The WHITEHAVEN VOLUNTEERS of 1859
The following review of the original members of the Whitehaven Volunteers was written during the first fifteen years of the 20th. century. It includes a pen picture of 103 members out of a total of 148 men on the roll.
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1. The late Mr. R. Kitchin had in his possession the roll of the Whitehaven Volunteers who joined the company on its formation in December 1859. It may be interesting to a good many to see those names, with such identification as is possible after that long lapse of years, and with some reminiscences of them and of their period.
2. Captain and later Major Joseph Fletcher who was involved with mining operations in the Frizington district was an exceedingly liberal and generous commander.
3. Lieut. David Hill Thomas was cashier at the Whitehaven Joint Stock Bank, now Parrs Bank. He was a prominent member of the High Street Presbyterian Church when that church was still in the palmy days. The Rev.James Drummond was then its Minister, the one proceeding the late Rev.J. Anderson; while at the "Low Meeting" as the Presbyterian Church in the Market Place used to called by the "High Meetingers", the Minister was the Rev.Joseph Burns, famous in his day in various respects, among others, as a visiting pastor and as a public controversialist. We must not diverge too much from the volunteers, or so much might be recalled of those public controversies, a characteristic of those times happily a thing of the forgotten past.
4. Ensign William Jackson, a brother of the late Mr.John Jackson and Uncle of Mr.J.A. Jackson of Sella Park. The Jacksons had their timber yard in Irish Street, where the Council School now is; and they had also a considerable area of ground adjoining, now part of the Agricultural Field , where the present Mr.John Williamson's father also had a saw mill and a boat building yard. It must have been this same Mr. Jackson who afterwards became Captain of the Greens, a second Whitehaven Volunteer Company that was got up after the Greys. These names refer to the colour of the uniform the two Companies wore. The first Company wore a light grey, the second Company a dark green. The latter was got up by Mr.Joseph Spencer. Mr John Spencer the father of this Joseph, and also of Mr. Henry Spencer, who was one of the members of the Whitehaven Town and Harbour Trust, used to live in one of the characteristic Whitehaven better class houses of that period. Of these the Whitehaven Y.M.C.A. premises standing back from the street frontage, with a tessellated cobble pavement, and an ornamental iron railing in front, is one of the few specimens remaining. There used to be many of that type in Whitehaven, and it was one of these, on the site of which the Oddfellows Hall was built, that the Spencers lived. Mr.John Spencer, the father, was one of the Society of Friends.
The Quakers, as these used to be called by those not of the Society, were then fairly numerous in Whitehaven and the locality - much more so than they have ever been since; and what they lacked in numbers they had in point of social standing and influence.
Besides the Spencers, the Millars ( the predecessors of the Walkers at the Tanyard ), and the Nicholsons were familiar names in that connection. Mr.Jos. Nicholson of Messrs. Nicholson & Franks being one of the last amongst the well known townsmen. Mr. Joseph Spencer himself used to live at Prospect, Distington, and he formed the "Greens"; but as we have said, the expense of maintaining a Volunteer Company in those days was very great, and the "Greens" had only a brief existence. Mr. Spencer found this too much for him, and he was succeeded by Mr. Jackson, who as already said, was probably Mr. William Jackson, from the first Company. Mr.Jackson was a very popular officer and when he was leaving the district there was a dinner at the Indian King Hotel. the Indian King at that time was kept by Mr.Jones, a coloured man, who used to give to the youngsters of that period the conviction that he himself was the "Indian King". At that dinner an address was presented to Mr.Jackson by the men of the "Greens".
5. Mr.Peter Byrne, a market place linen trader, who was Colour-Sergeant, read it; but it said that Mr.Devlin of Roper Street, another linen draper, who was a friend of Mr.Byrne's, had drawn it up for him.
6. Jimmy Reed, as he was familiarly called, was Quarter Master Sergeant of the "Greens". He was a grocer in the Market Place; and a laughable story used to be told of Jimmy:
Up at the rifle range they were doing Company shooting. Jimmy took an inordinate time aiming, and more than once brought down his rifle from his shoulder to take a rest. At length when everybody's patience was about exhausted, he brought down hi rifle again to enquire from the Sargeant-Instructor, "Which target have I to shoot at Sergeant?"
