HILLSIDE Owners and Occupiers (continued)

c.1866-1899
Francis William Reynolds (c.1825-24.3.1899) cotton broker (Reynolds & Gibson) is shown here in the 1867 Rates. In the 1871 census he had a wife Clare aged 45, born in Manchester; a widowed mother Charlotte aged 70 born in Birmingham, and 6 children at home, ages ranging from 21 to 6 years, of whom the 4 youngest, including James Philip aged 6 were born in Egremont. They had 2 visitors and 6 living in servants including a governess.

The 1867 Rates Book shows him as the owner occupier of a house, garden and lodge R.V. £210, extent 2a. 0r 36½p; also of land R.V. £77, extent 25a. 1r. 22p. (the remaining "Acrefield").

In the 1881 census we see the family 10 years later, without the widowed Charlotte, and indeed with just one 21 year old daughter at home. They now had 4 living-in female servants. Mrs. Reynolds died in 1895 aged 69 and Francis William in 1899, leaving £356,809. They were buried in St Mary's Churchyard.

1905-1911
during these years James Calland was listed as gardener/caretaker living in the house.

1911
William James Arthur Atkinson, a flour merchant who had 1946 been living at Browside, 4 Gateacre Brow for the last 10 years bought the house in 1911. In 1908 he had married Gertrude Gilding, daughter of Henry Gilding of Rockfield, Cuckoo Lane, Gateacre, proprietor of Frisby Dyke's in Lord Street. Mr & Mrs Atkinson had three children -Marjorie born at Browside in 1909; and Joan born 1911 and Douglas born 1917, both at Hillside. Mr. Atkinson died in 1946 leaving £34,753 and Mrs Atkinson turned it into flats.

continued . . .