave the age of the deceased as 57 years.
Here is John Pedley's Will:- This is the last Will and Testament of me John Pedley of Nantwich and Willaston in the County of Chester Shoe Manufacturer. First I direct payment of all my just death funeral and testamentary expenses by my executrice and executor hereinafter named and appointed as soon as conveniently may be after my decease. I nominate and constitute my Wife Ann Pedley and my natural son Thomas William Hipkiss otherwise called and known by the name Thomas William Pedley now residing with me at Willaston aforesaid Executrice and Executor of this my Will. I give devise and bequeath all and every the real and personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature or kind soever which I may be seized or possessed of or entitled to at the time of my decease or of which I shall at my death have power to dispose by Will unto my wife Ann Pedley for and during the time of her natural life provided that she so long continues my Widow and from and after her decease or second marriage whichever shall first happen I give devise and bequeath the same real and personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature and kind soever unto my said natural son the said Thomas William Hipkiss otherwise called and known by the name of Thomas William Pedley his heirs executors administrators and assigns according to the nature and tenure thereof respectively to the use of the said Thomas William Hipkiss otherwise called and known as Thomas William Pedley his heirs executors administrators and assigns for ever absolutely. I give devise and bequeath all the estates vested in me upon any trust or by way of mortgage and which I have power to dispose of by this my Will with their appurtenances unto the said Ann Pedley and Thomas William Hipkiss otherwise called Thomas William Pedley their heirs executors administrators and assigns upon trust to hold or dispose of the said trust estates in the manner in which they ought to be held or disposed of pursuant to the said trusts and upon payment of the money secured by mortgage or otherwise to convey or assign the estates in mortgage or otherwise to the person or persons entitled thereto for the time being but the money secured as mortgage or otherwise if belonging to me shall be considered as part of my personal estate hereinbefore disposed of and bequeathed to the said Ann Pedley and Thomas William Hipkiss otherwise called Thomas William Pedley in manner aforesaid and hereby revoking and making void all former and other Wills and Codicils by me at any time heretofore made I do declare this to be my only last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I the said John Pedley the Testator have to this my last Will and Testament contained on this and the one preceding sheet of paper set and subscribed my hand and name this third day of July one thousand eight hundred and seventy five. John Pedley -
The above and before written Will of the before named John Pedley written on this and the one preceding sheet was published as and declared by him the said John Pedley to be his last Will and Testament and was signed by him at the foot or end thereof and on the preceding sheet thereof in the presence of us being both present together at the same time who in the presence of the said Testator John Pedley and of each other and at the request of the said John Pedley have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses this third day of July one thousand eight hundred and seventy five - Charles Stuart Brooke Solicitor Nantwich - D M Etcher Sol. his Clerk.
Moved at Chester the 5th day of November 1880 by the calls of Ann Pedley Widow of the Deceased and Thomas William Hipkiss otherwise Pedley the Executors to whom Administration was granted.
The Testator John Pedley was late of Nantwich and Willaston both in the County of Chester Shoemaker and died on the 3rd day of September 1880 at Willaston aforesaid -
Under £10,000 No Leaseholds } Charles T W Parry C. S. Brooke, Solicitor Nantwich } District Registrar
Note: £10,000 is worth about £4.2m at 2010 prices.
The Cheshire Archives have several property records: DSW/2224/20/3 1824-1866 These documents are held at Cheshire and Chester Archives and Local Studies Service 8 docs. Contents: John Pedley's deeds relating to several mess. in Beam Street, Nantwich.
John was buried on 5 September 1880 at Nantwich
Occupation 1: 1841, Cordwainer Journeyman.
Occupation 2: 1851, Shoemaker (Journeyman).
Occupation 3: 1853, At time of marriage, Cordwainer.
Occupation 4: 1861, Shoemaker employing 50 men, 10 boys, 40 women and 10 girls.
Occupation 5: 1871, Shoe Manufacturer.
Occupation 6: 1874, Boot and Shoemaker, of Beam Street, Nantwich: home Willaston (Morris's Directory).
