SHOWELL'S
Dictionary of Birmingham.
AB House, so called from the initials inscribed thereon to show
the division of the parishes of Aston and Birmingham near to Deritend
Bridge. Early in 1883 part of the foundations were uncovered, showing
that the old building was raised on wooden piles, when the
neighbourhood was little better than a swamp.
ABC Time Table was first issued in July, 1853. A rival, called
the "XYZ Time Table," on a system that was to make all the
puzzles of Bradshaw as plain as pikestaves, was brought out in August,
1877, but it required such extra wise heads to understand its
simplicity that before one could be found the whole thing was lost,
the old Alpha being preferred to the new Omega.
Accidents and Accidental Deaths are of constant occurrence.
Those here noted are but a few which, from their peculiar nature, have
been placed on record for reference.
A woman fell in Pudding Brook, June 3, 1794, and was drowned in the
puddle.
In 1789, a Mr. Wright, a patten-maker, of Digbeth, attempted to cross
the old bridge over the Rea, fell in and was "smothered in the
mud."
The Bridge in Wheeley's Road was burst up by flood waters,
November 26, 1853.
Five men were killed by the fall of a scaffold in New Street Station,
Oct. 11, 1862.
A lady was accidently shot in Cheapside, Nov. 5, 1866.
Pratt, a marker at Bournebrook Rifle Range, was shot April 12, 1873.
The body of a man named Thomas Bishop who had fallen in a midden in
Oxford Street, was found Oct. 3, 1873.
Charles Henry Porter, surgeon, Aug. 10, 1876, died from an overdose of
prussic acid taken as a remedy.
Richard Riley was killed by the bursting of a sodawater bottle, June
19, 1877.
Alfred Mills drowned in a vinegar vat at the Brewery in Glover Street,
March 7, 1878.
Two gentlemen (Messrs. W. Arnold and G. Barker), while on a visit of
inspection at Sandwell Park Colliery, Nov. 6, 1878, were killed by
falling from the cage. Two miners, father and son, were killed by a
fall of coal in the following week.
A water main, 30 inches diameter, burst in Wheeler Street, June 17,
1879.
On the night of Sep. 5, 1880, Mrs. Kingham, landlady of the "Hen
and Chickens," fell through a doorway on the third storey landing
into the yard, dying a few hours after. The doorway was originally
intended to lead to a gallery of the Aquarium then proposed to be
built at the back of the hotel.
January 12th, 1881.—A helper in the menagerie at Sanger's
Exhibition, then at Bingley Hall, was attacked and seriously injured
by a lion, whose den he was cleaning out. The animal was beaten off by
the keeper, the said keeper, Alicamoosa (?) himself being attacked and
injured a few days after by the same animal.
A child of 17 months fell on to a sewer grating in River Street, May
28th, 1881, and died from the effects of hot steam arising therefrom,
neighbouring manufacturers pouring their waste boiler water into the
sewers.
Accidental Deaths by Drowning.—Five persons were drowned
at Soho Pool, on Christmas Day, 1822, through the ice breaking under
them.
In 1872, John Jerromes lost his life while trying to save a boy who
had fallen into Fazeley Street Canal. £200 subscriptions were
raised for his wife and family.
A boat upset at the Reservoir, April 11, 1873, when one life was lost.
Boat upset at Kirby's Pools, whereby one Lawrence Joyce was
drowned, May 17, 1875. Two men were also drowned here July 23, 1876.
Three boys, and a young man named Hodgetts, who attempted to save
them, were drowned, Jan 16, 1876, at Green's Hole Pool, Garrison
Lane, through breaking of the ice.
Arthur, 3rd son of Sir C.B. Adderley, was drowned near Blair Athol,
July 1, 1877, aged 21.
Four boys were drowned at the Reservoir, July 26, 1877.
Two children were drowned in the Rea at Jakeman's Fields, May 30,
1878.
Rev. S. Fiddian, a Wesleyan Minister, of this town, aged nearly 80,
was drowned while bathing at Barmouth, Aug. 4, 1880.
A Mrs. Satchwell was drowned at Earlswood, Feb. 3, 1883, though a
carrier's cart falling over the embankment into the Reservoir in
the dusk of the evening. The horse shared the fate of the lady, but
the driver escaped.
Accidental Death from Electricity.—Jan. 20, 1880, a
musician, named Augustus Biedermann, took hold of two joints of the
wires supplying the electric lights of the Holte Theatre, and
receiving nearly the full force of the 40-horse power battery, was
killed on the spot.
Accidents from Fallen Buildings.—A house in Snow Hill
fell Sept. 1, 1801, when four persons were killed.
During the raising of the roof of Town Hall, John Heap was killed by
the fall of a principal (Jan. 26, 1833), and Win. Badger, injured same
time, died a few weeks after. Memorial stone in St. Philip's
Churchyard.
Welch's pieshop, Temple Street, fell in, March 5, 1874.
Two houses fell in Great Lister Street, Aug. 18, 1874, and one in
Lower Windsor Street, Jan. 13, 1875.
Three houses collapsed in New Summer Street, April 4, 1875, when one
person was killed, and nine others injured.
Four houses fell in Tanter Street, Jan. 1, 1877, when a boy was lamed.
