Rev. 28 April 1995, Gen. 334

 

GREAVES FAMILY OF MACCLESFIELD, CHESHIRE, ENGLAND

 

 

GENERATION 1

 

------ Greaves (1) married. Family tradition is that this family is descended from the Greaves family of Beeley.

The chart on the next page shows some of the descendants of this family. (R-1)

Children - Greaves

+2. George Greaves, b.c. 1695, m(1) Elizabeth Rosten, m(2) Elizabeth Lord, d. 1766.

+3. John Greaves, b.c. 1700, m. Margaret Wright, d.c. 1760.

 

GREAVES FAMILY OF MACCLESFIELD, CHESHIRE

 

 

 

 

 

GENERATION 2

 

CHILDREN OF ------ GREAVES (1)

George Greaves (2) was born about 1695 and died in 1766. He first married Elizabeth Rosten. He secondly married Elizabeth Lord. Both George and his brother John were butchers in Macclesfield, Cheshire, England. George's involvement with St. Michael's church shows that he, like the Greaves family of Beeley, was also 'a true son of the Church'. He was overseer for the poor, church warden, and served on the Church Council more than 20 years. He was also an alderman. For his lifetime he leased property from James Earl of Cholmonderley. (R-1)

Children - Greaves

4. William Greaves

5. Mary Greaves

6. Joe Greaves

7. Sarah Greaves

 

John Greaves (3) was born about 1700 and died about 1760. He married Margaret Wright. (R-1)

Children - Greaves

+8. George Greaves, m. Esther Newton.

9. John Greaves

+10. Robert Greaves, b. 1727, m(1) Mary Mills, c. 1745, m(2) Ann Burgess, 1761, d. 1798.

 

 

GENERATION 3

 

CHILDREN OF JOHN GREAVES (3) AND MARGARET WRIGHT

George Greaves (8) married Esther Newton. He was a shoemaker. (R-1)

Children - Greaves

11. Elizabeth Greaves, b. 1765, m. Robert Greaves, d. 1833. See #16 for descendants.

12. Peggy Greaves

13. Eliza Greaves

 

Robert Greaves (10) was born in 1727 and died in 1798. He was 18 years old when he married Mary Mills about 1745. They had seven children. He secondly married Ann Burgess in 1761, just 3 weeks after his first wife died. She also bore him seven children. Robert was a butcher, and he passed on his trade to his sons, who were all freemen and burgesses of Macclesfield, Cheshire. In 1787, Robert purchased the Bull's Head Inn at a cost of £1800 from Lord Cholmonderley. John Wesley visited Macclesfield (1747-1790). (R-1)

Children - Greaves, by Mary Mills

14. William Greaves

15. John Greaves

+16. Robert Greaves, b. 1750, m. Elizabeth Greaves, c. 1786, d. 1832.

17. Mills Greaves

18. Lydia Greaves

19. Mary Greaves

20. Temperence Greaves

Children - Greaves, by Ann Burgess

21. child

22. child

23. child

24. child

25. child

26. child

27. child

 

 

GENERATION 4

 

CHILDREN OF ROBERT GREAVES (10) AND MARY ------

Robert Greaves (16) was born in 1750 and died in 1832. He married Elizabeth Greaves (#11), his first cousin, about 1786, when he was 36. She was born in 1765 and died in 1833. Robert left the butcher's shop of his father and began an ironmonger's shop on Jordangate, Macclesfield. There he worked for over 40 years, being recorded as a burgess in 1804.

Later he retired to Barton upon Irwell (Manchester) as a yoeman farmer. He died there at his daughter Margaret's house, and the event was recorded in the Macclesfield Courier.

His portrait was painted and is included with this record. This is the earliest pictorial record in this Greaves family.

His eldest son Peter Greaves continued the ironmonger's shop. His son Robert had an iron foundry in Back Street (1817) and acquired land in Rainow (1821) to build a larger iron foundry.

He sent his two youngest sons, Ralph and John, to Macclesfield Grammar School in 1817. (R-1)

Children - Greaves

28. Peter Greaves

29. Charles Greaves, m. Eliza Handley (dau. of George Handley of Sutton, Macclesfield, the elder brother of Col. William Handley of the British Army in Trinidad.

30. Robert Greaves

31. Mary Ann Greaves

32. Elizabeth Greaves, m. David Cook, 1820. David and his brother Robert had moved from Studley, Worcs., to begin needle manufacture in Hathersage.

33. Margaret Greaves

+34. Ralph Greaves, b. 1802, m. Eliza Handley, d. 1856.

35. John Greaves

 

 

GENERATION 5

 

CHILDREN OF ROBERT GREAVES (16) AND ELIZABETH GREAVES

Ralph Greaves (34) was born in 1802 and died in 1856. He married Eliza Handley, the only daughter of William Handley, son of George Handley.. She was born in 1813 and died in 1853.

Ralph's life was strongly influenced by his family, both in his own marriage and business. His wife's uncle was Col. William Handley of the British Army in Trinidad, and partly because of him he inherited wealth from the Handley family. Each of his children was given the name Handley, and after Eliza's death, he himself took the name.

