Clement Thomas Youens (1852-1919): Artist

Clement Thomas Youens was an elder brother of Ernest Christopher Youens (1856-1933), whose life is described in an item on this blog. This article about Clement contains information and photos from Christopher, a great grandson of Ernest. Christopher inherited diaries written by Ralph Youens (a brother of Clement) and other Youens family papers. He has donated most of this material to Kent Archives.

Clement was born on October 31st 1852 in Dartford, the seventh of ten children (two girls and eight boys) born to William and Caroline Youens, who married in 1837 and moved to Dartford in about 1845. Their children were Caroline (1839-1919), Ralph (1841-1910), Frank (1844-1910), Jesse (1846-1920), William (1848-1930), Albert Frederick (1850-1931), Clement Thomas (1852-1919), Agnes Maud (1855-1855), Ernest Christopher (1856-1933) and Urban Percival John (1859-1927). William Youens was a basket maker who was born in Fulham, a son of Thomas Youens, also a basket maker. His wife Caroline nee Eves, was born in Chatham.

William Youens, Clement’s father established a business as a basket maker in Dartford. This business became William Youens and Sons and later, Youens Brothers. Not all the sons were involved. In 1858, the eldest child, Caroline (aged 19), with the second and third sons, Frank (14) and Jesse (12), emigrated to Texas with their grandfather, Thomas Youens, who went to live with his daughters who were established there. The eldest son, Ralph did not go. He was slightly handicapped by deafness.

By 1859, William and his family had moved to Tower Cottage. This was a house that William built with his own hands. It was designed in an unusual style that incorporated some architectural features of a church. The road that it was in was later named Tower Road after the cottage. In 1861, the family living in Tower Cottage consisted of William Youens (47, a basket maker), his wife Caroline (44) and their children Ralph (19), William (12), Albert (10), Clement (8), Ernest (4) and Urban (1).

 

1872 Youens Brothers Advert

 In 1867, Clement and his brother William went to stay with their family in Navasota, Texas. Clement did not return to England until 1873. Following his father’s death in 1870, only Ralph seems to have been consistent in keeping the firm of Youens Brothers going. The younger brothers appear to have tired of basket making. Albert went into service and became a butler. He had Urban appointed as a footman. These two were always very close. Ernest dabbled in bee-keeping, stamp dealing and photography, the latter becoming his full-time profession in about 1897.

William Youens (Clement’s brother) married Ellen Elizabeth Bignall in 1874 and went to Texas later that year with Clement.  They travelled on the Steamship “State of Minnesota” from Liverpool to New Orleans, arriving on 21 December 1874. The passenger list shows William (26, a carpenter), Ellen (18, William’s wife) and Clement (22, a carpenter) travelling intermediate class. Clement returned to England in 1879. This is the date of his illustrated diary (in Kent Archives) describing his voyage from Galveston to Liverpool. In it, he records that he prefers to travel by sail, rather than on a steamer.

 In 1881, the Youens family living in Tower Road, Dartford consisted of Caroline (63), Ralph (39), Clement (28) and Ernest (24). The sons were all listed as basket makers and unmarried.

 
Clement c 1890

Clement was a gifted artist and painted many pictures of local scenes and other places (such as in Texas). He also painted several pictures of birds and at least two portraits. As far as we know, he never had any formal artistic training but he moved in artistic circles and knew the noted English Impressionist artist Dorothea Sharp (1874-1955), who was born in Dartford. He sold some of his paintings and did artistic work on commission. Examples of Clement’s paintings (dated from 1884 to 1900) are held at Dartford museum and can be viewed at http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/yourpaintings/artists/clement-t-youens.

The River Cray near Crayford by Clement T Youens.

The painting above is 14 by 10 inches, painted in oil on artists’ card. Many of Clement’s paintings are 14 x 10, but some are considerably larger and some are miniatures. He used watercolour as well as oil, painted on canvas and wood as well as artists’ card and branched into other decorative arts such as painting over photographs and decorating mirrors.

In 1891, Caroline Youens (73) was living at Tower Cottage, 15 Tower Road with her unmarried sons Ralph (49), Albert (40), Clement (38), and Urban (31). Ralph and Clement were basket makers. Albert and Urban were both described as “artist in natural flowers”. Clement made another journey to Texas, returning in June 1894. Caroline Youens died in August 1894 aged 76.

