John Fletcher of Chester 1763-1835

[Briannicus]

Dear all,

This particular one is a bit before the censuses started but you never know.

I am looking for facts about John Fletcher, printer, died a widower Jan 7 1835. [This made him 72 at the time of his death]
 
I can't find his wife, or discover the parentage of the relatives mentioned in his will.
 
- Alice Berrington. Sister
-Thomas Fletcher. Nephew
-Fletcher Fletcher. Nephew [On IGI I found a Fletcher Fletcher, born HALTON, CHESHIRE, Father Thomas Fletcher, mother Elizabeth, but nothing more]
-Martha Owen nee Fletcher. Niece. [Found marriage of a Martha Fletcher to James Owen 1780-1835 on 30 December 1819 at Runcorn; IGI does not mention fathers' names so not sure it's the right one]

The nephews and niece are of an unnamed, but deceased, brother.

Thanks in advance for anything.
Regards,
Brian

[celia]

Brian
I have been going through the 19c weekly 4 a month  newspapers for the year 1835.I had forgotten if you gave any other info on his death,so just came back to check because I have found 3 entries for a death in the first quarter For A John Fletcher which i think is yours.I am only up to April so didn't want to go further in case it wasn't your John.As I am not to quick on working out how old John would be when he died.So wanted to ask you but Now see you have him

John Fletcher, printer, died a widower Jan 7 1835. [This made him 72 at the time of his death]

This is the John I have found right date/year, but you are a bit out with his age,he was 80 when he died. Can you please confirm this before I print it all out.

Celia         P.S. He Is of Chester

[Briannicus]

Hi Celia,
Thanks for that.
The John, I'm talking about died Jan 7 1835. He was a printer and newspaper proprietor of Eastgate, Chester, and Sheriff, 1813. Mayor 1825.

This wretched family called themselves one of about three names so it's pretty hard to work out if one's talking about sons or nephews or whatever, but I would have thought his jobs and status should make him pretty clear.

I look forward to whatever you find, and if it's easier, do private me and I'll give you my email.

Thanks in anticipation,

Yours,
Brian

[celia]

Manchester Times Sat/10/1 1835
Died 7th January age 80 years Proprietor of the Chester Chronicle.

Belfast News Letter 23rd January 1835
 Age 80 John Fletcher Esq. Proprietor of the Chester Chronicle
And twice chief magistrate of that city.

The Examiner Sunday 25th January 1835.
On the 7th in His 80th Year, after many years of severe bodily suffering
John Fletcher esq.For more than half a century the respected proprietor of

The newspaper didn’t get the end of that article in the scan

There must surely have been an article on his funeral, but I never came across one.

Celia

[Briannicus]

Dear Celia,
Thank you very much for that.
The facts fill out what little we know, but it's shame there's no mention of wife (or children - though I think he may died childless), or other relatives.
Regards,
Brian

[celia]

You didnt give a name for his wife so i couldnt look for her

Celia

[Briannicus]

I don't know her name. It's one of the key facts I'm trying to discover. At first we thought he wasn't married but then found him described as a widower.
Brian

[liverbird09]

Hi there,
Having ancestors in Chester I was interested in your post.
I wonder if you have looked up British History Online. I googled Chester mayor 1825 and it produced some political details and gave mention of John Fletcher which may be of interest to you.

Regards
Jean

[Briannicus]

Dear Jean,
Thank you for that. I've been and had a look and found some interesting information.
Unfortunately, I still can't discover who his wife was, or the name of the sibling who was parent of the nieces and nephews mentioned in his will. I have, however, discovered that someone called Victoria Gardner (St John’s, Oxford) wrote a paper called
'Humble pie: the business strategy and political ambitions of John Fletcher of the Chester Chronicle, 1783-1835'. It can, apparently, be found in a rather expensive book called 'PERIODICALS AND PUBLISHERS. The newspaper and journal trade 1740-1914' I may try and borrow it from some library.
Yours,
Brian