Thomas Barrett, Saracen's Head, Wyebridge, Hereford, England

Hereford Times - Saturday 23 October 1852

Alarming Fire.—Early on Sunday morning, Mr. Barrett the Saracen's Head, Wyebridge, and his family, had a narrow escape from destruction by the means of fire. We are informed that about 3 a.m., Mrs. Barrett awoke with a burning sensation in her throat, and at first attributed it to having eaten something injurious on the previous night, but could not remember that she had done so. While cogitating the matter she became thoroughly awake, and then discovered that the room was full of smoke. She instantly rose, opened the bed-room door, and found that the lower part of the house was on fire. Mrs. Barrett then raised her husband, who had not been awakened by the smoke, and, having partially dressed herself, took their child, and made her escape from the house to that of a neighbour, arousing one or two other neighbours she went. While she was thus engaged, Mr. Barrett ran, barefooted, and with scarcely any clothes on, to the City Gaol, for the engines. The fire-bell speedily rang -the engines were immediately got out, and quickly on the spot—and the exertions of the firemen, aided by a number of respectable citizens chiefly from High Town, soon brought the fire under. It was afterwards found by a policeman that the fire had arisen in the ash-pit which goes down into the cellar, from (it is supposed) some hot cinders having fallen on some oak beams which run across nearly under the fire-place. Had not the fire been discovered early, as it providentially was, the total destruction of the beams would not have been a matter of very long time, and then the house would have probably fallen in, burying the inmates in the ruins, even if the fire should have extended further, which very improbable, the internal part of the house being old. Happily, the damage actually is done comparatively slight.

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Some background about Thomas and the Saracen's Head.

Hereford Journal - Wednesday 11 February 1852

The Saracen's Head.

Mr. Gough, member of the committee appointed to inspect and report on the state of these premises, stated that Mr. Stephens, Mr. Hatton, and himself had examined them, and their opinion, after being put in pretty good repair, they may be let at rent of 35l. a-year; but it would take something like a year's rent to put the house into repair. There were several things, such as fixtures and windows, valued at 10L or ]51., that belonged to the tenant, but which ought to be the property of the landlord.

Mr. Hatton, jun., said, the roof of the large room was a very dilapidated state, and he should like to take the opinion of the Town-Clerk or some other professional man as to whose duty it was to make the repairs. By the lease the tenant covenanted to leave the premises in tenantable state of repair, himself, his heirs, or assigns. The original lessee, Mr. Prothero; had left for some years, and the lease had been handed from one tenant to another, being now in the possession of Mr. Davies. He thought himself that not much less than 50l. would be sufficient for all the repairs. A very respectable tenant (Mr. Barrett) had just taken the Saracen's Head for the remainder of the lease ; but he was not willing to run the risk of entering upon the premises without security from the Council that they would continue him as tenant. It was desirable that the matter should be looked into more closely, and he suggested that some gentleman should move a postponement. 

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Hereford Times - Saturday 10 April 1852

Publicans' Licenses.—On Monday last, at the Guildhall, the following licenses were transferred ; that of the City Arms Hotel, from the representatives of the late Mrs Mary Humphreys, to Mr. William Smyth ; that of the Kerry Arms, from Mr. William Smyth to Mr. John Hankins; that of the Punch Bowl, from Mr. John Hankins to Mr. William Smyth ; that of the Ship Inn in the Ross road, from Mr. Joseph Morgan to Mr. Samuel Chard ; that of the Saracen's Head, from Mr. William Davies to Mr. Thomas Barrett; that of the Royal George, Widemarsh-street, from Mr. William Barnes to Mr. Robert Witcombe ; and that of the Elephant and Castle, St. Peter's street,from Mr. Charles Watkins to Mr. Benjamin Browning. A license was granted by the Magistrates for the Bowling Green Inn, in Bewell-street. Some objections were made to the charges of the Magistrates' Clerk, by- Mr. Stephens, but Mr. Charles Owen explained to the Magistrates' satisfaction, and the Mayor remarked that Mr. Owen was always very particular in not exceeding the charges to which he was entitled by Act of Parliament. With respect to the notices required to be given by Act of Parliament to Overseers, &c, on the part of any person applying for the transfer of a license, it was stated that Mr. Smyth had served his own notice. Such services were excused on the present occasion ; but the Mayor stated that on all future occasions, it would be deemed indispensable that these notices should be served by the proper officer of the Court ; a fact we are requested to mention. 

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Hereford Journal - Wednesday 11 August 1852

The Saracen's Head. Mr. Hatton stated the proceedings which had been taken by the committee in reference to the state of the Saracen's Head, and their inability to come to any arrangement with Mr. Price or Mr. Hiles. The house is in such a dilapidated state that the present tenant, Mr. Barrett, is obliged to stuff rags and other things in the roof to keep out the wet, and to place pails and buckets to catch the water that runs through, notwithstanding this. Mr. Price or Mr. Hiles was the proper person to repair the house, according to the covenant of the lease to leave the house "in a tenantable state of repair." One half of the roof had been repaired, but the other half was left unrepaired. There was an excellent malthouse attached to the house, but from which the kiln and other appurtenances connected with the malting had been taken away, and applied to the party's own use. This he was in a position to prove in a court of justice. He could not consent to public property being sacrificed in this way without trying in a court of law to make parties do that which they had covenanted to do. The Town- Clerk had written to Mr. Price, who had put the matter in the hands of Mr. Gough, from whom a communication had been received stating that Mr. Price was from home, and requesting the matter to be deferred until Monday next. He thought the committee, after the failure of all their attempts, could do no less than ask the Council to instruct the Town-Clerk to take legal proceedings against the party whom he should consider to be liable, in order that the house might be put in proper repair. To restore the kiln and other things which had been taken away from the malthouse, would cost at least 30l.

Mr. Stephens concurred in Mr. Hatton's recommendation, adding that the rain now came in down to the lower floors, threatening to destroy the whole fabric.

In reply to Mr. Myer, Mr. Hatton said that Mr. Price (who it appears was the last holder of the lease, which was granted 40 years ago to Mr. Prothero), was so determined to get his money from the tenant, that threatened to put in an execution immediately upon the half-year's rent becoming due. In consequence of this, the tenant of the Council (Mr. Barrett) was obliged to pay for fixtures which were not fixtures at all. If the fulfilment of the terms of the lease were not enforced, they would sacrifice 60l. or 70l. altogether.

It was agreed, upon the proposition of Mr. Myer, seconded by Mr. Parry, that the Town Clerk be authorised to take legal proceedings against the party who is liable, to enforce the proper repairing of the house, according to the covenant of the lease, and the restoration of all fixtures which have been illegally abstracted ; this resolution not to prevent the committee from accepting any reasonable terms, if such should be offered by Mr. Price or his solicitor. 

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Hereford Times - Saturday 11 December 1852

THE LATE CAPTURE OF THE LLANOVER BURGLARS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE HEREFORD TIMES.

