Larking John Seager (1840 – 1905) : Engineer and entrepeneur

I came across the grave of the splendidly named Larking John Seager in East Hill Cemetery when recording monumental inscriptions. Intrigued by the name, I decided to find out more about his life. He was one of Dartford’s Victorian entrepreneurs, who founded a company that brought employment to the town for over one hundred years.

Larking was born in 1840 in Maidstone, the fifth of ten children born to George and Jane Seager. The 1851 census shows the family living at St Faith’s Street, Maidstone. It consisted of George (aged 41, a carpenter), Jane (41) with their children Emma (18, a dress maker), George (16, a carpenter), Ann (13), Larking (10), Thomas (8), Henry (6), Ellen (4) and Julia (6 months).

Sadly, Jane Seager died in 1856 when Larking was 16. In 1861 the widowed George Seager (aged 52, a builder) was living at 11 Church Street, Maidstone with his children Ann (22, housekeeper), Larking (20, engine driver in sawmills), Henry (16, assistant in sawmills), Julia (10) and Charles (7).

In 1864 Larking married Sarah Ann Dobell at St George’s Church, Gravesend. Larking was aged 24, his wife (who was born in Bermondsey, the daughter of a grocer) was 23. His occupation is given as engineer on the marriage register. About this time Larking moved to Dartford to work for J & E Hall’s engineering company. His first child Ellen Dobell Seager was born in 1865, to be followed by Annie Eliza in 1867, Alfred Walter in 1870 (he died in 1874 aged 4), Florence Augusta in 1877 and Frederic Henry in 1879.

The 1871 census shows Larking and his family living in Shepherds Lane, Dartford. There was Larking (30, engine fitter at an iron foundry), Sarah (30), Ellen (5), Annie (4) and Alfred (6 months).

In 1876, Larking made the bold move of starting up an engineering business in Overy Street, Dartford. It was on land now occupied by Wickes and its car park. The business of J&E Halls was in decline at this time, with aging management and equipment, which may have been a factor in Larking’s decision to leave. The following advert appeared in the Dartford Chronicle dated September 2^nd, 1876.

Overy Street, Dartford

L. J. Seager

Is desirous to inform Mill-Owners, Proprietors of Machinery, Farmers and others that he has opened a factory for the purpose of carrying on the business of an Engineer, Millwright and Founder. It has been urged, during his past experience of 12 years with the firm Messrs J&E Hall, that a business of this character, where work could be turned out at a moderate cost, combined with first-class workmanship, has been found wanting. He now appeals to those who have patronage to bestow their esteemed favours, and assures them that every possible satisfaction shall be given to work entrusted to him.

Sidney Keyes (Dartford Historical Notes, 1933) records that “The trade carried on consisted of general engineering, the manufacture and repair of steam engines and machinery for paper, cement and flour mills, etc. A few years later a younger brother, Mr Charles Seager, joined him and took over the accountancy and commercial side of the business.”

By 1881, Larking, aged 40, an engineer employing ten men and seven boys, was living at 19 Highfield Road, Dartford with his wife Sarah Ann (40) and children Ellen (15), Annie (14), Flossie (4) and Frederic (2).

The family moved to Overy House, 22 Overy Street near the engineering works. The house no longer exists, the site is where the YMCA roundhouse building now stands. A picture of the family was taken about 1890 in what seems to be the back garden of Overy House. It shows clockwise from left, Florence (seated), Ellen, Larking (both standing), Sarah, Annie (both seated) and Frederic (lying on ground). They are all well dressed.

Larking Seager and his family (from Dartford Borough Museum)

The 1891 census shows Larking (50, a mechanical engineer), his wife, children and a governess at 22 Overy Street. His daughter Ellen (25) is listed as a teacher of music.

I have a copy of a memo written on Seager’s company stationery in 1895. It was headed “L.J. & C. Seager, Engineers, Millwrights & Founders, Dartford. Steam cylinders, cold water and air pumps, and taper holes in crank heads, rebored in their places”.

There are several road drain covers in the Newtown area of Dartford that were made by Seagers and are still in use.

A drain cover made by Seagers (photo supplied by Steve Archer) 

In 1898 the Dartford Urban District Council Technical Education Committee was formed and Larking became a member of it. In 1901 his firm subscribed £20 to the Dartford Technical Institute Building Fund.

Larking’s wife Sarah Ann died in 1900 aged 59. In 1901 Larking (59, a mechanical engineer) is listed as a widower. Also living at 22 Overy Street were his children Ellen (35), Annie (34), Florence (24) and Frederic (22, a mechanical engineer and draughtsman).

Florence Augusta Seager, Larking’s youngest daughter, married Herbert Scurr Nicholson in 1902 in Dartford. His other two daughters did not marry.

