Category: Singer

William Crampton

William Crampton, 1870-1945

William Henry Crampton was born on 22nd May 1870, and baptised at the Church of St.Michael, Smarden, on 3rd July 1870. His parents were William, a brickmaker, who had been born at Headcorn, and Ellen née Gurr, originally from East Sutton. In 1871 the family were recorded as living at Coopers Cottage, Smarden; 10 years later, they were at Perren Cottage, Smarden. By 1891, now aged 20, William had left home and was out at work, as a waggoner’s mate at Bardleden Farm, just outside the village. At the time of the 1901 census William was once again living with his family, at Berry Court Farm, Smarden. His father was no longer listed as a brickmaker, but as “farmer”; William’s occupation was given as “farmer’s son”.

He married his cousin Kate Town in 1907, and the couple had a son and a daughter, Stanley and Winifred. They continued to live in Smarden: in 1911 they were living at Beggars Bridge, and William was listed as “Waggoner on farm”; in 1921 they were living on the Pluckley Road, and William was employed as a farm labourer by Mr J Buckman Farmer, Biddenden Green (just outside the village, on the Pluckley Road). The 1939 Register shows William, Kate and Stanley at 2 East End Cottage, High Street, Biddenden Green; William is listed simply as “General Labourer”. His obituary in the Kentish Express stated that he had worked on Mr Buckman’s farm for 32 years, until just a few years before his death, while Francis Collinson said that Mr Crampton had worked in agriculture “Until he was nearly 70”. This suggests that he started working on the Buckman farm in around 1908.

When Collinson took down a version of the popular song ‘The Blackbird’ in October 1943, he noted that it came “from William Crampton (my gardener)”. But it seems that, prior to working for Collinson, 6 miles away at Old Surrenden, he had already done gardening work for radio producer Francis Dillon, who had a house at Smarden. According to George Frampton1 “The story goes that, one day, Dillon heard his gardener, who was outside at work,singing The Blackbird.  Collinson was summoned, and the idea of using a singer on Country Magazine was quickly established”. Like the story of Cecil Sharp discovering English folk song after hearing the Somerset gardener John England, this may be a romanticised version of events. Based on the dates given in his MSS, the earliest that we know Francis Collinson noted down any of Mr Crampton’s songs was October 1942, some months after the BBC had begun broadcasting Country Magazine, but that’s not to say that he hadn’t previously heard him singing. And Collinson’s song collecting does seem only to have begun in earnest in 1942.

Mr Crampton died in January 1945. A brief obituary in the Kentish Express, Friday 12th January 1945, ran as follows:

FOLK SINGER.—Mr. William Crampton, of East Cottage, whose funeral took place on Saturday, used to sing folk songs in a traditional style. He was 75 and had been a member of the A.O.F. many years. Up to a few years ago he had worked on Mr. G. Buckman’s farm for 32 years. Among those at the funeral were his widow, Mr. and Mrs. S. Crampton (son and daughter-in-law), Mrs. Moore (daughter), Mr. and Mrs. H. Jarvis, Mrs. Drury (cousin), Miss Ward, Mrs. and Miss Buckman, Mr. E. Ledger, Mrs. Underdown and Mrs. Barnes.

The Maidstone Telegraph, 19th January 1945 reported that the previous Sunday’s Country Magazine programme had featured Smarden’s village grocer, Mr. William Grant, and that “There was also a tribute to Mr. WIlliam Crampton, from the same village, who died recently. William was a fine old type of agricultural labourer, and a grand singer of folk songs”.

The report continued:

A FINE MAN

The tribute to Mr. Crampton, of Smarden, was paid by Mr. Frank Collinson, who said: –
“I intended to butt in before when Mr. Grant was speaking. He comes from Smarden, and both Smarden and English folk song have recently suffered a great loss in the death of William Crampton.
“He was one of the few surviving singing men of England. He had a beautiful style, a fine command of the traditional decoration and a great range of the old songs. We have used several of his in “Country Magazine.”
“Moreover, he was in himself a fine man. Until he was nearly 70 he was an agricultural worker, a lifetime spent in making that landscape as dear to you, Mr. Arlott, and all English countrymen.
“He said to me a month or so ago that he had always managed to give satisfaction in this world and he hoped he’d be able to do the same in the next.”
One of Mr. Crampton’s songs, “The Oyster Girl,” was then rendered by the sextet and John Irwin.
It was stated, that the song was obtained from Mrs. Baker, of Evelyn Road, Maidstone, who learnt it from her father.
Mr. John Arlott was the compere.

It seems likely that William Crampton had a wider repertoire of songs than those that appear in Collinson’s MSS – they contain no reference to him singing ‘The Oyster Girl’, for instance. The local history scrapbooks compiled by Smarden Women’s Institute include music and words for ‘The Blackbird’ from William Crampton, with this note:

Mr. W. Crampton was wagoner for many years to Mr. G. Buckman. He had thirty songs or more and played the accordion as accompaniment. His son Stanley remembers them, and sings them to the accordion; his children know them too.