 
Standing from left: Clement, Ernest, Albert, Urban Youens. Seated from left: Ralph, Caroline, Harold, Marion, Kate Youens (Ernest’s children and wife) c 1894.

The 1901 census shows Clement (aged 48, a basket and picture frame maker) and his brother Ralph (aged 60, a basket maker) living at 15 Tower Road, Dartford. Later that year Clement married Kathleen Annie Redsell. He was aged 49, she was aged 29, a daughter of John and Emma Redsell of Stoneham Farm near Dartford. Clement met Kathleen when painting a picture of the farm. After their marriage they lived at “Rockleigh”, 30 Tower Road and had daughters Marjorie Kathleen in 1904 and Olive Brenda in 1906. 

Throughout her life, Caroline maintained harmony between her sons. She was a good woman of strong character and will. But, after her passing, harmony broke down. Albert and Urban retired from service, returned to live in Tower Cottage and established their floral art business. A coolness developed between them and Ralph which turned into open hostility. They appear to have occupied most of the house, restricting Ralph to his bedroom and workshop. Albert and Ralph were very different people. Ralph was quiet, shy, humble and rather bumbling. Albert was quick witted, quick tempered, aristocratic and, as a butler, used to being obeyed. He did not suffer fools gladly and probably regarded Ralph as such. Urban was devoted to Albert and followed wherever he led. There could, too, have been competition for space as the growing and successful floral art business encroached on the areas reserved for basket making. Clement became Ralph’s mainstay. Although Ralph slept and worked in Tower Cottage, he really lived in Rockleigh, going there for meals, friendship and comfort.

In the first decade of the twentieth century, whilst the floral art business and Ernest’s photography business were becoming increasingly successful, the basket-making business was declining. Ralph was often idle for want of orders. Income became less and left both him and Clement in financial difficulties. Clement and Kathleen eased their problems by taking in a lodger. Jesse, economically the most successful of the brothers, appears to have subsidised them by sending large financial gifts at Christmas. Perhaps Clement devoted a little too much time to artistic pursuits and not enough to understanding basic business skills! As well as loving the visual arts, he was a keen singer who belonged to Chapel and secular choirs.

Clement shared the Liberal political views of his brothers. There are records of his wife working on the Ladies’ committee to support the Liberal candidate at election times. Clement was a regular worshipper at the Congregational Church and participated in many of its events and activities.

Ralph died in 1910. The 1911 census shows Clement (59, a basket and picture frame maker), Kathleen (38), Marjorie (7) and Olive (4), plus a lodger living at 30 Tower Road, Dartford.

Clement with his wife and daughters c 1910

Clement died on May 24th 1919 aged 66. He is buried in East Hill Cemetery. Burial records say that he died at 30 Tower Road (his home address) and give his occupation as picture frame maker and artist. The burial service was conducted by a minister of the Congregational Church.

His gravestone is inscribed:

In / loving memory / of / WILLIAM YOUENS / died June 14, 1870 / Also of RALPH YOUENS / eldest son of above / born May 7, 1841 died Nov 30 1910 / “A life that all the muses decked / with gifts of grace that might express / all comprehensive tenderness / all subtilising intellect.” / Also CLEMENT THOMAS YOUENS / born Oct 31st 1852, died May 24th 1919 / Also KATHLEEN ANNIE / wife of the above / CLEMENT THOMAS YOUENS / born May 13th 1872, died Nov 23rd 1933.

Clement’s gravestone in East Hill Cemetery, Dartford.

The quotation is from Tennyson’s poem In Memoriam. The adjacent grave is that of Clement’s mother (Caroline) and his brothers Albert and Urban. Nearby is the grave of his brother Ernest. Cemetery records show that William Youens (Clement’s father) is actually buried in another grave (which is unmarked) in the cemetery. 

Probate records show that Clement left an estate valued at £352 (equivalent to about £60,000 now). Kathleen (his widow) was the executor of his will.

The 1921 census shows Kathleen Annie Youens, aged 49, still living at 30 Tower Road, Dartford, with her daughters Marjorie (17) and Olive (15) as well as her mother Emma Redsell (74).

Kathleen died on 23 November 1933 aged 61 in Dartford. She was cremated in Lambeth.