Sir, —Having seen in the columns of your paper of the 27th ult. two letters, hearing the signatures of “Samuel Hawkins,” P.C., of Saint Devereux, and "Walter Prosser," farmer, of Trelough, in the same parish, wherein they take upon themselves all the merit of the capture of the men, taken in this city on the 5th ult., for the late burglary at Llanover, I should esteem a particular favour, having been principally concerned in the capture of one of the burglars, if you will allow me a brief space to make a few remarks upon some of the passages contained in those letters, and to state to the public the real facts of the case regards the capture in which I was concerned. I should have written upon this subject last week, had it not happened that my time of late has been much occupied in the discharge of my duties as one of the Serjeants of the Herefordshire Militia, that I had not time to attend to it at an earlier period. It is not intention to follow Mr. Hawkins (with whom have the most to do) through the details of his letter respecting his suspicions of whom the parties were when he passed them near the parish church of St. Devereux, his complaint against his superior officer (P S. Paine, of the Abbeydore district for not doing as he desired him, &c, &c.; but I shall principally confine myself to writing what occurred relative to the prisoner that was captured near Wyebridge, and to what more immediately concerns myself.

The following are the true facts of the case :—Between six and seven o'clock the evening of the 5th November, P.C. Hawkins called house and requested me to go with him in search of a man, whom he said he was in pursuit of for passing bad money at Trelough, never mentioning to me that he had the least suspicion he was one the men engaged in the burglary at Llanover although in his letter he says he had such suspicion when he previously saw them near the church at St..Devereux. Hawkins told me that the man he was pursuit of was 5 ft. 4 in. in height, whereas the height of the one we captured afterwards proved to be 5 ft. 7 in. I went with Hawkins, as he requested, and he placed me and Mr. Prosser in one of the recesses on Wyebridge, in order that might identify the party if he should pass that way. During the time we were waiting there a great number of persons passed, and among the rest three men, of whom I took particular notice, and one of whom I immediately suspected was the man “wanted” by Hawkins. I immediately crossed from my place of concealment to the opposite side of the road, and after looking each of the men in the face, I called Mr. Prosser and asked him if one of them (the man suspected) was not the man that Hawkins wanted. Mr. Prosser assured me he was perfectly satisfied that neither of them was the man, they were all too tall. Notwithstanding Mr. Prosser's assurance to the contrary, I was pretty sure that the party I had noticed was the man Hawkins wanted, as he continued looking back, and pretended to call to another party behind him ; and at that moment Mr. Prosser turned into the Saracen's Head to take some refreshment. Hawkins then returned from the city, whither he had gone to give information, and asked me if I had seen anything of the man he had given me the description of. I told him that I had seen some men whom I suspected, but Mr. Prosser had assured me they were all taller than the man he was seeking for. Hawkins then invited me into the Saracen's Head to have glass of ale, but, from prudential motives, I declined his invitation, telling him that I would go in and have one when he came out, thinking that, if went in with him, the man might pass in the meantime, and that the capture might thus be prevented. During the time Hawkins remained in the Saracen's Head, the man previously particularly referred to (whose name proved to be Arnold) returned, when he appeared to be much confused. I then followed him into Wyebridge-street, and near the Black Lion met a boy named Wm. Mason, whom I requested to go to the Saracen's Head and tell Hawkins to follow me up Wyebridge-street. Hawkins shortly overtook me, and I told him I thought Arnold was the man he wanted, which I was led to believe from own observations of his conduct. Having heard that he would have to pass through some water on his road from St. Devereux to this city, Hawkins and I felt his trousers, and found they were wet. We brought our prisoner back to the end of the bridge near the Saracen's Head, when he endeavoured to make " a bolt" down the steps to the side of the river, but we prevented him from succeeding in his attempt. Whilst I was holding the prisoner by the right side of the collar, Hawkins having hold of him on the other side, he drew something from his right pocket, which l at first thought was case-knife. I immediately attempted to seise it, as I thought by the handle, but then found it was a pistol, the muzzle of which I endeavoured to avert in a direction not to injure any party, and in struggling for it the cap went off, but the contents the pistol .it being loaded with powder and ball, providentially did not explode. When the cap exploded. P.C. Hawkins cried out most manfully for assistance perhaps thinking he was shot—and Mr. Barrett, landlord of the Saracen's Head, came out and seized the ruffian behind. We then dragged him into the Saracen's Head, where I allowed Hawkins the honour of searching him, of which appeared very desirous. Mr. Barrett knew that I had been stationed on the bridge some time previous, on the “look out" for some party, but he knew not whom. We afterwards conducted the man to the station-house, when we were informed that P.C. Preece had captured another party. In his letter, Hawkins says: I immediately recognised him as one of the parties had seen at St. Devereux ; "whereas the fact was that Hawkins, on seeing him, said he was not one of the men, and requested he might set at liberty. Upon this I tapped Mr. Adams on the shoulder, and told him I was certain he was one of the men who passed over the bridge with the other prisoner, Arnold; I made a request that he might be detained, and he was detained accordingly. I was, sir, well satisfied with the fair and impartial account of the evidence which appeared in one of your previous numbers ; and had not P.C. Hawkins, with his eye on the reward, thought proper to sound on his trumpet the false notes of his own praise, I should not have troubled you with the present remarks, which I declare to be a fair and honest account regards the capture of the prisoner Arnold, but which is strangely at variance with the account supplied to you by Hawkins. Moreover, I would ask why did not Hawkins, if he thought the men were really the perpetrators of the burglary at Llanover, when he saw them at St. Devereux, tell me his suspicions, instead of telling me that he was only in pursuit of one man for passing a bad half crown? And what will all his brother police-officers think of Hawkins when I inform them that, on the Saturday after the capture he went to my house and endeavoured to gain possession from my wife of the pistol I had taken from Arnold, and which he knew I ought to produce in evidence? And ought not Hawkins to have told me that loaded fire-arms had been taken from the prisoner whom Paine had captured, that I might have been more on guard in apprehending another of the gang? I perfectly agree with Mr. Prosser when he says “let merit have its reward” but I do ask you, sir, I do ask the public, whether, after what I have stated, and which I solemnly declare to he the truth it, to .Mr. Samuel Hawkins belongs all the merit capturing Arnold, or whether he ought, as he would wish, to receive the whole of the reward ? What probably would have become of the prisoner Arnold, if had accepted Hawkins's invitation to accompany him drink ale, instead of having looked after the prisoner ? The probability is that he would entirely have escaped.

I am, sir, an unfortunate yuong man who has been in the service of my Queen and Country, from which I was discharged on account of ill health ; and therefore I think it hard that a brother officer in the police-force should endeavour, from selfish motives, to deprive me of just share of the praise and reward due for the capture of one of these daring burglars, and to make the world believe that all the merit belongs to himself.

THOMAS BENNETT,

Member the City Police, and late of her

Majesty's 30^th Regt. of Foot.

Hereford, December 6th, 1852. 

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Hereford Journal - Wednesday 30 March 1853

LOST.

A BLACK GREYHOUND DOG, about twelve months old, little ticked with white, not quickly discernible; answers to the name of " Tippo." Whoever will bring him to Mr. Barrett, of the Saracen's Head, shall be rewarded for their trouble. If Stolen, whoever will give information of the thief shall, on conviction, receive One Sovereign Reward. 

