| One earliest residents of Row House
was William Batty who lived there from about 1870 until 1883. A Yorkshireman,
he previously lived at Park Street, Chorlton-on-Medlock in Manchester.
The epitome of the Victorian self made man.
The 1881 census has the following residents, in what
must have been quite a crowded house :-
|
| A former Methodist preacher, and an apprentice clock
and watch maker who eventually set up his own business. 'William
Batty & Sons' had premises at 9 Market Street and 1 Cross Street. Trade
directories list them as chronometer and watch makers, gold and silversmiths,
jewellers and importers of French ormolu and marble clocks. Ormolu means
it is gilded in a gold coloured alloy of copper, zinc and tin.
He remained a strong supporter of the Methodist church and made a handsome donation towards the erection of the Wesleyan Chapel on Beech Road. Being nearly opposite to where he lived it would have been very handy on a Sunday. One of its trustees, and superintendent of the Sunday School. Retired to live in Churchtown, Southport on the Lancashire coast. Married twice - first wife died - and had eleven sons - though only seven survived to see his retirement. He was also a local politician. Being a City Councillor for All Saints ward (12 November 1868 - 1873), and then for Exchange ward (1873 - 6 February 1884) when he was then made an Alderman. He was chosen to be Mayor of Manchester for 1888/89. Retired from the City Council 7 May 1890 and died 4 March 1892. |