Robert Nelson

Robert Nelson (1860 to 1935).

Nelson Family Tree Diagram.

Although not a direct ancestor, Robert Nelson (1860 to 1935), may have been the inspiration for his great nephew, Stanley Swinnerton Nelson (1900 to 1992), joining the police force.
Family legend suggested that Robert reached the rank of Assistant Chief Constable. However, a newspaper article about the marriage of his son, Robert Leonard Nelson, in 1938 included the line "... son of Mrs Nelson and the late Inspector Robert Nelson of Liverpool ...", suggesting that his highest achieved rank was inspector.
[Robert's son, Robert Leonard Nelson (known as Len), although from one generation earlier, was of the same age as Stanley and they became close.]

A report about Robert's sporting achievements, including a photograph, can be found here: [Opens a new window or tab depending on your browser]

Baptism:
Arkholme, 16th December 1860. Son of John and Elizabeth Nelson. Father's occupation: farmer.

1861 Census:
Low Broomfield Farm, Arkholme.

Low Broomfield, Arkholme at nls maps

Google map showing Low Broomfield, Arkholme.

John Nelson, age 42, farmer of 145 acres employing his own family, born Tunstal, Lancashire.
Elizabeth Nelson, age 44, born Kirby Lonsdale, Westmorland.
James Nelson, age 16, Ag Lab, born Tunstal, Lancashire.
Mary Ellen Nelson, age 14, servant, born Tunstal, Lancashire.
William Nelson, age 11, born Arkholme, Lancashire.
Richard Nelson, age 10, born Arkholme, Lancashire.
John Nelson, age 8, born Arkholme, Lancashire.
Elizabeth Ann Nelson, age 5, born Arkholme, Lancashire.
George Nelson, age 2, born Arkholme, Lancashire.
Robert Nelson, age 7 months, born Arkholme, Lancashire.

Robert Jackson, age 78, uncle, formerly blacksmith, born Kirby Lonsdale, Westmorland.
George Nowel, age 21, Lodger, servant, born Tatham, Lancashire.
Thomas Todd, age 14, servant, born Longdale, Westmorland.
Margaret Bradshaw, age 14, Farmer's daughter, born Tatham, Lancashire.

1871 Census:
Burton in Lonsdale.

Burton in Lonsdale at nls maps

Google map showing Burton in Lonsdale.

John Nelson, age 52, Ag Lab, born Tunstal, Lancashire.
Elizabeth Nelson, age 53, born Kirby Lonsdale, Westmorland.
George Nelson, age 13, born Melling, Lancashire.
Robert Nelson, age 10, born Melling, Lancashire.

1881 Census:
Burton in Lonsdale.

Burton in Lonsdale at nls maps

Google map showing Burton in Lonsdale.

William Wrathall, age 42, widower, blacksmith, born Westhouse, Yorkshire.
William Wrathall, age 29, son, blacksmith, born Westhouse, Yorkshire.
Mary E Wrathall, age 27, daughter, born Westhouse, Yorkshire.
Lucy Wrathall, age 21, daughter, born Burton in Lonsdale, Yorkshire.
Robert Nelson, age 20, blacksmiths apprentice, born Arkholme, Lancashire.

1891 Census:
36 Westbourne Street, Everton, Liverpool.

Westbourne Street, Everton at nls maps.

Google map showing position of Westbourne Street, Everton.

Eleanor Spencer, age 58, widow, born Ireland.
Sarah E. Patterson, age 27, daughter, born Liverpool,
Tho.(?) Patterson, age 26, son in Law, bookmaker, born Ireland.
Andrew M. Patterson, age 1, grandson, born Liverpool.
Robert Nelson, age 30, boarder, detective constable, born Arkholme, Lancashire.
James Donaghy, age 21, boarder, ?? assistant, born Ireland.
Loftus E. Owens, age 19, boarder, ?? assistant, born Ireland.

1896:

Robert and his brother, George, were executors of their father, John's will.
John had died at Rose Cottage, Burton in Lonsdale, on 3rd July 1892.
Robert is described in the probate index as a police sergeant, George as a coach builder.

