BERWICK NEWSPAPERS

02/03/2024 by Northumberland Archives

BERWICK JOURNAL, 28TH FEBRUARY 1924

LORD ARMSTRONG SELLS LIFE POLICIES

It is understood, says “London Express,” that the peer whose life policies, amounting to £320,000, were sold by auction on Thursday for £104,910, is Lord Armstrong, of Bamburgh and Cragside, North Northumberland. He is a great-nephew of famous founder of shipbuilding and armament firm of Armstrong, Whitworths, on Tyne, at Elswick, and he was at one time a director of the firm. Lord Armstrong resigned that position in Feb., 1908.

Lord Armstrong did not succeed his great uncle in the title, but he was heir. First Lord Armstrong left a fortune of the gross value of £1,399,946, and by his will he bequeathed all his real estate, household effects as heirlooms, and all live and dead stock to his great nephew (who was created Baron Armstrong in 1903), and his heirs entail. Residue of the estate, after payment of a number of bequests and annuities, was left in trust to his great nephew for life, with the remainder to his children. Present Lord Armstrong took active interest in a number of ventures that were unsuccessful. He also interested himself financially in a number of syndicates, including an early wireless telegraphy undertaking, a drug and drink cure enterprise, mining and oil scheme.

Permission to sell heirlooms was given by the Courts to Lord Armstrong in 1910. The pictures and drawings realised £29,032. Further interest in his financial affairs was aroused last year when he announced that he was closing Cragside, famous Northumberland estate of the family, and was going to live at “The Cottage,” formerly the residence of his estate agent in the grounds.

There was considerable speculation (says “Graphic”) as to ownership of insurance policies for sums amounting with bonuses to upwards of £320,000 “on the life of a nobleman born on May 3, 1863,” sold by auction by Messrs H.E. Foster and Cranfield, of Poultry, London, realising in all the sum of £104,910. It was stated this is the biggest block of policies on a single life that has ever been offered publicly in London.

“Who is the nobleman?” people were asking for, even in these days of heavy taxation, a transaction of this size was so unusual as to give rise to curiosity. The auctioneers had not disclosed his identity. “He is travelling abroad for his health,” was all the information they gave.

I am able to say the nobleman is Lord Armstrong, whose great uncle, first Lord Armstrong spent nearly a million on the restoration of historic Bamburgh Castle, rare pile formerly the home of Tom Forster and Dorothy Forster, of Jacobite fame, frowning from an eminence over North Sea. Cragside, too, is one of England’s show places. It is built on a site of surpassing loveliness and was regarded by the old shipbuilder as the masterpiece of his career. It was into this heritage that the 2^nd Lord Armstrong entered some 23 years ago.

For many years Lord Armstrong has been the patron of good causes in London and the North of England. His generosity was proverbial. He heaped splendid benefactions on Durham College of Science at Newcastle, which was then rebuilt and re-named Armstrong College, and he gave £100,000 to Newcastle Infirmary. He also gave generously to London hospitals. Appeals for help, and for personal assistance, were seldom made to him in vain.

His son and heir, imbued with the same philanthropic desires as his father, astonished his friends early in life by becoming violently Socialistic. The last time I heard from him he was Vancouver Correspondent of “Montreal Star,” and he told me he was working 10 hours a day.

It was in Feb., 1923, announcement was made that Lord Armstrong of Cragside, and Bamburgh, had gone to live in a “cottage” in consequence of burden of present day taxation.

I have been much surprised (wrote Lord Armstrong at the time) at the exceptional interest aroused by my closing the Mansion-house at Cragside, and retiring to the smaller house in the grounds which was for some years occupied by my late steward.

For many other landowners have been compelled from motives of enforced economy to adopt a similar course- where indeed they have not been forced to take the more drastic and tragic alternative of selling their ancestral acres, and thus in many cases severing lifelong associations with a district hallowed to them by friendships and mutual goodwill and by cordial relations with all classes of their neighbours.

The reason for the step that I have taken may shortly be stated to arise from the desire “to make ends meet,” a not unworthy ambition, though apparently one less esteemed by governments and public than it was in the old days before the war. Among the causes that have led to this decision I may enumerate the following: –

The very heavy income-tax which takes 9s 6d in the pound (last year it was 10s 6d) off my rent roll, though that remains the same as it was in pre-war days.
The tithe that I pay now amounts to about 1s in the pound, which is more than 100 per cent. Increase on the pre-war amount.
Estate wages, which before the war amounted to from 21s to 26s a week, with house and coal, now reach from 42s to 50s a week, with similar perquisites, in spite of which increase I believe that my estate staff is less well off now than formerly.
All rates have largely increased.
Increased management expenses.

These items, together with the great increase in the cost of the necessary upkeep of farms and cottages, absorb most of the income from my landed estates.

