JOHN SUTTON of REEDS FARM

The entry for the christening for John Sutton, recorded in 1787 by Edward Newton the Curate, simply reads:

John Sutton S of John and Sarah….Augth 6

From his birth in 1787 nothing is known about John’s formative years. His first appearance is the record of his marriage in Bidston Parish Church on 18th October 1808. The entry in the parish records reads:

John Sutton of the parish, Servant, married Elizabeth Clark spinster, of the is parish. By banns at Bidston. Witnesses Daniel Robinson and Thomas Wilson . Ceremony performed by William Shewel, Minister.

Note: Daniel Robinson is the bother of Mary Walton (nee Robinson) 3rd wife of James and mother to Sarah who in turn is John of Reeds Farm mother . Daniel was also present at the baptism of Sarah and her sister Ellen. It would appear that Daniel may be acting as a stand-in given that Sarah's father died in 1767. Thomas Wilson was the Best Man, born in Bidston in 1796 and is listed on the 1851 census as an Agricultural Labourer.

Using the information extracted from various entries in the Bidston Parish records we get a fleeting glimpse into the early life of John and Elizabeth.

The birth of their children are recorded as follows:

27 August 1809 - John son of John and Elizabeth Sutton of Moreton

10 November 1811 - Joseph son of John and Elizabeth Sutton of Moreton

25 July 1814 - James Sutton son of John, Labourer and Elizabeth Sutton of Moreton

29 December 1816 - Margaret daughter of John, Labourer and Elizabeth Sutton of Moreton

At this point I feel that reference should be made to the marriage of Margaret Sutton to James Stanley in 1838. It is noted in the parish register that Margaret was born in Reeds House, Morton. This snippet helps us place the family as early as 1816.

This photograph of Reeds Farm, Leasowe was taken circa 1900 and I am sad to say that the building has since been demolished. It stood where Farmside is now just off Birkett Avenue.

2 August 1820 - William and Emma Sutton, St. Peter Parish Church, Liverpool

10 October 1824 – Sarah and Maria Sutton, twin daughters of John, Labourer and Elizabeth Sutton of Moreton

The Land tax records for Moreton – cum – Lingham suggest that John Sutton took over the management Reeds Farm in 1824 from William Pendleton. Henry Youds owned the land. In 1824, John paid £0.11.10 in land tax for 15 acres that came with the farm. Managing 27 acres in 1830 cost John £1.5.0 in tax. It appears from the records that in 1831, Henry sold 14 acres of land to the Vyner Estate, however overall management remained with John. So it appears that John took what must have been a gamble in 1824 to move from being a farm labourer to tenant and that gamble paid off, because, as we will see he became a successful and influential farmer. The 1851 census return notes that John is a farmer of 60 acres and by 1861 he had more than doubled his acreage to 160 acres.

The next event of note is the marriage of this eldest son John (of Gt Meolse) to Mary Croft at the Holy Trinity Church, West Kirby in 1832.

The Tithe records for this period of time provides an excellent insight to the type of farming John and his family where involved in.

Plot Ref	Premises	Land Use	Acres	Roods	Perches
81	Pasture	Pasture	5	2	17
159	Half of Pasture Meadow	Pasture	3	3	26
178		Pasture	7	1	29
179	House Buildings Yard and Garden	Building and Garden	1	0	9
180	Plantation	Woodland	0	0	23
182		Potatoes and Turnips	5	0	12
183		Pasture	6	3	34
184		Oats	4	3	18
185		Clover	5	0	12
186		Wheat and Turnips	4	0	7
187		Wheat	3	2	19
188		Potatoes	3	3	6
190		Pasture	16	3	35
191			11	0	9
192		Pasture	9	3	5
196	Inclosure Adjoining Reeds Lane	Arable	0	2	8
197	Cottage and Garden	Building and garden	0	2	26
Owner: Robert Vyner, Occupier: John Sutton, Township: Moreton, Parish: Bidston.

Following the marriage of John and Mary Croft the family ran into a period of trauma. On 4th July 1835 James, died aged 21. This event was closely followed by the death of his mother on 17 October 1835 aged 47 years. To date I have little information about the origins of Elizabeth Clark. I know that Elizabeth was born in Moreton in 1788, the youngest daughter of John and Amy (nee Williams) and was buried on 17 October 1835 in Bidston PC.