Ralph attended Macclesfield Grammar School. On leaving school he moved to Hathersage and worked with his brother-in-law David Cook in the manufacture of needles.

Ralph and Eliza lived in Hathersage for 20 years, and had eight children. His business was successful. Later, Ralph moved to Manchester and lived in Hulme until his death. He owned land in Manchester, including warehouses and two inns. These were held in trust for his family.

The Greaves family became joined to the Handley family in the early part of the 19th century. Both Ralph Greaves and his brother Charles married Handley daughters in the Prestbury Parish Church, Macclesfield. Yet the will of Col. William Handley caused many Greaves family members to take the name Handley.

Col. William Handley served with the British Army in Trinidad, West Indies. He retired in 1808 in Bristol. He had great wealth but no family and no immediate heir.

His eldest brother, William, had retired to Sutton, Macclesfield, and on his death left a family there. The eldest son, William, had an only daughter, and also a sister, both named Eliza. The other sister was Mary and the only brother Cornelius.

Col. William Handley died in 1812. In his will he provided an income for his nephews and nieces 'as shall be necessary for the purpose of placing out to any profession and [their]... maintenance, education and support.' Eventually the whole estate falls to the last surviving members 'conditionally, nevertheless, that such only child takes and bears the surname Handley.' (R-1)

Children - Greaves

+36. William Handley Greaves, b. 1830, m. Mary Burden, d. 1895.

+37. Ralph Handley Greaves, b. 1832, m. Mary Ann Harriet Bell Bond, 1856, d. 1876.

+38. Eliza Handley Greaves, b. 1834, m. George Edward Drinkwater, d. 1917.

39. Robert Handley Greaves, b. 1836, m. Jane Jauncey, 1873, d. 1889. The family moved to Wormhill, near Buxton, Derbyshire, in the 1860's. The year 1864/65 is recorded in the diary of Robert. This is the age of estensive travel. Robert visited all his brothers and sisters, which entailed journeys to London, Exeter, Worcester, and locally to Bakewell and Manchester. Robert was a devout man and bought several Christian books. He bought a house, 'The Hayes', in Bakewell. He had no children of his own.

40. Margaret Cornelia Handley Greaves, b. 1838, m. Thomas Holme Lawton, 1868, d.c. 1905.

41. Charles Marmaduke Handley Greaves, b. 1840, d. 1865. Even though he was among the youngest of the children, he was one of the first to leave Manchester. In Sept. 1863 he left England with his brother Willie bound for Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Willie returned to London in Sept. 1864 on 'The Flying Cloud' after a 75 day journey. Charlie joined as a private in the 9th company of military settlers in New Zealand. In Oct. 1865, they attacked the 'Pah' (native stockade) at Puke Maire, Hawks Bay. There Charlie died, never to claim his 40 acres. His picture is on the next page.

42. Llwyllen Handley Greaves, b. 1843, never married, d. 1899 (Bernithan Court, Llangarron). Buried at Marstow, nearby. She lived with her sister on the Welsh border. Her picture is on this page with Florry.

+43. John Handley Greaves, b. 1849, m(1) Lydia ------, m(2) Fanny ------, d. 1927.

 

 

 

 

 

WILLIAM HANDLEY GREAVES

 

1830-1895

 

of South Newington, Oxon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHARLES MARMADUKE HANDLEY GREAVES

 

1840-1865

 

of New Zealand

 

 

 

GENERATION 6

 

CHILDREN OF RALPH GREAVES (34) AND ELIZA HANDLEY

William Handley Greaves (36) was born in 1830 and died in 1895. After the death of their father, Ralph, William and the other family members gradually moved away from Hulme, Manchester. William married Mary Burden at the register office, Worcester. They lived first at Burton-on-Trent, then moved to Banbury and finally to South Newington, Oxfordshire. William's picture is on the preceding page. (R-1)

Children - Greaves

44. John ("Brutus") Greaves; emigrated to the U.S.

 

Ralph Handley Greaves (37) was born in 1832 at Hathersage, and died in 1876. He took up a career with the Royal Navy as a ship's engineer. Leaving home before his father's death, he was stationed at Devonport near Plymouth.

He met Mary Ann Harriet Bell Bond, daughter of Capt. John Bond, R.N., and they were married in 1856 at Plymouth. After 10 years they moved to London where Ralph continued at the Naval Dockyards. They lived at Old Ford, near Stepney.

When Ralph died, Mary Ann could not care for the whole family. Her brother-in-law, Robert Greaves, offered to take care of one son. The eldest was 16 and his brother 11. It was decided to take Robert, the younger, since his need was greater due to his age. (R-1)

Children - Handley

45. Cornelia Handley, m. Tom Leonard. 9 children.

46. Ralph Handley

47. Florence Handley

+48. Robert Bond Handley, b. 1865, m. Mary Helen Turner, 1888, d. 1924.

