Rector - James Gerard Leigh (1844-1921)
James Gerard Leigh GL7N-RTM took over the role of rector of St. Cuthbert’s church, Halsall from his cousin, Thomas Blundell Hollinshead Blundell MHP1-FLL in February 1906. The patron at this time was Colonel Henry Blundell Hollinshead Blundell L2YY-SDD, also a cousin, being the brother of Reverend Thomas who had died a few months earlier.
By 1851 the Leigh family had moved to the newly built Halsall Rectory (now Halsall House) and the family had grown to include four children. The household employed ten servants: a governess, a cook/housekeeper, a laundry maid, 2 housemaids, a kitchen maid, a nurse, a butler, a coachman and a labourer by the name of Richard Blundell who was the only one of their servants born in Halsall. James and his older brother Richard and sister Rose were taught by their governess, Louisa Davies who hailed from Somerset.
James’ education continued at Eton and then Christ Church College, Oxford University where he achieved a BA. His studies continued for another four years through Oxford when he successfully accomplished an MA in 1871. After being ordained he worked as a curate at Stoke on Trent from 1867 until 1869 after which he was appointed the vicar of St. Andrew’s church in Maghull.
In August 1879, James married Julia Genevieve Dix GL7N-BND in Dublin, Ireland; the following year their only son, Reginald Gerard Leigh GL7N-YZX was born on 2nd June 1880 – also in Ireland. James and family remained at Maghull until 1884 when he was appointed rector of Walton, a position he held for 21 years. He was also Canon of Liverpool Cathedral.
He returned to Halsall (having lived here as a child) and was appointed the rector at St. Cuthbert’s church on 18th February 1906.
Unfortunately it wasn’t long before Reverend James’ health began to deteriorate and he was admitted to hospital in Scotland in July 1909, only being discharged in December 1911 when he moved in with his son, Reginald who had a property in Moffat. During this time, his wife, Julia spent time with family and friends – sometimes over in Ireland.
By now, the new rectory opposite St. Cuthbert’s had been built and when James and Julia were away, their nephew, Reverend Edward Mather GKHZ-MPK, who was a curate at that time, lived there and stood in for his uncle. The Leighs did return to the new rectory on occasion however but James’ health was worsening and on 27th February 1921, he died whilst away in Gosforth, Cumberland which is where he was buried.
The death certificate and probate records confirm that James and Julia’s address was Halsall Rectory at the time of his death in 1921.
Although by the time the 1921 census was taken only a few months later, the occupants of Halsall Rectory were given as Reverend Edward Mather and family.
Julia Leigh moved to Talbot Street in Southport after the death of her husband.
Meanwhile, like many of his Irish ancestors before him, James’ son, Reginald Gerard Leigh had trained as a lawyer. When the 1921 census was taken, he was living at the Regent Palace Hotel, Piccadilly Circus, London. His occupation was given as ‘King’s Messenger’ King’s Messenger – Wikipedia and his place of work was the Foreign Office, Downing Street. A year later, he married northerner Nellie Jarvis, a milliner in London.
Throughout his working life, Reginald was honoured with a CVO, a CMG and an OBE (Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George and Order of the British Empire).
When the 1939 Register for England and Wales was taken, Nellie and Reginald were living in Wycombe, Buckinghamshire and Reginald’s occupation was again given as King’s Messenger. This means that he would have served in the Foreign Office when King George V, King Edward VIII and King George VI were on the throne – a rather turbulent time in the history of the Royal family.
According to the probate records, Reginald passed away on St. Patrick’s Day 1962 at Ferndale, Shankill, Dublin. His wife, Nellie moved back to England and lived in Southport where she died in 1971.
Reginald’s mother Julia, wife of Rev. James Gerard Leigh remained in Southport and died in 1946 at the age of 91; she was buried in Halsall churchyard.
