Timothy Job Mills – a highly respected citizen

The family story is that Timothy Job Mills bought the Astill printing works that once stood at the corner of Victoria Street and Bath Road. His son Arthur Stanley Mills had married Amy, one of the Astill daughters and family historian Rhonda sent me the follow anecdote.

Image published courtesy of Local Studies, Swindon Central Library.

Arthur’s father Timothy Job Mills eventually purchased the Astill Printing Works and kept all the existing employees on. He also bought tea in complete chests and the family used to spend ‘happy’ evenings bagging it up for sale to friends and neighbours. It was his proud boast that he made one farthing profit on every bag…

The enterprising Timothy Job Mills was born in Marston Maisey in 1845, the son of William and Helen Mills. By 1861 14 year old Timothy had moved to Swindon where he lodged with a family in Broome and worked as an agricultural labourer. In 1871, newly married to Ellen, he lived at Bradwick in Buckinghamshire where he worked as a painter’s labourer. By 1881 he was living in Upper Stratton and working as a commercial traveller. In 1891 he was living at 35 Bath Terrace, one of several terraces in the Farringdon Road area, where he continued to work as a commercial traveller. By 1901 he was living at 15 Devizes Road where he worked as a house furniture dealer, an enterprise his son Arthur Stanley Mills continued. In 1911 he was again working a a commercial traveller, this time dealing in cattle food. His acquisition of the Astill printing works followed but when his tea dealing enterprise took place remains unknown.

Timothy married twice – first to Ellen Reynolds by whom he had at least 7 children. Ellen died in 1893 and is buried in grave plot A965. Her details are recorded incorrectly in the Radnor Street Cemetery registers where it is stated she was 64 years old when she was actually 43.

Timothy married again in 1895. By then aged 50 his second wife was 23 year old Ada Kate Rosier. This marriage was a short one as Ada died the following year. She was buried with Timothy’s first wife in plot A965.

The Late Mr T.J. Mills

Funeral in Swindon

The funeral of the late Mr Timothy Job Mills, which took place on Friday, was marked by unusual demonstrations of sorrow and sympathy. The first part of the service was conducted at the Regent Street Primitive Methodist Church, where deceased had for so many years been a regular worshipper. He had filled many offices, including that of choirmaster, and he was also a circuit steward and a member of the Brinkworth District Committee, and had represented the church at District meetings and the district at annual conferences.

Appropriate music was rendered by the organist, and two of deceased’s favourite hymns were sung, “Give me the wings of faith” and “There is a land of pure delight.” The Revs. A.R. Wightman and C.H. Shawe officiated at the graveside in the Cemetery.

An Appreciation

In the course of the service at the church the Rev. F.W. Harper gave an address. He said Mr. Mills had lived a long life and had been a highly respected citizen of the town and a member of that church. He was a Free Churchman from principle and a regular worshipper at Regent Street church, and he had attended many important conferences as their esteemed representative. His very presence in the sanctuary, with his ever radiant smile and his jocose manner, brought to bear upon them the brightness of a spring-time morning. It was hard to think of Regent Street church without Mr. Mills. His cordiality was genuine, and he was ever out to do good for his fellow creatures. He always prayed simply, but persuasively and with great fervency, and he always joined heartily in the singing and loved the old Methodist hymns. Mr Mills’ child-like faith in the goodness of his Heavenly Father was one of the most beautiful traits in his character. He served his Lord and Master from a sense of duty as well as gladness. He was no weakling, and the church and denomination mourned the loss of a good man. Mr Mill had been an inspiration to preachers, to laymen as well as ministers.

Extracts from North Wilts Herald, Friday, March 2, 1923.

A Communion table & chairs were presented to the church by the family of T.J. Mills

Timothy Job Mills of 11 Devizes Road died on February 19, 1923. Probate was awarded to his two sons John Edwards and Arthur Stanley Mills when his effects were valued at £11,145 10s. He was buried on February 23 in grave plot A965 with his two wives, Ellen and Ada.

