John James Nelson (1865-1940) was one of the three solicitors who all built large mansions at the east end of Chancery Lane (the others were Thomas Sherratt, his father-in-law, at Beechwood, and F C Mayer at the Gables). His house, originally known as Inglethorpe but seemingly renamed the Meads during his tenure, was on the south side, next to the Gables on the corner of Church Road, and opposite Beechwood. Nelson married Sherratt’s daughter Marian, who had a stellar academic record as an undergraduate.
He was the son of a Wesleyan minister, though he ended his days in the Church of England. In early life he joined Sherratt in his Kidsgrove practice, and held office as clerk to the separate local councils there and (at the same time) both in Audley and Alsager, where he succeeded his neighbour Mayer. He was still in office at his death.
Nelson published at least three novels. Not much (beyond its title) is known about one, The Dice of the Gods, but it was followed by A Man of Parts (1924) and The King and I (1935), which dealt with the part Cheshire (and in particular Barthomley and the Nantwich area) played in the Civil War.
Something about the character of the man is – most unusually – signalled by the census enumerator in 1911, who under ‘Head’ [of the household], has scribbled (in addition to Nelson’s name, which Nelson himself will have written) just one word – ‘undoubtedly’.
