REYNOLDS PARK LODGE Woolton Hill Road (continued):

Owners and Occupiers:

Before 1841 we cannot say who lived in this lodge, but it was there on Bennison's map of 1835 when Mrs Topham was living in Dennison's house and was part of this estate. It passed to Dennison c.1840, to Thornely in 1885 and in 1887 to the Copes and to Sir James Reynolds in 1907.

Using the census material we have tried to place people in the lodge but these names have not yet been confirmed from any other source. We suggest that John Bennett, age 30 an agricultural labourer, born in Wavertree, was living here in 1841. Ten years later in 1851 we think the occupier was John Smith, 41, labourer, born in Ireland with his wife Martha, 31, born in Wavertree, Caroline their daughter of 9 also born in Wavertree and a 'visitor' Henry Sweatman age 1 who had been born in Liverpool.

In 1861 it seems fairly clear that John Parr 30, an agricultural labourer, born in Wavertree was living here with his wife Mary 29, born in Allerton and their 2 children - Charles 3 born in M.W. and Elizabeth 10 months born in L.W. By 1871 we suggest the occupier was John Storer 30 born in Lincoln and a coachman. He had a wife Ann 32 born in Plumley, Cheshire and 3 children - the youngest Henrietta 3 weeks old born in L.W. The occupier in 1881 was John Johnson 42, born in Walton, a domestic servant, living with his wife Mary 40 born in Ormskirk and 10 children, the eldest 21 born in Waterloo and the 6 youngest, ages 9 to 1 week, born in Woolton. This family were there until 1887, R.V. £6 15s 0d, in 1888 Mrs Elise Cope, whose husband had died the previous year, had the lodge rebuilt and, curiously, the R.V. only rose to £7.

From 1889 to 1907 Thomas Carling a gardener lived here and from that date through to 1936 George Lowe, gardener was the occupier.

continued . . .