Swindon Suffragette Edith New came from a large family with a lot of maiden aunts. Her mother Isabella had four sisters and her grandfather William Frampton also had four sisters.
In 1861 the Frampton family occupied three properties in Wood Street. Edith’s grandfather lived at what is now Balula’s Delicatessen. To his right lived his married sister Catherine Sharpe and to his left his widowed mother Ann and those three unmarried sisters.
By 1871 the sisters were at 4 Victoria street where they lived and worked for more than 30 years. One was a milliner, another a dressmaker and one a mantle maker, which was a type of cloak.
Catherine was widowed in 1865 and returned to Swindon from Malmesbury with her daughter to live with her sisters.
Jane died first in 1880 and Emma, Catherine and Ellen all died in 1902.
Edith was born in 1877 and would have been just three years old when Jane died, so probably had no memory of her. However, she would have grown up knowing the other three sisters. According to the 1901 census the women worked up until the year before they died.
I wonder what impression their situation made upon Edith and whether it contributed to her long fight for equality in the teaching profession and her involvement in the Votes for Women campaign.
This weathered headstone, which no longer marks the actual grave, records the burial of William Frampton’s four sister, Jane, Emma and Ellen, who never married, and Catherine who married William Sharpe.
Image of Hubert John Deacon published courtesy of Deacons website
I’m sure the name Deacon will be familiar to many, but did you know Hubert John Deacon was also a leading figure in the Baptist Church, Swindon.
The jewellers at 11-13 Wood Street was founded in 1848 by George Deacon who was later joined in business by his two nephews Hubert and Joshua.
Hubert John was born in Trowbridge in 1846 and joined the business in the late 1860s, during what was a period of considerable expansion for the family firm.
In the online company history Hubert is described as an entrepreneurial figure. He was the first President of the Swindon Chamber of Commerce in 1893 and was responsible for supplying Swindon’s first public clock on the Town Hall. He also brought the plot of land on which Deacon Street was built and named in his honour.
By 1881 he and his wife Susan had moved in over the Wood Street shop where they lived with their six children, cousin William Nash who was a watchmaker apprentice, Ann Shackleton, a jeweller’s shopwoman and two young servant girls. The Deacon children would eventually number ten. The youngest, a daughter was named Dorothy Decima.
Hubert was succeeded in the business by his only surviving son George. Today the family firm is in the hands of Richard Deacon and his sister Sara, the 6th generation
Image of Deacons store published courtesy of Deacons website
Death of Mr H.J. Deacon
50 Years a Resident in Swindon
Public Activities
The death took place on Thursday at Margate of Mr Hubert John Deacon, who was associated with the public life of Swindon for over half a century. Mr Deacon, who was 81 years of age, had been in delicate health for some time, and succumbed to an attack of bronchitis.
For many years Mr. Deacon carried on business as a jeweller and watchmaker in Wood Street, a business that was established by his uncle, Mr George Deacon, nearly a century ago. On the death of his uncle, Mr. Deacon succeeded to the business. His son, the late Mr. George Deacon, entered the business, but died at a comparatively early age, and it is now carried on by the widow, Mrs Mildred Grace Deacon, under the style of Deacon & Son.
The late Mr. Deacon first married Miss Lay, of Harwell, Berks, who predeceased him soon after they celebrated their golden wedding when they resided at “Grovelands”, Springfield Road. They had a family of two sons and eight daughters, and two daughters survive. Deceased married again when he went to Margate to reside.
An ardent worker for many years in connection with the Baptist Church in Swindon, Mr Deacon was a member when the old church was in existence at the corner of Bridge Street and Fleet Street. He took a prominent part in the scheme for building the Tabernacle 40 years ago, and gave liberally to the church funds. On the retirement of the late Mr. W.B. Wearing as superintendent of the Sunday School, Mr Deacon succeeded to that post, which he filled with success for many years. He was also a member of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and Ireland.
Interest in Public Work
Mr Deacon was associated with many enterprises in the town, notably the Swindon Permanent Building Society, of which he became successively vice-chairman and chairman, and witnessed a wonderful advance in that society as the town grew.