Charles Seager (Larking’s brother and business partner) and his wife Mary lived at 13 Summerhill Road, Dartford and had two daughters and three sons. The house is still there. Mary died in 1900, the same year as Larking’s wife. Charles died in 1905, aged 51, and Larking 17 days later, aged 65. The following item appeared in the Dartford Chronicle

DEATH OF MR L. J. SEAGER

Within a few days both the partners in the firm of L.J. and C. Seager, iron founders of Dartford, have passed away. The death of Mr Charles Seager, after a short illness, was followed by that on Tuesday of his brother, Mr Larking John Seager. Both were highly esteemed in the town, and much sympathy is felt for the family in their bereavement. Mr Larking Seager had been an invalid from paralysis for some time. He had rallied to some extent, but there is little doubt that the sad news of the unexpected death of his brother contributed to his relapse.

Manifestations of sympathy were general in the town on Saturday, the day of the funeral, flags being hung at half mast. The employees joined the cortege to the Dartford Cemetery, where the funeral service was conducted, in the presence of a large number of sympathisers, by the Rev. F. Bryan Marshall. The chief mourners were : Mr F. H. Seager (son), Mr C. R. Seager (nephew), Mr H. S. Nicholson (son-in-law), Mr J. Jewell (brother-in-law), Mr F. C. Dobell (nephew), Messrs W. M. Newton, T. G. Baynes, W. Wood, T. Williamson, R. Bennett and J Turtle. Messrs J. J. Hewitt, C. C. Light, E. Snowden, and other members of the Emulation Lodge of Freemasons were present, the late L. J. Seager being a member of the lodge.

Larking was buried near the boundary wall in the north-west section of East Hill Cemetery. His gravestone is still in good condition and is inscribed:

Headstone

In loving / memory of / SARAH ANN CHAMPION / the beloved wife of / LARKING JOHN SEAGER / who departed this life Feb 17^th 1900 / aged 59 years / “So he giveth his beloved sleep.” / No one knows how much we miss her, / none but aching hearts can tell, / Earth has lost her, heaven has found her, / Jesus hath done all things well. / Also the above named / LARKING JOHN SEAGER / who passed peacefully away Oct 3^rd 1905 / aged 65 years / “He that believeth on me hath everlasting life” / Also of their daughter / ANNIE ELIZA SEAGER / who died Nov 28^th 1950, / aged 83 years.

Footstone

In loving memory / of / ALFRED WALTER, / son of LARKING JOHN and SARAH ANN / CHAMPION SEAGER / who died Nov 22^nd 1874 / in the 5^th year of his age / “Jesus said suffer little children to / come unto to me”

The grave of Larking Seager 

The grave of his children Ellen (d 1951) and Florence (d 1957) is nearby. They are buried next to Larking’s brother Charles and his wife Mary.

Probate on Larking’s estate was granted to Frederic Henry Seager, engineer, and Ellen Dobell Seager, spinster. The value was £5,494 (equivalent to about £2.4M now, by comparison with average earnings).

A 1905 Directory describes Seagers as 'steam engine and boiler fitters and pump makers'. In 1915 they were 'makers of ice-making, refrigerating and compressing machines'. The expansion into the refrigerating and air-compressing side of the business was due to Mr. Henry Brier, formerly employed by J. and E. Hall of Dartford, a company of major importance in this field. A limited company was formed in 1907 with Frederic Seager as one of the partners. 

The 1921 census shows Frederic Seager, aged 42, a mechanical engineer employed by Seagers Ltd, living at 22 Overy Street, Dartford with his sisters Ellen (56) and Annie (54). Frederic married Molly Kathleen Lightstone in 1932 and died in 1963.

Larking's other daughter Florence was 44 in 1921 and living at Thorn Croft, King Edward Avenue, Dartford with her husband Robert Nicholson (52, Clerk of Works at J&E Hall, Engineers) and son Geoffrey (10).   

Geoffrey Maurice Nicholson (1911-2000) became a director of the company in 1952 and chairman in 1965. The Dartford factory closed in 1980 and the firm went into liquidation in 1985.

If you have any further information on Larking Seager and his family, please contact me on PhilT42LQS@Yahoo.co.uk

Philip Taylor © 2013

Sources

·         Notes from Chris Baker (Dartford Borough Museum)

·         The local studies collection at Dartford Library for The Dartford Chronicle newspaper and Dartford Historical Notes by S K Keyes.

Samuel Charles Umfreville JP (1820 – 94) of Ingress Abbey and his Fight with the Cement Makers

I came across the Umfreville family tomb in East Hill Cemetery whilst recording monumental inscriptions. The tomb is large and clearly belonged to a wealthy family, so I decided to find out more about them.

Samuel Charles Umfreville was born on 20^th November 1820 in Cawsand, Cornwall. His father, also called Samuel Charles Umfreville, was in the Royal Navy (his biography is in the British Naval Biographical Directory, 1849 on Ancestry.com). He joined the Navy in 1805 as a boy and was involved in several actions during the Napoleonic wars. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1813, married Jane Clark in 1817 and served in the Coast Guard from 1821 to 1848. His rank when he retired was Commander. Samuel junior had an elder sister as well as a younger brother (Henry) and five younger sisters.