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Hereford Journal - Wednesday 13 April 1853

Henry Smith, railway labourer, was charged with having broken "a jug and two glasses the Saracen's Head Inn, for which he refused to pay. Mr. Barrett, the landlord, did not appear to prosecute, and the defendant was then convicted of having been drunk and using obscene language.—Mr. Bennett told the defendant that the Bench, who had hitherto dealt most leniently with railway labourers, could not permit such conduct as he had been guilty of to go unpunished, particularly when it was committed on the Sabbath. He would now be fined in the small sum of 1s. and costs, or seven days imprisonment, but if he ever came there again he would be fined heavily. 

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Hereford Times - Saturday 01 April 1854

City of Hereford.

To inn-keepers and others

Unreserved by Auction, on Friday and Saturday next, April 8th and 9th, 1854.

Mr WILLIAM BOTTRELL will SELL by AUCTION, on Friday and Saturday next, the 8th and 9th days of April, 1854, on the Premises, at the Saracen's Head Inn, Wye-bridge, the property of Thomas Barrett, who is leaving the Premises, the whole of the neat and modern HOUSEHOLD and EFFECTS, likewise the STOCK, in Spirits, Beer and Cider, Casks, Hogsheads, and Barrels, Brewing Utensils, Fixtures, Gas Fittings, &c.-Particulars in bills.

Sale each day punctually at 2 o'clock. [2951

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Thomas Barrett, Saracen's Head, near Wye bridge and his extensive preparations for emigrating to Australia

Thanks to a Lost Cousins connection I suspect that the Mr Thomas Barrett of the Saracen's Head, near Wye bridge mentioned in this article, is likely the first child of Francis Barrett and Catherine Pritchard of Herefordshire.

Thomas Barrett was born on 24 Apr 1820 in Burghill, Herefordshire, England and he married Esther SLACK on 10 Feb 1848 in Hereford, Herefordshire, England.

The Mr Pritchard mentioned in the article is likely Edward Pritchard, Thomas Barrett's uncle...

Hereford Times - Saturday 20 August 1853

COUNTY COURT— Thursday, Before J. M. Herbert, Esq. Breach of Contract.—The only case of interest at the County Court, held on Thursday last, was an action for breach of contract, in which Mr. Thomas Barrett, of the Saracen's Head, near Wye bridge, was the plaintiff, and Mr. John Banton, of Ross, the defendant.—Mr. Pritchard, who appeared for the plaintiff, stated that, Mr. Barrett being about relinquishing his business with a view of emigrating to Australia, the defendant entered into agreement to take to the stock, fixtures, &c, of the Saracen's Head a valuation. Mr. W. James, the auctioneer, was appointed valuer on behalf of the plaintiff, and Messrs. Morgan and Son, of Ross, on the part of the defendant. The valuation amounted to £511, and agreement was drawn up in which these words were inserted, " Either party neglecting to fulfil the terms of the contract, is to forfeit the sum of £50 liquidated damages.' The contract, he should show, was afterwards broken the defendant, and the present action was brought to recover the £50 damages under that agreement. What the defence would be, he did not know, but he thought it probable that this sum of £50 would be said to be a penalty and not liquidated damages, and that the plaintiff was only entitled to recover for any actual damage which he might have sustained the non-fulfilment of the contract. The words the agreement, however, were so clear that could not imagine his Honour would have the slightest difficulty in distinguishing between penalty and liquidated damages.—Mr. Lanwarne, for the defendant, said that Mr. Pritchard had quite anticipated the point he was about raise, and quoted several cases, analagous to the present, in which it was decided that, although in the agreements the sums were described as ”liquidated settled damages to be paid and forfeited without deduction”, they were in fact penalties and not liquidated damages. In the case of Davies v. Penton, Chief Justice Abbott made this remark —" A great deal has been said about the different import of the words penalty and stipulated damages, but I am of opinion, and shall always be so until has been otherwise determined by the higher Courts, that, whether the terms penalty or liquidated damage be employed, the party shall only be allowed to recover what damage he has really sustained." Mr. Justice Bayley also says, " Where the sum which is to be accrued for the performance of agreement of which there are several acts, will, some instances, be too much, and others too small a compensation, for the injury thereby sustained, that sum is to be considered a penalty." Now in the present agreement there were no less than five stipulations : first, that he should take to the premises secondly, have the effects valued on cer-day; thirdly, take to the agreement by which the premises are held under the Corporation ; fourthly, pay a particular sum a particular time; and fifthly, that he is to do everything in the agreement or forfeit a penalty £50. He (Mr. Lanwarne) therefore submitted that the plaintiff was only entitled to recover for any actual loss proved to have been sustained. —The Judge remarked that the Courts had always struggled to get at the real amount of damages sustained but he thought the present discussion premature. —Mr. Pritchard, reply to the objection, quoted the case of Lowe v. Pearce, in which the defendant agreed to pay to the plaintiff £1,000 if he married any person but herself, the forfeiture being there held to be liquidated damages and not a penalty. He also quoted Fletcher r. Dowle, and other cases, from which he drew the conclusion that, where the forfeiture was larger than the sum to be paid under the contract, it must be considered penalty and not liquidated damages. In the present instance the forfeiture was £50, the contract £511. —Mr. Lanwarne replied that the cases referred to by Mr. Pritchard quite confirmed the view which he had taken, viz., that where there one specific act, the breach of which incurred a fixed penalty, as in the case of Lowe v. Pearce, it was to be considered liquidated damages; but when there were five or six, the non-performance of any one of which would a breach of the contract, it was considered as a penalty and the party could only claim for actual damage sustained —His Honor was inclined take Mr. Lanwarne's view of the case, and quoted from Chitty very strong opinion of Chief Justice Tindal on the point.—After some discussion, Mr. Wm. James was called, and deposed that he was employed behalf of the plaintiff to value the effects at the Saracen's Head, Messrs. Morgan of Ross being engaged on the part of the defendant, who formerly kept the Royal Hotel tap at Ross; the stock, fixtures, &c., amounted to £511; the defendant was put in possession on the Monday, and remained so until the Wednesday, when he gave up the key to the plaintiff. A proposition was made by the plaintiff that the defendant should pay £140 down, and give joint notes of hand for the payment of the remainder from persons of responsibility, at three, six, and twelve months, and that £100 should remain until it would be more convenient for him to pay it. After making one or two attempts, defendant failed to give the required security, and gave up the premises. The defendant called at his house once or twice before the agreement was prepared, when he told him that the plaintiff's reason for leaving was that he was about to start for Australia ; defendant asked him what he thought the amount of the valuation would be ; he replied he could not tell within £20, but said it would amount as near possible to £500 and that it would be useless for him to think of entering into it unless he could command that sum. His answer was, “I know what my stock will fetch Ross, and I can command £.500 at least. In consequence the contract not being fulfilled, Mr. Barrett had been obliged to keep possession of the house, after having gone the expense of erecting a wooden house, and made extensive preparations for emigrating to Australia; witness' charge for making the valuation was 2 1/2per cent., which, with the stamp, and some other expenses, amounted to £13 10s. 2d. ; he should consider the sum of £50 very inadequate to remunerate the plaintiff for his loss.—Cross-examined : Knew that the plaintiff had gone to considerable expense in making preparations, but could not give any other specific item of loss except the £13 10s. 2d. ; he could not, of course, tell whether the going to Australia would have been an advantage or a disadvantage to the plaintiff, and had not taken into account, in the sum he had mentioned, the probability of his success in Australia ; plaintiff had been at some expense in erecting the wooden house to take with him ; and he did not consider it a saleable article, inasmuch as not one person in a thousand who emigrated to Australia thought of taking a house with them; the defendant was the occupation of the premises, and received the money for what was sold from the Monday afternoon until the Wednesday, it being usual for the incoming tenant to receive all money soon as stock had been taken by the excise officer, but he had been informed by Mr. Barrett that the defendant had handed over all the money which he received; he should say that very good trade is done at the Saracen's Head, but probably not so extensive it was prior the closing of the tram-road. —Mr. Barrett, the plaintiff, deposed that after the agreement was signed and the valuation made, as described Mr. James, he saw the defendant and asked him if he was prepared to pay the amount; he said that Mr. Morgan would be there presently, and they would try and get the matter settled ; Mr. Morgan shortly afterwards came, and the defendant then said that he had been disappointed in letting his house at Ross, and that his stock had not fetched anything like so much he had expected it would; plaintiff offered to take bills for £311, saying that he would leave £100 in his father's hands upon approved security ; defendant took possession on the Monday, and remained there until the Wednesday, receiving the money for the drink which was sold ; on the Wednesday he (plaintiff) met the defendant, Mr. James, and Mr. Morgan, at the Green Dragon, when the former said he could get no one to join him in bills for the amount; plaintiff asked him what was to be done, to which he replied, "You must take to the place again." After some little difficulty, the money which the defendant had received while in possession of the premises was returned; the wooden house, which cost him £29 13s, was partly finished when the defendant threw up the contract, and he (plaintiff) had expended a further sum of £20 on his outfit; altogether he had spent about £60 in making preparations for starting, independently of the expense of the valuation; he had been offered £10 for the house; he was least £30 out pocket, including Mr. James' charge, in consequence of the defendant not fulfilling his contract. —Cross-examined: Saw defendant Ross on the Sunday before the agreement was executed; the forfeiture of £50 was objected to, and the substitution of £5 suggested, to which he would not consent; defendant said that perhaps should be £100 deficient, upon which he (plaintiff) agreed to allow it to stand over for twelve months; had not given up all idea of going to Australia, but had no prospect of letting his house; defendant offered to pay him £140, including bill of £60, which he refused to take, because he knew nothing of the parties by whom it was drawn, and to give bills for the remainder, but this he declined to accept; had never said that he was glad it had ended as it had, and that he would go back into the business; the outfit consisted of boots and shoes and clothes, which are worth, to any one who wanted them, as much he gave for them, but he should find it difficult to dispose of them for half what they had cost; if he ultimately went to Australia, they would available.—Mr. Lanwarne contended that the question for his Honor to decide was the actual amount of damage which the plaintiff sustained. Mr. James had estimated that damage at £50, while the plaintiff himself estimated it at £30. Mr. James's claim of £13 he admitted he could not get rid of; but, with regard to the wooden mansion which the plaintiff had built, he certainly thought it rather a peculiar way of estimating the loss to say that he had been offered £10 for it. If any person about to emigrate required such a thing, he would readily purchase it at a premium of £10 rather than a loss of £20. It would take no harm by remaining for short time—on the other hand, the wood would become more thoroughly seasoned. The plaintiff, he therefore contended, was not entitled to compensation on account of this house. And, with regard to the outfit, a few pairs of boots and shoes were no ill store, and it was well known that articles of that description improved by keeping. -The Judge: But people cannot afford to lie out of their money. Mr Lanwarne: We are consistently told that there is not a better investment for money, if a man wants to make his fortune, than by buying boots and shoes “green” and keeping them hung up until they are seasoned. -The Judge: I have seen such announcements respecting Moses and Sons' clothes; but not boots and shoes. (Laughter.)-Mr Lanwarne: Moses and Sons' clothes will wear to pieces, but is well known that boots and shoes improve by keeping (laughter) ; therefore, I contend that, upon this point also, the plaintiff is not entitled to compensation. His Honor asked the plaintiff was disposed to take the small amount (£30) at once, without his considering the question of liquidated damages.-Mr. Pritchard assented —Mr. Lanwarne hoped, in that case, the defendant would be allowed the house and the stock of boots and shoes and he would not then object to the decision. (Laughter )—His Honor: You can have them by paying -£29 10s. for the house and £20 for the outfit – Judgment was then given for £30 with expenses, £10 of which was paid at once, and the remainder to be paid by monthly instalments of £5.

