# Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham/N

​ Nail Making.—See "Trades."
Natural History and Microscopical Society was formed in January, 1858. The first meeting of the Mid- land Union of Natural History, Philosophical, and Archaeological Societies and Field Clubs was held at the Midland Institute, May 27, 1878.
Nechells.—There is, or was, a year or two back, a very old house, "Nechells Hall," still in existence, where at one period of their history, some of the Holte family resided.
Needless Alley is said to have been originally called Needles Alley from a pin and needle makers' shop there.
Nelson.—Boulton struck a fine medal in commemoration of the Battle of Trafalgar, and by permission of the Government gave one to every person who took part in the action; flag-officers and commanders receiving copies in gold, lieutenants, &c., in silver, and the men, bronze. Being struck for this purpose only, and not for sale, the medal is very scarce.—See "Statues."
New Hall.—One of the residences of the Colmore family, demolished in 1787, the advertisement announcing the sale of its materials appearing July 2 that year. It is generally believed that the house stood in exact line with Newhall Street, and at its juncture with Great Charles Street; the houses with the steps to them showing that the site between, whereon the Hall stood, was lowered after its clearance.
Newhall Hill—Famous for ever in our history for the gatherings which have at times taken place thereon, the most important of which are those of 1819, July 12, to elect a "representative " who should deviated admittance to, and a seat in, the House of Commons, whether the Commons would let him or no. For taking part in this meeting, George Edmonds, Major Cartwright, and some others, were put on their trial A "true bill" was found on August 9th, but the indictment being removed to King's Bench, the trial did not take place till August 7, 1820, the sentence of 12 months' imprisonment being passed May 28, 1821.—In 1832, May 14, nearly 200,000 persons present, Mr. Thomas Attwood presiding. This is the meeting described as "one of the most solemn spectacles ever seen in the world," when the whole mighty assemblage took the vow of the Political Union, to "devote themselves and their children to their country's cause."—In 1833, May 20, at which the Government was censured for passing a Coercian Bill for Ireland, for keeping on the window and house taxes, for not abolishing the Corn Laws, and for not allowing vote by ballot.
Newhall Lane was the original name for that part of Colmore Row situate between Newhall Street and Livery Street.
New John Street, for a long time, was considered the longest street in the borough, being 1 mile and 200 yards long.
New Market Street.— Some ground was set out here, years ago, for a market; hence the name.
Newspapers and Magazines.—In 1719 there were many small "sheets of news" published in London, but the imposition of a halfpenny stamp finished the career of the majority. In 1797 a 3½d. stamp, and in 1815 a 4d. stamp was required. In 1836 it was reduced to Id., and in 1855, after a long agitation, the newspaper duty was abolished altogether. About 1830 the trick of printing a calico sheet of news was tried, the letter of the law being that duty must be paid on newspapers, but the Somerset House people soon stopped it. In Oct., 1834, among many others. James Guest, Thomas ​Watts, and William Plastaus, news-vendors of this town, were committed to Warwick Gaol for the offence of selling unstamped papers. In 1840, the total circulation of all the local papers did not reach 14,000 copies per week, a great contrast to the present day, when one office alone sends out mere than 150,000 in the like time. During the Chartist agitation there were frequently as many as 5,000 to 6,000 copies of Feargus O'Connor's Northern Star sold here, and many hundreds a week of the Weekly Dispatch, a great favourite with "the people" then. Cacoethes scribendi, or the scribbling itch, is a complaint many local people have suffered from, but to give a list of all the magazines, newspapers, journals, and periodicals that have been published here is impossible. Many like garden flowers have bloomed, fruited, and lived their little day, others have proved sturdy plants and stood their ground for years, but the majority only just budded into life before the cold frosts of public neglect struck at their roots and withered them up, not a leaf being left to tell even the date of their death. Notes of a few are here given:—
Advertiser.—First number appeared Oct. 10, 1833.
Argus.— Started as a monthly Aug. 1, 1828.— See "Allday" under "Note-worthy Men."
Ariss Gazette.—The oldest of our present local papers was first published Nov. 16, 1741. Like all other papers of that period, it was but a dwarf in comparison with the present broadsheet, and the whole of the local news given in its first number was comprised in five lines, announcing the celebration of Admiral Vernon's birthday. Its Founder, Thos. Aris, died July 4, 1761. Since that date it had seen but few changes in its proprietorship until 1872, when it was taken by a Limited Liability Company, its politics remaining staunchly Conservative. On May 12th, 1862, it was issued as a daily, the Saturday's publication still bearing the old familiar name.
Athlete.—First issued as the "Midland Athlete," January, 1879.
Bazaar.—A quarto serial of 1823-25.
Birmingham Magazine.—A literary and scientific publication edited by Rev. Hugh Hutton. First appeared in Nov. 1827, running only nine numbers.
Brum.—A so-called satirical, but slightly scurrilous, sheet issued in 1869, for a brief period.
Central Literary Magazine.—First No. in Jan. 1873.
Chronicle.—First published in 1765 by Myles Swinney, who continued to edit the paper until his death in 1812. It was sold March 15, 1819, as well as the type foundry which had been carried on by Mr. Swinney, a business then noteworthy, as there was but one other of the kind in England out of London.
Daily Globe.—A Conservative ½d. evening paper, commencing Nov. 17, 1879, and dying Oct. 30, 1880.
Daily Mail.—Evening ½d. paper; an offshoot from the Daily Post, and now printed on adjoining premises. First established Sept. 7, 1870.
Daily Post.— First published Dec. 4, 1857, by the proprietors of the Journal. From the first it "took" well, and it is the leading daily paper of the Midland Counties.
Daily Press.—The first daily paper issued in Birmingham appeared on May 7, 1855. Like many other "new inventions," however, it did not succeed in making a firm footing and succumbed in November, 1858.
Dart.—A well-conducted comic weekly paper. Commenced Oct. 28, 1876.
Edgbaston Advertiser.—Published monthly by Mr. Thos. Britten, Ladywood. As its name implies, this publication is more of the character of an advertising sheet than a newspaper, but it often contains choice literary pieces which make it a favourite.
Edgbastonia.—A monthly, full of ​quaint and curious notes, local biographies, &c., issued by Mr. Eliezer Edwards, the well-known "S.D.R." First sent out May, 1881.
Edmonds' Weekly Recorder.—First published by George Edmonds, June 18, 1819. It was alive in 1823, but date of last issue is uncertain.
German.—A newspaper printed in the German language made its appearance here Aug. 7, 1866, but did not live long.
Graphic.—A penny illustrated commenced Feb. 21, 18S3, but its growth was not sufficiently hardy to keep it alive more than two summers.
Gridiron.—"A grill for saints and sinners," according to No. 1 (June 14, 1879), and if bitter biting personalities can be called fun, the publication was certainly an amusing one, so long as it lasted.
Hardware Lion.—Rather a curious name for the monthly advertising sheet first published Dec, 1880, but it did not long survive.
Illustrated Midland News.—The publication of this paper, Sept. 4, 1869, was a spirited attempt by Mr. Joseph Hatton to rival the Illustrated London News; but the fates were against him, and the last number was that of March 11, 1871.
Inspector.—A political sheet, which only appeared a few times in 1815.
Iris.—A few numbers of a literary magazine thus named were issued in 1830.
Jabet's Herald.—A weekly paper, published 1808, but not of long existence.
Journal.—A paper with this name was published in 1733, but there are no files extant to show how long it catered for tlie public. A copy of its 18th number, Monday, May 21, 1733, a small 4to of 4 pages, with the ½d. red stamp, is in the possession of the proprietors of the Daily Post, The Journal of later days first appeared June 4 1825, and continued to be published as a Saturday weekly until 1873, when it was incorporated with the Daily Post.
Liberal Review.—First number March 20, 1880, and a few numbers ended it.
Looker-On—A quizzical critical sheet of theatrical items of the year 1823.
Literary Phoenix.—A miscellany of literary litter swept together by Mr. Henry Hawkes in 1820, but soon dropped.
Lion.—Another of the modern "satirical" shortlived sheets, started Jan. 4, 1877.
Mercury.—The Birmingham Mercury and Warwickshire and Staffordshire Advertiser was the title of a newspaper of which the first copy was dated November 24, 1820. The title oi Mercury was revived in 1848, on the l0th December of which year Mr. Wm. B. Smith brought out his paper of that name. It commenced with eclat, but soon lost its good name, and ultimately, after a lingering existence (as a daily at last), it died out August 24, 1857.
Middle School Mirror.—A monthly, edited, written, and published by the boys of the Middle School of King Edward the Sixth, shone forth in December, 1880.
Midland Antiquary.—First number for Oct., 1882. A well-edited chronicle of matters interesting to our "Old Mortality" boys.
Midland Counties Herald.—First published July 26, 1836, by Messrs. Wright and Dain. Its circulation, though almost gratuitous is extensive and from its high character as a me- diam for certain classes of advertisements it occasionally has appeared in the novel shine of a newspaper without any news, the advertisers taking up all the space.
Midland Echo—Halfpenny evening paper, commenced Feb. 26, 1883, as an extra-superfine Liberal organ. Ceased to appear as a local paper early in 1885.
Midland Metropolitan Magazine.— ​This heavily-named monthly lasted just one year, from Dec, 1852.
Midland Naturalist.— Commenced Jan. 1, 1878.
Morning News.—Daily paper, in politics a Nonconformist Liberal; first published Jan. 2, 1871, under the editorship of George Dawson until the expiration of 1873. On Aug. 16, 1875, it was issued as a morning and evening paper at ½d.; but the copy for May 27, 1876, contained its own death notice.
Mouse Trap.—The title of a little paper of playful badinage, issued for a month or two in the autumn of 1824.
Naturalists' Gazette.—In Sept. 1882, the Birmingham naturalists began a gazette of their own.
Old New Birmingham was published in monthly parts, the first being issued June 1, 1878.
Owl.—A weekly pennyworth of self-announced "wit and wisdom" first issued Jan. 30, 1879.
Penny Magazine.—This popular periodical, the fore-runner of all the cheap literature of the day, may be said to have had a Birmingham origin, as it was first suggested to Charles Knight by Mr. M. D. Hill in 1832.
Philanthropist.—First published (as The Reformer) April 16, 1835, by Benjamin Hudson, 18, Bull Street; weekly, four pages, price 7d., but in the following September lowered to 4½d., the stamp duty of 4d. being at that time reduced to 1d. In politics it was Liberal, and a staunch supporter of the Dissenters, who only supported it for about two years.
Radacal Times.—Came into existence Sept. 30, 1876, but being too rabidly Radical, even for "the 600," whose leading-strings it shirked, it did not thrive for long.
Register or Entertaining Museum.—With the prefix of the town's name, this monthly periodical lived one year from May 10, 1764. This was one of the earliest London-printed country papers, the only local portion being the outside pages, so that it suited for a number of places.
Reporter and Review.—Principally devoted to the doings on the local stage, and published for a brief period during June, &c., 1823.
Saturday Evening Post.—A weekly "make-up" from the Daily Post (with a few distinctive features) and came into being with that paper; price l½d. Originally issued at noon on Saturday, but latterly it has appeared simultaneous with the Daily, and is known as the Weekly Post, its price lately having been reduced to 1d.
Saturday Night.—First published, Sept. 30, 1882.