The 1841 census shows Samuel (senior) and Jane Umfreville living in Swanscombe with most of their children. Samuel junior is not listed with his parents and I cannot find him elsewhere. On 16 Dec 1847 he married Emma Harmer Chaplin at Stone Parish Church. This was an extremely good match for him, as Emma was the only grandchild of James Harmer, a wealthy lawyer and newspaper owner who in 1833 built Ingress Abbey, Greenhithe. Samuel was aged 27, Emma was 23. Witnesses to the wedding were Samuel’s parents and Eliza Cook, a successful poet and journalist who was a friend of James Harmer. More information on the lives of Eliza Cook and James Harmer can be found in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.

Samuel’s occupation stated on the marriage register was “Captain of Free Trader to East Indies”. I haven’t been able to find any further information on Samuel’s maritime career. However, he would have been a Captain of a sailing ship (steamships didn’t become common until later). The Suez Canal had not been built when Samuel was at sea, so he would have sailed to the East Indies via the Cape of Good Hope, a long journey!

In 1851, Samuel and Emma were living in Calcutta. The British India Office Births and Baptism Register shows that their son Charles Harmer Umfreville was born on 27th September 1851 in Bengal and baptised on 3rd November in Agra, Bengal. Samuel's occupation was shown as "mariner". Charles seems to have died as an infant. As far as I know, Samuel and Emma had no other children.

James Harmer died in 1853 aged 76. The death duty record says that his estate was valued at £160,000 (equivalent to about £115 million now). He left legacies to a large number of people including £5,000 to his granddaughter Emma Harmer Umfreville. She also inherited the residue of his estate, valued at £37,642, making a total of £42,642 (equivalent to about £31 million now). It seems that her inheritance included Ingress Abbey.

I have looked at the Mercantile Navy List for 1857. Samuel is not listed in it, so it seems that he had ceased to be in the Navy by then. His brother Henry (who died in 1862) is listed as a Captain.

Greenhithe was an attractive village surrounded by pleasant countryside in the 1850s with little industry. Its railway station opened in 1849 and housing was built for middle class and wealthy commuters. 

The following item was printed in The Sun (London) dated 8 March 1859, in the deaths section: On Monday, the 7th inst., at Ingress Abbey, Greenhithe, Kent, after a long and severe illness, Emma Harmer, wife of Samuel Charles Umfreville Esq., and only child of John Chaplin, Esq., much and very deservedly regretted.

Emma died aged only 34. Her death certificate gives her cause of death as "disease of the stomach." Samuel’s father died in 1860 (aged 67) and his mother in 1861 (aged 68). The 1861 census shows Samuel (aged 40, a land and householder) living at Ingress Abbey with his unmarried sisters Ann Darling (28), Maria Susan (25) and Mary (23) as well as five servants.

Ingress Abbey in 1838 (from Dartford Library local studies collection)

Later in 1861, Samuel married Anna Eliza Wilson. His new wife, born in Hawkhurst, Kent, was aged 23 (18 years younger than him). They were married in London and went on to have six children : Samuel Charles (b1863), Gilbert Hamilton (b1866), Percy (b1868), Mabel (b1869), Sybilla (b1871) and Harry Kirwan (b1873). In 1871 the family, living at Ingress Abbey, consisted of Samuel (a landowner and magistrate), his wife Anna and their children Samuel, Gilbert, Percy and Mabel. There were also eight servants.

The area around Greenhithe was good for cement manufacture because of the large quantities of chalk (a raw material for cement) in the North Downs and its proximity to the Thames, which could be used to ship clay (another raw material) and coal (needed to fire kilns to operate the process) in and cement out. In 1872 Johnson and Co purchased land between Stone and Ingress Abbey with the intention of erecting cement works. By June 1873 they had built six kilns and started to operate them, with plans to expand the cement factory further. Samuel Umfreville and Frederick William Murray (rector of Stone church) filed a Bill of Complaint (held by the National Archives) with the Court of Chancery. It alleged that the cement factory would generate “poisonous and noxious fumes” and “dense volumes of smoke” which would prejudicially affect the health and comfort of those living in the neighbourhood, damage Ingress Abbey and Park as well as land at Western Cross Farm owned by Samuel. Stone rectory and a nearby school (both built in 1864 before the cement works appeared) would also be adversely affected. The bill requested that the court order that no further building of cement works be allowed on the site and that the owners be prevented from operating processes that caused damage or annoyance to the plaintiffs. Affidavits filed by the plaintiffs included statements from local people stating that emissions from the cement factory caused a nuisance. A separate filing from the defendants described patented processes that would be operated at the factory to reduce the emissions and statements from other local people saying that they had never noticed any emissions! The case was heard in April 1875 and reported in The Times newspaper. The Vice Chancellor’s judgement was to issue an injunction preventing the defendants from operating their works in a manner that caused a nuisance. An appeal by the defendants was heard in July 1875. This time the court ruled that the Reverend Murray, whose rectory directly overlooked the cement works, had a better case than Samuel Umfreville, as Ingress Abbey was 1,300 yards away. Lord Justice James said “The evidence of any nuisance resulting to Umfreville from the works of the defendants was slight and speculative and not sufficient to put the defendants under the restraint of an injunction. But with respect to the plaintiff Murray, the decree of the Vice Chancellor must be sustained.” Samuel was ordered to “pay any additional costs caused by his having been joined as co-plaintiff.”