The Birth of the Rose - The Jennings family - Hereford

("The Birth of the Rose" engraved by T.W.Knight after a sculpture by B.Jennings, published in the Art Journal, 1850. Steel engraved antique print. Size 10 x 25 cms including title, plus margins. Ref F3428 - credited, with great appreciation, ancestryimages.com and antiqueprints.com)

Benjamin Jennings was born about 1788 in St Nicholas, Herefordshire, England. On 27 April 1815 when Benjamin was about 27 years old, he married Mary Pritchard, daughter of William Pritchard, in Hereford, Herefordshire, England. They went on to have four known children.

• Ann was born between 1812–1817 in St Johns, Herefordshire, England. 
• Benjamin was born about 1818 . He died on 26 May 1859 in Pimlico, Middlesex, England. 
• Mary Anne was born about 1821 in Herefordshire, England. On 29 June 1848 Mary married Thomas Bean. 
• William was born about 1822 in St Johns, Herefordshire, England. 

Here follows some snippets from the newspapers of the time touching on the life of the Jennings family and the Birth of the Rose.  (All can be found on Find My Past)

Hereford Times 08 January 1848

ABBEYDORE.

A memorial tablet, executed by Mr. Jennings, sculptor, Hereford, in fine Carrara and black marble, was last week erected in the Abbey Church, to the memory of the late lamented John James, Esq. The inscription was as follows : " In memory of John James, Esq., of Presteign, in the county of Radnor, who died 11th August, 1847, in the 45th year of his age, and was interred in the family burying ground, on the south-east side of this church."—" Into thine hand I commit my spirit ; thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of Truth.” Psalm xxxi., 5,— B. Jennings Sculptor, Hereford.

Hereford Journal 05 July 1848

June 29, at St. Nicholas church, by the Rev. Thos. Gretton, M.A., Mr. Thomas Bean, of Burghill, to Mary Anne, youngest daughter of Mr. Benjamin Jennings, of this city, statuary.

Hereford Journal 05 June 1850

MR. BENJAMIN JENNINGS. - It is with very sincere pleasure we copy the following remarks from the Art Journal of the present month, noticing the “Cupid” of our talented fellow townsman, in the Sculpture-room of the Royal Academy. Most heartily do we coincide in the concluding prediction, and we are sure our readers will hail with much delight that rapid ascent in public estimation which the taste and masterly execution of Mr. Jennings will doubtless ensure :- “No. 1340. 'Cupid – the Birth of the Rose, B. JENNINGS.' A small figure holding a rose in the left hand ; there is much spirit and classical feeling in the work, which is altogether charming ; it is, we believe, the production of a young sculptor who has been studying in Rome ; we may safely predict his future fame.”

