The Hawkins family were prominent figures in education in Winchcombe
for a significant period during the 19th Century. This page is a
compilation of transcriptions illustrating their contribution, contributed
in 2005 by the late Janey Hawkins, and now (2018) reproduced on
‘Wishful Thinking’ by kind permission of her family.
An account of the family taken from hand-written papers inherited from Reginald Thomas
Hawkins and from the Family Bible in April 2004 by Janey Hawkins, wife of John
Gilmour Hawkins, son of Walter Robert Hawkins (b.1890 - see below).
HAWKINS & ?
Mr and Mrs HAWKINS of Cirencester had five children, who were:
1. Henry, married ?; 2. Thomas; 3. Robert, married Hester FRY;
4. Ann; 5. Hester married [?] COOMBE.
HAWKINS & FRY
Robert was born 3rd March 1804 and died 30th September 1877.
He married Hester FRY on 30th April 1827. They lived in
Cirencester and their children were:
1. Thomas, married Sarah Elizabeth COOPER; 2. Harriet, married A FERGUSON;
3. Hester; 4. Robert; 5. Mary [Elizabeth], married J COATES.
HAWKINS & COOPER
Thomas was born at Bisley co. Gloucester on 5th January 1835 and died 10th July 1893.
Occupation: teacher - he left a diary described as 'fairly complete record
from pupil teacher till retirement'. He was master of Gretton School from
1875 until 1885, when the family appears to have moved to Malvern Wells and
later to Bath.
He married Sarah Elizabeth
youngest child of William COOPER of Bath 26th December 1857 at Walcot
Church. She was born in the parish of St Mary Bathwick in Bath 27th December 1822.
Sarah Elizabeth was the first trained teacher to qualify with a School
Mistresses Certificate from the Teacher Training College (called Home &
Colonial College in Gray's Inn Road, London). We have the certificate,
which is from the Committee of the Privy Council on Education, dated
December 1854.
It appears that she has either written a history of her
teaching post on the back of the certificate, until 1875, or these are comments
made by the Inspectors. We have some beautiful
examples of needlework she did whilst working for this certificate.
From August 1884 she received a pension from the Education Department,
Whitehall, of £20 per annum.
Their children were:
Amy Ann, born 10th February 1860, at Bradford on Avon. She was baptized
on Sunday 11th March in the same year.
Bessie, born 21st December 1861 at Bradford on Avon. She was baptized on
19th January 1862. She became a teacher, songwriter and poet, with
some published work, many examples of which we have. She was for many years
Headmistress of Walcot Senior Girls' School, Glos.
Hester Mary, born 6th May 1863 at Bradford on Avon. She was baptized on
Sunday 7th June 1863.
Robert William, born 27th December 1864 at Bradford on Avon and baptized in
the Parish Church shortly after date of birth.
Occupation: Musician, stated as contra bass player, but also wrote the
music for his sister Bessie's songs. He was organist (and Choirmaster?) of
Winchcombe Church for a time, but seems to have moved to London soon after
his marriage to Lavinia, daughter of
Elisha GREENHALF of "Winchcomb in the County of Glo'ster on the 1st day of
September 1887". They had two children: Reginald Thomas born 13th May 1888,
and Walter Robert born 15th June 1890.
Mary Elizabeth Hawkins[1] (sister of Thomas) became
Mistress of Gretton School, Winchcombe. Her parents, Robert and Hester, came to keep
house for her at Stanley Pontlarge.
Since they left here in 1874, it would seem that Mary kept this post until then.
According to Thomas's diary, she married James Coates in May 1883 (but the same diary
refers to 'my sister M E Coates' in 1856)
1875 - 1885
Thomas Hawkins was Master of Gretton School. In 1875, Thomas's daughters
became Pupil Teachers, Amy at Gretton School and Bessie at
Dents School. In 1877, Thomas's third daughter, Hester, became Pupil Teacher at
Winchcombe Board Infants' School. In 1884, Sarah Elizabeth Hawkins,
Thomas' wife, retired from Winchcombe Board School, with a pension of
£20 per annum.
1885 - 1887
Lavinia Greenhalf was Mistress of Gretton School, until her marriage to
Robert William Hawkins, son of Thomas.
The Archivist at Sudeley castle, Winchcombe has a reference to a Miss Hawkins in the diaries of
Emma Dent (Mistress of Sudeley Castle). This was probably Mary Elizabeth, sister of Thomas.