William Ormond – Swindon solicitor

This fulsome account of the life of William Ormond pretty much says it all. However, in 1890 William and his wife Georgina were at the centre of the much publicised case of their daughter Marion and the scandalous Rev Newton Ebenezer Howe, Vicar at Christ Church, which you may like to read here.

Death of a Swindon Solicitor

Mr W. Ormond passes away at the age of 82

A well known and highly esteemed gentleman, who practised as a solicitor in Swindon for many years, has just passed away, in the person of Mr William Ormond, at No. 1. Devizes Road, or, as it is now known, Croft Road. The deceased gentleman, who attained the advanced age of 82 years on the 1^st of last August, had been in failing health for some time past. Still he was able to get out and about, and displayed almost wonderful vitality right up to the end.

About three weeks ago, however, weaknesses incident to old age became more and more pronounced and eventually Mr Ormond was compelled to take to his bed, although even then he expressed his intention of getting up and attending Church only last Sunday, when he was obviously in an unfit condition to do so. The wiser counsels of those about him prevailed, and Mr Ormond remained at home. His condition became perceptibly worse, and at times he exhibited a tendency towards delirium and was at other times oblivious to things about him, bordering on unconsciousness. On Thursday it was observed that the end was not far off, and at 6.50 this morning Mr Ormond passed peacefully away.

The deceased gentleman was born at Wantage, in Berkshire, on the 19^th August, 1826, and it is a fact worth recording that, until old age compelled him to lay up, he had never, to the knowledge of his family spent one day of illness in bed.

In the month of October, 1849 he went to Abingdon, where he settled down as a solicitor, working up a good practice, which he continued to hold until 1855.

In March of that year he removed to Swindon, entering into partnership with Mr J.C. Townsend, and taking offices in High Street. Many years after he was in practice by himself, with offices in Victoria Street.

In May, 1858, Mr Ormond married, at North Road, Cheshire, Georgina Mary Lamprey, formerly of Marchwood, Southampton, and the newly married pair, after the honeymoon, returned to Swindon. Eight children were born to them – one son and seven daughters.

The son served his country in South Africa. He became a Lieutenant of the Imperial Light Horse, and died a soldier’s death at the hands of the Boers at Naaupoort on Jan. 5^th, 1901.

Of the seven daughters, four are living. The second daughter died in 1861; and the youngest daughter, Winifred, who became the wife of Mr Frank Chapman, of the firm of Messrs Spencer, Chapman, and Co., solicitors of London, died on the 21^st May, 1907.

Mrs Ormond passed away two years ago.

The deceased gentleman never took any active interest in public affairs. He was somewhat of a retiring disposition, and was highly esteemed and greatly liked by all who enjoyed the privilege of his acquaintance.

He retired from active professional work about seven years ago. The deceased gentleman was one of those who performed many acts of real charity in a quiet and unostentatious manner – even in a secret. In a word, he delighted in doing good by stealth as many can testify. The last striking example of this was in his recent gift of £400 to the Parish Church for a Men’s Club, which was referred to as recently as Wednesday night by Canon Estcourt at the Parish tea.

The funeral will probably take place on Tuesday, and the family desire, in deference to the deceased gentleman’s expressed wish, that no flowers should be sent.

The Swindon Advertiser, Friday, November 27, 1908.

Edward Henry Sammes of Swindon

This is the last resting place of Edward Henry Sammes. It’s interesting that his family should make a point of adding ‘of Swindon’ to the inscription because Edward was not Swindon born.

Edward was born in Lambeth in January 1842, the son of William and Sarah Sammes.

The first reference to Edward being in Swindon is in the 1871 census when he is 29 years old and living a 1 Belle Vue Road where he describes himself as a grocer. That same year he married Sarah Anne Spackman from Wootton Bassett and the couple had two children William and Millicent, who are both buried here as well.

By 1889 he was a member of the Old Swindon Local Board, so well placed to know plans for development in the town. The family were by then living at Wycliffe House in Devizes Road.

