Weaste Cemetery

Biographies of people buried between 1870 & 79

William Davies (1831 - 1876)


 William Davies was a Warehouseman then Salesman and was also Teacher and then Superintendent at Christ Church Sunday School in Hope Street Salford for 26 years.


He was born on 30th September 1831 in Ashton-upon-Mersey, Cheshire and baptised on 13th November 1831 at St Martin's Church, Ashton-upon-Mersey. His father was John Davies (born 1800 in Ashton-upon-Mersey) who was a Farmer (and in 1861 described as a Farmer of 30 acres employing two Labourers). His mother was Ann Davies (born 1803 in Stretford, near Manchester). William had four siblings all born in Ashton-upon-Mersey: Joseph (born 1837), Elizabeth (born 1841), John (born 1843) and Sarah Ann (born 1845). In 1841 their address was Ashton-upon-Mersey, Cheshire.


In 1851 the family address was Old Hall, Ashton-upon-Mersey. Although William was not present, it is assumed he was living in Salford since he was a Sunday School Teacher for 26 years, indicating he arrived in Salford in 1850. In 1861 the family was living at March Lane, Ashton-upon-Mersey. However, William was a Boarder at the home of the Christie family, at Molaire Terrace, Broughton, Salford. He was aged 28, single and a Manchester Warehouseman.


Later that year, on 14th September 1861, William married Anne Downes at St Mary the Virgin Church, Lymm, Cheshire. Anne was born in Lymm in 1822, although baptised at St Stephen's Church, Salford on 20th July 1822. She was the daughter of John Farminton Downes and Anne Downes of Lymm. In 1861, 37-year-old Ann lived at 37 Islington Street, Salford, where she was the Head and described as Fund Holder. Also in the house was her niece Mary A Downes aged 27 also a Fund Holder, and Ellen Broster aged 22, Servant, born in Cheshire. The 1871census reveals that William and Anne lived at Park Place, Salford. Also in the house was William's mother Ann Davies and Servant Ellen Broster, aged 34.


On 29th August 1876, William Davies died at Park Place aged only 44 and was buried at Weaste Cemetery, Salford, in Church of England plot B17 grave 15. The inscription reads "William Davies, for 26 years connected as Teacher and Superintendent with Christ Church Sunday School, Hope Street, Salford." The census of 1881 reveals that William's widow Anne lived at the home of her nephew Hubert M Downes, single, aged 23 and a Banker's Clerk, at 36 Murray Street, Broughton. Also in the house were Hubert's three, single sisters Annie E F Downes aged 19, Lucy F Downes aged 16 and Ethel F Downes aged 14, plus Servant Ellen Broster aged 43.


William's widow Anne died in October 1883 aged 60, at Broughton and was re-united with her husband at Weaste Cemetery on 2nd November 1883. Anne's faithful Servant Ellen Broster died in February 1886 aged 48 and was also buried in the same grave. Ellen was born in the third quarter of 1837 at Kingsley, near Frodsham, Cheshire. Her father was Charles Broster (born 1801 at Tarvin, Cheshire) and her mother was Ellen (nee Williamson) Broster (born 1801 at Frodsham). She was the youngest of four children. Ellen was Servant to Anne for over 25 years.