Susanna Sharman - Housekeeper to the Rev. Humprey Hyde of Bourne

This is the story of Susanna Sharman, spinster housekeeper to the Reverend Humphrey Hyde of Bourne. It is also an example of how one Will opened unexpected avenues of research in my family tree and led me to establish that Susanna's life influenced others long after she died.

It is thanks to the work undertaken by the London branch of the Lincolnshire Family History Society that enabled me to locate information in some crucial Wills to enable me to identify Susanna and to connect her to my family tree and through her add a whole branch to my family tree. Members of the London branch undertook a project to review the Death Duties ledgers of the Inland Revenue held at National Archives and record any testator or beneficiary with Lincolnshire connections. Where a testator or beneficiary was shown as being a Lincolnshire person the details of all other names listed were recorded. The result was the publication of the Society's Death Duties CD covering the period 1796-1821.

I had known for many years that my 3x Great Grandmother Mary Bland was a Harrison before she married William Bland at Folkingham on 25 October 1796. As Harrison is a fairly common name in the area and as there were no obvious links with Harrison’s in the area, I had given up any hope of finding where she came from.. The information in the CD enabled me to find the crucial clue. Mary Bland was a beneficiary in the Will of Susanna Sharman.  I duly located it at Lincolnshire Archives and ordered a copy.

The Will of Susanna Sharman LCC Wills 1814/226 

The last Will and Testament of me Susanna Sharman of Bourn in the County of Lincoln Spinster – I give and bequeath unto my Sister Mary the Wife of Thomas Harrison the interest of two hundred & fifty pounds in the Black Sluice Drainage between Bourn and Boston for the term of her natural life and I give to Thomas Harrison her Husband five pounds provided that he is living at her decease, and the like sum of five pounds to William Parham the Husband of my late Sister Elizabeth, each sum to be paid at the death of my said Sister Mary Harrison and after the death of my said Sister Mary I give and bequeath the above sum of two hundred & fifty pounds to be equally divided between the children of my said Sister Mary and my said Sister Elizabeth and the survivors of them and the Wives of their respective Husbands if the said Husbands are dead subject nevertheless to the payment of the above two legacies of five pounds each. I give and bequeath my bed & bedding unto my Niece Mary the Wife of William Bland of Falkingham in the County of Lincoln. I give my seven parlour chairs, Table Glass and all that may be in my parlour cupboards at the time of my decease unto Mary the Wife of John Harrison of Bourn aforesaid. I give my Chest of Drawers to my Niece Anne Harrison Spinster. All my Linen I direct to be equally divided between the said Mary the Wife of John Harrison and Eleanor the Wife of Thomas Harrison Shoemaker of Bourn aforesaid. My wearing apparel I direct to be divided share and share alike between Susanna Willowby and Susanna Peper (sic). The remainder of my Household goods of what nature and kind soever I give to the said Eleanor Harrison. I give and bequeath unto my said Niece Mary Bland all my ready money that may be found in my House at my decease subject to the payment of my just Debts and Funeral Expenses. And I do hereby constitute & appoint my said Niece Mary Bland my sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament and lastly I do publish & declare these two sheets of paper written on one side only and each of them signed by me and the last of them sealed with my seal to contain my last Will & Testament the first day of May in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Eleven. 

Susanna Sharman 

Sealed and published these two sheets of paper the last Will & Testament of the said Susanna Sharman in the presence of us. 

Joseph Rooke

Catherine Digby

The Will told me that Susanna was Mary's Aunt, but it also told the names of other Harrisons. At last I had some clues to research the Harrison branch of my family and as a bonus gave me the names of her sisters Mary & Elizabeth Sharman.  

I know for definite that that two of the three siblings were born in Edenham near Bourne in 1734. Mary born in 1732 and baptised there on 1 October 1734, Susanna was born in Edenham in 1734 and baptised there on 13 March 1734. To date Elizabeth remains elusive. Two, if not all three were the daughters of John & Ann. 

The fact that Lady Catherine Digby witnessed the Will was intriguing. I knew of Catherine and her part in Bourne’s history but I never thought I would have to research her family tree! However, after looking again at the Death Duties CD I noted that Susanna was a beneficiary of the Wills of both the Rev’d Humphrey Hyde and Mary Hyde. The pieces of the jigsaw began to fall into place. A visit to Bourne Abbey churchyard also provided a vital clue. Susanna's gravestone. I found it adjacent to the Abbey. 

In Memory of Susanna Sharman who died February 17 1814 aged 80 years

She lived upwards of forty 

Years a true and faithful 

Servant in the family of the late 

Rev’d Humphrey Hyde of this Place

It's prime position combined with the information that she had been a true and faithful servant of the family together with Susanna's involvement in witnessing the Will makes me think that it may well have been paid for by Lady Catherine Digby. My further research into the Hydes in my mind makes that a certainty.

The Hydes

The Reverend Humphrey Hyde MA BA was baptised at Dowsby on 14^th February 1737 and was the last male in a line that had links with the village of Langtoft from 1607. The Church at Langtoft has many family memorials to the family who lived at the east end of Langtoft. 

Humphrey attended Queen’s College, Cambridge and was ordained into the Church by the Bishop of Lincoln on the 7 March 1762 at St James Parish Church, Westminster and appointed Vicar of Langtoft on 8 March 1762 and subsequently appointed Vicar of Bourne on 9 June 1763. He held both positions until 28 February 1774 when he ceased to be Vicar of Langtoft. A few months earlier on 30 November 1773 he was appointed Domestic Chaplain to the Duke of Ancaster and a few days later on 6 December 1773 he was appointed Rector of  Dowsby.

On 4 September 1766 Rev. Humphrey Hyde married Catherine Hyde daughter of John Hyde, Surgeon of Bourne at Bourne Abbey. The couple had two children, John who was baptised at Bourne on 22 July 1767 who became a minor Canon at Peterborough Cathedral and predeceased his father on 9 February 1803 and Catherine, baptised at Bourne on 20 May 1773. The Rev. Hyde’s wife died in 1790 and was buried at Bourne on 14^th May 1790. This therefore left Catherine without a mother at the young age of 17 and therefore one can speculate as to how much she and Humphrey relied on their Housekeeper Susanna Sharman.

Brook Lodge built by the Rev. Hyde in 1776 as the first Vicarage for the town by the Abbey which still stands today. © John R G Bland

Humphrey Hyde remained as Vicar of Bourne until his death on Sunday 25 January 1807 aged 68.

Will of Rev. Humphrey Hyde – Ref PROB 11/1456/214

In the Name of God Amen.

I Humfrey Hyde of Bourn in the County of Lincoln, Clerk do make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following that is to say first I direct that my body shall be interred in a decent manner and as becometh my station in the Chancel of the Parish Church of Dowsby in the said County of Lincoln. Also I Direct that my just debts, legacies and funeral expenses shall be fully paid and satisfied by my Executrix hereinafter appointed. I give and bequeath  unto  my Housekeeper  Susanna Sharman all the furniture bed and bedding with the appendages in her own sleeping room, four pair of Servants Sheets the six Kitchen Chairs, the two Kitchen Tables a Coal Scuttle, tea kettle and a few kitchen requisites such as pots pans, Candlesticks etc.

