Category: Singer

Tom Batt

Thomas Batt, 1886-1950

Francis Collinson collected a six verse version of ‘Come Come My Pretty Maid’ from the Batt Brothers of Bethersden in 1942. He had previously collected an identical version, but with only the first two verses, from Tom Batt, also at Bethersden. The Batt Brothers had a half-brother Thomas, from their father’s first marriage, but he died in 1912, so could not have been the singer that Collinson met. The singer was most likely the brothers’ nephew Tom, whose father Alfred Batt, born 1850, was the youngest of their half-brothers.

Tom was born in the third quarter of 1886. His mother was Harriet, née Rudderham. The 1891 census shows his father Alfred as a farmer, at Tearnden Farm, Green Lane, Bethersden. Tom was the third eldest child of five. His uncles, the twins Ebenezer and Harry Batt, who were 15 at the time – and who would become part of the glee-singing Batt Brothers ensemble – also lived at Tearnden, working as agricultural labourers on the farm.

Subsequent census records show that Tom stayed at Tearnden, working on the farm. He was listed as “Farmers son” in 1901 and 1921, and “Farm labourer” in 1911. The 1921 census shows him as married, although his wife was not at Tearnden when the census was taken.

Tom Batt with horse and buggy
Tom Batt with horse and buggy, Tearnden Farm

Local newspaper advertisements show that by 1919 he was branching out into buying and selling motorcycles. For example in the Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald, 31st May 1919, he was advertising as follows

1917 4½ h. p. Precision Cluck, good plating and enamelling, good tyres, seen any time, trial given before purchasing; £45 nett cash to first one comes along. – Tom Batt, Turnden Farm, Bethersden, Ashford, Kent.

A similar advertisement in the Kentish Express, 11th May 1934, gave his address as Wagstaff Farm, Biddenden, which was farmed by Victor Millen.

Tom Batt viewing two motor cycles
Tom Batt viewing two motor cycles
Tom Batt on a motor cycle
Tom Batt on a motor cycle
Tom Batt driving a motor car
Tom Batt driving a motor car

Reports suggest that Tom Batt was the black sheep of this respectable chapel-going family. As a dealer, he does not appear to have been too scrupulous about the provenance of the goods he was selling. Under the headline “VICTIMISING MOTOR CYCLE OWNERS. KENT MEN SENTENCED AT OLD BAILEY” the Kentish Express, 17th September 1921 ran a long report which began

Late on Friday afternoon the trial opened before the Common Sergeant of London at the Old Bailey, of Joseph Hill, 42, a shoemaker of The Cottage, Church Lane, Kennington, and Tom Batt, 35, a farmer of Turnden Farm, Bethersden, who were indicted, the former with stealing eight motor cycles […] Batt was indicted with receiving the same well knowing them to have been stolen. Hill pleaded guilty and Batt not guilty and was defended by Mr. Curtis Bennett.

The article concluded

Hill was sent to hard labour for 18 months and Batt to 12 months in the second division.

At some point, as shown in this photo, Tom Batt set up as a haulage contractor.

Lorry belonging to Tom Batt, General Haulage Contractor, outside Kent Wool Grower's Limited, Tannery Lane, Ashford.
Lorry belonging to Tom Batt, General Haulage Contractor, outside Kent Wool Grower’s Ltd, Tannery Lane, Ashford.

The 1939 Register shows Tom’s eldest brother, Alfred, running Tearnden Farm, along with his sister Kate (listed as “Poultry Farmer”) and son, also Alfred. A record for Tom Batt in the 1939 Register has not so far been located, but clearly he was in Bethersden in 1941 when he met Francis Collinson. He died in the first quarter of 1950.

Many thanks to Gill Bromley (née Batt) for providing the photographs of Tom Batt.

Songs

0

The Batt Brothers

A report on the autumn show of the Bethersden Cottage Gardeners’ Show, Kentish Express 23rd November 1907, contained the following:

In the evening a diverting entertainment was presented, most diverting contributions being submitted by Miss Creaton, Miss Inge, Miss Skinner and Miss Parker, the Vicar (the Rev. D.H. Creaton), and Messrs. W. Parker, James Batt, Martin and the men’s part-song class. In addition instrumental selections were played by the Bethersden brass band, under the leadership of Mr. Chas. Heathfield.

One week later, on 30th November, additional information was provided:

THE SHOW.– We are asked to state that Mr. James Link, who was such a successful exhibitor at the vegetable show last week, is father to the gardener of Lord Hothfield. The opening ceremony of the above was performed by Mrs. Elmslie, who was accompanied by Colonel Elmslie, C.B., of Forge Dene. We are also asked to draw special attention to the musical contributions in the evening of the Batt Bros., who rendered the anthem, “Awake” and “Dame Durden” in excellent style.

35 years later, ‘Dame Durden’ was one of two songs which Francis Collinson noted from the Batt brothers on 25th June 1942, the other being ‘Come Come My Pretty Maid’ (which he also took down from their cousin Tom Batt). And both songs formed part of the repertoire of the Millen Family (related by marriage to the Batts) when they recorded the CD In Yonder Green Oak in 2000.

George Frampton, in his article The Millen Family of Bethersden, Kent, provides further information on the Batt brothers’ activities:

The Smarden Local History scrapbooks compiled by the local Women’s Institute, which are on microfilm at Ashford Public Library, list two more items in their repertoire: The Mistletoe Bough; and the local version of Nahum Tate’s hymn While Shepherds Watched, to the tune known elsewhere as ‘Lyngham’ or ‘Nativity’.  In both cases, only the tune of each is given, on the assumption that no local variant on the words existed for those generally known.  There are also numerous references present to their singing at various village functions.  The Batt brothers’ singing was evident in the 1920s, when the New Year Old Folks’ Tea was revived.  The ‘Old Friends’ Tea’ as it was renamed had been abandoned with the First World War, but was started up again by the sisters Doris Julia and Kate Batt of Romden Farm, Smarden (a photograph of whom appeared in English Dance and Song in 1969)1 – who were distant relatives of the brothers.  After the repast, there was entertainment supplied from the guests themselves – including Bill Crampton (Dillon’s gardener in 1942) playing his accordion and singing his songs, also from professional performers from Maidstone and elsewhere.  The Batts were often joined for this by their brothers-in-law Victor and Basil Millen from Wagstaff Farm at nearby Biddenden.  The local paper reported that in 1928, the Batt and Millen brothers ‘rendered old glees unaccompanied.’  In 1931, they were referred to as the ‘Messrs. Batt Glee Party.’  Both Batts and Millens were involved in 1932, but after that, no mention was made of this coupling.  In 1937, ‘the four well-known Batt brothers (rendered) their ever popular glee-singing, and their favourite song Just Kitty.’

It seems curious that Francis Collinson only noted down two songs from the Batt brothers – he must have been aware of their larger repertoire.  Dan, Harry, Eb and Mark were featured in the fifth edition of Country Magazine broadcast in July 1942, wherein “… a fifty years old song was sung …” – without specifically stating who did the singing.  One can only deduce that he was looking specifically for one type of song – i.e. the ‘folk’ song, rather than anything book-learnt, even though the item concerned may have beenhanded down orally from generation to generation, from friend to neighbour.  Or perhaps it was that in the 1940s, when Collinson was active, glees were still perceived as modern songs or art songs from literary sources and therefore not worthy of transcription.

