Charles Clay and Sons was established in 1861 by Charles Clay. An advertisement from the time records the company as inventors and patentees of the ‘low cost’ ribbon process which superseded the old method of weaving ribbons on a shuttle loom. The company had factories at Manchester, Cheapside, North Shields and Luton, where on leaving school in 1960, my dad had his first job as a trainee toolmaker.
By this time Charles Clay and Sons were now making more than ribbons. Situated on the ground floor and second floor, dad worked in the real leather department where banking items such as blotters, desk calendars and diaries were made, as well as plastic versions and other items such as tobacco stay fresh pouches, key rings and promotional gifts for companies such as BP and British Airways.
Dad was tasked with making and repairing high frequency (HF tools), setting up and repairing the HF welding machine, showing staff how to make new products, training the operators in safe loading of welding machines so as to not get HF burns to fingers and hands, organising stock arriving from the cutting room such as plastic sheet and cardboard. During his time there he also learnt to gold block and silk screen all the goods.
The first floor of the factory was offices and an in house printing press department, while the top floor was a machine sewing department making children’s shirts and ladies clothing. A small part of the factory housed ‘English Ribbons.’ Dad recalls that one of the women who worked there had previously worked as a conductress (also known as ‘clippy‘ because she would have ‘clipped‘ used tickets to prevent them being re-used) on London buses. One of her drivers had been the singer Matt Munroe.
Earls Barton is a village in Northamptonshire, situated in the borough of Wellingborough. The name comes from Bere-tun, which is Saxon for ‘a place for growing barley’. The prefix ‘Earls’ comes from a long association with the Earls of Northampton and Huntingdon. Earls Barton is known for its Anglo-Saxon and shoe making heritage — it is also the place where my ancestors lived and worked.
On leaving the army in 1922 my great grandfather Joseph Charles Abram returned to the village where his parents Charles and Emily lived. He built two houses on the Mears Ashby Road, choosing to live in one and sell the other. He was also the proprietor of Abram’s Buses and later Earls Barton Motors, known locally as Abram’s garage.
Abram’s Buses
The first motor bus had arrived in Earls Barton in 1921 and was owned by the village carrier who would have transported passengers and goods between towns and villages in the area. In 1924 Joseph purchased his first bus — a model T Ford saloon from Henry Oliver Ltd, a Northampton based Ford agent, for which he paid £221. The same year he was summoned for leaving a motor bus in Wellingborough without having taken due precautions to prevent it starting in his absence. Superintendent McLeod explained the vehicle had been left in Sheep Street where a constable had been able to jump on the vehicle and stop it before it had got too far. Joseph was fined £1
The main service Joseph provided operated between Earls Barton and Wellingborough but services also included a Saturday only service between the months of September to April for football supporters, services from Barker’s Shoe Factory in the village, an August Bank Holiday service to Castle Ashby, excursions to Yarmouth, Clacton and Skegness and a number of evening tour trips.
By August 1928 Joseph had a fleet of four buses. Newspaper articles from the time show that as the omnibus proprietor of a small bus company, Joseph took on the United Counties bus company on the road, in the press and in the courtroom —the much larger company had an operating area covering Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Huntingdonshire, with services that reached into Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Oxfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Rutland, London and Nottingham.
In a letter to the editor of the Northampton Mercury, Joseph wrote “I have been running my two buses (trying merely to get a living) for some few years now between Earls Barton and Wellingborough and was the first to commence early morning journeys for workmen between those places.” United Counties responded saying that “the authorities concerned should think seriously about granting a ‘small man’ a licence”.
It was also reported in the press that Joseph applied for a new co-ordination between his services and the United Counties Omnibus Bus Company Ltd between Earls Barton and Wellingborough, due to overcrowding on the route and United Counties not keeping to the scheduled times. As such “a start two minutes later could be of great importance.” Mr Troup applying on behalf of Joseph said “The last Earls Barton census had a population of 2,800, yet no fewer than 111 passenger buses ran into it every Saturday and 120 out.” He continued that “on Wednesday and Fridays 93 buses ran in and out, 68 on Monday, Tuesdays and Thursday and on Sundays 48 in and 49 out.” The Chairman (Mr J H Stirk) asked “does everybody move at Earls Barton every Saturday” and Mr Troup replied “I think they must.” William George Austin a United Counties inspector also advised that Mr Abram had complained on one occasion about a bus starting four minutes late but the driver said he started promptly having set his watch by the Regal Clock in Wellingborough which was met by laughter. It was concluded there were too many buses on the route but a decision would be deferred until loadings of the two services had been supplied.