In 1892 Edward submitted a planning application to build 8 houses on the corner of Kent Road and Maidstone Road. The building specifications for Edward’s houses describe three bedrooms, a parlour, sitting room, kitchen, conservatory, scullery, WC, coals and pantry.

This area of Kingshill was pretty much one big building site during the 1890s. The land had originally come on the market in the 1870s with the death of John Harding Sheppard but development was slow to take off. However, by the 1890s numerous speculative builders had snapped up the building plots and were busy at work. A map of Edward’s project shows an empty site next door on the corner of Kent Road and Ashford Road with another empty site opposite. At the other end of the road rival builder William Chambers had a yard opposite his own development at Ashford Terrace.

Edward died in 1897 aged 55. He left £5,814 18s 6d to his widow Sarah and son William, worth today somewhere in the region of £2.7 million.

I’m not sure if his son William ever worked or whether he lived off his inheritance. In 1911 William 35, was living at 31 Devizes Road, with his sister Millicent 27. Both of them were living on ‘private means’.

Local historian David Lewis has been able to add a some further information.

Edward Sammes lived at 31 Devizes Road “Wycliffe” in 1895 according to the Kellys directory as a private residence. Millicent was still there in 1951. Sometime in the 1960/70s, it became the Spiritualist Centre.

Frank Chandler – draper and outfitter

The Chandler family was a large one and for many years the business of Chandler Brothers dominated the corner of Wood Street and Devizes Road.

Frank was born in 1860, one of John and Susannah Chandler’s large family and was running the business alongside his widowed father at the time of the 1881 census. He married farmer’s daughter Ada Keziah Edmonds at St Paul’s Church on June 10, 1890. He was 30 years of age and she was 23.

The couple’s first home was above the shop in Wood Street where a staff of eight boarded with them including three draper’s assistants, 2 dressmakers and a milliner.

Their only child, a daughter Ada, was baptised on April 21, 1891, at the church where the couple had married but sadly she died around the time of her first birthday.

At the time of the 1901 census Frank and Ada lived at South View, a house on the Sands in Old Swindon, just a short walk from the family business.

Death of Mr Frank Chandler

We regret to announce the death, which has taken place under painfully sudden circumstances, of Mr Frank Chandler, of South View, The Sands, Swindon, and a member of the firm of Messrs Chandler Bros., drapers and outfitters, 35, Wood Street, and Devizes Road.

The deceased gentleman, who was 46 years of age, and who leaves a wife, but no children, was recovering from a long attack of acute rheumatism. He went to Bournemouth, where he caught a chill, and he was compelled to return home. Unhappily, the chill was followed by complications which necessitated an operation being performed. Accordingly, on Saturday afternoon his medical attendant, Dr J. Campbell Maclean, accompanied him to London, where, at a surgical home, he was attended to. The operation took place on Saturday evening, but Mr Chandler, without recovering consciousness from the anaesthetic, died suddenly from syncope.

Mrs Chandler, who also accompanied her husband to London, and whose own health is by no means satisfactory, returned to Swindon soon after Mr Chandler’s demise.

Mr John Chandler proceeded to London very soon after hearing of his brother’s death.

The painful news was announced to a large congregation yesterday morning by Canon Estcourt before the sermon at the Parish Church, of which the deceased gentleman was a member, and the intelligence came as a severe shock to the many by whom Mr Chandler was intimately known.

The body will be brought to Swindon for interment.

By the death of Mr Frank Chandler, the town has lost an inhabitant who was held in the highest esteem. He was the youngest son of the late Mr John Chandler, and his long connection with the well known business in Wood Street brought him into contact with very many people. His gentlemanly and courteous bearing, his kindly disposition won for him a large circle of devoted friends to whom his sudden loss will occasion keen sorrow. What lends a further degree of painfulness to the event is the fact that, as stated by Canon Estcourt, the deceased gentleman was about to take over control of the whole of the important Wood Street business. Mr Frank Chandler never took any active part in the town’s affairs, though as a sterling business man he was warmly respected by all with whom he came into business contact.