In 1935, the Batt brothers decided to do a recording of their singing.  They rehearsed at Jim’s farm at Sevington, standing in a circle trying to get the harmonies right, then it was off to London and the studio.  Only a few discs seem to have been cut, and these copies of the record have gone to ground – even among the surviving members of the family, although it is recalled that the tracks concerned were Dame Durden and Stephen Foster’s Uncle Ned.  The record itself did not find universal praise.  As it was, when each of the Batts died, with no direct descendant keen to continue the family singing tradition, the inheritance of their songs remained solely with the Millens.2

George Frampton has identified the singing Batt Brothers as Dan, Jim, Harry, Ebenezer and occasionally Mark. A report on the 1942 Country Magazine radio programme, Kent Messenger, 3rd July, included photos of the brothers who had taken part in the broadcast: Dan, Harry, Ebenezer and Mark Batt. These were the sons of James and Jane Batt of Hodgham Farm, Bethersden.

James Batt was baptised on 29th April 1810, at St Michael’s, Smarden. He married Harriet Lindridge at St Michael’s, Chart Sutton, on 12th October 1831, and the 1841 census found them living at Further Quarter, High Halden. James’ occupation was agricultural labourer, and they had four children. In 1851, still at Further Quarter, they had another three sons. Harriet died in January 1855, and the 1861 census shows James as a widower, living with his two youngest sons at Hodgham, Bethersden. His occupation is no longer agricultural labourer – he is now listed as “Farmer of 12 acres of land”.

In 1861 the household included a 23 year old house keeper, Jane Lengley. She and James were married the following year, and it was her sons who would go on to sing together as the Batt Brothers. At the time of the 1871 census the family were still at Hodgham. James was now shown as “Farmer (14 acres)”. In 1881 James was still “Farmer using 14 acres” but the family was shown as living at Odiam House, Bethersden. The household included two children from James’ first marriage, plus seven sons and one daughter from his second.

James died in 1886, at the age of 77. Jane continue to live at Hodgham until her death in 1914.

Daniel Batt, 1869-1956

Dan, born in the third quarter of 1869, was the third son to be born to James and Jane. He remained at the family farm at Hodgham, working as an agricultural labourer at the time of the 1891 census, when his mother Jane was listed as “Farmer”, and shown as “Helping on farm” in 1901, when his older brother George was the farmer. By 1911, however Dan was farming Hodgham. He married Pluckley-born Annie Pearson in 1916, and by 1921 they had moved to Langley Farm, Bethersden, where they remained for the rest of their lives. Dan’s obituary, Kentish Express, 19th October 1956 described him thus:

A FARMER FOR 30 years at Langley Farm, and previously at Vine Hall, Bethersden. Mr. Dan Batt, 87, of Langley, died in Hothfield Hospital. His wife died over five years ago and there are no children. Mr. Batt a keen all-round sportsman and an excellent shot was one of seven brothers. of whom only Mr. H. Batt survives. Formerly some of the brothers, known as The Batt Glee Singers, recorded for the BBC.

George Frampton records that at various times Dan Batt played trombone in both the Bethersden and Biddenden brass bands.

James Batt, 1871-1941

Jim Batt was born in the final quarter of 1871. Like his older brother Dan, he was working at Hodgham as an agricultural labourer in 1891. He married Alice Link in 1896 and in 1901 they were living on Ashford Road, Bethersden; Jim was working as a butcher.

In 1911 his occupation was given as “Butcher and farmer”, and the family were residing at an address in The Street Bethersden. There were five daughters and two sons, and the household also included a male assistant and female general domestic servant. Another daughter had been born by 1921, when the Batts were to be found at Court Lodge, Sevington. Jim was now shown simply as “Farmer”. He employed his son Norman as a shepherd, while daughters Gladys and Daisy were “Assisting Father”, and son Ashley was “Assisting Father In Farm Work”.

Jim remained at Court Lodge until his death on 27th April 1941. An obituary was printed in the Kentish Express, 2nd May 1941:

DEATH OF WELL KNOWN FARMER
MR. J. BATT. SEVINGTON

Kent’s farming districts and market towns will regret to learn of the death of Mr. James Batt, Court Lodge, Sevington, on April 27. Mr. Batt, who was 69, and who had borne a long illness patiently, had resided at Sevington for over twenty years, and he was recognised as a skilled farmer in all branches of agriculture, including hop-growing, fruit cultivation, sheep-rearing and formerly, dairy-farming.

He was born at Odiam Farm, Bethersden, in which locality he lived for about forty years, during which time he became well-known. as a farmer and a butcher. In 1916 he removed to Headcorn, but after a year he returned to Bethersden, and in 1919 he went to Sevington. He was a keen cricketer and an excellent shot in his younger days. He had the honour to win a silver cup (1936) presented by the organizers of the Ashford Cattle Show for the best grass farm in Kent. Until ill-health caused him to resign, he served on the local War Agricultural Committee for the disposition of plough-lands.

He is survived by his wife Mrs. A. Batt, and his daughters and sons Mrs. H. Lorden (Kenardington), Mr. N. Batt (Bethersden), Mrs. S. Burbridge (Headcorn), Mr. A. Batt (Sevington), Mrs. C. Hunt (Sevington), Mrs. A. Chisman (Poole), and Mrs. H. Crump (Bilsington). The second daughter died in 1934. There are nine grandchildren.

Like Dan, Jim played euphonium in local bands, and could also play the fiddle.

Henry Batt, 1875-1964

Harry and Ebenezer were twins, born in the third quarter of 1875. In 1891 both were working for their half-brother Alfred (born 1850) as agricultural labourers, at Ternden Farm, Green Lane, Bethersden. In 1901 Harry was working for his older brother, Charles Batt, who farmed at Barrell Farm, Bethersden. He married Eva Minnie Brown in 1909, and two years later they were living at Sunny Side Farm, Bethersden. Harry was described as “Farmer grazier”. In 1921 they had a daughter, and were still at Sunny Side Farm. Harry’s occupation was given as “Farmer – Employer”, Eva’s as “Farmer – Own Account”. Still at Sunnyside Farm, School Road, Bethersden in September 1939, Harry was by now a widow. His occupation was given as “Dairy & Poultry Farmer”.

Harry was the last of the brothers to survive, dying at the age of 88 in the second quarter of 1964.

Ebenezer Batt, 1875-1954

The 1901 census shows Ebenezer “Helping on farm” for George Batt, the oldest of his brothers, who had taken on the running of the family farm at Hodgham. Later that year he married Elizabeth Pearson, with whom he had three children.

By the time of the 1911 census Ebenezer was farming at Wissenden Lodge, Bethersden. Elizabeth died in 1919, and the following year Ebenezer remarried. His new wife was Dorothy E. Bee, originally from Southampton; they were married in the Pancras Registration District, London. In 1921 they were living at Wissenden Lodge, in 1939 at Kench Hill Farm, Tenterden. Ebenezer retired in 1944 and moved to Sellindge. He died in 1954, at the age of 78. An obituary in the Kentish Express, 26 February 1954 read:

Was Weald Farmer And Hop Grower

Member of well-known Smarden family, Mr. Ebenezer Batt, dairy farmer and hop grower of Wissenden, Coopers-lane, Sellindge, died on Friday, aged 78.

He worked on his father’s farm, when 11. and later farmed Wissenden Farm, Smarden, until 1934 when he went to Kench Hill Farm, Tenterden. In 1944 he went to live in retirement at Sellindge, after farming for nearly 60 years. He was a great sportsman and a fine shot, gaining many awards for clay pigeon  shooting.

His twin brother, Mr. Harry Batt. still lives in Smarden.

His funeral took place at the Tilden Chapel, Smarden, a Strict Baptist chapel dating back to 1726, of whose congregation all of the Batts had been members.

