Wigan Album
CHURCH GATE
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Photo: Keith
Item #: 35592
Numbers (Photos) 1, 2, and 3.
CHURCH GATES. Labelled on early maps as CHURCH ALLEY, and once known usually as Church Gates Passage. It was described as the main entrance to the church.
Number 4.
SOLICITOR’S OFFICES, at the time of the photo (definitely before 1884 when the Moot Chambers were built) was occupied by WILLIAM STEPHEN FRANCE, who was also a descendant of a family that in the past had played an important part in the government of the town. In the 1871 Census his occupation is given as Attorney, Notary Public and Councillor. He was born in Wigan and in 1871 was aged 36, married and lived with his wife, 6 children and 3 Domestic Servants at 6 Swinley Lane.
Number 5.
A CONFECTIONER’S SHOP. This is at the other end of the passage to the Solicitor’s Offices and was a confectioner’s shop, the entrance to which was in the Market Place. The domestic portion extending to the grocer’s shop in the passage. This shop had been in the occupation of the ENTWISTLE family for over a century before it was pulled down. The mother of Miss HARRIOT MELLON, the celebrated actress, married into the Entwistle family, and Miss Mellon, who married Mr THOMAS COUTTS, the wealthy banker, of London, before becoming the Duchess of St Albans, lived for some time in her childhood, at the shop. (I have posted a photo previously of her on the Album, here’s the link
https://wiganworld.co.uk/album/photo.php opt=6&id=31412&gallery=Harriot+Mellon+of+Wigan.&page=1
Part of that posting read…”Harriot’s mother had been born in Ireland and had Harriot out of wedlock to a CAPTAIN MELLON. She married a Mr ENTWISTLE from Wigan who, apart from being a Violinist (Fiddler) had lived in the confectioner’s shop in the Church Gates passage, also known as Moot Passage (or Church Passage). He and his wife both appeared on stage and from an early age encouraged, if that’s the correct word, Harriot to do the same, paying little attention to her educational needs, as they carried her around from one production to another in a make do “carry cot”, i.e. a large music case. They were strolling players
Number 6.
“FINE IRON WORK ARCH” (numbered 6 since the photos show both sides of this iron fashioned architecture)
This description is taken from the 1960 Wigan Observer,”The gates of the entrance to the church yard in those faraway days - the fine iron work arch which is still there (1960? which begs the question, if removed were they saved and if so where are they now?), and for the preservation of which steps should certainly be taken, as it is over a century old - were locked up at night, along with Bishopgate, and the gates at the entrance of the DOG and PARTRIDGE HOTEL entrance.”
This “entrance” with the no longer existing “fine iron work arch”, whose plea for preservation seems to have fallen on deaf ears, (unless someone can enlighten me). The link to this photo on the Wigan Album is
https://www.wiganworld.co.uk/album/photo.php?opt=5&id=20019&gallery=PUBS&page=456
Number 7
The “JETTY”
Wigan may not have had a Pier but definitely had a Jetty. Apologies for that pathetic play on words. This was the first floor of the Confectioner’s shop. The whole building that was adjoining the old Moot Hall, situated in Church Gates featured what is termed a jetty (it increased the upper inside floor area without the ground floor projecting too much into the street). “A building is said to be jettied if the first floor projects over, or “over-sails”, the ground floor.” There is a photo of this on the album. They were popular in the 16th century. I live not too far from Shrewsbury which has many buildings with this feature.
Here’s the link https://www.wiganworld.co.uk/album/photo.php?opt=5&id=20019&gallery=PUBS&page=4
https://www.wiganworld.co.uk/album/photo.php?opt=4&id=26108&gallery=Church+Gates&offset=0
Number 8 and 9
BLACK HORSE SIDE WALL.
Indicate the side wall of the Black Horse, seen from both ends of the Church Gates alley. In number 9 the side door entrances to the Black Horse can be seen. The Black Horse, number 4 Market Place, was occupied by WILLIAM WADDINGTON. In the 1861 Census he’s 32 years of age. I expected him to be described as a Landlord but in the Census this is his job description, “Cotton Spinner, Wholesale and Retail Wine and Spirit Dealer”, however, a cousin is described as a Manager of the premises. Next door at 6 Market Place seems to be occupied by his father also named as William Waddington aged 52 (both born in Wigan), he’s described as “Tailor and Draper” employing 13 men and 2 boys. It looks as if one of his 17 year old sons is working for his older brother, next door at number 4.