There are regular mentions in local newspapers in the 1930s of Mr Crampton playing his accordion at Old Friends’ Teas in Smarden. For example on 1st January 1931

During the evening a first-rate programme of songs was given by Miss Gould (Maidstone), Mr. Purcell Mudstone), Mrs. E. Ridley, Mr W. Hills, Mr. W. Palmar, Mr. H. Wood, Messrs. Batt’s Glee party and Mr. C. G. S. Freeland. Mr. Turvey gave some very humorous sketches, and Mr. W. Crampton entertained the company with accordian solos. Miss Gould and Miss M. Buckman presided at the piano.2

Again, on New Year’s Day 1932, Mr W. Crampton was one of those who provided the entertainment, alongside “Messrs. Batt and Millen Bros. (glees)”3 while one year later

Songs were given by Mr. Turvey, of Ashford; Mr. and Mrs. F. Buss, of Maidstone, gave a mandoline recital and songs; Messrs. Batt Bros. gave glees; and Mesdames Ridley and Small and Mr. Purcell, of Maidstone, gave songs, and there were recitations by Miss Evans and Mr. Fretter. Old Folks’ Songs were given by Mr J.H. Buckhurst, of Biddenden, and Mr. W. Crampton entertained with his accordion. The musical accompaniments were taken in turn by Mrs. Buss, Mrs. Ashbee and Miss A. Cornes.4

And in January 1934, when “About 75 old people were entertained in the Schools”, he was one of those who provided the entertainment.5

Stanley Crampton, 1907-1991

The note in the Smarden Women’s Institute scrapbook regarding Stanley singing his father’s songs, and playing the accordion, is the only record we have of his musical activities (other than an enthusiastic account in the Kentish Express of his part in a dramatic and musical entertainment presented by Smarden School in April 1922). He was born 10th June 1907, and was still living with his parents in September 1939. His occupation at that time was farm labourer.

He married Kathleen Mary Addy in 1940, and it would appear that the newly-weds took in a number of evacuees during the War. An article in the Kentish Express of 19th June 1981 reported that the couple had stayed in touch with one of these evacuees, Iris Watson, who was 11 years old when she came to Smarden, and “never forgot the kindness of her “Aunt Mary” in the Kentish village so remote from her Catford home” – indeed, Iris and her husband spent their honeymoon with the Cramptons.

The article also states that Stanley “worked at the brickyard and farmed for 37 years”. Stanley Crampton’s death was registered in the Ashford district in October 1991.

Songs

There are two additional songs which do not appear in Collinson’s MSS, but which are ascribed to William Crampton in copies of Collinson’s books, annotated by his friend Pat Shaw, now held by the VWML:

  • Tarry Trousers (Roud 427) – from Collinson & Dillon, Folk Songs from Country Magazine
  • Bold Fisherman (Roud 291) – from Collinson & Dillon, Songs from the Countryside
  1. Frampton, George, The Millen Family of Bethersden, Kent, Musical Traditions, 2001. https://www.mustrad.org.uk/articles/millens.htm ↩︎
  2. Kentish Express, 10 January 1931 ↩︎
  3. Kentish Express, 08 January 1932 ↩︎
  4. Kentish Express, 06 January 1933 ↩︎
  5. Kent & Sussex Courier, 12 January 1934 ↩︎

Jesse Barrow

Jesse Barrow, 1839-1918

Jesse Barrow was baptised on 20th January 1839 at St Nicholas, Otham. His father John was a labourer, while his mother, from nearby Boughton Monchelsea, had the rather wonderful maiden name of Mercy Tree. Over the coming decades the family lived at various addresses in Otham Street, Otham. In 1841, Jesse was the second youngest of 8 children in the family home; by 1851 he had another brother, but otherwise it was just Jesse and one older sister who remained with their parents. Jesse was already working as an agricultural labourer at the age of 12.

I have failed to locate Jesse in the 1861 census, although his parents were still living in Otham Street. In 1871 he was back in the family home, at No 3 Madam Taylor’s Cottages, Otham Street. That property, dating from the mid- to late 16th century is now Grade II listed, and a single dwelling; in 1871 it was still three separate cottages.

On 14th February 1874, at St Nicholas’ church, Jesse married Ann Sell. Both were recorded as “of this parish”, although Ann had been born at Harrietsham. The 1881 census has them living at Street Cottage, Otham with one son and one daughter. By 1891 they have another son and another daughter, and are living at Anstens Cottage, Sutton Road, Otham. 10 years on, only their youngest child, Alice is still living at home, now at Primrose Cottages, Otham Street. In previous censuses Jesse had always been listed as agricultural labourer or farm labourer. The 1901 census is more specific, giving his occupation as “Pruner on farm and Ag L”. In 1911 – still living at Primrose Cottage – he’s listed as “Farm labourer – Hop and fruit”.

Marian Arkwright noted down two songs from him on 18th May 1916, when he would have been 77 years old. He died at the age of 79, and was buried at St Nicholas, Otham on 14th October 1918.

Songs

Harry Barling

Harry Barling, 1866-1947

Harry Barling was born on 31st October 1866, and baptised on 30th December at St Mary Magdalene, Ruckinge. His father, Francis – Frank – Barling (1818-1899) was recorded as “labourer” on the baptism record, although at the next census he was listed as a carrier, and by 1881 was “Innkeeper & carrier”. Frank’s brother William was the father of the Charles Barling whom Cecil Sharp encountered at Ruckinge in 1908. Harry’s mother was Mary Ann née Lonkhurst (1822-1906). Her eldest brother William was the father of Clark Lonkhurst, another of Sharp’s 1908 informants. In other words, Harry was a first cousin to both Charles Barling and Clark Lonkhurst.

In 1871 the family – Frank, Mary, and six children, of whom Harry was the youngest – were living at Ruckinge Corner, Ruckinge. By 1881 Frank was running the Good Intent at Aldington Frith. Besides Harry, two other sons and a daughter were living there, plus three grandchildren. The census also recorded the presence of a cook, and one lodger.

Harry married Susannah Butcher at St Martin’s, Aldington, on 5th April 1890. In the census the following year they are listed as Henry and Susan, living with Harry’s parents at Rose Cottage, Frith Road, Aldington. Frank is no longer a landlord, but is listed as “Farmer carrier”. Susannah died and was buried  at Aldington on 15th March 1897, but in those few years of marriage she had given birth to at least four children.