Two men were killed, and several injured, by chimney blown down at
Deykin & Sons, Jennens Row, Jan. 30, 1877, and one man was killed
by wall blown down in Harborne Road, Feb. 20, same year.
Some children playing about a row of condemned cottages, Court 2, Gem
Street, Jan. 11, 1885, contrived to pull part on to their heads,
killing one, and injuring others.
Accidents from Fire.—February, 1875, was an unfortunate
month for the females, an old woman being burnt to death on the 5th, a
middle-aged one on the 7th, and a young one on the 12th.
Accidents through Lightning.—A boy was struck dead at
Bordesley Green, July 30, 1871. Two men, William Harvey and James
Steadman, were similarly killed at Chester Street Wharf, May 14, 1879.
Harvey was followed to the grave by a procession of white-smocked
navvies.
Accidents at Places of Amusement.—A sudden panic and
alarm of [**] caused several deaths and many injuries at the Spread
Eagle Concert Hall, Bull Ring, May 5, 1855.
The "Female Blondin" was killed by falling from the high
rope, at Aston Park, July 20, 1863.
A trapeze gymnast, "Fritz," was killed at Day's Concert
Hall, Nov. 12, 1870.
A boy was killed by falling from the Gallery at the Theatre Royal,
Feb. 16, 1873.
At Holder's Concert Hall, April 1, 1879, Alfred Bishop (12) had
his leg broken while doing the "Shooting Star" trick.
Accidents in the Streets.—On New Year's Day, 1745, a
man was killed by a wagon going over him, owing to the
"steepness" of Carr's Lane.
The Shrewsbury coach was upset at Hockley, May 24, 1780, when several
passengers were injured.
The Chester mail coach was upset, April 15, 1787, while rounding the
Welsh Cross, and several persons much injured.
Feb. 28, 1875, must be noted as the "slippery day," no less
than forty persons (twelve with broken limbs), being taken to the
Hospitals through falling in the icy streets.
Captain Thornton was killed by being thrown from his carriage, May 22,
1876.
The Coroner's van was upset in Livery Street, Jan. 24, 1881, and
several jurymen injured.
Accidents on the Rails.—An accident occurred to the
Birmingham express train at Shipton, on Christmas Eve, 1874, whereby
26 persons were killed, and 180 injured. In the excitement at Snow
Hill Station, a young woman was pushed under a train and lost both her
legs, though her life was saved, and she now has artificial lower
limbs.
Police-officer Kimberley was killed in the crush at Olton Station on
the Race Day, Feb. 11th, 1875.
While getting out of carriages, while the train was in motion, a man
was killed at New Street Station, May 15, 1875, and on the 18th,
another at Snow Hill, and though such accidents occur almost weekly,
on some line or other, people keep on doing it.
Three men were killed on the line near King's Norton, Sept. 28,
1876.
Mr. Pipkins, Stationmaster at Winson Green, was killed Jan. 2. 1877.
Inspector Bellamy, for 30 years at New Street Station, fell while
crossing a carriage, and was killed, April 15, 1879.
Acock's Green, a few years back only a little village, is
fast becoming a thriving suburban town. The old estate, of about 150
acres, was lotted out for building in 1839, the sale being then
conducted by Messrs. E. and C. Robbins, August 19. The Public Hall,
which cost about £3,000, was opened December 20, 1878; its
principal room being 74 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 30 feet high.
Adderley.—Sir Charles B. Adderley was gazetted a peer
April 16, 1878, his title being Baron Norton, of Norton-on-the-Moors,
Staffordshire.
Adderley Park was opened Aug. 30, 1856. Its area is 10a. Or.
22p., and the Corporation hold it as tenants under a 999 years'
lease, at 5s. rental. A Reading Room and Branch Library was opened on
Jan. 11, 1864.
Advertisements.—The duty on advertisements in newspapers
was abolished Aug. 4,1853. One of the most attractive styles of
advertising was that adopted by Messrs. Walter Showell and Son, August
30, 1881, when The Birmingham Daily Post gave up a whole page
for the firm's use. 10,000 copies were sent to their customers by
early post on day of publication.
Afghan War.—A stormy "town's meeting" on
this subject was held in the Town Hall, Dec. 3, 1878, memorable for
the interference of the police by order of the Mayor, and the
proceedings consequent thereon.
Agricultural Labourers.—Jos. Arch, their champion,
addressed a meeting in their behalf at Town Hall, Dec. 18, 1873, and
other meetings were held April 15 and July 3 following. A collection
made for some of the labourers on strike amounted to £137 9s.
2-1/2d.
Agricultural Shows.—The Warwickshire Agricultural Show
(with the Birmingham Horse Show, and the Rose Show) began at Aston,
June 17, 1873. The first exhibition here of the Royal Agricultural
Society took place July 19-24, 1876, in Aston Park, specially granted
by the Corporation.— See
Cattle Shows, &c.
Albion Metal, tin rolled on lead, much used for making
"lace," &c., for coffin decoration, was introduced in
1804, being the invention of Thomas Dobbs, a comic actor, then engaged
at the Theatre Royal. He was also the designer of a reaping machine,
and made one and showed it with real corn for his "Benefit"
on the stage of the Theatre Royal in 1815.
Alcester Turnpike road was first used in 1767.
Aldermen.—See
Corporation.
