pre

and in order to facilitate the revival, in his mind, of those visible objects and their properties, to which his attention was chiefly directed, he secluded himself from the external impressions of other objects, in the solitude of his bed. It is reported of Dr. Wallis, who was eminently distinguished by the tenaciousness of his memory, so that he could extract the cube-root of any number to one hundred places of figures in his mind, that he availed himself, for this purpose, of a similar seclusion. Mr. Brindley's incessant attention to these important and interesting objects, precluded him from participating in any of the usual and ordinary amusements of life, and indeed vented him from deriving any pleasure from them. Accordingly, though his friends in London, on one occasion, prevailed on him to accompany them to the theatre, he found his ideas so much disturbed, and his mind rendered so unfit for business, by the play, that he declared he would not, on any account, ever go to see another. It is not improbable, however, but that by occasionally indulging in relaxation, remitting his sedulous application, and diversifying his pursuits, his life might have been prolonged, and his usefulness extended. Whereas the multiplicity of his engagements, and the constant attention which he devoted to them, brought on a hectic fever, which continued, with little or no intermission, for some years; and at length terminated his useful and honourable career, on the 27th of September, 1772, in the 56th year of his age, at Turnhurst, as we have already stated.*

The talents of Mr. Brindley were of a singular kind;

* P. 126. In the Cemetery of Newchapel, a plain altar tomb is inscribed,

"In Memory of

JAMES BRINDLEY,

Of Turnhurst, Engineer,

Who was interred here, September 30, 1772, Aged 56."

MEMOIR OF JAMES BRINDLEY.

175

and, under the patronage of his Grace the Duke of Bridgewater, they had an opportunity of being unfolded and exercised to their full extent, in the execution of works new to this country, and which will perpetuate his fame to future generations. The brief recital which has been given of his stupendous undertakings, will enable the reader to form some judgment of this extraordinary person. Such was the enthusiasm with which he engaged in all schemes of inland navigation, that he seemed (if we may credit report) to regard all rivers with contempt, when compared with canals. To this purpose, it is said, that in an examination before the House of Commons, when he was asked by a Member, for what purpose he apprehended rivers were created? he replied, after some deliberation, "to feed navigable canals." As to his private character, those who knew him well, and had an opportunity of conversing familiarly with him, respected him in a high degree "for the uniform and unshaken integrity of his conduct; for his steady attachment to the interests of the community; for the vast compass of his understanding, which seemed to have a natural affinity with all grand objects; and, likewise, for many noble and beneficial designs, constantly generating in his mind; and which the multiplicity of his engagements, and the shortness of his life prevented him from bringing to maturity.

Mr. Brindley, in the course of his numerous and important employments, acquired a handsome fortune, a good deal of which, he had the sagacity to invest in Grand Trunk Shares, the immense increase in the value of which, within a few years, placed his family in affluent circumstances. He married, in 1765, Anne, the daughter of Mr. John Henshall, of Newchapel, land surveyor, by whom he had two daughters, viz. Anne, who died unmarried, on her passage home from Sydney, New South Wales, in May, 1838, and Susannah, who married John Bettington of Bristol, merchant, and died leaving issue two sons. Mrs. Brindley, relict of the Engineer, after his death, married

Mr. Robert Williamson, earthenware manufacturer, of Longport, (whom she also survived many years); and died there, in 1826. She had by Mr. Williamson a large family, as will be shewn by the Pedigree on the next page. We may truly add, respecting this excellent lady, that her memory will be long cherished and revered, for her extensive beneficence and goodness.

Mr. HUGH HENSHALL, (the brother of Mrs. Williamson), whom we have already mentioned as the finisher of the Grand Trunk Canal, and other undertakings left incomplete at Brindley's death, was, for many years of his life, resident at Longport, and died there, in 1817, at an advanced age. His name is associated with the carryingtrade of this canal, the Company of Proprietors having at first commenced, and still conducting their business of Carriers, under the firm of HUGH HENSHALL, & Co. Mr. Henshall was a man of considerable talents and urbanity, and was much looked up to for his judgment and integrity in matters of importance and intricacy. He was associated with his sister and her sons, the Messrs. Williamson, in their manufacturing concerns at Longport, which were kept up for some time after Mrs. Williamson's death; but have been since disposed of to Messrs. Davenport, as we have before mentioned.