 I give and bequeath the sum of ten pounds to be paid within one month after my decease to the Churchwardens of the said Parish of Bourne the whole to be by them distributed and divided amongst such of the industrious poor families as do not regularly receive parochial relief. I likewise give and bequeath the sum of five pounds unto the Churchwardens of the Parish of Dowsby aforesaid to be paid to them within one month after my decease and to be by them distributed amongst such of the industrious poor families of the said Parish of Dowsby as do not regularly receive Parish Relief.

I give and bequeath unto my most respected relation and friend the Reverend Thomas Foster Tinwell in the County of Rutland Clerk the sum of ten pounds to buy a ring And to James Digby of Bourn aforesaid Esquire the sum of ten pounds to buy a ring to be paid to the said Thomas Foster and James Digby respectively within two months next after my decease.  I give and bequeath to the said Thomas Foster all my books which I request he will immediately divide as equally as may be between his two sons. I give and bequeath unto my friends Roger Baskett  of Tickhill in The West Riding of the County of York esquire and James Torkington  of the Parish of All Saints Stamford in the said County of Lincoln Esquire all and every my household goods and Furniture, ready money, securities for money, plate, linen, china and all other my personal effects not hereinbefore by me disposed of to hold to them the said Roger Baskett and James Torkington and the Survivor of them His Executors Administrators and assigns upon trust that they or the survivor of them do and shall  pay or cause to be paid (out of the Interest arising  from my Black Sluice Drainage Securities) unto my dear sister Mary Hyde of Bourn aforesaid Spinster an Annuity or yearly sum of eighty pounds for her life and to my Housekeeper Susanna Sharman an Annuity or yearly sum of thirty  pounds during her life the said two several annuities of eighty pounds and thirty pounds to be paid and payable by equal payments  clear of all deductions half yearly that is to say on the twenty fifth day of March and the twenty ninth day of September in each and every year the first payment thereof to be made on which ever of the aforesaid days shall happen until next after my decease and I do hereby charge the said securities I hold on the Black Sluice Drainage to and with the payment of the said two several  annuities.

All  and singular my messuages, Cottages, lands, tenements heriditaments and real Estate whatsoever and wheresoever and also all the residue and remainder of my said personal  estate and Effects and all other my estate and interest of what nature or kindsoever which at the time of my decease I or any person or persons in trust for  which I in trust for any other  person or persons is or are possessed  of or any ways entitled unto and not hereinbefore by me disposed of I give devise and bequeath the same and every part thereof unto them the said Roger Baskett and James Torkington their heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns upon trust that they and the survivor of them do and shall stand and be possessed thereof during the natural life of my daughter Catherine the wife of the said James Digby and from time to time pay and dispose of the yearly and other rents issues profits and proceeds thereof unto such person and persons and for such intents and purposes as my said daughter whether or  sole and notwithstanding any her future coverture shall by any writing or writings signed with her hand from time to time order direct or appoint and in default of or until she  shall make or give  such order direction or appointment do and shall pay the said rents Issues profits and proceeds into the proper hands of my said daughter Catherine Digby or otherwise shall and do permit and suffer her to receive and take the same to and for her own sole and separate use and benefit for and during the term of her natural life to the intent that the same or any part thereof may not be at the disposal of or subject or liable to the continual forfeiture debts or engagements of her present or any future husband but only at her own and separate disposal and I do hereby declare that any receipt or receipts under her hand or under the hand of such person or persons as she shall from time to time order or direct to receive the same shall from time to time notwithstanding her coverture be a sufficient discharge for the said rents Issues Profits and Proceeds or for so much thereof for which such receipt or receipts shall be given and from and after the decease of my said daughter Catherine Digby then as to all and singular my said real Estate and the residue of my said personal Estate upon Trust for and to the only proper use and of the heirs Executors Administrators and assigns of the said Catherine Digby for ever and I do hereby declare my will to be that it shall and may be lawful to and for them the said Roger Baskett and James Tockington and the Survivor of them by and out of any of the monies which by virtue of this my will shall come to their hands to retain and reimburse himself and themselves all such reasonable Costs Charges and Expenses.  And as they or any of them shall or may sustain or be put unto in the Execution of the trusts hereby in them reposed and that they or the survivor of them shall be charged and chargeable only with and for his own separate neglect and wilful defaults and not otherwise and shall not be charged or chargeable with or for any sum or sums of money other than what shall actually come to his or their hands by virtue of this my will nor with or for any loss or damage which may happen in or about the Execution of the Trusts thereof but  each of them to be charged and chargeable with and for his own separate acts deeds and wilful defaults only And lastly I hereby appoint my said daughter Catherine Digby sole executrix  of  my Will and hereby revoking all former and other wills and codicils by me heretofore made I do declare this only to be my last Will and Testament  In Witness whereof I the said Humfrey Hyde the Testator have to this my last Will and Testament contained in five sheets of paper my hand and seal that is to say to the first two sheets my hand and to this third and last sheet my hand and seal this sixteenth day of January in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seven.

Humfrey Hyde

signed sealed published and declared by the said Humfrey Hyde the testator as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have  hereunto subscribed our names 

as Witnesses-----T M Maidwell-----Chas. Christopher Junr -----Mary Walker----

This Will was proved at London on the twenty first day of January in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and seven before the Right Honourable Sir William Wynne, Knight  Doctor of Laws Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury Lawfully constituted by the Oath of Catherine Digby Wife of James Digby Esquire the daughter of the deceased and sole Executrix named in the said Will to whom Administration was granted of all and Singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said Deceased she having to be first sworn duly to Administer.

As requested in his Will, The Rev. Hyde was buried at Dowsby on 23 January 1807. 

Thus, this Will shows that the Reverend Hyde made generous provision for Susanna Sharman for her loyal service for forty years. 

The Will mentions a legacy to one of the Rev. Hyde’s sisters, Mary who was buried at Dowsby on 6 February 1811. Mary never married and was living in Bourne at the time of her death. I therefore checked her Will.

Her bequests were as follows:

To Elizabeth Clay, the wife of Bennett Clay of Allington, grazier:

- her share of £150 in the South Holland Drainage with all securities for same and all interest due

- her shares of £100 and £50 in the Black Sluice Drainage with the securities for same and all interest due for her (and her executor and heirs) "absolute use benefit and disposal".

To Susanna Sharman of Bourne

- one annuity of £5 a year for life to be paid half-yearly from the residue of her personal estate.

To her niece Katherine Digby, the wife of James Digby of Bourne esquire

- the residue of her personal estate and effects (after payment of debts, funeral expenses and charges for proving her will) on condition of her paying the aforesaid annuity.

Catherine Digby was appointed sole executrix.  She was sworn on 2 March 1811 and made oath that the goods chattels and credits of Mary Hyde were not more than £1,000.