Residence 1: 1841, Beam Street, Nantwich
Residence 2: 1851, Beam Street, Nantwich.
Residence 3: 1853, At time of marriage, Newgate Street, Chester
Residence 4: 1861, Beam Street, Nantwich.
Residence 5: 1871, Oak Bank Villa, Station Road, Nantwich
Residence 6: 1874, Willaston, Nantwich: Farmer (Morris's Directory).
In both 1841 and 1851 John Pedley is living with his mother Elizabeth in Beam Street with no other relatives and no servants. He is described simply as a cordwainer/shoemaker journeyman. So it seems pretty clear that he built up his business single handed. He had amassed a considerable fortune by the time he died. One of the witnesses at his marriage to Ann Hipkiss is a Henry Davies. He might or might not be related to John whose mother's maiden name was Davies. Peggy had a silver plate claret jug made in Sheffield and dated 1852 which was almost certainly a wedding present for John and Ann's marriage in 1853. That and another glass claret jug with a silver top with no hallmark (which may be earlier) were according to Thomas William Pedley junior the only things of any value that he ever got from his father's estate!
It is interesting that a 1874 Directory has John Pedley as a Farmer in Willaston. He may by then have retired from the shoemaking business. He was clearly a respected and trusted businessman. The London Gazette has a report of him being appointed as a trustee for the creditors in the bankruptcy of a Lancashire shoe manufacturer on 5 March 1868, naming him as: " John Pedley, of Nantwich, in the County of Chester, Shoe Manufacturer"
He competed at local agricultural shows. The Birmingham Daily Post reports on 10 February that Mr John Pedley of Nantwich gained a first prize at the Great Poultry & Bird Show Nantwich. And the Manchester Times on 12 December 1874 reports that John Pedley of Beam Street got a first prize at the Hyde poultry, Pigeon and Dog Show.
The Nantwich Guardian of 11 September 1880 carried the following account of his death:
JOHN PEDLEY, NANTWICH
We have to announce the death of Mr. John Pedley, late boot and shoe manufacturer, Nantwich, but who since his retirement from business four years ago, had been living in the neighbourhood of Willaston. He was born in Nantwich in 1822, and commenced business in a very humble way some 30 years ago. By diligent cultivation, and making a good class of work, he could always command a market for his goods, and short time seldom if ever fell to the lot of his workpeople, however great the depression of trade generally. He was connected with the Friendly Knot Society for upwards of 40 years and served all the offices with the exception of Secretary, remaining a trustee down to the time of his death. He was a member of the Beam Heath Trust several years until his removal from Nantwich, and represented that township as Guardian until the last election, when he retired. About four years ago he transferred his business to Messrs. Coward and Gilbert, and took up his residence at Willaston, two miles from Nantwich. His illness was relatively short, and ended fatally a fortnight from the time he was first seized. He died on Friday morning, and his remains were interred in the Nantwich Cemetery on Sunday. The members of the Friendly Knot Society, to the number of 40, proceeded to the residence of the deceased gentleman, and preceded the hearse to the cemetery.
There were two mourning coaches containing the immediate relatives and friends of the deceased, namely, Mr Thomas Pedley, his son, and Mrs Pedley, Messrs. J. Hipkiss, and John Davies, Messrs. Ashley, Coventry and Bott. There were four other vehicles, the occupants of which were:- Messrs. Marshall, Summer, Preston, Irish, Coventry, Jas. Hockenhull, W. Blizzard, Hamer, J.W. Houldon.
On arriving at the cemetery gates the members of the Friendly Knot Society opened out, and allowed the hearse and mourning coaches to pass between and draw up at the entrance. The coffin was carried from the hearse by six bearers, former employees, and old friends, viz, Messrs. Bazzard, Chas. Hassell, T. Billington, T. Hammer, S. Irish and Coventry (Chester). The burial was conducted by the Rector. The funeral arrangements were entrusted to Mr. J. W. Houlding, and the coffin of polished oak was supplied by Mr. Hockenhull. A brass plate on the lid gave the age of the deceased as 57 years.