Hereford Journal 19 March 1851

17, Lower Eaton-street, Grosvenor-place, London, March 15, 1851

SIR. - Though not residing in my native city, everything connected with it excites in me the deepest interest, and I have not been unmindful of the steps taken by many of my fellow-citizens to perpetuate the memory of that excellent man, the late J. Bailey, Esq., in testimony of this worth and their appreciation of his services as their representative. I flatter myself that my reputation as a sculptor is not altogether unknown in Hereford. During my long residence in Paris and Rome and hope that one day my talents might be honourably recognised in the place of my birth stimulated my zeal and cheered me on in my efforts to excel ; and I can refer to those specimens of art executed by myself which were placed in the last year's Exhibition at the Royal Academy ; and as proofs that my efforts have not been altogether unsuccessful, I may mention that in addition to testimonials from some of the first sculptors of the age, the proprietors of the Art Journal did me the honour of engraving one of my works for their beautiful periodical.

Should the subscribers decide upon erecting a statue of the late Mr. Bailey as the most appropriate form of memorial, I beg respectfully to make a tender of my services without any view of pecuniary emolument, but solely from a desire to execute a work of art which may not discredit Hereford as the production of one of her own sons, and which at the same time may connect my name with my native city in a manner most grateful to a young artist.

I may be allowed to observe that a statue would afford an opportunity not only of representing to his constituents and admirers the form and figure of their departed representative and friend as he stood before them, but also of recording, by action, emblematical representations, and inscriptions, the many claims which Mr. Bailey had to public gratitude by his zealous patronage of everything likely to promote the public prosperity. Should the subscribers accept my offer I shall most anxiously exert myself to produce a work worthy of the occasion.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

BENJAMIN JENNINGS, JUN. 

Hereford Times 27 September 1851

25, after a long and severe affliction, Mary Ann, the beloved wife of Mr. Benjamin Jennings, sculptor, &c., King-street, second and last surviving daughter of the late Mr. William Pritchard, of Wye Bridge-street, in this city.

(also in the Hereford Journal 01 October 1851)

