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William was a witness to the Will made by William Newall of Station Road {born 18th March 1827} when it was made on the 1st July 1904. William George was first cousin to William Newall.
Taken from Cheshire County Council Archives & Local Studies Township Pack No. 76 - Wharton.
HALCYON DAYS OF MASTER CRAFTSMAN.
A lady from Solihull wrote to me a couple of months ago, wondering if I had any knowledge of her grandfather who lived in Winsford at the end of the last century.
His name was William George Newall, and he lived at Halcyon Glen.
I well remember this building. It stands on Rilshaw Lane and in the 1950s part of it was the doctor's surgery where most Wharton folk will remember Dr. Williams and Dr. Campbell held their surgeries.
W. G. Newall, according to Porters directory of 1895, was a cabinet maker, ironmonger and general house furnisher and after making a few enquiries, I found that he was a carpenter of some repute, and quite a character too.
Halcyon Glen, still an imposing building, was planned and built by Mr. Newall himself.
Joe Hickson, in his book 'Wharton', states that he employed a number of journeymen, and that his factory was next to the house which was afterwards used by the clothing firm of Bradbury.
His showroom was on the junction of Rilshaw Lane and Station Road, later to become Dodds School of Dancing.
Looking through my old photographs, I came across the photo from 1892 showing numbers 149,151 and 153, Station Road, and Kellys Directory says that 153 was occupied by W. G. Newall.
This could be a further workshop - apparently most families in Winsford at the the turn of the century held at least one piece of his furniture, and most probably some still exist today.
The letter from Mr. Newall's granddaughter went on to say that her aunt remembered a "long room at the top of Halcyon Glen that was used as a workroom for girls employed to brush lengths of velvet in a particular way."
This would be fustian - indeed Porters name, in 1895, three fustian mills in Winsford.
These were James Fletcher, Dierden Street; Robert Shepherd, Over Mills, John Street (close to the ill-fated cotton mill) and W. G. Newall's though this is the only written mention of a fustian mill here.
Fustian was a hard-wearing coarse twilled fabric mixed with flax or wool with a slight nap, and was made by weaving two sets of cotton wefts on a linen warp, and were originally cut with a fustian knife.
W. G. Newall also designed the Bethesda Methodist Church on Station Road and the timbers around are by Mr. Newall himself.
Being a staunch Methodist and a lay preacher, his granddaughter was told tales by her father of William George returning home on Sundays after a day's tramping round preaching and "emptying the blood out of his shoes."
Whatever happened in later life, the fact is that W. G. Newall forsook Methodism and joined some obscure American cult and with the beliefs of that sect, upon his death he was buried in full morning suit.
The second photo shows Halcyon Glen off centre taken from the site of the old baths, which is now the bridge over the Station Road bypass.
The 1892 photo is by the area known as 'Smith's Hollow', named after a family who lived there and which became famous locally during the First World War.
Taken from an article in Winsford Guardian, February 25th, 1998 - written by the local historian, Bob Curzon
HICKSON, J.N. - WHARTON
Contains the author's own reminiscences (pre 1914), plus brief histories of Christ Church and the local salt industry.
{Copy held in Winsford Library}. Published in 1982, Joe was 78 at the time and born in 1904.
Page 42.
Halcyon Glen, a large house in Rilshaw Lane, situated a short distance from Station Road, was planned and built in the late 19th century by William George Newall. The house was in two sections, and Newall lived in the larger section during his retirement. In Newall's day, along one side of the house ran an extensive conservatory in which he cultivated various kinds of greenhouse plants. Nearby, in the grounds of the house was a sizable orchard yielding a carefully chosen variety of fruit. The rustic-like woodwork fencing outside the house was unusual. It consisted of naturally shaped spars of well seasoned unpainted wood, arranged in a multi-patterned network after the manner of trellis work. No doubt, this was the handiwork of W. G. Newall himself.
In the latter half of last century, Newall was an entrepreneur in the cabinet making business in which he employed a number of highly skilled journeymen. His factory, near to Halcyon Glen, was afterwards used by the clothing manufacturing firm of Bradbury. The building at the corner of Rilshaw Lane and Station Road, better known later as Dodd's Dancing School, was his showroom.