Here is John Pedley's Will:- This is the last Will and Testament of me John Pedley of Nantwich and Willaston in the County of Chester Shoe Manufacturer. First I direct payment of all my just death funeral and testamentary expenses by my executrice and executor hereinafter named and appointed as soon as conveniently may be after my decease. I nominate and constitute my Wife Ann Pedley and my natural son Thomas William Hipkiss otherwise called and known by the name Thomas William Pedley now residing with me at Willaston aforesaid Executrice and Executor of this my Will. I give devise and bequeath all and every the real and personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature or kind soever which I may be seized or possessed of or entitled to at the time of my decease or of which I shall at my death have power to dispose by Will unto my wife Ann Pedley for and during the time of her natural life provided that she so long continues my Widow and from and after her decease or second marriage whichever shall first happen I give devise and bequeath the same real and personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature and kind soever unto my said natural son the said Thomas William Hipkiss otherwise called and known by the name of Thomas William Pedley his heirs executors administrators and assigns according to the nature and tenure thereof respectively to the use of the said Thomas William Hipkiss otherwise called and known as Thomas William Pedley his heirs executors administrators and assigns for ever absolutely. I give devise and bequeath all the estates vested in me upon any trust or by way of mortgage and which I have power to dispose of by this my Will with their appurtenances unto the said Ann Pedley and Thomas William Hipkiss otherwise called Thomas William Pedley their heirs executors administrators and assigns upon trust to hold or dispose of the said trust estates in the manner in which they ought to be held or disposed of pursuant to the said trusts and upon payment of the money secured by mortgage or otherwise to convey or assign the estates in mortgage or otherwise to the person or persons entitled thereto for the time being but the money secured as mortgage or otherwise if belonging to me shall be considered as part of my personal estate hereinbefore disposed of and bequeathed to the said Ann Pedley and Thomas William Hipkiss otherwise called Thomas William Pedley in manner aforesaid and hereby revoking and making void all former and other Wills and Codicils by me at any time heretofore made I do declare this to be my only last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I the said John Pedley the Testator have to this my last Will and Testament contained on this and the one preceding sheet of paper set and subscribed my hand and name this third day of July one thousand eight hundred and seventy five. John Pedley -
The above and before written Will of the before named John Pedley written on this and the one preceding sheet was published as and declared by him the said John Pedley to be his last Will and Testament and was signed by him at the foot or end thereof and on the preceding sheet thereof in the presence of us being both present together at the same time who in the presence of the said Testator John Pedley and of each other and at the request of the said John Pedley have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses this third day of July one thousand eight hundred and seventy five - Charles Stuart Brooke Solicitor Nantwich - D M Etcher Sol. his Clerk.
Moved at Chester the 5th day of November 1880 by the calls of Ann Pedley Widow of the Deceased and Thomas William Hipkiss otherwise Pedley the Executors to whom Administration was granted.
The Testator John Pedley was late of Nantwich and Willaston both in the County of Chester Shoemaker and died on the 3rd day of September 1880 at Willaston aforesaid -
Under £10,000 No Leaseholds } Charles T W Parry C. S. Brooke, Solicitor Nantwich } District Registrar
Note: £10,000 is worth about £4.2m at 2010 prices.
The Cheshire Archives have several property records: DSW/2224/20/3 1824-1866 These documents are held at Cheshire and Chester Archives and Local Studies Service 8 docs. Contents: John Pedley's deeds relating to several mess. in Beam Street, Nantwich.
John was buried on 5 September 1880 at Nantwich
He was baptized at Nantwich on 16 October 1822, the son of Samuel Pedley 1793 - 1831 and Elizabeth Davies 1784 - 1855. He married Ann Hipkiss 1818 - 1890 at St John Chester on 1 September 1853. He was my wife's 2 x Great Grandfather on her mother's side.
Occupation 1: 1841, Cordwainer Journeyman.
Occupation 2: 1851, Shoemaker (Journeyman).
