Weaste Cemetery

Biographies of people buried between 1890 & 99

Richard Elliott Mottram (1814 - 1895)


Richard Elliott Mottram was a Master Brewer and member of Salford Council for nearly 30 years.

 

He was born on 2nd June 1814 in Salford and baptised on 13th July at St. John's Church, Deansgate, Manchester. He was the son of John (a Master Brewer) and Mary Mottram of Salford. On 18th May 1836 he married Maria Bowe at Manchester Cathedral. Maria was the daughter of William Bowe, Machine maker and partner in the company Bowe, Jenkinson and Co at Blackfriars Bridge.

 

Their children were: Frances (born 1838, baptised on 1st November 1838 at the Chapelry of Christ, Salford and married John B. Rowcliffe at Manchester Cathedral in 1859), Mary (born 23rd October 1839 in Salford, baptised on 19th December 1839 at the Chapelry of Christ, Salford and died on 16th May 1887), John (born 8th September 1841 in Salford and died 10th October 1892), Charles (born 1845 and joined his father in the Brewing business), Lucy (born 1st August 1846, baptised on 13th December 1846 at St Stephen's Church and married Lewis F. Roberts at St Paul's Church Southport in 1893), Richard (born 15th October 1848, who became Mayor of Salford and was knighted), Elliot (born 1853) and Maria (born 1858 and married Rev William Cole at Christ Church, Salford 1889).

 

Richard Elliott Mottram worked for and then took over his father's Brewery in Brewery Street Salford. There is a tale that in 1831 a fermenting vessel exploded through a wall and showered the adjoining streets with beer!

 

He became a member of Salford Council in 1851 when he was elected for St. Stephen's Ward. In 1853, when Pendleton and Broughton joined Salford, he was re-elected and served until 9th November 1880, when failing health persuaded him to retire. From 1870 to 1879 Richard was Chair of Salford District Finance Committee and was elected Alderman in 1879. He was Liberal up to 1868 when in consequence of the Irish Church issue he went over to the Conservatives and remained. In religion he was Church of England. When he retired, he removed to Southport. His wife Maria died on 28th October 1888, age 71 and Richard died on 17th April 1895 in his 81st year.

 

The funeral of Richard Elliot Mottram took place on Saturday 20th April 1895. A special service was held at Christ Church, Acton Square, before the cortege proceeded to Weaste Cemetery, where Richard was interred in the family vault in plot A4 of the Church of England portion. The mourners included sons Charles and Richard, sons-in-law Mr J.B.Rowcliffe, Rev W. Cole and Mr L.F. Roberts; Mr E Mottram, Mr W. Mottram and other family members; Aldermen Dickens, Jenkins, Robinson, Keevney; Councillor T. Robinson, Mr S Brown (Town Clerk), Mr A Holmes (Assistant Town Clerk) and many friends. The graveside service was conducted by Rev. Fergus Hill, Rector of Christ Church.