Lady Catherine Digby of Red Hall, Bourne

The Red Hall at Bourne, Lincolnshire by Rex Needle CC BY-SA 2.0

Catherine Hyde, daughter of the Rev. Hyde married James Digby of Red Hall, Bourne on 28th July 1796. James was widower and at the time of the marriage was aged 61, whilst Catherine was only 23. However, James was a Deputy Lieutenant of the County and a Magistrate of the County and was the last member of the North Luffenham branch of the noble Digby family whose roots can be traced back to John Digby of Eye Kettleby, Leicestershire who was Knighted by King Henry VII for services on the field at the battle Of Bosworth Field which took place in 1485 during the War of the Roses. It was James’s Grandfather who acquired the Red Hall, but Katherine was one of the longest occupiers living there from her marriage in 1796 to her death in 1836. It would seem that the marriage was one of convenience. James Digby had no issue but had wealth; Katherine had only one sibling at the time of the marriage. Whether the plan was that Catherine would produce an heir for James is conjecture, but not impossible as similar arrangements were known to have taken place. As it was, no children were born out of the Union and James died on 7th August 1811 aged 76. 

James was perhaps frugal in his lifestyle yet amassed a large fortune as can be gleaned from a news story that appeared in the Chester Courant Newspaper on 10 September 1811 following his death.

EXTREME PENURY. 

THE late James Digby, Esq. of (whose death took place about three weeks ago), though a very penurious character, and distinguished by some the traits of an Elaves and a Dancer, was, notwithstanding, an excellent landlord, never advancing his rents. He was exceedingly mean in his apparel; and although died worth more than 200,000/. his whole expenditure is said not to have exceeded two hundred pounds per annum. The writer of this article has frequently seen him dressing scabbed sheep, picking up sticks, locks of wool, cabbage leaves, &c.; and there is a heap of stones or coggles, upon his premises, which are said to have been brought thereby a few at a time in his own pockets. Some years since a very considerable estate was to be sold in the Southern part of the kingdom: Mr. Digby attended the sale, in a dress not worth forty shillings, great coat included. The auction room was crowded with persons of the first distinction; of course there were many side-looks and secret whispers about the curious looking stranger ; and some supposing the old Hunks could have but little business there, asked him if knew the conditions of sale ? He said he should be glad to hear them read—they were read, and business proceeded with.—Mr. Digby was silent till the estate got to forty thousand pounds; then bid! —and the whole assembly stared with amazement! The biddings went on briskly for a time ; but his competitors, imagining, perhaps, he could not make good the engagement, and that there would be a re-sale, adropt the contest, and the estate was knocked down to Mr. Digby at about five and forty thousand pounds.—Being directly called upon for the deposit, said, " you shall have it, gentlemen, immediately, and the money for the whole estate to-morrow, you can make it safely over to me by that time." He took out his pocket-book, and gave a draft at sight on his banker for the sum required. No sooner was the signature seen than the name was known though the person was not; and many congees, compliments, and congratulations followed.—Mr. Digby has often told this tale himself, and seemed to dwell upon it with peculiar pride and satisfaction.

The death of James Digby left Catherine widowed at the young age of 38. She had been left legacies by her father, aunt and husband. She continued to live in Red Hall for the rest of her life until her death at the age of 63 on 29th February 1836. Of the many legacies in her Will there were many of a benevolent nature including:-

• To the Minister and Churchwardens of the Parish of Bourne, income from a £500 investment to go towards a salary for the officiating organist and in the event of there being no organist, or in case the organ required repairing, the income was to be used to buy coals for the poor of Bourne on the following Christmas Eve until such time as a new organist was appointed or the organ repaired.
• One pound to each of the twelve inmates of the Bede Almshouses to be paid to them on the first Sunday following her funeral.
• To the Stamford & Rutland Infirmary, the sum of £100 for general benefit.
• William the son of her late servant Mary Harrison £100; George the son of her Coachman George Gilby £50; to the two female servants who may be living with her at the time of her death (except Mary Priestman mentioned later), John Gilby Coachman, John Ashby Footman, John Ward Wallis second Footman, Thomas Whittaker under gardener £50 each and a suit of mourning.
• Bodykeeper Ann Merryman Widow and Housekeeper Mary Priestman an annuity of £15 (provided they were in her service at the time of her death) and to Ann Bellamy, Widow an annuity of £5 for maintaining Katherine’s dog “Flora” if then living.

The legacies to her servants was not unusual for the wealthy, but the size of them may have been and legacies to servant family members even more unusual.

The legacy to William the son of her late servant Mary Harrison was of particular interest. There had to be a connection with my Harrison family and Susanna Sharman. 

John Harrison – tragedy averted.

Next to Susanna's grave at Bourne Abbey I noted that the next stone was that of John Harrison. 

In the Memory of John Harrison who died November 9th 1811 aged 37 years

Farewell my Wife and Children dear

The Lord your tender hearts will chear

Farewell I take a long remove

To dwell, with the my God above

John Harrison was a nephew of Susanna Sharman through her sister Mary who married Thomas Harrison at New Sleaford on 15 March 1763. They had six children all born in Bourne. Susanna (bapt. 23 June 1764 who went on to marry John Willoughby. William (bapt. 15 June 1766), Mary my 3x Great Grandmother (bapt. 7 February 1868), Thomas (bapt. 28 Oct 1770) who is recorded as a shoemaker in Bourne, John Harrison (bapt. 31 October 1774) and Ann (bapt. 16 August 1778) and went onto marry John Towns Gatcliffe by licence at Bourne on 23 September 1823.  

John Harrison married Mary Walker at Bourne on 9 June 1807. They had two children, William Walker Harrison (bapt. 10 April 1808) and John (bapt. 10 Jul 1809). William’s death would therefore have caused great hardship for Mary with no one to support her – even with the possibility that the children could have been cared for by members of the extended family, the likelihood was that Mary would either have had to found a man willing to take her and the children on, or worse could have ended up in the Workhouse. However, as can be seen from the legacy left to William Walker Harrison  by Catherine Digby, it would seem that Catherine came to the rescue by offering Mary a job which may well have come with accommodation, and a few years later Mary was to receive a share of the estate of Susanna Sharman. Her legacies to members of her extended family that would only have been possible as a result of the legacies from the Hydes, would have made the lives of Susanna’s extended family more comfortable, and would have made it easier for them to support Mary and her children. Both sons went on to have trades.

William Walker Harrison married Sarah Davies of Presteigne, Radnorshire Wales and was a draper in Market Deeping for many years. The couple had no children, and whilst William’s estate was minimal (£14 8s. 9d.) when he died in 1886 the fact that he was able to run a business for over 40 years is an indication that he received a decent education that gave him the ability to do this.