Saturday's Register.—Another of George Edmunds' political papers, which appeared for a few months in 1820.
Spectator.—A literary and dramatic monthly, of which seven parts were published in 1824.
Sunday Echo.—First number came out May 21, 1882.
Sunday Express.—Started August, 1884, and died August, 1885.
Sunday Telegram.—Started May, 1883.
Sunrise.—Rose Nov. 18, 1882, at the price of one-halfpenny, and lasted a few weeks only.
Tattler.— April 1817 saw the first appearance of the tittle-tattle-tale-telling monthly tease to all lovers of theatrical order, and August saw the last.
Theatrical Argus.—Of May and following months of 1830. A two-penny-worth of hotch-potch, principally scandal.
Theatrical John Bull.—Published in May, 1824, lasting for the season only.
Theatrical Note Book.—Rival to above in June, 1824, and going off the stage same time.
Town Crier.—This respectable specimen of a local comic appeared first in September, 1861, and it deserves a long life, if only for keeping clear of scandal and scurrility
​Warwick and Staffordshire Journal.—Though printed here, the town was not thought capable of filling its columns; a little experience snowed the two counties to be as bad, and subscribers were tempted to buy by the issue of an Illustrated Bible and Prayer Book sent out in parts with the paper. The first No. was that of Aug. 20, 1737, and it continued till the end of Revelations, a large number of copperplate engravings being given with the Bible, though the price of the paper was but 2d.
Weekly Mercury.—Commenced November, 1884.
Weekly News.—A weak attempt at a weekly paper, lasted from May to September, 1882.
Newsrooms.—The first to open a newsroom were Messrs. Thomson and Wrightson, booksellers, who on Aug. 22, 1807, admitted the public to its tables. In 1825 a handsome newsroom was erected in Bennett's Hill, the site of which was sold in 1858 for the County Court, previous to its removal to Waterloo Street.
New Street once called "Beast Market," was in Hutton's time approached from High Street through an archway, the rooms over being in his occupation. In 1817 there were several walled-in gardens on the Bennett's Hill side of the street, and it is on record that one house at least was let at the low rent of 5s. 6d. per week. The old "Grapes" public-house was pulled down just after the Queen's visit, being the last of the houses removed on account cf the railway station. Though it has long been the principal business street of the town. New street was at one time devoted to the ignoble purposes of a beast market, and where the fair ladies of to-day lightly tread the flags when on shopping bent, the swine did wait the butcher's knife. New Street is 561 yards in length; between Temple Street and Bennett's Hill it is 46½ feet wide, and near Worcester Street 65 ft. 4 in. wide.
Nonconformists.—The so-called Act of Uniformity of 1662 deprived nearly 2,000 of the clergy of their livings, and a few of them came to Birmingham as a place of refuge, ministering among the Dissenters, who then had no buildings for regular worship. There were many documents in the lost Staunton Collection relating to some of these clergymen, who, however, did not find altogether comfortable quarters even here, one George Long, M.D., who had fled from his persecutors in Staffordshire, finding no peace in Birmingham, removed to Ireland; others, though they came here by stealth to minister, had to reside in country parts. A Central Nonconformist Committee was formed here March 3, 1870.
Nonjurors.—Among the name of the Roman Catholics, or "Nonjurors," who refused to take the oath of allegiance to George I., appeard that of John Stych, of Birmingham, whose forfeited estate was, in 1715, valued at £12.
Northfield.—Four and a-half miles from Birmingham. There was a Church here at the time of the Norman survey, and some traces of its Saxon origin, students of architecture said, could once be found in the ancient doorway on the north side of the building. Some forty years ago the psalmody of the congregation and choir received assistance from the mellifluous strains ground out of a barrel organ, which instrument is still preserved as a curiosity by a gentleman of the neighbourhood. They had an indelible way at one time of recording local proceedings in matters connected with the Church here. The inscriptions on the six bells cast in 1730 being:—
Treble.—We are now six, though once but five, 2nd—Though against our casting some did strive,
3rd.— But when a day for meeting they did fix,
4th.—There appeared but nine against twenty six.
5th—Samuel Palmer and Thomas Silk Churchwardens.
Tenor.—Thomas Kettle and William Jervaise did contrive
To make us six that were but five.
Notable Offences.—In olden days very heavy punishments were dealt out for what we now think but secondary offences, three men being sentenced to death at the Assizes, held March 31, 1742, one Anstey for burglary, Townsend for sheep-stealing, and Wilmot for highway robbery. The laws also took cognisance of what to us are strange crimes, a woman in 1790 being imprisoned here for selling almanacks without the Government stamp on them; sundry tradesmen also being heavily fined for dealing in covered buttons. The following are a few ether notable offences that have been chronicled for reference:—
Bigamy.—The Rev. Thomas Morris Hughes was, Nov. 15, 1883, sentenced to seven years' penal servitude for this offence. He had been previously punished for making a false registration of the birth of a child, the mother of which was his own stepdaughter.
Burglary.—On Christmas eve, 1800, five men broke into the counting-house at Soho, stealing therefrom 150 guineas and a lot of silver, hut Matthew Boulton captured four of them, who were transported.—The National School at Hands worth, was broken into and robbed for the fifth time Sept. 5, 1827.—A warehouse in Bradford Street was robbed Jan. 9, 1856, of an iron safe, weighing nearly 4cwt., and containing £140 in cash.—A burglary was committed in the Bull Ring, July 5, 1862, tor which seven persons were convicted.
Coining.—Booth, the noted coiner and forger, was captured at Perry Barr, March 28, 1812, his house being surrounded by constables and soldiers. In addition to a number of forged notes and £600 in counterfeit silver, the captors found 200 guineas in gold and nearly £3,000 in good notes, but they did not save Booth from being hanged. Booth had many hidingplaces for his peculiar productions, parcels of spurious coins having several rimes been found in hedgerow banks and elsewhere; the latest find (in April, 1884) consisted of engraved copper-plates for Bank of England £1 and £2 notes.—There have been hundreds of coiners punished since his day. The latest trick is getting really good dies for sovereigns, for which Ingram Belborough, an old man of three score and six, got seven years' penal servitude, Nov, 15 1883.
Deserters.— On 24 July, 1742, a soldier deserted from his regiment in this town. Followed, and resisting, he was shot at Tettenhall Wood.—A sergeant of the Coldstream Guards was shot here while trying to capture a deserter, September 13, 1796.
Dynamite making.—One of the most serious offences committed in Birmingham was discovered when Alfred Whitehead was arrested April 5, 1883, on the charge of manufacturing nitroglycerine, or dynamite, at 123, Ledsam Street. Whitehead was one of the Irish-American or American-Irish party of the Land Leaguers or Home Rulers, who entertain the idea that by committing horrible outrages in England. they will succeed in making Ireland "free from the galling yoke of Saxon tyranny" and every Irishman independent of everybody and everything everywhere. Well supplied with funds from New York, Whitehead quietly arranged his little manufactory, buying glycerine from one firm and nitric and sulphuric acids from others, certain members of the conspiracy coming from London to take away the stuff when it was completely mixed. The deliveries of the peculiar ingredients attracted the attention of Mr, Gilbert Pritchard, whose chemical knowledge led him to guess what they were required for; he informed his friend, Sergeant Price, of his suspicions; Price and his superior officers made nightly visits to Ledsam Street, getting into the premises, and taking samples for examination; and on the morning named Whitehead's game was over, though not before he had been watched in sending off two lots of ​the dangerously explosive stuff to London. There was, however, no less than 2001bs, weight found still on the premises. The men who carried it to London were quickly caught with the dynamite in their possession, and with Whitehead were brought to trial and each of them sentenced to penal servitude for life. The distribution of rewards in connection with the "dynamite outrages," so far as Birmingham people were concerned, was somewhat on a similar scale to that described by the old sailor, when he said "prize-money" was distributed through a ladder, all passing through going to the officers, while any sticking to the wood was divided among the men. Mr. Farndale, the Chief of Police, was granted an addition to his salary of £100 per year; Inspector Black was promoted to the rank of Superintendent, adding £50 a year to his salary, and was presented with £100 from Government; Sergeant Price became Inspector, with a rise of £41 12s. a year, and received a bonus of £200; Inspector Rees' salary was raised to two guineas a week, with a gift of £50; while Mr. Pritchard. to whom belonged the conspicuous service of having given the information which led the police to act, was rewarded (!) with £50, having lost his situation through his services to the public.
Embezzlements.—In 1871, W. Harrison, the Secretary of the Birmingham Gas Company, skedaddled, his books showing defalcations to the amount of £18,000. When the company was dissolved, £100 was left in a bank for Mr. Secretary's prosecution, should he return to this country.—July 12, 1877, the secretary of the Moseley Skating Rink Company was awarded twelve mouths, and the secretary of the Butcher's Hide and Skin Company six mouths, for similar offences, but for small amounts.
Forgeries.—In the year 1800, seven men were hung at Warwick for forgery, and with them one for sheep-stealing. The manufacture of forged bank-notes was formerly quite a business here, and many cases are on record of the detection and punishment of the offenders.—June 28, 1879, the Joint Stock Bank were losers of £2,130 through cashing three forged cheques bearing the signature of W. C. B. Cave, the clever artist getting ten years.—Nov. 15, 185=83, John Aldred Bargan, managing director of the Union Bank, for forging and uttering a certain order, and falsifying his books, the amounts emliezzled reaching £9,000, was sentenced to fifteen years' penal servitude.—On the previous day Benjamin Robert Danks was similarly punished for forgeries on his employer, Mr. Jesse Herbert, barrister, who had been exceedingly kind to him—Zwingli Sargent, solicitor, was sentenced to five years' penal servitude, April 28, 1885, for forgery and misappropriating money belonging to clients.
Fortunetelling is still far from being an uncommon offence, but "Methratton," the "Great Seer of England," alias John Hartwell, who, on March 28, 1883, was sentenced to nine mouths hard labour, must rank as being at the top of the peculiar profession. Though a "Great Seer" he could not foresee his own fate.
Highwaymen.—The "gentlemen of the road" took their tolls in a very free manner in the earlier coaching days, notwithstanding that the punishment dealt out was frequently that of death or, in mild cases, transportation for life. The Birmingham stage coach was stopped and robbed near Banbury, May 18, 1743, by two highwaymen, who, however, were captured same day, and were afterwards hung.—Mr. Wheeley, of Edgbaston, was stopped in a lane near his own house, and robbed of 20 guineas by a footpad. May 30, 1785.—An attempt to rob and murder Mr. Evans was made near Aston Park. July 25, 1789.—Henry Wolseley, Esq. (third son of Sir W. Wolseley, Bart.), was robbed by ​highwaymen near Erdington, Nov 5, 1793.—Some highwaymen robbed a Mr. Benton of £90 near Aston Brook, April 6, 1797.—The coach from Sheffield was stopped by footpads near Aston Park, March 1, 1798, and the passengers robbed.—The "Balloon" coach was robbed of £8,000, Dec. 11, 1822, and the Warwick mail was robbed of no less than £20,000 in Bank notes, Nov. 28. 1827.
Horrible.—The bodies of eleven children were found buried at back of 68, Long Acre, Nechells, where lived Ann Pinson, a midwife, who said they were all still-born, July, 1878.
