Robert Weaver
Chairman of Aspull Urban District Council 1943/44
Elected Chair 21 April 1943
b 1877 Aspull
Parents: John Andrew Weaver and Annie (formerly Winrow)
m 1904 at St David’s Church Haigh to Annie daughter of William Southern
children: One daughter, two sons
d 1958 Aspull, Annie died in 1962 in Aspull
Robert Weaver was born in Aspull in 1877 fourth child of John Andrew and Annie Weaver. John weaver was a miner and they had a family of one daughter and five sons.
In 1904 he married Annie, daughter of William Southern, a platelayer in a colliery, and Hannah. They moved in with Annie’s widowed mother at 2 Stanley Road Aspull, where they live for all their married live, bringing up their daughter and two sons.
Robert worked as a colliery engine winder for Wigan Coal & Iron Co. and subsequently Wigan Coal Corporation.
The Weaver family had connections with St David’s Church Haigh going back to its erection in 1833. Robert Weaver was a choirboy and, as an adult, was a member of the Parochial Church Council and a sidesman. The Parish Magazine paid tribute, to him following his death in 1958, saying that he was a “loyal and faithful churchman, a sidesman for over fifty years, ever willing to assist and help in every way. What a glorious example he set for us all.”
When Robert was first elected to Aspull Urban District Council in 1937 the then Vicar, Revd. E. O. Cox, wrote in the parish magazine congratulating him on his election, describing Robert as a “much respected member of our congregation” the vicar wrote “it is essential that Christian principles should be represented in the deliberations of those who manage local affairs, and we are confident that Councillor Weaver will be as keen and conscientious in the Council Chamber as his is in Church.”
When Robert was elected chairman of the Council in 1943 the vicar wrote “he is worthy of this mark of recognition for all his public services in the district for many years past.” Characteristic of his faith Councillor Weaver celebrated “Civic Sunday” with a parade of Councillors, Civil Defence and other volunteers to a service at St David’s Church on June 6th 1943. He remained a member of the Council until 1946 after which he was Honorary Treasurer of North Aspull Old Peoples’ Welfare Association.
Robert was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Manchester Unity Friendly Society from being a juvenile member, in the Earl of Balcarres Lodge, up to his death. In 1932 he was elected Provincial Grand Master.
Robert died at his home in Stanley Road in 1958, Annie died in 1962 and they were both buried in Robert’s parents’ grave in Haigh St David’s Churchyard.
Author: Peter Walker
Sources:
Aspull Urban District Council Minutes
Haigh And Aspull Parish Magazine May 1937, May 1943, October 1958 (St David’s Church records)
Wigan Observer 23 January 1932 Book3 p97 Appointed Provincial Grand Master Wigan & District Oddfellows (Photo)
Wigan Observer 12 September 1958 p4d Obituary
Ancestry.Com (Free at Museum of Wigan Life)
Findmypast.co.uk (Subscription required)