John Harrison married Ann Ball at Peterborough on 19 October 1835. This couple has no less than 10 children!  Six of these children were born in London. John was a Plumber & Glazier by trade and after starting out in Peterborough, he appears to have taken his family to Peterborough and then to Cheltenham. He remained in London for 12 years before returning to Bourne during the 1850’s where he established a plumbing, painting a glazing business on North Street, Bourne. He died in 1857, but the business continued in his wife’s name. His eldest son John who was born in Cheltenham took on the business and was still trading from North Street as late as the 1891 census. A sibling Robert also carried on the trade at Market Deeping, whilst various other male descendants also took on the trade of plumbing or as a painter.

There may well be descendents living in the Bourne area today. Some may even have inherited plumbing or painting skills. Whilst my Harrison tree is by no means complete, if any descendents can add to my discoveries I would be happy to hear from you.

Opening of Walden House

Walden House
Credit Danrok, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Whilst I don't know whether the campaign to save Walden House and the associated Cundy Street development that I referred to in my last post in this blog has been successful or not - I fear that Covid has not helped the situation - I have discovered the report of the opening of this building in the Chelsea News and General Advertiser of 23 May 1924 which has been digitised by the British Newspaper Archive   

As this is now of historical importance, and potentially useful to the Save Cundy Street and Walden House campaign, as well as being important in my own family history research I have transcribed the full report below.

FORTY NEW FLATS. OPENING OF 'WALDEN' BUILDINGS.

Mr. Wheatley, the Minister of Health, opened on Monday afternoon the City of Westminster Dwellings, which have been erected in Pimlico-road on land given by the Duke of Westminster. The building, which is five stories in height, is faced with red Leicester wire cut bricks and brown Crowborough facing bricks to relieve the monotony. The arches are of tiles, and the entrance doorways are finished with glazed facing bricks to avoid damage. The staircase walls are lined throughout with tiles to ensure an absolutely smooth and clean surface, requiring no annual expense for distempering. The balusters are of an ornamental character. The floors and roof throughout are of fireproof construction, and the pavings and landings, sculleries, and bathrooms are finished with granolithic. The sculleries, bathrooms, etc., are all tiled to a height of five feet with white glazed tiles, finished with a band of red tiles. The building comprises 15 three-room flats, 20 four-room fiats, and 5 five-room flats, a total of 40 flats, containing 150 rooms, capable of housing approximately 300 persons. All the fiats are absolutely self contained, and lighted by gas on the slot system. The rents of the building are: For a five-room flat 17s. 6d. per week plus rates four-room flat, 14s. plus rates three-room flat 10s. 6d. plus rates. To meet the express wish of the donor of the site, only those persons with children living with them are to be accepted as tenants. Every flat is occupied. The building has taken a year to erect.

THE OPENING CEREMONY.

The Mayor of Westminster (Councillor Edgar Horne). presided at the opening ceremony, and among others present were Lord Jessel, Mr. J. M. Erskine, M.P., Alderman and the Hon. Mrs. G. W. Tallents, Mr. Detmar Blow (representing the Duke of Westminster), the Rev. Jocelyn Perkins, Rev. R. A. Mitchell, Alderman and Mrs. Lawrence, Councillor Mrs. Ridley Smith, Dr. F. J. Allan (Medical Officer of Health), General Cooper, LC.C., Miss Gascoigne, Mr. C. S. Joseph. the architect. Mr. J. Cameron (Higgs and Hill, Ltd., contractors), Lady Bradford, Canon H. L. C. de Candole, and the following members of the Housing Committee of the Westminster City Council :—The Rev. E St. George Schomberg (Chairman), Alderman Sir Robert Walden (Vice-Chairman), Councillors Vice-Admiral Sir Henry H. Bruce, Mr. S. P. B. Bucknill, G. Booth Heming, Major W. C. Hussey, Miss A. M. Mercer, Mrs. F. M. Odone, Major R. Rigg, C. L. Roberson, and Leopold C. Stewart.

FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES.

Councillor the Rev. E. St. George Schomberg said that the Housing Committee were aware that the building represented but a mere drop in the ocean, when they considered what required to improve housing conditions in Westminster. The Council had been criticised from time to time because they had not done more. Emphasizing numerous difficulties the Housing Committee had to surmount, he said that during the last four or five years they had considered many schemes, but in every case the price of the land was the obstacle. The demand for the ground had been so large that the Minister of Health had refused to sanction a scheme, the ground in Westminster being dearer than in any other London borough with one exception. In this particular case the building has been erected through the

GENEROSITY OF THE DUKE OF WESTMINSTER

(Hear, hear.) Some of them might ask why could not they adopt a housing scheme without the help of the Ministry. Theoretically. that was correct, but then Westminster was not in such a favourable position for acquiring land as the Government. He referred in congratulatory terms to the efforts in forwarding the building scheme of Sir Robert Walden, the ex-Chairman of the Housing Committee, Mr. Butler, and the officials of the various departments. He (the speaker) pointed out that in recognition of Sir Robert Walden's association with the scheme, it was proposed to erect a tablet on the wall of the building commemorating his services., and that the buildings should he known as Walden House. (Applause.)

UNSATISFACTORY CONDITIONS.

The Minister of Health, formally opening the buildings, said he was pleased they had succeeded, even in a small way, in to the improvement of Westminster. where he understood the conditions were not entirely satisfactory, lie found that in the Census of 1921 it was stated that 11,000 persons were then living at more than two to a room. He need not at a meeting made up of people who took an active and practical interest in housing, dwell on the evil effect of over- crowding ; but he thought he would be justified in saying it was a poison at the very root of society and it was not at all: creditable to us as a nation that within sight of the Houses of Parliament we should have such conditions as were indicated by the figures he had quoted. , There must always be considerable difficulty in attempting to put housing conditions right in the centre of our cities. He felt that in any successful attempt to deal with the housing question we must rather think of providing accommodation. away from the congested areas and utilising our improving transport to take our people into new housing centres. But their ideal was not to be attained yet, and in the present circumstances it must be gratifying to have such schemes as that in which they were interested on that occasion. That scheme had been made practicable by the generosity of the Duke of Westminster. (Hear, hear.) He understood that it was not the first occasion on which they had had evidence of the generosity of the Duke and he would like to commend his example to the great landlords of the country. He was delighted to find in connection with this scheme that, according to the expressed wish of the donor, persons accepted as tenants were only those with children. He was afraid that to-day there was a tendency to regard children as trespassers on the earth. He was glad to find that there was at least one man occupying a conspicuous position who was prepared to give a welcome to the children who were to be the citizens of the future. The Mayor, moving a vote of thanks to the Minister, said he would like them to know that Westminster may have not been able to build many industrial dwelling houses, but the Westminster City Council contributed one-fifth of the total rates of the whole metropolis.

