Mr Farr, Tamworth Carrier (c1649-1770)

Strange things you find when searching the newspapers on Find My Past.

Leeds Intelligencer 

February 13, 1770

DIED. At Birmingham, aged 121, Mr Farr, Tamworth Carrier, who had twenty-one children, nineteen of whom were married. He had in the whole, children, grand-children, and great grand children, to the amount of 144 ; but what is remarkable, he out-lived all his numerous posterity, and has left 10,000l. to charitable uses.

My Five Generation Birth Place Chart

It looks like the idea came from here originally. I decide to join in when I saw people Tweeting theirs.				Unknown
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		Unknown		Unknown
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	India		Unknown
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				Limerick, Ireland
			Limerick, Ireland
Birmingham, England		India		Limerick, Ireland
				India
			India
				India
				Unknown
			London, England
		Birmingham, England		Lancashire, England
				London, England
	Birmingham, England		Birmingham, England
				West Bromwich, England
				Tipton, England
			Great Bridge, England
		Smethwick, England		Caynham, England
				West Bromwich, England
			Smethwick, England
				Smethwick, England

Nan of the Clod (c1674 - 1774)

Strange things you find when searching the newspapers on Find My Past.

Leeds Intelligencer 

July 12, 1774

D I E D

A woman, at Hanworth-heath, near Birmingham, known in that part of the country for upwards of seventy years by the name of Nan of the Clod : She was near 100 years old, and left about 1300l. which she acquired by her extraordinary skill in the occult science of Fortune-telling.

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.

William Pritchard's Will - Hereford 1839

I ordered the will on Friday and it arrived today - Tuesday.  What a service!  However, for £12 I would have expected a better copy.  The copy is extremely hard to read not because it is old but because it is covered in lines - perhaps from a microfilm or a very old copier.  I would have thought it would have been better to create a new digital copy of the original document when one is requested and use that to send a copy to the customer.  Just because we are family historians and very grateful for any information we can procure about our ancestors we are in fact still customers and should be provided with a better copy.

Anyway, on to the important stuff.  

This is the last will and testament of me William Pritchard of Wye Bridge Street in the city of Hereford, Gentleman, as follows

I give and bequeath all my household Goods and Furniture, Plate, Linen, China and Effects unto my sons in law Thomas Bishop, Thomas Lockett and Francis Barrett their [?] executors administrators and assigns upon Trust to sell and dispose thereof as soon as convenient it may be after my decease and divide the sums into seven shares and pay one seventh part thereof to my Daughter in Law, Eliza Pritchard or in the event of her death in my Lifetime to her Daughter Eliza Job [?], one other seventh part thereof to the said Thomas Bishop, one other seventh part thereof to my Daughter Elizabeth Mitchell, one other seventh part thereof to my Daughter Mary Jennings, one other seventh part thereof to the said Francis Barrett, one other seventh part thereof to my son Edward Pritchard and the remaining seventh part thereof to the children of my late son Thomas Pritchard [something unreadable crossed out]. And I direct that such [?] of the said [?] as are hereinbefore described to be paid to any married woman shall be paid to them [?] for their [?] sole and separate use independent of any husband. And I do truly nominate and appoint the said Thomas Bishop, Thomas Lockett and Francis Barrett to be executors of this my will. In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed and set my hand and seal this Fourteenth day of January 1839.

Wm Pritchard

Signed [????????] presence of [us or me?] Thos ?

[rest is missing off the page] 

William Pritchard (c1757- c1839) - Hereford

It is only thanks to a very generous person that I am able to write about my six times great grandfather – William Pritchard.  Trying to find the maiden name of my five times great grandmother has been a 20+ year brick wall so getting the name of her father and her mother in law in one go is incredible!  So a massive, massive thank you.

William Pritchard (c1757- c1839)

William Pritchard may have been born in 1757. We know his will was proved in 1840 (a copy is on order - see update here - unfortunately it doesn't include the date of death) and a search of the BMD shows a William Pritchard aged 82 dying in November 1839 in Hereford. There is also the following entry on 20th November 1839 in the Hereford Journal (on Find My Past).

On Sunday last died, at his residence, Bridge-street, Mr William Pritchard, in his 84th year, one of the oldest inhabitants of this city.

There is also a burial entry (another Find My Past find).  A William Pritchard, aged 82 years, was buried on 22nd November 1839 at St John's Church, Hereford, Herefordshire, England.

We know William Pritchard and Elizabeth had the following children:

Elizabeth Pritchard (C1780-1840)

Elizabeth Pritchard was born in 1780 (based on recorded age at date of death). She married Robert Mitchell on 22nd August 1802 in Herefordshire, England. She died on 20th December 1840 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. We know she is the child of William Pritchard due to the information provided to me by the generous person mention above -

Robert Mitchell of Birmingham, Saint Philip's Parish, married Elizabeth Pritchard at Saint John the Baptist's Church, Hereford, 22nd August 1802, by License according to the marriage indexes published by the Herefordshire Family History Society.