As we have said, the "Greens" did not long survive, for want of a Captain who could afford to maintain them. They give in their clothing, and it was stored at the Barracks. Some years afterwards it occurred to someone at the War Office or elsewhere to enquire about the clothing; but when it was examined it was falling to pieces, moth-eaten and utterly useless. This is the way business is apt to be done when it is "nationalised."
7. James Braithwaite, after many years service became Captain. He enroled as a sergeant. He was an Ironmonger, in premises now occupied by the Co-operative Societies butching department in the Market Place. He was an uncle of Mr.Joseph Braithwaite. of Corkickle, and died at Hensingham in 1906. He was one of the most popular officers of the Company, and was as popular before he got his commission as afterward. He was a steady shot.
8. Mr.Edward Fearon was a spirit merchant with the late Mr.John Gunson. He was at one time a good shot. He had a sanguine tempermant which on one occasion nearly led to a Court case. It was on the occasion of a famous election contest for the Town & Harbour trust, when the late Mr.John Musgrave was opposed by the late Mr. Samuel Sherwen. The latter by the assistance of a formidable Tory campaign was returned at the head of the poll, and was called upon to speak to the crowd from a window of the Black Lion. It was notorious that Mr.Sherwen was no speaker. He protested that he did not know what to say. But they put him forward, and Mr.William Wilkin Lumb acted as a prompter, and sentence by sentence, punctuated by the exhilarating cheers of the crowd, was dictated by Mr.Lumb and faithfully repeated by Mr. Sherwen. "And now you can come in," said Mr Lumb at last. Next morning the "Whitehaven herald" appeared with a report of the speech, with all the promptings included! The tories were furious. The reporter was inside the room, as it where a guest of the party, and to do a trick like that! Perhaps it was rather unfair. Mr.Edward Fearon evidently thought so, for it was alleged that he had afterwards assaulted the delinquent reporter. Fearon was a sergeant.
9. Robert Forster, a Chemist and Druggist, brother of the late Mr.John Forster, cornfactor in Lowther Street for many years, and uncle of Mr.Frank Forster, photographer. He was also a sergeant.
10. Robert Graham, a leading man at the Railway station. The booking and other offices of the company were at what is now the Grand Hotel. Graham was one of many victims of an epidemic of typhus fever in Whitehaven in the sixties. He was buried in Moresby Churchyard, where a handsome sculptured monument was erected to his memory. His funeral was a memorable occasion, for it was a military funeral. The Volunteers, headed by their band, attended and the country was heavily coated with snow. There was thousands of people who followed them out to Moresby, and after the Volunteers had fired their farewell shots over the grave of their comrade, and the band as usual had struck up a lively air to dispel lugubrious feelings on the return march, the crowd took to snowballing, and many good people were shocked at what they regarded as not only ill-timed levity, but as Sabbath desecration. Grahams monument is still a conspicuous object in Moresby Church. He was a sergeant.
11. Edward Lyon was in the Custom House and married Miss Fisher, daughter of a bacon curer in Preston Street. He afterwards retired to Beckermet.
12. John Linton was the first secretary of the Cleator and Egremont Railway Company, a son of Mr.Linton of Monkwray.
13. Mr.R Walker was with Messrs.Fisher & Steward, spirit merchants, King Street. His widow was married to the late Mr.Darcy Benson, and still survives.
14. John Barr, for many years a grocer in Lowther Street, is but recently dead. He became sergeant, and was always a popular member of the Company.
These last four were corporals.
15. Moses Mawson was cashier to the Parkeside Mining Company.
William Horton was a gunsmith in Roper Street, and an active member of the Company. He was a good shot.
16. John Milligan was at the Bank of Whitehaven and became cashier and was also secretary of the Whitehaven Savings Bank. He left Whitehaven many years ago.