Alderman Sir Robert Walden, seconding, said he was safe in saying that the scheme, which was inaugurated during his term of office as Chairman of the Housing Committee, was one of the last to receive the sanction of the Ministry of Health under the Housing Act of 1919. They were informed at the time by the officials of the Ministry that the Council were fortunate in getting that sanction, the policy of the then Government in regard to housing shortly afterwards undergoing a complete change. By the fact of this scheme having the sanction of the Ministry any annual deficit on the scheme will be met by the Government out of the general taxes of the country, instead of the local rates having to bear it, as would necessarily have been the case had the scheme not received that sanction. Therefore, they have to thank the Ministry for this, and have considered, in these circumstances, that it is very appropriate that the Minister of Health should declare the buildings open. As a former Chairman of the Housing Committee, he could assure them that they were fully alive to the fact that more housing accommodation of this nature is urgently needed in Westminster, but owing to the high price of land, the development of housing schemes in Westminster on an economic basis is almost out of the question, and he must therefore emphasize the fact that this scheme has only been made possible by the generosity of the Duke of Westminster in presenting the City Council with the land. They hoped that the Duke's action may be an incentive to other large landowners to do likewise, and thus assist the authorities in their endeavour to solve the most serious problem of provision of proper, and decent housing accommodation for' the working classes. In conclusion he expressed his gratitude for the honour that had been conferred upon him by naming the buildings after him. The visitors then inspected a flat, every one expressing approval. The children of the buildings were afterwards entertained to tea by the Duke of Westminster.

Walden House was built through the personal drive of the Duke of Westminster and my 1st cousin three times removed, Sir Robert Walden. It seems that the two men had known each other for many years as the Duke was a customer of Walden's Chemist shop.

 

How sad it is that Grosvenor Estates and the present Duke of Westminster, along with Westminster City Council look like betraying their memory simply to cash in on the value of expensive land in Westminster, a problem that was recognised a century ago. The late Duke must be spinning in his grave.

Save Walden House!

I have just discovered proposals by the Duke of Westminster's Grosvenor Estates to demolish Walden House in the City of Westminster. This is part of a wider scheme of a comprehensive residential-led mixed-use redevelopment, including demolition of Kylestrome House, Lochmore House, Laxford House, Stack House, Walden House and structures attached to Coleshill Flats in Pimlico.

  

Why am I posting this in my "Family history musings" blog, I hear you ask? Well, Walden House is named after my 1st cousin.  Sir Robert Woolley Walden! I have posted about him before more than once. Born in Spalding, the son of a baker and grandson of a carpenter, a Chemist by profession, he was an unsung champion for the plight of the poor in late Victorian and Edwardian London. 

Walden House
Credit Danrok, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

The development of Walden House by Westminster City Council commenced in 1921 and was formally opened on 19 May 1924 after Sir Robert personally brokered a deal with the Duke of Westminster to donate the land to the City Council. The development of 40 flats was reserved for families with children living at home and includes a rear courtyard to serve as a playground for children. This proposition is entirely in keeping with Sir Robert's efforts to improve the welfare of underprivileged children, evidenced by his Mayoral appeal to raise funds for necessitous children whilst Mayor of the City of Westminster, his wife Jessie's work with St George's Row School in Pimlico, and the Whyteleafe Secondary School and his legacy to Spalding Grammar School that established the "Walden Prize" for the pupil to have made the most progress in a School Year, to mention just a few examples.

Walden House to this day is used for the purpose for which it was intended, but remarkably is not a listed building, as Grosvenor Estates were able to obtain a 5 year block on an application for listing by virtue of s.6 Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. However, a statue in the courtyard known as the Arnrid Johnston Obelisk is listed . The listing was achieved in October 2018, and one wonders whether if there had not been a block on the listing of the building, whether that to might have been listed.

Arnrid Johnston Obelisk
Ham II, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

The listing of the Arnrid Johnston obelisk describes it as the most significant surviving sculptural work by the Swedish born artist and specifically refers to a weathered inscription on the plinth of the obelisk which refers to the fact that  Walden House was built on land given over by the Duke of Westminster. It really must have been very impressive when it was new judging by a photograph held in the archives of the V & A  - it seems very apt that a Swedish born artist should be involved in this testament to Sir Robert's memory given that his first Knighthood was granted by the King of Sweden.

Fortunately because the statue is listed, it has to be relocated in the new redevelopment should it proceed, but as the statue refers specifically to Walden House, surely that too should be saved and restored for future generations, and continue to be used to house families with children?

Whilst the building has seen better days, it represents in bricks and mortar a visual testament of everything that Sir Robert Woolley Walden wanted to achieve; a move away from unsanitary housing and the slums that existed in this part of the City of Westminster before Walden House was built. Unlike those , Walden House is simply lacking some tlc. Instead of knocking it down, Grosvenor Estates and the City of Westminster should be looking to restoring the building in time for it's centenary anniversary. That way it can continue to provide a home for families who, through no fault of their own, risk falling into the gaps in society that result in necessitous children that Sir Robert spent his whole career seeking to fill.

Given that it is accepted that Sir Robert brokered the deal that enabled Walden House to be built, I call on Grosvenor Estates and the City of Westminster City Council to explain how the demolition of Walden House lives up to the terms of that original deal between Sir Robert and the Duke of Westminster.

I have signed a petition calling for a halt to these proposals and I hope you will do likewise. To keep up to date with what is happening with this, the campaign has a Twitter feed and a Facebook page . I hope that you will offer them your support. 

I hope it can be saved, restored and perhaps even renamed. Throughout his life he used his full name Robert Woolley Walden. It is through his mother's Woolley family that we are related. If they had named it Woolley Walden House, then I would have been aware of the building and have ensured it's place in the wealth of material I have collated on his life. Now I am aware, it will be recalled no matter what those who have forgotten why the building was built might decide to do.

Ketchup, Mustard, Peas and Elections - all in the life of Mary Farrow

Over the years I have written much about my Great Grandfather William Morton Bailey and his Peterborough horsebus company - one such piece was on the Rootsweb messaging mailing lists in 2007. I had a head start in my research into my Great Grandfather's business activities thanks to the surviving members of the Peterborough Farrow family who were his cousins as they provided their personal memories of him to G D Austin for his book on Peterborough Tramways published by the Peterborough Arts Council in 1975, now long out of print.

The Farrow family themselves are remembered in Peterborough history as a couple of them were Mayor's of Peterborough, but few today would be able to link them up with the tins of Marrowfat Processed Pea's available on our supermarket shelves, but before the War the Farrow name would have been as commonplace as Colmans', yet everyone has forgotten - even members of the Farrow family. Therefore as well as researching my ancestors, I have "adopted" the Farrow business into my research to return the favour made by those Farrow cousin's all those years ago.

Through census returns I have been able to follow the fortunes of Joseph Farrow (1816-1898) whose wife Rebecca was the sister of my GG Grandmother Susanna Allcock was recorded in the 1841 census as an Ag Lab, and then in following censuses as a Ketchup Brewer, Ketchup Manufacturer before reaching the elevated status of "Gentleman" on the 1891 census, but I have not until now been able to establish a timeline for the Company's history until now. 

It seems that it was Joseph Farrow's son's wife (also Joseph -1850-1939) Mary Farrow nee Cragg who really developed the business.

Let me allow Liberal MP for South West Norfolk (1895 to 1924), Sir Richard Winfrey take the story forward by way of his personal reflection of Mary Farrow after her death which appeared in the Boston Guardian on 22 May 1926.