Ales and Alehouses were known in this country nearly 1,200
years ago, but the national beverage was not taxed until 1551, a few
years previous to which (1535) hops were first used in place of
wormwood, &c. In 1603 it was enacted that not more than 1d. (equal
to 9d. value now) should be charged per quart for the best ale or
beer, or for two quarts of the "smaller" sort. An additional
excise duty was imposed on ale and beer in 1643. See also
Breweries.
Almanacks.—The first English-printed Almanack was for the
year 1497, and the London Stationers' Company had the monopoly of
printing them for nearly 300 years. The first locally printed Almanack
was the "Diaria Britannica" (or "British Diary"),
by Messrs. Pearson and Rollason, issued in 1787 for 1788, at 9d. per
copy, in addition to the 1s. 6d. required for stamp duty. It was
barely half the size and not a tenth the value of the
"Diary" published by Messrs Walter Showell and Sons, and of
which 20,000 copies are given away annually. The stamp duty was
removed from Almanacks in 1834. "Showell's Almanack" in
past years was highly esteemed before we had been supplied with
"Moody's," the "Red Book," &c., and a copy
of it for the year 1839 is valuable as a curiosity, it being issued
with a partly printed page with blanks left for the insertion of the
names of the members of the Corporation, whose first election under
the charter of incorporation was about to take place. To prevent any
mistake, the "Esqrs." were carefully printed in where the
names of the new Aldermen were to go, the blanks for Councillors being
only honoured with a "Mr."
Almshouses for Lench's Trust were built in Steelhouse Lane
in 1764. In later years other sets of houses have been built in
Conybere Street, Hospital Street, Ravenhurst Street, and Ladywood
Road, the inmates, all women, numbering 182. Jas. Dowell's
Almshouses in Warner Street, consisting of 20 houses and a chapel,
known as the "Retreat," were built in 1820. Mrs.
Glover's Almshouses in Steelhouse Lane for 36 aged women, were
erected in 1832. James Lloyd's twenty-four Almshouses in Belgrave
Street were erected in 1869.
Aluminium.—This valuable material for the use of one of
our staple trades was first obtained by a German chemist in 1837, but
was not produced in sufficient quantity for manufacturing purposes
until 1854, at which time its market value was 60s. per oz. It
gradually cheapened, until it is now priced at 5s., and a company has
lately been formed for its more easy manufacture, who promise to
supply it at about as many pence.
Amphitheatres.—Astley's celebrated amphitheatre was
brought here in October, 1787. Mr. and Mrs. Astley themselves had
performed in Birmingham as early as 1772.—A local amphitheatre
was opened in Livery Street in 1787, on the present site of Messrs.
Billing's printing works. After the riots of 1791 it was used for
a time by the congregations of Old and New Meeting, while their own
chapels were being rebuilt. An attempt to bring it back to its old
uses failed, and "the properties" were sold Nov. 25, 1795.
Several sects occupied it in after years, the last being the
Latter-Day Saints. It was taken down in 1848.—Another
amphitheatre was opened at Bingley Hall, December 29, 1853, by the
plucky but unlucky John Tonks, a well-known caterer for the
public's amusement.
Amusement, Places of—Notes of the Theatres, Concert
Halls, Parks, &c., will be found under the several headings. Among
the most popular series of concerts of late years have been those of a
Saturday evening (at 3d. admission) in the Town Hall, which began on
Nov. 8, 1879, and are continued to present date.
Analyst.—Dr. Hill was appointed Borough Analyst in Feb.,
1861, his duties being to examine and test any sample of food or
drinks that may be brought or sent to him in order to prove their
purity or otherwise. The fees are limited to a scale approved by the
Town Council.
Ancient History of Birmingham can hardly be said to exist. Its
rise and progress is essentially modern, and the few notes that have
come to us respecting its early history will be found briefly
summarised at the commencement of this book.
Anti-Borough-Rate Meeting.—In 1874 the Town Council asked
for power to lay a Borough-rate exceeding 2s. in the £., but
after three days' polling (ending March 30) permission was refused
by a majority of 2,654 votes. The power was obtained afterwards.
Anti-Church-Rate Meetings were frequent enough at one period of
our history. The two most worthy of remembrance were those of Dec. 15,
1834, when the rate was refused by a majority of 4,966 votes, and
Oct., 1841, when the polling showed 626 for the rate and 7,281
against.
Anti-Corn-Law Meetings were also numerous. The one to recollect
is that held Feb. 18, 1842.
Anti-Papal Demonstration.—A town's meeting took place
in the Town Hall, Dec. 11, 1850, to protest against the assumption of
ecclesiastical titles by the Catholic hierarchy. About 8,000 persons
were present, and the "No Popery" element was strong, but
Joseph Sturge moved an amendment for freedom to all parties, which so
split the votes that the Mayor said the amendment was not carried and
the resolution was lost.
Anti-Slavery.—The first Anti-Slavery meeting held here
was that of Nov. 27, 1787. A local petition to Parliament against the
slave trade was presented to the House of Commons, Feb. 11, 1788. A
local society was formed here in 1826, Joseph Sturge being secretary,
and many meetings were held before the Day of Abolition was
celebrated. The most noteworthy of these was that at Dee's
Assembly Room, April 16, 1833, when G.F. Muntz and the Political Union
opposed the agitation; a great meeting, Oct. 14, 1835; another on Feb.