On 9th June 1900 Harry, now 32, married again, once more at St Martin’s, Aldington. His bride was Althemia Kate Barth, 21, whose family were from Brook. Over the next two deacdes, she gave birth to a further seven children. The 1901 census shows the family living at Bourne House, Aldington. The household included the four surviving sons from Harry’s first marriage, Harry’s grandmother, Mary Barling, and a 6 month old baby, Hector Cronje Barling. On the 1900 marriage certificate, and in the 1901 census, Harry’s occupation is given as Carrier; he is also listed as such in the 1903 Kelly’s Directory. In 1911, the growing family were living at Rock Cottages, Aldington, and Harry is described as “General workman labourer”. In 1921 they are at the same address, but now Harry is working as “Engineers Labourer” for W & E Earl Ltd., haulage contractors based in Aldington.

The 1939 Register shows Harry and Kate living at 110 Gladstone Road, South Willesborough. His occupation is given as “Carpenter (Retired)”. Also in the house are two of their children Ciss (Cecily) and Merry (Althemia May). Both are listed under the surname Barling, but in both cases this has then been crossed out – Ciss is shown as Samson, and Merry as Smith. These changes are a result of the Register being updated during the war, as it was used to maintain National Registration records (and after 1948 by the NHS, so that actually updates continued to be made until 1991). Ciss married Edward G Samson at Hendon in Middlesex in 1944, while Althemia married John H Smith in Surrey, 1942.

Harry Barling would have been living at Gladstone Road when visited by Francis Collinson in December 1942, and he remained there for the rest of his life. He met a rather tragic end, as reported in the Kentish Express, Friday 19th September 1947:

HIS LAST CYCLE RIDE

Eighty-years-old Mr. Harry 1381 Barling, a retired master carpenter, of 110. Gladstone-rd., South Willesborough, enjoyed nothing better than cycling and travelled all over Kent.

On Sunday morning he was on his usual trip to visit sons at Sevington and Smeeth. Turning from Kingsford Street, Mersham, on to the main Folkestone road he failed to see a motor cyclist and both machines collided. Mr. Barling received multiple injuries and died a few hours  later in Willesborough hospital.

In a statement to the police the motor cyclist, Mr. Philip John Bowles of Station-rd., Folkestone. who was detained in hospital with severe concussion, said he was travelling at about 40 m.p.h. when suddenly a cyclist came out of a turning ahead.  It happened so quickly he had no chance of avoiding an accident.

A verdict of misadventure was recorded at the inquest on Tuesday.

For 45  years a member of the Aldington Brass Band, Mr. Barling was bandmaster when he gave up in 1930. Twice married, he had 12 children—five from the first marriage and five daughters and two sons from the second—all of whom survive him.

Although he only provided Collinson with two songs, music had played a significant part in Harry Barling’s life as he, his brothers, and his sons were all members of Aldington Brass Band. The Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald, 13th December 1930 reported on the band’s annual general meeting which had taken place at the Walnut Tree, Aldington, stating that “Mr H. Barling, who for 45 years has been a bandmaster, will be the recipient of a present at a smoking concert to be held on the Saturday after Christmas, at the band’s headquarters”. 3 weeks later, on 3rd January 1931, the Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald reported on that event:

District News.

ALDINGTON.

PRESENTATION TO MR. H. BARLING

A smoking concert organised by the members of the Brass Band, was held in the large club room of the “Walnut Tree,” Aldington, on Saturday last, when a presentation was made to Mr. H. Barling. The chair was taken by the Rector, the Rev. G. S. Long (President), who was supported by Mr. J. R. Anderson (Vice-President), Mr. H. Barling ( late Bandmaster), Mr. George Barling, Mr. C. Butcher, Mr. C. Milton, Mr S. Stone, Mr. C. Miles, Mrs. G. Barling, Mr. John Barling (Hon Secretary), Mr. E. E. Lees (Treasurer ) and Mr. R. H. Heap, A.T.C.L. (conductor).

During the evening the toasts of “The Band” and “The President, ” were drunk. The Rector proposed the Band, and Mr. Heap replied. The toast of the President, proposed by Mr. John Barling. was accorded musical honours.

Mr. J. R. Anderson, proposing the toast of the late Bandmaster, Mr. H. Barling, referred to Mr. Barling’s 45 years with the band as their bandmaster, and to the fact that there were seven sons still members of the band. The toast was accorded musical honours. Mr. Anderson then presented to Mr. Barling a handsome clock with the best wishes of the band for a very peaceful life in his retirement. The clock was inscribed as follows

“To Mr. H. Barling from The Aldington Brass Band. 45 years’ faithful services as Conductor and Bandmaster”.

Mr. Barling, in reply, thanked the members for the beautiful present. He gave some interesting details of his early experiences with the band, and made special mention of the founders and those who formed the first band – many of whom had passed away. He mentioned his brother, who was sitting on his right, and who was even an older bandsman than himself. They had, he said, on different occasions, played in every village for miles around, and he recalled a visit they had made to the Casino, Boulogne (in conjunction with the Hythe band) when the representatives of the Cinque Ports had visited Boulogne. In conclusion he wished the band every success, and asked the members to support their officers loyally and well.

Cheers were given for the officers.

The following artistes took part in the concert : Messrs. J. Barling, John Barling  (Hon.Secretary), Jim Barling, F. C. Barling, H. Barling, G. Barling, Holt, Lancaster, Charles Butcher (a former member of the Folkestone Police Force), P. Hooker, C. Milton, Griffiths and Farley. Mr. R. H. Heap was at the piano.

At the conclusion the Rector led the company in the singing of “Auld Laug Syne,” and the National Anthem.

A longer piece about Harry Barling appeared elsewhere in the same edition of the newspaper, largely in his own words, and including a photo of Harry and his seven sons, all in bandsmen’s uniform:

BORN WITH MUSIC IN HIS EARS.

 ALDINGTON FAMILY OF INSTRUMENTALISTS.