Other newspaper reports exist of accidents, dangerous driving and a false statement made to the police by a driver for the United Counties Omnibus Company, who later admitted making the statement “because he was annoyed at the time by a woman who was one of Abrams’ customers insulting him.” When Joseph applied to run a service to Castle Ashby on the flower show day in the summer, it was report United Counties objected on the grounds there was an adequate service and that passengers had been left stranded which Joseph denied. The Chairman granted the application nonetheless saying “see you bring home all the people you take.” In the same article it was reported Joseph complained United Counties had a five minute service against him for a village of 3,000 people, so as to “squeeze the blood out of your body.”
In December 1930 Joseph offered his services and vehicles to United Counties but did not in fact sell his business to them until 1932. In March of that year Joseph advised them he was willing to dispose of his business which included four vehicles, two plots of land, a petrol pump and wooden garage — the business was sold on 23 March 1932.
On Friday 20 November 1931 the Northamptonshire Mercury reported that ‘an application had been made by J C Abram of Earls Barton to run his buses between Wellingborough and that place’ and further newspaper articles from the time show that as an Omnibus Proprietor of a small bus company he took on the United Counties bus company on the road, in the press and in the courtroom.
The document below, produced by The Omnibus Society, records Joseph’s life from September 1924 when Joseph purchased his first bus, to May 1932 when he sold his business to United Counties.
The sale of Abram’s Buses almost certainly assisted Joseph with his purchase of Abram’s Garage which Joseph advertised as ‘the reliable physicians for all motoring ailments.’ Complete overhauls and repairs were carried out to all makes of cars and commercial vehicles, with all repairs carried out by expert mechanics under personal supervision of the proprietor. Newspaper advertisements from the time also show that Joseph sold vehicles from the garage including a 1933 Austin light 124 saloon, 1934 Fordson end tipping lorry, 1932 Lanchester saloon and a 1930 Singer saloon.
In 1935 during his time as proprietor, Joseph was called as a witness at Wellingborough Police Court following an escapade by three youths who pleaded guilty to a number of offences including possessing a firearm. Joseph told how on 14 May dogs had awakened him — getting out of bed he heard clicking noises and saw a car driven away. The following morning he found two petrol pump globes had been broken apparently by bullets. Later the police found the pellets but Joseph could not say who was responsible. And the 1939 census of Earls Barton records Joseph as a Motor Engineer Garage Proprietor living at Abram’s Garage, Main Road with his wife Millicent (Milly May) and daughter Betty. Also residing with them is Albert E Evans, a haulage contractor and motor engineer.
World war two
During the war the garage was used for repairing aircraft parts for Sywell aerodrome. A document from the Harrington Museum states:
‘The number or aircraft needing repair increased rapidly during 1940 and the accommodation at the main centre at Sywell was found to be inadequate. This together with the policy of dispersal and the benefit of taking work to the people instead of the reverse with consequent saving in travelling, led to premises being requisitioned including Abram’s Garage, Earls Barton – used for undercarriage and bomb beams.’
Joseph is known to be a member of the Home Guard during World War two. The Home Guard was set up in May 1940 as Britain’s ‘last line of defence’ against German invasion. Members were usually men above or below the age of conscription and those unfit or ineligible for front line military service. The full Home Guard ledger is in Earls Barton museum and lists all the streets and homes in the village. Each home is listed with how many occupants whether they were in the Home Guard or ARP wardens it even lists if the house had a ladder or a hosepipe in case of an air raid.A document from this time also lists buildings other than dwelling houses used by the Home Guard and Abram’s Garage is shown as post number 12.
Ooold Soljer and Two Beauts
And on 31 March 1943 the garage was recorded as sustaining a broken window when, during a practice air raid, two B17 flying fortresses, Ooold Soljer and Two Beauts, collided, shedding bombs and spreading wreckage in Mears Ashby and Earls Barton — an information board now stands in Mears Ashby which advises visitors about the crash.
Aubrey Leighton
Joseph is believed to have run the garage successfully until sometime after the war and when he retired, he sold the garage to Aubrey Leighton, one of the pioneers of F1 stock car racing. Aubrey began racing in 1955 when the sport was about a year old. He went on to win 48 Finals, plus the National Points Championship in 1963. In only his third season of racing, Aubrey won the 1957 World Championship, staged at Belle Vue.
The Abram family however remained in Earls Barton. Joseph’s parents Charles and Emily who are first recorded as living there on the 1911 census can be found on the 1921 census and the 1939 census also. And on 24 March 1930 the Northampton Chronicle and Echo reported the old couple, who had lived in Earls Barton for twenty seven years, had fourteen children, six of who had served in the Great War with all of them returning home, had celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary.