Mark Batt, 1879-1950

Mark was born in the first quarter of 1879. In 1901, like Dan and Eb he was “Helping on farm” at Hodgham, and ten years later was still there as a farm worker. He married Esther A Jarvis in 1920. The 1921 census and 1939 Register both show him farming at Buckman Green, Smarden. He died in the final quarter of 1950, aged 71.

Songs

  1. The photograph appeared in English Dance & Song, Vol 31, No 4 Winter/Christmas 1969, p123, accompanied by the following text: “An interesting old photograph sent to us by Mrs. Helen M. Windibank of Smarden, Kent. It shows a musical group which used to meet at Chessenden, Smarden, Kent for playing and singing together. The photograph was taken in the summer of 1909.
    The Misses Kate and Doris Julia Batt, and Miss Dorothy Morley on the right of the picture were enthusiastic singers. Even then, when travel to London was a great adventure, Kate used to go to Town each week for a singing lesson. They all played and sang during the Winter evenings, at their home, Romden, Smarden. This playing and singing was inborn in the Batt family. As early as 1860 six Batt sisters (the sisters of Mrs. Windibank’s Grandfather) used to sing part songs from an old song book.” ↩︎
  2. Frampton, George, The Millen Family of Bethersden, Kent, Musical Traditions, 2001. https://www.mustrad.org.uk/articles/millens.htm ↩︎

0

Bob Ellison

Robert Ellison, c1836-1916?

Cecil Sharp noted down fourteen sea shanties from Bob Ellison at Belvedere on the 4th and 7th September 1914. Belvedere, between Abbey Wood and Erith, was at that time part of Kent; since 1965 it has formed part of the London Borough of Bexley. Although he didn’t specify this in his manuscripts, when publishing one of Bob Ellison’s songs in the Journal of the Folk-Song Society, Sharp made it clear that he had collected the song at the Sailors’ Home in Belvedere. This was Belvedere House in Erith, run by the Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society, which had been opened on New Year’s Day 1876, as a home for “Worn-out and Disabled Merchant Seamen”. The charity remained in Belvedere until 1978, before relocating to Belvedere House, Banstead, Surrey, which still operates as a residential home for men or women from a seafaring background.

Sharp must have written to the Governor of the Home, Captain John Dowdy, enquiring if any of the residents were singers, because his archive contains two letters from the Captain. The first (CJS1/13/1/10/1), dated October 14th 1908, is short and to the point:

Dear Sir in answer to yours re. the old men singing to you I regret very much to say that I have no singing men in my crew. I have asked them times out of number to try but they have no voice left in them. Therefore it would only be waste of time and expense to you to come.

Sharp was clearly persistent, because a subsequent reply  (CJS1/13/1/10/2), dated October 22nd began “You are at liberty to come to the Home and do the best you can”, and advised on the best time of day to visit. We do not know if Sharp visited the Home in 1908, but clearly he did go there in 1914 – by which time, one imagines, there would have been a number of new inmates including, presumably, Bob Ellison. In fact, he not only took down shanties from Mr Ellison, but from at least one member of the Belvedere’s staff: as well as the verses of the shanty ‘Shanadar’ which he got from Bob Ellison, he took down another 3 verses which were “Given me by the Hall Porter of Belvedere” (CJS2/10/3028); and the song ‘Drunken Sailor’, which he collected from George Conway at the Sailor’s Home in Leman Street, Whitechapel, includes a verse which Sharp noted was “given me by Doorkeeper of Belvedere Home” (CJS2/10/3025).

Sharp recorded that Mr Ellison was 78 years old, but other than that we know practically nothing about him. However Sharp’s notes for ‘Shanadar’ quote the singer as saying “I am nice and comfortable here but I’m afraid they will want to bury me in a church yard. I would rather be buried on the high seas on a dirty wild night than in Westminster Abbey!”

Looking at the 1911 census return for the Royal Alfred home (listed formally as “The Royal Alfred Institution For Aged Seamen Merchant Service”) there is an inmate by the name of Augustus Ellison. He was unmarried, aged 73, and born at “Durham, Norton on Hill”, presumably the Norton which today forms part of Stockton-on-Tees. When he died in 1916 his age was given as 80 – this tallies with Mr Ellison’s given age when Sharp met him in 1914, so possibly this “Augustus” is Sharp’s “Bob”. However any earlier record of him, in County Durham or elsewhere, has proved elusive.

Songs

0

Children at Trosley (Trottiscliffe)

On 29th July 1908 Cecil Sharp noted down six children’s singing games at the primary school in ‘Trosley’. This is in fact the local pronunciation of the village officially known as Trottiscliffe – although it has been referred to as both Trosley and Trotterscliffe.

The following description is from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland, 1868, quoted from https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/KEN/Trottiscliffe

TROTTISCLIFFE, (or Trotterscliffe or Trosley), a parish in the hundred of Larkfield, lathe of Aylesford, county Kent, 9 miles W. of Maidstone, its post town, and 2 N.E. of Rotham. The village, situated at the foot of the chalk hills, was given by King Offa to Rochester Priory in 788, and subsequently came to the Bishops of Rochester, whose palace was built here in 1185 by Bishop Granville. The land is partly in hop-grounds. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Canterbury, value £332, in the patronage of the lord chancellor. The church, dedicated to SS. Peter and Paul, has been restored and modernised. There is an endowed National school. At a farm in the vicinity Druidical stones, British coins, copper swords, and other relics of antiquity have been discovered.

The name ‘Trosley’ survives today in nearby Trosley Country Park.

Songs

0

Charley Appleton

Charles John Appleton, 1866-1949

The following account appeared in the ‘About the Neighbourhood’ column by ‘Felix’ in the Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald, 5th November 1932: 

“We are all Jolly Fellows that Follow the Plough.”

Upon my word, it is really wonderful what an accumulation of correspondence one receives on various matters in the course of a week or two. For example, I was recently a guest at a harvest home supper, and after sampling “a cut and come again” kind of menu, listened to a very few short speeches and many ancient and modern songs.

Of course the good old “Farmer’s Boy,” with its rollicking chorus came up as fresh as, ever, and so did “We are all jolly fellows that follow the plough.”

Our Mutual Friend, Mr. Appleton, of Pay Street.

The above named farmer who is affectionately known in the countryside as Charley Appleton was present at the harvest supper I refer to and he, knowing my partiality for the song, has taken the trouble to write It out and send it to me. I am not by any means hard-up for subjects, but I must make room for Charley’s effort as follows:

When four o’clock comes
Then up we do rise,
And into the stable
We merrily flies;
Then rubbing and scrubbing
Our horses, I’ll vow
We are all jolly fellows
That follow the plough.

When five o’clock comes
To breakfast we meet;
With beef, pork and bread, boys,
We heartily eat.
With a piece in our pockets
I’ll swear and I’ll vow,
We are all jolly fellows
That follow the plough.

When six o’clock comes
To work we do go –
A trip o’er the plain, boys,
So nimble, you know.
And when we get there, boys,
So noble and bold,
To see which of us
A straight furrow can hold.

Our master came to us
And this he did say:
“What have you been doing, boys,
All this long day;
You have not ploughed an acre,
I’ll swear and I’ll vow:
You’re damned idle fellows,
That follow the plough.

I turned myself round,
And made this reply:
“We have all ploughed our acre,
You tell a damn lie!
We have all ploughed an acre,
I’ll swear and I’ll vow:
And we are all jolly fellows
That follow the plough.”

Our master turned round,
And laughed at the joke:
“It’s past two o’clock, boys,
It’s time to unyoke;
You take home your horses
And rub them down well,
And I’ll give you a jug,
Of the very best ale!”