Long Firms.—A term applied to rogues, who, by pretending to be in business, procure goods by wholesale, and dispose of them fraudulently. W. H. Stephenson, of this town, a great patron of the.K' gentry, was sentenced to seven years' penal servitude, Nov. 22, 1877, for the part he had taken in one of these swindling transactions, according to account by far from being the first of the kind he had had a hand in.
Next-of-Kin Fraud.—Many good people imagine they are entitled to property now in other hands, or laid up in Chancery, and to accommodate their very natural desire to obtain information that would lead to their getting possession of same, a "Next-of-Kin Agency" was opened in Burlington Passage at the beginning of 1882. The modus operandi was of the simplest: the firm advertised that Brown, Jones, and Robinson were wanted; Brown, Jones, and Robinson turned up, and a good many of them; they paid the enquiry fees, and called again. They were assured (every man Jack of them) they were right owners, and all they had to do was to instruct the firm to recover. More fees, and heavy ones; the Court must be petitioned—more fees; counsel engaged—more fees; case entered for hearing—more fees, and so on, as long as the poor patients would stand bleeding. Several instances were known of people selling their goods to meet the harpies' demands; clergymen and widows, colliers and washerwomen, all alike were in the net. It became too hot at last, and Rogers, Beeton and Co., were provided with berths in the gaol. At Manchester Assizes, July 18, 1882, J. S. Roger, got two years' hard labour, A. Mackenzie and J. H. Shakespear (a solicitor) each 21 months; and E. A. Beeton, after being in gaol six months, was ordered to stop a further twelve, the latter's conviction being from this town.
Novel Thefts.—A youth of nineteen helped himself to £128 from a safe at General Hospital, and spent £13 of it before the magistrates (Jan. 15, 1875) could give him six months' lodgings at the gaol.—Three policemen were sent to penal servitude for five years for thieving July 8, 1876.—Sept. 19, 1882, some labourers engaged in laying sewage pipes near Newton Street, Corporation Street, came across some telegraph cables, and under the impression that they were "dead" wires, hitched a horse thereto and succeeded in dragging out about a dozen yards of no less than 33 different cables connecting this town with Ireland, the Continent, and America. Their prize was sold for 4s. 6d., but the inconvenience caused was very serious. Henry Jones, who was tried for the trick, pleaded ignorance, and was let off.—Quarter Sessions, Ernest Lotze, got six months for stealing, Dec. 12, 1892, from his employer 871b. weight of human hair, valued at £300.
Personal Outrages.—Maria Ward was sentenced to penal servitude December 18, 1873, for mutilating her husband in a shocking manner.—At Warwick Assizes, December 19, 1874, one man was sentenced to 15 years, and four others to 7 years' penal servitude for outraging a woman in Shadwell Street.—George Moriarty, plasterer, pushed his wife through the chamber window, and on her clinging to the ledge beat her hands with a hammer ​till she fell and broke her leg, May 31, 1875. It was three months before she could appear against him, and he had then to wait three months for his trial, which resulted in a twenty years' sentence.
Sacrilege.—In 1583 St. Martin's Church was robbed of velvet "paul cloathes," and also some money belonging to the Gramniar School.—Handsworth Church was robbed of its sacramental plate, February 10, 1784; and Aston Church was similarly despoiled, April 21, 1788.—A gross sacrilege was committed in Edgbaston Church, December 15, 1816.—Four Churches were broken into on the night of January 3, 1873.
Sedition and Treason.—George Ragg, printer, was imprisoned for sedition, February 12, 1821.—George Thompson, gun maker, 31, Whittall Street, was imprisoned, August 7, 1839, for selling guns to the Chartists.
Shop Robberies.—Diamonds worth £400 were stolen from Mr. Wray's shop, November 27, 1872.—A jeweller's window in New Street was smashed January 23, 1875, the damage and loss amounting to £300.—A bowl containing 400 "lion sixpences" was stolen from Mr. Thomas's window, in New Street, April 5, 1878.—Mr. Mole's jeweller's shop, High Street, was plundered of £500 worth, April 13th, 1881. Some of the works of the watches taken were afterwards fished up from the bottom of the Mersey, at Liverpool.
Short Weight—Jan. 2, 1792, there was a general "raid" made on the dealers in the market, when many short-weight people came to grief.
Street Shouting.—The Watch Committee passed a bye-law, May 14, 1878, to stop the lads shouting "Mail, Mail," but they go on doing it.
Swindles.—Maitland Boon Hamilton, a gentleman with a cork leg, was given six months on July 25, 1877, for fleecing Mr. Marsh, the jeweller, out of some diamonds.—James Beutley, for the "Christmas hamper swindle," was sentenced to seven years at the Quarter Sessions, May 1, 1878. The following tables show the number of offences dealt with by the authorities during the five years ending with 1882 (the charges, of which only a small number have been reported, being omitted):—
The total number of crimes reported under the head of "indictable offences" — namely, Sessions and Assizes cases the number apprehended, and how dealt with, will be gathered from the following summary:—
The following are the details of the more important offences dealt with summarily by the magistrates during the last live years:—
Similar statistics for 1883 have not yet been made up, but a return up to December 31 of that year shows that the number of persons committed during the year to the Borough Gaol, or, as it is now termed, her Majesty's Prison at Winson Green, were 3,044 males and 1,045 females from the borough, and 1,772 males and 521 ​females from districts, making a total of 6,382 as against 6,565 in 1882. In the borough 734 males and 193 females had been committed for felony, 1,040 males and 290 females for misdemeanour, 707 males and 329 females drunkenness, and 243 males and 121 females for vagrancy. Of prisoners sixteen years old and under there were 193 males and 21 females.
Noteworthy Men of the Past.—Though in the annals of Birmingham history the names of very many men of note in art, science, and literature, commerce and politics, are to be found, comparatively speaking there are few of real native origin. Most of our best men have come from other parts, as will be seen on looking over the notices which follow this. Under the heading of "Parsons, Preachers, and Priests," will be found others of different calibre.
Allday.—The "Stormy Petrel" of modern Birmingham was Joseph, or, as he was better known, Joey Allday, whose hand at one time, was against every man, and every man's hand against Joe. Born in 1798, Mr. Allday, on arriving at years of maturity, joined his brothers in the wire-drawing business, but though it is a painful sight to see (as Dr. Watts says) children of one family do very often disagree, even if they do not fall out and chide and fight; but Joseph was fond of fighting (though not with his fists), and after quarelling and dissolving partnership, as one of his brothers published a little paper so must he. This was in 1824, and Joey styled his periodical The Mousetrap, footing his own articles with the name of "Argus." How many Mousetraps Allday sent to Market is uncertain, as but one or two copies only are known to be in existence, and equally uncertain is it whether the speculation was a paying one. His next literary notion, however, if not pecuniarilly successful, was most assuredly popular, as well as notorious, it being the much-talked-of Argus. The dozen or fifteen years following 1820 were rather prolific in embryo publications and periodicals of otic kind and another, and it is a matter of difficulty to ascertain now the exact particulars respecting many of them. Allday's venture, which was originally called The Monthly Argus, first saw the light in August, 1828, and, considering the time-, it was a tolerably well-conducted sheet of literary miscellany, prominence being given to local theatrical matters and similar subjects, which were fairly criticised. Ten numbers followed, in due monthly order, but the volume for the year was not completed, as in July, 1830, a new series of The Argus was commenced in Magazine shape and published at a shilling. The editor of this new series had evidently turned over a new leaf, but he must have done so with a dungfork, for the publication became nothing better than the receptacle of rancour, spite, and calumny, public men and private individuals alike being attacked, and often in the most scurrilous manner. The printer (who was still alive a few years back) was William Chidlow and on his head, of course, fell all the wrath of the people libelled and defamed. George Frederick Muntz horse whipped him, others sued him for damages, and even George Edmonds (none too tender-tongued himself) could not stand the jibes and jeers of The Argus. The poor printer was arrested on a warrant for libel; his types and presses were confiscated under a particular section of the Act for regulating newspapers, and Allday himself at the March Assizes in 1831 was found guilty on several indictments for libel, and sentenced to ten months' imprisonment. A third series of The Argus was started June 1st, 1832, soon after Allday's release from Warwick, and as the vile scurrility of the earlier paper was abandoned to a great extent, it was permitted to appear as long as customers could be found to support it, ultimately dying out with the last month of 1834. To Mr. ​Joseph Allday must credit be given for the exposure of numerous abuses existing in his day. He had but to get proper insight into anything going on wrong than he at once attacked it, tooth and nail, no matter who stood in the road, or who suffered from his blows. His efforts to put a stop to the cruelties connected with the old system of imprisonment and distraint for debt led to the abolition of the local Courts of Requests; and his wrathful indignation on learning the shocking manner in which prisoners at the goal were treated by the Governor, Lieutenant Austin, in 1852-53, led to the well-remembered "Gaol Atrocity Enquiry," and earned for him the thanks of the Commissioners appointed by Government to make the enquiry. As a Town Councillor and Alderman, as a Poor Law Guardian and Chairman of the Board, as Parish Warden for St. Martin's and an opponent of church-rates (while being a good son of Mother Church), as founder of the Ratepayers' Protection Society and a popular leader of the Conservative party, it needs not saying that Mr. Allday had many enemies at all periods of his life, but there were very few to speak ill of him at the time of his death, which resulted from injuries received in a fall on Oct. 2nd, 1861.
Allen, J.—Local portrait painter of some repute from 1802 to 1820.
Aston, John, who died Sept. 12, 1882, in his 82nd year, at one time took a leading share in local affairs. He was High Bailiff in 1841, a J. P. for the county, for 40 years a Governor of the Grammar School, and on the boards of management of a number of religious and charitable institutions. A consistent Churchman, he was one of the original trustees of the "Ten Churches Fund," one of the earliest works of church extension in Birmingham; he was also the chief promoter of the Church of England Cemetery, and the handsome church of St. Michael, which stands in the Cemetery grounds, was largely due to his efforts. In politics Mr. Aston was a staunch Conservative, and was one of the trustees of the once notable Constitutional Association.
Attwood.—The foremost name of the days of Reform, when the voice of Liberal Birmingham male itself heard through its leaders was that of Thomas Attwood. A native of Salop, born Oct. 6, 1783, he became a resident here soon after coming of age, having joined Messrs. Spooner's Bank, thence and afterwards known as Spooner and Attwood's. At the early age of 28 he was chosen High Bailiff, and soon made his mark by opposing the renewal of the East India Co.'s charter, and by his exertions to obtain the withdrawal of the "Orders in Council," which in 1812, had paralysed the trade of the country with America. The part he took in the great Reform meetings, his triumphant reception after the passing of the Bill, and his being sent to Parliament as one of the first representatives for the borough, are matters which have been too many times dilated upon to need recapitulation. Mr. Attwood had peculiar views on the currency question, and pertinaciously pressing them on his fellow members in the House of Commons he was not liked, and only held his seat until the end of Dec, 1839, the last prominent act of his political life being the presentation of a monster Chartist petition in the previous June. He afterwards retired into private life, ultimately dying at Malvern, March 6, 1856, being then 73 years of age. Charles Attwood, a brother, but who look less part in politics, retiring from the Political Union when he thought Thomas and his friends were verging on the precipice of revolution, was well known in the north of England iron and steel trade. He died Feb. 24, 1875, in his 84th year. Another brother Benjamin, who left politics alone, died Nov. 22, 1874, aged 80. No greater contrast could possibly be drawn than that shown in the career of these three gentlemen. The youngest ​brother who industriously attended to his business till he had acquired a competent fortune, also inherited enormous wealth from a nephew, and after his death he was proved to have been the long unknown but much sought after anonymous donor of the £1,000 notes so continuously acknowledged in the Times as having been sent to London hospitals and charities. It was said that Benjamin Attwood distributed nearly £300,000 in this unostentatious manner, and his name will be ever blessed. Charles Attwood was described as a great and good man, and a benefactor to his race. His discoveries in the manufacture of glass and steel, and his opening up of the Cleveland iron district, has given employment to thousands, and as one who knew him well said, "If he had cared more about money, and less about science, he could have been one of the richest commoners in England;" but he was unselfish, and let other reap the benefit of his best patents. What the elder brother was, most Brums know; he worked hard in the cause of Liberalism, he was almost idolised here, and his statue stands not far from the site of the Bank with which his name was unfortunately connected, and the failure of which is still a stain on local commercial history.