Thomas Hawkins Diary 1847-1888'Fairly Complete record by Thomas Hawkins 1847-1888
from pupil Teacher days to giving up school'
1847
December 31st On this day apprenticed to the work of pupil teacher at the
Central Infants' School, Cheltenham. Incumbent the Rev F Close; Master
& Mistress Mr Geo Rogers & Mrs Rogers
1852
December. I sat for a Government Queen's Scholarship.
1853
22nd January. Received a letter from the Rev W Gover, principal of the
Worcester Diocesan Training College informing me of my success as a
Queen's Scholar. At the close of the month I entered the College at Saltley
for a course of two years training. At the end of the first year's residence
my Scholarship was renewed.
1854
Xmas. Immediately upon passing the Government examination I left the
College
1855
January 23rd. Left my home to begin School life as a National School
Master. My first school was that at Epsom.
1856
January 14th. Purchased a Twenty Point Harmonium. Lent work to my
sister M E Coates.
1857
December 26th. At Xmas I left my school having obtained another School
in Bath. My marriage day Walcot Church by the Rev Barlow
1858
March 25th. Became Master of the Keysham Parochial School. Xmas
holidays were spent partly in Cheltenham and partly in Worcestershire at
Hagley Stourbridge.
1859
June 25th. Left Keysham and came to Bradford on Avon - a broiling hot
summer's day
1860
February 10th. Birth of my eldest daughter Amy Ann
June 6th. Death of my only and elder brother Robert who after a lingering
and painful consumption departed this life at the age of 30 years & 3
months. His end was peace.
1861
January 1st. Having spent my Christmas holidays with my parents they
came to Bradford to live with my wife and family.
Dec 21st. Birth of my second daughter Bessie. At the end of the month two
of my pupil teachers gained Queen's Scholarships. The most persevering
obtained a first class position - M A Mager. The other M M Packer a
second -
1862
August 18th. Went with sisters Hester and Mary to London to visit the
International Exhibition. At the close of the month Thomas Smith one of
my scholars was accidentally drowned (Canal)
1863
May 6th. Birth of my third daughter Hester Mary.
June. The first day of school re-assembling after the holidays of Trinity
Week a little boy about 10 years old (Thomas Harrington) during the dinner
hour after having been present at school in the morning was accidentally
drowned in the Avon.
November 25th. Today my school was for the first time examined under the
Revised Code by the Rev W Tatt(?) HMI.
December. The three following teachers having completed their term of
apprenticeship presented themselves as candidates for the Xmas
Examination for Queen's Scholarships. Hy Moore- Class 1. Chas
Rickards - Class 1. Jane Miller - failed. My sister Mary Elizabeth sat for
the same examination same time and obtained a 1st class
1864
August. Bessie,, her mother and myself visited Brother T at Ilminster.
December 9th. Annual examination of the school by the Rev J W Nutt.
December 27th. Birth of my son Robert whose body and soul I pray God to
preserve unto everlasting life.
1865
January 5th. My 30th birthday. During the month I assisted Master W
Yerbur in his home studies.
In the summer holidays of this year my sister Mary visited us.
October. Instructed Master C Popham for a short period in the absence of
C Bryant.
November 25th. Harmonium returned by Mr C Bryant.
December 14th. The Annual Inspection of the Bradford Trinity Church
Schools by the Rev J W Nutt. Entry on Certificates "The school is making
fair progress".
December 21st. Mary James came to live with us on Bessie's 4th birthday.
We broke up school for the Xmas holidays. Renewed correspondence with
our old friend Mr W Brown.
Xmas. H Moore, formerly pupil teacher in my school left St Marks,
Chelsea to take the Mastership of a mixed school in Wales, nr.
Shrewsbury. My younger sister, formerly pupil teacher of Winchcombe
School left St Mary's Hall, Cheltenham to take the school at Gretton nr.
Winchcombe. My father and Mother who have now lived with us since
Xmas 1859 left us to keep house for their daughter at Gretton.
December 26th. Anniversary of our wedding day.
December 29th. Niece Caroline visited us on return from her wedding tour
to Clifton.
1866
January. Heard again from Mr Wm Brown of Epsom and also from Mr
John Turner.
January 21st. The Rev B Leighton preached from Ps II. 12v. "Kiss the son
lest he be angry and so ye perish from"
February 10th. Dear Amy's (my elder daughter's) Birthday. The rec? a
very nice little book from Elizabeth Whitehorn, a Hymn Book from Miss A
Jones and a kind letter from her Grandfather.
