Weaste Cemetery

Biographies of people buried between 1900 & 09

FRANCIS MUDIE SPENCE (1838 - 1907)


 

Francis (Frank) Mudie Spence was a Chemical Engineer and Alum Manufacturer and took out several *patents to support his business.

 

He was born in Greenwich, London in 1838. His father was Peter Spence (born 1806 in Scotland) who was an Alum Manufacturer, and his mother was Agnes Mudie (born 1811 in Scotland). They were married in 1832 in Dundee. The 1841 census shows the family lived at Burgh, Carlisle, Cumberland with their children James (born 1836 in Scotland), Francis (born 1838 in Greenwich) and .John (born 1840 in Cumberland). In 1856 Francis was awarded first prize in Chemistry at Owen's College, Manchester.

 

On 17th January 1867, Francis Mudie Spence married Frances Mudie Howie at Manchester, by Registrar (possibly Presbyterian). She was the daughter of William Howie and Isabella (nee Mudie) Howie of Dundee. Francis and Frances's children were Wilfred (born 1868 in Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester), Peter (born 1869 in Chorlton-on-Medlock), Jessie Wilhelmina (born 1872 in Altrincham, Cheshire), Howard (born 1874 in Altrincham), Malcolm (born 1876 in Altrincham) and Angelo (born 1879, in Ardwick, Manchester and sadly died at 13 days old).

The 1871 census shows the family lived on The Downs, Altrincham, Cheshire. Also, visiting their home were John Gilchrist, Manager of the Spence Alum Works and his family. In 1881, the family lived at 16 Anson Road, Rusholme, Manchester, where Francis was aged 43. Tragedy struck again on 19th April 1883 as their son Peter died at Southport, aged 14 years. A year later, on 7th July 1884 Francis's father Peter Spence of Arlington House, Seymour Grove, Old Trafford and of the Manchester Alum Works, Holland Street, Newton Heath, Manchester, died aged 78.

 

In 1891 the family lived at 162 Bury New Road, Broughton, Salford. Francis was aged 53 and an Alum Manufacturer. In 1895 Jessie married Charles Edward Coade at Barton-upon-Irwell by Registrar, and in 1898 Howard married Edith Mary Blakeley at Barton-upon-Irwell by Registrar. In 1901 Francis and Frances lived at Dalfield, Arthog Road, Hale, Bucklow, Cheshire. Malcolm was at home, aged 25, and was a Mechanical Engineer.

 

On 29th December 1907, Francis Mudie Spence died at Hale, Cheshire aged 70, and buried in the family grave at Weaste Cemetery A4/DISS/650, on 2nd January 1908. Later that year, on 18th November 1908, his widow Frances Mudie Spence died at Hale, aged 70 and was re-united with her husband at Weaste Cemetery.

 

* Patents. The Bolton Evening News of 9th June 1875 reported "New Patents, Peter Spence and Francis Mudie Spence of Newton Heath, Manchester, for improvement in the treatment of ferric alum for the purposes of useful substances therefrom. And in 1882 for improvements in the manufacture of alum and other salts of alumina. And also improvements in the treatment of gases arising from the manufacture of salts of ammonia from gas liquor. In 1887 there was a dispute with another chemical company who were using the Spence patented process without permission.