At Swindon Parish Church on Sunday morning, the Vicar, Canon Estcourt, before commencing his sermon, referred to the sad death of Mr. Chandler. He said: As I was on my way to Church this morning I heard the distressing news of the death of Mr Frank Chandler, which took place after an operation which he underwent in London. He was, as you know, just about to take over the management of one of the large business establishments in the town. But God has seen fit to order things otherwise for him. I am sure today our sympathy and our prayers will go forth to his many relations, and to his wife especially.

The Evening Swindon Advertiser, Monday, November 19, 1906.

The Late Mr Frank Chandler

The Funeral

Amid every manifestation of deep sympathy and regret the funeral took place on Wednesday of the late Mr Frank Chandler, of the well known firm of Chandler Bros., Wood Street, Swindon whose sad death in London we announced last Monday.

The body was conveyed from Paddington by the train leaving there at 11.40, and arrived at Swindon GWR Station at 1.20 p.m. Thence it was removed to the Parish Church, where the first part of the funeral service was conducted by the Vicar (Canon E.W. Estcourt), who also officiated at the graveside.

The cortege, headed by a carriage laden with floral tributes, left the Church at 2.30, and proceeded to the Cemetery via Cricklade Street, Wood Street, Bath Road, Lansdown Road, and Kent Road.

Extract from the funeral report published in the Evening Swindon Advertiser Thursday, November 22, 1906.

The funeral took place on November 21, 1906 when Frank was buried in Radnor Street Cemetery in grave plot E8327. He is buried alone.

Season of mists Pt III

There has been heavy rainfall over night and underfoot is very damp and slippy. But I have come prepared as today I am taking you to a crowded corner of the cemetery where there are some magnificent monuments with some classic funeral iconography.

The IHS on this cross is the Greek representation of Jesus Christ’s name. The garland of flowers around the cross represents victory in death. This is the last resting place of Edward Henry Sammes. It’s interesting that his family should make a point of adding ‘of Swindon’ to the inscription because Edward was not originally from Swindon but was born in Lambeth in January 1842, the son of William and Sarah Sammes.

The first reference to Edward in Swindon is in the 1871 census when he is 29 years old and living a 1 Belle Vue Road where he describes himself as a grocer. That same year he married Sarah Anne Spackman from Wootton Bassett. The couple had two children William and Millicent who are both buried here as well.

At the time of the 1881 census Edward described himself as a retired grocer. By 1889 he was a member of the Old Swindon Local Board, so well placed to know plans for development in the town. The family were then living at Wycliffe House in Devizes Road.

In 1892 Edward submitted a planning application to build eight houses on the corner of Kent Road and Maidstone Road. The land had orginally come on the market in the 1870s but development was slow to take off. However, by the 1890s the area was pretty much one huge building site.

A map of Edward’s project shows an empty site next door on the corner of Kent Road and Ashford Road with another empty site opposite. The building specifications for Edward’s houses describe three bedrooms, a parlor, sitting room, kitchen, conservatory, scullery, WC, coals and pantry. At the other end of the road rival builder William Chambers had a yard opposite his own development at Ashford Terrace.

Edward died in 1897 aged 55. He left £5,814 18s 6d to his widow Sarah and son William, worth today somewhere in the region of £2.7 million.

I’m not sure if his son William ever worked or whether he spent his whole life living off his inheritance. The last census presently available to researchers is the 1911 when the family are living at 31 Devizes Road where William, then aged 35, and his sister Millicent 27 are both living on private means.

We have been very fortunate with the weather so far. And doesn’t the cemetery look beautiful in its Autumn finery. But then it always looks beautiful to me. I look forward to keeping your company tomorrow.

Where are the songs of Spring? Ay, where are they?
Think not of them, thou hast thy music too –
While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day,
And touch the stubble-plains with rosy hue;
Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn
Among the river sallows, borne aloft
Or sinking as the light wind lives or dies;

To Autumn by John Keats