This ditty, with it [sic] glimpse of farm life, many years ago was a great favourite, but with the increasing number of steam ploughs and tractors, bids fair to become but a memory. It is not only the humorous side, but the rough and ready manner of the singing of them that renders the listening to such songs so enjoyable.

There doesn’t seem much in it,”

Yes, in these days one can imagine a townsman declaring as above but anyone who has witnessed those straight furrows across the ploughed land may well marvel at the skill often displayed by the men employed. In this old picture note the time 4 a.m. in the first verse. It meant going into the stable with a lantern to feed the horses and then to breakfast, “with beef, pork and bread boys.”  I once witnessed a ploughing match and never since that day have I forgotten what a straight furrow means. We all remember how on one occasion the late Lord Rosebery left the then cabinet and declared he would “plough his lonely furrow alone.” And he did thereafter. I thank our good friend Charley of Pay Street fame for thinking of us benighted  townsmen. And that reminds me that on one occasion I met Charley in Tontine Street. He said: “Why don’t you give us a look up at our cottage some day.” I replied, “Ah! that’s a pretty old cottage isn’t it.” Charley replied “It was built before Noah entered the Ark.” Months after I paid a visit to Pay Street and explored the cottage. Well, with its huge beams placed this way, that way, upright or on the slant I found it a most extraordinary place and I should wonder if the gentleman who designed the ark had not had something to do with Charley’s Cottage. Ah! it was a snug little place though, with a duck pond outside and old English flowers smothering the frontage. Tucked away amongst the trees I well liked the old house. Charley and his family lived there many years. But now they reside in a 20th century bungalow and I hope and we all hope that there is much happiness and a life before them.

Charley was born on 11th Mar 1866, and baptised on 6th May at St Anthony the Martyr, Alkham. The 1871 census has the Appleton family living at “Woolverton” (actually Wolverton), Alkham. The household consisted of Charley’s father, also Charles, an agricultural labourer; his mother Jane and her father, William Rolfe; two older siblings and two younger. By 1881 the still growing family had moved to Noah’s Ark Cottage, Alkham, and his father was working as a farm bailiff. Charley however, now 15, was employed by George Seath (“Farmer 217 acres 9 men 1 boy”) as “Farm servant (indoor)” at Lower Standen Farm, Hawkinge.

He was married on 23rd February 1889 at St Michael’s, Hawkinge, to Susannah Kember. The 1891 census shows them living at 30 Queen Street, Folkestone. They had a one year old daughter, and there were three lodgers in the house. Charley was working as a carter for the Corporation, but at some point in the next ten years he took up farming: in 1901 he was to be found at Hawkinge Hall, Hawkinge, his occupation “Farmer & dairyman”. He and Susannah now had three children; her widowed mother, also Susannah, was living with them.

Charley continued working as a dairy farmer, and from 1911 onwards the census records show him at Pay Street near Densole. This would have been where ‘Felix’ visited him in his cottage. By 1932, when Charley appeared in the ‘About the Neighbourhood’ newspaper column, he was living in a modern bungalow. Presumably this was The Cabin, Pay Street, which was given as his address in the 1939 Register. His occupation was given as “Farmer Retired”. He died on 1st January 1949, at the age of 82.

The noted singer George Spicer, although he hailed from the Ashford area, came to work at Coolinge Farm, a large dairy farm to the west of Folkestone, in the mid-1920s. In 1927 he married Dorothy Appleton, who was the daughter of Charley Appleton’s younger brother Sid, and George and Charley must therefore have known each other.

Songs

0

James Rye

James Rye, 1800-1901

James Rye featured on more than one occasion in the ‘About the neighbourhood’ column penned by ‘Felix’ for the Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald. For example on 13th May 1899:

Congratulations.

Folkestone’s Grand Old Man entered into his 100th year on Thursday last. I need hardly state that I am referring to Mr. James Rye, who first saw the light of day at Adisham, in the year 1800. Mr. Rye is little short of a marvel. He enjoys life immensely. His only ailment is a little deafness, or as he puts it, I am “little ‘ard o’ hearing.” Our old friend reads his daily paper regularly without the aid of glasses, he can sing “The Farmer’s Boy” with any man his own age, and dance a country jig in rare good form. Moreover, his face is almost free from wrinkles, whilst his complexion may be said to be in the pink of condition. It is worth repeating. Mr. Rye was originally employed as an agricultural labourer. He has ploughed over most of the land whereon stands “Fashionable Folkestone,” and can recall the time when this flourishing town was nothing but a mere hamlet. Mr. Rye, too, remembers the time when he helped to succour the wounded soldiers which had arrived at Dover from the field of Waterloo.

And then a longer piece on 12th May 1900, when he reached the age of 100:

FOLKESTONE’S GRAND OLD MAN.

A HUNDRED YEARS OLD YESTERDAY (FRIDAY).

HE IS IN GOOD HEALTH AND SPIRITS.

HE READS HIS NEWSPAPER WITHOUT THE AID OF GLASSES.

A FEW PARTICULARS OF HIS CAREER.

(BY FELIX)

In the small Kentish town of Adisham, James Rye first gazed on the light of day 100 years ago yesterday (Friday). I have frequently alluded in these columns to this truly wonderful gentleman, and the occasion of his attaining his century is sufficient excuse for referring to the interesting subject again. Mr. Rye came to Folkestone as a youth, and has remained in this neighbourhood up to the present. He was a farmer’s boy at Walton Farm, and during his long career has ploughed over most of the land upon which Fashionable Folkestone now stands. The centenarian’s

MEMORY IS WONDERFUL,

and it is one of his fondest recollections that he assisted in conveying the wounded in farmer’s transport waggons from the battle of Waterloo to Canterbury hospital, the soldiers having arrived in sloops at Dover from Ostend. Mr. Rye has led an uneventful life. but of course has noted the great changes that have taken place—the wonderful inventions in machines and science as well as the changes in social existence. But perhaps the greatest wonder in the long length of years that has been granted him is himself. Where is his equal in the land? Daily, bag in hand, he takes his walks abroad, leaning lightly on a staff. He stoops but little, and his general gait would be that of a man between three and four score years. A smile in general illumines his face, which, moreover, is but little lined with wrinkles. Truly Time has been kind to our old friend. Although hearing is defective, his sight is marvellous, for he reads the smallest print without the aid of glasses. The old fellow is serenely happy, and care or trouble appear to be strangers to him. Although

HE ABHORS TOBACCO,

yet he still enjoys a glass of good ale, and declares that for a “night-cap,” nothing can excel a small quantity of the best whisky. Mr. Rye is a staunch Churchman, and many’s the time years ago I have seen himself and deceased wife sitting in the front pew of Holy Trinity Church. But his hearing became worse, and so the old fellow gave up Church going, and fell back, as he remarked to me once, on “the good Old Book,” a portion of which he reads every day. Only a few weeks ago I was in his company, when he sang a rattling country song, danced a hornpipe, and read aloud without the aid of glasses, a portion of an article from a daily paper. Mr. Rye is altogether a wonder, and Folkestone is proud of him. May the remaining years of his life be free from a cloud of care, or a twinge of pain.

He was baptised at Adisham on 15th June 1800. His father was Thomas Rye, and his mother Benedrita née Byrch. James Rye married Susanna Birch at St Martin, Cheriton, on 27th December 1830, and the 1841 census found them living at Cheriton Street. Ten years later they were at Trucks Hall, Newington; in both years James was listed as an agricultural labourer.