The, with reference to my personal estate, my income from industries, in which I am largely interested, has roughly decreased since the war by two-thirds, while interest on mortgages has increased by 1½ per cent., and in some cases 2 per cent. I am further mulcted by the injustice of having to pay super-tax on my insurance premiums.

I would further point out with all these reductions from my rent-roll that charges on the estate for pensions and allowances naturally remain the same. It is for these reasons that I have been compelled to forego the upkeep of a large domestic establishment such as a house the size of Cragside entails.

An aerial view of Cragside, near Rothbury, and its surrounding area. This picture was taken in 1910, From the high angle it shows the Coquet Valley, Coquetdale. This photograph is part of a larger collection taken by local commercial photographer John Worsnop. John Worsnop took over the Rothbury based family photographic business in 1874. NRO 01449/541

I am aware that a similar complaints have frequently been published before, though they seem to have fallen upon deaf ears if one can judge by the immense number of begging letters with which I have been inundated since I made this announcement.

These appeals come from all quarters of the British Isles and the Continent, and are of a varied description. Some ask for gifts and loans varying in amount from a few pounds to hundreds; others propose that I should join them in mercantile adventures; and I receive invitations to set up in life young couples anxious to enter the state of matrimony-all of which present a pitiful though curious phase in human psychology.

In conclusion, I should like to add that I can see but little hope for landowners and their dependants, or for the survival of those honourable traditions which have for so long been associated with land tenure in this country, unless in the near future we have a substantial reduction in the burden of taxation.

Failing this relief, estates will, of necessity, be constantly changing hands. Though many of the new owners will prove worthy successors to their predecessors, in the majority of cases the estates will fall into the hands of land speculators who will care nothing for the welfare of the people dwelling thereon, while their sole object will be personal gain, thus bringing blight and disaster on our countryside.

North Northumbrians will be interested to learn that a new but flourishing company has been founded in British Columbia by Capt. Hon. William Watson-Armstrong, son of Lord Armstrong, aim of which is importation of high grade British manufactured good, and also establishment of import and export business with Ceylon, India, and countries of the Orient. The concern, which is registered under name of Messrs William W. Armstrong and Co., 912, Birks Buildings, Vancouver, has agencies for several, British firms. For 2 years Capt. Armstrong was on staff of “Vancouver Sun.” With him in partnership is Mr A. O. Barratt, also a Northumbrian. Capt. Armstrong, who was born in Oct., 1892, is now 31, and was an Officer in 7^th N.F. He gained a First Class in Part II. of Historical Tripos at Cambridge. His University career was most successful. Previously he was placed in 1^st Division of 2^nd Class of Inter-Collegiate Examination in History, and in Part I. of Historical Tripos. He won Bowen Prize of his College for Modern History.

Ann Wilson – Widow, Pauper and Eloping Lover

08/05/201821/02/2018 by Northumberland Archives

The Poor and the Law

During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries local parishes were made responsible for the care of paupers within their jurisdiction. This care was given in the form of poor relief legislated by a series of ‘Poor Laws;’ the most notable being the 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act. The concept of poor relief was a controversial one, attracting numerous critics. One its major flaws related to the notion of ‘settlement.’ Parishes naturally resented paying for paupers whom had originated beyond their jurisdiction, and would often try to forcibly return them to their ‘home’ parishes. Yet the fluid nature of society, especially during the industrial revolution, made it increasingly hard to prove where a “pauper” should be placed. Thus solicitors, such as the Dickson, Archer and Thorp firm, were often called upon to resolve settlement disputes.

This exact issue arose in September 1853 when two Overseers of the Poor from the parish of Saint Nicholas, situated within Newcastle Upon Tyne, began legal proceedings to forcibly remove two “paupers” from their jurisdiction. These Overseers signed themselves in the removal order as Sir John Fife and William Armstrong. The order directed the “paupers” to be moved into the northern parish of Bamburgh. Although it is not clear from archival documents as to why Bamburgh was chosen it is perhaps telling that Bamburgh’s own Overseers of the Poor fiercely disputed the removal order and so employed the legal aid of Dickson, Archer and Thorp.

Widowed Paupers

The two “paupers” facing removal from the parish of Saint Nicholas in September 1853 were the widow Ann Wilson, aged just 25, and her daughter Elizabeth, aged about two years. Sending widows away from a parish of settlement, previously adopted by their deceased spouses, was a common occurrence in nineteenth century Northumberland. The process often caused heart-breaking social and economic turmoil, as vulnerable women were removed from established networks of friends and family and placed in often unfamiliar areas without obvious employment or emotional support.

