HIGHFIELD Owners and Occupiers (continued):

Henry Tate (1819-1899) was born in Chorley, son of the Rev. William Tate, Unitarian minister and school master. He came to Liverpool aged 13, lived with an older brother and after a 7 year apprenticeship became a master grocer. By 1855 he had 6 shops, these he sold 2 years later to enter the sugar refining business. By 1870 Tate had started building the Love Lane refinery and he later extended the business to London - building the Thames refinery primarily for sugar-cube making. The 1871 census shows Tate at Highfield with his wife Jane 52, 4 sons, 2 daughters, a grandson Ernest 4, his niece Jane Cattrace 15 'assistant housekeeper' and they had 5 servants - cook, waitress, housemaid, laundress and scullery maid (none local).

By 1881 the household had contracted and Mr & Mrs Tate had only 2 sons living with them. Later that year Tate moved to London, leaving his eldest son William Henry at Highfield. Henry Tate was appointed a Trustee of Gateacre Chapel in 1881. After his death in 1899, leaving nearly £1½m, William Henry took his place as Trustee. 14 of Tate's grandchildren were baptised in the Chapel to which he donated a stained glass window. In 1891 he was elected a Freeman of Liverpool and created a Baronet in 1898. His benefactions to London and Liverpool are too numerous to mention here -but let us remember, when the Tate gallery comes to the Albert Dock, that he made his fortune in Liverpool. William Henry Tate (after 1899 Bt) continued in residence here until c.1920 - becoming the owner in 1888.

In 1923 the Liverpool Babies Hospital was opened here and in 1924 'officially' opened by Queen Mary and allowed to add 'Royal' to its name. In 1927 Sir Alexander Bicket, Tate's son-in-law presented the house to Miss Margaret Beavan then Lord Mayor and the Tate family helped with funds. The Hospital was closed in 1957, Miss Ivy Rydall being the last matron.

The 1871 Auction particulars mention two cottages, but the 1871 census shows only 1 occupied by William Prest, 42 a gardener. In 1881 1 was occupied by William Poston, 30 born in Mossley Hill, a coachman with his wife and 3 children, the two eldest born in L.W. and the baby, 18 months, born in M.W. The other cottage was occupied by William Ewbank, gardener. The 1885 Rates Book lists these 2 cottages, each with R.V. £5. From 1891 the coachman is Ralph Warrier and the gardener George Haigh.

continued . . .