Joseph died in 1970 at which time his residence was recorded as Mears Ashby Road, Earls Barton. There is no fancy obituary for Joseph, he was not a prince or a king, a politician or a film star, he was simply an ordinary man doing his best to make a living during an extraordinary time in history — yet reading his words and those of the people who knew him bring him to life and ensure he is not forgotten. How lucky am I to call this ‘regular joe’ my ancestor?
In 1960 my dad was a pupil at Stopsley High School in Luton. At the same time the BBC made a film titled ‘King’s Hill Modern’, a work of fiction which used Stopsley High school as the set.
Michael Abram (back left) and fellow pupils at Stopsley High School.
My dad was involved in the making of the film while a pupil at the school, tasked by his headmaster Dr Walter Roy to look after the film crew during the filming, which took place within the girls school and the boys school and which the filming schedule shows took place 11 – 15 July 1960.
The schools dad told me were built as left and right twins but were kept separate, so he was the first boy allowed into the girls school with the BBC. The schools joined up later in 1960.
Below is the thank you letter dad received from the BBC.
Letter from Richard Francis at the BBC to Michael Abram.
Letter from Richard Francis at the BBC to Michael Abram.
Thomas and Eleanor were Henry’s great grandparents. The 1841 one census shows Thomas aged 55 and Eleanor aged 36, living with their children Anne, Eleanor, Frank, Edward, Elizabeth and Mary in Stockton. On the 1851 census Eleanor, aged 46, can be found living at High Street, Stockton, Durham, England with daughters Elizabeth, Mary, Emma and Caroline. She is described as a widow and her occupation is given as Annuitant.In 1871 Eleanor is recorded as a widow aged 66, still living in Stockton with her daughters Mary Grey Faber and Caroline Grey Faber. On the 1881 census, Eleanor can again be found, now living only with her daughter Caroline.
The ages I have gathered from searches of census returns I have undertaken, do do correspond with the information from the Hamilton Stanley Faber papers, so this page is a work in progress.
Images of Thomas and Eleanor Faber.
Family tree showing Eleanor Grey married to Thomas henry Faber.
Henry’s grandfather was also called Henry Grey Faber. Henry was the first son of Thomas Henry and Eleanor Faber, born 30 November 1829 and baptised on 1 December 1829.
Henry can be found on the 1841 census, aged 11, at Shincliffe, St Oswald, Durham and Lanchester, Durham, England which appears to be a school. In 1851 aged 21 Henry can be found lodging in the household of George and Hannah Harrision at Church Street, Guisborough, Yorkshire & Yorkshire (North Riding), England and employed as a Solicitor’s Articled Clerk. In 1871 he can be found aged 41 residing with the Moore family.
Further information can be found in the papers of Hamilton Stanley Faber in which the family are referred to as ‘Branch 1 – The Stockton (Eeles) branch of the Grey Fabers’ and in which Eleanor is recorded as the daughter of John Grey Esq of Norton.
Henry’s father was Thomas H Faber, born 1861. Thomas can be found on the 1871 census at Middleton One Row, Middleton St George, Darlington, Durham, England, aged 10, with his parents Henry Grey Faber, aged 41 (born 1830 in Durham) and Elizabeth Faber, aged 38 (born 1833 in Durham). Also four brothers and two sisters – Eleanor J Faber, Elizabeth S Faber, Frank S Faber, Charles E Faber, Frederic William Faber and John G Faber. The Faber family are recorded as visitors to Sarah Moore aged 75 and her daughter Mary A Moore aged 37.
On the 1891 census, Thomas, aged 30, is recorded as living with his wife Ada C Faber and his sons Henry G Faber and Frank S Faber. Thomas is recorded as a solicitor. On the 1901 census, Thomas and Ada can again be found. They have five daughters named Ada, Helen, Lorna, Culeen and Olive. And in 1911 the family can be found at 100 High Street, Norton On Tees. Henry Grey Faber, aged 24, is again living with them and father and son are both recorded as solicitors.
This information is also corroborated in the Hamilton Stanley Faber papers, which displays a family tree in which the family are referred to as Branch 1 – The Stockton (Eeles) branch of the Grey Fabers.)
Family tree showing the Stockton (Eeles) branch of the grey Fabers.
Dorothy Faber or aunt Dorothy as I knew her was my great aunt (my grandmother’s sister on my fathers side). In 1960 she married Henry (Hal) Grey Faber. Dorothy was Henry’s second wife and the couple were married at Holy Trinity Church, Micklegate, York in 1960.
Dorothy and Hal lived in the village of Husthwaite in Yorkshire which is situated about 17 miles north of York. Husthwaite is an ancient settlement, one of the oldest buildings being St Nicholas’ Parish Church dating from the twelfth century, which, with the village green, forms the centre of the village. The village is a designated conservation area and is adjacent to the North Yorkshire Moors National Park.