 Presentation to Mr. H. Barling.

FATHER AND SEVEN SONS IN BAND

 For forty-three years M r. H. Barling, of Aldington, has been a member of the  Aldington Brass Band,  and now at the age of 64, he has retired from his position of leader of the band, a position which he has held for twenty-two years.

A presentation was made to Mr. Barling last week by his many well wishers in Aldington, of a suitably inscribed clock.

That he was sorry to retire after all these years of music was revealed when he told his story to a “Folkestone Herald” representative. His passion for music is great, and in his own words, “Once music gets hold of you it will never let you go.”

“l can see the scene as plainly as if it was happening now,” said Mr. Barling, recounting his early days in music. “Around the table in a little room were my elder brothers and some visitors. They used to come to our place and practice for some festival at the Church. I can see the ‘cello, the flutes and the violins playing anthems and hymns, and to me it was really and truly charming.”

“I was born to the sound of music in my ears, and almost with an instrument in my mouth. I was one of a family of twelve and all my brothers played musical instruments. My father was  a vocalist. We were then living at the ‘Good Intent,’ Aldington. 

“SUCH A ROW”

It was a great struggle for me to learn to play any instrument because of the noise a brass instrument makes. I was not more than six or seven years old when one of my brothers bought me a cornet. We kicked up such a row that my mother threw my instrument out of the window into the field. I finished my scales and exercises away from the house.

“By much hard practising I gradually learnt to play and it was my love for music that kept me at it. When I was about 20, in the year 1887, a band was started in Aldington,  and as it was the Jubilee Year of Queen Victoria, we called it the Jubilee Band. The present Aldington Band is really the Jubilee Band which was started 43 years ago.

“There were about 12 members when the band was formed but the strength has ebbed and flowed during the succeeding years; I can remember when we had as many as 25.”

BAND LEADER.

“In 1908 I was made leader of the band, which is equivalent to bandmaster of a military band. I do not like the term ‘Bandmaster’ to be used in connection with a civilian band, it is for professional bands only and not amateur ones. My predecessor as leader of the band was Mr. W. Nye and he was one who helped to form it.

“Our engagements extended over a very wide radius. The band attended most social functions that were held in all the villages around. A two days’ visit to France was organised by the Aldington Band the third year after it was formed. In Boulogne we were asked by the authorities to play at the Casino and there we received a very cordial reception. We have also visited France on other occasions with the Hythe Band.”

Asked if the band ever entered musical festivals or competitions Mr. Barling said that they did not believe in that sort of thing. It was too much like professional football. It was all right for bands other than amateur.

 SEVEN MUSICAL SONS.

Mr. Barling has seven sons who are all members of the band. He enumerated them as follows: Claude (clarionette), Ernest (cornet), Sidney (trombone), Jack (trombone), Frank (side drum), Leslie (euphonium) and Jim (E flat tenor).

Mr. Barling said that Frank, who was in the Territorials before the war, was among the first batch of soldiers to cross the water after the outbreak of war. Throughout the whole of the war he was a bugler in his regiment.

Mr. Barling himself played a euphonium, but he can play any instrument in the band.

Hesitatingly, I put the Question to the man who possessed such a musical soul, “What is your opinion of jazz bands ?” and I received the expected answer. Twisting his face up as though he was eating a sour orange he snapped “I should be sorry to tell you. A jazz band is really only the drummer, if he is a success the band is a success.”

His irritable look vanished and a dreamy far away expression took its place. “It is the old music that I love. Music that is able to bring tears to one’s eyes. It is the beauty of music to be able to bring agreeable sound to other people’s ears.”

Mr. George Barling, a brother of Mr. H. Barling still plays a cornet in the Aldington Band. He is over 70 years of age, and played his part in the organisation of the band in 1887. Another brother travelled all over the world as an instrumentalist in an operatic company.

Mr. H. Barling attributes much of his success as an instrumentalist to a brother-in-law, for many years a bandsman, who is now aged 91. He instilled into the young mind that love of good music which is the hall-mark of the true instrumentalist.

As I left the cottage Mr. Barling pointed to two violins, which belonged to his grandchildren, and his look conveyed that… the family meant to pass on their love of music from generation to generation.

In an earlier article (somewhat bizarrely syndicated in the Belfast News-Letter, 18th August 1928), Mr Barling provided more background on the formation of the band, suggesting that before the formal existence of a band, he and his brothers went out playing at Christmas time:

Mr. Harry Barling and his seven sons are all members of Aldington (Kent) Brass Band and they have a total of 213 years’ service—surely a record for any single family. “We are just eight bandsmen who play for the love of music,” Mr. Barling said modestly to a reporter yesterday. “I was born in to music. I had three elder brothers who were bandsmen, and before I was old enough to go to school I became fascinated by their play.

“One of them bought me a cornet which I used to blow vigorously, and as a tiny lad I could get my notes. I was 16 when my brothers and I got together one Christmas and followed up our success as ‘waits’ by forming the Aldington Band in 1887. For many years the band has been twenty strong. After I was married and my boys came along they were drawn into the band—they were born into it just as I was. We play for harmony and there’s one thing I can tell you, this syncopation business is killing it. A little is all right, but it goes too far.”

Mr. Barling has 46 years’ service and he now plays the euphonium. One son has 30 years’ service, one 27 years, and another 26. His brother, who played bass in the original band, is now 90.

Other press cuttings from the era attest to the fact that the band did indeed play a wide range of engagements. They include: a farewell concert for the local doctor, Dr F.S. Hinde at the Walnut Tree (Kentish Express, 8th May 1920); Elham Flower Show (Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald, 1st August 1914); the Willesborough Allotment Holders’ Association annual show, where they “provided capital music for dancing” (Kentish Express, 18th August 1923); and Dymchurch Fete, where there was a “Race for bandsmen (playing their instruments)” and – perhaps unsurprisingly – the first three places were all taken by members of the Barling family! (Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald, 29th August 1931).