Tithe list for Moreton 1/9/1838 Field No Owner Tenant / occupier Field Name Use Acreage £ s d 61 Robert Vyner Esq John Sutton Pasture Pasture 3 2 17 159 Half a pasture meadow Pasture 3 3 26 196 Inclosure adjoining Reeds Lane Arable 2 6 197 Cottage and garden 2 26 10 2 37 178 Robert Vyner Esq John Sutton Pasture 7 1 29 179 House, buildings, yard, garden 1 9 180 Plantation 23 182 Potatoes & turnips 5 12 183 Pasture 6 3 34 184 Oats 4 3 12 185 Clover 5 12 186 Wheat & Turnips 4 7 187 Wheat 3 12 19 188 Potatoes 3 3 6 190 Pasture 16 3 35 191} Pasture {11 9 192} Pasture {9 3 5 79 3 18

On the 11th April, 1839 Margaret married James Stanley in St. Oswald Parish Church, Bidston.

John married Mary Ann before 1841 but I cannot locate the marriage information.

1841 Census - Moreton HO107/126/3 P7

Name	Age & Sex		Profession, Trade or Employment
	M	F
John	50		Farmer
Mary		50
William	20
Emma		20
Sarah		15
Maria		15

Christmas of 1843 again saw trade strike in the Sutton household with passing of Maria on Christmas day. The family attended St Oswolds Parish Church on 27 December 1843 to bury Maria.

In 1846 the family again returned to St Oswolds to witness the marriage of the youngest daughter Sarah to William Hazelhurst (b 1823, Neston) Sarah and William had 9 children.

1851 Census - Moreton HO107/2174/190 P84 - Entry 41: Fender Lane

Name Relationship Condition Age & Sex Profession, Trade or Employment Where Born M F John Sutton Head Marr 63 Farmer 60 acres 2 Lab Wallasey Mary Sutton Wife   53 Farmers Wife Bidston William Sutton Son UnMarr 30 Farmers son Bidston Richard Brown Servant Unmarr 17 Farm Servant Liverpool Edward Davies Servant UnMarr 22 Farm Servant Bidston Richard Smith Servant UnMarr 19 Farm Servant Bidston William Smith Servant UnMarr 17 Farm Servant Bidston Henry Smith Servant UnMarr 12 Farm Servant Bidston Mary Jones Servant UnMarr 25 House Maid Wales Mary Davies Servant UnMarr 17 Dairy Maid Bidston

1861 Census - Moreton RG93658 P10 Moreton- Entry 44: Reeds Farm

Name	Relationship	Condition	Age & Sex		Profession, Trade or Employment	Where Born
			M	F
John Sutton	Head	Marr	73		Farmer 130 acres employing 4 men and 2 boys	Liscard
Mary Sutton	Wife	Marr		63	Farmers Wife	Bidston
Richard Brown	Servant	Unmarr	27		Cowman	Liverpool
Mary Dodd	Servant	UnMarr		12	House Servant	Wallasey
Mary Edwards	Servant	UnMarr		15	House Servant	Moreton

William (later of Leasowe Side Farm) married Jane Hardman daughter or John and Ellen in 1854

Joseph married Emma Clarke, daughter of Thomes Clarke, on the 4 November 1855 in Our Lady and St. Nicholas Parish Church, Liverpool. Emma was a widow. Emma Potter, with children, when she married Joseph. By 1851, Joseph had his own 16 acre Fender Farm, Moreton, which he built up to an eighty acre farm.

Aged 74 years and 8 months John Sutton of Reeds Farms died on 2 May 1862 in his home. Buried in St Oswalds Church 3 days later sees the passing of the father of a farming destiny which was to have a far reaching influence in the Wirral area for more than 100 years.

Regarding the name of the stream called by Mortimer "Birkin" and by later writers "The Birket".

There has been considerable amount of controversy; it has been ascertained by some that the name Birket was invented by Ordnance Survey (OS). So far fro being a fact, the stream was called on the one inch map N.E. dated 1839 "the Main Fender" but in a subsequent edition in 1872, the stream in named the Birket.

On enquiring with the Director General of the OS he informs me that the name Birket was given to the stream flowing from West Kirby to Wallasey, on the authority of Rev WC GRAHAM of Bidston; Mr SUTTON of REEDS FARM and of Mortimer's History previously mentioned.