17. James Martin, carver and gilder, renowned for "tiger", as he used to call his favourite drink. He left a bequest to the Whitehaven & West Cumberland Infirmary.
18. R.T.Choyce, coal agent for the Furness Railway Company, who used to be at the Bransty offices aforementioned, now the Grand Hotel.
19. George Gray was connected with the Low road Brickworks carried on by the father of the late Mr.J.G. Dees.
20. J.C.Longmire would probably be a son of Mr.Longmire who was a Chemist & Druggist in King Street, and a member of the Town and Harbour Trust.
21. Mr.Walter Longmire was his brother.
22. Richard Conquest was a Hatter in Low King Street, and who lived at the top of Brackenthwaite, in the house there which faces High Street. He afterwards lived in one of the houses on the Hensingham Road.
23. Jackson Harkness was a Customs House official.
24. Tom Richardson was connected with the Low Road Brickworks.
25. R.W.Whitelock was a solicitor with Mr.Paitson, the father of the late Mr.John Lawerence Paitson, and was associated with Mr.W.Paitson both in law and in the brewing business which Mr.Paitson carried out in Irish Street, and which Messrs. Spencer & Co. now carry on. It is notable that the brewing business is much less conspicuous now than it used to be in those early days, when there were several small breweries which have since entirely disappeared. There was one, for instance, at the Golden Ball, and there was another in High Queen street, which was last carried on by the late Mr.Hamilton Dixon.
26. Christopher Wilson was a leading man with Mr.John Tyson, draper, King street, the originator of the late firm Messrs. John Tyson & Sons, of whom only the grandsons are now with us.
Alfred Hodgetts entered as a private, but was soon given a commission and was a very popular Officer. At one time he lived at Oakbank. Later he resided at Abbot's Court, St.Bees., where his name has been perpetuated by the Hodgett's Club house which he gave to the village. Mr.Hodgetts was at one time a good shot, and he was a generous supporter of the Volunteer movement.
27. George Ryrie, one of the most remarkable rifle shots ever in the Whitehaven Company. He had trophies innumerable, and took quite a scientific interest in rifle shooting. t one time he used to rent Scragill and other toll-bars; then he kept the Yathouse Hotel. He finished as Surveyor to the Whitehaven Highway Board. He was a very capable man. A Scotsman, like most men of his nationality, he dearly loved an argument. One year after they had finished celebrating the birthday of the poet Robert Burns, which they had been doing in public assembly at the Globe Hotel, the late Mr.John Musgrave and he went home together a good deal after "the wee short hours ayont the twal" It was in November, of course, and in the daylight was long in making its appearance; but the crack was so good between the two of them that first Mr.Musgrave would set Mr.Ryrie home up to Hensingham and then Mr.Ryrie would set Mr.Musgrave home to Lowther Street, and so they went on until they were surprised at length by the break of day! That was a famous Burns' anniversary. We are not quite sure if it was not at that very merry meeting that Mr.Musgrave was chairman that year; and never was Mr.Musgrave seen in better vein than upon that jovial occasion, for amongst other things to which he was partial, he dearly loved the poets.
28. Mr.W.B.Gibson, formerly for many years Postmaster at Whitehaven. What a transformation there is here! The post office at that time was an adjunct to a grocery business carried on by Mr.Gibsons father in Roper street in premises since pulled and occupied now by Mr.John Roan. In a little corner shop right opposite Coats Lane there was a slit in the wall, and mighty little counter accommodation inside the building. When the Oddfellows built their hall, the Post Office was moved to the premises now occupied by the Misses Atkinson, and still it was a very modest undertaking compared with the present Post Office. At the time when the Volunteers began, Mr.Gibson was living out at Lingydale, and a pretty place it was then.
29. James Knipe was a Post Office official for a good many years with Mr.Gibson.
Hamilton Dixon does not need any clues to identification. He was the well known "Hammie." He did not figure long or prominently among the Volunteers.