Aldington Band, Armistice Day 1922., outside the Walnut Tree public house.
Aldington Band, Armistice Day 1922. A note on back says “This was taken on Armistice Day 1922. ex servicemen mens parade, headed by the Aldington band”. The band appears to be outside the Walnut Tree at Aldington.

Songs

Abram Cooper

English Dance & Song 35:2 (1973) contained a song submitted by John Brune, supposedly collected from Abram Cooper in West Kent. No further details of the singer were given, but he may well have been a traveller – Brune certainly collected some songs from travellers.

Songs

Ted Briggs

Edward Briggs, 1872-1955

Ted Briggs was one of a number of singers from whom Francis Collinson collected a single song. Born on 27th July 1872 and baptised on 29th September 1872, he appears to have lived in Bethersden practically his entire life. His parents were James, an agricultural labourer, and Mary née Woodcock, both natives of Bethersden. At the age of 8, the 1881 Census listed Edward as a scholar, living with his Aunt and Uncle Elizabeth and James Dunster, in The Street, Bethersden. In 1891 he was a grocer’s assistant for Jabez T Joy, grocer and farmer, at Knoxbridge, Frittenden. In 1894 he married Alice Adesa (or Avisa) Oliver, and the two subsequent censuses showed them living in The Street, with two sons. The younger son, George, was still living with his parents in 1921, at Elizabeth House, The Street. Ted is listed in these census records as agricultural labourer or general farm labourer – or, in 1911, as “Worker on farm sometimes with portable steam saw”.

In September 1939, he was living with his wife Alice at 10 Council Houses, Bethersden, and listed as a casual labourer. A short obituary in the Kentish Express, 11th November 1955 stated that he had been a road foreman for West Ashford Council before his retirement, around 18 years previously. He was buried in the churchyard of Bethersden parish church on 5th November 1955.

Songs

Frances Baker

Frances Harriett Baker née Bell, 1879-1954

Writing in the Journal of the English Folk Dance and Song Society Vol 5 No 1 (1946), Francis Collinson provided a brief paragraph about Mr and Mrs Baker of Maidstone:

His wife also knows folk-songs and I got the following songs from her: “The oyster girl,” “The bold fisherman” and “The sergeant in the wagon train.” She was born at Mereworth in Kent and learned her songs from her father, who used to sit and sing them in the chimney corner in the evening. He knew over a hundred and fifty songs. Mrs. Baker was hopeful of getting some more songs from her sister, but the latter unfortunately died very shortly afterwards, and her songs died with her.

Frances Bell was born on 5th October 1879, and baptised at St Lawrence, Mereworth on 26th October 1879. Her father Josiah was a labourer. Both he and his wife Mary née Cheesman had been born and raised in Mereworth. In 1881 they were living at an unspecified address in Butcher’s Lane, Mereworth; in 1891 the family (now including 5 children) were residing at Moorcocks Cottages in Butcher’s Lane.

At the time of the 1901 census Frances was 21, and working as a cook for farmer John Godwin at Hazlewood, East Peckham. She married Harry Baker at St Lawrence, Mereworth on 19th December 1903, and by 1911 they were living in Maidstone, initially in Upper Fant Road and then later at 5 Evelyn Road.

She died at Maidstone in 1954, aged 75.

Josiah Bell, 1845-?

Frances’ father Josiah was baptised at Mereworth on 19th February 1845. He lived in Mereworth all his life, with censuses from 1881 through to 1911 showing him living in Butcher’s Lane; his occupation was consistently given as agricultural labourer, with the exception of 1901, when he was listed as “Fruit grower, own account”. By 1911 he was a widower, and living with his daughter Kate and son-in-law Jesse Pantrey (also a farm labourer) at Herne House Cottages, Butcher’s Lane. I have not as yet been able to identify his date of death, but this would appear to have occurred before the 1921 census.

Kate Pantrey née Bell, 1886-1944

Frances had two sisters. The elder, Annie Louisa, died at the age of 16, in 1893. Therefore Kate, born 25th January 1886, must have been the sister from whom “Mrs. Baker was hopeful of getting some more songs”. She was still living in the family home in Butcher’s Lane, Mereworth in 1901. In 1905 she married Jesse Robert Pantrey, and they set up home at Herne House Cottages – also in Butcher’s Lane. In 1911 they were living at 8 Kent Street, Mereworth in 1921, with a son and a daughter. By 1939 they had moved to 8 Council Cottage, Herne Pound. Kate died in the second quarter of 1944.

Songs

The Gleaner (Roud 13638)

Mary at the garden gate (Roud 418)

Oyster girl (Roud 875)

Sergeant in the wagon train (Roud 1354)

Although in the 1946 JEFDSS Francis Collinson ascribed ‘Bold fisherman’ to Mrs Baker, his notebooks record that it was actually sung by Mr Baker.

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Harry Baker

Harry Baker, 1876-1958

‘Death and the lady’, the only song in the Penguin Book of English Folk Songs that was collected in Kent, came from “Mr. Baker of Maidstone”. The song was included in the Journal of the English Folk Dance and Song Society Vol 5 No 1 (1946), with the following note from the collector Francis Collinson:

Mr. Baker of Maidstone, who is in his seventies, has worked all his life as an engineer at Thomas Tillings’. He is a little uncertain in his singing, and I had to ask him to repeat the tune of “Death and the Lady” a number of times before I was certain of having it down correctly.

It only became apparent in the 1990s, when Collinson’s English song MSS became more readily accessible, that he had in fact collected songs from both Mr and Mrs Baker.