Marriage:

Robert Nelson, age 38, married Elizabeth Hannah Garner, age 29, on 5th April 1899 at Walton on the Hill.
Robert's father was John Nelson; Elizabeth's father was Ervin Garner.
[Transcription at Findmypast.]

The wedding was reported in the Lancaster Standard and County Advertiser of 21st April 1899:

INTERESTING MARRIAGE.- On the fifth of this month the marriage took place at Walton Parish Church of Mr. Robert Nelson , of the Liverpool Police, of Burton-in-Lonsdale, to Miss Elizabeth Hannah, eldest daughter of the late Mr. Garner, Kirkdale, Liverpool. Mr Nelson is very highly regarded in his native village, the inhabitants of which no doubt wish him and his bride every happiness.

1901 Census:
15 Hamilton Road, Everton, Liverpool.

Hamilton Road, Everton at nls maps.

Google map showing position of Hamilton Road, Everton in 1891.

Robert Nelson, age 40, police sergeant, born Arkholme.
Elizabeth H. Nelson, age 30, born Liverpool.
Robert L. Nelson, age 9 months, son, born Liverpool.

15th December 1901: 13 Burdett Street.

Burdett Street, St Michael in the Hamlet at nls maps.

Google map showing position of Burdett Street.

Baptism of Robert's second son, George Edward Nelson.
at St Michael in the Hamlet, Aigburth, Liverpool.
Robert's occupation given as "Inspector of police".

Freemasonry:

Robert Nelson became a freemason on 2nd February 1888 when he was initiated into the Derby lodge, Liverpool.
In 1897, he moved to the Cycling and Athletic Lodge (2335), in Wavertree.
By 1910, Robert was Worshipful Master of this lodge.

1911 Census:
48 Adelaide Road, Liverpool.

Adelaide Road, Liverpool at nls maps.

Google map showing position of 48 Adelaide Road, Liverpool.

Robert Nelson, age 50, Inspector of Police, born Arkholme, Lancashire.
Elizabeth Hannah Nelson, age 40, born Liverpool, Lancashire.
Robert Leonard Nelson, age 10, son, born Liverpool, Lancashire.
George Edward Nelson, age 9, son, born Liverpool, Lancashire.
Hannah Margaret Nelson, age 7, daughter, born Liverpool, Lancashire.
Florence Elizabeth Nelson, age 5, daughter, born Liverpool, Lancashire.
Agnes Jane Nelson, age 25, niece, nurse hospital, born Liverpool, Lancashire.

1921 Census:
33 Fairfield Street, Liverpool.

Fairfield Street, Liverpool at nls maps.

Google map showing position of Fairfield Street, Liverpool.

Robert Nelson, age 60, Chief Inspector Lpool Police, born Arkholme, Lancashire.
Elizabeth Hannah Nelson, age 50, wife, born Liverpool, Lancashire.
Robert Leonard Nelson, age 20, son, apprentice engineer, born Liverpool, Lancashire.
George Edward Nelson, age 19, son, junior clerk, born Liverpool, Lancashire.
Hannah Margaret Nelson, age 17, shorthand typist, daughter, born Liverpool, Lancashire.
Florence Elizabeth Nelson, age 15, daughter, born Liverpool, Lancashire.

Robert's Death:
10 Ashfield, Wavertree

Ashfield, Wavertree, Liverpool at nls maps.

Google map showing position of 10 Ashfield, Wavertree, Liverpool.

Robert died on 3rd August 1935, and was buried on 7th August 1935 at Burton in Lonsdale, but lived in Wavertree, Liverpool.
Probate was granted to his sons, Robert Leonard Nelson, police constable, and George Edward Nelson, commercial clerk.

Elizabeth Hannah Nelson's Death:
30 Warnerville Road, Broadgreen.

Warnerville Road, Broadgreen, Liverpool at nls maps.

Google map showing position of 30 Warnerville Road, Broadgreen, Liverpool.

Robert's widow, Elizabeth Hannah, died on 5th October 1953.
Probate was granted to Lloyds Bank Ltd.