In 1871 James was living alone at Cheriton Street, Susanna having died in 1867. His occupation was given as “Grazier & landowner”. That same year he married Mary Ann Holden. The 1881 census has them as “Lodging house keeper” and “Lodging house keeper wife”, at 36 Bouverie Square, Folkestone. Mary Ann died in 1886; at the next census in 1891 James was shown as  “Retired farmer”, boarding with a lady called Elizabeth Cock at Sea Beach Cottage, South View, Cheriton. By 1901 Miss Cock had moved to 37 Broadmead Road, Folkestone, her lodger James Rye accompanying her there; his occupation was given as “Retired farm bailiff”.

James Rye died at the age of 101, being buried on 14th August 1901 at St Nicholas, Newington Next Hythe.

Songs

The Farmer’s Boy (Roud 408)

0

George Mount

George Mount, 1851-1923

George Mount is mentioned in a column by ‘Felix’ in the Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald of 8th September 1923:

A Real Old Timer

There has recently passed away at 154,High Street, Cheriton, in the person of Mr. George Mount, a somewhat remarkable man. He first saw the light of day in a little cottage on the slopes of the hillside near the chalk pit at Newington. During the seventy-two years that he lived Mr. Mount was for the most part an agricultural labourer, his last employer being Mr. Church, builder, of Cheriton. But “good old George,” as he was popularly known, had more than local fame. He was indeed known over a wide area of East Kent. He had one great hobby—and a good one too. Although in a humble walk of life, he formed a taste for following the hounds. To listen to the huntsman’s horn on a cold and frosty morning was often too much for George. Hunting on foot was in his blood.

“The dusky night rides down the sky and ushers in the morn,
The hounds all join in glorious cry,
The huntsman winds his horn
When a hunting we do go”1

 Old George Mount, when he heard the sound of the horn, has been known to “down tools” and run off to follow the quarry on foot, such was his passion in this respect. Over hill or dale, through dense thicket, or on the breezy upland, there our friend would make his way in all weathers, and, what was more, with his knowledge of devious paths and short cuts he would generally manage somehow or other to get in “at the death,” even if it had been a fast run across country for the hounds. Not for thirty years did old George miss a meet of the Foxhounds at Elham. Successive masters of the Hunt and also its prominent members have in turn greeted George as a humble supporter. He had no peer for cross country travel in these parts perhaps, with the exception of Captain D’Aeth, who was also a great supporter of the Hunt and a mighty walker, with a big stride into the bargain. What George did not know about foxes and their habits was not worth knowing.

 Rollicking Songs.

Well I recall the old fellow too singing at those old-time harvest home suppers given to their men by Alderman Quested, J.P., and Mr. F. Graves. It did not matter if after the cloth had been removed professional singers came on the scene; it was George Mount’s songs that were the gems of the evening. After I had listened perhaps a day or two previously to singers of world-wide reputation, it was a change indeed to listen to some of our hero’s efforts. One of these was known as “The Shop-walker.” It had just forty verses, each with a refrain. At times old George’s memory would play tricks with him, and when he had arrived at, say the twentieth verse, he often broke down. No, the words would not come. Then a voice would probably be heard: “Go back twenty verses,” and old George would go back as desired and start afresh. There was another ditty too entitled: “I’ll sing you one, O.” That also was a long effort. But perhaps his greatest success was “The Cuckoo,” and the manner he gave effect with his strident voice to the following lines was something to remember:

“The cuckoo is a pretty bird,
She sings as she flies;
She brings us good tidings,
And tells us no lies.
She sucks little birds’ eggs
To make her voice clear;
She never sings ‘Cuckoo,’
Till summer is near.”

George Mount was baptised at St Martin’s, Cheriton, on 28th September 1851. He was the first child of Mary, née Fisher, and George, who been listed in the census that year as “Bricklayer employing 2 men”. The couple lived at Limekiln Cottage, Danton, near Cheriton. The 1861 census shows George Senior was working as a gamekeeper, living on Cheriton Hill. Two more sons are shown on the census return, but in fact there was another son, Richard, just a baby, who was being looked after by William and Harriet Bailey at Otteringe. George was now a widower, Mary having died earlier in the year – possibly in childbirth. The household in Cheriton included his sister-in-law Ann Clayson, who was shown as house keeper, her young son George, and a niece, Sarah Fisher.

George remarried in 1867. His new bride was Harriet Harman, herself a widow, whose maiden name was Taylor. At the time of the 1971 census the family was living at Denton Pinch, Cheriton. There were four sons from George’s first marriage, one from his marriage to Harriet, and another from Harriet’s previous marriage. George Senior’s occupation was now builder; George Junior, now 19, and his 17 year old brother Charles were both working as bricklayer’s labourers, presumably for their father.

In the summer of 1872 George Junior married Eliza Taylor, and they had two daughters, Rosa and Eliza. George’s wife Eliza died in 1876, again, quite possibly in childbirth. George was married again on 15th October 1877, at St Mary the Virgin, Elham, to Mary Jane Raines. By 1881 they had set up house at Bank House, Newington Next Hythe, with two year old Georgina joining the two daughters from George’s first marriage. George was now working as an agricultural labourer.

In 1891 George’s occupation was “General labourer”. The family has grown again – one daughter and four sons are living in their home at Uphill Cottage, Uphill, near Hawkinge. By the start of the twentieth century the family had moved back to Cheriton, and George had returned to the building trade. In 1901, with another two daughters and a son, he was working as a carpenter’s labourer, living at 9 Park Road, Cheriton. His 16 year old son Sidney was also a carpenter’s labourer.

In 1911 and 1921 George and Mary were living at 154 High Street, Cheriton. In 1911 George was shown as “Labourer brickyard”, in 1921 his occupation was given as “General labour”, employed – as stated in the newspaper article quoted above – by Mr Church, Builder, High Street Cheriton.

He died at the age of 71, and was buried on 10th August 1923, in the church where he had been baptised, St Martin’s, Cheriton. The article by ‘Felix’ in the Folkestone Herald for 8th September 1923 concluded

George loved the hunt above all things, and he loved his fellow men. No millionaire ever got more innocent enjoyment out of his existence than good old George Mount, and because he has now passed away, there is one less cheery soul in the world. He was laid to rest where he would wish to be, in the shadow of those hills he loved in life so well. With his widow and seven children considerable sympathy is expressed. Two of his sons, I may say, laid down their lives in the Great War.

Songs

  1. Verse written by Henry Fielding (1707-54), from Don Quixote in England (1733) Act 2, Scene 5 ↩︎
0

“Tom” Catt

The weekly column by ‘Felix’ Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald for 19th February 1927 included the following:

The foregoing reminds me that at one time the officers comprising members of the Shorncliffe Drag Hunt were wont to give a dinner to farmers whose lands were hunted over by the “Drag.” Those farmers, with their friends, were right royally entertained on such occasions. One such gathering occurs to me as I mention community singing. It was at that period when that splendid sportsman, the late Hon. A.S. Hardinge, was Brigade-Major. That gallant gentleman was a real favourite with the sturdy yeomen. His jet black hair, his dark flashing eyes, and his lithe, dapper figure come before me as I wield my pen. Probably there were 400 or 500 guests present at the particular dinner I refer to. After the good things had been properly attended to by the sons of the soil, the full band rendered some delightful selections. Suddenly there were cries of “Catt, Catt,” from all parts of the great building. ” Catt,” be it explained, died several years ago. He was a short sturdy man with a jolly countenance. He was not a great singer. He did not pretend to be. His repertoire was limited to about three songs, and one of these was “John Peel.” I well remember how the hero of the moment was greeted when he appeared on the platform. Catt had just the good old rollicking style for the song, but it was the community singing, as represented by the chorus of “John Peel,” that brought down the house, or rather, lifted the roof. The memory of the rendition of the song and chorus remains with me. Rough and ready it may have been, but Catt, who was a jolly farmer and poultry raiser at Ham Street, exactly fitted the song.