From his factory poured a stream of good quality Victorian-style furniture, of which many (probably most) homes in Winsford and for some distance beyond, were pleased to own one or two pieces. In an age of craftsmanship Newall himself was looked upon as a super-craftsman. His standing in the estimation of his fellow cabinet makers was high, and it was said of him (with not a little exaggeration) that he was capable of making anything in wood with no other tool than an adze. He also had a flair for designing. Not only had Newall a pair of capable hands, but he had also an intellectual side to his make-up. During retirement he gave much of his time to reading and study, and at Halcyon Glen he occasionally entertained friends or acquaintances of intellectual persuasions similar to his own.
Like many men of his time he was deeply interested in religion. Brought up as a Methodist, he had been a local preacher, and active in Church work. But, always an individualist, in later life he forsook Methodism to become attached to some little known cult of the Christian faith. On his death, in accordance with the beliefs of that cult, he was buried in full morning suit.
Some time after the death of W. G. Newall, Halcyon Glen passed to Thomas T. Walton, who, though not a native of Wharton, married a Wharton lady, and made his home in the locality for many years.
PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH, STATION ROAD, WINSFORD, CHESHIRE - SOUVENIR, DECEMBER 1923.
Page 5 - 6.
Our present Church was erected on the site of the old one under the supervision of the late Mr. William George Newall at a cost of £2,441 and opened for public worship in the year 1893 (the wooden building is at present in use as a Sunday School). It is our wish here to record the valuable service rendered by Mr. W. G. Newall for the beautiful manner in which our Church is constructed for the comfort of all. His whole services were given entirely gratis and whatever materials were purchased by him being charged at cost price. Words would fail to express the gratitude of the Trustees for his great service.
BETHESDA METHODIST CHURCH, Station Road, Winsford - CENTENARY booklet 1865 - 1965.
Page 6 - 7.
THE PRESENT CHURCH
When the old church had to be demolished in 1892, the Trustees lost no time in planning to rebuild. In April 1893 they appointed their own Treasurer, Mr. William George Newall, as architect for the new building. The plans he drew up were approved in the May, and the stone-laying took place in the August of the same year. The church was opened in the summer of 1894, with special services on the 17th, 20th, and 24th June, and on July 1st. The special preachers were the Rev. Thomas Richards (Crewe), the Rev. Danzy Sheen ( Manchester), the Rev. George Jones (Derby), and the Rev. William Harris (Northwich). Collections at these services totalled £282. The first announcement in the new church was made by the Trustees' Secretary, Mr. W. Pimlett, who communicated the Trustees' decision that there would be no 'pew rents'.
The Church was extremely fortunate in having at this time the help of so gifted and generous a man as Mr. W. G. Newall. He gave his services to the church without any charge, supervising the work throughout, and making materials available at cost price. The design of the building was completely his own and the choice of the name 'Bethesda' seems to have been his too: the five divisions of the window above the entrance are intended to suggest the 'five porches' surrounding the pool Bethesda at Jerusalem. His own skill is to be observed in the intricate craftsmanship of the pulpit. Soon after the opening, a Trustees' Meeting, estimating that he had saved them £300 on a total cost of £1, 482, recorded its 'warmest thanks ... to Bro. W. G. Newall for the time, talent, money, and supervision he has given to this new house of prayer'. The men of the Church did not, of course, fail to follow this lead, and many stories are told of help they gave, particularly in hauling up from the river great timber baulks. Seven years later Mr. Newall, at his own expense, built and furnished a Preacher's Vestry.
Winsford In Old Picture Postcards By Margaret F. Thomas.
37. Porter's Directory for 1895 records two fustian cutting factories in Wharton as well as the Over Mill opened in John Street in 1886. James Fletcher had established his business in Dierden Street in premises which are still standing and William George Newall was operating in Station Road. They employed almost exclusively female labour. In the winter months, the women carried candles to light their work, and produced a constantly wavering pattern of light for the outside observer as they approached and then moved away from each window. Over the years, the constant walking up and down, cutting the loops in the fabric, wore grooves in the wooden flooring. Similar wear in the floor of P.T. Hartley's High Street factory, now demolished, suggests that this too was once used for fustian cutting.
