Dovecot House 1848

early Dovecot History

Click a map or cutting to enlarge…

Margaret Molyneux
(1545-1617)

Although the area originally came under the control of the West Derby Estate and Township in the 13th century, the land passed many times between ruling families of the region.  It is commonly thought that there was once a ‘Dovecote’ in the area (a structure intended to house pigeons or doves) but records of this are almost impossible to find.

The records which are available, indicate that the Molyneux family, constructed the first substantial building in the area… a Manor House and Farm in the 1500’s, and Margaret Molyneux resided in Dove-cote  Manor (note the inclusion of the ‘e‘ and hyphen in Dove-cote at this time). Dove-cote Manor was demolished in the 18th century, but the farm, its out-buildings and land, survived into the early 1900’s.

Margaret Moleneux, married John Warren in 1558 at Stockport… and she died in the June of 1617, also in Stockport.

1891 map showing Dovecote House & Farm (farm is on the Holy Spirit site)
The blue line is where Dovecot Ave is now

The Knotty Ash Windmill

Report compiled by Brian Ganelli McDonald (Dovecot & District Fb member)

Although a couple of centuries have past, I find it intriguing that a colossal wind mill once stood in Knotty Ash, on the borders of the Dovecot Estate, in the area, which we now know as ‘Mill Yard‘. The Windmill was commissioned and constructed by the first owner/occupier of Dovecot House… Mr Adam Dugdale Esq. (Merchant).

It would of been constructed of wood , I can visualise the towering structure with its blades turning in the wind looking majestic while grinding grain producing flour for the surrounding bakers and homes across the city , Wind Mills have a special charm and it must of been an awesome sight , The Knotty Ash Wind Mill was built in 1820 it was only in operation for less than 20 years before being ravaged by fire in Oct 1839 .

Knotty Ash Windmill
(on modern A-Z map)

The fire was reported in the National Press , below is a article printed in the Coventry Standard , ( 25th October 1839 ).

The Destruction Of Corn Mill By Fire Liverpool- October 19th.

This morning, about 5 o’clock an alarm of fire, was given throughout the town , by the usual signals, and the police, with the engines , immediately proceeded in the direction of a village called Knotty Ash , about 4 miles distant, where the flames were distinctly seen to issue. On arriving at the spot, the fire was spreading rapidly through a corn mill, said to be the largest in the country, and had already destroyed a considerable portion of the outbuildings, in addition to the valuable machinery attached to the steam power. Owing to the difficulty of procuring water , the engines were some time unable to play; but eventually they were in operation, and succeeded in preserving the remainder of the property, as well as several cottages from destruction.

From the statement made by the miller’s man, who was left in charge. It appeared that he was in the act of lighting a candle to examine some parts of the works when the ignition took place , caused by small particles of bran, which fly about when wheat is being ground. The fire communicated to a warehouse containing a considerable quantity of wheat ready for grinding all of which was wholly destroyed, Subsequently it reached the bottom part of the mill , and free vent being caused by the doors and windows being burst open the interior of the mill to the summit was soon a mass of flame , The mill together with the warehouse , contained of upwards 7000 bushels of wheat, uninsured and belonging to different persons. The estimated loss of property is upwards of £4000 (nearly £4 million in todays money)

Another news item relating to the Knotty Ash Wind Mill fire from the Gores Liverpool General Adviser 14 May . 1840.

A fine young man aged 24 years, An inhabitant of Huyton was killed last week at Knotty Ash , whilst assisting to pull down the ruin of the wind mill of the Dovecot property that was reduced to a shell some time ago by fire , Part of the ruin fell upon and injured him so dreadfully that he died on the course of the night. In consequences of this melancholy accident the remains of the ruins were mined and blown up with gun powder.

A tragic but interesting happening from many years ago , The Knotty Ash Mill was said to be one of the biggest in the country, the exact location of where the Mill once stood has recently been discovered by local historians, the news article above refers to cottages situated close to the burning Mill the area around Blackmoor Drive was called Mill Yard , prior to the construction of Blackmoor Drive stood the road leading to the mill near to the Greyhound roundabout the area to this day is still referred to as Mill Yard .