Baldwin, James.—Born in the first month of the present century, came here early in his teens, worked at a printer's, saved his money, an employer at 25, made a speciality of "grocer's printing," fought hard in the battle against the "taxes on knowledge," became Alderman and Mayor, and ultimately settled down on a farm near his own paper mills at King's Norton, where, Dec. 10, 1871, he finished a practically useful life, regretted by many.
Bayley, C. H.—A Worcestershire man and a Staffordshire resident; a persevering collector of past local and county records, and an active member of the Archaeological section of the Midland Institute. Mr. Bayley was also a member of the Staffordshire Archaeological Society, and took special interest in the William Salt Library at Stafford, whose treasures were familiar to him, and whose contents he was ever ready to search and report on far any of his friends. In 1869 he issued the first of some proposed reprints of some of his own rarities, in "A True Relation of the Terrible Earthquake at West Brommidge, in Staffordshire," &,c. , printed in 1675; and early in 1882 (the year of his death) "The Rent Rolls of Lord Dudley and Ward in 1701"—a very curious contribution to local history, and full of general interest also.
Beale, Samuel.—At one period a most prominent man among our local worthies, one of the first Town Councillors, and Mayor in 1841. He was Chairman of the Midland Railway, a director of the Birmingham and Midland Bank, and sat as M.P. for Derby from 1857 to 1865. He died Sept. 11, 1876, aged 71.
Beale, W. J.—A member of the legal firm of Beale, Marigold, and Beale. Mr. Beale's chief public service was rendered in connection with the General Hospital and the Musical Festivals. He was for many years a member of the Orchestral Committee of the Festivals, and in 1870 he succeeded Mr. J. O. Mason as chairman; retaining this position until after the Festival of 1876. His death took place in July, 1880, he then being in his 76th year.
Billing, Martin.—Founder of the firm of Martin Billing, Sons, & Co., Livery Street, died July 17, 183, at the age of 71. He commenced life under his uncle, Alderman Baldwin, and was the first to introduce steam printing machines into Birmingham. The colossal structure which faces the Great Western Railway Station was erected about twenty-nine years ago.
Bisset, James, was the publisher of the " Magnificent Directory" and "Poetic Survey " of Birmingham, ​presented to the public, January 1, 1800.
Bowly, E. O.—A native, self-taught artist, whose pictures now fetch rapidly-increasing sums, though for the best part of his long life dealers and the general run of art patrons, while acknowledging the excellence of the work, would not buy them. Mr. Bowly, however, lived sufficiently long to know that the few gentlemen who honoured him in his younger years, were well recompensed for their kind recognition of his talent, though it came too late to be of service to himself. His death occurred Feb. 1, 1876, in his 70th year.
Briggs.—Major W. B. Briggs, who was struck off the world's roster Jan. 25, 1877, was one of the earliest and most ardent supporters of the Volunteer movement in Birmingham, being gazetted ensign of the 2nd Company in November, 1859. He was a hearty kindly man, and much esteemed in and out of the ranks.
Burritt, Elihu, the American "learned blacksmith," having made himself proficient in fifteen different languages. He first addressed the "Friends of Peace" in this town, Dec. 15, 1846, when on a tour through the country. He afterwards returned, and resided in England for nearly twenty-five years, being for a considerable time United States Consul at Birmingham, which he left in 1868. During his residence here he took an active share in the work of diffusing the principles of temperance and peace, both by lecturing and by his writings.
Bynner, Henry.—A native of the town; forty-five years British Consul at Trieste; returned here in 1842, and died in 1867. He learned shorthand writing of Dr. Priestley, and was the first to use it in a law court in this county.
Cadbury, Richard Tapper.—A draper and haberdasher, who started business here in 1794. One of the Board of Guardians, and afterwards Chairman (for 15 years) of the Commissioners of the Streets, until that body was done away with. Mr. Cadbury was one of the most respected and best known men of the town. He died March 13, 1860, in his 92nd year, being buried in Bull Street among his departed friends.
Capern, Edward.—Sometimes called the "poet-postman," is a Devonshire man, but resided for a considerable time at Harborne. He deserves a place among our noteworthy men, if only for his sweet lines on the old Love lane at Edgbaston, now known as Richmond Hill.
   "But no vestige of the bankside lingers now or gate to show
   The track of the old vanished lane of love's sweet long ago."
Carey, Rev. Henry Francis, active of this town (born in 1772), vicar of Bromley Abbots, Staffordshire, himself a poet of no mean order, translated in blank verse Dante's "Inferno," the "Divine Commedia," &c., his works running rapidly through several editions. For some time he was assistant librarian at the British Museum, and afterwards received a pension of £200 a year. Died in 1844, and lies in "Poet's Corner," Westminster Abbey.
Chamberlain, John Henry.—Came to Birmingham in 1856, and died suddenly on the evening of Oct. 22, 1883, after delivering a lecture in the Midland Institute on "Exotic Art." An architect of most brilliant talent, it is almost impossible to record the buildings with which (in conjunction with his partner, Mr. M. Martin) he has adorned our town. Among them are the new Free Libraries, the extension of the Midland Institute, the Hospitals for Women and Children, the many Board Schools, the Church of St. David, and that at Selly Hill the Rubery Asylum, the Fire Brigade Station, the Constitution Hill Library, Monument Lane Baths, the Chamberlain Memorial, the Canopy over Dawson's Statue, several Police Stations, with shops and private houses ​innumerable. He was a true artist in every sense of the word, an eloquent speaker, and one of the most sincere, thoughtful, and lovingly-earnest men that Birmingham has ever been blessed with.
Clegg.—Samuel Clegg was born at Manchester, March 2, 1781, but his early years were passed at the Soho Works, where he was assistant to Mr. Murdoch in the gradual introduction of lighting with gas. In 1807 Mr. Clegg first used lime as a purifier and in 1815 he patented the water meter. In addition to his many inventions connected with the manufacture and supply of gas. Mr. Clegg must be credited with the introduction of the atmospheric railways, which attracted so much attention some five-and-forty years ago, and also with many improvements in steam engines.
Collins.—Mr. John Collins, an exceedingly popular man in his day, and quite a local author, made his first appearance here Jan. 16, 1793, at "The Gentlemen's Private Theatre," in Livery Street, with an entertainment called "Collins' New Embellished Evening Brush, for Rubbing off the Rust of care." This became a great favourite, and we find Collins for years after, giving similar performances, many of them being for the purpose of paying for "soup for the poor" in the distressful winters of 1799, 1800, and 1801. Not so much, however, on account of his charity, or his unique entertainment, must Mr. Collins be ranked among local worthies, as for "A Poetical History of Birmingham" written (or rather partly written) by him, which was published in Swinney's Chronicle. Six chapters in verse appeared (Feb. 25 to April 7, 1796), when unfortunately the poet's muse seems to have failed him. As a sample of the fun contained in the seven or eight dozen verses, we quote the first—
   "Of Birmingham's name, tho' a deal has been said,
   Yet a little, we doubt, to the purpose,
   As when "hocus pocus" was jargon'd instead
   Of the Catholic text "hoc est corpus." For it, doubtless, for ages was Bromwicham called,
   But historians, their readers to bam,
   Have Brom, Wicli, and Ham so corrupted and maul'd.
   That their strictures have all proved a flam.
   That Brom implies Broom none will dare to deny,
   And that Wich means a Village or Farm; Or a Slope, or a Saltwork, the last may imply,
   And to read Ham for Town is no harm.
   But when jumbled together, like stones in a bag,
   To make it a Broom-sloping town. Credulity's pace at such juggling must flag,
   And the critic indignant will frown.
   Tis so much like the Gazetteer's riddle-my-ree,
   Who, untwisting Antiquity's cable,
   Makes Barnstaple's town with its name to agree.
   Take its rise from a Barn and a Stable.
Collins' own comical notion gives the name as "Brimmingham," from the brimming goblets so freely quaffed by our local sons of Vulcan. Digbeth he makes out to be a "dug bath," or horsepond for the farriers; Deritend, from der (water).
   "Took its name from the swamp where the hamlet was seated,
   And imply'd 'twas the water-wet-end of the town."
Cox, David—On the 29th of April, 1783, this great painter—the man whose works have made Birmingham famous in art—was born in a humble dwelling in Heath Mill Lane, Deritend, where his father carried on the trade of a smith. Some memorials of him we have—in the noble gift of a number of his pictures in oil, presented to the town by the late Mr. Joseph Nettlefield; in the portrait by Mr. J. Watson Gordon, and the bust by Mr. Peter Hollins; in the two biographies of him—both of them Birmingham ​works—the earlier by Mr. Neal Solly, and the more recent one by the late Mr. William Hall; besides the memorial window put up by loving friends in the Parish Church of Harborne, where the latter part of the artist's life was passed, and in the churchyard of which his remains were laid. He bade his pictures and the world good-bye on the 9th of June, 1859. A sale of some of "dear old David's" works, in London, May, 1873, realised for the owners over £25,000, but what the artist himself originally had for them may be gathered from the instance of his "Lancaster Castle," otherwise known as "Peace and War," a harvest-field scene, with troops marching by, only 24in. by 18in. in size. This picture he gave to a friend at first, but bought it back for £20, at a time when his friend wanted cash; he sold it for the same amount, and it afterwards got into the possession of Joseph Gillott, the pen maker, at the sale of whose collection "Lancaster Castle" was knocked down for £3,601 10s. The highest price Cox ever received for a picture, and that on one single occasion only, was £100; in another case he had £95 ; his average prices for large pictures were rather under than over £50 a piece in his best days. "The Sea Shore at Rhyl," for which he received £100, has been since sold for £2,300; "The Vale of Clwyd," for which he accepted £95, brought £2,500. Two pictures for which he received £40 each in 1847, were sold in 1872 for £1,575 and £1,550 respectively. Two others at £40 each have sold since for £2,300 and £2,315 5s. respectively. His church at "Bettws- y-Coed " one of the finest of his paintings, fetched £2,500 at a sale in London, in March, 1884. In the hall of the Royal Oak Inn, Bettwsy-Coed (David's favourite place), there is fixed a famous signboard which Cox painted for the house in 1847, and which gave rise to considerable litigation as to its ownership being vested in the tenant or the owner, the decision being in the latter's favour.