Number 10
GROCER’S SHOP
I’m assuming this door was the entrance to the Grocer’s shop since according to the article in the Wigan Observer “Next door to the entrance of these offices, in the church gates passage, as it was known in those days, was a grocer’s shop occupied by Mr JOSEPH MOLYNEUX, a member of an old and well-known Wigan family. At the other end of the passage, was a confectioner’s shop, the entrance to which was in the Market Place, the domestic portion extending to the grocer’s shop in the passage. Joseph Molyneux in the 1871 Census is 25, married, was born in Adlington and described as a Master Grocer and lived at 17 Shelmerdine Street, he’s married but they are not present in Census.
Thanks due to Veronica who in one of her posts mentioned the lack of Tudor style buildings in Wigan and that there would probably have been more that we know nothing about and demolished long ago - this got me thinking.
I’ve “collected” these three old photos from the Wigan Album and used the accompanying newspaper article from a 1960 Wigan Observer, have tried to stitch together a little historical information on this part of town.
Numbers (Photos) 1, 2, and 3.
CHURCH GATES. Labelled on early maps as CHURCH ALLEY, and once known usually as Church Gates Passage. It was described as the main entrance to the church.
Number 4.
SOLICITOR’S OFFICES, at the time of the photo (definitely before 1884 when the Moot Chambers were built) was occupied by WILLIAM STEPHEN FRANCE, who was also a descendant of a family that in the past had played an important part in the government of the town. In the 1871 Census his occupation is given as Attorney, Notary Public and Councillor. He was born in Wigan and in 1871 was aged 36, married and lived with his wife, 6 children and 3 Domestic Servants at 6 Swinley Lane.
Number 5.
A CONFECTIONER’S SHOP. This is at the other end of the passage to the Solicitor’s Offices and was a confectioner’s shop, the entrance to which was in the Market Place. The domestic portion extending to the grocer’s shop in the passage. This shop had been in the occupation of the ENTWISTLE family for over a century before it was pulled down. The mother of Miss HARRIOT MELLON, the celebrated actress, married into the Entwistle family, and Miss Mellon, who married Mr THOMAS COUTTS, the wealthy banker, of London, before becoming the Duchess of St Albans, lived for some time in her childhood, at the shop. (I have posted a photo previously of her on the Album, here’s the link
https://wiganworld.co.uk/album/photo.php opt=6&id=31412&gallery=Harriot+Mellon+of+Wigan.&page=1
Part of that posting read…”Harriot’s mother had been born in Ireland and had Harriot out of wedlock to a CAPTAIN MELLON. She married a Mr ENTWISTLE from Wigan who, apart from being a Violinist (Fiddler) had lived in the confectioner’s shop in the Church Gates passage, also known as Moot Passage (or Church Passage). He and his wife both appeared on stage and from an early age encouraged, if that’s the correct word, Harriot to do the same, paying little attention to her educational needs, as they carried her around from one production to another in a make do “carry cot”, i.e. a large music case. They were strolling players
Number 6.
“FINE IRON WORK ARCH” (numbered 6 since the photos show both sides of this iron fashioned architecture)
This description is taken from the 1960 Wigan Observer,”The gates of the entrance to the church yard in those faraway days - the fine iron work arch which is still there (1960? which begs the question, if removed were they saved and if so where are they now?), and for the preservation of which steps should certainly be taken, as it is over a century old - were locked up at night, along with Bishopgate, and the gates at the entrance of the DOG and PARTRIDGE HOTEL entrance.”