Clement’s daughters later moved to a house that Marjorie designed at 29 Devonshire Avenue, Dartford. Marjorie died in 1956 aged 52, Olive in 1993 aged 87. Neither married or had children.

Richard Sanham (1815-95): Dartford Builder, Property Owner and Local Politician

Richard Sanham was born in Dartford in 1815. He was the fifth of eleven children (two boys and nine girls) born to James and Martha Sanham. James Sanham was a builder who died in December 1831, aged 49. He was buried¹ in what was then Dartford’s burial ground and is now called St Edmund’s Pleasance.

The 1838 Tithe List shows James Sanham (Richard’s elder brother) as the owner of “2 Houses, 11 Cottages, Carpenters Shop, Yards, and Buildings formerly Bucks Malthouse”. These were properties in St James Place, which contained a row of ten houses on the north side of Spital Street, at right angles to it, starting next to the Royal Oak Inn. Only the house adjacent to the Royal Oak survives – with a sign that says “St James Place” on its side. The rest of the houses no longer exist and new houses have been built where they were.

 

1911 map showing the location of St James Place

 The 1841 census shows Martha Sanham, a widow aged 50, living in Spital Street, Dartford with her children James (30, a builder), Richard (25, a builder), Catherine (20), Rosetta (15) and Eliza (10). Ages in this census were rounded down to the nearest 5 years, so the figures quoted are not accurate.

 A poster² shows Richard Sanham, Spital Street as one of six Constables for the Parish of Dartford, sworn in 13^th April 1850. In addition, there are four paid Constables listed, so presumably Richard was unpaid. This was before the establishment of the Kent County Constabulary in 1857.

Notice announcing Constable appointments in 1850

In 1851, the family consisted of Martha (60), James (40), Richard (36) and Rosetta (22) at 10 St James Place, Spital Street. Martha’s occupation is given as “proprietor of houses.” James and Richard are described as builders employing 10 men. There are properties listed with the address “Sanham’s Yard” immediately after 10 St James Place in the 1851 census. This is where the Sanham building business operated from.

Richard’s brother James died in 1855 aged 44, leaving Richard as the only surviving male in the family. His sister Jane, who had married William Macrorie, died in 1859 aged 40.

In 1861, Martha (76, a house proprietor) was living in Spital Street with Richard (46, a builder employing 9 men), Rosetta (30) and Eliza (28) Sanham. The house number is not given, but it was listed next to 10 St James Place. By 1871 Martha (88, income from rent), Richard (55, a builder employing 6 men), Rosetta (38) and Eliza (36) were living at 55 Spital Street. This is quite a large, three storied building on the corner of the entrance to St James Place. It was used as offices by Bailey & Goff, Solicitors between 1935 and 2005. It has recently been refurbished and is still used as offices.

The access road to St James Place with the Royal Oak Inn on the left and 55 Spital Street on the right (2021)

Martha died in 1878 aged 96 and was buried in East Hill Cemetery. In the 1881 census, Richard Sanham (65, a timber and slate merchant) was living at 55 Spital Street with his unmarried sisters Rosetta (51) and Eliza (49). I believe that Rosetta was actually 57 and Eliza was 55.

Rosetta Sanham died in 1891. Richard died (unmarried) in 1895 aged 79 in Dartford. Both were buried in the family tomb in East Hill Cemetery. It is the largest tomb in the cemetery and is on the right as you head north along the main path from the cemetery gate. It is engraved as follows:

West side

Sacred / to the memory of / JANE / the beloved wife of / WILLIAM M[ACRORIE] Esq / of London and daughter of the / late Mr SANHAM of this parish / died September 12^th 1859 / aged 40 years / four illegible lines / ELIZABETH / daughter of the late / Mr JAMES SANHAM / who died May 28^th 1877 / aged 54 years / Jesus said weep not / MARTHA MARY SANHAM / wife of Mr JAMES SANHAM / of this parish / who died March 2^nd 1878, aged 96 years / “The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken / away; blessed be the name of the Lord”

North side

In / affectionate remembrance / of / MARTHA ROSE SANHAM / wife of JAMES MANDY / of Woolwich / who died May 22^nd 1880 / in the 31^st year of her age / “Thy will be done” / Also / LEONARD / infant son of JAMES and MARTHA R.S. MANDY / died the 15^th of July 1880, / aged 4 months / interred at Assington, Suffolk. / “Of such is the kingdom of God”

South side

In affectionate remembrance / of / ROSETTA SANHAM / daughter of the late / JAMES SANHAM / who died April 6^th 1891 / in her 60^th year / For ….. ….. his beloved / …. ….. …… / In affectionate remembrance / of / RICHARD SANHAM / younger son of the late / JAMES SANHAM / who died Dec 17^th 1895 / aged 79 years / At rest with his creator / The memory of the just / is blessed.