Occupation 3: 1853, At time of marriage, Cordwainer.
Occupation 4: 1861, Shoemaker employing 50 men, 10 boys, 40 women and 10 girls.
Occupation 5: 1871, Shoe Manufacturer.
Occupation 6: 1874, Boot and Shoemaker, of Beam Street, Nantwich: home Willaston (Morris's Directory).
Residence 1: 1841, Beam Street, Nantwich
Residence 2: 1851, Beam Street, Nantwich.
Residence 3: 1853, At time of marriage, Newgate Street, Chester
Residence 4: 1861, Beam Street, Nantwich.
Residence 5: 1871, Oak Bank Villa, Station Road, Nantwich
Residence 6: 1874, Willaston, Nantwich: Farmer (Morris's Directory).
In both 1841 and 1851 John Pedley is living with his mother Elizabeth in Beam Street with no other relatives and no servants. He is described simply as a cordwainer/shoemaker journeyman. So it seems pretty clear that he built up his business single handed. He had amassed a considerable fortune by the time he died. One of the witnesses at his marriage to Ann Hipkiss is a Henry Davies. He might or might not be related to John whose mother's maiden name was Davies. Peggy had a silver plate claret jug made in Sheffield and dated 1852 which was almost certainly a wedding present for John and Ann's marriage in 1853. That and another glass claret jug with a silver top with no hallmark (which may be earlier) were according to Thomas William Pedley junior the only things of any value that he ever got from his father's estate!
It is interesting that a 1874 Directory has John Pedley as a Farmer in Willaston. He may by then have retired from the shoemaking business. He was clearly a respected and trusted businessman. The London Gazette has a report of him being appointed as a trustee for the creditors in the bankruptcy of a Lancashire shoe manufacturer on 5 March 1868, naming him as: " John Pedley, of Nantwich, in the County of Chester, Shoe Manufacturer"
He competed at local agricultural shows. The Birmingham Daily Post reports on 10 February that Mr John Pedley of Nantwich gained a first prize at the Great Poultry & Bird Show Nantwich. And the Manchester Times on 12 December 1874 reports that John Pedley of Beam Street got a first prize at the Hyde poultry, Pigeon and Dog Show.
The Nantwich Guardian of 11 September 1880 carried the following account of his death:
JOHN PEDLEY, NANTWICH
We have to announce the death of Mr. John Pedley, late boot and shoe manufacturer, Nantwich, but who since his retirement from business four years ago, had been living in the neighbourhood of Willaston. He was born in Nantwich in 1822, and commenced business in a very humble way some 30 years ago. By diligent cultivation, and making a good class of work, he could always command a market for his goods, and short time seldom if ever fell to the lot of his workpeople, however great the depression of trade generally. He was connected with the Friendly Knot Society for upwards of 40 years and served all the offices with the exception of Secretary, remaining a trustee down to the time of his death. He was a member of the Beam Heath Trust several years until his removal from Nantwich, and represented that township as Guardian until the last election, when he retired. About four years ago he transferred his business to Messrs. Coward and Gilbert, and took up his residence at Willaston, two miles from Nantwich. His illness was relatively short, and ended fatally a fortnight from the time he was first seized. He died on Friday morning, and his remains were interred in the Nantwich Cemetery on Sunday. The members of the Friendly Knot Society, to the number of 40, proceeded to the residence of the deceased gentleman, and preceded the hearse to the cemetery.
There were two mourning coaches containing the immediate relatives and friends of the deceased, namely, Mr Thomas Pedley, his son, and Mrs Pedley, Messrs. J. Hipkiss, and John Davies, Messrs. Ashley, Coventry and Bott. There were four other vehicles, the occupants of which were:- Messrs. Marshall, Summer, Preston, Irish, Coventry, Jas. Hockenhull, W. Blizzard, Hamer, J.W. Houldon.
