Wednesday 25 March 2015

GEOFFREY SHAKERLEY Esq, JOHN DIXON ESQ. AND SIR HUMPHREY DE TRAFFORD BART



   Three rare old specimens of the true Cheshire breed; albeit the family of one of the three had migrated originally from Yorkshire, and another lived just over the border in Lancashire. Still they were all three members of Tarporley, and of just the Cheshire type, keen sportsmen, delighting in hunting, and real, warm-hearted country gentlemen. Hear our friend "Farmer Dobbin" -
   "I see Squoir Geffey Shakerley, the best un o' the breed,
    His smoiling feace tould plainly how the sport wi' him agreed;"

and again —
  "Eh! what a mon be Dixon John, of Astle Haw, Esquoir,
   You wudna foind, and measure him, his marrow in the shoir."


   True, for no less famous for his stature was Mr. Dixon, than for the generous warmth of nature.

   Each of these three worthies has left good and true descendants. Two of them, Colonel G. SHAKERLEY and Sir HUMPHREY, do not reside in the County, but all of them still take a warm interest in Cheshire hunting.

   Colonel Dixon, the third, is in all respects a thorough country gentleman, useful in all public affairs of his County, Chairman of the County Council, but with always good foxes in his coverts at Astle, ready for the hounds if they can catch them.

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