February 13th. Attended in the Morning and Evening Divine Service on the
occasion of the re-opening of the Parish Church of Bradford on Avon after
the restoration of it. Between the two services I attended a public luncheon
at the Town Hall at which the Bishop of Salisbury presided. Collection on
the occasion of reopening amounted to 68£.17s.11d.
February 16th. Brother J Cooper of Ilminster paid us a short visit on his way
homewards through Bath.
Lent my harmonium for the use of the Church to the Vicar.
March 10th. Walked into Bath withdrew the Interest of my Account for the
year ended Nov 20 1865 at the Bath Savings Bank.
March 24th. Received towards Balance of Quarter's Salary from the Rev W
H Jones the sum of £10.10s.0d, leaving a balance due of £6.0s.7d.
December 22nd. Withdrew from the Account in Bath Savings Bank the sum
of 10£. Visited my father and Mother at Stanley near Winchcombe - also
my relations at Cheltenham.
1867
January. I undertook the Office of Voluntary Collector of Donations and
Subscriptions to the schools.
January 4th. I went to Bristol to make enquiries concerning the Mastership
of St Nicholas' Schools.
1868
March 25th. Went to reside at Barton Orchard.
November. Resumed the teaching of a class in the Sunday School.
December. H E Whitehorn Pupil Teacher gained a First class Scholarship
of admission to the Salisbury Diocesan Training Institution. The school
Grant for 1868 £60-6-4d was higher in amount than for any previous year
since the introduction of the Revised Code 1863.
December 3rd. Aunt Betty Cooper of Stourbridge died at the age of 85
leaving to my wife Sarah the sum of Thirty Pounds*
(* Received an additional sum of £12-14-8d August 17th 1870)
1869
I purchased land at Belcombe measuring 1 rood 13 perches for the sum of
Fifty Pounds paid to Mr Isaac Jones Quarry Master of Bradford on Avon.
1870
September 29th. Gave up possession of house in Barton Orchard to Mr
Ralph.
June 14th. My last visit to Elizabeth Whitehorn prayed with her.
June 16th. She died today at the age of 19years.
June 22nd. By request attended her funeral.
1871
January. The Scholars of Day and Sunday schools had tea at the
Schoolroom and the following scholars reward books. (N.B. list of names
follows this).
February 24th. The Government Grant for year 1870 £67-0-8d arrived.
1872
January. The Rev T G B Poole having been curate here for the past four
years left at the beginning of the month.
In the February of this year my Mother visited us to keep dear Amy's (my
eldest daughter) 12th birthday.
1873
Went to London in September of this year. I visited at the Rev Cazon
Fovers (?) and went to Epsom (Dulwich)
November 1st. Advanced to my Brother-in-law Mr Thos Cooper of
Ilminster, Somerset, the sum of One Hundred Pounds at 5 per cent. Int. for
which I received his I.O.U. which document can be found in the front
portion of this pocket book (N.B. not there now 2004)
1874
June 17th. Received the sum of Ten Pounds. Legacy from the Executor of
the Rev G E Melhuish per Rev B J Leighton.
1875
March 6th. Deposited at North Wilts Bank at Bradford Fifty Pounds.
June 24th. A few days previous to leaving Bradford the above amount of
Fifty Pounds with the interest due thereon was withdrawn. Spent in the
first Quarter at Winchcombe.
I was appointed to the Mastership of the Gretton School and came into
residence at Winchcombe the 25th of June 1875.
Amy was articled as Pupil Teacher in Gretton School on July 17th 1875
Bessie the same year was articled to the Managers of Dents School.
1876
Sept 29th Took the house in Gretton Road from Duckworths.
1877
March. Hester Mary articled as Pupil Teacher in the Winchcombe Board
Infants School.
April 1st. Robert Hawkins (son Robert William?) became Junior Clerk at
the Poslip Paper Works.
April 3rd. Kept Father and Mother's Golden Wedding day.
September 30th. Death of my dear Father aged 73 years and 6 months.
(Sunday event)"From death to life"
October 14th. Attended Morning Service for the first time after the funeral
of my dear Father with my dear Mother and dear Amy my eldest daughter.
Subject of discourse "Confession of Sins" the Rev R N Jackson preached.