They lived in a house called Little Worsall, situated between the Methodist Chapel, a newer house and The Manor House which was once a farm. However, until I came to write this piece I never knew the name of the property or the house number. Letters were addressed simply to Mrs D M Faber, Husthwaite, York. ‘The postman knows the house’, my parents were told.
Dorothy and Hal lived at Little Worsall for six years. Henry died in 1966 before I was born but Dorothy continued to live there, with her sister Molly until 1994, then alone until her own death in 1998.
Worsall Grange
The 1939 register records Henry living at Worsall Grange, Stokesley, Yorkshire (North Riding), England, working as a solicitor and living with his wife Ellen G Faber and daughter Elizabeth H F Faber. Living with them are two domestic servants, Bridget Dowd and Madelaine Nugent
Today Worsall Grange is a listed building, described in estate agent particulars as a delightful grade II listed detached country house set in 2.44 acres approx, between the villages of Low Worsall and Kirklevington, well placed for the thriving market town of Yarm and with a small paddock laid to grass that extends to 18 acres.
The Cleveland and Teeside History Society record the place name Low Worsall as ‘Modern English low + place-name Wercesal, Wirceshel, Werchesal(e) 1086 Wi- Wyrkesale 1285-1367, Wirsal (1316) 16th, 1369, Parva Worsall“Little Worsall” 1483.’
Little Worsall
It seems that when Henry moved to Husthwaite, his new home was named after Worsall Grange. The Husthwaite History Society records the following information about Little Worsall.
In the seventeenth century the property described here had 4½ acres at the back, stretching down to Elphin Lane. Later this tract was farmed as part of the Manor House land and by 1841 some rearrangement of boundaries had taken place. The tenants of the early eighteenth century were called Wood and survival of the fieldnames Wood Garths suggests a reconstruction. This leads to the conclusion that the frontage of the old tenement would have extended from Little Worsall to Colton House.
Several facts about this property in the early seventeenth century suggest that it was of importance in the management of the manor. It lay alongside the Hall and Hall Garths. It belonged to the family who held the lease and hence lordship of the manor. It had a dovecote (the only one known in Husthwaite), a privilege of manorial lords.
Image of Little Worsall and information about the people who lived there.
Dorothy
Dorothy Margaret Clarke was born in Northamptonshire in 1904. She was the daughter of Louisa Jane Shortland and Albert Edward William Clarke, a police sergeant in the Northamptonshire Constabulary. She had one brother named Edward Alexander and three sisters, Cecily Mary (known as Molly who lived with her at Little Worsall from 1966 – 1994), Kitty Alexandra and my grandmother Delia Eileen.
The 1939 register shows Dorothy, working as a school teacher, living in the Morrison household at Faceby Manor, Faceby, Stokesley R.D., Yorkshire (North Riding), England. Today Faceby Manor Lodge is a Grade II listed building.
It also appears that Dorothy worked as a governess. One of the most interesting things Dorothy sent to me was the letter below from a Miss Lennox-Carr of Piccadilly (according to the biography of the historical novelist Georgette Heyer, Miss Lennox-Carr ran a registry office for governesses), recommending Dorothy for the post of governess to the young King of Iraq. I don’t believe that Dorothy took up the offer but nevertheless it is a lovely piece of family history.
In January 2022 I was contacted by Tony Walker who had seen this blog. He had come across a document for Miss Carr’s agency when sorting through some some historical papers and asked if I would like a copy. The document can be viewed below.
The things I remember about Dorothy are firstly her two dogs, Otter and Toby – sausage dogs, one smooth haired and one wired haired. The second, the incredible view from her garden of the Kilburn white horse, one of the most famous landmarks in North Yorkshire and one of the most northerly turf-cut figures in Britain. Dating from 1857, the outline of the horse was marked out by the Kilburn village schoolmaster and his pupils. Finally, the way she encouraged my interest in my family from a young age, with letters, stories and photos. Dorothy is hugely responsible for my love of history today..
Henry G Faber in uniform.
Hal
Henry Grey Faber was a solicitor. His occupation is recorded in census returns and I have also found mentions of Henry’s legal career in the Gazette newspaper.
The 1891 census shows a Henry G Faber was born in Durham in 1887, to Thomas Faber, aged 30 (born 1861 in Durham) and Ada Faber aged 29 (born 1862 in Wimbledon, Surrey). A younger brother and sister, Frank S and Ada L are recorded too. Aged 14 in 1901, Henry appears to have been a boarder at a school in Harrogate and in 1911, aged 24, he is recorded as being a solicitor, living again with his parents Thomas and Ada and with more sisters and a brother.