1, 1836, in which Daniel O'Connell and John Angell James took
part. This last was the first large town's meeting at which the
"total and immediate" abolition of slavery was demanded.
Joseph Sturge following it up by going to the West Indies and
reporting the hardships inflicted upon the blacks under the
"gradual" system then in operation. Aug. 7, 1838, the day
when slavery dropped its chains on English ground, was celebrated here
by a children's festival in the Town Hall, by laying the
foundation-stone of "The Negro Emancipation Schools," Legge
Street, and by a public meeting at night, at which Sir Eardley
Wilmott, D. O'Connell, Dr. Lushington, Edward Baines, &c.,
were present.
Anti-one-thing-or-t'other.—True to their motto,
Birmingham people are always ready to oppose the wrong and forward the
right, but what is right and what wrong is only to be ascertained by
public discussion, and a few dates of celebrated "talks" are
here given:—
In 1719 the apprenticing of Russian youths to local trades was
objected to.
In the Christmas week of 1754 public protest was made against the tax
on wheel carriages.
March 12, 1824, a deputation was sent to Parliament to protest against
our workmen being allowed to emigrate, for fear they should teach the
foreigners.
A proposed New Improvement Bill was vetoed by the burgesses, Dec. 18,
1855. We have improved a little since then!
An Anti-Confessional meeting was held Nov. 8, 1877.
An Anti-Contagious Diseases Act meeting, April 19, 1877.
An Anti-giving-up-Fugitive-Slave meeting, Jan. 1, 1876, when a certain
Admiralty Circular was condemned.
An Anti-Irish-Church-Establishment meeting was held June 14, 1869.
An Anti-moving-the-Cattle Market meeting Dec. 14, 1869, Smithfield
being preferred to Duddeston Hall.
An Anti-Railway-through-Sutton-Park meeting, April 15, 1872, but the
railway is there.
An Anti-Rotten-Ship-and-Sailor-drowning meeting, with Mr. Plimsoll to
the fore, May 14 1873. Another July 29, 1875.
An Anti-Ashantee War meeting Sept. 29, 1873.
An Anti-Turkish Atrocity meeting, Sept. 7, 1876; followed by one on
Oct. 2nd, properly settling the Eastern question.
An Anti-Six-Million-War-Vote meeting was held on Jan. 28, 1878, when
the Liberal majority was immense. A Tory opposition meeting, in
support of the vote, was held Feb. 12, when chairs and forms were
broken up to use as arguments, the result being a majority of 2 to 1
for both sides.
An Anti-War meeting, May 3, 1878.
Anti-Vivisection meetings. April 24, 1877, and May 6, 1878.
Apollo, Moseley Street.—Opened as a public resort in
1786, the Rea being then a clear running brook. The first tenant did
not prosper, for in the first week of March, 1787, the Gazette
contained an advertisement that the Apollo Hotel, "pleasantly
situate in a new street, called Moseley Street, in the hamlet of
Deritend, on the banks of the River Rea," with "a spacious
Bowling Green and Gardens," was to be let, with or without four
acres of good pasture land. When closed as a licensed house, it was at
first divided into two residences, but in 1816 the division walls,
&c., were removed, to fit it as a residence for Mr. Hamper, the
antiquary. That gentleman wrote that the prospect at the back was
delightful, and was bounded only by Bromsgrove Lickey. The building
was then called "Deritend House."
Aquariums.—The Aquarium at Aston Lower Grounds was opened
July 10, 1879. The principal room has a length of 312 feet, the
promenade being 24 feet wide by 20 feet high. The west side of this
spacious apartment is fitted with a number of large show tanks, where
many rare and choice specimens of marine animals and fishes may be
exhibited. On a smaller scale there is an Aquarium at the
"Crystal Palace" Garden, at Sutton Coldfield, and a
curiosity in the shape of an "Aquarium Bar" may be seen at
the establishment of Mr. Bailey, in Moor Street.
Arcades.—The Arcade between Monmouth Street and Temple
Row, was commenced April 26, 1875; first illuminated August 19, 1876,
and opened for public use on 28th of that month. It is built over that
portion of the G.W.R. line running from Monmouth Street to Temple Row,
the front facing the Great Western Hotel, occupying the site once
filled by the old Quaker's burial ground. It is the property of a
company, and cost nearly £100,000, the architect being Mr. W.H.
Ward. The shops number 38, and in addition there are 56 offices in the
galleries.—The Central Arcade in Corporation Street, near
to New Street, and leading into Cannon Street, is from the designs of
the same architect and was opened September 26, 1881. Underneath the
Arcade proper is the Central Restaurant, and one side of the
thoroughfare forms part of the shop of Messrs. Marris and
Norton.—The North-Western Arcade, which was opened April
5, 1884, is like a continuation of the first-named, being also built
over the G.W.R. tunnel, and runs from Temple Row to Corporation
Street. The architect is Mr. W. Jenkins, and the undertakers Messrs.
Wilkinson and Riddell, who occupy the principal frontage. Several of
the twenty-six shops into which the Arcade is divided have connection
with places of business in Bull Street.—The Imperial
Arcade, in Dale End, next to St. Peter's Church, is also a
private speculation (that of Mr. Thos. Hall), and was opened at
Christmas, 1883. It contains, in addition to the frontage, thirty-two
shops, with the same number of offices above, while the basement forms
a large room suitable for meetings, auctions, &c., it being 135ft.
long, 55ft. wide and nearly 15ft. high. Two of the principal features
of the Arcade are a magnificent stained window, looking towards St.
