John Noonan

Sandra Mitcheson has sent me information about her great grandfather’s brother, John NOONAN. John was born in Cheshire, Stalybridge in 1868 of Irish parents. He and his siblings attended St Peter's RC School in Stalybridge. The log books show that John stayed on, along with another pupil - Joseph PLATT - who later became a Headmaster.

From the Log Books, Sandra noted... among other items:

August 12th 1881

Staff - two candidates, J PLATT & J NOONAN

August 29th 1881

Summary of Report for the Boys’ School by John CARROLL (possibly Rev John Carroll....Coajutor from 1893 ..Bishop 1895-7?)
"Considering the character of the boys with whom Mr McSHACKLEY has to deal, the results of his inspection may be regarded as excellent."
     James J McSHACKLEY.... 2nd Class
     STIPENDIARY MONITORS ....Joseph PLATT
                                           John NOONAN

5th September 1885

Another very similar Summary Report, this time describing the two as pupil teachers.

31st May 1886

PTs Joseph PLATT & John NOONAN complete their APPRENTICESHIPS today.

11th June 1886

On Thursday examined all the Standards in their different subjects with very satisfactory results. All the teachers very attentive to their duties as regards their classes.

5th July 1886

Mr J Platt and Mr Noonan have today gone to sit for their SCHOLARSHIP EXAMINATION. Mr Platt returns as an assistant

2nd August 1886

School re-opens after Midsummer holidays.

.

Unlike Joseph Platt, who went on to study at Strawberry Hill Catholic Teacher Training College, John Noonan did not study there!! Maybe he attended St Edward's College in Everton. By Nov 1889 when he married Annie Ince, they were both describing themselves as School Master & School Mistress! Annie INCE was a few years older than John Noonan and on the 1881 Census at Ashton-in- Makerfield, she is recorded as a Pupil Teacher age 16. On the 1891 & 1901 Census her younger sister Helen/Ellen INCE b1873c is also a School Teacher at Ashton In Makerfield

John and Annie married at St Oswald's Catholic Chapel at Ashton in Makerfield.

John Francis NOONAN age 22, School Master. Address: 25 Verona St Everton. Father: William Noonan, Tailor

Annie INCE age 24, School Mistress. Address: 40 Bolton Rd Stubshaw Cross Ashton. Father: George Ince, Butcher
Witnesses: Peter and Maria Ince

I believe that John was a teacher at Our Lady Immaculate at Everton Elementary School for most of his working life. Annie NOONAN is listed as a teacher in 1901.

In 1891, John, Annie and their first child are listed at 225 Breckfield Rd North - the address given in the 1894 Directory for Liverpool. In 1901, their address is given as 130 Beacon Lane, Everton. By 1911 they are back at 226 Breckfield Rd North. John and Annie’s oldest daughter, Mary Josephine also became a teacher - in 1911 she is listed as teaching at an Industrial School - possibly St George’s Industrial School which was in Everton Rd. There were a few Catholic Industrial schools at the time. His daughter Margaret may also have become a teacher.




		John NOONAN, 1920s




	John NOONAN, 1940s




		John seems to have taught at Our Lady Immaculate for years. There he taught Richard Downey (future Archbishop) as a child. According to the Biography of Richard Downey b 5 May 1881 at Kilkenny, son of Thomas & Mary Downey nee Casey, grew up on Calder St Everton. However.....this is puzzling, as Sandra cannot find Richard Downey on the 1891 Census when he would be 9yrs old!! In 1901 Census Richard Downey 19 is a Student at St Edward's College at Everton. We have to assume, therefore, that John was teaching here some years earlier (he is consistently listed as a teacher at Elementary Schools).

Sandra has a personal letter from Bishop elect of Liverpool Richard Downey, dated 12 Sept 1928 inviting John Noonan & his wife to his Consecration as Bishop. He goes on to say: "your old pupil is not unmindful of all he owes to you".

John Noonan's Obituary in 1942 says he retired from the Headship of Our Lady Immaculate in 1932. He must have been headteacher there for a good while. We’re now looking for some more information about John and his family.

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