The North Yorkshire history website records Henry as ‘Admitted Oct 1911. Member of Faber, Fawcett & Faber, of Stockton-on-Tees. Mobilised Aug 1914 as Capt., 5th Batt. Durham Light Infantry, promoted Major June 1916. Once mentioned in Dispatches. Served at Home and in Flanders and France. Wounded May 24, 1915.’
I believe Henry married his first wife Ellen Holberton in Totnes, Devon in 1916. Their daughter Elizabeth was born in Knaresborough in 1917 and in 1939 her occupation is shown as VAD, which I have learned stands for Voluntary Aid Detachment, a voluntary unit of civilians providing nursing care for military personnel in the United Kingdom and various other countries in the British Empire. Searching for Henry Grey Faber on the Find My past website, I found details of his service, medals and awards and his first world war record. Ellen it seems also served in the army as a staff nurse.
Thomas Faber (Henry’s father)
Henry’s father was Thomas H Faber, born 1861, He can be found on the 1871 census at Middleton One Row, Middleton St George, Darlington, Durham, England, aged 10, with his parents Henry Grey Faber, aged 41 (born 1830 in Durham) and Elizabeth Faber, aged 38 (born 1833 in Durham). Also four brothers and two sisters – Eleanor J Faber, Elizabeth S Faber, Frank S Faber, Charles E Faber, Frederic William Faber and John G Faber. The Faber family are all recorded as visitors to Sarah Moore aged 75 and her daughter Mary A Moore aged 37.
On the 1891 census, Thomas, aged 30, is recorded as living with his wife Ada C Faber and his sons Henry G Faber and Frank S Faber. Thomas is recorded as a solicitor. On the 1901 census, Thomas and Ada can again be found. They have five daughters named Ada, Helen, Lorna, Culeen and Olive. And in 1911 the family can be found at 100 High Street, Norton On Tees. Henry Grey Faber, aged 24, is again living with them and father and son are both recorded as solicitors.
This information is also confirmed in the documents of Hamilton Stanley Faber in which the family are referred to as ‘Branch 1 – The Stockton (Eeles) branch of the Grey Fabers.)
Henry Faber (Henry’s grandfather)
Henry’s grandfather was also called Henry Grey Faber. He was the first son of Thomas Henry and Eleanor Faber and was baptised on 1 December 1829 in Durham. This information is again confirmed in the documents of Hamilton Stanley Faber in which the family are referred to as ‘Branch 1 – The Stockton (Eeles) branch of the Grey Fabers and in which Eleanor is recorded as the daughter of John Grey Esq of Norton.
Henry can be found on the 1841 census, aged 11, at Shincliffe, St Oswald, Durham and Lanchester, Durham, England which appears to be a school. In 1851 aged 21 Henry can be found lodging in the household of George and Hannah Harrision at Church Street, Guisborough, Yorkshire & Yorkshire (North Riding), England and employed as a Solicitor’s Articled Clerk. In 1871 he can be found aged 41 residing with the Moore family as described above.
The papers of Hamilton Stanley Faber advise the following about Henry.
Henry Grey Faber Esq was a solicitor and town clerk of Stockton. Eldest son of Thomas Henry Faber Esq of Stockton. Born at Stockton 30 November 1829. Baptised by the Rev: Jno: Cundell next day. Christened by the Rev: Geo: Stanley Faber at Stockton church 11 October 1830.
He was educated at Rugby and matriculated at University College Oxon 29 March 1848 at 18. He married at Holy Trinity Stockton-on-Tees 15 December 1859 Elizabeth Eeles daughter of John Eeles, Mayor of Stockton 1847/8/9 (by Elizabeth Colpitts. his wife. cousin of Colpitts Grainger Esq sometime MP for Durham) and grandfather of Jeremiah Eeles of Stockton-on-Tees.
Mr H G Faber did 5 February 1885 was was buried at the Stockton cemetery. He left issue:
1. Thomas Henry Faber of Norton
Solicitor born 18 September 1860, educated at Malvern College and married 1885 Ada Cotton daughter of Alfred Giles of Cosford, Surrey Esq. MP for Southampton and Jane Emily Coppard his wife.
Mr T H Faber had issue.
Henry Grey Faber born 1886.
Frank Stanley Faber born 1887/1888.
Ada Mary Faber born 1890.
Helen Margaret Faber born 1891.
Lorna Kathleen Fabert born 1894.
Aileen Coppard born 1895.
Olive Faber born 1899.
2. Frank Stanley Faber
Born 14 May 1864. Died unmarried in the USA of typhoid fever in 1890.