Cox, William Sands, F.R.S. and F.R.C.S., the son of a local surgeon, was born in 1801. After "walking the hospitals" in London and Paris, he settled here in 1825, being appointed surgeon to the Dispensary, and in 1828, with the co-operation of the late Doctors Johnstone and Booth, and other influential friends, succeeded in organising the Birmingham Royal School of Medicine and Surgery, which proved eminently successful until, by the munificent aid of the Rev. Dr. Warneford, it was converted into Queen's College by a charter of incorporation, which was granted in 1843. The Queen's Hospital was also founded mainly through the exertions of Mr. Sands Cox, for the education of the medical students of the College. In 1863 Mr. Cox retired from practice, and went to reside near Tamworth, afterwards removing to Leamington and Kenilworth, at which latter place he died, December 23rd, 1875. He was buried in the family vault at Aston, the coffin being carried to the grave by six old students at the College, funeral scarfs, hatbands, and "other such pieces of mummery" being dispensed with, according to the deceased's wish. He left many charitable legacies, among them being £15,000, to be dealt with in the following manner:— £3,000 to be applied in building and endowing a church then in course of erection at Balsall Heath, and to be known as St. Thomas-in-the-Moors, and the remaining £12,000 to be devoted to the erection and endowment of three dispensaries—one at Balsall Heath, one at Aston, and the other at Hockley. Two sums of £3,000 were left to found dispensaries at Tamworth and Kenilworth, and a cottage hospital at Moreton-in-the-Marsh his medical library and a number cf other articles being also left for the last-named institution.
Davise, Dr. Birt.—By birth a ​Hampshire man, by decent a Welshman, coining to Birmingham in 1823, Dr. Davies soon became a man of local note. As a politician in the pre-Reform days, as a physician of eminence, and as Borough Coroner tor three dozen years, he occupied a prominent position, well justified by his capacity and force of character. He took an active part in the founding of the Birmingham School of Medicine, the forerunner of the Queen's College, and was elected one of the three first physicians to the Queen's Hospital, being its senior physician for sixteen years. When the Charter of Incorporation was granted, Dr. Davies was chosen by the Town Council as the first Coroner, which office he held until June 8th, 1875, when he resigned, having, as he wrote to the Council, on the 29th of May terminated his 36th year of office, and 76th year of his age. Though an ardent politician, it is from his Coronership that he will be remembered most, having held about 30,000 inquests in his long term of office, during the whole of which time, it has been said, he never took a holiday, appointed a deputy, or slept out of the borough. His official dignity sat heavily upon him, his temper of late years often led him into conflict with jurors and medical witnesses, but he was well respected by all who knew the quiet unpretending benevolence of his character, never better exhibited than at the time of the cholera panic in 1832. The doctor had established a Fever Hospital in Bath Row, and here he received and treated, by himself, the only cases of Asiatic cholera imported into the town. He died December 11th, 1878.
De Lys, Dr.—One of the physicians to the General Hospital, and the proposer of the Deaf and Dumb Institution. A native of Brittany, and one of several French refugees who settled here when driven from their own country, at the time of the Revolution, Dr. De Lys remained with us till his death, August 24th, 1831, being then in his 48th year.
Digby, John, made Lord Digby in 1618, and Earl of Bristol in 1622, was born at Coleshill in 1580. He was sent Ambassador to Spain by James I. to negotiate a marriage between Prince Charles and the Infanta. He went abroad when the Civil War broke out, and died at Paris in 1653.
Edmonds.—George Edmonds, was a son of the Baptist minister of Bond Street Chapel, and was born in 1788. For many years after he grew up George kept a school, but afterwards devoted himself to the Law, and was appointed Clerk of the Peace on the incorporation of the borough. For taking part in what Government chose to consider an illegal meeting Mr. Edmonds had to suffer 12 months' imprisonment, but it only increased his popularity and made him recognised as leader of the Radical party. During the great Reform movements he was always to the fore, and there can be little doubt that it was to his untiring energy that the Political Union owed much of its success. In his later years he printed (partly with his own hands) one of the strangest works ever issued from the press, being nothing less than an alphabet, grammar, and dictionary of a new and universal language. On this he must have spent an immense amount of philosophical and philological research during the busiest years of his active life, but like other schemes of a similar character it came into the world some scores of generations too soon. His death took place (hastened by his own hand) July 1, 1868.
Everitt, Allen Edward.—Artist, antiquarian, and archaeologist. It is reported that his portfolio contained more than a thousand sketches of his own taking, of old churches, mansions, cottages, or barns in the Midland Counties. Born here in 1824 Mr. Everitt had reached his 55th year before taking to himself a wife, whom he left a widow June 11, 1882, through catching a cold while on ​a sketching tour. He was much loved in all artistic circles, having been (for twenty-four years) hon. sec. to the Society of Artists, a most zealous coadjutor of the Free Libraries Committee, and honorary curator of the Art Gallery; in private or public life he spoke ill of no man, nor could any speak of him with aught but affection and respect.
Fletcher, George.—Author of the "Provincialist" and other poems, a journeyman printer, and much respected for his genial character and honest kind-heartedness. Died Feb. 20, 1874, aged 64.
Fothergill, John.—Taken into partnership by Matthew Boulton in 1762, devoting himself principally to the foreign agencies. Many of the branches of trade in which he was connected proved failures, and he died insolvent in 1782, while Boulton breasted the storm, and secured fortune by means of his steam engines. He did not, however, forget his first partner's widow and children.
Fox, Charles Fox, of the firm of Fox, Henderson and Co., was born at Derby, March 11, 1810. His first connection with this town arose from his being engaged with Stephenson on the construction of the Birmingham and Liverpool line. He was knighted in 1851, in recognition of his wonderful skill as shown in the erection of the International Exhibition of that year, and we have a local monument to his fame in the roof which spans the New Street Station. He died in l874, and was buried at Nunhead Cemetery, London. The firm of Fox, Henderson and Co., was originally Bramah and Fox, Mr. Henderson not coming in till the death of Mr. Bramah, a well-known ironmaster of this neighbourhood, and whose name is world-famous for his celebrated locks.
Geach.—Charles Geach was a Cornishman, born in 1808, and came to Birmingham in 1826 as one of the clerks in the Branch Bank of England, then opened. In 1836 he was instrumental in the formation of two of our local banks, and became the manager of one of them, the Birmingham and Midland. In 1842 he made a fortunate speculation in the purchase of some extensive ironworks at Rotherham just previous to the days of "the railway mania." The profits on iron at that time were something wonderful; as a proof of which it has been stated that on one occasion Mr. Geach took orders for 30,000 tons at £12, the cost to him not being more than half that sum! The Patent Shaft Works may be said to have owed its origin also to this gentleman. Mr. Geach was chosen mayor for 1847, and in 1851 was returned to Parliament for Coventry. His death occurred Nov. 1, 1854. A full-length portrait hangs in the board-room of the bank, of which he retained the managing-directorship for many years.
Gem, Major Thomas Henry.—The well-known Clerk to the Magistrates, born May 21, 1819, was the pioneer of the Volunteer movement in this town, as well as the originator of the fashionable game of lawn tennis. A splendid horseman, and an adept at all manly games, he also ranked high as a dramatic author, and no amateur theatricals could be got through without his aid and presence. His death, November 4, 1881, resulted from an accident which occurred on June 25 previous, at the camp in Sutton Park.
Gillott.—Joseph Gillott was born at Sheffield in 1799, but through want of work found his way here in 1822, spending his last penny in refreshments at the old public house then standing at corner of Park Street, where the Museum Concert Hall exists. His first employment was buckle making, and being steady he soon took a garret in Bread Street and became his own master in the manufacture of buckles and other "steel toys." The merchant who used to buy of him said "Gillott made very excellent goods, and came for his money every week." It was that making of excellent goods and his ​untiring perseverance that secured him success. His sweetheart was sister to William and John Mitchell, and it is questionable whether Gillott's first efforts at making steel pens did not spring from the knowledge he gained from her as to what the Mitchells were doing in that line. The Sheffield blade, however, was the first to bring the "press" into the process of making the pens, and that secret he must have kept pretty closely from all but his lass, as Mr. J. Gillott often told, in after life, how, on the morning of his marriage, he began and finished a gross of pens, and sold them for £7 4s. before they went to church. The accumulation of his fortune began from that day, the name of Gillott in a very few years being known the wide world over. The penmaker was a great patron of the artists, gathering a famous collection which at his death realised £170,000. His first interview with Turner was described in an American journal a few years back. Gillott having rudely pushed his way into the studio and turning the pictures about without the artist deigning to notice the intruder, tried to attract attention by asking the prices of three paintings. Turner carelessly answered "4,000 guineas," "£3,000," and "1,500 guineas." "I'll take the three," said Gilloit. Then Turner rose, with "Who the devil are you to intrude here against my orders? You must be a queer sort of a beggar, I fancy." "You're another queer beggar" was the reply. "I am Gillott, the penmaker. My banker tells me you are clever, and 1 have come to buy some pictures." "By George!" quoth Turner, "you are a droll fellow, I must say." " You're another," said Gillott. "But do you really want to purchase those pictures," asked Turner. "Yes, in course I do, or I would not have climhed those blessed stairs this morning," was the answer. Turner marvelled at the man, and explained that he had fixed the prices named under the idea that he had only got an impertinent intruder to deal with, that two of the pictures were already sold, but that his visitor could have the first for £1,000. "I'll take it," said the prince of penmakers, "and you must make me three or four more at your own price." If other artists did as well with Mr. Gillott they could have had but little cause of complaint. Another hobby of Mr. Gillott's was collecting fiddles, his specimens, of which he once said he had a "boat load," realising £4,000; while his cabinet of precious stones was of immense value. The millionaire died Jan. 5, 1872, leaving £3,000 to local charities.
Guest, James.—Originally a brassfounder, but imbued with the principles of Robert Owen, he became an active member of the Political Union and other "freedom-seeking "societies, and opened in Steelhouse Lane a shop for the sale of that kind of literature suited to ardent workers in the Radical cause, Mr. Guest believed that "all bad laws must be broken before they could be mended," and for years he followed out that idea so far as the taxes on knowledge were concerned. He was the first to sell unstamped papers here and in the Black Country, and, notwithstanding heavy fines, and even imprisonment, he kept to his principles as long as the law stood as it was. In 1830 he published Hutton "History of Birmingham " in cheap numbers, unfortunately mixing with it many chapters about the Political Union, the right of a Free Press, &c.,in a confusing manner. The book, however, was very popular, and has been reprinted from the original stereoplates several times. Mr. Guest died Jan. 17, 1881, in his 78th year.
Hill, Rowland.—The originator of the present postal system, born at Kidderminster, December 3, 1795, coming to Birmingham with his parents when about seven years old. His father opened a school at the corner of Gough Street and Blucher Street, which was afterwards (in 1819) removed to the Hagley Road, where, as "Hazlewood School" it became more than locally ​famous. In 1825 it was again removed, and further off, this time being taken to Bruce Castle, Tottenham, where the family yet resides. Rowland and his brother, Matthew Davenport Hill, afterwards Recorder of Birmingham, who took part in the management of the school, went with it, and personally Rowland Hill's connection with our town may be said to have ceased. Early in 1837 Mr. Hill published his proposed plans of Post Office reform, but which for a long time met with no favour from either of the great political parties, or in official quarters, where, it has been said, he was snubbed as a would-be interloper, and cursed as "a fellow from Birmingham coming to teach people their business"—
   "All office doors were closed against him—hard
   All office heads were closed against him too,
   'He had but worked, like others, for reward,'
   'The thing was all a dream' It would not do."