The Late Mrs Joseph Farrow – An Appreciation By Sir Richard Winfrey  

It is now over forty years since I first came to know the late Mrs Farrow, and as years have gone by I have more and more come to appreciate what a remarkable personality she was – quite one of the most remarkable women I have ever met. Brought up a small farmer’s daughter at Sutton St James (I remember her father and mother Mr and Mrs Cragg, quite well), she achieved by most determined industry and considerable intellectual ability, spread over many years, a position for herself in the industrial world, which was the admiration of all who knew her.

She started her married life with Mr Farrow, who was a saddler and harness maker at Whaplode Drove, and it was there I believe, she began to make ketchup sauce from the mushrooms which abound on the grass lands of that district. When I came to know her first in 1885, the family had moved to Holbeach, and there in a building which had once been a brewery, both she and her husband extended the ketchup business until it became quite and important trade with customers all over the country. The connection thus made with condiment retailers led to the pregnant idea of also manufacturing mustard.

I remember so well on my first visit to them (in company with Mr Halley Stewart, who was just commencing his election campaign, and he had no more enthusiastic supporters than Mr and Mrs Farrow), with what pride Mrs Farrow showed us in an outhouse the first stamp erected for the crushing of the mustard seed. At that time she had one man working, and she was quickly learning from him (I believe he had once been employed by Colman’s) all the methods of mixing and making the mustard of commerce, as we know it on our tables. “Why” said Mrs Farrow “should Colman’s and Keen’s have the monopoly of mustard?”

It will be easily understood that the initial difficulties of manufacture, and the subsequent efforts of getting the article on to the market in the face of the keen competition of established firms, with a large amount of capital and prestige at their backs, was no little achievement. But by steady perseverance and very hard work, Mr and Mrs Farrow achieved their object, and in a few years the premises at Holbeach became too small for their expanding business. They then purchased a large house and granary at Boston, which was converted into a factory, and progress became even more rapid.

On one occasion I remember calling, and found Mrs Farrow setting up type from a printer’s case, with two or three boys around her. She said “ I am tired of paying the price printers charge me for my labels for the mustard tins, so I am starting my one printing” and she herself first learnt all there was to know about the art of printing, and then taught her staff. The next time I called she was installing machinery to make her own mustard tins. She said: “I am tired of paying the price they charge me for this!” and so by her energy and foresight every department was developed and extended.

Mr Farrow did his part “on the road” and soon they had their own commercials touring not only this country, but also abroad. Both Mr and Mrs Farrow travelled extensively on the Continent, and in America breaking fresh ground for Farrow’s Mustard.

Afterwards came the building of the large and well equipped factory at Peterborough, and Mr and Mrs Farrow took up their residence at “Westwood” on Thorpe Road. Into the more modern development of this great business I need to enter, for the present generation have watched its growth as I have, with admiration.

The pea business, which is now so extensive, was I believed, added in the Boston days; anyway when one comes to look back on those small beginnings at Holbeach forty years ago, it shows that it was in those early days that the “master mind” was in evidence. It was the determination to master all difficulties by hook or by crook through long and patient months and years, that success was in the end achieved.

Mrs Farrow was certainly not an eight hours a day person, and amidst all her business activities she found time to help many good causes. She was an ardent temperance reformer, an active member of the Baptist body, and a convinced Liberal politician. I believe she used to say that she and I made our first political speeches together, at Sutton St James, in 1885. Certainly both she and Mr Farrow drove Mr Stewart and I on many journeys both in Fen and March during that memorable election.

Her family may well be proud of her distinguished record and achievement. She has lived to enjoy some years of retirement at Bowthorpe Hall, Wisbech, surrounded by her family and friends, to whom she has been ever so generous and kind.

So did Mary make money out of Mustard? You bet. Her estate was valued for probate at the sum of £41,408 15s 10d - about £2.5m in today's terms. It is therefore perhaps not a coincidence that between 1887 and 1918, until parliamentary boundary changes that Spalding had a Liberal MP as the local Liberals must have had a great local champion. 

Sir Robert Woolley Walden Obituary

On the death of Sir Robert Woolley Walden, my first cousin three times removed several obituaries appeared. This one from the Surrey Mirror of 16 August 1929 is particularly interesting as it gives an insight to the later years of his life:-

SIR R. WOOLLEY WALDEN. DEATH OF PROMINENT RESIDENT OF WARLINGHAM the death of Sir Robert Woolley Walden. Bart., C.8.E., D.L., J.P., a prominent resident of Surrey, and one who had taken great part in public life, has passed away. The deceased gentleman, who was 75 years of age, had been ill for a considerable time, and died on Wednesday morning at his home. “Bella Vista.’’ Westhall Road. Warlingham. Sir Robert had been for many years associated with the public life of London, and especially the Westmister area. 

When the Westminster City Council was formed in 1900, he was one of the first elected members, and he advanced to the office of Alderman, and was elected Mayor for 1908-09. Altogether he was a member of the Council for twenty years. He was a member of the Board of Guardians for St. George. Hanover Square, for twenty-one years, and had filled the office of Chairman. He was also a member of the Metropolitan Asylums Board for twenty-one years, and for six years of that time he occupied the position of Chairman. was a magistrate for the County of London, and was a member of the London County Licensing Committee. Thus he devoted a vast amount of what should have been his leisure time to the service of the public. 

Amongst other positions he held was that of a member of the Metropolitan Water Board, and he was Chairman of the Water Examination Committee. His work as a Poor Law administrator was recognised when he was elected President of the Metropolitan Poor Law Conference from 1915 to 1917. During the war he took an active part in the Volunteer movement, and was a member and Deputy Chairman of the Military Appeal Tribunal for the County of London. He was also a Deputy Lieutenant for the County of London. His public services were recognised in 1921, when was given a Knighthood. 

When Sir Robert took up his residence in Warlingham. about seventeen years ago, he was still a member of the authorities mentioned, and though they demanded great deal of his time, he soon began to take an interest in local government and other affairs in and around the district of his residence. In 1913 he was candidate for the Oxted Division of the Surrey County Council which embraces Warlingham), but he was little known in the locality at that time and was not successful at the polling. However, he continued to identify himself with the public life of the district, and several years ago was elected member of the Godstone Rural District Council and board of Guardians, in April, 1921, reelected in 1924, and retired in 1927. 

He took a very keen and active interest in the work, and his experience of public service elsewhere enabled him to frequently offer sound advice. “Bella Vista” being very close to Whyteleafe, Sir Robert associated himself with the life the people in that parish, as well as in Warlingham. He was a generous supporter of the various organisations that exist in connection with the welfare of the people, and he was specially interested in the work the Whyteleafe Parish Church. For several years he was a member of the Parochial Church Council, having been re-elected at the annual meeting in March last. 

