Offer:Look-up Liverpool (Mersey) Pilots 1734/1990

[BY]

Very many thanks, Gail!

Will amend my own records accordingly.

It is always a pleasure to see gaps completed or errors corrected, particularly from the extended family.

Repeated thanks,

BY

[glenburn]

Hi Gail

The Liverpool Pilot Thomas LESTER who died in service in 1813 was first cousin to my 3 x great-grandfather William EVANS (b1775). It's believed that following the death of his mother Mary EVANS (nee SHERLOCK) when he was just three years old, William was raised by his uncle Thomas LESTER and aunt Elizabeth LESTER (nee SHERLOCK) in the house owned by schoolmaster Richard SHERLOCK (b1711 Oxton) on the north side of Thomas Street in Liverpool, as mentioned in the latter's will dated 2 December 1803.
This close relationship with his cousin is believed to have been instrumental in four of William's seven sons (and many of his grandsons) later becoming licenced Liverpool Pilots.

Incidentally, I have a couple of pics of the original Thorley LESTER's grave in Wallasey St Hilary churchyard which I took as a favour for a distant cousin some years ago and can send as attachments should you be sufficiently interested?
Thorley was a witness to my 3 x great-grandfather William EVANS' will in 1837.

Best wishes
(You know who, of course)   :-)

[GailB]

Hi Gordon

No need to send the photos as I have seen them on trees on Ancestry and probably the one who you took them for also.

I will send you an email about other family connections.

Best regards
Gail

[gmr]

Hi Dave,
could you please look up Evan Richards in the "Liverpool Pilot Service. List of Pilots". He lived close to Liverpool and put "pilot" as his occupation in 1892. In other records he is a mariner, sailor or master mariner. He was born in about 1857. He was married in 1877 and his father's name was Richard Roberts - the family story is that there was confusion as their English was not great, and he changed his name... So it is possible that he was also known as Evan Roberts.
Thaks in advance for your help.
Gillian

[BY]

Hi, GMR.

Very sorry, there is no record of an Evan Richards, nor any Richards, in available Pilot Service records.

As to Roberts, there are many, but the only E Roberts was born 1839, licensed in 1859 (a very young man)  and retired (or left the Service) in 1875.

Good hunting!

BY

[glenburn]

Hi BY

You mention that the E ROBERTS born 1839 was 'a very young man' when licensed in 1859.

Just as a matter of interest, I have a relative Richard EVANS who was born on 10 August 1785 in Arrowe and who attained a Liverpool Pilot's licence in 1802 when he'd have been aged barely 17.

He retired in 1844 and (according to the Pilot's Character Book) died in 1855 at the age of 69 'after eating a hearty dinner'.

Best regards
G

[BY]

Many thanks, GB!

Do you have any other record of the circumstances of his early life? It would be most interesting to know.

Records of men holding command at the age of 19 are not unknown, but I have not previously heard of a pilot's licence being granted at the age of "barely 17".

V best,

BY

[glenburn]

Hi BY

Don't know much about Richard EVANS' early life as yet, but he was first cousin to, and a near-contemporary of, Thorley LESTER (b1790 Brimstage), who was also 'a very young man' (barely 19) when he attained his Liverpool Pilot's licence in 1809.

Could be that Tebay has the wrong year for Richard EVANS' licence, of course - maybe 1807 rather than 1802?

Regards
GB

[BY]

Many thanks, GB.

That does seem much more probable!

Any further information is always welcome.

v best,

BY