The owner of the cement works was Isaac Charles Johnson (1811-1911) who described the situation in his autobiography, which was quoted in a 1953 edition of the magazine “Blue Circle”:

"After spending some £26,000 in machinery and other appliances, in addition to the £24,000 purchase money for the estate, lo! an overwhelming trouble arose. Greenhithe suburbs being a residential locality, a lawyer in the neighbourhood, for notoriety and personal gain, stirred up the residents to try to stop our works, leading the people to believe that our works would be a chemical works and would poison the whole neighbourhood. The squire and the parson were enlisted in the crusade and many of the residents filed affidavits; many of them very false ones. Under the leadership of this attorney, there were as good as three Chancery suits and one indictment going on at one time —a beautiful triumvirate PARSON, SQUIRE AND LAWYER, all engaged with their battalions to drive us away.” The decision of the Court went against the Company in every case in spite of eminent counsel for defence. Injunctions being granted, the works were stopped, and it was considered impossible that they would ever go again. "However, the works were got into full swing by means of my patent process which condenses and concentrates the vapour by building a chimney shaft 300 ft. high and by making the furnaces tributary to it, I can manufacture without giving real cause of complaint to anyone in the neighbourhood."

It seems therefore, that although Samuel did not prevent the operation of the Johnson cement works, he did force the owner to adopt measures to reduce the nuisance from it. The Johnson works finally closed in 1970 and were demolished by 1978. The site is now occupied by housing (Worcester Park).

In July 1874, Samuel also instigated a legal action against the proprietors of Swanscombe Cement Works (which had opened in 1837), claiming that their activities were causing a nuisance detrimental to the health of the neighbourhood generally and his family in particular. A demonstration in support of the cement works was held in August 1874, as reported by the Dartford Chronicle

GREAT DEMONSTRATION IN SUPPORT OF THE SWANSCOMBE PORTLAND CEMENT WORKS

The legal proceedings recently instituted by Mr. W. A. Plunkett, solicitor of Greenhithe, on behalf of Mr. S. C. Umfreville, J.P., of Ingress Abbey, and a few others, against the extensive cement manufactories of Messrs J. B. White Bros., of Swanscombe, previously noticed in these columns, have excited great disfavour in the neighbourhood, and in testification thereof a remarkable demonstration was made on Saturday last. The firm are exceedingly popular in the locality, which is not only largely dependent on the prosperity of their works, but their generosity has vastly benefited the place in various ways. The roads running through Northfleet, Stone and Swanscombe presented an unwonted scene. Processions of workmen, their wives and children, &c., to the number of between 4,000 and 5,000, accompanied by bands, and carrying numerous flags and banners, were marching to the Rectory grounds, Swanscombe, lent by the Rev. T. H. Candy.

The article goes on at length to describe the speeches made. Samuel’s opinion of the cement works was definitely not shared by those at the meeting! Samuel’s legal action did not cause production at Swanscombe Cement Works to be stopped.

Tragedy struck in 1875 when Anna died aged 37. The Dartford Chronicle had the following item:

DEATH OF MRS UMFREVILLE. – We regret to record the demise of Ann Eliza Umfreville, wife of Samuel Charles Umfreville, Esq., J.P., of Ingress Abbey, Greenhithe, which event occurred on Tuesday last, under very melancholy circumstances. A short time since the deceased lady received a blow from a stone, whilst out riding in her carriage, and the fright attendant on this occurrence, at a somewhat critical period, brought on serious symptoms. The eminent physician Sir W. Gall and J. H. Lilley were in attendance, but the utmost medical aid failed to avert the untimely decease of the lady.

There was an item describing the funeral in the following week’s newspaper. It included:

At the close of the burial service the rector of Stone condolingly grasped Mr Umfreville’s hand; and even those who most regarded the chief mourner as an uncompromising magistrate must have joined in the general sympathy.

Samuel married again in 1880. His third wife was Joan Brunton, aged 31, twenty eight years younger than him! She was from Morpeth in Northumberland, where they were wed. He was still able to father children, as evidenced by the arrival of Ralph Brunton Umfreville in 1881, Mollie Umfreville Umfreville (yes that was her name!) in 1883 and Dorothy Jean Umfreville in 1884.

The 1881 census shows Samuel (aged 60, a Justice of the Peace for Kent) living at Ingress Abbey with his new wife Joan and his children Samuel (17), Mabel (11), Sybilla (9) and Henry (7). Also listed at Ingress Abbey were his sister Maria Susan, 2 visitors and eight servants (a footman, cook, kitchen maid, nurse, under nurse, parlour maid and two housemaids). There were a further four servants (a coachman, two grooms and a gardener) living over the stables and head gardener in the gardener’s lodge. The cost of running a household of this size must have been substantial! Justices of the Peace tried misdemeanours (ie lesser criminal cases) and violations of bylaws. The role was unpaid and was typically performed by local gentry.