Peters, and a curious clock, said to be the second of its kind in
England, life-size figures of Guy, Earl of Warwick, and his Countess,
with their attendants, striking the hours and quarters on a set of
musical bells, the largest of which weighs about 5cwt.—Snow
Hill Arcade, opposite the railway station, and leading to Slaney
Street, is an improvement due to Mr. C. Ede, who has adopted the
designs of Mr. J.S. Davis.—The Hen and Chickens Arcade
has been designed by Mr. J.A. Cossins, for a company who purpose to
build it, and, at the same time, enlarge the well-known New Street
hotel of the same name. The portico and vestibule of the hotel will
form the entrance in New Street to the Arcade, which will contain
two-dozen good-sized shops, a large basement room for restaurant,
&c.; the out in Worcester Street being nearly facing the Market
Hall.
Area of Borough.—Birmingham covers an area of 8,400
acres, with an estimated population of 400,680 (end of 1881), thus
giving an average of 47.7 persons to an acre. As a means of
comparison, similar figures are given for a few other large
towns:—
|
|
Area in Acres
|
Population in 1881
|
Persons to acres
|
|
Bradford
|
7,200
|
203,544
|
28.2
|
|
Bristol
|
4,452
|
217,185
|
48.3
|
|
Leeds
|
21,572
|
326,158
|
15.1
|
|
Leicester
|
3,200
|
134,350
|
42.0
|
|
Liverpool
|
5,210
|
549,834
|
105.6
|
|
Manchester
|
4,293
|
364,445
|
84.9
|
|
Nottingham
|
9,960
|
177,964
|
77.9
|
|
Newcastle
|
5,372
|
151,822
|
28.3
|
|
Salford
|
5,170
|
194,077
|
37.5
|
|
Sheffield
|
19,651
|
312,943
|
15.9
|
|
Wolverhmptn
|
3,396
|
76,850
|
22.6
|
Arms of the Borough.—The Town Council, on the 6th day of
August, 1867, did resolve and declare that the Arms of the Borough
should be blazoned as follows: "1st and 4th azure, a bend
lozengy or; 2nd and 3rd, parti per pale or and
gules."—(See cover).
Art and Artists.—An "Academy of Arts" was
organised in 1814, and an exhibition of paintings took place in Union
Passage that year, but the experiment was not repeated. A School of
Design, or "Society of Arts," was started Feb. 7, 1821; Sir
Robert Lawley (the first Lord Wenlock) presenting a valuable
collection of casts from Grecian sculpture. The first exhibition was
held in 1826, at The Panorama, an erection then standing on the site
of the present building in New Street, the opening being inaugurated
by a conversazione on September 10. In 1858, the School of Design was
removed to the Midland Institute. The "Society of Artists"
may be said to have commenced in 1826, when several gentlemen withdrew
from the School of Design. Their number greatly increased by 1842,
when they took possession of the Athenæum, in which building
their exhibitions were annually held until 1858. In that year they
returned to New Street, acquiring the title of "Royal" in
1864. The Art Students' Literary Association was formed in
September, 1869.
Art Gallery and School of Art.—In connection with the
Central Free Library a small gallery of pictures, works of Art,
&c., loaned or presented to the town, was opened to the public
August 1, 1867, and from time to time was further enriched.
Fortunately they were all removed previous to the disastrous fire of
Jan. 11, 1879. A portion of the new Reference Library is at present
devoted to the same purpose, pending the completion of the handsome
edifice being erected by the Gas Committee at the back of the
Municipal Buildings, and of which it will form a part, extending from
Congreve Street along Edmund Street to Eden Place. The whole of the
upper portion of the building will be devoted to the purposes of a
Museum and Art Gallery, and already there has been gathered the
nucleus of what promises to be one of the finest collections in the
kingdom, more particularly in respect to works of Art relating more or
less to some of the principal manufactures of Birmingham. There are a
large number of valuable paintings, including many good specimens of
David Cox and other local artists; quite a gallery of portraits of
gentlemen connected with the town, and other worthies; a choice
collection of gems and precious stones of all kinds; a number of rare
specimens of Japanese and Chinese cloisonné enamels; nearly a
complete set of the celebrated Soho coins and medals, with many
additions of a general character; many cases of ancient Roman, Greek,
and Byzantine coins; more than an hundred almost priceless examples of
old Italian carvings, in marble and stone, with some dozens of ancient
articles of decorative furniture; reproductions of delicately-wrought
articles of Persian Art work, plate belonging to the old City
Companies, the Universities, and from Amsterdam and the Hague; a
collection of Wedgwood and other ceramic ware, the gift of Messrs. R.
and G. Tangye, with thousands of other rare, costly, and beautiful
things. In connection with the Art Gallery is the "Public Picture
Gallery Fund," the founder of which was the late Mr. Clarkson
Osler, who gave £3,000 towards it. From this fund, which at
present amounts to about £450 per year, choice pictures are
purchased as occasion offers, many others being presented by friends
to the town, notably the works of David Cox, which were given by the
late Mr. Joseph Nettlefold.—The School of Art, which is
being built in Edmund Street, close to the Art Gallery, is so
intimately connected therewith that it may well be noticed with it.