‘Felix’ returned to this theme a few years later, in his column for 3rd March 1934:

It was in the early days of the “Folkestone Herald,” when I was present at the a annual dinner of the Shorncliffe Drag Hunt. The great building was beautifully decorated,

and the farmers over whose land the “Drag” hunted were present in large numbers from this part of East Kent, including the Marsh. The officers comprising the Hunt, attired  in their picturesque mess jackets, were there to welcome their guests. A full regimental band provided music of the right sort.

The hero of the evening was no doubt the then Secretary of the Hunt (Major the Hon.

A. S. Hardinge, Brigade Major). This gallant soldier and splendid sportsman was a rare favourite both with the farmers of the countryside and his brother officers of the Hunt.

What a night that was! I recall, amongst other things, during the “after dinner” proceedings, how Tom Catt, a sturdy farmer from Ham Street, sang “D’ye ken John Peel?” and how between three and four hundred guests nearly lifted the roof off in the rollicking chorus. Catt, known far and wide, was equally successful in “The Farmer’s Boy.” Singing! Rough and ready it might have been, but what a treat to hear those yeomen “go it.”

The Herald commenced publication in 1891, so “the early days” of the newspaper might be assumed to be the 1890s. There does not seem to have been a farmer in the Ham Street district around this time named Thomas Catt, but “Tom Catt” could very well be a nickname, probably for Robert Catt, who was indeed a poultry farmer at Ham Street for several decades.

Robert Martin Catt, 1846-1903

He was baptised at St Mary the Virgin, Orlestone on  30th March 1846. His parents were Sarah née Martin, and Robert, who worked as a carrier. In 1861 Robert Senior’s occupation was given as “Dealer shop keeper”, but in 1871 both father and son were listed as “Poulterer”.

It was probably the elder Robert Catt who appeared as the plaintiff in a couple of court cases reported on in the local press:

Joseph Cobb, lately a master wheel-wright, of Warehorne, appeared to answer a charge of stealing a mutton chop and a piece of suet, valued at 1s., from the van of Robert Catt, carrier, Ham-street. The prisoner, who in the first instance said he took the meat in a joke, now alleged that the meat produced in court was pork and not, mutton. This, however, was disproved, and he was committed for 21 days’ with hard labour.1

At the Dymchurch quarter sessions on Wednesday, Thomas Cobb, 16, was charged with stealing about a hundred of bloated herrings, the property of Mr. Robert Catt, of Hamstreet, Warehorne, on Nov. 27th. The prisoner it may be remembered, was convicted and sentenced to a month’s imprisonment for stealing an overcoat at Hamstreet in October last. As he had been grossly neglected by his parents a great deal of pity was felt for him, and Mr. Catt kindly employed him to sell herrings when he came out of prison. The lad rewarded this by embezzling 7s. he had received for herrings entrusted to him by Mr. Catt to sell, and afterwards getting into the herring hang and taking the herrings he was charged with stealing. He pleaded guilty, and the Recorder sentenced him to four months’ hard labour.2

The younger Robert married Emily Ann Wanstall at Orlestone on 21st May 1873, and by the time of the 1881 census they were living at Ham Street with two daughters and a son – plus two of Robert’s brothers, and Elizabeth and Henry Law who worked as domestic servants. Robert’s occupation was “Poultry merchant”. In 1891 and 1901 he was shown as “Farmer & poulterer”. In the latter year his sons Robert and Alfred were listed as “Poultry dealer” and “Farmer’s son” respectively.

On at least two occasions Robert Catt was mentioned in local newspapers as a singer, both times in relation to concerts held at the Warehorne Board Schools: on 23rd November 1888 the Kent County Examiner and Ashford Chronicle listed “the Misses Catt”, Mr S. Catt and Mr R. Catt as vocalists at a recent concert; while the Kentish Express, 26th January 1889, carried a report where, among numerous other performers – including a Mr Bridger and a Mr Lonkhurst – Mr R. Catt sang “Four jolly smiths”.

Robert Catt died at the age of 56 and was buried at Orlestone on 8th July 1903.

Songs

  1. Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser, 07 May 1866 ↩︎
  2. Kentish Express, 09 January 1869 ↩︎
0

William, Agnes and Ethel Ford

Among the singers from whom Anne Gilchrist noted songs during her visits to Blackham, in the period 1905-1907, were a Mr and Mrs Ford, and an Ethel Ford, whose version of ‘The Farmer’s Boy’ Gilchrist noted had been learned from her father. Her notes to the song ‘Sylvia’, meanwhile, say “Sung by Mr Ford, blacksmith”. This allows us to identify them as: William Ford, born 1852 at Penshurst in Kent; his wife Agnes (née Durrant), born 1858 at Cowden in Kent; and their daughter Ethel, who had been born at Tunbridge Wells in 1893.

In the 1901 census the family (which also included their 12 year-old son William) were living in Blackham at 1 Forge Cottage – just off what is now the A264 – and it’s likely that this is where Anne Gilchrist met them.

William Ford, 1853-1939

In the available twentieth century censuses, William Ford is shown as working as a blacksmith in Blackham (“Shoeing & General Smith” in the 1921 census). His residence is given as Forge Cottage in 1901, and presumably he remained at the same address in 1911 and 1921, although the precise address is not specified in those years. His place of birth is stated either as Penshurst or Chiddingstone (which are less than three miles apart as the crow flies). At his death in 1939, his age was given as 87, and his birth year as 1852.

He was in fact born on 31st May 1853, the son of John Ford, a labourer, and Harriet née Jenner. Harriet died in 1859, and in the 1861 census 42 year old John Ford was listed as a widower, living with one daughter and three sons, all under 10 years old, at Spring Hill Cottage, Ford Place, Penshurst. William and his siblings were all shown as “Scholar”.

In 1871 it must have been the same William Ford – 18 years old, and place of birth given as Penshurst – who was recorded as working as a farm labourer at Perry Hill Farm, Hartfield, East Sussex, for John Swift, “Farmer of 240 acres of land”. And then surely, ten years later, he must be the William Ford who was a Blacksmith’s journeyman living at Burnt House Holtye, Hartfield, and employed by the blacksmith John Hemsley (birth details for this William Ford are given as Chiddingstone, 1855, but inaccuracies in nineteenth century census records are far from uncommon).

He was married to Agnes Jane Durrant in the final quarter of 1887, and by the next census in 1891 he had set up as a blacksmith in his own right, living at 2 Pennington Road, Tunbridge Wells. The couple had one 2 year old son, also named William. They had another child, Ethel, in 1893. At some point between then and 1901 the family moved to the Withyham area of Sussex: the 1901 census shows that they were living at 1 Forge Cottage (actually Blackham rather than Withyham), with William’s occupation still given as blacksmith. The following year it appears that they wanted (or needed) to leave the business – the Kent and Sussex Courier for 6th June 1902 advertised “Old established Blacksmith’s Business, at Blackham, to Let; ½ mile from Ashurst. Possession can be had at once. – Apply W. Ford, Blackham, Withyham, Sussex”. Circumstances must have changed, however, as local newspaper cuttings reveal that the family were still living at the Forge in 1904 and 1906.1 And in 1911, although William’s address is given only as “Blackham, Langton Green, Tunbridge Wells”, since he was still the village blacksmith we can assume he was still at Forge Cottage. In 1921 too, he was still living with his wife Agnes, with his occupation given as “Shoeing & General Smith”. William was 71 at the time of that census, and it seems likely that he retired not long afterwards, moving the five miles or so to Markbeech. When Agnes died in 1924 her funeral took place at Holy Trinity, Markbeech. William survived another 15 years, being buried on 15th March 1939, with the funeral again being held at Holy Trinity, Markbeech. His residence was given as “East Grinstead Formerly Of Markbeech”.

