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.

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, 31^st 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, 11^th May 1934, gave his address as Wagstaff Farm, Biddenden, which was farmed by Victor Millen.

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, 17^th 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.

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

• Come Come My Pretty Maid (Roud 371)

A report on the autumn show of the Bethersden Cottage Gardeners’ Show, Kentish Express 23^rd 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 30^th 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 25^th 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 29^th April 1810, at St Michael’s, Smarden. He married Harriet Lindridge at St Michael’s, Chart Sutton, on 12^th 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, 19^th 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 27^th April 1941. An obituary was printed in the Kentish Express, 2^nd 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

• Come Come My Pretty Maid (The Thrush) (Roud 371)
• Dame Durden (Roud 1209)

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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 ↩︎

Frederick Thomas Ring, 1855-1951

Fred Ring was born on 1^st September 1855 at Wissenden – between Bethersden and Smarden – and baptised at Bethersden on 2^nd December. He was the eldest son of Thomas, an agricultural labourer, and Martha Maria, née Millen. In 1861 they lived at Farm House Cottage, Wissenden Grove. The 1871 census lists Fred as ‘Thomas’; he is working as a farm servant for Thomas Millen (presumably a relative of his mother), at Tearnden Farm, Bethersden.

In 1881 he was back in the parental home, Mudlark, Bethersden, and he’s listed as “Ag lab”. The following year he married Matilda Mary Williamson at Waltham Cross, on 2^nd November 1882. The marriage record gives him the occupation “Farmer”, but in subsequent censuses he always appeared as “agricultural labourer”, “Farm Labourer (General)” or similar.

The 1891 census shows them living at Ashford Road, Bethersden; they have two sons and a daughter. In 1901 their address was specified as Coles Cottages, Ashford Road, and they have another daughter. Ten years later the family had moved to Maple Cottage, Bethersden, and would remain there for the next four decades. In 1921 Fred’s employer is given as J D Cameron, Gentleman Farmer.

In the 1939 Register he is listed as Thomas F Ring, and his birth year is erroneously given as 1885. Sophy Theobald, a widow, is living with Fred and his wife, and carrying out “Unpaid Domestic Duties”.

Fred died at the grand old age of 95, in 1951. His obituary in the Kentish Express, Friday 2^nd March 1951, ran as follows:

AGED 95, Mr. Frederick Thomas Ring, of Maple-cotts, the home of Mr. and Mrs. F. Ring, died on Feb. 22 after a few days’ illness. Born at Wissenden, he had lived in the parish all his life. His wife died in 1946. Formerly he was a hop-drier for Mr. Jenner of Yalding, and later he worked for 25 years on the farm of the late Capt. Cameron, of Lowood. In his younger days he was a glee-singer and bellringer, and he sang in the church choir as a tenor.

Francis Collinson collected two songs from a Mr Ring, one of these being noted in November 1942. Now there were several men with the surname Ring living in Bethersden in September 1939, including Fred’s sons Walter and Frederick. However it seems most likely that Collinson’s singer was Fred, given that we know he had been involved in music-making in Bethersden.

A report on the annual Bethersden Hop Dryers’ Dinner in the Kentish Express, 23^rd October 1909, gave the names of those who had “helped with the evening’s entertainment, giving songs, etc. :– Messrs. H. Elliott, W.F. Parker, F. Ring, Lovel Woodcock, G. Burden, Leslie Woodcock, L. Cole and L. Mannering; with Mr. Elliott (of Ashford) as accompanist”. In a sign of the times, “Selections were given by Mr. Beale on his powerful gramophone”.

In December 1913 Fred Ring was contributing to the entertainment at a meeting of the Mid Kent Hunt:

Some very good songs were rendered during the evening, those contributing to the enjoyment including Messrs. Ryan, Cornwallis, Heath, Parker, Ring and A. Farrance while a glee was given by Messrs. Ring and Buckman.¹

The following week, Fred was again singing, at the “sixth annual dinner of the Royal Standard Slate Club”:

A most enjoyable evening was spent and some capital songs were sung by Messrs. Parker, Ring, Greenway, Kingsland, Kingsnorth, Brown, Dyke, and others; a trio was given by Messrs. Buckman, Batt and Ring; and a duet by Messrs. Buckman and Brown, accompanied by Miss Jeffrey (pianist), and Mr. Jeffrey (violin), of Biddenden.²

33 members of the Slate Club received a payout of £1 6s. 8d.

The event at the Royal Standard took place on Saturday 14^th December, but Fred Ring, Horace Buckman and Jim Batt were also present at a similar event the following Wednesday, for the Bethersden Share-Out Club, at the Bull Hotel. On this occasion

Those who contributed to the harmony of the evening were Messrs. Parker, T. Venner, A. Woodcock, T. Ring, Batt, F. Wriaght, J. Woodcock, P. Murrell, A. Dunk, A.W. Buss, etc. Mr. W. Elliott ably accompanied.³

Members of this club each received £1 11s. 1d “the largest sum paid out since the Club has been running”.

Songs

• The Fox and the Bear (Roud 1140)
• A Man Who is Married (Roud 21870)

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1. Kentish Express 13 December 1913 ↩︎
2. Kentish Express 20 December 1913 ↩︎
3. Kentish Express 20 December 1913 ↩︎