The ground, about 1,000 square yards, has been given by Mr. Cregoe
Colmore, the cost of election being paid out of £10,000 given by
Miss Ryland, and £10,000 contributed by Messrs. Tangye. The
latter firm have also given £5,000 towards the Art Gallery; Mr.
Joseph Chamberlain has contributed liberally in paintings and in cash;
other friends have subscribed about £8,000; Mr. Nettlefold's
gift was valued at £14,000, and altogether not less than
£40,000 has been presented to the town in connection with the
Art Gallery, in addition to the whole cost of the School of Art.
Art Union.—The first Ballot for pictures to be chosen
from the Annual Exhibition of Local Artists took place in 1835, the
Rev. Hugh Hutton having the honour of originating it. The tickets were
21s. each, subscribers receiving an engraving.
Ash, John, M.D.—Born in 1723, was an eminent physician
who practised in Birmingham for some years, but afterwards removed to
London. He devoted much attention to the analysis of mineral waters,
delivered the Harveian oration in 1790, and was president of a club
which numbered among its members some of the most learned and eminent
men of the time. Died in 1798.
Ashford, Mary.—Sensational trials for murder have of late
years been numerous enough, indeed, though few of them have had much
local interest, if we except that of the poisoner Palmer. The death of
the unfortunate Mary Ashford, however, with the peculiar circumstance
attending the trial of the supposed murderer, and the latter's
appeal to the right then existing under an old English law of a
criminal's claim to a "Trial of Battel," invested the
case with an interest which even at this date can hardly be said to
have ceased. Few people can be found to give credence to the
possibility of the innocence of Abraham Thornton, yet a careful
perusal of a history of the world-known but last "Wager of
Battel" case, as written by the late Mr. Toulmin Smith, must lead
to the belief that the poor fellow was as much sinned against as
sinning, local prejudices and indignant misrepresentations
notwithstanding. So far from the appeal to the "Wager of
Battel" being the desperate remedy of a convicted felon to escape
the doom justly imposed upon him for such heinous offence as the
murder of an innocent girl, it was simply the attempt of a clever
attorney to remove the stigma attached to an unfortunate and
much-maligned client. The dead body of Mary Ashford was found in a pit
of water in Sutton Coldfield, on the 27th of May, 1817, she having
been seen alive on the morning of the same day. Circumstances
instantly, and most naturally, fastened suspicion of foul play upon
Abraham Thornton. He was tried at Warwick, at the Autumn Assizes of
the same year, and acquitted. The trial was a very remarkable one.
Facts were proved with unusual clearness and precision, which put it
beyond the bounds of physical possibility that he could have murdered
Mary Ashford. Those facts hinged on the time shown by several
different clocks, compared with the standard time kept at Birmingham.
But the public feeling on the matter was intense. An engraving of the
scene of the alleged murder, with a stimulating letter-press
description, was published at the time, and the general sense
undoubtedly was, that the perpetrator of a very foul murder had
escaped his just doom. Hoping to do away with this impression, a
well-known local lawyer bethought himself of the long-forgotten
"Appeal of Murder," trusting that by a second acquittal
Thornton's innocence would be acknowledged by all. Though the
condition of all the parties was but humble, friends soon came forward
with funds and good advice, so that within the year and a day which
the law allowed, proceedings were taken in the name of William Ashford
(Mary's brother, who, as next heir, according to the old law, had
the sole power of pardon in such a case) for an "Appeal of
Murder" against Abraham Thornton. What followed is here given in
Mr. Toulmin Smith's own words:—"I have seen it stated,
hot indignation colouring imagination, that here was a weak stripling
nobly aroused to avenge the death of his sister, by tendering himself
to do battle against the tall strong man who was charged with her
murder. The facts, as they stand are truly striking enough; but this
melodramatic spectacle does not formally true part of them." A
writ of "Appeal of Murder" was soon issued. It bears the
date of 1st October, 1817. Under that writ Thornton was again arrested
by the Sheriff of Warwick. On the first day of Michaelmas Term, in the
same year, William Ashford appeared in the Court of King's Bench
at Westminster, as appellant, and Abraham Thornton, brought up
on writ of habeas corpus, appeared as appellee. The
charge of murder was formally made by the appellant; and time to plead
to this charge was granted to the appellee until Monday, 16th
November.—It must have been a strange and startling scene, on
the morning of that Monday, 16th November, 1817, when Abraham Thornton
stood at the bar of the Court of King's Bench in Westminster Hall;
a scene which that ancient Hall had not witnessed within the memory of
any living man, but which must have then roused the attention of even
its drowsiest haunter. "The appellee being brought into Court and
placed at the bar" (I am quoting the original dry technical
record of the transaction), "and the appellant being also in
court, the count [charge] was again read over to him, and he
[Thornton] was called upon to plead. He pleaded as
follows;—'Not Guilty; and I am ready to defend the same by
my body.' And thereupon, taking his glove off, he threw it on the
floor of the Court." That is to say, Ashford having
"appealed" Thornton of the murder, Thornton claimed the
right to maintain his own innocence by "Trial of Battel;"
and so his answer to the charge was a "Wager of Battel." And
now the din of fight seemed near, with the Court of King's Bench
at Westminster for the arena, and the grave Judges of that Court for
the umpires. But the case was destined to add but another illustration
to what Cicero tells us of how, oftentimes, arms yield to argument,
and the swordsman's looked-for laurel vanishes before the
pleader's tongue. William Ashford, of course, acting under the
advice of those who really promoted the appeal, declined to accept
Thornton's wager of battel. Instead of accepting it, his counsel
disputed the right of Thornton to wage his battel in this case;
alleging, in a very long plea, that there were presumptions of guilt
so strong as to deprive him of that right. Thornton answered this plea
by another, in which all the facts that had been proved on the trial
at Warwick were set forth at great length. And then the case was very
elaborately argued, for three days, by two eminent and able counsel,
one of whom will be well remembered by most readers as the late
Chief-Justice Tindal. Tindal was Thornton's counsel. Of course I
cannot go here into the argument. The result was, that, on 16th April,
1881, the full Court (Lord Ellenborough, and Justices Bayley, Abbott,
and Holroyd) declared themselves unanimously of opinion that
the appellee (Thornton) was entitled to, wage his battel, no
presumptions of guilt having been shown clear enough or strong enough
to deprive him of that right. Upon this, Ashford, not having accepted
the wager of battel, the "appeal" was stayed, and Thornton
was discharged. Thus no reversal took place of the previous acquittal
of Thornton by the Jury at Warwick Assizes. But that acquittal had
nothing whatever to do with any "trial by battel;" for I
have shown that the "wager of battel" arose out of a
proceeding later than and consequent upon that acquittal, and that
this "wager of battel" never reached the stage of a
"trial by battel."