Furthermore, the name was again authorised by Mr Peter STEPHEN of Mollingham, who wrote - "The Birket was diverted when Wallasey Pool was made a dock in 1842 since which date if flows a straight cut into a culvert under Beauford Road".

Map at large scale

Reproduction of the last Will and testament of John Sutton of Reeds Farm, Moreton

This is the last Will and Testament of John Sutton of Moreton in the Parish of Bidston in the County of Chester Farmer made this eighth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty two. In the first place I direct /unreadable/ financial and testimonial expenses be paid and satisfied as soon as can be after my decease out of any money that I may have in the Bank or any other place for safe keeping. In the next place I give and bequest onto my dear Wife Mary Ann Sutton for her own absolute and benefit all the money that may be in my house at the time of my decease but not including securities. And I also give unto my said Wife absolutely all-household goods, furniture, plate, linen and cutlery but not my farming stock. I do hereby ratify and confirm two certain Deeds of Gift being dated respectively on or about the first day of March one thousand eight hundred and fifty nine by one of which deeds I did freely give and grant unto my son William Sutton certain valuable milk cows, horses and carts, geese and other articles and all of which said articles in pursuance of such deed been fully by me to said son William Sutton and have been since in his possession /unreadable/ as his own absolute property. And I do hereby will and decree that he is not to be disturbed in the possession thereof or of the stock or articles he may be in possession of at the time of my decease by any of my children. And by other of such Deeds of Gift I did freely and grant to my son Joseph Sutton who for some time who has managed my farming /unreadable/ for me certain other valuable milk cows, horses, geese and other articles there and now being in and upon my present farm outside of Moreton aforesaid known by the name of “Reads Farm” and /unreadable/ I occupy as yearly tenant under Robert Vyner Esquire. And I declare that my said son Joseph is not to be disturbed in his possession thereof by any of my children. And I give to my said son Joseph for his own and absolute use all other of my farming stock both alive and dead and growing and other crops which at the time of my decease shall be on or upon the said farm and promises he paying any rent due or accruing due . And my will and desire is that my said son Joseph shall be my successor in said farm and premises. In the next place I give and bequeath unto my Trustees and Executors hereafter named the sum of one thousand pounds now standing in my name with /unreadable/ Hepwood and Son and Company Bankers, Liverpool or whosesoever the sum may be invested at the time of my decease with the full power and authority to my trustees and Executors to invest upon the board of the Corporation of Liverpool or the Mersey Docks and Harbours Board or on mortgage of freehold estates of England and that the income thereof may be improved but without diminishing the principle and to pay the interest and annual income thereof from the day of my decease from time to time as often as the sum shall be received unto the hands of my said Wife during her life and the proportion paid until the day of her death and at her decease upon further /unreadable/ to pay and divide the aforesaid one thousand pounds plus interest that may be made from the day of her death unto and equally between my son John Sutton and three daughters, Margaret Stanley widow, Emma the wife of Joseph Edwards and Sarah the wife of William Hassall in equal shares and proportions, the shares of my married daughters I direct shall be paid to their own hands for their own sole and separate use independently of the control debts and influence of their husbands. I appoint my said Wife Executrix and my said sons William and Joseph Executors and trustees of this my Will and I give to them for their own use absolutely and equally and residue that there may be on my estate. And I hereby revoke all former and other Will or Wills by me at any here afore made I published and I declare to be this to be my last Will and Testament.

In witness whereof I the said John Sutton have hereunto set my hand the day and year first before written _______ John his X mark Sutton. Signed by the said John Sutton the testator as for as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us present, present at the same time have at his bequest in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribe our names as witnesses, the same having been first carefully read over and explained to him, and the words “be paying any rent that may be due or accruing due” and “my said wife Executrix and” being first underlined____________ Richard Brown, aforesaid Overseer of Bidston-cum-Ford, ___________ Edward Jackson Kent, Solicitor, Liverpool.

On the 14th day of November 1862, the Will of John Sutton late of Moreton in the parish of Bidston in the County of Chester, Farmer deceased was proved by the oaths of Mary Ann Sutton, Widow of the Relict and William Sutton and Joseph Sutton the sons of the said deceased the Executors named in the said Will having beeN first sworn duty to administer.

Effects under £2000, No leaseholder Testator died 5th October 1862 Signature unreadable Solicitor, Liverpool

Charles Parry District Register His Signature