3. Charles Edward Faber
Egglescliffe Yam-on-Tees, solicitor partner with his brother in the firm of Faber Fawcetts and Faber of Stockton-on-Tees. Born 12 January 1855.
Origin of the names Faber and Grey
Information about the origin of the Faber and Grey surnames can be found on the Ancestry.co.uk website.
I am interested to learn more about the surnames Faber and Grey, as the name Grey appears to have been used as a middle name by many people with the surname Faber, both male and female, including Henry and Edward, largely in Stockton on Tees. However, I have also found the name connected to Dorset, London, Middlesex and Essex and would very much like to know more about this.
Please note: This page is a work in progress – if you can help write this story, please get in touch
This story came about after researching William Thompson, the father of my great grandfathers second wife. In researching William I came to learn about John Humphrey and his family and I wanted to record what I found.
John was born in St Olave’s Southwark in 1825. On the 1851 census, aged 24, he is living at 5, Cavendish Terrace, Clapham, Wandsworth, London and Surrey, England with his wife Emma. His occupation is given as Wharfinger (the term means keeper or owner of a wharf and is pronounced wor-fin-jer). Ten years later on the 1861, John and Emma can be found at the same address, now with eight children (Edmund, Mary, Henry, Ernest, Francis, Herbert, Stanley and Constance) and five servants, including a William Thompson, born in Dallington, Northamptonshire, (who I believe is possibly the father of my great grandfathers first wife), employed as a footman.
Baptised on 6 January 1826, in Bermondsey, St Olave, Southwark, John was the son of John and Mary Humphery who were living at Dean Street. On the baptism certificate the occupation of John’s father is given as Wharfinger too.
On 5 October 1847 John married Emma Cubitt at St Leonard, Streatham, Lambeth, England. John’s profession is given as Squire, John’s father is named as John Humphrey, Alderman of London and Emma’s father is named as William Cubitt, Sheriff of London.
After John’s death, it is possible to continue tracing Emma’s life via census returns. The 1871 census shows her aged 41, now the head of the family, living in Kensington with eight children. The 1881 census shows her living in the Borough of Westminster at 63 Princes Gate with six children and nine servants and her living arrangements with a large number of servants remain similar in 1891 and 1901 too.
The Tallow Chandlers Association
On learning about John Humphery I contacted the Tallow Chandlers Association to see what more I could learn and they advised me as follows.
Between around 1760 and 1938 there were at least four John Humphery’s two of whom were Alderman. The first was John Humphery, a soap boiler from Shadwell and the first of the Humphery’s to become a member of the Tallow Chandlers’ Company – his father, William Humphery, was also in the tallow trade importing oil and fats to Hay’s Wharf in the 1960s.
The second John Humphery was the famous Alderman Sir John Humphery (1794 – 1863) who was MP for Southwark from 1832 to 1852, Sheriff of London and Middlesex in 1832, and Alderman for Aldgate in 1836. He was also Master of the Tallow Chandlers’ Company in 1838 and 1858. This John was in control of Hay’s Wharf from 1840 and commissioned William Cubitt (the father-in-law of two of his sons – John Humphery and Sir William Henry Humphery), to design and build new warehouses in 1856.
The third John Humphery (1825 – 1868) was one of six sons (that are have listed on the database) of Alderman Sir John Humphery and was known as John Humphery the younger on our records.
The fourth John was Lt. Col. Alderman Sir John Humphery (1872 – 1938). He was born to James Arthur Humphery (son of Alderman Sir John Humphery (1794 -1863) and brother of John Humphery the younger (1825 – 1868). Among his many accomplishments, this John was Sheriff of London in 1913, Alderman for Tower Ward and Master of the Tallow Chandlers’ Company in 1919 and 1926. He fought in the First World War and according to a comment on his record – was temporarily appointed Town-Mayor of Ypres when his regiment was divided into several independent squadrons and had no one left to command. He was also awarded various medals as a result of his service
British History Online
John Humphery and William Cubbitt are both recorded on the British History Online website as aldermen in an entry about 1851 which reads:
‘William Cubitt. An eminent builder and contractor, younger brother of Thomas Cubitt, the builder of South Belgravia. He was re-elected to the Mayoralty at the close of his first year of office, partly as a consolation for his defeat in the contest for the parliamentary representation of the City on the retirement of Lord John Russell. He started the Mansion House Lancashire Relief Fund while Lord Mayor. His son-in-law, Sir William Humphery (son of John Humphery, Lord Mayor 1842-3) succeeded him as M.P. for Andover. His re-election to the Presidency of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital after his resignation of his Aldermanry gave rise to litigation, which was not judicially decided till after his death, the office having hitherto been regarded as tenable only by an Alderman of London.’