What became of Thornton is unknown, but he is supposed to have died in
America, where he fled to escape the obloquoy showered upon him by an
unforgiving public. The adage that "murder will out" has
frequently proved correct, but in this case it has not, and the charge
against Thornton is reiterated in every account of this celebrated
trial that has been published, though his innocence cannot now be
doubted.
Ashted, now a populous part of the town, takes its name from
Dr. Ash, whose residence was transformed into Ashted Church, the
estate being laid out for building in 1788.
Assay Marks.—These consist of the initials of the maker,
the Queen's head for the duty (17/-on gold, 1/6 on silver, per
oz.), a letter (changed yearly) for date, an anchor for the Birmingham
office mark, and the standard or value mark, which is given in
figures, thus:—for gold of 22-carat fineness (in oz. of 24) a
crown and 22; 18-carat, a crown and 18; 15-carat, 15.625; 12-carat,
12.5; 9-carat, 9.375. The value mark for silver of 11 oz. 10 dwts. (in
lb. of 12 oz.) is the figure of Britannia; for 11 oz. 2 dwts. a lion
passant. The date letter is changed in July. At present it is k. The
lower standards of 15, 12, and 9-carat gold (which are not liable to
duty), were authorised by an Order in Council, of December 22, 1854,
since which date an immense increase has taken place in the quantity
assayed in Birmingham.
Assay Office.—There are seven Assay Offices in the
country, the Birmingham one being established by special Act in 1773,
for the convenience of silversmiths and plateworkers. A few hours per
week was sufficient for the business at that time, and it was
conducted at the King's Head in New Street; afterwards, in 1782,
in Bull Lane, in 1800 at a house in Little Colmore Street, and from
1816 at the old Baptist Chapel in Little Cannon Street. In 1824 the
Act 5, George IV., cap 52, incorporated the assay of gold, the
guardians being 36 in number, from whom are chosen the wardens. On
July 14, 1877, the foundation stone was laid of the New Assay Office
in Newhall Street, and it was opened for business June 24, 1878.
Assizes.—Birmingham was "proclaimed" an assize
town January 14, 1859, but the first assizes were held in July, 1884.
Aston.—Eight hundred years ago, Aston filled a small
space in the Domesday book of history, wherein it is stated that the
estate consisted of eight hides of land, and three miles of wood,
worth £5, with 44 residents (one being a priest), and 1,200
acres in cultivation. The present area of Aston Manor is 943 acres, on
which are built about 14,000 houses, having a population of some
60,000 persons, and a rateable value of £140,000. In the first
ten years of the existence of the Local Board (1869 to 1878)
£30,000 was spent on main drainage works, £10,000 in
public improvements, and £53,000 in street improvements. Aston
has now its Public Buildings, Free Library, &c., as well as an
energetic School Board, and, though unsuccessful in its attempt in
1876 to obtain a charter of incorporation, there can be little doubt
but that it will ultimately bloom forth in all the glories of a Mayor,
Aldermen, and Burgesses. Aston parish, which extends in several
directions into the borough of Birmingham, has an area of 13,786
acres.
Aston Almshouses were built in 1655, according to the
provisions made by Sir Thomas Holte previous to his decease.
Aston Church was probably built about the year 1170, the nave
and part of chancel being added in 1231, the east end and arch of
chancel in 1310, and the tower and spire in 1440. The old building,
which contained an interesting collection of monuments in memory of
the Holtes, the Ardens, the Erdingtons, and other county families, has
been lately enlarged by the extension of the nave and aisles eastward,
and widening the chancel so as to accommodate about 1,200 people,
instead of 500. The whole of the monuments have been replaced in their
relative positions.
