Individual Details

PUBLIC_SERVICE: D.L. (District Lieutenant) for County of Lancashire

RESIDENCE: Ford Bank, Didsbury, Manchester

BURIAL: Buried in a vault in Didsbury Churchyard.

RESIDENCE: "Robin E[dgar] has had thoughts of writing a history of the family for his children, and he has some of the early documents (including, I think, the big account book which Joseph B. kept when he was building Ford Bank in Didsbury, but it is not complete. The house was built on a high bank above the flood plain of the River Mersey, near the ford - which has since been replaced by a footbridge. The house was demolished, but hte houses built round there are known as the "Ford Bank Estate" and "Fordbank Road" keeps the name. The river used to flood frequently, and the banks at the sides of the river were raised several feet some years ago, so there's no chance of "fording" it now!"

On March 12, 1997 David and Linda Birley were taken to view this site by Barbara Birley (at that time 86 years old) and were able to see for themselves that the above account of the topography is accurate.

The following fragment is in posession of DHB:

"He who refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul.
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Love as Brethren. Bear yo one anothers burdens.
Be at peace among yourselves showing all meekness.
As much as lieth in you live peaceably with all men.
Study to be quiet and to do your won business.
Be not slothful in business.
If a man will not work neither should he eat.
If any provide not for those of his own house, he hath denied
the Faith and is worse than an Infidel.
Let every one lay bye in store as GOD shall prosper him, let
him be rich in good works, ready to distribute, let
him be an example in word, in conversation, in charity,
in Spirit, in Faith, in purity.
Blessed are the pure in heart.

(Copied from a ledger given by Joseph Birley to his
Son Herbert, on April 9th, 1842.)"

(See copy in attached scrapbook file)

J.P.
D.L. FOR COUNTY OF LANCASHIRE, OF FORD BANK, DIDSBURY

• 

Birth	31 May 1782	Ford Bank, Didsbury, Lancashire, England
Christen	3 Jul 1782	Blackburn, Lancashire, England
Marriage	22 Aug 1809	Kirkham, Lancashire, England - Jane Hornby
Death	24 Jan 1847	Didsbury, Lancashire, England
Burial	Aft 24 Jan 1847	Didsbury, Lancashire, England

Spouse	Jane Hornby (1788 - 1858)
Child	Jane Birley (1810 - 1888)
Child	Richard Birley D. L. And J. P. (1812 - 1874)
Child	Thomas Hornby Birley (1813 - 1814)
Child	Thomas Hornby Birley J. P. (1815 - 1885)
Child	Hugh Birley (1816 - 1816)
Child	Hugh Hornby Birley M. P. (1817 - 1883)
Child	Cecilia Birley (1819 - 1890)
Child	Herbert Birley J. P. (1821 - 1890)
Child	Henry Birley (1821 - 1894)
Child	Elizabeth Birley (1822 - 1898)
Child	Louisa Birley (1824 - 1824)
Child	Rev. Robert Birley M. A. (1825 - 1897)
Child	Alfred Birley (1827 - 1827)
Child	Louisa Margaret Birley (1828 - 1906)
Child	Adelaide Birley (1830 - 1915)
Child	Rev. Alfred Birley M. A. (1832 - 1908)
Child	Arthur Birley (1834 - 1912)

Father	Richard Birley Merchant (1743 - 1812)
Mother	Alice Hornby (1746 - 1812)
Sibling	Margaret Birley (1773 - 1776)
Sibling	John Birley D. L. Lancs (1775 - 1833)
Sibling	Hugh Hornby Birley J. P. And D. L. (1778 - 1845)
Sibling	Elizabeth Birley (1780 - 1865)
Sibling	Margaret Birley (1784 - 1844)
Sibling	Jane Birley (1787 - 1823)
Sibling	Mary Birley (1789 - 1862)

Notes