Port of London Study Group
An article about Hay’s Wharf by Gillian Barton on the Port of London Study Group website writes about the the Humphery and Cubitt families too, stating:
‘In 1840 the wharf came under the control of John Humphrey Junior, an Alderman for the City of London, Master of the Tallow Chandler’s Company, Lord Mayor of London in 1842, MP for Southwark 1832-52 and proprietor of Hay’s wharf from 1838 – 1862. In 1856 he commissioned William Cubitt to design and build new warehouse accommodation. He created a small inland dock so barges could gain access from the river, with a five storey warehouse on each side of the new dock. Business was good, until the Great Fire of Tooley Street in 1861. Described as ‘the greatest spectacle since the Great Fire of 1666’, it destroyed the “best warehouses in the kingdom”. The fire started at Cotton’s Wharf, destroying 11 acres of land. London Bridge railway station also caught fire in the blaze. Most of the wharves were rebuilt in the late 1800s as a result of Humphrey’s partnership with Smith and Magniac (whose company later became Jardine Matheson).’
Other information
On 17 July 1846 John Humphery was awarded The Freedom of the City.
Freedom of the City Admission document for John Humphery.
John Clark from the group Historic Southwark: Camberwell, Southwark and Bermondsey explained ‘Originally you couldn’t carry on a trade or business in the City of London unless you were a ‘freeman’ of the City – that is, a ‘citizen’. Three main ways of becoming a freeman – apprenticeship (through one of the livery companies/trade guilds) (not very common these days); ‘redemption’ (paying a fee); or ‘patrimony’ (if your father was already a freeman when you were born).’
‘John’s freedom certificate shows it was by patrimony. His father the MP was ‘citizen and tallow chandler’ and the witnesses confirm that John Junior was his legitimate son. A few hundred years earlier this would have meant that John Senior was a tallow chandler by trade, making candles out of tallow – but by the 19th century many of the livery companies had lost their links with the actual crafts and trades. But to become a freeman/citizen of London you had first to be a member (freeman) of one of the companies – so no obvious reason why John Senior opted for the tallow chandlers when making his first step to power and influence’.
The graves of two John Humphery’s can be found in Battersea Rise Cemetery and photos of these can be found on the Find a Grave website below.
I learned about John and Elizabeth Peach while researching the Thompson family, with their names appearing on the 1871 census together and with Lucy Munn’s described as Mother in Law. Elizabeth Peach also appears on the 1901 census, where she has a 21 year old servant named Lucy Thompson working 25 Margaret Street, Northampton. Elizabeth is described as a widow and ‘living on own means’.
1851
In 1851 John Peach, aged 34 is recorded as a market gardener with one employee. Married to Martha, they are living at Gold Street, Northampton.
1861
In 1861 John and Martha can be found living at 17 Gold Street. They have a six year old visitor called Selina Starmer and one servant.
1871
In 1871 John and Martha are living alone at Billing Road, St Giles, Northampton. Aged 54 John is described as a retired market gardener.
1881
Aged 64, John can now be found living at 8, Billing Road, Northampton. Again he is described as a retired market gardener but he is now married to Elizabeth Peach and Lucy Munns, described as mother in law, is living with them.
1885
John Peach died in 1885 leaving a personal estate of £2.200.
1886
The Northampton Mercury reported the auction of three highly desirable properties at Gold Street, Victoria Street and Billing Road Northampton.
I learned about George and Lucy Munns while researching the Thompson family. Lucy Munn’s name appeared on the 1871 and 1881 census returns along with William and Harriett Thompson.
1841
George and Lucy Munns, both aged 35 can be found on the 1841 census, living at Todds Lane Johnsons Square, St Sepulchre, Northampton.
1851
In 1851 George and Lucy are living at 1, Nelson Street Square, St Sepulchre Northampton, Both described as shoemakers, they have four daughters, including a daughter Harriett aged seven.
1861
In 1861 George and Lucy are living at 27, Vernon Street, Priory of St Andrew, Northampton. Harriett aged 17 is employed as a shoe machine worker.
1871
In 1871 a Lucy Manns is recorded as living with William and Harriett Thompson at Russell Street, Northampton. William is employed as a riveter, Harriett as a machinist and Lucy as a laundress.
1881
In 1881 Lucy Munns is again recorded as living with William and Harriett, living at 42 Great Russell Street, Northampton. Interestingly though, Lucy Munns, a widow also aged 75 and described as Mother in Law can be found recorded at 8 Billing Road Northampton, living with John Peach (a retired Market Gardener) and his wife too.*
* The 1901 census shows Lucy Thompson aged 21, working as a servant for a widow, aged 73, named Elizabeth Peach, at 25 Margaret Street, Northampton. Elizabeth is described as ‘living on own means’.
