Weaste Cemetery

Biographies of people buried between 1880 & 89

Thomas Maxwell (1830 - 1883)

Thomas Maxwell was a Chandler by profession and was an ardent supporter of the temperance movement.

He was born in Manchester in 1830. He married Mary Morecroft (born 1832 in Pendleton) at Manchester Cathedral on 30th December 1849. The 1881 census reveals they were living at 42 Doddington Street, Salford with four children: Thomas (aged 21, Mechanic), Joseph (aged 20, Butcher), Mary E. (aged 17) and Emily (aged 11, Scholar).

The Salford Reporter of 15th September 1883 records the funeral of Thomas Maxwell, which took place on 1st September, as follows, "The remains of the late Mr Thomas Maxwell were interred (in Square 33 of the Dissenters portion) at Salford Cemetery. The funeral cortege was formed at the residence of the deceased. Preceding the hearse were the members and the committee of the Band of Hope in connection with the Tatton Street Temperance Society, of which the deceased was President. Then came the members of the Bee Hive Division of the Sons of Temperance and other friends to pay the final tribute of respect to their esteemed colleague. Then the hearse, followed by carriages containing the family of the deceased.

The funeral service was conducted by the Reverend William Knox, with Bro Till GC, officiating for the Sons of Temperance. The Band of Hope members sang several suitable hymns. The coffin, which was covered with wreaths of immortelles and other choice flowers, was of polished oak. On the inscription plate was a simple statement of the name and age (53) of the deceased. Mr E Simpson, 17 Cross Lane was entrusted with the funeral arrangements, which were admirably carried out.

A funeral sermon was preached on Sunday evening in the Tatton Street Temperance Hall by Mr E. Booth of Stockport, who referred at length to the twenty five years service Mr Maxwell had given to promoting the cause of temperance. The hall was crowded to its utmost capacity."