Charles Allen Du Val

Robert Anlezark Pilling 1789-1863

Robert Anlezark Pilling (1)

Robert Anlezark Pilling was born on 31 December 1789 in Manchester, the son of William Pilling 1752-1820 and his wife née Jeanetta Anlezark born in about 1756. He was baptised on 5 February 1790 at St James' church in Manchester.

Robert Anlezark Pilling was an important public figure in Manchester, and particularly in Chorlton-on-Medlock, then developing into a desirable suburb. He was elected to the local Commission of Police in 1828 (2), becoming its chairman or Constable of the Commissioners of Police (3). He had interests in railways (4). His years of service as director of the Ardwick Cemetery company were marked by a presentation by the shareholders in 1852 (5). He became an Alderman of Manchester Town (later City) Council (6).

He seems to have married (7), and had a daughter Sarah Pilling otherwise Brown, baptised on 23 July 1809 in Manchester Collegiate Church.

She was married to Robert Percival born at Manchester in 1811, and had two children: Ellen Pilling Percival 1833-1874 and Robert Pilling Percival 1834-1885. They were both baptised at Chorlton-on-Medlock in Manchester. When the Census was taken in 1851 they were living at their grandfather's Faulkner Street house in Manchester, together with two female servants.

When the Census was taken in 1861 Robert Anlezark Pilling was recorded as being a widower, living at his Faulkner Street house in Manchester with a housekeeper and two female servants.

He died on 30 May 1863 at Northenden, then a Cheshire village but now a Manchester suburb.

His Will was proved on 19 June 1863, his grandchildren being two of the executors (8).

(1) The portrait of Robert Anlezark Pilling is believed to be by Charles Allen Du Val. It is reproduced here by kind permission of the owner Dr Alan Lloyd-Smith.
(2) Manchester Mercury 26 August 1828.
(3) Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser 11 December 1852. He was the prime mover in a case heard at the South Lancashire Assizes in 1839 in an action brought by the Constables and Burgesses against The Manchester Gas Directors and Commissioners for Cleansing, Lighting, &c. regarding their failure to supply gas to certain lamps: Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser 6 April and 15 June 1839.
(4) A Halifax worthy was accused of forging a document purporting to convey to his brother some railway shares owned by Robert Anlezark Pilling: Leeds Intelligencer 6 March 1847; Hampshire Advertiser 13 March 1847.
(5) Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser 11 December 1852.
(6) He had narrowly failed to be elected in 1847 Manchester Times 13 November 1847. In the 1861 Manchester Census Return he is recorded as being an "Alderman of this city".
(7) In the 1861 Manchester Census Return he is recorded as being a widower.
(8) "PILLING Robert Anlezark Esq. 19 June. The Will of Robert Anlezark Pilling late of the City of Manchester and Northenden in the County of Chester Esquire deceased who died 30 May 1863 at Northenden aforesaid was proved at Chester by the oaths of Robert Pilling Percival of Northenden aforesaid gentleman George Thomas Turner of Manchester aforesaid Gentleman and Ellen Pilling Percival of Manchester aforesaid Spinster the Executors. Effects under £120,000." National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations) 1858-1966 (1863) page 361.