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WILLIAM MACKENZIE TOMB

July 17, 2017 By Steven Horton

The tomb of William MacKenzie, situated in the graveyard of the former St Andrew’s Church in Rodney Street, Liverpool, is often talked about. It is said that he is not buried there, but instead sat above ground and also that his ghost roams the locality.

William Mackenzie was born near Nelson in 1794, the eldest of the 11 children of Alexander MackenWilliam Mackenzie tombzie, a Scottish contractor. He started his career as an apprentice weaver but changed to civil engineering, becoming a pupil of a lock carpenter on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in 1811. He continued his training on a dry dock at Troon harbour and as an agent on the Edinburgh and Glasgow Union Canal.

In the 1820s he was a contractual engineer on Birmingham canals and some of the cuttings required for the Liverpool & Manchester railway. He also worked abroad, including on the Paris to Rhouen railway. He lived at 74 Grove Street (no longer there) from 1843 until his death in 1851. He had been married twice but had no children and left most of his £340,000 estate, equivalent to £42 million today, to his youngest brother Edward.

Legend has it that he was not buried but sat upright in the tomb. The story goes that McKenzie was supposedly entombed seated at a table with a winning hand of cards in his bony fingers.

The yarn insists that as an inveterate gambler, he bet and lost his soul in a game of poker with the Devil and figured that if he was never buried, Satan could never claim his prize. His ghost is said to be seen walking Rodney St late at night, as although he is kept from the devil, he cant get to heaven either.

William Mackenzie Tomb

However there is clear proof that the tale of his entombment is not true. The pyramid monument you see was actually erected seventeen years after his death in 1868 by his brother Edward. It was placed there after the death of his second wife Sarah in December 1867. The inscription on it says “In the vault beneath lie the remains of William Mackenzie Esquire who died 29th October 1851 aged 57 years. Also, Mary his wife, who died 19th December 1838 aged 48 years and Sarah, his second wife who died 9th December 1867 aged 60 years. This monument was erected by his Brother Edward as a token of love and affection A.D. 1868. The memory of the just is blessed”

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More ghostly tales of Liverpool are in this book available at Amazon

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About Steven Horton

I am a local history author and tour guide based the Liverpool region, specialising in bespoke tours tailor made to suit the individual or group. Whether it be football, Victorian murders or Liverpool sites connected to the US Civil War, I can arrange something that will suit the customers needs, not go where I want to take people.
I have published seventeen books, all of which are available via the shop page. As well as writing for the Liverpool Echo and Times, I have made guest appearances on local radio and TV. Local history is a real passion of mine, if you enjoy my site please feel free to share through facebook, twitter etc and maybe leave a comment.

Comments

  1. Paul Abbott says

    September 30, 2017 at 10:12 am

    Hi

    On my way to work this morning. I was listening to radio Merseyside. The DJ commenting on the story and life of William. How he amassed a huge sum of £330, 000. Gambling e.t.c.

    Currently looking around for more information on this interesting character from the past.
    Thanks for your post

    Cheers,
    Paul.

ABOUT

Steven Horton has been a freelance writer for 20+ years. He is the author of 7 books has written for the Times, Liverpool Echo, numerous fanzines and websites, and also appeared on Radio Merseyside/City Talk, ITV News and Sky Sports News. ..read more

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