On arriving at the cemetery gates the members of the Friendly Knot Society opened out, and allowed the hearse and mourning coaches to pass between and draw up at the entrance. The coffin was carried from the hearse by six bearers, former employees, and old friends, viz, Messrs. Bazzard, Chas. Hassell, T. Billington, T. Hammer, S. Irish and Coventry (Chester). The burial was conducted by the Rector. The funeral arrangements were entrusted to Mr. J. W. Houlding, and the coffin of polished oak was supplied by Mr. Hockenhull. A brass plate on the lid gave the age of the deceased as 57 years.
Here is John Pedley's Will:- This is the last Will and Testament of me John Pedley of Nantwich and Willaston in the County of Chester Shoe Manufacturer. First I direct payment of all my just death funeral and testamentary expenses by my executrice and executor hereinafter named and appointed as soon as conveniently may be after my decease. I nominate and constitute my Wife Ann Pedley and my natural son Thomas William Hipkiss otherwise called and known by the name Thomas William Pedley now residing with me at Willaston aforesaid Executrice and Executor of this my Will. I give devise and bequeath all and every the real and personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature or kind soever which I may be seized or possessed of or entitled to at the time of my decease or of which I shall at my death have power to dispose by Will unto my wife Ann Pedley for and during the time of her natural life provided that she so long continues my Widow and from and after her decease or second marriage whichever shall first happen I give devise and bequeath the same real and personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature and kind soever unto my said natural son the said Thomas William Hipkiss otherwise called and known by the name of Thomas William Pedley his heirs executors administrators and assigns according to the nature and tenure thereof respectively to the use of the said Thomas William Hipkiss otherwise called and known as Thomas William Pedley his heirs executors administrators and assigns for ever absolutely. I give devise and bequeath all the estates vested in me upon any trust or by way of mortgage and which I have power to dispose of by this my Will with their appurtenances unto the said Ann Pedley and Thomas William Hipkiss otherwise called Thomas William Pedley their heirs executors administrators and assigns upon trust to hold or dispose of the said trust estates in the manner in which they ought to be held or disposed of pursuant to the said trusts and upon payment of the money secured by mortgage or otherwise to convey or assign the estates in mortgage or otherwise to the person or persons entitled thereto for the time being but the money secured as mortgage or otherwise if belonging to me shall be considered as part of my personal estate hereinbefore disposed of and bequeathed to the said Ann Pedley and Thomas William Hipkiss otherwise called Thomas William Pedley in manner aforesaid and hereby revoking and making void all former and other Wills and Codicils by me at any time heretofore made I do declare this to be my only last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I the said John Pedley the Testator have to this my last Will and Testament contained on this and the one preceding sheet of paper set and subscribed my hand and name this third day of July one thousand eight hundred and seventy five. John Pedley -
The above and before written Will of the before named John Pedley written on this and the one preceding sheet was published as and declared by him the said John Pedley to be his last Will and Testament and was signed by him at the foot or end thereof and on the preceding sheet thereof in the presence of us being both present together at the same time who in the presence of the said Testator John Pedley and of each other and at the request of the said John Pedley have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses this third day of July one thousand eight hundred and seventy five - Charles Stuart Brooke Solicitor Nantwich - D M Etcher Sol. his Clerk.
Moved at Chester the 5th day of November 1880 by the calls of Ann Pedley Widow of the Deceased and Thomas William Hipkiss otherwise Pedley the Executors to whom Administration was granted.
The Testator John Pedley was late of Nantwich and Willaston both in the County of Chester Shoemaker and died on the 3rd day of September 1880 at Willaston aforesaid -
Under £10,000 No Leaseholds } Charles T W Parry C. S. Brooke, Solicitor Nantwich } District Registrar
Note: £10,000 is worth about £4.2m at 2010 prices.
The Cheshire Archives have several property records: DSW/2224/20/3 1824-1866 These documents are held at Cheshire and Chester Archives and Local Studies Service 8 docs. Contents: John Pedley's deeds relating to several mess. in Beam Street, Nantwich.
John was buried on 5 September 1880 at Nantwich
Occupation 1: 1841, Cordwainer Journeyman.