In 1839, more than 2,000 petitions were presented to Parliament in favour of Mr. Hill's plans, and eventually they were adopted and became law by the 3rd and 4th Vict., cap. 96. The new postage law by which the uniform rate of fourpence per letter was tried as an experiment, came into operation on the 5th of December, 1839, and on the 10th January, 1840, the reduced uniform rate of 1d. per letter of half-an-ounce weight was commenced. Under the new system the privilege of franking letters enjoyed by members of Parliament was abolished, facilities of prepayment were afforded by the introduction of postage stamps, double postage was levied on letters not prepaid, and arrangements were made for the registration of letters. Mr. Hill received an appointment in the Treasury, but in 1841, he was told his services were no longer required This flagrant injustice caused great indignation, and a national testimonial of £15,000 was presented to him June 17, 1846. On a change of Government Mr. Hill was appointed Secretary to the Postmaster General, and, in 1854, Secretary to the Post Office, a position which he retained until failing health caused him to resign in March, 1864, the Treasury awarding him for life his salary of £2,000 per year. In the same year he received a Parliamentary grant of £20,000, and in 1860, ho was made a K.C.B., other honours from Oxford, &c., following. Sir Rowland was presented with the freedom of the City by the London Court of Common Council, June 6, 1879, the document being contained in a suitable gold casket. It was incidentally mentioned in the course of the proceedings, that at the time Sir Rowland Hill's system was inaugurated the annual amount of correspondence was 79 millions, or three letters per head of the population; while then it exceeded 1,000 millions of letters, 100 millions of postcards, and 320 millions of newspapers, and the gross receipt in respect of it was £6,000,000 sterling. Sir Rowland Hill died Aug. 27, 1879, leaving but one son, "Pearson Hill," late of the Post Office.
Hollins, George—The first appointed organist of the Town Hall (in 1834), having been previously organist at St. Paul's, in the graveyard of which church he was buried in 1841, the funeral being attended by hundreds of friends, musicians, and singers of the town and neighbourhood.
Holt, Thomas Littleton.—A Press man, whose death (Sept. 14, 1879) at the age of 85, severed one of the very few remaining links connecting the journalism of the past with the present. It was to him that the late Mr. Dickens owed his introduction to Dr. Black, then the editor of the Morning Chronicle. Mr. Holt was proprietor of the Iron Times, which started during the railway mania. When his friend Leigh Hunt was imprisoned for libelling the Prince Regent, he was the first to visit him. He took an active part in popularising cheap literature, and it was greatly owing to him that the ​advertisement duty was repealed. He also took an active part in the abolition of the paper duty. Besides starting many papers in London in the latter period of his life, he returned to his native town, Birmingham, where he started Ryland's Iron Trade Circular, to the success of which his writings largely contributed.
Humphreys, Henry Noel.—This eminent naturalist and archaeologist's career closed in June, 1879. A son of the late Mr. James Humphreys, he was born in Birmingham in 1809, and was educated at the Grammar School here. He was the author of many interesting works connected with his zoological and antiquarian researches. Among the most important of the latter class may be specified:—"Illustrations of Froissart's Chronicles," "The Parables of our Lord Illustrated," "The Coins of England." "Ancient Coins and Medals," "The Illuminated Books of the Mediaeval Period," the "Coin Collector's Manual," the "Coinage of the British Empire," "Stories by an Archaeologist," and especially his magna opera, so to speak, "The Art of Illumination," and "The History of the Art of Writing from the Hieroglyphic Period down to the introduction of Alphabets."
James, William.—A Warwickshire engineer, born at Henley-in-Arden, June, 13, 1771. Mr James has been called the first projector of railways, as there was none started previous to his laying out a line from here to Wolverhampton, which was given up in favour of the Canal Companies. The wharves in Newhall Street were constructed on the site of his proposed railway station. He afterwards projected and surveyed many other lines including Birmingham to Manchester through Derbyshire, the Birmingham and London, etc. West Bromwich owes no little of its prosperity to this gentleman, who opened many collieries in its neighbourhood. At one time Mr. James was said to have been worth £150,000, besides £10,000 a year coming in from his profession, but he lost nearly all before his death.
Jeffery.—George Edward Jeffery, who died Dec. 29th, 1877, aged 33, was a local writer who promised to make a name had he lived longer.
Johnstone, Dr. John a distinguished local physician, was born at Worcester in 1768. Though he acquired a high reputation for his treatment of diseases, it was noticeable that he made a very sparing use of medicines. Died in 1836.
Johnstone, John, whose death was the result of being knocked down by a cab in Broad Street in Oct. 1875, was one of those all-round inventive characters who have done so much for the trades of this town. He was born in Dumfriesshire in 1801, and was apprenticed to a builder, coming to this town in 1823. He was soon noticed as the first architectural draughtsman of his day, but his genius was not confined to any one line. He was the first to introduce photographic vignettes, he invented the peculiar lamp used in railway carriages, he improved several agricultural implements, he could lay out plans for public buildings or a machine for making hooks and eyes, and many well-to-do families owe their rise in the world to acting on the ideas put before them by Mr. Johnstone. In the latter portion of his life he was engaged at the Cambridge Street Works as consulter in general.
Kempson, James—In one of those gossiping accounts of the "Old Taverns" of Birmingham which "S. D. R." has written, mention is made of a little old man, dear to the musicians under the name of "Diddy Kempson," who appears to have been the originator of our Triennial Musical Festivals in 1768, and who conducted a performance at St. Paul's as late as the year 1821, he being then 80 years of age.
Küchler, C. H.—A medalist, for many years in the employ of Boulton, for whom he sunk the dies first part of ​the copper coinage of 1797, &c. The 2d. piece is by him. He was buried in Handsworth Churchyard.
Lightfoot.—Lieut.-General Thomas Lightfoot, C.B., Colonel of the 62nd Regiment, who died at his residence, Barbourne House, Worcester, Nov. 15, 1858, in his 84th year, and who entered the British army very early in life, was the last surviving officer of the famous 45th, the "Fire-eaters" as they were called, that went to the Peninsula with Moore and left it with Wellington. Lightfoot was in Holland in 1799. He was present in almost every engagement of the Peninsular War. He received seven wounds; a ball which caused one of these remained in his body till his death. He obtained three gold and eleven silver medals, being one more than even those of his illustrious commander, the Duke of Wellington. One silver medal was given him by the Duke himself, who said on the occasion he was glad to so decorate one of the brave 45th. Lightfoot was made a C. B. in 1815. Before he became Major-General he was Aide-de-Camp to William IV. and Queen Victoria, and as such rode immediately before her Majesty in her coronation procession. Lieutenant General Lightfoot was a native of this town, and was buried in the family vault in St. Bartholomew's Church, his remains being escorted to the tomb by the 4th (Queen's Own) Light Dragoons, commanded by Colonel Low.
Lloyd.—The founder of the well-known banking firm of Lloyds appears to have been Charles Lloyd, for some time a minister of the Society of Friends, who died in 1698.
Machin, William.—Born here in 1798, began his musical career (while apprenticed to {{lang|fr|papier-mâché} making), as a member at the choir at Cannon Street Chapel. As a favourite bass singer he was engaged at many of the festivals from 1834 to that of 1849. His death occurred in September, 1870.
Malins, David.—Brassfounder, who in course of his life filled several of the chief offices of our local governing bodies. Born June 5, 1803; died December, 1881. Antiquarian and persevering collector of all works thro wing light upon or having connection with Birmingham or Warwickshire history. Mr. Malins, after the burning of the Free Library, generously gave the whole of his collection to the formation of the New Reference Library, many of the books being most rare and valuable, and of some of which no other copies are known to exist.
Mellon, Alfred.—Though actually born in London, Mr. Mellon's parents (his father was a Frenchman) were residents in Birmingham, and we must claim this popular conductor as a local musician of note. He was only twelve when he joined the Theatre Royal band, but at sixteen he was the leader and remained so for eight years, removing to London in 1844. In 1856 Mr. Mellon conducted the opening performances at the Music Hall in Broad Street (now Prince of Wales's Theatre): and will be long remembered for the "Promenade Concerts" he gave at Covent Garden and in the provinces. He died from the breaking of a blood-vessel, March 27, 1867.
Mogridge, George, born at Ashted Feb. 17th, 1787, and brought up as a japanner, was the original "Old Humphrey" of our childhood's days, the author of "Grandfather Grey," "Old Humphrey's Walks in London," "Old Humphrey's Country Strolls," and other juvenile works, of which many millions of copies have been sold in England, America, and the Colonies. "Peter Parley's Tales" have been also ascribed to our townsman, who died Nov. 2, 1854.
Munden, T.—In the year 1818, Mr. Munden (born in London in 1798) came to this town as organist of Christ Church, and was also chosen as teacher of the Oratorio Choral Society, and to this day it may be said that the ​reputation of cur Festival Choir is mostly based on the instruction given by him during his long residence among us. From 1823 till 1849 Mr. Munden acted as Assistant-conductor at the Festivals, retiring from public life in 1853.
Muntz.—The Revolution in 1792 drove the Muntz family to emigrate from their aristocratic abode in France, and a younger son came to this town, where he married a Miss Purden, and established himself in business. From this alliance sprung our race of the Muntzes. George Fredericruth in 1784, and which is still in existence. As an inventor, he was second only to Watt, his introduction of gas lighting being almost equal to that of the steam engine. He lived to be 85, dying November 15, 1839, at his residence, Sycamore Hill, Handsworth. His remains lie near those of his loved employers, Boulton and Watt, in the parish church.
Pettitt.—Mr. Joseph Pettitt, who died Sept. 9, 1882, in his 70th year, was a local artist of note, a member of the Society of Artists, and for many years a regular exhibitor at the Royal Academy, our local, and other exhibitions. In his younger years Mr. Pettitt was employed in the papier-mâché trade, a business peculiarly suited to persons gifted with artistic faculties. His earliest specimens of landscape attracted attention, and Mr. Joseph Gillott commissioned the painter to furnish a number of Swiss views for the collection of pictures he had began to gather, Mr. Pettitt pleased the penmaker, and soon made a name for himself, his works being characterised by fine colour and broad vigorous handling.
Phillips, Alderman, died Feb. 25, 1876. A member of the first Town Council, and Mayor in 1844. Mr. Phillips long took active part in municipal matters, and was the founder of the Licensed Victuallers' Asylum.
Pickard, James.—A Birmingham button maker, who patented, Aug. 23, 1780, the use of the crank in the steam engine to procure rotary motion. He is supposed to have got the idea from overhearing the conversation of some Soho workmen while at their cups. The first engine in which it was used (and the fly-wheel) was for a manufacturer in Snow Hill, and was put up by Matthew Washborough, of Bristol.
Plant—Mr. T. L. Plant, who died very suddenly in a railway carriage in which he was coming into town on the morning of August 31, 1883, came to Birmingham in 1840. As a meteorologist, who for more than forty years had ​kept close record of wind and weather, he was well known; his letters to the newspapers on is and kindred subjects were always interesting, and the part he took in advanced sanitary questions gained him the friendship of all. Mr. Plant was a native of Yorkshire, and was in his 64th year at the time of his death.
