1842
On the 23 February 1842 at Kings Newton, a son William was born to John MACKIE, and his wife Sarah nee WORRALL. He was later baptised as William Joseph but throughout his life he was known as Joseph, the name used in all later references to him. His parents were living in Kings Newton when the census was taken in 1841 [6 June], but only his older sister Caroline and brother James were mentioned then.
1851
When the census was taken in 1851 [30 Mar] he was living with his parents in Castle Donnington Road Kings Newton (a tiny village now virtually absorbed by Melbourne ). As there is really only one street in Kings Newton it is assumed that Castle Donnington Road was either what is now Main Street or an extension of it. Joseph is described as a scholar aged 9 yrs and four more children have been added to the family, Elizabeth 6, John 4, Thomas 2, and infant Sarah.
1855
He was baptised in Melbourne parish church on the 9th July 1855 with his brother and sister. It was quite common in those days for children to be baptised at an advanced age and at the time his parents address was still given as Kings Newton.
1861
When the census was taken in 1861 [7 April], Joseph's parents were still living in Kings Newton but only the two youngest children remained at home. Thomas 12 and Sarah 10 were both described as scholars. Joseph however had moved with his elder brother James to the Swadlincote area. He was lodging with Thomas REDFERN at 72 Gresley Lane Gresley Common, and is described as a bachelor and a clay labourer. Older brother James is lodging with Edward COLLIER at Kirkham Row, Church Gresley and described as a bachelor and Flarvel (Harvel) man at brickyard.
1862
On the 23rd of February 1862 at the age of 20 Joseph married Mary COLLIER at the Salem Chapel Station Street Burton on Trent, both his & her address was given as Church Gresley. Joseph was described as pot manufacturer and Mary as a servant. Her father was named as William COLLIER and the wedding was witnessed by John COLLIER and Jane BARNETT. Joseph signed the register but Mary made her mark. On the 28th of December 1861 the previous year, Mary had borne a son which she registered as Edwin ( she had a younger brother of that name). The childs father was not recorded and her address at that time was Kirkham Row Church Gresley. (At the time of the 1861 census, Joseph's older brother James was a lodger with an Edward COLLIER at the same address but as Mary's father was William, and COLLIER being a very common name, a connection is possible but not proven.
1863
A second son was born in Church Gresley and baptised John William on the 6th Dec 1863. Joseph described himself in the register as a collier!
1869
A daughter was born in Church Gresley in 1869 and baptised Annie Elizabeth. Between the birth of Annie and the third son, Joseph moved to Storrs near Loxley in Yorkshire. Loxley is now virtually a suburb of Sheffield but Storrs is still a tiny hamlet consisting of a Chapel a single shop and ten or a dozen cottages. Joseph's younger brother Thomas and family and his elder brother James also went to live there.
1871
At the time of the 1871 census [2 April] Joseph was living in Storrs with his wife and three children and described himself as a brick and pipe maker; elder brother James was his lodger. In 1871 Joseph's third son Joseph jun was born in Storrs. Note: The reason for Joseph's move to Storrs and his return to Woodville is open to conjecture. However, his subsequent life was very closely bound up with Wraggs and the cottages where he lived were referred to in the 1990’s by a 90+ year old life resident of Storrs as Wraggs cottages. According to this informant (Miss Mallinson) the cottages were financed from the compensation Wraggs received following the Sheffield flood when the Strines reservoir collapsed in 1863. Several brickworks were swept away and many workers killed. One can therefore assume that Joseph went to Storrs at the instigation of Wraggs (and probably at their expense) in order to work in their yard where refractory bricks were made for the steel industry. Whilst there he would have gained the knowledge which earned him (and his second son John) lifelong jobs with Wraggs and an obituary which credited him with involvement in the introduction of glazed sanitary pipes. (see later para for full newspaper obituary and his Will). It is not known when Joseph moved his family back to the Swadlincote area after 1871 but.......
1877
From The Burton Chronicle dated 25/1/1877: James Mackie & Thomas Mackie (& 5 Others) were charged by Wm PEGG gamekeeper to Sir John HARPUR CREWE bart.with trespassing in search of game at Ticknall on the 27th ult. All were from Kings Newton and were fined 10s and costs. This extract proves that Josephs brothers were back living in Kings Newton and not above poaching to fill the family pot.
From The Burton Chronicle 7/6/1877: To be sold by private treaty. About 2000 yds of land containing Marl, Fire clay & Bottle clay from 10 to 12 yds in thickness. For particulars apply to Joseph Mackie Church Gresley. This extract proves that Joseph had returned to the area and was now in a position of some responsibility.