Hereford Times 18 September 1852

PUBLIC PRESENTATION OF THE GREAT EXHIBITION PRIZE MEDALS, CERTIFICATES, &c. The presentation of the prize-medals, certificates, service medals, &c., awarded by the Royal Commissioners of the Great Exhibition of 1851 to the successful exhibitors and other persons connected with this county, took place yesterday (Friday) afternoon, in the Music-rooms of the Shire-hall, in the presence of a very large and fashionable company. Thomas Evans, Esq., of Sufton Court, who filled the office of Mayor of Hereford in 18S1, presided, and we also noticed present, the Lord Bishop of the Diocese, Mrs. Hampden and family ; Lady Emily Foley, Lord Wm. Graham, Sir Henry end Lady Lambert, the Misses Lambert, and family ; the Right Hon. Lord Bateman ; Lord Rodney ; the Right Hon. and Rev. Lord Saye and Sele, and family ; Sir Robert and Lady Price ; T. W. Booker, Esq., M.P.; H. M. Clifford, Esq., M.P. ; J. K. King, Esq., M.P., and lady ; the Hon. Arthur Hanbury ; the Ven. Archdeacon and Mrs. Lane Freer ; the Very Rev. the Dean of Hereford and Mrs. Dawes ; Rev. Canon Morgan ; Rev. Canon Musgrave ; Rev. J. Hopton ; J. Jay Esq., Mrs. and the Misses Jay ; J. C. Symons, Esq. ; Rev. E. Howells ; R. Johnson, Esq., Secretary to the Committee ; Rev. H. Morgan ; Rev. Napleton Penoyre and lady ; G. Croose, Esq., and Miss Croose ; the Mayor of Hereford, E. Weymss, Esq., and lady ; C. G. Jones, Esq. ; John Cleave, Esq. ; Rev. E. B. Hawkshaw ; Rev. J. Phillips, Ludlow ; Rev. W. Poole ; E Pritchard, Esq., Mrs. and Miss Pritchard ; Dr. E. Morris ; Dr. Lingen ; Dr. Bull ; Dr. Gilliland ; W. Bullock, Esq. ; M. J. Scobie, Esq. ; Rev. J Goss ; J. Gwillim, Esq. ; C. Spozzi, Esq., and Mrs. Spozzi ; Capt. Napleton, &c., &c. The President and the other speakers, several members of the Committee, and the recipients of the medals who were present – viz., Mr. B. Jennings, jun., Mr. B. Jennings, sen., Mr. Geo. Gill, and Mr. D. Jones, of Hay,- occupied the orchestra. The certificates, in plain gilded frame handsomely-bound volumes of the "Awards of the Jurors,” and the medals., enclosed in Morocco cases were placed upon a table ; and the beautiful statue, The Birth of the Rose," from the studio of our fellow-citizen, Mr Benjamin Jennings., jun., — which had been brought from London purposely for the occasion - formed a prominent object on the ground floor near the orchestra. This exquisite work of art - to which the Royal Commissioners awarded a prize medal — is so well-known as having formed one of the most attractive objects in statuary department of the Exhibition, that we need not now further allude to it, except to notice that its exhibition in the native city of the artist, when a covering was removed from it by Mr. Jennings at the commencement of the proceedings, was hailed with rapturous and prolonged applause. The CHAIRMAN rose and said that the object of the meeting was to present the medals and prizes awarded by the Royal Commissioners at the Great Exhibition of 1851 ; and in obedience to a suggestion of the Commissioners, they were assembled upon that occasion in order that the presentation should take place in this locality, instead of being sent by the ordinary mode of conveyance, viz., by railway packet, as had perhaps been done in some other localities. The Commissioners having expressed a wish that the proceedings in connexion with the Exhibition should be concluded, as far as possible, by the parties with whom they had been in communication throughout, he occupied the chair on that occasion instead of the present worthy Mayor of the city, who had honoured the meeting by attending in his robes. The Chairman went on to refer to the first meeting which was held in this city, in October, 1849 to receive the suggestion of his Royal Highness Prince Albert relative to the Exhibition. Upon that occasion the meeting was attended by the Bishop of Hereford, Sir Robert Price, George C. Lewis, Esq., Colonel Clifford, the Rev. Canon Musgrave, Rev. A. Clive, Rev. R. L. Freer, Rev. Dr. Symons, and many other gentlemen of this locality. He read from the Hereford Times an account of the proceedings which took place at that meeting, remarking that some might think the Great Exhibition was a thing gone by – but not so with Mr. Jennings, Lieut. Rhind, and other exhibitors of works of art and of usefulness ; to them it was a matter of no ordinary interest to know that their works had been appreciated by, and stamped with the approbation of, the Royal Commissioners. Among the extracts read by the Chairman, was the statement of Mr. Fuller – who attended the meeting of October 1849, to explain the object of Prince Albert – respecting his visit to the studio of Mr. Jennings jun., and his prediction, from having there seen a piece of sculpture of very great excellence, that, “if not before 1851, he felt certain that by means of the Exhibition then to be held, Mr. Jennings would attain deserved eminence ; that he would ultimately, if he lived, become a great artist – a man of whom Hereford would have reason to be proud.” The meeting, he (the Chairman)was sure, would be delighted with the fact that Mr. Fuller had been a true prophet. (Applause.) Mr. Fuller had further said “This city had also the honour of counting among its inhabitants Mr. Wright, the inventor of percussion powder, a gentleman to whom the world was deeply indebted.” (Hear.) He was glad to say that in this immediate locality all sects and classes most heartily concurred in forwarding the objects of the Prince. The local committee met, and amongst other exhibitors there were Mr. John Collins, of Leominster ; Mr. George Gill, of Ludlow, late of Hereford ; Mr. B. Griffin, a tailor ; Mr. B Jennings, Sen. ; Mr. B. Jennings, jun. ; Mr. D. Jones, of Hay ; and Mr. James Whitney, of Colver-hill. As might have been expected, all the exhibitors could not win prizes ; but it was very gratifying to know that, out of so small a number, two had had prize medals awarded to them. (Hear, hear.) He might say that Mr. Jennings was the youngest artist to whom a prize medal had been awarded by the Royal Commissioners. (Applause.) He next referred to the desire of the local committee to promote, as far as possible, pleasure trips to town during the Exhibition, and quoted an extract from a letter published by Dr. E. Morris, to the effect that the principle on which the Great Exhibition was conceived and founded was “Peace on earth, good-will towards men,” and that it was calculated to promote the best interests of man. There were three classes of persons to whom medals were to be awarded – first, prize medals and certificates to Mr. Jennings and Lieut. Rhind ; 2nd, medals to exhibitors who had not been quite so successful as these two gentlemen, but who he hoped would have an opportunity of trying again, and that they would be more successful ; 3rd and lastly, there were medals and certificates to be presented to those who were supposed to have rendered service to the Royal Commissioners of 1851. He made use of the word “supposed,” because he was told that one of the service medals was intended for him : in his own mind, however, he had done nothing at all to deserve it. After stating that Sir Robert Price would present the medal to Mr. Jennings, the Bishop that awarded to Lieut. Rhind, - whose invention, it was thought, was more suited for an address from a minister of the Gospel – the Chairman briefly stated the object and principles of Lieut. Rhind's invention, a safety-raft of simple and ready construction by desk-seats, &c. He next noticed a circular issued by the Hon. Sec. to the Local Committee respecting Mr. Jennings' statue, in which it is stated that Mr. Jennings is “the only provincial artist who obtained that honour (a prize medal), and ranking as one of ten so distinguished in the United Kingdom, and one of 27 from the whole world.” - It then proceeds :- “The honour conferred through him (the sculptor) upon this county of Hereford has excited a feeling that a work so beautiful ought not to be lost to the place where the sculptor was born. It is, therefore, proposed that it should be purchased by subscription, and placed in one of the public buildings of Hereford, to be preserved, not only as a work of art, but also as an incentive to other young men of Herefordshire to aim at distinction in the higher branches of art.” Now Mr. Jennings was not simply the “only provincial artist,” but as he had said, he was also the youngest artist to whom a medal had been presented. What, then, had they to hope for in so talented a fellow-citizen? (Applause.) To carry out the object alluded to in the circular, he was glad to say that the Hon. Secretary (R. Johnson, Esq.) had opened a subscription of Herefordshire ladies and gentlemen. He hoped that this intention would be carried out, and that the beautiful figure would be placed in that room as a lasting monument of what a Herefordshire man had done. (Applause.) After enumerating the names of the gentlemen who had served upon the Local Committee, and alluding to the circumstances of Mr. Jennings having at his (the Chairman's) request incurred the risk of bringing the statue to Hereford – for which all must feel much indebted – (hear, hear) – he complimented the modesty (a general characteristic of merit) which particularly distinguished Mr. Jennings, who had been reluctant to exhibit his “Cupid” at the Exhibition but, as his figure of “Caractacus” would not have been ready in time, Sir R. Price had urged him to try his luck with the “Cupid.” (Hear, hear.) The meeting knew the success which was the result. After some humorous remarks upon the difficulty which he felt in addressing a meeting graced by so large an assemblage of the rank and beauty of the county, the worthy Chairman called upon Sir Robt. Price to present the medal, &c., to Mr. Jennings. Sir ROBERT PRICE, after some introductory observations, said he did not quite agree with the worthy Chairman in all the reasons which had been assigned why he should first address the meeting in presenting these testimonials ; but he certainly could not resist the request which had been made to him to present a testimonial to a young man who had done great credit to himself and honour to his county. (Cheers.) One reason why the task was assigned to him was, that he was a Local Commissioner, and, unfortunately, the only one present—his hon. col-leagues, Mr. Wegg-Prosser and Mr. Chandos Wren Hoskyns, being both absent. As a local commissioner, his office had been a siuecure ; though he had attended a good deal locally, and had assisted as far as he could to bring the Great Exhibition to a satisfactory conclusion. ([Hear, hear.) From the very beginning, he thought well of this undertaking, There were many, however, who had the most absurd fears respecting it. Some gentleman in London had told him that the Metropolis would be inundated with foreigners of the worst description ; and that our people would imbibe bad notions, and become disloyal to the Queen. He did not agree in these anticipations, nor had they been realized. The success of the magnificent under-taking had been most perfect, and had clearly shown that in art-; and industry England can compete with the world. (Applause.) He confessed that he entertained doubts as to what an agricultural district like Hereford could send to the Exhibition that would gain distinction; but Mr. Jennings had removed all doubt and difficulty, for he had shown that, in the higher department of art, Herefordshire can take a rank equal to any county in England, or to any part of the world. The hon. Baronet went on to say that perhaps, as one of the representatives of the city, and at the Chief Steward — thus representing the feelings of the city generally and of the Corporation — he might be fitly selected to present this testimonial to Mr. Jennings —a son of a worthy citizen of Hereford, who had done honour to himself, in sparing no expense in sending his son to Italy for the improvement and development of his talent and genius. He thought that Mr. Jennings the father deserved great credit. (Applause.) After some further appropriate remarks upon this subject, which were warmly applauded, Sir Robert expressed his opinion that Mr. Jennings, jun., ought to have something more than a medal and a book presented to him : he ought to have a more substantial reward for his talent and labour. (Hear,hear.) He had been in hopes that some lover of the fine arts, who possessed plenty of money, would have purchased Mr. Jennings beautiful statue. With this view he had mentioned it to some noblemen and gentlemen, but in one case a recent purchase, and in others some other cause, prevented a compliance with his wishes. He (Sir Robt. Price) now, however, fully agreed in the suggestion that they should keep this monument in the county : this would be the best reward they could give Mr. Jennings, and the greatest honour they could do themselves. (Applause.) After noticing the work of Mr. Lucy, now on exhibition at Mr. Head's, bookseller, in this city, and remarking incidentally that pictures were not admitted to the Exhibition, or Hereford might have gained honour through this distinguished artist, Sir Robert concluded by saying that he was sure they would all agree that Mr. Jennings was eminently deserving of the rewards which were now to be presented to him. (Hear, hear.) He cordially wished him success in every future effort, and hoped the time would come when he would be able to distinguish himself above all his compeers both in this country and on the continent. The hon. Baronet then presented Mr. Jennings with a prize-medal, a certificate, and a copy of the Awards of the Jurors. Mr.JENNINGS essayed to return thanks, but his emotions were too powerful for him to struggle against, and his words fell almost soundless from his lips. We merely caught an expression of gratification at receiving the testimonial, and a hope that it might be an incentive to himself to persevere in his profession, as well as to other young men. 