Harry Baker was born on 12th December 1876 and baptised 14th January 1877 at St Lawrence, Mereworth. His father William was a labourer, originally from East Malling, his mother was Eliza née Honey, from Mereworth. In 1881 the family was living at New Pound, Mereworth; Harry was the second youngest of the four children in the family home. By 1891 they had moved a couple of miles away, to Dukes Place, West Peckham. Harry, now 14, was described as “Houseboy domestic”. 10 years later they were to be found at Court Lodge, East Peckham; Harry’s occupation was given as Grocer’s assistant.

Shortly before Christmas 1903, on 19th December, Harry married Frances Harriett Bell, at St Lawrence, Mereworth. His occupation at the time was given as “Labourer”. By the time of the next census, in 1911, Harry was working as an Assurance agent for the Prudential and living at 108 Upper Fant Road, Maidstone, with Frances, and a 5 year old daughter, Hilda. They were at the same address in 1921, and the family now included a son, Harry, who had been born in 1912. Harry’s occupation was shown as “Hardener (Steel)”, but in the Employer column it states “Out Of Work”.

The 1939 Register shows that they had moved at some point literally just round the corner, to 5 Evelyn Road, Maidstone. As well as Frances, his daughter Hilda – now Hilda Stanley – was also living in the house. Harry was working as “Steel Hardener Heavy Worker”. His employer is not given, but presumably this was Thomas Tilling Ltd. – or, to be accurate, Tilling-Stevens, whose factory was less than a mile away in St Peter’s Street. That factory was designed by Wallis, Gilbert and Partners, the foremost factory architects of the inter-war period. It is now a Grade II listed building, “one of few surviving examples of a group of English factories built using the Kahn Daylight System, an adaptable, efficient and influential system of factory building, developed in America for the construction of automotive factories”[1]. To quote further from the same Historic England record:

Tilling-Stevens Ltd was formed in 1915 after WA Stevens, inventor of the petrol-electric motor, met Richard Tilling of Thomas Tilling Ltd, London’s oldest omnibus operator (established 1847). The men recognised the potential for petrol-electric transmission in motorised buses, and the companies went into partnership together, manufacturing their own vehicles. New premises were added to Stevens’ Maidstone works (known as the Victoria Works) in 1912, and following the formation of Tilling-Stevens Limited the works were enlarged again with the construction of the Wallis Gilbert and Partners factory in 1917 to accommodate production for war requirements.

The company manufactured buses and other commercial vehicles; during the Second World War their work would have been turned over to the war effort, and they produced searchlight lorries for the Army.

Harry Baker died in the second quarter of 1958.

Songs

Bold Fisherman (Roud 291)

Death and the Lady (Roud 1031)

[1] Historic England, Official list entry for Former Tilling-Stevens Factory, St Peter’s Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 0ST, https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1408072

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Charles Barling

Charles Barling, 1828-1917

Cecil Sharp noted down two songs from Charles Barling, then 81 years old, at Ruckinge, on the 23rd September 1908. Mr Barling had been baptised on 20th January 1828 at St Mary Magdalene, Ruckinge. His parents were William, listed as “Labourer”, and Mary Ann, née Clemens, originally from Stanford, on Stone Street. They had married the previous April, at the church of St Peter & St Paul, Newchurch.

By the time of the 1841 census Charles, just 10 years old, was already out at work, as a servant for William Chittenden, landlord of the Blue Anchor at Ruckinge. Ten years later, he was living in the family home at Gorse Green Farm, Ruckinge. Charles, his father, and his brothers James and William (i.e. all of the male members of the household) are listed as agricultural labourers.

He was married in November 1851 to Lydia Knowlden, of Ivychurch. They had 10 children, and lived the rest of their lives at a variety of addresses in Ruckinge. When Sharp encountered him, Charles, Lydia and two of their children, Percy and Lily, were living at The Corner, right in the centre of the village, close to the Blue Anchor. The 1901 census gives Charles’ occupation as “Ordinary labourer”, but also notes that he was “Nearly Blind”.

Charles lived to be 89. He was buried in the same church where he’d been baptised, on 22nd January 1917.

Harry Barling, from whom Francis Collinson collected a couple of songs in the 1940s, was Charles Barling’s cousin: Harry’s father Frank was a younger brother of Charles’ father William.

Songs

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Eyton Boulding

Eyton Boulden, 1892-1973

Eyton Boulden
Eyton Boulden. Photo used by permission of Mr. David Boulding.

The following appeared in the Kentish Express, 16th February 1973:

 Church organist and farmer dies

ONE of Bonnington’s best known farmers, Mr. Eyton Boulden, died on Tuesday in Ashford Hospital. He was 80.

Mr. Boulden was organist at Bonnington Church for more than 20 years. Before that he was organist at Aldington Church for 25 years.

He lived at Pinn Farm, Bonnington where he built an organ in a barn so that he could play whenever he wanted to.

Mr. Boulden was one of those rare people who had the same home all his life. He took over the farm from his father and never left Bonnington.

A month later, on 16th March 1973, the same newspaper printed this obituary:

E. M. BOULDEN

AN APPRECIATION

BY THE recent death of Mr. Eyton Miles Boulden at the age of 80, of Pinn Farm, Bonnington, the village has lost not only its Lord of the Manor but a revered figure.

He was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. David Boulden and came of a family which had farmed in the area since the ISOOs. His only surviving brother George, now 89. still lives at Ruffins Hill, Aldington. his brother Bertie farmed at Paddlesworth and his sister Olive was a school teacher and headmistress at Newchurch.

Partly retiring in 1958, it was not until five or six years ago that he rented his farm to his nephews, but he still cared for a few sheep.

Beside farming his other great love was music. He played the organ at Aldington church for 25 years and at Bonnington for 20 years.

Another great delight was the Newchurch Musical Society.

He wrote many stories of the Marsh and researched into its history and into the history of nearby villages and into the history of the smugglers.