When the scheme was started recent years for providing a public recreation ground in Whyteleafe, Sir Robert at once identified himself with the movement, and besides contributing towards the fund took active part promoting success that attended the effort to secure the ground. In politics Sir Robert was a Conservative. and for some years had held the position of President of the Whyteleafe Conservative and Unionist Association. Sir Robert was born at Spalding, and was educated at the Grammar School there and at Leamington. He settled in Westminster in business chemist. He married, in 1904. Jessie May, daughter of the late Mr. Samuel Edwards, of Stafford. She died in 1918. The funeral will take place to-day (Saturday), at Whyteleafe Parish Church, at 11.45 a.m. 

Twice a Knight

There is one member of my family tree,who has taken up more of my time in research than anyone else. My First Cousin 3 times removed Robert Woolley Walden. Or as I refer to him Spalding's forgotten Knight. 

He was born in  1851 in Spalding, Lincolnshire to parents Mark and Mary nee Woolley. Mark was a widowed baker at residing on London Road, Spalding.  Robert was educated at Spalding Grammar School and went on to Leamington College.

Premises of Walden, Chymist - listed by Westminster City Council

He gained professional qualifications and registered with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain on 22 May 1872. Little is known of his early career, but by the 1885, he had established his own business at 65 Elizabeth Street, Westminster, London, SW1. The shop front is listed, and the business still trades under his name today.

So what did Robert Woolley Walden become "Sir" and why was he "Twice a Knight".

Knight of Sweden

He was first Knighted in 17th November 1908 by the King of Sweden, being appointed Officer first class of the "Royal Order of Vasa". This was the year that he was Mayor of the City of Westminster and after making enquiries with the Archivist at the Swedish Royal Court, I was provided with the following information.

King Gustaf V & Queen Victoria of Sweden made a state visit to Great Britain in the Autumn of 1908. During their visit 15 Royal Swedish Orders and 4 medals were awarded to British Citizens. On 18th November the Royal couple arrived from Windsor to Paddington station where they proceeded to the guildhall in London. At Oxford Circus the Royal couple received addresses from the Mayor's of Westminster, Marylebone and Holborn. The address given by Robert Woolley Walden was as follows:-

We, the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the City of Westminster beg on behalf of the Citizens, to accord your majesties a most hearty welcome on the occasion of your visit to our City.

We trust your visit to our beloved king, Queen and Country will strengthen still further the bond of friendship which exists between the Swedish and English Races. You have the happiness to rule over a law abiding and contented people, who though descended from a Nation of heroes, are yet lovers of peace.

We rejoice to note the great increase of commerce between the two nations of late years, and it is our earnest desire that your Majesties may have a long prosperous and peaceful reign.

Given under our Common Seal this 18th day of November 1908. 

(Swedish National Archives 1902 års dossiersystem, vol 3565 b) 

It was for this address that Robert Woolley Walden received his first Knighthood.

Knight of Great Britain

In 1913 Robert Woolley Walden was appointed Chair of the Metropolitan Asylums Board - the body responsible for running the healthcare services in the London for those with infectious diseases, the poor and the mentally ill. He was to retain this role until stepping down after the War in 1919. It was during the War that his name was first put forward for a British Knighthood. One proposer was Liberal Unionist MP for St Pancras South and Mayor of Westminster 1902-03, Herbert Jessel (later Lord Jessel) in a handwritten letter to Lord Walter Long.

My Dear Walter,

I am sorry to bother you but I believe that this is about the time that the lists are being prepared for January Honours. I enclose the dossier of R.W. Walden whom you know and who has been Chairman of the M.A.B. for the last four years. He has done yeoman service on the local bodies of Westminster & from the record you can see he has got to be head of every one. He is quite well off as he was in business as a chemist from which he retired, I believe, some years ago.

 

The real point about his case is that he is sixty two years of age and people do not get younger. What he wishes is to be made a Knight and I personally I think that he well deserves it. He was I believe cut out of the list last time – not the only one as you know.

 

I am still very busy here and there is always something new going on. Since July a process of counting (?) out and something like 1,200 recruits to be made into rough riders & grooms. Not an easy job with ex confectioners – bootmakers factory hands from the North of England bit it has to be done. We have had also to send two squadrons abroad. France & Salonika & this means replacing them. Now we have received orders to train & condition horses for artillery as the reserve Brigades are not able to send the required number. However it is all very interesting & our turn over is wonderful. Hope you are fit & well.

 Yrs ever H M Jessel P.S  Let me have a reply. I can send Walker though I sincerely hope that it will come off.

 (The Political Papers of Walter Hume Long, 1st Viscount Long of Wraxall, 1854-1924 
Wiltshire & Swindon Archives 947/772)

A typed dossier was enclosed:-

Robert Woolley Walden, J.P Co. London
METROPOLITAN ASYLUMS BOARD.

Member for past 16 years. Present and for the fourth time Chairman of the Board.

The work of the board and the responsibility of its Chairman and officials has never in its past history been more onerous or of more importance. Since the outbreak of war all the Board’s resources have been placed at the disposal in relief movements of national urgency.

 

Member Appeal Tribunal, County of London, including City of London – Deputy Chairman at F Section.

 METROPOLITAN WATER BOARD – Member for 9 years and Present Chairman of Water Examination Committee. POOR LAW WORK:- President Metropolitan Poor Law Conference – 1915.

Has served 17 years as a Guardian and for the seven of them as Chairman of the Board (three times for St George Hanover Square Union).

In the fusion of the three Unions within the City of Westminster he took the inceptive part and was largely instrumental in bringing the amalgamation into being. The creation of the larger Union has affected an annual saving of from £40,000 to £50,000. He still, in the fourth successive year, holds that position.

Chairman of the Mental Defective Committee, County of London.

CITY OF WESTMINSTER. Elected a member of the first Council in 1900, and subsequently Alderman. Mayor – 1908-9. During his mayoral term important work fell to be done in connection with the re-organisation of the Territorial Force, and the movement for the feeding of Necessitous Children.

Knight of the Royal Order of the Vasa (Sweden).

 Held commission as Captain in 1st Volunteer Battalion Royal Fusiliers – Brigade Cyclist Officer. NATIONAL RESERVE. Is a member of the Joint Committee. 1916

 The response from Lord Long was typed and brief.

My Dear Herbert,

Many thanks for your letter. I had already included the name you mention on my list and I hope the result will be satisfactory this time.

 

I am very glad to hear you are getting on. You seem to be doing excellent work.

 Yours ever Col. Walter H Long

 As it was Robert Woolley Walden did not receive his British Knighthood until 4th June 1921. In doing so he was finally entitled to be known as Sir Robert.

How many other people received two knighthoods?

Beagles' Postcards - BEST IN THE WORLD

We all have different hobbies. Mine is Family History. Whilst researching my family history I came across a man who contributed greatly to the collections of another hobby - postcard collecting.

John Beagles was not a collector of postcards - he was a publisher of them, and the firm that he founded published thousands of postcards that many postcard collectors will have in their collections.

I thought I would set down on record what I have discovered about him and also to pose the questions that I still have about his life.

