Milford chronicle., 1911-12-22
Famous People
Named Christmas

]
lish family name, especially in Sure!
and Cambridgeshire, and many peopl,
, bearing it have achieved fame in one
direction or another.
For instance, there was Gerard
, Christmas. the famous carver of stat.
uary, who fourished in the early part
Of the seventeenth century. He de-
signed Aldersgate and carved with his
own hands the richly Ornamented por-
tai OF Northumberland House, a IA
miliar object to the older generation
Of living LOndoners.
His chief energies, however, were
directed toward Ornamenting and
beautifying the ships Of the royal ma
w, and the highly decorative style he
originated was continued right down
to the middle Of the last century.
when iron superseded oak in the con
struction Of battleshlps.
At his death his two sons, John
Christmas and Matthias Christmas,
whom he had brought up to his art,
succeeded him as official carvers to !
the lords Of the admiralty and WORTH |
ly carried on the work be had so well
begun.
Every one interested IN coins and
coinage is familiar with the name Of
Henry Christmas. the eminent numis-
matist. who died in 1868. Besides
being a fellow of the Royal society
and Of the Society Of Antiquaries. he
was for many years honorary secre,
tary OF the Numismatic society, to
whose publications he contributed
largely. He also wrote and published '
a large number of religious and his
torical works.
John William Christmas C"Jean Of I
the Iron Hand'O was one Of the most D
famous Of the many English adven
turers who during the French revolu I
tionary disturbances Of 1901 fought on n
the losing side.
Joining the ChOuans or royalist in
Of Brittany he soon made
his mark and was intrusted with the T.
conduct Of a division by George Ca
iOudal. their supreme commander. di
Later on, when Cadoudal. disguised G
with the dissensiOns Of his highborn
generals. organized new army in
Which no ariStOcTat was permitted 10
iOld command Christmas was forced
o resign with the rest lie was. how D.
yer. reinstated on his pointing out H.
hat he was not. as had all along been %
Of noble lineage. but was. On IT,
he contrary. the sou Of a south OF VIZ
ngland peasant
Thence onward he acted as Cadou. HE
ais adiutaut general and did splendid @
,rvice against the rOyalist forces unit! Pu D..
lnuary, 1898. when he had the mis- Me
rtune TO be taken prisoner He was Par
Ot at daybreak ON the morning fol Ov,
wing his capture. Ov,
Noel is, OF course. only another form ,
the word Christmas. and Of famous
'els. both living and dead, there is a anC
lgthly list
L is for instance. the family name
the earls OF Gainsborough, whose
tory has been distinguished one
= generations past.
ioel-Hill, again, is the name of Bar
Berwick. famous member of IA -
us old English family.
Then there Is Ernest Noel, who has NJ
le more to improve the housing Of M +
working classes than has probably kI |
; other man living. Isl |
Ice Admiral Sir Gerard Noel. who 81
been commander in chief on the
ma station since 1908 has received SI-S.
ny decorations including the much ST.
eted gold medal of the Roval Unit SIss
Service institution. III
ding farther back. there was that NJ
Try Noel. the famous courtier Of "a
reign OF Queen Elizabeth and au- anv
Of the now familiar phrase Mon fore
vas made to spend" His extrava PC
re knew no bounds and very much
leased his royal mistress. herself
Of the most extravagant Of mon neie
Is in II
very different type was BAPTIST and and
Noel. the eminent non want
ormist divine He was at first ed 2
ed for and inducted into the The
rch Of England. But the result or 5;sSf, give
Gorham case, which drove many Am
churchmen into the fold Of Rome. make
Noel into the ranks of the Ban SIS, SIS,
publicly renounced on Dec. g.
his connection with the Estab- POl
d church and was little later
ely rebaptized by immersion In
Street chapel, Holborn, a build OOv
situated hard by the very church lii
elm he had ministered during long UU
prior to his conversion"
'mas Noel, the poet. who died in
ought to be we'll known by his We
er's Drive" than which no poem with ii
been more widely read, reclted Prices.
Iuoted. The verses are. however Call
It universally ascribed to Hood. dence,
by people who ought to know Busine
:, and the real authors name Dr. No
MS In consequence buried in OBJ r 5
for Fu
ther poet named Noel. who en- e,,u f1U a., 4, :
considerable reputation in his