He was in great demand as a speaker and broadcast on radio on country matters.

Last year his documentary on the Cinque Ports was put to music and received great local acclaim.

A great reader and a great plant grower, he also painted still life pictures of charm.

Beside being Lord of the Manor he was also a Lord of the Level of Romney. It was owing to him that the village school was purchased for a village hall.

Eyton Miles Boulden was born on 30th Aug 1892, and baptised at St Rumbold’s,  Bonnington, on 16th October. He was the son of David, a farmer, and Olive Grace née Foord. As stated in the newspaper report, he lived his entire life at Pinn Farm, Bonnington. He was actually the youngest in the family, having two older brothers and a sister.

In 1911 he was listed in the census as “Farmer’s son working on farm”, in 1921 as “Shepherd & Stock Man”. He married Edith Annie Hogben at St Rumbold’s on 18th May 1923; they had no children.

Francis Collinson obtained a single song from him on 17th June 1942. This was ‘Where the lambs they skip with pleasure’, a version of ‘The Streams of lovely Nancy’, and headed “Chas Boulding’s song”. The neatly written out sheet music does not seem to be in Collinson’s handwriting. It may in fact have been written out by Eyton Boulden in preparation for the upcoming Kent-themed episode of the BBC’s Country Magazine. The fact that in this copy the song is titled ‘Where de Lambs Dey Skip Wid Pleasure’ is probably an attempt to reproduce the old Kentish dialect where, according to A dictionary of the Kentish dialect and provincialisms in use in the County of Kent (1888)

The voiced th [dh] is invariably pronounced d; so that, this, then, though become dat, dis, den, dough [dat, dis, den, doa]

From an article in the Maidstone Telegraph for 24th July 1942 we learn that this song featured in the Kent-themed episode 5 of Country Magazine broadcast at 13:15 on Sunday 28th June 1942, on the BBC Home Service:

Uncle Charlie’s Song

In response to requests from many readers we publish below “Uncle Charlie’s Song”—”At the Foot of Yonder Mountain,” which was so beautifully rendered in the recent Kent Country programme by the B.B.C.

The song, which is at least 150 years old, was sung by Frederick Woodhouse, and the music was arranged by Francis Collinson.

The “Uncle Charlie” in question was almost certainly Charles Boulding (1836-1926), a farmer at Bonnington, referred to in his obituary as “Bonnington’s grand old man”. He and Eyton were first cousins once removed, and also related by marriage – his mother’s sister Agnes Foord married Charles’ brother Jesse. David Boulding of the Boulding Study website tells me that the family certainly associate the song with him, referring to it as “Uncle Cholly’s song”. He also relates that almost everyone in Bonnington seemed to be related – either a Boulding/Boulden or a Foord. Apparently Eyton used to say that if you were walking in the dark and someone passed you, and you could not see who it was,  “Goodnight Aunty” or “Goodnight Uncle” would almost certainly be a suitable greeting.

We know from a report in the Kent Messenger, 3rd July 1942, that Eyton Boulden was one of the contributors to the Country Magazine broadcast on 28th June. A few years later a report on a Bilsington Womens’ Institute meeting in the Kentish Express, 23rd February 1945, mentions that “A talk by Eyton Boulden on his experiences at the B.B.C. when broadcasting for “Country Magazine” was much appreciated”. In fact he was to make another appearance on the programme, in April 1949 – the Kentish Express for 22nd April listed “Mr. Eyton Boulden, Bonnington farmer” as one of the participants in the previous week’s programme, which covered Romney Marsh.

The Bouldings were clearly a musical family. After the war Eyton bought a church organ and re-built it in a barn on his farm. The Kentish Express 17th February 1950 reported on this:

FARMER ACHIEVES LIFE AMBITION

Builds Church Organ In Barn

WHEN Mr. Eyton Boulden, a Bonnington farmer, was a boy he longed for a keyboard instrument.

As a makeshift he experimented by placing the blades of ivory-handled knives between the leaves of a very thick book, thus making them resemble the keyboard of a piano. Any necessary sounds were provided by young Eyton.

Years passed and a small American organ appeared in his home; later, he watched his sister playing a pipe organ in the village church. Eyton Boulden made up his mind that he, too, would one day play a pipe organ.

PRACTICES UNDER DIFFICULTIES

He had his first organ lesson at the age of 17 in Westwell Church, leaving home after finishing his farm work at 6 p.m., walking a mile and a half to Aldington and then going on a borrowed bicycle another eleven miles. He did not return until nearly 11 p.m. and had to be up again by four o’clock the next morning. In the summer farming left little time for organ lessons.

But practice made perfect, and for nine years he was organist at Bonnington Church, transferring to Aldington Church, from which he resigned as organist last year after over a quarter of a century.

Some years ago he was able to acquire a small practice organ which he kept at his home, Pinn Farm – the former Manor House.

IN AUCTIONEERS’ ANNOUNCEMENT

He continued to read all he could about organ building, realising that if he ever possessed his own instrument it would have to be largely home-built.

Four years ago in an auctioneer’s announcement he saw advertised, ” Three church organs.”

To-day, in a barn adjoining the house at Bonnington, there stands a fine church organ built by Mr. Boulden and a friend. After purchasing the organ, Mr. Boulden spent three days dismantling it and took it to his home in lorry-loads. The components, stored in various places throughout the farm included nearly 800 pipes of all sizes.

The organ which has a beautiful tone, is 100 years old.

Eyton Boulden died on 13th February 1973. He left the organ to his nephew Clive, who moved it to a barn about 400 yards away from its previous home.

Songs

Where the lambs they skip with pleasure (Roud 18820)

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Charles Boulding

Charles Boulding, 1836-1926

Charles Boulding.
Charles Boulding. Photo used by permission of Mr. David Boulding.