Robert Williamson and Hugh Henshall Williamson, Esquires, the sons of Mrs. Williamson by her second marriage, have been already named among the landed proprietors and coal owners in Wolstanton parish. The former, who is now resident at Ramsdale Hall, Cheshire, married Anne, daughter of Thomas Kinnersly, Esq. Banker, of Newcastle. The latter married Anne, daughter of William Clowes, Esq. of Porthill. H. H. Williamson, Esq. resides at Greenway Bank, a pleasant mansion and estate formerly the property of his uncle Mr. Henshall,*

*We expect to be enabled to give a plate of Greenway Bank.

PEDIGREE OF BRINDLEY AND WILLIAMSON.

177

situate about three miles N. E. from Tunstall, and within Bemersley, one of the hamlets belonging to the Manor of Tunstall (in the Parish of Norton); in which neighbourhood he has extensively enlarged his estates by recent purchases. This gentleman, in 1834, served the office of High Sheriff for the county of Stafford, of which he is a Deputy Lieutenant, and in the Commission of the Peace.

(A RMS OF WILLIAMSON). Or-a chevron between three trefoils slipped, gules. Crest-out of a ducal coronet, gules, a dragon's head, or.

Near to Greenway Bank, in a dell, or valley, which divides the Parishes of Norton and Biddulph, is a reservoir of recent construction, for the better supply of the Grand Trunk Canal, containing about 50 acres; surrounded principally with woods, and having quite the character of a

natural lake. On the Biddulph side, a miniature castle, called the WARDER'S TOWER, of which we present a vignette engraving, has been erected, and adds to the beauty of the scenery. Beyond this, the old Knypersley Reservoir, of about 30 acres, winds through the valley, in the direction of KNYPERSLEY Hall, the seat of JoHN BATEMAN, ESQ., an ancient mansion, but modernized with a brick casing, by Sir Nigel Gresley, Bart., about the year 1760; and which, with the Manor and large Estate of Knypersley, was purchased from his executors, in 1809, by James Bateman, Esq. (of Tolson Hall, Westmoreland, and of Salford, father of the present possessor.

*

Among the muniments relating to the Knypersley Estate, Mr. Bateman met with an original Estreat Roll, for the Hundred of Pirehill, for levying the first payment of the subsidy, granted to Queen Elizabeth, in the first year of her reign (A.D. 1559). This subsidy, like others in that age, was a tax of 4s. in the pound, upon persons, in respect of their reputed estates in land, and 2s. 8d. on moveables. The Roll in question measures, when unfolded, seven feet and a half in length, is in perfect preservation, and contains the names of all persons taxed within the Hundred, together with the amount of their rated property, in lands or goods; also, a column of the first instalment of the impost of 2s. 8d. in the pound, for lands, and 1s. 8d. for goods. Though only a small portion of the Roll immediately concerns this locality, we think so curious an historical document ought not to go forth to the world mutilated or abridged; and we have, therefore, through the kindness of Mr. Bateman, obtained an entire transcript of it, which we publish, verbatim, in the Appendix (No. XIII). It will assist us in identifying persons, and tracing families, in the future progress of our history; and, as it has come to our hands sine the manorial history of Tunstall was printed off, we may be pardoned for introducing here a few notices of such portions as apply to Tunstall Court, which makes a very respectable appearance in the Roll; Sir William Sneyd being the principal land-owner, and, in fact, rated at more than all the other land-owners of that Manor put together. He is of the highest class of any in the Roll, (with the single exception of Sir Edward Aston) being assessed at 301. and taxed at 41.; whilst no other individual in Tunstall Court is assessed at more than 40s. for hi land. Next to Sir William stands William Burne, (doubtless of Chell), + assessed † See page 127.

* Blackstone's Commentaries, vol. I. p. 310.