In 1891, Samuel (aged 70) is listed as a Justice of the Peace for the Local County of Kent, living on his own means. The rest of the household living at Ingress Abbey were Samuel’s wife Joan (42), his children Gilbert (25), Percy (23), Mabel (21), Sybilla (19), Ralph (9), Mollie (7) and Dorothy (5). There were also eight servants.

(a more detailed family tree may be found in the “umfreville42” database on RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project website)

Samuel died in 1894. An article in the Dartford Chronicle ran as follows:

DEATH OF MR. UMFREVILLE

We regret to record the death of Mr. Samuel Charles Umfreville, J.P., of Ingress Abbey, Greenhithe. The deceased gentleman had been in impaired health for a long time past, suffering from a bronchial affection, and had lately been staying at Hastings. He grew worse, however, and a fortnight ago returned to his beautiful mansion, Ingress Abbey, where he expired on Monday last, to the intense grief of a large family circle. Mr. Umfreville had attained the age of 73 years. He had for many years been a Justice of the Peace, and until the last year or so had been a regular attendant on the Dartford Bench, where he had for some years held the position of acting Chairman, in the absence of Mr. T Horn Fleet. He was a staunch Conservative, and up till the time of his death the president of the Dartford Conservative Working Men’s Club. He was also president of the Dartford Central Conservative Association, being elected to that important office in April of last year, on the retirement of Mr. R. B. Berens, J.P., when appointed High Sheriff of the county. Mr. Umfreville was likewise vice president of the Dartford Conservative Club, and a member of its committee, and Provincial Grand Master of the National Conservative League in Kent. Mr. Umfreville was thrice married, and leaves a widow and several sons and daughters to deplore his loss.

The same edition had a description of the funeral:

THE LATE MR UMFREVILLE, J.P.

THE FUNERAL

The remains of the late Mr. Samuel Charles Umfreville, J.P., of Ingress Abbey, Greenhithe, were interred in the family vault at the Dartford Cemetery on Friday last, when there were a large number of prominent gentlemen present to pay a last tribute to the memory of one who had for so many years led an active and useful life in the district. At 2.30 the cortege left Ingress Abbey for the Dartford Cemetery. In the first coach were Captain Umfreville, Messrs Gilbert Umfreville, Percy Umfreville and Harry Umfreville (sons) …………………The Union Jack at the pier head, Greenhithe, was flying at half mast and many villagers, amongst whom were numerous aged people, turned out to make a last farewell to their old and valued neighbour.

Captain Umfreville was the deceased’s eldest son Samuel, who was an Army Captain. The Umfreville family vault is next to the main path that runs north into East Hill Cemetery in the northern central section. The tombstone is inscribed:

Sacred to the memory of / EMMA HARMER / wife of / SAMUEL CHARLES UMFREVILLE Esquire / of Ingress Abbey Greenhithe / who departed this life March 7^th 1859 / aged 34 years / Also Capt SAMUEL CHARLES UMFREVILLE / father in law of the above died Janry 2^nd 1860 / aged 67 years / Also JANE wife of the above / died January 19^th 1861 aged 68 years / Also HENRY UMFREVILLE / son of the above who died Nov 13^th 1862 / aged 34 years / Also ANNA ELIZA second wife of the above / SAMUEL CHARLES UMFREVILLE Esq / who died the 26^th day of October 1875 / aged 37 years / whose death resulted from a blow caused by a stone / which struck her in the eye while driving in the / public road near the entrance of Ingress Park. / Also SAMUEL CHARLES UMFREVILLE JP / of Ingress Abbey Greenhithe / who died March 12^th 1894 aged 73 years

The Umfreville family tomb

Probate on Samuel’s estate was granted to his widow Joan, eldest son Samuel and Adam Rivers Steel, a solicitor. The total value was £21,973, equivalent to about £11 million now. Samuel’s will left his widow £1,000 plus an annual payment of £300. He left £600 each to his sisters Ann and Rebecca. Samuel’s sister Susan was given an annual sum of £100. His sisters-in-law Eliza and Fanny Wilson got annual sums of £130 and £36 respectively. His coachman received £50, two other servants £20 each. All his indoor servants with three or more years service to him were given one year’s wages. His property called New Place in Upminster was left to his son Samuel. The residue of the estate was shared between his children.

Ingress Abbey in 2010 (photo by Philip Taylor)

The Umfreville family vacated Ingress Abbey soon after Samuel’s death and it was let to tenants. The house was used as a military hospital from 1914 to 18. It was purchased by the Incorporated Thames Nautical Training College in 1920. Ownership transferred to the Merchant Navy College in 1968 and new accommodation for students was built in the grounds. The college closed in 1989. By 1998 the house was derelict and in very poor condition. Crest Homes were given planning permission to develop the Ingress Abbey estate, providing that they restored the house and several follies in the grounds. The restored house was used as offices. In 2012 it was purchased and converted back into a family home.