30. E.W. Hope was a nephew of Mr.W.B. Gibson and belonged to Carlisle.
31. William Thompson, better known as "Will" or "Bill" Thompson was at that time accountant with Mr.Smith of the Whitehaven Herald, which was in premises nearly opposite the present Post Office. Later he was on the reporting staff of "The News." Shortly after he joined the Volunteers he transferred his affections to the Artillery, and was associated with the Artillery for a good while.
32. William Casson, hairdresser, King Street. He was one of the injured in a collision near Penruddock, of a train conveying Whitehaven Volunteers to or from a review at Penrith, and received considerable compensation, as did Mr.B.F. Little, who was at that time in the Band, and who is still with us in Whitehaven.
33. C.B. Barber carried on a sort of confectioners shop on the West Strand, just round the corner from Strand Street. The youngsters used to go there for refreshments such as pies and pea soups. He was married into the Hinde and Conway families.
W.L. Huddert never drilled. He would be a son of William Huddert, the shipbuilder.
34. Robert Nicholson Kitchin, whose death we have just recorded, and whose original and earliest Quarter Masters roll we are now utilising.
35. Isaac Wilson was a railway official in the clerical department at Bransty, and a good shot. He married Miss Temple, a bonnie girl, and their daughter was married to Jack Stewart, who was on the Whitehaven Town Council and afterwards went out to Canada.
36. Tom Bowman, grocer, Market Place behind the Butter Market. Never did much Volunteering, but was notable as a member of the Town & Harbour Trust, in association with Mr.Jonathon Cant, in baiting Mr.John Musgrave, chairman in the days when "Castle" and "Towns" party contention were swinging in the direction of town and harbour separation.
37. John Sewell is still living in Whitehaven. He was cooper with various Whitehaven firms, and was Tyler for the Sun, Square and Compasses Lodge of Freemasons for many years. He has a pension from the Freemasons.
38. Alexander Hexham, probably one of the sailmaking family to which the late Mr.Martin Hexham belonged.
39. Tom Palmer, an anchor smith on the West Strand.
40. Henry J.H. Stanway, an engraver in New street.
41. Matthew Golightly would be a relative of the blind musician who for many years was organist at St.James' Church.
William Ray Martin Askew Wilson Bewley
George Little Nicholson Leech John Duke
Francis Jackson John Wise John Thompson
George B. Smith James Harrison Edward Wilson
William Graham William Foy James Heavyside
42. Charles Cochrane was connected with the Brickworks.
43. Joseph Lister, a ships carpenter, whose family resided in the house in Duke Street in which Mr.John Barr lived and died.
44. John Jenkinson, the auctioneer of Workington & Whitehaven, who was a son of the landlord of the Crown Inn, Lowther Street.
45. Robert Gillmour, probably the father of the present headmaster of St.James' School.
46. Wilson Hartley, the father of Miss Hartley confectioner, who for many years was with Alderman Davis and his father before him.
47. Tom McArd, joiner, elder brother of Mr.Andrew McArd, who left Whitehaven many years ago.
48. John Adair, probably the father of Mr.Adair, "The Book," King Street. Mr.Adair was a fine swimmer and one summers evening he set the town in a fine commotion and narrowly escaped with his life. He was swimming from Wellington beach with a strong sea running, and he had got out as far as the end of the West Pier and was returning, when he was observed to be in difficulties. When at length picked up by a boat, he had lost consciousness, and he was blue with cold. He was taken to Dick Gill's house on the West Pier, the Lighthouse keeper at that time, and it was three or four o'clock in the morning before he had been brought back to animation and was fit to be taken home in a cab.
49. John White had the Corkickle Gardens which the Corporation bought as a housing site. He was the father of Mr.White the captain of the Fire Brigade. Mr.White was one of the good shots of the Company.
50. Isaac Irwin, probably one of the Irwins of the Golden Lion.
John Jackson was connected with one of the Spirit Merchants; we believe it was Whiteside's in King Street.
