ELIZABETH MARSHALL (NEE CROSS)

(1817-1906)

Elizabeth Marshall (nee Cross) was my 3^rd great grandmother. An obituary appeared in the Widnes Weekly News of 2^nd June 1906. Under the headline of ‘Death of Mrs. Marshall’ the following was reported:

“We regret to have to record the death of Mrs. Eliza Marshall, widow of the late Mr. Thomas Marshall, one of the pioneers of the boat(?) industry of Widnes, which took place at the residence of her son-in-law, Mr. J. Hosker Wilkinson of 53 Irwell Street, with whom she had resided for the last six years, on Sunday morning at the advanced age of 88 years.

“The deceased lady, who was a native of Northwich, was one of the old generation of Widnesians, having first made her acquaintance with the then picturesque village of Woodend in the year 1838, three years after her marriage, when she and her husband took up residence upon the Marsh. About half a decade later they returned to Northwich, remaining there until 1863, when Widnes again claimed them, their place of residence being Catherine Street, Newtown. After the lapse of a couple of years they removed to West Bank. At that time there were still but a few houses comprised within the area of the future chemical metropolis, and the one in Marsh Street, in which they took up their quarters was practically the first erected upon that estate.

“During her lengthy connection with the locality she had witnessed striking changes, and her reminiscences of the gradual growth of a great devastating industry in the midst of beautiful scenery, coupled with the gradual rise to prosperity of the new town and its subsequent decadence, proved an unfailing source of interest to all who were privileged to enjoy her acquaintance.

“Enthusiastic in religious matters, she was one of the pioneers of the Primitive Methodist cause in Widnes, and threw herself whole-heartedly into the work of establishing the existing highly successful circuit and the erection of the various edifices connected therewith, whilst her home was ever hospitably open for the entertainment of preachers, and for other purposes associated with the cause which she had at heart, many pleasant gatherings having taken place beneath her roof-tree.

“The internment took place on Wednesday afternoon in the presence of a large number of relatives and friends, a fifth generation of the family being represented. After a short service in the house, the cortege proceeded to Trinity Schools, where the funeral service was held. As the coffin was borne into the building Mr. H. Hosker Wilkinson (grandson) played Handel’s beautiful composition, “I know that my Redeemer liveth,” and whilst the party were filing out at the close the “Dead March in Saul” was rendered. The cortege then proceeded to Farnworth, where the last sad rites were gone through, the officiating minister being the Rev. S.G. Delafield. Amongst those present at the graveside were Captains J. Hosker Wilkinson (son-in-law); Captains Thomas, Henry and John Marshall, and Messrs. Thomas Marshall and H. Hosker Wilkinson (grandsons), J.H. Cooper and John Thompson (grandsons-in-law), Masters Willie Cooper (great grandson) and Richard Lee (great great grandson), Councillors J. Whitehead and D. Lewis; and Messrs. T. Aldley, J. Midwood, and William Cooper.

“Floral tributes were sent by Mr. and Mrs. J. Hosker Wilkinson and family, Mrs. William Marshall, Captain William Marshall and family, Fanny, Emily and Jack, Mr. and Mrs. E. Pye (Runcorn), Mrs. Hargreaves, Mr. and Mrs. A. Marshall, Mary, E. Annie, Thomas and Herbert, and Mr. and Mrs. T. Aldley.”

Ralph Crosby (1955- )