December 25th. Morning School at Gretton Robert played harmonium. No.
present 8. Wife and eldest daughter left home on the 24th to spend the Xmas
holidays with her brother & his children in Bath. The first Xmas since my
marriage that we have separately spent it. The rest of the family spent the
afternoon and evening at my Mother's & Mary G H's Beech House.
December 27th. Robert;'s birthday - kept up on the 28th with the Webbs.
1878
August. Visited Bath and Ilminster (see diary for 1876)
Gretton School Mar 8 1878. The Rev H M Capel inspected the School and
found 53 children present. He gave a very favourable report "There is
much that is pleasing in this School - fitness for training apprentices good"
and two Honor certificates were gained this year.
Mar 24th. Heavy snow fall - number present at School 23. William
Gardner & Minnie called.
April 7th. Visited Tewkesbury Abbey with friend L Hawkins of Alderton.
June 10th. Wife and youngest daughter visited Brother T Cooper Ilminster.
My Mother with the remainder of my family dined with us at Elm Cottage,
Gretton Road, Winchcomb while Hester Mary was on a visit to Miss Emma
Richardson at Staunton.
1879
Jan 27th. Amy became a student at St Mary's Hall, Cheltenham
Mar 30th. 5th Sunday in Lent. My Dear Mother Hester Hawkins formerly of
Tetbury Gloucestershire, at early Sabbath dawn peacefully went to rest in
Jesus. See note of Sept 30th (the same day was the Sabbath). The same day
of the week at evening the Master called My Dear Father. Both lie in same
Grave - in "God's Acre", Winchcomb,Glo'stersh.
Robert Hawkins of Cirencester
Born Mar 3rd 1804
Died Sept 30th 1877
Aged 73 yrs 6 months
Hester Hawkins of Tetbury
Born August 16th 1803
Died March 30th 1879
Aged 75 yrs 7 months
Sept 16th Wm came to see us from Harley St, Bath. We went to
Cheltenham, called for Amy at the Training College spent the rest of the
day at 64 St Paul's St North.
October 11th. Went into Cheltenham and purchased for Hester Mary who
was ill at Lane's Upholsterer, Pittville St 1-2.7 or £2 - 7 -5d. While in
Cheltenham saw Mr S Selig who gave me an invitation to call upon him at
Granley Villas, No 4, St Marks, Glo'ster Rd.
1880
April 9th. Went to Swindon to vote for Estcourt and Long (North Wilts)
Whitsuntide Cheltenham Reunion. Miss Noble came from Froome and
called at Winchcomb to see us staying a few days.
August 17th. Winchcomb and Gretton Schools had their Annual Treat at
Toddington - the seat of Lord Sudeley.
August 26th. Raikes Memorial Sunday School Centenary. I visited in the
Harvest V(?)action Cirencester, Tarlton, Bisley, Bristol, Pensford, Stanton
Drew and Chew Magna. Mr Turner very kindly received me - tried when
at Bristol in vain to find our friend Lewis Hawkins.
1881
Jan 7th. Edward Cooper "called home". Amy in the latter part of same
month went as Assistant Teacher to Everton under Miss Kiwack
Sept 19th. Robert received appointment as Organist at the Parish Church
Winchcomb. In this year Robert took lessons on the organ from Matthews.
Bessie and myself paid a visit to Amy at Liverpool.
Wife to Bath: £2-0-0
Ditto 1-0-0
October 26th. Went to Saltby reunion and to Oldbury 10/6d
December 27th. W Spencer brought his two brothers-in-law to Winchcomb
- previous to leaving for America.
December 31st. I visited Bath - stayed in Pierrepont St.
1882
Jan 5th. Visited Bradford, Trowbridge and Cirencester - returned on 6th inst.
Met J Coates at Swindon on his way to Cheltenham - left him at Kemble.
Nov 21st. Bessie had the intelligence that she had gained a Scholarship
admitting her to the Cheltenham Training College St Mary's Hall.
Amy left St George's Everton being appointed under the Liverpool Sch
Board to the charge of Assistant Mistress at Roscommon Girls' School.
1883
April. Amy appointed Governess at the Training College at Ripon. Hetty
went up to Liverpool to help Amy remove.
May 22nd. Withdrawn Bath SB £20-0-0
May 28th. Robert W Hawkins entered the Royal College of Music as a
Private Student. His Aunt, Mary Elizabeth Hawkins, in the same month
entered into a marriage with Mr James Coates of Bloxham, nr Banbury,
Oxon
Dec 21. Bessie 2nd daughter under medical treatment - 22nd year of her
age.