51. J.P.Hedley, manager of a branch shop of Messrs Stead & Simpson in Roper Street where Mr.George Robertson is now. Hedley was an active member of the Company, and was a good marksman. It may be observed that Stead & Simpson were the first of the firms with numerous branches, of which there have been numerous examples since, who made their appearances in Whitehaven.
52. George Nutsford, landlord of the "Cat Inn", later. His people were originally cabinet makers, about the same time King, whose name figures below. Mrs.Nutsford, who at the time was Miss Waddington, of the Coach Road, was the belle of the ball in 1860, previously referred to.
53. Jackson Miers was a brother of Henry Miers, who was an accountant at the "News" office, and who was also enroled.
54. Robert King, son of a well known firm of cabinet makers who proceeded Mr.Jonathon Shepherd in the premises in Lowther Street, now a motor garage, and lived in the house now occupied by Mr.Adam Smith. Kings were known all over the country.
55. John Danson, a watch maker in high King Street, who was a keen amateur musician, and had a big pedal organ.
56. William Beck, blacksmith, who died in Catherine Street. He was not long a Volunteer.
57. William Lamonby, of Cockermouth, who at that time was connected with the "Whitehaven News", and afterwards went out to Australia and became a well known sporting editor.
58. John Leathes was with Messrs. Jefferson, spirit merchants.
59. Daniel Bird Robinson, a cousin of the late Major Robinson, and who died in the Penrith neighbourhood. He was a Robinson of Eskett, where the family had iron ore royalties.
60. Richard Boyd, in the roll he is entered as having "deserted". That was not an uncommon offence in the early days.
61. Ben Temple, a typographical printer, at one time foreman of the "Herald" and of the "Guardian" but afterwards with commercial printers in Whitehaven.
62. Henry Bragg was connected with the Cowman family, carters.
63. W.L. Jamieson, might be one of the Jamiesons, timber merchants, who had the yard in the Coach Road, afterwards held by Messrs McGowan, and at present in the occupation of Messrs.J.& W. Jackson.
64. James Hodgson, a tailor, who had the shop at the corner of Church Street and Roper Street, afterwards occupied by the Brownriggs and now part of Mr.J. Roans premises.
65. F.T. Cuthbertson, an ironmonger, and brother of Mrs.James Braithwaite.
66. John Roper died only a few years ago. He was with Messrs. Gunson & Fearon and afterwards ran a bottling trade. He was a notable Volunteer, and a good shot.
We are confining ourselves to the original roll of the company as we find it. Such was Harry Yowarts who used to be closely associated with Roper. The two of them, with Mr.Wilson Hastwell and other Whitehaven notables, were at the Paris Exhibition, and Harry used to tell some good storied of what happened there.
Here it may be convenient to add the names of some others who were outstanding, though they are NOT on the original roll.
There were John Mawson, John Casson, both grocers, Robert Jackson, Henry Jackson, still with us, and Dr.Clarke (Barwickstead), and, of course, there were others innumerable.
67. Henry Moore, a tinsmith, who succeeded Mr. Henry Sands in the shop at the corner of the Market Place and West Strand, when Mr.Sands moved from there up to High King Street.
68. Joseph Dickinson, a Joiner & Carpenter.
69. Adam Halcrow was for many years in the booking department at the Bransty Railway office before Mr.George Proctor came there.
70. Charles Atkinson, pork butcher, lately deceased.
William Toppin Robert Little James Rook
Ralph Selby John Sinclair Allan Russell
John Patterson David Johnston John Wood
Joseph Wood James Postlethwaite Henry Braithwaite
Joseph Braithwaite
71. William Fox was a builders joiner, and may be still alive.
72. Jackson Cornthwaite, of the Parton family of Ironfounders.
73. Ben Fidler, probably the father of Mr.B. Fidler, corn factor.
74. William Colvin would be a Parton man.
75. John McKay, bootmaker of Roper Street.
76. William Robert Dorrian, tinsmith of C.Gordon's of King Street. His parents used to be the caretakers of the Market Place Presbyterian Church, and he was the father of Mr.F. Dorrian, of Foxhouses Road, who is on war service.