Family

John Beagles was born on 11 June 1844 in Whaplode Drove, Spalding, Lincolnshire. He was one of 7 children born to John & Jane Beagles. Jane was daughter of Thomas & Elizabeth Booth of Donington, Spalding, Lincolnshire  whilst John Senior was one of the large Beagles family in my tree and was a Butcher in the village.

I literally stumbled across John Beagles contribution to Postcard publishing quite by chance. 

Census Evidence

The 1861 census gives a clue that John seemed to be doing somewhat better academically than others in the Village School as he is shown as being a "Pupil Teacher" aged 16 (Class: RG9; Piece: 2326; Folio: 49; Page: 10; GSU roll: 542954) . The next sighting of him is on the 1881 census where he is found boarding at 40 Chippenham Road, Paddington, London aged 36 described as a "Photographic Publisher" (Class: RG11; Piece: 10; Folio: 6; Page: 6; Line: ; GSU roll: 1341002.).  A more definite clue that this man was worthy of further research. The 1891 and and 1901 censuses confirmed my hunch. In 1891 he was visiting the Household of Thomas W Stevenson a Printer living at 58 Cromwell Street, Nottingham (Class: RG12; Piece: 2691; Folio 61; Page 17; GSU roll: 6097801). Occupation given was still that of "Photographic Publisher" The final census finding is that of 1901 where he was living at 9 Rockley Road, Hammersmith, London (Class: RG13; Piece: 50; Folio: 156; Page: 44.) on his own. He is shown as an "Publisher & Printer" and this census provides the added information that he was an Employer. 

It was the census returns that led me to do a search on Google where I discovered that "Beagles Postcards" were widely traded on E-bay and elsewhere. 

A J Beagles & Co Ltd Postcard of Rudolf Valentino

Rear of a J Beagles & Co Ltd Postcard showing the trademark "Beagles' Post Cards BEST IN THE WORLD

When you come across something like this, it is natural to want to find out more. I contacted some postcard collectors and discovered that little was known amongst the postcard collecting fraternity at the time about the lives of the publishers themselves. It therefore seemed as if it would be down to me to find out more!

When you find someone in business during the C19th and early C20th the next logical step is to look at Trade Directories (the Yellow Pages of their day) and phone books. They help identify where the business was based and the years the business operated. The phone books showed that he had a telephone as early as 1902 (Tel No Hammersmith 1001) and that in 1903 he had premises at 9 Little Britain, Holborn, London (Tel No Holborn 4951) and that a J Beagles & Co business existed at 9 - 11 Little Britain for the next 30 years becoming a Limited Company in 1908,

Picture Postcards and Their Publishers" by Anthony Byatt, F.S.C.A., © 1978 by Golden Age Postcard Books, 28 St. Peter's Road, Malvern, Worcs, WR14 1QS, ISBN 095062120X. provides additional information about the concern.

This old-established company was already well-known for its photographic publishing at the turn of the century. Its postcards can traced back as far as 1903 when premises were occupied at 9 and 10 Little Britain, close to the Post office Headquarters in London, and overlooked St. Paul's Cathedral. By 1904 they had also taken over number 11 and many years later part of this same property was occupied by another postcard publisher, Moore and Dewdney, and their name was still visible above the dilapidated shop front in 1976. Beagles' became a limited company around 1908 and ceased to exist just before the beginning of World War 2. 

Beagles' were noted primarily for their postcard portraits of royalty. Real photographs or bromides, they covered almost every important personage and event for many years, recording weddings, births, deaths, various stages of the children's lives, and the dress and uniforms in which they and their parents appeared. Royalty from other countries also received some coverage. All are numbered, with a sequence of cards carrying a suffix lettered from A to Z.

At one time the firm boasted 5,000 different designs of famous actresses, including novelty cards, jewelled or spangled, luminous pearl cards and some in bas-relief. There is considerable range of action scenes from innumerable plays. An interesting series of skits in sets of six centred around some little children who imitated various key figures. "An Orchestral Rehearsal" issued in 1903 showed one of four years old as a musical director; a second set depicted a little girl as a judge in a Breach of Promise case, and another was called "The Doctor".

A set of "Celebrated Posters" appeared in 1903 and in 1907 a Louis Wain set was entitled "Matrimonial Cats". 1908 saw such varied issues as Leap Year cards, eight Empire Day cards for 24th May, and a set of twelve in colour called "Beautiful Women" drawn by the American artist Harrison Fisher.

The "Celebrity" series included literary figures, the clergy, musicians, politicians, scientists and many others. There was also an extensive series of exhibition cards, such as the British Empire Exhibition, Wembley."

The sale of postcards was a booming business in late Victorian and Edwardian times. They allowed a far clearer image of a theatrical actor, a member of royalty or a film star than any newspaper could expect to reproduce and were aimed at the masses - a bit like "OK magazine" today without the gossip. 

Did it pay? Well it may have done. John was able to live in a fine house in Hammersmith which still stands today and obviously finance a lease of business premises in Holborn, but his Will shows that he did not make a fortune. He died on 8 January 1907. He never married. He left his estate equally to his sister Harriet Booth Beagles and his nieces Eleanor Lucy Isabella Mary Beagles, Mabel Emily Beagles, Evelyn Lakin Beagles & Gladys Bells Beagles stipulating that should they marry any husband shall have control over the legacies. Executors were Thomas William Stevenson of 4 Burns St, Nottingham & Frank Handley Hopewell of 9 Shepherd Bush Road, Hammersmith. At Probate, Hopewell renounced his appointment. The value of the Estate was £554 15s 10d Gross, £182 5s 6d net.

Those with a keen eye will have noted that Thomas Stevenson was the printer who John Beagles was visiting in 1891.

J Beagles & Co Ltd

A J Beagles & Co Ltd postcard of American Actress Janet Gaynor

Rear of a J Beagles & Co Ltd postcard - still BEST IN THE WORLD

The Limited Company appears to have been formed as a direct result of John Beagles death. The reason was probably to allow the name to be used and also the "trademark" (I am still trying to establish whether it was a trademark in the normal sense. There should be a record of the Company at London Metropolitan Archives and that is still on my to do list. I have though established from the London Gazette https://www.thegazette.co.uk/ that the Company was wound up on 18 July 1939. The Picture Post had been launched the year before and it is likely that this and similar quality printed magazines made the postcard obsolete when it came to presenting images of celebrities to the adoring fans. 

Unanswered Questions

A key one is where was John on the night of the 1871 census? This might help give a clue how he got into photography in the first place. I have been looking on the main census websites for a number of years. I also hope to be able to follow up information about the Limited Company and the relationship between Beagles & Stevenson, 

I am proud that a humble Butcher's son from the small village of Whaplode Drove in rural Lincolnshire was able to leave a legacy that postcard collectors are still aware of a century later and no doubt an archive of images some of which have no doubt been digitised and therefore will exist for centuries ahead. This piece is just about the man on the back of those postcards.

Relationship to me

John Beagles was my 1st cousin 3 times removed.