Anne Gilchrist noted the following with regard to William Ford’s singing:

“Sylvie” or “Silvery” (i.e. Sylvia) was learnt as a boy from the singer’s ‘mother-in-law’ (i.e. step-mother).

Mr Ford’s singing of this and other songs was characterized by an excellent boldness and vigour, and his feeling for rhythmic accent was so good that I asked whether this harmonious blacksmith sang at his work in the forge. But it seemed that this was not the case. He has no knowledge of music, but is famed for his singing of a special song, the tune for which he told me he had made himself, after having “got the words off a ballad-sheet”, such as used to be hawked round the neighbourhood. This song, “The Old Grey Mare,” is in great request at village concerts, where he accompanies it with dramatic action.

It is unclear who is meant by William’s “step-mother”. His father John appears to have been married twice: to Philadelphia (Philly) Thompsett in May 1841 and then, after her death in 1847, to Harriet Jenner in September 1851. Harriet – William’s mother – died in 1859, when William was just 5 or 6; but there is no record of John having remarried, and in all subsequent censuses he is recorded as a widower.

Agnes Jane Ford, née Durrant, 1858 -1924

Agnes Durrant was baptised on 9th May 1858 at St Mary Magdalene, Cowden. Her parents were Liberty Durrant, a farmer, originally from Brighton, and Jane née Bowra. In 1861 the census showed the family living at Ely Land, Cowden, a 16th century timber-framed house, now Grade II listed. 37 year old Liberty was listed as “Grocer and farmer 20 men 1 boy”, Jane as “Grocers wife”. 3 year old “Agness” had one younger brother, named Liberty after his father.

Census records show that Liberty Durrant continued to farm at Ely Land, being described as “Landowner” (1871) and “Farmer of 20 acres” (1881). He and Jane had one further child, Walter (named after his paternal grandfather), born in 1868. In 1881 Agnes’ occupation was given as “Farmers daur”.

Agnes married William Ford, Blacksmith and resident of Cowden, on 15th December 1887 at Holy Trinity, Markbeech, and they settled first at Tunbridge Wells before moving to Blackham. Predictably, the occupation field is blank for Agnes in subsequent censuses, until 1921 when she is listed as performing “Home Duties”. It appears that when William retired, they moved to Markbeech. Agnes’ funeral took place there on 18th March 1924, although her residence was still shown as “Blackham, Sussex”.

Ethel Agnes Ford, 1893-1962

William and Agnes’ daughter Emily was baptised at St Barnabas, Tunbridge Wells, on 5th February 1893. She was the couple’s second child – her brother William was four years older than her.

Ethel would have been around 12 years old when she first sang for Anne Gilchrist. By the time of the 1911 census she was 18, and out at work, as “General servant domestic” for a Mr and Mrs Farrer, who lived at 6 Arundel Road, Tunbridge Wells. She married Frederick G Carey, from Cuckfield, in 1918. In 1921 they were to be found living at 4 Myrtle Cottages, Groombridge, Sussex. Her husband worked as a Railway Porter for the London Brighton & South Coast Railway, and she was listed as carrying out “Home Duties”; they had a one year old son, Gordon Frederick. Another son, Donald, was born the following year.

Fred continued to work on the railways – in 1939 he was a Railway Signalman, and the family were living at 1 Town Station Cottage, Station Road, Edenbridge. Ethel’s occupation was “Unpaid Domestic Duties”.

She died in 1962, her death being registered in the Tonbridge district.

Jane Durrant, née Bowra, 1825-1886

Agnes learned the song ‘Mother mother make my bed’ from her mother. Jane Bowra was baptised at St Mary the Virgin, Westerham on 14th August 1825. Her mother was Mary Ann, née Hollamby, originally from Speldhurst. Her father, William, farmed at “Oberries Farm”, Brasted – this was probably Obriss Farm, at Toys Hill, which is now owned by the Landmark Trust.

She married Liberty Durrant in Shoreditch, London, in the final quarter of 1844. At the next census, in 1851, she and Liberty were living at Ely, Cowden, where they would remain until at least 1881. He was shown as “Farmer 20 acres”, while her occupation was given as “Grocer”.

She died in 1886, at the age of 61, and was buried at Holy Trinity, Markbeech on 9th September. Her residence at the time of death was given as Stick Hill (about half a mile north of Cowden Pound). The same information was given for her husband, Liberty Durrant, who had been buried at Holy Trinity just a few months earlier, on 28th March 1886.

Songs

Agnes Ford

Ethel Ford

William Ford

My thanks to Kathy Wallwork, whose genealogical expertise helped me unravel the details of William Ford’s early life.

  1. Richard Coomber, Blackham Village website, http://www.blackham-village.co.uk/WWI%20William%20Ford.html ↩︎

0

Thomas Coomber

Thomas Marshall Coomber, 1865-1945

Between 1905 and 1907, during her stays with her brother at Blackham in Sussex, Anne Gilchrist noted down more than a dozen songs from the Coomber family, who lived in the village. One of these, ‘The Gentleman Soldier’, became well known on the folk music scene thanks to its inclusion in The Penguin Book of English Folk Songs, first published in 1959. The song came from Thomas Coomber, who had moved to Blackham following his marriage in 1884, but had been born and raised in Penshurst.

Thomas and Elizabeth Coomber
Thomas Marshall Coomber and Elizabeth Coomber

His parents were Richard Coomber, a labourer, and Frances (Fanny), née Card. Both were natives of Penshurst. Thomas was born in the third quarter of 1865, and his birth record lists him as Thomas Marshal Coomber.  Oddly, when baptised at St John the Baptist, Penshurst, on 5th November that year, his name was recorded as William Thomas Comber, but subsequent census records have him as Thomas M. The family’s residence at the time was shown as Pounds Bridge, Penshurst (actually, geographically it’s closer to Speldhurst). In 1871 they were to be found at Barracks Cottages, Penshurst. Richard Coomber was now working as a “Stone drawer”. Four sons, and three out of four daughters, were still living in the family home: his eldest son Richard was a bricklayer’s labourer, while daughters Harriet and Elizabeth worked in a paper factory. This would have been Chafford Paper Mills, actually at Fordcombe, which existed from at least 1786, until 1913, and which at one stage produced paper used for Bank of England notes, and for postage stamps. Ten years later, in 1881, they were living at Poundsbridge and Richard was now a bricklayer’s labourer. Both his wife Fanny, and youngest daughter Charlotte, were employed at the paper factory. 15 year old Thomas was, like his older brother Arthur, working as an agricultural labourer. He had been listed as “Scholar” in 1871, but by his own account he left school at the age of 8, and we know that he was illiterate – both because Anne Gilchrist recorded this fact, and because he signed his marriage certificate with an X.1

On Christmas Day 1884, at Fordcombe, he married Elizabeth Gasson, who hailed from Hartfield in Sussex. As Thomas’ descendent Richard Coomber points out, Christmas Day would have been one of relatively few days in the year when both bride and groom could be sure of being off work. It would appear that Elizabeth had had a son earlier in the year, and that Thomas Coomber was the father: the baptism of Thomas George Marshall Gasson was recorded at Hartfield, Sussex in 1884.