Occupation 2: 1851, Shoemaker (Journeyman).
Occupation 3: 1853, At time of marriage, Cordwainer.
Occupation 4: 1861, Shoemaker employing 50 men, 10 boys, 40 women and 10 girls.
Occupation 5: 1871, Shoe Manufacturer.
Occupation 6: 1874, Boot and Shoemaker, of Beam Street, Nantwich: home Willaston (Morris's Directory).
Residence 1: 1841, Beam Street, Nantwich
Residence 2: 1851, Beam Street, Nantwich.
Residence 3: 1853, At time of marriage, Newgate Street, Chester
Residence 4: 1861, Beam Street, Nantwich.
Residence 5: 1871, Oak Bank Villa, Station Road, Nantwich
Residence 6: 1874, Willaston, Nantwich: Farmer (Morris's Directory).
In both 1841 and 1851 John Pedley is living with his mother Elizabeth in Beam Street with no other relatives and no servants. He is described simply as a cordwainer/shoemaker journeyman. So it seems pretty clear that he built up his business single handed. He had amassed a considerable fortune by the time he died. One of the witnesses at his marriage to Ann Hipkiss is a Henry Davies. He might or might not be related to John whose mother's maiden name was Davies. Peggy had a silver plate claret jug made in Sheffield and dated 1852 which was almost certainly a wedding present for John and Ann's marriage in 1853. That and another glass claret jug with a silver top with no hallmark (which may be earlier) were according to Thomas William Pedley junior the only things of any value that he ever got from his father's estate!
It is interesting that a 1874 Directory has John Pedley as a Farmer in Willaston. He may by then have retired from the shoemaking business. He was clearly a respected and trusted businessman. The London Gazette has a report of him being appointed as a trustee for the creditors in the bankruptcy of a Lancashire shoe manufacturer on 5 March 1868, naming him as: " John Pedley, of Nantwich, in the County of Chester, Shoe Manufacturer"
He competed at local agricultural shows. The Birmingham Daily Post reports on 10 February that Mr John Pedley of Nantwich gained a first prize at the Great Poultry & Bird Show Nantwich. And the Manchester Times on 12 December 1874 reports that John Pedley of Beam Street got a first prize at the Hyde poultry, Pigeon and Dog Show.
The Nantwich Guardian of 11 September 1880 carried the following account of his death:
JOHN PEDLEY, NANTWICH
We have to announce the death of Mr. John Pedley, late boot and shoe manufacturer, Nantwich, but who since his retirement from business four years ago, had been living in the neighbourhood of Willaston. He was born in Nantwich in 1822, and commenced business in a very humble way some 30 years ago. By diligent cultivation, and making a good class of work, he could always command a market for his goods, and short time seldom if ever fell to the lot of his workpeople, however great the depression of trade generally. He was connected with the Friendly Knot Society for upwards of 40 years and served all the offices with the exception of Secretary, remaining a trustee down to the time of his death. He was a member of the Beam Heath Trust several years until his removal from Nantwich, and represented that township as Guardian until the last election, when he retired. About four years ago he transferred his business to Messrs. Coward and Gilbert, and took up his residence at Willaston, two miles from Nantwich. His illness was relatively short, and ended fatally a fortnight from the time he was first seized. He died on Friday morning, and his remains were interred in the Nantwich Cemetery on Sunday. The members of the Friendly Knot Society, to the number of 40, proceeded to the residence of the deceased gentleman, and preceded the hearse to the cemetery.
There were two mourning coaches containing the immediate relatives and friends of the deceased, namely, Mr Thomas Pedley, his son, and Mrs Pedley, Messrs. J. Hipkiss, and John Davies, Messrs. Ashley, Coventry and Bott. There were four other vehicles, the occupants of which were:- Messrs. Marshall, Summer, Preston, Irish, Coventry, Jas. Hockenhull, W. Blizzard, Hamer, J.W. Houldon.