Playfair, William (brother of the eminent Scotch mathematician) was engaged as a draughtsman at the Soho Works, after serving apprenticeship as a millwright. He patented various inventions, and was well known as a political writer, &c. Born, 1759; died, 1823.
Postgate, John.—This name should be honoured in every household for a life's exertion in the obtainment of purity in what we eat and drink. Beginning life as a grocer's boy, he saw the most gross adulteration carried on in all the varieties of articles sold by his employers, and afterwards being with a medical firm, he studied chemistry, and devoted his life to analysing foo I and drugs. Coming to this town in 1854. he obtained the assistance of Mr. Wm. Scholefield, by whose means the first Parlianientary Committee of Enquiry was appointed; the revelations were astounding, but it was not till 1875 that anything like a stringent Act was passed whereby the adulterators could be properly punished. The author of this great national benefit was allowed to die almost in poverty, uncared for by his countrymen at large, or by his adopted townsmen of Birmingham. Born October 21, 1820, Mr. Postgate died in July, 1881.
Ragg, Rev. Thomas.—Once a bookseller and printer, editor and publisher of the Birmingham Advertiser, and author of several works, one of which secured for him the goodwill of the Bishop of Rochester, who ordained him a minister of the Established Church in 1858. He died December 3rd, 1881, in his 74th year, at Lawley, Salop, having been perpetual curate thereof from 1865. His parishioners and friends subscribed for a memorial window, and a fund of a little over £200 was raised for the benefit of the widow, but a very small part thereof went from Birmingham.
Ratcliffe.—Mr. John Ratcliffe, who had in past years been a Town Commissioner, a Low Bailiff, a Town Councillor, and Alderman, was chosen as Mayor in 1856, and, being popular as well as wealthy, got reappointed yearly until 1859. In the first-named year, H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge was the Mayor's guest when he came to open Calthorpe Park. When the Princess Royal was married, in 1858, the Mayor celebrated the auspicious event by giving a dinner to more than a thousand poor people, and he headed the deputation which was sent from here to present England's royal daughter with some articles of Birmingham manufacture. On the occasion of the Queen's visit to open Aston Park, Mr. Mayor received the honour of Knighthood, and became Sir John, dying in 1864, in his 67th year.
Rennie, John.—The celebrated engineer and architect, who built Waterloo and Southwark Bridges, Plymouth Breakwater, &c., was for a short time in the employ of Boulton and Watt.
Roebuck, Dr. John, grandfather of the late John Arthur Roebuck, M.P. was born at Sheffield in 1718; came to Birmingham in 1745. He introduced better methods of refining gold and silver, originated more economical styles of manufacturing the chemicals used in trade (especially oil of vitriol), and revived the use of pit coal in smelting iron. After leaving this town ho started the Carron Ironworks on the Clyde, and in 1768 joined James Watt in bringing out the latter's steam engine. Some mining investments failed before the engine was perfected, and his interest thereon was transferred to Mr. Boulton, the doctor dying in 1794 a poor man.
Rogers.—John Rogers, one of "the glorious army of martyrs," was burnt ​at Smithfield (London) on February 4. 1555. He was born in Deritend about the year 1500, and assisted in the translation and printing of the Bible into English. He was one of the Prebendaries of St. Paul's, Loudon, but after Queen Mary came to the throne he give offence by preaching against idolatry and superstition, and was kept imprisoned for eighteen months prior to condemnation and execution, being the first martyr of the Reformation. He left a wife and eleven children. See "Statues and Memorials."
Russell.—William Congreve Russell, Esq., J.P., and in 1832 elected M.P. for East Worcestershire, who died Nov. 30, 1850, aged 72, was the last of a family whose seat was at Moor Green for many generations.
Ryall, Dr. John.—The first headmaster of the Edgbaston Proprietary School, which opened under his superintendence in January, 1838, his connection therewith continuing till Christmas, 1816. He was a man of great learning, with a remarkable command of lang. age, and a singularly accurate writer. Born March 11, 1806, his intellectual acquirements expanded so rapidly that at sixteen he was able to support himself, and, passing with the highest honours, he had taken his degree and accepted the head mastership of Truro Grammar School before his 21st birthday. For the last 30 years of his life lie filled the post of Vice-President of Queen's College, Cork, departing to a better sphere June 21, 1875.
Ryland, Arthur.—Descendant of a locally long-honoured family this gentleman, a lawyer, added considerably to the prestige of the name by the prominent position he took in every work leading to the advancement of his townsmen, social, moral, and political. Connected with almost every institution in the borough, many of which he aided to establish or develop, Mr. Ryland's name is placed foremost among the founders of the Birmingham and Midland Institute, the Art Gallery, the public Libraries, the Hospitals for Women and Children, the Sanatorium, &c., while he was one of the greatest friends to the Volunteer movement and the adoption of the School Board's system of education. During life he was appointed to all the loading offices of citizenship, in addition to being chosen President of the Law Society and other bodies. He died at Cannes, March 23, 1877, in his 70th year.
Scholefield, William.—Son of Joshua Scholefield, was chosen as the first Mayor after the incorporation, having previously been the High Bailiff of the Court Leet. In 1847 he was elected M.P., holding that office through five Parliaments and until his death July 9, 1867 (in his 58th year) In the House, as well as in :1s private life and business circles, he was much esteemed for the honest fixity of purpose which characterised all his life.
Shaw, Charles, commonly known as "Charley" Shaw, was a large manufacturing merchant, and held high position as a moneyed man for many years down to his death. He was as hard as a nail, rough as a bear, and many funny tales have been told about him, but he is worth a place in local history, if only for the fact that it was principally through his exertions that the great monetary panic of 1837 was prevented from becoming almost a national collapse.
Sherlock.—"Though not to be counted exactly as one of our Birmingham men, Thomas Sherlock, Bishop of London, who purchased the manor estates in or about 1730, must have a place among the "noteworthies." Hutton states that when the Bishop made his bargain the estate brought in about £400 per annum, but that in another thirty years or so it had increased to twice the value. The historian goes on to say that "the pious old Bishop was frequently solicited to grant building leases, but answered, 'his land was valuable, and if built upon, his successor, at the expiration of the term, would have the rubbish to carry off:' he therefore not only refused, but prohibited his successor from granting ​such leases. But Sir Thomas Gooch, who succeeded him, seeing the great improvement of the neighbouring estates, and wisely judging fifty pounds per acre preferable to five, procured an Act in about 1766, to set aside the prohibiting clause in the Bishiop's will. Since which, a considerable town may be said to have been erected upon his property, now (1787) about £2,400 per annum." Bishop and historian alike, would be a little astonished at the present value of the property, could they see it.
Small, Dr. William.—A friend of Boulton, Watt, and Priestley, and one of the famous Lunar Society, born in county Angus, Scotland, in 1734, dying here in 1778. A physician of most extensive knowledge, during a residence in America he filled the chair of Professor of Natural Philosophy at the University of Williamsburg, Virginia. In the beautiful pleasure grounds of Soho House, when Matthew Boulton lived, there was an urn inscribed to the memory of Dr. Small, on which appeared some impressive lines written by Dr. Darwin, of Derby:—
   "Here, while no titled dust, no sainted bone, No lover weeping over beauty's bier, No warrior frowning in historic stone,
   Extorts your praises, or requests your tear;
   Cold Contemplation leans her aching head,
   On human woe her steady eye she turns.
   Waves her meek hand, and sighs for Science dead.
   For Science, Virtue, and for Small she mourns."
Smith.—Mr. Brooke Smith (of the well-known firm of Martineau and Smith), a valued supporter of Penn Street and Dale Street Industrial Schools, the Graham Street Charity, and other institutions connected with the welfare of the young, died in April, 1876, in his 78th year. A Liberal in every way, the sound common sense of Mr. Brooke Smith, who was noted for an unvarying courtesy to all parties and creeds, kept him from taking any active share in local politics where urbanity and kindliness is heavily discounted.
Sturge, Joseph.—Born August 2, 1793, at Alberton, a village on the Severn, was intended for a farmer, but commenced trading as a cornfactor at Bewdley, in 1814, his brother Charles joining him in 1822, in which year they also came to Birmingham. Mr. Sturge was chosen a Town Commissioner, but resigned in 1830, being opposed to the use of the Town Hall being granted for oratorios. He was one of the directors of the London and Birmingham Railway when it was opened in 1836, but objecting to the running of Sunday trains, withdrew from the board. In 1838 he was elected Alderman for St. Thomas's Ward, but would not subscribe to the required declaration respecting the Established religion. At a very early date he took an active part in the Anti-slavery movement, and his visit to the West Indies and subsequent reports thereon had much to do with hastening the abolition of slavery. When the working-classes were struggling for electoral freedom and "the Charter," Mr. Sturge was one of the few found willing to help them, though his peace-loving disposition failed to induce them lo give up the idea of "forcing" their rights. Having a wish to take part in the making of the laws, he issued an address to the electors of Birmingham in 1840, but was induced to retire; in August, 1842, he contested Nottingham, receiving 1,801 votes against his opponent's 1885; in 1844 he put up for Birmingham, but only 364 votes were given him; and he again failed at Leeds in 1847, though he polled 1,976 voters. In 1850 he visited Schleswig-Holstein and Denmark, and in February, 1854, St. Petersburgh, each time in hopes of doing something to prevent the wars then commencing, but failure did not keep him from Finland in 1856 with relief for the sufferers. In 1851 he took a house in Ryland Road and fitted it up as a reformatory, which afterwards led to the establishment at ​Stoke Prior. Mr. Sturge died on May 14, 1859, and was buried on the 20th in Bull Street. His character needs no comment, for his was a Christian in his walk as well as in his talk.
Taylor, John.—Died in 1775, aged 64, leaving a fortune of over £200,000, acquired in the manufacture of metal buttons, japanned ware, snuff boxes, &c. It is stated that he sent out £800 worth of buttons weekly, and that one of his workmen earned 70s. per week by painting snuff boxes at ¼d. each. Mr. Taylor must have had a monopoly in the latter, for this one hand at the rate named must have decorated some 170,000 boxes per annum.
Tomlins.—Samuel Boulton Tomlins, the son of a local iron merchant (who was one of the founders of the Birmingham Exchange) and Mary Harvey Boulton (a near relative to Matthew) was born September 28, 1797, at Park House, in Park Street, then a vine-covered residence surrounded by gardens. His mother was so great a favourite with Baskerville that the celebrated printer gave her one of two specially-printed Bibles, retaining the other for himself. After serving an apprenticeship to a bookseller, Mr. Tomlins was taken into Lloyd's Bank as a clerk, but was soon promoted to be manager of the branch then at Stockport, but which was taken over afterwards by a Manchester Banking Company, with whom Mr. Tomlins stayed until 1873, dying September 8, 1879.
