Death of Miss West

ON FRIDAY morning last - the death took place of Miss Frances Mary West of Eccleston Place, West Park, the sad event taking place at Oxford. Miss West, who was seventy one years of age, had been in failing health for some years and a few weeks ago went to Oxford to put herself in the hands of a specialist with the object of being treated for a small cancer in the chest, though this course was taken somewhat against the advice of an eminent Liverpool physician whom she had consulted.

While Miss West was under treatment at the house of the specialist a slight fire occurred, and the shock caused by this and an attack of influenza led to the failure of the hearts action, and she died on the morning of Good Friday. Miss West was a member of an old Catholic family, who have been well-known as large landowners in the district for many years past.

Most of the land in the neighbourhood of Windle belonged in the old days to Sir Thomas Gerard, of Bryn, who left a farm each to two ladies. A Mr Cross purchased one farm , and the Dentons Green land eventually came into the hands of the Quakers.

Mr William Hill, Miss West's grandfather, bought the land from them, including the land surrounding the old chantry, known to generations as Windleshaw Abbey. It then belonged to the old Shay Hall, which formerly occupied the site upon which the present Windle Hall stands. One day while lunching with Squire Eccleston at Eccleston Hall, in company with Colonel Anderton, a relative of the Gerards', and Rev. Fr. Penswick, of Birchley, although a Presbyterian, he consented to give the burial ground to the Catholics, and also gave them a right of way to it. Mr Hill was the original founder of the Dentons Green Brewery, the water for which was obtained from St Thomas's well, which may still be seen adjoining the St Helens Cemetry. Mr Thomas Birch Speakman subsequently joined him in the enterprise, the brewery being enlarged.

Miss West's father married the youngest daughter of Mr Hill, but upon Mr Hill's death the Dentons Green land was left to the Hills, and was ultimately sold to Sir William Gerard. Mr Thomas West, Miss West's grandfather, joined Mr McCoy, who was next of kin to Lord Reay, and who, if one person had died would have succeded to the title. Together they started the crown glassworks in what was then known as Gin-lane, and now Boundary road , and erected the houses in Eccleston-street, then known as Scotch-row, for their workpeople. Mr William Anthony Augustus West, a younger brother of Mr Thomas Underhill West, was also a member of the firm. The coal used was obtained from workings made by Mr Thomas Underhill West in the neighbourhood, and it  is said he made at least £10,000 by working the top coal. When Mr Thomas Underhill West died, his son , Mr James Underhill West, became interested in the works, and a Mr Thomas Holt, of Liverpool, also joined the firm. However, the competition from the makers of German sheet glass was too keen and it was decided to dissolve the company. Mr William West afterwards opened a glass works at the bottom of Croppers Hill, and subsequently started a small chemical works behind Eccleston street. Mr James West retained his interest in the Dentons Green Brewery, which, however, was eventually purchased by Messrs. Greenall, Miss West's father dying in 1849, when he was buried at Windleshaw. The family consisted of Mr. Thomas West, who still survives; Miss Francis Mary West, just deceased, and Mr. James Underhill West, who died in America, and who leaves a son, Mr. Charles Underhill West. It is interesting to note that after Mr. McCoy died his son, Mr. James McCoy, built Park House, near Pocket Nook, which was the a fine district. It will thus be seen that the West family have a long and interesting connection with the town. They had an extensive estate in Eccleston, a portion of which still belongs to the family, but the larger part was acquired by the authorities at Stonyhurst College some fifty years ago. Miss West, who was very reserved in her manner , for many years attended Lowe House Church, but more recently she had attended the Sacred HeartChurch.