JOHN SUTTON of GREAT MEOLSE

John Sutton of Great Meolse was the first born child of John and Elizabeth of Moreton later of Reeds Farm. His christening being recorded in the Parish records of St Oswalds Church, Bidston as taking place on 27 August 1809.

On the 25 July 1836 John along with his sister Margaret were witnesses to the marriage of John Potter and Emma Clark at St Nicholas' Church, Liverpool. Emma was left a widow following the death of John Potter (1852) and she subsequently married Joseph Sutton, John Sutton's younger brother.

John married Mary Croft at the Holy Trinity Church, Hoylake on 28 December 1840. Mary the daughter of Simon and Ellen Croft was christened on 31 March 1797 at West Kirby. Simon died in 1836 aged 70 years followed by his wife in 1849.

There is some circumstantial evidence that John worked on the construction of the Leasowe embankment in his early days before returning to farming. This transition back to farming would have been a natural process, having been brought up and worked on his father's farm.

The ceremony was witnessed by Michael Croft and Ellen Goodwin and both John and Mary signed their names in the Register.

Mary was about 40 years of age when she married John some 10 years younger. Given John's background he would appear to be an idea candidate to take over the management of the Clunie. It is difficult to say who would benefit the most, Mary finding someone to marry her at a later age or John who had a ready made business.

The 1830's Tithe Records indicate that Ellen Croft owned 8 acres of land and farmed an additional 45 acres including the massive 18 acre site known as "Taylor's Field,"owned by William Tristram Keightley.

The 1851 census for was taken on the night of 30 March 1851 and the John is recorded as the enumerator for his area. On this rare occasion I can state with a what my 2x Great Grandfather was doing that evening.

Mary who died on the 2nd May, 1869 in Great Meols and was buried on the 5th May 1869 in St Oswalds Parish Church, Bidston.

John later met Eliza Forrest (nee Craine) a widow born on 27 June 1832 on the Isle of Man (IOM). The 1841 census records Eliza living with her family on Kings Street, Douglas. 10 years later, now aged 17, Eliza is living with her widowed mother on the IOM and is profession is given as a 'Bonnet Maker.' By 1861 Eliza had married John Forrest and the couple had 2 children, John Allen (b1855) and Agnes (1859) both in Liverpool. John, a Scot by origin a Consulting Engineer born in 1827.

By 1871 Eliza and John were married.

John died on the 22 August 1888 in Hoylake, Wirral and was buried on the 25 August 1888 in St Oswald Parish Church, Bidston. Eliza remained at 5 Sea View and is resident in 1901 with her domestic servant Harriet Leak Reid of Chester.

Before we leave Great Meolse, we think we ought to refer to some of the rulers of 50 years ago. Amongst these the principals were, John Sutton, Nathaniel Dawson Price and Daniel Croft. These three men at this period were the influential leaders of the place. The most prominent undoubtedly was John Sutton.

John was considered the "King of Meolse" and in all cases of difficulty or doubt "John" was the one to whom the farmers looked too for advice, whilst he was ably supported by the others mentioned. John Sutton was tall, massive in build, and was the possessor of a good deal of intellectual ability. He was the parson's right hand at the Parish Church for he filled the office of Churchwarden on several occasions, and was most regular and attentive to his duties.

As Waywarden of his township he interested himself in the highways or public roads, seeing that they secured their proper share of repair from the Highway Board, and at meetings of this body, held at Hooton monthly, John was never conspicuous by his absence. On the contrary he was always present and his colleagues held him in esteem and valued his opinion on matters appertaining to the Board's work. For many years he served the office of Guardian of the Poor.

Here again his abilities came into recognition as in the case of the Highway Board, so was his attendance at the Board of Guardians, held at Clatterbridge. The poor had always a good friend in John Sutton! Another office he occupied was the Overseer of the Poor, and as there was no assistant overseer, the work fell to the Senior Overseer, and as that required clerical skill, this generally fell to his lot. Another important duty he discharged was that of representative on the Wallasey Embankment Commissioners, the overlooking of the Leasowe embankment being his special care. In his younger days "John" assisted in the construction of the Embankment and on completion took to farming, being one of the most successful farmers of the township, occupying the farm now the residence of Mr. John Price. [Clunie 1881 census]

He eventually retired and lived quietly in Hoylake for many years, respected and humoured by all who knew him. His only son, Mr. W.C. Sutton resides still in Great Meolse and follows in the lines of his father by giving his services to public work.

Hoylake Free Press 1914