OS map of 1906

The magnificent windmill in the photograph is obviously not the Knotty Ash Mill but is that of Acres Mill that stood for 200 years in Prescot built in 1702 , and much older than the Knotty Ash Mill , Sadly this windmill was also mysteriously destroyed by fire on the 9th August 1908 and demolished in 1909.

Over the course of history many windmills have succumbed to the hazards of fire being constructed largely from timber , during high winds the sails could rotate at high speed if not set in the correct position of the prevailing winds and without adequate braking the sails spinning freely would create a huge amount of friction and stress causing the gearing mechanism to ignite like a gigantic tinderbox. But what a wonderful historical landmark either of these majestic structures would of made gracing our area had one survived.

The ‘Mill’… oposite Pilch Lane and just to the right.

Dovecot House

Dove-cote House was built in the early 1810’s, with its Coach-house, servants quarters and out buildings, but an advertisement in the Liverpool Mercury on 8th March 1816, offers the already established, Dove-Cote House for sale or rent, see below… The gardens were developed in 1819, by a renowned landscaper, gardener and botanist named J.C. Louden.

Liverpool Mercury 8th March 1816

A more extensive for sale advertisement appeared in The Liverpool Mercury on Friday, 13th November 1818…

DOVECOTE ESTATE,

On (Friday) the 13th of November, at Six in the evening, at the Angel Inn, in Liverpool. In the following lots: A CAPITAL newly erected and modern built MANSION, well covered with thriving plants and Shrubberies, called DOVECOTE HOUSE, in West Derby, near Liverpool, finished in the elegant style and fit for the immediate reception of a large and genteel family, with a double Coach-house, Stabling, Shippon, and every necessary building attached thereto, and a large Garden, surrounded with hot walls covered with the most choice trees. Full-bearing, and two Hot-houses, filled with vines and Peach-trees of the best kind; together with convenient Cottages, and the Field or Plot of with which the buildings stand, containing 2SA 2R. of the Derby measure.

Five Closes of Land fronting Lot 1. on the opposite side of the turn-pike road from Liverpool to Prescot containing 15A 3R 21P, or thereabouts, of the like.

A large and convenient Farm-house, lately altered, at a considerable expense, and in the cottage style, suitable for the occupancy of a family of respectability, with large -Barns and extensive Buildings. Shippons, and all necessary Out-buildings thereto, and a Garden and Orchard.

And also Closes of Land adjoining thereto, 2tA 21t 22P, or thereabouts, of the IC

The Premises are situated within five miles of the Liverpool Exchange, and the road from thence to Prescot divides lots 1 and 3 from lot 2. The Mansion- stands upon a gentle eminence, commanding a full and extensive prospect, at a pleasant distance and facing the road, and the Land is of good quality, well drained and in excellent condition.

The Gardener, on the premises, will show the several buildings.  For other particulars apply to Messrs. Row and Sons, Solicitors in Prescot, or to Mr. FOSTER, Chapel-street, Liverpool.

The first residents of the House, was Adam Dugdale Esq. (born Jan 1771) and Family… listed in Burke’s Peerage, this wealthy Lancashire Cotton Family. owned a Lancashire Mill, and had personal and business interests in Liverpool, Manchester and beyond.

Mr Adam Dugdale, is recorded in Gores Liverpool Directory of 1821, living in Dove-Coat House/West Derby and is listed as a ‘Manufacturer’, He is living with his wife Mary Hargreaves whom he married in 1800. However, I can find no indication of any children for the couple… Mr. A. Dougdale, also had a second house called ‘Portland Villa’ situated in New Brighton.

In later directories, Mr Adam Dugdale, is listed as a Cotton Broker with warehouses in Piccadilly and Moseley St. / Manchester. On the 26th June 1834, Mr Adam Dugdale, laid the ‘foundation’ stone for the Parish Church of St. John the Evangelist at Knotty Ash. A commemorative brass plaque in the church records this fact.

