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Richard Withers
 
Richard Withers married three times, his first wife being Sarah Eyes. They had two sons, George Edward, b. 1839 (baptized at St. Mary C of E Church, Kirkdale) and Joseph, b. 1841 (baptized at St. George C of E Church, Everton). George Edward died as an infant and was buried with his mother at Holy Trinity, Wavertree. More can be read about Joseph further down the page.
 
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Richard Withers, c.1816 - 1884. Husband of Sarah Eyes (1816 - 1841).
Richard was a well-known and highly respected member of Liverpool society. On the occasion of his death, on January 29, 1884, the local newspapers carried articles on his life and reports of his funeral. The following is taken from The Liverpool Courier, Wednesday, January 30, 1884:
 
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THE LATE MR. RICHARD WITHERS
 
    Another gentleman of high commercial standing in Liverpool has passed away. Few men were better known or more highly respected in mercantile circles, particularly on the Stock Exchange, than Mr. Richard Withers. For business capacity, strong commonsense, and a high sense of commercial probity he stood among the foremost of out businessmen, and his death will be lamented by a large circle of commercial and private friends. Mr. Withers, for the last eighteen months, had suffered from a most painful internal complaint. He had the most skilful surgical and medical aid, and last week he was attended by Sir James Faget of London, but he succumbed to the disease, and died yesterday morning, at about five o'clock, at his residence, The Uplands, Lark Hill, West Derby. In politics, Mr Withers was a Conservative, but he never took a prominent part in public life. He confined his time and his great abilities to the commercial undertakings in which he was engaged and to the discharging of his managerial duties. He was the founder and the head of the eminent firm of stock and sharebrokers, Messrs. Richard Withers and Son, Queen's Insurance Buildings, Dale Street. On the Stock Exchange he was regarded for years as quite an authority on every question relating to that branch of business, and his integrity and strict sense of justice became almost a proverb among the dealers in stocks. He was chairman of the Liverpool Stock Exchange, a position which he held for some time, and in which he obtained the confidence of all the members. He was also deputy chairman of the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway Company, and was connected with several insurance and banking companies. He was appointed a justice of the peace for the county of Lancaster in 1868; he was also a magistrate for Westmoreland, and was a deputy lieutenant of that county. In his magisterial capacity he was, while in health, a regular attendant at the County Magistrates Court, Basnett Street, and he was held in high regard by his colleagues on the county bench. For some time past the condition of his health prevented his from taking the same active part in the (unreadable) of the county that he did some years ago; but up to the last few weeks he attended, when his turn came at Basnett Street, and he was on the rota of attendance for the present week. Mr Withers leaves a widow and three children. One son, Major Withers, is at present in India on military duty, and his other son is associated with the firm of which the deceased was the chief in (unreadable). The funeral will take place at Troutbeck, Windermere on Friday.
Richard Withers married his second wife, Elizabeth Robinson, on January 4, 1844 at St. Mary C of E Church, Edge Hill. They had three sons:
Thomas Randles Withers, b. 1844 (more about him further down the page.)
Charles Hartley Withers, b. August 29, 1846
Arthur Withers, b. 1852
 
His third wife was Elizabeth Johnson, whom he married on April 28, 1870 at St. Mary C of E Church, West Derby. They had at least one daughter, Mary Withers, born about 1872.
Joseph Withers, 1844 - 1899
 
Joseph Withers, the son of Richard Withers and Sarah Eyes joined the army at an early age. Serving in India, he managed to rise to the rank of Colonel.
 
With his wife, Maria Louisa, he had at least six children:
Ethel Mary Withers, b. 1872 in the East Indies
Nora Ellen Withers, b. 1874 in the East Indies
Maud Lilian Withers, b November 16, 1875 in West Bengal, India
Alice Louise Withers, b. about 1877 in the East Indies
George Randles Withers, b. January 17, 1879
Margaret Cecil Withers, b. about 1883 in the East Indies
 
A report about Joseph Withers' funeral appeared in the Daily Post newspaper (Liverpool) on Friday November 24, 1899:
 
THE LATE COL. WITHERS
 
The funeral of Colonel Joseph Withers took place on Wednesday at Troutbeck Church, near Windermere. As a local landowner, a former high sheriff of the county of Westmoreland, and a suppporter of many local movements, the Colonel was highly esteemed in the neighbourhood. The cortege left Briery Close, the residence of the deceased, at a quarter past one, and arrived at the churchyard about 2.20. The officiating clergy were the Rev. W. Lowthian, vicar of Troutbeck, and the Rev. H. P. M. Lafone, vicar of Ambleside. A Union Jack served as a pall, and a guard of honour was formed by Colour Sergeant Thomas and a detachment of the Ambleside Company of Volunteers. Seven of the eight men who served as javelin bearers during Colonel Withers' shrievalty in 1894 also attended. Just before the mourners left the church the hymn "Abide with Me" was sung. There were a great number of local gentry present, and among the senders of wreaths were Sir J Savory, M. P., and Lady Savory, and Sir W. B. and Lady Forwood. The principal mourners were Miss Withers and Miss Maud Withers (daughters), Mr. Eric and Mr. Kevill Withers (Liverpool) nephews; Mr. F. R. Withers (cousin), Mr. Norris, solicitor; Dr. and Mrs. Fleetwood, Messrs. R. Cleaver, Arnold Cleaver, J. Worrall, Jos. Lister and J. E. Shore. There were also present Sir W. B. Forwood, Colonel Rhodes, Colonel Haworth, Rev. J. Miles Moss, Messrs. W. Little, D. McIver, A. B. Dunlop, and other local gentlemen. Deceased was laid near his father Mr. Joseph Withers (newspaper error, should read Mr. Richard Withers), who was interred here in 1884.
Thomas Randles Withers, 1844 - 1899
 
On the death of his father, Thomas Randles Withers inherited the firm of R. Withers and Son. He was elected a member of the Stock Exchange in March 1876 and was a member of the committee from 1885 until the day of his death. He was deputy chairman from April 1887 to November 1890 when he became chairman. He held this position until April 1894.
 
Thomas Randles Withers was a benefactor of the Bluecoat Hospital, the School for the Deaf and Dumb, Oxford Street and the Ladies Charity and Lying-in Hospital, Brownlow Hill.
 
In his private life he enjoyed music and pictures and was well-known among musicians and artists both in Liverpool and in London. He was a Conservative and a member of the Liverpool Conservative Club. In his younger days, he enjoyed sport and was a member of the Liverpool Cricket Club.
 
A Deputy Lieutenant for Lancashire, he was, for a number of years, a county magistrate.
 
Thomas Randles Withers married Margaret Ann Mather on August 29, 1877 at St. Mary C of E Church, West Derby. They had 9 children:
Richard Eric Mather Withers, b. September 19, 1878
Elizabeth Margaret Withers, b. September 10, 1880
Hugh Randles Withers, b. May 15, 1882
Josephine Kearsley Withers, b. 1883
George Kevill Withers, b. January 11, 1885
Eva Muriel Withers, b. December 26, 1886
Mary Randles Withers, b. July 25, 1888
Reginald Croco Robinson Withers, b. March 14, 1891
Arthur Hartley Withers, b. July 16, 1893
 
He died on May 5, 1899 at his residence, The Lowlands, West Derby. Prior to his interment at West Derby Cemetery, a service was held at St. Mary's Parish Church. Despite a heavy rainstorm, the ceremony was attended by a large number of prominent citizens.
 
If you are related to the Withers family or you would like more information, please email me using the link below. I would also like to hear from anyone who has further information on this family.
 
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