When Cecil Sharp made his brief visit to Kent in September 1908, he started a new field notebook (CJS1/9/1/1908/7). The first page of that notebook contains a series of cryptic – and sometimes indecipherable – notes. These include names: presumably men who had been recommended to him as worth visiting in search of songs. One of these is “Charlie Boulding (Cherry Picker)”. Then in June 1942 Francis Collinson noted down a song from Mr Eyton Boulden at Bonnington, which was described as “Chas Boulding’s song”. It was tempting to jump to the conclusion that Chas / Charlie Boulding are one and the same but Boulding (or Boulden) is an extremely common name in that area of Kent, on the edge of Romney Marsh and, although they were related, these Charles Bouldings were in fact two separate people.1

However, thanks to David Boulding of the Boulding Study website, we can positively identify this Charles Boulding as the source of Eyton Boulden’s song, ‘Where the lambs they skip with pleasure’. Notes2 written by David’s father in the early 1970s say

Charles was, I believe, somewhat of a character. He played the bassoon in the church orchestra before organs were used and was notable for a song known in the family as “Uncle Cholly’s song”. He lived at Lawson farm – next Bonnington Court which was then known as Court Lodge

Charles and Eyton were first cousins once removed, and also related by marriage – his mother’s sister Olive Foord married Eyton’s brother Jesse.

Baptised on 16th October 1836, at the church of St Martin, Aldington, the parish records have him as ‘Charles Boulden’, although census records consistently spell his surname as ‘Boulding’. His father, George, was a labourer, whose family hailed from Smeeth and, before that, Crundale; his mother Elizabeth, née Young, was from Brabourne. Census records indicate that Charles’ birthplace was Hurst, south of Aldington, on the Royal Military Canal.

“HURST, a parish in the hundred of Street, liberty of Romney-Marsh, lathe of Shepway, county Kent, 7 miles S.E. of Ashford. Hythe is its post town. The parish, which is small, is situated on the Royal Military canal. The land is partly in hop-grounds. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Canterbury, value £55. The church, dedicated to St. Leonard, has gone to decay, and the inhabitants frequent the church at Aldington.”

(from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland, 1868, via https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/KEN/Hurst)

In 1841 the family resided at Mount Pleasant, Aldington, while in 1851 their address is given only as Aldington Parish. Charles had an older sister and, by 1853, three younger brothers and three younger sisters. No occupation is recorded for him in 1851 although, aged 14, one suspects he might already have been doing at least some work as an agricultural labourer. That’s his occupation in both 1861 and 1871, when the family were living in Peacock Road, Aldington.

He married Jane Chambers, from nearby Hurst, at St Martin’s, Aldington, on 9th February 1878. His occupation was given as “Woodman”. At the next census, 3 years later, their residence is given simply as “Cottage”, in Bonnington. His occupation was now “Farmer & grazer”, Jane’s was given as “Do [i.e. ditto]; Wife”. In 1891 they were living at Goddard Farm, Carpenter Land, Bonnington. He is now “Farmer & carrier”, and the couple have one farm servant living with them.

Jane died in 1894, and was buried in Aldington on 11th May. Thereafter Charles remained at Goddard Farm until his death in 1926. One other resident is recorded in censuses from 1901 onwards – Elizabeth Coombs, a housekeeper.

The Kent Messenger & Gravesend Telegraph ran the following obituary on 1st May 1926:

BONNINGTON’S GRAND OLD MAN.

The late Mr. Charles Boulding.

Bonnington’s “grand old man,” Mr. Charles Bolding. passed away on Sunday at the age of 90 years. By his death the district loses a truly remarkable man, who never experienced a day’s serious illness in all his 90 years. He was born in September, 1836, and for the past 50 years has resided at “Goddards” Farm. Bonnington. For a number of years he was in partnership with his brother at Court Lodge Farm. He also had extensive agricultural and grazing interests in Romney Marsh.

Mr. Boulding’s very active career included public work as Overseer, Guardian, District Councillor (East Ashford Union), and Rate Collector. He was a Tory of the old school, and it is interesting to note that his last political activity took him to Bilsington by motor car to record his vote at the General Election two years ago. On this occasion he was accompanied by Mr. William Higgins, who was the same age, 88, and has since died. Mr. Boulding could relate many humorous political stories of the old days. He was then a man much sought after at social functions, being a keen dancer and singer. For many years he played the bassoon in Aldington Church choir. He was a staunch Churchman and a bellringer. In his younger days he was a good goalrunner and supporter of fox hunting and coursing. Only two years ago Mr. William Blacklocks, of Lydd, claimed him as guest at the Coursing Club annual dinner.

Mr. Boulding will be widely missed as a gentleman of sterling character, loved and respected by many throughout the county. His wife died 34 years ago. There were no children, but deceased leaves a brother, Mr. Hy. Boulding, of Kennington, and a sister, Mrs. Washford, of Croydon. Longevity evidently is hereditary, for his father reached the age of 74, and his mother lived to see her 91st birthday.

The funeral takes place to-day (Saturday), when deceased will be interred by the side of his wife in Aldington Churchyard.

It’s worth mentioning, perhaps, that not all of his relations survived to old age. Two of his siblings died at just 35 – sister Harriet in 1879, and brother Jesse in 1888. But the Mrs Washford mentioned in the newspaper – his youngest sister, Alice – died in 1927 at the age of 80, and his brother Henry lived to the ripe old age of 93, dying in 1943.

  1. The Kentish Express for 4th December 1909  reported on a tariff reform meeting held at the Walnut Tree, Aldington, on 25th November. Amongst those present it listed two Charles Bouldings, distinguishing them thus: “Charles Boulding (Cherry Orchard), Charles Boulding (Bonnington)”. ↩︎
  2. David Boulding, private communication, 7th October 2024 ↩︎
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