The public work and interests of the town always commanded his attention, and his greatest interest. He was for a number of years a member of the Local Boards, and afterwards of the District Councils of Old and New Swindon, and was also one of the first members of the Corporation, when Mr. G.J. Churchward was Mayor. He also devoted some years to Poor Law work as a member of the Swindon and Highworth Board of Guardians.
Of the Swindon Horticultural Society he was a great supporter, and his lovely garden and grounds at “Grovelands,” which he frequently lent for social gatherings in connection with churches in the summer months, were evidence of his love for flowers.
Mr. Deacon also interested himself greatly in the Victoria Hospital, with the establishment of which he was associated, as well as with its opening in Queen Victoria’s Jubilee year. For some years he was vice-chairman of the committee of management. He was one of the founders of the Old Swindon Traders’ Society, which was the forerunner of the Swindon Chamber of Commerce. Of the latter body Mr. Deacon was the first President. He was also a former chairman of the Swindon Plate Glass Insurance Society and for some years chairman of the Southern Laundry Company.
Bowls was his only out-door sport, though he did not play that extensively. He was a member of the Westlecott Club, and was instrumental in its formation.
In various other spheres the deceased did good work in the town.
Extracts from theNorth Wilts Herald, Friday, January 28, 1927.
This is the last resting place of Hubert, his wife Susan, their daughters Honoria Edith and Winifred Elsie and their son also named Hubert John. Susan died in Swindon in 1920 aged 73. Hubert died in 1927.
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.
Mother liked to favour Mr Pocock with her all her butchery requirements. She said he knew a thing or two about beef, which you would rather hope so, as a butcher and a farmer, but my sister thought there was more to it than that.
My sister believed that Mother might be ‘sweet’ on Mr. Pocock.
“He does have very twinkly eyes – for a butcher,” she added.
My brother and I looked up from the copy of the newspaper we were perusing at the kitchen table.
“Father passed away several years ago and Mr Pocock is also a widowed gentleman. There would be nothing inappropriate in a ‘friendship’ developing.” said my sister. “And as the eldest I think you should suggest that she invite him to Sunday lunch,” she declared.
“Yes,” my brother piped up. “I think you should take the bull by the horns.”
I remember mother being very upset when Mr Pocock passed away. Perhaps my sister was right after all.
The facts …
Death of Mr S.J. Pocock
Swindon has lost a well-known resident by the death of Mr. Samuel Johnson Pocock, who passed away at his residence, 17, Wood Street, on Saturday night.
Mr Pocock, who was 68 years of age, came of a well-known family of farmers in West Wilts, and more than half a century of his life was spent in that part of the country. In 1900 he came from Melksham to Swindon, and in conjunction with is son, Mr Percy Pocock, took over the old-established purveying business of Keylock & Co. The deceased was acknowledged to be one of the best judges of cattle in the district, and his services as an adjudicator were greatly in request at the Christmas shows. He was the first president of the Swindon Master Butchers’ Association.
Some six months ago Mr. Pocock’s health showed signs of failing, and it became necessary for him to go to London to undergo an operation. This proved so far successful that the patient experienced considerable relief and was able to return to Swindon. He did not, however, resume business pursuits, but for a while took up his residence with some friends at Corsham. Eventually he came back to Swindon, and it has for some time been apparent that his life could not be prolonged. He finally took to his bed about a fortnight since.
Mr Pocock, whose wife pre-deceased him 14 years ago, leaves a son and a daughter.
North Wilts Herald, Friday, February 9, 1917.
Burial Registers
Samuel Johnson Pocock 68 years 17 Wood Street burial 7th February 1917 grave plot E7508
He is buried with:-
Evelyn Mary Edwina Pocock 81 years died St Margaret’s Hospital, Stratton – home 72 Croft Road, Swindon. Burial 5th November 1969.
Percy Johnson Pocock Butcher 48 years 17 Wood Street, burial 11th October, 1925.
Ellen Pocock, wife of – Pocock 53 years 17 Wood Street, burial 29th May 1902.
Radnor Street Cemetery 