St. John’s the Evangelist

Gore’s Liverpool General Advertiser – 3rd March 1836

An article appeared in the Liverpool Mercury a few months before Mr Adam Dugdale’s sad demise after a long illness, in which poachers on his land, where discovered with a gun and dogs. Subsequently, the poachers were apprehended. Mr Dugdale, was prepared to take the matter to court, but after the poachers publicly apologised, he decided not to prosecute, on the understanding that they put their apology in writing and have it published in the local Newspaper of the day… below is that public apology…

Liverpool Mercury – 12th January 1838

Mr Adam Dugdale died on 8th April 1838  and is buried in the Vaults under St. John the Evangelist / Knotty Ash.

Memorial Plaque to Adam & Mary Dugdale at St. Johns.

The Dugdale Family Crypt, under St. John’s Church

The Lead Coffins of Adam & Mary Dugdale in their crypt

The House, its ‘Parkland’ and farm change hands over the years, and include owners/tenants from the Liverpool Merchant and Farming classes such as Marcus Hill Bland Esq. Listed as a General Merchant, with business interests in Liverpool and Gibraltar. and who lived at Dove-cote House, around the 1840’s with his wife Eliza, and their 5 children plus servants. (However, in the 1851 Census they have moved to a large house at 115 Shaw St./Everton).

In 1810, Marcus Henry Bland (Marcus Hill’s father, Born in Liverpool), a Liverpool Merchant, went to Gibraltar and set up a shipping agency along with other business interests, where he prospered. Marcus Henry Bland, died in 1839, and his eldest son… Marcus Hill Bland, inherited the Business and Assets. About this time MH Bland Esq. moved into Dovecot House, as a wealthy tenant of the Dugdale Family. Upon his death in 1856, his eldest son, Marcus Horatio Bland, inherited the business and assets, and went on to found the MH Bland Shipping Line, in Gibraltar.

    
Marcus Horatio Bland                          The Bland Shipping Line

St. John the Evangelist / Knotty Ash – Liverpool

A church guide showing the ‘Bland‘ Family Crypt, beneath St. John’s

The next owner/tenant was Mr John Dugdale Esquire. The nephew of Mr. Adam Dugdale (listed above) The 1851 Census shows Mr. J. Dugdale (age 65) and his wife Elizabeth, living in Dovecot House and listed as a Landed Proprietor, farming 80 acres and employing 10 agricultural labourers, plus a number of house and garden servants.

John Dugdale, was the eldest son of Nathaniel Dugdale of Oakenshaw, Clayton-le-Moors and his wife Ellen (nee Smalley). Nathaniel, went on to become the owner of a Lancashire Cotton Mill. Mr  John Dugdale, was born on 20th December 1785 in Great Harwood, and married his first wife Mary (nee Marshall)  in 1809, but sadly, in her 35th year, Mary died (1826) , However, the couple had 7 children…  Ann, James, John, Mary, Helen, Ellen & John (first John died at the age of 3+)

Mr John Dugdale married his second wife, Elizabeth (nee Whittenbury) at The Old Church / Manchester on 4th December 1828, and although they never had children of their own, they lived to an elderly age.

Mr John Dugdale died at Dovecot House, on 29th July 1855 (aged 69), and Eliza, (his 2nd wife) died in Manchester on 18th May 1863 (aged 70). John, Mary & Eliza Dugdale are buried together at Great Harwood/Lancashire.

Charles MacIver
(1812-1885)

Gore’s Directory of 1860, shows a more colourful Liverpool Merchant living in Dovecote House (note the hyphen has now been dropped) called Charles MacIver Esquire. with his wife Marianne and their 9 children (they also had another house at 8 Abercrombie Square).

8 Abercrombie Square

Abercrombie Gardens

Mr MacIver was a Steam Ship Owner, operating a number of ships all over the Empire, and was one of the founding members of the Cunard Line. Stories in the Liverpool Mercury of the time describe Mr. MacIver, holding lavish garden parties in the parkland of the House for family events, and occasionally inviting children from the local school (Knotty Ash). Later, Mr. MacIver acquires the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel for the 11th Lancashire Artillery, which at the time was commonly known as ‘The British and North American Mail Steam Ship Corps‘. There are documented newspaper accounts of Lieut-Col MacIver, bringing his troops on special trains from the City and marching them from the local station to Dovecote House for inspection and review.