After Samuel’s death, his widow Joan moved to a nearby house called Parkwood in Mounts Road, Greenhithe. The property is now split into flats and called Mounts Court. It has been recently renovated and enlarged. Joan died in 1926 aged 76.

Several of Samuel’s sons had successful careers in the Army. Percy Umfreville reached the rank of Brigadier General and was awarded the CMG (Companion of St Michael and St George) and CBE (Commander of the British Empire). Harry and Ralph both became Lieutenant Colonels. Ralph was awarded a CMG and DSO (Distinguished Service Order).

Philip Taylor © 2020

Email : PhilT42LQS@Yahoo.co.uk

Sources

·         Oxford Dictionary of National Biography

·         Mercantile Navy List at the Maritime Museum Library, Greenwich

·         The local studies collection at Dartford Library for The Dartford Chronicle newspaper, information on Johnson’s Cement Works etc

·         www.freebmd.org.uk for Births, Marriages and Deaths

·         www.ancestry.co.uk for British Naval Biographical Directory, 1849 and census returns

·         The National Archives at Kew for Chancery Court and Death Duty Records

·         Probate and will from The Principal Probate Registry, 42-49 High Holborn, London

James Sharp (1808-83) and his Children, a Prominent Family in Victorian Dartford

St Edmund’s Pleasance in East Dartford contains the Sharp family tomb, just inside the entrance from Great Queen Street. Seeing this prompted me to find out more about the Sharps, who were one of the leading families in Dartford during Victorian times.

James Sharp was born in Dartford on 29 December 1808, a son of Charles (1779-1811) and Ann (1786-1832) Sharp. The father of Charles was James Sharp (1758-1829), a bricklayer who founded a building company in 1800. After Charles Sharp died in 1811 aged 31, his son James lived with his grandfather. In 1829 James senior died. His will bequeathed the building company to his grandson James. It also said “I desire to be buried in the North East corner of the burial ground of Dartford in a vault to be made sufficiently capacious for myself and family.”

 The Sharp family tomb

James married Susannah who died in 1834 aged 25. In 1839 he married Jane Allen in Dartford. He was 31 and she was 26, born in Southfleet. They went on to have six children, three boys and three girls, all born in Dartford. They were Julia (1840-97), Emma Allen (1842-1900), James (1844-1900), Lucy (1846-90), Edwin (1848-1914) and Henry (b1850).

The 1851 census shows James, aged 43, a builder master employing 8 men living in Dartford High Street. Also in the household were his wife Jane (38), their children Julia (10), Emma (8), James (7), Lucy (5), Edwin (2) and Henry (2 weeks) plus two general servants.

The 1851 Kent Directory lists “James Sharp, builder and agent to the Kent fire and life office and cashier to the Savings Bank, Water Lane.” The company did a lot of building work in Dartford including Hall Place Girl’s School in Dartford (1858), the Baptist Chapel in Highfield Road (1867-68) and alterations to the Methodist Church in Spital Street (1869).

James was still living at High St Dartford in 1861 and is listed as aged 52, a builder employing 11 men. Living with James were Jane, his wife (48) and their children Julia (20), Emma (18), James (17, an architect), Lucy (15), Edwin (12) and Henry (10). Also at the address was Isabella M Allen (6, Jane’s niece) and a servant.

The address for the Sharp family in 1871 is given as 2 High St, Dartford. James (63, a builder), Jane (58), Julia (30), Emma (28), James (27, a builder), Lucy (25), Edwin (22, a builder), Henry (20) and a servant are listed. 2 High Street is now the address of Clifton and Co, Estate Agents, at the junction between High Street and Hythe Street. The frontage above the shop looks like it dates back to Victorian times and so is probably the same building that James and his family lived in.

Julia Sharp got married in 1872 to John Landale Hall, an engineer aged 32. John was a grandson of Edward Hall (1775-1850), a brother of John Hall (1764-1836), who founded Dartford Ironworks that later became J & E Halls. Julia and John had three children namely Julia Rosetta (b1874), John Charles (b1876) and Louisa E Hall (b1877). John Landale Hall died in 1882 aged only 41. Probate records show that his personal estate was valued at £337. James (the younger), Edwin and Henry Sharp were the executors of his will.

James Sharp junior also got married in 1872. His bride was Emily Jane Sturge, a daughter of Alfred Sturge, the minister of the Baptist Church that James Sharp and Sons had built. At the time of the wedding he was 28 and she was 22. They had five children namely Lydia Mary (b1873), James Alfred (b1874), Harold Sturge (b1876), Winifred Mary (b1878) and Emily Frances (b1880), all born in Dartford.