*Order to remove Ann Wilson to Bamburgh 1853. REF: NRO 11343/B/DAT*

It is therefore unsurprising that the potential move was also sternly opposed by Ann herself. Ann had already faced the stigma of possibly welcoming a child out of wedlock, braved her employer’s wrath to elope with her lover and tragically endured early widowhood – clearly she was not a woman who would be moved easily. Thus, whilst her experience of parish poor relief could be deemed atypical of a nineteenth century Northumbrian widow, her situation was far more complex and it made fighting the order a matter of survival and reputation.

Young Lovers

Ann was the daughter of a sailor, named in legal documents as Henry Pryle Gibson. He was recorded in ejectment proceedings as living near Forth Banks, close to Newcastle’s Quayside, but in Ann’s personal testimony he seems to have had little to do with her life.

Instead Ann had spent the majority of her youth working as a domestic servant. In this occupation she had spent almost 3 years living in Newton on the Moor whilst working for the publican-come-blacksmith Mr Wall. In her testimony, given to prove she had been legally married to her deceased husband, she tenderly recalled how it was during her first few weeks in Newton on the Moor that she met the colliery engine-man James Wilson.

*Copy of James Wilson’s baptism certificate, produced as evidence of his existence. REF: NRO 11343/B/DAT*

The young couple began a three year courtship which reached a decisive point when Ann became pregnant in the beginning of 1851. To have maintained a child out of wedlock would have put great financial pressure and reputational shame upon Ann; probably forcing her to give up domestic employment and seek the support of parish organisations. Thus, probably to avoid moral judgement, the young couple decided to elope to the Scottish borders and resolve their situation legally.

The Legality of Love

Marriages conducted by eloping couples on the border were clandestine in the eyes of the Church, this made them notoriously hard to prove in retrospect. Ann’s account of her elopement is lengthy, witty and fast-paced. It was recorded verbatim by the solicitors and had been carefully crafted to prove the legality of her marriage and, in turn, the legitimacy of Elizabeth – two facts which the Newcastle Overseers had questioned. Being a legal widow, and having a legitimate child, would have put Ann in a much stronger position to fight the parish removal order and lift the reputational slur the men of Saint Nicholas’ parish had placed on her. Ann’s account was also verified by a number of witnesses including her mother-in-law (even though her testimony infers that she may not have wholly approved of her new daughter-in-law.)

*A letter containing extracts of Ann Wilson’s statement. REF: NRO 11343/B/DAT*

According to these accounts Ann and James eloped to the Scottish border on the 6^th June 1851, travelling via train from Newcastle to Berwick. Once at Tweedmouth Station they met with the man who was to marry them; Anderson Sommerville. Sommerville first took the lovers by horse drawn carriage to a public house in search of witnesses; here they met George Dobson and George Davison. The latter was a soldier tasked with recruiting in Berwick that day. The group then moved onto the Lamberton toll booth to conduct the ceremony.

The Lamberton toll house was a popular place for clandestine marriages. One of Lamberton’s previous toll keepers, John Foster, had even received lifetime banishment from Scotland for conducting clandestine marriages on his land in 1818. This punishment had little effect though, as Foster primarily lived in England and he would often ignore the notice anyway.

Within the toll house the Wilson’s were taken to a room with a table, bottle of whiskey and a prayer book. It was in this room where they exchanged their vows and signed the relevant documentation. After the brief ceremony all five drank a toast of whiskey to the marriage’s prosperity which was, unfortunately, to be short-lived.

Hanover Street and a New Start

Ann clearly thought she had embarked upon a whole new, exciting life following her elopement. When the couple returned to Northumberland it would appear James returned to Newton on the Moor, to tie up the loose ends left behind by their hasty departure, he then followed Ann down to Newcastle where she had found them a home in the city’s Hanover Street.

It was here that Ann gave birth to their daughter Elizabeth, on the 28^th September 1851. But sadly, around the same time, James died following a short illness.

James’ death left Ann with a young child to feed and care for. It was during this painful, and probably traumatic, experience she found herself seeking poor relief from parish officials. Evidence also suggests she was possibly forced out of her new home. These circumstances therefore assembled to bring her to the attention of senior parish officials, whom questioned her marriage and associated right to remain in the area, and set in motion the removal order.

A Legal Success

Proving Ann Wilson’s right to settle in Saint Nicholas’ parish was dependent upon her having been legally married to her husband, however this was difficult to evidence due to the secret nature of their union. Nonetheless, through tireless county and cross-border investigation, solicitors at the Dickson, Archer and Thorp practice were able to successfully evidence an appeal against the removal order on behalf of Bamburgh’s Overseers of the Poor and prove the authenticity of a small marriage certificate, given to Ann on her wedding day. Officials from the parish of Saint Nicholas eventually revoked their removal order and Ann and Elizabeth appear to have found somewhere within Newcastle to stay.