St. John's Church Yard, Winsford - Grave No. 266.
Harriet wife of W.G. Newall, died 1878 aged 26 years, also of Frederick Olympas, son of W. G. Newall and Alice Newall, died 1891 aged 7 years. Also of above Alice Newall died October 17th, 1902 aged 58 years. Also of W.G. Newall died 8th June, 1921, aged 70 years. Also of Mary Pimlett Newall, died 1960 aged 81 years.
The Winsford and Middlewich Guardian, Friday June 10th 1921.
Death of Mr. W. G. Newall
The death occurred on Wednesday morning of Mr. W. G. Newall, of Halcyon Glen, Rilshaw Lane, Wharton, at the age of 71 years. Mr. Newall retired from business as cabinet maker 14 years ago and since then carried on business as a fruit grower. He was for six years a member of the Winsford Urban District Council, and was for half a century connected with Primitive Methodism. He was a staunch supporter of the Station Road Church, where he was a trustee, local preacher and class leader. He was largely responsible for the erection of the Station Road Primitive Methodist Church in 1907.
WILL
First Name: WILLIAM GEORGE
Surname: NEWALL
Place: WINSFORD
Occupation: CABINET MAKER
Date: 1921
Will: X
Admon:
Inventory:
Codicil: X
Notes:
Document Reference: MF91/67, WR62 P504
This is the last Will and Testament of me William George Newall of Halcyon Villa, Rilshaw lane, Winsford in the County of Chester retired Cabinet Maker. I revoke all prior Wills. I appoint my sons John William Newall and Cleopas George Newall and my friend William Pimlett of Halcyon Villa, Rilshaw Lane aforesaid, Gas Collector thereinafter called "my Trustees" to be the Executors and Trustees of this my Will. I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary Pimlett Newall absolutely all and singular the articles set out in the First Schedule to this my Will. I give and bequeath to my son the said John William Newall absolutely all and singular the articles set out in the Second Schedule to this my Will. I give and bequeath to my son the said Cleopas George Newall absolutely all and singular the articles set out in the Third Schedule to this my Will. I give and devise unto my daughter the said Mary Pimlett Newall absolutely first all that the land on the Eastern Side of the Factories in Rilshaw Lane aforesaid now in the occupation of Messrs Proctor of Congleton and secondly all that the land lying between the said factories and the factory now in the occupation of Messers Bradburys (Winsford) Limited such land to be sold to the purchasers of the said factories at a fair price if it is necessary for them to have the same. I give and devise unto my friend the said William Pimlett absolutely first all that the middle back bedroom of my house which room is over his room. Secondly all that the passage in the cellar running directly under his own front passage as far as the same goes and equal to the width above as near as may be I give devise bequeath and appoint all the rest residue and remainder of my property whatsoever both real and personal unto my Trustees upon trust that they shall sell and convert the same unto money as so on as may be after my decease and after payment thereout of my debts funeral and Testamentary expenses upon trust to divide the net proceeds of sale and conversion between my three children absolutely in the following shares or proportions namely to my said daughter Mary Pimlett Newall forty per cent thereof to my said son John William Newall thirty per cent thereof and to my said son Cleopas George Newall thirty per cent thereof provided always and I hereby declare that my said son John William Newall has already had the sum of five hundred pounds for his establishment in life and this sum shall be brought into hotchpot by him and accounted for accordingly and my Trustees shall have power in their absolute discretion to postpone the sale calling in or conversion of any part of my residuary estate. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of April, One Thousand Nine Hundred and Twenty One.
The First Schedule Referred to:
All household linen, bedding, curtains of all kinds, all goods in kitchen except three pictures over piano.
Large Front Sitting Room
Overmantel, two oak framed pictures namely one child and rabbits and one tabernacle picture. Two pictures "coloured stags". Plant and pot in window.
Small Front Sitting Room
Two leather seated oak chairs and octagon bamboo table. Picture of "Bobbie Burns" and "Highland Mary". Red skin rug.