1878
On April 4th 1878 the Burton Chronicle reported that plans had been passed for the erection of a cottage on lot 24 Granville Street for Joseph Mackie. This most probably became No 19 Granville Street as G Grandfather was subsequently granted permission to build a house and shop to adjoin his existing house and the shop became no.17 (see Chronicle report). The land on which Granville and surrounding streets were built was part of the estate sold off by Lord Granville and the houses were built under mortgages (a rare thing in those days) which lead to the area becoming known as "monkey island" because the residents had a monkey (mortgage) on their backs. The land on which Wraggs potteries stood had also been part of that estate where the Granville collieries were. Huge deposits of clay were found; and established potters like Wraggs moved in to create the industry which was to flourish for the next hundred years.
From The Burton Chronicle 25th July 1878: To be sold by auction all that newly erected messuage or dwelling house used as a beer house known by the name of Mushroom Hall now in the occupation of Joseph TOPLISS. It was bought by Brunt Bucknall & Co of Woodville and renamed The Cricketers. In 1990 the place was refurbished and the name changed back to the original Mushroom Hall. (the Joseph Topliss referred to above is confidently believed to be the one named in Joseph Mackie’s Will and who committed suicide in 1922.)
A fourth son Arthur was born at Pool Village Church Gresley on 13th Aug 1878. As the informant of the birth was Joseph's mother-in-law (Elizabeth COLLIER), it is possible that they had taken up temporary residence with her whilst waiting the completion of the house on Granville Street. (Pool Village now called Pool Street was in the same location as “Jack i th Holes” which lay next to the Granville Colliery).
On 29th Aug 1878 the Chronicle reported that "Within the past two years 60 houses have been built on the Granville Estate and 40 more are being built".
1881
By the time of the 1881 census [3 April] Joseph sen and family had taken up residence in Granville St Woodville. He had obviously improved his status in the intervening years as he described himself as a potter and his two eldest sons Edwin & John William aged 19 & 17 respectively as potters apprentices, whilst Annie aged 12 and Joseph jun aged 10 were described as scholars. Young Arthur had presuimably died as an infant. Joseph's youngest sister Sarah married a Joseph NEAL in Melbourn on 11/10/74, and it is obviously their daughter Ada aged 10 who is living with Joseph in 1891 (see census entry below), but on the 6th July 1879 a Sarah Mackie aged 30 of Swadlincote died. It has yet to be researched but it is just possible that this Sarah was Joseph's younger sister reported dead under her unmarried name but would have died two years befor Ada's birth. Comfirmation of Ada's birth will prove one way or the other. A look at this Sarah's death certificate would be interesting.
1883
On the 15th March 1883 the Chronicle reported that a Geo. HARRISON had been killed whilst working at Wraggs and that Thomas Mackie (Joseph's younger brother) gave evidence at the inquest.
1885
On the 27th Sept 1885 Joseph's eldest son Edwin married Ann WOODWARD, who had borne him a son Edwin (uncle Ted) some months previously.
1886
On 8th July 1886 The Chronicle reported: "A plan has been received from Mr Joseph Mackie for a house and shop adjoining his present house in Granville St. (Swadlincote Local Board)" It is confidently assumed that the present house referred to is now no 19 as the new attached house and shop became no 17. Note: If, as is supposed, that the building of the new house was in anticipation of the marriage of Joseph's second son John, who moved into no 19 when Joseph moved over to No 17, does this indicate a rift between Joseph and eldest son Edwin as early as 1886? In 1992 the author noticed that one house on Granville Street bears the name Loxley House, but this may not have a connection with great-grandfather Joseph as there were others who went to Loxley at the same time as he.
In 1886 Joseph's second son John married Constance Adeline COLCLOUGH, a spinster aged 20. He was described as a pipemaker and she as a dressmaker. John's father was described as a works manager and her father David Francis COLCLOUGH a potter of Swadlincote. Witnesses to the marriage were David Francis COLCLOUGH and Pamela Ann COLCLOUGH. Incidentally the following year Pamela Ann married Edward HULL, and John and Constance MACKIE were witnesses.
1887
[Kelly's Trade Directory for this year shows William Joseph MACKIE, shopkeeper, Granville Street.]