I later found (on Find My Past!)

Hereford Journal - 23rd December 1840

Dec. 20, aged 60, Elizabeth, relict of the late Mr. Robert Mitchell, of Birmingham, and eldest daughter of the late Mr. William Pritchard, of Wye Bridge-street, in this city.

Ann Pritchard (C1784-1838)

Ann Pritchard was born in 1784 (if the 1838 newspapers notice of the death is correct). She married Thomas Bishop on 16th June 1812 at St Martin's Church, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. (Thomas Bishop and Robert Mitchell were partners at one point – see Robert and Elizabeth's story here). 

The information I had been given was

Robert and Elizabeth Mitchell were also both witnesses to the marriage of Thomas Bishop and Ann Pritchard at Saint Martin's Church, Birmingham, 16th July 1812. This was also by Licence and fortunately findmypast have the bonds and allegations for Lichfield Diocese, where it states that Bishop was a Dealer and Chapman and Robert Mitchell, a fellow bondsman, was a Jeweller. Ann was a spinster of Saint John the Baptist's Parish, Hereford.

See the actual document at Find My Past -

Ann died according to Aris's Birmingham Gazette (yes another Find My Past find) on the 2nd May 1838 at Hereford.

Aris's Birmingham Gazette May 7, 1838

At Hereford, in her 54th year, Ann, the beloved wife of Mr. Thomas Bishop.

And a lovely entry in the Hereford Times of May 5, 1838

On Wednesday evening last, after a few hours illness, Ann, the beloved wife of Mr. Thomas Bishop, of Wyebridge street, in this city, draper, in the 54th year of her age. She was a kind, tender and affectionate wife and parent, and her premature dissolution will be long and deeply regretted by her family and acquaintance.

Sarah Pritchard (c1787 – 1835)

Sarah Pritchard was born in 1787 (if 48 years old at time of death in 1835). According to Ancestry - Sarah married Thomas Lockett on 26th December 1813 at Saint John Baptist, Hereford, Hereford, England.

Sarah died on 2nd April 1835 in Hereford, Herefordshire, England according to the Hereford Times of the 4th April 1835 (on Find My Past).

On Thursday last, after a lingering and painful illness, borne with great patience and resignation, aged 48, Sarah, the beloved wife of Mr. Thomas Lockett, chemist, of this city.

Catharine Pritchard (c1789 – 1837)

Catharine Pritchard was born in 1789 (a newspaper states she was 48 when she died in 1837).   She married, according to Ancestry, Francis Barrett on 18th January 1818 at Saint John Baptist, Hereford, Hereford, England.

Catharine died in February 1837 according to the Hereford Times of February 11, 1837.

On the 2d inst., in the 48th year of her age, after a lingering illness, which she bore with the greatest fortitude and resignation, Catharine, the beloved wife of Mr. Francis Barratt, of Burghill, in this county, and youngest daughter of Mr. William Pritchard, of Bridge-street, in this city.

Note - Catharine and Francis Barratt appear on numerous trees on Ancestry - but my feeling is that the trees are wrong (in terms of the details for Catharine's parents), and people seemed to have just copied each other as the only evidence/source appears to be other trees, so be careful if you are researching this family.   

As if all the above wasn't evidence enough that these girls were the children of William Pritchard of (Wye)Bridge Street, Hereford - here is a clue from the Herefordshire Wills index search

W 09/04/1840 Pritchard William Hereford Thomas Bishop, Thomas Lockett, Francis Barrett 200.00.00

And this on National Archives

Reference: AW28/15/5
Description: Assignment and further Mortgage

1 Thomas Bishop of Hereford, Mercer, Thomas Lockett of Hereford, Carrier, and Francis Barrett of Burghill, Farmer
2 William Robins of Little Birch, Labourer
3 Mary Mathews of Mantleys, Newent, Glos., widow

Following the assignment to 1 of Wm. Pritchard's interest in the above mortgage, Now: £50 paid by 3 to 1 and £30 to 2.

Date: 25 Jan. 1840

Held by: Herefordshire Archive and Records Centre, not available at The National Archives

Updated 15 March 2016

Following the receipt of William's will we can now add the following details to this family. The will is share by 7 sets of people.

• Daughter in Law Eliza or her daughter Eliza (Job?) if Eliza dies within William's life time.
• Son in Law - Thomas Bishop
• Daughter - Elizabeth Mitchell
• Daughter - Mary Jennings
• Son in Law - Francis Barrett
• Son - Edward Pritchard
• Children of late son - Thomas Pritchard

Updated 19 March 2016

Hereford Journal 15 July 1835

On Saturday last died, after a short illness, in the 68th year of her age, Elizabeth, the beloved and much la-mented wife of Mr. Wm. Pritchard, sen. of Wyebridge-street, in this city.