At some point before the end of the decade the family moved to Blackham, just over the border in Sussex, and Thomas began work as a labourer on the extension of the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway:

In all probability Thomas’s quest for work to feed his growing family saw him tramp the few miles to the village of Blackham where the construction of the railway offered the chance of hard, but quite well paid work.

Most of the men employed on the extension of the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway line from Edenbridge to Ashurst junction were professional ‘navvies’, men from all over Britain, Ireland and even parts of Europe, who followed the growing rail network wherever labour was needed. The life was hard and the men often crude and rough, prone to heavy drinking and fighting. Indeed, this line should have been opened 20 years before, but a lack of funds and a riot at nearby Mark Beech over the use of Belgian labourers halted all work until the 1880s.

Thomas worked on shifting the thousands of tons of earth and stone excavated as the cut was dug through Black-ham, and the bridge was built to carry the road which ran from the recently constructed ‘Iron’ church just below the post office, down Bean’s Hill to the watermill on Kent Water, the tributary that marks the border with Kent and ran into the Medway near the papermill about a mile further along its course.

Much of the earth was shifted further down the line towards Willetts Farm to build the embankment for the line before it reaches Ashurst. Thomas was using a horse and cart belonging to the farmer Thomas Floyd and by the time the railway was completed, he had obviously impressed him with his willingness to work hard because he was offered a job on the farm.2

The 1891 census shows the family living in Blackham, with Thomas’ occupation now farm labourer. Their son Thomas was now listed as Thomas G.M. Coomber, and they had a daughter, Elizabeth, born in 1886. Abraham Read, a 74 year old farm labourer, was living with them.

In 1901 they were living at 1 Blackham Cottages, and Thomas was working as “Stockman on farm”. Indeed he remained “Cowman on farm” in the next two censuses, with his employer in 1921 shown as Thomas Ashby, Willetts Farm, Blackham (Ashby had taken on the tenancy of Willetts Farm in 1912). Neither the 1911 or 1921 census gives any real indication of where they lived, other than Blackham, but Richard Coomber believes that they lived throughout this period at a cottage on the Willets Farm estate. You can read a description of their dwelling on the Blackham Village website.3

When he finished his day’s work on the farm, Thomas would return and work in his garden. Apart from a few flowers near the house, it was given over to producing food for the family. Rows of vegetables gave way to plum and pear trees, and a Maid of Kent apple tree, which yielded huge apples. Room was also found for a chicken run and a pig pound, in which he would raise two pigs – one to be killed for the family to eat, the other as payment to the butcher for killing and preparing the meat.4

By 1911 Elizabeth had given birth to a total of 13 children, six of whom had died. When Anne Gilchrist came collecting in the early 1900s, she took down one song, ‘The Squire and the Milkmaid’ (AGG/3/6/8), from Thomas and Elizabeth’s daughter Florrie, who would have been around 14 at the time (she was born in 1891). Gilchrist noted that “the little girl who sang the song had learnt it from her mother, but could not remember all of it”. She also marked one song, ‘The Dark-Eyed Sailor’ (AGG/3/6/9a), as having been sung by “Mrs and the Misses Coomber”. The other Miss Coomber was probably Beatrice (born 1894), although it might have been Dorothea (born 1896). There’s a pretty good chance that they all knew some of their parents’ songs, but unfortunately we’ve no idea if any of them continued singing them in adulthood.

Elizabeth Coomber with daughters and grandchildren
Elizabeth Coomber with daughters and grandchildren. Possibly Florrie on the left.

In 1921 there were two grandsons residing with Thomas and Elizabeth, both shown in the census return as “Mother alive Father NK” i.e. Not Known. They were in fact  the children of Thomas’ daughter Florence, and their father had died in the First World War. The two boys, Jack and Frederick, were brought up by their grandparents, and from a fairly young age were expected to help with jobs in the garden or on the farm – for example, milking, thatching haystacks, and hop-picking.

There was no doubt this was a tough existence for a young boy and Jack remembers that his grandparents could be very strict. “Grandad would make you behave. You couldn’t mess him about. If you were naughty he would take his cap off the knob of the cupboard next to his chair and throw it at you. You had to take it back to him and he’d hit you with it. He never used a strap. Mostly, the punishment was to be sent to bed. Granny would sometimes give you a smack.

“They were very strict. When you sat at the table you never spoke or touched anything. You were asked if you wanted any food and you had to sit there until everyone had finished. Meals weren’t a social occasion with people chattering about what they’d done during the day. In many ways the old couple lived two separate lives both working hard right up until they died.5

Thomas taught Jack how to fish, and how to snare hares, rabbits and even sparrows, which would be cooked in a pie. He rarely drank, and then only Elizabeth’s home-made wine – dandelion, parsnip, elderflower, and so on.6

Needless to say, Elizabeth’s occupation, if listed at all in census records, is shown only as “Home Duties” or “Unpaid Domestic Duties”. However Richard Coomber records that “Although unqualified, she became the person women called on when they were giving birth or a body needed laying out”.7

The 1939 Register shows the couple living at Willetts Cottages, Blackham, with Thomas listed as “Incapacitated”. Thomas died on 13th January 1945 at the age of 79. Elizabeth survived him by just a few months: she died on 10th March, aged 80, a few days after she had had a stroke and fallen into the fire, burning herself badly. They are both buried in the churchyard of All Saints, Blackham. Richard Coomber notes that “In later years, Thomas also worked in the garden of Mr and Mrs Vinall at Home Place for sixpence (2.5p) an hour which he asked the Vinalls to keep for him to pay for his tombstone. The stone, which is still in Blackham church yard, cost over £72 in 1945, representing nearly 3,000 hours work”.8

My thanks to Richard Coomber for generously allowing me to quote biographical information from his Blackham Village website, and for providing the photographs reproduced above.

Songs

Thomas Coomber

Thomas and Elizabeth Coomber

Elizabeth Coomber

  • The Banks of Sweet Dundee (Roud 148)
  • Barbara Allen (Roud 54)
  • The False Hearted Lover (Roud 154)
  • The Folkestone Murder (Roud 897)
  • Mary across the Wild Moor (Roud 155)
  • Undaunted Female (Roud 289)

Elizabeth, Florrie and Beatrice (?) Coomber

  • The Dark-Eyed Sailor (Roud 265)

Florrie Coomber

  • The Squire and the Milkmaid (Roud 559)

Note: Since Elizabeth Coomber and her children were born and raised in Sussex, their songs are not included on this website. They can however be found by searching the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library Archive Catalogue.

  1. Richard Coomber, The Coomber Family, http://www.blackham-village.co.uk/Coomber%20chap%201.html ↩︎
  2. Richard Coomber, The Coomber Family, http://www.blackham-village.co.uk/Coomber%20chap%201.html ↩︎
  3. Richard Coomber, The Coomber Family, http://www.blackham-village.co.uk/Coomber%20chap%202.html ↩︎
  4. Richard Coomber, The Coomber Family, http://www.blackham-village.co.uk/Coomber%20chap%203.html ↩︎
  5. Richard Coomber, The Coomber Family, http://www.blackham-village.co.uk/Coomber%20chap%205.html ↩︎
  6. Richard Coomber, The Coomber Family, http://www.blackham-village.co.uk/Coomber%20chap%207.html ↩︎
  7. Richard Coomber, The Coomber Family, http://www.blackham-village.co.uk/Coomber.html ↩︎
  8. Richard Coomber, The Coomber Family, http://www.blackham-village.co.uk/Coomber%20chap%203.html ↩︎

0

Proudly powered by WordPress | Theme: Baskerville 2 by Anders Noren.

Up ↑