1891
In the census return for 1891 [5 April] my great-grandfather Joseph’s family appear thus, at Granville Street (undoubtedly No.17), Woodville:
Joseph MACKIE Head 48 Foreman Pipeworks. b Kings Newton
Mary Wife 52 b Leics
Annie Dau 22 b Gresley
Joseph Son 19 Grocers Apprentice b Loxley
Ada NEALE Niece 10 Scholar b Gresley
Joseph's eldest son Edwin (my grandfather) & his family appear thus,
at Adams Houses, Gresley & Newhall Path, Church Gresley:
Edward Collier MACKAY Head 32 Coalminer
b Gresley
Ann
Wife 25
b Hartshorn
E Wm
Son 6
b Gresley
Mary
Dau 4
b Swad
Emma
Dau 2
b Gresley
The apparent discrepancies are:
(1) EDWARD MACKAY rather than Edwin Mackie, a common enumerators error
(2) Edwin's age should be 30. This census entry was also the first
documentary evidence found of the existence of the oldest child whose name
was Edwin (Ted) but whose first initial is not clear on the census
form. These discrepancies can safely be discounted because of the combination
of the names Collier Mackie which are unique to Edwin and those of his
children
Joseph's second son John and family appears thus, at Granville Street,
Woodville (Undoubtedly No.19):
John MACKIE
Head 26 Sanitary Pipemaker
b Gresley
Constance
Wife 24
b Swad
May
Dau 3
b Swad
Eva
Dau 1
b Swad
The parents of Constance Adeline are living close by in Bernard St
and appear thus (but the child Constance should probably be grand-daughter
and not daughter as shown, because they already had an adult daughter of
that name and the mother Ann would have been aged 51 at the birth!), at
Bernard St, Woodville:
David Francis COLCLOUGH Head 56 Potter
b Gresley
Ann
Wife 59
b Overseal
Samuel H
Son 18 Potter
b Woodville
Constance
Dau 8
b Swad
Joseph's older brother James had also returned to the area. His young
wife's birthplace suggests he met her whilst in Loxley (at Church Gresley,
Common Side):
James MACKIE
Head 51 Labourer
b Kings Newton
Mary
Wife 31
b Selby Yorks
Frederick
Son 1
b Swad
1892
On the 4th August 1892 the Chronicle reported Robert Wragg was married and a present from the Employees was presented by Joseph Mackie.
1893
In 1893 Joseph Sen made a will (see copy). He described himself as a sanitary works inspector {perhaps his health was failing and son John had assumed the senior post). Joseph appointed his third son Joseph Jun of Granville Street and Joseph TOPLISS, Innkeeper of Mushroom Lane, Albert Village, as trustees. His eldest son Edwin was to receive only ten pounds, indicating quite clearly that whatever their differences, there had been no reconciliation. It is interesting to note that Joseph Junior was still living with his father at that time.
1895
In Bulmer's Trade directory for 1895 Joseph MACKIE is recorded as a shopkeeper in Granville Street. In view of his work before and after that date it is clear that this was a secondary interest run by his daughter Annie, who never married. According to Bulmer's she was still running it in 1912, and at the time of her death in 1923 whilst sharing no 17 with her brother John and his family. [Kelly's 1895 Trade Directory has a similar entry]
1898
William Joseph MACKIE died on the 3rd July 1898 aged 56. His death was reported by his second son John and the cause according to the death certificate was "Morbus Brightii" or Brights Disease. He was buried in St Stephen's Churchyard Woodville, but no trace of the grave or its location has been found. The burial was attended by members of the Wragg family and an interesting obituary appeared in the Chronicle.
Death...The Burton Chronicle 3/7/1898: "On the 2nd instant at Granville Street Swadlincote Joseph Mackie Manager of Sanitary Pipeworks aged 56".
Burial....The Burton Chronicle: "On Wednesday afternoon, the mortal remains of the late Mr Joseph Mackie of Woodville were intered in Woodville Churchyard. For many months the deceased was more or less an invalid but was only in bed for the last fortnight. Mr Mackie was closely involved with the formation and development of one of the staple industries of Swadlincote viz the sanitary pipe trade. Mr Mackie was connected with the earliest production of white fire bricks on land which was then practically covered by trees bracken etc. and which is now a seething mass of kilns furnaces etc. Deceased saw the rapid expansion of the business in the name of the firm Thos. Wragg & Sons for whom Mr Mackie worked for over thirty years as foreman over the yard & men. He leaves behind a family of sons and one daughter. Besides the family there were at the funeral, Mr R.B.Wragg of Wragg & Sons, Mr J. Topliss of Albert Village, T. Saddington, J. Lesser, J. Owen, Ashby, G. Hatton, Ashby, etc. A beautiful wreath was laid on the solid oak coffin (made by Mr W. Ward of Swadlincote) by deceased wife and children. Mr & Mrs Thornley, Boundary, "Lillie", Mr Robert Towle, Ashby. The late Mr Mackie was an Oddfellow member of Lord Nelson Lodge, Woodville. For several years he was in office and particularly treasurer for some years. Deceased was 56 yrs of age".
