Simon Francis Phillips came from a fairly humble background in
Cornwall and founded a drapery shop in High St, Dartford, which developed into
a large, successful business.
Simon was born about 1832 in St Columb, Cornwall. The
village is 6 miles east of Newquay. He is listed (aged 8) in the 1841 census
with his siblings William (12), Edwin (10) and Agnes (6) living at St Columb
Major, although the names of his parents are not given. In 1851 Simon aged 19,
a draper’s assistant was living at Ferris Town, Kenwyn, Truro, which is about
15 miles south of St Columb Major. In the same household were his brother Edwin
(21, a watch and clock maker) and sister Agnes (a draper’s assistant) but
again, no parents.
Simon moved to London and in 1861, aged 28, a draper’s
assistant, he was living at 87 Milton St, Marylebone with his mother Betsy
(aged 63, a widow) and sister Agnes (25). In 1862 he married Jane Greenwood in
Bodmin, Cornwall. He was 30 and she was 24, born in St Austell, Cornwall. They
moved to London (Hammersmith) where their sons Francis James (b1866) and Edwin
Herbert (b1868) were born.
(a
more detailed family tree may be found in the “phillips42” database on
RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project website)
The 1871 census lists Simon (38), Jane (31), Francis (4) and
Edwin (2) living at 5 Braemar Park, Hammersmith. Also in the household were
Jane’s parents James (70) and Mary (70), as well as her sister Sarah Greenwood
(29, a dressmaker). Simon’s occupation is given as warehouseman. According to
his obituary1, he was a buyer for a wholesale drapery firm, Messrs
Spencer, Turner and Boldero.
In 1873, Simon founded a drapery business at 29 and 31 High
St Dartford, a property called Luton House. His son William George Phillips was
born in September 1874. In addition to their three sons, Simon and Jane had two
other children who died as infants2. Betsy, Simon’s mother, died in
November 1874 aged 75 and Agnes, his sister, died in December 1874 aged 39, both
in Dartford. They are buried together in East Hill Cemetery. The cemetery
records state that Betsy was the widow of William Phillips.
The business prospered and Simon opened another shop on the
opposite side of the road, at 54 High St. The 1881 census shows Simon (48, a
draper), Jane (42), Francis (14), Edwin (12) and William (6) living at 29 and
31 High St, Dartford. Also listed at the same address were a draper’s shopman,
six draper’s apprentices and a general servant.
Advert in Dartford
& West Kent Advertiser (1881)
Simon was an ardent Methodist. He attended the Wesleyan
Church in Spital Street, Dartford where he was Sunday school superintendent.
His son, Edwin, was choirmaster and organist at the church from 1894 to 1911.
Simon was also a member of the Dartford School Board and a manager of the
Wesleyan day schools1.
Simon Francis
Phillips, date unknown
In 1891, Simon (58, a draper), Jane (51) and William Phillips
(16) were living at 29 and 31 High Street with Simon’s sister-in-law Elizabeth
Brokenshaw nee Greenwood (aged 72), who was the widow of John Luly Brokenshaw,
a miller. Also listed at the address were a dress milliner, a porter, two
servants, three draper’s assistants, a draper’s apprentice and a dressmaker.
Simon’s sons Francis and Edwin (both shown as draper’s assistants) were living
next door at 27 High St, which had been acquired in 18893.
Simon's shop before 1900 (Simon is looking out of the first floor window on the left)
A fire occurred in 1900, which completely destroyed the S F
Phillips drapery store. It was described by S K Keyes3 thus:
The fire which broke out in the drapery department of
Messrs S. F. Phillips, High Street, about 11.20pm on Tuesday night, January 9,
1900, was probably the worst experience in Dartford. Mrs Phillips and the young
lady assistants who had retired to their rooms over the shop, were rescued by a
long ladder brought by Mr Tom Martin of the Bull and George Hotel, while
waiting for the Fire Brigade. When Captain Butler of the Dartford Brigade saw
the extent of the fire he summoned assistance from Bexley, Bexleyheath,
Lamorbey and Northfleet.
The ancient house, which contained much timber, burned
fiercely, and about midnight the whole of the building where the fire
originated, collapsed. It was then discovered that an old lady of 80, a Mrs
Forrest, who was staying with Mrs Phillips, was missing. Her body was not
recovered until two days later.
The damage occasioned by the fire was over £20,000. The
premises on either side, - Mr Message (butcher) and Messrs Upson (boots and
shoes) – had to be rebuilt, and the present “Luton House,” was built by Messrs
Phillips on the site of their burnt out premises. As a result of this fire, the
Urban District Council had emergency fire ladders placed in various parts of
the town.
The remains of the
shop operated by S F Phillips & Sons, after demolition following the fire
in 1900.5
The premises were reconstructed in 1901 as a four storied
brick building. The property still exists, the ground floor is now occupied by
Savers and Coral Bookmakers.
The 1901 census shows Simon (68) and Jane (61) Phillips
living at 28 Tower Road, Dartford with his son Edwin (32) and his wife Florence
(28). Edwin is described as a furniture salesman.
The store of S F
Phillips & Sons rebuilt in 1901 (this photo was taken c 1920).5
In 1906 Simon received a special diploma and bronze medal
recording his 61 years honourable connection with the drapery trade4.
This indicates that he started work in 1845, when aged 13.
Simon died in 1908. An article in the West Kent Advertiser1
stated that he had been an invalid since the fire and had died “of senile decay
and influenza”. It also said that “The deceased gentleman was held in the
highest estimation in the community, alike for his business integrity and
enterprise, his Christian character, and his kindliness of heart and generous
disposition.”
He was buried in East Hill Cemetery. The gravestone is
inscribed
In / loving memory / of / SIMON FRANCIS PHILLIPS / who
entered into rest / on Sunday March 1st 1908 / aged 75 years / And
ever near us, though unseen / the dear immortal spirits tread / for all the
boundless universe / is life – there are no dead / Also of JANE PHILLIPS / who
entered into rest / on September 29th 1927 / aged 88 years / Also of
WILLIAM GEORGE PHILLIPS / born 1874 – died 1963. / Greatly beloved
Gravestone of Simon Phillips
Simon left £10,322 (equivalent to about £3.8 million now6).
Probate was granted to his widow Jane and his three sons.
Shortly before Simon’s death, his eldest son Francis moved
away from Dartford to set up a business in Southsea (near Portsmouth). His son
Edwin died in 1911 so it was left to his youngest son William to run the
business in Dartford. His mother took an active role - in 1921 (aged 82) she
was supervising one of the departments4. Jane Phillips died in 1927
and in 1928 the business closed. William was a member of Dartford Council for
12 years and was Mayor of Dartford 1945-6.
If you have any additional information about Simon Francis
Phillips or his family, please contact me.
Philip Taylor (email PhilT42LQS@Yahoo.co.uk)
References
1. W Kent Advertiser 6th March 1908.
2. Information from the 1911 census return for Jane
Phillips.
3. Dartford Further Historical Notes by S K Keyes
(1938).
4. Information from the Souvenir Programme of the 1921
Dartford Shopping Carnival.
5. These photos are from Yesterday’s Town: Dartford
by Geoff Porteus (1981).
6. Calculated with respect to average earnings using the
website “Measuring Worth” www.measuringworth.com/ukcompare/
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