An article in the Liverpool Daily Post of  9th December 1862, records a ‘Burglary and Robbery’ in Knotty Ash, at the home of Colonel Charles MacIver, whilst he and the family are away ‘on tour’. The Gardener, is looking after the house. George Smith (age 30), steals a pair of boots and a coat, and is caught when he tries to pawn the items. The article, later goes on to mention that in court, Smith is found guilty and sentenced to 12 months hard labour.

Liverpool Daily Post 9th December 1862

Charles MacIver Esquire, and his family, prosper… and some time in the 1860/70’s they leave Dovecot House, to reside in an even Grander Liverpool Mansion, situated in Calderstone’s and its huge Parkland. Mr Charles MacIver, died in December 1885, at his Villa ‘Seima’ on the Island of Malta, where he spent his English winters. He is buried on Malta.

Calderstones Mansion and Parkland

Recent research has uncovered, that some time after Charles MacIver’s death in 1885, his family, had the his body exhumed, and shipped back to Britain. Charles’s final resting place, was to be in the same churchyard his elder brother is buried… That of the church of ‘All Saints / Childwall’. His wife and many of their children, were added to the ‘family’ plot, when their own time came…

The MacIver Family plot at ‘All Saints’ – Childwall

All Saints

A report in the Liverpool Mercury dated 31st January 1879, shows the auction of the farm and its livestock plus various farming and milking machinery, including items such as carpets and furniture in the farm buildings. However, the MacIver Family stayed on at Dovecote House and its Parkland after the sale of the Farm. So it was only the farm that was sold.

Liverpool Mercury 31st January 1879

In the 1860 Gore’s Directory, it records the occupier of Dovecote Farm as James Kerr (Cattle Salesman). However, By the 1894 edition of Kelly’s Directory it records the new owner of Dovecote Farm as Robert C. Fraser (Cattle Salesman).

Grave of James Kerr in St. John’s Churchyard

Robert MacSymon
(1848-1929)

Born in Glasgow, and married in Greenock in 1875, according to the 1901 Gore’s Directory, there is a new owner of Dovecot House (note the ‘e‘ at the end has now been dropped). The new owner is another wealthy Liverpool Merchant, Robert MacSymon Esq.; a Provisions Merchant & Ship Stores Dealer from Glasgow/Scotland, with a warehouse in Atherton Street, and a large chain of retail outlet stores on both sides of the river… MacSymon’s also had outlets at Southport, Greenock and Cardiff.

Gore’s MacSymon entry

The 1901 Census…  records, Mr. Robert MacSymon Esquire, living in Dovecot House (224 Prescot Road), with his wife Jessie and their 10 children, plus 6 servants, including 2 nurses, 2 housemaids, 1 cook and 1 kitchen-maid. The family previously lived at ‘Riverslea’, Grassendale Park, by the river near Otterspool Promenade.

Staff listed as living on the Estate are: (Gores 1901 Directory)

• Dovecot Lodge… Mason Alexander (Coachman)
• Dovecot Cottages… Archibald Clarke (Head Gardner) William B Scarth (Book Keeper)

According to the 1911 Gore’s Directory, the MacSymon family are no longer in residence at Dovecot House. but the gardener is still listed as living at one of the cottages and William Scarth in another, however, William is now listed as the ‘Forwarding Agent‘, for Dovecot House.

Dovecot House

Comparing this view of Dovecot House, to that of the original design of the 1810’s (shown at the top of the page). We see the the artists work of 1848 has no extention to the Main House. The extention (with the arched windows) to the right, was added in the Victorian Era.

The 1911 Census… also records the MacSymon family, no longer living in Dovecot House as they have now relocated, with the eldest children leaving the home, the servants have been reduced to just 2, and the family is living in Ashville Rd/Birkenhead Park…  Robert MacSymon (the last known ‘private’ owner of Dovecot House) died on 3rd May 1929 at his home in Birkenhead Park, aged 80.