The 1874 edition of Kelly’s directory lists “James Sharp and Son, builders and timber merchants, Hythe Street.” The firm owned the nearby Baltic Saw Mills (which were located where the Orchard Theatre now is). Sometime between 1871 and 1881, James Sharp senior moved to Miskin Road in Dartford and retired, leaving his eldest son James in charge of the business. Miskin Road was one of the most affluent streets in Dartford, containing large Victorian houses, several of which were demolished only recently. The 1881 census shows James (72, a retired builder) and Jane Sharp (68) living at 2 Miskin Road with their four unmarried children Emma (38), Lucy (35), Edwin (32, a builder) and Henry (30, a builder) plus a general servant.

Next door at 4 Miskin Road in 1881 was James Sharp junior aged 37, a builder and timber merchant employing 42 men and 6 boys. Also living at the address was James’s wife Emily (30), their children Lydia (8), James (6), Harold (4), Winifred (3) and Emily (8 months) together with a nursemaid and a housemaid.

James Sharp senior died in August 1883 aged 74. The Dartford Chronicle contained an item reporting his death and funeral. It said

“Another of the oldest and best esteemed of the natives of Dartford has been called to his rest. Those who remember Mr James Sharp in the prime of life will bear in remembrance how active and competent a trader he was in all his business relations. Esteemed by relatives and acquaintances alike, he was sought out to undertake responsible trust and private business until at that period much of his time was devoted to such philanthropic work, whilst his practical piety displayed itself in charitable and Christian local undertaking. Of late years he has, since his retirement from business, been rarely seen in the busy haunts of men, but his genial smile and warm interest in the good of all never left him until the hand of death removed him on Saturday, August 11^th, to a higher sphere. In the removal of such estimable characters there is naturally deep sorrow and grief with those who remain behind; but the best of us may well desire no better life, no happier end. From a comparatively small country business Mr Sharp, in his lifetime, lived to see the expansion of his into one of the most important in the town and district, and his sons firmly established in it. He desired to terminate his days in the peaceful retirement of the residence in Miskin Road that he had selected, and his wish has been fulfilled. Mr Sharp served in his time most of the public parochial offices which fall to those in his condition of life.”

James was buried in the family vault in St Edmund’s Pleasance. His three sons were the executors of his will. His estate was £1,493 (equivalent to about £800,000 now, by comparison with average earnings).

1883 saw the marriage of Henry Sharp (aged 32) to Lucy Jane Allen (23) in Dartford. They had five girls – Dorothy (b1885), Kathleen and Norah (twins b1887), Margaret (b1890), Winifred (b1896) and one boy – Humphrey (b1894).

In 1886 Edwin Sharp married Eliza Fanny Nicoll in Eastbourne. He was aged 38, she was 31. They had no children.

The London Gazette contains an announcement dated 13 January 1888 saying that the partnership between James, Edwin and Henry Sharp, who had been operating as James Sharp and Sons, Timber Merchants and Builders at Hythe Street, Dartford was dissolved by mutual consent. The business continued under Edwin and Henry. James set up his own company in competition – the 1899 edition of Kelly’s directory lists him as James Sharp, timber merchant and saw mills, Gas Lane, Dartford. Gas Lane was in North Dartford and is now called Victoria Road. James’s business was on Victoria Wharf, which is now occupied by an industrial estate. Two different timber merchants called James Sharp in Dartford must have been confusing and reduced the amount of business available to both !

Sometime between 1888 and 1890 James Sharp and Sons ceased to operate as a builder and became timber merchants only. An advert in the Dartford Chronicle dated May 30, 1890 read as follows :

Sawing, Planing and Moulding Mills,

JAMES SHARP AND SONS, DARTFORD

English and Foreign Timber Merchants

Slates, Cement Pipes, Staffordshire Goods

Agents – Kent, Fire and Life Insurance Company

In 1889, the firm submitted plans for new offices in Hythe Street on the site of what is now Dartford Post Office. A photo taken in 1902 shows the office, which was quite a large, imposing building. It was built next to their existing office, which was in the premises now occupied by the Nationwide Building Society.

Lucy Sharp died in 1890 aged 44. She was buried in East Hill Cemetery. The 1891 census shows 3 houses in Miskin Road occupied by the Sharp family.

- at number 6 was Jane Sharp (aged 78, a widow), her unmarried daughter Emma (48) and a servant

- at number 7 we have James Sharp (47, a timber merchant) his wife Emily (40) and children Lydia (18), James (17, a timber merchant’s clerk), Winifred (13), Emily (10) as well as two servants.

- at number 4 there is Henry Sharp (40, a timber merchant) with his wife Lucy (31), Dorothy (5), Kathleen (4), Norah (4), Margaret (1) a domestic servant and a nurse.

The site of these houses is now occupied by modern housing. Julia Hall née Sharp (aged 50, a widow living on her own means) was living nearby at 13 Tower Road with her children Julia (16), John (15), Louisa (13) and a servant. Edwin Sharp (42, a timber merchant) was a boarder in Bournemouth.

The offices of James Sharp & Sons in 1902 (from the Dartford Library local studies Collection)

Jane Sharp (the widow of James) died in 1894 aged 80. She was buried in the Sharp family tomb in St Edmund’s Pleasance.

