Background- Perch Rock Lighthouse at mouth of River Mersey

We don't know much about the original William (dates unknown), but he married Mary Conway, daughter of Sir Harry C, Bt.,  in the 1740's and they had a son, Charles (1745-1811).

It is possible that William was the agent of the Duke of Bridgewater, dealing with the land transactions for the Bridgewater Canal, but I have no confirmation yet.

John was a mason, who had been apprenticed to one of the larger masonry companies in Liverpool (Hetherington and Grindrod), who had the contract work for the Dock Board) but was now probably their senior foreman.

John had branched out into quarrying as well as being a contractor and had a quarry up the River Mersey in Runcorn, which came in handy when he came to build the Perch Rock lighthouse and Fort at New Brighton (then a wilderness of sand dunes with only a few houses) in 1826. The stone would be loaded at Runcorn onto a barge and then dropped into the sea at high water off the lighthouse/fort site.

John had no surviving male offspring although there were some very competent in-laws. However, none of his businesses survived his death.

Charles married Hannah Shakerley in about 1775 and they had a son, William, in 1776 and another, John in 1787. Both these births were in their father-in-law's house in Gwersyllt (where they were living). It is said that Charles was a "keen sportsman" (hunting and drinking etc.) and maybe ran out of money or favour, so they moved as a family to Liverpool some time before 1816

William II had a son, also Charles (1845-1929) who was married for 53 years to Sarah Oakdine (or Lamb). Certainly he continued to develop the company and was a stalwart of the Liverpool Trade Protection Society for no less that 45 years.

They had two sons John (1885-1964) and George

At  this point we know more about them. William was a bricklayer contractor now 40 years old who was listed in Gores Directory as working from Mill Place

William specialised in his trade (there were few general contractors then) and taught his son (also William 1806-1881) well, as we have the ledger for 1837 onwards for the company Wm Tomkinson and Sons Limited(WTS). Fascinating reading too, as we will see. There is little doubt that he and John worked together at times, but not exclusively.

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John had two sons Bruce and Charles

Charles had two sons Michael and Richard

Both Michael and Richard had three daughters.

The Tomkinson Group ceased trading in 1993, driven into receivership.

Michael Tomkinson restarted in a small way as Tomkinson Construction, which prospered well until being struck down by a fraud.

The laying of the foundation stone for the opening
of Birkenhead Docks 1845

Hale Church after a complete rebuild following an arson attack. c 1979

Construction of the Plough Inn Runcorn c 1980

Stands for a Royal visit in 1913 on the site of Premier Buildings on the corner of Church Street and Hanover Street. Now a bank