77. Moses Crosthwaite was chief clerk at the Cleator & Egremont Railway Co.
78. William Marshall, cabinet maker.
79. John Davis, father of Alderman Davis.
80. Abram Lowrey, brother of the late Mr.John Lowrey, Boot & Shoe maker, King Street.
81. Joseph Frears, one of the most noted of the original Volunteers. He was in what is now the Castle Hotel, Corkickle, and he cultivated the garden that ran down what used to be the old rope walk, at the top of the Cricket Field. Frears was a capital shot and a hearty good fellow. For many years he was organist at St.Begh's church. his daughter became Mrs.J. Auld.
82. John Bewley had a spirit store in Lowther street, where the present Gas Co.'s office is. He was brother-in-law of the late Mr.Joseph & Mr.James Braithwaite.
83. John J. Peile, of the Coach road steam hammer forge, father of the late Mr.Peile, of the firm of Walker & Peile.
84. Alfred Robson was connected with the Cleator & Egremont Railway, and was a good cricketer.
85. Peter C.Tripney was with Messrs. Jefferson, spirit merchants, and lived out at Quality Corner - a fine physical specimen of a man.
86. John F. Pagen, an elder brother of the late Mr.William Pagen, of the well known firm of Pagen & Gill. We have an idea that he may be still living Birkenhead way.
87. John Wallas, carpenter, Queen Street, probably a relative of Mr.George Wallas, schoolmaster. We ought to note that the old ship carpenters have entirely disappeared. They were numerous in the days of wooden shipbuilding, and they were a frugal, industrious, and self- respecting body. On Sundays they turned out in dress coats and low waistcoats, perhaps of figured velvet, with high stand-up collars, and showing a big expanse of linen and gold studs. The town and the country is the poorer by the loss of such a class of men.
88. John A. Longmire. We think this must have been the father of Mr.Longmire, the grocer in Lowther street who went out to Canada.
89. Anthony Tyson was with Messrs. Jefferson, wine and Spirit merchants.
90. John Postlethwaite, at the time 'junior,' solicitor, of the firm that was joined by Mr.T. Brown, the Town Clerk.
John Kinrade, tailor, a man of many and varied parts and experiences.
91. William Paitson, solicitor and brewer, father of the late Mr.John Lawerence Paitson. Both father and son were in their day members of the Town and Harbour Trust.
92. Henry Wattleworth was a grocer with Mr.Peter Leech in later years. We believe he still survives.
93. Henry D. Casson son of Casson, the hairdresser, already noted.
94. Robinson Wattleworth, brother of Henry Wattleworth and George Wattleworth. He was a watchmaker, for a time in the shop now Wilson's music warehouse. They are all sons of a linen draper in Roper Street. Robinson left the district. Harry & George remained.
Joseph Wales son of Wales the tobacconist, in low King Street.
95. Edward Tyson, son of John Tyson, of the original firm of John Tyson & Sons, drapers of King Street.
96. Thomas Gaitskell, who was an assistant with the Tysons.
97. George Mills, died in the fever epidemic. His father was an ironmonger in King Street, and his brother John went to Millom.
98. George Robertson, iron monger, Roper Street, who is still with us. He is the only one of the old Volunteers left who joined the present Volunteer Training Corps.
99. Thomas Gordon, ironmonger, Duke Street, noted not only in connection with the Volunteers but in connection with the Scientific Association and otherwise.
100. James Hannah, Engineer ?
101. Edward Nicholson would be one of the Nicholsons of Cartgate. He was a carter.
102. William Royal, carpenter.
103. Tom Wilson, bookseller, father of Mr.William Wilson, of the late Mr.Alexander Wilson, who died in Whitehaven only a few years since.
John Thompson, John Robinson, Thomas Smith, H.B. Barker, Thomas Nelson, George T.Miller, John Atkinson, George Bone Smith, Henry Wilson, John Beaty, William Hodgson, Joseph Dickinson, James Langridge, Alexander Forsyth, Joseph Hurst, William Skelton, Joseph Holden
Neville Ramsden, February 1996