*Letter adjoining the Appeal notice accepted by all parties. REF: NRO 11343/B/DAT*

Ann had asserted her right to remain within the Newcastle Parish, but it is unlikely she would have had the tools to fight the removal order on her own had she not also had the support of Bamburgh’s parish officials. Hence this is a story of two parties working simultaneously with the solicitors – if only for their own gains.

A final triumph for the unyielding Ann, and an appropriate end to this blog, potentially occurred on the 7^th October 1854. When an Elizabeth Wilson, recorded as being the daughter of an ‘Ann Wilson” and born towards the end of 1851, was christened at Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Newcastle.

This Week in World War One, 26 November 1915

08/03/201827/11/2015 by Northumberland Archives

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 26 NOVEMBER 1915

SEAHOUSES

Coble in Peril

What might have proved a serious accident occurred to a coble named The Jeannies, owned by Mr George Fawcus, Seahouses, and others. While returning from the fishing ground under sail at about five miles per hour, the coble suddenly struck some submerged wreckage. The wreckage went through two planks, causing the coble to fill in about five minutes. The coble had about 50 stones of fish on board, and but for the fact that it was “air-boxed,” the occupants would probably have been drowned. The accident was witnessed by the coble Briton’s Pride, owned by William Rutter, who at once proceeded to give assistance. Fawcus’ crew of four were taken on board the Briton’s Pride, and they and the damaged coble were safely brought to North Sunderland Harbour. The two crews managed between them to save 20 stones of fish.

Entrance to North Sunderland Harbour, Seahouses. Phil Champion, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

“NORTHUMBRIANS’ OWN DAY.”

LOCAL SOLDIERS AND SAILORS TO BENEFIT

Alan Ian Percy, 8th Duke of Northumberland (1880-1930), in a Grenadier Guards uniform, photographed by Alexander Bassano before 1913 (Date of Bassano’s death). Licensed under Wikimedia Commons, National Portrait gallery – PD-US (over 100 years old).

“Northumbrians’ Own Day,” is to be celebrated on Saturday throughout the county of

Northumberland, and only the generosity of the public is needed to make the undertaking a complete success. The emblem on this occasion will be an artistic medallion, on which is figured in relief one of the Fusiliers advancing with a fixed bayonet, and bearing the inscription, “Strike hard, Northumbrians.” and the date “1915.” The medallion, neatly cased in plush, is to be presented as a souvenir to the helpers who assist with the sale of these mementoes. “Northumbrians’ Own Day” is under the patronage of His Grace the Duke of Northumberland, K.G., Earl Grey, Viscount Allendale, Viscount Ridley, Lord Armstrong, and Lord Joicey, and a host of other notable and distinguished gentlemen of the North Country. The committee earnestly appeal for subscriptions, however small, knowing that this special Christmas effort on behalf of our soldiers and sailors can only be the great success hoped for through the generosity of all. A number of subscriptions have been received, including a cheque for £200, from His Grace the Duke of Northumberland. Cheques and postal orders should be crossed “Northumbrians’ Own Day” Barclay’s Bank, Collingwood Street, Newcastle. Mr Leonard Dalrymple is the chief organiser, Mr Fred Sutcliffe the hon. Treasurer, and Mr George Harcourt the hon. secretary, the central headquarters being at the Westgate Picture House, Newcastle.

HOLY ISLAND AND THE WAR

Holy Island is doing its share of work during the present time of anxiety and stress. Although the population is small, nearly all the eligible men are engaged in working for the country, either as mine sweepers or in the Army. Amongst others who have left is the schoolmaster, Lieut. Hollingsworth. He departed from the island with the best wishes of all for his welfare, accompanied by a rousing cheer from the Scouts and school children assembling to wish him good luck and a safe return after the war is over.

GRACE DARLING’S CENTENARY

There seems to be some conflict of evidence regarding the birth of Grace Horsley Darling, if one is to depend upon the veracity of the official guide to Holy Island. It is there stated that she was born on December 17th, 1815, and that she was one of a family of seven.

Darling Family Grave, St Aidan's Churchyard — Darling Family Grave, St Aidan’s Churchyard.

The grave is the resting place of Grace and several of her family members. The headstone is a copy of the original which has been preserved and is on display in the nearby Grace Darling museum.

On the other hand it would appear from more authoritative sources that the birth of the heroine is recorded as 24th November, 1815, and it would be interesting to learn how this discrepancy has occurred. It is unnecessary to enter into any lengthened story regarding the devotion and heroism of the famous daughter of the lighthouse keeper of the Longstone. It is familiar to all from their childhood days, and more particularly so in this part of Northumberland. Suffice it say that the recue from the S.S. Forfarshire which left Hull for Dundee on 5th September, 1838, took place on the morning of the 7th of that month. With the assistance of her father, Grace Darling in a frail coble, succeeded in rescuing five of the crew and four passengers. As is well known the heroine is buried at Bamburgh, where a handsome monument surmounts the grave.

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