John Fletcher of Chester 1763-1835

[nigelfj]

Dear Brian,

I'm not a genalogist but - finding this entry on Google - I thought you might be interested to know a little bit more about John Fletcher and the Chester Chronicle. The Fletcher family has been associated with Chester since the Middle Ages. My recollection is that at least two of them were mayors of Chester. John Fletcher purchased the Chester Chronicle in 1783 fairly soon after the newspaper was started. The paper stayed in the family (or, by marriage, the Smith family) up until the 1960s when it was bought by Thomson. My mother was the last of the Fletcher line to sit on the board of the weekly paper. There was a book published in the 1960's "the Chronicle of Chester" which contains a photo of the painting of John Fletcher which is (or used to be) in Chester town hall. Your correspondent who mentions the site of the old Chester Chronicle offices is quite right it was in the town up for many years - strangely the printing presses were below the building within the outline of a roman building.

My father took an interest in the family, but I don't have the details now. What I can tell you is that they never strayed far from Chester so I would concentrate there.

Nigel

[Briannicus]

Dear Nigel,
Thank you very much.

Unfortunately, we have now discovered that this particular John Fletcher was not originally from Chester, and that his father was a Thomas Fletcher from Halton. If he is part of the Fletchers of Chester main tree, we do not know where he should be attached, but for those who may be interested and may yet help, this John also had a brother, Thomas who married and Elizabeth (surname unknown) and had 3 children: 
Martha (who married James Owen),
Thomas and Fletcher Fletcher.

He also had a sister, Alice, who married a Samuel Berrington.

So, unless you tell me diffenrently, I imagine you descend from one of them as John died without children as far as we know.

If you have any further detail, it would be interesting to hear.
Yours,
Brian

                             

[nigelfj]

I think you're right about John Fletcher being childless. On his death, the ownership of the Chronicle passed to John's nephew, Thomas, not to his own child.

Anyway, good luck finding Fletchers!

[Briannicus]

Thanks, Nigel.
Below is his obituary in the Chester Chronicle from 9 Jan 1835
Brian

DEATH OF JOHN FLETCHER, ESQ.

      We have this week the painful duty to announce the death of John Fletcher, Esq. who was for more than half a century the respected Proprietor of the Chester Chronicle.  He departed this life on Wednesday morning, the 7th instant about six o’clock in the 80th year of his age. His frame, long attenuated by many years of severe bodily suffering was gradually wasted away by his inability to take any nutritious aliment; but his mental faculties continued unimpaired until within a few moments of his dissolution.
       Born of humble, but reputable parents, at Halton, in this county, he was the architect of his own fortune, and rose, by the force of his genius and talent alone, to considerable eminence among scientific men, and to the distinguished honour of having twice filled the office of Chief Magistrate of this City. The history of his life is curious and instructive, and furnishes an important practical lesson of the value of Temperance, Prudence, persevering Industry, unsullied Probity, and uncompromising Integrity, in all his relations and Social Life. At present, while the grave has yet to close upon his mortal remains, it will suffice to say, that, in him, his servants of every degree and those who were in any way dependant upon him, have lost a liberal and considerate Master; his fellow citizens, an upright and intelligent Magistrate; the cause of Public and Private Charity, a Munificent Benefactor; and the Community among whom he lived, a kind-hearted and benevolent Man.

[nigelfj]

Thanks for that, Brian. I haven't seen that before. They certainly knew how to layer it on thickly in those days! Just out of interest, "the scientific men" included his friend the engineer, Thomas Telford, with whom he worked on several projects in the area including the Pontcysyllte aqueduct and the link to the Chester canal which lead to the development of Ellesmere Port.

[Briannicus]

Thanks, Nigel.
See attachment, which we presume is one and the same.
Yhere is also an article called Humble Pie about him that I only have on paper at the moment. If I get it digitalised I'll let you have it, though I'm not sure that wouldn't be a breach of copyright.
Brian

[nigelfj]

Yep, that's the one. Interesting! Thanks Brian.

I would very much like to get hold of the Humble Pie article, if possible and you have time some day. As it happens, I'm a publisher myself - in the genes, I guess! - and I've been unable to track down the lady who published the article while doing her D.Phil. at St John's, Oxford and - as I'm in the US - it's unlikely I will be able to track down a copy of the book any time soon.

In any case, I think that sending me a copy would fall under Fair Use for copyright purposes, so if you did get time...

[Briannicus]

Hi Nigel,
I've just phoned a friend who can do this. We'll do it this evening, so if you private me and send me your email, I'll send it to you tomorrow.
Yours,
Brian

[Hambleton]

Hi There

I am a Newbie, and just come back from Chester Records Office today, to find that my ggg-grandmother Alice Eleanor Fletcher was a daughter of James Fletcher and Frances Taylor.  I have some information about her if anyone would like to add to their Fletcher tree?  Would be most interested to find out more about the Fletchers and will have a look at the posts on this Forum tomorrow!