Ashville / Birkenhead Park

The ‘Scotsman’ Tuesday May 7th 1929

Dovecot house as an ‘Institution’

London Gazette July 1911

In 1909, the House is given over to the care of unfortunates, and becomes, Dovecot Special Industrial School for Mentally Defective Girls. The school taught its charges, gardening in the ‘Parkland’ of the Dovecot House Estate and general domestic duties.

London Gazette December 1920

This ‘unfortunates’ school was in place in Dovecot House for 11 years, when the school would relocate to Thomas Lane/Knotty Ash, and the Dovecot area would enter into a new phase of historical change.

1920-30’s

In 1920, 11 large plots of land with a selection of buildings, which made up the Broughton and Dovecot Estates, were put to Auction. Liverpool Corporation, bid and secured a selection of these plots… and as such, the birth of the Dovecot Estate as we know it today, began. In 1928 Dovecot House was demolished by Liverpool Corporation.

Ironically, the first plot bought, would be the last plot to be fully developed. Plot 11, The Westfield House Estate (MPTE Sports & Social) would not be developed for nearlly 100 years later…

Plot 11… Westfield House Estate

Dovecot Housing Estate, is made up primarily of 3 separate estates. The ‘Dovecot’ Estate, The ‘Ackers Hall‘ Estate, and the ‘Ashfield’ Estate. However, all three estates, are collectively known as ‘Dovecot’.

There were 8000 condemned house within the city, and new housing estates were needed to house these families. An article of 11/04/1930 in the Liverpool Mercury, tells of the new Dovecot Estate requiring the building of over 2000 new houses, to house, the homeless, and condemned house tenants. In an article from 1933 in the Liverpool Daily Post, it hails the almost complete Dovecot Housing Estate.

Dovecot House & Pond, over-layed on today’s Dovecot Park

1931 National Census

Estate Ice-house

LIVERPOOL ECHO – Friday 01 May 1931

HE DOESN’T OFFICIALLY EXIST

Local Hermit and the Census

LIVES IN A MOUND

SAYS HE IS AN EX-SOLDIER WITH A GRIEVANCE

There is one man in Liverpool who, officially speaking, not exist: he is the “Hermit” who lives in a hollow, grass-covered mound—formerly an ” ice-house ” for storing game on the Dovecot Estate, Knotty Ash. Though the enumerator called upon him with a census form, he steadfastly refused to set pen to paper, or even to give his name, age, or any particulars as to his birth and family. He was not so adamant, however, when an ” Echo” reporter called at his queer home to-day. He was busily engaged in clearing away the ashes from the fire-brazier in front of his ” front door “—a brick opening leading to the chamber within, which has recently become flooded with rain water.

EX-SOLDIER WITH A GRIEVANCE

He volunteered the information that he is an ex-soldier and that he had a grievance, but would not state against whom or on what grounds. His name is William Cummings, and he was born in Ireland, and enlisted in the Connaught Rangers in 1889, at Carlow. He has relatives living in Ireland still. ” After many years’ service in the Army,” he said, ” I was shabbily treated. though I had a good record, and I refuse to appeal for help to the country that did me wrong.” Cummings has a son who is cared for by St. Edward’s Orphanage, who also sends food occasionally to the old man. Incidentally. the Dovecot Estate proved something of a problem to the enumerators concerned. for the maze of new roads made it difficult for them to tell whether certain houses were actually in their district or not. But eventually every house both in this and the neighbouring estate was served.

Map showing position of the Ice-house
(click to enlarge)

Edward – prince of wales

On 6th July 1933, Edward, Prince of Wales visited the new Dovecot Estate… looking around the houses, flats, shops and amenities of the estate. Below is an amusing paper clipping of the day…

Click to enlarge

Modern History

DOVECOT ESTATE

Researched and Written by Sue Morton (Admin)

The building of Dovecot came about because of the Government’s desire to build more social housing, particularly after the end of the First World War. After 1919 there was a need to build ‘Homes Fit for Heroes’ (returning soldiers) and at the same time demolish the slums in the inner city areas. The first estates built were a high standard but were too expensive for most working classes. After further consideration the government began to offer subsidies and incentives to local councils to build affordable housing. Liverpool Council had always been more forward thinking than a lot of other city councils and had been one of the first authorities in Britain to provide municipal housing. The council’s earliest project was St. Martin’s Cottages (1869) built for labourers.