Aston Cross Tavern was opened as a licensed house and tea
gardens in 1775, the first landlord, Mr. Barron, dying in 1792, his
widow keeping it till her death in 1817. Of late years it has been a
favourite resort of all classes of athletes, though from being so
closely built to it has lost much of the attraction which drew our
grandfathers to its shady arbours when on country pleasure bent. The
park wall extended to the corner of and along the side of Park Lane,
opposite the tavern.
Aston Hall and Park.—This building was commenced by Sir
Thomas Holte in April, 1618, and finished in April, 1635, Inigo Jones
being accredited with the design. King Charles I., in his days of
trouble, paid a short visit to the Hall, his host being punished
afterwards by some of Cromwell's soldiers and the malcontents of
Birmingham besieging the place in the week after Christmas, 1643. The
brick wall round the park, nearly three miles long, but of which there
are now few traces left, was put up by Sir Lister Holte about 1750,
and tradition says it was paid for by some Staffordshire coal-masters,
who, supposing that coal lay underneath, conditioned with Sir Lister
that no mines should be sunk within [word missing—presume
"its"] boundary. The Hall and Park were held by the various
generations of the family till the death of the late Dowager Lady
Holte. (For an accurate and interesting description of the edifice see
Davidson's "Holtes of Aston.") The Act authorising the
sale of the Aston estates received the royal sanction on July 10,
1817, and the sale of the furniture and effects in the Hall was
commenced by Messrs. J. and C. Robins on September 22. The sale lasted
nine days, there being 1,144 lots, which realised £2,150; the
farming stock, &c., being sold afterwards for £1,201. The
Hall and Park was put up on April 15, 1818, and was bought by Messrs.
Greenway, Greaves, and Whitehead, bankers, of Warwick, the estate of
1,530 acres being let off by them in suitable lots. The herd of deer,
reduced to 150 head, was sold December 21. The Hall was rented by Mr.
James Watt, son of the James Watt, and for many years it was
closed to the public. At his death, in 1848, the changes which had
been going on all round for years begin to make themselves seen in the
shape of huge gaps in the old wall, houses springing up fast here and
there, and a street being cut through the noble avenue of chestnut
trees in 1852. By degrees, the park was reduced to 370 acres, which,
with the Hall, were offered to the town in 1850 for the sum of
£130,000; but the Town Council declined the bargain, though less
than one-half of the Park (150 acres) was sold immediately after for
more than all the money. In 1857 a "People's Park"
Company was started to "Save Aston Hall" and the few acres
close round it, an agreement being entered into for £35,000.
Many of the 20s. shares were taken up, and Her Majesty the Queen
performed the opening ceremony June 15, 1858. The speculation proved a
failure, as out of about £18,000 raised one-half went in
repairs, alterations, losses, &c., and it would have been lost to
the town had not the Corporation bought it in February, 1864. They
gave £33,000 (£7,000 being private subscriptions), and it
was at last opened as a free park, September 22, 1864. The picture
gallery is 136ft. long, by 18ft. wide and 16ft. high. In this and
various other rooms, will be found a miscellaneous museum of
curiosities, more or less rare, including stuffed birds and animals,
ancient tapestry and furniture, &c.
Aston Lower Grounds, the most beautiful pleasure grounds in the
Midland counties, cover 31 acres, and were originally nothing more
than the kitchen and private gardens and the fish-ponds belonging to
Aston Hall, and were purchased at the sale in 1818 by the Warwick
bankers, who let them to Mr. H.G. Quilter, at the time an attempt was
made to purchase the Hall and Park "by the people." Adding
to its attractions year by year, Mr. Quilter remained on the ground
until 1878, when a limited liability company was formed to take to the
hotel and premises, building an aquarium 320 feet long by 54 feet
wide, an assembly-room, 220 feet long, by 91 feet wide, and otherwise
catering for the comfort of their visitors, 10,000 of whom can be now
entertained and amused under shelter, in case of wet weather. Mr.
Quilter's selling price was £45,000, taking £25,000 in
shares, and £20,000 cash by instalments. The speculation did not
appear to be very successful, and the property is now in private
hands. The visitors to the Lower Grounds since 1864 have averaged
280,000 per annum.
Asylum, in Summer Lane, was opened in July 1797, by the
Guardians of the Poor as an industrial residence and school for 250
children. It was dismantled and closed in 1846, though the
"Beehive" carved over the door was allowed to remain on the
ruins some years after.
Athenæum—For the "diffusion of Literature and
Science" was established in March, 1839, but has long been merged
in the Midland Institute. In the building called the
"Athenæum", top of Temple Street, some of the early
exhibitions of paintings were held.
Athenic Institute, founded in 1841, was an institute of a
somewhat similar character to the Athenæum, though including
athletics, and existed no longer.
Athletic Clubs.—The first festival of the Birmingham
Athletic Club was held in 1868. On the 1st of March, 1880, an
association was organised of many of the bicycle clubs, cricket clubs,
football clubs, and similar athletic bodies in the town and
neighbourhood, under the name of "The Midland Counties
Amateurs' Athletic Union."
Atlantic Cables.—It would have been strange if Birmingham
had not had a hand in the making of these. For the cable laid in 1865,
16,000 miles of copper wire, weighing 308 tons, were turned out by
Messrs. Bolton and Sons and Messrs. Wilkes and Sons. The cable itself
was 2,300 (nautical) miles in length.