William and Harriett Thompson were the parents of Lucy Thompson, who was the first wife of my great grandfather Joseph Charles Abram.
1841
The 1841 census shows William aged three living in Dallington, Northampton, with his parents William and Mary and six brothers and sisters – George, John, Mary, Sarah, Richard and Elizabeth.
1861
In 1861, William aged 23, can be found living in the home of John and Emma Humphrey at 5, Cavendish Terrace, Clapham, Wandsworth. John and Emma have eight children and five servants including William. William’s occupation is given as a footman and John’s occupation is given as wharfinger, which is the owner or keeper of a wharf.
1871
In 1871 William is back in Northampton, living at Russell Street. He is now married to Harriett. Living with them are two other women, Lucy Manns aged 65 and Harriett Clarke aged seven.
1881
In 1881 William and Harriett are living at 42 Great Russell Street, Northampton. They have four daughters including Lucy aged one. Lucy Munns is living with them, aged 75 and she is described as Mother in Law. Interestingly though, Lucy Munns, a widow also aged 75 and described as Mother in Law can also be found recorded at 8 Billing Road Northampton, living with John Peach (a retired Market Gardener) and his wife too.*
1891
In 1891 William and Harriett are living at Great Russell Street. Lucy is now aged 11. William is described as a gentlemen’s gardener.
1901
In 1901 still at Great Russell Street, William’s occupation is now given as a market gardener and Harriett is recorded as a greengrocer shop keeper. **
1911
In 1911 William and Harriett are living at 18 Burns Street, Northampton.*** Living with them is a Mrs Peach, a boarder and a widow aged 83, with a personal description of ‘independent means’.
* The 1901 census shows Lucy Thompson aged 21, working as a servant for a widow, aged 73, named Elizabeth Peach, at 25 Margaret Street, Northampton. Elizabeth is described as ‘living on own means’.
** The 1890 Kellys directory has William listed as the greengrocer.
*** At the time of Lucy’s marriage to Joseph she was living at 35 Burns Street, Northampton.
May Day is a traditional event that dates back to ancient times when Romans celebrated the festival of Flora, the goddess of flowers and spring and when Celtic people celebrated the festival of Beltane to mark the halfway point between spring and summer. May Day customs include Morris dancing and dancing around the maypole.
In Ickwell, Bedfordshire, the first documented account of celebrating May Day in the Parish of Northill can be found in the Church Wardens’ Accounts of c1565. Payments are listed for the purchase of shoes for the dancers, of bells for the shoes, food and drink. Payments were also made to various people for their paynes (efforts) and to mysnstrells.
Ickwell May Queen, 1951
In 1951, my mum’s cousin Pat Smith was Ickwell May Queen. Her picture appeared in the Biggleswade Chronicle, where it was written she had been chosen to be May Queen by her school friends.
Biggleswade Chronicle, 11 May 1951.
A further article appeared in the Biggleswade Chronicle on 25 May 1951. It describes the murmur of the crowds, the steady beat of the drums and the sound of bugles in the distance, the humming bees and the fragrant horse chestnut trees and the sound of leather hitting the willow as spectators watched a cricket match. It was reported that apple trees laden with blossom, against a backdrop of old world cottages, provided a perfect setting for May Day activities.
The Queen led by her loyal subjects was led by the band of the Corps of Drums and as a company of the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment arrived, the Queen surrounded by her attendants, sat on a flower bedecked throne drawn by a gaily decorated tractor. The traditional song ‘Oh lovely, lovely, May’ was sung and hand bells were rung by Mr W Wagstaff. Then the ceremony of crowning the Queen was performed by Betty Lloyd, the previous years Queen, who placed a crown of flowers on the new Queens head and presentations of a garland of flowers and a sceptre were made.
As music struck up, girls dressed as may flowers, skipped over the buttercup-studded grass to the may pole, curtsied to the Queen and then formed a Guard of Honour. Later the Queen, with her Pages and Maids of Honour holding her long gold and green train, paraded around the arena before the Queen returned to her throne to graciously watch the proceedings.
Modern day Ickwell
While May Day is still celebrated across Britain, what may well be unique to Ickwell is that they have a team of adults, ‘the Old Scholars’, who dance around the maypole too. Almost without exception they are former pupils of the village school and some of them have children and even grandchildren also performing on the day. And in May 2020, fifty former May Queens attended Ickwell May Day celebrations. The presentation of the locket to the May Queen 2000, Stephanie Turner was made by Mrs Vera Randall (nee Wagstaff), who had been May Queen in 1920.
A little bit of this ~ A little bit of that 