An election for the newly created Dartford Urban District Council was held in December 1894. 31 candidates contested the 15 seats. In sixth place in the poll (with 454 votes) was Mr J Sharp, timber merchant. Dartford Historical Notes by S K Keyes contains a photo (opposite page 497) of the new council, including James Sharp.

Julia Hall née Sharp and her sister Emma moved to St Leonards on Sea, Hastings. Julia died there in 1897 aged 57 and was buried in East Hill Cemetery, Dartford in the same grave as her husband. Probate on her estate (£355) was granted to her brother Edwin. Emma died in 1900, also aged 57. Probate was issued to Julia Rosetta Hall, (Emma’s niece), spinster. The estate was £540.

James Sharp junior died aged 56 on 27 March 1900 of liver cancer. The Dartford Chronicle reported as follows

“We regret to record the death on Tuesday of Mr James Sharp of the Victoria Saw Mills, Dartford. A native of the town, the deceased had taken an active part in public affairs, and for several years was member of the old Local Board and of the Urban Council. He was one of the retiring members by rotation this year, but owing to ill health he had decided not to seek re-election. On the Council he was an outspoken member, and on occasions when the majority were of adverse opinion it did not deter him from assiduously pressing his views. The town has lost a valuable public worker and the news of his death on Tuesday was met with general regret.”

The description of James as “outspoken” and his business split with his brothers suggests to me that James was not an easy man to get on with ! He was buried in East Hill Cemetery. Probate was granted to his eldest two children Lydia Mary Sharp, spinster, and James Alfred Sharp, timber merchant. The estate was £11,653 (equivalent to about £5.2 M now, by comparison with average earnings). Lydia Mary Sharp (1873-1955) later became a successful artist under the name Dorothea Sharp and exhibited her paintings regularly at the Royal Academy.

In 1900 the business of James Sharp and Sons was sold by public auction. It was purchased by Edwin Sharp. By the time of the 1901 census, only two (Edwin and Henry) of the six children born to James and Jane Sharp were still alive. I can’t find a census record for Edwin. Henry (aged 50, a retired timber merchant) was living in Hastings with his wife Lucy (41), children Dorothy (15), Norah (14), Kathleen (14), Margaret (11), Humphrey (7), Winifred (5) a cook and a housemaid.

Keyes reports that Edwin purchased a Speedwell car from John Beadle in 1906. This would have been one of few cars in Dartford at that time.

In 1911, Edwin, aged 62, a timber merchant was living in Miskin Road with his wife Eliza (56) and two domestic servants. Henry Sharp (60, a retired timber merchant) was living at Mayfield, Church Road, Bexleyheath. Also at the address were Henry’s wife Lucy (51), his daughters Dorothy (25) and Winifred (15) as well as his sister in law Florence Ann Allen (51) and a domestic servant.

Edwin Sharp died in 1914 aged 65. A report in The Dartford Chronicle describes his funeral. It starts

“Amid many manifestations of regret and heartfelt sorrow, the funeral of the late Mr Edwin Sharp of Miskin Road and the Dartford Sawmills, took place on Monday afternoon last. All the principal business houses in the town had signs of mourning, and the blinds of private houses were drawn on the line of the route, while flags flew at half-mast at the Parish Church and at the London Provincial Bank.”

There was a large congregation at the funeral service in Holy Trinity Church and many floral tributes including one from Sir James Whitehead (“A warm tribute to a genuinely good man”). Edwin seems to have been held in high regard by the people of Dartford. He was buried in East Hill Cemetery in the same grave as his sister Lucy. His wife Eliza was later buried there in 1940.

The probate record says that Edwin Sharp died 14 October 1914. Probate on his estate (£14,303) was granted to Eliza Fanny Sharp, widow and Thomas Godfrey Baines, solicitor.

The only one of the children of James Sharp (senior) alive when the 1921 census was recorded was Henry Sharp. He is shown as aged 70, a retired timber merchant, living at 1 Victoria Road, Barnstaple, Devon. Living with him were his wife Lucy Jane Sharp (61), their daughters Norah (34), Kathleen (34) and Winifred Mary (25) as well as a domestic servant. Henry died in 1929 aged 78 in Barnstaple.

James Sharp and Sons Ltd continued to trade after Edwin’s death. In 1933 the firm was controlled by Mr Edward Ernest Harle (b1874, Managing Director), Mr Walter Ernest Harle (b1879, Director and Secretary) and Mrs Eliza Fanny Sharp (Edwin’s widow, Director). It finally closed in 1966.

Philip Taylor © 2011

Email PhilT42LQS@Yahoo.co.uk

Resources used

- The local studies collection at Dartford Library for parish records, The Dartford Chronicle newspaper, local directories, Dartford Historical Notes (1933) and Further Historical Notes (1938) by S K Keyes.

- Probate records, held at the Principal Probate Registry, 42-49 High Holborn, London

- Burial Registers for East Hill Cemetery on DVD from NWKFHS

- The website http://www.measuringworth.com/ukcompare/