This “entrance” with the no longer existing “fine iron work arch”, whose plea for preservation seems to have fallen on deaf ears, (unless someone can enlighten me). The link to this photo on the Wigan Album is
https://www.wiganworld.co.uk/album/photo.php?opt=5&id=20019&gallery=PUBS&page=456
Number 7
The “JETTY”
Wigan may not have had a Pier but definitely had a Jetty. Apologies for that pathetic play on words. This was the first floor of the Confectioner’s shop. The whole building that was adjoining the old Moot Hall, situated in Church Gates featured what is termed a jetty (it increased the upper inside floor area without the ground floor projecting too much into the street). “A building is said to be jettied if the first floor projects over, or “over-sails”, the ground floor.” There is a photo of this on the album. They were popular in the 16th century. I live not too far from Shrewsbury which has many buildings with this feature.
Here’s the link https://www.wiganworld.co.uk/album/photo.php?opt=5&id=20019&gallery=PUBS&page=4
https://www.wiganworld.co.uk/album/photo.php?opt=4&id=26108&gallery=Church+Gates&offset=0
Number 8 and 9
BLACK HORSE SIDE WALL.
Indicate the side wall of the Black Horse, seen from both ends of the Church Gates alley. In number 9 the side door entrances to the Black Horse can be seen. The Black Horse, number 4 Market Place, was occupied by WILLIAM WADDINGTON. In the 1861 Census he’s 32 years of age. I expected him to be described as a Landlord but in the Census this is his job description, “Cotton Spinner, Wholesale and Retail Wine and Spirit Dealer”, however, a cousin is described as a Manager of the premises. Next door at 6 Market Place seems to be occupied by his father also named as William Waddington aged 52 (both born in Wigan), he’s described as “Tailor and Draper” employing 13 men and 2 boys. It looks as if one of his 17 year old sons is working for his older brother, next door at number 4.
Number 10
GROCER’S SHOP
I’m assuming this door was the entrance to the Grocer’s shop since according to the article in the Wigan Observer “Next door to the entrance of these offices, in the church gates passage, as it was known in those days, was a grocer’s shop occupied by Mr JOSEPH MOLYNEUX, a member of an old and well-known Wigan family. At the other end of the passage, was a confectioner’s shop, the entrance to which was in the Market Place, the domestic portion extending to the grocer’s shop in the passage. Joseph Molyneux in the 1871 Census is 25, married, was born in Adlington and described as a Master Grocer and lived at 17 Shelmerdine Street, he’s married but they are not present in Census.
Thanks due to Veronica who in one of her posts mentioned the lack of Tudor style buildings in Wigan and that there would probably have been more that we know nothing about and demolished long ago - this got me thinking.
I’ve no idea how this already extremely long text managed to appear twice as long. Apologies everyone.
That’s fascinating Keith you have done a good job gathering all that information. At least the passages and alleys must have been there when Bonny Prince Charles was shuffled about previously in the mid 1700’s.and the Weind. When I read the fictional ‘White Cockade ‘ the passage way and alleys are mentioned and the Market Place. Numbers 3,7 and 10 reminds me of the Shambles in York.
Some houses down the hill in Millgate on the right were mentioned long since gone. I wonder if the 1700’s Georgian house was there at the time. Thank you for all the information it is a clever idea you have come up with. It must have taken quite some time.
I always wondered why the upper parts overhang the lower building and had no idea they were called ‘jetty’s’!
Now I know why …The Shambles are an excellent indication and what a good idea, to save room -especially when it rained! ;o)
I have been to Shrewsbury a few times and the town looks lovely with all the mock Tudor it’s even better than the Shambles and Cheshire. I have a 2 times great grandmother born in Salop who came to Wigan to live and died in childbirth in the early 1870’s. The last time I went there was a 40’s event going on and I remember going around the quaint town. A lovely place to live Keith you are very fortunate. It’s marvellous how the town has kept to its heritage.
Keith, the Waddington family ran the Black Horse from 1825 to at least 1901 when Ellen Kate Waddington was the licensee following William Waddington's death. In the 19th Century the pub was owned by the Standish family and later was an Airey's pub until Walkers took over in the 1920s.
Thank you Veronica for your appreciative comments. The origins of jettying are unclear but some reasons put forward for their purpose are, to gain space or to shelter the lower walls of the house from the weather. In our case it meant perhaps the alleyway width would not be affected and yet the jettied first floor meant the house gained space lost to the narrow alley on the ground floor. Paul that’s interesting extra info’ on the Waddington family.
Excellent stuff. I love this site.