ELEVENTH GENERATION

G22. William George COLCHESTER of Liverpool was born on 14 Jul 1783 in St Peter Ipswich. He was christened on 14 Jul 1783 in Saint Peter, Ipswich, Suffolk, England. He died on 8 Aug 1853. He was the owner of his cousins windmill after his father died in 1826. I am not sure whether this was just as a trustee, or as an outright owner. In that year he subscribed to a book of poetry by Eliza Acton and bought 4 copies - presumably he knew her.

He was a tallow merchant and Russia Broker in London and later Liverpool He founded the firm which started was listed as Colchester and Nephew between 1845-1855. This later became Colchesters and Woolner.

Marion Moffat has a silver salver presented to W.G.C. by Joseph Tyson 1852 - bearing the Colchester Arms (actually those of the Gloucester Colchesters from whom he thought he was descended).

It was William who sold the christening napkin to the Victoria and Albert museum. Between 1845-1855 the family business was called Colchester and Nephew, and a William George Colchester was listed in the Directories at 2 Beaufort Terace, Seacombe although he does not show up on the 1851 census at that address.

In a Slaters 1850 directory Colchester & nephew, brokers, were listed at 5 Exchange Buidling, Liverpool.

His will exists, which is very long. His household goods were left to his wife Catherine Ann Colchester, who was appointed executor along with Frank Brown and John Tyson, both of of Liverpool. Catherine was given a life interest in the estate, or else until she remarried. Francis and Rhoda Penny of Seacombe, who were probably in-laws, were left £50 each. His son, William George Colchester, was to inherit two thirds of the estate and his stepson Douglas George Maxwell, one third.

However, William junior died before he reached age 21, and consequently did not inherit. As yet, I do not know what happened to the stepson, who may have inherited all of the estate.

Others mentioned in the will who might have received a share were: Ann Colchester daughter of his brother Benjamin Colchester, Mary Colchester daughter of Charles Cornwell, and Jane Colchester, Augusta Colchester, Henry Colchester, children of his deceased brother Henry Colchester.

He was married to Catherine Anne PENNY in 1848, Wirral. Catherine Anne PENNY died on 2 Mar 1861 in West Derby, Liverpool. At the time of her marriage she was called Maxwell, as she had previously married a Thomas Maxwell, who presumably died, with whom she had a son Douglas George Maxwell. The death certificate for a Catherine Colchester gives that she died at Laurel Road, (no number) West Derby, in Toxteth.

Children of William George of Liverpool COLCHESTER and Catherine Anne PENNY were:

G33 i. William George COLCHESTER died in 1867 in No issue. He was born third quarter 1849 in Wirrall. He never inherited his fathers estate, as he died before he reached age 21.