House and Stables, Mersey Road, Didsbury, Manchester

The view we give of this house is of the front facing the Mersey road, the principal elevation being towards the gardens. The whole of the external walls from the ground floor line are to be covered with Portland cement, finished with silicate distemper a toned white, the quoins, cornices, strings, chimneys, etc, being of bright red brick, and the roofs green slates of a small size. We give the ground plan. On the first floor there are four large bedrooms, nursery, and bath room, etc., and on the floor above the same number of bedrooms, all square to the ceiling, a servant's bath room being provided off the half landing of back stairs. A range of conservatories will connect the house and stables, and a large brick wall, with close gateway, inclose the whole of this side of the site as shown in the view. Mr George Freeth Roper, of Haworth's buildings, Manchester, is the architect. [Building News 20 June 1879 page 690]

By reference to the 1892 OS Map, this description is assumed to relate to “Oakdene” 

Edward Rogerson (1835-1910) was born in Liverpool but moved to Manchester. By 1876 he was the owner of a wholesale and retail ironmongers, living in Cheetham Hill Road, but seemingly retired in the same year. In 1888 he is listed as a Director of Chesters’ Brewery having married Martha Elizabeth younger daughter of Thomas Chesters, the founder of the brewery. Edward Rogerson eventually became Chairman of the company, remaining as such until his death. In the rate books of the 1880s he was listed as the owner of two large houses on adjacent sites in Fielden Park, namely Woodstock on Barlow Moor Road (qv) and Oakdene on Mersey Road. Although still in the ownership of Edward Rogerson, Oakdene was rented out and occupied by Sigmund Baerlein, merchant, by 1886. Rogerson returned to Oakdene where he remained until his death in 1910

Reference     Building News 20 June 1879 page 690