49. Eliza Handley

50. Alice Handley

51. Rachel Handley

52. Harriett Handley

 

Eliza Handley Greaves (38) was born in 1834 (before Queen Victoria was crowned) and died in 1917 (with the Great War still raging). She was the eldest daughter of Ralph Greaves of Hathersage. After her mother died, she took on the maternal responsibilities for her sister Llwyllen and brother John. On her father's death she was made executrix and trustee for the infant children.

Eliza married in mid-life to George Edward Drinkwater, and went to live at Bernithan Court, Llangarron, near Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire.

In later life, Eliza's nephew took her to the house where she was born. It had changed beyond recognition. (R-1)

 

Children - Drinkwater

53. Edward Drinkwater, m. Madge Hooper. She had been orphaned, and was brought up at Bernithan Court.

 

Margaret Cornelia Handley Greaves (40) was born in 1838 and died about 1905. She was the first in the Greaves family to be named Cornelia. Her great uncle, Cornelius Handley, may have inspired the name. She married Thomas Holme Lawton of Moss Side, Manchester, in 1868. He was an umbrella company manager. The Lawtons lived in Manchester and had 7 children. (R-1)

Children - Lawton

54. Cornelia Florence ("Florry") Lawton, m. Dr. Charles ("Wallie") Evans. They lived in Bakewell.

55. child

56. child

57. child

58. child

59. child

60. child

 

 

John Handley Greaves (43) was born in 1849 and died in 1927. He was his parents' youngest child, and was born in the family's last years at Hathersage. He was brought up largely by his sister Eliza, and was nearer in age to his nephew Robert than to his brother Ralph.

John first married Lydia ------. She died in 1901. He secondly married Fanny ------. The family lived near sister Eliza, at a cottage called 'Panbrook', Llangarron. The cottage was a country idyll, set in a field of meadow grass, with a stream which made music as it flowed.

John outlived all his family, and died at age 78. The trust that held his father's estate was brought to a final settlement in 1929 and the legacy divided. (R-1)

Children - Greaves, by Fanny ------

61. Dorothy Greaves

+62. Margaret Greaves, m. ------ Scudamore.

 

 

GENERATION 7

 

CHILDREN OF RALPH HANDLEY (37) AND MARY A. H. B. BOND

Dr. Robert Bond Greaves (48) was born in 1865 at Devonport, Plymouth, and died in 1924. In the first year of his life his parents moved to Old Ford, near Stepney, London. Robert grew up 'in the sound of Bow bells' and despite spending his latter years in the north of England, he retained his southern accent.

When his father died, Robert was only eleven years old. He went to live with his uncle Robert Handley Greaves and aunt Jenny at 'The Heyes', Bakewell. His uncle gave him new clothes and a pair of button boots. He sent Robert away as a boarder at Bromsgrove School, Worcestershire. Robert related the story that he was made so self-conscious by the button boots that he was too embarassed to go out and play with his schoolmates after lessons. Instead he stayed in the classroom reading, which improved his studies and gave him a love of both science and poetry which lasted a lifetime.

On leaving school he took up a career as a pharmacist in Sheffield, working for Mr. John Turner who had a chemist's shop on The Moor. He married Mary Helen Turner, only daughter of John Turner, in 1888. She was born in 1866 and died in 1944. They lived at 77 Netheredge Rd., and Robert continued as a pharmacist. However, Helen suffered illness in pregnancy and their baby miscarried. Robert believed better medical advice could have saved their child, and resolved to study to be a doctor.

He studied at the Newcastle-upon-Tyne medical school, at that time part of Durham University. For two years he lived in Newcastle with his wife and two sons. He gained the Galen Medal and graduated.

Returning to Sheffield, the family lived at 163 Cemetery Rd. Robert then built a house complete with surgery at Sharrow Head and named it Galen House.

He wrote two books of his own poetry. The first Lays by the Way, 1920, included verses which sang of the Derbyshire Dales, and was followed in 1923 by Lays and Lyrics.

Robert was a faithful believer, and even as he lay dying his last words were, 'have mercy upon me, sweet Jesus.' His Saviour's name was on his lips. A photo taken in 1895 appears with this writeup. (R-1)

Children - Greaves

+63. Robert Handley Greaves, b. 1896, m. Jessie Kendall, 1925, d. 1959.

+64. Cyril Handley Greaves, b. 1897, m. Gwendolen Sissons, 1929, d. 1985.

+65. Cornelia Helen Greaves, b. 1900, m. William Atkinson Kendall, 1924, d. 1988.

+66. Muriel Greaves, b. 1904, never married.

+67. Rachel Greaves, b. 1908, never married.

 

CHILDREN OF JOHN H. GREAVES (43) AND FANNY ------

Margaret Greaves (62) married ------ Scudamore. (R-1)

Children - Scudamore

68. Michael Scudamore, m. ------. He won the Grand National in 1959. His son, Peter Scudamore is also a champion National Hunt jockey.

 

 

SOME DESCENDANTS OF ROBERT BOND GREAVES

 

 

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