East side

In / affectionate remembrance / of / ELIZA SANHAM, / youngest daughter of the late / JAMES SANHAM / who died Feb 20^th 1902 / aged 76 years. / “Though lost to sight to memory dear.” 

The Sanham family tomb in East Hill Cemetery (2011)

The Dartford Express, reporting Richard’s death said

“He was a good example of the vigorous and industrious tradesman. Originally a carpenter and undertaker, he paid strict and undivided attention to his business and rose steadily and of latter years was known as a successful builder.”

“It was but a year or so ago since he retired from his business, having amassed by then what, for men of his class of life, would be termed a considerable personalty (ie personal estate). He is said to have been of a generous nature, doing good by stealth to such an extent that numbers will miss him severely this Christmas.”

“Up to a year ago he had been a member of the old Local Board (the town council of Dartford) for between 30 and 40 years, and if not one of the most useful members, he was certainly one of the most conspicuous, and his name figured frequently with Mr J Cann in the discussions of that body.”

 (I believe that undertaker here means someone who undertakes work, not organises funerals.)

 The West Kent Advertiser gave a somewhat less barbed description of his activities on the Local Board

“He was too, a most popular member, always securing an easy return and not infrequently heading the poll. He was certainly not an ardent progressivist and not altogether disciplined to be captious (fond of raising objections), but he was undoubtedly a valuable member of the Board, took an active interest in parish matters, and his opinions carried much weight, being based on practical experience. He was a thoroughly independent and outspoken representative, on which account he attained great popularity in the constituency, especially amongst the working classes, being considered the champion of their interests.”

“Brusque in his manner and secluded in his habits, Mr Sanham’s kindly nature was not generally understood.”

 Probate on Richard’s estate of £12,486 (equivalent to about £5.6M now³) was granted to Eliza Sanham, spinster and John Northall, gentleman. His will, made in 1892, left £100 to John Northall for proving the will, £125 to his nephew James Lawday and £100 to niece Caroline Lawday, both children of his late sister Mary Ann (b 1807). James Sanham Wilson, a son of his late sister Ann (b1814), got £500. Alfred Whatson, a son of his late sister Elizabeth (b1821), received £100. Richards’s friend Joseph Thomas Millbourn (paper mill manager at Hawley, Kent) was left £100. His personal possessions and the income from his residuary estate went to his only surviving sister Eliza. On her death or marriage (she died in 1902), James Lawday received £2,500 plus 1 to 10 St James Place, 53 & 55 Spital Street, 1 to 3 East Hill as well as a shop and 8 cottages in Union Terrace, Crayford. Caroline Lawday got £2,500 plus 48 to 51 Fulwich Rd, 63 & 65 Lowfield St, 120 Dartford Road and 70 to 72 East Hill. James Wilson was left 126 Hythe St and nine cottages in Gas Lane, Dartford. Joseph Millbourn got 161, 165 and 175 Lowfield St. Richard was the owner of a substantial amount of property!

 Eliza Sanham left £500 in her will⁴ to Holy Trinity Church, Dartford for a memorial to her brothers. It is on the south wall of the nave

Sanham memorial in Holy Trinity Church, Dartford.

Probate records state that Richard Sanham’s will was revoked in 1909, but give no reason.

Philip Taylor © 2021 Email : PhilT42LQS@Yahoo.co.uk

References

1. Gravestone inscriptions for Dartford burial ground are recorded in The History and Antiquities of Dartford by Alfred Dunkin, 1844.

2. Crime and Poverty in Dartford by Peter W Boreham, Alison Arthur and Geoff H Porteus, 1995, page 13.

3. Calculated with respect to average earnings using the website “Measuring Worth” www.measuringworth.com/ukcompare/

4. Death duty record at National Archives, Kew - folio 721 in IR 26/8400.