1884
Mar 24th. Gretton School. Mr Balmer being ill the School was inspected by
Mr Brodie of the Worcester district. Mr Waite examined on the 26th inst.
August. Visit to Cirencester.
December 21st. Bessie has been appointed Mistress of the school at
Winterbourne St Martin, Dorset.
Nov. Withdrawn from Bath Savings Bank £31-5-3
Mar 15th. Ditto £5-0-0
Sept 17th. Tricycle £2-12-6
1885
The Winchcomb School Board having decided to reduce the Teacher's
salary at Gretton 15p.c., I decided not to accept the reduced salary and
claiming 3 months notice at the fixed salary hereto. Gave up the charge of
Gretton School June 19th 1885.
I was appointed to the New National Schools at Malvern Wells in May
1887
1st September. Robert William was this day married in Winchcomb Parish
Church to Lavinia the youngest daughter of Elisha Greenhalf. May the
union prove a happy one in every way. Prov.X.22v "A helpmeet for him.
He shall rule over thee".
Dec 25th. Bessie gave up her duties at Winterbourne nr. Dorchester and
entered upon her duties at Blackwell nr Bromsgrove Jan 7 1888.
Note by Janey Hawkins. A letter from Eliza Warrington, dated January 31st,
1887, commiserates with Thomas on his arbitrary dismissal from the Malvern
Wells National School. This tenure had been short but not sweet and
therefore he ceased teaching at the age of 53. His wife, Sarah Elizabeth,
had received a pension of £20 per annum, in 1874 (see above) when she gave
up charge of Winchcomb Board School.
He died 5 years later on 10 July 1893.
Copy of handwritten letter from Robert Hawkins to his granddaughter, Bessie.
Bessie was 9 years old at this time.
Stanley pontlarge January 19 1872
Dear Granddaughter Bessie
'Tis now a fortnight since the date of your nice long letter so I will try
to answer it as well as my memory will serve me for the letter is sent on to
your Cheltenham Aunts. We are quite sorry to hear of your Mama being so
poorly. We hope that she will soon regain her usual state of health and in
the meantime we trust that you and your dear sisters will do all you can to
lighten the load which wearisomeness and pain lays on such a good parent,
and your dear father who has all his time so filled with work. You can help
him by your cheerful obedience to his wishes which will make you so much the
happier not only now but when you are grown up and become a parent yourself.
'Tis a remarkable occurrence of the number (?) which you have given me I
cannot add to the list. My brother Thomas is the nearest he was the seven
sevens on his birthday last year. Your Grandmothers fowls is reduced to four
hens and one cock. There has been no eggs forthcoming the last 3 or 4 days
but the laying was tolerably well for several weeks - I will tell you how
the feathers may be made useful; you must cut off the quill part of all
except the smallest of the feathers - and strip off the feathery part from
the largest feathers because the quill and what the quill grows from is too
hard for use - when you have done this put all the soft parts into a paper
bag and the bag into the oven; when dried they will be fit for use. Of
course the oven must not be too hot. It would be best to put the bag in at
night and take it out next morning. In this way your Grandmother has made 2
or 3 nice pillows. We hope that Master Bobby's two front teeth are growing
well so that he can do well in the choir both at the singing and the eating.
I like the incident of the Watch Story. It shows his kindliness of heart
and it will teach him the value of things. Please tell I send him my
kindest love and your dear sister Amy too who I have no doubt is doing all
she can to help her dear Mama. And then there is sprightly Hetty give them
both my very kind love and the same to you too dear. You and me will agree
not to let disappointments trouble us much or think of long for they will
come whether we like it or not and often they are for our good. You may be
sure when an opportunity offers someone of us will come to see you all. In
the meantime all of you are in our thoughts and our Heavenly Father is
blessing us so we will all try to be thankful and happy.
Your aff'te Grandfather Robert Hawkins
[10 Jul 1885]
Copy of letter from Sudeley castle to Mrs Hawkins.
Letter written by Emma Dent, Mistress of Sudeley Castle, in 1885. Her
husband, John Coucher Dent, died on March 25th 1885.
Mrs Hawkins is Sarah Elizabeth Hawkins, wife of Thomas Hawkins.