On arriving at the cemetery gates the members of the Friendly Knot Society opened out, and allowed the hearse and mourning coaches to pass between and draw up at the entrance. The coffin was carried from the hearse by six bearers, former employees, and old friends, viz, Messrs. Bazzard, Chas. Hassell, T. Billington, T. Hammer, S. Irish and Coventry (Chester). The burial was conducted by the Rector. The funeral arrangements were entrusted to Mr. J. W. Houlding, and the coffin of polished oak was supplied by Mr. Hockenhull. A brass plate on the lid gave the age of the deceased as 57 years.
Here is John Pedley's Will:- This is the last Will and Testament of me John Pedley of Nantwich and Willaston in the County of Chester Shoe Manufacturer. First I direct payment of all my just death funeral and testamentary expenses by my executrice and executor hereinafter named and appointed as soon as conveniently may be after my decease. I nominate and constitute my Wife Ann Pedley and my natural son Thomas William Hipkiss otherwise called and known by the name Thomas William Pedley now residing with me at Willaston aforesaid Executrice and Executor of this my Will. I give devise and bequeath all and every the real and personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature or kind soever which I may be seized or possessed of or entitled to at the time of my decease or of which I shall at my death have power to dispose by Will unto my wife Ann Pedley for and during the time of her natural life provided that she so long continues my Widow and from and after her decease or second marriage whichever shall first happen I give devise and bequeath the same real and personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature and kind soever unto my said natural son the said Thomas William Hipkiss otherwise called and known by the name of Thomas William Pedley his heirs executors administrators and assigns according to the nature and tenure thereof respectively to the use of the said Thomas William Hipkiss otherwise called and known as Thomas William Pedley his heirs executors administrators and assigns for ever absolutely. I give devise and bequeath all the estates vested in me upon any trust or by way of mortgage and which I have power to dispose of by this my Will with their appurtenances unto the said Ann Pedley and Thomas William Hipkiss otherwise called Thomas William Pedley their heirs executors administrators and assigns upon trust to hold or dispose of the said trust estates in the manner in which they ought to be held or disposed of pursuant to the said trusts and upon payment of the money secured by mortgage or otherwise to convey or assign the estates in mortgage or otherwise to the person or persons entitled thereto for the time being but the money secured as mortgage or otherwise if belonging to me shall be considered as part of my personal estate hereinbefore disposed of and bequeathed to the said Ann Pedley and Thomas William Hipkiss otherwise called Thomas William Pedley in manner aforesaid and hereby revoking and making void all former and other Wills and Codicils by me at any time heretofore made I do declare this to be my only last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I the said John Pedley the Testator have to this my last Will and Testament contained on this and the one preceding sheet of paper set and subscribed my hand and name this third day of July one thousand eight hundred and seventy five. John Pedley -
The above and before written Will of the before named John Pedley written on this and the one preceding sheet was published as and declared by him the said John Pedley to be his last Will and Testament and was signed by him at the foot or end thereof and on the preceding sheet thereof in the presence of us being both present together at the same time who in the presence of the said Testator John Pedley and of each other and at the request of the said John Pedley have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses this third day of July one thousand eight hundred and seventy five - Charles Stuart Brooke Solicitor Nantwich - D M Etcher Sol. his Clerk.
Moved at Chester the 5th day of November 1880 by the calls of Ann Pedley Widow of the Deceased and Thomas William Hipkiss otherwise Pedley the Executors to whom Administration was granted.
The Testator John Pedley was late of Nantwich and Willaston both in the County of Chester Shoemaker and died on the 3rd day of September 1880 at Willaston aforesaid -
Under £10,000 No Leaseholds } Charles T W Parry C. S. Brooke, Solicitor Nantwich } District Registrar
Note: £10,000 is worth about £4.2m at 2010 prices.
The Cheshire Archives have several property records: DSW/2224/20/3 1824-1866 These documents are held at Cheshire and Chester Archives and Local Studies Service 8 docs. Contents: John Pedley's deeds relating to several mess. in Beam Street, Nantwich.
John was buried on 5 September 1880 at Nantwich
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