Lancelot Keay

In 1925 Lancelot Keay was appointed as the Liverpool City Architect and Director of Housing. He worked alongside the City Engineer, John Brodie and between them they developed the ‘suburban housing programme’ which would see the building of Dovecot, Norris Green and eventually Speke. By 1929 18,051 units had been built in the suburbs. 75% of the houses built in Liverpool between 1919 and 1934 were built by the Corporation, 96% of which were in the suburbs.

Lancelot Keay’s idea was to build self-contained estates, which their own schools, shops, library, churches, recreational facilities and launderettes. He wanted Dovecot to be a suburban ‘Garden Estate’, where the houses would have good sized gardens, open park areas for families to mingle and play and that the streets should be small in order that everyone could know their neighbours. Dovecot was a wonderful concept in public housing, built during the great depression of the thirties, mainly three bedroom houses with bathroom and inside toilet; a big change from two up two down terrace houses of the city where most of the tenants came from. Many of the families knew each other from their old neighbourhood.

The first residents in Dovecot took pride in their new houses and it wasn’t long before the place got that homely, comfortable feel of a much loved suburb. The red brick houses with their bay windows, gardens bordered by privet hedges and tree lined streets. One early resident who was a young lad when he first moved to Dovecot said: –

“I always saw Dovie as a new age village, it certainly had the atmosphere of a village, and as you walked from whichever road you lived in to the Dovecot arches you would be able to greet by name almost everyone you passed. Growing up in Dovecot was a pleasure, young people were brought up to respect older people and the property of others; there was no such thing as graffiti, boys and girls took pride in the neatness of their suburb and never did anything to spoil it. In many respects Dovie was a self contained suburb, catering for people right across the board. For the movie lovers there was the Granada Cinema, the sport minded people had lots of open space in which to play football, also the “Dovecot Baths”, a very modern swimming complex at the time, for others there was the Dovecot Park with its pond and Lawn Bowles and of course there were plenty of shops, the main centre being under the arches”.

The respect for the new Dovecot estate shown by the new residents may in part be a result of the strict tenancy agreements and the management. In Liverpool, female housing managers were employed to inspect properties and instruct tenants on good housekeeping. I bet that went down well! Below is an example of a letter sent out to new tenants, this one was sent in Bristol (1936) but it could have been sent in Liverpool, Manchester or any other city at the time: –

“The Housing Committee realise that you have been living under very undesirable conditions, and that in worn out houses it is very difficult to get rid of vermin. But there will be no excuse in your new house. Do not buy secondhand furniture, bedding or pictures unless you are quite sure that the articles are free from vermin. Insects do not like soap and hot water, and they also dislike dusters and polish. So if in the new house you keep your windows open, and keep your bodies and clothing, floors and stairs, furniture and bedding clean; use the duster frequently on all skirting and ledges, you are not likely to be troubled again with vermin. This sounds a lot, but life isn’t going to be all work for the housewife. The new house will be easy to keep clean and it will be well worth looking after…”

Can you imagine receiving a letter like this now?

Dovecot Estate was a success. In 1930’s Liverpool the new tenants of Dovecot were happy to be living in the suburbs, with gardens, inside toilets and bathrooms, shops, green space and neighbours they knew, good schools within walking distance, doctors, cinema, swimming baths, entertainment and generally well built houses. Lancelot Keay had done a good job in Dovecot as he did all around Liverpool for the twenty five years he was in office. Sadly, he has never been commemorated in the city of Liverpool. Brodie’s contribution has been marked with Brodie Avenue but no such accolade for Lancelot Keay .

Lancelot Keay

References

Social Housing and Tenant Participation – Peter Shapely
Housing the Workers – Martin Stilwell
The History of Council Housing – University of West England
Homes Through The Decades – NHBC Foundation
History of Social Housing – BBC Bitesize

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