William Joseph Mackie was the author's great-grand father. He was clearly an extraordinarily capable man for his time, both literate and numerate despite his humble start. His obvious success would have required him to be a hard man in very hard times but it was surely due also to hard work and loyalty to the Wragg Pottery, attributes which no doubt contributed to his early death. The rift with his eldest son Edwin (the author's grandfather) remains something of a mystery. Talking to cousins descended from Edwin's first marriage in 1992 revealed some anecdotal evidence which is recorded in Edwin's biographic notes.
1899
Mary his wife died 9 months later on the 5th April 1899, aged 60, and was also buried at St Stephens, but again no trace of the grave can be found. Joseph left personal effects of 750 pounds, she left 188 pounds ten shillings, suggesting that that was in addition to his own estate which then went automatically to the children. Despite the costs of his and her funerals it seems unlikely that she could have spent nearly 600 pounds in the 9 months between their deaths. Perhaps she paid off an outstanding mortgage.
The Burton Chronicle of 6/4/1899 reported the death of Ethel Mackie aged 15 at Alexander Road, Church Gresley. No connection with the family has yet been established but she was most probably one of Josephs nieces.
William Joseph MACKIE's Will
This is the last will and testament of me Joseph McKie of Woodville in the County of Derby, Sanitary Works Inspector. Subject to the payment of all my just debts, funeral and testimony expenses, I GIVE DEVISE & BEQUEATH all and every my real and personal estate of whatever nature and kind soever and wherever situate to my son Joseph of Granville Street Woodville aforesaid and Joseph Toplis of Albert Village (Mushroom Lane in the county of Leics Innkeeper], their heirs executors and administrators and assignes UPON TRUST to hold the same upon the trusts following, that is to say UPON TRUST to allow my wife Mary to have the use of and enjoyment of the rents and profits of all my said real and personal estate during her natural life, and after her decease then UPON TRUST to sell and convert into money all my real and personal estate, either by public auction or private treaty in such time and in such manner as my said trustees should think fit and for such sum or sums of money as they may deem reasonable and then UPON FURTHER TRUST to hold the proceeds thereof (after deducting all costs charges and expenses attending the same and in carrying out the trusts of this my will). To pay to my son Edwin the sum of Ten pounds and to the rest residue and remainder thereof to pay unto and equally divide amongst my three children John Annie and my said son Joseph in equal shares and proportions to and for his her and their own seperate and absolute use and benefit. I APPOINT my said son Joseph and the said Joseph Topliss EXECUTORS and TRUSTEES of this my will and revoke all other wills by me heretofore made, and declare this writing to be my last will and testament IN WITNESS whereof I have to this will set my Hand this 9th Day of November One Thousand Eight Hundred and Ninety Three.
Joseph Mackie.
Signed and declared by the testator as and for his last will & testament in the presence of us both being present at the same time who at his bequest and in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereto subscribed our names as witnesses.
Walter Wilson Solicitor Burton on Trent W.E.A.Lloyd His clerk
Probate was granted to the executors on the 29th October 1898
Postscript
After his parents death, Joseph's second son John and his family moved from no 19 to no 17 Granville Street, where his sister Annie continued to run the shop. John's Daughter Hilda [interviewed several times in the 1990’s] recalled that rents were still being collected for the other houses. Hilda also recalled that her aunt Annie appeared to favour the family of her youngest brother Joseph Junior, as Hilda could not ever remember being given the smallest present such as a sweet, and that aunt Annie allowed the business to run down whilst she was taking care of young Joseph’s widow at 55 West Street, Swadlincote. Later, after Annie and John had died and the other daughters had left home, Edna Noreen married and lived with her mother Constance and unmarried sister Eva Yslette at no 17.
In Kelly’s directory for 1925 and 1936 Miss E Mackie is shown as shopkeeper at no 17 Granville Street. This was Eva Yslette, however by 1970 she, together with her sister Edna and brother in Law William Henry MILLER, are shown as living at no 19, having disposed of the five bedroomed house and shop at no 17.
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This transcript © 2001 Malcolm Collier Smith