See the rest of the article via the above  link and it is also reported here Hereford Journal 22 September 1852

Hereford Times 10 December 1853

An extract

...That Herefordshire is not deficient in intellectual capabilities, was evidenced at the Banquet by the noblest of the adornments of the hall. Mr. Jennings' beautiful figure of "Cupid, or the Birth of the Rose," which attracted all eyes, and which attained for its sculptor the high honour of being one of the sixteen British sculptors to whom medals were awarded at the Great Competition of the World, gave significant evidence that the sculptor's native county is capable of producing genius as well as material wealth. We were glad to perceive, among the company, the author of a work which has shed so much honour on Herefordshire, although we could not help, at the same time, feeling ashamed that the subscription to purchase that beautiful figure is still greatly deficient. Had any of the distinguished strangers, who on that day admired the figure, been only aware of this discreditable fact, Herefordshire would probably have come in for a sharp reproof amid the host of congratulatory kindnesses ; and perhaps the reproof would have done as much good as the gratulations... 

Westmorland Gazette 08 December 1855

MOMUMENT TO THE LATE ALDERMAN

THOMPSON. 

A beautiful monument, from the studio of Benjamin Jennings, Esq., sculptor, London, has just been erected in the Parish Church, Kirkby Lonsdale, to the memory of the late William Thompson, Esq., of Underley Hall. The design is purely Grecian, and the tablet is supported by two brackets richly carved in imitation of Acanthus leave The centre of the base contains the coat of arms, on each side of which is a massive pillar ornamented with an entwined Poppy, the emblem of Sleep. Over the base is an Abacus supported by a rich moulding. The centre consists of a large plain slab bearing the following inscription : — 

“Sacred

To the Memory of

WILLIAM THOMPSON, ESQR.,

Of Underley Hall, Kirkby Lonsdale, 

M.P. For the County of Westmorland,

Alderman of the City of London.

Died 10th March, 1854, 

Aged 61 Years.”

The entablature is ornamented with several mouldings, are the whole is surmounted by a rich scroll bearing an Acanthus leaf, over which a drapery is carelessly thrown, falling down the sides to the lower Abacus in massive folds, an urn being introduced by the artist among the folds of the drapery on the right. The whole is of the finest marble and bears a beautiful polish.

Hereford Times 19 July 1856

ASHPERTON. The parishioners of Ashperton, in this county, have just erected a marble tablet, executed by Mr. Benjamin Jennings, of Hereford, to record the names of four heroes, its sons, whose ashes are mingled with those of their brethren in arms, who died for the cause of liberty in the sanguinary struggles of the Crimea. The following is the inscription :— 

In Memory of 

RICHARD POTTER, aged 19, 

RICHARD TAYLOR, aged 23, 

MARTIN L WRENCE, aged 19, 

JOHN FIRKINS, aged 20. 

Of the Scotch Fusilie- Guards, who fell at the Siege of Sebastopol. 

Their bodies now lie—

Two on the heights above that city ;

One beneath the waters of the Black Sea: and 

One in the burial-ground at Scutari : 

Their names are engraved on this Tablet which is erected 

by the Parishioners of Ashperton, in remembrance of 

those who went from among them

to encounter the perils of warfare, and in their 

early prime, died for their country. 

" Turn Thee again, 0 Lord, at the last, and be gracious unto Thy servants."

HEREFORD, 

CATHEDRAL AND CITY: 

A HANDBOOK FOR THE 

PUBLIC BUILDINGS, ANTIQUITIES, 

CASTLE GREEN, BROOMY HILL RESERVOIR, 

AND OBJECTS OP INTEREST, INCLUDING

KILPECK CHURCH, BELMONT, HOLME LACY, 

AND OTHER PLACES OF NOTE IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD; 

WITH HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES, LISTS OF FUNCTIONARIES, AND TABLES OF DISTANCES. 

BY JOSEPH JONES, JUN. 

ENTERED AT STATIONERS' HALL.—SECOND EDITION, REVISED.

HEREFORD: 

JOSEPH JONES & SON, BROAD STREET.

LONDON : HAMILTON, ADAMS, & co., 33, PATERNOSTER Row

1858. 

Page 93

A fine piece of sculpture, representing "Cupid, or the Birth of the Rose," by Mr. Benjamin Jennings Junior, a native of this city, which obtained considerable notice in the Great Exhibition of 1851, was also exhibited here for some time ; but in consequence of the amount subscribed (£170) not having been considered sufficient by £80 to remunerate the sculptor, the figure has been removed until the latter sum shall be forthcoming.

Page 147

Established 1810.

BENJAMIN JENNINGS

Marble & Stone-Mason,

KING STREET

AND 

VICTORIA STREET, HEREFORD. 

Monuments, Tombs, and Chimney-pieces carefully and expeditiously executed. A choice for inspection at both the above establishments. Plans of every description furnished at the shortest notice.

Proprietor of the THREE ELMS QUARRY, two miles from Hereford. Stone constantly on Sale. Particulars may be obtained of the Foreman at the Quarry, or of the Proprietor at his residence as above. 

WILLIAM JENNINGS, 3, KING STREET, Agent to the WESTERN LIFE AND ANNUITY ASSURANCE SOCIETY, 3, PARLIAMENT STREET, WESTMINSTER. Forms and Prospectuses on application. 

Hereford Times 18 September 1858

Benjamin Jennings v. William Moxon.-This was an action brought by the plaintiff, Mr. Jennings, sculptor, of King-street, against Mr. William Moxon, the late contractor of the sewerage works just completed in this city, for £8 9s. 4d., for stone supplied during its progress from a quarry at the Three Elms.—Mr. Jennings, after stating the conditions of his claim, and the fact that defendant had hauled it himself, observed that Mr. Moxon did not, upon receiving the summons, deny that the money was due, for he promptly remitted a cheque for the full amount claimed, with costs ; but as he, (the plaintiff) did not think proper to accept the cheque, he preferred that the money should be paid into Court.—An order for payment forthwith was made. 

Hereford Times - 28 May 1859

JENNINGS. - May 26, at 17, Lower Eaton-street, Grosvenor-place, Pimlico, London, Mr. Benjamin Jennings, jun., sculptor, eldest son of Mr. Benjamin Jennings, of Kings street, in this city, aged 40.

