67 - The Pollitt Family at the Grey Horse

The Pollitt family were an important part in the building of Romiley Road and their full story can be read in my book The Residents of Romiley Road.

John Pollitt Senior was born in 1804 to Joseph Pollitt and Betty Heywood. Joseph was a stone merchant and quarryman, whose stone was used to rebuild Chadkirk Chapel. John joined his father, using the stone he quarried to build a row of houses known as Pollitt's Buildings. These included a provisions shop and the pub, the Grey Horse Inn.

John's first wife, Mary Ann Smith, passed away in 1865 and John married 39 year old Nancy Cocks. John was 63 years of age. Nancy had lived next door for a long time.

John was a member of the Friendly Society, the Order of United Free Gardeners, which met at the Friendship Inn.

His son Joseph took over the farm and quarry at Heald. Joseph's grandson Ernest Barker was born and raised in the small cottage opposite the farmhouse. Ernest was the first pupil at Bredbury National School to gain a place at Manchester Grammar School. He went on to study, then teach, at Oxford and Cambridge. The University Estate (near Greave Fold) is named after Ernest.

Son William had a sad life of mental health problems and alcoholism. He attempted to take his life many times between the ages of 28 and 34 and was finally admitted to Parkside Lunatic Asylum where he remained for the rest of his life.

John Pollitt died in his sleep aged 78 in 1883 after attending the funeral of a relative. He left the equivalent of £300,000 in his will.