Hall
Black oak hall stand and oak hall chair. Barometer. Two pictures "Figures of Ladies Head". Large plant pot in vestibule. All in pantry and scullery combined.
Cellar
Wringing machine and washing utensils
Bathroom
Sampler picture and towel rail
Small Front Room
Picture over head of bed. Carpet at foot of bed and small mats.
Best Bed Room
Oak bedstead, wire mattress, hair mattress, feather bed complete. Oak curb. Oak framed picture over bed together with one on landing to make pair. All in bedroom over kitchen. Half stair rods and half carpets.
Attic
Flour mill bedstead, wire mattress. All goods in locked coal house, Some books to be selected.
The Second Schedule Referred to:
Best bedroom suite consisting of:- wardrobe, dressing chest, wash stand, pedestal. Two cane seated bedroom chairs. All pictures in same room excepting oak framed picture over bed.
Chocolate coloured bedstead, wire mattress and bed in back bedroom.
Dining table in large front sitting room.
Organ and stool in large front sitting room.
Oak overmantel in small front sitting room.
Mahogany table in hall.
Large oak bracket in hall.
One oak bracket in large sitting room.
One curtain pole.
One large oil painting.
One oak framed picture in hall.
One bedroom clock.
Bamboo table in landing.
10 pictures to be selected. Some books to be selected.
The Third Schedule Referred to:
Small front bedroom suite consisting of wardrobe, dressing chest, was stand, pedestal. Two cane seated bedroom chairs. Small table, two bedroom chairs with velvet seats.
All pictures in small bedroom except one photo picture over bed.
Green bedstead, wire mattress, bed complete.
Overmantel in best front bedroom.
Oak sideboard in large front sitting room.
Oak suite in large front sitting room.
Americall small table in large front sitting room.
One oak bracket and oak bracket with photo in large front sitting room.
Oak table in small front sitting room.
One curtain pole.
One bedroom clock.
One large oil painting.
One oak framed picture in hall.
Bathroom table and chair.
All tools as promised.
10 pictures to be selected.
Half stair carpets and rods.
Some books to be selected.
W.G. Newall
Signed by the Testator the said William George Newall as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us both present at the same time who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses:
R.S. Rigby, Solicitor, Winsford
H. E. Eaton, Clerk to H.P. & R.S. Rigby, Solicitors, Winsford
I William George Newall hereby write a codicil to my will of the seventh of April, 1921. There is a 6ft brown oak dresser forgotten to be put in my Will of the 7th April. This I want reserved for my writings and papers after I am gone to keep them in till required for their special purposes. I then wish to give and bequeath it to Martha Mabel Pimlett of the next door as a memento to her of special regard. Then there is a perfecturn cooker in the cellar quite new with two oak pillars for jambs to it also a costly well grate complete with hearth and oak pillars in hall above for pillars if needed pedestal slopstone gully 4 riddles watering can timber bricks at both sides spouts paint and brushes wheat, oats and barley. Two bedroom chairs, brown jugs for Pollie in large front parlour. Small window pole in small front parlour, father's watch for Pollie, small gas stove for Pollie, green shed for Pollie. Hens for George and curb (unfinished). Wheelbarrow for John. Linoleums, new lamps for Pollie. In case of any oak … & …… or board end, John can take what he likes of them leaving the remainder to Pollie for firewood together with three iron window frames and two lined windows at the bottom end of some place and a few iron bars and flat iron or otherwise to be sold all the temporary fences which I have put up can be sold or what not. The work bench for George. The roneo? from actons for whatever wanted.
W.G. Newall
Signed by the Testator the said William George Newall as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us both present at the same time who in his presence at his request in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses:
Ronald Edgar Armstrong, 65 Liscard Rd., Wallasey, Cheshire
Owen Alfred Atherton, 12 School Road, Winsford, Cheshire
On the 25th August, 1921, Probate of this Will and Codicil was granted at Chester to John William Newall, Cleopas George Newall and William Pimlett the Executors.
Charles must have taken over his father's business as Undertaker, because he carried out the funeral of William Newall born circa 1827 who died in 1913.
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b: Abt. 1851