Ulwin.—Though nearly last in our list, Uhwin, or Alwyne, the son of Wigod, and the grandson of Woolgeat, the Danish Earl of Warwick, must rank first among our noteworthy men, if only from the fact that his name is absolutely the first found in historical records as having anything to do with Birmingham. This was in King Edward the Confessor's time, when Alwyne was Sheriff (vice-comes) and through his son Turchill, who came to be Earl of Warwick, the Ardens and the Bracebridges trace their descent from the old Saxon kings, Alwyne's mother being sister to Lcofric, III., Earl of Mercia. Whether Alwyne thrived on his unearned increment or not, the politicians of the time have not told us, but the possessions that came to him by the Dano-Saxon marriage of his parents seems to have been rather extensive, as it is written that he owned not only the manor of Birmingham, but also Halesowen, Escelie, Hagley, and Swinford in Wirecescire (Worcestershire), Great Barr, Handsworth, Penn, Rushall and Walsall, in Staffordshire, as well as Aston, Witton, Erdington, and Edgbaston. The modern name of Allen is deducible from Alwyne, and the bearers thereof, if so inclined, may thus be enabled to also claim a kingly descent, and much good may it do them.
Underwood, Thomas.—The first printer to introduce the art of lithography into Birmingham, and he is also credited with being the discoverer of chromo-litho, and the first to publish coloured almanacks and calendars. He did much to foster the taste for art, but will probably be most generally recollected by the number of views of old Birmingham and reproductions of pictures and maps of local interest that he published. Mr. Underwood died March 14, 1882, in his 73rd year.
Van Wart.—Henry Van Wart, was born near New York, Sept. 25, 1783, and took up his abode with us in 1808. By birth an American, by descent a Dutchman, he became a Brum through being naturalised by special Act of Parliament, and for nearly seventy years was one of our principal merchants. He was also one of the first Aldermen chosen for the borough. Died Feb. 15, 1873, in his 90th year.
Ward.—Humble Ward, son of Charles I.'s jeweller, who married the daughter of the Earl of Dudley, was created Baron Ward of Birmingham. Their son Edward thus came to the title of Lord Dudley and Ward in 1697.
​Warren.—Thomas Warren was a well-known local bookseller of the last century. He joined Wyatt and Paul in their endeavours to establish the Cotton Spinning Mill, putting £1,000 into the speculation, which unfortunately landed him in bankruptcy. He afterwards became an auctioneer, and in 1788 had the pleasure of selling the machinery of the mill in which forty years previous his money had been lost.
Watt, James, was born at Greenock, Jan. 19, 1736, and (if we are to credit the somewhat apocryphal anecdote of his testing the power of steam as it issued from his aunt's teakettle when a little lad barely breeched) at an early age he gave evidence of what sort of a man he would be. In such a condensed work as the present book, it is impossible to give much of the life of this celebrated genius; but fortunately there are many biographies of him to which the student can refer, as well as scientific and other tomes, in which his manifold inventions have been recorded, and in no corner of the earth where the steam-engine has been introduced can his name be unknown. After many years' labour to bring the new motive power into practical use, Watt, helped by his friend Dr. Roebuck, took out his first patent in 1769. Roebuck's share was transferred to Matthew Boulton in 1773, and in the following year James Watt came to Birmingham. An Act of Parliament prolonging the patent for a time of twenty-four years was obtained in May, 1775, and on the first of June was commenced the world-famous partnership of Boulton and Watt. Up to this date the only engine made to work was the one brought by Watt from Scotland, though more than nine years had been spent on it, and thousands of pounds expended in experiments, improvements, and alterations. Watt's first residence here was in Regent's Place, Harper's Hill, to which (Aug. 17,1775) he brought his second wife. He afterwards removed to Heathfield, where the workshop in which he occupied his latest years still remains, as on the day of his death. In 1785, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society; in 1806, the University of Glasgow conferred the degree of LL.D. upon him, and in 1808 he was elected a member of the National Institute of France. One of the latest inventions of James Watt was a ma- chine for the mechanical copying of sculpture and statuary, its production being the amusement of his octogenarian years, for, like his partner Boulton, Watt was permitted to stay on the earth for longer than the so-called allotted term, his death taking place on the 19th of August, 1819, when he was in his 83rd year. He was buried in Handsworth Church, where there is a monument, the features of which are said to be very like him. A statue was erected to his memory in Westminster Abbey in 1824, and others have been set up in Birmingham, .Manchester, Greenock, and Glasgow. The following is the inscription (written by Lord Brougham) on the tomb of Watt in Westminster Abbey, towards the cost of which George IV. contributed £500:—
   "Not to perpetuate a name which must endure while the peaeful arts flourish, but to show that mankind have learned to honour those who best deserve their gratitude, the King, his ministers, and many of the nobles and commoners of the realm, raised this monument to James Watt, who, directing the force of an original genius, early exercised in philosophical research, to the improvement of the steam-engine, enlarged the resources of his country, increased the power of man, and rose to an eminent place among the most illustrious followers of science and the real benefactors of the world. Born at Greenock, 1736; died at Heathfield, in Staffordshire, 1819."
One of James Watt's sons, Gregory, who devoted himself to science and literature, died in 1804, at the early age of 27. James, born Feb. 5, 1769, resided for a number of years at Aston Hall, where he died in 1848. In 1817 he voyaged to Holland in the first steam vessel that left an English port, the engines having been ​manufaictured at Soho. He. was of a very retiring disposition, and not particularly popular with the public, though valued and appreciated by those admitted to closer intimacy.
West.—Though he did not come to Birmingham until close upon sixty years of age, being born in 1770, William West, in his "History of Warwickshire," published one of the best descriptions of this town ever yet prepared. He had establishments in London and Cork, and was the author of several amusing and interesting works, each as "Tavern Anecdotes," "Fifty Years' Recollections of an Old Bookseller," &c., now scarce, though "West's Warwickshire" may often be met with at the "Chaucer's Head," and other old bookshops.
Williams, Fleetwood, who died in 1836, at the early age of 29, was the author of sundry locally interesting prose works and poetical "skits." He was connected with several debating clubs, and showed talent that promised future distinction.
Willmore.—James Tibbets Willmore, a native of Handsworth, was an eminent landscape engraver, famed for his reproductions of Turner's works. His death occurred in March, 1863, in his 63rd year.
Winfield.—Mr. Robert Walter Winfield, though he took comparatively little part in the public life of our town, deserves a prominent place among our men of note as a manufacturer who did much towards securing Birmingham a somewhat better name than has occasionally been given it, in respect to the quality of the work sent out. Starting early in life, in the military ornament line, Mr. Winfield began in a somewhat small way on the site of the present extensive block of buildings known as Cambridge Street Works, which has now developed into an establishment covering several acres of land. Here have been manufactured some of the choicest specimens of brass foundry work that could he desired, no expense being spared at any time in the procuring of the best patterns, and which is of almost equal importance) the employment of the best workmen. The goods sent from Cambridge Street to the first Great Exhibition, 1851, obtained the highest award, the Council's Gold Medal, for excellence of workmanship, beauty of design and general treatment, and the house retains its position. Mr. Winfield was a true man, Conservative in politics, but most truly liberal in all matters connected with his work-people and their families. In the education and advancement of the younger hands he took the deepest interest, spending thousands in the erection of schools and the appointment of teachers tor them, and not a few of our present leading men have to thank him for their first step in life. The death of his only son, Mr. J. F. Winfield, in 1861, was a great blow to the father, and caused him to retire from active business through failing health. His death (Dec. 16, 1869), was generally felt as a loss to the town.
Wyatt—John Wyatt, one of Birmingham's most ingenious sons, invented (in 1738) the spinning of cotton by means of rollers, hut unlike Richard Arkwright, who afterwards introduced a more perfect machine and made a fortune, the process was never other than a source of loss to the original inventor and his partners, who vainly tried to make it a staple manufacture of the town. The weighing machine was also the work of Wyatt's brain, though he did not live to see the machine in use, dying Nov. 29, 1766, broken down by misfortune, but honoured by such men as Baskerville and Boulton who, then rising themselves, knew the worth of the man whose loss they deplored. Wyatt's grave is on the Blue Coat School side of St. Philip's churchyard.
Wyon.—A celebrated local family of die-sinkers and medalists. William Wyon (born in 1795) receiving the gold medal of the Society of Arts, for ​his medal of Ceres, obtained in 1816 the post of second engraver at the Mint, his cousin, Thomas Wyon, being then the chief. One of the finest medals engraved by him was that of Boulton, struck by Thomason, in high relief, and 4in. in diameter. He died in 1851, having produced all the coins and medals for Queen Victoria and William IV., part of George IV.'s, and prize medals for many societies. His son, Leonard Wyon, produced the Exhibition medals in 1851.
The preceding are really but a few of the men of note whose connection with Birmingham has been of historical interest, and the catalogue might be extended to great length with the names of the De Birminghams, the Smalbrokes, Middlemores, Colmores, and others of the old families alone. Scores of pages would not suffice to give even the shortest biographies of the many who, by their inventive genius and persistent labour, placed our town at the head of the world's workshops, the assistants and followers of the great men of Soho, the Thomasons, Taylors, and others living in the early part of the century, or the Elkingtons, Chances, &c., of later days. A volume might easily be filled with lives of scientific and literary men of the past, Hutton the historian, Morfitt, poet and barrister; Beilby, Hodgetts, Hudson, and other bookmen, to say naught of the many Press writers (who in their day added not a little to the advancement of their fellow-townsmen), or the venerable doctors, the school teachers and scholars, the pastors and masters of the old School and the old Hospital. Mention is made of a few here and there in this book; of others there have been special histories published, and, perchance some day "Birmingham men" will form the title of a more comprehensive work.
Novel Sight.—The appearance in the streets of Birmingham of a real war vessel would be a wonderful thing even in these days of railways and steam. Sir Rowland Hill, speaking of his childhood's days, said he could recollect once during the war with Napoleon that a French gunboat was dragged across the country, and shown in Birmingham at a small charge. He had never then seen any vessel bigger than a coal barge, but this was a real ship, with real anchor and real ship guns.
Numbering of Houses.—We are rapidly improving in many ways, and the gradual introduction of the system of alternate numbering, the odd numbers on one side of the street, and the evens on the other, is an advance in the right direction. Still, the fixing of the diminutive figure plate on the sideposts of a door, or, as is frequently found to be the case, in the shadow of a porch, is very tantalising, especially to the stranger. Householders should see that the No. is placed in a conspicuous spot, and have the figures painted so that they can be well seen even on a dusky evening.
Nunneries.—See "Religious Associations."
Nurseries.—The outskirts, and indeed many parts of the town, leas than a century back were studded with gardens, but the flowers have had to give place to the more prosaic bricks and mortar, and householders desirous of floral ornaments have now in a great measure to resort to the nursery grounds of the professed horticulturists. Foremost among the nurseries of the neighbourhood are those of Mr. R. H. Vertegans, Chad Valley, Edgbaston which were laid out some thirty-five years ago. The same gentleman has another establishment of even older site at Malvern, and a third at Metchley. The grounds of Messrs. Pope and Sons, at King's Norton, are also extensive and worthy of a visit. There are other nurseries at Solihull (Mr. Hewitt's), at Spark hill (Mr. Tomkins'), at Handsworth (Mr. Southhall's), and in several other parts of the suburbs. The Gardeners' Chronicle, the editor of which is supposed to be ​ a good judge, said that the floral arrangements at the opening of the Mason Science College surpassed anything of the kind ever seen in Birmingham, Mr. Vertegans having supplied not less than thirty van loads, comprising over 5,000 of the choicest exotic flowers and evergreens.