Chorley Institute and Farewell Church

[mezentia]

Does anyone have any information about the Chorley Institute, in the parish of Farewell and Chorley near Lichfield? I understand that the first president was a Francis Stonier, but have been unable to discover much more about the institute, so any help would be very much appreciated.

Also, does anyone know if the carved oak prayer desk presented to St. Bartholomew's church by Archibald Stonier in 1936 is still in the Church? If so, does anyone have any pictures?

[AlanBoyd]

Perhaps you have seen this?

14 November 1924: Lichfield Mercury

CHORLEY INSTITUTE
An interesting event took place on November 5th, when the Farewell and Chorles Insutute was opened with a social gathering and dance. Mr. E. Foster (vice-chairman) presided in the absence through illness of the Chairman (Mr. F. Stonier). Sir F. Villiers Forster, Bart., kindly performed the opening ceremony. He said it gave him much pleasure to be called upon to perform such a ceremony, as he considered it a necessity for the social welfare of country villages. Further, he hoped to hear very good reports of the progress made by this particular institute. In continuation, he said the committee had worked very hard and whole-heartedly in making as much headway as they had done. A vote of thanks was accorded to Sir F. V. Forster with musical honours, he unavoidably being called away at a nearly hour. Music and songs were given by Mrs. Rich, Mrs. Harper, Miss Pyke, Mr. Wilkinson, Mr. H. Hulme and Mr. Woolrich. Miss Toombs played for dancing. The spot dance was won by Mrs. Wilkes and Mr. Saunders. The prizes were given by the committee. Mrs: Bostock gave a cake for a guessing competition, which was won by Mrs: Sammons. The prizes were presented by Mrs. Foster.

[hanes teulu]

Lichfield Mercury, 21 Feb 1936

[hanes teulu]

Vancouver Sun, 19 Jun 1940

 

[hanes teulu]

Lichfield Mercury 28 Feb 1936

[AlanBoyd]

Francis Stonier

baptised May 5th 1850, Astbury, St Mary
son of George and Mary Stonier of Odd Rode
George Stonier a miller

1921
Francis Stonier 71.2 born Odd Rode, miller of Farewell Mill, Farewell

Death Registration 1924 Q4 Lichfield
Francis Stonier, 74

5 December 1924: Lichfield Mercury

DEATHS
...
STONIER—On November 25th, 1924 at Farewell Mill, Lichfield, Frank Stonier, aged 74 years

[Note that his death is ~20 days after the opening of the Institute, and that this date contradicts the date of 1936 mentioned in the article quoted in reply #2. Indeed even that article goes on to quote a date of 1924 for his death!]



23 January 1932: Staffordshire Advertiser

The funeral took place at Farewell Church, on Monday, of Mrs Jesse Stonier, wife of the late Frank Stonier, last surviving daughter of the late Alexander McDonald, of Campbelltown, Argyle, and sister of the late Dowager Lady Russell of Liverpool. The deceased lady, who had resided at Farewell Mill for many years, was in her 83rd year.

[mezentia]

Thanks to eveyone for your very useful replies. Some I have seen, but as I am still actively researching this part of the famile, some I hadn't yet come across, but will chase up now that tyhey have been put up here.

I would still like to know if the prayer desk is still in the church? If it is, and as I don't live too far away, I can plan a trip to take some photos.

[mezentia]

Francis Stonier died on the 25th November 1924. The inauguration of the Chorley Institute was on the 5th November, but Francis was too ill to attend. He was a church warden between 1901 and 1906; the 1936 date in the newspaper was a mistake, corrected in later editions.

We know that his son Archibald emigrated to Canada, he is on the 1921 Canadian census on the same page as his brother Charles Ronald Stuart Stonier. He also appears on several passenger lists, with the earliest being 1905 when he was only 16, and in subsequent lists in 1911, from Quebec to Liverpool , and 1923 from Liverpool to Montreal. On those lists he is listed as a miner, and the 1921 Canada census has him working in a silver mine. Who, then, is the Archibald Stonier working with Frank Stonier in 1912 as a miller and farmer? Who is the Archibald Stonier working with Angus John M Stonier living at The Mill, Fiskerton-cum-Morton in 1922?

[hanes teulu]

When I posted the newspaper snippets I had found
https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=http%3A%2F%2Fdata2.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2F1911%2Fjpg%2Fe001937543.jpg&parentid=CAN%2FCENSUS%2F1911%2F00460087

2 Stoniers listed - given names "fitted" newspaper snippet.

Nadolig Llawen