Dear Mrs Hawkins
Accept my sincere thanks for your most kind, though too flattering
letter - I regretted very much not seeing you again before you left
Winchcombe but I look forward to calling upon you in Malvern the
first time I am able to go - I was there for 3 nights only just as you
left Winchcombe in fact you must have arrived at your new home the
Thursday I left.
I felt so very low before going to Malvern I did not feel equal to
asking you to come to see me - though often thought, with many
regrets, that you and Mr Hawkins would so soon be leaving
Winchcombe - it must always be a pleasure and satisfaction to you
both to know what a good name you leave behind you and how much
your good influence and bright example will be missed -
Hoping soon to see you (I will send a line beforehand to make sure of
finding you in)
Mr R W Hawkins acted as organist of the above parish church for many months
prior to his leaving for London, and gave us every satisfaction
R Noble Jackson
Vicar
[24 Mar 1885]
Winchcomb united district school board
Winchcomb, Gloucestershire
March 24 1885
To the Bishops Cleeve School Board
Gentlemen
Mr Thomas Hawkins has held the appointment of Master of the Board School at
Gretton from the formation of the Board in 1875 up to the present time.
During that period the efficiency of the school has been maintained at a
high standard and his conduct has given general satisfaction.
He is a painstaking and conscientious Teacher - a good disciplinarian - and
I regret that he is leaving our school
(signed) John C Dent
Chairman of the Winchcomb School Board
Note by Janey Hawkins John Coulter Dent was the owner of Sudeley
Castle and his wife Emma its
Mistress in the 19th century. John Coulter Dent died on 25 March 1885 - the
day after signing this letter.
Transcript of poem by Robert HAWKINS, husband of Hester FRY, both of whom
are buried in Winchcombe Churchyard (q.v).
"An old man's farewell to Stanley pontlarge-
Dedicated to his dear Granddaughter Bessie"
Alas! Nevermore on thy meads must I wander
Thou dear little village how lovely thou art!
Alas! Nevermore mid thy sweet scenery ponder
On themes which brought and peace to my heart.
Ah! stern fate is forcing me from thee - yet never
Shall fate thy sweet scenes from fond memory sever,
Her love will unfold a bright vision whenever
Dull care spreads its dusky wing over my path
Yes whether in hamlet or populous city
To Stanley pontlarge I shall mentally stray
Again in the woodland sing some simple ditty,
Again to the little old church wend my way,
Again take my place with the small congregation,
Again hear the Pastor proclaiming salvation,
Again gladly answer such kind salutation
Again feel the peace which this world cannot give.
Once more for the mount where the bold huntsman sounded
His bugle so welcome to Hunter and Hound,
Till Reynard o'ertaken and mortally wounded
Knows not of his Brush being borne from the ground,
How grand! how sublime! how expansive, how cheering,
What beautiful objects on all sides appearing,
How hills beyond hills are their bold heads uprearing,
And woodlands and meadows adorning the land.
O give me my staff, hang my scrip by my shoulder,
There's many a pilgrim on life's thorny way
Upheld by the Arm of the One great Upholder
My trust shall be in Him for now and for aye,
As long as the taper of life keepeth burning
So long will my thought be to Stanley returning,
So long will my bosom with true love be burning
For all the dear friends I am leaving behind
Robert Hawkins May 1874
with son Thomas as a young man. The original is collodion on glass. Click to see larger version
Robert William attended the Royal College of Music as private student between April 1883
and 1885, studying the Organ under Walter PARRATT (organist of St George's Chapel,
Windsor), the Double Bass under Adolphus WHITE and the Pianoforte under Frederick CLIFFE,
but did not complete the 3-year course for an ARCM qualification. This may have been because
in April 1885 his father refused to accept the Gretton School Board's decision to decrease the
Master's salary by 15%, and resigned, so possibly could no longer afford Robert's feest at the RCM.
(see above, Thomas's Diary, 1885)
Robert wrote the music for his sister Bessie's songs and was organist (and choirmaster?) of
Winchcombe Church for a time, but his principal career was in London. An 1899 entry in the
Members List of the Royal Society of Musicians lists him as 'double bass and pianoforte… St
Paul's Cathedral Services, Westminster Orchestral Concerts, Royal College of Music Concerts
& bi-weekly rehearsals… Dalys Theatre and other concerts'.
Robert stopped playing when he was 65 yrs old, because of loss of hearing and bad legs
(phlebitis and varicose ulcers)
with son Thomas as a young man. The original is collodion on glass.
in later life.