Hereford Times 28 May 1859

THE LATE MR. JENNINGS, SCULPTOR. It is with a regret which will be shared by a great number of our readers, that we call attention to a notice in this day's obituary, of the death of a young artist, who had already shed honor upon this his native city, and whose talents promised to shed much more honor upon it in days to come. Mr. Benjamin Jennings was best known as the sculptor of " Cupid and the Rose," a figure which gained for him the high honour of a place among the 16 British sculptors, who were honoured with special notice by the judges in the Great Exhibition of 1851 ; but he had executed the matron Madonna—a new phase of the character, as far as sculpture is concerned—and other works worthy of praise. Up to his death, he was engaged upon a statue of Caratacus, the conception of which is very fine and spirited. Not many weeks ago, we had occasion to notice at length, in terms of deserved commendation, the rich and effective mural monument executed by Mr. Jennings to the memory of the late Sir Robert Price, Bart., M.P., an early friend and patron of the sculptor. As his last completed work, that monument will henceforth possess a still deeper interest in the eyes of all the many friends whom Mr. Jennings's sterling worth and unassuming manner had attracted to himself. Our deceased friend was a pupil of Gibson, and spent a number of years at Rome in the study and practice of his art. On one occasion, he caught the malaria fever, the prostration produced by which rendered it indispensable for him to return to this country. He did not for a long time, if ever, entirely recover from the effects of that disease—the scourge of the beautiful environs of Rome. His death, in his 41st year, is to be deplored as the sudden removal of an amiable man and a rising artist. 

Hereford Journal 01 June 1859

JENNINGS--May 24, at his residence, No. 17, Lower Eaton-street, Grosvenor Place, Pimlico, Mr. Benjamin Jennings, jun., sculptor, eldest son of Mr. Benj. Jennings, of King-steet, in this city, aged 41 years. 

Hereford Times – 27 May 1899

“THE BIRTH OF THE ROSE”

A DISTINGUISHED HEREFORDIAN

Wednesday last, May 24th, was the 40th anniversary of the death of a distinguished citizen of Hereford, the late Mr B. Jennings, jun. Mr Jennings was a sculptor of great skill, and took a prominent position in the work of Art in his day. At first he was admitted a student at the Royal Academy, London, and the following year entered the Royal Academy, Paris. Here is studied under the famous sculptor David D'Angers. A fellow student and close friend was the present President of the French Ecole de Beaux Arts, Paris, Mons. M Eugene Guilleaume, who, on the death of the Duc d'Aumale, was also appointed by the French Government Director of the National Art Institute, Rome, in which institution both had completed their studies.

It will be remembered by many now living that the crowning achievement in the late Mr Jennings' work was the statue “The Birth of the Rose.” The idea was founded on Sappho's poem, describing the dispute as to which should be the queen of flowers; and Cupid, standing with a rose in one hand, and pointing to it with the finger of the other, declares, in the presence of Jupiter, the rose to be victorious. This was the only work of art sent to the Great Exhibition in London, in 1851, to which the jury in class 30 unanimously awarded a prize medal. It also had the silver medal awarded to it at the Manchester Exhibition.

“The Birth of the Rose” is a graceful and poetic figure, original in design, and worked out with a spirit and a delicacy equally worthy of admiration. It attracted much attention from Herefordshire men and visitors generally to the Exhibition, Mr Jennings being the only provincial artist obtaining such a high honours, while he ranked as one of nine so distinguished in England and one out of 27 from the whole world. So great was the sense of honour conferred upon the county of Hereford that a feeling was excited that so beautiful a work ought not to be lost to the place where the sculptor was born. It was therefore proposed to purchase the figure by means of a subscription, and to place it in one of the public buildings of the city, there to be preserved, not only as a work of art, but also as an incentive to other young men in Herefordshire to distinguish themselves in the higher branches of art and science.

A certain amount of money was raised, and this was deposited in the old bank ; but unfortunately the bank failed, and the money was lost. Through the influence of Mr T. Evans, the then Mayor, and Chairman of the local Committee, the figure was sent down from London to the city, on the understanding that it was eventually to become the property of the citizens. Owing to the loss of the subscriptions, the deaths of one or two of the gentleman more prominently interested, the scheme, however lay in abeyance. The project was again revived by Mr Robert Keay, but was never carried out. The most lamentable part of the business was the wretched treatment which the figure itself received when standing in the birth-place of the author, for while in the Library some mischievous person or persons broke the rose from the hand holding it, and altogether damage was done to the amount of about £100.

It may be added that although “The Birth of the Rose” is at present at Bristol, it is the property of Mr W. Jennings, of Whitecross, Hereford, brother of the artist, and we believe there is yet a chance of securing this beautiful example of work for the city of Hereford. Otherwise it is probable that it will go to Paris or Rome.

We have seen the medal, the certificate signed by the late Prince Consort, an Italian art critique of the work, and also a translation of some sonnets which were presented to Mr Jennings on his leaving Rome. Mr Jennings intended remaining in Rome, but with others left in consequence of the Garibaldian movement, which, for a time, so much interfered with art work.

The sonnets given below are copied from the translation of the Italian by the late Mr Charles Bodenham, of Rotherwas ; and some remarks by the translator on the style of Italian composition may also be found interesting : -

TRANSLATION

“To the most illustrious Lord (1)

The Lord Jennings, Sculptor,

By Birth and by Talent

By his love for the Arts and for the Muses

Most Distinguished (2)

Adone Finandi

Presents this Tribute of his Respect.”

Sonnet I.

“These are your Acts, most distinguished Lord ! (3) To elevate the Arts to their highest perfection, and continually to create Sublime Ideas by converting Shapeless Marble into Statues of wondrous and most admired Workmanship. You are the support of Literature and Science. You manifest the greatest ability. The Fame of your Superhuman genius resounds in foreign nations. You pity, assist, and love the unfortunate, and endeavour to protect them from calamities. It may be said on the walls of Romalus that you are the support and aid of all, and that all are solicitous for your happiness, and Love you.”

Sonnet II.

“When I think of describing on paper the Honours you deserve, Tears fall from my eyes (4), my Pen divides itself into many parts (5) ; Time, that he may enjoy your merits, has, in his fierce and tryannical fury, cleverly stolen your merits from the happy Eternity to which they belong. I knew not what can be wanting to complete them ! If, by a fatal destiny, there were no other pens in the world, and mine disappeared with them, nevertheless, that your Glory might attain to Immortality, Fame herself would fly hither, and would pluck for me pens out of her own wings. The End.”

1. The literal translation : A title given in almost all Italian dedications. 
2. “Sagacissimo,” literally “most wise.” Translated according to the idiom of the English language. “Emile Giovane” (“Humble Youth”) scarcely admits of a literal translation. 
3. Line 12 - “Sagace.” See Note 2. 
4. The poet does not inform his readers why he sheds tears? 
5. Why did he not use a “steel pen”? 

N.B. - The Bombast and the Poetry run mad of these compositions, are in the true Italian style, and show that Mr Jennings is thought by his friends in Rome to be – what he is in reality – a clever artist and a amiable young man. 

C.B.

Birmingham Daily Post 03 June 1914

It was reported that Councillor Oatfield had presented a marble statue, "The Birth of the Rose," by the late Benjamin Jennings, to the Free Library, in memory of the late Mr. William Jennings, Hereford. The books in the library numbered 10,995, and the number borrowed last year showed an increase over that of the previous year of 915.